Titles and Trappings

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

9 Bible Passages to a New Life – And Deliverance from False Leaders who Elevate themselves in Place of Jesus

We see people running around calling themselves “doctor” and “bishop” and “prophet,” etc., and they don’t even know the Word. Think: If they had even cursory knowledge of God’s Word, and just a smidgen of conviction, would they be using a title to draw attention to themselves? No (Matthew 23:8-12).

It’s actually quite astounding to see how so many today trade in Christ and their own eternal souls for a cheap, temporary substitute just as Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of soup (Hebrews 12:14-17).

“Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away (remove you from His kingdom).” Job 32:21-22

IF you are calling yourself a prophet or apostle, you are not one! Repent!

Repent and drop the title. Jesus’ kingdom is about HIM, not you!

“Titles serve no purpose other than pandering to the flesh.” David Clifton

Make no mistake: Those using titles are doing so to bring attention to THEMSELVES and not the Savior!

“Reverend” appears just once in God’s Word and it’s speaking about HIM, not a man – “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is HISSSS name” (Psalms 111:9).

OTHER than the Hell bound “doctors of the law” Jesus lambasted, does the title “doctor” appear in God’s Word, Christ’s kingdom? No! Repent.

The gifts and callings of God are gifts and callings to serve and not titles to tout!

Make no mistake, idolatry of mere sinful men is soul-damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5-9, etc.). God is a jealous God – He says His very name is “Jealous” (Exodus 34:14).

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8

Jesus says “ye are all brethren” and teaches against the use of titles among His people since such elevates mere sinful men and steals the glory from Him who bled, was buried, and rose again.

It doesn’t matter WHO among us, Christ’s body, preaches the Word, it just needs to be preached! Jesus is the featured One, not any mere sinful man. “All ye are brethren” (Matthew 28:8-12). Concerning preaching, the Gospel writes: “Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed” (1 Corinthians 15:11).

You think you are an apostle or prophet? Read what Jesus taught in Matt 20:20-28; 23:8-12. Repent and stop calling yourself such. Shut your mouth and humbly serve!

We just don’t get it. We don’t begin to understand that He is everything and we are nothing. We have nothing good except Him – Christ! See Romans 7:18, 24. We don’t perceive that Jesus Christ, the LORD, is our only wealth – that He is our “Exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1).

“That no flesh should glory in his presence. … 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29, 31

— YES, there are gifts and callings and functions given by God to the members of His body but not in order to elevate themselves above Him. Certainly we must just listen to Christ and drop all titles (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4). Here’s a simple question: Why does a person use a title unless he is elevating himself? Why not use the title of “servant” or simply “disciple”? Those words are found all over Holy Scripture, so why not use them? Why O why can’t we just DO God’s will and work and leave the rest to Him? Why do we seek to draw attention to our sinful selves? Have we not the slightest clue from Scripture in our lives as to what Jesus says about humility, laying down our lives, becoming of no reputation, etc.? Think about this. Reason according to Scripture (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16). We are not to use titles and especially those not even designated in God’s Word as callings in the true body of Christ, such as the use of the word “doctor” which we see all around us today. The only doctors mentioned in the Word are religious pharisees who are not saved and who used their education (from men) and titles to oust Christ and elevate themselves above others unduly in order to manipulate and to exploit them for their own self-serving purposes (Matthew 23:8-12; Philippians 3:18-19).

Jesus taught against using titles. What title touters are doing is positioning themselves deceitfully over others by using any titles like “apostle” or “prophet.”

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12

1 Corinthians 3:21 “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;”

2 Corinthians 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

John 7:18 “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Galatians 6:14 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Regrettably, and according to Christ’s warnings, the overwhelming majority of men in leadership positions today are not there to simply glorify Christ but rather are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and that’s rather obvious in that their “God is their belly (self-serving carnal appettites),” and “who mind earthly things.” In other words, you don’t get the sense of Christ alone and eternity when you listen to them. The Holy Ghost is not involved because that man has put Jesus aside for the idolatry of building his own ministry or church business.

“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:18-21

Regrettably many today run around calling themselves prophets and apostles and bishops, etc.. They are quick to let you know just how wonderful THEY are. These are biblical callings (not titles) and yet we must not pump up ourselves but rather simply do the function of the divine calling. We must simply do the serving and not draw attention to ourselves with titles and the applause of mere men.

In Matthew 20:20-28 Jesus taught that He came to serve us and that we should go forth and serve others, not self. Unduly using and attaching titles to ourselves is under girded with the pride of life.

WHEN a man really repents, he will have no title to tout but only his own depravity and God’s mercy through Christ’s cross to celebrate! Memorize Titus 3:5-6. Posture of Dependency

God’s Not Impressed with Gifts

Recently the question of apostles, prophets, etc. came up:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12

Ephesians 4:11-12 … The question is, are these titles to be touted or simply functions to serve in? Matthew 20:24-28 right? It seems clear that most who call themselves “apostles” today are using this as a title to self promote…. which would make them “false apostles” which we are specifically warned about (2 Corinthians 11:13). This doesn’t mean there aren’t any apostles (messengers) today though, as you point out, they must be “known” (discerned) “by their fruit” (Matthew 7:15-16, 20). It seems obvious that there ARE elders in the form of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc., as Ephesians 4:11-12 was written decades after Pentecost, after the original 12 were selected by Christ. These are functions to serve in to be a blessing in humbly serving God by serving His people to perfect/mature/equip them, and not to build a ministry on how wonderful the man is. Jesus is “the apostle and high priest” of our salvation, right? See Hebrews 3:1.

The use of these callings to self-elevate is clear proof one is false. If someone is truly called out by Jesus to be an apostle, which simply means messenger, they aren’t using such a calling as a title to promote self or their ministry. Such would be in violation of what Jesus taught about using titles in specific:

Jesus teaches (Matthew 23):

8 “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

Greg Locke is a “false apostle”…. and the function, gift of an apostle comes with great suffering such as was the case for Paul. False apostles will never be seen going through what Paul and the other true apostles went through. The frauds of today don’t bear the marks of a true apostle. Genuine apostles today are too busy serving their LORD to stop and glory in what God never intended to be a place of self glory and glamour. Like all true servants, they humbly serve and all the glory goes to Jesus, not them.

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Feedback:

“I have heard plenty of people on TV insist that you refer to them by a title Pastor, Evangelist, Prophet, Prophetess, among others. I even heard one man who says he is a prophet go by master prophet because he said he put in the hours like when someone goes to school to earn their masters degree so he is to be called master prophet….what???? So serving God is compared with punching a clock and putting in time???? Another one said a woman approached her and called her sister so-andso, and she rebuked her saying it is prophetess so-and-so. SO much insisting on titles. I agree how about servant so- and-so” Stephanie J.

“Amen to this! Too many w!ant a title to elevate themselves above others ( i.e., Apostle, Pastor, Minister, Prophet, etc.). Personally, I choose ‘Sojourner’ as I am sojourning here on earth as Heaven is my home. I am a wanderer and bondservant of Christ. Humility is found through serving, not being served.” Turk B.

The High Treason of False Leaders [podcast]

PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach “Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:28 Did you catch what the apostle Paul did to prepare the church to meet Christ? Preach WARN Teach Letting God Speak for Himself “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 Bible truths/words you never hear from wolves: Repent, obedience, the cross – crucified life, holiness, judgment, eternal hell, the lake of fire, being spotless and ready for Christ’s […]

A Generation of False Prophets Unleashed [podcast]

“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” Proverbs 30:12 Why would any true child of God run around looking for “a word” or supposed vision from a mere human when they have THE very word of God – the Bible? “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets (false leaders) that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth (written Word) of the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:16 “I have […]

Are Christians to Mark False Prophets Publicly? [podcast]

Loving the Light and Exposing the Darkness Any man not guarding, not protecting Christ’s flock, by warning of false teachers and false doctrine, is himself a wolf! Jesus and His holy apostles often rebuked and exposed false leaders and false doctrine (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; 20:29-31; Galatians 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2:6, 15, etc.). Therefore we know that part of following Jesus includes doing the same. In fact, the body of Christ is mandated to do just that (Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:17; Jude 3-4). “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them (scope […]

Abiding

The Danger of Joining a Modern Church [podcast]

Fruit. Fruit. Fruit.

“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.” Matthew 12:33

Speaking of the pattern of one’s life, Jesus taught that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit. A bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus commanded His people to “know” which is to discern all “by their fruits”—to be fruit inspectors—first in their own lives and then in all others (1 Corinthians 11:31-32; 2 Corinthians 13:5).

Personally, I fail to find anywhere that Jesus or His apostles instructed any saints to “go find a local church and plug in.” Hebrews 10:25 is peddled by pastors today who seek a loyal following instead of seeking to fulfill their God-given duties to establish their hearers in the faith, to ground them in God’s Word, to equip them for the work of the ministry, etc.

“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

Read that again please. Does it say to find a church? No. Those who are born again ARE already God’s “church” which simply means His called out people. More biblically, should we not simply be His church—His people, daily? This seems to be the pattern we see among the earliest followers of Jesus (Acts 2:42-47; 5:42; Colossians 3:16, etc.).

The authentic remnant elect of Christ do not patronize or bid Godspeed to false leaders (2 John 9-11; Revelation 2:2).

Refusing to sit under, condone, bid Godspeed to the false gospel, false doctrines, false teachers and wolves of the modern church … is not forsaking the assembly! Instead, it’s obedience to God who mandates that we “mark them,” that we “earnestly contend” against them, and warns us that anyone who bids Godspeed to them will be punished with them (Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3; 2 John 10-11).

If you are prone to cite Hebrews 10:25 to advocate for going to church weekly, consider where you learned that. In churches, right? Funny you probably don’t even have 10 Bible verses memorized and yet, to the benefit of the pastor, you know that one. What does this tell us? What does this reveal? What’s wrong with this picture?

What happens when people get loyal to a local church especially in this late hour where great apostasy was foretold? Here are a few obvious things that happen when someone “joins a church.”

Most people who join churches today are not even born again, are not told they must repent and believe on Jesus to be born again. They become proud of their pastor and friends at that gathering (Zechariah 11:17).
Church members are not learning the Word of God itself because they are simply being led by a wolf who is fostering their allegiance toward himself, not Christ (Colossians 2:8-10, 18-19; 3:1-4).
They are not becoming soul winners (Proverbs 11:30; Luke 19:10).
Attenders of modern churches are seldom if ever taught, established with personal knowledge of the Scriptures, the paramount truth that God’s Word itself is the final divine authority on all matters of the Christian faith and the practice of it (Deuteronomy 4:10; Psalms 119; 138:2; Isaiah 40:8; Mark 13:31; John 10:35; Romans 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
The Bible message, warning to “love not the world” is seldom or never heard. Those who live worldly are separated from God (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17).
Fake pastor do not teach people to get into God’s Word for themselves and so church attenders today are not in the Word daily for themselves which is by satanic design and therefore have no biblical foundation (Psalms 11:3; Matthew 7:19-29; 2 Timothy 2:15).
When do we hear in modern churches that Jesus Christ is the Grand Subject of all of Holy Scripture? We don’t (Psalms 40:7-8; Luke 24:25-27, 44-46; John 5:39-40; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
They are never taught the value God places upon good works in those He saves by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 1:16; 3:8; 1 John 2:4).
The Great Commission Jesus gave to His people is never mentioned and when it is, they’ve turned it into just another way of promoting themselves, their own brand, ministry (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47; Book of Acts).
They are not being equipped “for the work of the ministry” which is the duty being carried out by every authentic overseer of Christ’s church (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1-6).
Never taught in the modern churches is the fact that God holds each person He saves personally responsible, personally accountable for following Jesus daily (Deuteronomy 24:16; Joshua 24:14-15; Luke 21:34-36; 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 12:14; Revelation 2-3, etc.).
Modern day church members are not in the Word for themselves and the pastors have led them to this biblical illiteracy because they are building a church busine$$ and dumb people are easy prey/targets to rob (Isaiah 9:16; 56:8-12; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 23; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4, etc.).
Church goers are barely or never heard the essential cross message which Jesus requires to follow Him (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; Colossians 3:3, etc.).
They are never warned of going to hell if they die in sin (Ezekiel 33:12-13; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Hebrews 3:6; 10:26-39; Revelation 21:8, 27).
They are never taught that God is “Holy, holy, holy” and that He requires that those who are His be holy as He is holy (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8).
Those who attend a church are never informed that only those who overcome sin and Satan will be with Jesus eternally which is exactly what Christ told each and every one of the seven churches of Asia minor (Revelation 2-3).
They are never taught that saving grace without exception results in the saved living according to the Scripture: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11-12).
Members are taught the demonic lie of eternal security/once saved always saved , which is Satan’s first teaching and irrefutably led to the fall of mankind in the Garden (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
The mountains of warnings in Scripture are intentionally hidden from the congregational dupes who are willingly biblically ignorant, having rejected the knowledge/Word of God (Ezekiel 3:7; Hosea 4:6; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Colossians 1:28; Jude 3-4, etc.).
Most church members are not taught that only those who remain in Christ after being saved will be with Him eternally (Matthew 25:1-13; John 15:6; Romans 11:20-22, etc.).
Modern church attenders are seldom if ever warned to come out from this sinful world in the way they live (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).
They are lukewarm which means hell bound if they don’t repent (Luke 3:15-16).
The original Gospel essential, the command to “repent” is never heard, even though it was the very first word spoken by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostle Peter in their ministries (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30).
Modern church members are merely a participant of a “Christian” social club seen nowhere in Scripture (Cp. Acts 2:42-47).
Their loyalty and allegiance is toward the pastor, singing group, and fellow congregants (Proverbs 21:16).
They are never taken through the volumes of Holy Scripture where God judged His very own people who backslid (Numbers 16; 25; Romans 11:20-22; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12; Hebrews 3-4; Jude 1).
Church members are taught to become dependent on their church affiliation, connection, and attendance and not the LORD (Matthew 15:8).
They are not daily seeking the face of the LORD (1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 27:4, 8; 57:7; 63:8; Matthew 6:33; Luke 9:23-24).
Seminarian led church members are seldom if ever taught that for eternal glory with Him Jesus requires the decisive cutting off of the hand and plucking out of the eye of any sin that defiles them in the eyes of a holy God (Mark 9:43-49).
When the Bible is literally read, 99% of the time it’s from a vatican corrupted fake “bible.”
Most are barely if at all different from any lost soul around them in their daily life (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
Due to their own refusal to truly repent and walk with Jesus daily, they were sent strong delusion, are in darkness and deception, and therefore “remain in the congregation of the dead” (Proverbs 21:16).

“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.” Psalms 89:7

The words “leader” and “leaders” appear 6 times (total) in God’s Word. It is always to be in context of servant leading (Matthew 20:20-28; 23:8-12; 1 Peter 5:1-6). In the following and most popular times “leaders” is used, it’s in the negative, as in false “leaders.”

“For the LEADERS of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16

“Let them alone: they be blind LEADERS of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew 15:14

They love their darkness rather than the light of His truth and therefore craft, they erect the image of a false god in their wicked unrepentant hearts.

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

“Jeremiah 7. The people were wicked and evil, placing their trust in the temple, instead of God, and believing their religious activities would be pleasing to the Lord. But they were committing all kinds of sins, deluding themselves into thinking that they were secure. God said, I will cast you out of my sight! And instructed Jeremiah not to pray for them. They refused to obey the Lord God nor receive correction, and the truth had perished, so God said, I will cut them off from my mouth! Wow! Isn’t this exactly what we are seeing in this late hour? There comes a time when the Lord has had enough and cuts them off! And judgment falls upon those who don’t want the truth.” Karen Cochran

Is Church Membership Biblical? [podcast]

Churchianity vs Christianity Many use the term “very involved in church” instead of deeply rooted and in love with Jesus Christ. See the difference? Beware. Christ Jesus is your identity. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14 What is your identity? Why have you chosen such to be that which you identity with? Most pastors make a big deal out of belonging to some organization, church, or group—because this puts them in charge—instead of Jesus. Beware. […]

Giving Heed to Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils - Apostasy [podcast]

IF you believe false doctrine, you have demons. “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 So you are listening to some slick talker preach and yet he’s not using the essential BIBLE doctrinal words like hell, repentance, holiness, the cross, the blood of Jesus, the return of Christ, etc? Repent and RUN! DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOUR “CHURCH” OR FAVORITE PREACHER? It’s real simple… if they […]

What’s Wrong with the Modern Church World? [podcast]

Is Church Membership Biblical? State of the Earliest Disciples of Jesus It’s more than obvious that local churches today are about EVERYTHING EXCEPT JESUS. If you don’t see this, that only proves how Satan has used this system of rebellion called “the church” to blind you to the true Gospel, plan, and will of God. Anyone who doesn’t see that most pastors are preaching a false Gospel, do not know the true Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:2-5; Galatians 1:6-9). It’s amazing how we learn to truly begin to trust and walk with the LORD when we leave the modern church system. […]

The Truth about Tradition and Church Membership [podcast]

Is Church Membership Biblical? Godly and Ungodly Tradition and True and False Church Membership YOU KNOW you are in a fake church when they have “membership classes” to get you to join yet spend little or no time preaching the Word on the necessity of repentance, forsaking your life in this world, denying self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus daily! Run! Membership means money to them! They have a busine$$ plan. “Prove (test) all things; hold fast (keep and do) that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Of the 13 times we find the word “tradition(s)” in Scripture, only twice […]

Biblical Case Against Seminary [podcast]

SATAN’S SEMINARIANS [podcast] Satanic Seminarian System People have to be first indoctrinated in order to go forth and indoctrinate others, their prey. This is the purpose of seminarians. What could possibly sound more innocent than a man wanting to serve God going to seminary, right? BEWARE OF THE SEMINARIANS WHO ARE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES OF OUR DAY! Satan loves to use that which sounds noble and spiritual and yet is not biblical. There are no seminaries in the New Testament! And it’s not biblical for a good reason. God’s Divine wisdom. To protect His body. Let’s stay with the […]

Abiding

Jesus Conquered Sin, Satan, and Death by Dying [podcast]

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15

Through death Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan and made His people free, washing away their sins in His precious blood and putting His Holy Spirit in them, empowering them to live fruit-filled victorious lives to His eternal glory!

Christ’s resurrection guarantees our resurrection – both now and for eternnity. Those raised up with Christ now are those who are crucified with Him. This is His holy “remnant.” (Isaiah 37:31; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15, etc.).

Jesus conquered sin and death (separation) by dying on His cross. Because of this, we need never live outside of an abiding relationship with Christ. His grace is sufficient to provide everything He died to purchase for us – and all these blessings are appropriated via our faith, our abiding in Him (John 15; Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26, etc.).

In order to be raised up, to walk in His resurrection power and grace, we must first be dead and buried with Christ.

“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7

***ALL Heaven’s going to break out when this hits you in the heart, when your heart perceives this cross economy divine revelation.

Finishing Strong mean Finishing Crucified and Resurrected

HOW will you finish? It’s really how you finish that matters most! (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Finish strong beloved – lay down your life, death and burial, so that the strength of your life is Christ’s resurrection grace! (See 2 Corinthians 12:9-10) Go down deep.

“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:” Isaiah 37:31

Read the verse above again, looking for the death, the burial, and raising up!

The context Isaiah 37:31 concerns Assyria seeking to seize Judah and yet out of that evil attempt to conquer God’s people came a “remnant.” Yet it’s those who submitted to the LORD in death, those who took root downward (death and burial) who were reciprocally raised up out of that snare and destruction. Resurrection grace wins every time, with no exception! The cross is the divine prescription for absolute victory in every situation.

God counteracts death by the promise of resurrection – now and in eternity! (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

The depth you allow God to bury you determines the height of His resurrection, His raising up in your life! (See 2 Corinthians 4:10-12)

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:17-21

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6

“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

Learning the Cross, the Crucified Life Where Jesus Reigns

The Myth of Elevation without the Cross [podcast]

THE CROSS: Know it. Live it. Preach it. God will never lift up those who stand in their pride but only those who bow before Him in humility (Psalms 145:14; James 4:6-10, etc.). Running to a “revival” is not the answer. The reason people run to a “revival” is due to their refusal to deny self, take up the cross daily, and thereby be re-vived (filled with life!) daily – experiencing the resurrection of Christ each day in their personal lives as God has ordained (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). A cross-less life is a life of defeat. A life in […]

H.O.T. BIBLE STUDY [podcast]

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 So very many today are deceived due to not studying God’s Word for themselves. They live for years with erroneous notions men told them. Instead of repenting and getting into the Word for themselves, many of them go to their graves having embraced soul-damning lies. HOW do you know if someone is imposing something upon the Scripture text they are reading from IF you haven’t personally, organically, thoroughly studied the whole of God’s Word for […]

The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study [podcast]

To study the Bible organically means simply to study God’s Word without the undue influence, the taintings of mere men! God’s Word is your life (Proverbs 4:20-23). The Word is your “daily bread” and your life depends on knowing and obeying it (Matthew 6:11). Knowing and adhering to Holy Scripture is your protection (Proverbs 30:5-6). “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protection) unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6 RECENTLY: In a very engaging fellowship […]

Articles

JT with Todd Tomasella of SAFEGUARD YOURSOUL – Evangelism Encouragement [video]

Joe Telford and Todd Tomasella – Evangelism Encouragement

Evangelism [study guide]

Evangelism (PDF) (Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.) “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38 God so loved […]

Ten Commandments Evangelism [podcast]

Use the 10 Commandments to bring conviction to the consciences of the lost and backslidden. THAT’s exactly how New Testament saints are instucted to use the Law. Do you have them memorized? Do it now. GOSPEL/KINGDOM TRUTH: People must become convicted of their sin before they are broken and shown the need to repent. This truth is essential to successful ministering. Gal 3:24; 1 Tim 1:7-10; Ps 19:7 … You cannot and will never talk anyone into being saved. You don’t have that power. God does. And He instructs us to give them the divine sword which cuts straight […]

Kingdom Breaking! 5 Souls Saved! Live Action of Jesus! [podcast]

KINGDOM BREAKING: The work of God through His born again “ambassadors” who are about the “Father’s business”, is the infinitely most important and only eternal work transpiring on the earth. Nothing even remotely compares (Matthew 9:35-38; Luke 2:49; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20). After hearing the extensive preaching of the Word of our God (see podcast above), 5 souls repented before God and received Christ as the LORD of their lives! Also, all the believers present asked our LORD to fill, to baptize them with His Holy Spirit and to use them mightily (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 37-39; 8:14-17; 19:1-6, etc.). (keep in […]