“Well since I’m an heir of God by faith already you can keep the suffering bit. I’m alright.” Those who wish to avoid suffering for Christ now are robbing themselves of great benefits while on this earth also. You can’t be a mature believer if you don’t pass through the school of suffering for the faith. “You can’t be serious.” It is suffering that produces patience. God uses the word to produce faith in people; if you don’t hear the word no faith right? “Uh hmm.” In like manner God uses difficulties, afflictions and such like to make His people mature.
“Haba! Tell me more.” Seriously; the seed on stony ground grew up quickly but failed. Why? But when the sun came up, it burned the young plants; and because the roots had not grown deep enough, the plants soon dried up Mat 13:6(GNB).
The same sun which caused them to dry up made those on good soil grow. “And what is the sun representing?” Troubles, persecutions and afflictions because of the word: but since he doesn't have any root in himself, he lasts for only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes along because of the word, he immediately falls away Mat 13:21(ISV).
“I hear you; so Jesus gave a new explanation for the parable of the sower, and you were there to hear what is not written in scripture.” Not written? Have you not read …when you are involved in various trials, … the testing of your faith produces endurance. But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing Jas 1:2-4(ISV). You see those who can’t endure suffering now can’t mature unto fruit bearing.
“In that case I shall remain a baby; I don’t want to face difficulties sam, sam.” Do you know what happens when fruit is not borne? The plant withers up: the person fall away. “Hey that’s mixing parables. Withering up is in the parable of the vine and vine dresser, If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned Jn 15:6(KJV) not the sower.” You think so? It is the same thing really. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away Mat 13:6(KJV). You’ve got to face it.
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Thursday 20 January 2011
Joint heirs with Christ Week 3, 2011
“We are heirs of the Father, we are joint heirs with the son; we are children of the kingdom… why are you looking at me like that?” I just wondered if you really know what you are singing. “Surely you have nothing against this song. All of it is scriptural; look let me show you: So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ Gal 4:7(MKJV).” Save yourself the trouble I have been reading it myself. I just wonder if you really realize what you are claiming. “Of course I do! Everyone who has trusted Jesus to save him from sin has been born of God and automatically is a member of God’s house hold. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ Jesus.”
I praise God you have finally accepted suffering with Jesus. “Suffering? Who said anything about suffering? I am claiming my birth rights in Christ.” Heir of God may tell you that being a joint heir with Christ is conditional. “Bro, take it easy o. you are on the verge of error.” Am I? Read that Rom 8:17(KJV) passage for me. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Please note the “If” there. If you do not suffer today with Him, you cannot be a joint heir. “I said you are at the verge of error. Gal 4:7 places no such condition and assures me I am an heir.” I never disputed you are God’s heir; in Christ Jesus we all are. That Galatian passage says nothing about being joint heirs. To be a joint heir you must suffer with Him. “Can this be true?” Where else does scripture call us joint heirs? Check.
“I see no other place with that phrase. You can’t teach this. Did you not say you don’t use solitary incidents to build doctrines?” Good chap! No other place uses that phrase but 2Ti 2:12(KJV) says If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us. I want you to notice the “if” again. To reign with Him we must first suffer. Consider Then I saw the souls of those whose heads had been cut off because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God…They lived and ruled with Christ for 1,000 years Rev 20:4(GW). “No way! My head doesn’t have to be cut off first o.” Yes. But those that who suffer with him reign with Him! What of James and John? Can we open to…? “It’s okay. I’ve heard enough; the point is made.” So continue singing the song; and get ready to suffer with Him.
Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine 2Co 4:17(GW).
I praise God you have finally accepted suffering with Jesus. “Suffering? Who said anything about suffering? I am claiming my birth rights in Christ.” Heir of God may tell you that being a joint heir with Christ is conditional. “Bro, take it easy o. you are on the verge of error.” Am I? Read that Rom 8:17(KJV) passage for me. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Please note the “If” there. If you do not suffer today with Him, you cannot be a joint heir. “I said you are at the verge of error. Gal 4:7 places no such condition and assures me I am an heir.” I never disputed you are God’s heir; in Christ Jesus we all are. That Galatian passage says nothing about being joint heirs. To be a joint heir you must suffer with Him. “Can this be true?” Where else does scripture call us joint heirs? Check.
“I see no other place with that phrase. You can’t teach this. Did you not say you don’t use solitary incidents to build doctrines?” Good chap! No other place uses that phrase but 2Ti 2:12(KJV) says If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us. I want you to notice the “if” again. To reign with Him we must first suffer. Consider Then I saw the souls of those whose heads had been cut off because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God…They lived and ruled with Christ for 1,000 years Rev 20:4(GW). “No way! My head doesn’t have to be cut off first o.” Yes. But those that who suffer with him reign with Him! What of James and John? Can we open to…? “It’s okay. I’ve heard enough; the point is made.” So continue singing the song; and get ready to suffer with Him.
Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine 2Co 4:17(GW).
Friday 14 January 2011
The reason for persecution week 2, 2011
“Let us pray the church shall be sensitive to the move of God this year; we don’t want persecution.” Hold on a second bro. I agree with being sensitive; but what do you mean we don’t want persecution? Does sensitivity to the Holy Spirit prevent persecution? “You mean you don’t know. The church had filled Jerusalem with the gospel, and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching Act 5:28(RV), and the mandate was to move out to Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth. Because she was not sensitive to that, persecution broke loose and Steven died.”
Are you saying that if a man perfectly understands God’s plans and purposes for his life and strictly follows it he will not be persecuted? “Of course! My people perish for lack of knowledge.” But did God not say of Jesus, The LORD says, "It was my will that he should suffer...” Isa 53:10(GNB)? “Look Jesus came to give us an exchange: beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning. He was made poor that we might be rich, wounded that we may be whole. When you properly tap the resources of His kingdom you will cease from oppression. At his right hand are pleasures evermore.”
It is unsafe to build doctrines on a solitary incident. Bible tells us: After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you 1Pt 2:21(CEV). “My dear, you are wrong. The situation at that time was abnormal. That society did not know the rule of law, and believers did not know the dominion and kingdom principles we know now: the steps of Jesus we are to follow today are faith, absolute obedience and holiness. He came that we may have life more abundantly hallelujah!”
I fear for you; you will turn out like a broiler if you go on with this false teaching. What do you make of: If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also Jn 15:20(RV)? Persecution is indeed allowed of God to strengthen the church. Sensitivity to the Spirit will help us prepare against its coming not prevent it. Some of those who are wise will suffer, so that God will make them pure and acceptable until the end Dan 11:35(CEV).
“Are you therefore suggesting we should actively seek persecution; even pray for it?” You misunderstand me my brother. Does the man with a palm tree pray to bring forth oil only and no kernel? Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted 2Ti 3:12(GNB)
Are you saying that if a man perfectly understands God’s plans and purposes for his life and strictly follows it he will not be persecuted? “Of course! My people perish for lack of knowledge.” But did God not say of Jesus, The LORD says, "It was my will that he should suffer...” Isa 53:10(GNB)? “Look Jesus came to give us an exchange: beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning. He was made poor that we might be rich, wounded that we may be whole. When you properly tap the resources of His kingdom you will cease from oppression. At his right hand are pleasures evermore.”
It is unsafe to build doctrines on a solitary incident. Bible tells us: After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you 1Pt 2:21(CEV). “My dear, you are wrong. The situation at that time was abnormal. That society did not know the rule of law, and believers did not know the dominion and kingdom principles we know now: the steps of Jesus we are to follow today are faith, absolute obedience and holiness. He came that we may have life more abundantly hallelujah!”
I fear for you; you will turn out like a broiler if you go on with this false teaching. What do you make of: If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also Jn 15:20(RV)? Persecution is indeed allowed of God to strengthen the church. Sensitivity to the Spirit will help us prepare against its coming not prevent it. Some of those who are wise will suffer, so that God will make them pure and acceptable until the end Dan 11:35(CEV).
“Are you therefore suggesting we should actively seek persecution; even pray for it?” You misunderstand me my brother. Does the man with a palm tree pray to bring forth oil only and no kernel? Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted 2Ti 3:12(GNB)
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Suffering is not for me week 1, 2011
“Me I no go suffer! I will not beg for bread. God of miracles – He’s my Daddy.” How can you be singing that song? “Why shouldn’t I brother? Why shouldn’t I? God has not designed us to suffer any more.” For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although he was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich 2Co 8:9(ISV). I am afraid for you, it seems someone might keep you from a full reward. You are rejecting what God has ordained for your profit.
“Look Jesus has suffered for us on the cross, we do not need to suffer any longer by faith we enjoy the riches of His grace.” But what of Paul: Now I am rejoicing in my sufferings for you and completing in my flesh whatever remains of Christ's sufferings on behalf of his body, which is the church Col 1:24(ISV). Would you say he did not enjoy the grace of God? “Some of Paul’s sufferings were self imposed. I won’t join you in doing penance. “Was it so? Did the Lord Jesus not say: For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name Act 9:16(ISV). “Well I heard that people suffer based on the measure of opposition they gave the gospel before repentance. If they had been pretty sinful like Paul they would suffer a lot; but if not like Barnabas they would not need to go through suffering.” Now that is a strange view, and it sounds much more like the penance you are speaking against. That opinion is unbiblical.
“You have me confused. I know it is supposed to be unbiblical. Even though the passage you quote appears to support it. What then is the bible stand on Christians and suffering?” There is a great difference between sufferings because of ignorance of the provisions of Jesus (My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge Hos 4:6(MKJV)), sufferings because of willful sin (What credit is it if, when you have done evil, you take your punishment quietly? but if you are given punishment for doing right, and take it quietly, this is pleasing to God1Pe 2:20(BBE)), and suffering as a Christian. Scripture clearly teaches For you have been given the privilege for Christ's sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him Phil 1:29(ISV). It is the first 2 that we should abhor. Don’t ever sing that song again; rather say, “Even though I suffer, I’ll never beg for bread…” that is scriptural.
They left the Council, rejoicing to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name Act 5:41(ISV).
“Look Jesus has suffered for us on the cross, we do not need to suffer any longer by faith we enjoy the riches of His grace.” But what of Paul: Now I am rejoicing in my sufferings for you and completing in my flesh whatever remains of Christ's sufferings on behalf of his body, which is the church Col 1:24(ISV). Would you say he did not enjoy the grace of God? “Some of Paul’s sufferings were self imposed. I won’t join you in doing penance. “Was it so? Did the Lord Jesus not say: For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name Act 9:16(ISV). “Well I heard that people suffer based on the measure of opposition they gave the gospel before repentance. If they had been pretty sinful like Paul they would suffer a lot; but if not like Barnabas they would not need to go through suffering.” Now that is a strange view, and it sounds much more like the penance you are speaking against. That opinion is unbiblical.
“You have me confused. I know it is supposed to be unbiblical. Even though the passage you quote appears to support it. What then is the bible stand on Christians and suffering?” There is a great difference between sufferings because of ignorance of the provisions of Jesus (My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge Hos 4:6(MKJV)), sufferings because of willful sin (What credit is it if, when you have done evil, you take your punishment quietly? but if you are given punishment for doing right, and take it quietly, this is pleasing to God1Pe 2:20(BBE)), and suffering as a Christian. Scripture clearly teaches For you have been given the privilege for Christ's sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him Phil 1:29(ISV). It is the first 2 that we should abhor. Don’t ever sing that song again; rather say, “Even though I suffer, I’ll never beg for bread…” that is scriptural.
They left the Council, rejoicing to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name Act 5:41(ISV).
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