Tag Archives: Church

Romans 11- Life from the Dead

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For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? Romans 11:13-15

As of right now, all eyes of the world are on Israel right now. As Israel has always been the center of everything going on in the world. Some will say, “this is a great conspiracy”, is this is a fake Israel? Well then why is Satan continually trying to destroy Israel? If you look throughout world history, the Jews have been under attack and hated by most of the world. If this nation is from Satan, then why does Satan persecute them?

The answer is in the Bible, as the Apostle Paul spoke by the Holy Spirit “God is not finished with them yet”! (Romans 11:1) So in our text today, the Apostle Paul is giving a direct message to the Church (Gentiles) “For I speak to you Gentiles (Church), inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles (Church)” Pauls calling was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, so why doesn’t the Church adhere to his teachings? Why is the majority of the Church, so misinformed about Israel?

Paul then states “if by any means I may provoke to emulation or jealousy those who are my flesh (Israel) and save some of them” Gods granting salvation to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ is to provoke jealousy in the Jews to bring them to Christ. I don’t think many understand this, while Israel and the Church are jealous of one another, this jealousy is by God to lead them to salvation in Christ. 

“For if their (Israel) being cast away/rejection is the reconciling of the world, what will their (Israel) acceptance be but life from the dead” Again all the eyes of the world are on Israel, many believe Israel is spiritually dead, many believe their is no hope for them, but imagine when Christ returns to save Israel (Zechariah 14:4) and many Jews receive Christ as their Lord and Savior, imagine the witness this will be for the rest of the world! This is what the Apostle Paul is saying here, life from the dead! Amen!

Romans 9- The Potter

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Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Romans 9:19-21

So as were working through the book of Romans, specifically Chapters 9 through 11, many people have different interpretations or understanding of the text. Many will argue their theological position to remain in the religious tradition they are in. However the bottom line, it doesn’t matter what you think or if you can even comprehend Gods will and plan. God is soverign, rules and reigns over His creation, and regardless whether you can comprehend his glory or holiness, doesn’t matter. In fact, if we are being honest, nobody could possible fully comprehend God, as we are His finite creation.

The old preacher John Wesley once said “Bring me a worm that can comprehend man, and I’ll show you a man that can comprehend the Triune God” Now skeptics will say this is an excuse, this is a copout to say we can’t comprehend God. Is it really? Or are we just being honest with our limitations as His creation? Can you explain to me how God created the Heavens and Earth, stars, moon, planets, humans, animals, ect from nothing? Nobody can explain the awesome power of our God

The Apostle Paul gives us gives us great insight in this text “Does not the potter have power over the clay” (v21) God is the potter and we are the clay, that should be a little humbling, right? Can the clay comprehend the Potter? Probably not, but does that matter? The Potter is in control, the Potter is the Creator and ruler of His Creation. The Potter has the power and authority to do whatever He wishes, regardless of how you feel about it or if it falls into your theological tradition or thinking

As scripture says “The Fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom and understanding” (Proverbs 9:10) One of the big issues with the Church today, is we lost our Fear, our Reverence of God our Creator.  Instead of obeying Gods Word, we argue well I was taught this or this person said that, they are all just Clay! The Potter is greater than all Clay, yet in todays Church we have elevated the Clay over the Potter. Professing ourselves to be wise, we became fools (Romans 1:22)

How can God harden Pharoahs heart? Because God is the Potter and Pharoah is the Clay, as the Apostle Paul says “But who are you to reply against God” (v20) But we argue against God, because we have no fear of God, we have no reverence of God, we have elevated the Clay over the Potter, the Church needs to Repent and sumit to our Lord Jesus Christ, and be filled and led by the Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 1- The Church Part 2

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For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Romans 1:11-15

As Born Again Christians there should be a desire for community among other believers, as the Apostle Paul says here “For I long to see you” Paul had a great desire to be in fellowship with his brothers and sisters in Rome, but was unable to at the present time due to his mission of spreading the gospel. However Christians should not forsake the assembly of each other (Hebrews 10:25) There should be an actual desire for community and fellowship.

You might ask Why? Why does Paul need to fellowship with this community? Why do you need to be a part of a Church? Well as Paul says here “that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift” Hopefully most know, if you are a Born Again Christ, the Holy Spirit is living inside of you, you have been given gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12) When you forsake the Church, you forsake sharing your spiritual gifts with the rest of the body of Christ. This is a very self centered attitude, the Church needs you just as you need the Church. Paul had a great desire to share his spiritual gifts with the body of Christ, as he continues to bless us today with his writings inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Another reason we need the Church for community, as the Apostle Paul says here “that I may be comforted together with you by mutual faith” When you become set apart in Christ, fellowship in the world becomes almost impossible. While the world has desires of the world, Christians have the desire of Christ. Your soul longs and earns for mutual fellowship among other believers. You won’t find spiritual fellowship outside of Christ, or the fellowship you find may lead you away from Christ. It’s important to be part of a community of Christ that comforts one another. As the Apostle Paul also says , we the Church are to “bear each others burdens” (Galatians 6:2) 

As I continually try to teach new believers, this Christian walk will be difficult, there will be persecution, there will be trials and testing. Nobody is going to survive this walk alone, you need the Church and the Church needs you. As Jesus said “those who endure to the end, shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13) This is not going to be a easy walk, you need the Church!

The Apostle Paul again states “I don’t want you to be ignorant or unaware brethren (Church), I planned to come to you” The Apostle Paul continually had a strong desire to be with his brothers and sisters in Christ, why? “That I may have some fruit or have a harvest among you” We have a mission as the Church, to fulfill the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) It’s another blessing to see the spiritual fruit that is produced by an active Church sharing the gospel in their community and reaping a harvest for The Lord, Amen!

1 John 3- Love The Church

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In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. 1 John 3:10-12

Jesus gave us a command to “Love One Another” (John 13:34) They may sound simple or cliche, but as a Christian you know this is anything but simple. However as the Apostle Paul said “Without love we are nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2) Everything we do or accomplish in the name of Christ is meaningless, unless we have the love of Christ within us

This is why the Apostle John said “Whoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that doesn’t love his brother” If you claim to be a Christian and hate the Church, you are not in Christ. One trend we see among Christians today is the hate for the Church. This is not the fruits of the Holy Spirit, to hate your brothers and sisters in Christ is the fruits of Satan

Now you might say I don’t agree with this or I don’t agree with that, you must understand the Church is not a building, the Church is not a corporation, the Church are brothers and sisters in Christ. To hate the Church is to hate your brothers and sisters, which is in disobedience to the commandments of our Lord. You can’t claim to be Born Again with a New Heart and your heart is full of hatred. Jesus said “A good tree doesn’t bear bad fruit” (Matthew 7:18) 

Don’t be like Cain, who’s hatred filled his heart enraged him to kill his brother Abel. If you ask people are you Cain or Abel? Most people would say they are Abel, but are you really? Is your heart pure to God? Do you really love God with all your mind, heart, and soul? Do you love your neighbor as yourself? If so then why do you persecute the Church?

As God warned Cain, “Sin is crouching at your door” (Genesis 4:7) Don’t allow your hate and bitterness to consume your heart, Jesus said if you hate your brother you are a murderer at heart (Matthew 5:22) These are the fruits of the devil, as Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)

Love The Church, Love them because they are your brothers and sisters in Christ, love them because Christ first loved you, even when you were an enemy of God (Romans 5:8), Amen!

1 John 2- Love The Church

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He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:10-11

Yesterday at Church, we had a Luncheon after service, and the fellowship was so beautiful. We even had guests who I never met before, but you could feel the love of Christ in the room. The unity of Christ is such a powerful thing, when the body of Christ comes together to worship and fellowship together, there is no greater force in the world. This is why the early Church turned the world upside down empowered by the Holy Spirit, they came together daily loved and served The Lord together as One

The Apostle John gives us a strong warning about forsaking the body of Christ. Many people who claim to be Christians , refuse to gather with the body of Christ, they forsake their brothers and sisters because of their own personal agendas. As the Apostle John says under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “But he hates his brothers in darkness, and walks in darkness” To neglect your family of God is to hate your family of God. 

The Church, the body of Christ was designed by God for many reasons, as we were never designed to take this walk alone, as the Apostle John says “and knows not where he goes because the darkness has blinded his eyes” It’s easy to fall away or get deceived when your walking alone. Its like in the wild, the predator picks off the lonely weak prey, the predator doesn’t usually attack an entire group. As The Apostle Peter says “Satan is like a roaring lion looking to devour (1 Peter 5:8) Church is not just something we do to check off a box, No God designed the Church for spiritual purposes, including to keep you on the narrow path

I know Christians who say they wont get to Church , because “everyone is hypocrites” or “they don’t like the Pastor” ect. Can you see the seed of hatred being planted in your heart? As the Apostle John said He who hates his brothers and sisters (Church) walks in darkness” Bitterness and hatred are being planted in your hearts, pretty soon you’ll hate even your Lord, why? Because hate is a disease that spreads like cancer throughout the body and soul. You need to love your brothers and sisters in Christ, even the more difficult ones, why? Because Christ first loved You!

The good news to being rooted in the local body of Christ, as the Apostle John says “He who loves his brother (Church) walks in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling for him” The body of Christ will keep you in line, it provides some accountability for the way your living your life. But also we need to keep our hearts clean and pure, don’t allow your hearts to be hardened by sin and be filled with the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Paul said “Husband love your wives as Christ loved the Church” (Ephesians 5:25) Jesus loves the Church so much he died for the Church, including You! Amen!

2 Corinthians 8- All Eyes on Us

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Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. 2 Corinthians 8:20-24

As we continue to look at what Paul teaches us about being the Church, I think we can learn another valuable reason to remain in a local Church, its called accountability. One of the many reasons Christians need each other is to keep us all on the narrow path. When your alone, its easy to stray off the path, get tempted into sin, and then try to hide the sin from others. However as Paul is teaching the Church here “The eyes of The Lord are everywhere” (Proverbs 15:3)

Let’s see what Paul is saying here to the Church “Avoiding this, that noone should blame us in this abundance, which is administered by us, providing for honest things” Again this goes back to accountability. The Church is being tasked to handle large amounts of money which are going to support other Churches, including themselves. Often whenever there is large amounts of money, there is alot of temptation by many people to embezil it, anyone remember Judas? 

Now while not everyone is tempted with money, often many people are and can’t control themselves. Paul wants to make sure the Church is handling the money openly and honestly, so there is no question about their integrity. Often if you want to know if a group is a cult or false religion, all you have to do is follow the money trial. 

Notice what Paul says next “not only in the sight of The Lord, but also in the sight of men” God is watching everything the Church is doing! All these false prophets and cult groups that think they are getting away with stuff, are just storing up wrath of God for themselves, God will not be mocked! But as the Church , not only are the eyes of Jesus on us, but the eyes of the brethren are on us also! There is accountability with one another, as scripture tells us, if you see someone in your Church continually living in sin, you need to address it with them (Matthew 18:15, 1 John 5:16-17)

Paul ends by saying “Therefor show to them, and to the Churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf” One way we know if someone is a true Christian is by the testimony of other Christians that we trust and know. Sometimes you meet a new Christian, and your just not sure if they are a true convert, and you consult with other Christians who you trust and can give you an honest opinion. This is part of the Church structure, the accountability, the leadership with the Body of Christ. 

Regardless of your thoughts on the Church, Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, that is his bride and the gates of hell will never prevail against it. Nobody will ever be able to remove Christ Church because Christ eyes are on his Church and because you are the Church, Christs eyes are on you! Walk worthy of your calling by the Holy Spirit, Amen!

2 Corinthians 8- We Are The Church

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But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: 2 Corinthians 8:16-19

Again we see the Apostle Paul referring to Titus for his service and dedication to the Church. Now we hear the name the Apostle Paul alot, he wrote over half the New Testament, he was a vessel for Jesus Christ (Acts 9:15) However Paul was just one part of the Body of Christ, just as Titus is another part, and you are another part. It’s important to understand the “Church concept” that nobody does anything by themselves, we are all the Body of Christ and all Glory goes to God

We see Paul mentioning brother Titus to the Church “Thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you” Paul didn’t accomplish anything on his own accord, just as we don’t accomplish anything on our own accord. We need to reply upon each other as the body of Christ, and we need to rely upon the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. When you understand this is a group effort, then you understand the reason for the Church. We are all one in Jesus Christ our Lord!

Paul mentions another individual who is not even name “We have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the Churches” People who are driven by the flesh would want their name in lights, however those who are driven by the Holy Spirit, are looking to give God glory and not themselves. This brother was obviously highly respected by the Churches, yet it didn’t matter what his name was, because he was a servant of Christ!

We as Christians, as part of the Body of Christ, can learn from this. Do we need credit or glory for everything we do at Church? Everything we do is for the Glory of God and our Lord knows everything you have done. We don’t need the credit from men, we just need to be faithful in our calling to Love God and Love our Neighbor

Another point to make is , are you active in your local Church? The idea of being a “lone wolf” is not Biblical. How can you be part of the body of Christ, when you reject the rest of the body? None of the work done by the Church was possible without the group effort of the Church. If you want to know why you should belong to a local Church, its because you can’t fulfill your calling unless you are part of a Church, because you are the Church!

Working to build the Kingdom of God is an amazing calling and an overwhelming thought. Everything you do for God is for eternal purposes, one day we can look back with our fellow brothers and sisters and see what we have labored for , filled with the Holy Spirit and obedient to our Lord , Amen!

2 Corinthians 8- The Church

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For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

What is the Church? Sounds like a simple question , but many might come up with different answers , the Greek word its usually translated from is “Ekklessia” which means called out assembly, in short the Church is the people, the Born Again believers in Christ

The pandemic I believe taught us alot about what the real Church is, as many buildings were closed, the Church still lived on. The Church is not a building, its the body of Christ, its you and me, our sisters and brothers in Christ. Wherever you are , there is the Church! With that said, we should physically gather whenever its possible, especially on The Lords Day!

So why belong to a Church? Because we are a family of God, we are all  brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, therefor we need to take care of one another as a family. That’s what the Apostle Paul is teaching the Church here “For I dont mean the others should be eased and you should be burdened, but by an equality” Paul is teaching the Churches to take care of one another, when one is in need the other will help them. Then when that Church is in need, then the other Church will help them

This is how a family operates, right? We all go through seasons of good and bad times, when we are going through a bad season, we need our family to help us out. And this doesn’t just mean financially, we need to help each other out spiritually and physically. Maybe somebody just needs someone to talk to or to just give them a ride somewhere, the body of Christ should be there for one another like a family

It’s interesting, Paul quotes the book of Exodus here “He who gathered much had nothing left over and he who gathered little had no lack” (Exodus 16:18) The Church who has an overabundance should share with the Church who is lacking. In the Kingdom of God, nobody is lacking because everyone takes care of one another! This should be the model of the Church, a family in Jesus Christ, Amen!