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(Original radio broadcast from May 1,1998)
In Mat 24:14 We find these words of Jesus:
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
In Romans1:16-17, Paul writes: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Many believe that a spiritual intensity is building as we approach the end of this century. Forgive me for not giving speculations of coming world events here. These are not the concerns that Jesus has laid on my heart. But I do believe that many are hearing from the Lord and receiving direction concerning His will for His people in this hour!
There has always been that prophetic element of Christ’s church and She has always been His Voice and witness in the earth. He will proclaim His counsels to mankind as He has always done!
This is a day to bear and proclaim His message to all! It is also a day to seek the Lord, and receive His counsel to us, both as individuals, and as His people world-wide! Let all of heaven and earth, Hear the Word of the Lord! And may we who are His own be already actively tuned in to what He is saying, while the voices of fools vainly attempt to drown out His earnest cry!
The people of God need a new hunger and thirst for His Creative Living Word! But how difficult it is becoming to receive their attention! Many are becoming more accustomed to hearing and understanding the wisdom of men, thus the wisdom of God appears difficult and even foolish to them!
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (1 Cor 1:26-1 Cor 2:10)
This is a day to give an ear to hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the church!
Jeremiah 23:18: But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see or to hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word?
Jeremiah 23:22: But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.
How often do God’s people tend to be controlled by their circumstances? Why do we so frequently react in fear to the turmoil of our times, rather than in faith and trust in our Lord?
Is it because we have simply failed to hear Him? Have we so little regard to His Word, His Wisdom — His counsel? Or perhaps we are fearful of what He might say to us! He commanded one to sacrifice his son, and another to sell all his worldly possessions for the poor. Where could we find the faith and the courage to obey such a word?
2,000 years ago there were 12 men who also possessed such fears. In fact, some did fail the first great test and ran away during Jesus’ trial and execution. One of His closest associates even denied he ever knew Him, and another actually betrayed Him!
But wait! This is not the end of the story, Jesus prayed a prayer for them — and also for you and me! That prayer kept all but one of them in His care, until they could more clearly see His purpose and triumph in the resurrection! From this encounter with the resurrected Christ, they obtained the faith to wait in Jerusalem, where they came into perfect unity in Him. Then, when He began to fill them with power from on high — the mighty Holy Ghost, they became fearless witnesses unto Him, who rejoiced in the very sufferings that they once greatly feared!
My brother, my sister, you too can know the Resurrected Christ! You too can be filled with power from on high! You too can become a witness to His glorious resurrection! Here the Word of the Lord! Hear the good news, which is the power of God unto your salvation! Believe it!
Right now you can open up your heart and life unto Him anew! You can receive His resurrection life for the very first time, or you can begin returning to your first love in Jesus today!
Oh Praise the wonderful Name of Jesus! We rejoice today in your Lordship! We honor you, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Let all of creation sing and shout for joy unto your Name!
It is time for us to forsake the man-centered Gospel. In it everything is directed to our needs and interests. God forgives US. He saves US. He heals US. He prospers US – and all of these things are true, but when the focus begins with us, it often continues with us, and true abundant life is lost.
This is not about us! It is about God! He is both the center and circumference of our being! We need to become absorbed in His Heart, His desires, His purpose! It is for these that He has saved you!
If we are to become a testimony to His reign in the earth, we must experientially know His Lordship! We must not only call Him Lord, but we must also live under His wonderful and benevolent reign, dwelling in the secret place of he Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty!
What peace, safety and security! What love, joy and freedom! Today we are daily learning to trust Him, while our self trust freely melts away. We are forsaking our miserable, self-centered thinking to live and walk the Christ-centered life! He is the Alpha and Omega! He is the First and the Last! It is He Who was, is and is to come the Almighty! Know it! Believe it! His Spirit and Word are making this revelation real unto you today!
The Lordship of Jesus must be realized and proclaimed. This is the good news of the kingdom!
How big is your Jesus? Do you see Him in the fullness in which Paul, Peter, John and the others saw Him! Is He just the simple carpenter’s son, or the suffering servant on the cross? Or have you also caught the vision of His resurrection power, and His ascending Lordship?
Will He only offer you forgiveness, and take you to heaven by the skin of your teeth? Or will He manifest His fullness in your life, as Christ IN YOU the hope of glory? Do see His church as a weak man-made institution, or as His glorious Bride, the Heavenly Jerusalem, the Mother of us all!
It is high time for us all to catch a life-changing, all-consuming vision of Him, that will call us upward to the high call of God in Christ Jesus! It is time for us to be released from our petty arguments and disagreements, that we may join together in resounding praise unto the King of all the earth! It is time for us all to lay down our lives for one another, in expectation for what our Mighty God will do among us and through us! Can anyone say “amen” to that?
From the first installment of this broadcast we have attempted by God’s grace to challenge our listeners to the higher call of God in Christ Jesus. And may we continue to do so. We believe that these are days of renewal, revival, restoration and resurrection for His Church! We also believe that God is calling us all to return to our first love!
All of this can and will come as we lift up the wonderful Name of Jesus, Who is the very image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. By Him were all things made, and without Him nothing can have existence! Are you hearing the Word of the Lord? Is faith and trust in Him welling up within your soul?
If so, then know that God is working in you both to desire and to do His good pleasure! You are beginning to live the Kingdom Life!
Heavenly Father,
We know that our words are so feeble in comparison to the glory that they hope to convey. But we are thankful that Your Words are going forth in this hour! Give us hearing ears and open hearts to receive Your Truth, and fill us as well with the boldness to declare them to our generation.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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(Original radio broadcast from April 17,1998)
Whenever the subject of the Kingdom of God is discussed, one question will usually surface eventually. It is the question of “When?”
Over the centuries, numerous theories have accumulated, and each one has seen some popularity, according to the mood and desires of the times. Many books are being sold every day which promise to give the reader some inside information concerning the end times and the coming of God’s Kingdom. They are read by both sinner and saint alike, for they address universal concerns and arouse the curiosity of many.
The Pharisees, and even His disciples posed the question of “When” to Jesus. But it is interesting to consider His responses in each instance. In neither case did He give them a specific time. To the Pharisees He declared the location of the Kingdom, and to the disciples, clear direction was given that would lead to Kingdom activity.
If any allusion to time was given, it was always in the present tense. While Jesus consistently held forth the futuristic aspects of God’s reign of righteousness, peace and joy in the earth, no one could dispute where His emphasis lay.
There was always an immediacy in Jesus’ teaching and practice. “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand,” was His theme! How are we to respond to this? Does it not flush away our mythology — and our excuses as well?
Is not NOW the time to hear His Voice and respond in Loving obedience? Will we adore Him with our lips, calling Him “Lord, Lord,” but fail to simply do those things which He commands?
Has our eschatology, that is, our beliefs concerning the last days, and our traditions concerning Him, made His commands to us ineffectual? Is not today the day to give our lives and our very souls to the fulfillment of His will in the earth?
Cannot He take care of the final outcome of all history, while we just simply live, move, and have our being in Him? And in this abiding in His presence, are there not important actions that must necessarily follow?
Think of all the action verbs that Jesus employed! “Go, do, shine, preach, teach, feed, love, heal, forgive!” Could it be that these very words can take us into Kingdom reality? Could these very actions themselves bring heavenly life into this sin-cursed world?
Or would we choose a complicated system of Biblical interpretation over the simplicity of knowing, loving and serving our Lovely Lord and King? Can we not trust Him to protect us in these fearful and terrible times, as we choose to follow Him?
But what of the future? How are we to prepare for it? Is it not important for us to have detailed information concerning the end times? Should we not be warning others of the dreadful times to come?
Truly these are frightening times. Children are killing children, and even normal family love is difficult to find. Every event that inspires optimism is countered by signs of decline and decay. Surely, every child of God should look to discern the signs of the times.
But from where does our hope spring forth? Is it from our knowledge of supposed predictions? Or is it from the Person of Jesus Christ Himself? The Name of the Lord is a strong tower! The righteous run into it and are safe!
But some attempt to draw our confidence towards them or towards their ability to understand and explain complex and questionable interpretations of Biblical prophesy. May I declare unto you today that the small of intellect, the young and even uninformed can often find the greater security — for they can have the Lord Jesus Christ Himself! All can know Him! From the least unto the greatest! All can learn to hear His Voice, and respond to it! All can run into His loving arms for peace and true security!
Surely we can and will help one another to know the reality of the Saviour, and my hope is that this message and ministry is a part of just that. For knowing Him more intimately will lead to greater understanding and also greater power in Him to face the challenges of the times.
As we follow on to know the Lord — we shall KNOW!
Hosea 6:3: “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.”
Jesus is coming! And He is coming unto us as the rain!
Hosea 10:12:” Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Could I encourage us all to seek the Lord? Instead of spending all of our time worrying about the future, or sorting through all of the controversies concerning the end times, why not just seek the Face of Jesus? Learn to walk with Him, talk with Him, become a real fanatic! Fall head over heels in Love with Him!
Would not this be time well spent? And what will be the result? Perhaps you will rediscover the Faith that was once and for all delivered unto the saints! Perhaps you will find true righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost! This is the Kingdom of God! Perhaps you will become translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into His kingdom of light! Maybe you will even come to truly know Him as Lord of all, and begin living in the expectancy of His ever expanding Kingdom!
Then you will find yourself spontaneously doing all the things that you have already known were right. Loving the brethren. Helping the helpless. Forgiving those who hurt you, and leading others to know the Love of God for themselves!
This is the Kingdom of God! Live in it NOW! Worship Him as Lord NOW! Watch the gates of hell fall — NOW!
Let us leave the course of history in the hands of our sovereign God. And let us trust Him to lead us and give us the power to obey Him today.
Yes, there is a future hope. Even the Creation itself senses it:
Romans 8:19-21: “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.”
Christ Jesus must reign until all enemies are put under His feet, the Rock cut out of the mountain is growing, and this leaven is continuing to leaven society. He has already begun His righteous reign in us, and through our devotion and obedience nations will come to the light and kings to the brightness of our rising!
It is time for us to rise and shine, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon us! As citizens of heaven and the age to come, we are becoming living examples of the Kingdom of God to our generation!
Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Many reference books will confirm the fact that the word which is translated “world” here in the KJV, is a Greek word which refers to a period of time, or “an age.” We are not to conform to the thinking of this age, for we are actually dwelling in the Kingdom age now!
Galatians 1:3-5: “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world (or age), according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Colossians 1:12-14: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (or qualified us) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
These and many other passages bear witness to the truth of our present dwelling place is in Christ! Lord open our eyes to see you, and enlighten our minds to the revelation that you have raised us up together, to be seated in heavenly places in you! And as we learn to experience you in our daily lives, we are also living in your heavenly Kingdom now!
Yes, there is a glorious age to come! It is the age when the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever! (Revelation 11:15)
But you and I are to bear witness to the reality of His reign today! His army is advancing today, and we are on the winning side!
Lord, you are well aware of our need for patience in these troubled and doubtful days. Often it seems to us as though your are very distant, and your coming so long delayed. Grant us the courage and faith to walk in obedience to your commands. Increase our awareness of you and your imminent universal reign over this earth.
All of humanity needs to see you, but so do we. Give us a fresh vision of your glory, and a renewed visitation of the power of your Holy Spirit in our lives. Only then can we fulfill your Hearts desire for our lives.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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