Podcasts about holy spirit rom

In Ephesians 6:14-18, Paul describes the 7 pieces of God's Armour of God, which He provides to us through His Word for our spiritual warfare. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Isa 59:16) is necessary for guarding the heart. To enter into spiritual warfare, it is vital our heart is under the protection of God's Righteousness (it is the Armour of God). It does not consist of our own righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ. In spiritual warfare, pride is fatal. Instead, we must submit to God and His righteousness, which He gives us by grace (Job 41:34, Luke 10:17-20, Jam 4:6-7), through the Great Exchange (2Cor 5:21). To put on His Breastplate of Righteousness so that it covers and protects our heart, we must submit to His righteousness (Rom 10:3, Phil 3:9). It is attached to the Belt, for it is God's Word which imparts the faith we need to trust in His gift of righteousness. It had 2 parts, a breast and back plate, which correspond to (1) the imputed righteousness of Christ, through which we were justified by faith (Rom 3:28,4:1-8, 5:1, 8:1, Gal 2:16), and (2) the imparted righteousness of Christ (His life and nature) through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5, 14:17, Gal 5:22-23, 1Cor 1:30). (1) Through FAITH in Christ and His finished work we are justified, declared forgiven and righteous in Christ. This protects the heart from satan's main weapon – condemnation (Rev 12:10-11, Isa 54:17). (2) The LOVE of Christ filling our souls with His love (Rom 8:4) protects our hearts from evil thoughts. We see these 2 parts of the Breastplate in 1Thess 5:8: “putting on the breastplate of (1) FAITH and (2) LOVE.” We see these 2 kinds of righteousness in: Romans 1:17: “For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from (1) justifying faith to (2) living faith; as it is written: “The just (by faith) shall live by faith.”

In Ephesians 6:14-18, Paul describes the 7 pieces of God's Armour of God, which He provides to us through His Word for our spiritual warfare. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Isa 59:16) is necessary for guarding the heart. To enter into spiritual warfare, it is vital our heart is under the protection of God's Righteousness (it is the Armour of God). It does not consist of our own righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ. In spiritual warfare, pride is fatal. Instead, we must submit to God and His righteousness, which He gives us by grace (Job 41:34, Luke 10:17-20, Jam 4:6-7), through the Great Exchange (2Cor 5:21). To put on His Breastplate of Righteousness so that it covers and protects our heart, we must submit to His righteousness (Rom 10:3, Phil 3:9). It is attached to the Belt, for it is God's Word which imparts the faith we need to trust in His gift of righteousness. It had 2 parts, a breast and back plate, which correspond to (1) the imputed righteousness of Christ, through which we were justified by faith (Rom 3:28,4:1-8, 5:1, 8:1, Gal 2:16), and (2) the imparted righteousness of Christ (His life and nature) through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5, 14:17, Gal 5:22-23, 1Cor 1:30). (1) Through FAITH in Christ and His finished work we are justified, declared forgiven and righteous in Christ. This protects the heart from satan's main weapon – condemnation (Rev 12:10-11, Isa 54:17). (2) The LOVE of Christ filling our souls with His love (Rom 8:4) protects our hearts from evil thoughts. We see these 2 parts of the Breastplate in 1Thess 5:8: “putting on the breastplate of (1) FAITH and (2) LOVE.” We see these 2 kinds of righteousness in: Romans 1:17: “For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from (1) justifying faith to (2) living faith; as it is written: “The just (by faith) shall live by faith.”

27 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.   So far in this great message where Jesus is emphasizing the four essentials for true happiness, He has dealt with our attitude toward circumstances (Luke 6:20-26). We should respond to whatever circumstances that we encounter with faith in God's love for us and His sovereignty over them and our lives. In the next verses, that we will begin to look at today (vv. 27-34), Jesus is addressing our attitudes toward people and how we should always respond to them with the same love He has shown us.   Jesus assumed that anybody who lived for eternal values would get into trouble with the world's crowd. Christians are the "salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:13-16), and sometimes the salt stings and the light exposes sin. Sinners often show their hatred by avoiding us or rejecting us (Luke 6:22), insulting us (Luke 6:28), physically abusing us (Luke 6:29), and suing us (Luke 6:30). This is something we must expect (John 16:33; Phil. 1:29; 2 Tim. 3:12).   How should we treat our enemies? We must love them, do them good, and pray for them. Hatred only breeds more hatred, "for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires" (James 1:20). This cannot be done in our own strength, but it can be done through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22-23).   We must not look at these admonitions as a series of rules to be obeyed. They describe an attitude of heart that expresses itself positively when others are negative, and generously when others are selfish, all to the glory of God. It is an inner disposition, not a legal duty. We must have wisdom to know when to turn the other cheek and when to claim our rights (John 18:22-23; Acts 16:35-40). Even Christian love must exercise discernment (Phil. 1:9-11).   Two principles stand out. The first is what is famously called “The Golden Rule”. It is the law of love reduced to its simplest terms that even a child can understand it. We must treat others as we would want to be treated (Luke 6:31), which assumes that if we want the very best spiritually for ourselves then we must imitate our Father in heaven and be merciful (Luke 6:36).   The second thing is not that we are vindicated before our enemies but that we become more like God in our character (Luke 6:35). This is the greatest reward anyone can receive. It is far greater than riches, food, laughter, or popularity (Luke 6:24-26). Those things will one day vanish, but character will last for eternity. We must believe Matthew 6:33 and practice it in the power of the Spirit.   Don't let people steal your joy! How are you doing regarding your attitudes toward the people in your life?   God bless!

Romans 12 describes Paul's vision of Gospel outcomes. He moves from how God worked through salvation history, arriving at the coming of Jesus, his death, resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6 baptism as new creation beginnings), how Jew and Gentile have both been assigned to disobedience so that GOD CAN HAVE MERCY ON ALL! Then Romans 12 sets forth how redeemed people can be transformed and minister the grace of God via a diversity of gifts fostering a community of love. Metanoia (repentance) leads to metamorphosis (transformation) and yields a growing transformed body of believers, captivated by love eternal on earth. Jesus is Lord over the metaverse!

Believers bear birthmarks. There are certain qualities that will certainly be present in those who have been born again. This message identifies one very critical one!

Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. What tremendous hope we discover today in Rom. 16:20. Let me remind us of a couple of verses. We are blessed by Rom. 5:1 where we learn that God has made peace with us through Jesus' death and provided the grace of the Lord Jesus in which we stand. And by giving us His Spirit, we have His peace dwelling within us. In Rom. 8:31-39 we learn that God is for us and no one can separate us from His love in Christ. So God has taken on all of our enemies and made us more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. He has set us free from the law of sin and death which reigned in our fleshly bodies (Rom. 8:2). He has conquered death through His resurrection (Rom. 6:9-10). He has saved us from sin through His life (Rom. 5:10). Satan has been defeated and all of his weapons have been made powerless (Rom. 6:6). Therefore we are at peace with God and His love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We live in His kingdom which consists of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). God is the God of peace! The only thing remaining for Him to do is to crush Satan under our feet by the grace of the Lord Jesus who is with us and in whom we stand before God. Paul promised the Romans that God will crush Satan under their feet. How does He do that? Through the grace of the Lord Jesus who is with us. As we walk in love with Jesus, God crushes Satan under our feet. Everywhere we walk in love, we walk on holy ground and Satan experiences our feet upon his head. He has no weapons that can succeed against us. He has no accusations to make that will separate us from the God of peace and love. The devil is defeated, and as we live to love with Jesus, he is crushed beneath our feet. Today, be encouraged. God will crush Satan beneath our feet as we live to love with Jesus by the grace of the Lord Jesus who is with us. Rejoice! Walk in victory! Walk in love for the glory of God.

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 1 Corinthians 8:1 begins with the words "Now concerning food offered to idols."  For the next three chapters Paul will address issues that spring from this matter.  In the first century is was believed that demons attached themselves to food and entered human beings when they ate it.  In order to extract demonic presence from meat, it was thought to be cleansed by offering some of it to the gods.  What remained was sold in the marketplace. The question in Corinth was this … "Should a Christian eat food that has been part of an idolatrous ritual?"  Some folks had no problem with such food and some thought eating such food was sinful.  The root issue here was not the food, but the way Christians related to one another when there were different viewpoints.  "Food will not commend us to God.  We are no worse off if we do not eat, and we are no better off if we do" (1 Cor 8:8).  "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17). What governs our behavior is not simply our knowledge of spiritual truth, but our love for our brothers and sisters.  Knowledge without love produces conceit and self-righteousness.  We must keep in mind that Christ died for our Christian brother/sister.  How are we treating him/her?  To sin against a brother/sister is to sin against Christ (1 Cor 8:12).  Let us ever do the hard work of maintaining our relationships with each other in diligence and humility and tenderness … for the sake of Christ.  

This 5min episode introduce readings from James chapter 1. The word "temptation" (Gk. peirasmoi) does not refer to enticements to sin, but to trials, persecution, and afflictions or Satan. The believer must meet these trials with joy (Mat. 5:11-12); Rom. 5:3; 1 Pet. 1:6), for they will develop patience (perseverance, endurance). Our faith can only reach full maturity when faced with difficulties and opposition. James calls these trials a "trying of your faith". Trials are sometimes brought into a believer's life so that God can test his faith. Scripture nowhere teaches that troubles in life are always an indication that God is displeased with us. They can be a sign that He recognizes our firm commitment to Him (Job 1-2). Ye may be perfect: "Perfect" reflects the Biblical idea of perfection, defined as a right relationship with God that bears fruit in a sincere endeavor to love Him with all one's heart in undivided devotion, obedience, and a blameless life (Deut. 6:5; 18:13; Mat. 22:37). If any of you lack wisdom, means the spiritual capacity to see and evaluate life and conduct from God's point of view. It involves making right choices and doing right things according to both the will of God revealed in His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:4-17). We can receive wisdom by drawing near to God and asking for it in faith. Tempted: No person who sins can evade guilt by throwing the blame on God. God may test us in order to strengthen our faith, but never with the intent of leading us to sin. The nature of God demonstrates that He cannot be a source of temptation. Drawn away on his own lust: Temptation basically comes from our own inward desires or inclinations (Mat. 15:19). If evil desire is not resisted and purged by the Holy Spirit, it leads to sin and then to spiritual death (Rom. 6:23) Lay apart all filthiness. The Word of God, either preached or written, cannot effectively take hold of a person's life if he or she is not separated from moral filth and evil. God commands the believer to set aside all the ungodly filth that permeates an unregenerate and corrupt society and seeks to influence him and his family. James says that love for others must be accompanied by a love for God that is expressed in separation from the sinful ways of the world. Love to others must be accompanied by holiness before God or it is not Christian love. Let's take a listen to the reading from the book of James chapter 1 in its entirety. Blessings, Elder Barbara FL

INTRODUCTION Food is right at the center of world. When God created man in His own image, He put him in a garden full of food with a Tree of Life in the midst of the garden. And the recurring picture of salvation and redemption is a feast: “And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees. He shall swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces…” (Is. 25:6-7). The Bible closes with John's vision of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9). And at the center of the Christian life, Jesus has given us a meal, a feast of life and joy and rest. THE TEXT “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying… concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts…” (Lev. 23:1-44) SUMMARY OF THE TEXT Never forget that God brought Israel out of Egypt so that they might feast with Him (Ex. 5:1, 24:11). The Peace Offering was a regular sacrificial feast that Israel was invited to celebrate, but God also established an annual festival calendar. The first and foundational feast was the weekly Sabbath (Lev. 23:1-3). The Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread was in the first month commemorating the Exodus (Lev. 23:4-8). The Feast of Firstfruits was at the very beginning of the Harvest (Lev. 23:9-14). And the Feast of Weeks (or Pentecost) came 50 days later at the end of harvest, remembering the poor as they did so (Lev. 23:15-22). On the first day of the seventh month, there was to be a Feast of Trumpets, preparing for the Day of Atonement 10 days later, the one day of affliction and (presumably) fasting in the Israelite calendar (Lev. 23:23-32). Five days later, the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) began, a full week of feasting in makeshift tents, also at the end of harvest (Lev. 23:33-44). Finally, we should simply note that throughout these feasts are “holy convocations,” worship services, where Israel gathered together to hear Scripture, to sing, to pray, rejoice, and remember. REJOICE IN THE LORD Christians have frequently embraced a less than biblical understanding of joy. The foundation of Christian joy is the forgiveness of sins, and that is a joy that can never be taken from you. But then what do you do with that joy? The Bible requires us to rejoice always (Phil. 4:4). And in the same place, Paul says that he has learned in whatever state he is in to be content (Phil. 4:11-12). “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Prov. 15:15). And we should note that this rejoicing and contentment is what Paul is talking about when he says he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Phil. 4:14). So God commanded Israel to keep these feasts throughout the year so that they would “rejoice before the Lord” (Lev. 23:40, cf. Dt. 12:7, 12, 18). So this is also why when God delivered the Jews from the plotting of Haman, they established the feast of Purim, “a day of feasting and gladness” and giving gifts as a memorial throughout their generations (Esth. 9:17-28). Memorials are reminders in space or time, and memorial feasts are reminders to rejoice always. Later, in the intertestamental period, the Jews took back the temple mount from their enemies and rededicated it, establishing the Festival of Lights or Hannukah, which Jesus participated in (Jn. 10:22). While we are certainly not bound by the Old Testament calendar (Gal. 4:9-10, Rom. 14:5-7) and the kingdom of God is not in meat or drink but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17), God wants us to rejoice in Him and mark that joy with feasting. A BRIEF CASE FOR A CHRISTIAN SABBATH While celebrating Sunday as the Christian Sabbath is not something Christians should quarrel about, a strong case can be made for the practice. First, we should note that God rested when He created the world, before there was any sin in the world, establishing a one day in seven rhythm that is embedded in the nature of the world. In the first giving of the law, this is the pattern that Israel was to follow keeping the seventh day as sabbath (Ex. 20:11). In the second giving, Moses appealed to the Exodus (Dt. 5:15), not because remembering creation had ceased, but because now there was more to remember, and the central command in Sabbath-keeping is to “remember.” Specifically, as Israel went into Canaan, they were to remember that they had been slaves with no days off, but God had made them His free royal sons who would now work for Him and celebrate a weekly holiday. Isaiah prophesied that in the New Covenant all flesh will worship the true God “from one sabbath to another” (Is. 66:23), and Hebrews explicitly says that a “rest” remains for the people of God, and the word there is “sabbath” (Heb. 4:9). So the question that remains would be why do we believe that the Christian Sabbath is Sunday instead of Saturday? Given all of this, it actually makes tons of sense that Christians would immediately begin celebrating a weekly Sabbath feast and holy convocation on the day Jesus rose from the dead and remade all things (1 Cor. 16:2, Rev. 1:10). The resurrection marks the new creation and the new Exodus, and if God's people celebrated the first creation and the first exodus as free sons with a weekly festival, why would we do any less? CONCLUSION: JESUS, LORD OF TIME Part of what we proclaim when we say that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, is that He is the Lord of Time. He is Lord of our calendars. People always keep time by their gods because our lives are timebound (e.g. ‘Sun'-day, ‘Moon'-day, Thors-day, etc.) and so we mark those things that seem most important and those memorials in time in turn shape us into certain kinds of people. This is why culture wars center on battles over the dictionary and the calendar (words/definitions and time). What is true? What must we remember and celebrate? The gospel is gloriously historic. Jesus created the heavens and the earth in six days, and in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son to be born of a woman, to be born under the law, to redeem us from the curse of the law. Jesus was born in time, on a particular day. He lived for about 33 years, and He was crucified, and on the third day, He rose from the dead. He was seen by many for 40 days, ascended into Heaven, and on the 50th day, He sent His Holy Spirit on the Church. While the Roman Catholic calendar got overly crowded and burdensome during the middle ages, we stand with the historic church and the Reformers in wanting our lives to be shaped by Christ in time and so we celebrate the Five Evangelical Feast Days (Christmas, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, and Pentecost), the central events in the life of Christ, with the Lord's Day as our weekly rhythm of rejoicing at the center. We work hard because we rest in Him.

One of the clearest indications a person is a Christian is they love other Christians. As God's children we are to reflect God's love in how we relate to our brothers and sisters in Christ (Eph. 5:1-2). And the only way that can happen is if we are born again (Jn. 3:5). When we get saved, God pours His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5) and teaches us how to love by His own example (1 Thes. 4:9). Love is one of the fruits that the Holy Spirit produces in the hearts of believers (Gal. 5:22). It's as if God enlarges our “sin-shrunk hearts” and enables us to do what we couldn't do before; sincerely and fervently love one another from the heart. In vv. 22-25, Peter answered TWO QUESTIONS about the love we should have for one another which is the supernatural result of having been born again

You are your own worst enemy. When you stay in carnality (don't use 1 John 1:9). When you think with a human viewpoint instead of a divine viewpoint. When you make bad decisions. When you get lured by one of our three enemies: the world, the flesh, or the devil. The Christian life is about learning how to avoid these lures. “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh but those who live according to the Holy Spirit set their minds on the things of the Holy Spirit” (Rom 8:5). The Holy Spirit protects you from yourself. By using problem-solving device #1 rebound you are guaranteed to have a protector in life—God the Holy Spirit. Full Transcript: https://rhem.pub/enemy-transcript-2b3f0 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rick-hughes/message

Acts 19 begins with Paul stumbling upon a group of disciples in Ephesus that seemed different from those he had encountered elsewhere. So different he asked them point-blank, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2). This, on the surface, seems like a strange question. After all, how could they be “disciples” and not have the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9)? Didn’t Paul write to the church at Ephesus that all believers are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Eph. 1:13-14)? And if so, is there a difference between “knowing” the Holy Spirit and “receiving” the Holy Spirit? Plus, when Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit to His disciples in John 14, He made this statement: “And I will pray (ask) the Father, and He will give you another (állos – of the same kind, an exact replica) Helper (paráklētos – to comfort, encourage or exhort), that He may abide (live, rest, dwell, make His home) with you forever— (described as) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows (ginōskō) Him; but you know (ginōskō) Him, (how) for He dwells with you (present) and will be in you (future). I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you (future)” – John 14:16-18. In this statement about the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes a distinction between the lost world and those whom He will redeem, the chosen (Eph. 1:4), the children of God (Rom. 8:16-17). And this distinction is the ability to “see” and “know” (ginōskō) the Holy Spirit. The word translated know (ginōskō), does not mean to know in a cognitive sense, such as, “I know that George Washington was the first president of the United States.” It is not mental, factual, academic knowledge only. To know (ginōskō), as Jesus said we would “know” the Holy Spirit, is an intimate knowledge (as Adam “knew” his wife Eve and as Joseph did not “know” his wife Mary “until she had brought forth her firstborn Son”). The word ginōskō also means to know by experience, to know completely, to know and place one’s favor and acceptance upon. It is a powerful word that reveals more about parents knowing their child than a student knowing the answers to Friday’s pop quiz. And this is how Jesus said we are to know (ginōskō) and do know (ginōskō), the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). Do you know the Holy Spirit that way? But How Can I Know the Holy Spirit?This is the question that is asked by many today as we see the possibility of the Higher Christian Life and compare it to the lukewarm relationship we have with the Lord— and even a less than lukewarm relationship with the Holy Spirit. Plus, when you consider the familiar verses found at the beginning of Romans 12, and realize the Person of the Godhead we are to “present your bodies (to as) a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1) is none other than the Holy Spirit, it begins to make our lack of intimacy with the One who lives in us almost unbearable. Think, God the Father is in heaven seated on His throne. Jesus is right now at the right hand of the Father (Rom. 8:34, Eph. 1:20, Col. 3:1) continually interceding for us (Heb. 7:25). And where is the Holy Spirit? Exactly. He is here on earth, living in you and me. God the Father has never been revealed to us in a body nor does He have a need for one since He is sitting on His throne in heaven. Jesus already has a body and may reveal Himself to us throughout all eternity in His broken body bearing the marks of His atonement for our sin. This may be the meaning of John’s description of Jesus in the Revelation as, “a Lamb as though it had been slain” (Rev. 5:6). And the Holy Spirit? He inhabits your body. He empowers us with His gifts of ministry to bring the Lord glory while we live out our life on this earth. He makes our bodies a temple, a dwelling place of the...

Our topic today is the Trinity. This topic is the first in an eight-part series entitled “Putting the Fun in…”. We want to have some fun in understanding the “fundamentals” or “essentials” of the Christian faith. How we understand God profoundly impacts our everyday lives. And Christianity believes in one God, who exists as a Trinity. The Trinity is three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). And these three Persons share one divine nature. The Trinity is a genuine mystery. It is beyond our ability to comprehend completely. But by using analogies like a triangle, we can apprehend enough to know that it is not contradictory. 0:00 - Opening, Welcome and introduction 1:23 - Christianity believes in only one God (monotheism) (Deut 6:4; Mark 12:29). But our one God exists as a Trinity. 2:37 - “Trinity” or “Tri-Unity” means “Three-in-One” and is a mystery beyond our finite understanding. 3:19 - God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the members of the Trinity. Some passages mention all three together (Matt. 3:16-18; 28:18-20) 4:35 - We cannot comprehend the Trinity altogether. But we can “apprehend” enough through analogies to show it is not contradictory. 5:05 - While no analogy is perfect, a triangle is illustrative. 7:17 - So What? The Trinity is supremely relational. The three Persons have been in community eternally. But that same God invites us into that relationship! 8:34 - The Trinity should radically change how we worship & pray. We are praying to God our Father--who cares for us and knows his plan for our lives Through the Son--That's why we often end prayers “In Jesus' name” because Jesus is the one who stands before God for us And by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26) 10:10 - Thank you and wrap up For further information about Binmin and more resources for your spiritual life, visit www.Binmin.org CONNECT WITH THE BINMIN TEAM Instagram: Binmin Linkedin: Binmin Twitter: Binmin Ask Questions: info@binmin.org PODCAST RESOURCES More from Binmin: Binmin.org Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on AnchorFM Subscribe on YouTube PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING A REVIEW If this podcast has helped you find your next steps for making your spiritual life more important to you, you can help share it by leaving an Apple Podcasts review! Thank you for sharing!

Sharing God's happiness is true lasting happiness. It's demonstrated in contentment and capacity for life. Contentment is the secret to the Christian life. “Godliness is a means of great profit when accompanied by contentment” (1 Tim 6:6). This happiness is not dependent on people, things or circumstances. “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, prosperity and happiness by means of the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17). Happiness is what you think. It is related to what is in your soul, it's self-contained. Self-contained happiness is mandated as a problem-solving device. “Keep on having happiness in the Lord” (Phil 3:1). The happiness God offers you is never threatened by circumstances. You can be as happy in adversity as you are in prosperity. Full Transcript: https://rhem.pub/sharing-gods-7e447 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rick-hughes/message

5 Truths About the Holy Spirit // Vladimir Savchuk ________Podcast Notes: 1. We are DEBTORS to the Holy Spirit (Rom.8:12)- we owe nothing to the flesh- we owe everything to the Holy Spirit Because the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus to us and He put us into Christ at the time of our salvation. 2. Put to DEATH the sinful desires by the Holy Spirit (Rom.8:13)3. We are LED by the Spirit of God (Rom.8:14)4. We PRAY out by the Spirit (Rom.8:15)5. Holy Spirit BEARS WITNESS to our spirit that we are children of God (Rom.8:16)_________Don't forget to subscribe, share, and rate this podcast!_________Books, Podcast, Online School, Give https://linktr.ee/vladhungrygenNew episode is available now

In the third petition of the Lord's prayer, Jesus instructs us to pray for God's will to be done. This request flows from the petition for God's kingdom to come, for the Lord's kingdom is present where we find righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). Such fruits are possible only as we do the will of God.

How to exercise calm present leadership when there's disappointment, constant change and pressure from every side?Understanding what's going on psychologically now with your church, team and you? How to best care for your team? And how to lead now when anxiety levels keep oscillating as the risk from the virus waxes and wanes (and are likely to for the next two years). Plus navigating how to lead when there are so many different views inside and outside the team about which direction you and your church should take.Robert Creech is Director of Pastoral Ministries at the George W Truett Theological Seminary Waco in Texas and was senior pastor of University Baptist Church in Houston, Texas for 22 years.Robert says we should ‘… abandon both optimism and despair and serve with hope. Jurgen Moltmann says the two sins against hope are optimism and despair. Optimism is groundless. Despair is faithless. Jim Collins (Good to Great) gave us the “Stockdale Paradox.” When asked about what POWs did not make it out of their Viet Nam imprisonment, James Stockdale said, “the optimists.” Those who were constantly saying, “We'll be out of this by Easter, or Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or New Year” were constantly disappointed by reality. They had no grounds for such false hopes. It was the realists, Stockdale said, who survived. This is an important perspective to hold during these days. Depending on who is prognosticating, we may be in this social distancing mode for some time. We should prepare ourselves to do our ministry in this situation for the long-haul. Hope is not optimism. It is, for the Christian, a part of a realistic outlook. The Easter reality is that in whatever future we find ourselves, God is present, God is with us. He is our hope.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).http://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/calmpresentleadershipSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thepastorsheart)

Originally Presented: December 7, 2009 Scripture Reading: Romans 14:13-23 Romans 14 focuses on the response Christians have to each other when they differ concerning non-essential practical matters in their living.  Regarding these matters, people usually fall into one of two categories: a more restrictive view and a less restrictive view.  Early in the chapter Paul commands the more restrictive people (whom he calls 'weak in the faith') not to judge the less restrictive people; and he commands the less restrictive people not to regard with contempt those who are more restrictive.  God accepts both kinds of people in this passage and accepts both kinds of behavior. In the last half of the chapter we see another exhortation and another reason for obeying it.  "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this - not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way" (Rom 14:13).  We must make sure that we are not flaunting our freedom before a brother whose conscience is offended in some matter, and thus encouraging him to violate his conscience. Paul's reasoning here is compelling.  "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17).  The kingdom of God is deeper and fuller than the practical issues that we sometimes make more important than peace with each other.  This passage is clear to point out that more important than non-essential, practical issues themselves is the maintaining of peace and joy in the body of Christ.  To put it in the terms of Romans 14, my brother's heart and my relationship to him are much more critical than whether or not I eat meat.  "So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another" (Rom 14:17).

God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5)Time:AfternoonMinister:Rev. J. VanSpronsenTexts:Romans 5:5Romans 5:1–5Romans 8:1–171 Corinthians 12:4–14Belgic Confession: Article 11

Text: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13, NASB).Theme: You were created to live with abundant hope.PDF Link - Hope Part 2Hope Part 2 Video

Every Christian can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit. Once you are filled, you can live by the Spirit. But this is not an automatic change – we have to develop our relationship with the Holy Spirit to grow and strengthen it. The Holy Spirit is a person and we need to consciously seek and build that relationship – just as we would with a friend or spouse. In this message, let's look at some practical points to grow and develop our relationship with the Holy Spirit.Key Points: 1. You need to spend time with the Holy Spirit (Rev. 2:2-4); 2. You need to become sensitive to the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:29-31, 1 Thess. 5:19); 3. You need to depend on the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26, Luke 12:11-12); 4. You need to move in response to the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25)Apply The Word: How much time do you spend with the Holy Spirit? How much do you focus on your relationship with Him? We need to set aside time to pray. This is what the disciples did both before and after the day of Pentecost. Prayer and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit are totally connected. Focus on your daily and continual prayer.Do you remember your first encounter with Jesus? What was the day, month, year? Where were you? What changed in your life after this encounter? If we want to know Jesus and experience His reality through the Holy Spirit, we need to return to our first love (Revelation 2:2-4) where we walk joyfully and wholly by the Spirit.What is your experience of walking with the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a person who knows what is good and what is not good. When you are close to the Holy Spirit you will become more aware of God and others. You will develop a greater sensitivity to the Holy presence of God and also what is unholy, to both avoid what is bad and pursue what is good in our thoughts, words, and actions. If we want to walk with Him, we need to literally follow His steps (Galatians 5:25).

Reconciliation comes means to change from enmity to friendship – from a state of enmity and fragmentation to one of harmony and fellowship, to reconcile. Reconciliation involves a change in the relationship between God and man or man and man. It assumes there has been a breakdown in the relationship. Reconciliation is restoration as the result of Christ exchanging His righteousness (through His blood) for our guilt. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans ‭5:6‬ Yes, God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8-10‬ ‬Because of Christ exchanging his righteousness for our sin and guilt; we are reconciled and become new creatures altogether:Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ( 2 Cor 5:17 ). Thus, we are no longer enemies, ungodly, sinners, or powerless. Instead, the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit whom God has given to us ( Rom 5:5 ). Reconciliation is something done by the one who offers it; it is not just something that happens to the estranged people.It is the cross of Christ that reconciles both Jew and Gentile. They are brought near by the blood of Christ. Because of this, Jew and Gentile have access to the Father by one spirit. They are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God and members of the same household ( Eph 2:11-22 ). Gentile and Jewish believers are reconciled to God and the middle wall of partition is broken down; both are brought near by the blood of Christ. This message of reconciliation is the measge of salvation that has come from God through Christ has been passed on to us. For God had given us the ministry of reconciliation" ( 2 Cor 5:18 ); "he has committed to us the message of reconciliation" (v. 19). The ultimate aim is that we are not only justified, but that we might become the righteousness of God (v. 21). The whole message of reconciliation is centered around the love of God and the death of Christ. The Holy Spirit reminds us that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" ( Rom 5:8 ). This brings peace with God, access to God through Christ, rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God, making us rejoice in suffering, and having the love of God poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit ( Rom 5:1-5 ). We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation ( Rom 5:11 ). Therefore, to restore man's fellowship God had to take the initiative to reconcile man back to himself. God being so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved man.(Ephesians 2:4)He chose instead to reconcile man back to Himself (that is, to make it possible for God and man to one again live in fellowship and harmony) which only God could accomplish. God purposed that through the service, the intervention of the Son all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, the Father made peace by means of the blood of His cross. And although you at one time were estranged and alienated from Him and were of hostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities, Yet now Christ, has reconciled you to God in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in the Father's presence. Colossians ‭1:19-22‬

Originally Presented: July 15, 2007 Romans 8:5-11 There is a great contrast being drawn in this passage between a Christian and an unbeliever.  The repeated word used to describe unbelievers is 'flesh' and the repeated word used to describe Christians is 'Spirit'.  The word 'flesh' here refers to that which is earthly, temporal, and corrupted by sin.  The word 'Spirit' refers to the Holy Spirit. There is a progressive dynamic revealed in the wording of these verses.  An unbeliever is, first, "according to the flesh" (Rom 8:5), meaning his basic, moral condition is governed by the corruption of sin.  This is a reference to his nature. Second, an unbeliever "sets his mind on the things of the flesh" (Rom 8:5), meaning that his thought patterns and values are bent toward that which is earthly, temporal, and corrupted by sin.  There is, in his thinking, a hostility toward God and spiritual things (Rom 8:7).  This is death (Rom 8:6).  It not only leads to death, but it is death.  It is a living spiritual death. Third, an unbeliever "walks according to the flesh" (Rom 8:4).  This refers to his way of life.  His words and actions reflect his nature and his thinking. This same dynamic, seen in the same wording, can be seen in Christian.  They are "according to the Spirit" (Rom 8:5) and they "set their minds on the things of the Spirit" (Rom 8:5) and they "walk according to the Spirit" (Rom 8:4). This is made possible by the fact that Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9).  The verb here is 'indwelling'.  Paul could have simply said, "The Spirit is in you," but he uses a word indicating closeness and intimacy.  There is delight and wonder in the truth that the omnipotent, almighty Spirit of God dwells within us.  It is strength-giving and comfort-producing. 

How do you define a spiritual person? Seven traits of a spiritual person1.Spiritual people live an INWARD LIFE. A contemplative, meditational, listening, attuned life. The Dalai Lama once quipped, while the West was busy exploring outer space, the East was busy exploring inner space.A spiritual person is led by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14). The spiritual soul will acknowledge that he does not possess the inherent wisdom to know how to conduct his life (Jer. 10:23). He therefore will solicit fervently the mind of God (by consulting the Scriptures) for direction. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. Romans 7:22 (NKJV) He will mediate day and night upon such matters (Psa. 1:2). Prayer and Communion (Mat 6) The soul abiding with Christ in God, is given: "Hidden manna" for the sustenance of the inner life. "To him that overcomes. will I give of the hidden manna" Rev 2:17. "Hidden wisdom" that is withheld from the wise. "The wisdom of God... the hidden wisdom revealed... by His Spirit" 1 Cor 2:7-10."Hidden riches" only gained in times of testing. "I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places" Isa 45:3. that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, Ephesians 3:16 (NKJV)Spiritual people are not impressed by the outward appearance of things. Christ within the hope of Glory. (Col 1:27) Inner adornment of the heart – (1Pe 3:3-4) Spiritual people have their inner world ordered and redecorated by the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5:21-22) See 1Tim 2:9-10 See also 1Sa 16:72.Spiritual people live a more CONNECTED LIFE Connected with God, self, others and creation. God is spirit. (2 Cor 3:17)Become a spiritual person, 1 Cor 2:9 eyes has not seen, but He has revealed it through His spirit. Might know the things of God, revealed through the spirit. Not thought out, not carnal. Comparing spiritual things with spiritual people. The Holy Spirit always operates towards a deeper connection. Spiritual people - connected, active, activated, alive. Personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Filled with the Spirit. (Eph 5:18) Harmony, peaceful, childlike, easy-going. Unburdened. Free. 3.Spiritual people practise SPIRITUAL GIFTSAlthough it can be said that Practising Spiritual gifts does not make you spiritual, it is obvious that spiritual people keeps themselves busy with spiritual things. (Rom 8:1-5) The gifts of the Holy Spirit is per essence spiritual, yet this alone does not make you a spiritual person. The disciples at Corinth possessed miraculous gifts, yet many of them still were not spiritual (1 Cor. 3:1). Some of them even abused the gifts they possessed (1 Cor 14:27-33). The church in Corinth could be labelled as spiritual, due to 2 chapters dealing with spiritual gifts, and tongues. Yet this same church had to be admonished, to stop their divisions (1 Cor 1:10-4:21), not judging sin in their midst (1 Cor 5), to flee immorality (1 Cor 6:12-20)! Yet the Scriptures often speaks about the qualification of deaconships and eldership must be that these people must be FULL OF THE SPIRIT. (Acts 6:3, 5, 8; 7:55; 11:24) EXERCISE YOURSELF IN SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIESPray in tongues 1Cor 14:18Desire spiritual gifts 1Cor 14:1-2Lay hands on the sick Mar 16:18Win souls Mat 28:19Drive put demons. (Luk 10:19) Expect the supernatural. One tenth of Jesus’ life was supernatural in deeds, and wonders, and miracles.4.Spiritual people SEE IN THE SPIRIT Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16) ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radian

Tonight we continue our midweek series Mysteries Of The Kingdom. This evening Pastor Brad teaches on The Parable Of The Mustard Seed. Pastor's Notes: Matthew 13:31-32(NKJV)SCRIPTUREMatthew 13:31-32  Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,  (32)  which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."INTRODUCTIONGood evening, everybody!I certainly hoped you enjoyed last week as we started this brand new series entitled “Mysteries Of The Kingdom”. We are going to look at what the Scriptures tell us about the Kingdom Jesus so often spoke about. Last week, we looked at the parable of the spoil. This week, I will teach you on “The Parable of the Mustard Seed”.Read the text with me one more time. Matthew 13:31-32  Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,  (32)  which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."1. THE MUSTARD SEED- THE PLANT ITSELF...     1. The mustard plant is well known for its hot-flavored seeds     2. Among seeds sown in a garden it was generally the smallest     3. As a plant, it reaches ten, sometimes fifteen feet in height     4. In the fall of the year, its branches have become rigid, and the plant often serves as a shelter for birds of many kinds        - PROVERBIAL USES OF THE MUSTARD SEED...     1. The mustard seed was used frequently to describe anything that is small in its beginning     2. Jesus used it on another occasion to describe one's faith -cf. Mt 17:20 [With this understanding of the mustard plant and its seeds, perhaps we are better able to appreciate the meaning of the parable itself 2. THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE - THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WOULD HAVE A SMALL BEGINNING...     1. Old Testament prophecy foretold this:        a. Concerning the Messiah - cf. Isa 11:1; Isa 53:2-3        b. Concerning the kingdom - cf. Dan 2:35; Is 60:22(starting out as a stone, becoming a great mountain)- BUT ITS TREMENDOUS GROWTH WOULD BE ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS...     1. Just as the "small stone" of Dan 2:35  "became a great mountain and filled the whole earth"     2. The growth of the church in the first century A.D. certainly confirmed the truth of Jesus' parable        a. The 120 disciples grew to over 3000 just in one day - Acts 2:41-42        b. It was soon about 5000 - Acts 4:4         c. The number of the disciples continued to "multiply"           1) In Jerusalem - Acts 6:7            2) Throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria – Acts 9:31         d. Years later, there were "myriads" of believers just in Jerusalem alone - Acts 21:20      3. Even today, we see the growth and influence of the kingdom of heaven in lives of believers around the world! -  IT'S GROWTH WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE WORLD...     1. In the parable, Jesus spoke of how "the birds of the air come and nest in its branches"     2. What did Jesus mean?  He does not say, but the kingdom of God is certainly a blessing to all who take refuge in its "branches"        a. Ex. "for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" - Rom 14:17        b. To those seeking rest for their weary souls, the King offers His tender invitation to come to Him and enter His kingdom of rest - Mt 11:28-30 What about today?  The Kingdom of Heaven continues to grow and spread out its branches to those who will accept it, certainly.  But can we ever expect growth similar to the first century?Consider a few thoughts about...]3. THE GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM TODAY-  THERE IS THE "MATHEMATICAL POSSIBILITY"...     1. Beginning with just twenty disciples, each converting just one        person a year, and their converts doing the same...     2. ...the growth would be like a mustard seed!        a. End of year  1 - 40        b. End of year  5 - 640        c. End of year 10 - 20,480        d. End of year 15 - 655,360        e. End of year 20 - 20,971,520        f. End of year 25 - 1,342,177,280     -- All it takes is for each person to bring one soul to Christ each and every year!Look at the AG stats………The Assemblies of God (AG), officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination.[2] With over 300,000 ministers and outstations in over 212 countries and territories serving approximately 57 to 60 million adherents worldwide,[3][4][5] it is the sixth largest international Christian group of denominations.[6]That’s just AG……not Baptist, Methodist, etc. -  THERE IS CERTAINLY THE "SPIRITUAL POSSIBILITY"...     1. We have the same "seed" of the kingdom, the Word of God!        a. A "seed" which is incorruptible, that lives and abides forever - 1 Peter 1:23-25         b. A "seed" capable of producing what God intends - Isaiah 55:10-11      2. While the first two parables remind us that not all will accept the Word of God, this parable declares that the kingdom will grow!CONCLUSION

As we approach the Advent season, we are happy to introduce a special blog series on the hope we find in, through and given by Christ. Each week’s installment will look at hope from a different perspective with special emphasis on corresponding passages of Scripture. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

Bishop Stewart Ruch oversees the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest. St. Aidan's KC is a founding member of the diocese. Bishop Stewart shares from Romans 8:1-13 on living in the power of the Holy Spirit as a means of crucifying the life of the flesh in Adam. In Christ, all things have become new. The Sacrament of Confirmation follows.

Rom 15:14-17 (NASB) "14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." 1. Paul's Ministry was because of God's grace. (v.15) • 1 Cor 3:10 – According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it • 1 Cor 15:10 – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. • Rom 12:3 – For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. • 1 Cor 4:7 – For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? • 1 Tim 1:15-17 – The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. • 1 Cor 3:5-7 – What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 2. Paul's ministry was an act of worship (v.16) • Romans 15:16 – to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit • Rom 12:1 – Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. • 1Thess 2:19-20 – For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy. • Phil 1:21-26 – For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. • Heb 12:1-3 – Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 3. Paul's primary ministry was to preach the gospel. (v.16) • 2 Tim 4:1-2 – I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. • Josh 1:7-8 – “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. • Eccl 3:1-4 – There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven — 2 A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. 3 A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. • 1 Cor 1:17-25 – 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Romans 15:14-19 In my 16 years of being a Christian, I have found that within the professing Body of Christ, there generally exists two extremes when it comes to understanding the person and work of the Holy Spirit.  On one extreme, there are those who sacrifice biblical doctrine on the altar of experience and those on the other extreme, those who sacrifice experience on the altar of learning.  This sermon is a call to a middle ground; the Bible in one hand, governing our experience in the other.  To accept a spiritual experience outside the framework of Holy Scripture is a sure recipe for deception; yet to deny a genuine work of the Holy Spirit operating within the God given parameters of the Word of God is to do great insult and injury to the person of the Holy Spirit and to render the Body of Christ a spiritual handicap.  We take a look at a biblical approach to understanding the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit.

Episode 52 The Kingdom of God This is David Sheats on Anchor of Truth. Jesus said we should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. What is the kingdom of God? Is it something in the future or now? Is it a kingdom that can be seen or is it hidden? How do we obey this command of Jesus? There is much discussion related to this subject, and as with so many subjects, we can hardly begin to answer the questions in such a short time. But Jesus spoke much about the kingdom of God so I believe He expected us to have some understanding on how it applies to us. While this is a big subject, let us focus on what it means to us today. • Some statements by Jesus concerning the kingdom of God o Seek first the Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33) o It does not come by observation, is within you (Luke 17:20-21) o You must be born again to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3) o “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) o There are mysteries relating to the kingdom (Luke 8:10) • God chose Israel as a nation to express Himself in this world (Deut. 6:7-8) o Jesus was the king of the Jews (Matt. 2:2, 27:11, 27:37) o Israel did not recognize or receive Jesus as their king (Matt. 21:33-46, John 19:15) o The kingdom of God was taken from Israel and given to another (Matt. 21:43) • God chose the church as the Body of Christ to express Himself to the world o Jesus expounded truths pertaining to His kingdom after His resurrection (Acts 1:3) o The Holy Spirit was given to bring the kingdom of God within (Acts 2:36, I Cor. 12:3) o The church is the present expression of the kingdom of God on earth (Eph. 2:19, I Peter 2:9) o The disciples taught truths concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 8:12, 14:22, 19:8) • The authority of God is manifested in earthly bodies and has physical effects o Christ was the expression of the kingdom of God during his earthly ministry o The church is the present Body of Christ o The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17) o Where Christ reigns as Lord, the character of God is revealed in this world o God’s purpose is that the local assembly of believers should be a pure expression of God • One day the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of God (Rev. 11:15, 12:10) • Additional resources at  http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email David@AnchorOfTruth.com

Episode 44 The ministry of Intercession Perhaps the most basic instinct in men is to pray. Even the person that does not confess to believing in God finds themselves praying in an hour of crisis. What is prayer? Why pray? How should we pray? In many ways, prayer is one of the greatest mysteries in the life of the Christian, while at the same time even a small child can pray. We are commanded to “pray without ceasing.” The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Let us be encouraged in this great labor that God has called us to. • Prayer is communication with God o In prayer we face God directly o Acknowledges the sovereignty of God • We pray because o God commanded us to o It is the way God has involved us in what He is doing o We are concerned about the things of God (Matt. 6:10) o We care about others • How do we pray o Should be inspired and directed by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26,27) o In the will of God o In private (Matt. 6:6) o With others (agreeing together,  Matt 18:19) o Without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17, Col. 4:2) o From the heart (John 15:7) o In the name of Jesus (John 14:13) • Prayer is a labor • We learn to pray by praying An excellent booklet on prayer is Pray in the Spirit by Arthur Wallis https://www.amazon.com/Pray-Spirit-Arthur-Wallis-ebook/dp/B007AN88FY#nav-subnav • Additional resources at  http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ • Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne • Comments and questions welcome. Email David@AnchorOfTruth.com

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17), … The joy that comes from God is spiritual. Note the way this joy is called in the above scripture—“joy in the Holy Spirit.” Unlike the superficial joy that the world gives, which comes through external sources of excitement, it will never disappear or be taken away from you. Where the kingdom of God is, there is always joy. People who rejoice always want to share their joy with others. Joy is something that is enjoyed together with other people. This is true not only with humans, but also with angels and God. And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15:5-7). This joy is typical of heavenly joy. Joy is in heaven, and it is given from above to us on earth. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (Luke 2:10)." The salvation that has come through Christ is for humanity, not for angels. But these angels, too, are rejoicing so much about it. And it is unfortunate that we are so ignorant about it and have no joy. God chose these shepherds in the field to share this joy with the human world, and the same is true with us who were chosen by God and brought into his kingdom. The kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.’ If joy we receive is from heaven, and it is God who gives such joy to us, there is something important that is required of us. Jesus said: Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together (John 4:36). It was Jesus who sowed himself in the ground as a kernel of wheat, and we are the reapers. He did the hard work, and we reap the fruit of what he sowed. And the above words teach us that its purpose is for both the sower and the reaper to be glad together sharing the joy. This joy is given to us who work as reapers. But what if we do not go to the field and reap?

We have been tasked with learning to be a family in 2012. A family bathed in the truth that God is a God of hope and He fills us with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13). We are embarking on the the adventure of discovering the truth of His promises together!

Eric Gordon 18/1/09 God's part/ My part in changing me Phil 2:12-13 Work OUT Work IN YOUR salvation GOD'S part in changing me: 1. The Bible (2 Tim 3:16 &17)LIVING 2. The Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11)PHILLIPS (1 Cor 3:18) LIVING 3. Circumstances (Rom 8:28 & 29) MY part in changing me: 1. Choose what I think about (Prov 4:23) 2. Choose to depend on the Holy Spirit 3. Choose my response to circumstances "Resist, Tolerate, Embrace the Change. It's your choice"