2 Timothy 2:19; Truth, Turn From Evil

But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The LORD knows those who are His," and "All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil." 2 Timothy 2:19 NLT

Faith, Hearing, Maturity, Priests

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you. "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? "But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'? "He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"  Luke 17:5-10 NASB

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17 NASB

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Galatians 3:2 NASB

So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Galatians 3:5 NASB

And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.  Hebrews 5:9-14 NASB

Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,  Hebrews 6:1 NASB

And this we will do, if God permits.  Hebrews 6:3 NASB

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,  Hebrews 6:4-5 NASB

But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.  Hebrews 6:9 NASB

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  Hebrews 6:11-12 NASB

And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.  Hebrews 6:15 NASB

In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.  Hebrews 6:17-20 NASB

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That Which Is Right...

That's what God said today when I asked him some questions.

The first time this is used is in Exodus 15:26.

"After the Israelites left the Red Sea, Moses led them through the Shur Desert for three days, before finding water. They did find water at Marah, but it was bitter, which is how that place got its name. The people complained and said, "Moses, what are we going to drink?" Moses asked the LORD for help, and the LORD told him to throw a piece of wood into the water. Moses did so, and the water became fit to drink. At Marah the LORD tested his people and also gave them some laws and teachings. Then he said, "I am the LORD your God, and I cure your diseases. If you obey me by doing right and by following my laws and teachings, I won't punish you with the diseases I sent on the Egyptians." Later the Israelites came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees. So they camped there. " - Exodus 15:22-27 CEV

There was a need: without water, you WILL die.
Water was provided, but it needed intervention.
They were tested, then they got laws and teaching.

It is not just WHO WE ARE, it is also WHAT WE DO.

You must diligently obey the commands of the LORD your God--all the laws and decrees He has given you. Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so all will go well with you. Then you will enter and occupy the good land that the LORD swore to give your ancestors. You will drive out all the enemies living in the land, just as the LORD said you would. "In the future your children will ask you, 'What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the LORD our God has commanded us to obey?' "Then you must tell them, 'We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with His strong hand. The LORD did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. He brought us out of Egypt so He could give us this land He had sworn to give our ancestors. And the LORD our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear Him so He can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as He has done to this day. For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the LORD our God has given us.'  - Deuteronomy 6:17-25

Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the LORD your God. "When the LORD your God goes ahead of you and destroys the nations and you drive them out and live in their land, do not fall into the trap of following their customs and worshiping their gods. Do not inquire about their gods, saying, 'How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example.' You must not worship the LORD your God the way the other nations worship their gods, for they perform for their gods every detestable act that the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods. "So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them.  - Deuteronomy 12:28-32

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Luke 4:24-28 - Sent

 "But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in His own hometown. Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner--a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian." When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Luke 4:24-28 (NLT)



My buddy Rich has been trying to tell me this for months. Then Pastor Brown brought this as his text this morning.

All that power we have in Jesus' name, yet we are not always to use it. Sometimes the recipient is not willing to receive...

... and how sad that is!

but He passed right through the crowd and went on His way.  Luke 4:30 (NLT)


I have experienced this too! I didn't even realize it, but I walked right through the middle of them as I left. That scripture came alive for me that day!

John 3:7 - Jesus and I Agree

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 (NASB)

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
John 8:36 (NLT)

"I tell you the truth, those who listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
John 5:24 (NLT)

Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
John 6:68 (NLT)

Does not My word burn like fire?" says the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
Jeremiah 23:29 (NLT)

It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow.
1 Corinthians 3:7 (NLT)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the One to whom we are accountable.
Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT)

Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved.
John 5:34 (NLT)

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God."
John 3:3 (NLT)

So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.' 
John 3:7 (NLT)

Deuteronomy 28:1-8 - Blessing Deluge

Aren't we strange and complicated creatures?

God sends us a blessing, and instead of being joyful and giving thanks, we act like we're afraid of it!

"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." Deuteronomy 28:1-8 (KJV)

God wants us to be obedient. 

God will bless us.

It is actually quite simple, don't you think?

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Galatians 1:12 - Revelation

"I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ."  Galatians 1:12 (NLT)


I think this is where we are going wrong today- nobody is getting anything revealed to them by Jesus Christ.

"Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did."  1 John 2:6 (NLT)

Hmm, Jesus had the clothes on His back and no luxuries. No car, no house, and nowhere to sleep at night. He did have signs following: healing, devils cast out, and other mighty miracles.

"...for the Holy One has given you His Spirit, and all of you know the truth."  1 John 2:20 (NLT)

"I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what He teaches is true--it is not a lie. So just as He has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ." 1 John 2:26-27 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit will teach us everything we need to know.

"But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative--that is, the Holy Spirit--He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I [Jesus Christ] have told you."  John 14:26 (NLT)


"When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future."  John 16:13 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit will teach us everything and guide us into ALL truth.

It not about books and getting a bunch of teachers lined up, it's about submitting to God and letting Him do what He said He would do.

That just seems so simple, but why is nobody getting it?

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1 Thessalonians 1:5 - Where's The Power?

"for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."  1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NASB)

Not just in word. Really?

Power???

The Holy Spirit AND full conviction???

Really?

So where exactly is this at?

I'm not seeing it here locally; how about you?

"For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power."  1 Corinthians 4:20 (NASB)

Hmm...

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