Jesus’ longest recorded message to His people stands on the very first words our Savior uttered in this sermon on the mount.
The foundational truth of the entire sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) is found in the very first words of our LORD when unveiling this elaborate, far-reaching, and profound message to His disciples of all ages. Here are His first words:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
Note, “poor in spirit.” Not poor financially or religiously. The two should be mutually exclusive. The Greek word translated into English as “poor” is PTOCHOS. It means pauper, beggar, poor…..desperate and spiritually impoverished. Christ looks to desperate, hungry and thirsty people who want more of Him (Is. 66:2). Their hearts pant for more of Him (Ps. 42:1-2). They deeply desire more of His presence and Word. | Sin: Man’s Core Problem
Of this pillar truth of being “poor in spirit”, F.B. Meyer says:
“Note the passive side of the blessed life. To be poor in spirit, that is, to be lowly in one’s self-estimate; to be meek, not always interested in one’s rights; to mourn for the evils of one’s own heart and for the sin and sorrow around; to hunger and thirst after Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. These dispositions do not purchase blessedness, but to cultivate them is to be blessed. On the positive side are mercy, purity, peace and willingness to suffer all things for Christ. Here is 1Co_13:1-13 anticipated!”
Of this foundational cornerstone biblical essential, William MacDonald writes:
“This first blessing is pronounced on the poor in spirit. This does not refer to natural disposition, but to one’s deliberate choice and discipline. The poor in spirit are those who acknowledge their own helplessness and rely on God’s omnipotence. They sense their spiritual need and find it supplied in the Lord. The kingdom of heaven, where self-sufficiency is no virtue and self-exaltation is a vice, belongs to such people.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Jesus said: “without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
“The more we know Christ the more we are aware we NEED Him!” Anita Villarreal
The path to victory is humbling ourselves in repentance and announcing our own utter poverty!
“But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isaiah 66:2
The absence of a “poor” or desperate for more of Christ “spirit” is the clear indicator that the self-righteous person is trusting in self and not Christ.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit (desperate, beggar, pauper): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
The phrase “poor in spirit” speaks of being in a perpetual heart posture of being desperate for the LORD, being fully dependent upon Him as a beggar, a pauper.
“We never feel Christ to be a reality, until we feel Him to be a necessity.” Austin Phelps
God allowed Judas to betray Jesus and God allows our enemies to bless us to be broken. Judas the betrayer, was instrumental in Christ being delivered to be crucified, in His body being broken and blood poured out for the sins of the world.
The betrayal of our enemies also allows us to be broken.
“I have been to this place more than once. It has only been me and Jesus! It is a hard place to be. I have said ‘Jesus if You don’t help me, I am not going to make it!’ Looking back I can see that He has shown up, every time, even though at the time I wasn’t seeing it. Jesus has saved my life!! For that I am very grateful! Thank You Jesus!” Karen Cochran
Jesus commands us to love our enemies and oh how much easier this is to do when we realize how He is using our enemies to bring us to the bless-ed place of brokenness (Matthew 5:44).
“God uses the bad things that happen to us to save, sanctify and glorify us.”
The LORD has no interest in the empty worship of men or religion which is vastly prevalent today as it was in Christ’s day.
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9
No other sin so grieved the Savior as un-engaged religious pride and worship which actually insulated men from Him. Religious groups where this is found misrepresent Christ while claiming to be the only way to Him. No other group received more harsh and dooming words from Jesus Christ as those who were the very leaders of the religion He started 2 thousand years earlier (Judaism). The Jewish system of religion is the only religion God ever started or ever will start, and it is now obsolete. Christ came to bring all people into a personal relationship with Him and the Father and Holy Spirit (John 14:6, 17:3, 1 John 1:3, 7…).
Though it may appear outwardly to be different, today we have so much empty “worship” in the modern church world and this is why true disciples are coming out of her by the millions – “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4). If Jesus commanded those who will be His to “Come out of her,” there must be something to come out of! The Son of God is no lunatic – He is “the Great Shepherd of the sheep,” who gave His life for His people and seeks to feed them with His pure Word and protect them (Ps. 23; Jn. 10; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:2).
Relevant?
In today’s everything-and-anything-goes, trying-to-be-relevant-instead-of-Christ-like, church world of ungrounded people, a myriad of things have replaced Christ and His holy Word. In the world of evangelical religion today, there is anything but the pure Word of God. Here are some of the things that have crept in and are in full blown emphasis today in the modern church:
- a thrust to be “relevant” – a cloaked word used often by the emergent/seeker-friendly movement which boils down to being just like the world in order to win the world. Win them to what?! – to aself-serving “form of godliness” that denies Jesus instead of self?
- new Bible versions which are taken from corrupt manuscripts and are weak at best (see Amos 8:11 and BIBLE VERSIONS)
- fictional books from fad authors who misrepresent the Almighty through their caricatures and have and are leading many into idolatry as a result.
- soft, spineless leaders who do not present the biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ with repentance, the holiness of God, and necessity of personal holiness, hell, and judgment to come, etc.
- an emphasis on entertainment using music and arts at the expense of declaring divine truth in its pure form
Does the LORD call His true people to be like the world (relevant), or to follow Christ and be unlike the lost? Think about this: what are the lost being won to if the church world is no different than they are?
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (conditional), And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
Jesus Didn’t Lie to Us
In this late hour, just as He foretold numerous times, “many” are being led astray by false prophets who have come in sheep’s clothing and are deceiving “many.” (Matt. 7:15; 24:3-5, 11, 24; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:13; 4:2-4; Jude 3-4, etc.) Eternal damnation awaits (2 Pet. 3).
The prophecies of the final days are dancing on stage in our faces.
In the vast majority of modern assemblies of “worship,” Jesus is no longer tended to or bothered with, much less elevated as the Creator, Redeemer, and “Head of the body.”(Col. 1:15-18; 2:18-19) No, instead, men and women who having “itching ears” are making popular false prophets who tell them what their sinful hearts desire to hear (2 Tim. 4:2-5).
Why should we be surprised? This was all foretold. The adulterous emphasis in the apostate church world, perpetrated by wolves who wear sheep’s clothing, is clearly enumerated as it is shown in resume’ form in 2 Timothy 3:1-7. – They are leading astray those who are just like themselves – “lovers of their own selves…lovers of pleasures MORE than lovers of God…”
Christ told us differently. Who are you following? Jesus said: “If ANY (that includes you)man will come after me, let him DENY himself, and take up his cross daily (die), and follow ME. For whosoever will save (preserve) his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it….So likewise, WHOSOEVER he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Lk. 9:23-24; 14:33) These are the very words of the Alpha and Omega – when is the last time your pastor preached these words?
Instead of laid down lives, studying His Word to know and find out more about Him, self-serving and idolatrous emphasis bombard the people as they are constantly asserted by false leaders. “How to Get Rich,” “How to Live a More Fulfilled Life,” “How to Use God’s Word to get what YOU Want,” “12 Steps to a Better Life,” “How to have Better Relationships,” “How to Have Your Best Life Now,” “How to get Your Miracle from God,” “7 Keys to a New You,” “How to be a better Husband/Wife/Father/Mother,” “How to Get More for ME, Me, Me!!!,” etc. To the un-discerning eye, these things may seem harmless, but they are deadly. A man-centered gospel is a false, soul-damning heresy (Gal. 1:6-10; 2 Pet. 2:1-3). One can get a miracle, become a better wife or daddy, learn conflict resolution, read polluted fad “Christian” books, and use principles to get some self-help, and still die and go to hell. God is calling His people to become more intimate with Him, to repent of our sins, to know Him, to turn fully to Him, to become His disciples, and all else will follow (2 Chron. 7:14; Matt. 6:33; Jn. 17:3).
Jesus Christ is the Supreme God and Divine Creator of All that Is – the Whole Universe
“For by him (Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17
Whenever and wherever the living and eternal Word, the divine Person of Jesus Christ, is NOT being sought after, studied, emphasized, worshipped, upheld, elevated, adored, praised, feared, and obeyed, false teachers are the leaders (Col. 1-2). Walking in these things nurtures saints and fosters in them a heart after God (Acts 13:22). Read Colossians 1-2 closely and prayerfully.
We have but a mere “form of godliness” if we have not presently chosen to crave more of Jesus, crying from our hearts and mouths – “He MUST increase, but I MUST decrease.”(Jn. 3:3; 2 Tim. 3:5) One can be actively involved in a local church environment while “ever learning,” and yet “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 3:1-7) All worship that does not elevate the Person of Christ is evil idolatry. Spiritual adultery is being spread in the hearts of men wherever Jesus Christ is not being peered into, loved, obeyed, and sought after with a whole heart! Any and all spiritual activity that does not begin and end with Jesus Christ is unadulterated idolatry. – “Thou shalt have NO other gods before me.” (Exod. 20:3)
Jesus is the Only Head of His True Body
“In whom (Christ) are hid ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. BEWARE lest ANY man spoil (ruin) you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in HIM, which is the head of all principality and power…Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:3, 6-10, 18-19
It’s not how it makes us feel friend – it’s whether or not its biblical that matters! God forgive our sins! It’s time to repent, elevate Jesus Christ, and die to self that Christ might reign gloriously. – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) The kingdom of God is all about Jesus, not me or you or any other mere man. IF in fact you are going to be apart of His eternal kingdom, you must die – if you don’t He won’t live in you and you will not be with Him eternally. – “they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” (Gal. 5:24) You must suffer the death of your personal will and self-life or you will not be an overcomer (Rev. 2-3). You will consequently die and go to hell with all other rebels (Rom. 6; 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:21; 4:1).
Embracing the Cross
The overcoming disciple must cling to that old rugged cross. He must die the death that Christ ordained Him to die and set the example for us to behold – “not my will, but thine, be done.” (Lk. 22:42) He must of necessity resist the ease of the modern church program which makes church attendees instead of making disciples. He must possess a love for divine truth as he refuses to buy into the un-biblical falsity of modern religionist who rob Christ of His due glory. He must “buy the truth and sell it not.” (Prov. 23:23)
Only those who choose to daily die to self that Christ – the Greater One – might reign in their mortal bodies, will escape the horrific times to come where many are promised to fall away (Matt. 24:10-13, 24; 2 Thess. 2:1-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; 4:2-4).
Listen closely to what Jesus said concerning being ready to meet Him as we face these final days in which we now live:
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:33-36
The from moral coward runs from the cross which represents Christ’s sacrifice. He flees the life of a true disciple which demands laying down one’s own way, will, and life to love Jesus. He runs to the entertainment and the feeling of ease and would rather be told things that demand no repentance or sacrifice. He loves the wolves who don sheep’s clothing and their smooth messages (2 Tim. 4:3-4). This is the false form of Christianity (completely foreign to Scripture) that has lulled him to sleep in the first place. He denies Christ instead of self and His command for us to die to the self life. No, instead he relishes the temporal pleasures of this fleeting life. Like Esau, he is giving up his eternal birthright (Heaven) for a temporary fix (bowl of soup).
If you are going to be with Jesus, you must at once RUN from any leader who is not preaching the cross – he isn’t even saved (1 Cor. 1:18; Phil. 3:17-18). He’s an imposter. He’s part of the diabolical conspiracy against the LORD Almighty. He’s a counterfeit – in league with those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:18)
First, make sure you are coming to the LORD daily in prayer and worship and His Precepts. When gathering with other believers, bring a heart that is hungering for more of Jesus.
Any “church attendance” or “worship” that is not producing in your heart a desperate hunger and thirst for more of Jesus Christ, is completely misguided and being led by a person who has either never been saved or is backslidden! Run beloved, run for your life! Find true remnant disciples and flourish in worshipping the one true God, holding fast to His holy Word. Cease to further the cause of wolf ministries! Stop (by your attendance) endorsing and supporting with your finances ministries that are leading people away from Jesus instead of to Him!
Jesus said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
In these precious words recorded in Matthew 5:3, the Master was saying that those who are desperately impoverished in their hearts, realizing their utter need for Him are “blessed.”Undue loyalty to the organizations and futile programs of mere men invariably taint and hinder the personal relationship He made us to experience with Him. LORD, please bless us to know and love You and You alone! We will have “no other gods before You.” (Exodus 20:3-4)
In Genesis 32 we read of Jacob wrestling with God. The LORD broke Jacob and as a result a “poor in spirit” disposition possessed him…
“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant.” Genesis 32:10
Without a heart after God, all we have is a mere “form of godliness.” (Acts 13:22; 2 Timothy 3:5)
PRAYER: LORD, with deep resolve, I this moment make the obedient decision to come out of the antichrist, out of the apostate religious system where mere men, machinery, masters degrees, and programs are elevated in place of You! This moment I return to You O LORD and submit my spirit and whole being into Your holy and perfect hands! I love You LORD Jesus. Please forgive my sin of idolatry and spiritual adultery and fill me with Your Holy Spirit afresh. Please cleanse me by Your blood right now LORD. Please send me forth and make my life a fruitful field to Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Here’s how the blessing of knowing Him happens. Am I that weary and thirsty traveler in the hot, dry desert, panting after that glass of cold water laid before me? In other words, am I currently and personally seeking the LORD with outright abandonment and absolute desperation?
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for THEY shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Q Who did Christ say were “blessed”?
A “they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness”
Q Who did Christ promise would “be filled”?
A “they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness”
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2
“This psalm, Psalm 42, is a desperate plea to know God deeper. There’s a deep hunger in our inner most parts of our being. I ask You Jesus to come and clean me so You can then fill me in my inner most places that I don’t yet know You. Thank You Jesus because I know You will hear my prayer.” Karen Cochran
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, please forgive me for the sin of not seeking You with a whole heart, for being self-absorbed and deceived. I utterly need You with every fiber of my being – every moment. You made me, died for and came and found and saved me while I was in my sin. Please forgive me for allowing the cares of this world, deceitfulness of temporal riches, lust for things other than You, and religion, consume me because I wasn’t seeking and being filled with more of You. I begin this moment to set my heart affections upon You alone and find my whole identity and purpose in You. May Your presence in me increase as You fill me afresh with Your Holy Ghost. Please increase in me Jesus and I choose to decrease, purging all that does not belong to You. I love You my LORD Jesus Christ. Praise Your holy name forevermore.
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What’s the Most Predominant Doctrine in the Whole New Testament? [podcast]
Abiding
WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith? [podcast]
Dancing on the Defeated Devil’s Grave! Get some! Now!
What was Paul speaking of when he declared that Christ’s disciples must “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”? (1 Timothy 6:12)
First off, it’s a “good fight” because we are going to win – yet only if we do things God’s way with no compromise. What do we fight against? What must we put under foot, conquer and reign victorious over?
What did the Holy Spirit in Paul mean by fighting the good fight of faith? Think context.
You have to “fight” to keep these damning sins out of your life – and the way you “fight” is to be rich in giving – otherwise you will have a sand foundation that will not stand in the judgment. You will go to Hell irrevocably. This is the clear teaching of Scripture, throughout. Read this closely:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:6-12
Wisdom is fellowshipping with those who are on fire for Jesus, who refuse to be lukewarm, who are fighting the good fight of faith, who are finishing their course, who are keeping the faith (2 Timothy 4:7) …. who make you wonder if you are saved. Conviction.
The cross is an absolute essential in the life of every saint of Christ. There will be no overcoming without putting the cross at the center of our daily lives. Paul said:
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
Eternal security is the fairytale of counterfeits.
Jesus told us that the cross is “daily” (Luke 9:23-24). It must be daily or you will fall away. No one can truly serve God on any other terms but the ones He has set forth. The cross must be at the center of your life. You must plant, drive that stake in the ground. Your heart and life will never be flooded with His love, peace, power, and joy until you do.
Those who don’t endure to the end after being saved are going to hell (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Hebrews 10:26-39).
Do you truly love God above self and all else? That’s the big question. If you love God supremely, you will give Him the preference in the life He gave you and for which you will give full account to Him.
Do you truly desire the power of God to function in your life? The cross is His way beloved.
YOU, yes you are in a war. The cross is the instrument of your death so that Christ, who is “the resurrection and the life” might reign in and through your life (John 11:25). Don’t even think you’re going to conquer devils, principalities, when you haven’t even conquered your own heart, soul, lusts, and life.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
Scarcely will we hear a man preach on the cross – the crucified life – which proves he himself is not taking up his cross. And the cross is a non-negotiable essential in the divine economy. Never wait for any other man to take up the cross or preach it. You do it. God holds you 100% responsible to do so – and you will appear before the Almighty to give full account for doing so, or not.
The war is won within – as you push your love upward to God and outward to men. This must be the labor of love deliberately won by fighting, battling through everything that seeks to assume first place in your life, time, your thoughts, your heart, your affections, etc. God only raises up crucified – dead and buried disciples. THAT’s when the victory is won and such a crucified disposition must be diligently procured daily by the cross – knowing that God is only going to raise up the surrendered soul.
Memorize:
“Let us labour (fight) therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:11
Treasure that will be Eternally Tremendous or Trouncing
Where your money is proves where your heart is …. Take a look at your bank statement and see where the money is going and also your investments and property. There is where you will see where your heart truly is. Your bank statement will reveal to you who you really are – as in contrast with who you may claim to be. The self-deception will be exposed.
Getting “honest” in your “heart” and life are a required essential to bear fruit unto everlasting life with Christ, the Father, and the saints (Luke 8:15).
Jesus says: “WHERE you treasure (money) is, THERE will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Are you pouring into Christ’s kingdom? If not, what does that actually reveal about your life at this moment? – It reveals that you love this world, you love your life in this world.
Isn’t it time to lose your life in this world?
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
Is Christ your Protector or is your money? Remember, you will soon be separated from your money – and stand naked before the Almighty (Job 1:21; 1 Timothy 6:6-11). What shall you say to Him in that day? Will He declare over you “Well done” or “Depart from me”? Read Matthew 25:40-46.
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33
If you are rich toward yourself instead of “rich toward God” – you chose to forsake Christ, even though you were running a lot of religious interference. God sees through it all. Read what Christ taught in Luke 12:15-21 and 16:19-31.
Are the authentic ministries you know of, who feed you and others, well stocked with supply, fuel to function? Do you realize they have monthly bills and have a family to provide for as they have answered God’s call to do the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth?
Jesus spoke of those who are and those who aren’t “rich toward God.” Those “rich toward God” have God first and nothing else. Nothing gets spent before Christ’s workers and work are supplied. They make sure Christ’s work and workers are fully fueled. They are the bless-ed Obadiahs and Epaphroditus’ of our day.
Who was Epaphroditus? Well, he was like Obadiah in the days of Elijah and the other true prophets of God. He kept laborers of the Gospel supplied so they could function in the calling of the LORD on their lives.
“Lay up for yourself treasure in Heaven, not things on the earth. Because it will all burn up one day, all will be lost. Can’t take anything of this earth’s wealth with you. Only all you’ve given to God will last. Give as a cheerful giver. Jesus cheerfully gave His life for you. He died for you to save you. Our giving will not out give God. Supporting the work of the Lord is laying up treasures in Heaven. God Bless.” Darlene
Epaphroditus is the New Testament Equivalent to Obadiah
Timothy and Epaphroditus
“And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)” 1 Kings 18:3-4
Read Philippians 2:19-30 to discover how this man, this brother in Christ named Epaphroditus, supplied Paul and the ministry of Christ.
WHO was Obadiah in the Days of Ahab and Jezebel?
“And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)” 1 Kings 18:3-4
“Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD” (1 Kings 18:4). Through his ministers that held high positions within the kingdom of God, the devil “cut off” the supply of finances to those prophets who remained in the truth, refusing to compromise with the system and majority. God-fearing Obadiah secretly supplied these servants of Christ with food and water to sustain their lives. Is there any new thing under the sun? No. In our day, when those few who refuse to compromise are being cut off from financial supply by those who have a stranglehold on the control of 99% of the finances flowing in the church world, we, the remnant, have been called out to be like Obadiah and supply those who remain true to the LORD in serving His people. See 1 Kings 18.
The Most Dangerous and Prevalent Sins?
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor COVETOUS man, who is an IDOLATER, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:5-6
One man of God noted that “More people will be in Hell for covetousness and greed than all other sins combined.” The honest student of Holy Scripture cannot but agree to this. There is a direct connection between your money and the Messiah, your supply and the Savior.
Those not laying up treasure in Heaven (digging their way into Hell) prove such by not being “rich toward God” but are rather rich toward the god of self, who cannot save them from eternal damnation.
“Yes! Amen. Jesus shine your light into my heart and reveal your truth to me. I can hide and not want to know what is in me. Turn up the heat so I will surrender to you what is not of you.” Karen Cochran
Jesus Instructs You to Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24
At the end of his earthly life, the apostle Paul could declare with clear conscience:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Sin must be warded off, must be kept at bay, must be put under foot by the cross, the crucified life. There are not shortcuts. Knowing you are expected to cling to and know and walk with Jesus is one thing – and walking it out is another. Here’s a memory verse:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
Those who answer the call of God to do His work forego, waive, give up their own earnings in this passing world in order to obey God by feeding and equipping His precious sheep for whom He died and rose again (John 15:16; 21:15-17; Acts 6:4; 15:26; 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.). It’s a blessing for us to be able to contribute, to get behind this most important and only eternal work of our LORD transpiring in His earth as His children live in fervent expectation of His glorious and soon return.
“Earth is planning for war.
Heaven is preparing for a wedding.” unknown
This is not our home beloved saints of Christ. NO ONE is going to do His glorious Gospel work except HIS own children – and that’s us!
“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Jesus Christ is KING.
YOUR PRAYER OF REPENTANCE: Holy Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ and ask You to forgive my sin of self-idolatry, of spiritual adultery. I have lived in sin, in pride, in self-love and am now turning wholly to Thee my God – asking You to wash me clean, to clear my sin by Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Here and now I denounce all covetousness for the trinkets of this world and choose, from this moment forth, to be rich toward You dear LORD – in getting behind and fueling Your Gospel work in the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ – let’s roll Jesus! Amen.
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Apostasy
Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
WHAT WAS SATAN’S VERY FIRST LIE?
Who’s ready for a huge, life-changing revelation?
Satan’s First Teaching (below)
IN all of God’s creation, which being/beings know exactly what it means to be kicked out, expelled from God’s presence, kingdom, and blessings? (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:7-12)
HOW can a man teach Satan’s first lie and NOT be a false teacher? Impossible. Eternal security/once saved always saved is Satan’s first teaching. It was a lie and caused the fall of mankind into sin. See Genesis 2:17 and 3:4 for yourself. Open God’s Word and read these 2 verses together, side-by-side. God said what? Satan then said what? This is essential to your biblical foundation saints.
“Individuals have believed the worst lie unleashed by Satan on humanity when they believe redemption cannot be lost in the temporal realm. It is as the lie the serpent told Eve. The fact is, that the eternal security lie has been largely perpetrated by Calvinism. There are no verses that support it. It is the major reason for the apostasy, and currently the great and final apostasy.” A disciple
“That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” never left the garden of God’s creation and he won’t till Jesus slam dunks him into the bottomless pit (Gen 3; Rev 12; 20). He must be overcome “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11) God is able. Satan
Eternal security is Satan’s first lie that cause the fall of mankind and Jude warned us about Satan’s agents today, “ungodly men”, who are “turning the (saving) grace of God into lasciviousness.” (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Jude 3-4)
OSAS/eternal security is a lie from hell. OSAS was Satan’s first lie and so it’s blasphemy to teach this doctrine of devils and claim it’s part of the Gospel. You are attributing Satan’s lie to the LORD Jesus. Repent now sinner. See Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Romans 11:20-22; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Jude 4, etc..
The concept of an un-conditional eternal security is not established in Scripture … Except for it being Satan’s first teaching, His first lie – the “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
Satan caused the fall of the first man and woman using the “ye shall NOT surely die” lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). This is the origins of what’s known today as “once saved always saved,” “eternal security,” or “perseverance of the saints.” JUST as Satan did with the first man and woman, as he caused them to fall from divine grace, calvinism is still his doctrine to make men believe they have no personal responsibility to obey God (Matthew 7:21). This robs the fear of God from their hearts and they live in sin, inevitably. Moral cowards absolutely love this system of heresies, where they are told they can just say a little prayer, supposedly get saved, and then go their own way, living any way they choose (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Yet in the end it’s going to catch up with them – irrevocably.
Moral cowards migrate to the “eternal security” heresy because they simply do not want to genuinely repent, to change. They want the crown but not the cross. They vainly believe they are going to use the Savior to get them out of hell yet want nothing to do with a worship-filled, engaged, abiding, fruit-bearing, obedient relationship with the Son of God while on earth. These are the rebel will hear the LORD declare to them “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:4. Read John 15.
ALL who peddle this OSAS/eternal security heresy are teaching Satan’s first lie. Irrefutably. It’s the “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie with led to the fall of mankind and is leading to the fall of many today who buy this lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 1 Timothy 4:1-2
Beware of those who are skilled in the fine art of putting a spin on Holy Scripture instead of taking it at face value and allowing divine truth to speak for itself. Jesus cited the false leaders of His day for doing just that.
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9
What they do is sacrifice biblical truth to their traditions instead of letting GOD be true and EVERY man a liar (Romans 3:4).
Lots of “ministerial” training today involves teaching the students, the prey, how to not take God at His Word but rather to work it over, to whitewash it in order to cover for and promulgate the heretical tradition. Instead of honestly searching out biblical truth, allowing it to lead, many today have received traditions that are heresies and teach those same lies on others.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Matthew 23:15
Can you find what Satan added?
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:” Genesis 3:4
This is the very lie that got the first man and woman to fall and kicked out of God’s Garden, presence. Did God change? Did the saving grace of God somehow change His definition of sin? Did the Almighty cease to be “Holy, holy, holy”? (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)
“The wages of sin is death” and “Death” in Scripture means separation (Romans 6:23). The wages of sin is still “death.”
James 5:19-20 is a warning.
“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20
“Death” means separation.
“save a soul from death” is clearly eternal damnation.
“For this my son was dead (separated from his father), and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:24
“It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:32
OSAS is clearly revealed in Holy Scripture to be the doctrine of Satan and his false teachers (Genesis 2:17>3:4; Jeremiah 23:17; Jude 4, etc.).
THE DOCTRINE OF LASCIVIOUSNESS: “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4
They “Shall utterly perish in their own corruption”
MOST would rather make a god in their own image, one that overlooks their sins and allows them to live in sin. And by way of “the deceitfulness of sin” and their own hardened hearts, they still vainly believe they are saved and going to Heaven (Hebrews 3:12-14). This is the natural course when people refuse to repent and obey the LORD according to His written Word – on HIS stated terms (John 8:31-32, 47; Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16). Rebels who have a mere “form of godliness” refuse to “endure (hold themselves accountable to) sound doctrine” and so migrate to false teachers who tickle their ears (2 Timothy 3:1-7; 4:2-4). This is exactly why the OSAS/eternal security teaching prospers as do the frauds who teach it. It’s a money-maker and an integral part of their business plan – their church busin$$. All of this is a sign of the final days. Read 2 Timothy 3-4 saints. Jesus is coming. Hallelujah! We will do things GOD’s way or we shall perish in our own corruption (Matthew 7:21). Of apostates, Peter writes:
“But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;” 2 Peter 2:12
and just a few verses later …
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
“Sealed”? Are you sure?
OSAS (once saved always saved) / eternal security …. is a heresy, a doctrine of devils (1 Timothy 4:1-2; Jude 3-4, etc.).
“Sealed” simply means stamped and cannot possibly be indelible, unforfeitable because the same word “sealed” in Ephesians and 2 Corinthians is the same Greek word in Matthew 27:66 where Jesus’ tomb was UN-sealed when He raised from the dead. Case closed.
Jesus gave conditions for His blessings including the promise of having the Father keep you…. you must hear His voice – present tense – and follow Him or those promises are not yours – John 10:27-29. Context. Condition.
Just a few chapters later Jesus teaches that all who are in Him who do not abide (continue) with Him, will be cast into the fires of hell (John 15:6).
Accounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed?
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Abiding
LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6
“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
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Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]
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