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.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
|