RLCF Sermons

The defining characteristic of Man is that he is a born liar (Psalm 58:3; Romans 3:4). The defining characteristic of God is that He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2). Lying is more than just a matter of spoken words. The spirit of deception is in our human nature (Jeremiah 17:9). The very first sin recorded in the Bible (Genesis 3:4) and the very last sin recorded in the Bible (Revelation 22:15) is the sin of lying. In God’s list of 7 serious sins, He lists lying twice (Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8,27)! Under the Law, because of their hardness of heart, they were only accountable for their words if they made a vow (Deuteronomy 23:21-23). Under the New Covenant (the Law of Love), God says never make a vow, but be like Him in always speaking only the truth (James 5:12). 1. Lying to the Holy Spirit is: giving the impression that you’re 100% committed to God and His work, but secretly holding back something for yourself (Acts 5:1-11); calling yourself a Christian, but secretly walking in sin (I John 1:6, 2:4; John 8:31,34,44); claiming to love God, but having an unloving attitude toward another brother/sister (I John 4:20). 2. Lying to others: Lying is your old nature. Put it aside, and be renewed into the image of the One who cannot lie (Colossians 3:9-10). Some examples of lying are: signing false statements; cheating on taxes; making promises that we don’t take seriously to keep; perpetually being late without being bothered by it. Satan will try to convince us that the lie has power to deliver. Our confidence, however, must be in God, who alone has power to deliver!

Lord, teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). There is a big difference between doing good and doing what you are good at. The latter will bring you the honor of men; the former is the example that Jesus set us (Acts 10:38). A heart of wisdom always… Is honest and humble: Our response to God’s rebuke against sin in our life must always be: honest like David’s, “I am the man… I have sinned” (II Samuel 12:7,13); and humble like the tax-gatherer’s, “God be merciful to me the sinner” (Luke 18:13). If you’re humble, Satan will resist you. If you’re proud God will resist you! (I Peter 5:5-9). Is desperately hungry for God: If you are daily watching and waiting at God’s gates for wisdom, you will receive life and favor from the Lord (Proverbs 8:34-35). Only seeks God’s favor: Never seek the favor of men because the heart of Man is deceptively wicked (John 2:24; Jeremiah 17:9). The prayer of Jesus (Matthew 26:39) is greater than the prayer of Jabez (I Chronicles 4:9-10). Value God’s favor more than His blessing. Is rich toward God and His kingdom: It was because he laid up treasure only for Himself and was not rich toward God, that the rich man was a fool (Luke 12:16-21). A fundamental principle of the New Covenant is, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). If you are calculating in how you bless others, then God will be calculating in how He blesses you (Luke 6:38). Has the heart of the Good Shepherd: When Jesus builds His Church, He gathers people from different backgrounds, and gives them shepherds who have the same heart that He has (Jeremiah 3:12-15). Jesus is looking for those who will stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30) for others by interceding on their behalf. This is what Jesus is doing constantly, seated at the Father’s right hand (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).

Only the overcomers will inherit the things of God (Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:7). True faith is that which overcomes the world by keeping God’s commandments (I John 5:3-5). The world includes: sexual desires; the love of money, greed, financial debt; arrogance, anger, judging others; etc. (I John 2:16). Jesus has set us a perfect example in overcoming the world (John 16:33). The Three Laws: The Law of Sin and Death (Romans 8:2, 5:12): like the law of gravity, constantly pulling us down. The Law of God (Romans 7:7-15): the rule that says that we “should not” drown; but it results in making us “want to” drown; God designed it to show us how horrible sin is. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2-3): like the law of flotation; through power, fulfills requirement (and some) of the Law of God; in fact, we can do anything God asks (Philippians 4:13). The righteous man is not necessarily one who never falls, but one who rises up as many times as he falls with the faith to overcome (Proverbs 24:16). Sin won’t be your master if you’re under grace (Romans 6:14). You get power over sin through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Overcoming is a walk by the Spirit’s power (Galatians 5:16). So, seek to be constantly filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). God gives His Holy Spirit to those who are: honest (Luke 8:15); humble (I Peter 5:5); hungry (Luke 11:5-13, 18:7-8; Matthew 5:6).

Most people believe in a “comfort-driven” doctrine about the rapture, with the misconception that Jesus will whisk away His Church before the 7-year Great Tribulation. “We have failed! We should have made the people strong for persecution, rather than telling them that Jesus would come first. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when the tribulation comes — to stand and not faint.” (a Bishop from China to Corrie ten Boom) Jesus grants the kingdom to those who have stood with him in tribulation. (Luke 22:28-30) When you are going through tribulation, it’s merely God allowing Satan to sift you; amid your sifting, don’t let your faith fail. (Luke 22:31-32) The world will give you tribulation, but take courage in knowing that the world has already been overcome by Jesus. (John 16:33) The truth about the rapture: What will happen: Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, the archangel’s voice, and the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first, and then we who are still alive on earth will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air. We will then be with the Lord forever. (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) When will it happen: After many people fall away (the apostasy) and the antichrist is revealed, and after the tribulation, Jesus will come in the sky (with power, glory and the great trumpet) to gather the elect from the earth. (II Thessalonians 2:1-3; Matthew 24:29-31) Prepare for war in times of Peace: sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts (I Peter 3:15); fear God and you won’t have anything else to fear (I Peter 3:13-14; Isaiah 8:13; Matthew 10:19); treasure God’s Word and fullness of the Holy Spirit; learn to encourage and help your brothers and sisters (Hebrews 10:24-25). Afraid? Of What? (The following poem was written by E.H. Hamilton soon after the martyrdom of his friend, J.W. Vinson, at the hands of rebel soldiers in northern China. A small Chinese girl who escaped from the bandits related the incident that provided the inspiration for Hamilton’s poem. “Are you afraid?” the bandits asked Vinson as they menacingly waved a gun in front of him. “No, he replied with complete assurance. “If you shoot, I go straight to heaven.” Vinson’s decapitated body was found later.) Afraid? Of what? To feel the spirit’s glad release? To pass from pain to perfect peace, The strife and strain of life to cease? Afraid? Of that? Afraid? Of what? Afraid to see the Savior’s face, To hear His welcome, and to trace The glory gleam from wounds of grace? Afraid? Of that? Afraid? Of what? A flash – a crash – a pierced heart; Brief darkness – Light – O Heaven’s art! A wound of His a counterpart! Afraid? Of that? Afraid? Of what? To enter into Heaven’s rest, And yet to serve the Master blessed? From service good to service best? Afraid? Of that? Afraid? Of what? To do by death what life could not - Baptize with blood a stony plot ’Til souls shall blossom from the spot? Afraid? Of that?

It is when we love those who see things differently from us, that we prove ourselves to be sons/daughters of our Heavenly Father. In this we must pursue perfection. (Matthew 5:43-48). Characteristics of the 2 lineages in the world: children of the Devil: strife (Philippians 2:14-15); sons/daughters of God: peace (Romans 12:18). ‘The pagans must be able to say about us Christians: “See how they love one another…” (for the pagans themselves are animated by mutual hatred)… “and how they are ready even to die for each other” (for the pagans themselves would sooner put each other to death).’ -Tertullian (c. 160-225). Romans 14: v19: pursue the things which make for peace; v16: In your pursuit of your conviction, or what you think is good for you, don’t let it result in bringing a lack of peace between you and your brother/sister, so that it is spoken of as evil! v2-4: e.g., food; v5-6: e.g., special days; v7-12: remember, we all live or die for the Lord; v13-15: don’t let something like food result in your causing hurt to others by what you say; v16-22: have your faith as your own conviction before God. Hebrews 12: v14 MSG: Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. v15: if you’re not pursuing peace… 1. seed of misunderstanding / suspicion 2. falls into ground and takes root (bitterness)… 3. springs up and defiles many. The God of peace will crush Satan under the feet of His sons/daughters – the peace-pursuers! (Romans 16:20) Don’t let Satan get a foothold in your marriage, your children, your home, your church life, etc. Be a peace-pursuer! This isn’t “Nobel peace”, this is Divine peace!

Don’t assume that you can see God; Jesus promised it only to those who are pure in heart (Matthew 5:8). To be pure in heart is to have an unadulterated devotion to Jesus. Signs that you haven’t seen God (Psalm 73): compare yourself with others prosperity (v3); complain about your suffering (v4-5); constantly aware of your own righteousness (v13); become embittered toward God (v21). Purify your heart, and you will see God (Psalm 73): “Whom have I in heaven but Thee?” (v25); God is my strength even when body fails (v26); the only “good” I desire is being near God (v28). Worship is the spontaneous response of your overwhelmed heart when you finally see God! When you see God you see a merciful and holy God: Moses’ testimony: Exodus 34:6-8 - until I see God’s mercy, I can never see His holiness; John’s testimony: Revelation 1:17. We’ve truly begun to worship when we “fall at Jesus’ feet as a dead man”. There is no heart more “pure” than that of a dead man! When you see God you see a big God: your problems become small (Psalm 24:1-4); you are not shaken (Psalm 16:8); you are delivered from fear (Psalm 34:4); no one can steal your joy (Psalm 105:3-4). The Church is built by worshipers: 1. you fall into the ground and die (John 12:24); you will see God in increasing measure when you are constantly decreasing, until you are as a dead man (John 3:30). 2. Jesus is lifted up (John 12:32); God is most glorified when we are most dead to ourselves and alive in Christ. 3. He draws others to Him (John 1:35-42); let this be the sign at the entrance of our church: “Come in if you want to fall into the ground and die!”You know you’ve truly seen God when you can’t see anything else!

There is “another Jesus” that will lead you to “another righteousness” which is false (II Corinthians 11:4). A righteousness that does not make you more merciful to others is a counterfeit! Holiness without mercy is legalism! (Luke 18:9-17) What God expects of us is very simple: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God. God expects perfection in being merciful (Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48). This is the “Golden Rule”: “Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them” (Matthew 7:12, MSG) Treat others better than they deserve… because that’s how God is merciful to you. Forgiveness from God is conditional (Matthew 6:12,14,15; 18:21-35). These are characteristics of the unmerciful: proud of their holiness and despise others (Luke 18:9); nitpick at rules and blind to needs of others (Matthew 23:4; Matthew 12:1-7; Luke 13:10-16); no compassion for sinners (Matthew 9:10-13). Being exact in following the letter of the commandments while having an unmerciful attitude is like straining the gnat out of your teacup, but missing the camel inside (Matthew 23:23-24). Don’t swallow the camel!

Let us live full lives in 2014... full in the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19b MSG). In order to do this we must have: 1. Purpose: Purpose comes through revelation from God (Ephesians 1:17-18). This is exemplified in the lives of those God uses; e.g. Noah (Hebrews 11:7); Abraham (Hebrews 11:8); Moses (Hebrews 11:24-26; Exodus 3:4-12); Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-8); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10); Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:1-7); Hosea (Hosea 1:2) God called you with a specific purpose. Make it your goal in 2014 to lay hold of that purpose! (Philippians 3:12-14). 2. Power: The strength of God’s might working on your behalf is surpassingly great (Ephesians 1:19)! You come to know this power through the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Don’t expect God to empower your circumstances; He wants to strengthen your inner man with power to deal with your circumstances! God wants to baptize you in His Holy Spirit. Make it your goal in 2014 to receive that Power with complete assurance! (Acts 1:8) The Result – Love!: This is how we become rooted and grounded in love together with the saints (Ephesians 3:17b). Only then can we comprehend the greatness of God’s love (Ephesians 3:18). Let us walk worthy f this calling (Ephesians 4:1).

The goals for our life should be: to obey every New Covenant command; and to experience the fulfillment of every New Covenant promise. At the end of each year, it's good to examine our lives in these 2 areas. Satisfaction is something that everyone seeks -- the world knows temporary satisfaction; Jesus promised eternal satisfaction. In light of the satisfaction that Jesus promises (Matthew 5:6), ask yourself: “Am I experiencing the fulfillment of the eternal satisfaction that Jesus promised me in this verse?” Do we hunger and thirst for righteousness the way starving people hunger and thirst for food and water? “The backslider gets bored with himself; the godly man’s life is satisfying / exciting” (Proverbs 14:14 TLB). God calls us only to seek His face (Psalm 27:4-8). To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to hunger and thirst for God Himself (Philippians 3:7-9). We will find God when we seek Him with all of ourselves (Jeremiahs 29:11-13). “My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God; at any cost, dear Lord, by any road. So faith bounds forward to its goal in God, upheld by Him, my soul is following hard, 'til God hath full fulfilled my deepest prayer. No matter if the way be sometimes dark, no matter though the cost be oft-times great, one thing I know, I cannot say Him nay; one thing I do, I press towards my Lord; my God my glory here, from day to day, and in the glory there my great Reward.” (Frances Brook, 1895) Jacob, "the grabber" made one last grab when He said to God, "I will not let You go until..." (Genesis 32:6-7,24-30). He sought “Peniel” (the face of God) with weeping (Hosea 12:4) and received it. When we seek God's face, He tests our earnestness; finally, at our weakest moment, He says, “You’ve won!” “Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free. Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be. I sink in life's alarms when by myself I stand; iImprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand.” (George Matheson, 1842-1906)

John 20:21