Symbols of The Word of God

Symbols of The Word of God

1.                The Word is like Fire.  Jeremiah 23:29 – Is not my word like as a fire?  Saith the Lord.  It burns, cleanses and urges all that is contrary to its holy standard.  As fire has power to destroy, The Word of God has power to destroy sin before sin destroys us.  For the wages of sin is d e a t h. Romans 6:23.

2.                The Word is like a Hammer.  Jeremiah 23:29 – Is not my word like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces.  It is able to smash and demolish evil.

3.                The Word is like a Lamp.  Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  It is a guiding light because it shows us the way .

4.               The Word is like a Mirror.  James 1:23 –For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (mirror).  In other words this person hears The Word of God which is like looking at YOURSELF in the mirror.  You see the condition of your soul.  You may not be excited about what you see-but you will SEE yourself!  St. John 3:20- For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither comes to  the light lest his deeds should be reproved.  The light represents the Word, and many will not come to The Word because they do not want to SEE themselves for who they really  ARE.

5.          The Word is like a Pearl. Matthew 7:6 – Give not that which is Holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.  The Word of God is like a Pearl. A pearl can be found hidden in mol-lusks, which are clams, snails, slugs, squid, and octopuses[1]  As mollusk are invertebrate with a soft  body, usually protected by a shell in one, two, or three pieces. [2]  As snails, slugs, squid and octopuses are not very pleasant to look at, yet they carry a pearl which is of great value.  Many times people appear to be merely slugs, squid, snails or octopuses, however once they receive Christ into their lives, the Pearl or Jewel can be found within the person.  Christ is precious and He is our  jewel.  Without Jesus in our  lives  we are no better than a   crawling slug, snail or octopuses - without the pearl!   In other words without the pearl we are of no lasting value.

6.                The Word is like an Anchor – Hebrews 6:19- Which Hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil (Holies of Holiest-the presence of God).  Note:  The Spirit and The Word are One.  It is The Spirit who interceedeth for the people of God.In the old testament the priest went behind the veil to seek God for the people.  In the New Testament the veil has been done away with by the blood of Jesus and through the Spirit of God in the lives of the believer, we now can go before God through the Spirit - who will intercede to The Father on our behalf.    Anchor is a device to hold a ship in place: a heavy, traditionally double-hooked, device for keeping a ship or floating object in place. 

The Word of God can keep you from drifting into the sea of  anti-Christ  living if  we obey it.

Having Full Assurance of Faith

Hebrews 10:22 – 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.

(Mind and Body cleansed)

Definition of Assurance:  Freedom from doubt, firmness of mind, confidence, to make sure or certain.  It is the state of  being sure or certain, security.  The scriptures teach that the believer should have full assurance of salvation and acceptance before God.                                                  

Having Full Assurance of Faith in our Salvation

1. Full assurance of understanding -  Col 2: 2-Riches of  the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father, and of Christ.
2. Full assurance of Hope until the end – Heb 6:11 – Every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.  (To inherit the promises of God)

Means of Assurance:

1. The external evidence and testimony of our salvation is– The testimony of The Word of God – 1 John 5:4-For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory even our faith.  Note:  It is our faith in Christ that gives us the power to overcome the sin that is in the world and to live righteously in a sinful world.  
3. The internal evidence  and testimony of our salvation is –The testimony of the Holy Spirit -1 John 5:10 –He that believeth on the son of God hath the witness In himself

Hindrances to Having the full assurance of salvation:

1.    Lack of a forgiving spirit –Mark 11:26 – If you will not forgive neither will your father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

2.    Failure to do the will of God – Luke 12:47 –And that servant which knew his Lord’s will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes.

 3.    Walking by sight, and feelings instead of faith – II Corinthians 5:7 –For we walk by faith and not by sight. (Whatsoever is not of faith is sin).

4.    Wrong companionships -  Proverbs 4:14 –Enter not into the path of the wicket and go not in the  way of evil men. 15- Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away

5.    Spiritual lukewarmness – Rev 3:15 –I know your works that thou are neither cold nor hot, but because you are lukewarm I will spew thee out of my mouth.  Lukewarm-unenthusiastic /spiritually unmotivated.  Lukewarmness is judged according to the performance of our works for Christ…or IF we solicit a work in His name.  Bear in Mind – Living for Christ also is a work – a daily job.  To refrain your lips from gossiping or lieing is a job.  To keep from doing evil is a job, To press your way to church is a job.  To daily obey God’s word is a job.

6.    Willful sin – Hebrews 10:29 –Of howmuch sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace.

INCREDIBLE BUT EDIBLE - CHRIST WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD

Job –IF A MAN DIE, SHALL HE LIVE AGAIN?  ALL THE DAYS OF MY APPOINTED TIME WILL I WAIT, TILL MY CHANGE COME

Acts 26:8 – WHY SHOULD IT BE THOUGHT A THING INCREDIBLE WITH YOU, THAT GOD SHOULD RAISE THE DEAD.

MESSAGE:  INCREDIBLE BUT EDIBLE - CHRIST WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD

Sub topic:  WHAT DOES YOUR BANNER READ?

Incredible meaning hard to digest.  Edible meaning it can be eaten and digested.

The resurrection of Christ is one of the greatest doctrines of the Christian faith.  Many believe in the death of Christ, yet reject His resurrection.

Romans – Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.  Christ died for our offenses (sins) and was raised again so that we that are saved through our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ  can be justified (excused)  of all of our past, present and future offenses before a Holy God through the blood of Jesus Christ.

A balanced gospel  will always include his saving death and his saving resurrection life.  We are saved first by his Death, and then we are saved by his life. Romans –For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Importance of the Resurrection:

Christ has to be risen in order for the church to experience the resurrection at the time appointed.  1 Corinthians 15:12-19

12                Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among  you that there is no resurrection of the dead.

13                But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen.

14                And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15                Yea, and we are found false (LIARS) witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ, whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16                For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised.

17                And if Christ be not raised your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18                Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished

19                If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  My notes:  If we could only hope in Christ in this life, we would all be living a fantasy, walking a fantasy and talking a fantasy.  A fantasy can be interpreted as an unrealistic idea!  When we fail to embrace the reality of the risen savior by living true holiness, our faithless life carries a banner that states, Christ is an unrealistic idea.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FULFILLED PROPHECY:

Acts 2;24       Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains (Unplesant physical sensation) of death, because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

John 10:15-18

15                As the Father knoweth me, even so know I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16                And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

17                Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again

18                No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.  I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.  This commandment have I received of my Father.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THE FOOLISH AND THE WISE –WHAT DOES YOUR BANNER READ?

John 10: 19-21

19                There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. Pastor’s comments:  People will always be either for us or against us when we speak the Word of God.  What does your banner read?

20                And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?  Pastor’s comments:  People will call God’s people devils and every other names, for speaking God’s Words.

21                Others said, these are not the words of him that hath a devil.  Can a devil open the eyes of the blind.  Pastor’s Comments:  Some will listen to The Word of God and believe that Christ has risen from the dead.  These are those that Christ referred to when he said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them also I must bring……”  The believers of Christ will say, Incredible but it is Edible, Glory be to God in the Highest.

Pastor Sharon T. Spencer

– Easter Sunday Sermon

This too Shall Pass

~*~THIS TOO SHALL PASS~*~
written by
  HELEN STEINER RICE   

If I Can Endure For This Minute
Whatever Is Happening To Me,
No Matter How Heavy My Heart Is
Or How Dark The Moment May Be~~

If I Can Remain Calm And Quiet
With All The World Crashing About Me,
Secure In The Knowledge God Loves Me
When Everyone Else Seems To Doubt Me~~

If I Can But Keep On Believing
What I Know In My Heart To Be True,
That Darkness Will Fade With The Morning
And That This Will Pass Away,Too~~

Then Nothing In Life Can Defeat Me
For As Long As This Knowledge Remains
I Can Suffer Whatever Is Happening
For I Know God Will Break All Of The Chains
That Are Binding Me Tight In The Darkness
And Trying To Fill Me With Fear
For There Is No Night Without Dawning
And I Know That My Morning Is Near.

Spiritual Perfection through suffering.

Hebrews 2:10 -  It became Him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Spiritual Perfection through suffering.
Another word for Suffering is – Growing Pains

Why do Christians have to suffer tribulations, trials, persecution, sickness and pain?    We need to understand that there are lessons that the Lord desires for us to learn through suffering, affliction and pain.    Jesus himself had to suffer for our salvation. Despite the teachings of others that Christians are immune from suffering.  God has placed obstacles in our way, not to hinder or hurt but to test our devotion to Him.  God deals with us as his own children.  He chastens only those He loves and those who belong to Him.  Part of the training and part of the growing pains include suffering.

Suffering described

1. feel pain or great discomfort in body or mind

2.   undergo something unpleasant: or undesirable  

3.   endure: to put up with something painful or unpleasant

4.   To have an illness: or a physical or psychological condition 

5. To be  affected by something negatively

Reasons why we suffer

Christians Suffer Sometimes because of Willful Ignorence – 1 Peter 2:20 – When you shall be buffeted for your faults, take itpatiently  Faults – Spiritual Misdemeanor, weaknesses, shortcomings. (Buffeted is to be Battered – Beaten or Crushed down with several blows).

Christians Suffer when they stand for Righteousness -  1 Peter 3:14 – But and IF you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are you, and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled 15-But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 16-Having a good conscience that whereas they speak evil of you as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.  Example of one suffering for righteousness:  Peter and Paul cast in Jail for preaching Jesus Christ.  Just as they were cast in God cast them out for taking their buffeting with patience.  Suffering for well doing will work towards your good if you maintain the right attitude while you suffer.

Christians Suffer because of Past Sins –Our first thought is, when I came to Christ, was not all sin forgiven.  Yes, all sin was forgiven and God does not remember them at all.  We suffer then because of the results, the afteraffects  or (fruit) of sin.    The moment the Apostle Paul became saved he began to suffer for the things that he did to the church before he was saved.  NOTE: THE PAST SINS AND SINFUL CHOICES OF FAMILY MEMBERS CAN AFFECT FAMILIES IN THE FUTURE.

Christians Suffer because of Unconfessed Sin. 

 We do not get away with our sins.  1 Corinthians – For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  Self-judgment is often the most severe judgment.  It is a self condemnation for allowing sin to take control even for a little while.  God gives us an opportunity to confess that sin and make it right.  We need to be humble enough to PUNISH ourselves for being disobedient. Punish yourself by denying yourself some of your danty favours. Ways to Punish yourself- Go to the hospital and pray for the sick, study the bible, fast, pray, obey them that have the rule over you, stop speaking evil of your spiritual leader, Help your local church, Give to others, Praise the Lord from the Heart.

RESULTS OF SUFFERING

 God uses the suffering of His Children to Silence the Enemy2.     God uses suffering that we might  glorify Him3.     God uses suffering to make us more like the Lord Jesus Christ4.     God uses suffering to teach us dependence upon Him5.     God uses suffering to Strengthen our faith6.     God uses suffering to teach us patience7.     God uses suffering to make us sympathetic8.     God uses suffering to keep us humble

THE BLESSINGS OF SUFFERING AS CHRISTIANS

What is your reaction to the chastening of the Lord, to the trials and tribulations of life.  Hebrews 12:5 says, Despize not the chastening of the Lord”.  How does one despise it?  Simply by ignoring the fact that God is trying to teach you something-so let him.  Another way you can react to God’s discipline is to take on a good dose of self pity.  Why did God let this happen to me.  The bible says, “Faint not when you are rebuked of Him-Heb 12:4”  That suffering or problem has come to you as a challenge to trust Him through it all.  Then, there are those with a super pious attitude.  They will say, This is my cross and I will bear it, when all the time there is rebellion inside their heart and soul.  “No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are exercised by it” Heb 12:11.  We must learn to endure suffering if we are to reap from the blessings that come to award us for suffering patiently with faith in God.