From Repentance To Obedience– Let Us Go On, Unto Perfection.

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Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. (Hebrews 5:8,9).

He suffered to be identified with us, we must obey to be identified with Him.

Paul The Apostle wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. He made himself of no reputation, took on the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8).

The Apostle Peter wrote, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind…” (1Peter 4:1).

All the above scriptures tell us–“YES WE CAN.”

Jesus is our example, let’s follow Him.

That lame excuses: I’m not perfect, the flesh is weak, or we all make mistakes are overworked and worn out; it’s time to grow up, quit looking for milk when you should be eating meat.

Repentance is never a substitute for obedience.

Instead of being obedient, we sin–knowing we can repent. Is this true repentance?

Walking is a simple physical activity most kids learn to perfection before reaching age two. Step by step they learn and continue to learn every thing else they will ever learn in life. In fact every lesson in and about life is learned in steps as we grow older.

Similarly obedience to “The Word of God” can be learned with a little discipline –one step at a time.

Jesus said, “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them , I will liken him unto a wise man… “

To hear and do should be the focus of all our Christian learning, Every song, every sunday school lesson , every greeting, every sermon, must all direct us to obeying the word of God.

To obey, is to simply follow the instructions.

Only a fool despises wisdom and instructions. (Proverbs 1:7). (Matthew 7:26).

The Sin of Sodom

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Gay Pride???

Gay pride or LGBTQ pride is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people as a social group. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominant outlook that bolsters most LGBTQ rights movement. (Wikipedia).

 
The Biblical Account. In Genesis 18,19 the Bible records God’s destruction on the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Only Lot, his wife and there two daughters were saved. Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back.
 
Why Did God Destroy These Two Cities?  The Bible explains–this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom–Pride, Fullness of Bread and An Abundance of Idleness…and they were haughty, and committed abomination before me; therefore I took them away as I saw good.
 
As Mama used to say,  “Satan finds mischief things for idle hands to do.”

Paul’s Prayer For The Saints At Colosse.

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Prayer…

 
                       For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire:
1. That ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will In All Wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might: 
                      (A)Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,       
(B)Being fruitful in every good work. 
              (C) And increasing in the knowledge of God.
2. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.
                3. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Amen.

Olympic Pornography:

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The Tokyo Olympics…

In conversation with her grandma, our 7-year-old, gesturing with her hands, asked why do we have to see this? She was referring to the graphic display of male genitals while watching the Tokyo Olympics.

Although, some have chosen to be discreet, others are carelessly explicit.
The Olympic committees must address this menace.

“Not Just Hearers of “The Word” But Doers.”

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In the closing remarks of his first public sermon, Jesus said, “Whosoever HEARETH these sayings of mine and DOETH them, I will liken him unto a WISE man…” (Matthew 7:24).

Simply put—A wise person is a doer of “The Word” and not just a hearer.

I am convinced that if we will not heed the instructions given in– “The Sermon on The Mount “as recorded in Matthew chapters five, six, and seven, then all other preaching is in vain.

Jesus, the Master Teacher, beginning with the “Beatitudes,” said:

  • Blessed are they which Hunger and Thirst after righteousness–Verse 6.
  • Blessed Are the Merciful–Verse 7.
  • Blessed Are the Pure in Heart–Verse 8.
  • Blessed Are the Peacemakers–Verse 9.
  • You are the salt of the earth—verse 13.
  • Let your light shine—Verse 16.
  •  Your righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees– Verse 20
  • Thou shall not commit adultery– Verse 27.
  • Let your communication be Yes or No– Verse 37
  • Love your Enemies– Verse 44
  • Be ye therefore perfect– Verse 48.

These were just some of the instructions Jesus gave as he introduced the lesson.

When we examine our lives in the light of these verses, I am sure we can all agree—we are a long way off from what God expects from us. We have all got work to do.

However, this was only the first public sermon.

How many more sermons have you heard over the years?

Every Christian hears at least 360 sermons a year (almost one each day), including the word ministered through song or gospel music.  Some of us have been to church all our lives. If we are “The light of the world”— Why is there so much darkness?

Furthermore, with Churches on almost every street corner of America’s major cities– Why is there still so much violence and bloodshed? 

Has the salt lost its savor? (“Ye are the salt of the earth”).

Is there any power left in the blood of Jesus? 

Is God able to do what he said?

As we leave Church on Sunday, we often talk about how wonderful the service was and how angelic the choir sounded, and yes, that was a good sermon, (That Pastor can preach) yet we go right back to what was as the hours pass on.

The days of the week roll by, and we are back again because it is Sunday morning, eager to hear what the preacher has to say today.

What then?… We repeat last week’s response.

And so, weeks and months, and years, roll on–hearing the word, but, doing nothing–no transformed lives, no renewal of the mind, we are still struggling with doubt and fear, sin, and condemnation.

But, we are regular Church-goers–hearing the word.

While Jesus was speaking at another engagement, a certain woman interrupted Him saying,” Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou has sucked.”

Jesus responded,” Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. (Luke 11:27,28).

Our focus at “The Wisdom Centre” is to hear the word and do it. I have no intention or obligation to preach or teach any other sermon or lesson until we have fully applied Jesus’s sermon. So, at the risk of nagging, I will continue to echo—”Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness….”

And, like the Apostle Paul, I strive–“My speech and preaching is not with the enticing words of man’s wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and power of God; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but the power of God.” (2 Corinthians 2:4,5).

As Jesus closed His sermon, He said, “Everyone that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not is like a fool….” (Matthew 7:26).

Now, here is my simple question. Where have you been building your house, the solid rock, or sinking sand?

Why continue to repent?

Hear The Word of God and be obedient–Do It.

Repentance Is Never A Substitute For Obedience

The Reason For The Gifts.

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The gifts, are commonly known as the “Five Fold Ministry.”

Apostles

Prophets

Evangelist

Pastors & Teachers.

The reason God gave these gifts :

1. For the perfecting of the saints. 

2. For the work of the ministry. 

3. For the edifying of the body of Christ.

“Until we all come in the unity of the faith; and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

For The perfecting of The saints: It’s been years since this verse was written. Where are the saints in terms of their maturity? We are no longer sin’s slaves held captive by lust; but we have obeyed from the heart… Being then made free from sin, we are now the servants of righteousness; and have our fruits unto holiness and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:17-22)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.

For they that are after the the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.; but they that are after the the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

But we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. And, if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

The same Spirit That raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you and will quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Therefore we are debtors not to the flesh to live after the flesh. but through the Spirit we mortify the deeds of the body.

For as many as a re led , (not driven or pushed or pulled or forced) but Led, the shepherd leads, the sheep willingly follow… for as many as are led by the spirit they are the sons of God. For we have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, Father.

And if Children, then heirs of god and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

 

The post The Reason For The Gifts. appeared first on THE WISDOM CENTRE-TNJ.

 

Right and Wrong.

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Written By: Maurice W. Armstrong

It’s never wrong to do what’s right, and It’s never right to do what’s wrong.

Repentance Is Never A substitute for Obedience.

We Honor God By Obedience To His word.

“Go and Sin No More” (John 8:11). Sin No More = Repent No more.

When We Obey, Miracles Happen–He Turns Water Into Wine. (John 2:1-11).

God Is Full Of Perfect, Unchanging Wisdom

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Written by:  Maurice W. Armstrong. 

God is infinitely, consistently, and perfectly wise. The fact that God can never be more-wise means he is always doing the wisest thing in our lives. No plan we could make for ourselves could be better than the plan God has already crafted and is carrying out for us.

We may never understand his ways today, but, because God is infinitely wise, he’s truly working all things out for our good and for His glory.

Romans 11:33 say’s ..”Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out.

Wisdom is more than just head knowledge and Intelligence. A truly wise person understands all the facts and makes the best decision. A wise person uses his heart, soul, and mind together with skill and competence. But even the wisest person on earth could never come close to being as wise as God.

Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve those ends by the most perfect means. It sees the end from the beginning, so there can be no need to guess or conjecture.

Wisdom sees everything in focus, each in proper relation to all, and is thus able to work towards predestined goals with flawless precision.

In Luke 2:40 the Bible say’s, “The child grew, and waxed strong in Spirit, Filled with Wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.”

In Ephesians 5:17…” Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

In God, boundless wisdom and endless power are united and this makes him utterly worthy of our fullest trust.

The Fear Of The Lord…

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Written by: Maurice W. Armstrong
 
One of the most profound statements in scripture is found in Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, and in Psalms 111:10, and Job 28:28. It reads, “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.“

The word “fear” in this context is better understood by the word reverence meaning… to honor with deep respect. Somewhat like the respect, we would give to a parent, grandparent, or someone of esteemed office or stature.

Therefore, having the right perspective of who God is, is essential to a healthy Christian life.

God is not some “higher power” or ” the big man upstairs” or some myth or religious diety compared to Buddha or any other god known to mankind.

 

To know Him is to worship Him for “Who He Is” and not for what he has done.

Here is Wisdom… Hear The Word, Understand It, and Do it. 

Ephesians 5:17 says, “Be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16).

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