Episode 71 Our Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ

Christians speak often about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What do we mean by that? What is this relationship? What makes it personal? How do we know if our relationship with Jesus Christ is what God intended? We do not find the term “personal relationship with Jesus Christ” in the Bible, so on what basis do we use this term? We do not even find the word “relationship” in most English translations, but the concept appears everywhere. How has God designed for us to relate to Him? How do we relate to Jesus Christ? And how does God intend for us to relate to each other? As we seek spiritual reality, these are critical questions to be answered in truth. The answers need to be based in the scriptures and true to our experience.

Today we share ministry by Gordon Gentry on this subject. The ministry was given in the year 2000 in a small home setting. Gordon concentrates on what we should be looking for in our relationship with God and how we experience His love and grace that lifts us out of ourselves and our ability into God and His life working in us. Central to this is faith and how our faith can be strengthened.

• Additional resources at http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]

Episode 70 Righteousness

Can God make us righteous, and if so how? Does He require us to be righteous to take us into eternity with Himself? Many today think that Jesus came to forgive our sins so we can go to heaven, but that true righteousness is not possible in this life. Is that true? Is it possible to do righteously if we are not righteous? Many today think that righteousness is only an “imputed” or theoretical righteousness but does not work out in a reality in our lives. Because we have been taught that “all of our righteousness is as filthy rags” in God’s sight, we should not worry too much if we see unrighteousness in our lives. Our comforting thought is that God overlooks our unrighteousness because we have believed in Jesus as our Savior. I think this is a great misunderstanding of God’s salvation. Christ not only made a way for us to be forgiven of our past sins, but He also made provision for us to become righteous in God’s eyes.

• There are three aspects to our salvation. All are based on Calvary o Forgiveness of our past sins through repentance and asking Jesus to forgive us o Living the life of God now as we are transformed into His image o Our final deliverance into the eternal kingdom of God in a new body • Jesus came to make us righteous. (Rom. 5:19, 2 Cor. 5:21) • A righteous man does righteous deeds because he is righteous (I John 3:7) • It is true that our righteousness (separate from Christ) is not acceptable before God (Isaiah 64:6) • A disciple is one who is living the life of God and thus partaking of His righteousness (Gal. 2:20) • A righteous man lives “from faith to faith” (Rom. 1:17) • The church puts on the breastplate of righteous (Eph. 6:14) • We are commanded to pursue righteousness (Matt. 5:6, I Tim. 6:11, 2 Tim. 2:22) • God does not “overlook” our unrighteousness because He made a way that we can be righteous in Christ Jesus our Lord • God is preparing a righteous bride to be married to His Son (Eph. 5:25-27) • The righteous will shine forth in the eternal kingdom of God (Matt. 13:43)

• Additional resources at http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]

Episode 69 Do Christians sin, Part 2

The consequences of sin in a person’s life here on earth are severe. The end result of un-repented sin is eternal judgment and separation from God into hell. We dare not play around with sin. God has made full provision for us to be delivered from sin. We must not miss the way. God paid the ultimate price for us to be delivered from sin. Because of this, we have no excuse to continue in sin. Yet in spite of God’s provision, many believers still live in bondage to sin. What shall we say when we stand before God on the final day? What excuse will we give? I do not believe that any excuse will stand before God. We may have been subjected to bad teaching, bad parenting, and a host of other things, but on the final day God will sweep all of that away and ask us “what did I reveal to you”? Lest we be found condemned on that day and cast away from His presence forever, let us give great diligence to being delivered from the bondage of sin and live each day pleasing unto Him.

• A disciple is one who has been translated from death to life o Life is experienced in union with Christ by the Spirit (relationship) o This union is an active faith relationship (abiding in Christ) whereby the law of the Spirit of life in Christ overcomes the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-4) • The righteousness that pleases God is experienced by faith o Crucified with Christ, alive by faith (Gal. 2:20) o We are saved by His life as we walk in the light (Rom. 6:10, I John 1:7) • What are some reasons we may not be experiencing this victory o Wrong understanding (teaching) o Have made a place for 3 classes (unbeliever, moving in faith, and something else) o Looking for an excuse to give way to the flesh (self) (I John 2:15-17) o Disputing the Lordship of Jesus Christ by the Spirit o Not being absolute with what God has already revealed (making excuses for our personality, upbringing, what others have said, understanding, etc.) o Trying to deal with every sin (or weakness) instead of abiding in Christ • We do not concentrate on trying to eliminate every sin, but rather consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the One who arbitrates in the heart. (Rom. 6) • For the believer, sin is primarily a transgression of our relationship with God. Recognizing that we have violated the relationship, repentance, and rising up to obey is the place of victory. • We are living under His authority, and that is exercised by the Holy Spirit. If we grieve or quench the Holy Spirit, our relationship goes cold. That is sin. In general, sin is self rule, self realization, putting self on the throne (not submitting to Christ as Lord and living His life) but living our life. • Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1,2, Col. 2:19)

• Additional resources at http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]

Episode 68 Do Christians sin?

Do Christians sin? Some say yes, all the time since we are not perfect in this life. Some say no, because after we have experienced sanctification we cannot sin. What is the truth? Can we know the truth? Surely this is a very important area because Christ died that we may be delivered from sin. If that means that we can be delivered from sin in this life and yet we do not experience this deliverance, what shall we say to God when we stand before Him on the final judgment day? The scriptures speak much about this so I don’t think we have any excuse not to know God’s mind. Let us ask God for clarity regarding what He has done for us in Christ Jesus that we may experience all that God has provided and please Him in all things.

• Sin in the life of unbeliever: o Sin reigns in death (Rom. 5:21) o A controlling disposition (Rom. 7:18-20) o Cannot please God (Rom 8:8) o All “righteousness” is rejected as self-effort (Isiah 64:6) • Sin in the life of the disciple o Not the “norm” if we are abiding n Christ (I John 3:4-9) o Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:1-2) o If we continue to sin we do not know Him (not in Christ) o If we do sin (stumble) we have an advocate if we confess our sin and repent (I John 2:1-2) o The Holy spirit is faithful to convict of sin (John 16:8-11) • What is sin? o Sin is lawlessness (I John 3:4) o Sin is unrighteousness (touching the unclean thing) (I John 5:17) o Knowing to do good but not doing it (James 4:17) o Refusing to walk in light that has come (John 15:22) o Unbelief (John 16:9) o Whatever is not of faith (Rom. 14:23) • The consequences of un-repented sin o Coldness in our relationship with God (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1) o Coldness in our relationship with other disciples (I John 1:5-7) o Blindness (John 9:39-41) o Hard heart (seared conscience) (Rom 2:4-6) o Deception (2 Thes:2:9-12, James 1:16) o Judgment, death, Eternity in hell

Continued next week

• Additional resources at http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]

67 The Beginning Work—Love

The working of love is a very familiar topic to most of us. Yet the width and depth of this work is far beyond our natural ability. Jesus said that we are to love as He loved, and that love was fully demonstrated at Calvary as He laid down His life for us. We are told that love is the bond of perfection and without this love we are nothing. We find ourselves challenged at every turn to experience and express this love. Our provision is God Himself, because He has put this love in our heart by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Now our responsibility is to work that love out through these bodies of clay.

Our program today is taken from some ministry given by Gordon Gentry in a home meeting in February 2001. The gathering was being prepared to recognize eldership in the foreseeable future. The emphasis in the ministry was that without fervent love, recognizing elders and benefitting from their ministry would not be possible. Thus the exhortation was to “give ourselves to fervent love.” I believe all of us can benefit from this strong exhortation to love expressed in action.

This ministry is also available on the web site: http://www.ntchurchsource.com/audio/

• Additional resources at  http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]

Episode 66 Sanctification

What is sanctification? We are told this is the will of God but how does it take place? Is sanctification optional or is sanctification a necessary part of our salvation? How are we sanctified unto God? In the Old Testament we see many references to sanctification. The priests were sanctified in a very detailed way for their service in the temple. The altar was sanctified before the sacrifices were offered on it. The people were commanded to sanctify themselves before they approached God. Instructions for sanctification are brought into the New Covenant but on a higher plane.   Christ sanctified Himself that we might be sanctified unto God.

• The basic meaning of sanctification is to be separated from the world and set apart to God • Sanctification has two basic parts ( by Jesus and the Holy Spirit) o We are set apart to God because of the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:5-14) o The Holy Spirit brings truth into application in our lives (2 Thess. 2:13) • Christ sanctified Himself on the cross that He my sanctify us in truth (John 17:19) • The continual work of sanctification comes through the word of God as we obey o The washing of the word (Eph. 5:26) o Through obedience (2 Tim. 2:21) • Sanctification results in purification of the whole person (body, soul, spirit) I Thess. 5:23) • Sanctification is an essential part of our salvation  “Chosen for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth (2 Thess 2:13) • Submitting to the sanctification of the Spirit results in us being conformed to His image. That is what God is doing, changing us from glory to glory into the image of His Son, preparing us for the final wedding day. • Sanctification touches anything in our lives that is contrary to the nature and character of God • Salvation is not just a “ticket to heaven”, leaving us here to live for ourselves until that day, but calling us out of this world, out of sin, and into union with Christ. The Holy Spirit is our “down payment” or dowry, waiting for the final wedding day, or the consummation of the marriage. • “He who has this hope, purifies himself, even as He is pure” (I John 3:3) • How do we insult the Spirit of grace? (Heb. 10:29)

• Additional resources at  http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]

Episode 65 Experiencing God in Relationships

At the heart of what God is doing is proper relationships. Thus it should not surprise us that the enemy does everything within his power to destroy relationships and create enmity between us and God and between one another. We are commanded to not be ignorant of his devices. How can right relationships be established, maintained, and strengthened? To see all relationships established and maintained for the purpose and glory of God takes nothing less than the power of God. We must avail of God’s provision, and that provision is experienced in union with Him, our spirit joined with His Spirit. Our relationship with God must first be right before we can work out other relationships in a proper way.

Today we share some ministry by Gordon Gentry on this subject. This ministry was given in January 1986 and followed other ministry on this subject. As he begins, you will hear him refer to some questions that were given the week before for serious consideration before the Lord and further fellowship. The discussion was not recorded, but the questions were as follows:

• What is your statement of God’s purpose? • How much are you committed to seeing that purpose fulfilled? • What have you done this past week in these three areas: o Your relationship with God o Your relationship with your husband or wife o Training your children

This ministry is also available on the web site: http://www.ntchurchsource.com/audio/

• Additional resources at  http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]

Episode 64 Pursuing Holiness

God is holy beyond anything we can imagine, but we are commanded to “be holy for I am Holy.” We are also commanded to pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord. How do we do this? How can we be holy? When we try to comprehend the holiness of God, we may feel so inadequate that we give up before we even start. How can we be holy as He is Holy? But we cannot just put this subject aside because the admonition in scripture is very real and critical.

Today in looking at this question, I want to read a chapter from a book by Tozer entitled “The Knowledge of the Holy.” I think the direction and encouragement there can be helpful to us all. May God shed light in each of our hearts as we press in to know God.

Scriptures: Lev. 11:44 I Peter 1:15-16 Hebrews 12:14

Here is the link to Tozer’s “Knowledge of the Holy” https://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-Holy-W-Tozer/dp/161895198X

• Additional resources at  http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]

Episode 63 A Beginning Expression of the Church

What should we expect in a beginning expression of the church? We see in some degree what God wants, but how do we begin? What is our responsibility? We want to obey God, but what truth is important at the foundation?  How does an expression of the church come into being? We may have come out of a more formal institution of some kind in hunger for more reality but are not clear in what we need to do.  What truth is essential at the foundation? How do we know that God is gathering a people together and it is not just an effort of man? We face these and many related questions in a beginning gathering of God’s children. 

Today we share with you a time of ministry by Gordon Gentry on this subject. The setting is a home in which a few brothers and sisters had been gathering once each week for several years for a Bible Study. Gordon was encouraging them in take their responsibility before God seriously and act on the truth that they had already received.

I think any gathering could benefit from the truth Gordon was sharing, but particularly a beginning gathering that is seeking to be more established and express the life of God in their locality.

The recording of this time of ministry is also located on the NT Church Source web site at the following link:

http://www.ntchurchsource.com/audio/

• Additional resources at  http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]

Episode 62 Evaluation and criticism

Paul said in one place that we are to examine ourselves, to test ourselves. He was speaking to a church that was struggling with some serious issues, and He was admonishing them to be honest with where they were in the Lord. Are we always willing to face honest evaluation? To evaluate ourselves honestly is not easy. Our first tendency is usually to defend ourselves when criticized in some way. But when we do that, we usually close the door to progress in that area. If we are at rest in our relationship with God, we should never need to fear what comes to us through others. In addition, we need to be able to honestly evaluate ourselves before God, allowing the Holy Spirit to search us as He chooses. This is an essential element of spiritual progress.

• Accusation is usually hard to deal with o It touches our person o Our humility is tested (Phil. 2:3) o Others do not know our hearts, but they see our actions • Evaluation of our actions may be accurate o They can be more objective o They see the actions, not the intent o We should be thankful that they care enough to speak to us (Eph. 4:15) • Evaluation of our actions may be wrong o Standing for truth will bring persecution (John 15:20) o We must know that we are holding truth in love o We can rejoice as we share in the sufferings of Christ  (Phil. 3:10) • A mixture of right and wrong o Need a spirit of humility to not immediately reject o The Holy Spirit to sift and sort as we wait upon God • I would like to have your evaluation of this podcast o What has it meant to you? o How can I improve? o What subjects would you like to see addressed?

• Additional resources at  http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email [email protected]