Tag: repentance

The Failure of the Church in America

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

• What do you think of when you think of the church?
• Do your views line up with the Biblical views?
• Do you even know what the real church looks like?
• Here is what Jesus said about His church in Matthew 16:18.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Acts 2:42-47 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

I want to look with you at the qualities the church should have.  I want to kind of take them in reverse order. So, here we go.

BIBLICAL QUALITIES OF A REAL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

  1. Quality one – Praise! Acts2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
  2. Quality two – Gladness! Acts 2: 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Glad means to greatly rejoice.
  3. Quality three – Getting together on a regular basis. Acts 2: 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
    4 Quality four – Ministry together with other believers. Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. I Corinthians 4:1-5 – Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
    A. Involves my time.
    B. Involves my talents.
    C. Involves my giving.
    5 Quality five –Sound Biblical doctrine taught and lived out. We are told to live out our faith. Acts:2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
    A. Share the good news of Salvation.
    B. Minister to those within the body of believers who are in need.
    C. Minister to those who are outside the body who are hurting.

James 1:19-27 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

What are you doing to have:

  • An attitude of praise.
  • A heart of gladness.
  • An urgency to come together.
  • A ministering spirit of others.
  • A willingness to live out sound doctrine.
These all take intentional effort to accomplish. They do not just accidentally happen. Isn’t time you get on board and allow God to use you to change lives?

The Fall of Christianity in America

THE BIG “IF”

II Chronicles 7:11-16 – Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. 12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

Just recently a group of students from a catholic school were kicked out of the Smithsonian air and space museum in Washington DC.  Their crime – they all had hats that said pro-life on them. “ They were told they could not wear them in the museum. I applaud them for standing firm and refusing, even in the face of being kicked out, they refuse to compromise on the issue.  My friends, America is in trouble. In Nebraska, a state senator is introducing a bill that would “BAN” kids under 19 from attending Sunday School and Vacation Bible school – The reason, it indoctrinates children and leads to child abuse. 

  1. Note: This command was to be carried out in the HOUSE OF GOD.
  2. His house is to be a place of sacrifice, not a place of comfort.
  3. NOTE; God sends the pestilence – It is often to rebuke the sinfulness of His people
  4. The solution begins with IF.
    a. Humble– to be subdued, be brought down, be low, be under, be brought into subjection
    b. Pray – Not to just ask, but here to intercede
    c. Seek – to seek, require, desire, exact, request
    d. My face – Desire His presence
    e. Turn – To return, to turn back.
    f. Wicked ways – Evil, displeasing.
    g. Then –
  • I will hear – to hear with the intent to give attention too.
  • I will forgive – pardon.
  • I will heal – to make healthy.

II Corinthians 5:17-21 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Our standing in Christ

  1. We are made new.
    a. That means the old ways are to be forsaken.
    b. That means our attitudes, actions, thoughts, and love change.
  2. All things now are of God – we now live Godly in Christ

II Timothy 3:10-17 –  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We have been given THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION – the restoration of the favor of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ
Ephesians 6:19-20 - And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Acts 1:16-18 –   For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Philippians 3:9 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:

He hath been made SIN FOR US.

  • He knew no sin.
  • He took my sin on Himself.
  • The Father looked a Jesus as if He were me.
  • The Father looked at me as if I were Jesus.
  • We have been given His righteousness

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Romans 8:1-4 –   There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:3-4 3  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Are you and I willing to do the “IF” part? -If my people!!!!!

Jonah Part 7

Jonah 3:6-10

6  For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.7  And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:8  But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.9  Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?10  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Message delivered

Romans 10:14-17

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

  • The message of Grace must be delivered
  • The message of Grace is the responsibility of all believers

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The message of Grace has been silent

Matthew 9:35-38

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38  labourers into his harvest.

Message heard – The king called for national repentance and prayer

  • They can only hear what is delivered – until Jonah delivered the message, the city had not way of knowing
  • Only the message of grace and forgiveness can be heard
II Corinthians 2:12-16

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

  • Without the preaching of Grace, no one can be saved
Acts 26:15-18

  And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.16  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17  Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Mercy granted

Romans 10:13 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

  • Hearing leads to repentance – faith cometh by hearing
  • Repentance leads to mercy and forgiveness
  • Acceptance leads to an abundant, joy filled life –
John 10:10 

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Mercy in action

Luke 15:7 

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance