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.
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