A Sunday Message Take-Away

Genesis 6:5 - Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of MAN was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

History is repeating itself. We need to understand and believe this. God showed us, He warns us, the signs are out there. I went to a church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan two Sundays ago with some girlfriends in Christ. This preacher was not subtle in his sermon, which I like. 

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of MAN was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will DESTROY man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

The EARTH also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will DESTROY them with the earth.”

(‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:5-7, 11-13‬)

An ark was made. All who entered were saved by the great flood. Those people were eight in number...a remnant of believers. This small family left behind family and friends for their belief in their God. It will happen again. 

Like the whole account of Noah’s ark and the great flood, Jesus said He is the Door. The ark had only one door. There is only one way to the Father to obtain salvation. Jesus saves. Works do not, government does not, nothing else does. One way: “I am THE way, THE truth, THE life.” In Noah’s day only that handful survived and were saved. It’s a picture of what will happen again.  laugh it off, don’t pooh-pooh the idea. Don’t be one of the end-time scoffers. It should not be 

Anything that goes against the Word of God is rebellion. One biblical definition of "rebel” is that one refuses to come under the authority of someone who is above them. Or, man rebelling against a human king or God. I'm thankful, however, that when we repent of this rebellion and turn to God, whether it is the first time or another, He will forgive. If not...

Psalm 107:10-13 -Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons--b

ecause they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High, t

herefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help. 

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. 

Doors

Revelation‬ ‭3:7-8‬ - And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."

Oh my. This study on Revelation weekly boosts my faith. In the beginning we were told not so much to focus on some of the details. There are differing opinions and some things we just don't need to know, or ever will in this lifetime. We were reminded to not fear and just stay focused on the Lord Jesus Christ...no matter what. It's always about staying focused on Him and trusting Him. After 32 weeks of this sort of admonishment, we had all better get it! 

While we might say we have faith, it may not always seem that strong. However, Jesus says ...for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭17:20‬) That is a little faith! And that fits right in with having little strength...of our own...why we need Jesus.

What struck me about this particular lesson and comes to mind now and then is the reward for our faithfulness to Him...as individuals and the Church. There are many people who cannot tolerate what believers stand for. It's becoming more evident and will not tone itself down. God is looking for people and churches who will not back down because of those who persecute. There is a name for them...the remnant. They are those who hold on no matter what. Those who will not compromise with society's views on any issue that God does not approve of. 

Those individuals and churches are deemed intolerant, not with the times. I'm just throwing this out there: the intolerance is not ours but theirs. They balk at knowing the truth, like I did for a very long time as I developed a feminist, no doubt even liberal, attitude. God can change any person. Even conservatives can have wrong beliefs...

This is what God says to those people and churches who stand wholly on His Word, His truth: I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it. Because we stand for Him and His Word, God honors our work. Nothing will get in the way as long as we take a stand. When we are sharing God, His Son Jesus, His Word, in any way, shape or form, and it is true, we are in His will and He will not close doors. 

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah‬ ‭55:11‬)  I love that. When we quote scripture, put it out in the atmosphere, on paper, on the web, God can miraculously use it. His words will not return void. Gill's Commentary on not returning void says this: it shall not return to me void; it is accompanied with a divine energy; it is the power of God to salvation: but it shall accomplish that which I please; in the conversion of sinners, and comfort of saints... In other words, what He says, will happen. When He opens a door, it cannot be shut. We don't need our own strength. We only need His, through His Word. 

One day unbelievers' words will convict them before a holy God if they do not change their attitude, turn from their beliefs and hear the words of truth. It's never too late. All He wants for us to do is be obedient to His Word. That means believing it, acting on it, sharing it, living it. If we compromise with the world we're toast! If we cling to His commands we will be called the good and faithful servants.

I know some think serving God is a sign of weakness. But Jesus says in our weakness He is 
made strong. As long as we hold on to our strength, He cannot accomplish those things He wants for us. I need to realize this in greater measure myself. 

Lord, I am so thankful Your words carry so much truth, strength, wisdom. I don't need to rely on my own! I pray You will, over the next few months, open my mind's eye to even richer truths and greater faith for the days ahead. Thank You for never giving up on those who earnestly seek You, even if we don't always get it! 

When we have opened the door of our hearts to receive Him, He opens and closes doors in our lives by His authority alone. And He has shown us that once we are situated as His, have become overcomers in this goofy world of upside down thinking, standing on His Word alone, not others', He allows yet another glorious door to be closed, like the door of the Ark which was closed on a rebellious world back in Noah's day. Think about it. Noah was scoffed for 100 years as he built the Ark. But who was saved from the flood that ensued?? 

The door He closes is to our eternal kingdom, safety, in and through Christ. Once we have been brought in through that door, which IS Jesus Christ, that door shuts and He won't let us out. Who cares what the world thinks when you can have the God of this universe at your side? He offers us so much more. 

Revelation‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭- He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

‭‭

Silence

Micah 4:7 - I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation; so the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever. 

All the times Israel turned her back on God is incredible. They knew His power. They saw the miracles with their own eyes. They knew the protection He provided. They also knew His judgment when they tended to forget these miraculous circumstances...and in turn, they knew to repent. And repent repeatedly they did!

How could they explain their escape from Egypt's bondage? How their households, by merely applying lamb's blood to the doorposts of their homes, could be spared the wrath that came? How the waters of the Red Sea parted for them and crushed the enemy behind them? How they were clothed and fed when there was nothing available as they wandered the desert for forty years? How God was seen as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of light by night? Miracles.

After all this they still turned from Him. Amazing.

Today Israel still stands. Don't tell me it's not by God's hand they still exist. Their ancient enemies could never kill them all. Hitler couldn't either. They bounce back because they are God's chosen people, the apple of His eye. Despite their worship of idols, unbelief, disobedience...He's not done with them, no matter how bleak Israel's future might look at times. They will survive till the end of the age. And they will know Jesus as their Messiah. Because it is God's will. Hallelujah.

There was a period of some 400 years from the last prophet, Malachi, till the birth of Christ. God was silent; they saw no display of miracles, signs or wonders. I wonder if the silence became deafening in time? I wonder when they first began to notice He was absent?

As followers of Jesus Christ we are, as the Church in general, doing the a similar thing. God returned that we might see Him in the flesh. That again we might see miracles and healing and believe. However, Jesus was a threat to those religious leaders because His message was contrary to theirs and their jobs would be in question and at stake should others believe in Him. He had to be killed.

So the Church (in general) today may be under the same type of judgment. Followers of Christ are under the same judgment. Many in the Church have determined to create their own religious beliefs. They have managed to fall into the same lies as the religious leaders before. Not so much for fear of their jobs but for power and pride. Many have distorted the truth of the Gospel to make it palatable to the public to, as any business would, make money...have the power, create a false sense of security for others as to what needs to be done to receive the Kingdom of heaven. Preach a soft Gospel message.

So, is there a silence today? Sometimes I wonder. We see the world entangled in crime, natural disasters, sins against God's own commandments. Why doesn't He do something? Where is He? He lingers quietly in the wings waiting to pour out His Spirit upon His Church but something needs to take place before then. A return to the one true God by the Church. Repentant hearts for the sins of the Church over the years. For pastors, preachers and priests to realize their own sins of preaching a false message and being divisive through denominations.

We have as a nation and a world turned our backs again on God. And there are many who are working to remove even His name. I'm here to say that try as they might, it will never happen, although the Church is sadly quiet about all of this. There is no real uprising of the Church in defense of the wrongs against her. Evil rises up and gets stronger; somehow they are able to shout louder, stomp their feet longer and show a mean side that intimidates. And the Church is silent.

It is time to repent of our sins that God would return and bring that Holy Spirit power once again. It will happen and it may not be pretty as God tries His Church through fire, purging her. He will expose the corruption, the pride and arrogance, the greed and especially the false teachings.

There is a Church trying desperately to hold on to the true teachings of Christ. It is a remnant church. It is small. Perhaps for now it might be considered lame and an outcast...BUT GOD...will reign over it. God doesn't mind small beginnings. He no doubt prefers it because it's through this that He performs His miracle of empowering the weak, that His glory might be seen. This Church is growing as some people begin to hunger for the truth once again. I'm glad to say that I belong to one of these churches. I see the difference. I see the desire for only the very truth of the Gospel being built into its people, equipping us that we might grow stronger in Him and able to spread the very real truth of His Word to those around us.

I desire to see growth within myself quickly. And although I may not recognize it, it probably is already happening. I pray for revival for all remnant Churches, one that is real and not some conjured up excitement. I pray for the growth of this Church that we might be the workers God desires for us to be for His Kingdom. I pray for the purging of the Church that He might return in His glory to open eyes, heal the sick, bring the miracles that people might see and believe in the one true God, Jesus Christ. Then when it's time, He will return to devour the enemy and set His Church and His people free one last time.

Israel and those who follow Christ, who are obedient to His Word, will be the final remnant. Israel will meet their Messiah and finally believe. Before then churches and people will fall. God will judge. There will be a purging like we've never seen before. The sins of the Church and the people will be uncovered. God is not a respecter of persons. No one, no church, is safe if they are outside the will of God. But if repentance comes, He forgives.

Micah 7:18 - Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.

Remnant

Ephesians 4:4-6 - There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

There is an account (I don't like to use the word story) about a man named Gideon. He was a godly man and he heard God speak. He and his army were being sent out to fight the Midianites. God told him there were too many in his army to capture this enemy. He did not want all of Israel to proclaim that by their own hand they had defeated Midianites so he had Gideon make the statement that anyone fearful of the upcoming battle could be excused. Twenty-two thousand men left leaving ten thousand.

But God said this was still too large and He narrowed the army down to 300. His instructions were to take these 300 men to defeat the enemy.

God always uses the fewest, the least probable, the mundane, the most humble, the weakest, the persons of least regard to accomplish His goals. There are good reasons for this. One is He receives the glory. Two is to show that He CAN use the lesser people or circumstances to do the impossible...that these people, like the disciples and apostles, will not be able to take credit for what was done...to prove the power of God, to prove His existence. This is not arrogance.

I believe He's doing the same thing in the Church today too. I believe He can take the grandiose mega churches and whittle them down to a God-size that He is able to manage. I'm not saying a large church cannot be effective if they are truly allowing God to do the work; if the pastors are willing to see what He is doing I think they will survive. But there is coming a time when all churches will be called to account for what they do in the name of Jesus. God knows the hearts of the churches and the leaders and people within each church.

This scripture in Ephesians is what the Church should be. One body, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father...in each of us. Total unity. When that happens it becomes a church usable by God...and may become part of the last day's remnant church.

This Church will be a church without spot or wrinkle. All the churches that comprise this remnant church will be few in number compared to the rest of the churches. Wide is the road to destruction and narrow the way to life. God tells us this is the way it will be.

There are many in churches today who believe they will see heaven. It's what they've been taught. But is what they have been taught God's truth? Now that's the question.

There is a saying or a song that says God is good, all the time. And the truth is, He is. Even in His judgment He is good. It may seem like He's unfair but He isn't. He has every right to exact judgment to produce right or righteousness. Judgment comes and weeds out the wheat from the tares, which is a good thing for the wheat. Through His judgment we can learn better what is right. That's a good thing also.

I'm sure Gideon was sure wondering how paring down of his army was going to be good. But in the end He saw God's absolute power prevail through 300 men willing to do what they were asked. It's a bit like Joshua when he fought and defeated Jericho by marching and shouting and then watching as the walls fell and they were given access to their enemy. I'm sure that surprised the daylights out of the residents as well as the soldiers. They had to have been wondering what in the world was up. I'd like to see that happen today!

God may seem strange to some, too judgmental to others and even arrogant or self absorbed for the glory He commands of Himself. But you know what? He is worthy of every bit of it. He has every right and anyone who says otherwise is just plain wrong. That's what is going to make the remnant a remnant some day. The few who are willing to follow Him under any circumstance. And that includes churches which soften the messages God brings. The truth of His Word which should not be added to or taken away from. The truth that can sometimes be hard and not what we want to hear. The truth that, yes, Jesus is good, but like He overturned the money changers tables in anger, He can have a righteous indignation against people too.

The road narrows that takes us to life. Let's be sure we are on it. Let's be sure we are hearing the honest truth of His Word. Let us be willing to be poked, prodded, molded and shaped into the person He knows we can be. Let us be vigilant, discerning, humble and flexible enough to change. When we do we will become part of that remnant, those people many will despise, reject and mock. But those who will be at the right place at the right time with the right attitude when He comes for His remnant. Those few, least, humble, mundane and weak whom God has an eye for.

1Peter 4:17 - For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Foolish, Weak, Base and Despised

1Corinthians 1:26-29 - For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, but of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

Not many wise, nor mighty, nor noble, but those those things which are foolish and/or weak or base, despised by the majority are used of God. Why? That He might be glorified. Oh, horrors, the pride in that statement. To the foolish perhaps, but not to God nor those who follow Him. Man's thoughts are not like His, His ways are not like ours. We are so totally ignorant until we realize just who He is, what He has done and what He can do in each of us.

The world view looks at the physical stuff, the strong people, the prominent or even rich, those who believe they are noble and believe that fame and fortune are what counts. God views that differently...and He uses those things the world looks up to to one day shame them.

I look at the current state of things in our country and know without a doubt those who believe we are headed in the right direction under our current leadership will find out what a mess we truly are headed for. And the despised thoughts against differing opinion will one day be put to shame. Some will come to their senses, some will not. Those things which appear to be so necessary to change what once was good, not perfect but better, will be brought to nothing.

All this to say that God will honor those who honor Him. The humble will become great and those who appear now to be great will become nothing, humbled. God will do the work of raising up and taking down, in His time. And that to show His excellence, His power and wisdom. To prove what He has shown us in His Word is truth...those things that few believe and follow because their desires, their lusts are for the worldly things.

But God...can change any person from a world view to a God view. Ones heart alone must be wanting to receive His wisdom, protection, peace, righteousness. Seems all so vain to some to look not to the things we see in front of us. But it is not when God is entirely able to give what we really need. And anyone may have righteousness but it comes at a price...to give up worldliness to seek God's holiness. We will never attain 100% but He sees us through the very eyes of His Son and what He did for us if we give ourselves to Him.  

Nobody will be able to eliminate, annihilate, obliterate or utterly destroy all that God has set up. It's been about 6,000 years this earth has existed (eyebrows raised??) and 2,000 for Christianity. That certainly stands the test of time. It will always remain, even with the meager number of true followers there are. True followers are what He is seeking. Remnant believers who, through thick or thin, remain faithful to His call and His following.

The Church today for the most part does not look like the first Church anymore. There are false doctrines and a myriad of beliefs. In some churches anything goes. Come as you are, stay just as you are. No need to change, just say you believe in God, say a sinner's prayer, and believe there are many ways to the Father of Hosts, including your own way for just believing in God but not seriously following. The proud will be humbled...the wise shall be made foolish, the strong will be weakened...until the day when every knee will bow and tongue confess to the absolute truth of who Jesus is, was and forever will be.

The time is now to change, to take a stand, to be on the narrow road with just a few people united in their narrow beliefs...because narrow is the way, the Way. This goes for the Church too. Be the first to be last so that you might become the first. Take a humble stand and see where you can go.

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. So the last will be first, and the first will be last. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last. (Matthew 19:39, 20:16, Mark 10:31, Luke 13:30)

A Kid in a Candy Store!

Ezekiel 37:5-6 - Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD."

I think I was asleep and have been going through a time of awakening. I was becoming comfortable in my life in Christ, despite the deep seated desire to grow deeper in Him. As the days grow more ominous we know our strength must come from some place other than our selves and our resourcefulness. The only way to gain that strength is to go to the Source, which is Jesus.

Our church (The Church in Wisconsin) is being bombarded by several nights' worth of powerful, eye-opening words of a young evangelist, Jeremy Prochazka. Old truths have been brought forth as reminders of what being in Christ means. As one sermon leads into the next they are all connected by a fresh view and a common thread...the Lord. I feel like a kid in a candy store. So much to "look" into and take in, not that I haven't heard it before, but that I need to be reminded. That's what revival is. Dry bones coming back to life.

Jeremy started with the Church and how if Christ is in it that's what it's all about. And those churches which are doing it right by not watering down the Word or preaching man's version of the Gospel and are allowing the Holy Spirit full access, the Latter Will be Greater than the Past, as his first message was entitled. There will be a remnant in the end who will rebuild the Church to what it should be, who will be standing only on the truth of His Word...what it's all about.

These messages have touched me. Each one so far has struck a conviction, one that started probably a year ago when I was beginning to become dissatisfied with something I couldn't put my finger on...which culminated in one day just knowing God was leading me to make a change, a very big one, in order to go deeper with Him. That change moved me to a new church, a difficult decision but when God is behind it, a good one, of that I was sure.

The Church: it's not about the building but the people within it...if Christ is in the heart, He is in the home as well. He had no luxurious place to rest at night. It was whoever took Him in, or whatever rock was available to rest His head. This speaks corporately and personally, too.

All things that are not of Christ must be removed. There is a shaking going on. I have felt that there has been a sifting and when that is done the shaking within Church walls will come thereafter. Perhaps some churches have been sifted and are now being shaken, some are still being sifted. Is the Church, or ourselves, Christ-centered or not? Shake it out if it is not.

Again, I have felt complacency, but desiring more. Where I am now I don't think I can remain with all the people around me. That is good. Now three weeks later I'm really sensing I am lacking compared to them. Ah, but we are not to compare ourselves, which Jeremy brought up last night, and as I've heard before. And no one should compare in Church. It's where edification should take place if it is the church (any church) it claims it to be. If there's comparison, it's wrong.

We're at different spiritual levels and that's okay. It's that we want to reach the next level that is important. And it starts in a church that is of one accord, all wanting this same thing, no matter what level we're on. Shaking causes shackles to be broken and that equals freedom. We are all given a measure by Christ. If He has given us that measure, don't try to fix it. Go with it.

Jeremy talked about the dry bones in Ezekiel 37. Shaking of the Church isn't always bad but will produce good. You shake to stir things up, to open eyes, revive, restore, bring back together. Once the bones are shaken the flesh will reappear and growth will occur.

In his sermon on Controlled by the River Jeremy discussed Ezekiel 47:1-11. There was a vision of a man measuring the waters that flowed out of the temple. First they were ankle deep, then knee high, then to the loins until the waters were so deep they could not be crossed. These are like the depth of our spiritual walk with the Lord. And He is the Man measuring. When He moves, we move with Him, but never before Him. It reminds me of Jesus as our living Water. And it is about the Spirit of God which flows in us and directs us. Just keep moving when He moves into that deeper place with Him, beyond where you now are. Follow Him is all He asks and there will be healing and life.

If we get to a place where we can't grow anymore, He will move us. Oh, I saw it when I knew it was time to move from one church to another but this message was such confirmation. I'm sure more revelation will come! Hallelujah.

Monday night in his Conditions of Defeat and Conditions of Victory Jeremy talked about how we might go through seasons of defeat...early on, in the middle of our walk or the end. Sometimes the condition is based on those around us. If they are lax, so will others be. But if they are Spirit-filled and of one accord, it will stand to reason I will be also. And at the same time we must continue to realize that He has given each of us a measure, which I mentioned above. I cannot become frustrated that I can't "measure up" to the person next to me. Jesus has done the measuring; be satisfied with that.

In Acts the early day church all came together in one accord...all 120 people! They prayed and fellowshipped together and the Holy Spirit came upon them. They were then able to go out, with the full measure that Christ had given them and preach to all the world. And the Church grew in number. His Spirit, which stirred the waters in Genesis, stirred their spirits in that upper room. He moved and they followed, each with and in the measure He had given them. He does the same today...let our Church be as the upper room, filled with the glory of God, sending forth the people with praises of God and the healing power to save, increasing the remnant Church.

An interesting point brought up: Ezekiel 47...the first step forward into the river was only ankle deep. That's our first step of faith in our walk with God. In Acts the first healing that took place as the disciples went out to begin their preaching ministry was a lame man. His ankle bones and feet received strength! This was the lame man's first step of faith in trusting the mighty healing power (spiritually as well as physically) of God. He had to start somewhere, like we all do. And sometimes we need to get back into step!

Ezekiel 47:9 - And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.