03-18-12 - Ye Are Few In Number
http://godtalklouisvilleky.blogspot.com/2012/03/03-18-12-ye-are-few-in-number.html
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 / 7The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 / 7The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye
were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
8But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had
sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed
you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
"DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH" by R-Swift
I know we discussed this topic a month ago, but I am coming back to the same scripture with a new
format. Today, we will be delivering this message at Sanction House, a ministry in the West End of
Louisville, KY that seeks to help those in need. If you are interested in donating to their cause, you
can find their info on our Facebook page under "Places You Can Donate To".
We went to visit the church a few weeks ago, and the Lord began to speak to me. The congregation
was small, and there would be many who would look upon this church with disdain because it was
small, or that it wasn't a huge building, or that it was located in a more dangerous part of town.
However, the LORD gave me an encouraging word for that congregation that I will give today at the
church, and that I am going to share here on GodTalk.
God is not interested in where you begin - He is interested in where you are going. He is not
interested in the clay - He is interested in the work of art. He is not interested in the coal - He is
interested in the diamond.
God has vision for what your life can be, and it is going to take you "letting go, and letting God", as
God has vision for what your life can be, and it is going to take you "letting go, and letting God", as
the old saying goes. God cannot operate through a rebellious life. He can give you a vision for your
life, but until you decide to walk in that vision, you will never fulfill the purpose God has for your life.
When we all come to God, we all begin with sin in our lives. There is not one of us that can proudly
When we all come to God, we all begin with sin in our lives. There is not one of us that can proudly
boast to another, "I was less of a sinner than you!" Christ even goes so far as to teach in Luke 7:47 - "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but
to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." How can you boast about your "goodness"?
God testifies that if you think you have little sin, then you will likely look down on others who came
from a life of a lot of sin.
The secret is - WE ALL HAVE A LOT OF SIN! If you think you only have a little sin when you begin
The secret is - WE ALL HAVE A LOT OF SIN! If you think you only have a little sin when you begin
in God, that is evidence that you are blind to sin in your life. Without Christ, we are all as lepers, who
were commanded in the Old Testament to shout, "Unclean!" We all come to God with spiritual
leprosy, and He wants to heal us of the plague that infects our lives.
Getting back on topic - with a handful, God can do so much. We can never look upon numbers and
Getting back on topic - with a handful, God can do so much. We can never look upon numbers and
say that it is impossible for God to use us. AS A MATTER OF FACT, GOD IS NOT INTERESTED IN
YOUR NUMBERS! Gideon had a force of 22,000 that God chiseled down to 300 before they went off
to war - and they were victorious! You cannot look on outward numbers and expect to see godly
results! If that were the case, then man could boast and say, "It is because of my hand that this got accomplished". God will not share His glory with any other. If we try to steal God's glory and claim it
for ourselves, we are in competition with God. This is not only idolatry, but also setting yourself up on
the throne for worship! It is one thing to worship a false god - it is another entirely to crave the
worship for yourself! We must never let numbers become our central point of focus!
I will go on one more tangent before we continue, because this is important. King David, in 1
I will go on one more tangent before we continue, because this is important. King David, in 1
Chronicles 21, was moved to count Israel. This was not according to God's will - therefore, when the
counting was done, God destroyed 70,000 people of Israel with a plague. He has always testified
against people building their own personal Tower of Babel! You cannot look upon numbers to think in
terms of godly prosperity! The two are at enmity with one another.
We can see this in 1 Timothy 6:5 - "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute
We can see this in 1 Timothy 6:5 - "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute
of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." We are taught of
the Word of God to withdraw from men who teach that the more you have, the better you are in God!
God doesn't advocate this way of thinking - it produces covetousness and bitterness within us. We
have to hear the gentle rebuke of 1 Timothy 6:6 - "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
God will increase us in His timing. For now, it is time to focus our attentions on Jesus - not on man!
In a church that only has a few members, a lot of good can still happen! God gave a scripture in
In a church that only has a few members, a lot of good can still happen! God gave a scripture in
Deuteronomy 32:30 - "How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight,
except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?" God can do SO MUCH
with a willing, obedient servant. First, He wants to see your faithfulness. Before He entrusts you with
much, He wants to see how you handle the little. ARE YOU FAITHFUL WITH THE LITTLE GOD HAS ENTRUSTED YOU?
In the Old Testament, there were rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of
In the Old Testament, there were rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of
tens. God may have appointed you as a ruler of tens (lower level). Don't lust for what you don't have -
instead, be grateful for what you do have. Do the good work of a servant of Christ in whatever God has
called you to do, and do it with a cheerful heart. You are called with a heavenly, holy calling to serve
the LORD.
Man looks on physical gain as evidence of prosperity. With God, it is not so. For some, He has given
Man looks on physical gain as evidence of prosperity. With God, it is not so. For some, He has given
5 talents, while He has only given 2 to another. It is not up to us to wrest from each other power and
control. THIS IS EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE NOT IN SUBJECTION TO THE LORD! It is up to us, as
Christians, to serve the LORD in faithfulness!
What scriptures can we reflect upon that will lean us in the right direction? Today I Ieave you with
What scriptures can we reflect upon that will lean us in the right direction? Today I Ieave you with
three scriptures that teach us not to be lusting for more power and control, but rather to serve the
LORD with a willing heart, and not to worry about size. REMEMBER - WE SERVE THE KING OF
THE UNIVERSE! In spite of our small size, God is able to handle any deficiency we have with NO
PROBLEM!
1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the
1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the
height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for
man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Jeremiah 1:6-8 / 6Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
7But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send
Jeremiah 1:6-8 / 6Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
7But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send
thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
8Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Matthew 25:23 - His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been
8Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Matthew 25:23 - His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of
thy lord.
God bless!
God bless!
03-17-12 / Is A Christian Under The Law?
Galatians 5:4 / Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
"WORK YOUR FAITH" by J. Moss
Lyrics to "WORK YOUR FAITH"
http://www.lyricsmania.com/work_your_faith_lyrics_j_moss.html
Is it faith or is it works?
This debate has went on in the church world for so long, and for many, it is still an undecided feature. However, much of the confusion around this debate stems over the word "works". Those in favor of works will reference scriptures such as James 2:20 - "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" They will erect a wall of pride around their box of works, proudly beating at the chest that they have it figured out.
Then there are those who stand on the faith side, referencing scriptures such as Romans 4:4-5 / 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. To them, this is as obvious as can be that it cannot be through works, but through faith.
Who is right? Well - BOTH OF THEM! They are both on the same page (to a degree) and do not realize it!
But, you say, how can this be? How can I be saved both by faith AND by works? First, as I mentioned earlier, we need to take a look at the word "works" and see how it causes confusion in these discussions.
What type of works was James talking about in James 2? Let's take a look at James 2:15-16 / 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? These type of works are basic works you can do to help others in a time of need. Therefore, according to James, if I want to show that my faith is alive, I need to be doing these types of works! I need to be feeding the hungry, clothing the sick, and providing for those in need (to the best of my ability).
So, what about the reference to faith only in Romans 4? If you really begin to dig into this chapter, it speaks about faith, but it also speaks about works - IN THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW. The works that are not necessary for fulfilling righteousness are being wrapped up in the Old Testament law!
Let's take a quick look at Galatians 3, which deals with these types of "works" in greater detail. Just take a look at Galatians 3:2 - "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" Here, Paul is speaking of the "works of the law" - he is talking about a Christian going back into the Old Testament ways.
Is a Christian obliged to live under the Old Testament law? No - Christ fulfilled this law with His death on the cross. He testifies to this in Matthew 5:17-18 / 17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets. He took all the ordinances and statutes and curses upon Himself that were written in the law, because it was impossible for any of us to fulfill that law. We are all born into sin - there is not one of us that is able to fulfill that law. However, Jesus was born without sin, and He overcame the law in our place.
This means that through our faith in Christ, we obtain His righteousness in our lives. We now are righteous in the eyes of God, through FAITH IN CHRIST! Does this mean we do not have to do works? NO! We still have to do works - just not the works of the Old Testament Law!
What types of rules, or works, do we need to fulfill? Jesus summed it up in Matthew 22:37-40 / 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the first and great commandment.
39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Here, he stated that if we operate according to these two commandments, we will have done the works - they will become a part of our lives.
He even goes farther in Matthew 25:34-40 / 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Are these works? Most certainly! But they are not bound to the Old Testament law! Helping one another should not have to be something that someone does just because the law says so - it should be something we strive to do as Christians. How can we say we care for one another if we don't spend time seeking after one another's well being?
So, in short - both sides of the fence technically have it right, yet they don't realize it! This division is unhealthy for the body of Christ. We suffer way too many schisms in the name of pride and dissension. It is time for a healthy dose of humility. If we spent less time criticizing and more time sympathizing, we would have a much stronger brotherhood in the body of Christ. We set a terrible example for those on the outside with our bickering and shouting and striving to out-do each other.
So, how do we know what parts of the Old Testament are still game? Do we still obey the Ten Commandments, or the teaching on tithing, which is based out of Genesis 14? Paul instructs us in 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." We are to spend time in the Word of God, so that we know what is written in there, but even more - we need to be able to "rightly divide" the Word, or be able to discern what it means for the present day believer.
Jesus also expounds on this subject in John 14:26 - "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." Just as the Spirit of God led the children of Israel by fire and by cloud from Egypt to Canaan's land, so will the Spirit of God lead us to the Spiritual Canaan's land - to the promised land that God has promised for all that seek Him. Where is this spiritual Canaan's land? Paul speaks about it in Ephesians 4:15 - "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" God's Word is a light that helps us grow in the light of Christ, and little by little we grow to the head of Christ, which speaks of His mind, His way of thinking, His unity with the Father, etc.
Today, I encourage you - have faith in Christ! That is where your salvation and your righteousness comes from. And furthermore - do the works of the Father. Jesus even gave His disciples works to do in Matthew 10. I wish to leave you with this list of works He gave His disciples - it extends to us as fellow disciples of Christ. As you read this list, reflect on what you do for Christ to spread His message to a lost and dying world.
Matthew 10:5-42 / 5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
God bless!