Jesus Said, "For It Is Written"
Good morning friends and family and it’s a blessings to have you join us this morning here in the J and L Ministries room here on Paltalk. We're continuing on last week's message, Jesus Said, "For It Is Written."We didn't even start to get into this title as I thought we might, but this is a new week. A new day. And God created it. Amen, someone? I'm excited. I know that someone's going to get a revelation today. Praise God! Last week I asked you, like I often do, if you believe the Bible to be true. I asked if you believe that every word was from God. I asked if you believe God is the same yesterday, today and forever and if you believe that He's not a respecter of persons. Amen? Those who were here last Sunday, or watched this from the u-tube channel remember that? Does everyone who is here today all agree with this? I hear so many contradicting the Bibles truths. I hear many who will say we don't have to worry about what's written in the Old Testament. Oh, really? I'm telling the truth. Come on folks, I'm sure somebody here has heard that too. Do we believe that the God who created the universe and everything in it is capable of writing a book? And the God who is perfect is capable of writing a perfect book? The issue isn't simply does the Bible have a mistake, but can God make a mistake? If the Bible contains factual errors, then God is not omniscient (having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight). Does anyone believe that God is capable of making errors Himself? Church, if the Bible contains misinformation, then God isn't truthful but is instead a liar. If the Bible contains contradictions, then God is the author of confusion. In other words, if the Bible isn't true, then God is not God. How many of you believe that God is the author of confusion? Apostle Paul told us this in 1 Corinthians 14:33 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV (33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Friends, the Bible is true. God is true. God sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross. He who knew no sin came to die on a cross to save you and me from an eternity separated from God. That innocent blood that was shed from Jesus that day at Calvary some 2000 years ago was shed to wash your sins and mine away when we came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Thank You Jesus! Praise the Mighty name of Jesus. There's power in the name of Jesus. Amen, someone? Someone, I believe is going to feel His power today. Hallelujah. Turn if you will to Hebrews 4 and starting with verse 11. Each message, each week and for almost 3 years, I've shared the importance of all of us reading God's Word daily. I would again ask that each one of you spend time in the Bible and read at least a chapter a day. But I would ask you to read it not because I ask, but because you want to, because you want to seek God's heart. For those who were with us a few weeks ago, I showed you in God's Word where we find it's medicine to the flesh. Do you remember that? Hebrews 4:11-16 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (13) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Brothers and sisters in Christ, notice the relationship between the heart and the Word. Notice what's said here. The Word examines and the heart is being examined. When we read in the Bible about our hearts, many times it's not a good prognosis. Someone might say, “Brother Jim, what on earth are you talking about? The doctor says my heart is in great shape.” Well, let's see what the Bible says about heart issues. After all, that's where I feel led to teach on. I find even in many Christians, a stony heart. Let's start by reading from the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 11:19-20 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (20) That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 36:26-27 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Let's see what the Bible says about our hearts in the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (10) I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Friends, from just these few scriptures that we've read, we find that it’s impossible to save ourselves. Do you each see this? Those who trust in their own righteousness and strength, thinking to get salvation without the merit and grace of Christ, to them are doomed. We'll see this when we tap into some of the verses in the New Testament. Let's continue. I love this next scripture and should be each and every one of our goals. Praise God! Proverbs 4:20-27 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. (22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. (25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. (26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. (27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Friends, true wisdom from God is the principle thing. It is that which recommends us to God, which beautifies the soul, which enables us to answer the ends of our creation, to live to some good purpose in the world, and which makes our path brighter and brighter until we get to heaven. Praise the Lord!! Church, we're nothing without God and we need to get a complete intellectual understanding of this. We were created in His likeness. We were created to have fellowship with Him. He loves us and wants what's good for our lives, yet we turn away from Him every day. Is God speaking to someone? Let's look at a few more verses from the Old Testament, then we'll go into the New Testament. Glory to God!! Everyone, please turn to Psalms 34:18. Has anyone listening today, or reading or watching this on the u-tube video had a broken heart? Maybe a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife left you? Maybe the loss of a family member or close friend? Maybe out of work, or just plain discouraged? God loves you and me so much to even help us through those times and it's recorded in His Word. Psalms 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. One translation says it like this: Psalms 34:18 The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. I want us to pay attention to Psalms 147. I think it's important for us to see God's heart on what He created. Psalms 147:1-20 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. (2) The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. (3) He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. (4) He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. (5) Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. (6) The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. (7) Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: (8) Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. (9) He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. (10) He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. (11) The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. (12) Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. (13) For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. (14) He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. (15) He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. (16) He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. (17) He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? (18) He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. (19) He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. (20) He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD. God’s people who share His special favor should concur in His praises and magnify His name together. Upon every fresh occurrence of His mercies, let us renew our praises, thus encouraging others to trust Him. The true and only way to happiness is to walk in the love and favor of God. Are each of us waking in His love? Even in the tough times? Are you walking in God's love even when your neighbor verbally attacks you? Are we walking in God's love when the guy at work hurls insults at you? One of my favorite passages since I was in high school is found in Psalms. Psalms 34:3-8 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. (4) I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (5) They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. (6) This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (7) The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (8) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. "Brother Jim, you've read many scriptures the last two weeks, but what does that have to do with the title "Jesus Said, For It Is Written"? It has everything to do with the title. Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God. Who is the Word of God? Jesus! We see this in the gospel of John. John 1:1-5 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. The Son of God became the Son of Man that the sons of men through Him might become the sons of God. Does that excite everyone here? Please turn to Matthew 5:8 and let us look in the New Testament at some heart issues and I hope that everyone sees where I'm going with this. Praise Jesus! Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. From these few words in this verse, we could do a whole sermon. "How can you do a whole study on this verse, Brother Jim?" It's easy when you study His Word. And again I ask, who is the Word? Jesus. And look at how the whole Bible is threaded together. Brethren, have you all noticed how many seem to judge people on their outward appearance? Those who are smart are the ones that many cling to. Amen? Think about back when you were in school. For me that was a long time ago. But I want you think back at what it was like then. For the girls, those who were pretty, everyone wanted to cling to them. Same as the guys, everyone wanted to be with them. Same as the smart ones, the ones that were good in sports. Am I painting a picture? I ask you friends, what does the Bible say about what God sees? What is He interested in? 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Church, those whose minds, motives, and principles are pure, who seek not only to have the external actions correct, but who desire to be holy in heart, they are the ones that Jesus is talking about, that are pure in heart. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. Matthew 15:18-20 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. You may be saying, "Those are pretty harsh words, Brother Jim." I say to you those are not my words, but the words of Jesus Himself. I don't know your heart, but Jesus does. Let's look at Jeremiah again. Jeremiah 17:9-10 "Who can understand the human heart? There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed. (10) I, the LORD, search the minds and test the hearts of people. I treat each of them according to the way they live, according to what they do. Heart issues. Why would the Bible point out that our hearts can be deceitfully wicked? Without Christ being the most important thing in your life, without a renewed mind, which is what happens to all men and women who truly come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and us being filled and led by the Holy Spirit. When this happens, there is no room for lust, greed, idolatry, hatred and so many other things. There is no desire to be part of these things. When our minds are renewed and we surrender all to Jesus, we allow Him to break us, we change. Our talk is different. Our whole way of thinking is different. Our attitude about things is changed. Our hearts are softened. It isn't stony anymore. Church, think about this. For those who know the story about Jeremiah. Wouldn't be awesome if we saw brothers and sisters like Jeremiah moving around our communities weeping day and night for this world to come back to God? To be out in the public praying in anguish for people to turn from their wickedness? What about the cup-bearer for the King Artaxerxes. But he also was a praying man. Are you getting this church? How often do we pray? How often are we on our knees praying for our families, communities, states, country or the world? Is God is speaking to someone right now? I want you to listen to a video of one of my favorite pastors. This is what's called a sermon jam. It's a little over 7 minutes s long and a clip from a very powerful message called: A Call To Anguish. Powerful? Friends, wherever you are, Jesus needs to be your master. Because I've talked to some of you throughout this week, I know there are those who are struggling with your journey with God. The message Jesus wants you to hear is that time is running out. Some of you may have been thinking that you're hiding things from the world. There may be some of you hearing or reading this message that are shackled so tightly in bondage that you think God can never forgive you or could never free you. Maybe there's someone reading this message who's been battling a disease and have spent every dime they have and are no better, like the woman with the issue of blood that we looked at few weeks ago. I tell you Jesus can free you. Come on church. I said Jesus can free you from all these things. Jesus can heal you, but it starts with you having a renewed mind. It takes you putting your complete trust in God. When's the last time you spent time with God? When's the last time that you honestly read your Bible and meditated on its truths? When's the last time you spent time with God in prayer? When's the last time you asked God to search your heart and point things out that aren't right? Friends, I think God wants to minister today, and the only way He can do that is if we ask and allow Him to. I would ask that everyone close their eyes and bow their heads and praise the name of Jesus. I would ask each of you to take time and tell God how much we love Him and ask Him into our lives to work on us. Ask the Lord to reveal the things that need fixing in our hearts. Ask Him to chip away at that stony heart and make it pliable so that we can be the men and women He called us to be. I want to read from a chapter that I very seldom hear anyone reading from. It's Hebrews 3. Hebrews 3:1-19 KJV Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (2) Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. (3) For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. (4) For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. (5) And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; (6) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (7) Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (9) When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. (10) Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. (11) So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) (12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (15) While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (16) For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. (17) But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? (18) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? (19) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. My dear friends, I ask you now. Are you one with a stony heart? Maybe you were so on fire once upon a time for God and your desire was to love Him, praise Him, worship Him and live your life for Him, but as time passed, that intimacy is now just an ember, already to go out. Maybe you're at that point of running and distancing yourself from God. Church, now's the time to get right with God. I've said this so many times. We're never promised tomorrow. In this uncertain world anything can happen. We could be hit by a car or shot at. Not one of us knows tomorrow. With countries all over the world with a finger ready to push the button to release World War 3, you're not promised tomorrow. Now is the time my friends to get right with God. Don't put it off one day longer. This world has lost the fear of God. Don't you be one of them. I want us to look at a few verses in the book of proverbs, but friends, don't let this go in our eye gates and then get lost somewhere. Get it in your hearts. Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. another passage from Proverbs and please get this. In fact, I urge you all to make it a point to read this whole chapter at some point today. Proverbs 14:9-22 KJV Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. (10) The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. (11) The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. (12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (13) Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. (14) The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. (15) The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. (16) A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. (17) He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. (18) The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. (19) The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. (20) The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. (21) He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. (22) Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. Brethren, the fear of the Lord is to hate evil and what bothers me is so many professing Christ as Lord don't even know what evil is. Here it is time where so many that even say that they're true Christians will be celebrating an evil holiday. Halloween. I'm not going into a long message about how wicked it is, as you can do the research yourself and for some who maybe watching this on u-tube, it may be a good idea for you to do just that. Then you'll know and then I hope you turn away from it. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged and church, then by the fear of the Lord they depart from evil. I'm getting ready to close my friends, but I ask you to spend some time with the Lord today. Time spent alone. Maybe you will have to go for a drive to get alone, but get alone and talk to the Lord. Ask Him to search your heart. Ask Him to reveal the things that aren't right. Trust in Him. I've brought this up often in the past year. There are those who have heard from the pulpit that the same sex marriage really isn't that bad. There are those who believe abortion isn't that bad. It's okay to party on the weekends and get so high you don't have a clue, yet all you have to do is tell God your sorry and you're okay. Wrong, church. So many of today's churches refrain from preaching about sin. They won't speak of the precious blood of Jesus. The old wooden cross where my Savior bled to death for you and me. A few months ago you had those telling all that was going to happen in September. Blood moons, asteroids, Jade Helm, Cern. Christ would be here then. This was taught from behind the pulpits. The end is here. It's all we heard. That tells me one thing brothers and sisters. They didn't know their Bibles. They got all caught up in the moment. They say they love Jesus with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, but they failed to get Jesus words right. Jesus Himself said in Mark: Mark 13:31-32 KJV Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (32) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. When you search through this chapter in Mark, you find that the very things that are happening are only the beginnings. If you continue to read on you find that these things happening right now in this dying world, and more must happen. My brothers and sisters, when you spend time in His Word, you find that so many have been deceived in the teachings of many denominations. I know that there are ones that will probably unfriend me now on many sites and stop following this ministry, but before you go that far, I ask you to look up each and every scripture that I've shared with you today. I ask you to not just read a chapter or two a day, but study them. I leave you all with this passage today to think very seriously about this week. It's a passage that I've been sharing from Timothy often throughout the past year. 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 forever. Amen. I urge you again our friends, spend time alone with God today. Someone might be saying, "I just don't have time brother Jim." Make time. Ask the Lord to reveal those things in your life that need to change. Ask Him to see you through those changes. We love you and we do hope that you'll share this message with friends and family. I'll be stopping the recording now, but for those in the paltalk room, I'll be leaving the room open for a while so that you can ask questions or discuss what we've learned today.
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Jesus Said, For It Is Written
Greetings our friends and family. Leanna and I want to thank each of you who have joined us here in the J and L Ministries Paltalk room. Also we want thank those who view these videos on both the Christian networks and secular sites. From looking at the links where people are visiting the J and L Ministries site on the Weebly platform from, I can tell that many are sharing the materials that we have added and we thank you. For those watching on the J and L Ministries u-tube channel, I'll leave links to some of the ministry channels that have allowed us to share these sermon messages in the description box. If you do take the time to visit them, please take the time to look around their sites and let them know we sent you. From the title of today's message, most would probably suggest that we will base the message on the temptations of Jesus after He was baptized. You're partially correct, but I want to go much deeper than those passages. So let's get started with Matthew 4:1. Leanna will be posting the verses here in the room, but please, if you have your Bible close by, open it up and follow along with us. I also suggest that you write the scriptures down so you can look them up later. We're going to pick up just after John baptized Jesus in the Jordon river. From this point on, according to what we know from the Bible, Jesus starts His ministry here on earth. I want to ask you all a few questions before we begin reading the scripture. Do we believe the Bible is from God? 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Praise the Lord!! We believe Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever? Glory to God! We believe what Peter said in Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. Halleluiah! Matthew 4:1-11 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (2) And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. (3) And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (5) Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, (6) And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (7) Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (8) Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; (9) And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (11) Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Church, I find this to be a lesson to be learned here when Satan comes subtly to tempt us! Amen? How often do we speak the Word of God against those things that attack us? In the almost Three years that Leanna and I have been holding services here at our home, I've suggested numerous times for those who have attended to write or print out scriptures and pin them up in areas where you'll see them often during the course of the day and constantly speak them out. It's also a good way to build up your faith. We believe God's Word to be true, yes? 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Praise Jesus! Brothers and sisters in Christ, what attacks are coming to you by the enemy? It's crucial that we stick to what the Bible clearly says concerning how to handle these attacks. Whatever we need to know about Satan is contained in the Scriptures. Amen? Satan is the father lies. The Bible tells us Jesus says in the Gospel of John: John 10:9-15 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Church, listen to this next verse. We have all heard it, but do we truly know it? Do we thoroughly understand it? (10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (12) But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (13) The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. (14) I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. Where I intend to go with this is in our health, finances, our walk with God, our families, and the list is endless. I want to go in a different direction if I can, as I see this issue going on all over the world. Please turn to Galatians chapter 1, verses 8 and 9. I want us to look at dealing with spiritual thieves, and this is a serious matter. Apostle Paul was a Godly man and tried till his dying day to teach the truth from God's Word. Let's see what he said to the Galatian church. Galatians 1:8-9 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Now if we can go back a couple books to 1 Corinthians 15 and we'll read verses 3- 5. 1 Corinthians 15:2-5 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (5) And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: If Christ’s body lies in some nameless grave, there's no hope for the believer, and the Gospel is nothing but emptiness. How do we know His sacrifice for sin was accepted? How can we hope for our own resurrection and immortality? By faith in what this book that lies dusty and unopened in many homes teaches us. Church, we're not free from false teachers today. Peter wrote in 2 Peter 2:1-3: 2 Peter 2:1-3 KJV But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. Look at all the famous people in the word writing their own religious beliefs. Look at all the new religions springing up all over the world. I've shared this many times in the past couple years. Look at all the denominations all over the world. I'm not trying to down any particular church, but did you know that there are over 200 types of Baptist faiths? Brethren, there are those who flock to Wal-Mart and local book stores to pick up the newest book from this doctor so-and-so and the next version of this pastors book on some how to get rich scheme, when all you have to do my friends is open up your own Bible and not just skim over the words, but study them to find God's will for your life. Where God sends His true messengers with His Word, the devil always sends someone to seduce and deceive, and especially to deny Christ’s redemptive work. Such men bring swift destruction upon themselves, even though they prosper for a while. Let's look at what Paul said to the Corinthian church. 1 Corinthians 1:4-10 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; (5) That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; (6) Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: (7) So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (8) Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (10) Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. This scripture alone is why I won't belong to any organized denomination. Leanna and I have been part of some of them and in all of them they left out or added to what my Bible says. Okay, let's get off this topic as it's not where I originally felt led to teach, but thought it important enough to touch on. Let's turn to 1 John 5:3. Friends, we need to get this. Jesus in His death had a double purpose, not only to save us from hell but to cleanse us. We are defiled inwardly by the pollution of sin. Through Him we have “the washing of regeneration.” We are defiled outwardly by the guilt of sin, and by His blood we're separated from sin’s condemnation. Praise Jesus! 1 John 5:3-4 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Are you born of God? Friends, I didn't hear you. Are you born of God? Did we see what verse 4 says? "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." Friends, that makes those who are truly born again overcomers of the world. Does that excite you? So when you say I'm a world over-comer, (listen up) you're not overcome by the world. Amen? Then I ask you. Why do we see Christians hurting financially, marital problems, health issues, temptations, stress, worries, and the list goes on and on. Why? Let's look at some of the reasons. How are we living our lives? Can we say we're living exactly like the Bible tells us to? Some of you may remember the sermon series I did a while back "Having the Compassion of Christ". In that series we discussed many things that many had no idea that they had to live by. I hope they got it and turned their lives around. What about you? Are there things that are holding you bondage that might be holding blessings back from being fulfilled? What about your faith? Your faith has much to do with victory in your life. Turn to Hebrews 11. I love this faith chapter. If one reads and meditates on this chapter they'll find that all throughout the Bible faith in God was one of the most important things that got these men and women through. Praise God. I mentioned pinning up scriptures all over your house? This could be a first verse to start with. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Some might remember the message I did on the woman with the issue of blood. What faith she had! You find this story in Mark chapter 5. For 12 years she had this issue. She spent all the money she had on doctors and the problem became worse. We find that she made her way through a crowd that was thronging Jesus and touched a piece of His robe and immediately YOU say it. Immediately, she was healed. And what did Jesus say to her? Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Thank You Jesus. If I can have you turn to Matthew 8:1-4. I've mentioned many times I haven't felt called to preach healing messages even though Leanna and I are walking testimonies of being healed by the Master. I can share how my life has been spared. I can share how many times I was healed months before the doctors said I would be because of my faith and the faith of those I allowed to lay hands on me and pray. Praise Jesus. Matthew 8:1-4 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. (2) And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (3) And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (4) And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. Jesus is the divine Son of God, sovereign over all physical ailments, over all circumstances, over the powers of nature, over the evil missions of Satan and over sin. Faith takes Him at His word and finds rest and deliverance at all times in His Word of power. Church, are we getting this? Our faith is so important. On healing…do we believe Jesus still heals today? Is that where your faith is? If not, I guess we have to ask if you believe the Bible is still true? Do we believe God hasn't changed? That He isn't a respecter of persons? Why does God heal some and not others? I know, some of you and most churches determine it must not be God's will that everyone is healed. I'm not going to go through the whole message on healing, nor do I know the exact reasons why some are healed and some are not. I do believe faith and obedience play a big factor. Here's something that's been asked of me many times in the past couple weeks. Is it Gods will that all go to Heaven? I know because I know most of you in this Paltalk room can answer this quickly. Let me ask you this. Is it God's will that no person perishes? How many unsaved die every day? Does it please Him that people die that are unsaved? No! Think back to these 2 of many passages that we read on healing. Did Jesus say to the woman with the issue of blood, "Daughter, it is because of God's will you were healed?" Or to the man with leprosy, "Sir, this is your lucky day. You picked the right time to beg for Me to heal you, because today God said that you could be healed. If you asked yesterday, well, He might have been too busy.” No, He said, "Your faith has healed you, or made you whole.” Where can anyone show in their Bible that Jesus did not heal when someone asked to be healed? I've studied mine and not once have I found Jesus refusing to heal. I really would like to go the rest of the morning on this and we will probably another day. Let's talk about love. I know, the ladies are getting all tingly hearing we're going to talk about love. And the men are thinking, “Oh no, not the love thing!” So many don't know the importance of loving others. Forgiveness and unforgiveness is another sore spot with some, yet we can read that love and forgiveness is very important in our spiritual walk with Jesus. Please turn to Colossians 3 :13. For those hearing my voice here on Paltalk, u-tube or maybe reading this later, or reading this on one of the sites that I post on, we've read many scriptures and haven't even scratched the surface of being in obedience to God, or even how to defeat the enemy with the sword, God's Word. It's been a start, but this message could go on for a month of Sundays and still not learn it all. Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. There are so many scriptures we could look at on forgiving. Why should we forgive? Why does God make such an issue of forgiveness? I think we can answer that question in several different ways. Isn't it God's character? When we forgive, we reflect the Father's Love. When we look at how Jesus taught His disciples to pray in the Lord's Prayer it's saying, "Forgive as He has forgiven you" (from Jim's translation). Forgiveness gives us the opportunity to extend to others what God has extended to us. Do you remember where you were when Jesus found you? Maybe there were countless times that you ignored or even rejected Him. I've heard testimonies where some go as far as doing everything they can do against Him. Why? For some it's because of feeling hurt, because of thinking God had abandoned them, or for whatever reason. Even then the Lord reached out to you and offered His forgiveness. And when you received His love He promised He would "remember the past no longer." Praise God. I know I have a past I’m not proud of, but you and I were forgiven when we were saved. When we forgive others we show that His Spirit is at work within us. When we forgive we demonstrate that we haven't forgotten where He found us. Glory be to God. I'm not sure about you, but that excites me. But (you say), "If we forgive, aren't we just letting someone get away with a wrong?" We feel if we "simply forgive" (and there's nothing simple about it) we'll be allowing someone to take advantage of us. Shouldn't we make people aware of the wrong they've done? The Scripture says of a man, "It is his glory to pass over a transgression." Pro 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. Wrath denotes weakness; a noble heroic spirit overlooks a petty offense.” But what if the wrong is great? Not forgiving is a greater wrong. In injuring you, he has offended against man, but in you not forgiving him, you offend against God. Here's a passage that tells us two things. Many aren't going to like what these two verses say, but what's the title of this message? For it is Written. Friends, what we've looked at today are some ways that we need to conduct our lives. Do you want to see God work in your life? Then these scriptures need to be followed. There was much more that I wanted to share, but because of time I'll finish with these last two verses I was mentioning. Please turn to Matthew 5:23. For those who think that tithing was only for the Old Testament time, here's one of a few verses that says otherwise. Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift (A what?) to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; (24) Leave there thy gift (A what?) before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Friends, we need to be a light in this dying world. There's so much that wasn't included in this message, and hopefully we can look at more in the next few weeks. One of the topics I really wanted to discuss was on love. In closing, I want you to hear part of a popular Christian song from a couple three years ago. The part of the song I want to share comes from 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. Think about that my friends. We all say that little 4 lettered word, but do we truly know, or get what love really is? The word love is probably the most used and least understood word in any language. Think about that as you go throughout your day. We all can say we love someone, or something, and we do it all throughout the day. But do we truly mean it, or better yet, really understand what love is? My friends, Jesus Christ knew exactly what it meant. Jesus came to earth to demonstrate the meaning of true love when He willingly gave His life for all humanity. Glory to God! Jesus took our punishment upon Himself to redeem you and me from our sinfulness. John 15:12-13 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. Praise Jesus! And do we notice, He called you and me His friend? John 15:14-27 KJV 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. (22) If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. (23) He that hateth me hateth my Father also. (24) If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. (25) But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. (26) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (27) And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. My friends, again this week there's been a lot of scripture put before us. What you and I need to fully grasp in the last part of this message is Christ proved His love to you and me and the world by laying down His life for it in redemption work. John 3:15-17 KJV 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. The love Jesus had and has for you and me should always be the standard of measure of our love to others in service for Him. Praise the true living God! Now, and I know there will be some who won't take this well. Yes we are to love, but...and as brother Jeff would say, "However." We're responsible for our actions. We're responsible for our words. As I was finishing up these notes last night, I went to check on the Cross Roads Fellowship sites and remembered I hadn't viewed brother Jeff's videos that he posts almost everyday. Anyways, he gave an excellent example of love. In short, think back to when you were a child. Your parents loved you, yes? Now when you did wrong, there were consequences, yes? You got scolded, or a tongue lashing, or some of us might even remember having to get our own switch, and for those who do remember, we got the thinnest stick there was, didn't we? How naive we were back then! Come on someone, you know what I mean. My point is, there was a price to pay for what we did wrong. Our mom and dads still loved us. It's how we learn to not do the things that we needed to be corrected of. Likewise, Our Heavenly Father does love us, yet there are times he needs to get on our case about things we're not doing right. There are times that we need to be chastised. And there are times when God must turn His head and probably waits for us to smarten up. Come on somebody. I'm sure most of us have been there at one point or another in our spiritual walk. Don't be a "part-time" Christian who demands a full-time God. Same as their are times when we have to separate ourselves from those who are professing to be Christlike, yet do things that are abominations in the site of God. Stop and be the man and woman in Christ that you were called to be. There are times that we need to separate ourselves from those who are claiming to be Christians that when time reveals their real identity, they're not what they claim to be. Because I said a while back that I was sharing the last scripture, on your own this week, dig into 1 Corinthian chapter 5. Read who we should be staying away from. Remember, the ones that Apostle Paul was dealing with and whom he was talking about were ones claiming to be followers of Jesus. Friends, my heart right now is being dealt with on this very matter. Our dear friends, this will be the end of this message for this week and we'll continue with part 2 next week. We do want to thank each of you for joining us here in the J and L Ministries room on Paltalk. Thank you all for visiting and watching this video on all the sites that we and others share on. Again, I'll post in the description box below on this video some of the sites that I personally share them on, but I know that at times they've also been shared by others on Facebook, Twitter, Bing and many other sites that I've never heard of before. We love you and until next Sunday, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. Good morning everyone and welcome to today’s message from J and L Ministries. Leanna and I want to thank you for visiting the J and L Ministries room here on Paltalk.
We've been studying the importance of sharing the Gospel with others for the past couple weeks and there's much more for us to learn, but I felt led to go in another direction this morning. I'm in hopes that we can pick up where we left off at some point soon. Throughout the week, I've had many discussions with believers and non-believers about their relationships with Christ, or of course with nonbelievers, their lack of relationship. One of the sites I'm blessed to be with called me on something that I added in a prayer that's been heavy on my heart. Friends, anyone can say that they're a believer of Jesus Christ. We can wear t-shirts with scriptures on them. We can sing songs praising God. We can read and know the Bible from cover to cover, and that won't save you. Satan knows scripture and we know that he's not saved. We can even be deacons or pastors of a church. That doesn't make us saved. I've had conversations with some who don’t even know why they're saved. Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? It's true. There are so many out there, and when you have the compassion to lead others to salvation and you hear testimonies of some who claim to be saved, you'll be amazed at some peoples replies to how they know that they're saved. Most of you know that I'm on many Christian sites posting prayers each morning and in the past few months, I've been sharing a devotional type video called J and L Ministries Words Of Wisdom For Today. And of course I share the videos of the sermons here on Paltalk on Sunday mornings. There are some of these Christian sites that I used to be part of that allowed posts that were more of the world than facebook. That shouldn't be. When we're saved, we're a new creation. The old man or woman is gone. The things that we did that were sinful shouldn't be what we desire anymore. Jesus living in us should be what others see. The love and compassion for others should be at the top of our list each day. The filthy talk should be gone. The actions that hurt others should be gone. The garbage of some of the soap operas that people are so addicted to should be a thing of the past. Our whole way of thinking, talking and our actions should be totally new. Praise Jesus! Please turn to the book of Colossians chapter 1. For those who have been with us for a while know that the book of Colossians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I don’t have time to go through the whole book, but I want us to look at some of the issues Paul addresses to them. I think we can find many of these same things hindering the churches here in America today. Amen someone? Let’s start in chapter 1 verse 9. Colossians 1:9-16 KJV For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (11) Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; (12) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (15) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Church, I find this to be very satisfying and a guide for all of us. Apostle Paul said that He prayed without ceasing for this church and… that they be filled with wisdom and spiritual understanding. To me that speaks of a heart cry that Paul had. Do we pray for the church? Do we pray for other brothers and sisters? I hope so. I know that Leanna and I have many praying for us and I'm so thankful to God to have those kinds of brothers and sisters. There are pastors and ministries that we pray for on a daily basis. Paul prayed that they be filled with God’s will in ALL, not some of His Wisdom and Spiritual understanding. Notice he didn’t say man’s understanding. God’s ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. They're so much better, but we need to come to the place in our life where we can understand that and believe in faith on these things. Praise God!!! In verse 10, we see that Paul prayed that the church would be walking worthy of the Lord to all - pleasing, being fruitful in every work and increasing in the knowledge of God. My friends, as I go about my daily routine, I don’t see the fruit in many claiming to be Christ-like. I hear many of those who claim to be Christ-like using His name in vain. I see them involved in games online that I would never dream of being part of. I see them saying hateful things to others, including their children. How is that being Christ-like? How is that staying away from worldly things? Now, I'm not faultless, I have my issues, but I try to correct those things when I smarten up to realize that Jesus is watching me at every moment and I do want to please Him. The back-stabbing and back biting? You see and hear it all over the place. Let Christ change you. I mention every week that believers need to be in God’s Word every day and in prayer. All human beings who've accepted that there is a God, and that the Bible is His revelation to man, need to seriously apply themselves to finding out its basic message. Many of those calling themselves Christians seem to do a poor job at this. For many, a few verses they may hear on Sundays, a Bible somewhere in the home that is never opened. They may remember a handful of Bible stories and they think they've done a good job. They think they've made God happy. I want you to all think about this. It’s no wonder that with such a laid back attitude to God's mighty Word of truth, there’s so much confusion and uncertainty in the lives and minds of so many. I've witnessed ones who, because they go to church rarely, and own a pew or two, think that they're mighty Christians. Those things are works. Works will not save any of us. We can't earn our way to Heaven. We can't buy our way into Heaven. What does the Bible say that one must do to be saved? You don’t have to turn to all these verses, but please, please write them down and when the enemy tries to tell you otherwise, rebuke him with God’s Word. Amen? God said in order to go to Heaven, you must be born again. John 3:3 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. John 3:5-7 KJV 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. In the Bible God gives us the plan of how to be born again which means to be saved. His plan is simple! You can be saved today. How? Romans 3:22-23 KJV Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Because you're a sinner, you are condemned to death. Romans 6:23 KJV For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This includes eternal separation from God in Hell. Not for a while, but eternity. And you and I friends have no clue to how long eternity is. Hebrews 9:27 KJV And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: And then this verse that even the lost have heard over and over. But God loved you so much. John 3:15-18 KJV 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. Are we getting this church? What about your lost family members and closest friends? Do you suppose some of them need to hear this message? 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Jesus had to shed His blood and die. Leviticus 17:11 KJV For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Hebrews 9:22 KJV And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Here's just how much God loves you. Romans 5:8-9 KJV But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Although we can't understand how, God said my sins and your sins were laid upon Jesus and He died in our place. He became our substitute. It's true. God can't lie. Those who've been following us have heard scripture showing us this. He's not a respecter of persons. So now I ask you church, are you following Jesus? If you're saved, you made Him Lord of your life. Do you really know Him? Do you hear Him? Do you obey His voice? We're considered sheep in the Bible. Jesus is our Shepherd. Let's see how sheep and the Master Shepherd work together. John 10:1-18 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (2) But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. (3) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (4) And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. (5) And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. (6) This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. (7) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (8) All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. (9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (12) But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (13) The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. (14) I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (17) Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. Friends, when we can get a full understanding of what Jesus was saying here, it'll change your lives forever. I also would like to mention, and some of you have heard me tell this before....I've raised sheep with my parents. We had in excess of 200 breeding ewes. For those who aren't familiar with sheep, ewes are female sheep. Rams are males. Because of the two breeds we raised, we could have two lamb crops a year. In other words, each ewe could give birth twice a year and we would hope for twins or triplets each time. So, when I say 200 breeding ewes, that meant that there were many more sheep on the farm of many different age groups. Upwards to 500 at certain times of the year. Why do I mention this? I know what sheep are like, and I know how to be a shepherd, so I can relate to what Jesus was saying here. Sheep trust their Shepherd. We used to graze them on tree farms and ski slopes, so to keep them safe and to keep them from getting into trouble, I needed to know them and they me. They knew my voice. Let’s look what Jesus said next. John 10:25-38 KJV Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. (26) But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. (27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (30) I and my Father are one. (31) Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. (32) Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? (33) The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (34) Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? (35) If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; (36) Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (37) If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. (38) But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Praise the Lord!! Listen to the boldness Jesus had. Listen and seek the knowledge in this passage that Jesus tried to teach these religious men. I hear from so many who when asked if they're saved say, “Well yes Brother Jim, I was baptized when I was 3.” Oh, really? So you gave your heart to the Lord when you were 3 knowing who Jesus was and put your faith in Him? I repeated a prayer after someone when I was 16 or 17 and I went about life like I always did. I know I wasn’t saved; there was no good fruit at that time in my life. I did the same thing when I was 23 years old when I was in the army. Yet I had the same rotten fruit coming out of my life. Please turn to Mathew chapter 3. I ask if those who were 3 years old knew how to repent? Matthew 3:1-3 KJV In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, (2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (3) For this is He that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. For those taking notes, here are a few scriptures. Leanna, you don't have to post these scriptures, but friends, please write them down so you can study them yourselves. Jesus said in Luke 13:3 I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. The apostles listening to Jesus in Mark 6:12 And they went out and proclaimed that men should repent. Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be proclaimed in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Peter said in the temple Act 3:19 Therefore repent and convert so that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. I find there are those with little Christian background who decide to try to figure out the Bible's message, but find that everyone they approach tries to offer them a package deal of doctrines and human philosophies which do not fundamentally reflect the words of the Bible. Dear friends, it's all about an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. The basic message of Scripture has a beauty and strength that only increases after being viewed and proven from many different angles. Grasping the real truth of the Gospel as taught in the Bible's pages will affect every part of our lives, leading men and women the world over to properly give glory to God as He intended, both now and for eternity. Glory to God. So many research books by this Dr. So-and-So and buy books from this ministry or that one, when they have all they need right in the Bible. Can I hear Amen's all through this room? Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. To achieve this friends, be sure to pray for God's help in understanding the Word before you read your Bible. Catch and understand this next verse. Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Praise Jesus!! My wife and I are so determined to feed the inner man that dwells within, and also to learn mentally, that we play CD's every night when we go to bed. Many times it's of sermons of godly men, or the King James Bible on CD. In the last 10 years, I doubt if there's been a dozen nights that we haven't done this. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. I believe that even when our minds are at rest, or we are asleep, that the Word of God, which is Spirit, feeds the Spirit within. I know for me, because of playing these CD's, scripture seems to come to me much faster. I can speak God’s Word out against the attacks the enemy throws my way. Friends, I share these things because it has helped me. I encourage you to do the same thing. Yes, it may take a while to get used to having it playing, but in the long run, I think you'll be glad you did. When people hear over and over that the lifestyle that so many are living is unpleasing to God and for some, even a lifestyle being lived that's an abomination to God, even though they think they're in good hands. I hope that if they hear what the Bible says, they would repent of the wickedness. Acts 17:30 Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent. All people everywhere, and that includes you and me, are commanded by God to repent. Repent of what? Repent of our sins. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves; and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). Repent of not fully serving and following all that God says. All people everywhere, and that includes you and me, are commanded by God to repent. God is pleading with us to repent. He greatly desires that we turn to him. He tells us in 2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Boom Boom. God wants us to repent so we can be saved. He's patiently waiting on us. But eventually our time will run out. The longer we put off repentance, the harder our heart gets. Friends, we're not guaranteed tomorrow. This world gets crazier every day. I don’t wish this, but look at the craziness happening everywhere in the world, there are drunk and drugged up drivers running our streets. What about earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and our health? Anything could happen from now till the next 12 hours. Repentance isn't just being sorry. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, "For Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." If one is only sorry he got caught, then this won't lead to repentance. Godly sorrow helps bring on repentance. Repentance isn't sorrow for sin, but one can't repent without being sorry he's sinned. Isaiah 55:7 KJV Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. In repentance, one must first understand he has sinned, feel sorrow for the sin, and then stop and turn away from that sin. Repentance is a change of heart and a change of mind. We must make up our minds to stop living life our way and start living it God’s way. It's making up our mind that henceforth we're going to serve God with all our might and do everything He says. Matthew 22:37, Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. In other words, and this is kind of a recap of this whole message, we must do it with all of our being. Apostle Paul says, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!” To show our repentance we are to “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Why should we repent of sins? “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Spiritual death is separation from God in eternity. Unless one repents he cannot go to Heaven, but will eternally suffer the torments of Hell. We must give up our sin and “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body” (Romans 6:12). “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sin shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Repentance is a change of heart, which results in a change of actions for the better. Without repentance we cannot receive forgiveness and be saved. Where we spend eternity, in Heaven or Hell, is determined by our repentance. I love this verse. All of Heaven is anxious for us to repent. Jesus says, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Romans 2:4 says, "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing the goodness of God leads you to repentance." God has been so good to us, and this should cause us to want to please Him in every way. 1 John 4:19, "We love Him, because He first loved us." This should cause us to want to repent and do all the things that He's asked us to do, otherwise we do not love God. Jesus said in John 14:24, He who does not love Me, does not keep my words." 1 John 2:4 says, "He who says 'I know Him', and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Do you know and love Christ? If you do, you'll want to do everything that He says. In John 14:15 Jesus says, If you love Me keep My commandments. My heart's breaking because friends, you know there are ones close to us who have wicked hearts. Let's not be hypocrites, you know them. They're good people, but they haven't turned from their sin. For those who may be reading this online, they maybe ones who sit next to you in church. Again, there are so many churches right here in our community not teaching the whole Bible. I'm not trying to badmouth these churches, but isn't it our responsibility to share the gospel? To share the truth? I'm not saying that a genuine Christian isn't going to mess up. I have days that the flesh gets the best of me. 1John 2:1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. 2John 1:8-9 Look to yourselves, so that we may not lose those things which we worked out, but that we may receive a full reward. :9 Everyone transgressing and not abiding in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. I love Mathew chapter 7. To me it says it all, but in this verse Jesus tells how to get to Heaven. Matthew 7:14 KJV Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Does everyone truly understand what Jesus is saying here? If you're a genuine Christian, a child of God, you'll walk in the way of righteousness as a style of life. And if you step off that path of righteousness, the Father will come for you, discipline you and put you back on the path. Living like the world isn't the path that God has chosen for you. There are many who have professed to have gone through the narrow gate and yet they live in the broad way like everyone else of this world. Matthew 7:16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Look at your life, how you talk, walk, dress, treat others, your passions, your desires. What kind of fruits are showing in your life? Is Jesus in there somewhere, or is He something you do on Sundays and Bible study nights? He should be the center of each of our lives. What's the fruit in your life? Do you walk like the world, talk like the world, watch the things on TV of the world, dress like the world? Do you experience the same joy of the world? Is God someone that you think of periodically? Here's one that runs wild in this area. The dirty ugly spirit of religion. The Pharisees in this area are terrible. And yes, I know all about that spirit, because I was like that. I would have been one of the ones that Jesus continually rebuked. Matthew 7:17-21 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you shall know them. Church, I so appreciate you being here today, or reading or watching this online. I know that we covered many scriptures today, but please, if you missed any of this message, you can watch it on the J and L Ministries u-tube channel. For those who are members of either Cross Roads Fellowship sites that my wife and I own, or members of A Far From Normal Faith Ministry, Mylook Online or the Lokey Sisters site, you can view it there. And of course there is Google+ and if you've chosen to follow either Jim Kinson on Google, or the J and L Ministries page, you should be getting these automatically. I'm going to keep the room open for questions and for those who may want to discuss what we looked at today. I'm going to stop the recording though. Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We love you and till next Sunday... Psalms 34:3 KJV O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Good morning friends and family. What a glorious day the Lord has made. Amen, everyone? Leanna and I want to thank each of you who have joined us here in the J and L Ministries room here on Paltalk. We also want to thank those who have faithfully watched the videos that we've made from these sermons and also for all the website owners who have allowed us to continually share videos and blogs on their sites. Glory to God!
I'm excited today to start part two of sharing the Gospel, because that's where my compassion is. For some time, my prayer has been that God would lead me to those who don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Any of you had that same prayer? It should be each and every one of our prayers, and I hope by the time we're done, all of you might have that same compassion. Timothy 2:1-5 KJV I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Brothers and sisters, I ask you in all honesty. I really want you to think about what I'm about to ask. How serious are you about being all that God has planned for your life? Are you comfortable in your comfy home? Are you comfortable in your life to not worry about sharing what Jesus told His followers to do? Are you going to be a lukewarm Christian or are you going to join me in being on fire for Jesus and take the gospel message to the world? I may strike a nerve with some people today, or tomorrow, or the next day from those hearing my voice, but church, today is the day to get off our backsides and win souls for Christ and then equip them to do the same. Praise Jesus! For those hearing my voice, are your children saved? What about your moms and dads, aunts, uncles, grandchildren, grandparents? What about your best friends? Do they know Jesus as Lord and Savior? For those people that I just mentioned, does it bother you that they don't have a personal relationship with Jesus? It should, and there are those that are related to me and then those that don't, that it eats at me. Some I've shared my faith with and then there are those that I haven't, but friends, I'll never give up. Church, those who have work to do to further the Kingdom of God must, and I repeat, must stir themselves up as mighty warriors to do it. And then brethren, they must strengthen themselves for it's in His strength and power. Halleluiah! And friends, there are times it's going to hurt. I can promise you that. There could be suffering even unto death for those who remain faithful in their faith in Jesus. We can see it every day. Look at those in other parts of the world. Look at the poor souls in Oregon. 2 Peter 3:1-12 KJV This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: (2) That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: (3) Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (8) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, (12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? One thing I could never understand is why those who have experienced the saving grace of our Lord Jesus, why they wouldn’t want to share what He's done for them with everyone they know. Now I know the enemy (Satan) will put doubt in our minds. Satan will put fear in your minds and his voice will tell you these things: “Your brother or sister isn’t going to listen to what you have to say about Jesus. Your parents will disown you if you bring up God. Your friends will laugh at you if you even mention anything about Christ." Hmmm, sound familiar? It should, because that's how that slimy devil works. Ask almost any Christian and they'll share the same story. I've been there. Until the past few of years, I've had many times that I felt an urgency to pray with people and that fear would set in. Sometimes after much prodding, I would ask if that person would mind if I could pray for them, and the answer was always yes. As I said, that crooked legged devil will throw distractions. What finally helped me with this is, If God put someone on your heart to pray for, why then should we have fear? Make sense? Fear is not of God. "Well Brother Jim, if God created me, where did all the fear that I have bottled up come from?" Glad you thought to ask that. Let’s let the Bible tell us. Please turn to 2nd Corinthians 11:2-4 . Apostle Paul talks about the deceptive power of the enemy. One thing I'd like to mention before we read these verses is this. For those who have been following J and L Ministries for a while have heard me say this and have done this with us. Hold your Bible up. Do we all believe that every word of this Bible is from God? Do we all believe that God is the same yesterday, today and forever? He does not change? He's not a respecter of persons? So, if what He said during the time Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church of Corinth, it goes for us today? Praise God. 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 KJV (2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (3) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (4) For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. Friends, these verses need to be taken to heart. Because I'm on so many Christian sites and also post daily prayers on some secular sites, I see much of what people post about the Bible and what their thoughts are. I tell you there are some deranged beliefs. One I just saw as I was writing this. Someone posted that there's proof that Jesus wasn't crucified on a cross. Come on, the proof is in the Bible. He was raised from the dead on the third day. That’s proof enough for me. How about you? All these new religions and beliefs need to be shunned. 2 Timothy 2:15-18 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (16) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; (18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Friends, we need to have our shunner alerts on. Amen? My beloved, the passage I just read from and this one I'm about to read, I share often and I do it for the very reason that there are so many being deceived, just like there was back then. 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 forever. Amen. The sad thing is friends, there are many who are going to perish because they can’t decipher the truth, because they don’t know what God’s word says, because their Bible sits on a shelf collecting dust. Many are just too lazy to take the time to open it up. They come up with all the excuses available. I know. I was at that place. What Paul was saying in these verses we read from in 2 Corinthians is about the deceptive power of the enemy. Satan is the father of lies and will do whatever he can to keep us from walking in the powerful life of Christ. Amen? One of the weapons he uses against us is fear. When we're driven by a spirit of fear, we don’t act out with power, love and a sound mind. Please turn to 2nd Timothy 1 7-10. Here we'll see fear is not of God. 2 Timothy 1:7-10 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Oops, stop. Pause. Hit the brakes. Church, read verse 7 again. Soooooo, if fear didn’t come from God, where did it come from? That’s right, Satan. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. When you or I are about to witness to someone, there he'll be. Your heart might start to race. Doubt will set in. Distractions will come. Oh boy, will the distractions come! The enemy doesn’t want you to share the Gospel with a lost soul. Church, you can get through this. I say you can get through this. Praise God. We can rebuke that crooked legged, slime ball with God’s word. Let’s continue with verse 8. (8) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (9) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (10) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Wow church, as one of my favorite pastors says, “That speaks volumes." Brothers and Sisters, fear causes us to trade power for an overwhelming, pervasive feeling of powerlessness. When we start thinking that we’re at the mercy of our past and our circumstances, we discount the power that's ours through the Holy Spirit. Fear can talk us into trading love for lust because fear makes us decide that we're not going to risk our hearts again. Love which enables us to hear, believe, hope and endure all things is the incentive to all obedience, where fear keeps us from loving. Love is the driving force behind everything else in life. Some of you may have dealt with fear all of your lives. It may have been a major stronghold as a child. The enemy will try to use that fear to convince you that you'll never be anything different. That slimy devil will put thoughts in your head that you'll never amount to nothing. Maybe that's what you heard from others all your life. The enemy will try to convince you that God can’t change you. That He isn’t real. Am I speaking to anyone today? Is the Holy Ghost tugging at your heart? I want to tell you that scripture says differently. God’s Word says just the opposite of what the enemy has lied about to any of you here in this room or watching this later. Friends, listen up. Jesus came to save the world. God created you and knew you before you were in your mama’s womb. He has a perfect plan for you. God’s Word says that Jesus came to heal the sick. He came for those who desperately need him. He came to set the captives free. Is there anyone here with burdens today, any sick, any who have not been set free? I tell you that when you can really see that this is what the Bible says and you trust in the Savior of the world, you'll begin to believe it. And friends when that happens, your life changes. There may be someone listening right now who has casually heard these words I've just said before. And many of those people have played church. They say the right things around believers. They act all holy when they're at church, but in their personal time, they act like the world. I tell you stop! Get real! Turn to Jesus. Truly repent. Truly surrender to Him and friend, when you're serious about following Christ, your life will change. Please turn to 1st Corinthians 2: 9-16. 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 LITV (9) according as it has been written, "Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard," nor has it risen up into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those that love Him. (10) But God revealed them to us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. (11) For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of a man within him? So also no one has known the things of God except the Spirit of God. (12) But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, so that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. (13) Which things we also speak, not in words taught in human wisdom, but in Words taught of the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. (14) But a natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (15) But the spiritual one discerns all things, but he is discerned by no one. (16) For "who has known the mind of the Lord?" "Who will teach Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. Friends, I can see a couple of reasons why the lost don’t want to hear the Gospel. First, we know that the Bible says that to those who perish the Gospel to them is like foolishness. I also think because of what so many churches here in America have been doing, there's a bad taste in many people’s mouths. I don’t think I need to point any fingers, as the true believer knows what is scriptural and what is not. People are looking for something that feels good. People want a message that doesn’t put them down. Many are after rituals and tradition, because that's what they know. What happened to a relationship with Christ? As the late David Wilkerson cried out, “Where is the anguish? Where are the Sunday school teachers that weep over the kids that are dying and going to hell?” Think about that quote for a minute. I mean, really let it sink in. Selah. This is why I praise God when our grandson is here on Sundays. I know that he, even at a tender age, is hearing the truth. From there, he has to make the right choices from the seeds sown. Praise God!! What about your loved ones and best friends? Are you concerned for their eternal well-being? Do you care whether they spend eternity in heaven or hell? Do you pray for them daily? I want us to see what Apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy chapter 2. Again we're going to see the heart of God wanting all men to be saved, but notice what He said about praying for all people, and that means even for the elected officials. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; (4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Church, I want to look at some verses that shows that God listens to our prayers. Please turn to Psalms 116: 1. I've mentioned in many messages that what we pray for should line up with God’s Word. Amen? We know because we've read that He wishes no man or woman perishes, yes? So is it His will that we pray and He will hear our prayers for salvation for our parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, cousins, brothers, sisters and friends? Even those people we don’t know that we may have just met this very second and pray for their lost souls? Let’s read King David’s prayer. Psalms 116:1-4 KJV I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. (2) Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. (3) The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. (4) Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Praise God!! Now let’s go to Mark, chapter 2. I could do a whole study on this passage we're about to read, and we may at some point. Mark 2:2-12 KJV And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. (3) And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. (4) And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. (5) When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. (6) But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, (7) Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? (8) And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? (9) Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? (10) But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) (11) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. (12) And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. There is much to say about this passage, but the one thing I want you to notice, maybe 2 things, is this. Nothing was said about the man with palsy’s faith. Verse 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." I'm sure this sick man was believing in faith too, but we don’t read that. Praise Jesus for being so compassionate. I want to close with one last passage and we'll continue this next week, God willing. Next week, I want to go into more detail about how we can see our loved ones saved. Anyone have loved ones who need Jesus who don’t know Him? I'm sure that everyone here, listening, or reading this can name at least one. Please turn to Mark 9:17 and we'll read through to 29. I want everyone to take notice of what Jesus says to His disciples on this issue. Mark 9:17-29 KJV And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; (18) And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. (19) He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. (20) And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. (21) And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. (22) And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. (23) Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (24) And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (25) When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. (26) And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. (27) But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. (28) And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? (29) And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. We see that Jesus, after hearing from this son’s dad that he had this spirit from when he was a child. One of the first things that I want you to notice is this. (19) He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him unto me. I find that first, we need to have faith in what we ask. The dad said that he brought the boy to the disciples and the boy wasn’t delivered. Even though the 12 disciples and many others walked with Jesus and saw all He did, they still lacked in faith. I also want you to notice what Jesus said in verse 29. (29) And he said unto them, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." We've seen the importance of prayer and some of you who've followed our ministry know that I've been fasting at times and have seen the results. Friends, there's so much more to discuss and I hope that you all join in next week. My hope for each of you here in the J and L Ministries Paltak room and for those who watch the video on u-tube might take that pad of paper that I mentioned you to get, have many names on it, and that you continue to pray for those people. I have blood relatives that I pray for often that they'll come to the saving grace of Jesus. Yesterday, Leanna and I went to Bangor to pick up a new modem. There were several things about that whole trip that were out of the ordinary. I mean totally different and we ended up across the river to eat and then go to a different Wal-Mart that we very seldom visit to pick up something that Mischelle needed. As we went to check out, I drifted elsewhere and a young lady called for Leanna to come to her checkout counter. When I got there, my mouth dropped. That young lady behind the counter was my daughter, who I hadn't seen in years. Praise God! My friends, God knows my heart. He knows that I'm not ashamed to share His Word. I'll talk to even those who constantly reject Him. I know what He's done in my life. I know the things I was and am delivered of. Praise Jesus. I know the conceited, immoral, cold-hearted, prideful person I was. And beloved, if He can save me, if He can deliver me of some awful things and turn me into a person that loves all people even though they've hurt me, if He can change me from someone who wouldn't give a dime to anyone, to a person who now loves to give and looks for opportunities to give, if He can change me to a humble person, take all the anger and bitterness that I had and turn it into love and compassion for others, I tell you, He can change you. Friends, thank you for spending this time with us here in the J and L Ministries Paltak room. Thank you for those who are watching on u-tube, or the many Christian and secular sites that have allowed us to share on. We ask you to please share this video and all the Words Of Wisdom Videos with friends and family. I'm going to stop this recording, but I'll be keeping the Paltalk room open for questions and remarks, so hang tight. Church, we love you and until next week, everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Let's be the light of Jesus that shines in this dark and dying world. |
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