Podcasts about barnabus

Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the feast of St. Barnabus and his cameo in the book of Acts. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419152-sinner-saint The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1  More from the hosts: Dan van Voorhis SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac CONTACT: CHA@1517.org SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Overcast Google Play FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (outerrimterritories.com).

Morning lessons: Psalm 103; Acts 4:32-37; Luke 22:54-71.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.

Evening lessons: Psalms 104; Ezekiel 16; Acts 13:13-43.  Praise the Lord, O my soul.  O Lord, my God, you have become exceedingly glorious; you are clothed with majesty and honor.

Barnabus, unity and charity, and opening doors. Father David Boettner delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

Paul and Barnabus are having a successful mission trip, but that makes some people unhappy.#Bible #study #Chronlogical #Jesus #Acts #Apostles #Paul #Evangelismemail: attbpodcast@theadventure.orgLike us on Facebook: fb.me/adventurethroughthebiblePhoto by Stenbakken MediaEpic Dramatic Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mother in the Wild reads "The Barnabus Project" by The Fan Brothers.You can support us and the author by purchasing your very own copy here: https://amzn.to/3Gn4eQ5As Amazon Influencers we are eligible to earn on qualifying orders.Become a Premium Monthly Subscriber to get* a 20% discount on Requests + Dedications *OPT-IN for EMAILS!* have your child greeted in the other episodes we publish* be invited to attend a monthly livestream Storytime on zoom with Mother in the Wild *OPT-IN for EMAILS! (These have been such beautiful, connective events…a wonderful way for listeners to meet us one-one-one!) Your support means the WORLD to us!)Click on the link below being sure to "opt-in" for emails so we can contact you to learn your children's names, offer you the discount code + send you the zoom link.https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mother-in-the-wild/subscribeWe appreciate you so much!

Pastor Nik takes us through Acts 14, looking at Paul and Barnabus and the signs and sacrifices that accompanied their proclamation of the Gospel at Lystra. A question for us as we examine this text: what does it mean to live the Gospel?

We journey with Paul and Barnabus on their missionary travels.  Acts 11-14 with Tom Ward.

We will talk about Barnabus and how we can learn from him to continue our series.

Barnabus and Paul are on a missionary journey together, traveling through towns in the Roman empire to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. They have just left Antioch of Pisidia where they preached Christ in a Jewish synagogue, and while many of the people received them warmly, the Jewish community at large was displeased and expelled them from their district. Today, Barnabus and Paul visit Iconium where the Lord performs signs and wonders through them. When they discover some have plans to stone them, they flee to Lystra. There, a man who is unable stand is healed, and the crowds declare our missionaries to be Greek gods in human form. Jews come from the previous two towns and successfully stone Paul, but escapes death and continues preaching the gospel. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Barnabus and Saul are about to be set apart for the work of spreading the gospel to other lands. If you've ever ventured into the back of your printed Bible you're likely to find a map of Paul's first missionary journey. That journey begins today. Saul is first called Paul in today's chapter, and is referred to by that name from here on. Sent by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabus travel to varying cities proclaiming the gospel in Jewish synagogues. At Paphos, they witness to the proconsul, but a Jewish false-prophet who works for the proconsul tries to dissuade him from believing their message. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul rebukes him and the man is miraculously blinded. Our episode concludes midway through one of Paul's sermons to fellow Israelites in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch.  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

We'll have disagreements and conflicts from time to time. Whether it's with our spouse, coworker or someone in the church. And sometimes it can even get rather heated! Today on Abounding Grace we'll observe a disagreement between Paul and Barnabus. They had a much different perspective on the way things should go, and you'll no doubt be able to relate on some level! Pastor Ed Taylor will point out that sometimes it's best to just depart as friends, like they did. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/302/29

We've all had our fair share of disagreements with others, and sometimes it can even lead to a parting of the ways like it did for a couple of guys we'll meet up with today on Abounding Grace. Pastor Ed Taylor has a look into a particular disagreement found in Acts chapter fifteen. It's between Paul and Barnabus, concerning John Mark. Pastor Ed will relate all of this to the conflicts we so often have, even among Christians. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/302/29

In contrast to Barnabus' devotion to the Apostolic community, Ananias and Sapphira try to be deceptive and end up in a bad place. We should always be honest with what Yahweh has entrusted us with. Our vows should be upheld in fear and reverence.

What was the purpose behind the communal living of the early Messianic sect? When a person is fully dedicated to following Yeshua they realize that so much in this world ultimately just does not matter that much.

At the end of the Gospel of Matthew we read the charge from Jesus, that we call the Great Commission. And part of it involves making disciples! But what does that look like practically speaking? We're about to find out as we open Acts chapter twelve verse twenty-five on Abounding Grace. Pastor Ed Taylor will provide a great example of someone who was used in the discipleship process. His name is Barnabus. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/302/29

Maybe you've noticed, God loves to setup teams to accomplish the ministry He calls us to. And very often the people teaming up in the ministry couldn't be more different! Take Saul and Barnabus for example. We'll see them serving together as a team today, and they were different, but that's ok! The Lord wanted it that way. Today on Abounding Grace we'll be encouraged to get involved in the work of the Lord, as we take you back to Acts chapter eleven, verses 19-30. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/302/29

Maybe you've noticed, God loves to setup teams to accomplish the ministry He calls us to. And very often the people teaming up in the ministry couldn't be more different! Take Saul and Barnabus for example. We'll see them serving together as a team today, and they were different, but that's ok! The Lord wanted it that way. Today on Abounding Grace we'll be encouraged to get involved in the work of the Lord, as we take you back to Acts chapter eleven, verses 19-30. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/302/29

Marcy catches up with her uncle, who enlightens her Make sure to rate and review us on iTunes and then reach out on Twitter or to our email to get an NPC named in Carrefour! Check out our new website: QMtabletop.com and the new Delta Green Podcast Directory https://twitter.com/QMoftheTableTop https://www.instagram.com/quartermastersofthetabletop/ https://www.tiktok.com/@qmottt https://youtube.com/@QuartermastersoftheTabletop https://linktr.ee/qmottt Chaos Springs Eternal Season One: City of Woe is set in Carrefour Louisiana and follows the members of the Phantom Phinders, a public access ghost hunting TV show as they explore the strange and weird happenings. We use the Delta Green TTRPG rules. Warning: The podcast does contain violent themes and explicit language as well as potential mental hazards. Nyarlathotep reigns. Imla ìbaz ehccema iam Lehpar. intro/outro music is: Cocytus by Pawns or Kings background music is from Hideous Hiss (https://www.youtube.com/@hideoushiss) Published by arrangement with the Delta Green Partnership. The intellectual property known as Delta Green is a trademark and copyright owned by the Delta Green Partnership, who has licensed its use here. The contents of this podcast are ©Chaos Springs Eternal excepting those elements that are components of the Delta Green intellectual property.

Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines Acts 16:1-15

Barnabus and Saul/Paul Sent Out

Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines Acts 15:12-21

In this Ep, we are continuing our series talking about what Everyone needs Paul, Peter and Barnabus type of relationship in their lives while walking with Christ.

Join us as Pastor Adam Vinson leads us through Application Sunday as we review the past 5 weeks of Acts. Notes can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fyF5h2N_mEq690vTmU3nX1pF3D9shKUB/view

Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines Acts 14:14-28

Send us a textToday we discuss some more of Paul and Barnabus missionary journeys.Check us out atgraceintheshadowsor.orgdrjonathan@graceintheshadowsor.org(251) 244-4645*If you are searching for a clinical counselor and you live in Alabama, Virginia, or North Carolina, Dr. Jonathan Behler would be happy to see you as a client! He does all counseling virtually through a secure portal. He will also work with you on payments - don't let finances keep you from getting counseling!If you live out of the US or not in Alabama, Virginia, or North Carolina, Dr. Jonathan Behler is an ordained minister and trained in pastoral counseling. If you are seeking pastoral counseling, please reach out as well!Support the show

Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines Acts 13:25-37

Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines Acts 13:13-24

This teaching is on Acts 14:8-22, “Incident in Lystra,” and is an account on idol worshipers. We are living in a time of great idolatry and how do we as followers of Jesus respond, react, and live? In today's story, Paul is teaching about Jesus in the town square of Lystra and sees a man lame from birth, but Paul also sees the man has great faith and Paul says, “Stand Up and Walk” and the man is healed. While this story is nearly 2,000 years old, God has not changed and God still moves in remarkable ways. So let's take note of the following OBSERVATIONS FROM THE STORY: 1. The Power of the Messiah - the power of faith in Jesus. We see the testimony that All Authority has been given to Jesus the Messiah and in His name this man was healed and God still heals today. 2. Inherently Religious Nature - human beings are inherently religious, longing for a power higher than themselves, a need. People find something to worship in their lives because we need purpose. We look for meaning for our lives in someone, something or in ourselves - a need to find something for our focus. 3. Created to Worship - We long for things greater than ourselves or things that matter most in our lives. People worship many deities today - we think we've outgrown idols, but we worship what those very idols of old represented: power, money, sports, sex, politics, living for things. How does a follower of Jesus respond to these, how do we deal with the pull of idolatry? Do we turn away? Engage? Do we demonstrate by our actions and words the power of God in our lives and do we worship Him alone? 4. Living God is Creator - at this time in history there is more evidence for the existence of our Creator than ever and that evidence points to the existence of God! Do we point people to the Living God, our Creator, and help them see we are created? This is a springboard to sharing the message of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus people are lost forever. 5. Gospel Proclamation - Paul was stoned and left for dead. He left Lystra and headed to Derba. However, he returned to Lystra to share the good news of Jesus because he had a passion to share Jesus and had compassion for the lost to know Jesus as their Savior. 6. Reality of Hardship - Paul and Barnabus knew there would be difficult times, but they held to the truth of God's assurance that He will take even the difficult times and turn them around for His glory and our good. It can be hard to be a follower of Jesus, but it is worth it. And this Lystra story continues in a later chapter of Acts... In Chapter 16 we meet Timothy - a man Paul meets on his return trip to Lystra. God uses, to His glory, all that Paul suffered in Lystra the first time, as we see Paul become a spiritual father to Timothy. We learn more about Timothy later in Acts. Today, many are blinded by idolatry and have lost sight of the Living God (who delivers us through Jesus His Son) so it's important for us to practice what we learn from early missionaries as we share Jesus and honor, worship and serve the Living God. https://www.awakeusnow.com Check out the video on our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/living-one Check out the video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOwUarSm3uJrzLI4thAJNXQj

As pastor takes a look at the word “Christian,” its definition, what it means for us and for the world today, we will see a blueprint God has laid out for believers not just in Antioch long ago but also for us today! The word “Christian” came about from non-believers in the city of Antioch. As persecution caused the Jewish believers in Jerusalem to seek other cities in which to live, many chose to move to Antioch. It was a welcoming city without persecution and the message of Jesus exploded. It was then that Barnabus was sent to encourage these new believers. Barnabus, led by the Holy Spirit, taught these new believers to HOLD FAST to... 1. God's grace - Barnabus shared the truth of what Jesus did on the cross. In our crazy world it's important for us to hold fast to God's grace too, and not allow the enemy to confuse us. 2. Solid instruction - Barnabus and Paul worked to impress the truths of the God onto the hearts of believers, instructing them on how to apply God's truths in their lives and in their hearts. They encouraged them to continue to mature in their faith and to live God-pleasing lives. In our culture, applying God's truths is becoming increasingly confused and corrupt, so it is vital that believers today understand what God desires and what He says, not what is culturally acceptable. Solid instruction and time in the Bible are key. 3. Christian = Disciple - It was here in Antioch that the word “Christian” was first used. It was used by non believers to describe those who wouldn't stop talking about Jesus. The literal translation is “Christ-ers.” Christian only appears 3 times in the Bible but Disciple, Jesus' favorite word for His followers, is mentioned over 200 times in the New Testament. “Followers of The Way (Jesus)” were referred to as Christians - Disciples. Being Jesus' disciple is what God still desires today. He does not want people to simply believe He exists - He wants individuals who willingly follow Him, know the Father, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, walk faithfully, and to seek to demonstrate what Jesus taught. 4. Prophetic gifts - God also desires that we use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of strengthening and encouraging and comforting others. God desires that we earnestly desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit that enable us to carry out the His work. 5. Holy Spirit - The Spirit of God gives insight to what the Lord desires - and the Holy Spirit helps us follow where God leads. What started in Jerusalem with Jews coming to know Jesus as their Messiah, spread to Antioch when persecution moved the “Followers of the Way” to this city. From there, Antioch became the hub of evangelism to the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. These believers relied on the Spirit of God and we too are to rely on the Holy Sprit, like them, to bring us: Understanding Conviction Comfort Guidance Insight Direction And to lead us to faith to win the world for Christ. The Hold Fast Antioch blueprint of Barnabus and Paul is still the blueprint God desires for us to use today. He says for us to Hold Fast to these truths: That we live in the Grace found at the cross. That we soak up solid instruction so that we might be filled with an understanding of God's will and His word. That as Disciples we talk about Jesus all the time and live for Jesus and follow Jesus. That we seek God's prophetic gifts so that we are able to share what God is revealing to the world. That we keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit. Scripture: Acts 11:19-26 and Acts 13:1-3 https://www.awakeusnow.com Check out the video on our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/living-one Check out the video on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOwUarSm3uJrzLI4thAJNXQj  

The story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 4:32-5:11) offends the modern reader, but it should help us to answer a timeless question: What is the fear of the Lord? Matthew 10:28--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --What is the fear of the Lord?I remember hearing this phrase as a kid and I thought it was a bad thingNot supposed to be afraid of God, are we? I was told that it's just talking about “respect”Respect God, like you respect a sweet old manGrampa GeneBut then I read verses like this:Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.(Gulp) This is not respecting a sweet old man!This is Jesus telling people to fear God. This is in opposition to someone who might say the fear of the Lord is just an Old Testament thing. I bring up this question because today we're covering Acts 4:32-5:11. It tells a terrifying story and then lands on this verse:Acts 5:11 (NLT) 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.That's a BAD thing, right? Wrong. It's a good thing, and that's what we're going to be talking about today. Before we read it, let me ask you a question:Do you take God too seriously or too lightly? (put it on a spectrum)I think 99% of today's Christians take him too lightlyhe is just a sweet old grandpa figureToday's story will hopefully swing the pendulum back a bitNow let's get to the text…The Scary StoryActs 4:32-35 (NLT) 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.Another general description of the early churchMore than that… it's a setup for the two stories to follow…Acts 4:36-37 (NLT) 36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.There are lots of cool nicknames: “Air Jordan”, “The Rock”, “Billy the Kid”, but how cool would it be to have the nickname “Son of Encouragement".” Now that's a guy I want to hang around. Do you have some encouragers in your life? This is almost certainly the same Barnabus who shows up three more times in Acts (9:26-7; 11:22-6; 15:37)A positive example of generosity in the early church(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Although only a field was sold, ownership of land...

Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines Acts 11:19-30

Pastor Chuck Swindoll explains how the Holy Spirit ignited and energized the early church, as Paul, Barnabus, and John Mark were drawn together as a team to lead the first missionary journey. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.lightsource.com/donate/1447/29

We use the word "Gospel" all the time in churches. So... what exactly is it? Listen in as McGregor, Suzanne, and Rex chat through the Gospel of scripture.We reference a lot of the Bible in this episode, so as promised, here is a list of verses:Matthew 4:17Mark 1:15Luke 4:43  John 3Acts 1:3Genesis 1-3Exodus 15, Exodus 1-24: God becomes king (first used in Exod 15:18) when (1) he confronts evil and (2) forms a redeemed people, (3) who are then invited to live under the king's reign in a covenant relationship.2 Samuel 7Psalms 2, 72, 93-100Isaiah (chs. 1-2, 9, 11, 52, 65-66), Daniel (chs. 2 and 7).The word “kingdom” refers to an activity (“God's reign” over a people: Daniel 4:3, 34), and then to a covenant people in a specific place (“God's kingdom” = God's people under his rule: Psalm 145:9-13).Acts 8:12 - Philip is preaching the Kingdom of God. Acts 19:8 - Paul & Barnabus are preaching the Kingdom of GodActs 20:25 - Paul is preaching the KingdomActs 28:23 - It's Concerning Jesus, from the Law/Prophets (OT Scriptures)Acts 28:31 - Summary of Paul's ministry - preaching the good news about the Kingdom.James 2:5 - receiving/inheriting the Kingdom as a result of the response to the Good News.2 Peter 1:11 - Entrance into the Kingdom is a result of trust and allegiance to Jesus - the same kind of trust and allegiance that the Apostles have.Revelation 11:15 - Heavenly messengers announce the good news of the arrival of New Creation - when God's Kingdom comes in its entirety.Revelation 12:10 - The Announcement of Victory over EvilActs 2:14-47 - Saving Story of Jesus, framed by the Hebrew Scriptures.Romans 1:1-6 - Saving Story of Jesus, framed by the story of Scripture1 Corinthians 15:1-28 (with a little discursive in the middle) - Saving Story of Jesus, framed by Scripture.

The Forgotten Four charge upon the volcanic forge to topple the king of the fire giants below the mountain. Gorgonbort realises his purpose and reconnects with his Chieftains Fury while Barnabus co-ordinates his kin in an all out assault to retake the pass.   CAST Gorgonbort the Buckler | Half-Orc Berserker Baron Barnabus | Goliath Champion Rengar the Moonlit | High Elven Gloomstalker Morven Orthronus | High Elven Evoker Wizard Aaron | Dungeon Master   SOCIALS Instagram: www.instagram.com/dndvaliantodysseypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/dndvaliantodyssey Merch Store: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/ValiantOdyssey Email: valiantodyssey@gmail.com   MUSIC CREDIT: ASKII Productions Kevin Macleod Epidemic Music Storyblocks

Whether it's at the office, in school, at home or even in church we'll face opposition and hardship. That's usually a sign we're on the right track. The enemy opposes the work of the Lord, and so if we're doing what God wants us to do we'll be opposed at some point in time. So how do we persevere? That's the question we'll present today on a Daily Walk. Today pastor John Randall continues our series through the book of Acts. In chapter fourteen we discover how to persevere in the midst of opposition just as Paul and Barnabus did in their missionary journey. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1368/29

Featuring the contention between Paul and Barnabus in Acts 15:36-41. Don't forget to check out our website! https://treasurehuntpodcast.wixsite.com/realtreasure --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/treasurehuntintheword/message

Sanctified From Wickedness (3)  (Audio)  Escaping Apostasy David Eells 5/12/24  Let's look at the letters to the seven churches since there's so much in them about the apostasy or falling away among God's people. I believe that the letters to the churches are also letters to certain kinds of Christians, which are symbolized by each church. Of course, I know that there's a prophetic value there, too (Revelation 1:3), but people should be able to recognize themselves in one of these churches. This is not a complete study of the Churches, but some very important things that we can take warning from.  Beginning in (Rev.2:1) To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: (2) I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles (People who fall away because of their pride and so forth, many of them are calling themselves prophets and apostles, but we need to test them. They need to have the signs of an apostle.), and they are not, and didst find them false; (3) and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name's sake, and hast not grown weary.   People do get tired when they don't keep their eyes on the Lord and His promises, which pick you up and give you courage and faith. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and the promises that He's made. Don't get worried or anxious, because the devil likes to wear you down and then, before you know it, you've fallen-away.   (Rev.2:4) But I have [this] against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love. Yes, a lot of people have started out really in love with Jesus and wanting to know all about Him, but it doesn't take long before they've been side-tracked by these false apostles or false pastors or false leaders. (5) Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works… The “first works” were wanting to know what it is to please the Lord. You wanted to know how to obey the Lord but you probably didn't read enough of the Book to find out what a church looked like, so you went to something that you thought was a church where, sadly, you were led astray and wasted a whole bunch of time. Go back! Go back and be obedient to the Lord as when you first entered into Christ, before you were led astray by these charlatans who told you that you didn't have to be obedient.   (Rev.2:5) Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick (The Greek word translated “candlestick” denotes “an oil-fed, portable lamp.”) out of its place, except thou repent. That's a falling-away. He is the One Who stands in the midst of the candlesticks. He is the One Who keeps your “oil-fed, portable lamp,” lit. You have to have fellowship with Him, and He is the Word. The best way to pray is when you read the Word. If you see something you like, then pray it. You can read the Word and pray at the same time. Whenever you run across something you know you need, or are lacking in, anywhere you see a promise, stop and pray. Stop, repent if you need to, and pray. Oh, thank you, Father, for pouring the oil of Your Spirit into the lamps of our portable tabernacles! Amen.   (Rev.2:6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. The Nicolaitans started out with a priestly order, like that of the Old Testament, where there is a priest between you and God, and that's what Catholicism started doing. There is a priest over the church and between you and God and so forth, and the Protestants picked it right up because their apple didn't fall far from the tree and now the pastor is the head of the church for them, too. But there's nothing more false in the whole Scriptures. That is the Nicolaitan error, which He said He hated, and that the church in Ephesus also hated.  (Rev.2:7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life… Between Adam and the “tree of life” there was the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Gen.2:16) And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Well, as we know, Adam failed that test and he had to be removed from the garden lest he eat of the “tree of life” (Gen 3:22-24). However, we who have been born-again, have the power to do something with the knowledge of good and evil. The natural man doesn't have that; we who are born from above have that.   (1Co.2:14) Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. Therefore, we are to study the knowledge of good and evil in the Scriptures, not necessarily what men say is good or evil, but according to what the Scriptures say. We are to study it and know it. (Rev.2:7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh (That's somebody who studied it; they know it, and they're obeying it.), to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.  (Rev.2:8) And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and [lived] again: (9) I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich)… Yes, they are rich in the ways of the Kingdom. (Jas.2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world [to be] rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? And, yes, they are beloved.   (9) I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. It's interesting that this is addressing the church, but he is speaking about the church error, in which there are Jews who claim to be Jews, yet they are not Jews according to the New Covenant, the New Testament. It's important to understand this. Unless you're born-again, you're not a member of the New Covenant, nor are you a Jew according to the New Testament. We're told, (Rom.2:28) For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: (29) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.   The Jews had a “letter” Covenant; it was according to the letter. The Christians have a spiritual Covenant; it is a spiritual fulfillment of the Old Testament type. We don't inherit their literal promises; we're not replacing them in a literal way. Their land is not our “land.” Our “land” is a spiritual land, as we were taught (John 17:14,16, John 18:36; 1 John 2:15). So if you're a member of the New Covenant, you have been circumcised in heart, which is having the “flesh” cut away from your heart.   When He says that they are a “synagogue of Satan,” it's obviously identifying physical Jews and He's telling the church that these people are not Jews. They're claiming to be Jews, but they are not. They are a synagogue of Satan. Why would they be a synagogue of Satan? It's because they're not born from above. If you're born from above (John 3:3), you're circumcised in heart. It doesn't matter if you're a physical Jew or a Gentile.  We can see this borne out again very well here. (Rom.9:25) As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people (That's because His original people were all physical Jews.); And her beloved, that was not beloved. (So He loves someone that is not a Jew and was not called “my people.”) (26) And it shall be, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people (This is the Gentiles.), There shall they be called sons of the living God. (27) And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved. He's talking about natural Israel there; only a remnant of natural Israel “shall be saved,” however, we know that “all Israel” shall be saved who is grafted into the “Olive Tree” (Rom 11:26).   (Rom.11:19) Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off (Those “branches” were natural Israel.), that I might be grafted in. (20) Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (21) for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. In other words, if you walk in unbelief concerning His Word, you also shall be cut-off. (22) Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (23) And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.   (24) For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural [branches], be grafted into their own olive tree? (25) For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;   (26) and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer;(Jesus in the Man-child reformers) He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (27) And this is my covenant unto them, When I shall take away their sins. So we should fear, lest we walk outside the bounds of God's Covenant, which is His Word to us. Many do, and they see no problem with that, whatsoever, but we know it to be extremely dangerous because we're going to be judged according to our works.   Going back to the church of Smyrna (Rev2:10) Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer… Yes, we will suffer, although many people falsely think we won't have to suffer. We will suffer, and that suffering, of course, is losing our life: It's the “old man” dying and the “new man” taking his place. Whatever we have to go through to lose our old life and gain our new life, it is necessary, and it is suffering. You have to suffer the loss of your carnal life and the carnal way of living. You need to remember that there's an important difference between those who are “sons” of God and those who are “children” of God. “Sons” of God follow the Spirit of God; “children” do not.   Christ is our example of suffering. (1Pet.4:1) Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh… He went to His Cross; His flesh was crucified. He said, (Mat.10:38) … he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. And also, (Luk.14:27) Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. That means we, too, must go to a spiritual cross of death to self. (2Co.4:16) Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. As you die, you live.   (1Pet.4:1) Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin… There is no law against somebody who has “ceased from sin”. Suffering in the flesh gives a person the fear of God and it's a proof that they're losing their life. A person losing their carnal life is not going to fall away. Suffering is the normal Christian life, and we should expect it to be that.   (2) that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. This is extremely important, because if we walk after the flesh, we must die (Rom 8:13). That's a falling-away, isn't it? How do we avoid the falling-away? The flesh has to die, because it will do nothing but try to subvert you the rest of your life. And according to this, we don't have to live the rest of our “time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” We have to live the crucified life. People grow very quickly once they realize that their cross is to deny themselves and follow Jesus. Most religion doesn't teach denying self, but then, people don't grow up in God through most religion, either. So we see that this must be done. It is a suffering, but it must be done.   (Rev.2:10) Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried… We know of somebody who was cast into prison to be a type and shadow for us, and that was Joseph (Gen 39:20), who came out of that prison to become the second ruler of the kingdom (Gen 41:40). He represents Jesus, and he also represents the Man-child in our day. The Man-child company in these days is suffering at the hands of wicked men, and it is for the good purpose of their crucifixion. That will prepare the Man-child to lead the Woman into the wilderness, but the Woman in the wilderness still needs to have the same fruit of Jesus Christ.   That means there is a time for the Woman in the wilderness to also suffer in the exact same way, to suffer by being “cast into prison.” You know, there are lots of things we can't do. We're limited by the “bars” of the Word of God from doing them, because obeying the Word crucifies us. It restrains the “old man” to the point that he dies. Joseph was prepared through a death to rule, and Jesus preached to the souls in prison until He was resurrected to rule, and now He reigns. That's a parable for us. We, too, all of us, not just the Man-child but the Bride and Woman who goes into the wilderness will also be going through the exact same thing that the Man-child has gone through, at the hands of wicked people.   (Rev.2:10 …that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. Notice the condition here. People falsely think that salvation has been put into their hand when, actually, salvation is in Christ. And we know that when Christ went to the Cross, we went with Him as far as the sacrifice is concerned. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.   We still need to go to our cross, but we reckon that it was done at the Cross. We believe we have received, as Jesus taught us (Mark 11:24). We need to be “faithful unto death,” the death of self, and, if necessary, the death of this old fleshly body. For some, it will take that much for them to enter into the Kingdom. But we, at the very least, have to die to self. Self is the enemy of God that must be crucified, and that's what we're here to do. We need to learn that lesson well.   So as we read, (1Pe.4:2) … ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. Once you learn how to cooperate with God, you can do this fairly quickly, and then you're in a position where God can use you. You get the “crown of life” for death; you enter into God's Life through death, death to self. Before that, you're not trustworthy because you're living after the flesh. You have many idols to distract you, many rulers besides God but, of course, once you're crucified, there is only one Ruler, and that's the Lord. When He is the Head, there's not much chance that you're going to fail God because it's the flesh that walks astray; it's not the spiritual man.   (Rev.2:11) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. “Overcoming” is overcoming the things that we're reading about. It's obvious that when people fall away, they're not overcoming, but we're called to be overcomers. There are no promises in the letters to the churches for those who are not overcomers, therefore, we must lose our life. Just as our Lord took up His Cross, we are here to take up our cross and follow Him.   (Rev.2:11) …He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. What is the “second death”? (Rev.20:11) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.   Everybody's going to be judged according to their works. You may say, “David, I thought we are judged according to our faith.” No, faith is manifested through works. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). The proof of faith is works. If a person believes, they will walk with the Lord. If they don't believe, they won't walk with the Lord. Therefore, all that God has to do to judge our faith is to judge our works. That's why it says, “according to their works.”   Those people who think they can live any way they want to live and still call themselves a “Christian” or “believer,” they don't believe that their sins were taken away. If they did believe that their sins were taken away, they would constantly be being taken away and it would be seen in how they live. No, their faith is hollow; they're just “accepting the Lord,” but there's nothing about “accepting the Lord” in the Bible. We're commanded to repent and believe the Gospel The Greek word for “repent” means to “change your mind” and believe what God says. This is what religion refuses to do, and that's why they're in rebellion, and that's why there's a great falling-away. There is a great falling-away, and it's their fault. Their blood is on the Harlot. (Rev.17:6) And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth.   (Rev.20:13) And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, [even] the lake of fire. (15) And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. How do you get into the Book of Life? Well, according to that text, it has everything to do with your works.   Then how do we change our works? We do that through the Blood of the Lamb. We accept the fact that we were crucified with Him and now it's no longer we who live, but it's Christ Who lives in us. And our good confession is accepted by the High Priest of our Confession, and that is Jesus Christ. He is the One Who gives us authority over the old flesh. He is the One (Php.2:13) … who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. That's not true of everybody who claims to be a “Christian.” Many don't have the Will of God in them; they have their own will, which is self-will. That's why “self” has to die.   (Rev.2:12) And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword: (13) I know where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name… That is, of course, what it takes not to fall away. (Now this is not a study of Revelation, this is a study of the falling-away, so there are things I'm going to skip over in order to emphasize the things that could possibly cause you to fall away.) We know that the word “name” in the Greek is onoma, which means “nature, character, and authority.” We hold fast to the real Jesus, His nature, His character, and His authority.   I would say that a lot of the church has denied that. They have created a new “Jesus” in these days, as Paul said (2 Cor 11:3-4; Gal 1:6-9) and, of course, that only makes you anti-Christ. A new Jesus makes you anti-Christ. The prefix “anti” not only means “against,” it also means “in the place of” because you've replaced the Jesus of the Bible with the Jesus of your religion. We need to learn not to go astray from the real Jesus.   (Rev.2:13) I know where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith… As we've seen, this is so important because “he that endureth to the end” in faith, is going to have what they're believing for, by the grace of God. Don't deny the faith. Many people do deny the faith every time they speak, since they speak totally contrary to the promises of God. The Bible says, (Rom.10:9) … if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. We need to speak, what the Bible says about us. The word “confess” is the Greek word homologeo, which means “to speak the same as.” We are told to say what God says.   (Rev.2:13) …and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth. Yes, of course, some will die. Some will be martyred. We're all going to be spiritual martyrs if we're going to make it into the Kingdom. The old man is going to be crucified, so we're all going to be spiritual martyrs, and some will be physical martyrs, too, but if they stay faithful unto death, He will give them a “crown of life”.   (Rev.2:14) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam… We know Balaam was a hireling. Balak hired him, and he was tempted and lusted after the things that Balak had to offer him. There are many hirelings out there that do what they do for profit, and when a person is perverted in that way, you can't trust anything they say or teach. If all they have their eyes on is the money, the gain, and the ego trip, they're not trustworthy; they have no business being in the ministry at all and you shouldn't be following them. It's sad, but there are many Balaams out there.   (Rev.2:14) …who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. What is it to “sacrifice” to “idols”? Anything can be an idol if it is more important to you than God. When you put it before God, if you serve it, if your money is wound-up in it, if your time is wound-up in it, then you're robbing God of the time that a disciple would spend with Him and money that would be going toward doing His work. One way or the other, it's a sacrifice. You can be sacrificing the old life, or you can be sacrificing the new life. So in the church at Pergamum, they were sacrificing things to idols. We are told in, (1Jn.2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. That's the same way with idols. However much you love an idol, it's that much that you do not love the Father.   (1Co.10:14) Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (15) I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. (16) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ? “Communion” means “having in common.” Do you spend a lot of time with people who are idolators? Do you have things in common with people who are idolators?   Scripture tells us very plainly how we are to live. (Rom.12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice (Are you presenting your body as a living sacrifice to the Lord and to His work? Or are you sacrificing your body to the world and to the love of the world and the things of the world?), holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service. (2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. We are to sacrifice of our own mind and thoughts and actions because we give in to God's mind and thoughts and actions. We make this body do what is in agreement with the Word. We should not sacrifice our spiritual, higher, life to this world.   People can be idols in your life, as Jesus said. (Mat.10:37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. After you come into the Kingdom and you're of age, you are called upon to follow your heavenly Father, your Lord, Jesus Christ. You're not called to follow your earthly father or mother; you're called to honor them, but not to follow them. They may not know what you know and so you would, of course, be an idolator if you followed them instead of Jesus. (Mat.10:38) And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. (39) He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.   Let's go back to (Rev.2:15) So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner. Now remember what we've already learned about the Nicolaitans. (Rev.2:6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. The Greek word Nikolaités which is translated “Nicolaitans,” is made up of two words: nikos meaning “a conquest, triumph, victory,” and laos meaning “a people, particularly used of the people of the Lord...the root of the English term ‘laity.'” When you put them together, “Nikolaités means “to conquer the people.” God says He hates this, and the people of the church at Ephesus also hated it.   It's a very destructive doctrine that's prevalent in the churches. The Nicolaitans followed the Old Testament, priestly order. They put the priest between you and God, which is false doctrine. We know that we are a “kingdom of priests”, but we've been called to not follow a priestly order. In these days, we are all priests and we all have a sacrifice to make, the sacrifice of this old flesh. We've been called to follow the Lord.  That priestly order came through Catholicism right on down to the Protestants, who have put the pastor in the place of the priestly order. The pastor is the undisputed head of the church and it revolves around him but, of course, we know that this is totally false doctrine because the Bible says otherwise. In (Eph.4:11) And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) for the perfecting of the saints… Notice the Lord gave the five-fold ministry “for the perfecting of the saints.” Their one-fold ministry cannot perfect the saints. Any church that is working properly will have a multiplicity of input of the gifts, of the ministries, and so on. This is where we're headed; We're going back to the five-fold ministry as God has chosen. It is a place of safety for God's people.   (Eph.4:12) For the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering… He's raising us up to minister in one form or another. Not everybody can be a preacher or an elder in the church; it's not permitted, in many cases, but we can all minister. The Greek word translated “minister” is diakonia and it just means “serve.” (13) … till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.   When everybody but the pastor is a spectator, and they just sit there and they're not learning to serve, they're not learning to be ministers, does it surprise you that nobody's growing up under this Nicolaitan error? That's why God says He hates it so much, and He gives credit to the churches that also hate it. (Eph.4:14) That we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men (Yes, this is what a Nicolaitan preacher is all about.), in craftiness, after the wiles of error.    There's another important benefit of the five-fold ministry: (Pro.11:14) Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. The true Church is made up of specialists. The Nicolaitan error is that the pastor usurps the rest of the five-fold ministry. That is not permitted, because “in the multitude of counselors, there is safety.” If one man goes astray, he's going to take everybody with him, unless there's a church split where some people disagree with the man and others blindly follow him. (Pro.15:22) Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established. The purposes of God are established in “the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering.” The purposes of the Christian, in growing up and not staying a child the rest of their life, is a purpose that needs to be fulfilled. When will the five-fold ministry be restored to the Church. History repeats. Jesus the Man-child raised up the apostolic leadership who raise up churches and appointed five-fold elders to rule them. So the coming Man-child body will repeat this in the beginning of the Tribulation. (1Ti.5:17) Let the elders that rule… First of all, you have to see here that the elders rule. The elders are not assistants to the pastor. That's the Nicolaitan error. The elders are the five-fold ministry but this escapes a lot of people. (1Ti.5:17) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. Let me show you how elders are ordained of God as ministers of God as a five-fold ministry. (Act.20:17) And from Miletus he (This is the apostle Paul.) sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church. An elder is first somebody who is older in the Lord, who is able to lead other people not someone who has been merely ordained by men to that position. So Paul called the elders together.   (Act.20:18) And when they were come to him, he said unto them … (28) Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops (“Bishop” is the Greek episkopos meaning an “overseer.” Notice that the elders are the “bishops,” the “overseers,” the five-fold ministry ordained by God. Some qualifications for Bishops or elders are in 1Ti 3: 2  The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  3  no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;), to feed the church of the Lord (Teaching and feeding the Church is the job of the five-fold ministry.) Back to Acts 20:28…which he purchased with his own blood. (29) I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Yes, these “wolves” are a bunch of dictators that usurped the authority of the five-fold ministers who were ordained of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they took over the church, usurping every other avenue of God's wisdom and gifts to the church, “not sparing the flock.” (Act.20:30) And from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.   (Act.20:31) Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears. (32) And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build [you] up, and to give [you] the inheritance among all them that are sanctified. This is the job of the five-fold ministry and this is why Paul called the elders to him to explain their job.   (33) I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. That's not true of any of the apostate leaders today, but who is there to stop them? They're the head. Who is there to say, “No, you can't do that”? So here Paul is instructing the five-fold ministry, the elders, the bishops, in the ways of the Kingdom and he gives himself as an example. (34) Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. (35) In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.   Going back to (Rev.2:15) So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner. (16) Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. They had to repent of the Nicolaitan error, and part of this error was unqualified elders ruling over the people without the qualified five-fold ministry. If you're sitting under the Nicolaitan error, you must be ready to change. God said He hates it. The Man-child leaders are coming to change this soon.  (Rev.2:17) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna… The “hidden manna” is the Spirit of the Word. The letter is what everybody can see; it's not hidden, however, (2Co.3:6) … the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. God is able to translate for us the parables of the Old Testament, because that's what they were. The letter was given to the letter Jew and the Spirit was given to the spiritual Jew, who is the New Testament born-again, born from-above, Jew.   (Rev.2:17) …To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone… What is this white stone? According to the Old Testament Law, on the Day of Atonement, two goats were presented before the High Priest, and also a pouch with two stones. They were “lots” which were inside the pouch (Lev 16:5-34) and one of those stones was a white stone called “the lot of the Lord.”   The other stone was a black stone called “the lot of the scapegoat.” Without looking, the High Priest would choose a stone from the pouch with his right hand and hold the stone over the right-hand goat. If it was the white stone for the lot of the Lord, that goat would be sacrificed, but the other goat would be set free in the wilderness, which symbolized the Lord's sacrifice in our place. We were set free and He was sacrificed. That's the white stone and it represents God's acceptance of your sacrifice, and the fact that the Lord bore your curse and your sin, and you are free.   (Rev.2:17) …and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it. The “new name” that only the overcomers have and know is the nature, character, and authority of the Father and Jesus.   (Rev.2:18) And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass: (19) I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first. Yes, this is the way it is supposed to be. I know many people who started out by getting the beam out of their eye so they could see clearly to serve the people of God, and they did serve for a while, but then they went back to serving themselves.   They gave up their ministry and turned away from the Lord and started doing their own thing again. Their “last works” were not more than their first works. God knows everything we do, and we're going to be judged according to our works, which are all written in His books. Thank God that we have a Blood covering if we're not willfully disobedient! If you're seeking out His Will in the Word of God, seeking to be a disciple, seeking to lose your life in order to gain your life, if you're doing these things, you're not going to fail. You're not going to fall away.   (Rev.2:20) But I have [this] against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess… There is no office of “prophetess” in the five-fold ministry. There's only the office of “prophet” as part of the five-fold ministry. That's because a “prophet” is an “elder, bishop, overseer,” and a woman cannot teach or take authority over the man. So here is a Jezebel, whom we know well from the Old Testament as a woman who ruled over her Ahab husband, to both his destruction and to the destruction of his whole family.   All of her children through him, died. They were sentenced to death by the Lord Himself. It's the same with this “Jezebel.” She teaches, but her teaching leads the people into sin. She teaches, but she's not supposed to teach. (1Ti.2:11) Let a woman learn in quietness, with all subjection. (12) But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. And he goes on to say that Adam was the first-formed, and then Eve. She was a help-meet for him. She was to serve him. (13) For Adam was first formed, then Eve; (14) and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled (So Adam was not deceived, but Eve was deceived and that was one reason she shouldn't be a teacher.) hath fallen into transgression: (15) but she shall be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.   Understand that this Jezebel in Revelation made herself a prophetess; she “calleth herself a prophetess.” It's possible she was a prophetess before she fell away, because a “prophetess” is just “a woman with a gift of prophecy.” It does not mean she has the office of prophet; there's a difference. There's the gift of prophecy and there is also an office of prophet as one member of the five-fold ministry. The gift of prophecy does not give her, as a woman, authority in the church to teach or take authority over the man. It is not permitted, but that is what Jezebel does, and that is what Jezebel spirits do.   They take authority over the man: in the family, in the home, in the church. It's an evil spirit that leads people to destruction, and because the woman is more easily deceived in these things, she leads others astray. That's why it is not permitted for a woman to teach or take authority over the man. This is very important to understand and obey this. Now we have an in-depth study covering this subject and about women and their role in our book “The Word, Women and Authority”.  Now let's go back to (Rev.2:20) But I have [this] against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. We've seen what it is to partake of “things sacrificed to idols.” An idol is anything more important to you than following and serving the Lord. As for fornication, here is a woman, Jezebel, who is a fornicator in that she is not receiving the seed of the husband. This is spiritual fornication because she is receiving the seed of the devil. The Jezebel spirit is a demon spirit. Somebody who receives a Jezebel spirit is receiving the seed of a very selfish, self-willed, demon spirit that causes a domineering woman to rule over the man, disobeying what the Scripture says.   Maybe you've heard the lying excuse preachers will give about how, “All these things passed away with the apostles and it's different today.” No, it was an everlasting Covenant (Isaiah 24:5, 53:5). We are not to accept anybody who changes the Covenant. (Rev.22:18) I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:   (19) and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. That's because they have led God's people astray and caused them to disobey His Word. It is very important that we obey His Word. So there is fornication, and Jezebel is teaching people to receive another seed that is not the seed of the Husband, Who is the Lord. The Lord is the Word. We have to obey the Word.   (Rev.2:21) And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. We know that all of Jezebel's seed were destroyed, and this is a type and shadow for the things to come. The people who follow Jezebel are going to be destroyed. (22) Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. It doesn't sound like they're going to escape this “great tribulation.” There are people who are going to go through this tribulation and do very well, but Jezebel and her seed will not.   (23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. There are good works and there are evil works. Jezebel is an evil work and those whom she trains are evil works. They're going to die in great tribulation, like Jezebel's seed did and Ahab's seed did. It was Ahab who refused to be the head over Jezebel his wife. Instead, he just gave into her and so both of them and all their seed were destroyed (2 Kings 9).   (Rev.2:24) But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan (Wow! This is saying that the teachings of Jezebel are “the deep things of Satan.”), as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden. (25) Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come. (26) And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end (His works wouldn't be the teachings of Jezebel, they wouldn't be the Nicolaitan error, and there wouldn't be Gentiles going back to follow Judaism.), to him (he that overcometh.) will I give authority over the nations…   If you have authority in the church, you first had to be an overcomer. There is no true elder who is not an overcomer because he's been given authority. He's not only an authority for the Church, he's an authority against any nation that would hurt the Church. (Rev.2:26) And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: (27) and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: (28) and I will give him the morning star. (29) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. Notice that in every address to the churches, He makes promises only to the overcomer. The overcomer is overcoming all of these temptations to go astray from what is written.   (Rev.3:1) And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead. I've always supposed that this name could be “Christian.” (Act.11:25) And he (This is speaking of Barnabus.) went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; (26) and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.   The lost people called the disciples “Christians” because they followed in the steps of Jesus. They spoke His Word, they had His Power, they did His Works. It's sad that many people have taken the name of “Christian” but they haven't taken on His Name. When we baptize people, we baptize them into the Name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. When you're baptized and go down in the water, you accept by faith that you have died and are buried with Him in the likeness of His death. The water represents “the washing of water with the Word” (Eph 5:26) and the Word puts to death our old man. So when you go down into the water, you accept by faith that your old man died, and that the One Who comes up is Jesus Christ. You've been baptized into His Name and you are now a member of His Body.  (Rev.3:1) …I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead. Until we come into the Name, we are “dead” and of no use to ourselves or anyone else. Coming into the Name is, first of all, coming into the revelation of what it represents, which is the Word of God.   The reason we're here is to bear fruit. Remember the Parable of the Sower, and how it showed that three out of every four people who hear the Word, don't bear fruit and so they fall away. If you're side-tracked by Nicolaitan errors or by Jezebel spirits or by any of the other things we've been speaking about, you're not going to bear fruit. You have to overcome your flesh in order to bear fruit, and this is why I've said, many times, that when people become Christians, they need to start reading in the New Testament and read and read and read to renew their minds with the Word of God. That's the only way to know the truth for yourself. We've been told to each work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. (Php 2:12)   I know God ordained this for me, but I started reading the Word of God only because my Baptist friend challenged me to do it. I didn't have any knowledge of the Word of God because I was raised in Catholicism and they don't teach you the Word of God. Well, that turned out to be a good thing. As I was reading the Bible day and night, since I didn't have anybody to tell me otherwise, I just believed what I was reading and it was changing my mind and it was changing my life. I learned that the Holy Spirit Himself can teach you. He taught me not to add-to, or take-away-from, the Word. These are principles I learned before I ever went to a church and by the time I did go to a church, I already had the Word in my heart, so I didn't stick anywhere very long because I realized that these people had gone astray with religion.   Of course, we have to “repent,” which is to “change your mind,” every time we pick up the Word of God and we see what it says. The Lord taught me that, (Psa.119:160) The sum of thy word is truth; … And (Isa.28:10) For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little. It's a little here and a little there, but when it's all added up, you don't have to reject any of it because it all fits together. If you'll do this, you'll learn quickly enough whether or not you're in a Nicolaitan church, a church which is (2Ti.3:5) holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. From these also turn away. Leave; just leave. The power is manifested through the specialists of the five-fold ministry.   Once you find out what the Church is supposed to look like, you're a lot less likely to get hung-up in some error and fall away. The “harlot” is a parable of not just a particular religion, but all religion that is apostate, fallen-away, and receiving the seed that is not of the Husband, Christ.   In Jesus' day. He came to the denominations of Judaism and none of them chose Him. Only those people who came out of those denominations chose Him. They were His Church, His “called-out” ones, and today, we are called out of the apostate denominations of Christianity, just as they were called out of the apostate denominations of Judaism. History always repeats. The things that have been are the things which shall be (Ecc 1:9). We are called out from among them to be separate. (2Co.6:16)   We are called to walk as He walked (1John 2:6). We're called to be overcomers. With most doctrines in the denominations, you don't have to overcome anything, but that's not what the promises to the churches say. That's why you need to read and find these things out. So He said to the church in Sardis, “You have a name that lives, but you're dead,” and that's true of an awful lot of people who call themselves “Christian.”   (Rev.3:2) Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die… Feed your spirit man on the Word and you will live.  Do what I did 55 years ago; I got rid of all my hobbies. God was my constant hobby after that. Be a disciple of Jesus. Mat 6:33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. The heart of man is deceitfully wicked (Jer 17:9). It's very easy to be deceived. That's why God sent us His Word, and proved to us that it was His Word by putting a numeric pattern in it. That numeric pattern is God's “signature.”  The Word is His DNA. Its power and life. (Rev.3:2) …for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God. He's obviously saying that it's a normal thing for our works to be perfected before God, but how can that be, except we have a renewed mind? (Rom.12:2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. How can our works be perfected if we don't have this renewed mind, and don't repent and follow the Lord? Without a renewed mind, we don't know what the truth is.   (Rev.3:3) Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep it, and repent. What the denominations do is train us to ignore Scriptures that disagree with their pet doctrines. They give us reasons of why we need to overlook this or that or the other, and one of their favorite reasons is, “This all passed away with the apostles.” Well, they can't give any proof of that, whatsoever, because we've seen that the Bible says the exact opposite. The Bible says that it was “an everlasting Covenant” from the time it was made, and that we can't add to it or take away from it without falling under a curse. (Rev 22:18-19)   (Rev.3:3) …If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. You never know when your time will be up and, therefore, you need to live every day like it's your last.   (Rev.3:4) But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments… What are these “garments”? (Jud.1:22) And on some have mercy, who are in doubt; (23) and some save, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Our garments are our works so put on Jesus' works; Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. The spots are works of the flesh. There are many people walking with “defiled garments.” Everything they do is fleshly and defiled, and therefore, everything they reap is defiled. (Gal.6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.   When your “garment” is defiled, what you do is defiled and you're going to reap the same, but God came so that you might sow a good seed and reap a good harvest. Our “actions” are what we “sow” and the Word of God is there to restrict our actions so that we can receive a good harvest. And since our “garments” represent our works, what should we be clothing ourselves with? But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ…  So, how is the Bride dressed? (Rev.19:8) And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright (That's the Greek word lampros and it's also translated as “shining, magnificent, gorgeous, splendid.”) [and] pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (The Bride is radiant and glorious, but what about those who are invited to the marriage feast? What are they wearing?) (Rev.19:14) And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white [and] pure. White here is the Greek word leukos meaning “white”.   Those who are invited to the marriage feast will have the glory that comes with purity, but they will not have the magnificent radiance that is shining forth from the Bride. If you want to be in the Bride, you don't want your “garment” defiled because the Bride has a spotless and blemishless garment. Everything She knows about the Word, She is being obedient to, because She is walking by faith in the Lord and the Lord is working in Her to will and to do of His good pleasure. And He goes on to say, (Rev.3:4) But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. Well, now we know that that is about one quarter of the people that received the Gospel according to the parable of the sower.   (Rev.3:5) He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life… When you're born again, you're written in the Book. If you don't overcome, you're erased out of the Book. The only people who are not erased out of the Book are the people that overcome. In other words, overcomers know what is right and they know what is wrong, and they're going to do right. The promise of not being blotted out is only to overcomers. (Rev.3:5) …and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. The angels administer salvation to those who inherit it. They are the ministers of God's salvation to us and through us. (Rev.3:6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.   (Rev.3:7) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia… This is the church of brotherly love. “Philadelphia” is formed from two Greek words, philos meaning “affectionate friend” and adelphós meaning “brother, brotherly,” i.e., “loving one's brother.” The Philadelphia church is the greatest of all the churches. Just as Moses, as a type and shadow of the Man-child, married one of seven daughters (Exo 2:16,21), the church in this city, Philadelphia, the church of brotherly love, represents the Bride. The test, of course, is to see how much you love the Lord by keeping His commandments, and how much you love the brethren because you love the Lord. These are the ones who will be chosen.   (Rev.3:7) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David (David was the ruler in Jerusalem, which was the Bride.), he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth. What you bind on earth is bound in heaven. This authority was given to the people of God, but most of them don't have the faith to exercise it, because they don't have the knowledge of the Word that brings about the faith. (Rom.10:17) So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.   (Rev.3:8) I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut)… Praise the Lord! This is an opening for the work of the Lord to go forth. The Philadelphia church in these days is going to bring resurrection life to the rest of the church, just as Jesus, Who was the Man-child, did. He was the Head of the Bride. John the Baptist told his disciples, (Joh.3:29) He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom …. Jesus raised up those disciples to go forth and raise up the five-fold ministry. Once again, this is going to happen. The disciples of our day are going to go forth and raise up the five-fold ministry which “none can shut.”   (Rev.3:8) … that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name. It's easy to deny the Name of the Lord; it's not just Judas and Peter who denied the Lord. There are a lot of people who deny the Lord because every time you read the Word of God, Who is Jesus Christ, and you deny it, you're denying the Lord. If you will not subject yourself to the Word, you're denying the Lord.   (Rev.3:9) Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. This speaks of how those natural Jews who will not be born again and become a member of the church, a member of the body of Christ, will be subservient to the Philadelphia church, which He loves. (10) Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.   In Revelation 17:12, God speaks about that hour when the beast makes war on the saints, which is not about “flying away”; it's about overcoming so that there is no trial for you. Remember how Moses went through his own wilderness, and that experience prepared him to bring God's people through the wilderness. It was not so much Moses being tried as it was God's people being tried. His trial was them. Their trial was the wilderness. Moses had been in the wilderness and he had overcome, or else God would not have used him to bring God's people there. It was their turn to overcome the wilderness; they had to overcome the fact that they couldn't do things the way they'd always done things. They had to have faith in God, just as Moses had faith in God.   (Rev.3:11) I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. Notice that they had the crown; they weren't seeking for the crown. In other places, we see that they were promised the crown “if,” because they had to meet a condition, but these people had the crown. They were the “Crown City.” These were the people of God, spotless and blemishless, walking in all the knowledge that they had. (12) He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem…   This is the Bride. They have the Name of their God, the nature, character, and authority of their God, which makes them the Bride, which makes them the one of the seven. It makes them the “Esther” who went into the King's house, but all the rest of the women went back to the house of the women. They were culled and Esther became the Bride, and that's what we're talking about here. The new Jerusalem, which is from above, according to John is coming down out of heaven (Rev 21:2), and here we see the same thing. It's not something that's going to happen in the future, it's something that is happening because you're either being born of this City, the Bride, or you're being born of the rest of Israel.  (12) …and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God… Notice it says “cometh,” which is present tense. We are being born from above. Paul spoke about coming to the Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:18-29). (Heb.12:18) For ye are not come unto [a mount] that might be touched … (22) but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,   (23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn (Jesus is the firstborn and Jesus in the Man-child is the firstborn in our day. They were the head of the Bride body.) who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. This is not “a mount that might be touched,” but the apostate church erroneously teaches that this is a physical city which is coming down out of heaven at the end of the tribulation, and some push it even further into the future than that. (12) …and mine own new name. (13) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. Oh, thank You, Father!   This is a great prize! Paul said, (Php.3:12) Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do , forgetting the things which are behind (Forgetting past failures), and stretching forward to the things which are before (Seeing Jesus in the mirror by faith.), (14) I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.   And this will be your prize if you are willing to give up your life in this world to follow after Jesus, as those early disciples did. They gave up their selfish desires and anything else that stood in the way of them serving Jesus. They gave it up, and so it is today. Your most important employer is the Lord Himself. Wherever you are, you're supposed to be representing Him. People will be changed by your witness, by your testimony, by the fact that the Lord, through the Bride, lives in you. People will be changed by that. 

Featuring Paul and Barnabus retracing their steps then reporting back in Acts 14:21-28. Don't forget to check out our website! https://treasurehuntpodcast.wixsite.com/realtreasure --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/treasurehuntintheword/message

As parents, we get the unique opportunity to observe up close the unfolding of our kids' lives and to spur them on in the areas we see God at work. The character of Barnabus in Acts teaches us three godly aspects to incorporate into our encouragement.  Support Renewed Motherhood: https://subsplash.com/u/renewministries/give

Barnabus and Paul are on a missionary journey together, traveling through towns in the Roman empire to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. They have just left Antioch of Pisidia where they preached Christ in a Jewish synagogue, and while many of the people received them warmly, the Jewish community at large was displeased and expelled them from their district. Today, Barnabus and Paul visit Iconium where the Lord performs signs and wonders through them. When they discover some have plans to stone them, they flee to Lystra. There, a man who is unable stand is healed, and the crowds declare our missionaries to be Greek gods in human form. Jews come from the previous two towns and successfully stone Paul, but escapes death and continues preaching the gospel. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Barnabus and Saul are about to be set apart for the work of spreading the gospel to other lands. If you've ever ventured into the back of your printed Bible you're likely to find a map of Paul's first missionary journey. That journey begins today. Saul is first called Paul in today's chapter, and is referred to by that name from here on. Sent by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabus travel to varying cities proclaiming the gospel in Jewish synagogues. At Paphos, they witness to the proconsul, but a Jewish false-prophet who works for the proconsul tries to dissuade him from believing their message. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul rebukes him and the man is miraculously blinded. Our episode concludes midway through one of Paul's sermons to fellow Israelites in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

What happens when friends disagree? Nobody ever wants to hit that roadblock, but it's inevitable. Today we look at what happened with Paul & Barnabus. God continued to bless their efforts because they were united in their main mission. Listen in an be encouraged!

Pastor Jeff speaks on the encouragement we can receive from Barnabus and learn more about the church in Antioch.

How do you define success in mobilization? What do we do when we don't see results in mobilization? Do you ever feel so discouraged that you want to quit?  In this episode of the Gospel Mobilization Podcast, you'll hear from Professor Terry Powell as he shares his own struggles with depression and failure. Dr. Powell is adjunct faculty at Columbia International University and author of the book, Serve Strong: Biblical Encouragement to Sustain God's Servants.  You'll appreciate Dr. Powell's transparency and knowledge as he reminds us that the mobilization ministry we do is an important calling. He provides some tools for us to view discouragement and failure with a fresh perspective. Here are some of the questions host Dave Jacob asked: 1. Often the ministry of mobilization is the long game and we don't see immediate results. That can be discouraging but you note some themes in Barnabus' life we can glean from. Can you share about that? 2. How can playing back God's call help mobilizers who feel discouraged? 3. How should we define success in the ministry of missions mobilization? 4. How can we handle those in authority who might put pressure on mobilizers to "hit the numbers”?  

This passage describes the missionary challenge in most of the world today: too many converts, too few pastors and teachers. The good news is people are coming to Christ in record numbers, but the bad news is there aren't nearly enough trained people to take care of them. It's as though someone went out into a wheat field and cut the ripe wheat, but then left it lying on the ground to spoil. Wheat needs to be bundled together and put into a barn. Cutting it is just the first step in the harvest. It's not enough to lead someone to Christ. They need to be established in their faith, and that takes a long-term investment. They need to be taught the Bible, prayed for, coached on how to live a godly life. To change metaphors, no one asks a newborn baby to go out and find food and feed itself. Babies need a loving family, and in the same way new believers (and old believers) need a loving spiritual family so they're not facing the world, their flesh, and the devil alone. It's not fair! It's downright cruel to bring someone to Jesus and then abandon them. But that's what's happening because many don't take responsibility for those they bring to Christ and because there aren't enough pastors and teachers to care for God's flock.  The situation in Antioch is happening all over the earth today: huge numbers who have and will come to Christ, but no one to lead or teach them. To meet this need we'll all need the heart of Barnabas, who, when he saw the “grace of God” at work, “rolled up his sleeves and began to teach them...” But who also went out and searched for Saul ‘til he found him. 

Stephanos, Fortunatus, Achaicus, Tychicus, Barnabus, Timothy, and Onesimus. When you hear these names, what does it make you think of? For many of us, most of these names would not “ring any bells” at all. So who were they? And why were they mentioned in Scripture? - Maggie Cooper SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:The Crosswalk Devotional: https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-devotional/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

 574 Barnabus Represents Saul to The Disciples, A Guided Christian Meditation on Acts 9:26-31 with the Recenter With Christ app    The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation KJV Acts 9  26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had aseen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and "disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaa and Galilee and Samaria, and were "edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the b comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multi-plied. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. Meditation: Understandably when the man who had be violently persecuting them, says he wants to join the disciples, thye are hesitant and fearful. One of the Disciples who saw Saul proclaiming the gospel so clearly and firmly, vouched for him. Barnabus became the means to bridge the gap of fear and danger. Barnabus was in the right spot, had witnessed things, and had the right life experience, that allowed him to be able to help Saul join the community. Saul continues his testimony and continues to disturb the Hellenistic Jews who hate him more due to perceived betrayal. Sometimes our human fears, judgements, or experience, can make it challenging for people to find a place at Church. They may show up and see a whole group of people who feel they are superior, even if they dont feel that way. It is important for us to be bold, as Saul was, in unifying with other believers, and when we find that our life experience allows us to fill Barnabus's role we should take that on with intentionality also, so that all people can be unified together under the grace of Christ.  Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates:  Final Question:  Final Thought:   FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod