" The Gates of Hell Will Not Prevail "

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" The Church That Christ Builds Is Invincible."

"The gates of hell shall not prevail against it" v.18
This passage is often times very misunderstood............

Jesus was in no way saying that the church would be impervious to
attacks from Hades.

The word  "gates"  does not suggest an offensive push.
Gates are not weapons; they are barricades.

Jesus was picturing Hades like a prison, He was suggesting that it's gates
would not be able to contain or imprison the church.

"the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,".............Jesus was not talking about 
the torment of eternal hell;

He was saying that the 'grave' can not hold the elect !!

The gates of hell could not hold Jesus Christ and we saw proof of that, also,
these same 'gates of hell' can not hold Christians captive !!!!

" Oh death, where is your victory ?
O death, where is your sting ? "  (1 Cor.15:55)

Actually, " the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it"
( Is a promise of resurrection )

The language of death and resurrection were becoming common themes
in Jesus' teaching.
Jesus knew His disciples were facing treacherous days and that all of them
( except John ) would ultimately give their earthly lives as 'martyrs for Him.

Jesus was about to tell them, "Whoever would save his life for my sake will find it"
                                                                                                          ( Matthew 16:25)



But first He told them that the grave could "NEVER HOLD THE ELECT."

This same theme runs all through the New Testament.
Since Christ 'Conquered death', Christians have "NOTHING TO FEAR."

"Christ, being raised from the dead, will "NEVER DIE AGAIN'
Death no longer has dominion over Him." (Romans 6:9),  nor can it be master
over those who are united to Him by faith

Jesus promised, "Because I live, you also will live" (John 14:19).

" FEAR NOT, I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST , AND THE LIVING ONE.
I DIED, AND BEHOLD I AM ALIVE FOREVER, AND ...............................

I HAVE THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HADES." (Rev.1:17-18)

(NOTICE)  " Jesus Christ Destroyed the one who has the power of death."

We as Christians, followers of Jesus Christ have nothing to fear !!!

" The Sword of The Spirit "

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" A Two Edged Sword Is A Dangerous Weapon "

Contemporary Christians seem to lack confidence in the ability of the
Word of God to penetrate sin hardened hearts.

One of the greatest reasons given for so much of the 'nonsense' that has
made our churches so superficial is the idea that if we first 'entertain' people
and make them 'comfortable', they will be more open to the gospel.

If we can convince them that our message posses  'no threat'  to their way of
life and that they have nothing to fear from Christ,
perhaps maybe then we can break through that hard exterior to reach them.

What a BIG MISTAKE that is........................

The wording of (Hebrews 4:12) is deliberately both vivid and violent:
" The word of God is......sharper than any two - edged sword, piercing to the
division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow."

My point is to show the resemblance of a Two Edged Sword and The Word of God.

A two edged sword is a particularly very dangerous weapon but the verse says
that Scripture is even sharper and more effective than that.

Like a two edged sword, it has no dull side there is nothing so hard that this blade
can not pierce it.
Even in the hands of of the most unskilled swordsman, it is capable of inflicting
mortal wounds to our human pride and our self-righteousness.

Lets bring back the truth of the Word of God the Two Edged Sword !!!

No person, plan, or scheme can penetrate the human heart like the Word
of God alone can do.

Its not fancy lights, puppets, smoke and mirrors, or anything any human can
do to penetrate and soften the human heart the way the Word of God and the
Holy Spirit alone can.

" The Gospel Reveals God's Wrath "

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The Gospel is not all good news.
In fact it is not good news at all for those who turn away from Christ.

Paul starts with "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men."
Paul then spends more than 2 full chapters proving that all humanity is sinful and under
the wrath of God.

God's wrath is almost missing entirely from modern presentations of the gospel.

It is not fashionable to speak of God's wrath against sin or to tell people that they
should fear God.

Today's typical presentation starts exactly opposite where Paul started.
He wrote of  "the wrath of God.................against all ungodliness and unrighteousness
of men."

But today's modern evangelism begins with  "God loves you and wants to make you happy."

Take off the filters !!
Don't worry about your tone !!
Fearless preaching is needed !!

After all is it not still true that we humans are  "flawed,  sinful,  fallen creatures ?

I am convinced that we need to hear just as many  "negative messages" as "positive messages."

Stand up, preach the truth and reveal the "Wrath of God."

" Preach The Word "

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" PREACH THE WORD "

There have always been men in the pulpit who gather crowds because they
are gifted orators, interesting storytellers, entertaining speakers, dynamic
personalities, shrewd crowd-manipulaters, rousing speech-makers, popular
politicians, or erudite scholars.
Such preaching may be popular but far from powerful.

No one can preach with power who does not preach the word.
And no faithful preacher will water down or neglect the whole counsel 
of God.
Proclaiming the word - all of it - is the pastor's calling. 

"So preaching the Word must be the very heart of our ministry."

Preaching the Word is not always easy !!!
The message we are required to proclaim is often offensive !!!

Christ Himself is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense (Romans 9:33; 1Peter 2:8).
The message of the cross is a stumbling block to some (Gal.5:11), and mere foolishness to
others ( 1 Cor. 1:23).

Why do you suppose Paul wrote, " I am not ashamed of the gospel" (Rom.1:16) ?
Surely it is because so many Christians are ashamed of the very message we are 
Commanded to proclaim.

Today more than ever we need preachers that will stand in the pulpit and handle their
calling with fearless abandonment, to preach the Word of God, to preach Jesus Christ
crucified.
"The ultimate power of the cross"

This is certainly no time for weak men, weak messages, and weak ministeries.

What is needed is moral strength and courage and uncompromising proclamation of the
TRUTH that can SET PEOPLE FREE !!!

Preachers, we must Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort !!!
The preacher who fails to reprove and rebuke is NOT FULFILLING HIS COMMISSION !!!

Peoples deepest need is to confess and overcome their sin......................
So preaching that fails to confront and correct sin through the Word of God does NOT
MEET PEOPLES NEED.

Reproving, Rebuking, and Exhorting is the same as preaching thee Word, for those are the
very same ministries Scripture accomplishes:  " All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" ( 2 Tim. 3:16)

"Preachers and Teachers please make a commitment to stand in the pulpit and preach the 
Word of God and Christ crucified"
"Be Fearless, Bold, Direct, not people pleaser's, but use your gift to correct and build up."

Stand Firm and Preach the Word, there is nothing else to preach !!!!!!!

" Sound Teaching - Fearless Preaching "

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Do Not Compromise Sound Teaching & Fearless Preaching !!

As we read through the book that Paul wrote to Timothy we see Paul's charge to
young Timothy.

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but they have itching
ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions." (2 Tim.4:3).

2 Timothy 4:3 - 2 Timothy 3:1 - 1 Timothy 4:1   Three passages of Paul's warnings to younger 
Timothy that difficult times were to come.
Notice that all these passages are referring directly to "those in the church" not outsiders or UNbelievers.

Therefore FEARLESS PREACHING is all the more necessary in such 'dangerous times'.
When people 'in the church' will not tolerate the truth, that's when COURAGEOUS, OUTSPOKEN PREACHERS are most desperately needed to speak it and teach it.

Why are people unwilling to endure 'Sound Teaching' ??
Simply because of their "Love For Sin."

SOUND TEACHING & FEARLESS PREACHING, as we all know and have seen, 
confronts and rebukes sin, and people in love with sinful lifestyles will not tolerate such
Sound Teaching.
They only seek to have their ears tickled and to hear what they are comfortable with.

Paul employs the expression "SOUND TEACHING" in 1 Timothy 1,, in verses 9 and 10 of this
chapter, he speaks of the law as being "for the lawless and disobedient", for the ungodly and sinners,
for the unholy and profane, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever
else is contrary to sound doctrine".
A society filled with these people will in no means be tolerant of 'sound teaching'.

Notice this "Pastors and Teachers",       Paul does NOT suggest that the way to reach such a 
society as this would be to 'soften' or 'adapt' the message so that 'such people' will be comfortable
with it.
Just the exact opposite is true !!  Such ear-tickling is abominable.
Paul urges Timothy to be 'willing to suffer' for the truths sake and to keep preaching the word
BOLDLY and FAITHFULLY and FEARLESSLY.
That is the ONLY WAY intolerant people can be exposed to the truth, which alone can soften
their hearts.

Isn't this precisely the state of the church in our society today ??

In fact marketing experts are pointing out to church leaders the whole basis of 
their philosophy is that people don't want to hear the truth proclaimed; they want to be entertained !!

The majority of today's society cannot stomach sound doctrine.
They would never tolerate for two weeks strong biblical teaching that refutes their doctrinal error,
confronts their sin, convicts them, and calls them to obey the truth.
They do not want to hear healthy teaching.  
Why ?  Because people in the church want to own God without giving up sinful lifestyles, and they
will not endure someone telling them just exactly what God's word say's about it.

What do they want to hear ??
"Having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to 'suit their own sinful passions". (v3)

Ironically, they seek out teachers. In fact, they heap to themselves teachers - but in no way sound ones.
They choose the ones that tell them exactly what they want to hear without confronting them of their sinful lifestyles.

Preachers we need not be afraid to offend, you are not in the position of preaching and teaching
to make friends or chase the numbers by drawing in sinners by the thousands with, film, musical shows,
worldly performances, skits, etc.

If you are going to stand in the pulpit in today's society you must be Bold, Fearless, Sound Teaching,

The truth of God does NOT tickle our ears, it BOXES them.
It BURNS them. It first reproves them, rebukes, convicts - then exhorts and encourages.

PREACHERS OF THE WORD MUST BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN THAT BALANCE !!

Lastly, read the message in (John 6), after Jesus delivered a hard message, scripture tells us that
crowds left, disciples turned back, (v66).
Notice that there is a difference between true disciples and hangers-on.........Do not be afraid to find them apart.

Until next time,
Love and Peace...................

" The Church As A Pub "

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" The Church As A Pub "

Never will I say I am right and you are wrong;
but I will contend to share the "TRUTH" with you.

(1 Cor 12:27) Tells us the church is the body of Christ, 
and church meetings are for corporate worship and instruction.

The church's 'only' legitimate goal is to "equip the saints for the work of ministry",
for "building up the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12) - vital growth, not mere numerical expansion.

The notion that church meetings should be used to tantalize or attract non-Christians
is a relatively recent development.   Nothing like it is found in scripture;  in fact, the
apostle Paul spoke of unbelievers entering the assembly as an exceptional event (1 Cor 14:23).
Also (Hebrews 10:24-25) indicates that church services are for the benefit of "believers" not
unbelievers. 
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together".

Acts 2:42  Shows the pattern the early church followed when they met together,
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

Note that the early church's priorities clearly were dedicated to 'worship God and uplift
the brethren.'
The church came together for "worship and edification"; then it "scattered to evangelize the
world."

Matthew 28:19 Our Lord commissioned His disciples for evangelism in this way:
"GO therefore and make disciples of all nations"
Notice that Christ made it very clear that the church is NOT to wait for, or invite the world to
come to its meetings, but to GO TO THE WORLD.

How can one fulfill his obligation to 'be the light in the world' if we are focusing on remaining inside
the four walls ?
We will therefore fall short of (Matt 5:16) being the light in the world.

I emphasize that the preaching of Gods word is to be central in the church,
"In season and out of season" it is the task of Gods ministers to "reprove, rebuke, and exhort,
with complete patience and teaching "  (2Timothy 4:2).

The pastor who sets entertainment above forceful preaching neglects the primary responsibility
of an elder.
"Hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound
doctrine and also rebuke those who contradict it". ( Titus 1:9).

The church's strategy has NEVER been to 'appeal to the world' on the worlds terms.

Churches aren't supposed to compete for the consumer on the same level as Miller Lite
or M.T.V.  
We can't stimulate GENUINE growth by clever persuasion or inventive techniques.
Acts 4:27 teaches that it is the Lord and Him alone that adds to the church.

We must return to the basics, the true forceful Godly preaching of Gods word and His gospel !!

Forget all the puppetry, lights, smoke and mirrors, simply preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified !!

Don't allow church to become a country club for the masses !!!!!!!!

" The True Gospel Must Be Proclaimed "

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" The True Gospel Must Be Proclaimed "

The Gospel is the POWER of GOD for Salvation. 
                                                                     (Romans 1:16)
And the preaching of the gospel is the great means and methodology of
missions.
The gospel is,  first and foremost, God in Christ reconciling the world
unto Himself.
                               (2 Corinthians 5:19).

It answers the eternal question of how a just God can reconcile  wicked
men (Romans 3:26).
It points to Christ alone, who bore the sins of His people upon the cross,
was forsaken of God, and crushed under the full force of His wrath against
sin.

The Good News of the Gospel is that through Christ's death,
the justice of God was satisfied, and salvation was won for a Great Multitude
of people.

This is made evidenced by the RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.

" He who was delivered over because of our TRANSGRESSIONS, and was
raised because of  OUR JUSTIFICATION "    (Romans 4:25)

" STUDY AND UNDERSTAND THE "FULLNESS" OF THE "GOSPEL TRUTH" !!!
THEN GO OUT AND "PROCLAIM" IT FROM YOUR LIPS !!!

LOVE AND PEACE TO ALL, AND GOD BLESS AND FAVOR YOU............

" Law of Sin and Law of Death "

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Please do not be careless when reading and studying the word of God.

In Romans 7, in addition to the law of sin there is another law - the law of death.
If we are careless we can easily mistake them for being one in the same.

But actually they are in fact very different.
Sin refers to ones defilements, while death refers to ones impotence.

Willing to do good but being able to do so is the operation of the 'law of sin',
whereas to will to refrain from evil  but not being able to refrain from it is the
operation of the 'law of death'.

Sin leads one to involuntarily do what he does not want to do, whereas 'death' prohibits
one from doing what he wants to do.

We are 'delivered' from the 'law of sin' through 'our death with Christ', and we are
delivered from the 'law of death' through our 'resurrection' with Him.

Romans 7  shows us not only the 'law of sin' and also the 'law of death'.

If we are 'careless' and 'sloppy', we will easily miss these truths.
It is therefore obvious that only those who are very careful and accurate
can study the Bible well.

I say this because I am guilty of it myself, and if I don't approach the Bible
with extreme care when reading I will stumble as well.

I hope this opened your eyes to the 'Law of Sin' and the 'Law of Death'.

Love and Peace..........................

" Complete Salvation "

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God’s Complete Salvation (2)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bible Verses~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rom 8: 29  Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated
to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the
Firstborn among many brothers;  30  And those whom He
predestinated, these He also called; and those whom He called,
these He also justified; and those whom He justified, these He
also glorified.
Phil 3:21  Who will transfigure the body of our humiliation to
be conformed to the body of His glory…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Words of Ministry~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The third stage, the completing stage, is the stage of
consummation. This stage is composed of the redemption
(transfiguration) of our body, conformity to the Lord,
glorification, inheritance of God's kingdom, participation in
Christ's kingship, and the topmost enjoyment of the Lord. In
this stage, God will redeem our fallen and corrupted body (Rom.
8:23) by transfiguring it into the body of Christ's glory (Phil.
3:21). He will conform us to the glorious image of His firstborn
Son (Rom. 8:29), making us wholly and absolutely like Him in our
regenerated spirit, transformed soul, and transfigured body. He
will glorify us (Rom. 8:30), immersing us in His glory (Heb.
2:10) that we may enter into His heavenly kingdom (2 Tim. 4:18;
2 Pet. 1:11), into which He has called us (1 Thes. 2:12). He
will cause us to inherit His kingdom as the topmost portion of
His blessing (James 2:5; Gal. 5:21), even to reign with Christ,
to be His co-kings, participating in His kingship over the
nations (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:4, 6; 2:26-27; 12:5), and sharing
His royal, kingly joy in His divine government (Matt. 25:21,
23).

Thus, our body will be freed from the slavery of corruption of
the old creation into the freedom of the glory of God's new
creation (Rom. 8:21), and our soul will be delivered out of the
realm of trials and sufferings (1 Pet. 1:6; 4:12; 3:14; 5:9)
into a new realm, full of glory (1 Pet. 4:13; 5:10), sharing and
enjoying all the Triune God is, has, and has accomplished,
attained, and obtained. This is the salvation, the salvation of
our souls, which is ready to be revealed to us at the last time,
the grace to be brought to us at the unveiling of Christ in
glory (1 Pet. 1:13; Matt. 16:27; 25:31). This is the end of our
faith. The power of God is able to guard us unto this that we
may obtain it (1 Pet. 1:9). We should eagerly expect such a
marvelous salvation (Rom. 8:23) and prepare ourselves for its
splendid revelation (Rom. 8:19).

" Our Spiritual Inheritance "

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3.) His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining
to life and godliness.

4.) For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent
promises, so that by them you may be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

                                                                                                          2 Peter 1:3-4 (NASB)



When we have come to know the true God, both our bodies and souls will become
immortal and incorruptible.
We will enter the kingdom of heaven, because while we lived on earth we have 'acknowledged
heavens King'.
As friends of God and coheirs of Christ, 'we will not be controlled by evil desires or tendencies',
nor by any sickness of 'body or soul', because we have become divine.

You may suffer evil as a person, and God allows it because of your humanity;
however, God has promised you a share in 'every one of His attributes'when
you have become deified.

The saying 'know yourself' means that we should recognize and acknowledge the
image in which God has created us, for if we do this, we will in turn be recognized
and acknowledged by our maker.

God showed His love for us in the beginning when He fashioned us in His own image.
If we learn to  'obey' His holy commands and learn to 'imitate' His goodness, we will
be like Him and He will in turn honor us.
God is NOT SELFISH, and has given us a share in His divinity for the sake of His own glory.

God has provided us with such an honor, yet it is completely up to YOU as a person
to take share in your part of His Image by obeying and conforming your life and behavior
into direct obedience to His commands.

God has given us everything we will ever need in the Holy Spirit, we need only to
listen and to obey each and every command.
Search yourself daily that you might come to 'KNOW YOURSELF'.


Read 2 Peter 1:1-14, for yourself and apply its teaching to your own life.
You will in turn inherit the Kingdom of God and His holiness.

Love and Peace...................