Who Said That? - Loyal Evangelical Church, Loyal OK

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." ~Jesus Christ, in Matthew 28:18-20

Loyal, OK

Pastor Leon Seaton

Who Said That?

Many modern theologians would have us to believe that the days of miracles are gone; that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were only for the apostles. However, that is not what the Bible says. The book of Acts does not have a concluding statement. Many believe that Acts is an introduction into what God wants to do through the Church during the church age – and we live in the church age.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.

We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1 John 4:1-6

Jesus used words…

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:20-26

That day when evening came, He said to His disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."

Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, don't You care if we drown?"

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!" Mark 4:35-41

Peter and John used words:

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"

So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:1-10

It is imperative that we truly understand and use God’s word. When we do this, God’s word will give us power with God and man. The world wants the Bible out of schools and government because they fear its message.

Psalm 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” If this is true for you, then you will be able to live the quiet, peaceable life that the scripture promises.

Psalm 119: 11 states, I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

The Lord commanded Joshua to meditate on the word of the Lord every day. His success was based on that obedience. Likewise, Deuteronomy 28 promises many, many blessings to those who will fully follow God's word.

An elderly man I will call George told me “I read through the Bible once and didn’t feel any smarter, so I never read it again.”

How can that be? Let me assure you, the Bible is not a novel; it is God’s instruction book for this life!

The “Beatitudes” are powerful teachings from the Lord. If you want to receive all of God’s blessings, here is how! After all, Proverbs 10:22 states, “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it.”

We used to say “Blessed” means “happy.” However, that is a very limited explanation, for happiness is an emotion that is often dependent upon outward circumstances.

“Blessed” indicates what God has done for you, is doing for you and will do for you. We are under God’s care! 1 Timothy 6:17 states, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

If you only focus on the message to the rich, you miss an important part of that scripture: “Provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Think about that! That excludes sickness and poverty and suffocating debt!

Matthew 5:1-10 lists the attributes necessary to receive the full blessings of the Lord:

Poor in Spirit –acknowledging total dependence upon God; not self-sufficient.
Those who mourn – personal and corporate sin
The meek – Our attitude toward God, not toward other people. Loving and serving God; not arrogant towards others. Inherit the earth – now and the future (Revelation 21:1).
Hunger and thirst for righteousness – this is a deep longing for personal righteousness/justice for all.
Pure in Heart – personal purity. It’s the “no spin zone” or the “no excuses manner of living.”
The Peacemakers – we promote peace. It isn’t what we are against, but what we are for that really matters. 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 explains this.
The persecuted – If we whine when we are persecuted we just kissed God’s best blessings goodbye! Instead we are to rejoice and be glad!

1 Peter 1:13-25 teaches us to be holy. We won’t read that now, due to lack of time, but take a few minutes to review it soon. During this Advent season let’s compare our lives with Peter’s standard (through the Holy Spirit).

Prepared for action

Self-controlled

Hope is based on God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

Obedient children, not conforming to our fleshly (natural) desires.

Be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

Love one another deeply, from the heart.

Do that, my friend, and you will be successful! That is what Jesus did. He was very involved in life. He loved others. He changed the world forever… but He always related to God the Father and He was always obedient to the Holy Spirit. We may not be that successful, but that is our desire!

December 7, 2008