Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Good evening, let us hear the Word of God. Let the peace, grace, and joy of God be in the midst of us abundantly.
We are studying Revelation 2-3 about the seven churches of the Gentiles who experience the last sanctification or the sprinkling of blood, so we can be perfect (it has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, July 27, 2014).
We are learning Revelation 3: 14-22 about the church of the LAODICEANS(it has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, June 14, 2015). It is the last church, the seventh church, that refers to the condition of the congregation in the last days or all of us.
Revelation 3: 21-22
3:21. To him who overcomesI will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
3:22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"
THE PROMISE OF GODto the church of the Laodiceans or all of us who overcome the lukewarmness together with Him is sitting with Jesus on the throne of Heaven forever. It means we, as the Heavenly bride or the perfect body of Christ, sit together with Jesus, the Heavenly Bridegroom or the Head, on the throne of Heaven forever.
Thus, we follow and serve GOD not only in this world, but until we can sit together with Him on the throne of Heaven, the throne of the New Jerusalem, forever.
The relationship between the Heavenly Bridegroom and the Heavenly bride is a spiritual relationsip, that is LOVE RELATIONSHIP. In the Tabernacle, it is shown by the two tablets of stone.
Thus, we must receive the love of Godor the two tablets of stone, so we can sit together with Jesus on the throne of Heaven forever.
The two tablets of stone consist of two parts as follows.
These two tablets of stone cannot be separated.If we love God, we will love the others. If we love the others as loving ourselves, we will love God for sure. These two things must work together. We prioritize God and ministry more than everything in this world. We love the others as loving ourselves, until loving the others who hate us.
Loving the others as loving ourselves and loving the others who hate us means LOVING ONE ANOTHER. We do to the others what we want them to do for us.
1 John 4: 12, 18
4:12. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfectedin us.
4:18 There is no fearin love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
If we can love one another (the second tablet of stone), we will be able to love GOD more than everything. It means we have a perfect love.
The proof of having the perfect loveis there is no fear.
Welcoming Jesus' second coming, fear will attack the world even become the major killer.
Luke 21: 25-27
21:25. "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
21:26 men's hearts failing them from fearand the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
21:27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Fear (stress) will attack every field (economy, future, mate, illness, et cetera), so the hormones in the body cannot work well. Thus, it becomes the major killer physically and spiritually. If one is worried, he will not be able to pray until he will die spiritually, even enter the second death that is the everlasting hell.
Fear is the proof that there is no love. If there is perfect love (the two tablets of stone), there is no fear but full surrender to GOD.
Fear attacks from era to era as follows.
We will learn from Peter.Peter is a great servant of GOD, an experienced disciple used by God, but he is in fear (doubt) in the world that is as the sea because of the wind and waves.
Matthew 14: 22-24, 26-31
14:22. Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
14:23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
14:24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the windwas contrary.
14:26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
14:29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
14:30 But when he saw that the wind wasboisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out Hishand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Peter who is great can be in fear and doubt. Who are we? We must be careful. We need the perfect love to destroy fear.
Our journey following and ministering GOD is as a ship that crosses the world that is as the sea to reach the harbor of peace, that is the New Jerusalem.
Usually our fault is following God with the aim to get many fishes. The other things we get are only bonus. Our main aim is reaching the harbor of peace. Many times we magnify the physical blessing in the house of GOD, but it will be useless if we do not reach the harbor.
Our following to GOD must be upgraded.
Therefore, we need the Bride Tidings. The Good News (Gospel Word) preaches Jesus as the Savior, a good Father, a good Shepherd, a great Physican, et ceterato save, help, and bless us. But, we still can be separated from God.
We need the Bride Tidings(the teaching Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword) to upgrade our following to GOD, to the following of the bride that cannot be separated forever.
The practice of the following of the body to the Head(the following of the bride) is entering the ministry of building the perfect body of Christ. It is a great revival (it was explained in the new year's eve service).
There are two types of revival,that is the revival of the wild horse or the revival of the white horse. Looking only on the physical matters will lead to the revival of the wild horse and cause spiritual lukewarmness (as the Laodiceans). Let us enter the revival of the white horse (the revival of Holy Spirit in the last days), that is the ministry of building the perfect body of Christ.
The revival of Holy Spirit in the last days is started from within the marriage. Bride Tidings unites the marriage. If marriage has been united, it will enlarge in the shepherding, inter-shepherding, until the Israelites and the Gentiles becomes one perfect body of Christ (international). We are worthy to welcome Jesus' second coming on the glorious clouds to sit together with Him on the throne of Heaven.
If marriage is not united, we will never sit together with Jesus on the throne of Heaven. Husband and wife must be united first!It is as the verse "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become oneflesh."
Matthew 14: 22
14:22. Immediately Jesus madeHis disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
'Jesus madeHis disciples' = it is the command of God and must not be ignored.
Jesus commands the disciples only to go to the other side, while the others are sent away.
Disciples = the servants of God or the children of God who receive the true teaching Word.
Thus, the revival of building the perfect body of Christ is the revival led by the true teaching Word. We, as the branches, attach to the true vine, not to a pastor or church organization. The true vine is Jesus (the true teaching Word).
The revival of building the body of Christ is as crossing the sea. It means we must be willing to sacrifice everything, time, energy, thought, money, et cetera. Everything must be sacrificed, exceptthe true teaching Word. The true teaching Word is Jesus as the Head. Marriage withoutthe true teaching Word is as a body without head. Shepherding withoutthe true teaching Word is as a body without head. It is dreadful.
'He sent the multitudes away'means many are called but few are chosen.Many people receive the Gospel Word. They believe Jesus. They are saved and blessed. But only few people receive the teaching Word. Many reject the teaching Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword and do not want to enter the ministry of building the perfect body of Christ.
The consequence isbeing sent away, meaningreturning to the past life.
The examples are as follows.
Be careful! Many are called, but few are chosen. If we have received the teaching Word, we must be careful also, because the first can become the last. We must be serious! Do not go back, but receive the teaching Word!
Luke 13: 22-24, 29-30
13:22. And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
13:23 Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them,
13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
13:29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.
13:30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."
Verse 22= 'teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem'= it is clear that the teaching Word leads us to the New Jerusalem. Never say that the teaching only differs a bit. As the lesson about the rail track, when it differs a bit then it will never meet.
Verse 24 = the teaching is related with the narrow gate. If there is the teaching, there is the crucifixion of the flesh.
'from the east and the west, from the north and the south'= the cross.
Why do many people go back?Because the teaching Word is related with the narrow gate or the crucifixion of the flesh. We must go through this these days. The teaching Word and the crosswill bring us to the New Jerusalem. In the past, Jesus taught, went to the other side, and then journeyed toward Jerusalem. The cross is not easy, but there is glory behind it.
The example of the cross is we must go to the church on Sunday although it is a holiday. Also on Monday and Wednesday, we must go to the church after working hours.
We must be serious! The teaching and the cross are one.It is the key to enter the building of the perfect body of Christ. It starts from a pastor. A pastor must bear the cross, that is praying, fasting, preaching the Word, et cetera, to bring the sheep to enter the narrow gate too. There is glory behind the cross. We will be glorified in the world up to in the New Jerusalem. In this new year, we must not go back, but we must GO FORWARD AND HOLD THE TRUE TEACHING WORD AND THE CROSS!
There are two obstacles in the ministry of building the body of Christ as follows.
Wind and wave attack great servants of God. The examples are as follows.
One in fear (doubt) will say God as ghost and ghost as God. We must be firm! One in doubt will choose the wrong one.
Matthew 14: 26
14:26. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
We look for righteousness these days. Everything must be according to the Bible (ministry, life, the teaching Word). If not, we will be like Peter and start to sink.
Saying 'God as ghost' and 'ghost as God' means as follows.
The true attitude is BEING SILENT AND CALM.Do not be doubtful and afraid. If there is God's love, we can be silent and calm. In Mark 4, Jesus is awaken and He says, "Peace, be still!" so the wind and wave are calmed.
Being silent and calm is the attitude of faithful person.
Being silent means correcting ourselvesthrough the sharpness of the sword of the Word. If there is no sword in the house of God, we will not be able to correct ourselves but only blame the others.
If there is sin, we must confess it to God and the others. If we are forgiven, we must not repeat it. If there is no sin, we must keep silent and not defend ourselves. We surrender everything to God.
If we keep silent, it means our strength is zero and God's power is one hundred percent. In any problems, we must keep silent. If we fully defend ourselves, it means our strength is one hundred percent and there is no God's power. We will sink surely.
Being calm means as follows.
Whatever our condition tonight, do not go back. We must go forward to the other side. There must be the true teaching Word as the true vine and the true fellowship.
Facing the false teaching or the headwind, we must be firm.
Facing the waves, we must be silent and calm.We only pray and stretch out our hands to God. He will stretch out His hands to lift us up from any deterioration. We are lifted up to the glorious clouds and to the throne of the New Jerusalem forever.
Everything is right in His time.If it is not in time, one will sink and be destroyed forever.
God blesses us.
We are studying Revelation 2-3 about the seven churches of the Gentiles who experience the last sanctification or the sprinkling of blood, so we can be perfect (it has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, July 27, 2014).
We are learning Revelation 3: 14-22 about the church of the LAODICEANS(it has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, June 14, 2015). It is the last church, the seventh church, that refers to the condition of the congregation in the last days or all of us.
Revelation 3: 21-22
3:21. To him who overcomesI will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
3:22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"
THE PROMISE OF GODto the church of the Laodiceans or all of us who overcome the lukewarmness together with Him is sitting with Jesus on the throne of Heaven forever. It means we, as the Heavenly bride or the perfect body of Christ, sit together with Jesus, the Heavenly Bridegroom or the Head, on the throne of Heaven forever.
Thus, we follow and serve GOD not only in this world, but until we can sit together with Him on the throne of Heaven, the throne of the New Jerusalem, forever.
The relationship between the Heavenly Bridegroom and the Heavenly bride is a spiritual relationsip, that is LOVE RELATIONSHIP. In the Tabernacle, it is shown by the two tablets of stone.
Thus, we must receive the love of Godor the two tablets of stone, so we can sit together with Jesus on the throne of Heaven forever.
The two tablets of stone consist of two parts as follows.
- The first tablet of stone contains four laws regarding loving GOD with our whole body, spirit, and soul, loving God more than everything (it has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, December 07, 2015 until General Service in Surabaya, December 13, 2015).
- The second tablet of stone contains six laws regarding loving the others who love us, loving the others as loving ourselves, even loving the others who hate us (it has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, December 14, 2015 until Prayer Service in Surabaya, December 23, 2015).
These two tablets of stone cannot be separated.If we love God, we will love the others. If we love the others as loving ourselves, we will love God for sure. These two things must work together. We prioritize God and ministry more than everything in this world. We love the others as loving ourselves, until loving the others who hate us.
Loving the others as loving ourselves and loving the others who hate us means LOVING ONE ANOTHER. We do to the others what we want them to do for us.
1 John 4: 12, 18
4:12. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfectedin us.
4:18 There is no fearin love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
If we can love one another (the second tablet of stone), we will be able to love GOD more than everything. It means we have a perfect love.
The proof of having the perfect loveis there is no fear.
Welcoming Jesus' second coming, fear will attack the world even become the major killer.
Luke 21: 25-27
21:25. "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
21:26 men's hearts failing them from fearand the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
21:27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Fear (stress) will attack every field (economy, future, mate, illness, et cetera), so the hormones in the body cannot work well. Thus, it becomes the major killer physically and spiritually. If one is worried, he will not be able to pray until he will die spiritually, even enter the second death that is the everlasting hell.
Fear is the proof that there is no love. If there is perfect love (the two tablets of stone), there is no fear but full surrender to GOD.
Fear attacks from era to era as follows.
- The beginning era (from Adam to Abraham) is represented by Adam and Eve (fear in the Garden Eden). When God comes, Adam and Eve are afraid.
- The middle era (from Abraham until Jesus' first coming) is represented by the disciples who are in fear.
- The last era (from Jesus' first coming to His second one) is represented by men in the world who are in fear (Luke 21).
We will learn from Peter.Peter is a great servant of GOD, an experienced disciple used by God, but he is in fear (doubt) in the world that is as the sea because of the wind and waves.
Matthew 14: 22-24, 26-31
14:22. Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
14:23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
14:24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the windwas contrary.
14:26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
14:29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
14:30 But when he saw that the wind wasboisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out Hishand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Peter who is great can be in fear and doubt. Who are we? We must be careful. We need the perfect love to destroy fear.
Our journey following and ministering GOD is as a ship that crosses the world that is as the sea to reach the harbor of peace, that is the New Jerusalem.
Usually our fault is following God with the aim to get many fishes. The other things we get are only bonus. Our main aim is reaching the harbor of peace. Many times we magnify the physical blessing in the house of GOD, but it will be useless if we do not reach the harbor.
Our following to GOD must be upgraded.
- The following of son to father (He is a good Father). It must be upgraded since there is a lost son.
- The following of sheep to the shepherd. It must be upgraded since there is a lost sheep.
- The peak of our following to GOD is the following of the body (the bride or wife) to the Head (the Heavenly bridegroom) that cannot be separated by anything. We must reach this.
Therefore, we need the Bride Tidings. The Good News (Gospel Word) preaches Jesus as the Savior, a good Father, a good Shepherd, a great Physican, et ceterato save, help, and bless us. But, we still can be separated from God.
We need the Bride Tidings(the teaching Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword) to upgrade our following to GOD, to the following of the bride that cannot be separated forever.
The practice of the following of the body to the Head(the following of the bride) is entering the ministry of building the perfect body of Christ. It is a great revival (it was explained in the new year's eve service).
There are two types of revival,that is the revival of the wild horse or the revival of the white horse. Looking only on the physical matters will lead to the revival of the wild horse and cause spiritual lukewarmness (as the Laodiceans). Let us enter the revival of the white horse (the revival of Holy Spirit in the last days), that is the ministry of building the perfect body of Christ.
The revival of Holy Spirit in the last days is started from within the marriage. Bride Tidings unites the marriage. If marriage has been united, it will enlarge in the shepherding, inter-shepherding, until the Israelites and the Gentiles becomes one perfect body of Christ (international). We are worthy to welcome Jesus' second coming on the glorious clouds to sit together with Him on the throne of Heaven.
If marriage is not united, we will never sit together with Jesus on the throne of Heaven. Husband and wife must be united first!It is as the verse "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become oneflesh."
Matthew 14: 22
14:22. Immediately Jesus madeHis disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
'Jesus madeHis disciples' = it is the command of God and must not be ignored.
Jesus commands the disciples only to go to the other side, while the others are sent away.
Disciples = the servants of God or the children of God who receive the true teaching Word.
Thus, the revival of building the perfect body of Christ is the revival led by the true teaching Word. We, as the branches, attach to the true vine, not to a pastor or church organization. The true vine is Jesus (the true teaching Word).
The revival of building the body of Christ is as crossing the sea. It means we must be willing to sacrifice everything, time, energy, thought, money, et cetera. Everything must be sacrificed, exceptthe true teaching Word. The true teaching Word is Jesus as the Head. Marriage withoutthe true teaching Word is as a body without head. Shepherding withoutthe true teaching Word is as a body without head. It is dreadful.
'He sent the multitudes away'means many are called but few are chosen.Many people receive the Gospel Word. They believe Jesus. They are saved and blessed. But only few people receive the teaching Word. Many reject the teaching Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword and do not want to enter the ministry of building the perfect body of Christ.
The consequence isbeing sent away, meaningreturning to the past life.
The examples are as follows.
- The lesson of the disciples catching fishes. Fishes have been caught (believing Jesus, repenting, being blessed), but the net is broken on the first catching so the fishes return to the sea. But on the second catching (the teaching Word), the net is not broken although they catch many fishes.
- Herod likes John the Baptist preaching the teaching Word (Bride Tidings). But he preserves the wrong marriage (taking his brother's wife), so he imprisons John the Baptist and beheads him. Herod rejects the teaching Word.
If we want to leave sins, we will be happy hearing the teaching Word. But when the sins are preserved, we will not be able to hear the true teaching Word.
GOD wants to lift us up from being drownedin this new year. Let us leave the valley of sins. Let us follow Jesus in the revival in the last days. Let us go forward in the building of the perfect body of Christ and not go back. - Solomon has held the sword of the Word and experienced its power to solve marriage problem (when two women fight for a child). Unfortunately, he mixes the true teaching Word with the teaching from his wifes. Pay attention!If one is doubtful, sooner or later he will loose the sword of the true teaching Word.
If one listens the right and the wrong teaching, the right one will be left.
Eve listens the voice of the serpent and of GOD. At the end, she ignores the voice of GOD. We must only hold one sword "out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword".
Be careful! Many are called, but few are chosen. If we have received the teaching Word, we must be careful also, because the first can become the last. We must be serious! Do not go back, but receive the teaching Word!
Luke 13: 22-24, 29-30
13:22. And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
13:23 Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them,
13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
13:29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.
13:30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."
Verse 22= 'teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem'= it is clear that the teaching Word leads us to the New Jerusalem. Never say that the teaching only differs a bit. As the lesson about the rail track, when it differs a bit then it will never meet.
Verse 24 = the teaching is related with the narrow gate. If there is the teaching, there is the crucifixion of the flesh.
'from the east and the west, from the north and the south'= the cross.
Why do many people go back?Because the teaching Word is related with the narrow gate or the crucifixion of the flesh. We must go through this these days. The teaching Word and the crosswill bring us to the New Jerusalem. In the past, Jesus taught, went to the other side, and then journeyed toward Jerusalem. The cross is not easy, but there is glory behind it.
The example of the cross is we must go to the church on Sunday although it is a holiday. Also on Monday and Wednesday, we must go to the church after working hours.
We must be serious! The teaching and the cross are one.It is the key to enter the building of the perfect body of Christ. It starts from a pastor. A pastor must bear the cross, that is praying, fasting, preaching the Word, et cetera, to bring the sheep to enter the narrow gate too. There is glory behind the cross. We will be glorified in the world up to in the New Jerusalem. In this new year, we must not go back, but we must GO FORWARD AND HOLD THE TRUE TEACHING WORD AND THE CROSS!
There are two obstacles in the ministry of building the body of Christ as follows.
- Matthew 14: 24
14:24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
The first obstacle is the headwind.
The headwind blows from directly in front, opposing forward motion.
Ephesians 4: 14
4:14. that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
The headwind equals to false teaching that opposes directlythe true fellowship of the body of Christ and the true teaching Word.
The examples are as follows.- Opposing the true marriage. The Bible says that divorce is not allowed. It is opposed with many reasons.
- Opposing the teaching that a woman is not permited to teach and have authority over a man.
The signs are as follows.- Being supported by the power of money, ministering GOD with the power of money.
Revelation 17: 3-5
17:3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which wasfull of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
17:4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
17:5 And on her forehead a name waswritten:MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.
'a scarlet beast which wasfull of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns' = antichrist (Revelation 13).
The wings of antichrist are the power of money. It is a pity if one looks for donation to hold a fellowship. It is dreadful. From this act, it already can be seen to which direction the fellowship will go.
The strength of the church of GOD is the two wings of a great eagle.
Revelation 12: 14
12:14. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
The two wings of a great eagle are the true teaching Word and the anointing of Holy Spirit. It is the strength of the true church of GOD. - The second practice of wrong fellowship is mixing the teaching from any religions,even learning them.
- 1 Corinthians 3: 3-4
3:3. for you are still carnal. For where there areenvy, strife,and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like meremen?
3:4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I amof Apollos," are you not carnal?
The third practice of wrong fellowship is there is envy and strife.
Envy= not appreciating the blessing and mercy from GOD. It is as the brothers of Joseph who envy Joseph since he has the tunic of many colors. If one is used by God, we must learn from him. We must have fellowship with him and see how God can use him. If there is envy, there will be gossips that scatter.
Be careful! In Matthew 10: 'Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father hischild'. This will happen in marriage when there is envy.
Strife= self-truth, that is covering sins by blaming the others and God or the true teaching Word.
Be sure that the one who has strife is the wrong people. The right people will keep silent. Just return to the Bible and we will be united.
Be careful that wrong people can also unite with the other wrong ones to have fellowship of dry branches. But it is only to be burnt. It is as Ananias and Sapphira. - 2 Chronicles 26: 16-19
26:16. But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to hisdestruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incenseon the altar of incense.
26:17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord--valiant men.
26:18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, "It isnot for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall haveno honor from the Lord God."
26:19 Then Uzziah became furious; and he hada censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosybroke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar.
'valiant men'= a meek person is the one who holds the righteousness. Preserving the wrong things means hardening the heart.
Verse 19= at the end, King Uzziah is cast out.
The fourth practice of wrong fellowship is ministering God, but not according to the ministry entrusted by God and the gifts of Holy Spirit.
The example is one who is not a pastor wants to become a pastor. The consequence is he cannot feed the congregation, but only manages the church.
The Table of Showbread refers to the food for the congregation. Bread equals to the Word. If there is no food from the pastor, the Table of Showbread will become the table of the money changer. It happens now. Ministering but not according to the ministry and gifts of Holy Spirit will not build but destroy the body of Christ.
Hand may becomes foot through acrobatic, but it will not be strong while our journey to the New Jerusalem is the journey to the city on the mountain. Walking on foot is already difficult to go to the peak of the mountain, moreover walking with hands is impossible.
The way outis FIRMNESS. We rebuke according to the true teaching Word. If it is rejected, leprosy or self-truth will appear. He will be exiled and unable to enter the building of the body of Christ.
- Opposing the true marriage. The Bible says that divorce is not allowed. It is opposed with many reasons.
- The second obstacle is wave.
It means as follows.- Evil and unclean sins.
Evil sins:- Being stingy means being unable to give.
- Being greedy means seizing the right of God (the tithe and special offering) and the right of the others (doing corruption, not paying the debt).
- Sin concerning eating-drinking, that is smoking, getting drunk, consuming drugs.
- Sin concerning marrying-being given in marriage, that is sexuality sin with all its variety, sexual deviation (homosexuality, lesbianism, sex with oneself), wrong marriage, mix marriage.
- Being stingy means being unable to give.
- Problemseven the impossible ones, and problems in every field.
- Evil and unclean sins.
Wind and wave attack great servants of God. The examples are as follows.
- Judas Iscariot is a great apostle and treasurer. He is the confidant of God. But Judas is attacked by the wave of evil and uncleanness as well as the wind of false teaching from the chief priests. At the end, he is destroyed forever.
- Peter is also attacked by the headwind and wave, so he is afraid and doutbtful. He has no love. The proof is Peter denies God (not loving God) and cuts the ear of Malchus (not loving the others). The consequence is he starts to sink.
One in fear (doubt) will say God as ghost and ghost as God. We must be firm! One in doubt will choose the wrong one.
Matthew 14: 26
14:26. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
We look for righteousness these days. Everything must be according to the Bible (ministry, life, the teaching Word). If not, we will be like Peter and start to sink.
Saying 'God as ghost' and 'ghost as God' means as follows.
- The true teaching Word is considered as a dreadful thing because it points the sins.
The true teaching Word does not point the sins of definite people. Everything comes from the Word. If we are pointed by the Word until we cry, we must be grateful because it is the true ministry. - The true teaching Word is considered as a harmful thing. For example the long duration of the preaching is considered as a suffering. The suffering of Jesus on the cross is not remembered.
The true attitude is BEING SILENT AND CALM.Do not be doubtful and afraid. If there is God's love, we can be silent and calm. In Mark 4, Jesus is awaken and He says, "Peace, be still!" so the wind and wave are calmed.
Being silent and calm is the attitude of faithful person.
Being silent means correcting ourselvesthrough the sharpness of the sword of the Word. If there is no sword in the house of God, we will not be able to correct ourselves but only blame the others.
If there is sin, we must confess it to God and the others. If we are forgiven, we must not repeat it. If there is no sin, we must keep silent and not defend ourselves. We surrender everything to God.
If we keep silent, it means our strength is zero and God's power is one hundred percent. In any problems, we must keep silent. If we fully defend ourselves, it means our strength is one hundred percent and there is no God's power. We will sink surely.
Being calm means as follows.
- Controling ourselves to be firm in the shepherding. It is as Jacob who stays at the tent while Esau walks around. At the end, Jacob obtains everything while Esau loses everything.
The flesh has many desires. Do not follow it. We must be firm in the shepherding! - Controling ourselves to be able to pray and worship God. We believe and fully surrender our life to God, not to the others.
1 Peter 4: 7-8
4:7. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be seriousand watchful in your prayers.
4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
Verse 7-8= if we can be calm, there will be love.
Controling ourselves to be able to pray and worship God = crying out the name of God, stretching out our hands to Him, believing and fully surrendering our whole life to Him. Thus, God will stretch out His hands to us right in His time.
Sinking people will automatically stretch out his hands. The example is Peter. God lets him sink so he can stretch out his hands to God.
Tonight, let us stretch out our hands to God. Many times we rely on our strength and greatness, and God will leave everything as our wants. Tonight, let us surrender everything God, and He will stretch out His hand right in His time.
The result is as follows.When Peter calls the name of God, He lifts Peter up.- Being lifted up from any deterioration.
- Being lifted up from the valley of doubtfulness. We can be sure.
- Being lifted up from the valley of sins as David.
- Being lifted up from the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel), meaning being dry spiritually. We can experience the love of God.
- Being lifted up from the valley of difficulties (the valley of Achor) and failures. Everything is made beautiful and successful.
- Being lifted up from the valley of doubtfulness. We can be sure.
- Being lifted up also means being used in the revival in the last days, that is the revival of building the body of Christ.
- Being lifted up means being sanctified and reneweduntil we become perfect as Him. We become the Heavenly bride who is worthy to welcome Jesus' second coming on the glorious clouds, to enter the harbor of peace. We sit together with Godon the throne of the New Jerusalem.
- Being lifted up from any deterioration.
Whatever our condition tonight, do not go back. We must go forward to the other side. There must be the true teaching Word as the true vine and the true fellowship.
Facing the false teaching or the headwind, we must be firm.
Facing the waves, we must be silent and calm.We only pray and stretch out our hands to God. He will stretch out His hands to lift us up from any deterioration. We are lifted up to the glorious clouds and to the throne of the New Jerusalem forever.
Everything is right in His time.If it is not in time, one will sink and be destroyed forever.
God blesses us.