6-22-2003 Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms 37:1-11
Main scripture: Psalms 73:1-28
Subject: Is My Heart Clean?
Asaph was a singer in the
temple being one of the tribe of Levi. He was the one that
always tried to keep his heart from sins to have a godly life, being
separated from the world. But, one day he found himself so miserable
upon seeing the worldly people.
The worldly people always set their mouth against
heaven, and their tongue walked through the earth: their lives were
totally ungodly, but arrogant and evil. But they prospered in the
world; they increased in riches.
Verily he had cleansed his heart in vain, and
washed his hands in innocency, but for all day long he had been
plagued, and chastened every morning. He was so confused. Every thing
was going on totally different direction as he thought. When he
thought to know that, it was so painful for him. He must have expected
abundant blessing of material from godly life.
He seemed to go into the sanctuary of God to pray
and argue with God to have the right answer. He finally understood the
reason. Firstly, the prosperity of the worldly people didn't mean the
blessing, but they were piling up their sins for the day of judgement
to be cast into the hell, the slippery places. Secondly, even though
he was passing through suffering, but God was guiding him with his
counsel, and afterward receive him to glory without spot and dot when
the glorious Messiah come again.
Finally he understood how he was so foolish and
ignorant; he was as a beast before the Lord. He found the Lord with
him in the midst of suffering, holding his hand with His hand. He
confessed:
"Whom have I in heaven but thee? There is none upon
earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but
God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever....It is good
for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that
I may declare all thy work."
What would be the difference between man and beast?
Asaph confessed himself a beast in the main
text. The beast is the one of carnally thinking all the time, but man
is the spiritual one. But man also became to be same flesh as beast
because of sin. God told Noah:
"And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always
strive with man, for that he also is flesh: ..." (Gen 6:3)
The Love of God was manifested toward us, and God
was manifested in the flesh to quicken the spirit of man to restore
man from the flesh. God took away the sin of the world to save the
world, and show the glory of God, and give them hope in the eternal
inheritance. But even those who received life could be in painful life
ruled by the flesh unless they are sober, because they still live in
the sinful bodies:
"For to be carnally minded is death: but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace." (Rom 8:6)
Don't forget that we also could be in painful
situation putting ourselves in dilemma. Only when we pray in the
Spirit to enter into the sanctuary of God; And grasp our hope of
eternal inheritance at the day of judgment; Then we could have
powerful life in the substance of the hope in the Lord.
There is a very important message given toward us:
Asaph was so proud of his heart so clean. Bur
when he saw the prosperity of the wicked people in the world, he was
envious at the foolish. Envy is the mind of hatred in jealousy: it is
same as murder to the eye of God. His heart seemed to be clean before
his eyes, but it was revealed dirty in jealousy before the Lord God.
What about our hearts? About the blessing for the pure in heart,
they shall see God, saith the Lord Jesus (Matt 5:8). Apostle Paul
wrote to the church of Corinthians that he might present them as a
chaste virgin to Christ. The church must be pure to be the bride of
Christ. We must be pure cleansed with the washing of water by the word
to see the Lord when he come. What about making a resolution ourselves
to trust only in the Lord not to regret for ever?
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6-15-2003 Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms 59:1-17
Main scripture: Psalms 57:1-11
Subject: I Will Sing and Give Praise and Awake Early!
This Psalm was made by David when he was hiding
himself from Saul in the cave. David was the model of the Lord Jesus
Christ to come; Saul was the one of the Anti-Christ to persecute and
kill the people of God. "
Selah" was the name of the refugee in
the southern part of the Dead Sea, where God will protect and feed
Israel after Christians are raptured.
The earth was created by God along with the heavens
to be given to men. The authority of ruling all creation in the earth
was also given to men by God. But men gave up all the inheritance
given by God to Satan. Men sinned to be separated from God, and the
earth was transferred to the Devil, and men also have fallen to the
slave of the Devil. The devil declared the ownership of the world;
Jesus also recognized it through silence when he heard from him:
"And the devil said unto him, All this power will I
give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me;
and to whomsoever I will I give it." (Luke 4:6)
God made a plan to take men and the creation back
unto him, which was delivered unto the Devil because of sin; He
proclaimed to bruise sin and death that were made by the Devil:
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,
and between thy seed and her seed; it shalt bruise thy head,
and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Gen. 3:15)
To achieve this word, God had to be manifest in the
flesh. To satisfy the law of righteousness (
the wage of
sin is death: Rom 6:23), God had to a man to
die for the sin of the world. Apostle Paul testified this as "The
mystery of godliness (1Tim 3:16). God opened the way of the
restoration of life eternal and of the earth through his death to
destroy sins, and the Holy Ghost through resurrection. When He come
again, we'll live with him glorifying him forever.
God had to choose the blood line of man to be a man
himself. He called Abraham, one of the fathers of David, and anointed
David to be the king of Israel when the time was up. God was pleased
to manifest the glory of Christ through David anointed by the Spirit
of Christ. But the Devil also anointed Saul with his spirit, and made
him follow David to kill him. God made a covenant to Abraham to give
the earth unto the remnant of Israel long time ago. The Devil has
given his power unto many people for them to persecute the people of
God and his children to save the land. But the Israel have engraved
the promise of God in their national flag, and they have not given up
their land. The first blue line is the river
Euphrates, the
other one the river of Egypt:
"Unto thy seed have I given this land,
from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river of Euphrates."
(Gen 15:18)
Knowing this covenant, Satan has been persecuting
His people. But the Devil, the prince of the world is judged, saith
the Lord (John 16:11). But he will tempt the world , and persecute men
of God, until he is cast into the lake of fire when the Lord come
again. Don't forget this! Let us listen to Peter:
"Casting all your cares upon him; for he careth for
you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as
a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist
steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same affliction are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of
all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish,
strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever
and ever. Amen." (1 Pet5:7-11)
We have to stay in the battle field until the Lord
come. The people of Israel out of Egypt had to fight with many
gentiles in the wilderness;
Amalek never
stopped bothering them. But God revenged on Amalek
destroying their seeds completely! We also must be ready to fight with
the devil wearing the whole amour of God, never backsliding (Eph
6:10-18). One thing very important for this warfare is the discipline
through the trail of faith. Let us be strong and steadfast as Peter
and David!:
"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a
season, if needed be, ye are in heaviness through manifold
temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire,
might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of
Jesus Christ." (1 Pet 1:6-7)
"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing
and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake , psaltery and harp; I
myself will awake early!" Amen, Amen!!
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5-11-2003 Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms 42:1-11
Main scripture: Luke 3:21-38
Subject: Restore the Spiritual Memory!
In the book of Matthew, there is the genealogy of
Jesus Christ, the King of Israel (Matt. 1:1-16): Starting from king
David and Abraham going down to Jesus. But another genealogy of Jesus
shown in the main text is something special. Going up from Jesus to
Adam: he was called the son of God. In other word, there is going up
from Jesus to God. God was manifest in flesh, the Son of God to be in
the genealogy of Adam. There appears the grace of God which reconciles
all men with God, who were born before Jesus.
One essential message given to us is that
Adam was the son of God. But he sinned and cursed to be cast
out of the Eden leaving all men under sin four thousand years.
Afterwards all men had been spiritual vegetable men of amnesia. If
brain is dead, man becomes vegetable: Even though he breathes, being
without any knowledge and function, he is no different from the dead.
There are some who spend their lives as vegetable for many years or
for life , and die. Many such cases are from brain damages through
mass traffic accidents.
One day, six thousands years ago, there happened a
serious accident in Eden made for men by God. In that day, a serpent
appeared himself. The Devil hided himself within the serpent that
sinned from the beginning (1 John 3:8). The serpent visited Eve
and fired a fiery dart toward her spirit in enormous speed. Hurt by
the fiery arrow, Eve's spirit was damaged to death right into amnesia
forgetting God in her memory: And she also shot the fiery dart to Adam
again, so both of them became spiritual vegetables. They were cast out
of Eden living as homeless wandering in the world, and they gave birth
to children for nine hundred years. Since then there has been born
their children for three thousand years.
God so loved the world where vegetable men not
knowing their Father God, but following the Devil, the wrong father,
as slaves of flesh (John 3:16). God, the Creator and the Word appeared
as a man in the earth to take away the fiery dart of Devil to restore
the sinners from spiritual amnesia (John 1:1-4,14). He began to shine
the words of God of the light toward the sinners. When they heard and
repent their sins, the words of God were activated as mysterious
medicine to heal their memory of God restored to be the children of
God again. He died on the cross to take away the sin of the world, and
rose again the third day, and was lifted to heaven to send the Holy
Ghost. Since then the gospel of grace giving eternal life has been
spread out for two thousands years, many people like clouds have been
healed from amnesia to know God, and to be His family.
God want every one to be saved and comes unto the
knowledge of truth (1 Tim. 2;4). In other word, He wants every man to
receive the washing of regeneration of the spirit through the gospel,
and restore the memory of God; and even to know the deep things of God
through the words of truth (1
Cor. 2;10). He
also wants every one to be perfect family of God as the first man
created in the image of God in Eden, and receive all the blessing from
Him. God so loved us like this. David testified that God made all of
us with his hands:
"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast
covered me in my mother's womb." (Ps. 139:13)
How much our God the Father shall be rejoicing
whenever one sinner believes in Jesus Christ to receive him, and born
again of the Spirit to find God , and to be his child!
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in
heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine
just persons, which need no repentance." (Luke 15:7)
"I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the
church will I sing praise unto thee." (Heb. 2:12)
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1-12-03
Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms
1:1-6
Main scripture: Genesis 12:1-4
Subject: Thou Shall be a Blessing
God gave
Eden to Adam and blessed him, but his sin kept him from living in the
blessing and he was cast out from Eden. His offspring also were
getting wicked in imagination of thoughts of their hearts, so God
repented that he had made man on the earth; He destroyed man including
all breathing creatures except Noah's family bringing flood on the
earth.
God gave
Noah the whole earth giving blessing as Adam, but his children also
challenged God building cities and tower. God confused their language
to scatter them to all the earth. God said that now nothing would be
restrained from them, which they had imagined to do; They proved how
much they were polluted by sin to be so wicked not to be controllable
even by God.
Two
thousands years had passed since Adam, now God was speaking to Abram
once again at a third time. This time He told Abram asking him to
leave his land; He prepared a new land for him to live; promised him a
great nation; blessed him saying he will bless them that bless him,
and curse him that curse him; he shall be a blessing. He even blessed
Abram promising him that in him shall all families of the earth be
blessed.
What kind
of a blessing was the LORD talking about? In the beginning of every
new year, we hear people bless them that they greet wherever we go in
the world. This seems to be natural knowing that man is of God.
Let us
think about the third try to bless Abram, even saying of blessing for
all the families in him, even though man prior to Abram had failed to
be blessed because of their sin? Is the seed of Abram somewhat
different from them? How are all the families of the earth to be
blessed in him? At that time his age was seventy five years old.
1.The "Blessing"
in the view of man:
Chinese
character gives us good explanation for it; good clothes, food, house,
and business; having long life giving birth to many children.
King David
also testified of worldly blessing in his Psalms:
"From men which
are thy hands, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion
in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they
are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their
babes. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be
satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." (Psalms 17:14, 15)
2. The blessing in
the scripture:
1) Blessing
through the seed of Abraham:
"And I will
establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in
their generations for an everlasting covenant to be a God unto thee,
and to thy seed after thee." (Gen 17:7)
2) Who is the
seed of Abraham?
Let's hear of
testimony of Apostle Paul who understood it in the Spirit: "The
Christ, the One" who took away the sin of the world being God
incarnated:
"Now to Abraham
and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of
many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." (Gal 3:16)
3) What is the
promise of blessing?
"The promise
of the Spirit through faith" to be children of God.
"Christ hath
redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made curse for us: for it
is written, Cursed every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing
of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ: that we
might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal 3:13, 14)
4) How to
receive the everlasting blessing in Abraham: Repenting of your
sins and receiving Christ by faith being born again of the Spirit.
"Even as
Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the
children of Abraham. And the scripture, forecasting that God would
justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto
Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they
which are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." (Gal 3:6-9)
5) Where is
the place to live for the blessed? Kingdom of God: New
Jerusalem (See Rev 21!)
"...Except a
man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
"In my Father's
house are many mansions..." (John 14:2)
6) God is
still calling man for this blessing:
"Moreover whom
he did predestinate, then he also called: and whom he called, them he
also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified" (Rom
8:30)
7) Christ
Jesus gave us the privilege to call all nations to this blessing:
We ourselves are now blessing!
"....Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15, 16)
11-10-02
Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms 62:1-12
Main scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Subject: What
Kind of House Am I Building?
1. The judgment
seat of Christ where every Christian stand before:
Those who
received Jesus Christ as the Son of God believing him with all their
hearts and repenting sins are supposed to live in heaven. But the
Bible says that a place should be passed through before they reach
heaven, so called the judgment seat of Christ. Main text shows us what
happens at the judgment seat of Christ to teach us clearly what kind
of life should be done in the earth.
At the second
coming of Jesus Christ, all born-again Christians shall be lifted to
heaven (1 Thes. 4:16.17), so nothing can affect them in the time of
tribulation in the earth (Rev. 4-18). One very important thing is that
all of us will have to give an account to Him about us in person at
the judgment seat of Christ. This should be engraved in our heart and
we should meditate on it day or night. Thus saying to ourselves, "I
will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. I have to explain to
Him what I have done, not what others have done." Let us search the
Scriptures related to this:
"Wherefore we
labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one
may receive the things done in this body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:9-10)
"But dost thou
judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we
shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written,
as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every
tongue shall confess to God." (Rom. 14:10-11)
"Therefore
judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will
bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest
the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of
God." (1Cor. 4:5)
2. The judgment
seat of Christ revealed in the main text:
All Christians
are described as ones that build houses on the Rock with six different
kinds of materials; and those shall be tested by fire at the judgment
seat of Christ.
Even if all
the business having been built for a whole life were to be burnt
without being insured, it would be a great loss not to give any energy
left for a second chance. "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall
suffer loss," saith the bible (1Cor. 3:15): but the loss at the
judgment seat of Christ shall be totally in vain for no more second
chance. But he himself shall be saved for shameful eternal life.
Let us listen
to the words of God to have wisdom to build house:
1) The house
made of gold, silver or precious stones:
(1) The house
of gold:
Gold always
symbolize the Divinity of God. Everything in the tabernacle was made
of gold or coated by gold. The mercy seat was coated by gold, and the
table shew bread, the candlestick, and the alter of incense were made
of gold. Gold is most valuable in the world; and even in heaven it
also symbolizing the Divinity of God. The new Jerusalem preserved for
us is also paved by gold. And the City is almost made of pure gold
like crystal. (Rev. 21:21) Gold is more valuable than silver or
precious stones. Whenever we worship God, we lay up gold in heaven for
us. If we serve the Lord in more priority than anything such as our
family, business or any other things to give him most glory, that is
the way to pile up gold in heaven. "Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth.... For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also." (Matt. 6:19,21)
(2) The house
of silver:
Silver was
used for redemption: "Thou shalt even take five sheckles apiece by the
poll, after the sheckle of the sanctuary shalt thou take them..... and
above them that were redeemed by the Levite... "(Num. 3 : 47,49) In
the time of old testament silver was used to pay for redemption.
Iscariot Juda sold Jesus for thirty silver. But the law of
redemption was changed in the time of new testament: "Forasmuchas as
ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver
and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot." (1Pet. 1:18,19)
"The words of
the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth,
purified seven times." saith the Bible. This is the way to pile up
silve in heaven is to preach the gospel to the sinners for them to
receive the benefit of redemption of sins through the blood of Christ
Jesus.
(3) The house
of precious stones:
Precious
stones symbolize man. "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of
hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as
a man spareth his own son that serveth him" saith the Bible (Mal.
3;17) And in other words of God: The people of God shall be as the
stones of a crown (Zech. 9:16); a virtuous woman is far above rubies (Prov.
31:10). Those who win the souls to Jesus Christ lay up precious stones
in heaven. They have to take care of them not to be corrupted with the
words of God, not to lose the rewards. (2 John 1:7,8)
Precious
stones shins like stars: "And they that be wise shall shine as the
brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness
as the stars for ever and ever." (Dan. 12:3)
(4) The house
of wood, hay or stubble:
Wood doesn't
mean living tree, but dead tree. Hay also means dead grass; stubble,
dead reed. All these are dead and nothing valuable. Let us meditate
scripture related to this:
"But Christ
being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and
more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of
this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his
own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of an heifer sprinkling
the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to
serve the living God?" (Heb. 9:11-14)
We crucified
our flesh on the cross of Him right after we were saved to be
Christians. So we are dead in flesh, and also everything belong to
flesh is dead. We ourselves are also are dead. If we still live for
the dead ones, then we are miserable ones: then all ours will be burnt
in smoke not to receive any reward. So the Bible says to us: "And that
he died for all, that they which live should not live unto themselves,
but unto him which died for them, and rose again."
(2 Cor. 5:15)
Meditate on this deeply!
3. Messages given
unto us:
1) All that we
live for ourselves, not for Jesus Christ, shall be turned into burnt
ashes and smoke. Living for ourselves is a waste of time not meant
for a Christian life.
2) Service for
the world, nation or any community shall not be rewarded at the
judgment seat of Christ, because it is already rewarded in the earth.
3) Let us write
down on a piece of paper what we have done for the Lord! Even prayer
or ministry should be reviewed whether it was for him or for our own
will.
10-27-02 Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms 64:1-10
Main Scripture: Mark 7:14-23
Subject: The Way of a Holy Life
1. Truth and teaching in the main text:
1) They that cannot understand their sins and their end:
The Pharisees
could not understand the word of the Lord shown in the main text. They
continued to be religious losing the opportunity for salvation through
remission and purification of sins. Nowadays too many people can't see
their sins just to be religious. They are trying to be righteous
through their religious behaviors, instead of remission of sins and
purification of hearts through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
They're also
crying out to united one with another without Jesus to bring world
peace which has never been even in their hearts, but the world has
been in more turmoil with the increase of the fear of war and terrors.
2) The
condition of man shown in the scriptures:
(1) The
sinful nature of man:
God spoke
through the prophet Jeremiah: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or
the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed
to do evil." (Jer. 13:23)
This is a
good description of the sinful nature of man from the birth.
(2) The heart
of man:
Jeremiah
spoke the word of God: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I
try the reins, even to give every man according to the fruit of his
doings." (Jer. 17:9-10)
Jesus is
clarifying what made the heart of man corrupted and evil in details:
evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye,
blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
3) The words
of grace giving salvation from sins of heart:
Apostle
testifies to the Jew of salvation of the Gentiles through grace: "And
put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by
faith." (Acts 15:9)
This is the
real power of the gospel which gives salvation through purifying
hearts to whosoever that may believe!
The words of
God related to purifying sins:
(1) The blood of
Christ purifying conscience:
"Neither by
the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once
into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if
the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling
the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to
serve the living God?" (Heb. 9:12-14)
(2) The life
in the faith of the blood of Christ:
"Let us draw
near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure
water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to
provoke unto love and to good works: Nor forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Heb.
9:22-25)
4) The words of
God related to peaceful life through purifying: Even after
salvation, we still abide in the flesh, so thereafter the life in the
Spirit should be maintained through abstaining from polluting
conscience purged by the blood of Christ.
"There is
therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin
and death.... For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of
the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the
Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace." (Rom. 8:1,2,5,6)
"This I say
then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the
flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh: and these are contrary to one to the other: so that
ye cannot do the thing that ye would." (Gal .5:16-17)
2. Messages given to us:
Abide in holiness through bearing fruit of the Spirit! Apostle Paul
lists the works of the flesh to warn that they which do such things
shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21): Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft,
hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like.
Those who are
saved and purified by the blood of Christ should have holy lives
bearing the fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's
have crucified the flesh with the affection and lusts." (Gal. 5:22-24)
9-8-02
Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms
8:1-9
Main scripture:
Ephesians 1:17-23
Subject: The
Blessing of the Church, the Body of Christ
1. Summary of the
main text: Apostle Paul's sincere prayer for the saints
1) To be in the
knowledge of God
2) To give unto
them the spirit of wisdom and revelation
3) To open their
eyes of understanding to see spiritual secrets:
(1) The hope of
his calling (Hope of the saved saints)
(2) The riches
of the glory of his inheritance in the saints kept in heaven (1 Peter
1:4)
(3) The
exceeding greatness of his power dwelling in the saints, which had
Christ rise from death
(4) Christ, the
head of all things is filled in his church, his body
2. Scriptures
related to "church":
1) The church
built on the Rock:
"... I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
(Matt 16:18)
2) The church
built in Jerusalem:
"... The Lord
added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Act 2:47)
3) The church
built at Antioch:
"Now there were
in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers..."
(Act 13:1)
4) The church
purchased by the blood of God:
"... the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he
hath purchased with his own blood." (Act 20:28)
5) The church,
body of Christ, which hath many members:
"So we, being
many, are one body, and all members one of another." (Rom. 12:5)
6) The Church
baptized into one body (Christ) by one Spirit:
"For by one
Spirit are we all baptized into one body, where we be Jews or
Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and we have been all made to
drink into one Spirit." (1 Cor. 12:13)
7) A
chaste virgin espoused to Christ:
"... I
have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste
virgin to Christ." (2 Cor. 11:2)
3.
Spiritual mysteries related to the church:
1)
Adam's bride vs. last Adam's bride (church):
Both brides were created through the death of their bridegrooms, and
they are helpers for ruling all things:
"It is
not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet
for him..... Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the
air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there were not
found an help meet for him. (Gen 2:18,20)
"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be
the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the
fullness of him that filleth all in all." (Eph 1:22,23)
2)
The mystery of the church related to marriage:
"That
he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not
having spot, or wrinkles, or any such thing; but that it should be
holy and without blemish… For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but
noursheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are
members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause
shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his
wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I
speak concerning Christ and church." (Eph. 5:26,27,27,30,31,32)
3)
The inheritance received by Adam and Christ (Last Adam: 1Cor 15:45):
"...Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and
subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and fowl of the
air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth... ."
(Gen. 1:28)
"For
thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned
him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the
works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet..." (Ps.
8:5, 6)
"....I
shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost
parts of the earth for thy possession..." (Ps. 2:8)
"If we
suffer, we shall also reign with him..." (2 Tim. 2:12)
4.
Teaching and messages unto us:
The dominion over all things given unto Adam was taken by
Satan because of sin. Jesus Christ our Lord regained it by
taking away the sins of the world through his death and blood.
When he comes to the earth with his glory, he will marry to us as his
help to reign all things. The church espoused with Christ must be
washed by the water of truth to be without spot and dot, and also
endure to suffer to hope in the glorious day with him.
8-18-02 Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms
149:1-9
Main scripture:
Isaiah 53:1-12
Subject: Who is
the One that Believes on the Lord?
1. Summary of
main text:
1) Beginning
from grieving; Who has believed the Lord, even though God was
manifest in the flesh?
"And without
controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the
flesh..."(1Tim 3:16)
2) Appearance
of God, manifest in the flesh: As a tender plant; as a root out of
a dry ground; no form nor comeliness; no beauty that we should desire
him; despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrow; acquainted with
grief; despised; we esteemed him not.
3) What he
hath done for us:
(1) He hath
borne our grief’s.
(2) He carried
our sorrows.
(3) He was
wounded for our transgressions.
(4) He was
bruised for our iniquities.
(5) He received
the chastisement of our peace.
(6) We were
healed with his stripes.
(7) The LORD
hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
(8) He was
oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth (as a sheep
before her shearers).
(9) He was taken
from prison and judgment for transgression of his people.
(10) He made his
grave with the wicked.
(11) He was with
rich in his death.
(12) He has done
no violence.
(13) He was any
deceit in his hand.
4) Our
attitude and behavior on him:
(1) We esteemed
him not.
(2) We did
esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
(3) All we like
sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.
5) The will of
the LORD:
(1) It pleased
the LORD to bruise him to grief.
(2) LORD shall
make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed; prolong his
days.
(3) The pleasure
of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
(4) He shall see
of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: shall justified
many through intercession for their iniquities.
(5) LORD will
divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil
with the strong.
"Ask of me, and
I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost
parts of the earth for thy possession."(Psalms 2:8)
2.
Messages and teaching unto us:
1) Do I
believe on Jesus Christ as the Son of God with all our heart?
"And Philip
said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he
answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."(Act
8:37)
2) Do I
believe all that he hath done for us?
"Thus saith the
LORD; cursed he the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his
arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.... Blessed is the man
that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be
like as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots
by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall
be green; and shall not be careful in the years of drought, neither
shall cease from yielding fruit."(Jer. 17:5, 7, 8)
3) Let us
remember and meditate what He hath done for us with trembling and
fear, to receive his words with faith, and dedicate again ourselves
to preach them to others for the increase of his seed!
7-14-02 Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms
13:1-6
Main scripture: Isaiah 60:1-9
Subject:
Blessing for the One that will Arise and Shine
1. Summary of
the main text:
1) This is the
words of prophesy related to Christ Jesus for his first and second
coming.
2) This also
applied to the Christians:
"Verily, verily,
I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he
do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)
3) The blessings
in the text are possible for those that obey his words:
(1) Must arise:
Must arise from the dead.(Sleeping man is no different from the dead)
"Awake thou that
sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."
(Eph. 5:14)
(2) Must
shine light:
<1> Light is
eternal life in Jesus. (John 1:4)
<2> Whosoever
that believeth in Jesus, and receiveth him received the light of life.
(John 3:16; Isaiah 60:1)
<3> Life is the
Word, and the word of gospel is the incorruptible and eternal seed
giving regeneration unto man. (John 1:1; 1 Peter 1:23, 25)
<4> Shining
light is to preach the gospel. Even Jesus said that he came forth for
this:
"Let us go into
the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I
forth." (Mark 1:38)
<5> The reason
why we must shine light: The darkness covers the earth.
"For behold, the
darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people."
(Isaiah 60:2)
"And the light
shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John
1:5) "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Eph. 5:16)
<6> Must be
filled with the Spirit for shining light:
".... the Spirit
of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me."
(John 15:26)
"And be not
drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."
(Eph. 5:18)
<7> Shining
light is the responsibility of Christians:
"I charge thee
therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season; ..." (2 Tim. 4:1,2)
"For as often as
ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shew the Lord's death till
he come." (1Cor. 11:26)
4) Blessing
for those that shine light:
(1) The Gentiles
shall come to the light, and receive the Lord Jesus; and they shall be
the spiritual sons and daughters. (v3, 4)
(2) Even their
kings shall be saved. (v3)
(3) Abundance of
the sea and the forces of the gentiles shall be theirs; nothing shall
be in want for the ministry. (v5, 6, 7)
(4) Many pure
and faithful servants of God shall fly unto them as a cloud and doves.
(v8)
(5) The isles
shall wait for them to receive the light, and they supply many
precious things unto them. (v9)
2. Messages
given unto us:
1) Am I alive, or
dead?
2) Am I awaken,
or sleeping?
3) Am I shining,
or hiding it in me?
4) Am I redeeming
the time, or wasting and killing it?
5) Am I filled
with the Spirit, or with the flesh?
6) Do I
understand today's message?
6-30-02 weekly message
Meditation: Psalms
130:1-8
Main scripture: Matthew 6:24-34
Subject:
Material Blessing Given to One that Serves God
1.
Study of main text
1) First of all,
this word of Jesus was given to the Jews under rule of Romans, and at
the same time, this word gives wisdom of life to the children of God
in the kingdom of God.
2) The way to
serve God is that material follows through serving God instead of
serving God to gain material.
3) Jesus Christ
gave them sure promise for their living security. This is a great
promise to fill them all they need as the time in the wilderness after
the Exodus out of Egypt. (Remember Deut.29:5)
"And I have led
you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon
you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot."
4) Let us study
of spiritual meaning of the three things used by Jesus to give them
sure promise:
(1) The fowls of
the air (v26): Biblically they are symbolize as Devil or spirits under
him (Matt.13:4,19, 32)
(2) The lilies
of the field (v28): It is considered as protection for saved people,
especially the Christian is the bride of Christ, that is more
beautiful than the glory of Solomon.
(3) The grass of
the field to be cast into the oven (v30): It means unsaved people
(Matt.13:42). God cares for even perishing people. Then how much He
cares for his chosen people, Israel, and his children? Issue is faith!
5) "Your heavenly
Father" (v32) means God of Israel. But for the Gentiles that believe
on Christ Jesus as Savior, He is the individual Father (Rom.8:15)
6) "The kingdom
of God" and "His righteousness" are shown in the Bible for the first
time (v32): This is the invisible, spiritual kingdom for the born
again Christian (John3:5). At that time, no one was born again. They
only hoped for real visible kingdom of Christ. So Jesus implied the
gospel of Christ to them so that they might enter the kingdom of God
through the righteousness of God.
7) The message of
the main text is applied to the people living in the age of church. At
that time, the Jew didn't believe on Jesus to kill Him on the cross
only except small group of people.
2. Teaching and
message given unto us:
1) Main text is
teaching us what is the main factor of faith for born again Christians
(children of God) in the world.
2) There is a
voice of the Lord asking us not to seek physical comfort in the world.
"Sufficient unto
the day is the evil thereof." (Matt.6:34)
"These all died
in faith....... and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on
the earth." (Heb.11:13)
3) Through the
spiritual blessing of life in the kingdom of God, lead a powerful life
to do His ministry using material instaed of serving it.
"For the kingdom
of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in
the Holy Ghost." (Rom.14;17)
4) It is the best love toward our neighbors that we preach the
kingdom
of God and his righteousness to the Gentiles living like slaves under
pain and curse.
4-14-02 Weekly Message
Meditation: Psalms
121:1-8
Main scripture: Philippians 2:12-30
Subject: The
Life that is Focused on the Day of Christ
1. Summary of
main text:
1) Passion of
Apostle Paul toward saints:
(1) Wherefore:
Meditate the mind
in Christ Jesus, his obedience to the Father,
and the Glory given to him!
(2) The saved
must work out their own salvation with fear and trembling
(v12).
* God worketh
in the saints (v13).
* God want to
use the saints both to will and to do of his good pleasure (v13).
(3) Stop
murmuring and disputings (v14):
* Children of
God should be blameless and harmless (v15).
* To be without
rebuke (v15).
* Saints are to
shine as lights in the world, in the midst of crooked and perverse
nations (v15).
(4) Holding
forth the word of life (Gospel of Christ) is never in vain, but rather
to be rewarded at the day of Christ (v16)
(5) The meaning
of v17:
"I'm willing
to die, if you could be molded to be real christians through the
offering of my body."
2) How were
christians at the time of Paul?
All seek their
own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's (v21).
3) Regarding
co-worker Timothy (pastor):
(1) Paul had no
one likeminded, who would naturally care for the saints (v20).
(2) As a son
with the father, he had served with Paul in the gospel (v22).
4) Regarding
Epaphroditus (layman):
(1) He was
Paul's brother, and companion in labour, and fellow solider, but
saints' messenger, and he ministered to Paul's wants (v25):
* He was full
of heaviness, because that saints had heard that he had been sick. So
he longed after saints (v26).
* Indeed he was
sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; not him only, but on
Paul also (v27).
* Paul wanted
to give joy unto the saints by sending him quickly, and ask them to
receive him in the Lord with all gladness, and to hold such in
reputation (vs 28-29)
* For the work
of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life (v30).
* He wanted
supply saints' lack of service toward Paul to be nigh unto death (v30)
2. Teachings in
the main text:
1) Seeing clearly
the day of Christ, Paul was sorrowful toward the saints who are blind
spiritually only to see the world (They didn't see God who worketh in
them).
2) Not paying
attention to those who murmur and dispute, but fixing eyes on Jesus
Christ, work out salvation with fear and trembling.
3) Remembering
Christ who gave himself as burnt offering for you, seek the works of
Christ Jesus sacrificing your own.
4) As long as
faithful co-labourers exist such as Timothy and Epaphroditus, the
ministry of gospel will never cease.
5) Only small
number of people dedicate to the ministry of Christ now, and also the
time of Paul.
3. Paul's other
co-labourers shown in the scripture:
1) Sister co-labourers:
"I entreat thee
also, true yokefellow, help with those women which laboured with me in
the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers,
whose names are in the book of life." (Phil. 4:3)
2) Other
labourers shown in Romans 16:
Sister Phebe,
Priscilla and Aquila, Ephenetus, Mary, Andronicus, Junia, Amplias,
Urbane, Stachys, Apelles, Aristobulus' household, Herodion, Narcissus'
household, Tryphena, Tryposa, Persis, Rufus and his mother, Asyncritus,
Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his
sister, Olympas, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus,
Quartus etc.
4. Messages
given unto us:
1) Am I offering
my body to God, so that He may work in me to do his will? (Romans12:1)
2) Am I a co-labourer
in gospel?
3) What is my
final destination of my life? And how shall I spend there eternally?
4) What about
re-examining my life to focus on the day of Christ?
3-10-02 Weekly Message
Main Scripture: Psalms 19:7-11
Subject:
The
Greatness of the Word of God
1. Overall review of the word of God:
The Holy Spirit now gives us something about the
quality of those words; they are "perfect," and "sure," "right and
pure," and "clean" and "true" and "righteous" (
vss
7-9). There are seven things that these words are not:
1) They are
not
hard to understand (Prov. 8:8-10)
2) They are
not
corrupt (2 Cor. 2:17)
3) They are
not
in line with man's wisdom or the wisdom of this world (1
Cor. 2-3).
4) They are
not
to be interpreted apart from each other(2 Pet. 1:20)
5) They are
not
a description of relative truths (John 17:17).
6) They are
not
pleasing or acceptable to
man in his natural state (John 8:44-47)
7) They are
not
powerless as the words, say, of any political and religious leaders.
2. Study of main text:
1)
The law of
the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
In the Old testament it is this law that caused a
man to stop in his tracks, reverse his position and change his conduct
(see the exact case of Josiah, the king of
Judah
in 2 Chron. 34:18-25).
Even in the New Testament the "law of the Lord" is
instrumental in "converting the soul." It is the means whereby a man
sees his NEED of salvation (
Rom.
7:7-9), and it is also his "schoolmaster" to lead him to the Saviour
(Gal. 3:24)
2)
"The
testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.":
This testimony is defined by the Holy Spirit as
"the spirit of
prophecy" (Rev.
19:10)
".... for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy."
When Moses and Elijah finish their "testimony"
(Rev. 11:6) they have testified about coming events. The same can be
said of Christ's
testimony
on earth (see Mark 13:12). This explains why the "wise man" fears and
"departeth
from evil" (Prov. 14:16). He sees
what is coming (Prov. 22:3)
3)
"The
statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
These statutes are mentioned by the score in
Exodus,
Leviticus, and Deuteronomy,
although the "first mention" concerns Abraham in Genesis.
"Because that Abraham obeyed my
voice, and kept
my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my
laws." (Genesis 26:5)
Statutes are legal decrees set up as standards. Our
word "statue" comes from this.
4) The commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening eyes:
A statute is set up and then the saint is commanded
to keep it. When he does keep it, he finds out two things about it;
first of all, it is pure, and secondly, that it gives him LIGHT on
something he would have missed otherwise.
Look at the prayer "open thou mine eyes, that I may
behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Ps. 119:18).
Look at the results:
" The entrance of thy words giveth light;
it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Ps. 119:130).
Other reference scriptures: Eph. 1:18, 1 John
1:2-5, 1 Sam. 14:27
5)
"The fear
of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.": It is clean because it
cleans a man inside.
"Fear Him that
is able to destroy both body and soul in hell." (Matt. 10:28)
6)
"The
judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether": They are
true because they are real, and they are in line with what He says He
will do. They are "righteous" because "the judge of all the earth"
will certainly "do right" (Gen. 18:25)
7)
"More to
be desired are they than gold.":
The reference is to the Law, the
testimony, the statutes, the commandment,
the fear, and the judgments. The price of gold fluctuates; these do
not. We cannot take gold beyond the grave; you will find these on the
other side of the graves. Man can steal gold, but no one can steal
these things from you.
More desirable than "much fine gold" and "sweeter
than honey." This is the believer's estimate of the WORDS of God.
8)
God's
servants are warned by the words (vs. 11): That is negative part.
But they are also rewarded for keeping them (vs. 11), and that is the
positive part. The reward is "GREAT."
3. Messages given unto us:
1) Am I born again? Are the eyes of my
understanding opened and enlightened? (Eph. 1:18)
2) How much benefit I'm taking from the word of
God. (Perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, righteous)
3) Am I reading both Old and New testament?
4) What kind of wondrous things do I find of the word of God?
Main Scripture: John 6:1-15
Subject: The
Miracle of 5 Barley Loaves and 2 Little Fishes
1. Summary of main
text:
1) Jesus saw a great company come unto him.
2) Jesus himself knew what he would do.
3) Jesus said to Philip to prove him:
"Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"
4) Philip answered him:
"Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not
sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little."
5) Andrew said unto Jesus:
"There is a lad here, which hath five barley
loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?"
6) And Jesus said:
"Make the men sit down."
7) Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given
thanks, he distributed to the disciples.
8) The disciples distributed to them in number
about 5,000 as much as they would.
9)They were filled.
10) Jesus said unto the disciples again:
"Gather up the fragments that remain, that
nothing be lost."
11) They filled twelve baskets with the
fragments of the five barley loaves.
12) Response of those which saw the miracle:
"This is of a truth that prophet that should
come into the world."
13) Jesus responded unto them:
"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would
come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into
a mountain himself alone."
2. Teaching from
this miracle:
1) Followed by previous three miracles, this
fourth miracle prove co-operation between God and man for the ministry
of salvation of the lost:
(1) First miracle (Making wine from water):
Salvation through the word.
(2) Second miracle (Healing the son of a noble
man): Salvation through faith.
(3) Third miracle (Saving a Samaritan woman):
Salvation through grace.
2) Though salvation and all grace belong to the
Lord, He still use man to deliver the message of gospel to people:
"How shall they hear without a preacher?"
(Romans 10:14)
3) This was made publicly before many witnesses.
4) Absolute creation was made publicly:
"Very similar as the miracle of making wine from
water, and these two miracles are same kinds each other and very
important. Wine reminds us of His Blood, and the broken barley loaves
His holy body."
5) If we give all our possessions to Jesus as
the little lad, he will use them to bless others: There were many
women offered their substance.
"Certain women, which had been healed of evil
spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven
devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and
many others, which ministered unto him of their substance." (Luke
8:2,3)
6) The increase of the bread didn't occur in the
hands of disciples, but in the Lord's hands. It was abundant supply!
7) Disciples were supposed to receive them
humbly, and distribute faithfully.
8) If we are in want, it is not because of God,
but because of us.
9) Jesus never want to be a king of those which
are only interested in filling their belly.
3. Messages given
unto us:
1) Am I Philip? Or Andrew? Or a little child? Or
one among the crowd?
2) Do I really believe Jesus as God the Creator?
3) Do I understand of the blessing from the
partaker of salvation ministry?
4) How shall I minister unto the Lord Jesus?
Main scripture: John 15:12-19
Subject: The
Purpose that the Lord Called Us To
1. Summary of main
text:
1) The commandment
given by Jesus:
"Ye love one another, as I have loved you."
2) The way to be
Jesus' friend:
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I
commend you" (Remember Abraham)
3) What Jesus
commended us to do?
(1) Abide in me!
(2) Continue ye in my love, keeping my
commandment!
4) The purpose
which Jesus have chosen us:
(1) Ye should go and bring forth fruit.
(2) Your fruit should remain.
(3) Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my
name, he may give it to you.
2.Teaching of fruit
revealed in the Scripture:
1) Every tree which bringeth not forth
good fruit is hewn down, and cast into
the fire. (Matt 3:10): Warning toward wicked Israelites
2) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men
gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree bring forth evil
fruit. (Matt 7:16-17): Warning toward
religious leaders such as Pharisees and Sadducees.
3) The kingdom of God shall be taken from you,
and given to a nation bringing forth the
fruits thereof. (Matt 21:43): Warning
toward Israel not bringing fruits.
4) And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness. (Eph.
5:11)
5) And let ours also learn to maintain good
works for necessary uses, that they be
not fruitful. (Titus 3:14)
6) Add to faith virtue; and virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and temperance patience; and patience
godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and brotherly kindness
charity. For if these things in you, and abound, they make you that ye
shall
neither be barren
nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ.(2Pet.1:5-8)
3. Fruits revealed
in the Scripture:
1) The fruit of
womb is his reward. (Ps. 127:3)
2) The fruit of
righteous is a tree of life; and he that
winneth souls is wise. (Prov. 11:30)
3) A man shall be satisfied with good by the
fruit of his mouth. (Prov. 12:14)
4) They shall eat
the fruit of their doings. (Isa. 3:10)
5) Bring forth therefore
fruits meet for
repentance. (Matt. 3:8)
6) And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and
gathereth fruit unto life eternal.
(John 4:36)
7) But now being made
free from sin, and become servants of
God, ye have your fruit unto holiness
and the end everlasting life. (Rom. 6:22)(John 8:32)
8) Now he that ministereth seed to the sower
both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and
increase the fruits of your righteousness.(2
Cor. 9:10)
Being filled with the
fruits of righteousness, which are by
Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:11)
Afterward it (chastisement) yieldeth the
peaceful fruit of righteousness
unto them which are exercised thereby. (Heb. 12:11)
9) The fruit of
Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
(Gal. 5:22)
For the fruit of
Spirit is in all goodness and
righteousness and truth. (Eph. 5:9)
The spirit of the LORD
shall rest.... , the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of
counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the
LORD. (Isa. 11:2)
And....... be filled with the Spirit. (Eph.
5:18)
Shall your heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
(Luke 11:13)
4. Today's
messages: For our blessings
1) Abide in Him! (Commandment)
2) Love one another! (Commandment)
3) Continue ye in my love! (Commandment)
4) Live in blessing of receiving
all, being fruitful with remaining by obeying Him.
Main scripture: John 15:1-14
Subject: The Parable of Vine
1. Summary of main text and former
chapters:
1) Final word given to disciples on the
way to the Mount of Olives in the night in which He was betrayed:
(Chapter 13): Last Supper (Passover),
Jesus washed the disciples' feet; New commandment; Peter's three times
denial of Jesus before the cock crow foretold by Jesus.
(Chapter 14): Many mansions in Father's
house; I am the way, the truth, and the life; Whatsoever ye shall ask
in my name, that I will do; another Comforter (The Holy Ghost); Peace
I leave with you; The prince of this world cometh.
2) Jesus' important words:
(1) I am the true vine, and my Father
is the husbandman, and ye are branches.
(2) Different kinds of branches:
Bearing no fruit, bearing fruit, bearing more fruit, and bearing much
fruit
(3) Ye are clean through the word which
I have spoken unto you.
(4) Abide in me.
(5) If a man abide not in me, he is
cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast
them into the fire, and they are burned. (Read 1cor. 3:15)
(6) If ye abide in me, and my words
abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto
you.
(7) Continue ye in my love.
(8) If ye keep my commandment, ye shall
abide in my love.
(9) This is my commandment, That ye
love one another, as I have loved you.
(10) These things have I spoken to you,
that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
2. Teachings given unto us:
1) The owner of the vineyard is Father
God.
2) Jesus came to the earth to be a true
vine for us in the earth obeying the Father.
3) We became the branches of the true
vine by grace through faith.
4) Branches are only tools for leaves,
flowers, and fruits.
5) Jesus came to the earth to give true
life to the branches as a true vine; and we are to glorify the Farther
God bearing much fruit.
6) Kinds of fruit which we can bear:
(1) Internal fruit (The fruit of the
Spirit): love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance. (Gal. 5:22)
(2) External fruit: Every good work
"And God is able to make all grace
abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all
things, may abound to every good work." (2Cor. 9:8)
"For we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works,..." (Eph. 2:10)
"..they which have believed in God
might be careful to maintain good works." (Titus 3:8)
7) How God the Father deal with
branches:
(1) Taketh away (Bearing no fruit):
Means to give painful discipline and chastening. (Related to sins)
(Read Heb. 12:5-11)
(2) Purgeth (Bearing some fruit):
Eliminate unnecessary and hindering factors for bearing fruit.
(Cutting off carnal things)
(3) Urge to abide in Him for better
relationship with Him (Bearing more fruit): Restore deeper
relationship with Him for abundant ministry. (Life of abiding in Him)
(4) Life of full of joy (Bearing much
fruit): The life of disciple's of Jesus, and also glorifying the
Father God.
3. Message given unto us:
1) Do we understand real purpose of
life in the earth?
2) What kind of branch am I? Am I the
disciple of Jesus or not?
3) Is there any sin not confessed in
me, and any thing to be cut off from my life?
4) What kind of relationship do I have
with the Lord now?
5) What about abiding in His love
deeply for abundant life? (Remember the prayer of Jabeth).
Main scripture: John 20:19-23
Subject: Receive Ye the Holy Ghost!
1. Summary of main text:
1) At the first day of the week, the
disciples were assembled.
2) They shut the door for fear of the
Jews.
3) Jesus came and stood in the midst.
4) Jesus spoke unto them (They were
saved already):
"Peace be unto you."
"Peace be unto you: as my Father hath
sent me, even so send I you."
"Receive ye the Holy Ghost."
"Whose so ever sins ye remit, they
are remitted unto them; whose so ever sins ye retain, they are
retained."
2. Jesus that shed forth the Holy
Ghost:
"This Jesus hath God raised up, ......
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received
of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this,
which ye now see and hear." (Act 2:32-33) "He shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost, and with fire." (Matt. 3:11)
3. Scriptures of the Holy Ghost:
1) The Spirit of the Comforter:
"But the Comforter, which is the
Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach all
things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have
said unto you." (John 14:26)
2) The Spirit of reproving:
"..but if I depart, I will send him
(the Comforter) unto you. And he is come, he will reprove the world
of sin, and righteousness, and of judgement. Of sin, because they
believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye
see me no more; Of judgement, because the prince of this world is
judged." (John 16:7-11)
3) The Spirit of peace:
"Peace I leave with you. my
peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John
14:27)
"Fear not Mary: for thou hast found
favour.
with God. .....The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow
thee.."(Luke 1:30,35)
4) The Spirit of truth:
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I
will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth,
which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." (John
15:26)
"Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth,
is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he
shall shew you things to come." (John 16:13)
5) The Spirit of power:
"And, behold, I send the promise of my
Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be
endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
"But ye shall receive power,
after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: ye shall be witnesses
unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Act 1:8)
6) The Spirit of blessing:
"That the blessing of Abraham
might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive
the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal. 3:14)
4. Teachings and messages given unto
us:
1) The disciples were in fear, even
though they were saved. How about us?
2) Let us receive the message: Receive
the Holy Ghost to receive reproving, comfort, peace, favour, truth,
power, and blessing!
3) What about hearing of the Holy Ghost
reproving us: Of sins of unfaith, especially there is anything which
we have not remitted trespasses of others? And repent ourselves so
that the Holy Ghost come upon us to fill us with His Spirit.
"For if ye forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matt. 6:14)
01-13-02 Weekly
Message
Main scripture: Numbers 21:4-9
Subject: When He Looketh upon it,
(He) Shall Live.
1. Summary of main text:
1) The soul of Israel was much
discouraged.
2) They spake against God and
Moses.
3) The Lord sent fiery serpents
among the people.
4) Much people of Israel died.
5) They came to Moses and repented.
6) Moses prayed for the
people.
7) The LORD gave the word to
Moses.
"Make thee a fiery serpent, and set
it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is
bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live."
8) Moses obeyed the word of God.
9) The power of the word of God
was manifested.
"When he beheld the serpent of brass,
he lived."
2. The doctrine and teaching from
the text:
1) Jesus' teaching:
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent
in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
(John 3:14-15)
2) Our old man vs the thing upon
Jesus:
"Christ hath redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed
is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham
might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive
the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal. 3:13-14)
3) Relationship between text and
cross:
The pole
symbolizes the wooden cross; brass, judgment
(Alter at the tabernacle was made of brass); fiery serpent (cursed
creature), Jesus that was cursed and judged for our sins.
4) A greatest thing: The
power of the word of God
"Every one that is bitten, when he
looketh upon it, shall live." "It was impossible to believe and
rather looks like foolish through wisdom of man; but when they
believed in the word of God, they gained the strength to look upon the
serpent to receive life."
4) A most important doctrine:
"That whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:25)
"Receiving the end of faith, even the
salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:9)
5) A important teaching toward
Christians:
"Neither let us tempt Christ, as some
of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur
ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the
destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and
they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world
are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest
he fall.
There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1Cor.
10:9-13)
6) Our fellowship during the
present life:
"The cup of blessing which we bless,
is not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break,
is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are
one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."
(1 Cor. 10:16-17)
3. Messages given unto us:
1) What is the condition of my soul
and heart? Faithful and peaceful? Or discouraged and murmuring?
2) Is there any thing biting me in my
life?
3) What about looking upon Jesus
Christ to receive peace and life? (He always makes a way to escape
from temptation)
4) Let us make resolution to have
communion of the blood and body of Christ to be partakers of his glory
at his coming? (Heb. 12:1-2)
01-06-02 New Year’s Message
Main scripture: Isaiah 43:18-21
Subject: I Will Do a New Thing!
1. Summary of main text:
1) Remember ye not the former things,
neither consider the things of old.
2) The LORD will do a new thing.
3) Now it shall spring forth.
4) We must know it.
5) He will even make a way in the
wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
6) He gives waters in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert, to give drink to His people, His chosen.
7) They shall shew His praise.
2. Why God do a new thing?
1) They are His chosen people.(Isa.
44:1)
2) He is God that blotteth out their
transgressions. (Isa. 43:25)
"If my people, which are called by my
name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn
from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sins, and will heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
"He will turn again, he will have
compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast
all their sins into the depth of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth
to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our
fathers from the days of old." (Mic. 7:19-20)
"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
3) He is God that will not remember
our sins. (Isa. 43:25)
4) He is God that will pour water
upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry land. (Isa. 44:3)
"Whosoever drinketh this water shall
thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of waters that I shall give him
shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in
him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John
4:13-14)
"If any man thirst, let him come unto
me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said,
out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he
of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive." (John
7:37-39)
5) He is God that pours His Spirit
upon the seed (Christ) of Israel (Abraham), and His blessing (The
promise of the Spirit) upon His offspring. (Isa. 44:3)
"That the blessing of Abraham might
come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the
promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal. 3:14)
6) The LORD of hosts is the LORD the
King of Israel, and his redeemer. (Isa. 66:6)
"Which bringeth forth the chariot and
horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they
shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow." (Isa.
43:17)
3. Teachings and messages:
1) Think about how God has
disciplined us who received the promise of heaven. Since He
disciplined Israel through making their land the wilderness and
desert, who received the covenant of earthly inheritance!
"For the kingdom of God is not meat
and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
(Rom. 14:17)
2) Remembering not the former things,
neither consider the things of old, rather giving thanks to the Lord
that forgive all our transgressions; What about opening our heart with
repentance and faith to receive His pouring blessing upon our heart
like wilderness and desert, so that He may do a new thing unto us?
"Be filled with the Spirit; Speaking
to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all
things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." (Eph.
5:18-21)
3) What about exercising blessing of
the children of Abraham by doing a new things unto our neighbors (all
nations of people) by bringing forth living waters, which will spring
out from this new place in the new year?
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He
that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and the
greater works than these..." (John 14:12)
12-23-01 Weekly Message
Main scripture: Psalms 30:1-12
Subject: Teachings in David's
prayer
1. Study of main text:
1) David exalted the LORD:
(1) The LORD had lifted him up, and
had not made his foes to rejoice over him.
"And in nothing terrified by your
adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to
you of salvation, and that of God."(Phil. 1:28)
(2) The LORD had healed him, when he
cried unto Him: Spiritual and physical
(3) The LORD had brought up his soul
from the grave: He had kept him alive, that he should not go down to
the pit(Hell).
2) David sang unto the LORD, and
gave thanks at the remembrance of his holiness:
(1) His anger endureth but a moment;
in his favour is life.
"Now no chastening for the present
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth
the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised
thereby."(Heb. 12:11)
(2) Weeping may endure for a night
(present life), but joy cometh in the morning(2nd Advent of the LORD):
"But unto you that fear my name shall
the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall
go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."(Mal. 4:2)
"..... I shall be satisfied, when I
awake, with thy likeness."(Psalms 17:15)
3) David's confession to the LORD:
(1) In my prosperity, I shall never
be moved! (Remember king Nebuchadnezzar!)
(2) Thou hast my mountain to stand
strong!
(3) Thou didst hide thy face, and I
was troubled!
"Hide not thy face far from me; put
not thy servant away in anger...."(Ps 27:9)
(4) No profit is there in my blood!
Have mercy upon me!
"Shall the dust praise thee? Shall it
declare thy truth?"(v 9)
4) David's supplications:
(1) Hear, O LORD!
(2) Have mercy upon me!
(3) Be thou my helper!
5) David's thanksgivings:
(1) Thou hast turned for me my
mourning into dancing!
(2) Thou hast put off my sackcloth,
and girded me with gladness!
"... ye have put off the old man with
his deeds; and have put on the new man , which is renewed in knowledge
after the image of him that created him."(Col. 3:9-10)
(3) My glory may sing praise to thee,
and not be silent!
(4) I will give thanks unto thee
forever!
2. Teachings and messages given
unto us:
1) Let us not forget the Lord, giving
us victory!
"But thanks be to God, which giveth
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."(1Cor. 15:57)
2) Let us not forget the power of
healing of God, for all spiritual and physical sickness!(Psalms 103:3)
3) Let us not be discouraged at the
time of chastening!
4) Let us overcome all sorrows,
waiting upon the Sun of righteous rising soon!
5) Let us not be moved in our
prosperity!
6) When am I troubled? David was
troubled when the LORD hided His face.
7) Let us meditate on David's
confession, that life without praising the LORD and declaring the
truth is like a dead one!
8) Let us give thanks unto the LORD
forever!
11-04-01 Weekly
Message
Main scripture:
Psalms 17: 1-15
Subject: The
Glory for Us Shown in David's Prayer.
1. Main verse:
v. 15
" As for me, I
will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I
awake, with thy likeness."
2. Summary of
main text:
1) David's prayer
to the LORD.
2) He submitted
his own righteousness to the LORD according to the Law. (Before he
committed adultery and murder: Psalms 51)
"Hear the right,
O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not
out of feigned lips." (v. 1)
"Concerning the
works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of
the destroyer." (v. 4)
3) He believed
that the LORD would answer his prayer:
"I have called
upon thee, for thou wilt hear me." (v. 6)
4) He prayed Him
to keep him from the wicked:
"From the wicked
that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about." (v. 9)
5) He recognized
the wicked as His sword, men as His hand believing all from Him. (Vs.
13,14)
6) Not imitating
the world and being separated therefore, he had faith in the hope of
resurrection and transformation thereafter with His likeness. (vs.
14,15)
3. Teachings
given to us:
1) David believed
God through keeping His Law by all his heart as Abraham did.
2) He admitted
that God sometimes used the wicked to discipline him: We can take
reference through the words spoken to Shimei. (2 Samuel 16:11,12)
"Behold, my son,
which came forth of my bowls, seeketh my life: how much more now may
this Benjamite do it? Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD
hath bidden him. It may be that the LORD will requite me good for his
cursing this day."
3) In spite of
his ability for all the lust and pride as a king, he understood the
will of God unto him through his prayer(three times an day) and
praise(seven times a day) knowing all earthly things in vain.(He went
to sleep in the grave in the hope that the dead in Christ rise first
and changed in the future)
4) Let us
reconfirm our hope knowing coincidence David's and Apostle Paul's, who
submitted his whole life even not married in new testament days!
"But we all, with
open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed
into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the
Lord." (2cor3:18)
"For our
conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be
fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working
whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself." (Phil.3:20,21)
"For I reckon
that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom.8:18)
4. Messages
given to us:
1) Submit prayer
and praise of faith boldly with the blood of Jesus, through trusting
in the righteousness of God given to us freely!
2) Ask mercy from
the Lord, reckoning all afflictions from men as His sword and His hand
in all circumstances!
3) Endure all in
the hope of the glory with Christ as David and Paul.
10-21-01 Weekly
Message Main scripture: 1 Cor. 15:50-58
Subject: A
Mystery Before Us and Our Work
1. Main verse:
"So when this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory."(v 54)
2. Summary of
main text:
1) The flesh and
blood (corruption) cannot inherit the kingdom of God (incorruption) (v
50).
2) One mystery
shall happen!
In a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
"For the Lord
himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise
first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and shall we
ever be with the Lord."(1 Thess. 4:16-18).
3) Death will be
swallowed up in victory:
"The last enemy
that shall be destroyed is death."(1 Cor. 15:26) "Death and hell were
cast into the lake of fire."(Rev. 20:14).
(1) The promise
given to Israelites during upcoming Millennium:
"He will swallow
up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off
all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off
all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it."(Isaiah 25:8)
(2) Blessing
given to all righteous people (Jews and gentiles) in the new heaven
and earth in the beginning of eternity, right after Millennium:
"...God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for
the former things are passed away."(Rev. 21:4)
4) Be ye
steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!
(1) The work of
the Lord in the church:
"Having then
gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophesy.... or ministry... or teaching.... or exhortation....or
giving.... or ruling....or shewing mercy... ."(Romans12:6-8)
(2) Preaching in
the field (Outside the church)
"Ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth."(Acts 1:8)
"Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations....(Matt. 28:19)
"I charge thee
therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season..."(2tim4:1-2)
(3) Rewards for
the work of the Lord:
"...if so be that
we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I
reckon that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom. 8:17-18)
"If we suffer, we
shall also reign with him... "(2 Tim. 2:12)
"And, behold, I
come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as
his work shall be." (Rev. 22:12)
3. messages
given to us today:
1) How much do we
personally know Father God, who will destroy Sin and Death to give
eternal blessing unto us?
2) What about
thinking of God and the Lord Jesus Christ deeply, who hath showed
persistence many thousands years to complete His will for us?
3) How much do we
hope and wait upon the eternal blessing and glory from God?
4) Is it right
time to be awakened from sleep?
"Therefore let us
not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober." (1 Thess.
5:6)
10-14-01 Weekly
Message
Meditation: Psalms
32:1-11
Main scripture:
Hebrews
11:33-40
Subject: What do
We Believe on?
1. Summary of main
text:
1) About the faith
of the saints
(Jews) in the Old
Testament period.
(Read all of chapter
11.)
2) Reveals the
great power of Faith.
3)
The world was
not worthy for them.(What about us?)
4) Their faith in
the promise of God was so firm!
5) They hadn’t
received the promise yet.
6) God prepared
some better thing for us.
(Do we know
well about this?) (“Us” means Jewish
Christians
first.)
2. Let us think
about how could they endure all these things:
torture, cruel mockings, scourgings,
bonds,
imprisonment, stoning,
sawn asunder,
temptation,
slain with the sword, wandering
about in sheepskins and goatskins being destitute, afflicted,
tormented:
Surely, they must
have seen as the substance, what they believed, so all afflictions
seemed to them nothing!
“Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence 0f things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.”
(Hebrews
11:1-2)
“For whatsoever is
born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh
the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”(1
John
5:4-5)
3. What is our
faith? What became the substance of our faith? Do we overcometh the
world? Listen to the apostles!
“When Christ, who
is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also with him in glory.”(Col.
3:4)
“And if children,
then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be
that we
suffer with him,
that we may be also glorified together.”(Romans
8:17)
“If we suffer, we
shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny
us.”(2
Tim
2:12)
“And the peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.”(Phil
4:7)
“....I should preach
among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”(Eph
3:8)
“Thanks be unto God
for his unspeakable gift.”(2
Cor.
9:15)
“Whom having not
seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing,
ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”(1
Peter
1:8)
“How that he was
caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words.....(2
Cor.
12:4)
“And the world
passeth away, and
the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever.”(1
John
2:17)
4. We must have
accurate knowledge of what we believe and hope!
“Who will have all
men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
(1
Tim.
2:4)
“Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
(2
Tim
2:15)
5. Messages given
unto me:
1) Do I overcome
the world?
2) Or, the world is
overcoming me?
3) If so, What is
the problem? Words of God may be wrong?
Or
myself?
4) Have I been studying
the word of truth
since I was saved?
Meditate why our Lord commended us to study!
October 07, 2001
Meditation
Main Scripture: Romans13: 11-14
Subject: Put on the Armour of light
1. Main verse:
“The
night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the
works of darkness, and let us put on the Armour of light.”
(V12)
2. Study for main text:
1) Our world is just like a night:
Dividing past 2,000 years with four, we’re
living at the moment of sunrise in the fourth watch of the night
(3-6).
“Behold,
bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand
in the house of the LORD.”(Psalms
134: 1)
“Awake
thou that sleepiest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give
thee light.”(Ephesians
5:14)
2) The time when we’re
delivered from the sinful world, is like the morning of sunrise:
Jesus Christ is the Sun of righteousness!
“But
unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with
healing in his wings.”(Mal4:
2a)
“And
in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them.”(Matt14:
25)
“And
at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye
out meet him.”(Matt25:
6)
3) Darkness cannot see the light:
(1) We must cast off the works of darkness, and
walk honestly: All shameful behaviors, and all kinds of unbelief from
not hoping Jesus Christ to come, that is the light of the world.
(2) We’re
not belong to the darkness:
“But
ye, brethren, are not in the darkness, that that day should overtake
you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of the light, and the
children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be
sober. (1thes4: 4-6)
(2) We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ:
“Wherefore
take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of the peace; Above all,
taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with
all prayer and supplication in the Spirit....”(Eph.
6:13-18)
3. Messages given unto us today:
1) Am I awaken? Or still sleeping? Or in deep
sleep yet? May be I don’t
know it either?
2) Am I ready to see the Lord, the Sun of
righteousness?
3) Am I equipped with truth?
4) Is my breast (heart) preserved righteous
always?
“If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1John1:
9)
5) What is the brand name of my shoes? Is it the
same brand as worldly people? Or the one made in heaven, giving peace
all the people?
6) Do I overcome the world (fiery darts of
devil) with faith in the words of truth?
“For
whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory
that overcomes the world, even our faith.”(1John5:
4)
7) Am I resisting devil, proclaiming the Lord,
my Deliverer?
“Resist
the devil, and he will flee from you.”(James4:
7b)
8)The sword of the Spirit, which I hold, is
enough to pierce the devil?
9) Do I kneel down always in the Spirit for
prayer and supplication according to the will of God?
09-19-01
Bible Study
Meditation: Psalms 98:1-9
Main
scripture: John 7:37-39
Subject:
The Power of the Christian life
1.Main
scripture;
“He that
believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall
flow rivers of living water (but this spoke he of the Spirit, which
they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not
yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified).
2.The
promise of the Spirit and its power;
1) The
blessing unto Abraham (No curse)
“Christ
hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:
it is written, Cursed is every one that hang on a tree; That the
blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ;
that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”(Gal.3:
13-14)
2)
Seal of salvation (Eternal life);
“ In
whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Sprit
of promise.”(Eph. 1:13)
3) The
power of living in the kingdom of God;
“For the
kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but the righteousness, and
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Let us follow after the things serve
Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”(Romans14; 17-18)
4) The
power of casting out devils;
“But if
I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is
come unto you.”(Matt12: 28)
5) The
power of quickening Dead Sea and fishes in the future;
“Then
said he unto me, Waters issue out toward the east country, and go down
into the desert, and go into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And
it shall come to pass, that every thing that live, which move, which
so ever the rivers shall come, shall live; and there shall be a very
multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they
shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river
cometh.”(Ezekiel47: 8-9)
6) The
power of resurrection (Christ was raised by that power from the dead);
“And
what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of
His
mighty power, which is wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the
dead, “(Eph.1: 19-20)
7) The
origin is from the throne of God;
“And he
showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding
out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”(Rev. 22: 1)
3.The life
in the power of the Spirit;
1) The
life of bearing fruit of the Spirit;
“For ye
were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as
children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and
righteousness and truth;)
Proving
what is acceptable unto the Lord.”(Eph.5: 8-10)
2) The
life of serving the body of Christ with the gifts of the Spirit;
“But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal.”(1Cor.12: 7
3) The
life of hope, not ashamed at all;
“And
hope make not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”(Romans5: 5)
(1Cor.13)
“And be
not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks
always all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ.”(Eph.5: 18-20)
4)
Victorious life in the spiritual warfare;
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might. Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of devil take the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God.”(Eph.6: 10,11,17)
4.Messages
given unto us:
1) Live
a bountiful life instead of only hoping for the salvation of soul.
2)
Live the life of quickening the dead spirit and souls in the world
through the living water within us.
3)
Live the life of serving other saints through the fruit and gifts of
the Spirit, and abiding in grace.
4)
Live a victorious life in spiritual warfare through the power of the
Spirit within us.
