Our son, Pastor David, his wife Melissa, and two children, are leaving Sept 14th, on a mission trip to Nicaragua. Their mission is to train pastors of which many don't even have their own Bibles. They are going to train lay leaders, who will be a blessing to their local churches. They are going to train and inspire those, who might feel a call to ministry in one of the five fold gifts. And their desire is to impart faith, hope and love, so they can achieve their God-given destiny. We are asking everyone to please pray for them for the next forty five days. Please see prayer request located in right margin.
Now onto today's service...
Welcome to your online Church today. All are welcome in this place. Many of you are returning, and we are believing for the "first timers."
God will bless you with His anointed Word and preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As many of you know, this is a week long service, so tell your friends and relatives to tune in. If you have any comments, complaints, suggestions or praise reports please e-mail me at brotherbob@thespiritofwisdom.org or click on the comment link at the end of today's service. For those of you who are having trouble leaving comments, follow these steps:
- Click on the underlined word "comments."
- Where it says, "Comment as:" click on the down arrow and select "Name/URL"
- Enter your name in the box (URL optional) and click "Continue."
- Type your comment in the white box. When you are finished, click on the "Post Comment" button located below. Your comment will then appear below the service.
I would also suggest you go back and read any prior services you missed. They will be a blessing to you. It would not hurt my believer friends to re-read them also. God has more for you than you can imagine.
Now, let the service begin.
Last week we ended the service by listening to Peter say to Jesus "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life." Here, read it again for yourselves:
"Then, said Jesus unto the twelve, will you also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."
(John 7:67-68)
At that point we concluded by stating that the Bible is the Word of God. The words to eternal life are in the book (Bible).
I guess the question to ask is - do you believe that conclusion or not? I am sensitive to the Spirit of God and I am aware that for many this has been a very difficult week - sickness, job losses, financial difficulties or let us just plain out say - not enough money to pay the bills, marriage problems, unruly and disobedient children, no peace in your mind, body or spirit, the depressing news on T.V., wars and on, and on and on. The question cries out!! Lord, to whom shall we go? We've been to doctors, we pleaded with our employers, we've talked to the bill collectors, we've talked with child psychologists, teachers and our children. There is no peace in your mind, body or spirit even though you turned to meditation, yoga, exercise, Oprah and Dr. Phil. You now realize no politicians, regardless of party affiliation, can solve your problems of life. So once again, as Peter said, "Lord to whom shall we go?"
The answer, my friends, is in the direction book of life, God's Word!! Turn to God now. Give your life to Him and begin to see His Word come alive and make a difference in your life. No one but Jesus has the answers to eternal life but Jesus. Like it or not, that is the way it is.
Christians, or as I prefer to call you, believers, let the Word of Christ dwell in you. You might say "Can that be?" Let's see what the Word of God says. Turn to Col. 3:16. Paul speaks by letter to a church admonishing them that Jesus is sufficient to provide all you need for salvation and in daily life. Now, Col. 3:16:
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing (correcting) one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
This will prepare you to live in this world in a way that will give you peace and the ability to handle your situations in a Godly manner.
Listen everyone, I and my family have gone, and are going through many of the same problems in life as you are. I am convinced Jesus is the only way to go. I will not, and I am asking you please, do not turn away from the Word of God. I guarantee, if you do turn away, it will get worse. Stay faithful my friends, as will I, and guess what, we will make it through it all together!
It is important, my friends, to just not read the Bible like a novel, but we must study the Word. Remember, it is the direction book for life. Please turn to 2nd Timothy 2:15-16. Let us read it together. Paul wrote a letter to Timothy to remain faithful to Christ. That is also good advice for us.
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness."
WOW, how powerful are these scriptures?!! So much information in two verses.
- Study to be approved by God.
- Study so there will be no need for shame in your life.
- Study to rightly divide the Word of God. This is so important because there is so much false teaching going around.
- Shun all profane and vain babblings.
Ladies and gentleman, I don't care who preaches or teaches you the Bible, check it out for yourself. Be sensitive to God and you will be secure in your belief. I believe God is so good to give us these directions, don't you?
I sincerely hope this message on staying in the Word is a source of strength and hope for you. It is good to know there is spiritual help for us in our daily struggles. God's Word is quick and powerful to point out to us what is in our heart, good or bad. Please turn to Heb. 4:12.
"For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even unto the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. And of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
My translation: God's Word cuts us to the quick. Take heed and follow His Word to victory in your life. Can you now see how important it is to not only read, but to study the Word of God?
Well, now that we have learned how important it is to study and learn God's Word, what do we do with it? The answer, my friends, is in James 1:22-24. Please read with me:
"But, be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves. For, if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a glass; for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was."
See how important being a doer of the Word is? If you study the Word, read the Word, talk the Word, but are not a doer of the Word, you will eventually walk away from God and forget the Godly person you had become. Please, I implore you, do not do that!! Become and stay a doer of the Word.
So, who is this Jesus, and why is the Word of God so important? Please turn to Rev. 19:11-13, 16. This is the vision God, our heavenly Father, gave John and he now relates it to us regarding Jesus. I would suggest reading the entire chapter of Revelations 19, but we will now read Rev. 19:11-13, 16. Get ready to shout everyone! This is John speaking:
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and His name is called the Word of God." (This is Jesus)
16: "And He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Yes, my brothers and sisters, Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and He is the Word of God. Glory to God, hallelujah and Amen!!
Conclusion: When you study the Word of God, you are reading Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. On your mark - get set - ready? GO! Study the Word now and by all means stay in the Word and you will stay in Jesus.
God bless you!
Bro. Bob
Brother Bob: Excellent, for all of us, old and new believers. We need to continue to exhort each other to follow Jesus;and reading, studying, and doing His Word is the way of staying on the narrow path, as the world and all its enticements are crouching to ensare any who would stray away from the daily washing of the Word.
ReplyDeleteLove to you and Vicki
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