Still receiving good traffic on this hub.
http://glendoncaba.hubpages.com/hub/The-Story-Behind-the-Hymn--Jesus-Keep-Me-Near-the-Cross
Glendon
Hello World from Mandeville Jamaica
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Monday, December 5, 2011
Read this study to understand law vs grace
Here is the link on hubpages
http://glendoncaba.hubpages.com/hub/Understanding-2-Corinthians-3
http://glendoncaba.hubpages.com/hub/Understanding-2-Corinthians-3
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sermon: The Greatest Thirst of Our Lord
The Greatest Thirst of Our Lord
332 Crimson wave
336 There is a fountain
John 19:18
*Les Brown tells story of going to
radio station to seek job from Mr Butterball.
No vacancy. Turned up next day
and next. Till owner got fed up and said
boy go get me some coffee. Became errand
boy. Driving guests, no license. One day Rock the DJ was drinking and could
not keep going so boss called him Les r u there. Yes. Rock can’t go on. I know.
Go play some music. He must be
joking.
Les called up family. I’m about to come on the air.
And he launched his radio career that
day with passion. Les said “I was
hungry”
Physical hunger and thirst but
mental one.
Passion. Drive.
Thirst for accomplishing something wonderful. Something excellent. For my Maker and my King who suffered so much
for me and who offers in his suffering something new and different to that which
we have in our communities.
Peace.
Love. Joy.
Not the kind from ball of coke or
perfume at the end of spliff.
Under his wings
Under his wings
This gospel of the kingdom must be preached,
must be sung
To all world and then shall the end
come.
Some who have forgot the songs they
used to sing.
So many who say they used to come
to church.
There is a need to reach these lost
coins, lost sheep and lost boys and girls.
Time is running out on us in the
toenails of history. But to make from Paradise Lost to Paradise restored,
to sing with the holy choir in the New Jerusalem we have to pass by Calvary.
I Thirst
Author: Bev LowryCopyright: Homeward Bound Music (BMI). Used by permission.
Album: High and Lifted Up (1993)
1. One day I came to Him, I was so thirsty
I asked for water, my throat was so dry
He gave me water that I have never dreamed of
But for this water, my Lord had to die
(Chorus)
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the rivers
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the sea
“I thirst,” said the King of the Ages
In His great thirst, He brought water to me
2. Now there’s a river that flows as clear as crystal
It comes from God’s throne above
And like a river, it wells up inside me
Bringing mercy, and life-giving love
Repeat Chorus (twice)
TAG:
In His great thirst, He brought water to me
Look again at our Friend and Savour.
Look at the supreme moment of grace
and judgment.
For the Christian, Calvary is the centre
of who we are as a people.
We are duty bound to study and
meditate on the passion of our Lord on a regular basis and find in it lessons
old and new to keep us going and motivate us in this journey.
I.
Jesus
our Crucified Redeemer is Thirsty for Water
Why is Jesus thirsty?
1) Godman
is suffering for the lost race. And
feels literal thirst. As part of agony
he is going through for you and for me.
Pain. Thirst.
Not to mention the
beatings. Whipping.
Movie the Passion
of the Christ could very well be renamed the beating of the Christ.
Day of loss of
blood and water.
Suffering is the
lot of the faithful, there is blessing it suffering with Christ.
"this is the most dangerous trial of
all, when there is no trial and everything is and goes well; for then a man is
tempted to forget God, to become too bold and to misuse the times of
prosperity"
— Martin Luther (A Treatise on Good Works)
— Martin Luther (A Treatise on Good Works)
II.
Jesus
Our Crucified Redeemer is Thirsty for Divine Comforting Presence of God
When Godhead is together Jesus is source of Water of Life. Now sin is bringing separation and thirst is
cosmic.
What a mystery.
But in this is salvation.
For in that moment of separation i is connecting me with God.
Psalm 42 David in hiding cannot
go to sanctuary and equates presence of God with going to church so in wilderness
he looks around and sees the hart.
“As the hart panteth for water brooks so he longs for God.”
We ought to daily pray for hunger
and thirst after righteousness that we will be filled.
Hunger and thirst not for sinful
delights, not for unclean words and, but for holiness and ethical living.
“You alone are my heart desire and
I want to worship thee.”
Bless the Lord
O my soul
And all that is within me
Bless Hi holy name
David says, “When shall I come and
appear before God?”
He longs for company of saints on
holy days and cant.
We take this privilege and the freedom for granted but it is only for a time.
2) Thirsting
too for the comforting presence of the Father because he is slipping closer and
closer to a death for my sins and yours.
Pushing Him farther and farther away from the presence of Father. Blocking out the glory of Father. Sin is doing its work and he is feeling forsaken,
hungry and thirsty.
Ten thousand angels would have come
with waters from the river of life.
For he could have called ten thousand
angels.
But ten thousand angels had to fold
their wings for they know
Because of the victory won by that
thirst
Angels will not know the joy that
my salvation bring
They watch the vindication of the
law of God and of grace when they see innocent blood shed for sin that
character of sin might be revealed and God’s character of love and justice
shines through
But it is for me He is thirsty.
He endures the thirst that I CANT
endure that I may drink from streams of
living water.
Woman of Samaria knows.
Read John 4:13,14.
What did he tell Martha:
25 Jesus said to her, “I
am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even
though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never
die. Do you believe this?”
For in the great paradox of the
gospel story in his thirst he has won victory which now offers us water.
George W Reid formerly of biblical Research Institute”
QUOTE
in Christ's atonement a monumental price was paid, not
in crass commercial terms, but to accomplish reconciliation between us as
fallen sinners and our righteous God, to set us right with God. "For if
while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much
more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life" (Rom.
5:10).
Before a watching universe God demonstrated once for all how far He would go to make possible redemption of lost sinners. In this extension of His love is revealed the manner in which His sacrifice partakes of ransom qualities.
We must never forget that it was our God who initiated our rescue, who reached out to us. "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself" (2 Cor. 5:18). And He continues to reach out to us today. When we accept His merciful invitation, we walk in the certainty of salvation guaranteed by His death and resurrection.
In one brief sentence Paul probes the depths of what it means for God to love. "But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).
Before a watching universe God demonstrated once for all how far He would go to make possible redemption of lost sinners. In this extension of His love is revealed the manner in which His sacrifice partakes of ransom qualities.
We must never forget that it was our God who initiated our rescue, who reached out to us. "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself" (2 Cor. 5:18). And He continues to reach out to us today. When we accept His merciful invitation, we walk in the certainty of salvation guaranteed by His death and resurrection.
In one brief sentence Paul probes the depths of what it means for God to love. "But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).
UNQUOTE
See him earlier at the feast of
Tabernacles.
Desire of
AGES
At the first dawn of day, the
priests sounded a long, shrill blast upon their silver trumpets, and the
answering trumpets, and the glad shouts of the people from their booths,
echoing over hill and valley, welcomed
Page 449
The festal day. Then the priest dipped from the
flowing waters of the Kedron a flagon of water, and, lifting it on high, while
the trumpets were sounding, he ascended the broad steps of the temple, keeping
time with the music with slow and measured tread, chanting meanwhile, "Our
feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem." Ps. 122:2.
He bore the flagon to the altar,
which occupied a central position in the court of the priests. Here were two
silver basins, with a priest standing at each one. The flagon of water was
poured into one, and a flagon of wine into the other; and the contents of both
flowed into a pipe which communicated with the Kedron, and was conducted to the
Dead Sea. This display of the consecrated water represented the fountain that
at the command of God had gushed from the rock to quench the thirst of the
children of Israel. Then the jubilant strains rang forth, "The Lord
Jehovah is my strength and my song;" "therefore with joy shall ye
draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isa. 12:2, 3.
Day after day He taught the
people, until the last, "that great day of the feast." The morning of
this day found the people wearied from the long season of festivity. Suddenly
Jesus lifted up His voice, in tones that rang through the courts of the temple:
"If any man thirst, let him
come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said,
out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." The condition of the
people made this appeal very forcible. They had been engaged in a continued
scene of pomp and festivity, their eyes had been dazzled with light and colour,
and their ears regaled with the richest music; but there had been nothing in
all this round of ceremonies to meet the wants of the spirit, nothing to
Page 454
satisfy the thirst of the soul for that which
perishes not. Jesus invited them to come and drink of the fountain of life, of
that which would be in them a well of water, springing up unto everlasting
life.
The priest had that morning
performed the ceremony which commemorated the smiting of the rock in the
wilderness. That rock was a symbol of Him who by His death would cause living
streams of salvation to flow to all who are athirst. Christ's words were the
water of life. There in the presence of the assembled multitude He set Himself
apart to be smitten, that the water of life might flow to the world. In smiting
Christ, Satan thought to destroy the Prince of life; but from the smitten rock
there flowed living water. As Jesus thus spoke to the people, their hearts
thrilled with a strange awe, and many were ready to exclaim, with the woman of
Samaria, "Give me this water, that I thirst not." John 4:15.
He gave us to drink water of life
from the rock, and we have give him gall and vinegar.
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the rivers.
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the sea.
“I thirst,” said the King of the Ages.
In His great thirst, He brought water to me.
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the sea.
“I thirst,” said the King of the Ages.
In His great thirst, He brought water to me.
(Let us use the time wisely because
Christ is full of the third thirst of the soul.)
III.
Jesus
Our Crucified Redeemer is Thirsty for Souls to be Saved
God’s people need to have a hunger
a thirst for harvest of souls.
From a wonderful sermon “I Thirst”
at bible centre.com I found the following illustration
While on the cross,
Jesus was certainly physically thirsty and dehydrated. However, in the spiritual sense, Jesus'
greatest thirst…His greatest desire…is for us to be saved.
On March 5, 1994, Deputy Sheriff Lloyd Prescott was teaching a class for
police officers in the Salt Lake City Library.
As he stepped into the hallway he noticed a gunman herding 18 hostages
into the next room. With a flash of
insight, Prescott (dressed in street clothes) joined the group as the
nineteenth hostage, followed them into the room, and shut the door. But when the gunman announced the order in
which hostages would be executed, Prescott identified himself as a cop.
In the scuffle that followed, Prescott, in self-defence, fatally shot
the armed man. The hostages were
released unharmed.
Likewise, Jesus, dressed himself in street clothes, entered into our
world, and freed us from our captor, On
the cross, Jesus died, and delivered us from our hostage taker…Satan.
My friends, Jesus gave
everything He had to free us from our sins.
His greatest thirst is for you and me to be saved.
Consequently, Jesus Is Thirsty for Your Sacrifice of Time and
Commitment to Seek the Lost
And the lost are right around you
in your city and beyond.
1. What
if there were no branch Sabbath schools?
What if we were in countries where we could only have house churches? Where bible is forbidden. Would you with a thirst so Christly from the
Christ of Calvary take the hope of salvation to your friends, your family, your
neighbour, your co-worker.
2. This
outreach here needs your thirst. We are
blessed with the presence of Loving Saviour.
But we need your help. In the
book of Judges Deborah rebukes Meroz for not coming to help of Lord against
mighty. Busy with business, farms, their
personal zones of comfort never came to help of Barak against Sisera. Let it not be said of you.
Come to the waters provided by the
Man who cried “I thirst”.
In the words
of EG White, a messenger of the Lord:
“The cry of Christ to the thirsty
soul is still going forth, and it appeals to us with even greater power than to
those who heard it in the temple on that last day of the feast. The fountain is
open for all. The weary and exhausted ones are offered the refreshing draught
of eternal life. Jesus is still crying, "If any man thirst, let him come
unto Me, and drink." "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever
will, let him take the water of life freely." "Whosoever drinketh of
the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall
give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting
life." Rev. 22:17; John 4:14.”
|
King
James Version Isaiah 55
|
|
1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the
waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine
and milk without money and without price.
2Wherefore do ye spend money for that
which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?
hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your
soul delight itself in fatness.
3Incline your ear, and come unto
me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant
with you, even the sure mercies of David.
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the rivers.
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the sea.
“I thirst,” said the King of the Ages.
In His great thirst, He brought water to me.
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the sea.
“I thirst,” said the King of the Ages.
In His great thirst, He brought water to me.
Do you
long for peace and sweet rest
To drink
of waters of hope and love and life
Come
today for there is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from
Immanuel’s veins
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the rivers
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the sea
“I thirst,” said the King of the Ages
In His great thirst, He brought water to me
2. Now there’s a river that flows as clear as crystal
It comes from God’s throne above
And like a river, it wells up inside me
Bringing mercy, and life-giving love
(Chorus)
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the rivers
He said, “I thirst,” yet He made the sea
“I thirst,” said the King of the Ages
In His great thirst, He brought water to me
Friday, May 8, 2009
Sermon on Enoch
I have preached the following sermon twice in recent months. The material towards the end is from Mark Finley's seminar. I would love to preach it again using the Hebrews text as the key text and focus only on righteousness by faith.
Enoch
574: O Master let me walk with thee
108: Amazing Grace
Genesis 5:21-24
Hebrews 11:5,6
*The story of Shay, sacrifice for joy of one disabled little boy to have a happy day. Character, love.
People can be noble and loving. The story of Enoch reminds us that we can cultivate a noble character by the grace of God.
Enoch did not die. He walked with God so much one day God said just come over my house and don’t bother to go back to earth.
Translated = changed from mortal to immortal and taken to heaven. Only one other human being on this planet it happened to and that was Elijah the prophet.
Scripture teach that Moses died and experienced a special resurrection, a first fruit of those righteous who will be resurrected at the last day.
Enoch. What a life it was.
Enoch walked with faith
Enoch walked with holiness
Enoch walked with God
In the lawless and decadent age in which we live we often wonder if the Son of man will find faith when He comes. Will we and our children be able to walk in faith, holiness, and righteousness before God at the end of the ages?
I give you today the testimony of Enoch
I. Enoch was translated because by the grace of God he walked with faith
He lived just like us in a rapidly growing ungodly population. While the world wicked majority had no use for God, Enoch walked with faith in God.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is substance of unseen. Evidence. Believe. God is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
God who reveals Himself to us through word
Nature still occluded by thorns and thistles glorious sunset, and rippling streams and red roses that remind us of beauty of Creation week.
Faith he who will live Godly will suffer persecution.
Faith enduring faith that says hold on this is darkest hour is just before dawn.
Faith that says though all men should forsake thee by thy grace I’ll follow thee.
Faith that wrestle like Jacob and say I will nor let thee go unless you bless me.
Faith that says when the going gets tough the tough gets going on his knees. Claim promises of Lord Almighty.
Faith is best formed in the fires of affliction, distress, and struggle.
With this kind of Enoch faith lay hold of grace of God we are able to resist temptation.
*Story of visiting a metallurgical workshop and supervisor kept going from furnace to furnace and asked what are you doing. Heat the furnace and know the silver is pure when see my face reflected in it. Jesus will keep allowing heat to turn up until we reflect His character inn our daily relations for he is looking for holiness in our lives.
II. Secondly, Enoch was translated because by the grace of God he walked with holiness.
Enoch’s life showed that it was possible to keep God’s commands and resist temptation, even in a world of corruption and rebellion.
A. The decision begins in the mind.
B. Little actions that count, lets get them right in the spirit of the law.
C. Willpower is important but willpower alone can’t do it, we need to lay hold of God’s enabling grace.
a. Grace gives pardon
b. Grace also gives power. Holy Spirit power.
c. KEN MCFARLAND in his book The Called the Chosen puts it this way “since the virus of sin – of selfishness- will always lurk inside us here on earth, not to be removed till Christs second coming, we will always need twofold grace.” P.37.
John Newton: A wretched slave ship captain driven to his knees after a violent storm in which he asked jesus for rescue felt love of Jesus and the recognition of his sin in face of such awesome love eventually wrote:
108: Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
John Newton gave his heart to jesus and became a preacher of the gospel.
Grace is available.
And remember that God will not allow you to be tempted more than you can bear.
Song says He will never
Put more on you
Can you can bear.
Never
Never
So what ever comes remember you can be pure
You can be holy
You can obey
Claim the presence of His Holy spirit
For he never put more on you
Never, Never Put more on you
Than you can bear
(But there's more)
III. Thirdly, Enoch was translated because by the grace of God Enoch walked with God.
* Psalm 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in counsel of unGodly….
A. Enoch demonstrated that there is a way to walk with God.
i. Walked by faith and not by sight, for all around Enoch was evil, but he kept on keeping company with God.
ii. Walk after the spirit. A spiritual walk. Associate with God. Take time for Jesus, He took time for you.
Prayer. Meditation.
God wants to pour his love into you and a bigger vision of your calling.
*Story of plane spreading fertiliser. Bought by pilot. Fly. See what plane can do. Higher heights. Gods ideal for His children.
Enoch blessed with spirit of prophecy.
Through holy angels God revealed to Enoch His purpose to destroy the world by a flood, and He also opened more fully to him the plan of redemption. By the spirit of prophecy He carried him down through the generations that should live after the Flood, and showed him the great events connected with the second coming of Christ and the end of the world. {Patriarchs and Prophets 85.5}
Jude 14, 15.
iii. Walk of obedience.
iv. Walk of love.
1. Let’s talk about love. Esteeming and placing great affection on something or someone. Love can change you. Love ennobles you. Love is kind. Love suffers long.
2. Romantic love, brotherly love. Godly love. Great virtues of love faith and grace combine in heart of righteous.
3. Love for child Methuselah awakened noble virtues in heart of Enoch, love of God and appreciation of God love for him we are all Gods children
“ But after the birth of his first son, Enoch reached a higher experience; he was drawn into a closer relationship with God. He realized more fully his own obligations and responsibility as a son of God. And as he saw the child's love for its father, its simple trust in his protection; as he felt the deep, yearning tenderness of his own heart for that first-born son, he learned a precious lesson of the wonderful love of God to men in the gift of His Son, and the confidence which the children of God may repose in their heavenly Father. The infinite, unfathomable love of God through Christ became the subject of his meditations day and night; and with all the fervor of his soul he sought to reveal that love to the people among whom he dwelt.”
PATRIARCHS & PROPHETS P.84
God in the family what a happy home
Christian home great witness for gospel. Pray for one another to have happy loving homes.
v. Walk of faith is a walk of witness for God in every sphere of life.
Enoch's walk with God was not in a trance or vision, but in all the duties of his daily life. He did not become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from the world; for he had a work to do for God in the world. In the family and in his intercourse with men, as a husband and father, a friend, a citizen, he was the steadfast, unwavering servant of the Lord. {PP 85.1}
“O master let me walk with thee as Enoch walk in days of old…..
B. The amazing story of Enoch gives us hope to prepare for the final crisis because it demonstrates that there is a reward for whose who walk with God.
a. Righteous have a final reward and wicked a final punishment.
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8. For three hundred years Enoch had been seeking purity of soul, that he might be in harmony with Heaven. For three centuries he had walked with God. Day by day he had longed for a closer union; nearer and nearer had grown the communion, until God took him to Himself. He had stood at the threshold of the eternal world, only a step between him and the land of the blest; and now the portals opened, the walk with God, so long pursued on earth, continued, and he passed through the gates of the Holy City--the first from among men to enter there.
{PP 87.3}
…As Enoch was translated to heaven before the destruction of the world by water, so the living righteous will be translated from the earth before its destruction by fire. Says the apostle: "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump." "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God;" "the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." "The dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. {PP 88.3}
Jesus said:
Notice carefully: every human being will be resurrected or awakened from sleep at one of the two resurrections. Jesus’ words are clear. “All who are in the graves shall hear His voice.” Then our Lord describes the two resurrections: 1) The resurrection of life, 2) The resurrection of condemnation. Revelation 20:6 says, “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.”
Two things are taught here. By identifying this as the first resurrection, God lets us know there will be a second one. And, by specifying that those raised in the first resurrection are the faithful dead, the blessed and holy, we also learn that the rest of the dead, the unfaithful, are raised at some later time.
What happens to those who rise in the first resurrection? Let’s read on in verse 6: “Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
The story of faithful Enoch shows us persuades us, inspires us with hope for about believers who are living when Christ comes. The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns, the dead in Christ are resurrected first and caught up to meet him in the sky. The living righteous are changed, transformed and they also rise up to meet Christ. Paul gives us a wonderful assurance:
“We shall all be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
But when we look up and see Jesus coming, we’ll be changed in an instant, transformed in a moment. New life will pulsate through our bodies with incredible energy and vitality! We rise up into the air toward a glorious destiny with our Redeemer.
But what about the wicked? What about the unrighteous who rejected God’s love?
Those are the people described in Revelation 6:15-17. They pray for the rocks to fall on them. They look up and don’t see a Savior; they only see wrath, the face of a disappointed Father, grieving over the fate of rebellious children. That’s what fear and guilt and rebellion do to people. They see the Lamb of God coming and think they’re seeing a lion.
These are people God wanted to save. These are people for whom Christ died. But they just didn’t respond to His appeals. They refused to be rescued. They refused to accept the message of salvation.
Tragically enough, many people find the Good News not to be good news at all. Paul writes:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
It’s the same message, but it is received very differently depending on a person’s response to God’s appeals. To some it’s just a foolish old myth and fails to awaken their interest. To others it is accepted as the power of God—and becomes just that! It’s not that God gives good news to some and bad news to others. No, He presents grace to every human being, just as his sunshine and rain come on the just and the unjust. But unless we accept the gospel, it won’t be the good news for us. If we pass it off as a useless fairy tale; the coming reality will be horrible indeed!
What’s happening here on earth while the righteous are reigning with Christ for a thousand years?
Here is how John described it:
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:1, 2).
This period is called “the millennium.” The word “millennium” comes from the Latin. It literally is “millo” 1000 and “annum” years, or “1000 years.” This word is not found in the Bible but used to describe the 1000 years here mentioned in Revelation 20:1. During this time Satan is bound in a bottomless pit.
Why? What does this mean?
The Greek word translated here as “bottomless pit” is “abussos”. We get our English word abyss from it. “Abussos” means without form and void. It’s what was described in Genesis 1:1, 2:
“In the beginning the earth was without form and void.”
Jeremiah adds:
“And the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth” (Jeremiah 25:33).
If Satan is alive throughout these 1000 years, how is he “bound” (Revelation 20:2)? What does that mean?
Remember that Revelation is a book of symbols. John is depicting the earth to be a terrible prison for Satan. He is bound by a chain of circumstances. That’s what ties him up securely.
All the righteous have gone to heaven. All the wicked have been struck dead. In other words, no one left for Satan to tempt! There is no one left for him to manipulate and deceive.
This earth will become like a bottomless pit for Satan. In the wreckage of the planet, one principle is echoed over and over: the wages of sin is death. And looking on, the whole universe will bear witness to the terrible truth of those words. He is now confronted with the horrible results of rebellion.
But what will the righteous be doing? Remember Revelation 20:6. Those who rose in the first resurrection will be priests of God and reign with him for a thousand years.
Think about being with Christ during the millennium. It will be inexpressibly wonderful. But you’ll also have a lot of questions. You may wonder why a loved one isn’t there. You may not understand why a friend—who seemed like such a good person—wasn’t saved.
Guess what? Our gracious God is going to answer all of our questions. We’ll be able to review God’s decisions.
Look at Revelation 20:4, where John is speaking of the redeemed during the millennium:
“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.”
We know that God is the ultimate judge. Only the all-knowing God can preside over the heavenly courts. But, in some sense, judgment will also be given to the redeemed. Revelation 20:12 says that “the books were opened.” The redeemed now in heaven will then be allowed to look over heaven’s records; it’s a kind of a judicial review.
Remember how Paul stated it:
“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? . . . Do you know that we shall judge angels?” (1 Corinthians 6:2, 3).
We’ll be looking over the cases of people who have been lost.
This implies that one day we will fully understand why it was impossible for God to save some people. This happens during the millennium. We may not on our own, understand why this person or that person didn’t make it. But God can show us why. He can show us all the ways he tried to win this person, all the ways he tried to enable love to break through. He can show us what was really in people’s hearts, things that people kept hidden so well.
At the end of that period of judicial review, we are going to fall at God’s feet and proclaim that God is just and fair. The redeemed will sing: “Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments” (Revelation 16:7).
During the millennium all your questions will be answered—questions about other people, questions about your own life.
Now let’s look at what happens at the end of the millennium, the end of the thousand years.
John wrote:
“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth” (Revelation 20:7, 8).
“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:5).
As we noted earlier, “the rest of the dead” are the wicked dead. We have a resurrection of life for believers at the beginning of the thousand years, and we have a resurrection of damnation for the wicked at the end of the thousand years.
It is difficult for us to imagine the sense of loss of those who look at God in all His love and glory and realize that they will never be a part of life with Him in heaven. They will miss out on eternity! What inexpressible anguish that thought must bring. No wonder Scripture describes it as a time when there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Let’s look at the other important events that take place at the end of the millennium.
God is going to make all things new. He’s going to remake the earth as it was in the Garden of Eden. John wrote:
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away . . . Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:1, 2).
Do you know what this is describing? Our return trip, after the millennium, from heaven back to earth. We are in that New Jerusalem. It’s like our space ship. And its destination, its destiny, is to reclaim Planet Earth. Let’s read on in verse three: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.
God is going to live with us in this New Jerusalem! This sin-scarred earth is going to be remade into a spectacular footstool for God’s throne.
This is wonderful news. But it’s not good news for Satan at that moment. He sees that holy city coming down and he is driven to one last act of defiance, one last act of rebellion. He can’t help himself.
Remember, at this time the wicked have been resurrected, the wicked from all ages. As Revelation 20:8 tells us, their “numbers is as the sand of the sea.”
Satan gathers his forces from all over the earth into one vast army. He will take as much time as necessary to build his army under the brightest generals of all time and furnished with the most sophisticated killing machines that great minds can devise. Then he attacks the holy city:
“They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city” (Revelation 20:9).
This is Satan’s last gasp. It’s the last battle in the long conflict between Christ and Satan for the heart of the universe. It’s the final battle of the war called Armageddon. The armies of hell are rushing up against the city from heaven. Let’s look at what happens:
“And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them” (Revelation 20:9).
The fire which consumes the wicked also cleanses the earth. It wipes away all the scars of sin. It removes the ravages of rebellion. And that is how God makes all things new. Now he can create a new heaven and a new earth.
Adam will be there, Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Ruth, Matthew, Paul. Stephen.
John.
Enoch will be there.
I by the grace of God will be there. What about you?
Do you want victory like Enoch tonight.
“Men were taught that it is possible to obey the law of God; that even while living in the midst of the sinful and corrupt, they were able, by the grace of God, to resist temptation, and become pure and holy.” PATRIARCHS & PROPHETS
108: Amazing Grace
Enoch
574: O Master let me walk with thee
108: Amazing Grace
Genesis 5:21-24
Hebrews 11:5,6
*The story of Shay, sacrifice for joy of one disabled little boy to have a happy day. Character, love.
People can be noble and loving. The story of Enoch reminds us that we can cultivate a noble character by the grace of God.
Enoch did not die. He walked with God so much one day God said just come over my house and don’t bother to go back to earth.
Translated = changed from mortal to immortal and taken to heaven. Only one other human being on this planet it happened to and that was Elijah the prophet.
Scripture teach that Moses died and experienced a special resurrection, a first fruit of those righteous who will be resurrected at the last day.
Enoch. What a life it was.
Enoch walked with faith
Enoch walked with holiness
Enoch walked with God
In the lawless and decadent age in which we live we often wonder if the Son of man will find faith when He comes. Will we and our children be able to walk in faith, holiness, and righteousness before God at the end of the ages?
I give you today the testimony of Enoch
I. Enoch was translated because by the grace of God he walked with faith
He lived just like us in a rapidly growing ungodly population. While the world wicked majority had no use for God, Enoch walked with faith in God.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is substance of unseen. Evidence. Believe. God is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
God who reveals Himself to us through word
Nature still occluded by thorns and thistles glorious sunset, and rippling streams and red roses that remind us of beauty of Creation week.
Faith he who will live Godly will suffer persecution.
Faith enduring faith that says hold on this is darkest hour is just before dawn.
Faith that says though all men should forsake thee by thy grace I’ll follow thee.
Faith that wrestle like Jacob and say I will nor let thee go unless you bless me.
Faith that says when the going gets tough the tough gets going on his knees. Claim promises of Lord Almighty.
Faith is best formed in the fires of affliction, distress, and struggle.
With this kind of Enoch faith lay hold of grace of God we are able to resist temptation.
*Story of visiting a metallurgical workshop and supervisor kept going from furnace to furnace and asked what are you doing. Heat the furnace and know the silver is pure when see my face reflected in it. Jesus will keep allowing heat to turn up until we reflect His character inn our daily relations for he is looking for holiness in our lives.
II. Secondly, Enoch was translated because by the grace of God he walked with holiness.
Enoch’s life showed that it was possible to keep God’s commands and resist temptation, even in a world of corruption and rebellion.
A. The decision begins in the mind.
B. Little actions that count, lets get them right in the spirit of the law.
C. Willpower is important but willpower alone can’t do it, we need to lay hold of God’s enabling grace.
a. Grace gives pardon
b. Grace also gives power. Holy Spirit power.
c. KEN MCFARLAND in his book The Called the Chosen puts it this way “since the virus of sin – of selfishness- will always lurk inside us here on earth, not to be removed till Christs second coming, we will always need twofold grace.” P.37.
John Newton: A wretched slave ship captain driven to his knees after a violent storm in which he asked jesus for rescue felt love of Jesus and the recognition of his sin in face of such awesome love eventually wrote:
108: Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
John Newton gave his heart to jesus and became a preacher of the gospel.
Grace is available.
And remember that God will not allow you to be tempted more than you can bear.
Song says He will never
Put more on you
Can you can bear.
Never
Never
So what ever comes remember you can be pure
You can be holy
You can obey
Claim the presence of His Holy spirit
For he never put more on you
Never, Never Put more on you
Than you can bear
(But there's more)
III. Thirdly, Enoch was translated because by the grace of God Enoch walked with God.
* Psalm 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in counsel of unGodly….
A. Enoch demonstrated that there is a way to walk with God.
i. Walked by faith and not by sight, for all around Enoch was evil, but he kept on keeping company with God.
ii. Walk after the spirit. A spiritual walk. Associate with God. Take time for Jesus, He took time for you.
Prayer. Meditation.
God wants to pour his love into you and a bigger vision of your calling.
*Story of plane spreading fertiliser. Bought by pilot. Fly. See what plane can do. Higher heights. Gods ideal for His children.
Enoch blessed with spirit of prophecy.
Through holy angels God revealed to Enoch His purpose to destroy the world by a flood, and He also opened more fully to him the plan of redemption. By the spirit of prophecy He carried him down through the generations that should live after the Flood, and showed him the great events connected with the second coming of Christ and the end of the world. {Patriarchs and Prophets 85.5}
Jude 14, 15.
iii. Walk of obedience.
iv. Walk of love.
1. Let’s talk about love. Esteeming and placing great affection on something or someone. Love can change you. Love ennobles you. Love is kind. Love suffers long.
2. Romantic love, brotherly love. Godly love. Great virtues of love faith and grace combine in heart of righteous.
3. Love for child Methuselah awakened noble virtues in heart of Enoch, love of God and appreciation of God love for him we are all Gods children
“ But after the birth of his first son, Enoch reached a higher experience; he was drawn into a closer relationship with God. He realized more fully his own obligations and responsibility as a son of God. And as he saw the child's love for its father, its simple trust in his protection; as he felt the deep, yearning tenderness of his own heart for that first-born son, he learned a precious lesson of the wonderful love of God to men in the gift of His Son, and the confidence which the children of God may repose in their heavenly Father. The infinite, unfathomable love of God through Christ became the subject of his meditations day and night; and with all the fervor of his soul he sought to reveal that love to the people among whom he dwelt.”
PATRIARCHS & PROPHETS P.84
God in the family what a happy home
Christian home great witness for gospel. Pray for one another to have happy loving homes.
v. Walk of faith is a walk of witness for God in every sphere of life.
Enoch's walk with God was not in a trance or vision, but in all the duties of his daily life. He did not become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from the world; for he had a work to do for God in the world. In the family and in his intercourse with men, as a husband and father, a friend, a citizen, he was the steadfast, unwavering servant of the Lord. {PP 85.1}
“O master let me walk with thee as Enoch walk in days of old…..
B. The amazing story of Enoch gives us hope to prepare for the final crisis because it demonstrates that there is a reward for whose who walk with God.
a. Righteous have a final reward and wicked a final punishment.
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8. For three hundred years Enoch had been seeking purity of soul, that he might be in harmony with Heaven. For three centuries he had walked with God. Day by day he had longed for a closer union; nearer and nearer had grown the communion, until God took him to Himself. He had stood at the threshold of the eternal world, only a step between him and the land of the blest; and now the portals opened, the walk with God, so long pursued on earth, continued, and he passed through the gates of the Holy City--the first from among men to enter there.
{PP 87.3}
…As Enoch was translated to heaven before the destruction of the world by water, so the living righteous will be translated from the earth before its destruction by fire. Says the apostle: "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump." "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God;" "the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." "The dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. {PP 88.3}
Jesus said:
Notice carefully: every human being will be resurrected or awakened from sleep at one of the two resurrections. Jesus’ words are clear. “All who are in the graves shall hear His voice.” Then our Lord describes the two resurrections: 1) The resurrection of life, 2) The resurrection of condemnation. Revelation 20:6 says, “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.”
Two things are taught here. By identifying this as the first resurrection, God lets us know there will be a second one. And, by specifying that those raised in the first resurrection are the faithful dead, the blessed and holy, we also learn that the rest of the dead, the unfaithful, are raised at some later time.
What happens to those who rise in the first resurrection? Let’s read on in verse 6: “Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
The story of faithful Enoch shows us persuades us, inspires us with hope for about believers who are living when Christ comes. The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns, the dead in Christ are resurrected first and caught up to meet him in the sky. The living righteous are changed, transformed and they also rise up to meet Christ. Paul gives us a wonderful assurance:
“We shall all be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
But when we look up and see Jesus coming, we’ll be changed in an instant, transformed in a moment. New life will pulsate through our bodies with incredible energy and vitality! We rise up into the air toward a glorious destiny with our Redeemer.
But what about the wicked? What about the unrighteous who rejected God’s love?
Those are the people described in Revelation 6:15-17. They pray for the rocks to fall on them. They look up and don’t see a Savior; they only see wrath, the face of a disappointed Father, grieving over the fate of rebellious children. That’s what fear and guilt and rebellion do to people. They see the Lamb of God coming and think they’re seeing a lion.
These are people God wanted to save. These are people for whom Christ died. But they just didn’t respond to His appeals. They refused to be rescued. They refused to accept the message of salvation.
Tragically enough, many people find the Good News not to be good news at all. Paul writes:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
It’s the same message, but it is received very differently depending on a person’s response to God’s appeals. To some it’s just a foolish old myth and fails to awaken their interest. To others it is accepted as the power of God—and becomes just that! It’s not that God gives good news to some and bad news to others. No, He presents grace to every human being, just as his sunshine and rain come on the just and the unjust. But unless we accept the gospel, it won’t be the good news for us. If we pass it off as a useless fairy tale; the coming reality will be horrible indeed!
What’s happening here on earth while the righteous are reigning with Christ for a thousand years?
Here is how John described it:
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:1, 2).
This period is called “the millennium.” The word “millennium” comes from the Latin. It literally is “millo” 1000 and “annum” years, or “1000 years.” This word is not found in the Bible but used to describe the 1000 years here mentioned in Revelation 20:1. During this time Satan is bound in a bottomless pit.
Why? What does this mean?
The Greek word translated here as “bottomless pit” is “abussos”. We get our English word abyss from it. “Abussos” means without form and void. It’s what was described in Genesis 1:1, 2:
“In the beginning the earth was without form and void.”
Jeremiah adds:
“And the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth” (Jeremiah 25:33).
If Satan is alive throughout these 1000 years, how is he “bound” (Revelation 20:2)? What does that mean?
Remember that Revelation is a book of symbols. John is depicting the earth to be a terrible prison for Satan. He is bound by a chain of circumstances. That’s what ties him up securely.
All the righteous have gone to heaven. All the wicked have been struck dead. In other words, no one left for Satan to tempt! There is no one left for him to manipulate and deceive.
This earth will become like a bottomless pit for Satan. In the wreckage of the planet, one principle is echoed over and over: the wages of sin is death. And looking on, the whole universe will bear witness to the terrible truth of those words. He is now confronted with the horrible results of rebellion.
But what will the righteous be doing? Remember Revelation 20:6. Those who rose in the first resurrection will be priests of God and reign with him for a thousand years.
Think about being with Christ during the millennium. It will be inexpressibly wonderful. But you’ll also have a lot of questions. You may wonder why a loved one isn’t there. You may not understand why a friend—who seemed like such a good person—wasn’t saved.
Guess what? Our gracious God is going to answer all of our questions. We’ll be able to review God’s decisions.
Look at Revelation 20:4, where John is speaking of the redeemed during the millennium:
“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.”
We know that God is the ultimate judge. Only the all-knowing God can preside over the heavenly courts. But, in some sense, judgment will also be given to the redeemed. Revelation 20:12 says that “the books were opened.” The redeemed now in heaven will then be allowed to look over heaven’s records; it’s a kind of a judicial review.
Remember how Paul stated it:
“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? . . . Do you know that we shall judge angels?” (1 Corinthians 6:2, 3).
We’ll be looking over the cases of people who have been lost.
This implies that one day we will fully understand why it was impossible for God to save some people. This happens during the millennium. We may not on our own, understand why this person or that person didn’t make it. But God can show us why. He can show us all the ways he tried to win this person, all the ways he tried to enable love to break through. He can show us what was really in people’s hearts, things that people kept hidden so well.
At the end of that period of judicial review, we are going to fall at God’s feet and proclaim that God is just and fair. The redeemed will sing: “Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments” (Revelation 16:7).
During the millennium all your questions will be answered—questions about other people, questions about your own life.
Now let’s look at what happens at the end of the millennium, the end of the thousand years.
John wrote:
“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth” (Revelation 20:7, 8).
“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:5).
As we noted earlier, “the rest of the dead” are the wicked dead. We have a resurrection of life for believers at the beginning of the thousand years, and we have a resurrection of damnation for the wicked at the end of the thousand years.
It is difficult for us to imagine the sense of loss of those who look at God in all His love and glory and realize that they will never be a part of life with Him in heaven. They will miss out on eternity! What inexpressible anguish that thought must bring. No wonder Scripture describes it as a time when there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Let’s look at the other important events that take place at the end of the millennium.
God is going to make all things new. He’s going to remake the earth as it was in the Garden of Eden. John wrote:
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away . . . Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:1, 2).
Do you know what this is describing? Our return trip, after the millennium, from heaven back to earth. We are in that New Jerusalem. It’s like our space ship. And its destination, its destiny, is to reclaim Planet Earth. Let’s read on in verse three: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.
God is going to live with us in this New Jerusalem! This sin-scarred earth is going to be remade into a spectacular footstool for God’s throne.
This is wonderful news. But it’s not good news for Satan at that moment. He sees that holy city coming down and he is driven to one last act of defiance, one last act of rebellion. He can’t help himself.
Remember, at this time the wicked have been resurrected, the wicked from all ages. As Revelation 20:8 tells us, their “numbers is as the sand of the sea.”
Satan gathers his forces from all over the earth into one vast army. He will take as much time as necessary to build his army under the brightest generals of all time and furnished with the most sophisticated killing machines that great minds can devise. Then he attacks the holy city:
“They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city” (Revelation 20:9).
This is Satan’s last gasp. It’s the last battle in the long conflict between Christ and Satan for the heart of the universe. It’s the final battle of the war called Armageddon. The armies of hell are rushing up against the city from heaven. Let’s look at what happens:
“And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them” (Revelation 20:9).
The fire which consumes the wicked also cleanses the earth. It wipes away all the scars of sin. It removes the ravages of rebellion. And that is how God makes all things new. Now he can create a new heaven and a new earth.
Adam will be there, Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Ruth, Matthew, Paul. Stephen.
John.
Enoch will be there.
I by the grace of God will be there. What about you?
Do you want victory like Enoch tonight.
“Men were taught that it is possible to obey the law of God; that even while living in the midst of the sinful and corrupt, they were able, by the grace of God, to resist temptation, and become pure and holy.” PATRIARCHS & PROPHETS
108: Amazing Grace
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday Night Meeting after the inauguration
Here is notes for prayer meeting conducted the wednesday after the tuesday:
Let Freedom Ring
In this most historic decade in which to be alive as a member of the African Diaspora one cannot help but feel that momentous events are gathering upon us and we would do well to wear our prophetic cap of god’s remnant movement well in order to make sense of the new age which is dawning upon us.
For you cannot witness the occasion of the swearing in of the 44th president of the United States of America and the first black man to be elected to that high office without hearing the echo of that other great son of America and hero to the world
Martin Luther King Jnr. who 40 years ago on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial came to the capitol to cash a cheque of freedom for oppressed black minority in America and in the4 shadow of the monument of that great president of the civil war era in America he charged the nation in crisis to Let freedom ring.
Oh yes on Tuesday there were tears and celebration because all of us who are alive now have the sense of anticipation that something like freedom will ring in the halls of America. Yes we can man Barack Obama.
Meanwhile back home, from a church that has largely seen itself as left out of the mainstream of Jamaican society because of our unique principles and practices in Sabbath keeping, in diet, and in conduct, we have been forced to avoid many of the activities, organizations, and positions of civil society which would have benefited from our presence but which we felt would Have compromised the standards as stated in our 28 fundamental beliefs; from such a church, namely the seventh-day Adventist church will arise the sixth governor general of the island of Jamaica in the person of Patrick Allen, president of west Indies Union Conference of seventh-day Adventist.
History. History. History.
He will be the highest ranking Jamaican comes February 26, 2009. Head of state. Like him in USA President Barack Obama I implore for them both your prayers that the may allow the Lord to use them that the earth might be3 filled with the glory of
God as the waters cover the sea.
I am not here to say which side of the debate I’m on whether I agree or disagree with Dr Allen’s decision. But I see an opportunity to be like Esther, like Joseph, like Daniel, like Nehemiah in the land. And as for the rest of us instead of spending time wondering how odd use the opportunity to tell them of three angels messages. An opportunity to tell Jamaica what we really believe.
While we have the freedom to do.
Tonight I want to celebrate freedom.
I do not for a minute take the rights and freedoms we enjoy under the Jamaican constitution for granted for I know they have been won in the cane fields of slave rebellions, on the waterfronts of 1938 uprising, of the visionary leaders who sought to lay the foundation of modern Jamaica into independence and after.
Freedom of assembly. Freedom of conscience which includes freedom of worship.
Freedom to choose the political representative. To vote.
Freedom of movement within Jamaica and overseas.
Freedom to proselytize, to make disciples of Christ.
We know the time is coming when god’s commandment keeping people will be denied freedom, so in the euphoria watch and pray for when they say peace peace it might just be sudden destruction.
What about within us. Are we free from t he burden of sin.
I want to celebrate the freedom of the gospel of Christ.
You see the same our church and black race have encountered historic first in the Western world this year the same way there are should baptized and unbaptised who need to liberated from oppression of fear, of sin, and of death.
Galatians 5:
Stand fast in the liberty where in Christ has made us free.
I: Let freedom ring with the gospel of Jesus Christ sets us free from deception.
Take heed
Matt 24:3-14
First sign is deception.
a. deceived by false Christians
*Context of Galatia. Back to bondage of Jewish rituals. Grace of Christ abolished Jewish rituals. The lamb had come. Anger and counsel of Paul.
i. Don’t be deceived by false brethren.
b. deceived by new age messiahs
i. secret teachings, candles, and chants
c. deceived by devil
i. Look at how Christ dealt with devil, don’t interview devil, and rebuke him in name of Jesus. It is written it is written
1. matt4: 4,7,10
ii. Look to Jesus when tempted; claim the gracious love and unassailable power of the nail scarred hands.
Know the signs of the times like early Christians so we not deceived and like early Christians will save in time of destruction.
II. Let freedom ring with the gospel of Jesus Christ who frees us from sin.
a. Matt 1:21: shall save his people from their sin
b. John 1:29 Lamb of God who takes away sin of world.
i. Claim his promise and His presence right now in your life, in your career, in your relationships.
ii. John 3;16 whosoever believeth in Him
iii. 2 Cor 5:17 new creature
III. Let freedom ring with the power of the resurrected Christ who frees us from death.
a. John 3:16 should not perish/have everlasting life Two roads before you. Free to choose.
b. Life abundantly now and eternal life hereafter John 11:25
c. It begins with a new birth experience.
i. John 3 must be born again
1. Born twice die once, born once die twice.
ii. Divine connection
iii. Walk after spirit Galatians 5
1. Read flesh
2. read spirit
In this year of history let freedom ring
Freedom from deception
From sin
From death
Freedom in the company of Jesus now
Freedom to praise him on sea of glass...
Song no more night.
Let Freedom Ring
In this most historic decade in which to be alive as a member of the African Diaspora one cannot help but feel that momentous events are gathering upon us and we would do well to wear our prophetic cap of god’s remnant movement well in order to make sense of the new age which is dawning upon us.
For you cannot witness the occasion of the swearing in of the 44th president of the United States of America and the first black man to be elected to that high office without hearing the echo of that other great son of America and hero to the world
Martin Luther King Jnr. who 40 years ago on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial came to the capitol to cash a cheque of freedom for oppressed black minority in America and in the4 shadow of the monument of that great president of the civil war era in America he charged the nation in crisis to Let freedom ring.
Oh yes on Tuesday there were tears and celebration because all of us who are alive now have the sense of anticipation that something like freedom will ring in the halls of America. Yes we can man Barack Obama.
Meanwhile back home, from a church that has largely seen itself as left out of the mainstream of Jamaican society because of our unique principles and practices in Sabbath keeping, in diet, and in conduct, we have been forced to avoid many of the activities, organizations, and positions of civil society which would have benefited from our presence but which we felt would Have compromised the standards as stated in our 28 fundamental beliefs; from such a church, namely the seventh-day Adventist church will arise the sixth governor general of the island of Jamaica in the person of Patrick Allen, president of west Indies Union Conference of seventh-day Adventist.
History. History. History.
He will be the highest ranking Jamaican comes February 26, 2009. Head of state. Like him in USA President Barack Obama I implore for them both your prayers that the may allow the Lord to use them that the earth might be3 filled with the glory of
God as the waters cover the sea.
I am not here to say which side of the debate I’m on whether I agree or disagree with Dr Allen’s decision. But I see an opportunity to be like Esther, like Joseph, like Daniel, like Nehemiah in the land. And as for the rest of us instead of spending time wondering how odd use the opportunity to tell them of three angels messages. An opportunity to tell Jamaica what we really believe.
While we have the freedom to do.
Tonight I want to celebrate freedom.
I do not for a minute take the rights and freedoms we enjoy under the Jamaican constitution for granted for I know they have been won in the cane fields of slave rebellions, on the waterfronts of 1938 uprising, of the visionary leaders who sought to lay the foundation of modern Jamaica into independence and after.
Freedom of assembly. Freedom of conscience which includes freedom of worship.
Freedom to choose the political representative. To vote.
Freedom of movement within Jamaica and overseas.
Freedom to proselytize, to make disciples of Christ.
We know the time is coming when god’s commandment keeping people will be denied freedom, so in the euphoria watch and pray for when they say peace peace it might just be sudden destruction.
What about within us. Are we free from t he burden of sin.
I want to celebrate the freedom of the gospel of Christ.
You see the same our church and black race have encountered historic first in the Western world this year the same way there are should baptized and unbaptised who need to liberated from oppression of fear, of sin, and of death.
Galatians 5:
Stand fast in the liberty where in Christ has made us free.
I: Let freedom ring with the gospel of Jesus Christ sets us free from deception.
Take heed
Matt 24:3-14
First sign is deception.
a. deceived by false Christians
*Context of Galatia. Back to bondage of Jewish rituals. Grace of Christ abolished Jewish rituals. The lamb had come. Anger and counsel of Paul.
i. Don’t be deceived by false brethren.
b. deceived by new age messiahs
i. secret teachings, candles, and chants
c. deceived by devil
i. Look at how Christ dealt with devil, don’t interview devil, and rebuke him in name of Jesus. It is written it is written
1. matt4: 4,7,10
ii. Look to Jesus when tempted; claim the gracious love and unassailable power of the nail scarred hands.
Know the signs of the times like early Christians so we not deceived and like early Christians will save in time of destruction.
II. Let freedom ring with the gospel of Jesus Christ who frees us from sin.
a. Matt 1:21: shall save his people from their sin
b. John 1:29 Lamb of God who takes away sin of world.
i. Claim his promise and His presence right now in your life, in your career, in your relationships.
ii. John 3;16 whosoever believeth in Him
iii. 2 Cor 5:17 new creature
III. Let freedom ring with the power of the resurrected Christ who frees us from death.
a. John 3:16 should not perish/have everlasting life Two roads before you. Free to choose.
b. Life abundantly now and eternal life hereafter John 11:25
c. It begins with a new birth experience.
i. John 3 must be born again
1. Born twice die once, born once die twice.
ii. Divine connection
iii. Walk after spirit Galatians 5
1. Read flesh
2. read spirit
In this year of history let freedom ring
Freedom from deception
From sin
From death
Freedom in the company of Jesus now
Freedom to praise him on sea of glass...
Song no more night.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
New GG for Jamaica a Seventh-day Adventist
In my more focused days when I was an intern pastor with Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, my senior pastor for a few months was Pastor Patrick Allen.
Well, as of February 26, 2008, he is expected to be the next Governor General of Jamaica.
Interesting!
The position is more ceremonial than anything else but it wields a tremendous moral influence over the nation.
And as the queen's representative, it is the highest office in the land.
Very interesting!
My personal opinion: Patrick Allen possesses the administrative and visionary attributes to serve at the highest levels of church or state. The issue of whether or not he should step down from miinistry to be a gg is a hot potato in the church right now. I dont wish to comment on that. Lets just use the opportunity to witness as minds are now open to the truth, even out of curiosity.
Please pray for Dr. Allen and his family as they embark on this new path.
Well, as of February 26, 2008, he is expected to be the next Governor General of Jamaica.
Interesting!
The position is more ceremonial than anything else but it wields a tremendous moral influence over the nation.
And as the queen's representative, it is the highest office in the land.
Very interesting!
My personal opinion: Patrick Allen possesses the administrative and visionary attributes to serve at the highest levels of church or state. The issue of whether or not he should step down from miinistry to be a gg is a hot potato in the church right now. I dont wish to comment on that. Lets just use the opportunity to witness as minds are now open to the truth, even out of curiosity.
Please pray for Dr. Allen and his family as they embark on this new path.
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