The Holy Spirit #6 - By Pastor George Lehman

John 16:7(Amp) – However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

 

There is no worse screen to block out the Spirit than confidence in

our own intelligence. (John Calvin)

Reasoning spiritual things with a natural mind, Will only bring confusion.

Spiritual blindness births deception. You can have a lot of Bible knowledge and yet be spiritually blind.

Nearly every passage in the New Testament that has to do with ‘end of the age’ includes some kind of warning about being deceived.

Matthew 24:4-6 (NIV) – Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Matthew 24:24 (NIV) – For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

The ‘elect’ or God’s chosen ones are not immune to deception.

To avoid being deceived, you must be able to identify the truth.

Pontius Pilate interrogated Jesus before His crucifixion.

Jesus told him…

John 18:37 (Amp) – Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, you say it! [you speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly, I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.

Not the deceivers voice – God’s voice.

Pilate and philosophers have asked this question for 2500 years…

John 18:38a (NIV) – “What is truth?”

The co-ordinates of truth, like a GPS, you put in the co-ordinates, and you’ll get to your destination.

John 14:6 (Amp) – Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

Jesus is the TRUTH.

God’s word, the Bible is also TRUTH.

John 17:17 (Amp) – Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.

The Spirit is also TRUTH.

1 John 5:6 (Amp) – It is the Spirit who bears witness [to Jesus Christ], because the Spirit is truth.

The truth is Jesus.

The truth is the Bible.

The truth is the Spirit.

To be sure you’re dealing with the truth therefore, you must ask three questions…

Is it true to Jesus?

Is it true to the Bible?

Does it have the witness of the Holy Spirit.

If these questions are answered in the affirmative[bevestigend], you may be confident that you have the truth.

How deception displaces the truth.

Paul’s warning about deception…

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (NIV) – But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

How quickly we can lose our grasp on the truth – letting go to “put up with” false doctrine, lies, our own suitable interpretations.

Paul’s warning to the church in Colossae…

Colossians 2:8 (NIV) – See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Never forget this… To win worshippers to himself, Satan uses deception.

Revelation 12:9 (Amp) - And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.

Deception is something to which all of us are susceptible *(Vatbaar); no one should assume they are immune to it.

Galatians 6:3 (NIV) – If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

Satan uses pride and deception to win people’s worship.

I believe pride is the primary door through which deception takes hold of our lives and misleads us.

Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) – When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

A proud person is not teachable.  They become a ‘know it all’.

They become prime target no.1 to the enemy.

The result…

Psalm 59:12 (NIV) – For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride.

Pride will cause you to be deceived in the way you serve God.  It will be mixed good and evil.

God’s view on pride because He knows how it can lead us away from truth into deception.

James 4:6 (Amp) – But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).

If we are walking the pathway of truth and humility our light should grow brighter daily as we grow closer to God.

If your light is not getting brighter then you are in danger of backsliding, of relying on self-made methods of deception.

Proverbs 4:18 (Amp) – But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared].

The Believer’s Authority – by Ian September

“Authority exercised with humility and obedience accepted with delight, are the very lines along which our spirits live.” – C.S. Lewis

Good evening church in the North. I have it on high authority that what you will hear and apply will change your life forever, guaranteed!

Because it is (Not only information or revelation but in the application). How do I apply this knowledge in my life?

I would like to make a statement by saying that our only hope to reach the lost and change this world one heart at a time, is when we as Christians understand, claim and exercise our authority in Christ.

Please note church, that one of the many reasons why people do not grow and mature; overcome and conquer and live victorious lives, can be found in our ignorance to this topic!

Did you know that exercising your authority in Christ is faith in action? God’s word is clear that, faith without action is dead and without faith it’s impossible to please God. (Do you see this chain-reaction?) Heb. 11:6

Listen to: Colossians 1:13 (NIV) – For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

The Word of God says that we have been delivered from the power (authority, control and dominion) of darkness and are placed into God’s kingdom.

So please realize today that Satan has no power over you as a child of God; the only power that the enemy has over you, is what you allow him to have.

Take note church that the day that you gave your life to Christ, the day you accepted Him, you were given a new life but also authority and faith, to believe that you’re a child of the Most High!

John 1:12 (NIV) – Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (Believe this Church!) Aan almal …..

Luke 10:19 (NIV) – I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

The Word of God says that you’re not only called to be a child of God, but also to reign and rule in this life; for you are more than an overcomer, because you have the power, might and ability to do so. Amen! You are armed and dangerous!

You see, when we fully understand this principle we will be able to proclaim boldly:

Philippians 4:13 (NIV) – I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I have His ability, strength and authority to do all things!

King David understood this so well, when he said: “For by my God, I can run through a troop and by my God I can jump over a wall.”

Psalms 18:29 (NIV) – With your help I can advance against a troop with my God I can scale a wall.

Matthew 28:18-19 (NIV) – 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.   (Therefore because of verse 18 that all power and authority belongs to Jesus).

Understand that a transferal of authority took place. The authority that was given to Christ was transferred to us as believers! Amen?!

Mark 16:17 (NIV) – And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues.

Also re-emphasizes the fact that His authority was given to all believers. (Power & authority)

Because of His authority in us we can command (just as He did) for authority doesn’t beg or ask, it commands (Imagine a cop begging you to pull over!)

We can therefore safely say that authority is exercised through the spoken Word!

Proverbs 18:21a (Well known) “Life and death is in the power of the tongue.”

We will find many examples where Jesus cast out demons using His authority and speaking life over people, healing the sick and even raising the dead!

Luke 7:14b – “I say to you, arise!” - Command

John 5:8 – “Pick up your mat and walk!” – Command

Mark 1:25 – Jesus commanded the evil spirit to leave; this same authoritative power (authority) was given to us as well.

Luke 9:1 (NIV) – When Jesus had called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.

It is also important to know church that we can only act under His authority before we can utilize (exercise) our authority.

The Roman centurion in Luke 7:2-9 (NIV) – 2There a centurion’s servant whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me, I tell this one, ‘Go’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come’ and he comes, I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

Verse 8 he said: I recognize and understand authority, I submit to it and I exercise it... you don’t have to come to my house, Lord, but just say the Word! He understood authority and so should we!

This evening I would like to share with you just 5 pointers or reasons why we as believers do not walk in our God-given authority.

Sin: The primary reason for many not to reign and rule in this life! When we habitually sin, we give Satan legal right over us until we confess our sins to God and repent! Take note church that wilful, habitual sin will prevent you from claiming and exercising your authority in Christ! Jy moet dit glo …

Ignorance: Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge.” Many of us are ignorant to our authority (Ek het nie geweet nie!)

Unbelief: Hebrews 3:12 says that to have unbelief is to sin! (We do not really believe that we have the power!)

Fear: Luke 12:48 (well known) with authority comes responsibility! Many people do not want to embrace authority because of the responsibility attached to it.

Prayerlessness: Ephesians 6:18 encourages us to pray at all times on every occasion, for when I’m prayerful I am sinless! But when I’m prayerless, I’m sinful!

When we spend time before God in prayer you will come to the clear understanding of who you are in Christ, and the authoritive power you have in Him. Amen?

I would like to conclude this evening by saying: “It is not what you say you believe, but what you do with what you say, you believe!”

May God through His Holy Spirit challenge our hearts and make us realize who exactly we are in Christ and the authority vested in us by Christ Himself, so that we can rule and reign in this life.

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

The Holy Spirit #5

By Pastor George Lehman

 

Many Christians estimate difficulty in the light of their own resources and thus attempt very little and they consistently fall.  All giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His Power and presence to be with them. - Hudson Taylor.

 

Do you rely on His power to be with you?

The uncompromising, obedient church, filled with the Holy Spirit, is busy making a significant difference in this world right now

This is a Cinderella sermon – if the shoe fits, put it on.  However, this is a ‘one size fits all’! Not just for a select few.

Jesus said it:

John 8:31-32 (NIV) – To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Paul wrote:

Galatians 5:7 (Amp) – You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) you’re heeding and following the Truth?

Notice: What hindered them? They mixed the truth with a lie (deception).

We clearly see two types of Christians.

One walking in truth, the other walking in confusion and division.

A mixture of good and evil yields two main results:

Confusion and Division. (You become double minded)

James 1:8 (NIV) – He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Mixed messages contain grains of truth and falsehood.

You can focus on the good or true component and still accept the bad along with it.

In either case, God’s truth and purposes are frustrated.

God warns against mixture.

Deuteronomy 22:9 (NIV) – Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled.

Deuteronomy 22:10 (NIV) – Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.

Deuteronomy 22:11 (NIV) – Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.

Notice, God prohibits[verbied] mixed livestock, sowing with mixed seed and wearing garments of mixed material.

The principal teaching is that when you serve the Lord you should not mix two different types of things… Single minded not double minded

Like a message being partly true and partly of error…there are 574 occurrences of the word “If” just in the gospel

John 8:31(NIV) – To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold tom y teaching, you are really my disciples.”

Like simultaneously living in accordance with scripture and with the pattern of this world…

Like as a Christian mixing with someone that is non-Christian.

(Note, when two different species are bred, the offspring is usually sterile).

Breeding a horse and a donkey you get a mule – an animal incapable of re-producing.

King Saul is a prime example despite his 40 years reign – his victories and successes as a military commander.

There was a time he prophesied in the Holy Spirit and another time in a demonic spirit.

(1 Samuel 28)

Just before a battle, he consulted the witch of Endor - the next day he committed suicide on the battlefield.

We must ask ourselves – are we sowing with mixed seeds?

Galatians 6:8 (Amp) –  For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Question: Do I combine truth and falsehood?

Am I living partly the righteousness of Jesus and partly my own fleshly nature?

The blessings of God will not remain on that which is a mixture of purity and impurity.

We cannot be neutral or passive regarding what we accept in our lives.

Proverbs 8:13 (Amp) – The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate.

Compromising with evil is wrong and sinful.

Evil = morally bad, to sin, not to please, wrong

The devil enters via the evil with a goal.

John 10:10a (Amp) – The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.

You cannot be a fence sitter when the Holy Spirit comes.  He electrifies the fence.  No more fence sitting.

Jesus said:

Matthew 12:30 (Msg) –  “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.

Paul gives a very serious warning about the condition of the church in the end times.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Amp) – But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].  2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane[no reverence].  3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous[dikvellig] and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement[bring no peace; hold a grudge]); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate[excessive, like in the use of alcohol] and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.  4 [They will be] treacherous[faithlessness] [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit[always talking about yourself]. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.  5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies[false representation] the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].

 

Revelation 12:9a (NIV) – The great dragon was hurled down – the ancient serpent called the devil or Satan, who leads the while world astray.

The warning of the degeneration of human character and conduct – this behavior at which few people bat an eye today.

Even those who proclaim to be Christians are showing these behaviors.  Having a form of Godliness but their conduct denies it.

Final judgment will separate mixtures.

The parable about the Kingdom of God in Matthew 13 speaks about the end of this age.

Matthew 13:24-30 (NIV) – Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.  27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’  28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.  “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’  29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

The field represents Christianity which includes:

People who bear appropriate fruit (the good wheat).

And others who bear no fruit (like the weeds).

Have you heard someone say the church is full of hypocrites?  It’s true.  It’s even biblical.

We must just be sure that we are not among them.  Be wheat.

We cannot compromise on biblical principles – especially because judgment will begin in the house of God.

1 Peter 4:17 (Amp) – For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?

Walking daily by the Holy Spirit is to be obedient.

Jesus said it:

John 14:15 (Amp) – If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.

John confirms it:

1 John 5:3 (Amp) – For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).

The antidote to mixture is truth.  The pure, undiluted truth of God’s word.

How much more should we as God’s children take a stand for the truth?

Fasting & Praying: Disciplines to personal holiness - By Ian September

“There is power in prayer … But there is more power in a combination of fasting & prayer”

Good evening church, it is my privilege once again to share the Word of God with you, on a very important, but beneficial  matter, if you get into the habit of practising it regularly! (promise & condition)

Can I just say that if you’re due for a breakthrough, due for healing & deliverance, due to be empowered, relieved, restored or about to make important decisions, then this teaching is “ tailor made” for you!

Today I would like to share with you on a topic of two spiritual principles that will not only get you closer to God, but also assist you greatly in living a holy life.

So the topic of our teaching today is simply:

Fasting & praying: disciplines to personal holiness:

Discipline (Godly behaviour)

(Read newsletter heading together)

2 Chronicles 20:1-3 & 15 (NIV) – After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. 2Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar”(That is , En Gedi). 3Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

15He said; “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ’Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

 

Another important Scripture is found in

Luke 4:14-15(NIV) – 14Jesus returned to Galilee in the Power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through the whole countryside.

15He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised Him.

It says that Jesus returned from the desert after 40 days of fasting, filled with and under the power/anointing of the Holy Spirit!

Fasting is an Old Testament practise, but even promoted by Jesus in the New Testament.

I firmly believe that this was maybe one of many reasons why Jesus fasted…. To be filled with the Holy Spirit, for the benefit of Himself and others and to have koinonia with ABBA Father!

He said Read Luke 4:18(NLT) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free.” (to do what church?)

So that others can also benefit from the Holy Spirit working in and through me, amen?

We read in Matt. 6:16-18 (whenever or when you fast, not if you fast!) So the assumption is that we will fast, just as Jesus did! Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV) – 16”When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Eph. 5:1 says that we should imitate Christ, or follow His example, so if Jesus fasted….. we should do likewise.

Let me remind you church, that fasting is not a Biblical ordinance, instruction or command, but it is however expected for believers to fast (and pray).

Jesus expected his disciples to fast (Matt. 9:14, Matt. 6:16-18 & Matt. 17-21) and the Bible makes about 87 references to fasting, from the Old Testament & New Testament!

So what exactly is fasting? Well fasting can be seen as the deliberate (moeds- willig),  wilful, voluntary abstinence from food, for a period of time, for the purpose of concentrated prayer, and a deeper, more intimate relationship with God! Amen?

Please hear this today church, that fasting is not:

1 An Old Testament ritual

Man-made custom

Religious tradition

A diet to lose weight

But fasting is a principle or discipline, instituted by Jesus Himself, even in this new dispensation of grace!

You see church, our focus during fasting should not only be to abstain from food, but the purpose of the Christian fast should be that we take our eyes off the physical, the carnal desires, and to concentrate on the spiritual, on holiness & God. (To deny yourself of all carnal cravings).

Please realise church, that the motives of our hearts when fasting (and praying) will determine the success and  effectiveness of our fasting. Motive: The matter that I bring to God in prayer during fasting, is more important than food.

Our motive should never be to impress others,

Luke 18:12(NIV) – I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. but to be set apart, consecrated & dedicated to a high purpose & to God.

Can I just say that if we as a church undertake to practice this principle regularly, we will experience God’s presence, power and provision in our lives like never before, guaranteed!

So, what is the importance of fasting? You may ask….

Firstly, fasting will help us to concentrate in prayer and will remind us of our weaknesses & dependence on God.

Fasting will move you into a new spiritual dimension. (like shifting into overdrive)

Fasting will also help you to gain direction from the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14) and help you to obtain clarity of mind and spirit.

Fasting will also make you spiritually sensitive, to hear from God, and to be aware of other people’s needs …. Even to a point where you will fast on behalf of someone else’s needs, trials or tribulations. Amen church! When last did you…?

So, if you’re battling to “hear” from God, or you’re really desperate for God, why not put the principle of fasting in place in your life church? What is preventing you from doing it?

I would now like to touch on a few pointers on praying, because fasting & praying goes hand in hand, and when these two activities are combined, and dedicated to God’s glory, they will reach their full potential in your life, amen?

Realise this evening, that praying is your lifeline back to God, and that a life of prayer, equals a life of power!

If you can show me a person that’s on fire for God, filled with the Holy Spirit & causing havoc in the kingdom of darkness, I’ll show you a praying Christian! Amen

Take note of the fact, church … that if you want to achieve anything substantial (buitengewoon) or of considerable importance in this life, you need to pray! (Stay on your knees, it will keep you standing)

Matthew 21:22 says that prayer overcomes the impossible (i. pray believe iii. receive iv. become)

Matthew 21:22(NIV) – If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Prayer also guards against temptation

Matthew 26:41(NIV) – “Watch and pray so that you will not fail into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” A prayed-up Christian is one that will overcome temptation, in whatever form it is offered to him!

Prayer also brings peace. Do not be anxious about … Philippians 4:5-7(NIV) – 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer changes situation & circumstances (Anybody??)

So this evening, I would like to encourage us all, to pray with humility & confession, pray with thanksgiving & praise, pray with consistency & devotion, pray with pure motives and a clean heart!

Proverbs 22:11(NIV) - He who prays with a pure heart, who speaks with grace will have a king for a friend. (So examine your motive & manner of prayer, church).

I would like to conclude, by saying that there is tremendous power (chain breaking, prison door opening) power in fasting and praying! Amen, church?

These are 2 spiritual principles that will guarantee healing, deliverance & breakthroughs. Yes it will indeed!

The question this evening is simply this, Are you really, living a holy, set apart, consecrated life?

There is always a first time to start fasting and praying, because it will put you well on your way to personal holiness and ensure that you will run well & finish strong, amen!

Well, may God bless this word to our hearts, and may we not only be hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word as well, amen church?

May God bless His word to every heart, amen.

The Holy Spirit #4 - By Pastor George Lehman

Self-control is not control by oneself through one’s own will power but rather control of oneself through the power of the Holy Spirit. - Jerry Bridges

 2 Timothy 1:7(NIV) – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. (self-control)

The Holy Spirit is not just an add on extra which we tap into once in a while.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t need to equip you for what you’re NOT going to do, so if you’re in rebellion, compromise or lukewarm against Jesus – refusing His right to be Lord in your life, He doesn’t need to send the Holy Spirit to equip you for service and tragically you miss out on the joy and completeness He brings. So let the Holy Spirit deal with anything that’s keeping from putting your feet to obedience.   - Henry T. Blackaby

The Holy Spirit breaths inspiration, enthusiasm, and boldness into our lives while our soulish, carnal mind breeds compromise, comfort and seeks convenience!

We need to be so cautious for a decline from our spiritual life to end up earthly to soulish to demonic.

James 3:13-14 (NIV) – Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

A spiritual man declining!

James 3:15 marks the steps of the decline of wisdom.

This decline allows demons to infiltrate the work, of God, the people, and the church of God.

James 3:15 (NIV) – Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual ’soulish’, demonic.

Being earthly (People say I’m just human) it may sound or seem innocent enough, but it takes very little time for a lack of interest and enthusiasm to take root.

Jesus did not save you to be a weak soulish Christian.

This will drag you down to the soulish realm.

And perhaps further still into the realm of the demonic.

An earthly Christian is someone who expects God to provide blessings for this lifetime only – prosperity, healing, power, success, comfort, ease, feather my nest in this world.

 

1 Corinthians 15:19 (Amp) –  If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.

If the purpose of your Christian faith is to receive blessings and comfort in this earthly life alone, you are to be pitied and you’ll be miserable.

So many Christians forget that this world is not our home, we are foreigners passing through this world.

1 Peter 1:17 (NIV) – Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

That’s why so many Christians are earthly and become soulish.

A soulish man cannot discern spiritual truth because he must do so with the Spirit.

And when you are tuned solely to soulish appeals to your emotions, then it becomes:

All about me, myself and I.  My will, I want, I think – these are not controlled by the Holy Spirit.

 

When it comes to  our lifestyle of worship

Soulish people worship God in order to have a good time.

People say, “What wonderful worship service”.

The purpose of worship is not for us to have a good time.

Rather the purpose of worship is just what it says – WORSHIP!

Proper worship praises God.  It does not seek to elevate our emotion or to thrill our senses.

I’ve seen people moved by emotions, even to tears, and yet they never change.

A step down from the soulish is the demonic.

The pattern of progression from earthly to soulish to demonic is best illustrated in the Old Testament by Aaron who made a golden calf, an idol.

Exodus 32:1-6 (Amp) – When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, [they] gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, Up, make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him. 2 So Aaron replied, Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives, your sons, and daughters, and bring them to me. 3 So all the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold at their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it a molten calf; and they said, These are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt! 5 And when Aaron saw the molten calf, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord. 6 And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.

Note verse 1 – they credited Moses for their deliverance instead of recognizing God’s providence[voorsiening].

Their focus on human leaders lead to idolatry.

It says they, “The people … rose up to play”.

What is incredible about the backsliding of Aaron and the people is how suddenly it occurred.

2 months before Aaron designed the golden calf, Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. The people responded in awe and reverence.

Exodus 20:18-21 (NIV) – When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

Within 2 months, the people had abandoned their attitude of fear and reverence and replaced it with an attitude of indifference and idolatry.

Once their physical needs had been met, their appetites satisfied their bodies sufficiently clothed they backslid.

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV) – Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

The New Testament example of God’s holy judgment when He struck Ananias and Sapphira dead when they cheated with offerings.

Acts 5:11 (NIV) – Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The question is – how much awe do you have for God in your life?

We must never lose a sense of awe of God’s Holiness and greatness.

Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) –  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Too often the lack of seriousness of awe gives way to unscriptural frivolity and flippancy.

Frivolity = lacking seriousness, silly, oppervlakkig/onbelangrik

Flippancy = treating serious matters lightly, disrespectful, ligsinnigheid/onverskillig.

One ministry of the Holy Spirit is convicting us of sin.

Where conviction is lacking, the work of the Holy Spirit is mostly lacking as well.

Too many Christians are trying to serve God in an earthly, soulish even demonic way.

You will always have time for what you make time for.

You are right now only as obedient and committed to God as you are allowing the Holy Spirit to have you.

*****

The Holy Spirit #3 - By Pastor George Lehman

Destitute of the fire of the Holy Spirit of God – nothing else counts. Possessing the fire of the Holy Spirit, nothing else matters.

Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work, but when you are filled with the Holy Spirit then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.   -Corrie Ten Boom

This is a clear sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (Amp) – And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane* things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

*profane = worldly, things that disrespect God

The human personality:  Spirit, Soul, and Body.

I’m sure we would all agree that spirit, soul, and body make up the complete human personality.

Genesis 1:26 (Amp) – God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.

Notice:  In IMAGE and after LIKENESS.

Image refers to outward appearance thus something in man’s outward appearance mirrors the outward appearance of God.

After Likeness refers to the internal structure of the Godhead -   Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Man’s spirit, soul and body correspond to the three components of the Trinity.

The internal structure of the human personality is traceable to God’s creation of man.

The human spirit proceeds from God’s breath.

Genesis 2:7 (Amp) – Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being.

Hebrew & Greek word for Spirit & breath are the same.

The body was clay infused with divine life to become Adam. Fully Spirit, Soul and Body

The soul is perhaps the most difficult component to understand.

The part in us that determines… “I will” or “I won’t”

The soul comprises of Will, Emotions and Intellect and produces 3 corresponding types

“I want”  “I feel”  “I think”  

These statements rule the life of the natural, sinful man.  It’s all about Me, Myself and I.

Surrendering to these demands of the soul instead of being guided by God’s Spirit – you separate yourself from God.

Sin brings death to Adam – not physical but spiritual death.

When we repent, God forgives our sins and renews our spirits. The Spirit takes up residence in us!

Ephesians 2:1-3 (Amp) – And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins in which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].  Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.

From rebellion to salvation

Ephesians 2:4-6 (Amp) – But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,  Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).  And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Salvation won’t preserve our physical bodies – but it does make them temples for the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 4:16(NIV) – Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

How we treat our bodies then, is very important, it has an important function.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (Amp) – Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.

When we receive salvation, our spirits are made alive, our souls are reconciled to God and our bodies are made temples for the Holy Spirit.

Functions of Spirit, Soul and Body.

Spirit:

Our spirit is capable of communicating directly with God and worshipping Him, as confirmed in…

1 Corinthians 6:17 (Amp) – But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.

2 Timothy 1:7(NKJV) - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

Neither soul nor body can unite with God.  The spirit alone is capable of uniting with God.

John 4:23-24 (Amp) – A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers.  God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).

Soul:

The soul’s function is to make decisions and, regeneration[vernuwing] enables the soul to make right decisions.

Psalm 103:1 (NIV) – Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

David’s spirit is telling his soul what to do.

His spirit senses the need to ‘bless the Lord’ but it requires activation by his soul to execute this need.

Eg. Like a gear lever on a car.  Turn the key, start the engine, but to make it move you must shift it into drive.

It’s often difficult to distinguish soul from spirit.

The ONLY effective and sharp tool is - THE WORD.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) – For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The difference between mature and immature Christians…

Hebrews 5:11-14 (Msg) –  I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you’ve picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one-—baby’s milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God’s ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.

 

Body

There’s a marked difference between “Spiritual” and “Soulish” in relation to the body as described in the New Testament.

Paul says…

1 Corinthians 15:44-50a (NIV) –  44It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.  45So, it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.  46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.   47The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven.  48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.  49And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.  50I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,

What does it mean to be an “earthly soulish man”?

From a Christian’s standpoint, earthly individuals focus on our earthly life and nothing more, nothing beyond.

Soulish people are egocentric, concerned exclusively with themselves; it’s about my comforts, my likes my dislikes, my feelings my convenience.  “I do it my way.”

It’s about what God can do for me and not what I can do for God.

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NIV) –  The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,

Spirit-filled believers produce fruit.

Luke 3:8a (Amp) – Bear fruits that are deserving and consistent with [your] repentance [that is, conduct worthy of a heart changed, a heart abhorring sin].

They ask, “How can I glorify God?  How can I best serve God?”  Pleasing God is their 1st priority.  They have a confidence and a boldness that they are children of God.

Romans 8:14-16 (Amp) – For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!  The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.

We can have absolute assurance in this scripture.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV) – May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Being ready when Jesus comes in Spirit Soul and Body one day is not optional

*****

Unfair Grace – by Pastor Kobus Massyn

To understand unfair grace you need to understand the Kingdom of God.

There is no democracy in a kingdom and if the king decrees something, it is final. How amazing is it to be in the Kingdom of God, where all creation worships Him. And when He says that He loves you, that is an order of the King.

God told Peter:

Matthew 16:19 AMP - “I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”

The purpose of keys is to enable / authorise and give ownership. To give you the right to enter.

There are three times Peter used the keys:

Acts 2 - Salvation to the Jews

Acts 8 - Salvation to the Samaritans

Acts 10 - Salvation to the Gentiles

Receiving the keys to the Kingdom is like receiving the keys to a new house or motorbike. As soon as the keys are handed over, the deal has been sealed and signed. You’ve got ownership and the responsibility now.

Jesus never preached to the people about His crucifixion except to His disciples, but everywhere He went, He explained and described the Kingdom.

Can you imagine what it would be like to be in the Kingdom?

John 14:2 - My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

In the Kingdom, there is room for us all.

But what does it mean to have this unfair grace? Let us have a look at understanding and not understanding grace.

Jesus vs Jonah

There are a few similarities between Jesus and Jonah

God send both Jesus and Jonah to deliver a message. (Read the book of Jonah). Jonah was told to go to Nineveh to tell them that it is over and that God has had enough. Jonah did not want to and tried to flee the presence of God.

Both Jonah and Jesus died.

                Jonah 2:1 & 6b - 1Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and said, “I called out of my trouble and distress to the Lord, And He answered me; Out of the belly of Sheol I cried for help, And You heard my voice.  - 6Yet You have brought up my life from the pit (death), O Lord my God.

Jonah did not love the Ninivites, but eventually did what God wanted him to do and delivered the message to the people. The people repents to God, but Jonah was upset that God forgave them. He had the knowledge of God’s power but he did not have the understanding of grace.

Jesus was different.

Luke 4:16-30 - 'So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), to proclaim the favourable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favour of God abound greatly].” 

 

Then He rolled up the scroll [having stopped in the middle of the verse], gave it back to the attendant and sat down [to teach]; and the eyes of all those in the synagogue were [attentively] fixed on Him. He began speaking to them: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.” 

 

And [as He continued on] they all were speaking well of Him, and were in awe and were wondering about the words of grace which were coming from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” So He said to them, “You will no doubt quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal Yourself! Whatever [miracles] that we heard were done [by You] in Capernaum, do here in Your hometown as well.’ ” 

 

Then He said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. 

But in truth I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was closed up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was not sent [by the Lord] to a single one of them, but only to Zarephath in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and not one of them was cleansed [by being healed] except Naaman the Syrian.” 

As they heard these things [about God’s grace to these two Gentiles], the people in the synagogue were filled with a great rage; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the crest of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to hurl Him down the cliff. But passing [miraculously] through the crowd, He went on His way. '

Jesus loved the people even if they did not want to hear it or except grace. Jesus understood the gift of grace

When Jesus spoke about the Kingdom, He spoke with reverence. There was no wondering of what was.

The good news is that we do not deserve grace, but the King declared it.

Grace is found in a Kingdom and given by a King.

Matthew 20:1-16 - ' “For the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour (9:00 a.m.) and saw others standing idle in the market place; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right (an appropriate wage).’ And they went. He went out about the sixth hour (noon) and the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), and did the same thing. And about the eleventh hour (5:00 p.m.) he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They answered him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He told them, ‘You go into the vineyard also.’ 

 

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last [to be hired] and ending with the first [to be hired].’ Those who had been hired at the eleventh hour (5:00 p.m.) came and received a denarius each [a day’s wage]. Now when the first [to be hired] came, they thought they would get more; but each of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they protested and grumbled at the owner of the estate, saying, ‘These men who came last worked [only] one hour, and yet you have made them equal [in wages] to us who have carried [most of] the burden and [worked in] the scorching heat of the day.’ But the owner of the estate replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go, but I choose to give to this last man [hired] the same as I give to you. Am I not lawfully permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ So those who are last [in this world] shall be first [in the world to come], and those who are first, last.” '

The great commission is in our hands. Go out and make disciples and teach them. But are you going to do it like Jonah or Jesus?

When Jesus steps in, everything changes. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Because when you are in Christ and go through the doors, you are in the Kingdom of God.

The moment we step into the Kingdom we will understand the dimension where the Holy Spirit operates and manifest. Step into the understanding of the Kingdom.

If you are still trying to figure out what is fair, you are not understanding the Kingdom, for God says that His grace is enough.

Seek first the Kingdom of God.

The Holy Spirit #2 - By Pastor George Lehman

Wherever you find the Holy Spirit you’ll find action.

Its like the fuel in a rocket

Action:

Obedience

Change-growth (you cannot remain unproductive and immature)

Power – fire

Healing-deliverance

Joy-peace

Enthusiasm

Perseverance – endurance

Jesus exalted

The Holy Spirit in the church.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

I no longer live in fear, bondage, condemnation, or defeat.

In the New Testament, “LORD” represents the sacred name of God which is “Jehovah” or “Yahweh”.  It indicates a divine person.

Paul said, “The Lord is the Spirit”.  God the Father is Lord.  God the Son is the Lord and God the Holy Spirit is also Lord.

Jesus is Lord “over” the church, but the Holy Spirit is Lord “IN” the church.

Jesus is the Head of His church the body (you and I born again spirit filled believers) make up the body

This is very important to understand:  Jesus’ Lordship over the church is effective ONLY insofar as the Holy Spirit is the Lord “IN” the church.

This is a problem to many contemporary Christians.  They confess Jesus as Lord but fail to make the Holy Spirit Lord in their lives and in their church meetings. So, they live a fleshly carnal life.

Paul shows us two ways:

Writing his first letter to the Corinthians…

1 Corinthians 3:16 (Amp) – Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?

Note, the “YOU” in this passage is plural in the Greek.

Paul was speaking to Christians collectively as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

He then continued this idea…

1 Corinthians 6:19 (Amp) – Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,

He is addressing individual believers.

Not only does the Holy Spirit dwell in the church – collective group of believers, but… He dwells within each individual believer.

God wants to take up residence in each of us, inhabiting our physical bodies.

What humility on the part of our Almighty God, creator of the Universe.

Why we need the Spirit.

What does the Holy Spirit accomplish as He dwells in us?

First: He is here to complete the ministry of Jesus.

(Jesus completed the perfect sacrifice on the cross when He left the earth – His task of training the disciples was far from complete.)

 

John 14:16 (CEV) – Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you.

He didn’t abandon them; He sent the Holy Spirit. God’s intention is a great relationship with Him.

John 14:17-18 (NIV) – The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

We cannot live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit.

John 14:25-26 (NIV) –  “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

This scripture is important – it confirms that the New Testament did not depend on the apostles’ memories or cleverness.

But upon the Holy Spirit who inspired their records.

2 Timothy 3:16 (Amp) – Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),

Jesus never wrote a journal for remembrance.

He left to His apostles the task of recording His life and conveying His teachings – we can rely on the accuracy when we read the Bible.

Not because they were smart, infallible authors but because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit who brought Jesus’ teaching to mind.

John 16:12-13 (NIV) – I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.  But when he, the Spirit Of truth, comes, he will guide you into all *truth.  He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

*We now have the written truth; it’s time we read it!

As God’s children we don’t just struggle along trying to work out our salvation on our own.

The Holy Spirit ministers to us with guidance, leading us daily.  He provides us revelation - sharing with us what is to come.

The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus.  If anything is from the Holy Spirit, the test is:  Does it glorify Jesus?

The Holy Spirit will never glorify a human personality, a doctrine, a denomination.  Only Jesus gets the glory.

If we desire the Holy Spirit in our lives in our worship services, the best way to attract Him is by glorifying Jesus.

Church, we must know that we have no hope of victory over sin, doubt and no growth is possible without the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

Our own strength and wisdom will fail, neither education nor financial resources will suffice.

Only by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit can we live the type of life God expects of us.

Zechariah 4:6b (NIV) – “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.

Let us make friends with the Holy Spirit.

God changes hearts; Minds; Actions; Attitudes and Destinies -  from within to live it out.

Obedience ensures resurrection power - By Pastor George Lehman

The cross is the victory, the resurrection is the triumph.

Victory is an instance of having won a battle; while triumph is a conclusive success following and effort, conflict of obstacles.

Without the cross, there is no resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:14 (NIV) – And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

Galatians 2:20 (Amp) – I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Victory is success – triumph is joy over the victorious success.

Victory is in Christ (ALONE) – to triumph in victory this is our part.

Paul confirms this:

2 Corinthians 2:14 (Amp) - But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,

Despite the difficulties of this life, just like Christ who experienced awful suffering on “Good Friday”…

We can expect God to turn things around just as He did in the resurrection.

Hence, it’s Friday but Sunday is coming.

The resurrection has great implications in the life of a child of God.

It’s Friday but Sunday is coming.

The problem is many believers are still living in “Friday” and Sunday is not coming.

Many are waiting for breakthroughs, and nothing seems to be happening.

Many are broke, defeated discouraged and depressed.

Couples are waiting patiently for God to heal their marriages.

I’ve seen pastors hang on to ministries hoping things will change and eventually leave the church.

What happened?

Do they wait longer?  Maybe so. However, this passage of scripture really got me thinking.

Philippians 3:10-11 (Amp) – [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope].  That if possible, I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

Paul shared the concept…  “It’s Friday but Sunday is coming.”

He wanted to experience the power of the resurrection in his own life.

It wasn’t a physical resurrection because he was still physically alive.

A physical resurrection belongs to those who have died.

Paul is speaking here of “Resurrection Power”.

The truth is…  Resurrection power can make alive your dead dreams.

It can turn dead situations you’ve given up on around.

It can transform lifeless, empty circumstances into vibrant joy full breakthroughs.

It can turn dead desires to a burning passionate fire.

It can turn a dead hopeless situation to a joyful hopeful outcome.

Question:  Do you need this resurrection power?

Through a life of “obedience” we become like Him in His death.

Notice carefully that Paul says he wanted to know both “The power of His resurrection” and “Sharing in His sufferings”.

It’s at this point in the sermon when people jump off the bus because they want the blessings and NOT the sufferings.

People want to go from point A. directly to point T. (Triumph).

Without counting the cost of real life in between.

Here’s the point - you cannot be qualified to experience the power of His resurrection if you have not shared in His sufferings.

You may say, “Hey, wait a minute, I have suffered so, so much.”

Ah!!  Suffering is no proof you have “Shared in His sufferings”.

It can be you are going through some tough stuff as a result of your own disobedience and impatience doing things you knew you should not have!

Paul said he wanted to “become like Jesus in His death”.

This is how you share in His sufferings – you become like Him in “His death”.

An obedient life is a crucified life.

Jesus said it…

Mark 8:34 (Amp) – And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me].

Your willingness to obediently surrender, disown, forget, ignore and deny yourself.

This is how you become like Him in “His death”.

Romans 6:5-6 (Amp) – For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God].   We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NIV) –  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

We must incorporate these principles in our own suffering to truly become like Jesus in His death.

Then you will most certainly experience the power of the resurrected life.

#1  Simon carried His cross.

Jesus did not suffer without help.  He needed Simon to carry His cross.  This showed humility.

Do not attempt to suffer alone.

Often people go through suffering times in marriage, finances, sin.

When offered help they push you away.

They don’t want help – they tell you to mind your own business.

Sadly, most times Sunday never comes for these people!

#2  Do not weep for me.

Self-pity blocks God’s aid.

Jesus had every reason to seek sympathy.  He told His mother and the women not to weep for Him.

So many times, when we suffer, we want the lime-light to shine on our suffering.

Self-pity is really pride.  Self-pity says…“I deserve recognition because I have sacrificed so much”.

They are really looking for applause – not for what they have achieved but for the amount of suffering they have had to endure.

Although Jesus suffered, He never sought hero status.  Wow!

#3  Father, forgive them, they do not know what they do.

No animosity[vyandigheid] toward the thieves on the cross.

No hatred toward the soldiers doing their duty.

No meanness toward the crowd.

You cannot expect Sunday to come if you continue to disobediently hold onto bitterness (negativity, hate, hurt, bad feelings, unforgiveness).

You cannot claim to suffer with Christ if you do not forgive like Christ forgave on the cross.

Jesus made sure there was no reason for Him not to qualify for the resurrection.

He did not want to be disqualified simply because He held onto unforgiveness.

Can I just say this – you have been given a New Nature.  It’s God’s love nature within you.

“You can forgive.”

You can ensure by an obedient life that you will experience the power of His resurrection flowing out of your life.

*****

The “Seasons” in our lives - By Ian September

“Embrace the seasons of life, for it is just that….. a season”

I would like to share with you church, an experience or encounter I had with God, at around 1:45pm, some time ago. And the Lord spoke so clearly to my heart, and I was so excited, that I even woke my wife and told her about what God revealed to me!

I actually wrote it down the next morning, because I knew that I had to share this someday, so here it is….

God spoke to me in such a quiet, gentle tone of voice …. Saying,

“As there are seasons in nature, and as they come to an end and a new season starts, so is the season that you’re in right now, about to end. I will pour out rain on your dry and parched land and your pastures will be green …. And you will eat of the fat of the land again!”

But that’s not all (everybody)

So I pretty much knew what I was about to share with you all, and then last week Sunday, Pastor George prophesized over the congregation, quoting:

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) – “See I am doing a new thing; Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

As I listened to Pastor George, I realised that God mentioned the beginning of a new season, through the prophet Isaiah!

“I’m about to do a new thing” meaning that you’re currently in a situation, a season, that is about to change, amen! Vs. 18 “Forget the former things and do not dwell on the old.” “For I am about to do something new!”

So, I have it on high authority today, that God is about to change your seasons, if you’ll allow Him to! But that’s not all.

Pastor Kobus Massyn then came up to preach the Word, speaking from the Book of Ruth! He also mentioned the season in Naomi’s life, where she left the land of Judah in abundance, with a husband, two sons and two daughter in laws, only to return in a season of emptiness. Ruth 1:20 – “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness, pleasant) but call me Mara (bitterness) for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me!”

What more confirmation could I ask for, church? In one night two men spoke about the seasons in life.

Please turn you Bibles to

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV) – There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

There is indeed a time for anything, a season for every activity under the heavens! I am 100% sure that every human being on planet earth, is in a season right now… every single one in this service or those watching online! You’re in a season, Amen?

Some or many of us are enjoying the “summer season” right now, all is well, with long lazy days of warm sun and carefree days…. Others are in “Spring” with all its awesome colours, flowers blooming, and you have a sense of rebirth and renewal.

Many other people are in their “Autumn” season... You’re beginning  to notice the shorter days of sunlight, a colder breeze at night… while others are smack-bang in the dead of winter!! (Anybody?)

But please realise church that seasons represents different times or experiences in our lives… we will experience joy, laughter, and happiness, but also sorrow and grief, loss, and pain! Yes, it is so!

Realise today church, that it takes different seasons in our lives, for God to mould us and make us what He wants us to be, amen? But unlike the only 4 natural seasons, we will face many in our lives!

Today I can mention so many Bible characters, who went from summer, autumn, winter and spring, who endured their seasons, but never gave up on life!

James 1:12 (NIV) – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

This Scripture reminds me so much of Job (anybody?)

Job was in his “summer season”, he had plenty, he prospered in everything… there was no one like him in the land.

Job 1:1-3 (NIV) – In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2He had seven sons and three daughters, 3and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

Until God gave Satan permission to test Job.

Job went from a place of abundance, to a place of misery and grief. From luxury to an ash-heap, scraping his boils, even cursing the day he was born! But in all of this (seasons) Job did not sin against God! WOW

Well, maybe you’re like Job right now, having lost everything that was precious to you, and people around you are actually surprised that you’re still standing... well church, Job realised that the same God who brought him to it, will also bring him through it, amen! Job realised that every setback, is just a setup for a comeback, and so should we, church!

“And the Lord restored to Job twice as much as he had before.” This promise is for somebody here today… God will restore to you twice as much as what you had before!

Can I just say: that being faithful like Job means that we will endure challenges along the way… we will encounter sad, bad and negative events and emotions… but if we patiently wait upon the Lord, we will see His salvation in every situation, amen church?

I have a strong sense in my heart, that there are people here today present, and you feel like you’re stuck in winter all your life, your life is like a typical Cape Town winter’s day.

Your seasons are just not changing; well

Maybe it’s a result of sinful habits, or offenses that was never dealt with, never confessed, never left at the foot of the cross. Unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin!

Can I just say church, family & friends, that the longer you hold onto your hurt, pain and disappointment, the longer you will be stuck in that season. Let go and let God!

For the feeling of negativity will infect your walk with God, but happy are those who find joy in every season of their lives! Conquerors endures!

But just as God turned Job, Naomi, Ruth, Joseph, David and so many other lives around, so we can’t expect Him to move us from one season to the next, with expectation of what He is about to do in us and through us.

Embrace your seasons, church … for there is a reason for every season in your life. (Yes it is so!) Amen?

Conclude: By saying to you all, “However long the night, or season, dawn will break, seasons will change, if we remain faithful to God and His purpose for our lives, amen?

Come let us pray!