RETURN TO THE BASICS

It's that time again church. The time to gather together in praise and worship to the God above all gods and his Son, Jesus. It is always such an honor and privilege to bring forth the word of God to you. God loves you so much that he reaches right through the cyberspace, known as the internet, to bless you, to save you, to heal and deliver you from all the oppression Satan has put upon you. No wonder we can say – today is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it! We welcome everyone to this 24/7, week long, online church service. We emphasize, everyone is welcome here.

This week I want to touch on a subject that is filled with controversy and pitfalls. The church!! You know folks, there are over two hundred denominations. Each one man made and man run. All proclaiming that their teaching and preaching is the correct teaching of God. Over two hundred seminaries, all teaching different things on the same verse. How can that be? Is there anything wrong with this picture?

Some churches teach healing is for today, others say it isn't. Some say tongues is of God, others say it is of the devil. Some churches believe instrumental music is to be used in praise and worship, yet other denominations teach only voice singing should be used. Does anyone out there really believe God meant his salvation to be this complicated? Some churches teach that man after salvation should walk in wealth. Other churches teach we should walk in poverty. Some churches refer to other denominations as “the frozen chosen.” Yet the “frozen chosen” churches claim that those other churches are just loud and emotional driven (holy rollers). No wonder confusion remains constant in organized churches and among religious organizations.

Do you know that for approximately three hundred years after the death of Jesus, there was no organized church? Yet, believers did gather together to worship and praise God. They encouraged each other to follow the teachings the apostles laid before them. They taught about Jesus coming to earth to save us. Their focus was on Jesus, dead, buried and risen. The cross was the object of their focus. They weren't concerned about the politics of their time as we are today. They would never allow their spirituality to be linked with one political party or another as God was the all in all for them. As it should be today.

The truth is, salvation and your belief in Jesus Christ is a personal relationship. Paul gives us the true doctrine of the church. In Colossians 1:14-22.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him and for him: And he is before all things and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; and having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled - In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.”

In other words folks, return to the basics. Jesus and him crucified. He is in and above all things. When men decided that we have moved beyond the cross of calvary, they made a huge mistake. The entire new covenant is wrapped up in the cross. These previous verses of the Bible clearly state, Jesus is the creator and head of the church. It is made clear also in these passages, we as believers are the body of Christ. We are the church here on the earth to carry out the works that Jesus did.

What we are not to do is pick a verse out of the Bible and make a denomination out of it. My God help us to be wise and to understand your Word. As I speak to you on this online church, I only have one request of you, my friends. Please do not believe anything I say. Look it up in the Word of God and prove to yourself whether I am speaking truth or falsehood. Also, let me say this. I am not against local churches. I encourage you to ask God to lead you to a church near you, where you can worship and praise God with others. But always be faithful to read your Bible, and when the Spirit of God shows you something different from what is being taught, take it to your pastor and discuss it with him. Not with an attitude or to correct him, but to shine light on what he is teaching.

Pastors and teachers, this is an invitation to you to quit preaching your seminary notes or what other preachers teach and to get back in tune with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Bible. All these things that seem so contradictory, are doctrines that God will make clear to you, but only through his word. This 24/7 online church will be preaching and teaching on all the so called controversial doctrines mentioned in the beginning of this message. You will be free to question or even disagree with me. But only if you take the time to check it out for yourself through the word of God.

This ministry is being very careful to only preach the divine Word of Truth imparted to us by the Holy Spirit through the word of God. To do otherwise would be to invite a curse upon ourselves. The apostle Paul makes this clear in a warning to all preachers in Galations 1:8-9. Paul said:

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.”

I don't want that. And good pastors and teachers, I know you don't either. Get back to the basics, which can only be the word of God, which is Jesus and him crucified.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

New Prayer Request: Isaiah Moors, two month old baby, in ICU with severe internal injuries. Please pray for healing and a quick recovery. Also, pray for the family that they have peace in this trying situation.