Good morning friends and family and thank you for joining us this morning. We're about to start part 7 of this series on "Who Are We In Christ" and we have been basing this study around the book of 1 Corinthians.
Before we get started, I want to thank all of you joining us here on Paltalk, for those who read and watch on both of the Cross Roads Fellowship sites., Mylook Online, Lokey Sisters, The Far From Normal Faith Ministries site, J and L Ministries, u-tube, and the list goes on and on. Thank you all for your support. I also want to thank Leanna for sharing the scriptures in the chat box and thank her and Tim for keeping an eye on this room as administrators should. It makes my job so much easier. Please open your Bibles to 1 Corinthians and we'll start this morning with Chapter 3. As we read this chapter, we're going to see where Apostle Paul discusses hindrance of a carnal state to spiritual growth, and also Christian service and its reward. Praise God. 1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. What was Paul saying here? For those who have been following along in this series, there were many key scriptures that I believe shows what he was trying to get across. The first was: 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. As we'll see in the next verses, many of them in the Corinth church were not ready for meat. They were baby Christians as a pastor that Leanna and I were under at one point would say. And then like now, there were most likely those who thought they were saved and were not. Amen someone? Paul couldn't share the real meat of the Gospel with these Corinthians. So someone might be thinking to themselves, "What is a spiritual Christian"? Anyone? Very simply put, spiritual Christians are believers who are being led and obeying the Holy Spirit. Amen? 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 KJV But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. Glory to God. Amen everyone? Lets look at another passage explaining this. Romans 7:18-22 KJV For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. Through these verses, we can see that spiritual people are the opposite of carnal people. Carnal people are living their lives (whether good or bad) through their own ability. Amen someone? Spiritual people would be the ones who are depending on God's ability instead of their own understanding. Yet, we can see even in many religious circles, and the key word is religious, that they teach of their own understanding and not being led by the Holy Spirit. Amen? Do we get this friends? Our salvation and walk with God are not based on religion. "Oh boy brother Jim, you just confused me." My friends, it's based on a personal relationship with Jesus. We looked at this last week. You and I are not saved because of a church building, a pastor, or someone who may have shared the gospel with you and may have led you to pray for salvation. Yes, these people may have helped you get to that decision, but it's the relationship that you now have with Christ the moment you asked Him into your life. When you admitted you were a sinner and you believed that He came as a sinless man to die a sinless man for you and me. Shedding His sinless blood to cleanse you from your sin. And that He was resurrected from the dead on the 3rd day and now is in Heaven at the right side of God almighty and now is your defense council, if you will . Glory to King Jesus. Salvation isn't about religion, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Wow, as I'm preparing this message, it's evident to me we could study just this one verse through this mornings service. I don't think we'll do that, but there are some more key points that I think we should get an understanding of. Praise God! Let's look at carnal. Being carnal are those who are dominated by their physical senses. Everyone understand this? It's those who base everything on what they can see, taste, hear, smell, and feel, and their own understanding. Spiritual people are more dominated by God's Word than by their own feelings. Church, true spirituality will eventually affect every area of our lives, but we must be sure that we're not using our personal convictions to judge anothers spirituality. The issue that Paul was using to evaluate spirituality is people's ability to discern spiritual truth as we looked at in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 and what their relationships with others are like as we'll see in the next verses. It doesn't matter how often people go to church or what their dress code is. If they're contentious and not able to discern spiritual truth, they aren't spiritual. Please turn to John 6:53. I know we read this last week, but I think it'll bring a better understanding to some of you. Let's see what Jesus said. John 6:53-58 KJV Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (54) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (55) For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (56) He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. (57) As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. (58) This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. Leanna, can you post 1 Corinthians verse 1 again, please? I want us to look at the last part of 1 Corinthians 1 and we will move to verse 2. Notice what was said here. even as unto babes in Christ. To me, I think this has led some people to believe that our born-again spirits start out as infants and must grow or mature in Christ. Do you understand what I'm saying here? For those who think this way, I think you may have an incorrect understanding, and I hope what I share next will help. I used to think this, and scriptures showed me differently. Amen someone? Colossians 2:8-10 KJV Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: As brother Jeff from A Far From Normal Faith Ministry would say, "Boom boom." Do we see this, church? As Christians, our spirits are completely mature at the time of salvation. Praise Jesus. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we're not to try to mature our spirits, but mature our souls through the renewing of our minds so that they will allow our born-again spirits to function. Glory! I do pray you're all understanding. Romans 12:2 KJV 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. Friends, our new spirits already have the mind of Christ. We're now in the process of educating our minds to the truths of God's Word that are already present in our spirits. If we look at Romans 12:3, you and I have the same measure of faith that Christ has. This faith is in our spirits. We don't need more faith; we just need to renew our minds with the Word of God so that we can use the faith of Christ that is already present in us. Romans 12:3 KJV 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. Let's get back to 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and go to verse 2. We kind of looked at this with what we read in verse 1. I know we spent a lot of time on verse 1, but I felt there were things that we all needed to understand to carry on by rightly dividing scriptures, and there were many others we could have looked at, but I hope we all got this. 1 Corinthians 3:2 KJV I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 1 Corinthians 3:2 Amp However, brethren, I could not talk to you as to spiritual [men], but as to nonspiritual [men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates], as to mere infants [in the new life] in Christ [[a]unable to talk yet!] 1 Corinthians 3:2-3 GW I gave you milk to drink. I didn't give you solid food because you weren't ready for it. Even now you aren't ready for it (3) because you're still influenced by your corrupt nature. When you are jealous and quarrel among yourselves, aren't you influenced by your corrupt nature and living by human standards? Wow! And friends, this is a major issue today. All of Paul's teaching about unity isn't deep teaching. It wasn't meant for just the spiritually mature. He was saying this was "milk," not "meat." Therefore, those who think that unity among the believers is impossible because we're too immature are wrong. Paul made it very clear that these Corinthians were "babes in Christ," but also notice he commanded them to be of the same mind and judgment and to be perfectly joined together. 1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Are we beginning to see where Paul was going in this chapter? Are these things that Jesus taught us through His Word to be part of? Absolutely not. They were following their own understanding. They were acting in the flesh, and this is what I see happening in the world today. We see it in denominations today, or at least I've seen it, and it should not be if we are operating in the Spirit. Glory to God. Paul mentions envy, strife and divisions as signs of carnality. Friends, what I notice happening in churches, and even on some of the Christian websites, is the church today has focused its attention on the sins of immorality and many ignore things like unity among the believers. Romans 8:5-8 KJV For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. As we'll see as we get further into this study, the church at Corinth had the wide range of sins present among its members. Apostle Paul mentioned some of the sins of immorality in 1 Corinthians 7, but here we see his emphasis was on the division among the believers. James 3:14-18 KJV But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. (15) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (16) For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Friends, strife opens a door to every evil work that the enemy wants to do in people's lives. Envy, strife and division within the body of believers can be even deadlier than the sins of immorality. And what did we just read in verse 18? (18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Let's read the next few verses and we'll finish up for today. 1 Corinthians 3:4-9 KJV (4) For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (5) Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. What was Paul trying to get across in theses verses? He kind of started this in the first chapter of this epistle. It should also be a warning to the church today. Amen someone? As long as people promote one denominational persuasion over another, the body of Christ as a whole is still carnal. Do we see this? Many believers don't understand what I'm going to say next. All Christians are ministers. You and I and all believers are called to share their faith with others. 1 Peter 3:15-17 KJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (16) Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (17) For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. Now in saying that all Christians are ministers, not all Christians are called to one of the five ministries listed in Eph 4:11, where it becomes their vocation to minister the Gospel. Let's look at what's said in Ephesians 4 and starting with verse 9. Ephesians 4:9-13 KJV (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. I love these scriptures. As members of His Body (Christ Jesus), the Holy Spirit will endue us with spiritual gifts for His service that we might confirm and build up others in the faith and that we might dispense the saving doctrines of His grace to the unsaved. Praise Jesus! We also see in Corinthians verse 7 that Paul was saying that God is the one who used Apollos and him to touch these Corinthians lives, and God should get the glory. Amen? That's an important message for the Corinthian church at that time and for you and me to get, even today. We, my friends, are nothing without God. Yes, we can do great and wondrous things, but can you bring them to Heaven when our time is through here? We can preach a message that sounds all religious, but if it didn't come from God, what good does it do? Who does it touch? Oh, it might puff up the person preaching it. They may think to themselves, 'Look at me, I'm a godly man. I preached a message." No, my friends. When we do something good, we're proud of what we've done, but this passage says that even our best, most noble works are like "dirty rags" when it comes to earning us a place in heaven--they're useless and good for nothing. They're certainly not enough to bring us into a right relationship with God. For that my friends, we need Christ. So in ending this message today, I ask you my friends to ponder on what you've heard, or read today. Chew on it during the week and not let it just go in one ear and out the other, as I believe Paul was acutely aware that it was God working through him. This is a important lesson that I and every true minister of the Gospel must learn. We see in John 15:5 KJV I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. I hope that this message has blessed you today. I hope that there was something that each of us can use to further God's Kingdom. For those who joined us on Paltak, thank you for your support and we look forward to having you join next week. For those listening on u-tube, any of the Christian and secular sites that the u-tube video or notes may be posted, again we thank you and ask that you leave comments, subscribe and please share with your friends and family. We love you, and may the Lord bless you this week.
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Good morning friends and family and thank you for joining J and L Ministries for part 6 of Who Are We In Christ from the book of 1 Corinthians. We thank those joining us live on Pal talk, those who may be reading this message on Cross Roads Fellowship sites, Mylook Online, Lokey Sisters, J and L Ministries site, our new u-tube channel, or any of the other social media sites. Glory to God!
Leanna and I just came back this past Friday from a weeks getaway just off the coast of Maine. It was a time that we did not hear phones ringing non-stop or a dog barking at every person that walked by the house. It kept me away from hours of computer chores and it was great. Leanna and I had a chance to enjoy each others company without the everyday distractions. It also gave me a chance to try to hear what direction the Lord would have us go with this ministry He has blessed Leanna and I with. I say try, because even though I did pray, I did not hear anything. It does get frustrating at times when you get all excited thinking that God is going to open up new doors and you wait and wait and think, "Ok, now is the time" and you hear nothing. So I'm thinking that maybe what He has had us do is still the plan. Praise God. If everyone could please turn to 1 Corinthians 2:9. We'll pick up with the last verse where we left off last week and verse 10. For those who joined us or read or watched last week's message, we read where Apostle Paul talked about his preaching. We saw that Paul was addressing the Corinth church and us. The true believer needs to be careful of what and who we listen to and as we continue, Paul will go deeper into this. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 KJV (9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. I think it's important for us to notice that Paul didn't stop with his statements in verse 9. It's true that we've never perceived the glorious things of God through our own knowledge. Praise the Lord, but that doesn't mean that we can't walk in the wisdom of God. We can, if we allow the Holy Spirit to give us revelation knowledge. I want us to look at a couple of verses in the gospels. If you could please turn to Luke 2:26 and John 6:44. Luke 2:25-26 KJV 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. John 6:44-51 KJV No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (45) It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (46) Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. (47) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (48) I am that bread of life. (49) Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. (50) This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. (51) I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. Jesus Christ, the true Bread, is that to the soul which bread is to the body, nourishing and supporting the spiritual life. Our bodies could live better without food than our souls could without Christ. Those who have received this Bread are to be the distributors of it to other hungry souls. Jeremiah 10:23 KJV O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Church, we learned from the beginning of this series, the Lord didn't give His wisdom to man. Instead, man was made to be dependent on God to impart His supernatural wisdom as needed. Amen! People on their own are incapable of receiving the wisdom of God, as 1Co 2:9 describes, but those who submit themselves to God have access to the wisdom of God through the Holy Spirit. If we look back a few weeks ago, we saw what Paul, being led by the Holy Spirit, said about the unsaved. 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Friends, is anyone getting where we're going with this? You and I are nothing without God. How many times have we tried to go about life on our own? I ask even those who might be involved in ministry. What happens when we try to go about things that sound like it might be of God, but when we pursue that thing we fall on our backsides? Is God speaking to anyone? I've been there. We want to do all the things that we can for God, but it isn't where He has led us. Amen someone? 1 Corinthians 2:11 KJV For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Paul was saying that in the same way that no one really knows the deep thoughts of others except those individuals themselves, likewise, no one really knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Therefore, people must be dependent upon the Holy Spirit to receive the wisdom of God in their lives. Think of it like this. Often times when I am away from the computer, away from friends that may be visiting and I am just staring into space, usually I'm thinking about a sermon I'm writing, possibly a prayer request, things that might make one of the sites better, the garden, a surprise for my beautiful bride, or whatever the case may be. Leanna will notice that I'm quiet, or know that I'm in deep thought about something. She can't read my mind, although there are times that it seems she has, as we come up with the same questions or statements at the same time. Praise the Lord. Turn to Acts 19:1. Church, I'm going to bring up some verses this morning that I want to help us all get a better understanding of what Paul was getting across, but not going to go into great lengths on these scriptures. I do urge any of you who are seeing this for the first time or those wanting a better understanding, to read on your own this week from the verses we'll be reading from. Or drop me a note. Christians who have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit can have some revelation knowledge, but it will be limited. One of the greatest evidences that people have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the tremendous amount of God's wisdom that becomes available to them. Amen someone? Acts 19:1-7 KJV And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. (4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. (5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (7) And all the men were about twelve. Is anyone getting a revelation of these passages we've looked at of where Apostle Paul was teaching the people of Corinth? What God is teaching us today? Anyone? Praise God! Check these next two verses friends. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 KJV Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. As I read these scriptures, I think about many churches that I have attended throughout my life. Remember last week we discussed dynamic churches and dynamic preachers and the same with the music, light shows and man-made atmosphere that it seems most church goers love. Where's God in all this? Now don't tune me out and hear me saying that God isn't in any of these churches. I didn't say that, but for me, I want God's presence around me always. I know that I know that it doesn't take fog machines, music blaring, fancy light shows and a pastor dressed to the hilt yelling, "Shundi, Rundi, Who tied the bow-tie". Now for those who are thinking that I'm against music. Wrong. I was a disc jockey for a radio station and had my own DJ service with a collection of CD's that many would be envious of. I had the state of the art lights and trusses and fog machines with different flavored fog juice. And church, do you know what? I never felt God's presence during these events. Not once! The truths of the Gospel and the power of God that these truths release can only be imparted through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The wisdom of man, regardless of how eloquent it is, cannot convey the life of God. As I said last week, are these preachers teaching about our Lord and Savior and the cross He died on? Are they teaching His blood that washes our sins away? Are they teaching on sin? What about the power of His resurrection? Much of the preaching of the Gospel today is done in man's wisdom. It's impressive to the carnal mind, but it leaves the spirit starving for the touch of God. Can I hear an amen someone? A sermon message that I'll never forget is from the late David Wilkerson called A Call to Anguish. If you've never heard this sermon, I strongly urge you to listen. You can find it on u-tube. For those who have heard it, maybe another listen is what's needed. Church, what you and I need to understand is the greatest need among ministers today isn'nt to have more education, but to receive the revelation knowledge of the Holy Spirit. Only words spoken by the Spirit of God can reach the spirit of man. Spiritual thoughts have to be spoken with spiritual words. Glory to God! This next verse is very familiar to what we read in the beginning of this series. 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. These two verses seems to get tempers to flare. What do you suppose Paul was saying here? To me it's obvious. Amen? Who is the natural man that's mentioned here? The natural man includes, but is not limited to, all people who are not born again. It literally means "a human being governed by his own natural, human powers and not by the Spirit of God." God can't be criticized for carnal man not having His wisdom. God has made His wisdom available through Christ, but the carnal mind won't receive it. Do we get this? Turn to John 3 please, and we'll see what Jesus said. Spiritual truths can only be perceived by a person's spirit. John 3:1-18 KJV There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: (2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (9) Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? (10) Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (11) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. (12) If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? (13) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (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. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Church, do we get this? Therefore, it's impossible for those who are walking in the vanity of their minds to ever understand the things of God. The Word of God is a spiritual book, written under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It wasn't written to the head, but to the innermost part of the heart. This is why some people find the Bible so hard to understand. They're trying to comprehend it using only their minds. The Word of God has to inspire our hearts before it can enlighten our heads. Praise Jesus. I'm going to read only five verses of Ephesians chapter 4, but I think each of us during this week need to study the whole chapter. Glory to God. Ephesians 4:17-21 KJV This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, (18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: (19) Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (20) But ye have not so learned Christ; (21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: Let's look at the last 2 verses of Chapter 2 in Corinthians and we will finish up. 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 KJV (15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. I love these next two verses, but I think it's important that we get a thorough understanding of what they're saying. When Paul says the natural person in the previous verse, this is describing people who aren't governed by their own natural human powers, but are filled with and governed by the Spirit of God. "But brother Jim, doesn't the Bible say we should not judge"? We could do a whole Bible study on this, and maybe soon we'll get there. Matthew 7:1-2 KJV Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. The word judge can mean a variety of different things. When we look at the verse in 1 Corinthians , according to Srong's Concordance, it means to "scrutinize" or determine. Paul was stating that a spiritual person is someone who is operating with the wisdom of God and is therefore qualified to discern people and situations correctly. 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us why that's so. It's because no one understands the way God thinks except for the Holy Spirit and those whom the Holy Spirit teaches. This is the same thing that 1Corinthians 2:11 says. Therefore, no unspiritual person is able to judge a person ruled by the Spirit of God. Friends, there are many who just don't get this and to me, it's milk. Someone hearing this or reading may be asking, "What should you do after hearing a message like this"? But if you're still among those who don't embrace the cross as the very wisdom of God and who don't welcome the things of the Spirit into your life, then the point of the text for you is an urgent warning and invitation. Amen? Friends, before we close this morning, I want you to consider what a hopeless condition you're in without Christ. Consider how perfectly suited the gospel is to your need, the Lord of glory dying in the place of sinners, you and I. Consider how dangerous it is to be held back by pride, the unimaginably glorious future that God has for those who love Him. Friends, those who belong to Christ need to forsake pride, drop the props of self-exaltation, look to Christ, believe, and be saved. I know someone needed to hear this. If it was you, I do hope that you'll contact us. Friends, I sure hope that this message today spoke to someone. I know that we looked at many verses this morning, but there are times that we have to compare scripture with other scriptures to rightly divide the truth. Next week as we continue with this series in 1 Corinthians, we'll look at some of the immorality that was creeping into the church as it has landed in many of the churches here in America and seems to be just part of the norm. For those here with us on Paltalk, thank you for joining and as soon as I stop this recording, I'll open the room for questions and comments. For those reading or watching this video, we thank you and ask you to please share this and would like to hear comments from you. May the Lord bless you, Jim Good morning brothers and sisters in Christ. Leanna and I are on a little get-away on the coast of Maine. I've had some discussion with a few whether or not I should hold this service this week. Though it would have been nice to hear someone else teach today, I would have to search for a church here where we're spending the week that hopefully was teaching a biblically sound doctrine. Besides, we've had those who faithfully join us every Sunday and that means a lot to me. Glory to God! We want to thank those, and you know who you are.
We also want to thank those who have joined us on Paltalk to listen live. We thank those who read, listen and watch the videos posted on both of the Cross Roads Fellowship sites, Mylook Online, Lokey Sisters, Google+ and other sites that others have been sharing these messages. Glory to God! If you would please turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 2. Last week, Resurrection Sunday, we concluded chapter 1 of this series we have been reading titled "Who Are We In Christ?" from the book of 1 Corinthians. We will begin today with chapter 2 of our 5th study on this epistle. Friends, as I sat down to prepare this message and knowing that Leanna and I would be away from home and that how we would not be set up the way we normally are, I thought about all the what ifs that could happen in this Paltalk room. There are those who do come to learn. There are those who come to support Leanna and me. There are those who periodically come to stir up strife, and either Leanna or Tim have been able to defuse those situations quickly. Leanna has been right on top of posting the scriptures that I read from and I think about that, because I don't want anyone just taking what I say as the gospel. I want all to read for themselves and get that word in their hearts. Praise the Holy Spirit. I think about how world-wide there all sorts of people going to church this morning. Some of them are church shopping. They're walking into churches they've never attended and finding out what worship is like. They’re coming with expectations. They’re coming to see if this church will meet their needs. Do they have children’s programs, a preschool, or a grade school? Do they have support groups, social activities, and people like me? Many people may be checking out a church this morning to see what it has to offer, but many are also checking out a church to see what the pastor has to say. What is his message all about? Is he eloquent, or does he trip over his words? Is he persuasive, or will he be unable to convince me to listen? Is he liberal or conservative? Is he calm and quiet, or fiery and energized? Amen someone? Been there? I have, and I admit it. Is he real and relevant, or is he boring and stuffy? I hear from many, and it seems that most are looking for a church that is Dynamic! Because I build websites for churches and other ministries I hear, "If your church wants to attract people today, you need dynamic members carrying out a dynamic ministry and you most certainly better have a dynamic preacher." I ask you my friends and we'll see this in what Paul writes in this epistle. What should I expect when I go to church and hear the pastor speak to me? What should I take home from the message? Is the best spiritual message for my soul always dynamic, or should I be looking for something else? Let's see what Paul says in this 2nd chapter. 1 Corinthians 2:1 KJV And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. Church, I've been blessed to listen to some of the great preachers. Charles Surgeon, Paul Washer, David Wilkerson, Carter Colon and Billy Graham to mention a few. But friends, other than Jesus Himself, if there was anyone who could tell us about preaching, I think the apostle Paul would be near the top of my list. Of course he was led by the Holy Spirit to write these letters to the churches. I find through reading Paul's letters to the churches, he was always teaching, whether it was in the Jewish synagogue or out in public. He’s the author of 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Anything that the apostle Paul had to say about preaching should bear lots of weight with us today. Amen? So I ask you friends, to you was Paul that dynamic speaker and personality? Surely he would advocate the popular, exciting preaching trends in the Christian church today. Right? What did we just read about what Paul had to say about his own preaching and witnessing? “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.” Years ago, I found this verse and the next ones kind of odd to speak of himself. Can anyone relate? I found it the exact opposite of what you would expect the leader of the church to say. Now before someone blasts me for saying that, I know Christ is the Head of the church. I fully understand that, but through Christ, Paul was planting and discipling the church at that time. Please turn to Matthew 18:3. To me what Paul was saying in this verse is that he kept it simple. He was saying he didn't go to school to learn fancy words. He didn't teach using clever words. Paul believed that preaching wasn’t about dynamic speech. Yet we see people make the Gospel so complicated. Matthew 18:3-6 KJV 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. (5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (6) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. What Jesus was saying is when someone puts their faith in Christ, whether it be in Him for their salvation, healing or answered prayer, and we all have seen it happen. In fact/ someone hearing my words, or reading them at another time may have been one of them to sow doubt into another's life and try to tear down their faith. Jesus is saying to them, "Better for you would be that a big old rock be tied around your neck and you be thrown in the water. Better for you to 'bloop' be thrown in to the Pacific Ocean , than trying to talk someone out of having faith. Someone hearing me? Amen all. Then Paul said in 1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Friends, I consider myself to be humble and I believe a good preacher should be humble, and some would consider Paul to be humble. We can see that Paul wrote another letter, 2 Corinthians; where Paul talked about people who had complained about him because he was a mild-mannered speaker. In 2 Corinthians 10:10, Paul describes his critics’ complaints when he wrote this: “Some say, ‘His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.'” Pretty harsh criticism? Let's look at Acts 20:7-12. Here we see Paul preaching to a group assembled on the third story of a building. Paul went on so long and he was so “boring” that someone sitting in an open window actually fell asleep and fell out of the window. Acts 20:7-12 KJV And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (8) And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. (9) And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. (10) And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. (11) When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. (12) And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. I think God used Paul's simple message and his humble style to bring the gospel to more people than any one person has ever done in the history of the Christian church. I have shared before that during this time, most of the followers of Jesus were meeting in homes, or in the courts outside of the temple in Jerusalem. I think you will see more and more house churches happening right here in the US, like it is in China, South Korea, and other places of the world. I believe that many of the ones leading these churches won't be theologians, but I do pray that they are hungry for more of God and that they don't get puffed up and try to teach to bring glory to themselves, but willing to be led by the Holy Spirit and to bring glory to God. Praise Jesus! I also hope that they will take James 3:1 very seriously. James 3:1 KJV My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Anyone want to preach the rest of this message now? Church, I find more and more that want eloquent preachers dressed to the hilt, for entertaining worship with all the lights and glitter, for slick presentations, for moving music and messages, but is that the number one thing we need in our churches? Now, hopefully those who may be hearing this or reading, don't turn me off before reading that I believe that God calls people into ministry of all races, education, personality, financial status. Wow, typing this paragraph, I could do a whole sermon on these topics. What I want to say is that God has given us each gifts. There have been dirt-poor preachers that God can use to preach a message and see souls won. Same as the more prosperous. Some who use higher than average words can reach a group, as someone like me that uses simple words can reach who God calls to listen. Praise God. I ask you this my friends. When Jesus returns at the end of time, if He were to ask you why He should let you into heaven, will an answer about dynamic sermons get you there? “Well, Jesus, I really felt pumped up when I came to church. That pastor’s sermons really set me on fire! I learned all sorts of neat, practical advice to live a happy and successful life.” And Jesus will say, “Wrong answer!” Then hell is in your future. 1 Corinthians 2:2-3 KJV (2) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (3) And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. This is the message that Paul preached and should be the message of preachers world-wide. This was what Paul based his messages around. The Cross. The blood and Jesus resurrected. We praise You Jesus. 1 Corinthians 2:4 KJV And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: To me this verse speaks volumes. I don't think Paul was all about those listening, though he was the best preacher, teacher, or what have you that ever was. I think Paul was very clear that the message was about our Lord and Savior. He preached the cross, the blood, salvation and His resurrection. Church, I don't want to be part of any church that's about men's pride. All about the music and all about smoke and lights. Leanna and I are filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, yet I don't want to be part of a church where people run around yelling out gibberish causing confusion and without any interpretation. And we'll look into that when we get further on in this study. I pray that J and L Ministries is about Jesus Christ, His finished work at the cross, His resurrection and the power in His blood. I will preach that Jesus came to die to save people of the sins of the world and brought forgiveness to all who turn to Christ in faith. Seeing lives saved and discipling them for God's glory. This is what I see reading through Paul's epistles. Amen someone? It was all about a dying Savior whose death brings you and me peace with God and eternal life in Heaven. Someone shout halleluiah! 1 Corinthians 2:5 KJV That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Oh boy, do we get this verse, friends? Brother Jeff would say, "Boom boom." Leanna and I have been to a few churches where there were those in the congregation that put the pastor, assistant pastor, worship leaders, and even those who led small groups so high on a pedestal that to hear some of them, it was like they found a new god. We had a man who stayed with us for a few weeks back a while ago that was so knowledgeable of God's word. He didn't just know the word, but he lived it. He was such a mentor to me during a crucial part of J and L Ministry. Anyways, Leanna would say it was just like having Jesus living with us. I had to tell Leanna to stop saying that. I knew what she meant. Peter knew the scripture and he lived it, but he was far from Jesus. I love this man and yes, I see Jesus living in him more than most professing believers, but he is a man and has his faults. Friends, the point I want to get across in this verse is that we should not put our faith in the speaker, church, music, lights, man-made atmosphere that many places create, but that our faith is God Himself. Amen? Church, not I, or any other preacher that you will ever hear was ever crucified for you. Amen someone? Jesus was. For those who hear a message preached by me, or anyone else, just because the sermon is based on the Bible doesn’t mean that the preacher has pointed you to Jesus. The Bible-based sermon needs to point us to the cross of Jesus. “Christ crucified” is the sole, simple message that we need to hear week in and week out. Jesus Christ was born into this world only to die for you and me, who were born with a sinful condition. Jesus lived a sinless and Holy life only to die for all the sinners on earth, and among those sinners are you and me. Jesus became a human being like you only to die as if He was a sinful human being, yet He was innocent. Jesus Christ is the One who died on the cross but who was raised to life on the third day to prove that his death really did pay for all your guilt and sin. Praise His Holy name. 1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: As we saw earlier in this series, part of the many problems that existed in the Corinthian church was the failure of the Christians to break with human philosophy. They were a very immoral and humanly intellectual people. It seems they based everything upon the reason and the lusts of men, and when they became Christians they dragged this kind of immorality and this kind of rationalism into the church. And this is why Paul wrote this letter, to try to get them to escape from their former worldly life. Sound familiar today, church? 1 Corinthians 2:7 KJV But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Church, think about when you were first saved. Did you understand fully what you read? Even now, are there times that scripture doesn't really bring a revelation to you? The Holy Spirit offers God's wisdom to all people, starting with the revelation of their need for Christ as their Savior. If they receive that truth by putting their faith in Jesus, professing Him as Lord and Savior, then they receive the mind of Christ in their hearts. Amen all? 1 Corinthians 2:8-9 KJV (8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. The wisdom of God is supernatural. Glory to God! Friends, The Pharisees and all the religious leaders and the Roman rulers responsible for the death of Jesus didn't understand the purpose and significance of the cross. They had no clue what would happen even though the religious leaders had OT scrolls to read showing that there would be a Messiah coming. The Roman's were threatened that there might be a king who would go against their beliefs. So they crucified Jesus. In a made-up trial, and done very quickly and with much secrecy, they flogged and crucified the Lord of glory. The phrase “Lord of glory” implies the divine fullness. It also ties in with the saints’ glory (2:7). It is through union with Him that we will experience glory. Paul explains that the reason these authorities crucified Christ was because they lacked the supernatural wisdom of the Spirit. Then, and I found this so awesome, Paul adds Isaiah 64:4. Isaiah 64:4 KJV For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Church, God has so much that He wants to reveal to you and me. He has done so out of love. Trusting Him for understanding and cultivating this love relationship with Him means that we'll grow in greater and greater understanding of wisdom. Yet, and listen up friends. Without the light of God’s Spirit, we’ll be in the dark. I'm going to end here, but I want to encourage you all to dig deep into the Word of God. There's so much that God wants you and me to get for our lives and what He has called each of you to do for His Kingdom. You see my friends, there's a very important passage that I take very seriously. It is found in the book of Matthew. Matthew 28:18-20 KJV And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. That, my friends, is the whole purpose of me sharing these truths with you. I've heard and seen so much on winning souls for Jesus. Yes, that's important. That's a big part of what I feel you and I are called for, but if they don't have the tools to do the same, what good is that? Let's read from the Amplified version. Matthew 28: (AMP) Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them a]">[a]into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Church, The main reason Jesus came to earth was to die as the Lamb of God to restore the broken relationship with God and to rise from the dead to bring eternal life to you and me. Glory to the Lamb of God. But I want you to think about this my dear friends. What good would His sinless life, His brutal death and His miraculous resurrection be if no one knew about it? Do we get this church? To me, the best friends He had on earth and His true followers who trusted Him and witnessed all He did. All the miracles. His teachings. What and how He would die on a cross. That He would be risen from the dead in three days. That the temple would fall. If no one saw these things, if no one heard His teachings and heard about how He would die and be risen, who would carry on this ministry He started? I believe it would have been in vain. God chose these men that would be His followers. The same as I believe Judas was chosen to follow to allow the enemy inside him and that he was chosen to turn Jesus over to the Pharisees. God's perfect plan. If we were to look at Matthew 10: 1-42, we would see that Jesus sent His disciples, His apprentices to go share the very, very, very good news. Amen everyone? Unlike us today with high speed internet to share the Word, unlike, oh what was it in the 1960's about the fastest way to get a message out that I used to hear my grandfathers say? Telegraph, telephone, tell a woman. No, it was all done by word of mouth or a messenger who traveled by foot, camel, or donkey. Then if we research the Bible there were 70 who shared Jesus' message that He (Jesus) was the Messiah and they performed miracles. Jesus gave them all the tools they needed to start to become the founders of the earliest church. After this, as He promised, the Holy Spirit entered them. We see this in John 14. John 14:12-21 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (13) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (15) If ye love me, keep my commandments. (16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (19) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. (21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:25-31 KJV These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. (26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (28) Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (29) And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. (30) Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (31) But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. So my friends, if you are saved you have that Holy Spirit in you. You are called to proclaim the name of Jesus to the world. It is what my whole goal through these messages is to do. Share my faith with the world to win new souls for Christ and to equip you with the world. Glory to God. To all of you listening here on Paltalk, reading this message on either of Leanna's and my Cross Roads Fellowships, on Mylook Online, Lokey Sisters, Leanna's and my ministry site, J and L Ministries, Far From Normal Faith Ministry, or any of the other social networks, google + u-tube, facebook and twitter and any other sites that friends have been sharing these messages. Please share these messages and and do let us know how they have blessed you. We love you and from our home away from home here in Ellsworth, we say God bless you and have an awesome week in the Lord. Good morning friends and family and a blessed and Happy Resurrection day to you. Glory to God. I pray that you are all in good health and eager to dive into today's message. We want to thank all who are here at our house, those joining in live on Paltalk, for those who have read the sermons, listened, or read and shared. Thank you, and I praise God.
Last week, we ended part 3 of our study Who Are We In Christ from the book of 1 Corinthians with verse 25. We looked at verses showing us that there was division amongst the home churches in Corinth. We saw that the Greeks had issues and the Jews also. We see that Apostle Paul made a statement that I'm sure upset many during that time and I know bothers people today. 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Let's get on with this series. 1 Corinthians 1:26 KJV For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called So what do you think Apostle Paul meant by this? Anyone? Friends, to me, when we are born again, saved, we are changed. Nothing that we did, other than made that most important decision. It's what Christ did in us. Our flesh tells us we're something special. Do we get this? And we are, to ourselves. There's no one else in here, in my skin, except me! I feel me like I feel no other person. I'm aware of my thoughts and desires like no other person's thoughts and desires. My flesh tells me I'm unique and special. The world around me tells me that it's not so. And the Word of God tells me that the world is right. I'm nothing special - except that God has laid hold of me with His grace, and claimed me as His child, and connected me to Christ. Let's look at verse 27 and I think you'll understand what I'm saying. 1 Corinthians 1:27 KJV But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty Friends, when we look around at those who are truly saved, do you see many rich people? Not many, right? Before we go much further, let's look at the story about the rich young ruler found in Matthew 19, starting with verse 16. Matthew 19:16-26 KJV And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (18) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, (19) Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (20) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (23) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (25) When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? (26) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Most seem to think this passage meant for this man to sell everything and give all to the poor. That's not what Jesus said to him. Anyways, we see where ones who are caught up with money are not saved. Money is an idol to most of them. I know, the hate mail will come rolling in now. Before we go on, I want to look at what Jesus said on the sermon on the mount. Matthew 5:2-14 KJV And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, (3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Friends, God chose us, and we are the foolish, the weak, the base things, the despised, and the things that are not. We are not the worst of the lot, but our own experience tells us that we're not the best, or the brightest, or the most successful, or the best loved, or the most admired. We want to be, but we just haven't made it. And hearing the truth can be a painful thing. But the good news in that whole scenario - the silver lining in the difficult truth of how God sees us is the first words in that verse I quoted, "God has chosen us"! Instead of the condition of our lives revealing for us how God thinks about us, it simply tells the world how little worldly stature and public opinion means to God. God chose us, and we're nothing special, except for His gracious choosing of us and separating us from the world. We are a peculiar people. Amen? 1 Corinthians 1:28-31 KJV (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. These last scriptures should excite you. Not by anything you and I have done but by His doing, you and I are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. By God's choice, and through His work in and through the Word, you are a Christian. You know Jesus Christ and trust in Him. Glory to God. We're a new creation. We've been set apart. Praise Jesus. Church, by God's doing and choice, not your own, you've come to know how He redeemed you from sin and death. Friends, think about what I'm about to say, and consider your own life. I had little to say about my relationship with Christ right from the start. The best things anyone can say about me, and that I can find to say about myself are, because God chose, and God worked, and I am in Christ Jesus by His doing just as I hope each of you are. Because of Jesus' life and because Jesus willingly died on the cross in mine and your place, our sins have been forgiven. You're righteous in the eyes of God because Jesus was righteous in the eyes of God, and He has given that righteousness to us. Amen someone? You are not so holy in and of yourself. God has made you righteous in Jesus Christ. In fact, every good thing you do, every God pleasing thought you have, is Jesus at work in you. Please turn to Galatians 2:19. Galatians 2:19-20 KJV For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. (20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. We're nothing special except that Jesus is our righteousness and our sanctification. Amen? Brother Jeff who leads a Bible study here on Paltalk has discussed this numerous times. We still want to sin, but Jesus works in us. We're nothing by ourselves, and when we tend to think that we're something in and of ourselves, bad things happen. Do we get that? When you try to correct the sin in your life on your own you fail, and you fail miserably. So many just don't get this. We stumble into great sins. We get so proud, we think we know more than God and begin to spout foolishness and false doctrine. We begin to do things that harm the body of Christ, or draw us away from it, or both. Only when we know that we're nothing special, except that God has saved us, do we have hope. Only when we realize that it's by God's doing and not our own in the slightest do we finally walk in Him and boast not of who or what we are, but in God alone. Leanna and I take communion each morning before we start these services. We used to have ones following us on Skype join with us, but because there are so many who come into the room at all times and because there are those who have different beliefs, I have chosen not to continue. You, our friends can take communion on your own, if you choose, but what I want to get across to each who are considering this, take it with the right heart. Only when God is taken at His Word and we trust Him, do we know what it is in truth, and only when we believe do we receive all of the blessings of forgiveness and life and salvation in this blessed Supper. Glory be to God! Here is Christ's body and blood. It's medicine for the soul, and for the body. For the soul, it's life and strength and forgiveness and peace and joy to all who believe. For the body, it's preparation for the grave and for resurrection unto life everlasting and full of glory. This is the medicine of Immortality, and the holy Supper of the Lord, and the perfect fellowship of those who believe. It's for sinners, not for those who think that they don't need forgiveness. It's for the weak, not the strong. It's for those who are nothing special, but who depend on His giving and His grace and His goodness. It's for those who have nothing to boast about, except God's grace and love. Glory to God. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God. By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:31 KJV That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Now that we've finished the first chapter of this very important epistle to the Corinthian church and before we close this sermon for today, I ask you...where is your faith in God? Mark 11:22 KJV And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. What did this verse just say? Let's all say it together. Have faith in God. Hebrews 10:38 KJV Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. You'd be amazed at those claiming to be followers of Jesus when you start discussing faith. Many will say they have faith in God, but when you discuss it further in some situations, you find that their faith is in so many things. You have those who base their faith in getting out of calamities. 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) Friends there are many who try to make the Bible so difficult. They make it so complicated. Complex. For the past few months, I've shared the verses from two different passages. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 KJV And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; That day is at hand my friends. I pray each of you is only interested in the truth. 2 Peter 3:16-18 KJV As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Church, I know many of you don't want to hear these scriptures again and again, but until we're stable in our faith in God, you're open to all kinds of junk the world throws at us and not even aware of. Friends, the Bible is not complicated, and some of us need to get that junk out that's been planted in us to realize that. When you get the junk removed and the truth remains, and the light is there, it's not confusing. When we get the right interpolation of the Bible in us, it's simple. Amen someone? Friends, if our first parents could have kept it simple. "Don't eat the fruit of the tree. Eat the fruit, you will die". Is that confusing or complicated? "Don't eat the fruit". I don't care if it's 2 words, the devil will make it confusing if you let him. Satan will twist scriptures and confuse them if you let him. That's his specialty. That's what the slimy crooked legged enemy will do is make something simple complicated. Friends, we need to look for the truth. My Bible says in John 8:32 KJV And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. When we get this truth my brothers and sisters in Christ, it will free your mind. It will free your soul. It will free your body. It will free your life. It will make you absolutely free. Glory to Jesus the Anointed One. Because this room has gotten so quiet, I see I'm going to need to do a study on this. Amen? A study on faith? Church, as we close this morning and some of you spend time with family members eating dinner and enjoying family time, will your mind be on Jesus who died for you and me and was resurrected 3 days later? Will that be part of your conversation? Maybe some of you are entertaining friends today. Will you share your faith with them and for the ones that you spend time with, who don't know Jesus, will you be a witness to them? And then my friend, if they do, or don't accept Him as Lord and Savior, will you still be there to mentor them in the ways of Christ? Let me ask you this, friends. Some of you may have heard the gospel message most of your life and you might be feeling like your life hasn't changed. You might have heard what I said, "Have faith in God," but you don't know how. You believe in Jesus, you believe in the cross, you believe in the resurrection, but you still live the same old life as the world. Maybe these words right now are tugging at your heart. What, my friend, are you going to do about it? Are you going to just let it slip by, like before? Let it slip by like thousands of others on this same day that will hear the words, "Come to the cross"? Will you be the example to the world that Jesus has set you to be? Will you today put aside the things that you know are not pleasing to God that you remain part of? Friends, there seems to be a message that many denominations are preaching that does not line up with God's Word. Repentance. For those of you who have been taught, or you have taken upon yourselves to believe that it means saying sorry to God for the things that you have done wrongly, you're wrong. Repentance means turning away from. You stay away from those things. It's a renewing of your mind. Praise Jesus. For those who are trying to get rid of addictions, don't try to do it on your own. It won't work. Pray and ask Jesus to rid it for you. I don't care what that addiction is. It may be alcohol, drugs, porn, lying, stealing. Give it to Jesus. Pray to Him and ask Him to deliver you from it. My dear friends, we were not meant to live a life in bondage. When you give your life to Jesus, He will free you of this trash, but you need to be willing to let Him. I know my friends, because I've been there. We my friends, need to stop playing church and be the church. There are preachers out there who know scripture like the back of their hands, but do they really know Jesus? Do they really have an intimate relationship with Him? What about you, brother and sister? If you were to die tonight, do you know that you know that when you take your last breath here on earth, that you'd be in heaven? So friends, as we celebrate Easter, Resurrection day, I ask you to keep your focus on Jesus, the cross, His innocent blood shed for you and the power in that blood. May we remember the cross and all it stands for. Redemption, forgivness, His uncondional love. I remember a pastor many years ago, and I can't remember his name, ask this question. "If you were ever accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Church, thank you for being with us here on Paltalk. Thanks to those who have read these messages on the Cross Roads Fellowships sites, Lokey sisters, Mylookonline and J and L Ministries. For those watching this on u-tube, again we thank you and ask that if this was a blessings to you, please share with others and subscribe to our channel. We love you and wish you a very Happy Resurrection day. May the Lord bless you. Good morning brothers and sisters in Christ. Spring has finally come to Maine and I'm loving it. We still have huge mountains of snow, but each day it seems to be melting a couple inches and I hope we will have bare ground by the end of April.
Leanna and I want to thank all who have joined us here today on Paltalk, and also for those who have read these sermons on Christian and secular sites. Also we want to thank all of you who have been watching these sermons and listening on the new u-tube channel that I created a couple weeks ago and I see they have been re-shared from some. Praise God! We continue today on this series "Who Are We In Christ" from the book of 1 Corinthians, and if you will please open your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 1:18 which is the verse where we left off last week. I purposely ended there for a couple reasons. One, because verse 19 I figured would have to be explained in more than a few minutes, but 2, I wanted to see what replies I would get out of this very important verse. I got a few, but not as I expected. Before we read that verse, I want to recap a bit on what we looked at. We saw a big part of why this epistle was written was because Paul had received word that there were some very strange things being taught. As we get further into this study, we'll see that there were people from all over bringing their own flavor of what should be allowed in Christian living and including much immoral behavior. 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. This verse stirred up a few discussions after the message was posted in written form and through the video. Of course it was mostly with the so-called atheists. I think with what I just said and what verse we are looking at, it speaks for itself. Amen someone? To discuss the Bible and the miracles, and especially that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead sounds crazy to someone who isn't saved. It's not like anything that we're used to in this world. Amen? Turn if you will to John 15: 12. What about you? Do you that share the gospel message to the unbelievers? Do they ridicule you? Maybe mock you and especially mock Jesus? Does that really surprise you? It shouldn't, and we'll see that in this passage we are about to read. I was only going to have us read a couple of verses in this passage, but there are so many key things in what we are about to read that we'll read more. Praise the Lord! John 15:12-21 KJV This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (16) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (17) These things I command you, that ye love one another. (18) If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (19) If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (20) Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (21) But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. Wow! This is so powerful. Christ proved His love to the world by laying down His life for it in redemption work. His love to us should always be the standard of measure of our love toward others in service for Him. Amen everyone? Let's look what Jesus says in Matthew 10:39. Friends, Jesus is our friend. He's a friend that will never leave us when the tough times come. We are His servants and He stands with His servants in all their trials. He takes notice of every insult we're called upon to endure. He honors you and me in this life for our witness of Him and will abundantly reward us in the next life for all our faithfulness. No cross, no crown. No gall, no glory. No pain, no gain. Amen? I'm not ashamed of Christ. Are you? I'll proclaim Him as my Lord and Savior even to my dying day. Praise Jesus! Romans 1:16 KJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Matthew 10:19-23 KJV But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. (20) For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (21) And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. (22) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (23) But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man become. We're now seeing pictures on the secular news channels and hearing of the horrors that Isis is doing to Christians throughout the world. I almost every day am sent news clips of these barbaric acts, and it does many things to me. It disgusts me because no human life should be treated like that. It sickens me because I hate to see anyone suffer, and especially to death. It worries me because there are those who I know that would throw eternal life with Jesus away to not go through it. But friends, for me it strengthens my faith in Christ. We just read what Jesus said some 2000 years ago what would happen. Amen? But friends, why did Paul say "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness?" I think we'll see in the next few verses. 1 Corinthians 1:19 KJV For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. So let's look at where Paul got this statement from. It can be found in Isaiah 29:13-15. Isaiah 29:13-15 KJV Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (14) Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. (15) Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Here's what was happening during this time in a nut shell. There was a man named Sennacherib who was a very mighty king in Assyria. And He wanted to conquer Judah, the land of Israel. And so they decided to attack Judah. God, through the prophet Isaiah, says to Judah, "Don't worry, you won't be delivered to Sennacherib as he will fail in his conquering". But God said, "It won't be because of your wise men. It won't be the strategy of the political advisers to King Hezekiah who was the king of Israel at the time or the king of Judah. It won't be because of the political cunning and the secret trickery of these wise advisers. You're not going to escape the hand of the Assyrians because of your wisdom". Listen to this, church. God says, "I will do it Myself because I want to demonstrate to you that when you rely on your own strength and your own wisdom, you fail. When all of your wisdom has run its course, I'll just destroy it all. I'll put it down to nothing and by Myself I will do what all your wisdom couldn't do". Do we get a picture of what was happening some 700 years before Jesus was born and even after Jesus died and was resurrected? And even now, and especially now during our time? Let's continue in 1 Corinthians. Let's look at some more of what Paul, being led by the Holy Spirit, had to say about wisdom. 1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? Catch this, friends. Paul answers this with a tremendous word in which he shows that the wisdom of men is of no avail. He sets it aside completely, and he says that in the church these insights of men are always partial and untrustworthy to a great degree, and that the Corinthians will never learn anything until they give themselves to the wisdom of God. Praise Jesus! Paul says by wisdom on their own understanding they will never know God. They will never get to the heart of their problems by trying to pursue the insights of current popularity or secular philosophers. The same goes for you and me today. Amen someone? Church, there are so many books out there about how to become godly, how to have the marriage that God intends, and the list goes on and on. Church, in your Bibles you have all you need to know about God. There are so many doctors and theologians that have all the answers, yet do they follow the Bible? Many think the big mega-churches will solve personal problems. Many of those churches have their own internal problems and now you run to them to help you? The church will never solve its problems as long as it constantly pursues this writer and that writer, this man and that speaker, thinking that it will gather from the efforts and knowledge of men the insights it needs to understand its problems. Friends, we're nothing without God. If not for our Creator, you and I would not exist. The world would not exist. It's all because of Him. Amen someone? If not for Jesus, the Savior of the world, you and I would be lost. We would be doomed to eternity in hell, but many church buildings that you go to won't allow the preacher to say that. Don't mention hell. Don't preach too much about sin, you might offend somebody. Do we have to hear about the cross and the agony Jesus went through and hear about the blood of Christ? Redemption, my friends, is all about these things. If not for the blood of Christ that was shed at Calvary, you'd be lost in your sins. Glory to Jesus. The blood needs to be preached. Hell needs to be mentioned, because Mathew 7 tells me many are going there. Sin does need to be discussed because this world is full of it and you and I, brothers and sisters, can be washed free of it. Church, when you and I get an understanding of this, we realize that we'll never begin to learn until we first learn that we don't know anything. When we come to know and appreciate the word preached of the cross, we understand that in the cross of Jesus Christ, God took his only begotten Son to die for you and me. As Leanna and I and some of you have been attending another Bible study on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights on Paltalk, we've been discussing whether Jesus lived in a way that He could not sin. What I mean is, was He capable of sinning? And through much conversation, I think everyone concluded that He could have sinned at any time, but He did not. "Why bring that up, brother Jim?" I bring that up because Jesus was here as a man. He ate, drank, breathed just like you and me. He had feelings and we can look at times where the Bible tells of those feelings and emotions that He had. Jesus identified with us in every way, yet there are those who will fight us on this. Then there are those who will say a man dying on a cross, if He did, because they never found His body, is useless as far as solving any of the problems of mankind is concerned. Do we get this? This my friends is part of what Apostle Paul was addressing to the church in Corinth and for you and me today. That the preaching of the cross, being saved by the blood of the Lamb, is why it looks so foolish to the natural man. Do we get this, friends? It isn't natural to the world. Even to the average mind, creation doesn't make sense. These things don't fit into man's understanding. And when we accept that, the apostle says we begin to discover that true secret. Hidden wisdom that unfolds little by little the answers to the problems of life. 1 Corinthians 1:21 KJV For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Church, It's all about our faith in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:6 KJV 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. While we just read this verse, let's look at Hebrews 11 starting with verse 1. You and I can't see a physical God. We didn't see Jesus nailed to a tree. But do we believe? That's what we put our faith in. Amen? Hebrews 11:1-5 KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. (3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. I love this chapter and book. So how do we get our faith? We spend time in the Word of God. Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Last week we looked at scripture showing we should study it. Amen? 1 Corinthians 1:22 KJV For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: Again, Paul is sharing part of the division here. let's look at the next 3 verses, and I think it will sum up where Paul was going with all this. 1 Corinthians 1:23-25 KJV (23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. The Jews couldn't understand the work of Jesus on the cross as to what they expected of the promised Messiah. They considered Him a failed attempt at a Messiah. This is hard for me to understand, why they didn't believe, as they had all the writings of earlier prophets. Yet, here the Jews were slaves to the Romans and this Man (Jesus) who professed to be the Messiah but couldn’t deliver on the expected holy war. To them, His death was an act of weakness, where they believed the Messiah was to operate in strength. For you and me who believe, we know He did. Amen, church? Then you had the Greeks who were so infatuated into wisdom. The death of Jesus in this barbaric way offends the sensibilities of both parties, one who sees his work as foolish compared to the wisdom of the world, and the other who sees Him as weak compared to the strength of the world. Why did Jesus come to earth? Why did He die? What Christ did on the cross took care of that separation from God. It dealt with the sin that separated us from God. Glory to Jesus. He attacks and defeats the root of what causes the world’s trouble, sin, evil, rebellion and deceit, and because of this, He allowed people to be free of the evil which bound them. Glory to God! And now we can live under the love and in the light of the God who created us. Do we get this, friends? Hebrews 10:10 KJV By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 2:9 KJV But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Revelation 1:18 KJV I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. In closing, I want to challenge each of you this week to read and meditate on the Gospel of John. I know some of you are involved in other Bible readings, but if you can, make time to read and spend some time studying these 21 chapters. Friends, we love you, and our desire is to see you grow in Christ. To be all He has for you. Next Sunday is Easter, and God willing, we'll be here same time, same place. As far as I know, we'll be continuing on in this series. If this has been a blessings to you here on Paltalk, please invite a friend to join in. For those listening or reading on one of the sites that I post these sermons on, again, please share, subscribe and comment. We love you. We thank you for joining in with us and may the Lord richly bless you. |
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