“And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” II Kings 5:13
It is a wonderful thing, when we have those moments of doubt, to be encouraged by the brethren to believe God.
“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” I Timothy 1:4
I think I can say that I have seen Christians argue over the bible more than I have seen them use it to edify one another. I know I have had to repent for doing that many times in my life. How is it that when we have the book of Truth, Christians seem to like to fight over things that are incidental and have no spiritual value? Let’s all set our mind to bless and edify one another with the Word of God.
“And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place: 17For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest. 18He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.” I Kings 13:16-18
Yes church, prophets can lie to you. Discern everything that is said to you through the word of God.
“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” I Corinthians 15:34
Let me ask you, “Who is the one who can live a righteous life, the sinner or the one who has been awaken to righteousness?” You cannot make yourself saved by doing righteousness, but once you are saved and declared righteous, you can actually walk in righteousness.
“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” I Thessalonians 4:9
My good evangelist friend David Owens made a powerful statement to me one day. He said, “Man’s love gives people what they want; God’s love gives people what they need.”
“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” I Thessalonians 1:5
It is so important to be in and involved with a church, where you can observe the life of the minister(s). Paul said that the Thessalonians observed just what manner of a man Paul was. What manner of men are those who minister to you?
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:27-28
I will not deny that the Bible tells us to preach the gospel. But to preach the gospel is more than proclaiming what the bible says. Verse 28 starts by saying, “Whom we preach.” The gospel isn’t just preaching what Jesus said, but it is preaching Jesus.
“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” Philippians 1:12
What a comfort to know that whatever trials, temptations and difficulties you may be facing, God makes them all work together for your own personal good. It is even a greater comfort to know, that when things happen to you, the gospel is advanced. Let what must come, come, and let the gospel go forward.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
The church is built upon the rock of the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. When we preach the truth, we then become the building blocks (rocks) that Christ can use to build His church.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Our generation has forgotten that Jesus Christ is the One who builds the church.
