RLCF Sermons

Questions and answers

Building a body locally

Repentance from dead works

The foundation of repentance

When Christ Jesus returns, He will judge everyone. Unless you are constantly mindful of Christ’s return, you will be caught unawares. If you are part of God’s kingdom, your life will be restless until your King is back from exile. If the Word has been made flesh in you — reproving you, rebuking you, and exhorting you — then you are ready to preach the Word. When Jesus preached He said, “This Scripture has been fulfilled [through me]” (Luke 4:21) and “Behold I have come (in the roll of the book it is written of Me) to do Thy Will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7). The disciples’ preparation for going into all the world to preach the gospel was that they first forsook everything (Matthew 19:27-30), and then were immersed in “the Word made flesh” for three-and-a-half years. It is by doing the will of the Father that we are truly given authority to preach God’s Word (Matthew 21:23-31). Because all authority has been given to Jesus, we can boldly preach the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). If Christ — the “Word made flesh” — is set apart as Lord in your heart, you will be able to preach the Word even when it’s inconvenient (I Peter 3:15a). In preaching, we must give people hope and we must speak with gentleness and reverence.(I Peter 3:15b).

Meditating on God’s Word should be like receiving spiritual CPR — life breathed in by the One who has Life. After Joshua’s generation of elders died, the Israelites did what was right in their own eyes because they had no king (Joshua 24:19-31; Judges 2:6-11, 7:33, 17:6, 21:25). Baal is characterized by playing the harlot — thinking you can serve both Jehovah and Baal (I Kings 18:21). The New Covenant equivalent of Baal is Mammon (Luke 16:13) — wealth or power, and greed for it, personified as a deity in which one trusts. The Church has been entrusted with the ministry of Elijah, to call God’s people out of harlotry into pure devotion to the true God. Our personal convictions must not be fixed because of the traditions of men, nor reactionary swinging to the other extreme. Rather they must be a constant correcting to the equilibrium point which is Christ, the Living Word. It’s important not to confuse being filled with the Spirit (John 3:8) with being double-minded (James 1:6-8).

If you were to write the Bible, would you have made it more “appealing” to the reader? (II Timothy 3:16) God hides his glory in that which is unappealing (II Corinthians 4:2-7). If there is a veil over God’s Word, it’s because you haven’t “repented” (turned) toward the Lord (II Corinthians 3:13-18). God’s glory in His Word is unveiled as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 3:3-12). Do you want to know God’s perfect will in your life? Then offer your body and mind fully to the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2).

Paul gives Timothy a solemn charge to fulfill his ministry (II Timothy 4:1-5). It isn't outward "ministry" that builds the church; ministry serves to equip each member ("set apart" one) to build the church. God tests us in our priorities before He approves us for the work of the ministry. We must have a hunger for a personal revelation of God like Joshua had (Exodus 33:11). We must do our service out of a desire to please our Bridegroom like Paul (Philippians 3:4-8). If you're employed by Christ, you’ll need a sabbatical; if you’re married to Him, life IS a sabbatical. We are not servants of God who worship Him; we are worshipers of God who serve Him (Matthew 4:10).

When God allows us to go through suffering, He wants to reveal to us just how great is His: compassion (James 5:11) and power (II Corinthians 12:8-10). Through our suffering, we are reminded of God’s heart that none should perish: God knows every detail of what is happening to us (Job 23:10 TLB). Out of his immense love for us He warns us that amid suffering, our heart is in greater danger than our body! He warns us not to leave our first love (Revelation 2:4-5; Matthew 24:12-13). He urges us not to fear (Revelation 2:10; Luke 12:1-7; Isaiah 8:13 TLB). He warns us against worldliness (Revelation 2:14-15). He warns us against spiritual adultery (Revelation 2:20). He warns us against hypocrisy (Revelation 3:1). He warns us against spiritual laziness (Revelation 3:11). He warns us against pride and spiritual blindness (Revelation 3:17). The Spirit calls, “Wake up!… Remember!… Repent!… Hold Fast!” Through our suffering, we are reminded of God’s promises to the overcomer: Despite our failures, the Spirit is still speaking to the churches, for all who will hear. God promises that the overcomers will eat of the Tree of Life which is in the Paradise of God (Revelation 2:7). God promises that the overcomers will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11). God promises that the overcomers will be given hidden manna and a personalized white stone with a secret name on it (Revelation 2:17). God promises that the overcomers will have authority like Jesus has received from the Father (Revelation 2:26). God promises that the overcomers will be clothed in white garments and confessed before the Father by Jesus (Revelation 3:5). God promises that the overcomers will be made pillars in God’s temple and given a new secret name (Revelation 3:12). God promises that the overcomers will sit with Jesus on thrones (Revelation 3:20).

When God allows us to go through suffering, He wants to reveal to us just how great is His: compassion (James 5:11) and power (II Corinthians 12:8-10). Through our suffering, we are reminded of God’s power to defend His Church: His churches and messengers are held by Him (Revelation 2:1). He had the first say and will have the last say; He has overcome the greatest enemy, Death (Revelation 2:8). He’s on the offense, the Enemy is on the defense (Revelation 2:12). He sees the innermost parts, judges sin severely (Revelation 2:18). He is the source of all power and revelation (Revelation 3:1). He opens and shuts, and no one can stop Him (Revelation 3:7). He started the story and will finish it; He is the faithful and true Witness (Revelation 3:14).