Guarding Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. ^[1]

Matthew 25:1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  ²  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  ³  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  ⁴  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

Revelation 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;  ²  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  ³  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.  ⁴  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  ⁵  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.  ^[2]

Three things stand out to us in these passages:

• 1. The heart must be protected.
• 2. The Spirit of God must be kept in full supply.
• 3. Your love for God must be kept fresh and renewed.

THE CONDEMNATION (v. 4)

“Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”

A. The Demand of Love

That was tragic because the one thing that Christ wanted in His church more than anything else was love. He demanded it.

John 21:15-17 says, “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou Me more than these? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed My lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou Me? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed My sheep. He saith unto him the third time ….” When love toward Him grew cold, it broke His heart. That is why He said, “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Rev. 2:4).

B. The Disappearance of Love

You say, “What do you mean by first love?” It is the love that first springs up in an individual’s heart.

1. FOR CHRIST

Perhaps you have met Christians who, at the time that Christ came into their life, were greatly in love with Him. But as the years went by, they got all of their doctrine into the right slots and became mechanical Christians. They knew what they believed; they just didn’t have any love.

Paul says, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1). Love is the message of the church. The world is dying to be loved and we have the message.

2. FOR EACH OTHER

Once you lose your love for Jesus Christ, you cease loving one another.

Horizontal relationships depend upon your vertical relationship with God. If you find that there is someone you can’t seem to love, then you may have left your first love for Christ. A warm, expressive, vital love for Jesus Christ translates into love for people.

In 1 John 3:14-17 the Apostle John essentially says, “If you say you love God, but don’t love your brother, you are a liar, because only the love you have for your brother proves that you love God.”

Passion for God

Brother B. J. Thomas spoke to the General Board about losing one’s passion. He said that many preachers and pastors begin well and have great excitement about their ministry in the beginning. After several years, however, they scale back their vision and settle into a maintenance program. Why ?

a. Ability. They stretch to the limits of their ability.

b. Consecration They lose their personal walk with God.

c. Adversity They battle so much adversity that they deplete their reserves.

d. Comfort They reach a level of personal comfort that they plateau.

e. Hopeless They see no results from their labors.

f. Isolation They get no encouragement from their peers.

g. Comparison They compare their meager success to that of others.

Clergy Burnout (Oswald, 1982)

(1) Tendency to feel negative or cynical about church members
(2) Loss of enthusiasm for job
(3) Lowered emotional investment in work
(4) Fatigue and irritability
(5) Cynical and sarcastic humor
(6) Increased withdrawal from church members
(7) Increased rigidity in dealing with people
(8) Feelings of isolation and lack of support
(9) Frustration in accomplishing tasks
(10) Increased feeling of sadness
(11) Physical ailments
(12) Lowered enjoyment of intimacy
(13) Tendency to blame others for problems
(14) Tendency to feel guilty much of the time
(15) Feeling of just hanging on until retirement
(16) Sense of emptiness and depletion

Keeping your passion is like flying an airplane. Since the forces of air resistance and gravity never stop working on the aircraft, the need for overcoming them never diminishes.

Principles of Aerodynamics
Flight involves a balance of forces. These forces are THRUST, DRAG, LIFT and WEIGHT.
When Thrust and Drag are equal, the speed of the aircraft through the air (airspeed) will remain constant in smooth air. When Lift and Weight are equal, the aircraft will neither ascend or decend.

Dynamics of Flight

Drag

Just as wind friction causes drag in an automobile, aerodynamic friction and displacement of air during flight creates aerodynamic DRAG. Drag occurs any time that air is displaced from its normal stable condition. Air has density and weight, and although compressible, it still requires energy to displace. INDUCED DRAG occurs as a by-product of lift. PARASITE DRAG results from friction with surfaces and appendages, and impact with structures such as struts, landing gear, antennas, etc..

Induced Drag (Just starting to live right triggers resistance)

Induced drag results from the creation of lift. The amount of drag depends on the airfoil design of the wing, its camber and angle of attack. Also due to the way the air flows across the wing during flight, vortices are generated at the wing tips which add to the induced drag component.

Parasite Drag (The devil doesn’t want you saved…not now…not ever!)

Parasite drag is an unwanted resistance of the air to an object traveling through the air. The 3 types of parasite drag are Form, Skin and Interference as demonstrated below.

Form Drag

The form of the object and the effective frontal surface it presents to the air has a significant effect on the amount of drag generated. As shown in (A), a surface such as shown would present much more “frontal” drag than it would is it were rotated 90 degrees as in (B). Drag can be reduced in the aircraft design by streamlining objects such as wing struts to minimize the frontal appearance to the air flow. (RIGHT FORM =RIGHT DOCTRINE AND THINKING)

Skin Friction

Even though the form in (A) above is re-oriented to shape (B), there is still some form drag. In addition, there is friction between the skin of the surface and the air flow. It is obvious that if the surface is dirty, has frost, ice or other obstructions, that drag will increase. Effects of skin drag can be reduced by smooth surfaces and flush riveting in the design, and by keeping the surface clean and waxed by the owner. (PAY ATTENTION TO BUILDUP ON WINGS)

Interference Drag

Surfaces at angles to each other as in (C) create turbulence in the region of the joint. This occurs most frequently at the intersection of the fuselage and wing ( LIFE -CHANGING DECISIONS MAY CAUSE NEW DRAG eg.: marriage, move, job change)

Human Factors

Communication
Complacency
Distraction
Lack of awareness
Lack of knowledge
Pressing
Resources
I am a professional
Human attitudes
The exchange of information
Company culture
Norms

Ways to Keep Your Passion for God Alive

What we are actually are talking about is staying focused on the right things of life.

• Stay connected to the Body.
• Expose your mind and heart to the ministry of the Word of God.
• Let nothing interfere with your personal devotion of reading and praying.
• Wash, clean, dust, wax, polish, maintain.
• Consciously, deliberately put God first in everything.
• Keep giving, loving, serving, working.
• Get your recognition and gratitude from God, not others.

“Remember, therefore, from where thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent.”

A. The Result of Lost Love

Christ says that losing your first love is the first step to eventual destruction. You say, “Does that mean everyone in Ephesus lost their salvation?” No, it means that the testimony of the church is lost. When a church begins to fall out of love with Jesus Christ, that is the first step in the downward progression. Ultimately, the light goes out. The physical lights may still be on, and someone may be speaking in the pulpit, but the spiritual light of the church is out.

B. The Request of Christ

Jesus asks the church at Ephesus to do three things: remember, repent, and repeat. In verse 5, Jesus says, “Remember, therefore, from where thou art fallen, and repent, and do [repeat] the first works ….” In other words, go back and start warming up that love relationship with Christ.

1. REMEMBER

First, Jesus says that they should remember what they had. Men, have you ever had your wife say, “You take me for granted. You didn’t before. Remember how you used to treat me?” In other words, “Where is that first love?” In like manner, Christ says to Ephesus, “Remember the warmth of that exciting love we had at the beginning?” If your Christianity is cold orthodoxy, will you remember the warmth and thrill that you had when Christ first became real in your life? The first time Paul went to Ephesus he told the people how real Christ was. Now Jesus says, “Remember those days.”

Next, Jesus asks the Ephesians to…

2. REPENT

He wanted the Ephesians to say, “God, I’m sorry. I want that warm love again.” Then Jesus tells how to get it back.

Spiritual Renewal is not an option!

⁵  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  ⁶  Which he shed on us abundantly  ^b  through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  ⁷  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  ⁸  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.  ^[3]

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^[1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Pr 4:22-23). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Re 2:1-5). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

b abundantly: Gr. richly

^[3] The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Tit 3:5-8). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Why the Flesh Must Not Rule Your Life

 The whole purpose of Jesus Christ coming to die was to both literally and symbolically crucify the flesh.

• “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18
• “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16

By crucifying the flesh, Jesus Christ demonstrated that the flesh could not be saved.

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16

Salvation to the Jews

Jewish soteriology was not substitutionary in a personal way. They believed that the sacrifices, circumcision, the ordinances, the observances of Sabbath days and feast days, cleansed their flesh. Thus, through Abraham, they had their lineage from God, and through Moses they had atonement for their sins. This is why they were greatly offended by the words of Jesus in John 6:48-63.

The crucifixion of Christ accomplished a number of things:

1. The transgression of Adam was abolished.

“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:14-21

2. The nature of Adam was given a master.

“23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:23-25

3. Heaven was made accessible for the redeemed.

“15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:15-22

The promise of a glorified body shows that the flesh cannot be saved.

“47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:47-53

Today, we do not yet have a glorified body. We are still under the influence of Adam’s fleshly nature.

• “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18
• “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” Romans 6:19
• “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:25
• “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:3

There is continual tension between the flesh and the spirit.

• “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17

However, if we truly have faith in Christ that the spirit won the victory over the flesh, we will continually subject the flesh to the power of the crucifixion.

• “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
• “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

When the flesh is in bondage, the Spirit has liberty. When the flesh is granted liberty, the Spirit is placed in bondage.

• “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
• “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
• “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
• “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:8
• “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” Colossians 1:22

A Deeper Look at Repentance

Introduction:

Repentance is a biblical command.

• Ezek 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
• Ezek 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
• Matt 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
• Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
• Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
• Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
• Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem .

Repentance is a prerequisite for receiving the Holy Ghost baptism.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Let’s be clear about what repentance is not.

• Repentance is not penitence.
• Sorrow, guilt, shame: part of repentance, but not enough.
• Repentance is not penance.
• Self-punishment, expiatory rituals, discipline.

Repentance involves four elements.

1. Repentance is something you think.
2. Repentance is something you say.
3. Repentance is something you stop doing.
4. Repentance is something you start doing.

Repentance is something you think.

Job 42:1-6 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,  2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.   3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.  4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.  5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.  6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

As Job, you must think differently.

• Think differently about yourself.
• Think differently about the world around you.
• Think differently about God.
• Understand that you are entering into a totally new world with different values, goals, and relationships.

Let’s flesh out an example that makes sense in practical terms.

• How does a military recruit think differently before and after boot camp?
• How does a traffic accident make you think differently than before?
• How does having a baby in your home make you think differently?

What are the different thoughts that a repented person begins to think?

• Identity
• Purpose
• Values
• Relationships
• Possessions

Repentance is something you say.

• Thoughts that never find expression never become real.
• I can’t get in trouble for something I don’t say.
• If I don’t put my thoughts into words, I am not making a commitment.
• I feel it but I can’t say it.
• Why do we say the wedding vows? (Read funny vows.)

(Read the 51^st Psalm)

Express to God your shame and sorrow. Admit your sins to him.

Repentance is something you stop doing.

Not that we ever stop repenting, but we stop doing the things we repented of.

Wickedness.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

False ideas about God.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Vices

Attitudes

Feelings

Repentance is something you start doing.

Acts 26:19-20  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

• Worship and praise.
• Seeking after holy and Godly things.
• Submitting yourself to the will of God instead of the will of the flesh.
• Billy Cole has seen over a half-million people receive the Holy Ghost.
• He begins every Holy Ghost crusade with a call to repentance.
• God begins his re-creation of the soul in the repentant heart.

Listening to God

Trying to listen to extra-terrestrial beings through satellite dishes and radar antennae has been going on for years. Most of the sounds are beeps, static noise, humming and occasional blips and bleeps. So far, we have heard nothing intelligent or coherent, but according to some, that could soon change.

World’s First Intergalactic Communication System Now Transmitting

Hartford CT (SPX) Mar 08, 2005

www.TalkToAliens.com, the world’s first “Intergalactic Communication System” has announced that it is fully operational, and is transmitting phone calls from the public into deep space . The system is online 24 hours a day.

To use the system’s “Intergalactic Transmitter”, a person simply dials a phone number (1-900-226-0300) and talks. The phone call is routed into a transmitter and the person’s voice is beamed live into space via a 10.5-foot parabolic dish antenna.

The call costs $3.99 per minute. The fee helps offset the expenses of developing, operating, and maintaining the system.

As stated on www.TalkToAliens.com: “If any intergalactic entity is already ‘listening in’ on earth happenings, they should be aware of this portion of the RF spectrum - and give you the best chance of being heard.”

Where, in space, are the messages being sent? According to www.TalkToAliens.com, the antenna is pointed into the area of space with the highest density of regional stars and, thus, hopefully towards planets and other civilizations.

That region is commonly referred to as the “Milky Way” — the galaxy in which our own solar system resides. As the sky appears to turn over the earth, the parabolic antenna sweeps through much of the Milky Way Galaxy - and its estimated 400 billion stars.

Other enhanced services are in development, such as ways to broadcast typed messages into space - including e-mails and Instant Messages (IMs).

They are also engineering a system to accept the public’s incoming digital photos and video-camera feeds - and broadcast them into space.

The one exception to this is the voice of God. Men have heard the voice of God, some in profound ways and others vaguely or inaudibly. The general population, however, seems to be skeptical of hearing God’s voice. People who hear voices in their heads are usually put on lithium or some other tranquilizer. We discredit most accounts of those who claim to hear God’s voice because it is so difficult to prove whether or not they are hallucinating or telling the truth that.

Sometimes, our belief hinges upon the substance of the conversation. When President Bush referenced hearing from God about the war on terror or invading Iraq, he was laughed to scorn in some quarters. When a professor who took up the cause of abortion said that God told him to do this, he was accepted and praised. There are those who say that God told them to kill and destroy; there are others who say God told them to make great sacrifices to help and heal people. We make certain judgments about the communication depending on our general concepts of good and evil.

Most of us today, for these very reasons, hesitate to say that we heard from God. We hint, suggest and hold things in our hearts, but we speak cautiously on the subject. This hesitation gives rise to a number of questions about our interaction with God. Does God really talk to people? How can we be sure it’s God? Should we act upon what we hear, or wait for confirming evidences? Is it necessary for us to hear from God before we do something? Does God tell us to do things that are harmful or wrong?

Since we are heading into the Christmas season, we should remember that much of the story of the incarnation is based upon people hearing from God or from angelic creatures:

• Mary heard from the angel.
• Joseph heard from the angel.
• Zacarias heard from the angel.
• The shepherds heard from the heavenly host.
• The wise men heard from God.

It appears, then that we can draw the following conclusions:

• God does communicate with people.
• He uses different means and methods to speak to us.
• He announces, warns, commands and comforts us.
• He is imitated by Satanic spirits.
• Our ability to receive his message depends on our heart and attitude.
• We can count on God’s voice to be in accord with God’s character.
• God’s voice will never contradict his word.

God’s voice was equated with God’s presence.

Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

The voice of God must be obeyed.

Gen 26:1-5 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. 2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

The voice we hear may be in the form of another sound.

A trumpet

Ex 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

Exodus 19:19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

A mysterious voice

Deut 4:12 And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.

A voice that calls for diligence on our part

1 Sam 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

God sometimes speakes through the acts of nature or great events.

Job 37:1-5 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. 2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

Ps 29:3-9 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

God sometimes speaks to us through the voice of wisdom

Prov 8:1-7 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?  2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.  3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.  4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.  5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.  6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.  7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

God’s voice may not be to give orders, but to confirm what he is doing or has done.

Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

John 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

John 12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

God may speak to us in visions and thoughts.

Job 33:14-16 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.  15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;  16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

Acts 12:7-9 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.  8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.  9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

We can develop an ear for the voice of God.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

By creating a warm, emotionally enriching environment in utero, a woman can make a decisive difference in everything her child feels, hopes, dreams, thinks, and accomplishes throughout life.

While it is widely believed that the human fetus is a blank slate, lacking true sensation, emotional affect, or even the ability to feel pain, pregnant women through the ages have intuitively known what scientists have only recently discovered: that a mother’s unborn child hears her voice and senses her love. The unborn child has significant sensory capabilities. He can see, hear, and feel.

For example, by the fourth month after conception, the unborn child has a well-developed sense of touch and taste. He can perceive a bright light shining on the mother’s abdomen; if the light is particularly bright, he will lift his hands to shield his eyes. At five months, he will react to a loud sound by raising his hands and covering his ears. The unborn has the capacity to perceive and remember sounds of speech, to recognize a story heard repeatedly in utero, and to recognize his own mother’s voice. He has formed the brain structures necessary for learning, and even awareness, sometime between the 28th and 32nd weeks of development. Thomas Verny, MD

“One of the earliest accounts of intrauterine hearing is described in the New Testament (Luke 1:44) when John’s mother, Elizabeth, tells Mary, who is pregnant with Jesus, “The infant in my womb leaped for joy the moment I heard the voice of your greeting!” A number of modern studies have confirmed that by eighteen to twenty weeks of fetal life, your unborn child hears and responds to sounds in his environment. Although you might expect the womb to be a quiet place, it is actually quite rich in sounds and sensations. Tiny microphones placed within a pregnant uterus reveal that a multitude of audible vibrations enters your unborn baby’s sanctum. Mother’s heartbeat and digestive tract offer steady background noise, along with the pulsing rush of blood flowing through her major vessels.” David Simon, MD.

Sometimes the voice of God is not understood by other people.

Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

We should recognize that there are counterfeit voices that seek to destroy us.

1 Cor 12:7-10 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

We need to become familiar with the Word of God because it is the basis for everything he tells us in the context of our daily lives.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Thess 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Titus 1:1-3 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

I submit that God is CONSTANTLY communicating with us! If we pray without ceasing, that means he directs, coaches, guides, teaches and supports without ceasing.  I can sense almost immediately when people quit listening to God. They get a distant look in their eyes; they develop a resistance or a skeptical attitude toward preaching and pastoral advice; they give greater prominence to variant voices in their minds; they develop relationships outside the body of Christ. Their vocabulary changes, their activities change, their commitments change, and they begin to close down their ties and bonds to the church.

Our relationship with God lives and breathes in our communication with God. This means that we must pray, meditate, read, study, listen and submit to his will to keep our relationship alive.  Most of the time, God speaks to us to enrich and edify our relationship with him. As we grow in him, we learn his voice, we become aware of his warning signs, we understand the promptings of his spirit.

Who, Then, Can Be Saved?

“And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?” Luke 18:26

The doctrine of salvation is the most critical of all Bible subjects because it determines our eternal destiny. People want to know whether they are going to heaven or hell. It is obvious, then, if they have any sensitivity toward their souls, that they understand this doctrine very thoroughly. People also want to know if their loved ones are saved. This makes any pronouncement of yea or nay extremely important to them.

We need to make our mandate clear. We are not and cannot become someone else’s judge. The most unfair question people ask of us it: “Are you saying that I am not saved?” Our answer must be: “I can only point you to the scriptures. Read and obey the Bible.”

Here are some statements by an Apostolic Scholar, Brother David Bernard. “We do not reject those who have not had the N. T. experience, but simply encourage them to receive what God has for them.” Also, “We do not presume to play God or to judge anyone’s ultimate salvation on our own authority. However, we can and must present the Word of God.” The New Birth, David Bernard, WAP, 1984

There are a number of perspectives from which we need to view the doctrine of salvation. Here are the most basic questions that need to be answered:

• What is salvation?
• Who saves us?
• Who can be saved?
• How was salvation accomplished?
• What must a person do to be saved?
• Who will not be saved?

What is salvation?

There are past, present and future implications to this concept. There are also specific terms of salvation discussed in the Bible. We will confine our study to these specific terms because they bring the added weight of scripture to our teaching. It is one thing to speak your opinion. It is very different, and far more powerful, to say, “This is what the Bible says.”

Accepted by God.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Eternal life.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Admission into heaven.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Escaping the fires of hell.

Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Who saves us?

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Who can be saved?

1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Acts 15:7-9 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

How was salvation accomplished?

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

What must a person do to be saved?

As we study these scriptures, we will find that there is human, individual and personal responsibility to obtaining salvation. We must never think that we can save ourselves, but rather that we have a duty to respond to Christ’s invitation to salvation and obey his instructions for salvation.

If we do not believe that we have any responsibility in salvation, then we, in effect are saying that we do not need to respond to the grace of God and that we can disobey the Word of God. This can be either active or passive. We can either actively reject and rebel against any instructions God gives us to be saved or we can passively fail to do anything at all. Either way leads to the same outcome.

The Word of God is necessary for salvation.

Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

1 Corinthians 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

The name of Jesus is necessary for salvation.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Believing on Christ is necessary for salvation.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Openly confessing Christ is necessary for salvation.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Repentance is necessary for salvation.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (In context: verses 37, 40 and 47.)

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Baptism is necessary for salvation.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

The Spirit infilling is necessary for salvation.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Acts 2:38)

Living a righteous, overcoming life is necessary to salvation.

1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Faithfulness to the end is necessary for salvation.

Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Who will not be saved?

2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Revelations 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

In the final analysis, salvation is not to be seen legalistically, but as a marvelous experience with God! Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.