Discipleship and Revival 2 of 4

Part 2:

Ephesians 2:10 states, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. 

When we become new creations in Christ Jesus, this text teaches that part of God's new creative work within us produces service. 

We do not work to become Christians, but work because Christ within is working through the life of the one He indwells.

I am afraid that many lackadaisical, lazy professors of religion have nothing. The evidence of salvation is sadly invisible.

What about it? 

Does God expect anything from overloaded (physically), undernourished (spiritually) twentieth century believers?

The truths I am about to present will not please lazy Christians who, like wheelbarrows, need to be pushed.

Neither will these arrows of God's Word be as pleasing platitudes to modern saints who run their lives like present-day cafeterias-self-service only. Nevertheless, all need to hear from God. All of us need a spiritual bath occasionally, so let's proceed to use the Word and get washed (see Ephesians 5:26).

In chapter one we considered in a broad way, or telescopically, the price Christ paid. Now let's look at it microscopically, or minutely. Then let's follow Christ.

Jesus paid the price of malicious slander. The Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils (Matthew 9:34).

Again, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils (Matthew 12:24).

He hath an unclean spirit (Mark 3:30).

Some say, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people (John 7:12).

The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil (John 7:20).

Imagine the audacity of the people as they hurled these vicious accusations at Christ:

The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true (John 8:13). Here they call the Saviour a bold-faced liar. It gets worse in John 8:41 where they say We be not born of fornication. [We are not a dirty, illegitimate child like you].

Still again, Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil (John 8:48). This was a racial slur because Samaritans were hated.

In John 10:20 they say, He hath a devil, and is mad. [He is demented and foams like a mad dog.]

I have but taken a few of the slanderous pronouncements made concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. The people said that Jesus had a devil, and an unclean spirit; that He was a deceiver, a liar; that He was an illegitimate child, a mad dog. About whom were they speaking? God in the flesh!

Will those who truly follow in His steps receive the same kind of treatment? You had better believe it! In fact, I have never felt better about some of the mail I receive. Praise God, I am on Christ's side, and this is the way it should be.

Listen to the Saviour in John 15:18, 19, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 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.

This same teaching is presented by our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [Then what-quit? NO!] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12).

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:10, We are fools for Christ's sake. Verse 13: We are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. Let's study the word "offscouring" for a moment.

When dishes are washed, the pots have "goop" on the bottom. One then takes a scouring pad and scrapes the "crud" free. The released "goop" is the offscouring. Ugh! Well, dear refined, highly polished Christian, this is the term the Holy Spirit uses to picture the Christian who is taking his stand for Christ in this wicked world. He is the "offscouring," the "goop," and "crud" off the bottom of the pan in the world's eyes.

Has this been true in your life? 

Why not? 

God wrote this verse and said it would be so if you lived the life.

• Forget about your image. 
• Let go, and let God have His wonderful way in your life.

First Peter 2:12 says, They [will] speak against you.

First Peter 3:14: If ye suffer for righteousness' sake happy are ye. Why? Because of the reward in the future.

Again, 1 Peter 4:14 declares, If ye be reproached [maligned and slandered] for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.

Now I want to show you the prime reason the average Christian is never slandered and hated. First, his testimony is nil or watered down. Jesus said in John 7:7, The world... me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Those who run around talking love, love, and more love usually are loved. But when one mentions sin, as Jesus did, and rebukes the iniquitous abominations of the hour, he becomes hated.

The Bible also teaches that godliness produces resentment among the unholy. Second Timothy 3:12: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. This is why Cain slew Abel, his brother (see 1 John 3:12). This is why carnal Christians criticize spiritual men of God who preach holy living and keep the standards high.

You folks who look like the world, dress like the world, act like the world, talk like the world, run with the world, and live for the world will never be persecuted. You are living where they are. But it is wrong, and you will be the loser.

Romans 12:2 says, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed In simple English, don't be fashioned like the world, but "about face." You women who wear tight blouses and sweaters to attract men will never be persecuted. Your little short skirts will bring the favor of the ungodly rather than mockery. You men with smutty mouths won't be considered religious fanatics. The world will love you; you sound like them. But, be not conformed to this world.

Christ paid the price of suffering. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

First Peter 3:18 states, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust.

Hebrews 12:2: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross. Were you under the impression that Calvary was an easy ordeal?

It was not! 

He endured-endured the cross.

In this day of easy-believism, are we to suffer as Christians? 

Are we to pay the price in winning lost souls to Jesus? 

Let's see.

Philippians 1:29: For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. It is not enough just to believe. One becomes a Christian by believing, but discipleship produces suffering. Believing gets one into heaven, but discipleship presents one with heaven's best crowns to place at the feet of Jesus.

Yes, He suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps (see 1 Peter 2:21). His suffering was for sinners. Our suffering should be for the same reason. Think of this statement in the light of the millions of Christians who have never won a soul to Christ. Think of the shame that awaits their entrance into heaven (see 1 John 2:28).

Suffering is again discussed in Philippians 3:10: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. All of us want a life filled with blessing, but few want to fellowship in His sufferings. 

Read again the listing of 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 wherein Paul enumerates his sufferings. Then bow before God and say "God forgive me for my greedy, grasping, selfish attitude. Forgive me for allowing the old nature to have full sway."

Christian, will you have any scars, like Paul, at the Judgment Seat? 

Many live luxuriously and complain about the hardship of being a Christian. Let's accept slander and suffering as the will of God and press on to greater service for the Lord.

Christ was slain. He gave His life for a sinful world. God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).

Jack, will you go so far as to state that a Christian should be willing to follow Christ, even to death, in winning souls? I suggest it because Jesus taught this truth. He said in Luke 9:23, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. We must go back to the first century to understand the implications within this statement. The cross was the means of capital punishment in Christ's day. It was an instrument of death. A convicted criminal had to drag his own cross to the place of his execution. When one passed by pulling or dragging a cross, it meant that he was going to be crucified, yea killed.

Jesus said that one should be willing to die daily, or bear the cross 24 hours per day in order to follow Him. I believe this same lesson is pictured in Revelation 2:10: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. There is more in this verse than the thought of faithfulness to Christ as long as one has life. The context indicates that a horrendous time of persecution was to come. Some would be hanged; others murdered in tortuous ways for the name of Christ. When it came, faithfulness unto death was the means of earning the crown of life for the martyr. This happened in past history, and may soon be the experience of God's people in America. Christians in Russia, China, and other parts of the world have already suffered greatly. Were you next, would you have the spiritual stamina to stand for Christ? Even unto death?

Adoniram Judson went to India as a missionary. He was soon imprisoned because of his love for Christ and the souls of men. They bound him in a stench-filled dungeon. There he was alone with his God for months. Many were the hours of torture he experienced. Anne, his sweet wife, would often look into the place of his interment and with tears flowing down her cheeks cry out, "Hang on, sweetheart. I know it is difficult to bear, but God will give us the victory." Time passed, and the visits from Anne ceased. How Judson wondered as to the welfare of his family.

After a few years, he was released. He immediately went to the area where he and Anne had lived. As he arrived at the location, he saw a grimy, dirt-covered tot playing outside a tent. He did not realize it was his own little girl. He rushed into the tent and saw a bald woman lying on a bed. She was dying. Malnutrition had taken her hair and health. As he stood over the form of the one he had loved so dearly, his tears fell on her face. This revived his darling and she opened her eyes. She took his hand and said, 'Adoniram, be true to the Lord. Hang on, sweetheart. When I am gone, don't quit. Be faithful. Pay the price."

Today there are thousands of Christians and hundreds of gospel-preaching churches in India because the Judsons took up the cross daily and followed Jesus. What will you do with your life, Christian? Give it to the Lord now in prayer.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

signs of Christ’s return? 03

Why are behavioral attitudes such as blasphemy,
disobedience, lack of gratitude, ungodliness,
lying, and broken promises
signs of Christ’s return?

Sinful attitudes which move us away from a holy God have been with us since the fall of man. If you read world history, however, you will notice the sins of humankind have become progressively worse-some would say more creative in their evil. The bad news is that tomorrow they even become worse (2 Timothy 3:13). Let us look at the six signs of Christ's imminent return referred to in the above question.

Blasphemy is a sin against the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul indicated that he "was before a blasphemer" (1 Timothy 1:13).

What had Paul done? He murdered Christians and hated the name of Jesus Christ.

Today the physical murder of Christians continues unabated. I recently received two reports of hundreds of Christians who are being persecuted for their faith in the nations of China and India.

The name of Jesus is not honored in those places. Pastors are being thrown in jail; individual Christians must worship in secret, lest they be taken before the authorities. In many places of our world, the name of Jesus is blasphemed, and Christians are suspect. In fact, this would be a good time to pray for Christians throughout the world who serve the Master faithfully in difficult places, even as it puts them in danger.

However, let us keep the issue on our own doorsteps for a moment.

Many so-called Christians are equally blasphemous. Scores of our seminaries, for example, are filled with students and professors who mock the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His deity, blood atonement, and bodily resurrection. Intelligent scholars teach a "higher criticism" of the Bible when, in fact, they proclaim the lowest form of interpretation possible because, in their disbelief, they blaspheme the Christ of the Scriptures.

Surveys indicate that 70 percent of our ministers are infected by this spiritual sickness.

God help us if these statistics are accurate.

Can there be any doubt that Jesus Christ is coming soon?

There is nothing new about this sin, particularly when it comes to children disobeying their parents. Some young people say that they love Jesus Christ, yet when their parents make requests, they treat them disrespectfully and are willfully disobedient.

Do these alleged Christian youth really believe the message of God's Word?

It makes me wonder. Ephesians 6:1-3 admonishes, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise ... and thou mayest live long on the earth."

I was moved recently as I studied John 19:26-27. These verses portray Jesus Christ hanging on the cross, dying for our sins. As He was about to die, He looked down and saw His mother, Mary, standing beneath the cross. "Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!"

Even in the last moments of life, as He was dying for the entire world, the Lord Jesus Christ fervently loved His mother. He came to fulfill the law, and He said in Matthew 19:19, "Honour thy father and thy mother. "

The growing numbers of disobedient and disrespectful young people are a sign that Jesus is coming soon.

We must remember that freedom is not license to do anything we want; freedom is the privilege God gives us to do the right thing!

Disobedience to human authority and to God is on the rise; it is one of the major signs that signal Christ's return.

Many people-Christians included-find it difficult to give credit where credit is due.

Because they seek their own glory, they refuse to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of others whom God has sent to share the labor and service.

Many simply do not take the time to say, "Thank You, Lord" for answered prayer.

Still others are ashamed to pray in a restaurant. When they do bow their heads, they sit there and scratch their eyebrows for a few seconds so no one will think they are talking to Almighty God. My friend, of what are we afraid?

Has the world so squeezed us into its own mold that we are indistinguishable from the world system?
Are you thankful? Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Show it!

What a graphic picture of our world as we step into a new millennium. During the end times, godly separation from the world, according to the Bible, will be sneered at as bigotry.
.
When one rails against XXX-rated movies, the lewd lyrics of much of today's rock music, the cancer-producing effects of tobacco (including smokeless tobacco), the soul-damning habits of drugs and alcohol, some Christians immediately change the subject and say, "Let's not talk about secondary issues."

The holiness of God and holy living are not secondary issues. First Thessalonians 4:7 declares, "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." First Peter 1:16 teaches, "Be ye holy; for I am holy." Again, this sign indicates that Jesus is coming soon. I encourage you to read God's Word and come to your own conclusions.

All the signs in 2 Timothy 3 speak of Christendom and the professing Church in the last days. These final days are now upon us.

The phrase, "Without natural affection" (2 Timothy 3:3), refers to the breakup of families through a lack of love. 

Look at the divorce rate, the murder of babies through abortion, the stories about parents beating their little ones to death, and you will know this sign is being fulfilled. For millions, the marriage vow has become a cruel joke.

For millions, commitment is a word in a foreign tongue. Broken promises are the order of the day. Has someone shared a confidence entreating your prayer support?

Did you keep it, or did you spread gossip about that person?

Promise breaking is a pivotal end-time sign mentioned in the Bible. While stadiums around the world are filled with promise keepers, unfortunately there are more living rooms, boardrooms, and bedrooms filled with promise breakers.

"False accusers" (v. 3) is the term that refers to this sin. Churches in our nation and around the globe are coming apart at the seams because of exaggerated stories (outright lies in many cases) church members spread about their so-called friends. When a person falsely accuses a brother, he breaks God's ninth commandment. Exodus 20:16 says, "Thou shalt not bear false witness."

Do you know what will happen to false accusers? Revelation 21:8 says, "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."

You will notice that in this book, I am coming down harder on Christians than on unbelievers. We who say we honor Christ should know better. We are held to a higher standard than those who do not know the Savior, Yes, the end-time clock is ticking faster and faster; sins of the flesh and the spirit will increase; lying and half-truths will continue unabated.

That is why during these perilous times you and I must remain firm, believe what we say we believe, and stand in the gap as we anticipate the return of our Lord in all His glory.

What about a world that is out of control, with
an increasing number of murders and sex-on-
demand overtures on the Internet? Are these
signs that the return of our Lord is near?

We live in a world that is spinning out of control. Murder is on the increase. Students in our high schools are killing their classmates and their parents. Virtual-reality sex on the Internet is becoming a national pastime for adults and children alike. Our loved ones are increasingly at risk as they download material of prurient interest now available at the click of a mouse button in the privacy of one's own home.

Still, for all the "power" supposedly available to our citizens, people are more powerless than ever. What does the Bible say about such pursuits?

How do such sins suggest that the return of Christ may be near?

In Matthew 7:18 we read that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. This is what we are seeing in our society today. There are lots of "trees" growing all around us.

The good ones honor God and bring glory to His name. The bad ones, however, continue to put forth branches that are diseased and deformed. Let us look at the four areas mentioned in this question.

Incontinent would be the best term to define this problem. It speaks of the lack of control over one's sexual appetites. The world says, "Live it up. Premarital and extramarital sex are good and healthy-just be 'safe' with your sex." I say, "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Romans 3:4). Sex is pure and holy in marriage. Hebrews 13:4 states, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled." However; the verse continues, "whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." What God demands and what our society craves are light-years apart. Look at these four statistics:

One out of every two marriages ends in divorce.

The average age today for divorce is thirty-four for men and thirty for women.

In the 1960s, a woman was responsible for one of every ten households with no husband present; in 1986, a woman carried out her duties in one of every six households with no husband present.

One million teenage girls will become pregnant out of wedlock this year.

Some men would be minus their front teeth if they spoke to the server in a restaurant like they talk to their wives at home.

They claim they love Jesus Christ. They are great Christians at church, but what a fierce, vicious temper they exhibit at home and at work.

Anger is killing people on the freeways; it is responsible for accelerated spousal and child abuse, and it is destroying relationships at the office and in the church. The Bible says, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31).

My friend, when a person has not been redeemed by the love of Christ, he or she will fall prey to an angry spirit. When this unholy spirit takes over a family, a community, a state, a nation, and a world, we know that the end is near.

"Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:4). In the last days, people-professing Christians included-will be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of our heavenly Father. We have become a nation-and a world- of hedonists. This sign is evident as churches increasingly use the tactics of the entertainment business to draw crowds. People want to be amused; so many churches feel they must meet the cravings of their pleasure-mad constituents.

How else are the lukewarm and backslidden going to be held together? How else can halfhearted members be attracted to the services? Consequently, the latest Christian minstrel show takes the place of the Word of God.

God has not called us to run a showboat to entertain those who would be amused but a lifeboat to save the lost from ultimate destruction.

Many religious telecasts and crusades today feature unsaved or carnal personalities whose lives are a mockery to God. Still, they appear because entertainers draw crowds.

Many evangelistic meetings feature folks who are still working in nightclubs where drinking, gambling, filthy jokes, and solicitation of sex are prevalent.

Is this a sign of the end or what! 

The organizers rationalize their activity by saying, "It does not matter, because the end justifies the means. If these religious fakes draw crowds, then it must be the right thing to do." God forgive us!

Through it all, people without Christ are lulled to sleep and made to feel religious while every carnal desire of the flesh is gratified under the sanction of the Church.

Will this continue? 

Yes, I am afraid it will. That is why it behooves Bible-believing Christians to stand up and be counted on this issue.

We eat power lunches, wear power ties, demand more horsepower in our automobiles, and ingest power vitamins. Power, power, power. 

The Bible talks a great deal about our quest for this power, which is, in reality, a false sense of security. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5).

It should be obvious by now that the world system has no staying power. Zero! 

What concerns me more is that there is so little power in the Church. How could it be otherwise, when the Church has strayed so far from seeking and doing God's will?

Study this sign in the Scriptures, and you will be compelled to come to one conclusion: Soon the trumpet of God shall sound and we shall hear three words, "Come up hither" (Revelation 4:1). Then, in the twinkling of an eye, we will sweep through the heavens to meet Jesus.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

on Hold (2)

When God Puts You there.

'By your patience possess your souls.' Luke 21:19 NKJV

Make peace your priority. Don't let your inner man be controlled by outside pressures. When you 'go to war' everybody suffers, but when you let '...the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts...' (Colossians 3:15 CEV), it restores your perspective and creates an atmosphere that's conducive to solutions. Look for a breakthrough from an unexpected source. When you 'Commit your way to the Lord...' (Psalm 37:5 NKJV), don't be surprised when the people and circumstances He sends into your life aren't what you expected. He spoke to Balaam through a donkey (Numbers 22), and He used a burning bush to get Moses' attention (Exodus 3).

Don't be in such a hurry. Ever notice that the faster you go, the more behind you get? Jesus said, 'By your patience possess your souls.' 

As Henry Blackaby observes: 'God's timing is...best... He may be withholding directions to cause you to seek Him more intently. Don't try to skip the relationship and get on with doing. God is more interested in a relationship with you than He is in what you can do for Him.'

Don't be too proud to ask for help. Solomon said, '...with humility comes wisdom' (Proverbs 11:2 NLT). If the people you turn to aren't immediately available, be patient and don't give up. God designed us to work together, and somewhere up the road you will be called to help somebody by sharing what you're learning right now. 'He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble' (2 Corinthians 1:4 CEV).

Soul Food: Gen 4-6, John 12:20-36, Ps 102:12-17, Pr 30:21-23

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Friday, 22 November 2013

APPS available here

Discipleship and Revival 1 of 4

A four-part study on the cost of discipleship and revival: Part One

Don't let anyone rob you of this blessed truth. 

Ephesians 2:8, 9 states, For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our Saviour shed His precious blood upon the cross over 2,000 years ago to redeem sinners. To be saved, one must receive this precious gift, the Lord Jesus Christ, for the remission of sin. When the transaction occurs God immediately gives eternal life to the receiver of His gift.

Friend, it is free. Because of it one can exuberantly say with Paul, Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).

The Price Paid by Christ

God's gift cost the Saviour everything. This included the relinquishing of His heavenly home for a period of 33 years. Philippians 2:5-8 beautifully pictures the sacrifice: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Yes, He loved you and left the beauty of the "Holy City" to die an agonizing death upon Calvary. He said, I came down from heaven (John 6:38). Again, I am the living bread which came down from heaven (John 6:51). He loved you and gave himself for you (see Galatians 2:20).

God's gift also cost the Lord Jesus Christ His reputation. Philippians 2:7: [He] made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. His enemies tried to drag His holy name into the depths of degradation. Listen to them: He casteth out devils through the prince of devils (Matthew 9:34). He hath an unclean spirit (Mark 3:30). He hath a devil and is mad (John 10:20). "He is an illegitimate child." They said even that? Absolutely. His sermon so convicted the sinners of His day that they, in retaliation, shouted, We be not born of fornication (John 8:41). Christ bore all of this abusive language because of His great love for the lost including you.

God's gift also cost Christ great sorrow. He could say in Matthew 26:28, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. He beheld the city, and wept over it (Luke 19:41). Again in Luke 22:44: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Medical men state that blood is held in one's body by capillaries. When they burst, blood seeps through the skin. Jesus prayed so agonizingly over the souls of men that His capillaries shattered, His blood seeped through His skin, and beads of blood and water ran from His brow to the ground. Oh, how Jesus loved the lost.

Hebrews 12:2 looks ahead to the joy anticipated because of the sorrow endured: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him [seeing the redeemed in His presence] endured the cross.

God's gift also cost Christ His life. Psalm 22 prophetically depicts the event. Listen to the Saviour as He hangs, fastened by spikes, to the cross: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Verse 6: But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Verses 13-16: They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. Do you hear the agonizing groans of the Lord as he pays the price of salvation for you?

Isaiah, the prophet, also portrays the ignominious scene in chapter 53:1-5: Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Paul says, Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). John adds, He loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood (Revelation).

Multitudes more of the "saved by grace without cost" crowd never win lost souls to Christ. Million slip into hell forever and forever and forever while believers fill their daily schedules with temporal earthly pursuits. They fail to witness because their exalted image could become tarnished by the taunts of those Christ-haters who belittle them. They might be called fanatics, fools, idiots, imbeciles, or Jesus freaks. Are we better than Christ who was called demented and mad in John 10:20? Are we better than Paul who said in 1 Corinthians 4:10, We are fools for Christ? God forgive us for not paying the cost of discipleship.

Let's investigate the price some of God's people paid as they followed Jesus.

Stephen, the first deacon, paid all he had by giving his life. In Acts 7:51 we find him preaching a strong, bombastic message naming sin. This kind of preaching is never popular. And [they] ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him (Acts 7:57,58).

The New Testament writers, with the exception of John, laid down their lives for the Saviour. Matthew died from the wounds of a halberd. Mark was dragged through the streets by a team of wild horses until death ensued. Luke was hanged. John was thrown into boiling oil. Though he lived, he was disfigured for life. Peter and Jude were crucified, and James was smashed to death by a club. Paul, last but not least, suffered more than the others combined.

He could say in 1 Corinthians 4:10-13, We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted [beaten], and have no certain dwelling place; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off- of all things unto this day. In 1 Corinthians 15:31, he says, I die daily.

In 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 he continues, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed: Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.

Again, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28: In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, and fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Think of it. 

• Five times they scourged Paul with the forerunner of the Roman cat-o-nine-tails. 
• Three times they used clubs on his body.
• Once they crushed his head with rocks. Thinking he was dead, they discarded his body at the garbage dump of Lystra (see Acts 14:19).

Salvation is free, but it is not cheap. Discipleship that brings crowns and rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ is costly. Those who do not sacrifice here will have nothing in that day. They shall stand in Christ's presence ashamed (see 1 John 2:28). They shall suffer loss of all rewards (see 1 Corinthians 3:15).

One who is a disciple, a follower of Christ throughout this earthly, pilgrimage, has no regrets as eternity approaches. Listen to Paul again in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. He is about to have his life ended by decapitation beheading. His head will soon roll from his body as the sword severs it. 

Is he remorseful, regretful, and sorry? 

Would he like to relive life without all of the sorrow experienced as Christ's follower? 

You be the judge. He says, For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course. I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. There are no regrets-he is going home to be with Jesus forever.

Christian, get a copy of Fox's Book of Martyrs.

It will revolutionize your life as you see the price Christians have paid throughout history. They were grateful for free salvation and gave their all out of gratitude. Let me share two illustrations from this volume:

In the year 258 AD, three hundred Christians jumped into fires at Utica rather than renounce the Lord Jesus Christ.

In 304 AD, Timothy and Mara heard a knock at the door. A voice said, "Give us your Scripture portions that we may burn them." They replied, "Never. We would rather have you burn us." They took Timothy, removed his eyes, threw him in front of his wife, and said, "Now let him read his Bible." Six weeks later, the agents returned saying, "Will you renounce Jesus today?" "Never!" They then took this godly couple, and hanged them in trees in view of their little children. All this because they loved Jesus.

Salvation is free, but it is not cheap. 
Some of you have been treating it cheaply. Why not dedicate your life anew today. Get rid of habits, coldness, lukewarmness, and the spirit of unconcern that has hindered your growth in the Lord.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

Single-Minded (2)

'...Fix your gaze directly before you.' Proverbs 4:25 NIV

It doesn't take much effort to let your mind drift and dream. But it takes great effort to set your mind to the task of developing a clear goal, of having a clear and compelling dream.

John Maxwell says: 'For me the whole process begins with questions I must ask myself. The dream is always rooted in the dreamer, in his or her experiences, circumstances, talents, and opportunities. 
I ask: 
"
What am I feeling?     - what are my emotions telling me?
What am I sensing?    - what is my intuition telling me?
What am I seeing?      - what is happening around me? 
What am I hearing?    - what are others saying?
What am I thinking?   - what do my intellect and common sense say?
" ...
A clear picture may come to you all at once, in lightning-bolt fashion, but for most people it doesn't work that way. Most people need to keep working at it, clarifying it, redrawing it. If the process is difficult, that's no reason to give up. In fact, if it's too easy, maybe you're not dreaming big enough. Just keep working on it because a clear dream is worth fighting for.'

If you can get a clear sense of where you are, what you know, and what you want, you're well on your way to understanding and embracing the thing God put you on earth to do.

Moses spent the first two-thirds of his life working out what God wanted him to do, trying to do things his own way, only to fail. But he had a heart for God, and a vision from God, and eventually he succeeded.

And you will too!


Soul Food: Ecc 1-4, John 11:28-37, Ps 50, Pr 30:7-10

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Monday, 18 November 2013

APPS available here

Single-Minded (1)

The Bible says, '...he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways' (James 1:6-8 NKJV).

Peter Marshall, former chaplain to the U.S. Senate, prayed, 'Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand, and what to stand for.' A dream that isn't clear won't help you get anywhere. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to contribute? 

Who do you want to become? In other words, what does success look like for you?

If you don't define it, you won't be able to achieve it. Most people don't get what they want because they don't know what they want. They haven't defined their dream in clear and compelling detail. Ben Stein writes: 'The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this:

Decide what you want!' John Maxwell adds:

• Instead of saying, "I want to lose weight," say, "I will weigh [80 kg] by June 1." 
• Instead of saying, "I want to get out of debt," say, "I will pay off all credit card balances by December 31." 
• Instead of saying, "I need to improve my leadership," say, "I will read one leadership book every month." 

Being specific doesn't necessarily mean having every little detail thought out before you move forward. But your main goal should be clear. The rest will unfold as you move forward, making adjustments as you go.'

The question you need to answer is, 'Am I single-minded?'

SoulFood: Dan 1:3-21, Dan 3:7-30, Dan 5:10-31, Dan 9:1-19 (Faith hero: Daniel)

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Monday, 17 November 2013

APPS available here

Signs of Christ’s Return (2)

		Earthquakes			Global crime			Signs in Space
		Selfishness			The Love of Money			Pride

How do these signs suggest that Christ’s return is at hand?

Earthquakes

When they read Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, or Luke 21:11, some men foolishly observe, "We've always had earthquakes. How can this be a sign?"

The Lord made this prediction around A.D. 30.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, from 1890 to 1930 there were only 8 quakes measuring 6.0 or larger. From 1930 to 1960, there were only 18. From 1960 to 1979, however; there were 64 "killer" quakes. And from 1980 to the present, there have been more than 200. Think of it! More than 200 major quakes in less than three decades-an earth-rattling reminder that the Rapture is near.

Crimes against Humanity

Christ went on to say in His pronouncement of signs, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:12). What a portrait of modern-day America and the world! The U.S. Justice Department reports that about 30 percent or more of the nation's households are victimized by serious crime every year. The U.S. attorney general says that on average one of every sixteen American families is brutalized by violent crimes such as murder, rape, and aggravated assault. 

The FBI index also paints a grim picture, giving us the unsettling information that a murder occurs every twenty-four minutes, a forcible rape each seven minutes, a robbery every sixty-eight seconds, and an aggravated assault each fifty-one seconds. The total figures show that a violent crime is committed every twenty-seven seconds, a property crime every three seconds. Judge for yourself: Are things getting better or worse? 

The answer is obvious.

Signs in Space

celestial phenomena

Matthew 24:27-31 tells us: "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

I quote from these scriptures in Matthew because many believers are confused by this scenario. It is important to note that the reference here is to the Revelation-the revealing of Christ to the entire world as He returns to earth as King of kings-not the Rapture. The elect mentioned in this text are the elect Israelites of Romans 11:28. He gathers them together "from the four winds." Gentile believers are not listed with the twelve tribes who mourn as Christ returns. Again, these are Jewish signs pointing to Christ's coming as King of kings and LORD of lords. 

The people of the Tribulation Hour will know when the momentous event is near because Matthew 24:29 pinpoints the time: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." The space signs are for the close of the Tribulation Hour. 

There is no way that they could point to the pretribulation Rapture, for we Christians will be gone when the dreadful bombardment of earth, probably with meteorites from space, occurs.

Luke adds to this account, "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:25-26). These signs point to the close of the Tribulation Hour because they signal the return of the King to earth. Verse 27 adds, "Then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." This describes the coming of Christ to set up His glorious millennial reign (Revelation 20:4).

England 2013

Space signs, which are to take place at the conclusion of the Tribulation Hour or almost seven years after the believers' departure via the Rapture, are already showing partial fulfillment. Such feats as humans walking, driving, and planting a flag on the moon make us realize these signs are only for twentieth-century citizens-for you and me. If a person had made such a prediction at the turn of the century, he would have become a candidate for a mental hospital. Space activity has become so commonplace today that no one even talks about the first step Neil Armstrong took on the moon in 1969.

"We have always had signs," some skeptics say. "Nothing has changed. It's the same as it was in Grandma's day." My response to that ostrich stance is simply to get your head out of the sand and fix your eyes on the heavens. The Space Age is with us, and Christ's prophecies are occurring with such rapidity that only a hardened heart could doubt it. Each new venture will incorporate additional methods of placing the potentials of space on earth. Christ's astounding prophetic statements about space are beginning to fill the skies.

Some scientists and space writers are raising the possibility that the next large-scale war could be fought entirely in space. This possibility means that Satan and his demonic hosts could use the world's inventions for the war of wars described in Revelation 12:7-9: "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

The Signs and Space Phenomena

July 21, 2013 Earths Sun:  more

I believe the rash of reports about UFOs are connected with the spirit world. 

The question "Is there life on other planets?" is unimportant. 

There is life in the heavens, for they are full of live, demonic spirits. 

This could easily explain the thousands of saucer sightings in recent years. Ezekiel 1 and 2 Kings 2:11 talk about angels and chariots of fire. 

Whoever controls them is incidental. What is important is that these strange signs in space are prophesied for the latter days. Those days are now upon us and should make us realize the coming of the Savior is near.

Do Old Testament signs primarily speak of Christ’s return to earth?

What about the signs in the Epistles?

I am asked this question repeatedly. While the Old Testament and four Gospels are filled with scores of references to Christ's return or the Revelation, the Epistles also contain a rich storehouse of scripture that speaks about Christ's return to earth. Look at the description in 2 Timothy 3:1-5: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Let's look at several of the signs-as recorded in the Epistles-concerning the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to earth.

Selfishness

"Men shall be lovers of their own selves." What a picture of the hour in which we live. You do not need to watch CNN for more than a few minutes to understand that people are living a life dedicated to self. Moreover, it is not only unbelievers who live such lives. When church members are so busy satisfying their flesh with the world's goodies and pleasures that they have no time to pray or witness to lost souls-that is the height of selfishness. You will remember the Bible passage about the scribe who came to Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40 and said, "Master, which is the great commandment... ? Jesus said unto him. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

How different are we today, really? We, too, are lovers of our own selves. A person might expect this attitude in the ungodly world of pagans, but how sad when it occurs among those who are supposedly of the family of God. As selfishness accelerates and becomes the central theme at the beginning of a new century, you can be sure it is a sign that the end of the age is near.

The Love of Money

In the first century, Peter could say, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6). Churches today have incredible wealth. We build huge buildings and enjoy elaborate campuses. Much of this is good. However it is also a problem for many ministries, because the tail is wagging the dog. Furthermore, money does not have the power to perform miracles. As we approach the return of Christ, we need to recognize that we are living in the Laodicean age. Revelation 3:15-16 declares, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." God is saying, "You lukewarm parishioners make Me sick!" Why? "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (v. 17).

In our churches, many regard themselves as "upper crust." They have money, power, and influence. Many of these Christian elite personalities feel they are too important to help others or to carry out acts of kindness in the Savior's name-no time for anything except to earn a few more dollars. God declares, "The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10).

Pride

God says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10). Satan fell because of pride. Moreover millions more have followed in his wake. Imagine the gall Satan must have had to say, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Satan has infiltrated the hearts of millions of Christians. A man with tears in his eyes once came to me and said, "I was trying to win a young lady to Christ. She was poor and needy. Her parents are alcoholics. She was so destitute that all she had to wear was an old tattered dress. I took her to our church-a Bible-believing fellowship. When she and I walked down the aisle to our seats, I overheard a few snooty people behind me say, "Why do they bring that kind of trash to our church!'" That kind of story breaks my heart, and I hope it breaks yours. However, if you feel your pedigree is better or more important than others, then I pray that God will speak to you and show you that you are one of the signs that Jesus Christ is coming again. Our Savior said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE