THE MEANING, MESSAGE AND MANDATE OF PENTECOST (Part III)
[Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:18-24]
[Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:18-24]
Leading up to PENTECOST, we have been presenting a three-part sermon series, with the intent of providing resource material for any ministers who are readers of our devotional. Others may find this information useful as well. Pardon the length of these posts as we explore the meaning, message and mandate of Pentecost, while offering insight on the origins of the Jewish Feast of Pentecost which predates and prepares the way for the “DAY OF PENTECOST,” the ‘BIRTHDAY’ OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. (Acts 2:1-4)
In order to successfully find our way back to the spirit and power of that original Christian Day of Pentecost, there are THREE MOUNTAINS that we planned to traverse. First of all, we have scaled MOUNT SINAI to ascertain the facts and foundation of Pentecost. There we witnessed the presence of God. Secondly, we have climbed MOUNT CALVARY to encounter the Messenger and message of Pentecost. There we observed the gracious sacrifice of God. Thirdly, we make our ascent to MOUNT ZION to receive the mandate and the power of Pentecost. There we will access and internalize the power of God.
Today (in Part III), I invite you to journey along with us to MOUNT ZION – which I also call MOUNT KINGDOM. Hear now the words of JESUS CHRIST concerning MOUNT ZION…a.k.a. MOUNT KINGDOM…and the coming of the Holy Ghost, or the Paraclete, the One who walks alongside us.
John 14:25-27
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 15:26-27
26 But when the Helper [the Comforter] comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
26 But when the Helper [the Comforter] comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
John 16:7;13-14
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
John 14:12-13
12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Don’t become confused about the meaning of this. JESUS did NOT say or mean that you and I would ever be empowered to do GREATER WORKS (QUALITATIVELY) than Him. There is absolutely NO WAY that we could ever surpass the QUALITY of Jesus’ ministry. There is NO WAY that we could gain GREATER SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY than He who has all spiritual authority…or greater WISDOM than He who is all-wise…or greater POWER than He who has all power in Heaven and earth. ALL POWER…ALL AUTORITAS…ALL EXUSIA…IS IN JESUS’ HANDS! (Matthew 28:8)
Shall I prove it? Acts 10:38 says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him.” Now who can top that?
Jesus did not mean you would have GREATER QUALITY in ministry. Jesus was simply saying this: Since I am with you always…since my Spirit resides in you…YOU WILL BE EMPOWERED TO DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST – Who strengthens you. Jesus was simply saying that since I inhabit the lives of ALL BELIEVERS…and since this includes “a number that no man can number”…if we were to somehow add up the collective work of all these recipients of Holy Ghost power…on every continent…in every nation…in every era…by sheer numbers your works would be greater…not in quality, but in quantity. So don’t you every ‘trip’ on this, because after all is said and done, IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS! It’s all about THE ANOINTED ONE AND HIS ANOINTING, because without HIM we can do NOTHING!
John 15:26-27
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, HE WILL TESTIFY OF ME. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, HE WILL TESTIFY OF ME. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
We must take special note of something here. While speaking in other tongues is biblical and necessary, both for your PRAYER LANGUAGE and for certain PROPHETIC UTTERANCES, speaking in tongues was never intended to be the BE-ALL or the END-ALL of the PENTECOSTAL EXPERIENCE. The fact is that tongues can be counterfeited and copied. But you can’t fake or duplicate LOVE. You cannot counterfeit THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT or THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. In addition to the gift of tongues, these are also positive proofs that the genuine Spirit of God is operative in one’s life. Ask yourself: 1) Have I received the Holy Ghost since I believed? And 2) What is the EVIDENCE?
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
I Corinthians 12:4-13
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
You see, one primary purpose of the HOLY GHOST is to get to MOUNT ZION where GOD can establish COVENANT and KINGDOM…both IN US and THROUGH US. That’s why MOUNT ZION may also be properly called MOUNT KINGDOM. Now hear this! You have been praying “THY KINGDOM COME” for a long time – but what are you DOING to BIRTH THE KINGDOM in your family, in your community and in your nation? Are you not aware that you are called to become a MID-WIFE in order to bring forth KINGDOM BABIES? So get to work! What did JESUS say? “My FATHER HAS BEEN WORKING until now, and I HAVE BEEN WORKING.” (John 5:17) “I MUST WORK the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no man can work.” (John 9:4)
For all of His earthly days, JESUS lived and labored on MOUNT KINGDOM! Indeed, WE don’t have to LABOR for our salvation because JESUS did! JESUS GAVE ALL…and JESUS PAID ALL! But how about us? We seem to be more interested in becoming ‘couch commandos,” watching the next episode of some off-beat, prime-time soap opera than investing our time, talent and treasure in building the KINGDOM OF GOD! We seem to be more interested in RISING IN THE CHURCH HIERARCHY than in serving THE KINGDOM OF GOD! But the Kingdom is neither about our self-centered ambition or our carnal enjoyments. “For the KINGDOM OF GOD is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.” (Romans 14:17-18)
THE HOLY GHOST, as the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, moves and ministers in the earth on behalf of the Father…in place of the Son. HE is mission critical to forging intimate relationships with Christ, for empowering believers for Kingdom service and for destroying the satanic yokes that hold many in bondage.
THE FIRST ACT OF JESUS’ PUBLIC MINISTRY SUMMARIZES THIS KINGDOM WORK.
(Luke 4:18-19)
And He [JESUS] was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
(Luke 4:18-19)
And He [JESUS] was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
THE FINAL ACT OF JESUS’ PUBLIC MINISTRY PROMOTES AND EMPOWERS THIS KINGDOM WORK.
(Acts 1:1-8)
1The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
(Acts 1:1-8)
1The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
THE HOLY GHOST DEMONSTRATES THE POWER OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD!
(I Corinthians 4:20)
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
(I Corinthians 4:20)
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
THE HOLY GHOST IS CHRIST’S MINISTRY EXTENDED THROUGH US!
(Mark 16:20)
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
(Mark 16:20)
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
THE HOLY GHOST IS THE PRODUCER OF THE NEW BIRTH!
(John 3:6-8)
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
(John 3:6-8)
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR SIN CONVICTOR!
(Acts 8:12-13)
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
(Acts 8:12-13)
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR COMPLETE SANCTIFIER!
(I Thessalonians 5:23)
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(I Thessalonians 5:23)
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR ANOINTED COMMUNCATOR!
(Ephesians 6:19 ~ II Thessalonians 3:1)
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.
(Ephesians 6:19 ~ II Thessalonians 3:1)
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.
THE HOLY GHOST IS THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND A LIE DETECTOR!
(I John 5:6 ~ Acts 5:1-5)
(I John 5:6 ~ Acts 5:1-5)
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR DELIVERER!
(Acts 12:3-11)
3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
(Acts 12:3-11)
3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR HEALER!
(Acts 3:1-9)
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
(Acts 3:1-9)
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR DISCERNER!
(I Corinthians 2:14)
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(I Corinthians 2:14)
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR MIRACLE WORKER!
(Acts 2:43)
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
(Acts 2:43)
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR PROBLEM-SOLVER!
(Acts 15:1-3)
1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
(Acts 15:1-3)
1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR POWER FOR EFFECTIVE WITNESS!
(Acts 1:8)
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR ASSURANCE, CONFIDENCE AND BOLDNESS!
(I Thessalonians 1:5 ~ Acts 4:29-31)
(I Thessalonians 1:5 ~ Acts 4:29-31)
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR JOY!
(I Thessalonians 1:6)
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.
(I Thessalonians 1:6)
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.
THE HOLY GHOST IS THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD!
(II Corinthians 3:3)
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
(II Corinthians 3:3)
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
THE HOLY GHOST WILL ONE DAY RAISE US FROM THE DEAD!
(Romans 8:11 ~ I Corinthians 15:25-26;51-58)
(Romans 8:11 ~ I Corinthians 15:25-26;51-58)
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
CHURCH, BE STRENGTHENED AND ENCOURAGED! YOU ARE WINNER-BELIEVERS! the last lines of the last chapter of the last book in the BOOK OF BOOKS declares to us that at the coming of Christ, WE WIN!
Revelation 22:12-13;20-21
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
WINNER-BELIEVERS HAVE SUFFICIENT FAITH TO ACHIEVE THE ULTIMATE VICTORY!
I John 5:4
This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Romans 8:35-39
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. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
II Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
In light of our ultimate triumph, it is now incumbent upon us to courageously “fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.” (I Timothy 6:12)
BOTTOM-LINE: LET THE CHURCH BE THE CHURCH! THIS IS THE MEANING, THE MESSAGE AND THE MANDATE OF PENTECOST.
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
No comments:
Post a Comment