"Then Peter and the other apostles answered, and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
Hello To All:
A number of years ago, I attended a week-end Bible conference. Over the course of several evenings, we listened to lectures and teachings on various portions of The King's Book. Prior to one of those evening presentations, I was visiting with a pastor that I had known for a number of years. He and the assembly that he was pastor of, were affiliated with an international institutional church organization, more commonly referred to as a denomination.
This pastor and I were discussing some of the things that his particular institutional church was doing. He was not happy with a certain direction that was being undertaken. After we had discussed this for a number of minutes, I suggested to him that he go to the district (this institutional church was organized around various districts and national churches), that his assembly was affiliated with, and speak with them with regards to his concerns.
His response to my suggestion, has stayed with me all of these years, and even today, I can clearly hear him say: "I have to be careful about what I say, because they control my future." I am hoping that you, my beloved brethren, are as shocked by this statement, as I was. In fact, I was so shocked that I did not know what to say, so I said nothing. I have since repented of my failure to help this pastor on his journey. But, is it not true, that we are often confronted by circumstances that provide clear evidence of our divided allegiances. This is evidence that should move us to action; and yet, we are most often inclined to do nothing.
It could be argued, and I have often done so in the various letters posted on this web-site, that one of, and perhaps even the principal reason for the decline of the western church, is directly related to our divided allegiances. The journey towards "Victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ," demands that we keep our eyes exclusively on Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2). Any diversion from that focus, diminishes us, and we become less then victorious.
Our opening text, from Acts 5:29, takes us to a moment in the early development of Christ's Church, when the apostles were confronted with an effort, by the institutional authority of their day, to control their lives. This particular institutional authority had thrown the apostles into prison; then our Lord Jesus Christ intervened and caused them to be released from jail; then the institutional authority rounded them up and sought to compel them to act in a certain way. The response of the apostles was very straightforward: "We ought to obey God rather than men." The allegiances of the apostles was not divided!
When next we gather, we shall take a closer look at this clash between the apostles and the institutional authority of their day; and the relationship of this clash to the desire of ancient Israel to: "Make Us A King To Judge Us." As we, together, wait upon our Lord Jesus Christ, to bring about that closer look, let us take some time to read and study Acts chapters 3-5. As we do this, let us continually ask ourselves: Who is in control of my life? Who do I obey?
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
P.S. I am often reminded that many of you do not have access to a copy of the King's Book. It is my most fervent prayer, that our Lord Jesus Christ would provide you with access to His Word. If you are able to contact me, without endangering yourself (you can do this through the comments section or through my e-mail address), I will make every effort to get you a copy of the King's Book in your native language.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Thursday, May 7, 2015
"Make Us A King To Judge Us"
"Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, Behold, thou are old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." (1 Samuel 8:4-5).
Hello To All:
This message has been a long time in developing. I say developing, because I cannot write; nor can I deliver the message that our Lord Jesus Christ has for all of us - at a time of my choosing. I must wait on God as He patiently and mercifully brings me to a place of certainty. Jesus of Nazareth is in control of this process. He leads and I follow. When He brings me to that place of certainty, then He sits me down and His message is delivered to all of us. Once again, that time is now at hand. Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen!
Before we turn to our opening text - let us consider, for a moment, why this message has been a long time in developing. Most of us, including myself, are too quick to jump to conclusions concerning what we believe to be the truth; or we are too quick to accept what others tell us, regarding what they believe to be the truth.
We often need to be reminded that our natural human mind is not capable of knowing the truth. It is written: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14). Now it is certain that all of us who belong to Jesus of Nazareth "have the mind of Christ," (see 1 Corinthians 2:16). The challenge for all of us, is to wait on the manifestation of Christ's mind, rather then relying on our own natural mind. It is only through Jesus Christ that the revelation of truth can come to us (please see the message of 8/28/12 titled: "Do we believe God: What is truth?").
Waiting upon Jesus Christ for the manifestation of His mind. Waiting upon Jesus Christ for the Spirit of God to bring us to the truth, can be a very challenging process. If you, my beloved brethren, are in that often difficult place of waiting, please consider these promises from our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the King's Book.
1. "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:15-18).
2. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26).
A possible summation of the above promises is this: "The Spirit of truth" - Who "dwelleth with you" - "And shall be in you" - "He shall teach you all things" - He shall "bring all things to your remembrance." Another way to state these promises is this: The Holy Ghost - The Spirit of Truth - shall teach - and bring to remembrance - all things that Jesus of Nazareth teaches us. Thus, it can be rightly stated that we must be willing to wait upon the revelation of truth that can only come from Jesus of Nazareth. It is only then that we can know the truth and thus be set free by the truth. Amen and Amen and Amen.
Since, by the empowering and indwelling presence of Jesus of Nazareth, the waiting for this message has been accomplished, let us now look to our opening text and what it has to say about God's chosen people. In this text, we see the evidence that the nation of Israel had come to a place, in the historical time line, that they wanted an earthly king - "like all the nations." Prior to this point, in the time line, God had been, exclusively, their King. But, things had changed; and God's chosen people wanted to be "like all the nations."
Join with me in giving careful consideration to God's response to the demand of His chosen people. We find written at 1 Samuel 8:7, the following: "And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
"They have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." This is a very powerful indictment of a sinful people's condition. Prior to this, there were not any mediators between God and His people. Yes, there were prophets and judges. But, the prophets and judges were not rulers. They were not kings. The prophets and judges were appointed by God to guide His people and to serve His people. They were not appointed to rule over His people. On the other hand, an earthly king would rule over God's people. An earthly king would control God's people.
Please be careful, my beloved, about being tricked into thinking that somehow God' chosen people had found a way to avoid God's sovereign control of not only their lives but of all of His creation. Rather, if this is to be rightly understood - it must be recognized as another dramatic reminder of the mystery of the relationship between God's sovereignty and the free will of not only His chosen people, but of all people through out all of time. Let us be reminded of God's command to Samuel: "And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee."
God is always in control. He will allow us to submit ourselves to the control of others; just as He allowed His chosen people to have a king "like all nations." But, as we shall see, the next time we gather, Israel suffered because of their choice. There is always a consequence to endure, when our allegiance becomes divided (please see series of messages beginning 5/24/2014, titled: "Authority In The Church"). We must always be asking ourselves: Who controls my life? If our allegiance is divided - then our journey to "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ," will be compromised. We will not be all that Jesus intends for us to be!
Who is in control? Have we accepted an earthly king to rule over our lives? Do we allow others to dictate to us what it means to belong to Jesus of Nazareth; or our we exclusively "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith," (Hebrews 12:2)?
When next we gather, we shall continue in our examination of this matter of: "Make Us A King To Judge Us."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Hello To All:
This message has been a long time in developing. I say developing, because I cannot write; nor can I deliver the message that our Lord Jesus Christ has for all of us - at a time of my choosing. I must wait on God as He patiently and mercifully brings me to a place of certainty. Jesus of Nazareth is in control of this process. He leads and I follow. When He brings me to that place of certainty, then He sits me down and His message is delivered to all of us. Once again, that time is now at hand. Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen!
Before we turn to our opening text - let us consider, for a moment, why this message has been a long time in developing. Most of us, including myself, are too quick to jump to conclusions concerning what we believe to be the truth; or we are too quick to accept what others tell us, regarding what they believe to be the truth.
We often need to be reminded that our natural human mind is not capable of knowing the truth. It is written: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14). Now it is certain that all of us who belong to Jesus of Nazareth "have the mind of Christ," (see 1 Corinthians 2:16). The challenge for all of us, is to wait on the manifestation of Christ's mind, rather then relying on our own natural mind. It is only through Jesus Christ that the revelation of truth can come to us (please see the message of 8/28/12 titled: "Do we believe God: What is truth?").
Waiting upon Jesus Christ for the manifestation of His mind. Waiting upon Jesus Christ for the Spirit of God to bring us to the truth, can be a very challenging process. If you, my beloved brethren, are in that often difficult place of waiting, please consider these promises from our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the King's Book.
1. "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:15-18).
2. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26).
A possible summation of the above promises is this: "The Spirit of truth" - Who "dwelleth with you" - "And shall be in you" - "He shall teach you all things" - He shall "bring all things to your remembrance." Another way to state these promises is this: The Holy Ghost - The Spirit of Truth - shall teach - and bring to remembrance - all things that Jesus of Nazareth teaches us. Thus, it can be rightly stated that we must be willing to wait upon the revelation of truth that can only come from Jesus of Nazareth. It is only then that we can know the truth and thus be set free by the truth. Amen and Amen and Amen.
Since, by the empowering and indwelling presence of Jesus of Nazareth, the waiting for this message has been accomplished, let us now look to our opening text and what it has to say about God's chosen people. In this text, we see the evidence that the nation of Israel had come to a place, in the historical time line, that they wanted an earthly king - "like all the nations." Prior to this point, in the time line, God had been, exclusively, their King. But, things had changed; and God's chosen people wanted to be "like all the nations."
Join with me in giving careful consideration to God's response to the demand of His chosen people. We find written at 1 Samuel 8:7, the following: "And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
"They have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." This is a very powerful indictment of a sinful people's condition. Prior to this, there were not any mediators between God and His people. Yes, there were prophets and judges. But, the prophets and judges were not rulers. They were not kings. The prophets and judges were appointed by God to guide His people and to serve His people. They were not appointed to rule over His people. On the other hand, an earthly king would rule over God's people. An earthly king would control God's people.
Please be careful, my beloved, about being tricked into thinking that somehow God' chosen people had found a way to avoid God's sovereign control of not only their lives but of all of His creation. Rather, if this is to be rightly understood - it must be recognized as another dramatic reminder of the mystery of the relationship between God's sovereignty and the free will of not only His chosen people, but of all people through out all of time. Let us be reminded of God's command to Samuel: "And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee."
God is always in control. He will allow us to submit ourselves to the control of others; just as He allowed His chosen people to have a king "like all nations." But, as we shall see, the next time we gather, Israel suffered because of their choice. There is always a consequence to endure, when our allegiance becomes divided (please see series of messages beginning 5/24/2014, titled: "Authority In The Church"). We must always be asking ourselves: Who controls my life? If our allegiance is divided - then our journey to "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ," will be compromised. We will not be all that Jesus intends for us to be!
Who is in control? Have we accepted an earthly king to rule over our lives? Do we allow others to dictate to us what it means to belong to Jesus of Nazareth; or our we exclusively "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith," (Hebrews 12:2)?
When next we gather, we shall continue in our examination of this matter of: "Make Us A King To Judge Us."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Our Redeemer Lives!
Hello To All:
He is risen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be,
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
He is risen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be,
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Friday, April 3, 2015
Reflections On Our Journey!
Hello To All:
It has been many months since our last visit. It is not unusual for our Creator to bless me with a time of reflection and refreshment, around the first of each year. The writing is always hard work; and this break helps me to draw closer to our Redeemer - to become more sensitive to His guidance and His direction. In this way, Jesus of Nazareth, prepares me for the next year of writing and teaching. He continually helps me on my personal journey to "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ;" and He continually empowers me to do the work that He has set before me! Amen and Amen and Amen!
There is a most interesting passage of Scripture found at Ephesians, chapter two and verse ten, where it is written: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Most of us, who are believers, and thus followers of Jesus of Nazareth, are very familiar with the preceding two verses. We find written at Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - Not of works, lest any man should boast." These two verses (8 and 9) clearly speak to the reality that everything necessary for our salvation has been accomplished. There is nothing that we can do to contribute anything towards being saved from our sin. Jesus has done it all; and we say thank you Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!
But, verse ten has a different focus. Verse ten reminds us of the works that "God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." My beloved brethren, we have work to do. This is not work that we choose for ourselves. This is not work that we think would be fun. This is not work that fits our perception of what we believe we should be doing to serve God. This is not work that we think will bring great glory to God. This is not work that originates from our natural minds and through our natural processes. Rather, this is work that: "God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Through the years, as I have studied and meditated on this reality that "God hath before ordained," our Creator has brought me to a place of willing to wait on Him for an understanding of whatever work I think He might have planned for me. My goal is to only move forward when I have a clear direction that comes from Jesus of Nazareth. My goal is to only do the work that He has "ordained."
Do I always succeed in achieving this goal. No - I do not! All too often my sinful flesh clouds my judgement and I fail to wait on Jesus; I fail in my understanding of the revelation that can only come from Jesus. But, He always forgives me, He picks me up; and we move on; and I wait on Him and by His empowering presence, I turn away from the desires and influence of my natural self; and this moves me further down this path whereby we journey to "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ." Thank you Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!
It is because of this conflict between my sinful natural self and my "quickened" spiritual self (please see essay of 4/15/2012, titled: "You hath He quickened: The temple of God"), that many months have passed since the last posting on this blog. Much of that time was a time of refreshment; but, much of that time was also a time of struggle. The revelation of the next work that Jesus of Nazareth had "ordained" for me was not coming. My natural mind was thinking in one direction and I was missing what our Creator was seeking to reveal to me. Praise God for His mercy and His patience. Thank you Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!
Just in the last couple of days, the pieces have fallen into place - the revelation has come - Jesus has, once again, empowered me to be victorious over my natural self. Thank you Jesus! Soon, with the help of Jesus Christ, I shall be sharing the details of this revelation with you, my beloved brethren. Empowered by Jesus of Nazareth, I shall share the next work that "God hath before ordained," that I should walk and write in it. Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
It has been many months since our last visit. It is not unusual for our Creator to bless me with a time of reflection and refreshment, around the first of each year. The writing is always hard work; and this break helps me to draw closer to our Redeemer - to become more sensitive to His guidance and His direction. In this way, Jesus of Nazareth, prepares me for the next year of writing and teaching. He continually helps me on my personal journey to "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ;" and He continually empowers me to do the work that He has set before me! Amen and Amen and Amen!
There is a most interesting passage of Scripture found at Ephesians, chapter two and verse ten, where it is written: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Most of us, who are believers, and thus followers of Jesus of Nazareth, are very familiar with the preceding two verses. We find written at Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - Not of works, lest any man should boast." These two verses (8 and 9) clearly speak to the reality that everything necessary for our salvation has been accomplished. There is nothing that we can do to contribute anything towards being saved from our sin. Jesus has done it all; and we say thank you Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!
But, verse ten has a different focus. Verse ten reminds us of the works that "God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." My beloved brethren, we have work to do. This is not work that we choose for ourselves. This is not work that we think would be fun. This is not work that fits our perception of what we believe we should be doing to serve God. This is not work that we think will bring great glory to God. This is not work that originates from our natural minds and through our natural processes. Rather, this is work that: "God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Through the years, as I have studied and meditated on this reality that "God hath before ordained," our Creator has brought me to a place of willing to wait on Him for an understanding of whatever work I think He might have planned for me. My goal is to only move forward when I have a clear direction that comes from Jesus of Nazareth. My goal is to only do the work that He has "ordained."
Do I always succeed in achieving this goal. No - I do not! All too often my sinful flesh clouds my judgement and I fail to wait on Jesus; I fail in my understanding of the revelation that can only come from Jesus. But, He always forgives me, He picks me up; and we move on; and I wait on Him and by His empowering presence, I turn away from the desires and influence of my natural self; and this moves me further down this path whereby we journey to "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ." Thank you Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!
It is because of this conflict between my sinful natural self and my "quickened" spiritual self (please see essay of 4/15/2012, titled: "You hath He quickened: The temple of God"), that many months have passed since the last posting on this blog. Much of that time was a time of refreshment; but, much of that time was also a time of struggle. The revelation of the next work that Jesus of Nazareth had "ordained" for me was not coming. My natural mind was thinking in one direction and I was missing what our Creator was seeking to reveal to me. Praise God for His mercy and His patience. Thank you Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!
Just in the last couple of days, the pieces have fallen into place - the revelation has come - Jesus has, once again, empowered me to be victorious over my natural self. Thank you Jesus! Soon, with the help of Jesus Christ, I shall be sharing the details of this revelation with you, my beloved brethren. Empowered by Jesus of Nazareth, I shall share the next work that "God hath before ordained," that I should walk and write in it. Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
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