Monday, July 28, 2014

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS


Onward Christian Soldiers

 

Like a mighty army moves the Church of God!

Brethren we are treading where the saints have trod.

Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise!

Christians lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!

Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war

With the Cross of Jesus going on before!

 

    1. Like gasoline on a fire.

    But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

    And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.  As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.”  Acts 8:2-3 (NKJV)

    “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.”  Acts 8:4-8 (NKJV)

    Went everywhere preaching the word. The rage of the persecutors only extended the reign of Christ. The scattered saints, long prepared at the feet of the apostles, went everywhere as preachers of Christ. The blood of Stephen was the seed of the church.” —People's New Testament, Johnson’s Notes

    a) The Kingdom of God.

    Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."  Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV)

    “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.”  Acts 8:12 (NKJV)

    “The unmistakable reality of the miracles wrought by Philip convinced the people that he was attended by the power of God; and that was enough to make them acknowledge the authority of God in what he communicated to them. In order that men may believe the Gospel, it is only necessary that they believe it to be, in reality, the word of God. But the Holy Spirit convinced them that what they heard was the word of God, by attending it with a sensible demonstration of the power of God. That they believed was but the natural result of what they saw and heard.” McGarvey—Acts of the Apostles

    2. The Triumphant March of Life!

    “Christians have done just about everything to sterilize the Gospel.  The Church is no longer, as in the first centuries, the triumphal march of Life through the graveyards of the world”.  Evdokimov

    But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.  But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.  Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king--Jesus."  Acts 17:5-7 (NKJV)

    “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.  These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.  Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men” Acts 17:10-12 (NKJV)

    Where there was a Jewish synagogue, this is where Paul began. Here he found people, both Jew and Gentile, who believed in Jehovah God and the Old Testament Scriptures. He would show how the prophets predicted the death and resurrection of the Messiah, and that this proved Jesus to be the Messiah who was to come, Three Sabbath days. This is how long he argued in the synagogue. Many of them were converted. Some were Jews. A large group of Greeks - Gentiles who wanted to learn about the God of Israel, and who came to the synagogue regularly, but had not converted to Judaism and been circumcised.  And many of the leading women.  Wives of the leading citizens, who had much influence.

    “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”  1 Thess 1:9-10 (NKJV)

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

BEATITUDES IN REVELATION


BEATITUDES IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION

    Quotations from KJV and Petersen's MESSAGE Version.

     God allows upheaval and ferment and change in this sea of humanity.  Yet there is a Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:25-29).  Keep this in mind.  God is gathering a People out of this sea of peoples, multitudes, nations, tongues.  John sees a Lamb standing on Mount Zion.  Out of this same sea rises His Church!  The Bride of Jesus - His Church - safe and secure under His Wings, outfitted with the armor of God, swords, helmets.  We see them bloody but unbowed, wounded yet not defeated.  In submission to God by His Holy Spirit this sea of humanity becomes the Church - the Community of Jesus!  Victory already belongs to the Lamb and His church!!!  BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH!!!

 
1. Rev. 1:3  “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”  Rev 1:3 (KJV)

   And John told everything he saw: God's Word—the witness of Jesus Christ!  How blessed the reader! How blessed the hearers and keepers of these oracle words, all the words written in this book!  Time is just about up.

    I, John, am writing this to the seven churches in Asia province: All the best to you from The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive, and from the Seven Spirits assembled before His throne, and from Jesus Christ—Loyal Witness, Firstborn from the dead, Ruler of all earthly kings.

 

2. Rev. 14:13  “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Rev 14:13 (KJV)

    Meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God's commands, staying faithful to Jesus.  I heard a voice out of Heaven, "Write this: Blessed are those who die in the Master from now on; how blessed to die that way!"

    "Yes," says the Spirit, "and blessed rest from their hard, hard work. None of what they've done is wasted; God blesses them for it all in the end."

 

3. Rev. 16:15  “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”  Rev 16:15 (KJV)

    "Keep watch! I come unannounced, like a thief. You're blessed if, awake and dressed, you're ready for Me. Too bad if you're found running through the streets, naked and ashamed."

 
 4. Rev. 19:9  “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Rev 19:9 (KJV)

        She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen. The linen is the righteousness of the saints.  The Angel said to me, "Write this: 'Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.'  He added, 'These are the true words of God!'"
 

5. Rev. 20:6  “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”  Rev 20:6 (KJV)

    And those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They're priests of God and Christ; they'll reign with Him a thousand years.
 

6. Rev. 22:7   “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Rev 22:6-7 (KJV)

    The Angel said to me, "These are dependable and accurate words, every one. The God and Master of the spirits of the prophets sent His Angel to show His servants what must take place, and soon.  And tell them, 'Yes, I'm on My way!' Blessed be the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
 

7. Rev. 22:13  “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”  Rev 22:14 (KJV)

    "Yes, I'm on My way! I'll be there soon! I'm bringing My payroll with Me. I'll pay all people in full for their life's work.  I'm A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.   How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they'll walk through the gates to the City."

 

Sunday, July 13, 2014

THE BEATITUDES


THE BEATITUDES

    God blesses those who come to Him.  The Sermon on the Mount is God's call to righteousness. Paul understood righteousness in terms of God's saving acts and of a person's right standing before God. Jesus uses the term for moral behavior that conforms to God's will, as James does. Specifically, righteousness is doing the will of God as Jesus reveals it. This "revelation of righteousness" unifies the entire Sermon.  Jesus teaches life’s basic principles.  “Blessed” (makarios) means “shout for joy!” 

 

    “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
Matt 5:3-10 (NLT)

 

    Matt 5:3.  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

    The World says: “Happy are the slave drivers (ambitious, aggressive) for they get on in the world.”

    Jesus says: “The spiritually humble are God’s people, for they are citizens of His Kingdom.”

 

    Matt. 5:4.  “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

  The World says: “Happy are the hard boiled, for they never let life hurt them.”

    Jesus says: “They who are deeply concerned are God’s people, for they will see their ideas become reality.”

 

    Matt. 5:5.  “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.”

  The World says: “Happy are those who complain, for they get their own way in the end.”

    Jesus says: “They who are gentle are His people, for they will be His partners across the land.”

 

    Matt. 5:6.  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”

  The World says: “Happy are the worldly wise (who care for nothing), for they never worry over their sins.”

    Jesus says: “They who hunger for justice are God’s people, for they will be given plenty to chew on.”

 

    Matt. 5:7.  “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”

  The World says: “Happy are the slave drivers, for they get results.”

    Jesus says: “The generous are God’s people, for they will be treated generously themselves.”

 

    Matt. 5:8.  “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”

  The World says: “Happy are the knowledgeable ‘men of the world’, for they know their way around.”

    Jesus says: “Those whose motives are pure are God’s people, for they have spiritual insight.”

 

    Matt. 5:9.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”

  The World says: “Happy are the trouble-makers, for people have to take notice of them.”

    Jesus says: “Men of peace and goodwill are God’s people, for they will be known throughout the land as His children.”

 

    Matt. 5:10.  “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

    The World says: “Happy are those who cover their trail and avoid resonsibility, they have it made.”

    Jesus says: “Those who have endured much for what is right are God’s people, they are citizens of His new order of things.”

 

    “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Tim 3:12-15 (NKJV)