Bible Way Church

I think of all the writers, that Solomon had the most to say about being conceited, whether he was talking from lessons he learned like in Ecclesiastes about all being vanity. He made lot's of statements about be wise in your own conceits which is astounding given he was given wisdom as a gift from God, but seems as it was earthly cause he even caused the dividing of the tribes and his alliances by marriage's was his his downfall into pagan idolatry, Built pagan shrines, raised taxes, it seems it was cause everything was about him and not denying himself any pleasures.

As the world moves closer to the end times, it is as Paul told Timothy that it would be perilous times with men lovers of themselves. covetous, lovers of pleasure more than God. We have to examine the Book of Daniel as The Book of Revelation, in more of spiritual sense than the physical because we are fighting spiritual wickedness, powers and principalities.

We have to be careful to critically analyze our thoughts, motives, intents and action throughout the day. It is in exercising the word of God to bring every thought into captivity, realizing how wicked and sin bound the old man rally is, putting it to death not allowing ourselves to yield to obey its sinful pulls of the old human nature. It is hedonistic, narcissistic in everyway through the strongholds that Satan has on us.

Self-control, being a fruit of the Spirit and a gift of the Spirit, allows the individual to be part of the process of working out their own salvation. We must, by being a doer of the word of God, begin to put the self to death, by denying it of its fleshly pleasures that control us. We must begin to mortify the members of our body, bring them under our control, being led by the spirit of God, taking up our cross and following Jesus.

We have to learn to subject the body to Jesus, or it will have us serving the desires, passions, emotions, pleasure, and the material world. It never goes away; it forms the old man. When born again, we get a new nature that struggles against this old carnal nature. It has to be brought under consisently, we need to be aware of it.

These are characteristics (fruit), and gifts that can be seem maturing in the believers lives, as they increase in faith and being doer's of God's Word. They are fertized by so many differing processes in the regeneration on the New Man, but requires dying to Self, self-denial being led by the spirit of God. It is one of those that's both a fruit and gift, that God gives through His grace by faith.

What of the processes that the Spirit undertakes in the New believer is developing the fruit of self-control (temperance) and bridges it as a gift of the Spirit, which the believer operates by being a doer of God's word. In denying self, putting to death the old man, mortifying the members of his body actually taking up his cross to follow after Jesus, causes a fruit growing process that consistenly matures over time.

We derived a mind(conscience) contrary to God, by willful subjection of Adam to transgressing God in willful disobedience, which made us self-centered, self-pleasurers, selfish all the attributes and character of our father the devil. God had to redeem some, being born again by faith into Jesus (the Second Man), who was made a quickening spirit, that would regenerate us transforming our mind, being conformed to His image by the obedience of faith to His word.

 Sir Walter Scott put it this way, "O what a tangled web we weave / When first we practice to deceive." Some just enter into Church's not actually hungering for God, desiring change in our lives, many began to profess or confess something they don't really haveA BornAgian Experience with the Lord. in which they deceive themselvwes and try to deceive others that they are now children of God, which is a really serious offense, believeing a Lie, never being convered

It lead Adam and Eve away from God , the Paradise they once called home, it was self-deception and until this day remains the biggest obstacle to eternal life that is self-deception. We convince ourselves everything is alright, and causes us to trust or have confidence in the imaginations of our own my or creation. It is a pipe dream which says we can live according to our own dictates.

In being born again it is primary that we seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, without seeking stuff. Our Father know what we have need of, as we seek Him and The Kingdom He says" All these things will be added unto you." We must by faith help to establish the Law, which will help us in our ruling and reigning with Him.

This is one of the hardest lessons to get into the body of the Church, because there's so much erroneous teaching from the many false teachers and so-called Prophets. As Paul had to deal with the "Super Apostles" of his day, we have to bring a message of death to self to a people who are influenced by self-ambition, self-pleasure, the most covetous (idolatrous) generation in history, those of the perilous times that where to come.

Self- denial, death to self a litany of things are necessary as Jesus teaches us to deny our selves and take up our cross if we want to become His disciples. As the Apostle Paul puts it, we must die daily, keep putting the old man to death is the only way to dethrone him with his selfish pride. Submit ourselves to God, humble ourselves under His hand.

As Daniel prophesies the Kingdom being given to the Messiah (Son of Man), and Him turning it over to the saints of the most High to rule and reign with Him, we see the re-establishing of the earth to fulfill His purpose bringing about the Kingdom of God, with His will being done here on earth. The Saints of God being given the power of loosening and binding.

To those of us looking for the coming Kingdom of God, we're preparing for it by obeying the Gospel, continuing to trim our lamps be ready for the calling out of the bride Groom, knowing that it says in His Word that the bride has made herself ready (Re. 19:7-8). We have to through obedience to the faith, have washed our selves in the blood of the Lamb, that we may have on dazzling white garments.

The establishment of the Kingdom upon the earth will not have a line of demarcation to the unbelievers who are looking for a sign. Jesus tells us that it comes without observation, but to His followers walking by faith will understand the signs of the times (Epoch). We must be born again to yoke up with Jesus and learn of Him, study to show our selves approved (2 Ti. 2:19).

We are dealing with the Prophecy in chapter 7 of Daniel, which should help us dispel the teaching that in the last days, He's talking about Israel only but the Church. This is where He says the true worshippers of God worship in Spirit and truth. That it would not be just from Jerusalem but wherever they worshipped in Spirit and Truth, and that the mountain of God (The Lord's house) would be in the whole earth, That people would flow in to learn of Him.

God's people throughout scripture has been warned and admonish about the treatment they would receive at the hands of the world He was leaving, to represent Him in (Luke 23:31;Matthew 10:24-26).If they treated Him in a reprehensible way they would do it unto us. We will also be partakers of His sufferings if we are to be partakers of His eternal life.

In the Book of Daniel when it speaks of the wearing out of the Saints, puts me in remembrance of two new Testament passages, about the unjust judge who aid "this woman weary me with her continual coming", and Peter saying "righteous Lot's was vexed by the inhabitants of Sodom. We in this world are being wore down by it's culture and the social injustices, wickedness and the spiritual darkness continual seemingly winning.

We have to be born again, so we will not be viewing the world from the under the sun perspective as Solomon was. We need to realize that spiritually God is achieving something in our lives strengthening our faith that we be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. The world system is continually wearing out the saints of the Most High.

We have to understand that this continued assault on the saints of God, has to be shorten or no flesh would be saved. It seems as though many are growing apathetic, conceding to a pessimistic attitudes, being worn down cause its seems as though evil is winning, but this comes from a lack of assembling together lifting up the Word of Truth.

Most children has it built in them, to know or learn about their parents, to have a healthy relationship with them trying to please them in everyway. The same is true of us after being born again, we seek to learn about the Father who has adopted us into His family, and the things we can do to please Him. It's only after seeking Him with our whole heart are the treasures of the relationship fully revealed to us, to where we can readily access them.

When we are needing direction their a wonderful counselor that will guide us through the paths of light before we turn to the left or right. His advice leads to blessing, life eternal neither lets you down, won't forsake you that is always present. We have to have someone to get advice from on which way, what decision to make, how to treat each other during our course through this life day by day till those principles, His precepts are formed in us. Till we come to posse that same mind that is in Christ Jesus.

In seeking God through direct contact with His word, prayer and meditating in and on His word daily, we will draw nigh to Him, and He to us. By us mimicking Him, we began thinking His thoughts after Him, desiring those things in which He desires, loving what He loves, hating what He hates. Remember that David was a man after God's heart, seeking to please Him.

we have to learn how to approach God, just as it is with people in the world. The attitude in which we petition (plead), or supplicate our request to God also determines our receiving, not as the Pharisee who prayed to himself about how deserving he was and all his accomplishments (works) instead of humble dependence on God did not receive and answer from God because he really didn't ask for anything.

Understanding the prayers disposition to his Sovereign, submission to His rule and fighting his battle. There's a conversation going around now about not carrying out illegal orders which brings to mind Peter saying man ought to obey God rather than man. Because Satan has infiltrated the Church his ministers have been translated into angels of light preaching another Jesus.

When we genuinely repent, we begin to receive directions from the word of God, which puts us in communication which the Sovereign God of who created the earth, the whole world and all that exist. This places us under His governing of our lives. Jesus died to remove the veil which prevented us from going boldly, directly to the throne of grace. Now as children of God we are told to access the Father in the name of Jesus, which whatever we ask the father will do.

True genuine repentance carries a humbling of ones self, which is the denying of self, picking up your cross, that is of your own volition, putting the old man to death. It's one losing his life to save it. We are to mortify the flesh, by not yielding to the lust or making provisions for it to obey its carnal pulls. It takes submission to God, resisting the devil (self, the old man) for to be carnally minded is death. It takes an attitude of humility not thinking more highly of ones self, than you should.

It may not be a total way of knowing, but the old say "You can tell a tree by the fruit it bears", is a good indicator or should I say a indicator of some Christians, or professing Christians. There should be some transition away from their old behaviors and conduct, the crowds or their interest they follow.

If we study the New Testament we see that the command to repentance runs throughout it. It must be a repentance where we turn to God, submitting ourselves fully to Him. He will allow all sorts of things, or situations and circumstances to bring this about, which is part of our being brought to see that He does everything, which granting repentance is one of the gifts we receive from Him.

This statement began to be made by John the Baptist to the Pharisees attending his baptisms and has been echoed through the time to follow. The Christian has to be proactive in his life, to have actions that displace his old life, with the new creation of being Sons of God. We can't continued as we once walked, but have to deny ourselves taking up our cross to follow Jesus, continuing in His word to be His disciples.

This statement began to be made by John the Baptist to the Pharisees attending his baptisms and has been echoed through the time to follow. The Christian has to be proactive in his life, to have actions that displace his old life, with the new creation of being Sons of God. We can't continued as we once walked, but have to deny ourselves taking up our cross to follow Jesus, continuing in His word to be His disciples.

It's a impossible task for one that is carnal to put themselves under submission to God, one has to be born again, because there will be constant warfare because of the enmity God place against the flesh, that it could not be subject to the law of God. One has to be born again to start a regeneration internally to start the struggle that the mind has to wage against the flesh

We are to humble ourselves in submission to God, in His rule and authority over our lives being obedient through faith in Jesus Christ, fully dependent on Him supplying all our needs, protection, wisdom and understanding.

As we turn to God in repentance He restores us to Sonship making us joint heirs with Christ inheritors of the Kingdom "now are we the Sons (Daughters) of God" there is neither male or female in Him. we can eat freely of the bread of Life, for He says take eat this is my body given for you, man shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God .

We see theirs conditions that attaches to us entering into the Kingdom of God. It's not something you just join on your own accord, still living as you please. We must first of all hear the preaching of the Gospel which contains the invitation to join, which has to by faith fall on fertile ground to germinate to produce the right crop.

We see this stone that smote the image began to establish His own Kingdom by the Zeal of the Lord, which shall never be destroyed, or passed to others.

It is said that man's heart is a idol factory, and that it's in our nature to worship, but what has happened is that man is fallen from the true worship, thus the propensity to love darkness rather than light, but God had chosen a people t redeem unto Himself and save. These He saved, he would commission them to be instruments whereby He would reconcile the world unto Himself.

We have to realize that we've been operating under a cursed earth, that came about because of our disobedience to God through Adam. The way of reversal of the curse is through obedience to the Gospel that Jesus brought, when He redeemed us through His blood, the obedience to faith of those that believe upon Him, His truth sets us free.

Throughout the New Testament where the Gospel is preached we already have Eternal life, give to us by God's grace through faith if we believe. It's something we don't have to work for, but we can exchange it for a lie, or the deception of the devil through the many antichrist that are in the world.

The Apostolic doctrine is how we judge any and all other teachings or instructions. Jesus said I've given them the truth, sanctify them by your word. In the 17 chapter of John He emphasized he prayed for those whom He had given His word to. It's foundational to the true preached Gospel, it is able to make you wise unto salvation. The word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

The most distinguishing aspect of the antichrist is it's doctrines, those of devils. We must learn and now the word of God because the famine to come will be in the instructions spoken by the beast and his adherents, which will be heretical teachings. The words of their mouths betray them, is why we must study to show ourselves approved rightly dividing the word of truth, because they will wrest the words of God to their own destruction.

We need to understand when it is said there are many antichrist, that this is a spirit (spirit of this age, seducing spirit, lying spirit) that starts to influence the people within the Church ranks. No wonder Jesus said to it unless you repent I shall fight against it.

We exam the spirit behind the "little horn" in the seven chapter of Daniel, which is the Spirit of Antichrist. It's not so much as a man but travels through the ages as the Spirit of the age, because of it's changing nature, unlike The True Holy Spirit (The Godhead), which is unchangeable.

As Amos speaks of the times they are living in, just how evil and unjust it was, it would be prudent to keep silent. He's not being hypocritical by him continuing to preach because it is given to some to be spokesmen during such times, but as we are witnessing now , it could mean loss of income, physical violence against ones person, a cause of division or in some cases even death.

In studying the Parable of the Five wis and Five foolish virgins seems as though all where in the Church but only five (5) where saved, due to a lack of a relationship with The Bridegroom. We have to continue to be filled with the Spirit which oil here is a symbol of. Wisdom helps develop prudence in everyday living, its' a attribute that is developed, but wisdom comes from asking God for it.

Prudence is something that denotes a great deal about God's children because it does not come in a vacuum but by real world experiences of our interacting with it through God's word and leading of His spirit. It develops over time, as we see with all the wisdom of Solomon we see at times where he lacked prudence.

I want to finish talking about the fellowship of Christ suffering in which the believer is enjoined to be a partaker of. But just as Jude had to address a pressing issue of the times, I want also to remind you Amos said we're living in a evil time, and that the prudent will keep silent.