Download... November 15, 2009. Sunday morning service. Bro. Dave Goble.
This message is really about what goes on in the inside of the church building, the true Church of God,.. as those that are free. Free,..yet here in this world of sin, to live apart,..and free From it. It is a way that is "odd" to many. If you are going to be faithful to God in Heaven, you are going to be a minority. The minority does not set "the standard" of society, generally, known as a majority. You are not looked upon in favor because you are not the majority. The wrong people, wrong ideas, is setting the standard or example for society. The right people are not,.. you must choose sides. The right side, or (the "strange, and oppressed," to some). But if you are with the majority because of persecution, and go with the flow, that is not of life, or God. God's people are always fewer in number. We are always of the few. Yet,.. just because you are of a few,...does not make you of the right, in of itself.
Text: Acts 20:16, 25-31
16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
The pastor made reference to the substance and encouragement of a book "A Shepherd's look at the Psalms," by W. Phillip Keller. The exhortation ultimately was when as sheep being caught helpless on "our back," Christ the ultimate Shepherd is ready to rescue us from our neediness, If we call upon Him, and allow His direction. If left in that condition(on their back), there is no help. We must call on Him, and allow Him to rescue and direct our lives in every aspect. The key is not to let ourselves be caught without the Shepherd to help us. It is up to us to call upon Him in sincerity. Take courage with the Truth,..let it have it's way! Paul was giving his "fair-well" message to this group of saints, and exhorted the elders to feed The Church of God. What is it we are supposed to feed? Not the building, or just as in the teachings, but each soul that truly composes the Body of Christ! We are to feed the flock as a shepherd feeds his sheep! #1..What is it? #2 Who is it? #3 What is it's role? The Assembled people of God, is what it is, ..the Pure Church of God! Called out of everyday life, from ordinary people! Consider first,.. who Jesus called. 1. Peter..the fisherman 2. Andrew,..also a fisherman. 3.James, 4. John, his brother,.all fishermen. Fishermen in that day truly subsiding on only their occupation. No fish? No money, ..you starve! Humble ordinary men, doing their best, getting along trying to catch their next meal. 5. Matthew was a tax collector with similar goals of the fishermen, but despised for raising money for the Roman Empire government. Not well liked, certainly,.. as the minority. #6. Phillip a Galilean farmer not from Jerusalem, and not privileged, 7. Bartholomew, 8. Thomas 9. James 10. Simeon, 11. Judas, and 12. Mark. God calls ordinary people to follow an extraordinary way, following an Extraordinary God! A lot of people are going to have problems with a doctrine or teaching, so many will have a problem with your belief or life "practices," it always has,..and always will be so. Their perception of your "strangeness" might be so openly notorious to them, it would even make the news. Yet a minority alone does not make for it being right. The one called from the seashores of life, called for an extraordinary way, will be misunderstood by mainstream society.
A monastery community, was seen as devout, nothing being really strange,(all male monks), although sharing a living area for the last fifty years. Different (2000 men) because no women were allowed, which obviously would invalidate the meaning of monastery. This is not seen as unusual in mainstream society. Yet the bible does not show this as the way. But when ..you live for Christ wholly, and holy, ...you are strange, although from ordinary origins. Because,.. you want to live free from sin, in a sinful world. It is a lot harder to do, than those who are "locked away," from an everyday world.
Simply,.. there is an "attack" today on "pure" minded" souls. This is what defines Armageddon as Now, not in a "future." NOW there is a "war" going on against pure living within a sinful world. God must be the "glue" that holds us together. The many groups of people that truly serve God, ..we need to let God be that glue that does hold us together. This will be the results when you Really let the Holy Ghost direct your life. "He" builds God's Church! So many "claim it," yet God is not the holding together glue! Even those who claim to be Church of God,..need to make sure that God, not former ideas or convictions, is truly the glue holding them mutually, in unity.
Matthew16:18, I Corinthians 12:27 The body of Christ, The Church of God, will reveal deliverance From sin. A resurrected life,..as Jesus was the first one in example,.. born of the resurrection. A sin-free life. You cannot put new wine into an old bottles. Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. The Church of God,..are you part of it, as a member? The Church of God is Inclusive, where any and all can be saved from sin, who obey and accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. All who confess and acknowledge His authority in our life by how we live, those are included as His body or church.
Martin Luther's Reformation somewhat refined, and somewhat corrected, the Catholics doctrine. He understood the justification by faith through the grace of God. Yet, it still did not change their lives of sin, or heart. It potentially was good for Luther's individual life. The Second Reformation of Calvinism included the notion that is not in our will to be free to choose, only a particular elect has this option. The truth is,.. God offers to ALL. In reference to the above scripture, Confession means you practice what you preach. Essentially the doctrine can be right, but it still needs to be Lived from our heart. Just "don't do" is not the definition. Let God be in the practice of your faith, Pure,..I am a Christian. It Will cost you something,..a surrendering of self.
Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." Whosoever will do(action) the will of my Father in Heaven. Am I practicing "things" that are not reflective of Christ?" Warning!! Merely by association,.. does not make it!! A fear may be holding you, where actually something might not be pleasing to God. You must be open, clear, humbled with God,..to have a true possession of Him. Fear is the "cousin" of pride. You have to step Over fear to get help or humility. Humility brings Strength.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Available for all freely, ..IF you meet the "qualifications," or change without which you will not and cannot be In the Body of Christ! Cannot be self centered you must decide to change or surrender for the Body of Christ!
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. "Tremble" at this scripture. Know About Jesus! Refuse to live it? God will deny you before His Father!! You choose selfishness, you choose life without Christ's Authority. Intentionally living Contrary? It is all about making a real decision to choose God's way! Do you "steal", etc.? In another words if you are aware of your contrary decisions, you are making a choice against God's way. If you "live less than you Know," you miss the mark! Violating a principal by How you behave! Pay attention to you motivations,..it is what you are accountable for. No there are no acceptable double standards, no accepted living of "two" lives! If we "deny" Christ before men, He will deny us before the Father. The Church of God Is the body of Christ, it is Exclusive,..it will Not accept sin!
Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Must deny self
so the whole concept of selfishness or double "dealing" in your living automatically excludes you from His inheritance for you in His body as the above scripture defines. Each accountable soul determines his fate based in his conscious choices. Christ will reveal what my cross is, I must wait in willing acceptance for His glory. Sacrificing self is not optional, as Jesus set the example before. Self is what is the destructive force that will interfere, If allowed. Was Jesus guilty of what He was accused of? No, only guilty of loving others, and making the supreme sacrifice. Truly the "all cure" principal, is willing to be misunderstood. If "the sacrifice will advance the Gospel", then it is Worthy, not to be selfish and be submissive to other souls, and to advance Christ! Jesus taught it, and it worked!
Matthew 15:24, 10:5
In the beginning Jesus prophesied and evangelized the Jews. Jesus then proceeded to evangelize Also the Gentiles about God's plan. Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Acts 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
The Church became composed of all those who would listen! I Corinthians 12:12-14, 18, 28 Who is the Church?? God sets the member in the Church. God proposes, God disposes, determines our destination,.. based on our conscious choices. People use fanaticism, liberalism, to discredit the Gospel,..a battle! People lose confidence based on how other people live their lives. It is the enemy who wants to discredit. The enemy wants the young people to lose confidence. It is known through some not so past surveys done, that children If deciding to choose a faith, often choose the one their parents declared as theirs, if they follow any at all. So much is lost or gained based on a parent's life. So therefore children are more and more falling away as their parents have. If they see consistent value and love, they will more likely hold on to that. I Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. II Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: IF WE DENY HIM, he also will deny us: He will deny us, if we deny Him. Be concerned.
