Good morning friends and family. I thank you all for joining us here today on paltalk, and also for those who might be reading, listening or watching this later on all the various sites that I and others post on.
Our God is so amazing and I thank Him for bringing us all together and I pray that today’s message, as convicting to some as it may be, will be a blessing to all. My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, throughout this past week, our headlines have been filled with things that go totally against God's Word. Our Supreme Court voting on gay marriage being legal all over the US, the deal with the flags, and the list goes on and on. This nation has turned so far from God's Word, but the majority of the church doesn't even know it. Most of you know that I share a daily prayer on many sites each morning. I also post these sermons on many sites. As I shared a couple weeks ago, I'm amazed at how many times these prayer are being hit each day and also the great responses from others. The internet has become such a great tool for sharing God’s Word, yet I wonder much of the time if the majority of those who read are absorbing anything. "Brother Jim, how can you say such a thing?" Well my friends, I can say that because of the things I see. I see some who continuously share, even in the open, amongst other believers. Many probably have no clue that what they're doing is wrong in the eyes of God because some preachers don’t teach these things. But do you know what, my friends? Even though it seems like many preachers can’t get away from the ear tickling messages that make the listener feel all warm and fuzzy inside, he can’t be blamed for all of it. "Well, who then, Brother Jim? How are we supposed to know what God wants me to do or not do? How do we know God’s heart if our pastors won’t teach us?" If we really wanted to know what's wrong or right, if we really wanted to do what's pleasing to God and know how we could be a testimony to Him for His honor and glory, we'd take that Bible that's covered with dust and open it and read and meditate on it every day. Not because Brother Jim says so, but because we want to spend time with God the Father. We'd read it daily because we want to seek His heart. We'd read and meditate on God’s Word because we want to have fellowship with our Heavenly Father. We'd be in prayer constantly. Amen? And..... because the Bible (Jesus Who is the Word who became flesh tells us to. "Wow brother Jim, where does it say that?" Glad you asked. I'm going to only take you to one passage today, but there are others. 2 Timothy 2:15-26 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Ti 2:15 GNB Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's 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. (19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (20) But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (22) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (23) But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. (24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. So friends, are we ready to see some of the things that Christians are dabbling in that are NOT pleasing to God? We all know what the 10 Commandments are, yes? In case someone isn’t sure, let’s turn to Exodus 20 and we'll start with verse 1. Exodus 20:1-17 KJV And God spake all these words, saying, (2) I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (3) Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (4) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: (5) Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; (6) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (7) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (8) Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (9) Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: (10) But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: (11) For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (12) Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (13) Thou shalt not kill. (14) Thou shalt not commit adultery. (15) Thou shalt not steal. (16) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (17) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. So the commandments given to Moses were what we just read. Looking back through your life, how did you do through all these things? I can tell you, I failed miserably. Yes indeed. I failed most everything on this list, but thank God I know Jesus. I said thank God I know Jesus and He knows me. I thank Jesus for dying on the cross for me. I thank Jesus that when I cried out to Him confessing I was a dirty sinner He heard me. I thank Jesus my Lord and Savior for hearing me ask Him to be Lord of my life and that He washed my sins away. Halleluiah!! Now I'm a joint heir of Jesus. Praise God!! Can anyone in all honesty say they obeyed all these things we read in Exodus 20? If so, congratulations, though I don't believe you. If not, don’t feel bad. You're human. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and took of the tree of knowledge, from that time on, man was born with sin nature. For those who say they obeyed all of the 10 commandments and you haven’t messed up once, wow!! You're a good person and I wish to shake your hand, but you know what? As good as you may be, if you haven't asked Jesus into your heart to be Lord and Savior, to be born again......saved, you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. If you went out into your community today and asked everyone that walks by, "If you died today, would you go to Heaven?" You would be surprised at how many would say yes. Some may never have been to church. Maybe never heard the Gospel, but because they're good, they would escape hell. Many think they've earned their way to heaven. Please turn in your Bibles to John 1:1. Friends, Jesus is the most important figure in all of human history. He, my friends, is the only man who has ever walked the face of the earth who had no sin in Him. Jesus came to earth from Heaven. He is God in flesh. John 1:1 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Who was the Word? Verse 14. John 1:14 KJV And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Please turn to John 14:6. There's no way to get to heaven but through Jesus. John 14:6 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. You cannot pray to Buddha, Mohamed, the sky, mother earth or some statue that you made. It won’t work. Yes, you can talk to these things, but why would you? Why waste your breath? They don't hear you. Let’s turn to Isaiah 14:6. For those who think that because of the good things they've done..... they're useless. Isaiah 64:6 KJV But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. I want to go on a different course now. I've shared for years now that I take James 3:1 very serious. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Who wants to take over teaching now? You see, I understand that I'm responsible for everything I teach you. I need to get it right. Those who teach God’s Word are held to a higher standard and I don’t want to stand before God and be told I taught wrong. I don’t want to hear that I taught you a message that doesn't line up with God’s Word. Do you all follow me? This is why I can’t believe, and this is where I get into the title of the message, are we the church, or are we playing church? What is the church? It isn’t a building, friends. Again you ask the majority of people who and what the church is and they think it's that big building with the steeple that Jesus freaks go to on Sundays, or where they get married or go when someone dies. Hey, I used to think that too, until I got into the Bible. Friends, when we're saved or born again, we're now part of the body of Christ. We're a new creation. The old man is dead, or it should be. I said it should be. Please turn to Romans 3:23. Friends, sin is sin. If you kill someone, you haven't just broken mans laws, but you've sinned against God. If you cheat on your spouse, you haven’t just hurt your spouse, but you've broken covenant with God and sinned. If you take a piece of bubble gum from someone and you didn't ask, you've stolen from that person and sinned against God. Sin is sin, no matter how big or small. 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. Now please turn to Colossians chapter 2. Here's where someone might start to squirm. Remember, these are not my words. I'm not speaking these things or sharing this text on sites to condemn you, but to help you with your walk with God. In the next 15 minutes or so, I want to show you what I've seen from church people in OUR COMMUNITIES and on-line from professing believers. Colossians 2:6-23 KJV As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (11) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (21) (Touch not; taste not; handle not; (22) Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (23) Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Friends, back a few months ago, we broke down the book of Colossians verse by verse. For those who want to get a further understanding of what Paul was teaching them at Colosse and us today, go to jandlministries.weebly.com and in the search box, type Colossians and you'll see the whole study. Glory to God! What I want you to see is this.... All through the Bible, we see that disobedience to God has consequences. We all know what happened with Adam and Eve. Then the first murder when Cain killed Able. We know that people were wicked and God opened up the flood gates, yet spared Noah and his family during the flood. We had Mosses who led the Israelites out of Egypt, yet they complained, stole, lied, and so on, and so on. Friends, we see from many prophets that this day and age we live in would be full of wickedness. When one looks deeper into some of these prophecies, the very things that Apostle Paul addressed to the Corinthian’s, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Thessalonians, is going on today and much of the body hasn’t got a clue that what they're doing wrong, or they just don't care. "Brother Jim, you've lost it. Have you fallen off your rocker?" When one is saved, He's a new creation. The old man is dead, dead, dead. Gone! Out of here! The things of this world that we loved should be far from our minds. The things God hates we should hate also. Amen? I said Amen? Then I ask you my friends, why do we see professing Christians dabbling in sin? Actually, many aren't just dabbling, they've dove right in that sin and appear to be just as comfortable in it like pigs in a mud puddle. It's not funny, friends. Colossians 3:1-25 KJV If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: (7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. (8) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (11) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (12) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (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. (14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (18) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. (19) Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (20) Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (21) Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (22) Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (23) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (24) Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (25) But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. If you would, please turn to Deuteronomy 18:10-13. Here we go with things that probably many haven't realized are an abomination to God, because many preachers don’t teach about them. Here's where Satan has really fooled many. Deuteronomy 18:10-13 KJV (10) There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, other translations say: practice black magic, be a fortuneteller, witch, or sorcerer. (11) Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. Cast spells, ask ghosts or spirits for help, or consult the dead. (12) For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (13) Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. Please turn to Revelation 21:4. I want to look at a little sliver of what John witnessed and what was said to him from Jesus our Savior. What I want to show is some of the things going on in many churches. I'm going to catch a lot of flack from this, but these are not my words. Revelation 21:4-8 KJV And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (6) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Listen up my friends. This is a powerful, take-heed verse. I don't believe many look at all that's within this verse. (8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Friends, what's being said here is this: But cowards, traitors, perverts, sexual sinners, sorcerers, murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic, those who worship idols, those who are playing with horoscopes and all liars---the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. Galatians 5:14-26 KJV For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Please turn to Romans 1:28. We'll look at a few more verses and we'll finish up. I know that I've given you a lot to think about and in a short time, but these things are important for us to understand. From what I'm seeing here from so-called church people and on-line from what are supposed to be Christians, they don’t get it. I want to be part of that spotless church that Jesus is coming for. Amen? Romans 1:28-32 KJV And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 2 Timothy 3:1-13 KJV This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (8) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (10) But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. There is so much more that I would have liked to shared with you. Many more scriptures. I would have liked to have touched on many more things that are going on in our congregations all over the world. Church, this is why I urge you all to be in the Word daily. As you spend time with God through these readings and by being in prayer, He'll point out things to you. Those who may be into witchcraft, sorcery, palm reading, horoscopes...stop. Ask to be delivered, and now. Those who are backbiters, gossipers.....stop. Repent. Turn away from it. Magic.....stop. Those who may be dabbling in spirit stuff, like ouija boards, stop and throw it away. Friends, this is not me being mean. I love you and I want to see God do great and marvelous things through you, but when we continue in things that we know are not pleasing to God, in fact, most of these things we see are an abomination. Detestable. I hope that you all might have learned from this. I would like to say it was a pleasure to deliver this message, but it never is pleasurable to deliver a message that's convicting, but it needs to be done. I need to hear convicting messages to get me on track at times. Why friends do we make the Bible so complicated? Here's what Jesus says. Matthew 18:3-5 KJV And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. The we can also see what He says in the same chapter what we need to do when a brother or sister in Christ has done wrong against you. Matthew 18:15-22 KJV Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (18) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (19) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (21) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? (22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Friends, I would encourage each of you to spend time in the Bible this week, and the Sermon on the Mount may be a good place for all to start. Leanna and I want to thank all of you here on Paltalk. We want to thank Mylook Online, Lokey Sisters and A Far From Normal Faith Ministry for sharing these messages, and for those who read and listen to these messages on Cross Roads Fellowship, Google+, U-tube and any other social network that others have shared them on. We love you and do hope that you have a Godly week.
1 Comment
Harold J. Howland
6/28/2015 13:09:15
Brother Jim, you are coming through as the Lord wants. I could almost hear the Lord say, "My son, Jim, I am well please in what you have Preach. WELL DONE MY FAITHFUL SERVANT!" I needed to hear those words you Preach as well, as anybody needed it. I am really Bless my brother. To see you Preach the you did today. Every Word had God's Love in it. I am not just patting you on the back. I really met it from my heart.
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