The Inspiried Word of God

II Tim 3:16-All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness.

Topic: The Inspired Word of God

Inspiration defined:  God-breathed.  The special influence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of holy men, which qualified and enabled them to make an infallible record of divine truth concerning the will of God to man. The bible is inspired:

Its unity-Over 40 authors wrote 66 books in different lands and over a period of 1,800 years.  Many never saw the writing of the others and yet there is no contradiction between any two of them.  Collect any group of books by any other 40 men on any subject and see if they agree. Superiority to other books-doctrines, principles, claims, moral histories,prophecies,revelations,literature,present redemption and eternal benefits. Its influence in the world-It has blessed millions in every generation.

The Character and Greatness of those who accept it-  The wisest, most godly and honest of men acknowledge it as God’s word.  Only infidels and the ungodly reject it. Man could not have written it if he would, and would not have written it if he could. Good men must have written it – It condemns all sin, and records the sins and faults of its writers as well as others.  This, evil men would not do .  Even good men would not do it unless inspired to do so to help others.

All mankind’s present and eternal needs are met by the Bible. Its preservation through the ages-Whole kingdoms and religions have sought in vain to destroy it.  It is still victorious and indestructible.The heavenly character of its content proves it to be of God.The response of the Soul to hearing it proves its inspiration. Its infinite depths and lofty ideals.  Universal in its appeal, reasonable in its promises, durable in its conflicts, everlasting in its usefulness, new and modern in its statements, indispensable to human civilization, indisputable in its authority, interesting in its histories, colorful in its biographies, accurate in its prophecies, individual in its messages, far reaching in its vision, complete in its laws, comprehensive in its knowledge, infinite in its detail, unselfish in its purpose, simple in its application, just in its demands, righteous in its judgments, clear in its application, and masterful in its wisdom. 

Fulfilled Prophecy and Miracles.  Its Perfection-It is scientifically and historically correct.  No one man has ever found the Bible at fault in any of its many hundreds of statements on history, astronomy, botany, geology or any other branch of learning. Its adaptability-It is always up to date on any subject.  It fits the lives of all people of all ages and of all lands.

Its spiritual and moral power. Its doctrines.Claims of the bible itself – Over 3,800 times the Bibles writers claim God spoke what they wrote.  Its Secular History and inexhaustible proofs.  If one will use it properly it will confirm itself to him as the inspired Word of God.

The Bible

The Bible is not an amulet, a charm, a fetish or a book that will work wonders by its very presence. It is a book that will work wonders in every life, here and hereafter, if acted upon and obeyed in faith and sincerity. It is God's inspired revelation of the origin and destiny of all things, written in the most simple human language possible so that the most unlearned can understand and obey its teachings. It is self-interpreting and covers every subject of human knowledge and need now and forever. As a literary composition, the Bible is the most remarkable book ever made. It is a divine library of 66 books, some of considerable size and others no larger than a tract. These books include various forms of literature, history, biography, poetry, proverbial sayings, hymns, letters, directions for elaborate ritualistic worship, laws, parables, riddles, allegories, prophecy, drama and others. They embrace all manner of literary styles in human expression. It is the book that reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts binding, its histories true, and its decisions immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. The Bible contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the travelers map, the pilgrims staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword and the Christian's character. Here heaven is opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, good is its design, and the glory of God is its end. It should fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your feet in righteousness and true holiness. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, devotionally, and study it constantly, perseveringly, and industriously. Read it through and through until it becomes part of your being and generates faith that will move mountains. The Bible is the mine of wealth, the source of health, and a world of pleasure. It is given to you in this life, will be opened at the judgment and will stand forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will require the least to the greatest of labor and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. Amen

It's not about You – It’s about Jesus

Matthew1:18 – Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise.  When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Topic:  It is not about You – It’s about Jesus

Subtopic:  Present Your Body to Christ

St. Matthew 1:19 – Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.   (Joseph planned to divorse Mary because he thought that she had committed adultery). 

I can hear the Lord saying, Joseph, it’s Not about You – It’s about Jesus.

St. Matthew 1:20 – But while he thought on these things behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying Joseph thou son of David fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

·          Many times we begin to think on the things that are troubling us and how we shall resolve our problems.  It takes a mighty God to appear unto us and give us a revelation of how to resolve or handle our situations/circumstances.  Our greatest problem is when we do not trust in the Lord for direction.  Proverb 3:5 -  Trust in the Lord with all of thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  Vs. 5 In all thine ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Mt. Matthew 1:21 – And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for He shall save his people from their sins. 

·          Jesus was sent from God with a mission of salvation.  He came to save us from our sins.  God has a people who will obey Him.  His people are the church.  The Lord already knew who would come to him.  He knew who would trust him.  He knew who would serve him.  He knew those who would make the sacrifices that He could use them for HIS glory. 

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Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

I can hear the Lord saying It’s not about You – It’s about Jesus

Present your body – Give the Lord your body as a sacrifice for His glory.  How can I give the Lord my BODY?

When you support the church – you are giving of yourself

When you are loyal to God – you are giving of yourself

When you are faithful to the cause and sake of Christ – you are giving of yourself

When you pray – you are giving of yourself

When you fast – you are giving of yourself

When you press to church – you are giving of yourself

When you witness to others – You are giving of yourselves

When you tithe – You are giving of yourselves

When you obey the Word of God– You are giving of yourselves

When you study – You are giving of yourself

When you help others – You are giving of yourselves

When you to to the sick – You are giving of yourselves

When you help the poor – You are giving of yourselves

St. Matthew – And when they (The Wisemen) were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary hismother, and fell down and worshipped HIM (they did not worship Mary the mother of Jesus), and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Oh…The Birth of Christ was ABOUT Him.  They pressed their way into the house where he Lay.  This is the same as when we press our way to the house of God to give of ourselves and to PRAY AND WORSHIP Him.  Hallelujah  hallelujah hallelujah.   It is not about ME or anything that I may have done.

It is NOT ABOUT You – It’s about JESUS.

St. Matthew 4:4 – Man shall not live by bread alone, but by  every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

It is NOT ABOUT You – It’s about JESUS.

St Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.

It is NOT ABOUT You – It’s about JESUS.

St. Matthew 6:2 – Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.   (Some people do good things so that people will honor them for what they have done).

It is NOT ABOUT You – It’s about JESUS.

Mark 11:26 – But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Pastor Sharon Therese Spencer

A FOOL IN A FIX!

And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them, saying, the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. (He was prosperous))  And he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? (He was prosperous – but Greedy)  And he said, This will I do, I will pull down my barns, (I will tear down my barns)  and build greater (And build larger barns) and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. (So that I will have more room to store all of MY goods for now and for the future.  MY HOUSE WILL BE LIKE A BANK, IT WILL HAVE ALL THAT I COULD EVER NEED)  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.

The thought to be considered is that this rich man was rich and greedy concerning his worldly possessions, yet he was poor and naked concerning being in the will of God.

The message is drawn from verse 20 – 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.

To be in a fix is to be in a precarious situation, to be in an uncomfortable situation, or to be in some type of trouble, or to be in a situation that is going to involve some serious planning in order to get out, to be in a situation that you think is right but you end up being in the midst of a messy situation, or to be in a situation where you are unsure of the outcome, or to be in a situation that you know is not right, or to be in a situation where you can not take care of your financial obligations, to be in a situation where you must make some choices, or important decisions, or even to be in a situation where you willfully NEGLECT your spiritual life.

St. Luke – So is he (a fool in a fix) that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Layeth up treasure unto himself – To be too concerned about the things that you possess and what you are  trying to possess.  Too busy for God.But not concerned enough about your spiritual bank account with Jesus. 

Laying up treasures unto the Lord – When you take time to pray, When you take time to Fast, When you take time to Press, When you take time to Serve, When you take time to Worship, When you take time to Tithe. When you take time to do what you DO best to assist in building upon The kingdom of God on earth.

To the church of the Laodiceans Revelations 3:17 – Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable and poor, and blind and naked.

Wretched-Unfaithful ….Miserable-Ungiving ….Poor-Unfruitful….Blind -No Understanding….Naked – Drenched in sin.

Note:  Just because a person has been blessed to prosper does not mean  that they are in the will of God.  This rich man was prosperous but unsaved and out of the will of God! They were in the church but  had gone bankrupt with God.

Don’t  Be  Fool in a Fix  – Revelations 3: 1 – And unto the angel of the church in Sar-dis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God (Seven specific manisfestations of the Holy Ghost) and the seven stars (SEVEN PASTORS OVER THE SEVEN APPOINTED CHURCH IN REVELATIONS)  AS THE STARS ARE HIGH IN THE HEAVENS GOD’S CHOSEN PASTORS SIT HIGH IN HIS HEART AS SERVANTS UNTO THE PEOPLE).   I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (They were not REAL). This church was  more worldly than spiritual.  Don’t determine if a church is in the will of God by popularity.  II Timothy 3:4 – Lovers of Pleasures more than lovers of God.  Mat 15:8 – This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.     If your heart is absent from your praise, If your heart is absent from your worship, If your heart is absent from your service, If your heart is absent from your giving, If your heart is absent from your prayer…..You will find yourself a fool in a fix.  They were in the church but they had gone bankrupt with God.

DON’T BE A FOOL IN A FIX  – Mat 7:21-22 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven,(Praying)  but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven..  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not preached in thy name:  and in thy name have cast out devils. And in thy name done many wonderful works.  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me, you that work iniquity.  Works apart from faith is unacceptable with God.  They were in the church but they had gone bankrupt with God.

Colossian 3:1 –If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.

What’s In Your Spiritual Bank Account?  LOYAL TO GOD,  FAITHFUL TO THE CHURCH, SERVICE TO GOD, A PRAYER LIFE, A LIFE OF GIVING, A DEVOTED LIFE, LIVING A LIFE WORTHY OF WITNESS TO OTHERS, LIVING LOVE.  A member once reported that she would never go ahead of her spiritual leader, if the leader does not support what you are doing, then you better think twice and pray twice before going forth with it.  You could end up being a fool in a fix!

Don’t be a fool in a fix  – St Matthew 25:42-45 – For I was ahungered, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink.  I was a stranger, and you took me not in, naked, and you clothed me not, sick and in prison, and you visited me not.  Then shall they also answer hm sayng, Lord when did we see you hungry, thirsty or a stranger, or naked or sick or in prison, Then shall he answer them saying, As you did it not to unto them- you did it not unto me.  (We were too busy building greater barns unto ourselves  to be occupied with the needy folks that surround us- Because we would not do it unto them – we did not do it for him because when we help others we serve the Lord who has sent us to be a light to the world).  Hallelujah! .    They were in the church but they had gone bankrupt with God.    We Must have that Outreach ministry, let it not be said that all we did was served one another but had no time for anyone else.

Pastor Sharon T. Spencer

Live Wisely

Live Wisely - Romans 16:19 -Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

It is our spiritual responsibility to be wise about the things that are good, and innocent about what is evil.  In other words concentrate on the good but do not focus on evil, let it not become your lifestyle.  Flee from evil, let it not rest upon your heart.   When we do good things we bear fruit that glorifies our Lord. 

Ephesian 5:15 -Therefore be careful how you ^(A)walk, not ^(B)as unwise men but as wise.

The walk that we walk represents what we do and how we handle our affairs, how we interact with others, how we treat others, how we deal with circumstances and trials.  Let us not handle our affairs in an unwise manner as unwise men do, but let us  not follow the carnal ways of the world, but remember the Word of God and follow its teachings and instructions and trust that the Lord will not forsake us when we obey His Word!  The Lord will not abandon us during our time of need, or when we stand up for what is right, or when we take a risk.  Sometimes we have to take a risk.  Life is a risk, and dealing with people can be a risk.  However, if we stay prayerful and trust that the Lord will go before us, do what is right and trust that the Lord will "cover you with his blood" in that situation. 

Colossian 4:5 -Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward ^(B)outsiders, ^(C)making the most of the opportunity.

Widsom described -: 1 ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : 2 good sense : 3 a wise attitude or course of action.

The Lord desires that His people will utilize wisdom towards unbelievers.  It is the Wisdom of God that will give us the ability to discern the inner qualities of others, so that we can make good choices concerning our interaction with others.  There are those that we need not form a personal relationship with based upon their past conduct and mannerism.  Yet the light of Jesus is available in our lives to shed upon the lives of others.  Some people will never know God unless we cross their path!  Now is a time to walk in wisdom despite  attitudes, words spoken, negative looks, jealousy, or whatever the negative moment may dictate for the evil person to display.  Don't see it, but let them see the Power of God displayed in the way you handle this relationship, your choice of words, your mannerism, and your loyalty to God and His Word.  A wise attitude will let negative acquaintances know that there is certainly something different about YOU, because you are not reacting in the same negative way that they are!    The average person when fed negativity - will  prepare a negative meal, in other words, they will dish it back.  It is a special person that can serve something positive after being fed something negative.  

Galatian 6:8^(A)For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap ^(B)corruption, but ^(C)the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  It   is worth it to be led by The Holy Spirit of God in all things so that we can reap every good thing that the Lord has in store for His people, and life everlasting!

 

Master of the Storm

MASTER OF THE STORMS

Matthew 8:24-29 (New International Version)

24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

Matthew 8:26 - "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"

Why does Jesus have to ask His disciples this question?  He knows why they are afraid.  They are weak, vulnerable human beings.  They are no match for the violent forces of nature.  What normal human being wouldn't be afraid?   What Savior wouldn't understand this human tendency?  Jesus asks this question because these normal, fearful people in the boat with Him have missed the key element in the situation.  It is not the storm that matters.  It is not the size of the waves or the structural integrity of the boat.  It is the company they are in.  They are accompanied by the image of the invisible God.  The one by whom all things were created (Colossians 1:15-16).  As his disciples, wherever we are, no matter how fierce the winds are, we are with Him, and HE is with us in the storm-this FACT changes everything!

We need to hear this convicting question on numerous occasions in our lives.  "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"  Storms swell, sometimes gradually on the horizon, and sometimes storms can be suddenly and furiously, without warning.  Either way, fear is usually our first reaction.  It is not that we overestimate the storms.  They really can be damaging.  We've seen them destroy the lives of other people.  Our problem is not having an inaccurate view of the storm  It is in having an inaccurate view of Jesus.  As long as we are preoccupied with the storm and Jesus seems to us to be asleep in the back of the boat, we will fear.  It is a natural human response.  Many times we do not feel that the Lord is with us in our heavy trials, suffering, devastation, persecution, losses, or abandonment. Jesus asks us to do the unnatural and avoid the inevitabilities of our human frailties.  He asks us to have faith in Him.  Yes, the storm is dangerous.  Yes, we are weak and vulnerable.  Left with those two facts alone, we are overcome.  But Jesus gives us another fact to throw into the equation-Himself.  He is the King of all creation, God with us.  With our eyes fixed on Him, we can say, what storm? What danger? What weakness?  The storms must obey Him.  What do we have to fear?

Jesus lets us get into the middle of the storms so we will know Him.  When we avoid the dangerous waters, we avoid the Deliverer.  When all is well, our faith only needs a Jesus who is asleep in the boat.  MANY people today who are not considering Jesus as Lord do not care WHAT JESUS IS DOING!  Because they do not want to focus on Him for fear that they may have to give up sinful desires, pleasures, relationships and many bad habits.     However, we were meant to Know our creator!   It is God who can bring storms into our lives because He is tired of people neglecting him.  He wants attention.  He wants to be praised because He feels that He is worthy to be Praised by his creatures.  After all it is HE that woke us up this morning.  It is HE who knows us better then anyone else.  It is HE who watches over us while we sleep at night.  It is HE that thought us into existence!  We need to know and realize that we can't really know the Deliverer unless we need deliverance.  We can't know our Redeemer unless we need redemption.  We can't know our Refuge unless we experience danger.  

As the Lord will gently place us into the FIERY FURNACE, we need to know that He will be in the furnace with us.  He is the MASTER of the Storms.  Will you trust HIM Today with whatever situation you are going through?

You can bow your head right now and PRAY, Lord Jesus, thank you for laying down your life on the cross for my sins.  I believe that you died and rose again from the grave.  I ask forgiveness of my sins  and I invite you to COME into my life even right now, Lord Jesus.  Come into my life.

If you have prayed this prayer, feel free to contact me on this face book and let me know of your decision to walk with Christ.

PASTOR SHARON T. SPENCER

THE BRIGHT & MORNING STAR PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY