Archives for December 2016

Dec. 3, 2016

MY FRIENDS, THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL OF THE CROSS!!!!

In the beginning, there was only darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light” and there was light.” Gen 1:1-3 (KJV) Our narrative begins in Luke 23:20-47 (NKJV) at Calvary where you have the Jewish leaders who made the deliberate decision to crucify the Son of God, “though the full light of truth Christ had come to reveal had been available to them.” You have the rabble or the lower class who Cried crucify Him, Crucify Him having no Idea what was going on.

“Their taunts and jeers were made in ignorance as they looked to their leaders for guidance” as many do today whether leaders in government or our churches, they become our interpreters of God’s word because we neglect to read for ourselves so now we become the rabble or the spiritually lower class even though “we say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.”

We are actually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” [not understanding truth from error because we do not study]. Rev. 3:17 (NIV) The word of God was written for all to understand. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Ps. 119:130 (NIV) That is why John saw in Rev 7:9 (NIV) that no economic status kept anyone from understanding God’s word and receiving His kingdom.

For John saw a “great multitude [of all economic classes, and cultures] that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” But “as the deer [longs for with breathless and intense eagerness,] for the water brooks, So should our soul long for…..[the presence and mind of] God” Ps. 42:1 (NKJV) which can only be found in His word.

As the Spirit hovers over the Cross as He did over the waters at creation. But this day, He is trying to penetrate hearts, like a tag team Christ is praying “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” while the Spirit hovers the soldiers cast lots for Christ divided garments as the rabble taunts Jesus “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

The Spirit continues His mission with little time left trying desperately to penetrate someone’s heart with the light of God’s Glory, slowly moving not willing that any should perish but that all should repent,” before they squander their only opportunity for salvation. Then it happens, one of the thieves allows God’s Spirit to penetrate within His heart as he says, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

The other refuses the light only to blaspheme God’s only begotten Son. My friends, Christ saves no matter how long we have stayed in sin if we will only recognize the light of His glory. With only a little light and time left, one of the Centurion soldiers glorifies God as he says “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matt. 27:54 (KJV)

Between the sixth and ninth hour the sun refused to shine and into His Fathers hand Christ commits His spirit and dies and at that precise moment He died for only two, the Centurion and the thief. My friends, with a little light left before God’s spirit is removed completely from this earth His Spirit is still hovering over our hearts seeking our commitment to give it all to the Master. Will you respond before God says it is finished.

Dec 1, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WHAT HAS THE GOSPEL DONE FOR US OR TO US?

“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain……that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried,..raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” 1 Cor. 1-4 (NIV) And that is what Paul received and preached.

And now, we must remind ourselves and others that we have received this same message. And by this gospel we are also saved if we hold firmly to the word of God, over-wise we believe in vain like the “fool who says there is no God.” And that belief is based on Christ Died for our sins on a Friday and three days later on a Sunday He rose according to scriptures.

Now my friends, that is the good news if we believe and it is not about something we do but about “what the gospel has done for us” through that narrow gate [on our journey to the promise land.] For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to [the gospel], and only a few find it.” Matt 7:13-14 (NIV)

Because if we do not recognized the power of the cross and allowed that power to transformed our life into that same thirty three and one half year journey that took Christ to the Garden of Gethsemane, a traders kiss, spat upon, slapped, mocked, beaten and scourged. And then like a common thief crucified between two thieves, then the gospel has no real meaning to us.

Just another day in the history of this world. My friends, Satan has devised many weapons that communicates to the masses of what his world has to offer and what his gospel according to Satan is all about. But as a Child of God in God’s army our vision of the gospel must be a contrasting message to the masses of what we have to offer through the cross.

But we have no message if the extent of the gospel to us is, we have a nice home, a fancy car, a good job and plenty of money or we are a good deaconess or deacon in the church and we visit the sick and feed the homeless and pay our tithe. My friends is that all the gospel has done for us after all Christ did for us on Calvary. By man’s definition, the gospel is the “story of Christ’s life and teachings.” And that is why the love of many continue to wax colder and colder because all most of us have to offer is the “story of Christ’s life and teachings.”

What a sad scenario to all who look forward to Christ second coming. But “not everyone who says to Christ, ‘Lord, Lord,’ [I knew the “story of Your life and teachings”] will enter the kingdom of heaven,” Matt 7:21 (NIV) Time is of the essence my friends, part one of the gospel will soon end so Christ can gather His children from every nation, tribe, people and language, but it will continue throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. But, if part one has not done anything for or to us, we will never be allowed to experience part two.