POWER

Aloha Saints, Family & Friends, beloved of Jesus and me, John 3:16

POWER “WORTH CONSIDERING” 12/10/21 From Ken Smith<><

There is much interest in our world concerning POWER (Money) and Sex. Seems if you want to sell something today one or both of those enticements must be in the hook.

But Jesus took the whole thing of lust into a new direction. “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone [just one grain, never more]. But if it dies, it produces much grain and yields a harvest. 25 The one who loves his life [eventually] loses it [through death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will keep it for life eternal. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:24-26. And again in John 17:18-26, “ (FATHER,) Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them (believers) into the world. 19 For their sake [a] I sanctify Myself [to do Your will], so that they also may be sanctified [set apart, dedicated, made holy] in [Your] truth. 20 “I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me through their message, 21 that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me. 22 I have given to them the glory (power) and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given to Me [as Your gift to Me], may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”

So when you read what John recorded of Jesus you must decide if this is really the God’s Truth or if Jesus is lying. If it is God’s truth, which I believe it is, then it goes way beyond being a Traditional Church Member and making up your own bible to live by. It puts a life and death challenge before us that is consistent with the whole Bible. Jesus tells us that if we will hold steadfast to HIM and be conformed to HIM that we will experience the Power that HE has flowing through us as we come into unity with each other. And that we are SANCTIFIED ( a process) AND MADE HOLY through HIS WORD. And as we are “perfected and become one” that the world will know that Jesus is LORD and be drawn to HIM.

SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Why does Apostle Paul prophesy about our days in 2 Tim 3:5, “holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.” And Paul continues in verse 10: “Now you have diligently followed [my example, that is] my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 11 persecutions, and sufferings—such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, but the Lord rescued me from them all! 12 Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith]. 13 But evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17so that the [a] man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

So the problem seems to be that we have traded Traditional Theater Church Traditions, due to our comfort zone, for the Word of God. And as our churches are no longer teaching the Truth of the Word of God that the Holy Spirit can no longer confirm that word with POWER. Even the whole form is contrary to what Apostle Paul lays out in 1 Cor.14:26-33: “What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be limited to two or at the most three, and each one speaking in turn, and one must interpret [what is said]. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, the one [who wishes to speak in a tongue] must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak [as inspired by the Holy Spirit], while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said. 30 But if an inspired revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one must be silent. 31 For [in this way] you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may be instructed and everyone may be encouraged; 32 for the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets [the prophecy is under the speaker’s control, and he can stop speaking]; 33 for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.”

So it would seem that if the Holy Spirit is not going to change to conform to our traditions. We are going to need to take a serious look at the teachings of Jesus and conform to them or we will never see the victory given us in Romans 8. And can a person really be a Christian and not really make Christ Jesus their REAL LORD (boss, king, ruler, general?) And find out what HE wants them to do for HIM?

My mothers sister, My Aunt Emma, is 100 yrs. old today. Please send her a happy birthday note.
Emma Gerber: epgerber@aol.com (Lives in Burke, VA.)

Yours, in HIS great Love and wonderful Grace and Mercy, Ken<>< www.OhanaChurch.Life
( Add / Delete, ken@trinity-aloha.org “Worth Considering” library a link on our Homepage. )

There is but ONE Church of Christ Jesus and all who Love, Honor & Obey HIM are members.

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