Category Archives: Words Of Spirit And Life

November 1, 2011 · 8:34 am

God’s Correction

Gods Correction

Pastor Arthur Wilkerson

 

     Before we began, I want to say that our Father (God) is NO dummy and His creation is No small thing, I think we’d all agree, especially when we consider the immense wealth of knowledge we as humans have already tapped into, which is but a pins tip of the knowledge of our God, and to realize that even this pins tip stupefies the most brilliant of us, because, though we know a great deal we understand little. I mean from the universe itself, without, to the universe within man, there is much to be learned and understood. So then, if we agree that the wisdom and knowledge of God is unsearchable with the amount of knowledge we have today, why not search His Word and seek His kingdom and righteousness to learn of Him. This will give the knowledge and understanding; the wisdom and insight into the manifold wisdom and knowledge of our God on an individual and corporate level, so that the eyes of Christian understanding about the things of God and His Christ and our Saviour can be opened. We can then live in purity and true holiness having the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us. So, let’s not dumb down His Words of Spirit and Life to non-effect. Some will say, it not that deep; all you have to do is believe or oh, you just got to have faith brother. These are true in a sense and are essential, but we can’t leave them there. Let’s take those that will come deeper to deeper depths, because it is that deep when an individual or in some cases families eternal souls are at stake.  Jesus healed, delivered the oppressed and cast out demons, then He turned to the disciples and taught them. Let’s give every soul as much  information about our God as is given to us, so that they can truly be blessed and their blood not be on our hands for not giving them all just as Christ gave His all. It will be an awful thing to fall into the hands of a living God..

     Are you fired up yet? Well, I want to give us something else to judge ourselves on (ICor. 11: 32). “God’s Correction” The scripture for this segment of Words of Spirit and Life is Prov. 3: 11 “…My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction…” The scope of God’s correction for His children that are in Christ Jesus is as varied and inclusive as the salvation we receive when believing with our whole hearts in Jesus as saviour. Though salvation is a free gift and is as simple as receiving Him into our hearts, the scope is far reaching, taking in justification, sanctification, redemption, grace, atonement, etc.; so is correction, the chastening of the Lord far reaching including not only the wrath of God, His punishment for wrong doing, the remedial training of grace, but also His mercy, compassion, longsuffering and above all His love for us. His correction deals directly with the one being corrected, and indirectly with those around the one being corrected. It deals with that persons “attitude” toward the correction itself and the one doing the correcting (God’s man or woman through reproof, rebuke and correction in righteousness), it deals with the character of the one being corrected, their true prevailing nature, whether it is one in the process of being regenerated under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit or one governed by the laws of the flesh.  And less not forget the one doing the correcting, it must be done in love and wisdom.

     Now that being said, let’s look at some key points, but first we must define some words. I believe it’s wise to understand the words used and the context and the parameter of the usage. From what I’ve found, the words correction and chasten or similar in meaning from Hebrew to Greek and to Webster dictionary.  I’ll use the Hebrew; (fig) reproof, warning or instruction ; also restraint; bond , check , correction, discipline, doctrine, and rebuke. These are from the primitive root (yasar) to chastise, literally (with blows); hence to instruct, chasten, correct, punish, reform, reproof and to teach.   These definitions sound a lot like II Tim. 3: 16 which brings to mind Eph. 4: 11-16.

     Now then, I tell us that we must be aware of that which was done in the lives of Israel as an ensample to us and to all that profess Christ as Lord and that are NOT obedient and are unrepentant of sins, transgressions and iniquities. The wrath of God came upon them for their disobedience and their forsaking Him for other gods. This happened time and again from Exodus to Malachi in some sense. These are examples of God’s anger, His judgment and His wrath as in II kings 22: 11- 20, which also shows His mercy towards a repentant heart. Lest we as a nation and as individuals repent with a tender heart and a contrite spirit as did King Josiah, the wrath of God will surely come. “…Behold, the day of he Lord cometh. Cruel both with wrath and fierce anger… “; “…and I will punish the world for their evil. “ (ha. 13: 9-11). This includes the living and the dead for He is judge of all. The wise believers then will separate themselves from false professors, transgressors, workers of iniquities and worshippers of other gods as they burn incense so to speak while they ware the garment of grace.  Even so, “…the wheat will grow up with tare...” (Matt. 13:30)

     Let’s now address the individual believer who’s heart is to be holy as God is holy and desires to walk in the Laws of Christ, but falls and is carried away because of their own lust and strong pressures of the world, and after sin is convicted to repentance, while the tares seem to prosper on every side even as sin is present and are not convicted, but calls themselves blessed of the Lord under grace. Remember, holiness after salvation begins with the path or road traveled, so “…Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat… ” (Matt. 7:13). Go the narrow way. There are those who have come into the Kingdom and found it too hard on their wills and believe it unnecessary to grow (be perfected) and refuse the chastening of the Lord from the beginning, and there are those that humble themselves, receiving the embarrassment of chastisement from the beginning. What do you mean Pastor? Well, from the beginning of the Salvation Process the one’s that will not receive the correction/chastening from the leaders in the small things of ministry show a will to operate in the still unconverted prevailing sin nature, they question even the minute things in ministry with a lack of understanding. (It is perfectly natural to question, but with respect and not an air of “let me see what they say about this ” having a defiant attitude) As they grow, later there may be some remorse, but no change in heart (inwardly), outwardly they repent with the wrong motives in sight (self-gain). With the other the washing of regeneration is present inwardly and from the onset of their Salvation Process the Holy Spirit works subjection and obedience to leadership in them, while they maintain their individuality, but are joined. Now, both are spiritual works in progress, only the discerning, Holy Ghost filled leaders will discern or see the difference and pray accordingly. Both are true believers in Jesus as Saviour and Redeemer and both are now justified by the ” …measure of faith.. ” (Ro. 12: 3) they have in Jesus and of course Grace is upon both, but, to only one is Jesus Lord and the works done are done as unto Him. Which is wheat and which is tare? Which is entering  the strait way and which the wide?  It is true, only God knows the heart, and He will separate, one to honor and one to dishonor.

     As these individuals receive “…the sincere milk of the Word, that ye (they) may grow thereby (I Peter 2:1-2), what is feed them along with what they desire will have much to do with the remedial training of Grace and with the correcting/chastening, reproof, rebuke given. Without again drawing distinctions, God loves both of our examples, but the acquiring of the knowledge of Christ, the Cross, ultimately understanding of His Word and their purpose/use for God and the environment in which they are brought up in, in  Christiandom will have great effect on how they live the profession as a Christian and how they will receive the corrections when they come. Should Grace and blessings, and Salvation, the free gift be all that is taught and not the penalties of sin and not the Laws of Christ in righteousness (percepts, line upon line), then the idea of correction or rebuke to them becomes unwarranted, all things in moderation is OK and this becomes the prevailing attitude and nature of today’s believer, a libertine nature of self-righteousness under grace. “…Shall we truly continue to sin that grace abound? God Forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin live any longer therein (Ro. 5: 21; 6: 1-2). What then of those who see them living in Sin, holding positions in Churches and nothing happens to them? What message are we really sending to the world? That there is no discipline in God’s house, that His house is one of debauchery even more so than or along with world?

     With this libertine nature as a disposition even in some of our prominent leaders, the sheep reject being corrected and the archaic values (the strait way, God’s righteous way) that the Gospel teaches. But God is longsuffering and compassionate “…not willing that any should perich… ” (II Peter 3: 9). When punishment/chastisement does come after rebuke and reproof is rejected; they not knowing or understanding the vastness of God’s love as a Father, despise the punishment. Saying, why did this happen to me; God didn’t have to let this happen, their “attitude” and even the attitude of their loved ones, relations and friends towards God is affected by their sin. (hidden, now uncovered) is one of rage and hardness of heart for some, and for some an indifference altogether wanting NO PART of God’s Son, for others it is a cry of repentance and submission for their Sins and a closer walk of righteousness with Jesus, because of God’s mercy. They that are exercised by the chastisement, (“God’s Correction”) have learned a true Spiritual lesson, when this lesson is learned it becomes “…profitable, yielding the peaceable fruit of righteousness… ” (Heb. 12: 11). Peace with God is after all, a major part of Christ’s Divine Constitution (Matt. 5: 2-9). The true child of God grows to become a peace maker, now one cannot become a peacemaker without first having peace with God. This part of growth is vital to those who are in Christ, for His peace He left with us. “…the Chastisement of our peace was upon Him…” (Isa. 53:5) on the Cross. Let us all receive it in the Love it was and is given. (All Scripture is taken from the Old King James Bible)

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that your corrections will find us and that we shall receive it and be exercised thereby to the peaceable fruits of righteousness. In the name of Jesus our Lord I pray. Amen.

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September 10, 2011 · 4:30 pm

Courage In The Lord

COURAGE

Pastor Arthur Wilkerson

     In this segment of “Words of Spirit and Life” we’re going to be talking about “Courage”.  As a beginning scripture reference we’re using Joshua 1: 5-6 “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  Be strong and of a good courage…”.  The definition (Webster), courage is the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it; a quality of being fearless.  So then courage is an attitude, hmmm…… an attitude: a position (a stand) assumed for a specific purpose; a mental position with regard to a fact or state.  What I gather from these definitions is that one has to have a made up mind to take a stand for what he or she believes to be morally and socially right and acceptable.  Now then, Christians who profess Jesus Christ as Lord should have a mind like Christ; …”Let(ing) this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Phil. 2: 5) when He was on earth.  He took the attitude of obedience and faith toward His Father.   Well…., what attitude are we taking, what stand for righteousness and His name sake are we taking?

    I found that we can put “Courage” in three categories: Physical, Moral and Social.   There’s a couple of subsets to courage that were given in our research that were used in the past and are still used today; they are Honesty and Integrity.  Note: We are not taking a psychological world view; but a biblical and spiritual view based upon the Principle Graces; Biblical Truths given by the Holy Spirit that set a moral and social foundation for a nation, making Her the greatest nation on Planet Earth.

     Physical Courage: The real or perceived physical danger, hardship or death; the threat of death for taking a stand opposite of the recognized liberal views of the world or of the laws of man which contradict the recognized biblical principles of God’s Holy Word and the Christian Faith.

     Moral Courage: the “attitude “ to act and or speak rightly in the face of opposition from factions united with the recognized liberal views of the world that directly challenge Biblical moral principles that would bring ridicule, shame, discouragement or even financial loss.

     Social Courage:  When a group  such as those united in Christian Faith (Body of Christ) stand up to (factions opposed to God, Jesus and Holy biblical principles of the Holy Bible) that which is unjust, socially damaging and evil to societies people knowing that the consequences of their actions might bring harm to themselves and their families.

     Courage is having that “attitude” to stand on what we as Christians stake our eternal salvation on; the Cross of Jesus Christ and the Word of God as written, being filled with the precious Holy Spirit of Promise should now with honesty and integrity unite in the Love of God to retrain the masses in ALL the biblical truths that will save a people spirit, soul and body.

      With all that we see and hear on the news channels, newspapers and those things that come across our computers that serve to cause some of to really say “come Lord Jesus come”.  There is an increase  in disasters around the world; earth quakes, hurricanes and tsunamis’, bombings, terrorism and national uprisings; dictators are being over thrown.  There are wars and rumors of wars, social, moral and economic breakdowns and market crashes and really let’s faces it, they (the leaders) don’t really know what do.  It’s like what Jesus said about the blind leading the blind with the devil holding the hand of the one calling the shots.  He (the Devil, Satan) wants a one world government and one world religion that he controls.  The Bible is fulfilling itself right before our very eyes.

      With all that we see and hear of the calamities and disasters around us, for a great number of us in the greatest Christian Nation on planet earth today, it seems as if we have lost the “courage” to stand for the things that made this nation the greatest Christian Nation on planet earth.  The moral and social righteousness that is the archaic foundations of God based on true love for one another is the grass roots of a prosperous and powerful Country.  Again, a great number of us are losing hope, hope is becoming deferred (Prov. 13:12) and when a people start to depend on the government of man rather than the one upon who’s shoulders the Government rest (Isa. 9: 6);  a song says… I’m talking ‘bout Jesus, it takes an uprising of the poor, but not like the leaders of the world want, not that kind of poor, but those that are poor and needy in spirit (Psalm 109: 22).  It starts with a ”retraining” in the things of God and the Church is the training place and our heart is the training ground.  This is the place wherein the right and proper “attitude” is established, instead of redistributing wealth, this nation should become the example of God’s favor where… “The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all” (Prov. 22: 2;I Cor. 12: 21). We are the Body of Christ.  When the masses see the Leaders that God has given care of their souls too, those called into the Five Fold Ministry, speak an unadulterated truth that brings deliverance with the manifestation of the power of the Holy Ghost, then Courage will arise.

    Our Lord Jesus said …”The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10: 10).  Somebody left the door open or the latch is broken and the thief has come in and Satan has   stolen the hope of many of God’s people, He’s polluted the Words of Spirit, Life and Truth with a mixture of what sounds like the truth, but it’s only a Golden Calf built in the hearts of the people of God.  He’s (Satan) killed God’s children through lust, passing them through the fires of abortion; (Jeremiah 32: 35) as sacrifices to Molech and caused the masses to participated by financing the murders with their tax money; He’s perverted the sanctity of marriage, which is the example of Christ and the Church, by allowing man to lay with man and woman with woman in matrimony; when Jesus said ..”Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female,…man..shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? …What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matt. 19: 4-6).  Liberality causes the untaught, secular christian to only want what the world has because with the world their god isn’t as strict and he gives them more, and I want more, even more than enough, judgment and eternal damnation is their reward.  This principle, using the very Word of God…”press down shaken together and running over” (Luke 6: 38). has become the ground for covetousness wherein the motive of the heart is financial gain only.   When Courage and faith in Jesus is put back in its proper places, the pulpit and the home, then from the grass roots of a nation will grow up branches that are obstinate, with strong hearts, where hope is not deferred and the real prize of Eternal Life with the God of all creation and His Son, our Lord is something lived for and life here and now can truly be abundant in His righteousness..

      Again, it will take “courage”, it will take the intrepidity to confront when you have the most to lose,—wait, this might better establish the parameter we’re looking to address within the Church.  I recently did a message based on Hebrews 13: 5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have, for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”.  According to  most popular commentaries the intimation is not to be greedy, not to desire those things above that God has prepared;  don’t allow your manner of life to necessitate the mixing, changing or adding to God’s Word to get or maintain a certain life style because of the secret lust lurking in your heart.  God will be with you and never forsake us if we keep to His Word, line upon line and precept upon precept; and abiding in the social and moral principles of Christ’s Gospel doctrines, that is at the Cross.  “Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”…”continue thou in the things which thou hast learned…” (II Tim. 3: 12-14).   If we keep changing and mixing God’s  Word because the people say it’s to hard, then all will be lost.   (There is a remnant; God always has His).

     Now, it takes “courage” to stay the course of righteousness when one’s well being may be threatened, so I’ll just not say it that way or I want put this part in and yet get grace and love in.  It takes “courage” to humble one’s self and repent to a godly sorrow for sin (covetousness) lurking in our hearts.  Fear not; now this part can truly apply.  God will, no, never  leave you; no, He will never forsake you when the persecution comes, but will now establish you in the power of his might.  Because there are those that’s keeping the doors unlatched, the sins of lust has come into the Church in so many varied forms from perverted riches and power (greed and deceit), to sexual perversions of all kinds.  The men and women who are the leaders in the House of God, whether on a national or local level are the demonic targets  and their seduction over the decades has become the norm to the Christian shame.   Prominent leaders are seduced and caught in sins that go unrepented of because of a fear to preach the truth that will bring conviction to one’s soul.

     It takes “courage” to say, I will not dumb down the Word of God to the degree that it has no lasting power, to make it easier for “the people” to understand (taking away the Berean spirit of study. Acts 17: 10-13) .   I will tell them repeatedly about the Cross of Calvary and not in some simplified manner, but the truth of a horrendous death suffered for the redemption of all that would put their trust in Jesus the Son of God.  I will tell them that faith and grace are the beginning of the processes of salvation and that you need the infilling of God’s Holy Spirit (with the Biblical evidence of speaking in tongues, their heavenly language) to live a victorious, and prosperous life in Christ.  I will tell them that the works  of the flesh is not accepted of God. I will tell them that they will be judged on every thought and imagination of the heart.  I will tell them that hell is real and eternal, so is heaven, choose which master you‘re going to serve.  I will tell them that you can be holy as God is holy, as a disciple of Jesus Christ by following me as I follow Christ.

     It is the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers of today that’s become God’s watchman on the wall that sees the demonic movement against the House of God, the saints of God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is going to take courage and a change in attitude to stand against the “wiles of the devil”  and …”perfect (ing of) the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4: 12-13) 

 Now, I pray in the name of Jesus that God our Father will illuminate  the hearts of His faithful saints with the light of revelation in His Word and that they receive strength from the Holy Spirit to be of “good courage”.  Amen.   (All Scripture is taken from the Old King James Bible)

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July 21, 2011 · 9:44 am

Conditional Promises Of God

 

The Promises of God With Conditions

Pastor Arthur Wilkerson

     As we start on these Promises of God with Conditions, I must warn you, First: this will be a long series that will encompass the inward man, his character, and disposition; his soul and spirit, mind, will and emotions.  Paul said we Christians should…”Abstain from the very presence of evil. And (that) the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I (Paul) pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved  blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thes. 5: 22-23).  God’s love is as such for us, that He is concerned about the whole person, not just the person that shows up on Sunday or Christmas and Resurrection Sunday or when they are in trouble and Jesus is the last resort.  Second: This series will focus on God’s righteousness as always, the Words of Jesus and our “Sin Nature”.  And Thirdly: The above two will bring our need for Repentance to a godly sorrow, not that thing we do for appearance sake; and obedience to what has been revealed.

    Divine Constitution:  The “Be Attitudes”; The” Sermon on the Mount” are some of the most profound conditions our Lord Jesus put as criteria for spiritual growth.  They are so profound that for the most part some don’t even apply them in the Christian growth process.  Let’s stop for a minute; we as Christian know that we are Saved, Being Saved and Will Be Saved, right, and that at the onset of the Salvation process we are Positionally placed in the Kingdom.  Pastor, wait a minute yourself, it just don’t take all of that, all you have to do is believe in Jesus and be a good person.  What goes on in my inner person is nobody’s business and I don’t need to know all this stuff.  Ok, again, God said in Hosea that His people are…”destroyed by the lack of knowledge” (O.T. Hosea 4: 6), meaning that you reject God’s Word, because you don’t care enough to read and study so you believe whatever sounds good and fits your flesh.  Paul picked up in Timothy, saying …”study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.(N.T. II Tim 2: 15).  Being filled with the Holy Spirit, will cause you know that the word you hear from someone (degree or not) is a word of spirit and life and you’ll know that this will preserve you spirit and soul and body.  Now, the Divine Constitution of the kingdom of Heaven and the Promises of God with  Conditions that you/I should meet for reward in Heaven are paramount in that Salvation process; though these Promises take in Prosperity and Spiritual Blessings, it is not a free ride and it’s not always the prospering we think.  They do come with a broken and contrite spirit, testing and walking the straight way (the narrow gate).  There are a total of  one hundred and nineteen of these promises.  We want to you at least four of to feast upon..

  1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Everybody talking‘bout heaven ain’t going.   There will be gnashing of teeth.  The Condition that we must meet first is that of the Human Spirit.  The soul and body will not conform to the will of God unless, (except on the condition that) the spirit is renewed (regenerated).

     When we start to think about being poor in spirit, whether it is in our own spirit or something else, it is not an attractive thought or state to be in, especially in this performance  and prosperity driven society of today, where being the best, looking the best and having the best is status quo.  It is hard to see one’s self as having made it or making it with the word poor attached to anything of  ours.  It must be  bigger  or if it’s small, it has to be faster and  classier, better in every way.   This creates the competition among men,  the striving and comparing one’s self among ourselves (II Cor. 10: 12) which Paul said not to do.   So then, we have a world that’s in strife and unrest,  economies  and companies are failing, governments are being overturned  and you say that to be blessed I have  to be What! Poor in Spirit when I’m trying to get all I can.  I need a God that’s going to bless me without all of that and that’s exactly what some that profess Christ has done, given you a god; Baalim and Ashtoreth. (Pagan God’s mixed with the Gospel of God).

     Where in some Churches, made up of people with the character of the world, they are trying to teach a people to be holy and this can’t be because the teachers themselves have the wrong spirit.  Let’s take a closer look a what Jesus is establishing as the Principle foundation for being blessed, at peace and at rest in this world and the Kingdom to come.  The word Poor as defined means  lack; lest than adequate; inferior in quality.   Poor-spirited means to lack zest, confidence or courage, but not many really use the definitions Humble and Mean (lacking distinction of eminence) .  Let’s face it, in today’s society if you’re poor, you’re nothing.  You’re someone to be used and walked on, to be a ward of the state and pited, but Jesus, He set the blessings and the curses in His Constitution to the lifting up in  equality of those that are down and the bringing down of those that are high.

     To be Poor in Spirit is to be humble and mean, broken and contrite, always realizing that Jesus is greater and there is NOTHING you can have or accomplish that can give you any bragging rights before God.   Character is one key and the disposition, (one’s prevailing nature, Sin Nature) is the Principle foundation of the world and it’s righteousness.  These two, the Principle foundation of the Kingdom of Heaven and that of this world are at war. Man’s prevailing sin nature, will not let him be Humble to the pulling down of strong holds (II Cor. 10: 4-5) in his life (your life) so that he will submit to the will of God.  With the Sin Nature ruling behind the scenes in some Churches and blatant in cities and townships around the world, the seeking of the kingdom of God and His (God’s) righteousness becomes minimal and the power of  God that would truly be unleash against the powers of darkness is not unleashed (Only by prayer and fasting, this takes humility).  Without men humbling themselves before God and bowing to the Lordship of Christ, there can be No true power in the Church.   It is awesome  that the our Lord Jesus starts with the Conditions that will cause a man to strip and empty himself of… the lust of the eye; the lust of the flesh and the pride of life (I John 2: 16) in order to be filled with the image of the glory of God in Christ.   Humility is the corner stone of all the graces which come from God.

     Poor in Spirit says that one has… learned to be abased, and know how to abound: everywhere and in all things  I am instructed both to be  full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Phil. 4:12).  You cannot be instructed by God the Holy Spirit with a spirit of pride and secret coveteousness.  Poor in Spirit says that I will no longer try and save my life (keep the sin nature of Adam), holding on to my will and denying the Cross of Jesus, the Covenant of Grace and the Rules of the Kingdom of Heaven and in the end lose my life.  Poor in Spirit says I will lose my life for Jesus sake and by doing so save my life. … What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world and lose himself, or be cast away. (Luke 9: 24-26)

     The Promise…for thiers is the Kingdom of Heaven.  When the Conditions of our hearts have meet the criteria of becoming poor in spirit (humble), then shall the reward of heaven surely be ours.  When the heart of the servant is prepared with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22-23) in this world, will we be ready to serve in the Kingdom of Heaven, fully under the Lordship of God in Christ Jesus. Amen  (All Scripture are taken from the Old King James Bible) *

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June 28, 2011 · 11:02 am

A More Exellent Way: Love (cont,)

Words Of Spirit And Life: 

                                                                                                                                        A More Excellent Way

(The Conclusion of the Matter)

Pastor Arthur Wilkerson

Yes!  I believe that most Americans are finding that we are living in troubled times, what with unemployment like it is and there is a social and moral breakdown in society and in some circles the Gospel of God has become just another religion of the world where men in power seek to do what only Jesus will do, and that is to truly bring about a “One World Government” for the government rest upon His shoulder (Isa. 9: 6).    For those of us who have found that place of rest in Jesus and are pressing daily toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus, when we look out and see God’s people taking on a love of the world’s glory rather than a Love for the Glory of God in the Church it hurts.  This, almost hunger for the world affects the home (Father, Mother & Children) and I wonder, where truly is the Love of God and the reverence for Him.  When those that God has elevated both great and small seek to achieve for themselves, in the flesh of their carnality, recognition in Christ and in their private circles deny the power of God, then the door for the  enemy(Satan) of Christ is flung wide open.  Where is the commandment of Christ…”That ye love  one another  as I have loved you”. (John 15: 12)

     God is Faithful and Trust worthy, so much so that He gave Promises that He has not repented of.   But we should with a “godly sorrow” repent, which will bring  about salvation (II Cor. 7: 10) even to this nation.   And this is one of those promises, that, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”(II Peter 3:9). 

     We have a New Covenant in blood, based on Love and proven on the Cross.  Why have we turned from that which brought us, a nation founded on a love for God and trust in Him, to love for self and all the things that will become again the dust of the earth.   So then, it doesn’t matter who you are or what in this life you have accomplished, IF (on the condition that) you have lost the Love of God or that love has been perverted to a love for the world and the kindred of the  Christian Brotherhood is no longer in your heart, then you’ve really accomplished nothing for the Kingdom of Heaven.  How could you, when Christ doesn’t know you (Matt. 7:22-23)

      Let all that profess Jesus Christ as Lord  “STAY ROOTED AND GROUNDED” in the two commandments that all the Law and the prophets hang, (Matt. 22: 37-40) and not become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.   Of the Principle Graces that  Christians (great and small) should abide in, Love is truly “A More Excellent Way”.  When Love is the Principle thing, then there will be power in the Church, where  those hurting, oppressed, possessed and depressed of the devil can be delivered.  Godly love brings trust, those that are in a situation in their lives should be able to come to the Pastors and leaders (even delegated authority; elders  & deacons) with a problem and never hear it again. With Love  the Church will not have to resort to mixing the world with the Church to attract people.  People of all walks of life will want to come to Christ because the Holy Spirit will have free course in bringing/drawing them in to become sons and daughters of God.(John 1: 12-13)  Godly Love brings about Holiness, for God said be Holy as I am Holy.   We should be seeking that which was  commanded of us, “to love one another.”(John 15: 15-17) and to seek “the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”. (Matt. 6: 33).  God is Love and that’s the conclusion of the matter.  (All scripture are taken from the Old King James Bible)

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June 18, 2011 · 6:12 pm

Words Of Spirit And Life: Love

LOVE
Pastor Arthur Wilkerson

     There are times in our day to day living when the burdens and trials and the struggles weigh us down and we need a place to find comfort, to find rest for our souls, to hear a Word from the Lord Jesus whether we have professed Jesus as Lord and Savior and call ourselves Christians or whether we have not and have found nowhere else to go,  know this, Christ is waiting.

     The Bible is the inerrant Word of God and the words contained therein are Spirit and Life (John 6: 63).  Where the flesh profits nothing and when we have done all that we know to do and the inevitable end is failure or fading victory the Word of God is a very present help  (Psalms 46: 1) for the troubles ahead.

     Let’s face it we’re living in a time of uncertainty and it’s a  time for those that profess to be disciples of Jesus Christ to BE Disciples of Jesus Christ.  It’s time to get back to the foundational principles , the archaic values that made a Nation great and that will bring it’s people to a place of social and moral stability having faith in God  (In God We Trust) and a place of worshiping in spirit and truth where the inner man is purged unto eternal life through Jesus Christ.

     This “Word Of The Week”, I pray will help some that are not fully committed to Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven will commit themselves wholly to the Maxims of Christ and for those that don’t  know Jesus to seek Him for He is our Hope of glory. (Col. 1: 27)

     The first word is LOVE.  Why love?  We have chosen love to speak of  because there is such a loss of true love today and I find that there are those that really don’t believe that God loves them.  I’m here to let you know that God really does love you.  He loves you individually; He knows the very hair count on your head.  To uses a very familiar scripture:  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but should have everlasting life. (John 3: 16)   Not only does He love you, He will help you and He will be a refuge for you.  The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 9: 9). 

      So then, what is Love?   Love according to the dictionary is a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties and or the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration, also unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.  Love in the Greek is agapao: much  great in quantity, amount, extent, or degree:  there is also phileo: to be a friend to (fond of  an individual ,that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while a wider view is, embracing especially the judgment (social and moral) and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specifically to kiss (as a mark of tenderness):—kiss, love.

      What these definitions are saying is that Gods Love is All in All, they (the definitions) confirm His love.  Because His love is so much for us, His creation,  He regardless of how He was treated and blasphemed sent Jesus the very essence of His being His Word incarnate to suffer and die  that you and I that we might be reconciled to Him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (I John 4: 10).  This means that through your believe and faith in Him, Jesus Christ, it doesn’t matter what place, state or time we’re in God want to be your friend.  He will be a refuge and a strong tower,  in Christ there is rest for your soul because He cares for you.  Looking to the Cross of Calvary and the blood shed for us, we become kindred to Christ and one another in God’s Love.

   If you know the Lord Jesus, if you are in a back sliden condition (Hos. 14: 4) or if you don’t know the Lord Jesus you can come into His Love and be renewed, for His LOVE is eternal love.

Father, I pray in the name Jesus for all who would read this word and know that the place or state  they are in at this present time will eventually lead to destruction or compromise of the Word  with Satan.  I pray that they will come to you who Loves them and repent, ask for forgiveness that they might be saved and find their names written in the Lambs Book of life. Amen  (All Scripture are taken from the Old King James Bible)

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