New Covenant of Grace Christian Fellowship

TO SEE THY POWER AND GLORY IN THE SANCTUARY

pastorwoody — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:50:52 +0000

TO SEE THY POWER AND GLORY IN THE SANCTUARY

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Psalms 63:2

Many “Christians” today are content to exist in their salvation as it is, without any desire to experience the magnificence of God’s great power and Glory in their lives. However, not only should we seek God’s presence and power in our personal lives but also in the sanctuary.

(1) HIS SPIRIT AND POWER

We should have a strong desire and have a longing to experience God’s Spirit, Power, and Glory to be manifested in His House. We should pray for God to exert Himself in power against the satanic forces, and demonic oppression that is being perpetrated against so many people. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him Mark 1:34 We should pray for God’s power against sin Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Romans 6:6-7 We need to pray for God’s power against sickness and infirmities. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matt 9:35

(2) THE GOSPEL

It is truly a sad thing in the time in which we live to see so many individuals who only use the church as a means of socializing. So many attend only for the opportunity to visit with their friends, or for only the programs. In reality we should be fervently desiring that the Gospel might convict and save the sinner. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. John 16:8-11 We should earnestly desire to see them sanctified. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 We should want God’s power to bring them into the fullness of the Spirit. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8 We should earnestly desire that the Gospel would also change us as Christians as well. For none of us has yet arrived. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: Psalms 139:23

FINDING GENUINE COMFORT

pastorwoody — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:59:36 +0000

FINDING GENUINE COMFORT

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. John 5:8-10

Many today are searching for something to fill the void in their lives and seeking to find comfort in the world. But real comfort is found only in Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, and in The Heavenly Father.

(1) COMFORT

What brings you personal comfort? What do you long for each day? Maybe you desire to be rid of relational tension. Maybe your idea of comfort is being nestled behind a good book. Perhaps you long for the mornings when you are winding up or you long for the evenings when you are winding down. The environment that brings you comfort may be that of peace and quiet or laughter and meaning verbal interaction. This comfort is offered to us in God’s Holy Word. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. Psalms 71:21 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16

The invalid of 38 years received the comfort of instant healing when Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” And “at once” that man was healed. There was no delay. After 38 years, the lame man’s healing came instantly.

(2) LEGALISM

The poison of legalism strained the comfort of his instant healing. The Jews were unable to celebrate the miracle of this man’s healing because they were so transfixed on the fact that Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath. Their legalism kept them from recognizing the Lord.

Legalism bypasses relationship. God has not saved you from your sin and sealed you by His Holy Spirit so that you will live in the bondage of legalism. In Christ, God has saved you so that you can walk in the freedom of your new identity in Christ. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

BUILDING UP YOURSELVES

pastorwoody — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:01:20 +0000

BUILDING UP YOURSELVES

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:20

You and I must defend and propagate the faith and resist those things and individuals who bring in dissention and and adhere to false teachings. This is done in four ways:

(1) HOLY FAITH

We must build ourselves up in our most Holy faith. The faith that is the New Testament revelation that has been handed down by Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:3 This requires study of God’s Word, and a determined effort to truly know the truth, and the true teachings of the Scriptures. So many “Christians” really don’t want to know the truth, just enough to get by. Because it calls them to accountability. I am seeing more and more in the day and time we live in that some who call themselves “Christians” don’t want to be accountable. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15

(2) PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT

We build ourselves up by praying in the spirit. We must pray by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, I.e. By looking to The Holy Spirit for inspiration, guidance, energizing, sustaining, and help. We need to do this so we can do battle in our praying. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph 6:18 Praying in the Spirit requires both praying with one’s understanding and praying through the Spirit. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 1 Cor 14:15

(3) THE SPHERE OF GOD’S LOVE

We build ourselves up by remaining in the sphere of God’s love for us. The main ingredient that is necessary for us to remain in the sphere of God’s love is, faithful obedience to God and His Word. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:9-10

(4) THE RETURN OF OUR LORD

We build ourselves up by longing and waiting for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We know that there will be eternal glory, that will accompany His return. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3

HE CANNOT SIN

pastorwoody — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:05:30 +0000

HE CANNOT SIN

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 3:9

This scripture is telling us that no one who is born of God “Continues To Sin“, “Practices Sin“, or “Keeps On Sinning“ The verb “to sin” is a present active infinitive, implying continued action. John here emphasizes that those who are truly born again and born of God cannot make sin a way of life, because, the life of God cannot exist in those who make a practice or habit of sinning. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7

(1) THE NEW BIRTH

The new birth (Being born again) produces spiritual life that results in an ever present relationship with God. In this epistle ever time John speaks of the new birth of the Christian, he uses the Greek perfect tense to emphasize the continued and sustained relationship that the new birth began in us. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 1 John 2:29 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4:20

(2) GOD’S LIFE

For people to have God’s life in them (i.e. Born again, born of God) and to go on habitually sinning and doing the things they used to do before they were “Born Again” is a spiritual contradiction. True believers may occasionally lapse from God’s high standard, but they will not continue in sin and a deliberate lifestyle that is contrary to God and His Word. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 1 John 3:6 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 3:10

(3) KEEPS THE FAITHFUL

The thing which keeps the faithful from sinning deliberately and habitually, is “GOD’S Seed” in them. i.e. (God’s very life, Spirit and nature dwelling in them). Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4

(4) INDWELLING CHRIST

By faith (For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4) the indwelling Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit and the written Word, all true believers can live moment by moment free from all the entangling power of sin. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20

THE HEART OF GOD

pastorwoody — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:26:09 +0000

THE HEART OF GOD

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Josh 1:5

(1) GOD’S PRESENCE BRINGS COMFORT

You and I will never go through anything that Jesus hasn’t already endured on our behalf. Jesus knows grief, suffering, rejection, humiliation, betrayal, loneliness, and death on a first name basis. Yet, Jesus reigns in victory. If we will allow Jesus to reign in our life, we will reign in victory. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

(2) GOD’S PRESENCE SUSTAINS

Joshua, Paul, and Jude can testify with clarity and confidence that God’s presence sustains us while we live the life God has given on this earth. While you and I wait for our glorified bodies and our glorious reunion with Jesus and our loved ones in heaven, God’s abiding presence sustains us and enables us to endure the hard seasons of life. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22

What’s troubling you today? Is there anything causing you to lose sleep or to agonize in the sea of worry? Is anything causing you to lose your spiritual strength? Has fear darkened your vision or diffused your passion? Surrender every fiber of your being to the Lord right now in prayer. Invite God to make His presence known in your life.

IF THE LORD WILL

pastorwoody — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:59:36 +0000

IF THE LORD WILL

For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. James 4:15

In making goals and plans for the future, true believers will inquire of God concerning His will, and they will earnestly desire to do His will in any given situation.

(1) WE MUSt NOT ACT

We must not act independently like the rich young man And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:16-21 But rather we must recognize that true happiness and usefulness and useful living are completely dependent on God and His will.

(2) THE PRINCIPLE

The princip[Le by which we should live is “If The Lord Will”. If our prayer is truly “Not My Will But Thine Be Done” Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42, it is then that we have the assurance that our present and future are in the protective care of our Heavenly Father. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 1 Cor 4:19 And this will we do, if God permit. Heb 6:3

MORE GRACE

pastorwoody — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:10:45 +0000

MORE GRACE

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:6-8

While God’s grace opposes the proud, He increases grace to the humble. Here in these scriptures we see five steps for obtaining “More Grace”

(1) SUBMISSION

The reason that many don’t see more of the grace of God in their lives today is simply because they are more interested in their own selfish ways that in being submitted totally to God. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

(2) RESISTANCE

People had rather enjoy their own self centered lifestyles and their pleasurable desires than resist any attempt by others or by the enemy to get them to give in to the pleasures of this world. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 This means to resist him, no matter what form he may take or appear.

(3) DRAW NEAR TO GOD

We must draw near to God in worship, thanksgiving, prayer, and in fellowship with God, and the Holy Spirit. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

(4) CLEANSE YOUR HANDS

It is amazing how today many “Christians” don’t think that they have need to “cleanse their hands” They have the attitude of “I Am Always Right” and it is everyone else who is wrong. But God calls us to cleanse our hands by confessing our sin to Him, and getting our outward and inner lives right before Him. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

(5) PURIFYING

We purify our hearts by allowing God to cleanse our inner life and our thoughts. Posturing ourselves before God in these ways as a pattern for our lives will enable us to experience the greater grace resulting in a life of full victory over the world, our own sinful nature, satan, and the worldly influences around us, and we will start to produce fruit for God. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

LET US DRAW NEAR

pastorwoody — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:39:07 +0000

LET US DRAW NEAR

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10:22

Faith and drawing near to God through Jesus Christ are inseparable.

(1) FAITH DEFINED

Faith is defined as sincerely coming to God and believeing in HIs goodness. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6 When we draw near to God through Jesus Christ, we find mercy, grace, and help. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16 We draw near to find Salvation Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb 7:25 We can find sanctification by coming closer and nearer to God. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Heb 10:14 By coming close to Him and drawing near to Him we find cleansing for our souls. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10:22

(2) CLEAR IMPLICATION

What this clearly implies, is that where there is no drawing near to God through Jesus Christ, in prayer, and fellowship with Christ, there is and can be no saving faith. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Heb 10:38 Jesus Himself equates faith with earnest prayer to God. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:1-8

THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE

pastorwoody — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:02:41 +0000

THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Tim 4:3-4

Throughout the history of the church there have always been individuals who have opposed the real teaching and preaching of God’s Word in the church. It is even more rampant today.

(1) THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE

They refuse to love sound doctrine. And the Bible tells us that as the end draws near they will become worse. It is happening today. People are wanting to hear something positive. Something that is pleasing to them rather than something that is beneficial to their spiritual man. The Bible talks about people who will give way to seducing spirits and they will not want to hear the truth. They only want to hear something soothing to their ears. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1 Tim 4:1 Many people will gather into churches and profess to be Christians, appear like they are real Christians, but they will not tolerate the preaching and teaching of God’s Word and His demand to separate from unrighteousness. They will make every kind of excuse possible to avoid it. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Tim 3:5

(2) THEY SHALL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH

Sound Biblical preaching and teaching will no longer be endured or tolerated by many within the church. There are those in the church that are turning away from the truth in order not to hurt someone’s feelings. Those who are turning away from the truth are those who want and demand to hear less than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because they want to live their lifestyles that are contrary to God and His Word. They in essence don’t want to be accountable for their actions. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Tim 6:5 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Titus 1:13-14 These are the kind of people who will not accept God’s Word when it speaks of repentance, sin, damnation, and the necessity of holiness, and separation from the world. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. Ezek 33:32

(3) AFTER THEIR OWN LUSTS SHALL THEY HEAP TO THEMSELVES FALSE TEACHERS

People today want pastors and preachers that do not preach according to the standards of God’s Word. But they want someone who will conform to them and their own self-seeking and worldly desires. They want to be entertained rather than taught. They want to hear that they can still remain a Christian while living according to their desires and the dictates of their own flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:4-13

(4) HOLY SPIRIT WARNINGS

The Holy Spirit warns all those ministers who remain faithful to God and submit themselves to His Word, that they should expect to be persecuted and caused great anguish form those self seeking individual’s who don’t want to hear the truth of God’s Word. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matt 5:10-12 Further more those who stand for God and His righteous standards must separate themselves from those who deny the complete Word of God in favor of a watered-down gospel that permits them to do as they please. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1 Tim 4:1-2 People try to cherry pick the Bible. They pick out the things they like to hear and those things which don’t condemn them. But we must get back to the complete truth and Word of God. We must remain faithful to God’s complete truth and not just to the parts we want to hear, if we are to receive and experience the close fellowship with God that He desires us to have. Then we can have the times of refreshing from the Lord. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Acts 3:19-20

LOVE WORKETH NO ILL TO HIS NEIGHBOR

pastorwoody — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:56:46 +0000

LOVE WORKRTH NO ILL TO HIS NEIGHBOR

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10

“Love” is fulfilled not only by positive commands Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9, but it is also fulfilled by negative commands as well. All of the commandments mentioned here are in negative form. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 1 Cor 13:4-6

(1) POSITIVE

Love is positive, yet it is also negative in that it accounts for the human propensity towards sin, selfishness, and cruelty. Eight of the ten commandments are negative because sin comes naturally when goodness does not. The first true evidence of Christian love is a turning from sin and all that brings or causes harm and sorrow to others. It is turning completely from those things which even look wrong or activities where our Christianity can be questioned. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2 Cor 6:17 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

(2) CHRISTIAN ETHICS

The idea that Christian ethics must only be positive is a fallacy that is based on the ides of a society that seeks to free itself from prohibitions that curb their sinful nature’s unrestrained desires. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21