GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

Living Beyond Offense
1 Corinthians 10:23.33


   Paul warned against alliance with the world. He declared That in Christ Jesus we are 'one bread' (loaf) Verse 17. Therefore we must not be in union with any other pagan or non-Christian fellowship. In fact, he states this to be impossible, 'Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils'; Verse 21.

   In this lesson before us we, as Christians, are urged to live above offense; offense to our fellow men and God. A key verse for proper living is verse 31: 'Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. '

   Anyone who knows the grace of God and the Word of God, knows we are not under the law. Legalists may chant all they wish, condemn and blaspheme the message of grace as they choose, but the fact remains: we are in no way under law. A woman is never under the rule of a man she has never married. We, as Gentiles, have never been under the law. The law was given only to Israel. Psalm 147:19-20: 'He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord!

   In fact, since Calvary Israel is free from the law. Romans 7:4 declares: 'Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God' Now when a man's wife is dead, that man has the moral right to remarry, and in this case, the law having been set aside, the sinner is invited to be married or united to another; to the risen Christ.  It is for this reason that Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, 'All things are lawful for me, ' and this is so; 'but all things are not expedient....all this edify not, ' i. e., they do not build us up.

   In this light the great apostle invites the believer in the Corinthian Church to be considerate of two persons as he lives in the midst of a pagan world, FIRST -- be considerate of a weaker brother. 'For conscience sake.....conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other.' Verses 28-29.

    What you do may not brother your conscience, but it might another's. It is not proper to say 'I'll let my conscience be my guide!' This may be unchristian, for often we must let another's conscience be our guide. 'Take a little wine for thy stomach's sake and for thine oft infirmities', Paul tells Timothy. This, therefore, is in order maybe, depending on the conscience of others. It would not do here because of Christian conscience in this land; where Timothy lived it was no offense. But we do not live in Asia. The conscience of others is a great factor in what we do and say. I have often heard Christians say, 'I don't care what others think, I'm going to do it anyway.' If this be your attitude you are out of fellowship with your Savior. You are an offense to another member of his precious body.

   SECONDLY- be considerate of your Lord and Master. If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. Paul's cry rings down through the ages: 'Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' God help us to test all of our conduct with this spiritual axiom. If you can do what you are doing to the glory of God, then you are at liberty to do it.  Someone asked Spurgeon if you could smoke to the glory of God? (For he smoked at that time) He said 'yes'. Some students made placards which read: 'Spurgeon can smoke to the glory of God.' He read just one. Spurgeon quite smoking. Do you not see? It was an offense both to man and God.

   The need today in the Christian world is a walk that is different from the world. One of joy and peace. A life constantly in tune with heaven. One that spells salvation to an unbelieving world. A life that is not an offense, 'neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.' Verse 32. God help us to do as Paul says: 'Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.'

By the late Pastor Lloyd Peterson

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

How God Makes Foolish the Wisdom of this World
Part 1 of 2
By Weldon Rightmer

"For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (1 Corinthians 1:19-20).

The expression "bring to nothing" means to "cast aside, to frustrate, to disannul." (It would be very interesting to see this truth in reverse in Galatians 3:15). Now, we shall attempt to see just how "God makes foolish the wisdom of this world."

First, we will look at the matter of salvation. Man's worldly wisdom tells him that surely he can gain favor in the sight of God by his own good works. This seems to be the attitude of so many members of Adam's fallen race. The wisdom from beneath is "earthly, sensual, devilish" (James 3:15). One can hardly see how this wisdom can be depended on, as far as knowing God is concerned. "The world by wisdom knew not God" (1 Cor. 1:21). We would like to quote a verse that sums up everything we are trying to say. "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise" (1 Cor. 3:18 ). "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord." With these verses read Job 32:8 and 1 Corinthians 2:14.

"It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (of the thing preached) to save them that believe" (1 Cor. 1:21). It doesn't seem logical to a worldly wise man that one could be saved by believing that "Christ died for our sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day." This doesn't seem possible to even the so-called religious folks. Had Paul preached law works for salvation, he would not have had to suffer the offence of the cross. See Galatians 5:11. Those who preach the pure "gospel of God's grace" still have to suffer. Such a message does not appeal to the natural man. However, those who are willing to become fools for Christ's sake, are in a position to be saved by His wondrous grace.

Man's wisdom simply cannot understand God's plan of salvation. We must take Him at His word, by faith, believing everything God says. It is beyond my comprehension to fathom all that is mine in Christ Jesus. I can say with Paul "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." Words cannot express the value of this precious gift. All that God has for the sinner is wrapped up in this gift, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. "How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32). Truly, in this way, "God makes foolish the wisdom of this world."

Next, "God makes foolish the wisdom of this world" by giving His inspired Word in such a manner that it cannot be understood apart from the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. If I, through worldly wisdom, could gain a definite understanding of God's holy Word, I would be forced to declare it the product of mortal man. "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Cor. 2:13). It is fine to be helped by God appointed teachers; but it is impossible to really understand what God has said without the office work of the Spirit. Again, we ask you to read Job 32:8.

A casual reading of the Bible might indicate serious contradictions. This is the belief of practically every worldly wise individual with whom this writer has conversed. First, one must know the Lord as personal Saviour. Then, he must apply 2 Timothy 2:15: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." When we think of these things, we can clearly see how "God makes foolish the wisdom of this world."

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

How God Makes Foolish the Wisdom of this World
Part 2 of 2
By Weldon Rightmer


Thirdly, there is the union of two natures in the God-man. We do not mean by this that Christ had the Adamic nature. We mean that the One who had been "in the form of God" took the "form of man." He had a real body of flesh; but He was "God manifest in the flesh." Read carefully 1 Timothy 3:16. This certainly is a "great mystery." Worldly wise men do not believe that Jesus of Nazareth was actually "God manifest in the flesh." Christians make no claim of understanding this great truth. "God made foolish our worldly wisdom." Now, in simple faith, we believe in the eternal deity of our blessed Lord.

There is also the union of three in one in the Holy Trinity. This is a declared fact in the Bible; but it is not an explained fact. The following references will prove that this is a teaching in the sacred Scriptures. Many more could be added to the list. Please read Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 3:13-17; John 14:16-17; Colossians 1:1-8; and 1 Thessalonians 1:1-6. Natural man is frustrated completely when he tries to fathom this teaching.

Fourthly, "God makes foolish the wisdom of this world" by declaring in His Word, His sovereignty and man's responsibility. We will probably never be able to thoroughly reconcile these two things this side of glory. I firmly believe that the Bible teaches both. Man's responsibility comes under the sovereignty of God. "O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Rom. 11:33). Compare with this, Deuteronomy 29:29. I do not understand all of God's ways, but I know that "He doeth all things well."

That God is all sovereign is evidenced by the following Scriptures. Note, Isaiah 46:9-10 and Ephesians 1:11. We can be thankful that our Father is sovereign in all things. It is also taught in the Word that man is self-willed, and is at enmity against God. Read Romans 8:7, Colossians 1:21, Titus 1:7, and 2 Peter 2:10. Man is also held responsible for accepting or rejecting Christ. See John 3:16-18. Much more could be given on this subject, but that is not the purpose of this article.

Finally, "God makes foolish the wisdom of this world" by giving us the truth concerning "the Body of Christ," the church He is now building. Read prayerfully Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:14-22, 3:1-9, and Colossians 1:24-26. God's church for today is a spiritual organism. The church is a body of Holy Spirit baptized believers. See 1 Corinthians 12:13 and Ephesians 4:5. This is the baptism that makes all believers of the present dispensation one in Christ (Gal. 3:26-28 ). It is performed by the operation of God (Col. 2:12). This same body is composed of those who have been circumcised with the "circumcision made without hands."

Worldly wise men want something that can be seen. It is hard for them to believe that one could have been circumcised and baptized without having had it accomplished by natural man. It is also difficult for them to see that God's house is actually the "Body of Christ." When worldly wisdom comes to naught, these truths can easily be grasped. It is often hard to give up what one has always been taught. So many are steeped in tradition. Who, this day, is willing to become a fool for Christ's sake?

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

UNFEIGNED FAITH
By MARVIN DUNCAN, Pastor

Scripture Reading: I Timothy 1:5; II Timothy 1:5

Much of what men believe today is what they want to believe instead of what God's Word teaches. Faith is somehow taken to mean just being sincere in what you want to happen, or being sincere in what you think God would have you do and if your faith (your belief in your own idea) is strong enough, it will come to pass. This is far from what God's Word teaches about faith. Romans 10:17 tells us that the faith that pleases God comes from hearing, that is believing, the Word of God. God will only do that which He has said He will do and God will accept a person only on the basis He has proclaimed. Anything beyond what God has said is not faith--- it is wishful-thinking.

It is this taking God at His Word that Paul speaks of as "UNFEIGNED FAITH" in our text verses. This word, unfeigned, means genuine or sincere. It is the sincere trust in what God has said about Himself and about how a man can be justified in His sight that Paul was speaking about when he wrote Timothy that "the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith that is genuine and sincere" (I Timothy I:5). This genuine faith does not go beyond what God has said, but takes every word God has spoken and sincerely believes God will do exactly as He has promised.

Paul was confident that this was the kind of faith Timothy had and his sincere faith had been encouraged in him by his mother and his grand-mother who both had this same genuine faith in what God had said (II Timothy 1:5).

Is your faith based solely upon what God has said, or do you have some areas of wishful-thinking involved in your faith? If there is any area of your faith that is not exactly what God has said, you do not have "UNFEIGNED FAITH."

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

UNITY
By Pastor John LaVier, Retired


The world is in despair of peace. The nations eye one another distrustfully and fruitless truce talks are carried on while the killing continues. There is much heard about the "United Nations" but there appears to be little or no unity. A better name would be the "Disunited Nations." The Bible teaches that sin is the cause of all the division, hatred, strife, warfare and bloodshed.

The condition of the world should not surprise us when we realize that Satan is the god of this age and the whole world lieth in the wicked one. What more can be expected in a world where the rightful ruler has been rejected and a usurper is on the throne. God divided the nations at the tower of Babel and all of man's attempts to unite in failure. In the end time, there will indeed be a great federation of nations, controlled by Satan's man, but this will be smashed to smithereens at the second coming of God's Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then He will be the great Unifier and there will be real peace and unity among the nations.

As we turn our attention from the nations to consider that which bears the name of Jesus Christ, do we find things any better? No! We behold an apostate Christendom, and instead of unity, there is division and subdivision, with the professing church split into innumerable denominations and organizations. But here again we see man's endeavor to unite. The liberals continue to talk about ecumenicity, and we can be sure that just as there will be a federation of nations in the end time, so there will be a federation of the various religious bodies. We have read a booklet, "The Reappearance of the Christ," and in reading it, one is forced to the conclusion that the "christ" they are waiting to appear is Antichrist. According to them, he will bring together all the "knowers of God" of whatever religious persuasion they may be. Yes, there is coming such a great world church, united by the false christ, but its end is to be consumed and destroyed by the brightness of the Lord's coming.

But now let us look at so-called Evangelical Christianity, or Fundamentalism, those who are really the children of God. Do we find unity here? Sad to say, division, dissension, and discord seem to be much in evidence. There are many attempts at union: the organizing of "Associations," "Fellowships," etc., but we see little evidence of the unity of the Spirit. Man is never satisfied with what God has provided; man thinks he must add some work of his own to improve upon it. Instead of being satisfied with the position God has given him, with membership in the Body of Christ, man thinks he must have something else to join. However, such unions among the churches can never bring real unity, any more than the efforts of the nations to unite can never bring real peace. Usually, the basis of fellowship in all such unions is a man-made creed or doctrinal statement, to which all the members must subscribe. Here again, man shows his dissatisfaction with what God has given. God has given us His perfect Word, which is surely sufficient to govern our fellowship, doctrine, conduct, etc., yet man thinks he must have something in addition of his own devising. Naturally, every group fancy themselves as the custodians, champions, and defenders of all truth, and anyone who disagrees with them is a heretic.

Even among individual assemblies of God's people there are few places where real unity may be found. How often we hear of church quarrels and church splits, all the result of carnality. Many will battle to the last ditch to have their own way or in defense of self, when they would not fight at all in defense of God's truth. How often is trouble caused by a preacher who is a Diotrophes, or more often than not, the trouble may arise from papery in the pews and pusillanimity in the pulpit. May God deliver us from these unholy wars which mar that unity which should be kept in the bond of peace.

What is the answer? It is not "back to the unity of the early church" as some tell us. If we go even as far as the church at Corinth, there we find strifes and contentions and denominational divisions. No, it is not by being led backward to Corinthian failure, but by being led forward to the Ephesian doctrine of "the unity of the Spirit" that we find what is needed. In the 4th chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle emphasizes two unities. In Verse 13 he speaks of "the unity of the faith." This unity is future and will only be realized in that day when Christ presents the Church to Himself, "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it would be holy and without blemish." Never this side of Heaven will we all see eye to eye on every point, but this should not prevent us from keeping "the unity of the Spirit" mentioned in Verse 3. This unity applies to the present, and is something we are to keep with all possible endeavor. This is not something which man produces. It is a unity already established by the Spirit of God Himself, and we have only to recognize it and walk in the knowledge of it.

The idea of most in regard to visible fellowship and corporate unity is that everybody should agree with them. Or, they say, we could have the unity of Ephesians 4:3 if we were all in agreement concerning the seven unities of the following verses. This is indeed to be desired, but it is grievously apparent that there are many of the brethren who are in doctrinal and dispensational agreement and yet without unity. Too often Ephesians 4:2 has been overlooked. In this verse, we have the graces essential to unity. There must be lowliness of mind, meekness and gentleness, long suffering and patience, forbearance and forgiveness, and above all love, which is the bond of perfectness. Only when these graces abound can we have the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. When there is pride and haughtiness, and the desire for self-aggrandizement, there can be no unity. There must be in each the mind of Christ. This means true humility. In lowliness of mind, each is to esteem others better than self. In honor we are to prefer one another, recognizing that we are members of the one Body of Christ, and, therefore, members one of another. Note I Corinthians 12:25, "That there should be no schism in the body: but that the members should have the same care one for another." This alone will produce unity.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

The Spirit Which is of God
By John LaVier

Several years ago we heard one of the Lord's servants make a rather remarkable statement. He said, "I would not give you my spirit, even if I could. Because if I did you would know too much about me."

We can all appreciate the above statement, for each of us would undoubtedly shrink from having our fellow man know us as we really are. And yet God has given us His Spirit. Why? Because He wants us to know Him fully. He will hide nothing from us, for our greatest blessing is the knowledge of Himself. So we read:

"But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God." (1 Cor. 2:9-11)

Verse 9 does not refer, as some suppose, to the wonders awaiting us in heaven, for that is not the subject. The subject is the deep and precious truths which God has for his full-grown children. Also, verse 9 should never be separated from verse 10. Many quote verse 9 alone and then conclude that we must remain in ignorance, but verse 10 says that the Spirit knows "the deep things of God" and He reveals them to those who are willing to be taught. These deep things are found in the Word of God, and we must study the Word in dependence upon the Holy Spirit and then He will make them known. Yet many of God's people are like the Corinthians and lack the knowledge. Therefore, they must be dealt with as carnal instead of spiritual. They must be fed with milk instead of meat. Instead of the "deep things" their knowledge of God and His Word is very shallow. Surely this is inexcusable when God has given us of His Spirit in order that we might be illumined and instructed.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (1 Cor. 2:12)

We have received ... the Spirit which is of God. What a surprising and wonderful thing that God should have given to us His Spirit to bring us into communion with Himself and to open up to us His deep things. He could not have given us a greater gift. How much do we appreciate it? And do we indeed recognize the presence within us of the Spirit which is of God?

What moved Thee to impart
Thy Spirit from above,
Therewith to fill our heart
With heavenly peace and love?
'Twas love, unbounded love to us
Moved Thee to give Thy Spirit thus.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

The Righteousness of God
By Gregg Bing

In Romans 10:1-4, the Apostle Paul expressed his heart's desire that his people, Israel, might be saved. These people had a zeal for God, but it was not according to knowledge. They were seeking to establish their own righteousness by the works of the law, and in doing so they demonstrated their ignorance of Gods righteousness. They failed to see that "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

The law was not given to make men righteous. The law required perfect and complete obedience to God's commands (Gal. 3:12); it had no power to give life because it was dependent on the flesh, and the flesh is weak. The law was given "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ... by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:19-20).

While the Mosaic Law certainly provided a standard of God's righteousness, it was not the means by which sinful men could become righteous. God has now revealed that righteousness is provided completely apart from the law. God sent His Son into this world to make known His righteousness to man. Certainly Jesus' life was an example of righteousness, but it was the cross that truly demonstrated the righteousness of God. God set forth His Son as a propitiation for our sins through the shedding of His blood. Christ paid in full the penalty for our sins, thus satisfying God's righteous requirements. He was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21). This was the only way God could remain righteous Himself and still be able to justify (declare righteous) sinful men. This leaves no room for boasting on our part. Clearly justification is not by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary (Rom. 3:28 ).

Have you submitted to the righteousness of God and trusted in Christ as your Savior, or are you hopelessly pursuing a righteousness of your own through the works of the law?

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

"HE THAT IS SPIRITUAL"
By C. R. Stam


"He that is spiritual judgeth [discerneth] all things, yet he himself is judged [discerned] of no man" (I Cor. 2:15).

The truly spiritual man is so far above the wisest sages of this world, yes, so far above the mass of Christians with whom he comes into contact, that he can understand them, but they can never quite understand him.

We should all long to be truly spiritual, but what is true spirituality?

In the Pauline Epistles the human race is divided, by the Spirit, into four classes: the natural man, the babe in Christ, the carnal Christian, and the spiritual Christian.

All four of these are referred to in one passage of Scripture (I Cor. 2:14—3:4) and it should be noted that they are classified according to their ability to appreciate and assimilate "the things of God" as revealed in His Word.

Through diligent, prayerful study of the Word, and with a sincere desire to obey it, the spiritual man has come to know God and the Lord Jesus Christ more and more intimately. Babes in Christ and carnal believers about him cannot "discern" him, simply because they have not come to know God as he. But he, having grown to spiritual maturity, quite understands them. He is among those of whom it is written:

"But strong meat [solid food] belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14).

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Part 1 of 2
By Joel McGarvey



In a few short weeks the staff of BDTLB will be packing up and heading for Green Lake, Wisconsin where we will be joined by others for the Grace Revival for Evangelism Conference. This year's theme is, "Equipping the Saints." This is taken from Ephesians 4 where the Apostle Paul instructs the Church concerning the gifts the risen and ascended Lord had given to the Body of Christ.

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets: and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ.
Ephesians 4: 1 0-12

It is interesting how the practical implications of these verses have been lost to the average child of God. Much could be, and has been written about the gifts listed in verse 11; we will not take time to address that in this article. But the final gift listed is that of pastor/teacher. Now anytime we are presented with a list of items given, we must ask ourselves one simple question, "Why?" Why was the gift given? In the case of Ephesians 4:11 , the answer to our question immediately follows and unfolds the clear work of the pastor/teacher, but more importantly, that of each member of the Body of Christ.

Fold 1: "For the perfecting of the saints." The Greek word translated "perfecting" is found only one other time in the Scriptures, but the usage here, combine with its other appearance, gives to us a good understanding of the message the Apostle was conveying in the present passage.

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 2 Corinthians 13:9

The word perfection does not mean "perfect" as we use it today but, rather, it spoke of the equipping, the attainment of a goal, or a state such as maturity. In the Corinthian passage the Apostle is speaking of a process through which he was pleased the saints had passed. Paul was pleased that the Corinthian saints had reached, or attained to a certain level of accomplishment. This may be best understood when compared to any discipline in education. When students begin their years of education they know little or nothing of the primary subjects of English, arithmetic, history and science. But as the years pass by slowly, the student grows as his mind expands with knowledge. What was once little known becomes second nature and students graduate from high school equipped to enter the world.

Parenting is this same process. When a child enters the world they are unable to do little more than eat and cry. The parent assumes the responsibility of nurturing or perfecting the child and this carries on throughout the child's growing years. Instruction is built upon instruction, and lesson upon lesson as the child's mind is expanded and his experiences enlarged. Finally the day arrives when the child is ready, is perfected, equipped to fly from the nest and venture out into the real world.

Along this same line, the Lord has given to the pastor/teacher his role to nurture, equip and perfect the saints. As the pastor he is to protect them from error (Acts 20:28 ), and as the teacher he is to train his congregation in the Word of God in sound doctrine. Many saints often complain that going to church is like going to school. "I don't go to church to go to school, I go to church to feel good." The fact is that church is to be the training ground for the saints and the Pastor/teacher is to be the "equipper/ perfector." This role is sadly being lost in the church today and the result is a church that is fast becoming sterile, it's losing its spiritual impact upon the community. People know little, or nothing about the Word of God, but they feel good. They are Biblically ignorant, but they're happy about it.

But then the question naturally arises, "Equipped/Perfected" for what?

Fold 2: The Ephesian verse continues, "for the work of the ministry." Now the real impact of the gifts begins to become evident. The word "for" indicates the "why" of the pastor's role as a "perfector." The saints are nurtured along, trained, equipped and perfected to the end that they are to carry on the work of the ministry. Many in the church today look at much of the ministry as belonging to the pastor, after all, isn't that why he is paid? An increasing number of people in the church today are content to go to church on Sunday and to do their "thing for God" and then live for themselves the rest of the week. If someone is sick, in the hospital, or needs to hear the Gospel, then you call the Pastor. But is this really the function of the pastor? I think not.

Nowhere in Scripture is the function of holding someone's hand, of calling on the sick, or even the communicating of the Gospel said to be the exclusive function of the Pastor. Yes, the Pastor is to visit the sick, consol the hurting and share the Gospel, but that role does not grow out of his calling to the pastorate but, rather, because he is a child of God. But it is important to understand that these functions belong to every member of the Body, not just the Pastor. This is the "work of the ministry."

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, the Apostle Paul relays that in Christ we have all been made ambassadors of Jesus Christ and made the ministers of reconciliation. As such, we have received the word of reconciliation. This involves the presentation of the work of God in Christ in and through Calvary: His death, burial and resurrection. It is the proclamation of the Gospel that falls to every individual who has placed their faith and trust in the finished work of Christ. Evangelism is not the job of the preacher but, rather, it is the responsibility of every born-again Christian.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Romans 10:13-14

The word "preacher" should not be understood as the so-called professional standing before his congregation declaring the Scriptures. The word has the idea of heralding divine truth, a proclaimer. Every child of God who openly declares the Gospel of reconciliation to the lost can rightfully be declared a "preacher. "

The challenge of Romans 10:14 is offered following the simple declaration of the Gospel beginning with verse nine. Again, as in 1 Corinthians 15, the Gospel of salvation is simply the placing of one's faith/belief/trust in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. To call upon Him in faith believing is the simple "way" of salvation in this Age of Grace. But the challenge is given to those in Christ as the question is posed: How can any call upon Him if they have never heard? And more importantly, How can they hear unless someone tells them? This, my friend, is the work of the ministry.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Part 2 of 2
By Joel McGarvey


Fold 3: This brings us to the third step in the unfolding answer to the question "why?" The passage in Ephesians concludes with the words, "for the edifying of the Body of Christ." The word translated "edifying" is a term related to architecture, or construction and means "buildup" or to "expand." Both of these thoughts are related to the overall picture drawn in the passage. The Body of Christ is an invisible organism made up of all saved individuals from the present dispensation. As such, every time a soul comes to Christ, the Body of Christ is expanded, or built up. Therefore, the child of God is to be a construction worker (the work of the ministry) assisting in the overall expansion, or the enlarging of the Body of Christ.

It can also be said that the pastor/teacher plays a role here in that it is his primary function to teach the Word of God, to declare sound doctrine in accordance with the Word of God rightly divided. In this the Body of Christ is edified, or built up, or strengthened. This is an increasingly neglected area in the postmodern church. Doctrine is being set aside and replaced with a fleshly-based, feel-good sermon. I believe most people would fail a test today if they were asked to answer questions on what their church believes and why.

The role of the pastor/teacher is that of the instructor preparing his class (the congregation) for ministry in the field. Every child of God is to be a missionary in their home, at work, and in the community. The preparation (equipping, perfecting) takes place in the local assembly under the guiding hand of the pastor/teacher. From there the student moves out into the community as an affective laborer for the Lord Jesus Christ to do the work of the ministry and edifying the Body of Christ.

So now it is off to Green Lake, Wisconsin and the Grace Revival for Evangelism Conference. As our theme states, our goal is to equip the saints to do the work of evangelism, of sharing the glorious Gospel of the Grace of God with a world of friends, relatives, co-workers, and acquaintances that are headed to a Christless eternity in the Lake of Fire.

This year's conference will be different in several ways. First and foremost, will be the daily "Bible Hour" with our teacher, Pastor Paul Sadler from the Berean Bible Society. Pastor Paul will be teaching from the Scriptures concerning the glorious Gospel of the Grace of God. I know you will not want to miss Brother Sadler's insightful teaching of the Scriptures on Wednesday thru Friday mornings.

Friday, the final session will be a "pep rally" of sorts. We will close out the conference with some rousing music and great preaching. We want everyone taking part in this year's conference to return to their homes and churches excited about sharing the Gospel.

This past spring there was much talk, along with radio and billboard advertising, of a coming Judgment Day. The radio preacher promoting this teaching used his radio program to promote the date and guarantee its occurrence. I'm sure that thousands of folks across the nation, and perhaps around the world, believed the preacher's message and prepared for their heavenly departure. The prophesied date arrived and passed without incident. The originator then claimed that the event had indeed occurred but that it was in a form differing from what he had proposed. Now he has established October 20, 2011 as the end of the world.

Friends, it is sad how the misguided ramblings of a radio preacher could stir up so much hope and activity only to pass by as so many predictions had done in the past. Many caught up in the teachings, no doubt, became disillusioned and have walked away from the Lord and the church. But even worse than those who walked away are the countless souls who watched this event unfold and now look upon Christianity with ridicule and disdain.

But one fact remains firm: the Lord is coming again and will, in a moment and in the twinkling of an eye, catch His Church away.

"For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord,
that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.
For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and 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 Thessalonians 4: 15-18

Behold, I shew you a mystery; 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 trumpet shall sound, and the dead
in Christ shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall
be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52

On the day described here, the Lord will come in the clouds and call His Church home. On that day the fate of millions will be sealed. All those who have heard the Gospel and rejected Christ will receive a delusion from the Lord, believe the lie of Satan, and perish in a Christless eternity in the Lake of Fire.

That day could come at anytime and it is for that reason that we who know the truth and are in Christ Jesus need to be vigilant in our responsibility to live for, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

We live in a nation that desperately needs Christ. Contrary to the media, America is not a Christian nation. Some polls place the number of truly born-again Christians between 7 and 10%. In a nation of over 300 million citizens, that leaves approximately 270 million Americans without Christ (this figure makes the U.S. the third largest unreached country in the world). That translates into the fact that 9 out of 10 folks we encounter on any given day are without Christ. America is a nation desperately in need of missionaries.

Two things - First, accept my challenge to become an effective ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a day certain ahead - when the Lord will call His Church home and close the door upon this present-day of Grace upon multitudes. Judgment Day is coming and the knowledge of this truth ought to transform itself into action on our part to share the Gospel. Second, if you haven't already planned to attend the Grace Revival for Evangelism Conference in Green Lake, it's not too late. I'd strongly urge you to consider attending the conference and to take advantage of the training, fellowship, and encouragement available. It's not too late to register.
Phone: 616-785-3618   October 4-7, 2011

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

The Sovereignty of God
By David P. Caudell


The sovereignty of God is something that most grace believers do not understand. God as our creator and the very breath that we inhale is in his hand. To say that in someway that God created down deep inside of us a response to him, doesn't have any basis in the truth for the body of Christ as given to the apostle to the gentiles, Paul.

In the book of Ephesians it is clear that God choose us before the worlds foundation which is before any of us had any choice. After Adam sinned and gave us his sin nature, the problem that we all had since then, was that we are dead spiritually (2:1), that is that we cannot respond to anything. Have you ever tried to talk to a dead man, what would be his response? He could not move so much as an eye lid or speak or dig up that supposed God created part of us that could respond. We are dead. What does dead mean?

It is clear that in Ephesians 2:8. "For ya are saved by grace through faith: and this not of yourselves: it is God's gift" The gift includes the saved, the grace, and the faith. If it depended on you, a dead person, you would remain dead.

You might say well God foreknew that I would respond and that's why he choose me. No! God's foreknowledge was that he knew who he would choose before the foundation of the world. All were under the condemnation of death, there is none that seeketh after God, no not one.

In God's mercy and grace he picked us out of all that were born of Adam's race to fulfill God's purpose. Eph. 3: 8-11 ,"to me, less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, to announce among the nations the glad tidings of the unsearchable riches of the Christ, and to enlighten all (with the knowledge of) what is the administration of the mystery hidden throughout the ages in God, who has created all things, in order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heaven lies might be made known through the assembly the all-various wisdom of God, according to (the) purpose of the ages, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eph. 2:12 "that ye were at that time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world". No hope because we were" dead in your offences and sins"

I think it is man's pride that makes him think that he can choose salvation (something to do (works) but as a friend pointed out recently that is limiting God to our response and God has no limits, except that he cannot lie.

Why did God choose me? That is something that I cannot answer but that brings out the response in me that I will praise and worship him for who he is and what he has done for me, a former dead man.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

TWO GREAT SNARES
By JOHN McKAY, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 29:25; John 12:42-43
John Knox had every reason to fear men (or the women who were the Romanist Queens of Scotland). Indeed he was arrested for treason. The great Scottish reformer preached the doctrines of salvation by grace through faith in the merit of Christ's blood shed at Calvary. He denounced the mass, as idolatry. Did he fear the human powers that had killed previous reformers? He may have had some hidden fears of men, but he did not let that stop him from the work that needed to be done. As one has written of him and the reformation in Scotland, "It was the victory of the people under the leadership of a brave and true man, against the combined forces of a queen, a court, and a powerful nobility."

Surely it was not for the praise of men that he suffered slavery, exile, torment, threats, arrest, and stress. We prefer to believe that John Knox suffered for the Lord Jesus Christ. We are convinced that he did not fall into the snares mentioned in our texts.

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." We should know God so well that we will not fear men. Sometimes being afraid of what men think, or will say, will deter us from saying or doing what we ought to say or do.

" ... among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him (the Lord Jesus), lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Don't let the fear of men or the love of their praise keep you from the will of God!

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

Hardwired for Triumph
By Steve McVey



Biotechnology teaches us that our DNA is a blueprint of who we are as physical beings. All of your physical features are nothing less than an expression of the programming that existed in your DNA from the moment you were conceived. DNA defines your physical nature.

In the same way, the Bible teaches that you have a spiritual nature. When you received the life of Jesus Christ, your nature was transformed. The Bible says that you became "a partaker of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). You might say that you received a GNA, with the G standing for  "God."  His life became yours. That makes you different from most people.

Your life pulsates with divine power because of the presence of Jesus Christ within you. At the core of your being, you are hard-wired for triumph because God "always causes (you) to triumph in Christ Jesus" (2 Corinthians 2:14). Christ is in you and will live His life through you. What greater assurance of victory can a person have?

The Apostle Paul affirmed, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Jesus Christ is your strength, your wisdom (see 1 Corinthians 1:30), and your assurance of victory in life. (See 1 Corinthians 15:57) You don't have to go through life with a defeated attitude. When you recognize and rest in who you really are, things can change!

Christians aren't who we used to be. It is important for us to understand that or we will be held back by the debilitating mind set of our old life. The person you were before you met Christ  died. (See Galatians 2:20) You are now a brand new person (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) who is capable of dreaming new dreams and living a life you could have never lived without Christ.

"According to your faith be it unto you," Jesus told one man who desperately needed to see his circumstances change. (See Matthew 9:29) Christ wanted to do something wonderful in this blind man's life, but it was necessary for the man to trust Him.

The foundation for your optimism is Jesus Christ. Faith in Him is the conduit through which He is able to pour out into your life all the good He has planned for you to be, to have and to do. It all bolls down to one simple question: Do you believe that God wants you to experience and enjoy His blessings or not?

As you look down the path that lies ahead for you, do you anticipate good things from God? Do you expect things to become better or worse?  Make no mistake about it - what we believe about God's working in our lives in this arena has an inestimable effect on how we move ahead and what we will experience and enjoy in the coming days.

Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, when the journey from Egypt to Canaan should have taken only 11 days. Why did it take them so long to enter into the Promised Land? The Bible says, "they were not able to enter because of unbelief' (Hebrews 3:19). With paradise only 11 days away, they lived in self-imposed misery for 40 years, all because they refused to believe God.

How long have you wandered in circles? Maybe, like Israel, you've been in the wilderness for many years. God says through Isaiah that it's time for you to accept and appropriate good news. Get ready, good news has arrived. Your Father is bringing you out of the wilderness.

Will you believe God? You aren't like those in the world, outside of Christ. You have an anointing by the enabling grace of Christ within you to live a supernatural life. Will you accept and appropriate the good news? Will you lay hold on the hope of fulfilling the God given dreams of your heart? Trust Him and watch the great things He will accomplish!

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

ARE YOUR TIME PRIORITIES STRAIGHT?
Part 1 of 2
by E. R. Campbell



 What I want to share with you may also be called RIGHTLY DIVIDING YOUR TIME. Time is a fleeting commodity. It cannot be recaptured nor relived. The hands of the clock continually remind us that the present is becoming the irreversible past. In view of the fact that there is only one life to live and it will soon be past, Paul admonishes us to be busy redeeming the time (Eph. 5:16).

Our goal should be to know and do the will of God, i.e., to be in a right spiritual relation to Him. The answer to how we can attain this goal is found in the Bible. If we begin with the Book of Genesis and read through the Old Testament, we may become very frustrated for the examples of spiritual defeat far exceed the examples of even partial spiritual victory (Rom. 3:19-20). In fact, what we read in this part of the Bible might even cause us to give up our quest for a spiritual relation to God, for we could become disillusioned with the weakness of our flesh (Rom. 7:7-24; 8:3).

By the time we reach the New Testament we are convinced that there are no short cuts to spirituality. We are depressed as we read about Jesus' Twelve Disciples, for they too were far better acquainted with spiritual defeat than victory. Finally, hope of attaining our goal is revived as we read Second Corinthians 5:17: "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old things have passed away, behold, new things have come." This verse gives us the first glimpse of spiritual victory. The moment we exercise faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior we become a new creature, the basis for victory over the weakness of the flesh. By the grace of God, apart from all human effort, we are instantaneously transferred from an "in Adam" to an "in Christ" position. Forensically speaking, we are perfectly righteous and just in Christ in the heavenlies (Eph. 1:6; Col. 2: 10).

This new status is solely based upon the grace of God ---Christ's infinite sacrifice on Calvary (Eph. 1:6-7). The foundation for spirituality is the fact that we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). God took the initiative in bringing us into this relation to Himself, for when we were dead in trespasses and sins, incapable of making the slightest movement toward God, He made us alive with Christ (Eph.2:5).

Now that we are spiritually alive with Christ, we are capable of both assuming and fulfilling responsibilities before God (1 John 5:11-12; Rom. 6:16). Our life with Christ in the heavenlies is to be manifest in our lifestyle upon the earth (Rom. 6:18-19). If we are truly alive in Christ, know how to express it, and have the physical ability to do so, there will be some degree of overt evidence of this life.

The Holy Spirit occupies a key position in this present age of Grace. In previous dispensations He had an objective with relation to men (Exodus 31:2-3), but in this dispensation of Grace He has a subjective in-relation to men (John 14:17). In Second Corinthians 3:6, Paul affirms that God qualifies us as "ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive." He confirms this same truth in Galatians 5:18, where he says that grace excludes the Law of Moses, i.e., "if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. " These two verses make it clear that the dispensations of Law and Grace are not to be confused. They are opposites, and to mix them is to make both ineffectual.

Granting that we are living in the dispensation of the Grace of God, and granting that the Holy Spirit is the Enlightener in this age, what body of truth does He use to enlighten us (Eph. 3:2)? The giving of the dispensation of the Law was inseparable from the giving of the Law itself (Exodus 19:4-8; 20:1-35:19). Likewise, the giving of the dispensation of Grace was inseparable from the giving of the truth by which it is to be governed (Eph. 3:3-12). This truth is commonly referred to as that which was previously unrevealed and hidden, hence, it is labeled the mystery. Prior to being revealed that truth was in mystery form, kept secret. After being revealed this truth was designated on the basis of what it was, thus Paul refers to it as THE MYSTERY. From the vantage point of the Mosaic Law, or the Old Testament, this was a feasible label, for it focused on new-previously-hidden truth.

[nChrist]

______________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
Please share this Inspirational with others.
Free Email Subscription
_______________________________________

ARE YOUR TIME PRIORITIES STRAIGHT?
Part 2 of 2
by E. R. Campbell




In keeping our time priorities straight it is exceedingly important that we concentrate on the specific body of truth given to the New Testament churches. God's present program is the dispensation of the Grace of God (Rom. 4:15; 11:5-6; Gal. 2:21; 5:4). During this present administration God is relating to his people through Christ and His Church (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:11-16; Col. 1 :24-28 ). This is a time when God is sovereignly calling individual Jews and Gentiles into one Body (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 2:16-19; Col. 3:15).

If we want to learn how to become members of the Body of Christ, the Church, we need to turn to the epistles written to the New Testament churches (Rom. 3:21-22). If we want to learn how to live as members of the Body of Christ, we will find the details in the letters written to the New Testament churches (Rom. 12:1-2). If we want insight into our future, we will find a brief, understandable sketch in the epistles which Paul wrote to the New Testament churches (1 Thess. 4:13-17).

The fact that the New Testament epistles were written either directly to local churches or to believers associated with churches sets a strong precedent for us to major in teaching them. There is no record nor inkling that Paul ever expounded an Old Testament book to any of the churches. True, he occasionally quoted applicable principles from the Old Testament, but only for the purpose of corroborating the truth revealed to him for the Church. This truth already being incorporated into the Pauline Epistles, they already contain the pertinent, universal principles necessary from the Old Testament. Paul kept his priorities straight, he concentrated on the Truth given to him for the Church, truth which establishes believers (Rom. 16:25).

Having observed what Paul preached to the lost (1 Cor. 1:23; 15:1-4), and what he preached to the saints (Col. 1:24-29), shouldn't we be preaching the same message? We recognize that the Lord deposited with him anew, distinct message of Grace for the Church (1 Cor. 2:6-10; Gal. 1:11-12; Eph. 1:3-14; 2:4-10), which he has confirmed beyond controversy, but hasn't this same message been deposited with us?

Paul dogmatically asserts that the Gospel which was deposited with him has also been deposited with us. He wrote to Timothy: "for I know in whom I have believed, and I have been persuaded that he is able to guard my deposit unto that day. Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me ... guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us (2 Tim. 1:12-14):' In the next chapter he extends this deposit to include all faithful believers, for he commands: "which things you have heard from me through many witnesses, these things commit [deposit] to faithful men, who shall be qualified to also teach others" (2 Tim. 2:2; cf. 3:10, 14; 1 Tim. 1 :3; 4:6, 11; 6:20; Phil. 4:6). Paul knew that the Lord had given him a special revelation of Truth for the Church, and unlike a boxer beating the air, preaching Mosaic Law truth, his priority was to preach the Truth for the Church (1 Cor. 9: 16-17, 26).

Keep in mind, all the books of the Bible are equally inspired by God the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Peter 1:11-12; 2 Peter 1:20-21). We acknowledge that what was written previously, particularly pertaining to the coming Messiah, has secondary instructional value for us for it incites our hope (Rom. 15:3-4; Isa. 53:1-12). Also, at Canyonview Bible Seminary we teach nine hours of Old Testament survey, Old Testament seminars, and the Hebrew language. The issue is not whether the Old Testament is inspired or has value, but the real issue is TIME.

At Canyonview Bible Seminary we have enough time to major in the books of the New Testament as well as give general knowledge of the Old Testament. In the average church, however, TIME IS A VERY CRUCIAL FACTOR! Since there is insufficient time available to adequately teach the Truth given to the Church, let alone the Old Testament, we are forced to make a choice. In view of the limited time available ~ our priority must be to teach Church Truth - which has its expansive heart in the fourteen epistles written by the Apostle Paul.