BACK TO BASICS

There is a small word “IF” that is mostly overlooked when reading or studying the Bible.  But it is a profound word that reminds us always of having free will.  Our Creator God is not interested in creating robots but a family who chooses to love, honor and obey HIM out of love and understanding in humility.   In Rom. 8:13-14.  Apostle Paul shares with us:  “ For ”IF”you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But “IF”[you are living] by the power of the Holy Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever. 14 For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are children  of God.” For me it would seem that free will is very active here ?

According to Holy Scripture we were created with an eternal soul but in a temporary body so the question is really, Will we qualify for a new eternal body when we stand before Jesus at the time of judgment?  As without a body, a soul is in complete and absolute darkness, Jude 13

One time I took a long vacation with my family. An RV dealer asked me to pick up an RV in Southbend and bring it to Portland and enjoy a good vacation. So went up to Woodstock to see some good friend, then to New York to meet some other friend then to Kentucky where I was born and to New Orleans and Los Angeles and then up to Portland.  My constant buddy was a Road Map.  As with a brand new 27 foot RV,  I did not want to miss a turn and have to back up for anything.

So in life we have roads going in all directions and God’s Prophets have been sent to help show us the way home.  So we need to learn to have faith in HIS road map and with a commitment to head for our creator as our LORD (boss, master, creator.)  Jesus told us, salvation is a process in Matt. 24:13-14, “Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. 14 This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come. It does appear we are close to the “End of this Age.”  So are we really ready for the jump to light speed?   Matt.25.

Basics, Starting Point:

1.    With deep faith our Creator God seeks us to accept HIS salvation provided in Christ Jesus and to make HIM our LORD so that HE also become our savior, Isa. 53, Rom.10:9-10

2.    As a public witness of your commitment to also be baptized in water showing your willingness to die to this world in expectation of an eternal resurrection in the next.

3.    To seek the Heavenly Father for the empowering of the Holy Spirit so as to effectively be able to follow Jesus in Love, Holiness & Power.   Luke 11:13,  Acts 8:14-15,  Acts 19:2,  

Jesus came to save, seal and empower as LORD, “IF” we will invite HIM and allow HIM to do so in our lives?  Please take time to look up the verses as your eternal life depends upon God’s Truth.

As per Jesus in John 17 and  Paul in 1 Cor 12, we learn to come into unity like the body we live in.  If a cell in our body goes rogue in doing it’s own thing, we call it cancer and try to kill it.  The Early Church did just that (Matt. 18:15-18)  but we tend to be more loving and permissive so we let the cancer stay even if we find the cancer growing. Therefore there are very few who experience Matt. 18:18-20 and find themselves in 2 Tim.3:5 and what we call church today is nearly powerless.

The Early church on Saturday mornings would go where people gathered to evangelize and invite those they felt were interested and perhaps God’s Elect to an evening HouseChurch gathering.  Large gatherings were good for Apostles, Prophets and Evangelist ministries to share the vision, truth and invitation.  But the HouseChurch was the power house for making disciples if with a good shepherd and/or teacher.  So for a New Testament Church to be effective both opportunities need to be in action, Eph.4:11-16.

Also there is only eternal  membership of the ONE Church of Christ Jesus that is effective.   That is composed of those who Love, Honor and Obey Jesus as LORD.   All local memberships or denominations (John 17) tend to cause division and box the members in who were created to be like the wind, John 3:8., 1 John 4:17.   A Jesus Church is to be ruled by the Elders who are guided by the Holy Spirit in consensual unity,  Acts 15.   If there is a lack of unity then a time for prayer and loving discussion is needed.  There is no direction in the New Testament for the building of buildings for ministry. And there is no support for Old Testament tithing as God  has called Christians to lay all that they have and all that they are before Christ Jesus as LORD.   And for the Holy Spirit to guide each as to what to do with what they have without limitations or the letter of the law.  We only get to keep what we send ahead in of our love for Christ Jesus as our LORD.

The theater style of gathering works well for Apostolic, Prophetical and Evangelist gatherings but is a total failure for the House Church of 1 Cor. 14:26-40. This gathering need to take the shape of a forum or round table where everyone has freedom to participate and be affirmed if they have a ministry in the Holy Spirit.  First should come the fruit of the Holy Spirit, then the gifts of the Holy Spirit and then the Ministries of the Holy Spirit and all this needs to be active and open to all so that the Holy Spirit can perfect the saints, Eph.4:11-16. It is a forum and not to be a theater. This is very important to consider and we have many who are called into the ministry of the LORD polishing pews on Sunday mornings all boxed in and watching their watch every 5 minutes looking for lunch.  The Early Church was so exciting that it might go on until 3 in the morning.   We are told what they did in Acts 2:37-47, basically they went through the tabernacle of Moses in 7 steps.  1. the witness and testimony of Jesus.  2. The Truth of God.   3. An Agape fellowship meal.  4. The Lord’s Supper.  5. General Prayers,  6.Individual Prayers, 7.  Supernatural Ministry.   Not that this is a law but area’s of need and concern for the Holy Sprite to direct in the building of HIS Church.  As people don’t read very much any more this it is mostly a summery for further study if interested in seeing an Acts 5:16 church come alive again.   Our vain traditions have placed most of us in 2 Tim. 3:5.
On  our web site: www.OhanaChurch.Life at the bottom of the homepage find “Worth Considering” If  you click on that link our files will open to a very nice search engine that may be helpful.
Yours, in HIS great Love and wonderful Grace & Mercy,   Ken<><