Rev. Jusak Widjaja Hendra - WR Supratman 4 Sby
We
are still discussing Jude 1 verse 24 and 25 which are the closing
verses of Jude --> Jude
1:24, 25
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
These are the closing verses of Jude which point to the badger skins in Tabernacle. The badger skins refer to the shelter of the love of God to His true churches so they do not stumble and become stumbling block.
We have learned the causes of stumbling block -those are stone heart and fleshly mind- and the sorts of stumbling block are outside stumbling in form of wealth/ earthly gold and silver and inside one that is we ourselves. The inside stumbling which is ourselves is the greatest stumbling block since our eye, hand and foot can be stumbling block. Furthermore, we also have learned the way to keep away from being stumbling block that is we must have the two tablets of stone. If we have the two tablets of stone, we will not stumble and become stumbling block. We must possess the two tablets of stone that is the love of God and the love to our neighbor so that we are free from being stumbling block.
We will learn another way to flee from being stumbling by reading 1 Peter 2:6, 7
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,"
It is clearly written in the verses above that we will be free from being stumbling block if we believe on A chief cornerstone which the builders rejected = Christ sacrifice.
We can own the Chief Cornerstone through four things related to it as follows:
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
These are the closing verses of Jude which point to the badger skins in Tabernacle. The badger skins refer to the shelter of the love of God to His true churches so they do not stumble and become stumbling block.
We have learned the causes of stumbling block -those are stone heart and fleshly mind- and the sorts of stumbling block are outside stumbling in form of wealth/ earthly gold and silver and inside one that is we ourselves. The inside stumbling which is ourselves is the greatest stumbling block since our eye, hand and foot can be stumbling block. Furthermore, we also have learned the way to keep away from being stumbling block that is we must have the two tablets of stone. If we have the two tablets of stone, we will not stumble and become stumbling block. We must possess the two tablets of stone that is the love of God and the love to our neighbor so that we are free from being stumbling block.
We will learn another way to flee from being stumbling by reading 1 Peter 2:6, 7
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,"
It is clearly written in the verses above that we will be free from being stumbling block if we believe on A chief cornerstone which the builders rejected = Christ sacrifice.
We can own the Chief Cornerstone through four things related to it as follows:
- Psalm
118: 19-23
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD, Through which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This was the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
The verses write that the Chief Cornerstone is the Stone which the builders rejected and it is precious one. The Chief Cornerstone has relationship with the gates of righteousness (verse 19)/ the gates of salvation. In Tabernacle, it denotes the gate (http://www.gptkk.org/tabernacle_the+gate.html). God showed the kingdom of heaven to Moses and He commanded Moses to make miniature of it in the earth that is Tabernacle which has the gate that is the gate of righteousness/ the gate of salvation. So, what is the practice of having possession of the Chief Cornerstone? The practice is we have to get into the gate of salvation/ the gate of righteousness.
What is the meaning of getting into the gate?
John 3:16, 17
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
In shorts, entering the gate stands for believing/ faith in Jesus.
How can we possess the right faith to Jesus (for it is related to the gate of righteousness)? We often read it, but it is not a matter if we reread it in Romans 10:17
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The conclusion is the right faith comes by hearing the word of God that is in the anointing of Holy Spirit/ the word of Christ.
If we possess the Chief Cornerstone and do not become stumbling block, we will have the first practice that is faith to Jesus by hearing the word of God. The time of hearing the word of God determines our destiny whether or not we become stumbling block. We have to be careful because we have heard that the stumbling block is equal to the sin of Babylon which is going to be drowned/ put to death forever. The Chief Cornerstone can be a stumbling block for those who do not believe in Him.
The right attitude in hearing the word of God --> Psalm 118:19
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the LORD.
- Open.
It denotes our heart has to be opened at the time we hear the word
of God. It is the right attitude which determines whether we enter
the gate/being save or become stumbling block that is put to
death.
2 Corinthians 6:11-13
11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.
12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
Vs 11 --> Speaking openly starts from the full-time servants of God if he wants the gate of salvation opens in the midst of the congregation although he must speak openly about sins. The full-time servants of God may not profane himself of speaking openly because of the reason of being afraid if the congregation will go out of the church. It is a choice of the congregation if they want to go out of the church. The important thing is we must speak openly in delivering the word of God whatever the risks that follow and do not cover up the will of God. This is the right attitude in hearing the word of God and it begins from the full-time servants of God.
Vs 12 --> It is the common fault in the churches, that is they have a lot of time for singing, yet they only provide limited time for the delivering of the word of God.
- Wide
open
that means:
- the
full-time servants of God open his heart widely to reveal the word
of God seriously and deliver the word of God which deals with
God's will openly.
- the
congregation has wide open heart in hearing the word of God. It is
meant the congregation hears the word of God in desire and if the
heart desires the word of God, he/she cannot be hindered by
anything. In conclusion, when we are going to go to the church to
serve God, we must start to pray at home that God reveals His word
for our life so we do not stumble. In addition, we have to hear
the word of God in need so we will not be bored or sleepy. It is
like what I frequently say that we always eat rice three times a
day in the morning, at noon and in the evening and why aren't we
bored? Because rice is our need and we will not be bored even
though we have to eat it repeatedly. It is the right attitude to
get into the gate of salvation.
- the
full-time servants of God open his heart widely to reveal the word
of God seriously and deliver the word of God which deals with
God's will openly.
- Vs
21 --> we
hear the word of God thankfully,
meaning:
- We
are not in force.
- We
do not murmur,
- We
are not in force.
If we hear the word of God thankfully, we will be satisfied for we believe, understand and trust in the word of God. Being satisfied = being saved. If our heart is satisfied, we will be in the salvation/ righteousness. It is the Chief Cornerstone which is related to the gate. I hope we can understand it.
The antonym of being satisfied is being abhorred. We have to be alert because if we abhor the word of God, we will get out of the gate of salvation and get into the gate of death. We must be watchful in hearing the word of God since it determines our destiny whether we become stumbling block or we are seriously with God.
Psalm 107:18
18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death.
Food = spiritual food. If physically one does not want to eat anymore although he has been forced, it is maybe he is going to die/ enters the physical gate of death. However, if one abhors the spiritual food, he will get out of the gate of salvation and get into the gate of death/ destruction/ hell.
On the other hand, if a full-time servant of God abhors in looking for the revealing of the word of God and in delivering the word of God, it is dangerous as he is already in front of the gate of death. Thus, we have to keep our attitude so we do not become stumbling block and we must own the Chief Cornerstone/ Christ sacrifice by entering the gate that is:
- Hearing
the word of God with the right attitude and seriousness.
- Opening
our heart widely.
- Thanking
God so we are satisfied and with God forever. In contrast, we will
be perished forever if we abhor the word of God. I hope we can
understand it.
- Open.
It denotes our heart has to be opened at the time we hear the word
of God. It is the right attitude which determines whether we enter
the gate/being save or become stumbling block that is put to
death.
- Matthew
21:41, 42
41 They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons."
42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD'S doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?
So, if we can hear the word of God and become satisfied, we will see the miracle/ marvelous thing in our eyes that comes from God. I hope we can understand it. Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone is concerned to the vineyard. We have known that wine talks about the blood which in Tabernacle refers to the altar of burnt offerings (http://www.gptkk.org/tabernacle_the+altar+of+burnt+offerings.html). In John 19, Jesus/ the Chief Cornerstone had to drink sour wine on the cross before His death to give sweet wine to men. In short, Jesus who was crossed/ Christ sacrifice has relationship to the gate = He opened the gate of heaven. Therefore, it is a marvelous thing in our eyes if we can hear the word of God and get satisfaction and we will enter the gate of salvation/ the gate of heaven. Nevertheless, there are a multitude of people who hear the word of God but then they curse it.
John 19:28-30
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!"
29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.
30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Sour wine = sins of men that are bitter and combined with bile. When Jesus was on the cross, He had to drink the sour wine before He died then He said "It is finished!" It means Jesus/ Christ's sacrifice finishes/ bears all men's sins that make their life bitter and changes it with sweet wine = giving men chance to get sweet wine/ the joy of heaven.
There is no one can give the joy of heaven/ sweet wine for there is only sour wine in this world. Sins make men unhappy. I always say to the young people not to be deceived with the inviting feast of sex and drugs. The world says it is a feast, yet it is actually Satan's deceit. Satan is not able to make men happy in the feast of sins, but it leads men to bitter life and sufferings. Jesus wants to drink/ finish such condition of men and it is the only way to finish it since the joy of heaven cannot be paid by money, but Jesus had to drink the sour wine. I hope we can understand it.
What is the fact found in one who has the Chief Cornerstone that is related to wine/ joy? It is repentance from sins. In Tabernacle, it refers to the altar of burnt offering (http://www.gptkk.org/tabernacle_the+altar+of+burnt+offerings.html)
- confessing
sins to God and our fellow = cross.
If we are forgiven, we may not redo the sins = stopping sins and turn to God. If we confess our sins but we do them again, we have not repented yet.
- Forgiving
and forgetting other people's sins. There is not many people
perform it as they cannot forget their fellows' sins easily and
it means they do not repent from their sins fully. Repentance
results in sweet wine of the joy of heaven.
Psalm 32:1-5
1 <<A Psalm of David. A Contemplation.>> Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Vs 3 --> When I keep silent = we do not want to confess our sins and do not want to forgive other's sins = my bones grew old/ My vitality was turned into the drought of summer = our spirituality is dry so that we do not own joy. The vitality is in the backbone. In fact, there is a lot of the vitality turn to be dry.
The definitions of the backbone are:
- A
pastor who does not want to confess his sins to the congregation
because of keeping his prestige.
- A
husband who does not want to confess his sins to his wife because
of his pride.
These are the leaders who do not want to confess their sins because of prestige / the dry backbone. If it is dry, it will be fragile and broken.
If a pastor becomes spiritually dry, his shepherding place will be broken. If a husband becomes dry spiritually, his household will be ruined. It is a serious thing.
It is clear that one who confesses his sins and forgets other's sins is comparable to sweet wine so he gets the joy of heaven that cannot be bought anywhere.
Hence, let us repent. Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone has relationship to the wine/ blood. After entering the gate of salvation, we meet the altar of burnt offering/repenting. I hope we can understand it.
- confessing
sins to God and our fellow = cross.
- Acts
4:11, 12
11 "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'
12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
In shorts, Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone is associated with the name of Jesus. There is no other name which is given to men that is able to save them.
What are the explanations of the name of Jesus which is associated with the Chief Cornerstone? It explains two matters as follows:
- The
name of Jesus that is related to the Chief Cornerstone points to
the laver of bronze in Tabernacle
(http://www.gptkk.org/tabernacle_the+brazen+laver.html).
Now, it refers to water
baptism.
Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
In conclusion, water baptism is associated with the name of Jesus --> baptizing them in the name of the Father (= The Lord) and of the Son (= Jesus) and of the Holy Spirit, (= Christ) --> The Lord Jesus Christ. This is the name of God in the New Testament. We have known this name as it is written in Matthew 1 when the angel of God came to Joseph and said that he might not be afraid to marry Mary for her baby in her womb came from the Holy Spirit and His name was supposed to be Jesus.
In the Old Testament, the name of God is called as Yahweh, Jehovah, yet these names have been completed in the New Testament that is the Lord Jesus Christ and this name is what we know.
Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The verse above writes about the name of Jesus Christ, but the stress is in the name of Jesus.
Acts 8:16
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
So, if it is combined together, we will find the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thus, don't be confused with the name of God as in the Old Testament it is called Yahweh and Jehovah, but it has been completed in the New Testament to be Jesus. In short, the water baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit that is the Lord Jesus Christ is true. This is Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone which is associated with the name of Jesus that in Tabernacle points to the laver of bronze/ water baptism.
How about the implementation? You have to correct it whether your water baptism is right or not. The right water baptism must be in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit/ The Lord Jesus Christ. Then, we are baptized as Jesus was baptized and don't be like other people were baptized.
Matthew 3:15, 16
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
Vs 15 --> "to fulfill all righteousness" --> we are baptized to fulfill all righteousness and we are baptized as Jesus was.
Vs 16 --> "Jesus came up immediately from the water"
What is meant by coming up from water? It is written in Romans 6 (verse explains verse, not men give explanation to it because if it is explained by men, we will quarrel how deep the water is, whether the water is as deep as foot or hip. Thus, it has to be clarified by verse for it is the word of God).
Romans 6:4
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Being buried with Him = Being buried with Jesus = we are baptized as Jesus was. So, the Chief Cornerstone is connected to the name of The Lord Jesus Christ which in Tabernacle refers to the laver of bronze. Now, it defines the water baptism. If I conclude from the verses above, the right baptism is:
In Matthew 28 = the name of Jesus and it Romans 6 = being buried. So, the right water baptism is we are buried/ dived in water with Jesus in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit/ The Lord Jesus Christ. I hope we can understand it.
- the
Name of Jesus is connected to the Chief Cornerstone which in
Tabernacle refers to the Door
(http://www.gptkk.org/tabernacle_door+of+tabernacle.html)
and now it is meant the
ointment of Holy Spirit.
Song of Solomon 1:3
3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you.
Your name is ointment poured forth --> The name of Jesus = the ointment oil of Holy Spirit.
From the reading of the verse above, we can get conclusion that if we possess the Chief Cornerstone which has relationship with the name of Jesus, we will get the newborn life from water and the Holy Spirit = water and the Holy Spirit baptism. If we do not get the newborn life, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, we have to seriously notice it.
John 3:3-5
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Being born of water and the Spirit is a miracle from God.
It is said in the former part that:
- We
repent and it is a miracle because we can confess our sins. It is
a rare thing in this world that a person is able to confess his
sins. It is common for people in this world that they are wrong,
yet they still use their lawyer to blame other. In addition, it is
also a marvelous thing if we can forgive other people who hurt
us.
- We
hear the word of God then understand, believe and trust in it so
that we are satisfied. It is also a miracle. It is more than a
miracle to heal illness for if we are satisfied, we get into the
gate of heaven = we are saved. We frequently seek the miracle to
heal illness. It is okay. However, it is better for us to look for
the Lively Stone.
If we get a newborn life, the result is --> Ezekiel 11: 19, 20
19 "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,
20 "that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
Vs 19 --> One heart = a newness of life starts from heart. The stony heart = old heart/ stumbling block. It has to be obedient heart as soon as we get into the water and the Holy Spirit baptism. So, the result of a newborn life is an obedient heart
.The obedient heart results in Deuteronomy 28:1, 8
1 "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
8 "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
The LORD will command the blessing on us. Thus, we do not need to seek blessing. For the full-time servants of God, you do not need to get busy to seek blessing even though you are in a remote area. If you are obedient to God, He will command the blessing on you wherever you are. For you who have a shop that is afar of the center of business, God will command the blessing on you as long as you obey Him. The obedient heart is a strong base to receive the blessing. If you do not have the strong base, you will be destroyed when the blessing comes.
In the land which the LORD your God is giving you --> It points to Canaan in the past time. Now, it means that the Lord will give you the blessing, starting from this world until in the city of New Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 11:20
20 "that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
They shall be My people, and I will be their God. --> It is also said in the city of New Jerusalem --> Revelation 21:2, 3
2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
God Himself will be with them and be their God. --> It is a strong base not only to receive the blessing in this world, but also in the city of New Jerusalem. There is a double blessing (earthly and spiritual) in the obedient heart. We do not need to look for blessing as long as we obey God because He will command the blessing on us and the blessing is the result of an obedient heart.
Young people, if you want your young life is easy in the future, you must possess an obedient heart which is a strong base so everything you do will be strong. Maybe you say that your parents are not wealthy people --> I only deal with the Holy Bible that tells about Moses. He was thrown by his parents when he was a baby, how could he live? He only lived by the hands of God. For you who have wealthy parents, you may not be proud of your parents' wealth that can be perished in seconds.
- We
repent and it is a miracle because we can confess our sins. It is
a rare thing in this world that a person is able to confess his
sins. It is common for people in this world that they are wrong,
yet they still use their lawyer to blame other. In addition, it is
also a marvelous thing if we can forgive other people who hurt
us.
Do not be stumbling block since you will continually decrease and become a millstone that is going to be drowned in the sea --> your life will decrease to the sea of fire and brimstone. Hence, we have known from the previous discussion that we must own the two tablets of stone and now we have to hold the Chief Cornerstone that is associated with:
- The
Gate of Tabernacle --> hearing the word of God wholeheartedly as
it determines the destiny of our life
- The
Altar of Burnt Offering that has wine/ blood. There is sour wine
which had to be drunk by Jesus and we will get sweet wine if we
repent.
- The
Laver of Bronze that is the water and the Holy Spirit baptism. The
Door of Tabernacle = a newborn life/ obedient heart.
- God
commands the blessing on us and lifts us to the city of New
Jerusalem.
- The
name of Jesus that is related to the Chief Cornerstone points to
the laver of bronze in Tabernacle
(http://www.gptkk.org/tabernacle_the+brazen+laver.html).
Now, it refers to water
baptism.
- 1
Peter 2:5-7
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,"
The Chief Cornerstone is interrelated to the building of a spiritual house. So, Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone is interrelated to the building of a spiritual house/ the edifying of the perfect Body of Christ/ the Bride of heaven.
It is clear that the Chief Cornerstone which is related to the gate is we hear the word of God gravely before serving God for the fourth part is associated with ministry. How can we serve God if we do not want to hear the word of God? What will we do if we do not have commands? We will only work based on our own will if there is no word of God. Therefore, before serving God we must repent and be obedient.
The example of the disobedient heart --> a father asks for a pen to his son because he is going to sign a letter. Because of disobedient, his son thinks that a pen is too cheap and brings a laptop for his father and he thinks what he does is great. The father is getting confused since he does not know how to turn on the laptop and use it to sign his letter. Then, he asks his son to eat, yet the son wants to study. It is like one who does not want to eat the word of God, but he keeps on serving God so that he easily falls. This is the example of disobedience. Hence, we must hear the word of God so that we have the commands. Moreover, we have to repent and possess an obedient heart. Then God will employ us. This is the formula that is interrelated to the building of the spiritual house/ the ministry of the edifying of the perfect Body of Christ/the Bride of heaven that in Tabernacle refers to the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place as the Bride of heaven is similar to the Most Holy Place. These are the steps to enter the kingdom of heaven. Do not want to be stumbling block for we are walking to the kingdom of heaven.
If we are in the edifying of the body of Christ, we will have a daily practice in form of the Holy Place that describes:
- Living
in holiness/ keeping the holiness.
This is the practice of ministry in the body of Christ. Our
marriage has to get into the bride of heaven/ the ministry of the
edifying of the Body of Christ by keeping its holiness. Our
shepherding place and other shepherding place also have to enter
the Bride of heaven/ the ministry of the edifying of the Body of
Christ by keeping their holiness. For young people, you must keep
your holiness.
In Tabernacle, holiness is a must --> Isaiah 52:11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there, Touch no unclean thing; Go out from the midst of her, Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the LORD.
The requirement to bear the vessels of the Lord/ the ministry of the edifying of the Body of Christ is holiness, not good appearance, wealth and intelligence.
I frequently talk about it, yet I am happy to explain it again as the ministry is connected to Tabernacle/ the vessels of the Lord.
Ephesians 4:11, 12, 7
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
Accordingly, if we walk in holiness, we will be given the work of ministry and the gifts of Holy Spirit/ marvelous ability from God so we can serve Him in the edifying of the Body of Christ. We are given the work of ministry and then the gifts of Holy Spirit. We have to pay attention to the order of the process of serving God because sometimes we find people serve in the edifying of the Body of Christ without following the ordered process. The right processes are:
- We
hear the word of God that is a command and food for us.
- We
repent and get an obedient heart then God will employ us. We may
not serve God according to our own desire, especially I.
- We
walk in holiness.
These are the daily practices of serving God in the edifying of the Body of Christ, particularly living in holiness/ the Holy Place.
- We
hear the word of God that is a command and food for us.
- besides
talking about holiness, the Holy Place is also meant patience.
So, holiness and patience are ministries in the edifying of the
Body of Christ. Let us invite our husband/ wife/ children to live
in holiness and patience. Be patient in your service and do not
hinder other people to do it!
Acts 2: 41, 42
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
THE ERA OF THE APOSTLES --> THE ERA OF CHURCHES NOW
The patience in fellowship --> The patience in the General service
The patience in the apostles' doctrine and in the breaking of bread --> The patience in the Bible Study and Holy Communion
The patience in prayers --> The patience in the Prayer and Worship service
If we live in holiness and patience, we will get into the ministry in the edifying of the Body of Christ.
In Mathew 8, Jesus said that a wolf has its cage and a bird has its nest, but the Son of Man does not have a place to put His head.
Putting the Head on the Body --> if we walk in holiness and patience, we will enter the edifying of the Body of Christ and it denotes that we have received Jesus as the Head.
When do we receive Jesus as the Head? Receiving Jesus as the Head starts from now that is we breathe in holiness and patience and we become the place of the Body of Christ. We indeed are not perfect yet, but we have given a place for Jesus as the Head now, not at the next time. Because at the next time, we will get the peak for we will be perfect and meet Jesus in the clouds. However, we can feel the shelter of God as the Head.
Thus, do not be in doubt in following the Chief Cornerstone since He had proven Himself as the Head. Jesus was willing to die on the Golgotha as the Head. Hence, do not doubt His great love.
What does connect the Body and the Head? It is the neck that connects the Body and the Head. The neck is defined as worship. If we worship God a lot, we will have a love relationship with God. It is said in Romans that we are accounted as sheep for slaughter which do not have power to face wolf and wild animal/ Satan. The sheep for the slaughter only need the love of God that comes from the cross/ Golgotha/ Christ's sacrifice/ The Chief Cornerstone.
Romans 8: 35-37
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
A sheep is a weak animal although it is in a normal condition. It will be weaker if it is tied and has to confront wolf and wild animals. It does not need money, but the love from Golgotha. Since we are accounted as sheep for slaughter which needs the love of God, we must live in holiness, be patient and worship God a lot so we find the love of Golgotha.
The benefits of the love of Golgotha are:
- Vs
35 --> giving
extra power to face tribulation, distress or persecution so we
keep on loving God/ we do not leave God/our service/ we do not
become hopeless and disappointed.
There
will be a multitude of people who are disappointed because of
meeting a lot of problems even though they have served God so they
do not want to serve God anymore. Thus, we will not be able to do
anything without the love of God. When we are hopeless, we should
remember the love Golgotha that never forsakes us and always gives
extra power in facing tribulation, distress, persecution and
problems in this world.
- Vs
37 --> the power
from the love of Golgotha makes
us more than conquerors,
meaning we are weak yet we are able to win upon enormous enemies
for it is the love of God which fights for us. When we walk in
holiness and patience, it is not us that struggle, but God and His
love from Golgotha which fights for us. In the first part, we do
not obtain the help from God but we keep on being strong and in
the second one, we win and it means each
problem is finished.
It had happened at the time the Israelites got out of Egypt that they faced The Red Sea and were run after by the armies of Pharaoh while they did not have ways on the right and left hand. The Israelites were hopeless and said that it would be better if they went back to Egypt as there were numerous graves in Egypt and why they should die at that place. Moses also cried to the Lord for maybe he was worried. Nevertheless, the Lord said "The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace" so Pharaoh and his armies were put to death.
Exodus 14:10-14
10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.
11 Then they said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?
12 "Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?' For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness."
13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.
14 "The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
If we place ourselves as the body/ the minister of the body, the Lord as the Head is responsible for our lives and will fight for us to solve each problem with His great love/ the love of Golgotha and even we will be in the Most Holy Place for we are already perfect. We meet Jesus and we will not depart from Him --> it is God's desire for our life. He does not want us to stumble and die in this world or in the hell because He wants to protect us with the love of Golgotha.
We only need to follow Him by:
- Hearing
the word of God wholeheartedly. We must correct our attitude in
hearing the word of God.
- Repenting
--> we become a newborn life so that we obey the Lord.
- Keeping
holiness --> being active in the ministry of the Body of
Christ.
- Being
patient.
Keeping holiness and patience = inviting Jesus as the Head to pour up the love of Golgotha. The advantages of the love of Golgotha are:
- giving
extra power so we are not disappointed and hopeless.
- giving
us victory.
- perfecting
us to be the Bride of heaven.
- Vs
35 --> giving
extra power to face tribulation, distress or persecution so we
keep on loving God/ we do not leave God/our service/ we do not
become hopeless and disappointed.
There
will be a multitude of people who are disappointed because of
meeting a lot of problems even though they have served God so they
do not want to serve God anymore. Thus, we will not be able to do
anything without the love of God. When we are hopeless, we should
remember the love Golgotha that never forsakes us and always gives
extra power in facing tribulation, distress, persecution and
problems in this world.
- Colossians
3:14
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
The bond of perfection = the unity of the perfect Body of Christ/ the Bride of heaven that will meet Him so there is a meeting between the Head and the Body in the clouds/ the Bridegroom of heaven meet the perfect Bride of heaven. This is the journey of our life that is the marvelous work from God.
The marvelous works of God are:
- We
can hear the word of God seriously so we can understand, believe
and have faith in it.
- We
can repent.
- We
can get a newborn life by entering the right water baptism and
Holy Spirit baptism.
- We
can serve God because of walking in holiness and patience in the
three sorts of service.
When Moses was tending the sheep, he saw the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. It is a wonderful appearance. Three kinds of service are the bush/ men who are burn with the fire of the word of God, the Holy Spirit and the love of God. People will look for these three things since they are great appearance.
We will have the magnificent witness if we are able to be patient in the three sorts of service/ we are burnt with the fire of the word of God, the Holy Spirit and the love of God and we will be shown as it is written in Revelation 12:1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
The sun, the moon and the stars are magnificent things. If the Lord is able to create spiritual miracle, He will also be able to work wonderful things in earthly side. Let us give a wide place for the love of God to work miracle in our life.
- We
can hear the word of God seriously so we can understand, believe
and have faith in it.
- Living
in holiness/ keeping the holiness.
This is the practice of ministry in the body of Christ. Our
marriage has to get into the bride of heaven/ the ministry of the
edifying of the Body of Christ by keeping its holiness. Our
shepherding place and other shepherding place also have to enter
the Bride of heaven/ the ministry of the edifying of the Body of
Christ by keeping their holiness. For young people, you must keep
your holiness.