Lion and Lamb Ministry: Mystery of Christ

Showing posts with label Mystery of Christ. Show all posts

Friday, March 30, 2018

Holy Week Message, part 2: Jesus Knew ALL

In part 1 of the Lion and Lamb Ministry Holy Week Messages, we learned that the LORD Jesus Christ is NOT divided, and that He is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd. And, NOW we learn that...

JESUS KNEW ALL

“But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all. And needed not that any should testify of man; for he knew what was in man.” John 2:24-25.
To know all is to be omniscient. Let us read the Apostle Peter’s words to the LORD Jesus, “And he (Peter) said unto Him, LORD Thou knowest all things.” John 21:17. Then woman at the well said to the LORD Jesus, “I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.” John 4:25. Note Christ’s reply, “...I that speak unto thee am he.” John 4:26.
That sinful woman learned that day that Christ needed not that any should testify of woman; for He knew what was in woman. Christ saw Nathanael under the fig tree. But because it was NOT with physical eye-sight, Nathanael cried, “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God.” Christ assured Nathanael that He would see greater things. John 1:46-51. In John 13:1, Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of the world, “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

JESUS KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING

“But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” John 6:64. “For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” John 13:11.

THE CHIEF SHEPHERD AND SIMON PETER

“This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, LORD; thou knowest that I love thee, He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea LORD; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, LORD, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:14-17.

Here the chief Shepherd was instructing one of His under-shepherds to feed and tend His lambs and to feed His sheep. The LORD’s Pastors are expected to feed the LORD’s sheep and lambs. Those who are Faithful in this will receive a crown of glory when the chief Shepherd shall appear.

Then the shepherd has another duty; he is to keep the wolves out of the flock. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20:28-29. It’s a shame that MANY of today’s Pastors and Preachers are, in fact, the wolves!

The LORD Jesus pictures Himself as the good Shepherd in Luke 15:4, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”

Then remember the words of the Shepherd-King in Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Remember, right here the LORD is addressing the Apostles BEFORE His death and resurrection, and BEFORE the direct revelation given to the Apostle Paul concerning the Body of Christ.)

Simon Peter became a Faithful shepherd. He was Faithful unto death. John 21:18-19, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”

WHAT CHRIST KNEW ABOUT THE WOMAN AT THE WELL

In John 4:5-26 is recorded a most interesting story of a sinful woman of Sychar of Samaria. Before the story, we read in John 4:4, “And he must needs go through Samaria.”

Now we see why He must needs go through Samaria. The Savior was wearied with His journey and He sat at noontime on Jacob’s well. “There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.” John 4:7. The woman was surprised that Jesus should have asked her for a drink “for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” John 4:9, “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, ‘How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.’” Then the LORD Jesus talked to that poor sinful woman about water that would satisfy her soul. He called it “living water.” John 4:10. “’But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ The woman saith unto him, ‘Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.’” John 4:14-15.
Here we think of 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a Faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” Note also Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The LORD Jesus Christ came to be the Shepherd seeking lost sheep. He came into the world to save sinners.

Almost any person will say, “I am a sinner,” because all of us ARE sinners. But only the LORD Himself can convince the individual that he is not only a sinner, but a LOST sinner. The sinner will not be much concerned about salvation until he realizes that he is LOST.

The LORD went right to that woman’s conscience after He had her interest and attention. He will now get right at her sin. “Jesus saith unto her, ‘Go, call thy husband, and come hither.’ The woman answered and said, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said unto her, ‘Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.’ The woman saith unto him, ‘Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.’” John 4:16-19. Another moment or two and she learned that she was in the presence of the Messiah, the Christ.

Note what she did, “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, ‘Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?’ Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.” John 4:28-30. Note also John 4:39, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, ‘He told me all that ever I did.’”

She knew that the Messiah could tell all things. Now the Messiah had read her sinful heart. But here we have the confirmation of John 3:17, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” and 2 Cor. 5:19, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Timeline of the Apostle Paul's Epistles and Ministry

In order to get a better understanding of the progressive revelation of The Mystery given to the Apostle Paul by the Risen Christ, it is SUPER IMPORTANT to lay out the correct timeline of Paul's Ministry.

So, let's begin. The Apostle Paul was saved in Acts 9 when Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Paul would go on to write 13 books in the New Testament (from the Letter to the Romans to the Letter to Philemon). When we remember that the Apostle Paul is the subject of at least half of the Book of Acts, we realize that half of the 27 books in the New Testament are either about him (The Book of Acts) or were written by him (13 Books).

The Apostle Paul's letters are arranged in The Bible two ways: The letters to the churches are put first, nine letters from Romans to 2 Thessalonians, then the four letters written to individuals, from 1 Timothy to Philemon. The letters are also arranged by length, Romans is longest and is first, then the Corinthian letters, then Galatians, etc. Longer letters are first, shorter ones later.

However, in order to get a better understanding of the progressive revelation of The Mystery given to the Apostle Paul by the Risen Christ, we need to read the Apostle Paul's letters in the order that he wrote them. When we arrange the letters in the order that they were written, all becomes clear!

The first 6 of Paul's letters can be fit into the Book of Acts. Therefore, we can read the Book of Acts and then read the Apostle Paul's letters and we can see where Paul was when he wrote these letters.

The Letter to the Galatians is first

In Acts 13-14 Paul and Barnabas went on their first apostolic journey which took them into Galatia, with cities like Antioch, Lystra, Derbe, etc. Soon after Paul returned from this journey he wrote the letter to the Galatians (see Galatians 1:6 where Paul writes to the Galatians and says, you are "so quickly turned."). Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journey, therefore, soon after Acts 14:27. That makes Galatians the earliest of Paul's letters.

Then 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians

The next letters the Apostle Paul wrote are the two letters to the Thessalonians. In Acts 17, Paul, on his second apostolic journey, came to Thessalonica and preached there. Many were saved, but Paul was driven out of town. Paul continued on to Corinth where he wrote the two letters to the Thessalonians. Timothy's return from Macedonia mentioned in Acts 18:5 is also reported in 1 Thessalonians 3:6. And in 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his teaching, as if it had not been very long since he had been with them. So the writing of 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians can be placed into Acts 18 during the Apostle Paul's ministry in Corinth, and that makes them the second and third letters that Paul wrote.

Next are 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians

The next two letters that the Apostle Paul wrote are the two letters to the Corinthians. In Acts 18 Paul spent a year and a half ministering in Corinth (Acts 18:11). Also, while here with the Corinthians, I believe the Apostle Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to pen the Book to the Hebrews, but that is another message. Back on point, Paul later returned to his home base at Antioch (Acts 18:22), and later in his third apostolic journey he arrived in Ephesus (his ministry in Ephesus extends all the way through Acts 19, a period of more than two years, see verse 10). It is here in Ephesus, during Acts 19, that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:19). Shortly after that the Apostle Paul traveled to Macedonia (Acts 20:1, and 2 Cor. 2:13) and that is where he wrote 2 Corinthians.

Then comes Romans

In Acts 20:2-3 Paul arrived in "Greece," actually Corinth again, and spent three months there enjoying the hospitality of a believer named Gaius, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:14. In Gaius's home, in Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Romans (Rom. 16:23). This is the last letter written during the Book of Acts. In Acts 21:33, the Apostle Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, and would spend the next 5 years in prison, right through the end of the Book of Acts.

Summary of Above

So, so far, from Acts 9-Acts 28 we read of the earlier ministry of the Apostle Paul and find that during these years he wrote 6 of his 13 letters. Once again, for those not really paying attention…lol, the order of these first six books is: 1) Galatians (end of Acts 14), 2) 1 Thessalonians (Acts 18), 3) 2 Thessalonians (Acts 18), 4) 1 Corinthians (Acts 19), 5) 2 Corinthians (Acts 20),6. Romans (Acts 20). In Acts 21 Paul was arrested and remained a prisoner through to Acts 28, and beyond.

Now, the Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians

Shortly after the end of the Book of Acts, while he was still a prisoner, now in Rome, Paul wrote four letters, the "prison epistles": Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians. In each of these letters he writes of his "chains" (Ephesians 6:20, Colossians 4:18, Philemon 13, and Philippians 1:13).

Then, the Pastoral Epistles: The letters to Titus, First Timothy and Second Timothy

The Apostle Paul was released from this imprisonment and continued his ministry for a few years, maybe 3 years. During this time he wrote the three letters known as the "Pastoral Epistles," because these letters were written to the Apostle Paul's co-workers…Pastor Timothy and Pastor Titus.

Heading Home

At the end of his life he is again in prison. This time he anticipates being beheaded for the Lord and writes the last letter, Second Timothy.

Now let's proceed to our Bibles and READ the epistles in the order the Holy Spirit wrote them by the hand of the Apostle Paul.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Anti Apostle Paul Response: To the Apostle Paul haters

To the Apostle Paul haters:

The Apostles trained their disciples to respect Paul very highly, as evidenced in the extant writings of Polycarp, Clement, etc.

So, the argument is really about who is more credible, the Apostles and their disciples or these accusers 2000 years removed? These Anti-Paul loons...They only reveal their ignorance.

Read Polycarp's (disciple of John) letter to the Philippians.

Also, Irenaeus (disciple of Polycarp) canonized the writings authorized by the Apostles through their disciples in 180 AD and Paul's writings were included.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Thursday, July 13, 2017

WATCHOUT: PEACE and SAFETY then SUDDEN DESTRUCTION

Please read Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:27-33; Luke 2:14; Luke 12:51-52; Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20; Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

Many Christians have been puzzled as to just what the LORD's messengers meant when they delivered the LORD's message to the shepherds 2000 plus years ago, "Glory to God in the highest, and ON EARTH PEACE, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14).

Now, take note...This is so entirely contrary to the words of the LORD Jesus Christ about 33 years later..."Suppose ye that I am come to give PEACE ON EARTH? I tell you, NAY; but rather DIVISION." (Luke 12:51).

"Peace on earth" and "no peace on earth" are contradictory statements. DIVISION is not PEACE. Could it be that the heavenly messenger gave out a false message like the false prophets of Jeremiah 6:14, "Peace, peace, when there is no peace?" Don't be silly!

And then some years after Christ went back to heaven He led the Apostle Paul to warn Christians not to be deceived when certain messengers cry "peace and safety," for there would be destruction instead of peace. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5).

And in Revelation 6:1-6, we learn positively, that before Christ comes to establish PEACE ON EARTH something big will happen..."And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon TO TAKE PEACE FROM THE EARTH, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword." (Revelation 6:4).

Now let us note this outline and God's "PEACE" program:

1 - PEACE on earth with Christ on David's throne.

2 - PEACE made on the cross.

3 - PEACE with God through Christ.

4 - The PEACE of God that passeth all understanding.

We are currently engaged in some of the most cruel, and brutal, types of warfare of all ages. We are all sick and tired of war. We want peace on earth. But CHRIST is the center of every "PEACE" program of God.

The statesmen and politicians insist that we will have to compromise, sacrifice, be tolerant, and diplomatic and gracious, with a new international spirit, if we are to maintain the peace which we are now trying to win. And even then they are more skeptical than hopeful. The Apostle Paul wrote to some Faithful Christians, "Christ is our PEACE." (Ephesians 2:14).

It was at the time Gabriel announced that the purpose of Christ's birth was to take David's throne and reign over the house of Israel, that the heavenly messenger announced "PEACE ON EARTH." (Luke 1:30-33; Luke 2:14; Luke 1:67-77). Christ's own nation did not know the things that belonged to their PEACE. (Luke 19:42). They knew not the time of their visitation. (Luke 19:44). They said concerning Christ, "we will not have this man to reign over us." (Luke 19:14). They chose to release Barabbas, the notable criminal, and kill the Prince of life. (Acts 3:12 to 15). They cried, "we have no king but Caesar," "let the blood of this man (Jesus), Who claims to be the King, be upon us." (Matthew 27:21 to 25 - John 19:15). It is still there.

Well, of course, Christ did not go to David's throne: but HE WILL. (Acts 15:15-18; Isaiah 9:6-7; Ezekiel 37:24-28). So Christ said, instead of universal peace, there will be division, tribulations, wars, famines. HOWEVER, Peace...for BELIEVERS only. (Luke 12:49-52; John 16:33; John 14:27; Luke 21:24-33).

Instead of going to David's throne to take over the government, Christ went to Calvary. He made PEACE through the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:20). PEACE on earth was postponed. There is now NO world-wide peace on earth for lost sinners. Their future is NOT PEACE but wrath and misery. Eternal perdition awaits all who refuse to BELIEVE on the LORD Jesus Christ and receive Him as not only your Saviour, but LORD of your life. An interesting little tid-bit is that quite often in the cemetery on the stone over the sinner's grave, the word "PEACE" is carved.

Therefore, note how "PEACE WITH GOD" comes..."Therefore being justified by Faith, we have 'PEACE WITH GOD' through our LORD Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1). There is NO OTHER WAY to be at peace with God. But, this IS the sure guarantee of peace. Then the PEACE OF GOD, "which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7).

In closing, note carefully 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4, "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief."

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Prayer for The Body of Christ: An Exhortation to the Body of Christ's Commission

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Our Dear Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, The LORD God, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, through the LORD Jesus, and in the power of thy Spirit we come before thee. Everything on earth is yours, LORD. We have nothing that can make you richer, for it all comes from you in the first place. We also acknowledge and are thankful that we LIVE thanks to you, and that without YOU we have nothing and can do nothing.

Father we ask that you will bless exceedingly our commission as Ambassadors for Christ, and that the Word of Reconciliation, our Ministry, will be broadcast around the world through this work that you have given us to do. And to make all men see what is the Dispensation of the Mystery, and the Knowledge of the Mystery, whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of the Grace of God. The Mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made known to his saints....members of the Body of Christ....to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is: CHRIST in you, the hope of glory. And it is Christ whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Friday, April 28, 2017

Vessels, of Honor and Dishonor, in the Great House of God

Please read 2 Timothy 2:1-26.

In 2 Timothy 2:1, the servant of the LORD is exhorted to be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus.

In 2 Timothy 2:3, the servant of the LORD is exhorted to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

In 2 Timothy 2:15, the servant of the LORD is expected to study to show himself/herself approved unto God and rightly divide the Word of truth.

In 2 Timothy 2:19, the servant of the LORD is exhorted to depart from iniquity.

In 2 Timothy 4:2-5, the servant of the LORD is told to preach the Word and to do the work of an evangelist.

If the servant of the LORD will faithfully obey these exhortations, he or she, will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, prepared unto every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21.

Every Member of the Body of Christ is a Vessel in a House...a Great House. 2 Timothy 2:20.

In 1 Timothy 3:15, the servant of the LORD is told how he should behave in the House of God which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Those same instructions are stated in different language in Ephesians 4:1, “That ye walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called.”

It is BEYOND human imagination what the Body of Christ, as the pillar and ground of the truth, could do, if members of that Church would be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus, if they would endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, if they would rightly divide the Word of truth, if they would depart from iniquity.

Members of the Body of Christ, Which He purchased with His own blood, Acts 20:28, are certainly vessels in a great House. Think of the price that was paid for this House and the glorious future of this House, “...Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that is should be holy and without blemish.”

Surely every Christian should desire to be a vessel of honor in this great House, sanctified and easily used for the LORD Jesus Christ, Who said, “if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.” John 12:26.

We read concerning Christ as the Chief Corner Stone in this great House, “In Whom all the Building fitly framed (joined) together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the LORD. In Whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22. “The Household of God.” Ephesians 2:20.

What an honor to be in this Household, this Temple, this Building! To be “in Christ” in this Age of Grace, means to be a member of God’s Family, a child of God, an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. Romans 8:15-16. So stop your belly aching, whatever it may be, and LOOK at what you have in Christ!

It is possible to be saved so as by fire and not be a vessel of honor in this great House, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use. 1 Corinthians 3:15. But why not have the very best that God has for us?

If you feel that you have been a failure and consider your case about hopeless, read Jeremiah’s visit to the potter’s house in Jeremiah 18:1-6 and see how God’s prophet saw the potter “remake” the marred vessel. THEN read God’s word; that He could do the same with a marred sinner. God is the Great Potter. We are the vessels. If you are a sinner, let God save you, by His Grace and His Son. If you are a saint, a member of the Body of Christ, let God use you. “Purge yourself from these.” Be a vessel of honour in God’s Great House. Remember 1 Corinthians 15:58 and 1 Corinthians 3:13-15. Our God, THE God, the ONLY God, is a Great God. He gives eternal life to receivers. Then He pays well for service.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Holy Week Message, Part 3: It All Begins at Calvary

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS according to the Scriptures, and THAT HE WAS BURIED, and THAT HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY according to the Scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

There were WITNESSES of the Resurrection of Christ, to that there is no doubt. AND in the following passage from 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul CITES Peter and the eleven apostles who saw the LORD after His resurrection, and then he further states, "After that, He was seen of more than FIVE HUNDRED brethren at once. He was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all, He was seen of me also as one born out of due time" 1 Corinthians 15:5-8.

That Christ was "raised again the third day" is of the UTMOST importance because it is the receipt from God, Himself, that our sins have been paid in full, signed in His own blood, as it were.

Death and Hades could not keep the Son of God in its icy grip. Unlike you and me, the LORD Jesus Christ had no sin, He is "holy, harmless, undefiled, [and] separate from sinners" Hebrews 7:26...and possessing "the spirit of holiness" God "declared [Him] to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4).

Pay very close attention...The Father raised Christ from the dead. Galatians 1:1. The Holy Spirit raised Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:18. The LORD Jesus Christ raised HIMSELF from the dead. John 10:18. In the resurrection of Christ, God shows "what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe". Ephesians 1:19.
Now, another important point...Christ's appearance to Paul was VERY different than His appearances had been unto all those other saints. The Apostle Paul saw the RISEN, EXALTED, and GLORIFIED, LORD JESUS CHRIST in the glory of His Grace. Listen to Paul's own testimony, "And when I could not see for the Glory of that Light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, AND SEE THAT JUST ONE, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth" Acts 22:11-14.

So in the Apostle Paul's Gospel when he focuses upon the "crucified" One, 1 Corinthains 1:23, he proclaims "Jesus Christ according to the Revelation of the Mystery" (Romans 16:25). In our endeavors, therefore, to keep our congregations informed of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ may we NEVER forget that we "who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the BLOOD of Christ". Ephesians 2:13. What love, and what Grace, that should compel our worship, our praise, and our adoration of our wonderful LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. And it all begins at Calvary.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Holy Week Message, part 2: Jesus Knew ALL

JESUS KNEW ALL

JESUS KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING

THE CHIEF SHEPHERD AND SIMON PETER

WHAT CHRIST KNEW ABOUT THE WOMAN AT THE WELL

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Holy Week Message, part 1: Division Because of Jesus

"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him." John 12:12-16

A DIVISION BECAUSE OF JESUS

In the days when Christ was here on earth there was a division among the people because of Jesus. There was even a greater division after His death and resurrection in the days of the Apostles. There is a still greater division in the world today because of Jesus.

Let us read the following Scriptures...

“Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? So there was a division among the people because of him.” John 7:41-43.

“Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.” John 9:16.

“There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?” John 10:19-21.

“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” Luke 12:51-53.

“He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” Luke 11:23.

In the John 7, from which chapter we quoted the first Scriptures, note the statement concerning the division because of Jesus:

“AND THERE WAS MUCH MURMURING AMONG THE PEOPLE CONCERNING HIM: FOR SOME SAID, HE IS A GOOD MAN: OTHERS SAID, NAY; BUT HE DECEIVETH THE PEOPLE.” John 7:12.

“Much murmuring”, “Some said”, “Others said.” And you know this is still going on today. Who were right, the some who said or the others who said? Some said, “Christ is a good man.” Others said, “Nay, Christ deceiveth the people.” Note in Matthew 27:63 that the “others” continued in their attitude toward Christ, “Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.” Matthew 27:63.

To them Christ was a deceiver. To them Christ performed miracles by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, here note Matthew 11:19, “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”

They called Him a blasphemer, because, being a Man, He made Himself God. John 10:33.

Today intelligent Jews join with Christians in declaring that the LORD Jesus Christ was a good Man. How good? Better than all the rest. There was a time when prejudiced and ignorant men declared that Jesus of Nazareth was deluded. They said He was not mentally sound, therefore, He made some false claims. But today, intelligent Jews, Christians, and non-Christian Gentiles are all agreed that Jesus Christ was the most intelligent man that ever lived on earth, as well as the greatest human benefactor that the world has ever known.

What is the verdict then? The “some” who said, “Christ is a good Man,” were right. How about the statement of the “others”: “Nay, He deceiveth the people”? Did Christ deceive the people? If Christ really deceived the people, did He thereby prove that He was a good Man? In other words; could a man really be both a good man and a deceiver, especially if he continues month after month, and year after year, to deceive the people?

From the beginning of His earthly ministry until His death, and again after His resurrection, the LORD Jesus Christ claimed that He was God manifest in the flesh, that He was in the beginning in the God-Head, that He came down from heaven, that He had glory with the Father before the world was. Christ received worship as God. Christ proved His claim to Deity by His supernatural power, by His miracles, ACCORDING to the Scriptures.

If Christ declared that He was God from the beginning, that He had glory with the Father, that He came down from heaven, and if He really was NOT what He claimed, then surely He deceived the people. Such a deceiver could not be called a good man.

So, we must decide by common sense logic that Jesus Christ was both God and good, OR, He was not God and good. The Modernists who have crept unawares into the Christian church are far more inconsistent than were the Jews who took up stones to kill Christ when He was here on earth. They stoned Him, “because He made Himself equal with God.” John 5:17-20. In John 19:7, we learn why they had Christ crucified. Because He claimed equality with God.

Pay attention, the foolish MODERNISTS who have slithered in among church members, join with religious Jews in expressing great admiration for the man of Galilee, and dote much on the ideal Man, Jesus, with His ideal philosophy and His interpretation of God and true religion. They eulogize Him, quote Him, praise Him, and preach Him to Jews and Gentiles. But with all this they ever SEEK to make Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all the Apostles, LIARS, by saying that Jesus was a very good man, but that He was not born as the Bible declares He was born; that He did not come down from heaven; that He did not have Divine authority to forgive sins. He was not God, the Son. He was not God’s foreordained sin-bearer. His body was not raised from the dead. He is not now the resurrected Jesus at God’s right hand, as the Bible claims. And, that Salvation is not by Faith in the shed blood of the LORD Jesus Christ, but by character, by good behaviour, by actually imitating Jesus, by trying to live up to the RELIGION of Jesus. THIS is an ABOMINATION to God, and contempt for Christ!

Surely you and I agree that these pretenders, who call themselves Modernists, are only Christianized agnostics. They are far less consistent than were the Jews, who in the first century also denied the eternal Deity of the Son of God, and took a decided stand against Him, declaring that He was worthy of death.

Note this law of the Jews in Leviticus 24:16, “And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.” If Jesus Christ was not God, as He claimed time and time again, were not the Jews right when they said to Pilate, “Then Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” John 19:7? Leviticus 24:16 was the law to which the Jews referred when they spoke the words of John 19:7.

Even the thinking Jews today believe that Jesus Christ was too good to have been a blasphemer. They should accept Him then as God: for God He was. Remember what Thomas said when he was fully convinced “And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My LORD and my God.” John 20:28. Christ did not say, “Thomas, you are mistaken. I am a very good Man, but I am not LORD and God.” He received the worship. And remember His own words in Luke 4:8, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and him ONLY shalt thou serve.”

The pseudo-Christians claim to believe in the historical Jesus. The historical Jesus is the Bible Jesus. So when they decide on the authority of the Bible Record that Jesus was a good man, they must, if intelligent and consistent, acknowledge that by the same Record He was and is God. “JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TODAY, AND FOR EVER.” Hebrews 13:8. “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:17.

HOUSEHOLD DIVIDED

Note again Luke 12:51, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.”

Look all about on every side, and see not only nations, cities, and communities divided because of Jesus, but families. If we could only know what is going on in homes where some members of the household are for Christ and some are against Him. Yes, there has been, and there is, a division among the people because of Jesus.

In the eternal ages there will be a division among the people, because of Jesus. Some will spend eternity with the LORD and His redeemed in glory. Some will be in perdition suffering the sorrows of the second death. Christ declared, “he that is not with Me is against Me.” Luke 11:23.

IS CHRIST DIVIDED?

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3. “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it” 1 Corinthians 11:18. “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Corinthians 12:25.

Note God’s will; that there should be no “schism”; no “division.”

What a pity! Christ’s Church so divided that the Apostles asked “is Christ divided?” Since that day divisions and subdivisions have increased, until today there are more than 300 branches of the Christian Church. The LORD said, “that there be no schism (division) in the Body.”

Ephesians 4:3-7, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One LORD, one Faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ”

Now, take a look at Romans 12:4-5, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

Then note again Christ’s prayer in John 17:21 and John 17:11, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou host sent me.”, AND, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou host given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

ONE NEW MAN

When we believers reach heaven perfect unity will prevail, and there we shall learn that God’s purpose in this age is expressed in Ephesians 2:15, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”

One in Christ. In one Body of which Christ is the Head. Again note Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Now look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been made to drink into one Spirit”

As the unbeliever looks on and beholds the division, sectarianism, and lack of unity among Christians, he is asking, “Is Christ divided?”

THE OMNISCIENT CHRIST: I KNOW MY SHEEP

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:14, and John 10:27.

We read these words in 1 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The LORD knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

The LORD knoweth them that are His. The good Shepherd knows His sheep. He said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:11, and John 10:15. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28.

The LORD Jesus knows who is saved and who is unsaved. But God wants the believer to KNOW that he is saved, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:13.

We read something more about Christ the Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20-21, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our LORD Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” And in 1 Peter 5:4, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

So we learn that the LORD Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Sunday, January 15, 2017

The MYSTERY of the Gospel, Part 3...The Spirit of Revelation - LLM

Christ, The Stumblingstone

“Unto the Jews a stumblingblock”, and, “Unto the wisdom of the world foolishness”. How true is the statement in 1 Peter 2:7-8, “Unto you therefore who believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builders rejected, the Same is made the Head of the corner, And a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed.”

This is stated also in Romans 9:32-33, “Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that Stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a Stumblingstone and Rock of offense; and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.”

Worldly wise men, and self‑righteous men have always stumbled at the virgin birth of the Son of God. The great mystery and miracle of the incarnation is too much for the wisdom of this world. Even religious leaders today repudiate it, because it cannot be explained within the realm of natural science. This is the spirit of antichrist that was in the world before the last of the Apostles died. The Christianized agnostics in the assemblies today do not care for the fellowship of the members of the Body of Christ whom they call Fundamentalists. We say to those who DO believe in this all important doctrine, that is the Deity of Christ, be warned against fellowshipping or supporting the pseudo Christians who deny the Deity of the Son of God. 2 John 10-11. Then 1 John 2:22 says, “Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ. He is antichrist.”

Christ was in the world and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. This is the testimony of the Holy Spirit in John 1:10. And, because the rulers, spiritual and physical, of this world knew not the eternal purpose of God in Christ, they crucified the LORD of Glory. 1 Corinthians 2:8. “They killed the Prince of Life.” Acts 3:14-15.

To the religions self righteous Jews on earth, when Christ was in their midst...their Messiah said, “do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, Moses, in whom ye trust: For had Ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me, for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings how shall ye believe My words?” John 5:45-47.

Note this terrible indictment against the Jewish leaders, “But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him. That the saying of Isaiah, the prophet, might be fulfilled, which he spake, ‘Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?’” John 12:37-38. “The Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.” John 9:22. (The Jews, often mentioned in the Gospels are not to be taken for the everyday common man of Israel. In first century Palestine there was no separation between church and state. The priests at the temple in Jerusalem not only officiated over the religious life of the Jews, they were also rulers and judges. These along with the Sadducees, were what is referenced as The Jews)

The Jews would not believe their own Scriptures. They claimed to believe Moses, but they did not. Just as the Modernists claim to believe Christ; but they do not. The Jews saw Christ feed five thousand people with one scanty meal; they saw Him calm the stormy sea; they saw Him raise Lazarus from the dead; they acknowledged that He was a Teacher come from God; that He spoke as never men spake; that He might be John the Baptist raised front the dead or some old testament prophet reincarnated; but when Christ made Himself equal with God, they took up stones to kill Him John 10:28-35. Then Christ added, “they hated Me without a cause."

WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT?

That was a very important question, “Who hath believed our report?” And the other question asked with it, “To whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed?”

The answer to this last question is given in the language of Christ recorded in Matthew 11:25-27, “Thou hast hid these things from the wise and the prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight. And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father.”

What a wonderful truth this is! AND, this still seemeth good unto the Father. When Simon made the great confession to the Messiah “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living, God,” The Son of God said a most significant thing, “BLESSED ART THOU...FLESH AND BLOOD HATH NOT REVEALED THIS UNTO THEE. BUT MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.” Matthew 16:16-19. In line with this great truth, the Apostle Paul wrote years later, “no man can say that Jesus is LORD except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3.

In Ephesians 1:16-19, we learn that the same God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ gives the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to all members of the Body of Christ who really desire to know the deep things of God. “For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10.

But LOOK, millions of members of the Body of Christ, who believe the report concerning the virgin birth and eternal Deity of the LORD Jesus Christ, do NOT believe the LORD’s report concerning “the Mystery of Christ” in Ephesians 3:1-11. Why? One reason is because the eyes of their understanding have not been enlightened in accordance with Ephesians 1:18. This Mystery is, to the great majority of redeemed saints, “The Mysterious Mystery.” Its enemies in the assemblies are many, and even some fundamentalists call it divisive teaching, because they have not received the Spirit of revelation. Like the Jews in the days of Christ, they have agreed that they will put out of the synagogue any who confess and teach that the risen LORD revealed a Mystery to the Apostle Paul different from the message and program which He gave to the twelve Apostles. This, right here, is THE cause of all of the schisms and divisions in the Body of Christ today, because the eyes of their understanding have not been enlightened in accordance with Ephesians 1:18.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

The MYSTERY of the Gospel, Part 2...Test the spirits: The Questions - LLM

By the Word of God ONLY, members of the Body of Christ need to determine whether or not their denominational creed, Pastor, Preacher, or whoever and whatever, are truly of God. Again, the Word of God is the ONLY method by which to test. In our last message of this series I told you that we will have for you questions that you can ask. So now, here are the questions. These questions are thorough but not exhaustive. ALL of the following questions should be met with a resounding YES:

1. Do they believe that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven? (John 14:6)

2. Do they believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ? (Isaiah 7:14)

3. Do they believe that Jesus is God Almighty? (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-3, John 1:14; John 10:33, 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9; Revelation 1:8)

4. Do they believe that Jesus is the Son of God? (John 3:16)

5. Do they believe that Jesus died upon the cross? (John 19:23; Hebrews 12:2)

6. Do they believe that Jesus was buried, and rose again physically after three days? (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

7. Do they believe that Jesus ascended bodily into Heaven after His resurrection? (Acts 1:9)

8. Do they believe that it is Jesus' blood which takes our sins away, and not just the death of Christ? (Colossians 1:14; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14)

9. Do they believe in the Godhead (Trinity): God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit? (Romans 1:20; Matthew 28:19-20)

10. Do they believe that Jesus is a member of the Godhead, equal in every capacity? (Colossians 2:9)

11. Do they believe that Jesus is perfect, never having sinned even once? (2 Cor. 5:21; Hebrews 4:15)

12. Do they believe that Jesus existed in Preexistent form, before He came to the earth? (John 8:58; Revelation 1:8)

13. Do they believe in the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ upon the cross, Who died in our place? (1 Peter 2:21)

14. Do they believe that Hell is a literal place that burns with fire, to punish all Christ-rejecters for eternity? (2 Thessalonians 1:8; Revelation 20:8-15)

15. Do they believe in a literal Heaven, for the saved to go to? (John 14:1-2; 2 Cor. 5:8)

16. Do they believe that Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe? (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16)

17. Do they believe that Jesus Christ always existed? (Revelation 1:8; John 5:58; Hebrews 7:3)

18. Is Christ's work of atonement completely finished? (Hebrews 9:26)

As I said, the answer to all of these questions should be a confident "YES!"

***

Now, the answer to all of the following questions should be a confident "NO!"

19. Does a person have to be baptized to go to Heaven? (1 Corinthians 1:17; Acts 16:31)

20. Do you have to do any good works to go to Heaven? (Romans 3:20; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)

21. Do you have to join a “church” to go to Heaven? (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Psalm 118:8)

22. Do you have to confess your sins to a priest or a minister to go to Heaven? (1 Timothy 2:5)

23. Do you have to keep the sacraments to go to Heaven? (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 4:5)

24. Do you have to endure or persevere to the end of life to be saved? (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:15; Romans 6:23; Romans 4:5)

25. Do you have to earn your way to Heaven? (Romans 3:20; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)

26. Do you have to pray the Rosary to go to Heaven? (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Matthew 6:7)

27. Do you have to recognize, pray to, and worship the Virgin Mary to be saved? (1 Timothy 2:5; Exodus 20:4-5)

28. Do you have to be religious to go to Heaven? (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Mark 7:6-13)

29. Do you have to forsake your sins to be saved? (Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9)

30. Do you have to "be willing" to turn from your sins to be saved? (Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9)”

Again, these should all be answered with a NO.

OK...Back on point...

Now, the Bible has much to say about apostasy, false prophets, and deceitful workers, who transform themselves into the apostles of Christ, AND concerning the people who will give heed to seducing spirits and follow the pernicious ways of those who deny the LORD that bought them and bring in the damnable heresy. The Holy Spirit thru the Apostle Paul says, “For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.

Note God’s warning against these unbelievers posing as Christians, “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. THIS is a deceiver AND an antichrist. Look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever trangresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 7-9.

Now, get this, most of these spiritual criminals (because criminal is what they are doing), are moral, religious, sincere religious infidels. Satan is accused of the crime of deceiving the whole world, but how any man can be so deluded by the arch enemy as to call himself a Christian while he denies the Genesis record of creation, the virgin birth and eternal Deity of the self‑existent Christ, then deny salvation from the sorrows of the second death by the Faith in His shed blood and bodily resurrection, and further go on to deny the other Christian doctrines of the Bible, is almost beyond comprehension or explanation!

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Friday, January 6, 2017

The MYSTERY of the Gospel, Part 1...Modernists and Liberals - LLM

While there are many evangelical and evangelistic Postmillennialists, the majority of Christians are Premillennialists. BOTH groups believe in the complete and absolute inspiration of the Bible and therefore in the virgin birth and eternal Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, and both believe that the Faith in the redemptive work of the LORD Jesus Christ will save sinners from the wrath of God, and that all who deny the Deity and virgin birth of Christ and do not accept by the Faith His vicarious expiation for sin are eternally and irrevocably lost.

Premillennialists believe that the Messianic kingdom, proclaimed by Christ and His apostles to the nation Israel, has been postponed, but that God has only temporarily abandoned His kingdom program. HOWEVER, these covenants WILL be fulfilled after this parenthetical Body of Christ period, this present Dispensation of Grace, has been brought to the climax of Ephesians 4:13, where it says, “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.”

Most Premillennialists believe that between the moment members of the Body of Christ experience the blessed hope of Titus 2:13 and the day that Christ shall come to earth as the Son of man to redeem Israel, there will be on the earth that time of trouble called in the Bible “The Great Tribulation,” out of which Israel shall be saved. Then will follow the restitution of all things spoken by God’s prophets. Acts 3:21. We’ll discuss this much more later in this series of messages.

Let's talk about MODERNISTS or LIBERALS

Many of the seminaries and pulpits of the so called evangelical denominations have fallen into the hands of the Liberals or Modernists. In their pride, self-righteousness, and spiritual blindness, they do not seem to understand that a “Christian infidel” is an impossible paradox. The Society of Atheists in New York City thank the Modernists in the churches for propagating their Christian agnosticism; for doing so much, from within organized Christianity, to increase the number of infidels, agnostics and atheists

“The only way to accurately identify a religious liberal or Modernist is to test their doctrine against the Word of God. This is the acid test. 1 John 4:1, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." MANY false prophets are gone out into the world. There are literally millions of false prophets today. 1 John 4:2 continues by stating, "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." Many people misunderstand this Scripture. It is not an all- inclusive test; but rather, a starting point. Think about it, every Roman Catholic believes that Jesus Christ came in the flesh; but then they worship Mary, teach a works salvation, require the seven sacraments to be saved, trust men (priests) to forgive their sins, and follow a host of other manmade traditions not found in the Word of God, The Bible. So when we test a person, we should START by asking them what they believe concerning The LORD Jesus Christ.

There are many actual Christians are SO deceived by the liberals and modernists, (who are really unbelievers), that they quote and defend the jackals, supporting them in Christian schools, so that some truly born again Christians COMPROMISE until it is hard to tell the dirty child of God, from the wolf in sheep's clothing. For example, there is Dr. Nels F.S. Ferre, who says it is wrong to worship Jesus, and to follow the Bible. Well this heretic says that Jesus may have been the illegitimate son of a blond German soldier and Mary who was a harlot. But then get this...this man is advertised as "an evangelical," and has been welcomed at Southern Baptist Seminary and other "Christian" institutions, as was Dr. George Buttrick, who was the most outspoken opponent of the virgin birth, the blood atonement and inspiration of the Bible. There was also Dr. Elton Trueblood and many others who were actually unbelievers.

Remember this, Christian, 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ".
There is no way a man can be saved and DENY the very precious blood of Christ that saves. These men are deceptive, and will say that the blood of Jesus is very important; but, the truth is that they believe Christ's blood is only REPRESENTATIVE of His death. These are the type of modernists which we need to avoid and expose. And THESE are the liberals and modernists that have taken over this nation’s seminaries.
By the Word of God ONLY, members of the Body of Christ need to determine whether their denominational creed, Pastor, Preacher, or whoever and whatever, are truly of God. Again, the Word of God is the ONLY method by which to test these things. Therefore, in our next message of this series we will have for you some questions that you can ask.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Monday, January 2, 2017

The Faith of Jesus Christ...VERY Important Message!

"Therefore by the deeds of The Law there shall NO flesh be justified in his sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference" Romans 3:20-22

“....knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, even we HAVE BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST, that we might be justified by THE FAITH OF CHRIST, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall NO flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:15-16

“But the scripture hath concluded ALL under sin, that the promise by FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST might be given to THEM THAT BELIEVE.” Galatians 3:22

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through THE FAITH OF CHRIST, the righteousness which is of God BY FAITH.” (Phil. 3:9)

Why is this important?

Because it is NOT OUR faith in Jesus which justifies us, but the Faith OF Jesus Christ in us which justifies us.

In other words, it is HIS Faith at work in us and in our hearts which produces righteousness and the God kind of life. And what is most important about this is the implications it has for us and our faith.

First of all, it explains why The Faith is a GIFT and why we are saved through Faith by Grace and not as a work of our own. It is not our faith which justifies, but the Faith of Jesus given to us, which resides in us. Since it is not our faith that justifies, but the Faith of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ, whose Faith is now at work on the inside of us, we are not called upon to believe God out of our own miserable resources or self generated faith or mental efforts, or our attempts to believe.

We are only enabled to believe God through and because of the Faith of Jesus Christ as working in us. It is Jesus' Faith upon which we are dependent and upon whom we rely. It is upon His Faith, which is perfect and never fails, upon which we can rest and fully trust, because we know His Faith is sufficient for every need and greater than every obstacle.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

God is No Respecter of Persons...Acts 10:34, James 2:1 - LLM

"Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." Acts 10:34; "My brethren, have not The Faith of our LORD Jesus Christ, the LORD of Glory, with respect of persons." James 2:1. Do not follow any man, or group of men, in the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. Hear spiritual men of God and then search the Scriptures yourself. Do not let those of reputation scare you away from the high and holy truths contained in God’s Word.

There are several kinds of false teachers, whether they call themselves pastors, teachers, and preachers. There are false teachers who make false statements and give false interpretations of the Word of God. Then there are men, really saved men, who make false accusations against their Christian brethren, with whom they disagree as to the application of 2 Timothy 2:15, “rightly dividing the Word of truth.” And, being unable to answer their brethren with the Word of God, they resort to exaggerations and false charges as to their teaching. They try to intimidate Children of God who are untaught and un-established, and keep them from obeying God’s Word as expressed in Ephesians 4:3 and Ephesians 3:9, by maligning and misrepresenting servants of Christ, who would do the will of God and lead Children of God into the deeper truths of God.

“But What about Church Creeds”?

“Church creeds” may be both a help and a hindrance to the Child of God in Bible study. They may both aid and limit the honest searcher after Divine Truth. God’s Truth cannot be fully set forth in a set of “church rules” and a “written doctrinal statement”.

THE FEAR OF MAN and THE PRAISE OF MAN

No Child of God can be wholly true to his convictions and altogether honest in his study of God’s Word, if in any way he is numbered with those mentioned in Jude 16, where it says, “having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”

Spiritual tact is always a virtue, but most religious diplomacy is equivalent to compromise and cowardice.

Humanly speaking, nothing is more beneficial than sweet spiritual fellowship with fellow members of the Body of Christ, but when that fellowship is maintained at the cost of compromise with God’s truth, with disobedience, or silence concerning some God-given conviction, it borders on fellowship with darkness.

Therefore, SHAME on any Child of God who turns from Divine light received by reading and hearing the Word of God in order to obtain some advantage, or as the result of the fear, or praise of men. In John 12:42-43, we have the record of those miserable religious cowards at the time Christ, was here on earth, “many believed on Him but they did not confess Him. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

For this very same reason there are many Children of God, today, who cling to a program and message of Grace AND religion MIXED. Now, I can't say this strongly enough...such a mixture is an ABOMINATION in the sight of Christ. However, to religious or semireligious people it is an "inoffensive" message. The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, in writing to the Galatians, declared that religion would remove the offense from the cross. This is EXACTLY what Satan wants the Child of God to do. That is, to mix in with the Grace of God enough religion to frustrate that Grace. In that same Epistle, the Apostle Paul said, “if I please men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10.

For a good position, for more recommendations and less condemnation, for more and larger audiences, and more and larger offerings, it is a great temptation to preach sermons that will please the committee appointed to select the pastor or evangelist and to be careful not to offend the good givers.

In that same Epistle to the Galatians we find a splendid example of a servant of the Lord, one of the “big” leaders, trying a bit of religious diplomacy. Read Galatians 2:9-15. Peter walked not uprightly according to God’s truth, “fearing them which were of the circumcision.”, and many Children of God are falling into this same trap today. Peter received a very severe, but a just, rebuke from the Apostle Paul for this compromise. Perhaps he was saying within himself, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” But when the “circumcision”, or the “water baptizers” or “Sabbath-keepers”, or any kind of religious leaders, get after the Bible teacher or Christian worker, who is satisfied with The LORD Jesus Christ, and His pure message of Grace, without religious fetters...woe unto him! Religious people DO know how to persecute. Religion in the Child of God always counteracts the Fruit of the Spirit and changes love into hate.

Surely we must admire the Apostle Paul for his bold, noble, uncompromising stand against the pillars of the church and the religious “somewhats”. Galatians 2:6-9. But it cost him some friends, including Barnabas. And what it cost him to completely deliver the message of Grace from every religious entanglement, including legalism, ritualism, signs and ordinances, is told in any 2 Timothy 1:15, “All they which are in Asia be turned away from me.” At that time Paul was in prison for preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ, and proclaiming the Mystery, which was a message from the RISEN Christ that SUPERSEDED the entirety of the religious program foretold by the prophets of Israel. Colossians 4:3; Colossians 1:24-29.

The “pillars” and religious “somewhats” in the world’s various Fundamentalist Associations, are today the great enemies of the Blessed Truth in the Word of God, known as “The Mystery”, The joint Body of Christ, made up of both Jew and Gentile without distinction, saved by Grace alone, through The Faith, the Glorious truth of the Child of God’s full identification with Christ, by a Divine baptism NOT made with hands. These “pillars” and religious “somewhats”, not only close their pulpits to that most wonderful truth of the Scriptures set forth in Ephesians and Colossians, but they actively boycott, persecute, ostracize, and dis-fellowship other servants of Christ, who do.

They contradict their own testimony by preaching, that the believer is accepted in Christ, complete in Christ, eternally and securely identified with Christ, as a member of His Body, blessed with all spiritual blessings and seated with Him in the highest heavenlies; all on the grounds of the shed blood of the spotless Son of God; all by the pure unmerited grace, nothing by human endeavor, practice or attainment. They claim this, BUT THEN, on the other hand, they withhold the right hand of fellowship from those who refuse to agree with their religious water baptism ordinance, admitting that they cannot quote one single verse of Scripture authorizing one member of the Body of Christ to baptize a believer who is already a member of that same Body. They manifest anything but the love of Christ toward the fellow-members of the same Body who are endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit on the basis of that one Divine baptism which makes believing sinners members of that Body and joined to Christ the Head.

It is just the repetition of the same old spirit mentioned in John 9:22: “for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that Jesus was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.”

One of the “pillars” among the Fundamentalists of this country, who is one of the “somewhats”, has warned other Fundamentalists to shun Christians who do not accept the water ceremony (water baptism), and to have no fellowship with them. The Pharisees are not dead.

Virtually all of the leaders among the Fundamentalists are agreed concerning the important fundamental doctrines, but concerning water baptism they are divided and sub-divided into confusion, uncertainty and sectarianism.

The Body of Christ is truly menaced with a state of Baptism Babylon, destroying the unity of members of the Body of Christ and hindering believers from obeying Ephesians 4:3 and Ephesians 3:9.

With many Christians the question is still the question of John 7:48 “have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed?” The question should be, “what saith the Scriptures, rightly divided?” The rulers and the Pharisees were WRONG in those days, and those who believed what they believed erred concerning the truth.

We trust that we may encourage many Children of God to be true searchers of the Holy Scriptures, and get their eyes off the “pillars” and the “somewhats”. Search the Scriptures. Remember that no man, or group of men, has reached the finality of truth. No Child of God has any monopoly on the only infallible teacher, the Holy Spirit. Always keep in mind that some of the most recognized “big men” among Bible teachers today are the real enemies of the most blessed truths of the Bible.

The purpose of this message, and all the messages of The Lion and Lamb Ministry are to stimulate, encourage, or provoke real honest to goodness spiritual, prayerful, first-hand Bible study. DO NOT FEAR MEN. Read Hebrews 13:6 and take courage, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what men shall do unto me.”

Sacrifice the praise of men for the praise of God, which shall continue into the ages to come. Do not compromise for advantage, for a job with a good income. God can still open doors. Philippians 4:19 is still true: “But my God shall supply all you need according to His riches in Glory by Jesus Christ.” Get your eyes off of men. Look unto the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Be as the Bereans in study, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Be as Timothy, a good soldier of Christ, remembering those words of the Apostle Paul, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:8.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)