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(Original radio broadcast from May 1,1998)
In Mat 24:14 We find these words of Jesus:
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
In Rom 1:16-17, Paul writes: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Many believe that a spiritual intensity is building as we approach the end of this century. Forgive me for not giving speculations of coming world events here. These are not the concerns that Jesus has laid on my heart. But I do believe that many are hearing from the Lord and receiving direction concerning His will for His people in this hour!
There has always been that prophetic element of Christ’s church and She has always been His Voice and witness in the earth. He will proclaim His counsels to mankind as He has always done!
This is a day to bear and proclaim His message to all! It is also a day to seek the Lord, and receive His counsel to us, both as individuals, and as His people world-wide! Let all of heaven and earth, Hear the Word of the Lord! And may we who are His own be already actively tuned in to what He is saying, while the voices of fools vainly attempt to drown out His earnest cry!
The people of God need a new hunger and thirst for His Creative Living Word! But how difficult it is becoming to receive their attention! Many are becoming more accustomed to hearing and understanding the wisdom of men, thus the wisdom of God appears difficult and even foolish to them!
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Cor 1:26-1 Cor 2:10)
This is a day to give an ear to hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the church!
Jer 23:18: But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see or to hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word?
Jer 23:22: But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.
How often do God’s people tend to be controlled by their circumstances? Why do we so frequently react in fear to the turmoil of our times, rather than in faith and trust in our Lord?
Is it because we have simply failed to hear Him? Have we so little regard to His Word, His Wisdom — His counsel? Or perhaps we are fearful of what He might say to us! He commanded one to sacrifice his son, and another to sell all his worldly possessions for the poor. Where could we find the faith and the courage to obey such a word?
2,000 years ago there were 12 men who also possessed such fears. In fact, some did fail the first great test and ran away during Jesus’ trial and execution. One of His closest associates even denied he ever knew Him, and another actually betrayed Him!
But wait! This is not the end of the story, Jesus prayed a prayer for them — and also for you and me! That prayer kept all but one of them in His care, until they could more clearly see His purpose and triumph in the resurrection! From this encounter with the resurrected Christ, they obtained the faith to wait in Jerusalem, where they came into perfect unity in Him. Then, when He began to fill them with power from on high — the mighty Holy Ghost, they became fearless witnesses unto Him, who rejoiced in the very sufferings that they once greatly feared!
My brother, my sister, you too can know the Resurrected Christ! You too can be filled with power from on high! You too can become a witness to His glorious resurrection! Here the Word of the Lord! Hear the good news, which is the power of God unto your salvation! Believe it!
Right now you can open up your heart and life unto Him anew! You can receive His resurrection life for the very first time, or you can begin returning to your first love in Jesus today!
Oh Praise the wonderful Name of Jesus! We rejoice today in your Lordship! We honor you, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Let all of creation sing and shout for joy unto your Name!
It is time for us to forsake the man-centered Gospel. In it everything is directed to our needs and interests. God forgives US. He saves US. He heals US. He prospers US – and all of these things are true, but when the focus begins with us, it often continues with us, and true abundant life is lost.
This is not about us! It is about God! He is both the center and circumference of our being! We need to become absorbed in His Heart, His desires, His purpose! It is for these that He has saved you!
If we are to become a testimony to His reign in the earth, we must experientially know His Lordship! We must not only call Him Lord, but we must also live under His wonderful and benevolent reign, dwelling in the secret place of he Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty!
What peace, safety and security! What love, joy and freedom! Today we are daily learning to trust Him, while our self trust freely melts away. We are forsaking our miserable, self-centered thinking to live and walk the Christ-centered life! He is the Alpha and Omega! He is the First and the Last! It is He Who was, is and is to come the Almighty! Know it! Believe it! His Spirit and Word are making this revelation real unto you today!
The Lordship of Jesus must be realized and proclaimed. This is the good news of the kingdom!
How big is your Jesus? Do you see Him in the fullness in which Paul, Peter, John and the others saw Him! Is He just the simple carpenter’s son, or the suffering servant on the cross? Or have you also caught the vision of His resurrection power, and His ascending Lordship?
Will He only offer you forgiveness, and take you to heaven by the skin of your teeth? Or will He manifest His fullness in your life, as Christ IN YOU the hope of glory? Do see His church as a weak man-made institution, or as His glorious Bride, the Heavenly Jerusalem, the Mother of us all!
It is high time for us all to catch a life-changing, all-consuming vision of Him, that will call us upward to the high call of God in Christ Jesus! It is time for us to be released from our petty arguments and disagreements, that we may join together in resounding praise unto the King of all the earth! It is time for us all to lay down our lives for one another, in expectation for what our Mighty God will do among us and through us! Can anyone say “amen” to that?
From the first installment of this broadcast we have attempted by God’s grace to challenge our listeners to the higher call of God in Christ Jesus. And may we continue to do so. We believe that these are days of renewal, revival, restoration and resurrection for His Church! We also believe that God is calling us all to return to our first love!
All of this can and will come as we lift up the wonderful Name of Jesus, Who is the very image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. By Him were all things made, and without Him nothing can have existence! Are you hearing the Word of the Lord? Is faith and trust in Him welling up within your soul?
If so, then know that God is working in you both to desire and to do His good pleasure! You are beginning to live the Kingdom Life!
Heavenly Father,
We know that our words are so feeble in comparison to the glory that they hope to convey. But we are thankful that Your Words are going forth in this hour! Give us hearing ears and open hearts to receive Your Truth, and fill us as well with the boldness to declare them to our generation.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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