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The Biblical Case for Home Fellowship Groups

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The rich blessing of fellowship together DIRECTLY reading God’s Word – which is “the apostle’s doctrine” which they received from our LORD (Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

What is the true “church”? What does “church” really mean? What is true fellowship and what’s not? What does the Assembling of Yourselves Together Mean?

“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.” Hebrews 10:25

Is there anything in the above verse about a physical church building called “church”? No.

As you read this, keep in mind that any physical building is an inanimate structure and therefore not evil or good. It’s what’s going on in what is called “church buildings” that is the great concern. Keep in mind that the same evil leaven can work in unrepentant men who gather in homes.

Looking for the church means simply looking for other true members of Christ’s body! WE are HIS church – called out ones. Amen Jesus. Fellowship, Gatherings

Especially in this late hour as we look for Christ’s return, we should consider becoming more flexible, more adaptive, more creative in facilitating fellowship with other believers. And, we can know that gathering in small groups was what the earliest believers did. They “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

When you are seeking Christ daily, you don’t need a Sunday morning pep rally.

This post is not meant to indicate that all groups who meet in a separate building call “church” are apostate and yet, there’s no doubt that most are. This is consistent with the foretold great falling away (apostasy) foretold of these last days (2 Thessalonians 2; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3-4, etc.).

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 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, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:40-47

Just after the Day of Pentecost, which was the birth of the New Testament Church, the earliest of believers met in the temple and also began meeting house to house daily. They were consumed with Jesus Christ as He filled them with the Holy Ghost and their lives were given over to Him in true worship. This was before deception had the opportunity to enter in and so the model is set forth in the passage above as to what pleases the LORD when His people gather. The LORD hasn’t changed and there were certain things these earliest of Christians did which stand as monumental in importance to believers today.

Early believers “continued stedfastly in”:

“the apostles’ doctrine (God’s Word)”
“fellowship”
“breaking of bread”
“in prayers”

These are things true disciples of Jesus Christ today should assure are the order whereby their meetings are governed and as led of the Holy Spirit. Another verse to memorize and meditate upon in this regard is Colossians 3:16.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

Do you spend more time in “church” than in the Bible itself? Wow! Red flags flying!

Are you supporting the WORK of Christ or some mere man’s “church” enterprise?

“That’s why I say that I’m going to the ‘church house’ when I go to the church assembly. We don’t go to church—that’s IMPOSSIBLE, have church—IMPOSSIBLE, for we are the church and have the church —within us!” Stacy Strother

Most churches have done nothing but make Christianity another religion. They’ve ruined what God ordained to be an abiding relationship! (John 15) Sickening! (Matthew 23) Run.

Though deceivers can be found operating anywhere, it seems obvious that a physical church building offers a greater potential of religious bureaucracy to control – to tailor make the so-called “services” to please man, not God. Think clear proof: They’ve removed the central doctrines of the Christian faith – Christology, the blood, the cross, the crucified life, holiness, the attributes of God, hell, judgment to come, and the return of Christ, etc.

In an attempt to help facilitate the fellowship of true believers we present this list below. We are going to do our best to place groups on this list that we believe (as much as we can tell) are set up according to what we see in Holy Scripture. Please know that we are not able to be at these places, and so cannot fully know what is going on in the fellowships. Please discern accordingly. May the LORD lead each of us into a deeper communion with Him and genuine fellowship with His body.

By God’s grace, there is an exodus transpiring the world over from the ungodly system of the visible church which is in apostasy (2 Thess. 2:3, 10-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:1-7, 13). This was foretold to happen so we should not be surprised.

Yet in the New Testament Scriptures, we see a plurality of elders as the divinely-ordained structure for a fellowship that brings God glory (Acts 14:23; 15:4; 16:4; Tit. 1:5). Doesn’t the Word of God tell us that in the multitude of counselors there is great safety? (Prov. 11:4; 24:6). The biblical precedence for the plurality (more than one) of elders is intended to include accountability among elders.

It should be understood that the very thought of a home fellowship concerns many pastors because they lose control which is what they are all about – controlling the thinking and money of the people.

In Acts 15 we see the apostles of our LORD gathering to determine, as led of the Spirit, what the truth of authentic Gospel is.

“And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” Acts 15:4-6

In Spirit-inspired effort to walk in exact truth, the apostles and elders of the LORD were led to bring clarity on that which the LORD required for one to be saved. So, they gathered to discuss this matter as is seen in Acts 15. There is safety in the multitude of true men of God who uphold the Word of God as final authority as they live in the Spirit with Him (Jn. 10:35; Rom. 3:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

As deceivers began to enter the churches in the first and subsequent centuries, the core truth of the original Gospel was lost. So it is today and even worse (Amos 8:11; 2 Tim. 3:13). In perfect accordance with prophecy about these final days, the exponential multiplication of wolves in sheep’s clothing has made it virtually impossible for true disciples who love His truth to locate a true New Testament gathering. Regrettably there is scarcely a local fellowship that the genuine truth-seeker can attend where the Person of Jesus Christ is truly exalted and men abased (Ps. 39:5; Jer. 17:9; 1 Cor. 2:1-5; 2 Cor. 1:24; 3:5; 4:5; Gal. 2:20; 6:14; Col. 2:4, 8, 18-19). The pride-inspired kingdom building spirit has taken over as it did in the first century with a deceiver named Diotrephes who would not allow the counsel of God to move through other called and ordained elders of Christ’s body (3 Jn. 9-11). Jesus also warned of the reality and presence of Jezebel in the local churches in Revelation 2. The same ancient spirits of devils that possessed Ahab, Jezebel, and Diotrephes, now possess many who have hi-jacked the positions of leadership in the modern church world. Deceivers abound as God’s Word is ignored by enterprising men in leadership who are building their own kingdoms using His holy name for their own personal gain/agenda (Isa. 9:16; 56:10-12; Jer. 23; Ezek. 34; Matt. 23; 2 Thess. 2:3, 10-12; 2 Tim. 3:1-7, 13; 4:2-5, etc.).

As was the case with Diotrephes blocking out the very apostle John, we must realize that people who control a certain organization or physical building are not to be considered in the right for those reasons. Never forget that in God’s economy, the truth is not determined by who has the pulpit, but rather by the Word of God itself and who has and is walking in divine truth which is final authority (Jn. 3:34; 4:23-24; 8:47; 18:36-37; Rom. 3:4).

A search in the King James Bible for all the references to the word “synagogue” will yield a fascinating revelatory study. Here’s a telling text from Acts 18:

“And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:4-11

Note that the apostle Paul and the other believers “departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house.” (Acts 18:7) He was then able to freely function in “teaching the word of God among them.” (Acts 18:11)

The LORD confirmed this separation to be His leading and that His approval and blessing was upon those who loved Him and His truth. – “Then (after the church split where they left the deceivers who had control over the physical building) spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee.” (Acts 18:9-10)

Then as it is now, it seems that the LORD has to separate those who truly love Him from those who don’t. It is an observable pattern in Holy Scripture that the LORD moves His true disciples outside of the camp of those who have merely a form of godliness, worshipping Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him (Isa. 29:13; Matt. 15:8; 2 Tim. 3:5).

“And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” Acts 19:8-12

Note here that Paul was “disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God” which grates against those who have a personal agenda as they build their own kingdom in lieu of being used to build Christ’s true Church (His people). The true biblical revelation of Jesus and miracles followed.

Paul had to take the true brethren out of the visible church of his day. They had to leave the church building and the deceivers who controlled it, in order to be free to obey and follow the LORD in preaching the original Gospel. As Jesus promised, He then confirmed His Word with signs following (Mk. 16:15-20) – “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Cor. 3:17)

The truth is always the occasion for division in that some will buy it and some won’t. Didn’t our LORD promise division? – “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matt. 10:34) Jesus told us to rejoice and be exceeding glad when these things happen!

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

Our Savior promised that His true disciples would be put out of the synagogues for adhering to His truth.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.” John 16:1-4

It is obvious that from the very earliest of years, the New Testament believers had to be separated from the “evil workers” who held the positions and power in the local churches (Phil. 3:1-3; 17-21). The truth is always resisted, especially by those wolves who have refused to lay down their lives and consequently possess a self-serving personal agenda (Acts 7:51-60). Those false teachers and false prophets Scripture so often warns us about, will always seek to kill the true disciples from whose mouths and lives the truth flow. Jesus is coming and is going to reward every man according to His own works (Matt. 16:27; Rev. 20:13). A man’s works reveal his true heart (Prov. 20:11).

Twisted Accusations

“…and Ahab (Israel’s king and Jezebel’s husband) went to meet Elijah. And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.” 1 Kings 18:16-18

Wow! Did you catch that twist? “Ahab (evil king) said unto him (the true prophet Elijah), Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” When Ahab accused Elijah of being in the wrong, Elijah replied: “I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.” As is usually the case, it was the one who had the office, power, position, and money that was not true to the LORD. King Ahab worked evil in the LORD’s sight as he forsook the Word. He then smoke screened his deceit by blaming the true prophet Elijah. This sound familiar? Incredibly, Ahab the deceiver who had ignored God’s Word and yet maintained his position of leadership over the people, accused a true disciple (Elijah) of being false by saying he was the one “that troubleth Israel.” The same is true today and O what brazen audacity deceivers possess! Remember Romans 2:1-2.

Unless there is the rare case where a God-fearing man who honors God’s Word as final authority is in leadership, there will inevitably be a stronghold of Satan. Jesus spoke of “the synagogue of Satan” which defines much of what we see in the modern church world where men rule while falsely claiming to be Christ’s representatives. They have usurped the place of Christ, the only “Head” of the true body and have intercepted the affections of men’s hearts, displacing them from Jesus onto themselves (Eph. 5:23; Col. 2:18-19; 3:1-3; Rev. 3:9-13).

This message from Holy Writ is sure to be confirming to what God is calling many to do – come out from among the rebels who now control the visible leadership positions in the local church buildings.

The LORD will be glorified to connect His special people in true fellowship with Him and one another as He ordained, so the Enemy has purposely corrupted the fellowship in the modern church houses to steal His glory (Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9).

Fellowship | What does the Assembling of Yourselves Together Mean?

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The Imperative of Private Prayer [podcast]

We must be aware of our prayers we throw up while they have no congruence with our personal life – when they are shot gun prayers void of the foundation of private prayer, private praying, and holy living.

Private prayer with God is an essential to set your life up for success.

Private prayer is essential to the disciple. Jesus reveals here that those who seek His face in prayer privately, will be used of Him publicly!

Are you at Christ’s feet? Do you live a life of prayer? Have you ever studied the life of Christ and beheld the many instances of His prayer life?

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Mark 1:35

“Solitary” simply means uninhabited.

If we want to assess our true spiritual state with God, we need only look to our prayer life or lack thereof. Show me a man’s prayer life, and I will show you who that man is! When God is truly first in a person’s life, all else will be demoted in importance!

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

Backsliding begins with neglect of our relationship, our prayer life, our life of prayer with our LORD and Savior.

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

I will either pray my way into glory, or I will not be there. Matthew 26:41

“Hebrews 10:22 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” This is how we are to come to God in prayer and fellowship. With a true, (honest) heart. That has been washed in the pure blood of Jesus! Confessing our sins so our conscience is clear. And we are cleansed from the filthiness of the flesh. Then we can come boldly before the throne of grace! Hebrews 4:16.” Karen Cochran

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I return to You now. Please forgive my sin of prayerlessness. Break me LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at safeguardyoursoul.com/store and amazon. English and Spanish.

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What Eternal Security Wolves Refuse to Teach [podcast]

THE 5 SINS THAT KEPT ISRAEL (God’s own covenant people) OUT OF THEIR PROMISED LAND OF BLESSINGS and will keep us out if not relinquished. Friend, please read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 with all your might. Make this text your meat.

The world seeks to romance sin but if God says it’s sin, that’s what it is. Toning down the terms changes nothing. Judgment Day is on the way.

We are fighting the good fight of faith, “striving against sin” and “more than conquerors” over sin through Jesus who loves us and bought us with His own blood! (1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 12:4; 13:12; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:37)

There are the 5 sins listed here that kept God’s people out of His blessings. We all need to L.I.F.T.M. up to the LORD in repentance and for His perfect forgiveness and cleansing. God the Holy Spirit warns us here through Paul’s pen (1 Cor. 10:1-13), that Israel and these sins are “examples” (vv. 6, 11) to all NT believers. God destroys those who go back on Him after knowing Him (transgressors – Ps. 68:21; 73:28; 125:5, etc.). If not ridden out of our lives, any one of these 5 sins WILL keep us out of our promised land. God is holy (Heb. 12:14). As taken in order from 1 Cor. 10:6-10, here are those 5 sins:

Lust
Idolatry
Fornication
Tempting Christ
Murmuring

This simple acronym should help us to remember these sins and remain separate from them as we grow today to know and love our Savior more fervently. “Keep thyself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22).

Committing the sin is one thing (1 John 1:8-10, right) and refusing to repent of it is yet another. Refusing to acknowledge, repent, confess, and cease is what snares the soul and ousts us from Christ (Proverbs 28:13).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

If the Holy Spirit has quickened any offences of your heart, simply L.I.F.T.M. up to Christ the Redeemer, Forgiver, Cleanser, and Transformer of lives.

Fornication Defiles

“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

1 Corinthians 10 completely destroys the OSAS / eternal security argument.

Notice the word “OUR” in verses 6 and 11. This is directly spoken to warn NEW Testament saints that they are going to hell if they live and die in sin.

Case closed.

1 Corinthians 10:1-12

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were OUR examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also LUSTED.

7 Neither be ye IDOLATERS, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit FORNICATION, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither MURMUR ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The cross. Christ raises up those who are crcified with Him – outside of which no man can overcome sin. Romans 6.

“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 a false teaching. 1 sin separated Adam and Eve from God and “The wages of sin is (still) death” because God is Holy (Rom 6:23, etc.). Moral coward counterfeits hate, despise the Gospel essential of the cross, the crucified life. They want Jesus to save them to Heaven but not from sin. These are the sin-justifying, grace-perverting “ungodly men” Jude warned us about (Jude 4).

The divine declaration that “The wages of sin is death” which means separation from God, appears throughout Scripture (Romans 6:23).

“He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.” Proverbs 19:16

Die or death always means separation.

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).

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9

“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 7:1

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3

“Psalms 51:1-19
Psalm 51: Sweet Perfumes of Penitence
Alexander Maclaren once said, ‘The alchemy of divine love can extract sweet perfumes of penitence and praise out of the filth of sin.’ We have an illustration of this in Psalm 51. As the heading explains, it was written by David after Nathan the prophet had boldly exposed him for committing adultery with Bathsheba and for murdering Uriah. Utterly convicted of his sin, David pours out this torrent of penitence from his broken and contrite heart.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Read and pray Psalm 51.

Prayer of Returning: Holy Father, You gave all when You gave Your only begotten Son who came and died for our sins. You’ve also called me to lay down my life, to lose my life in this fleeting world. I have not done well at giving over my life to You … You alone who are worthy of my full, unreserved worship. Right this moment I ask You to forgive my sin of having another god before You which is self idolatry and spiritual adultery. I have alienated the affections of my heart away from You LORD and onto myself. For this I ask You to forgive me and I right here and now turn to You Jesus. Right this moment I lay my life in Your holy hands LORD. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – my whole being. Not my will but Thine be done LORD Jesus! I am no longer my own. I am Yours. I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God. I love You Jesus and am ceaselessly grateful that You bought me with the price of Your own blood! You must increase but I must decrease. I ask You to unite my heart to fear Thy holy name! Teach me daily to lay myself aside and to give the reins over to You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Eternal Security/Once saved always saved is a lie from hell.

If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here: Born Again: What is It?

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HELL Awaits! SO YOU THINK YOU ARE ETERNALLY SECURE? WHO TOLD YOU THAT LIE? NOT GOD! IT SIMPLY DOESN’T MATTER HOW POPULAR A PREACHER IS – IF HE’S TEACHING SATAN’S FIRST LIE THAT CAUSED THE FALL OF THE HUMAN RACE – OSAS/ETERNAL SECURITY – HE’S A FALSE TEACHER, AN AGENT OF SATAN (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). OF COURSE he’s popular – he’s not preaching the cross but rather excuses for sin against a Holy God! RUN from that devil! You will be safe and eternally secure when you get to Heaven, not before. ARE YOU enduring sound doctrine today or walking […]

The Myth of Eternal Security [podcast]

“For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.” Psalms 73:27 BAD NEWS FOR CROSS-LESS COUNTERFEITS WHO HIDE BEHIND THE “ETERNAL SECURITY” SHAM: YOU WILL BE ETERNALLY SECURE WHEN AND IF YOU ARE WITH JESUS IN ETERNITY, NOT BEFORE! Can’t leave Christ after He saves you? Think again… dear one who continues to search for a way to justify your sin, for not truly repenting and laying down your life in this fleeting sinful world and overcoming (Luke 9:23-24; 14:27, 33; 17:33; 19:27; Titus 2:11-14; , etc.). All […]

Abiding

Purifying Ourselves even as He is Pure [podcast]

Ready or Not – Jesus is Coming

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3

Here’s how you know if you are ready to meet Jesus—whether by dying or His soon return. The context of the Bible verse above is the return of Jesus and being ready for it (1 John 2:24-3:3). Those who live for Christ long to see Him and look expectantly for His soon return. This world is not their
home.

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

God is holy and He says to …

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14

Holiness simply means pure, sanctified.

Clearing out everything that defiles us in His holy eyes is the sign that we are living in fervent expectation of our LORD’s return for His bride.

“His wife hath made herself ready”

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9

We see here again, the earmark fruit of the Heaven bound remnant of Christ, the bride of Christ – “his wife hath made herself ready.”

2 ways to purification

The precious blood of Jesus (Matthew 26:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7
The washing of water by the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26).

Washed in His Precious Blood

“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; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:18-19

The Washing of Water by the Word

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

Your present spiritual state is what matters most to God. In Ephesians 5:25-27 carefully note the state of the Church—the people for whom Jesus will soon return.

Those not purifying their lives (washing daily in the blood and water of His Word), do not live daily with the hope of Christ’s return.

Memorize 1 John 3:3 today.

“And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:17-19

Jesus warns us here of …

the cares of this world,
and the deceitfulness of riches
and the lusts of other things

We are “espoused” to Christ the Bridegroom. We are not yet married to Him and will not be if we are not purifying ourselves before Him (2 Corinthians 11:2).

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2

All 10 virgins in Jesus’ parable were engaged, invited to attend the the marriage, the wedding (Matthew 25:1-13). Only 5 of them made it in and the other 5 were rejected. Why?

One source summates the importance of the parable of the 10 virgins – where 5 made it and the other 5 were shut out.

“The parable of the ten virgins teaches about spiritual readiness for the return of Jesus Christ, with five wise virgins who prepared by bringing extra oil for their lamps and five foolish virgins who did not. The foolish virgins were turned away by the bridegroom when he arrived, as they were unprepared and missed the feast. The parable, found in Matthew 25:1-13, encourages constant vigilance and preparation for the unknown time of Christ’s coming.”

Here is a picture of our abiding fellowship and relationship with Jesus…..

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” Psalms 73:23-24

When your vessel is full of the oil of Heaven via fellowship, you will be purifying your life of everything that defiles you in His holy eyes, in the eyes of the Great Bridegroom.

We are no longer our own. We are Christ’s. He bought us, purchased us back to Himself and the Father with His blood.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“The flesh and spirit”

“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 7:1

Prayer: Father, I know You are holy and will have Your holy Bride whom Jesus died to purchase. Please purify my heart, mind and life of all that defiles. Make me holy dear LORD, as You alone can do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Loved this podcast. I think it was important to stress that women need to be submitted to their husbands as our country is infested with Jezebels. Who refuse to lay down their lives and submit to God and their husbands. Who can find a virtuous woman? Proverbs 31:10. Do men ask that question? And more importantly our relationship with our husbands is a direct result of our relationship with the Lord. If a woman is not submitted to Jesus she will never submit to her husband. It starts at the feet of Jesus. We must be like Mary. Bringing all of our alabaster box (ourselves) to Him. I love what Job says, ‘The root of the matter is found in me.’ Job 19:28. This is always true! If my husband or anyone else upsets me I must go before God and let Him search my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me! Psalm 139:23-24. And I can guarantee there is. It all starts with me!! Allowing God to purify and cleanse my heart. My heart!!” Karen Cochran

Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at STORE page and amazon. English and Spanish.

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