A Crucified Life - - Proclaims The Word of Faith

 

   

Romans 10:8,9

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the Word of Faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2784

Proclaim: to herald publicly with conviction

From the Greek word 'kérussó' (pronounced kay-roos'-so): refers to preaching the Gospel as the authoritative (binding) word of God, bringing eternal accountability to all who hear it.

    Did you get that? ALL who hear the Word of God preached are ACCOUNTABLE for the Word they have heard. Convicting power right there. When I hear the Word of Faith preached, I am accountable for what I am hearing. When I preach the Word of Faith, anyone hearing me, even if you are reading the Word I bring, is accountable for what they are hearing. (If you're like me, you tend to speak the words as you read them, even if it's just a whisper or your hear the Word in your thoughts).

    We need to listen to the Spirit of God when He brings convicting power into our hearing. When the Word of God says to do a certain thing and we don't do it, that's sin. When the Word of God says not to do a certain thing and we do it, that's sin, too. 

    In this verse we read and understand that believing on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the key to salvation through the atoning work of Christ on the cross. 

ETERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY

    Having believed that Christ died on the cross to save us from the eternal damnation (hell) that was our destiny as the result of sin in our lives, now, if we have believed that Jesus is Lord, then our eternal destination has changed and we are on the road to eternal life (heaven). Forgiven [Crowder].

    For now, in this life, we walk in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4), for death no longer threatens us. We live our lives within the bold love of God, telling everyone we can that Jesus is Lord, testifying of how He changes our lives and how He can change their lives. Look What The Lord Has Done (Lindell Cooley [Revival In Brownsville].

THE ONE GOSPEL

    John 3:16-18

16) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
 17) "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18) “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

    I believe. In 1996 I gave my heart to Jesus: I became a born again believer. I was attending a wonderful little Methodist church near our home out in the county. Our children and I walked the quarter-mile every Sunday to attend church, with me pushing the twins in their stroller. 

    One Sunday, almost 28 years ago, I made the public announcement that I had chosen to listen to God above all else. My heart changed and then my attitudes changed. And then, my whole life was turned upside down. The husband I had at that time didn't want to be married to me any more, so the size of my family changed. We were broken. But I was Alive in Christ and my brokenness was just the beginning. My heart had to broken so that God could fill me up with Himself and mend my broken places. 

    And I came here to this sprawling city. Living in the city is completely different from living in the country. But God is everywhere and I had decided to follow His leading. Here is where He led me and here I stand, testifying of God's faithfulness in my life. 

    That decision led me to a wonderful little church where I was discipled with love to become a Sunday School teacher, a Youth Leader and a faith-based songwriter. I attended that church for five years, 1997-2002.

    From there I was launched by the Spirit into the church I currently attend. Here I became the Singles Leader for a brief time (2 years) and then began to study for the ministry to become a preacher. One heart/life/soul changing decision led to many open doors for me. 

    When we choose to take a stand, and not back down, for the life-changing, heart-cleansing, gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, then we need to be prepared for the outcome of our stance. We need to be prepared to be come against from all directions. We need the Word of Faith that has been planted in us by our hearing of it and believing it to Grow in us, that Christ would be visible to others by our words and our actions. We need to Speak Jesus.

    Do you believe? Let me hear you testify. 

     

    

A Crucified Life - - Corrupts No One

 

2 Corinthians 7:2

Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5351

Corrupt: destroy, spoil, ruin

From the Greek word 'phtheiró' (pronounced fthi'-ro): waste away (deteriorate, degenerate); to cause or experience moral breakdown.

    2 Corinthians 4:2

But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor falsifying the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience before God. 

*Manifestation (5321): disclosure, bringing to light

    A crucified life does not bring another person or group of people to moral ruin. A crucified life preaches the gospel in both word and action. We walk the walk and talk the talk. 

    Having been delivered by the grace of God from a wicked rebellious lifestyle, we have no desire to return to it. Nor do we want anyone to continue to live the way we used to. So we speak Jesus to everyone, hoping to reach at least one with the gospel. 

    Staying close to the heart of God prevents the crucified life from becoming corrupted itself. The more knowledgeable we are of the Word of God the less likely we are to stray from it. For the Spirit of God has revealed the Truth to us. 

    We have crucified worldly desires and are filled with the desire to glorify God. No longer do we live to please ourselves or each other. Our desire is to please God, to do what makes our God and Savior happy with the words we speak, how we speak them; doing what He wants done, when He says to do it. That's Trusting and Obeying God. 

    We encourage each other in the Word, helping to build each other's faith. We pray for and with each other. We hear the Word of The Lord through the shepherds which God has placed in our churches; through Holy Spirit-filled evangelists and sometimes through other media sources (Youtube, Facebook, Webpages, etc). 

    We encourage you to join us, to become a part of this family of God. We encourage you to be faith-filled and Holy Spirit-filled. We long for you to live the crucified life which we now live. 

    Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

    

    

    

    

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - Angelic Announcement

 Luke 2:13, 14
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 

Angel: messenger, delegate

From the Greek word 'aggelos' (pronounced ang'-el-os). Spiritual beings created by God to serve His plan, convey His messages to people. They are servants and attendants of the Most High God. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 134 and 136

Praise: praise, laudatory discourse

From the Greek word 'ainos' (pronounced ah'-ee-nos).

To laud is to:

1. To praise, honor, or exalt in words or song.

2. To praise in words alone, or with words and singing; to celebrate; to extol.

3. Laud is from the Hebrew word 'shabach', which means 'shout'. 

Romans 15:11

And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 

Psalm 98:4

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Such a wondrous birth needed a wondrous choral announcement. "The Lord is Here! Shout praise! Sing of the glories of God! that such an unusual event is taking place! Come and See! Come and Worship! Your King is born!"

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST

AWESOME GOD by Carman

Glory, Honor, Renown, The Unspoken Manifestation of God, Splendor, His Infinite, Intrinsic Worth (Substance, Essence)

1 Chronicles 29:11

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.

Matthew 6:13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

AND ON EARTH PEACE

WONDERFUL PEACE by Don Moen

God's Gift of Wholeness, One, Quietness, Rest, When All Essential Parts Are Joined Together

John 16:33

Psalm 85:8-11

8. I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.

9. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.

10. Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.

11. Faithfulness sprouts from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN

In Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2107, the two-word phrase "good will" reads as "God's good pleasure requires something is done through His work of inbirthing faith. Good or beneficial to men (meaning all of mankind, including women; for the Word is not just for some but for All). 

Kindly intent, Delight. 

Ephesians 1:9, 10

9. And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ

10. as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.

PROCLAMATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS

Psalm 111:1

Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

Psalm 118:26

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

Luke 

Luke 19:38

"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Luke 10:36

He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

John 12:13

They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: "Hosanna!" "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"

HOSANNA medley 

Have you heard the good news? A Savior has been born! He saves us from our sins, from all our unrighteousness. He saves us from death and the grave and hell. For this purpose God sent His Son to this dark earth: to reveal the Light of God's Holy Love to all men everywhere. 

Can you see His Light? Rejoice that Jesus is here! SHOUT to the LORD all you people! Truly we sing, with the heavenly host, and all the people who have gone before us, "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!" 

Our hearts ring out with JOY. The cry of our hearts is, LORD SAVE US! and He does. Have you cried out in the night for God to come near? He's right there. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Sweet, sweet Name of Jesus. Hold me in Your arms that I might not wander from You. 

Let's walk this last little bit of our journey together, hand in hand, side by side. 

 

What Do I Do With Jesus?

     

      Many have heard of Jesus Christ and have made a conscious decision to either believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God for their salvation or they have chosen to not believe. I have had people tell me they don't want to hear about the grace by which we are all saved by faith in the only name under heaven by which we are saved ((Acts 4:12)). 

     Some people have heard the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ but don't want anything to do with the blood which was shed for sins. I have heard them say it's icky, gross and too awful to think about. Yes, the blood which Jesus shed for sinners is messy; it's so messy, that Christ was unrecognizable ((Isaiah 53; John 19:1-36)).

     Some have not yet heard this wonderful news. Hard to believe in this day and this age that there are still people who have not heard, but it's true. For when everyone has heard and been given the opportunity to make a decision regarding Jesus Christ's gospel ((Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 13:10)).

     But what do I do with Jesus? For me, it's what DID I do with Jesus? Well, I didn't become a firm believer until near the end of my first marriage. There's a line from a hymn that says, "I came to Jesus weary, worn and sad: He took my sins away." I did that. And when I did that, He came to me. And one by one my children accepted Christ, then the devil attacked my family and we were separated by force (divorce and distance). 

     But I didn't stop believing. I had a new firm foothold in the Word and the Lord brought me to a new city and a new church with some of my kiddos, where we were again separated. But I wasn't backing down (I'm still not). I came to a new church and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the last night of a revival.  

     Then another opportunity to serve God came up and put me in the church where I am established now. I was given another husband and another son. The marriage strengthened in the Word. The kids grew up and made their own life choices.  I pray that someday they make a life choice to follow Jesus Christ regardless of the cost. 

     

What Do I Do With Jesus?

1. Believe & Receive The Lord Jesus Christ 
1. John 1:12, 13 "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
2. Follow Jesus
1. Mark 1:17 “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
2. Luke 9:23, 24 "Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."
3. Love Like Jesus
1. John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you should love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another."
2. Matthew 5:44 "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
3. Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another."
4. Worship & Praise Jesus
1. Philippians 2:9-11 "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
2. Romans 14:11 "It is written: "As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.""
3. Psalm 150:6 "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."
4. Psalm 34:1 "....... I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips."
5. Serve Jesus
1. Psalm 100:2 "Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs."
2. Ephesians 6:7 "With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men."
3. Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men."
4. John 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."
6. Share Jesus
1. Mark 16:15 "And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
2. Acts 22:15 "You will be His witness to everyone of what you have seen and heard."
3. Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."
7. Last but not least, I will Talk to Jesus
1. Acts 6:4 "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word."
2. Romans 1:9 "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers."
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
4. Ephesians 6:18 "Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints."

That's what I do with Jesus.

     

Being Wise

 

And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:2-3

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

Contemplate this: are we the wise or the shameful? Will we go into everlasting life or everlasting contempt? How can we know now? 

Are we leading people to righteousness, telling people about the saving grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ? That’s being wise. 

Are we saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who died on the cross? Who bore our sins upon Himself? That’s being wise. 

What is wisdom? Listening to and Obeying the Word of God with joy and a merry heart. Not with anger, nor accusative words, but with Love, with Patience, with Mercy. We are to treat one another with Grace and with Peace that passes understanding in this world. 

We must ask ourselves, “Am I being wise?”. Am I honoring God with my words and my works? Am I telling people about my Jesus, testifying what He has done for me? Am I a fruitful servant? Am I even saved in this manner, by the blood of Jesus Christ? And if I am not, how can I know that I am?

Romans 10:8-10

8. But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

9. that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

Some live on the false hope, false belief that sin is not real and salvation is not necessary. This is foolishness and definitely not wisdom. Wisdom comes from God. True morality and knowing right from wrong is having the wisdom of God.

Romans 3:22-23

22. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 

23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:10, 18

10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. 

18. “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Romans 6:23

23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8

8. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:13

13. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 8:1

1. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

And that’s how you can know you are saved, that’s how you can know now whether or not you are being wise or being shameful. So, again, the question is put forth: are we, are you, am I, being wise? Am I leading my family, my friends, my enemies and the strangers I meet daily to righteousness? Am I telling them, you, about my Jesus? Have I told you lately what Jesus Christ has done for me?

He saved me. He filled me with His precious Holy Spirit. He walks with me daily and all throughout my day. He talks with me, tells me things I need to hear and know. He lives in my heart, cleaning it out and making more room for His glory. My Jesus loves me. My Jesus died for me so I wouldn’t be sent into everlasting contempt. My Jesus feeds me with His daily Bread and quenches my thirst with His Living Water. My Jesus both satisfies me and gives me a hunger to know Him more. 

This I want for you. But only you can make that decision. I can pray for you. But only you can make your choice. Do you want to go to heaven? Or do you want to go to hell? Hell is not a pretty place. It is not a land of endless parties, nor is it a nothingness. Hell is hot. Hell is ugly. Hell is a place where you are never happy, never satisfied.   If you are selfish in this life, your selfish attitude goes with you to Hell. You can’t leave Hell after you die, so praying for this to happen after a person dies without Jesus Christ is foolishness.

Luke 16:19-31 is the parable of the rich man and the beggar.  Here we learn what Hell is.

23. It is a place of torment. 

24. It is hot and fiery.

26. It is separated from Paradise by a great chasm which none can cross, nor can anyone leave Hell. 

We have six senses in this life. Some work like they’re supposed to, some don’t. Whether we are in Heaven or Hell, we will have all six and they will all work.

Sight

Hearing

Touch

Smell

Taste

Knowing

How do we know this? Again, read Luke 16:19-31

Luke 16:23

Torment is felt (touch)

Luke 16:23

The rich man could see Lazarus in the distance.  

Luke 16:24

Though he had never seen him, the rich man recognized (knowing) Abraham right away (sight) and in his selfishness begged for the poor man to tend his needs. He was hot (touch) and thirsty (taste) and in agony (touch).

The sense of smell is implied because the man was burning and whatever is on fire smells like it is on fire. It’s not a good smell when it’s a person. 

A person can speak and hear in Hell, for the rich man spoke with Abraham and heard (hearing) Abraham’s response. 

As nasty as it is to choose to go to Hell, Hell will not last forever. But this is not good for those who choose to go there either. 

Revelation 20:14-15

14. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.

15. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

That’s Hell and Hell’s destination. Why would anyone in their right mind choose to disobey God and go to Hell? We can only have a right mind if Christ is in us and we are in Him. This comes through believing on His name, 

Mark 5:9, 15, 18-20

9. "What is your name?" Jesus asked. "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many."

15. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

18. As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him. 

19. But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” 

20. So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

The man who was put in his right mind went back home and began to tell his family and friends about what his Jesus had done for him. He was being wise and fruitful. 

I am in my right mind. Though the world calls me crazy, God calls me His child. Though people call me odd and radical, Jesus calls me friend. I am being wise. And it is my prayer that I continue to be so. I want you to be so, too. I pray Ephesians 3 over your life. I pray the Romans Road to Salvation into your hearts and minds. I pray the Word of God bless you and make known to you the true Love of God and that you come into the knowledge of saving grace.