Fresh in Christ, fresh in the Word, and fresh in the Spirit

Stale faith leads to drifting away from Christ over the course of life. Lack of learning, hearing, or being taught God's Word causes faith to weaken or to be slighted. Vulnerability to world, the flesh, and or the Devil can persist to the point of losing faith, or failing Christ.

There is a better life by staying fresh and conscious to the presence of Christ. The better life is accompanied by learning and growing in knowledge through the truth of God's Word. Keep God's Word fresh and alive in your soul and life. The better life is to stay fresh and vibrant in the Spirit every day of your life...maybe the prayer of thanksgiving at mealtime.

Fresh in Christ throughout you whole life, daily,and even hourly. Fresh Christianity. Fresh walk with God. Fresh truth to build faith in. Fresh and vibrant with effectual meaning. No turning back. Ashamed of the old life and the old man. Freshness keeps things from going stale or stagnant.

Staying fresh in the Word allows you to realize the affect that the Spirit of God has on men of faith. Freshness is the secret to being an overcomer. Freshness is the secret to remain strong in the faith. Freshness is what makes men immovable, steadfast, rooted, and grounded in Christ. Every day Christ should be fresh and real to your thinking. Every day the Word should have an affect on your soul and life. Every day your walk in the Spirit should be fresh and strong.

Christianity should be as fresh after 15-20 years as it was the day you got saved. Realization of forgiveness of sins at Salvation should be a conscious way of life. These things keep everything fresh and true.

The reason life in the Spirit is greater than life in the flesh

Hebrews 4:12-14...For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

The Word of God and Death are the only (2) things that can separate the soul and spirit - from the physical body. Let's examine separation more closely. The Word of God morally transforms the soul and spirit when  Salvation and forgiveness are found through belief in Christ. Forgiveness is found. The body is no longer governed by the flesh...but by the Spirit of God's Holiness. Thinking is transformed. Behavior is transformed. Conduct is transformed. Why?

"The Word of God that "separates" the inner man from the physical make-up of man...is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Right becomes the object because Christ is within. Moral transformation is made within man's being because Christ is God and He has power to change man inwardly and morally. This is Bible Truth. Not Philosophy! Not religion!"

Bible Truth is denied and misunderstood...but clearly speaks of power that morally transforms a sinner into a saint - by the Grace of God. Here's a picture of how God's Word "separates" the inner make-up of man from the outer part of man's physical make-up.

Hebrews 4:12-14...For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

• The human make-up consists of three parts.  Body, soul and spirit.
• The physical body is controlled and governed by the soul and spirit.
• The soul is man's power to choose and decide.
• The spirit is man's eternal make-up whether lost or saved.
• The inner part of man is "regenerated" when Christ and personal forgiveness are found.
• The Spirit of God's Holiness becomes the governing part of man when Christ and personal forgiveness are received.
• When forgiveness is found...flesh no longer rules the physical body. God's Spirit is greater

Life in the Spirit is experienced by a believer in Christ - when the inner part of man is redeemed and washed by the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb. The Word of God "separates" the unsaved soul and spirit from the body and morally cleanses and changes such. Salvation by the Spirit of God thus "overcomes" the flesh. This is the reason why - life in the Spirit is greater than life in the flesh. A spirit led man keeps his eyes on Christ. A spirit led man doesn't "ever seek" but has "found" Christ. Spirit life is in harmony with Bible Truth. Experienced! Not altered by human opinion. Flesh gravitates to the ways of man. Spirit life depends on the ways of God. Not equal...God's Spirit is greater than the flesh! Why? Because God is God. He has power over human make-up.

God's Word has power to separate a sinner from sin. Why? Right is given from above. Right overcomes wrong. For the first time in life a believer in Christ has "power to do right" because the Spirit of Christ came in. Jesus takes over the child of God. The Spirit rules that life. Prove those things acceptable to God. The flesh is subject to the Spirit of God. God's Spirit of holiness is greater than the flesh. Why? The same Spirit of Holiness that rules a child of God is the same Spirit of Holiness that raised Christ from the dead.

 Romans 1:4... And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Keep the Bible in proper context

By keeping the Bible in context you are "rightly dividing the Word of Truth". Right division of the Bible allows you to learn, develop a strong faith in Christ, and eliminate future confusion. Much confusion comes from not learning the Bible in proper context. Confusion hinders the child of God from building a good basis of faith. Thus the spiritual walk with God can be shipwrecked, erred from, or departed from due to frustration...caused from confusion. Learn the Bible in context. Learn about Jew and Gentile. Learn about Law and Grace. Learn about the Church and Israel. By doing such you will do yourself a favor and the Holy Spirit will reveal, enlighten, and bring understanding to your mind and thinking process. The Bible will never mislead you unless it's taken out of proper context. Above all things meditate the Word, study various periods of time and how they apply to the Church and/or Israel, learn about Christ and don't mix everything up. Eliminate possible confusion. Give no place to the Devil. Keep you mind, soul, and strength Christ centered. Learn to rightly divide God's Word by keeping it in context. The Holy Spirit will teach you and confirm "truth" you your soul. Eliminate the author of confusion the Devil...and let Jesus be the author and finisher of your faith. Every eye on Him. All your trust in Him. Learn what God said and is saying about Christ. Use the Word right. Be thankful for a privilege the world doesn't have. Be blessed from keeping the Bible in proper context. Lifetime homework assignment!

Faith

What is faith? Where does faith come from? Why doesn't everyone have faith?

Faith is a part of man that is used to focus in on God our Savior. When man is enlightened to the things of God faith can be utilized. Faith is exercised when the power of God's Word "stirs" the human soul to turn to our Savior for personal Salvation. Faith allows man to be touched by the forgiveness of sins that comes from Christ. Man is convicted when realization of Christ shows the hidden darkness of unbelief and rejection within. Man is "prodded" by God to dig deep and give up the concealed darkness of rejection of a Savior's love for fallen man. Faith comes to man by hearing. Faith gives consent to God through acceptance of the truth behind God's Word. Realization and understanding of the power of Christ (heard in the message) gives man something to put his faith into. Faith in Christ gives man something hold on to. Christ gives man something to never let go of. Faith works out "after" God works in. The outward work of man's faith in Christ is termed as "faithfulness". The eyes of faith see Christ as Savior and Redeemer. Christ's person, Christ's  power, and Christ's presence is understood by faith and not by sight.  Faith is the practice of a child of God. You become faithful when the reality of Christ takes you over. Salvation comes in when you trust Christ. Faith trusts Christ's redemption for holiness in this life and Heaven beyond the grave. Faith allows man to get away from self. Faith allows man to do the will of God. The attitude of faith is renunciation of sin. Faith is produced in confirmation of the truth about Christ. Faith pays attention to the things of God. Faith makes men "whole". A faithful man is a persuaded man, a confident man, and a man given to Christ. Resisting the Devil is a part of faith. Faith reaches out and touches God's Grace so much that it allows the sinner to become a new creature in Christ. A man of faith "realizes" that God's Grace found in Christ is the most important thing in life.  Faith is placed in the will of God. Faith is built on the Promises of God. The hearing of faith "increases" man's knowledge about Christ. The Bible is man's Word of Faith. Learning the Bible "adds to" our faith in Christ. Christians "continue" in the faith as they desire to learn, hear, and be taught in God's Word. Romans 3:24-25 tells us the heart of a faithful man is "Justified freely by the power of God's Grace"...

Romans 10:14-17...How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Unsearchable riches of Christ

Ephesians 3:8-9...Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the "unsearchable riches of Christ"; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Unsearchable simply means that something cannot be searched for. The riches of Christ are "found" not "searched for". The unsearchable riches of Christ mean just that, "These riches are unsearchable".

I write this Blog in reference to people who are "ever searching" for the riches of Christ and "never finding". Like wandering people that wandered in the wilderness. Like wandering stars falling in the universe, without stability. Like clouds without water that eventually dry up. Like the raging sea and its waves that toss to and fro...never getting settled. Ever seeking and never finding is the picture here.

To describe unsearchable even more let's examine the Apostle Paul who before being converted by Christ...was a high-ranking teacher and a searcher of knowledge in Jewish Law. Who before Christ was a learned Pharisee (with ought toward Christians and the Church) under the teaching of Gamaliel who was even a higher ranked member of the Sanhedrin or Jewish council in Israel. Then Christ took hold of Paul on the road to Damascus. After Christ was "found" and "experienced"...Paul considered himself "less than the least of the saints ." Paul found out he was nothing when he found out... Christ was everything. Paul realized the change, the blessing, the conversion, and all that stemmed from the supremacy of Christ. Paul, less than the least of all the saints was a glad man...a happy man...a contented man who searched no further for anything in life. Christ was found in the fellowship of the Spirit which was a mystery to men under Law who sought God by their works and knowledge. Paul (before Christ) was raised that way.

The quest for a higher plane was found. The quest for wealth (not monetary) was revealed to the heart and soul of a believer through the riches of Christ. No longer was the search to gain in life... still on. A life of contentment was found and described as the "unsearchable riches of Christ". These riches are not obtained by human effort. These riches are not achieved by life's accomplishments. These unsearchable riches are found and taken hold of by people who have faith in Christ. They no longer search for riches. Why? Because they have these riches and they are found in the Christian experience.

Unsearchable is the term because the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation "ends" man's search for hope. Hope is found in the person of Christ. Christ is found through your personal faith in Him. Personal forgiveness is found in His death for you. Personal life in the Spirit is maintained through your personal walk with Him. Unsearchable riches are not accumulated, they a taken hold of through the person of Christ and His supremacy found in your heart and life. Unsearchable riches are held on to because of their great wealth and value to "you" as the child of God. They are riches of importance that stablish and settle people like you in Christ. These riches are not found by searching for them. They are "found" and "experienced" through your personal union with Christ in the Spirit.

The concealed mystery of Grace was revealed when Christ hung on the cross. The concealed mystery of Grace was even more revealed when Christ rose from the tomb. The concealed mystery of Grace was even more revealed when Christ "took over your heart and life" by the power of His Holy Ghost. Unsearchable riches in Christ through Grace are found and treasured above all things in life. Unsearchable riches from Grace make men and women of God wealthy in Christ. People outside of Christ are poverty-stricken and poor in the Spirit. There is nothing people outside of Christ can ever do or can ever accomplish to achieve these great riches found in only in the Grace of God.

Unsearchable simply means that something cannot be searched for. The riches of Christ are "found" not "searched for". The unsearchable riches of Christ mean just that, "These riches are unsearchable".

Ephesians 3:8-9...Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the "unsearchable riches of Christ"; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Notice "all things" were "created" by Jesus Christ.

Jesus quoted and confirmed the truth of the Holy Scriptures

When Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote the four Gospels...these writers recognized how Jesus quoted from the Holy Scriptures written in the Old Testament records. The Holy Scriptures were the collected oracles of God written by Prophets and given to Israel to foretell of the coming of the Messiah. God's Word was written in the Torah. God's Word was written by the Prophets. God's Word was written in the Psalms. Jesus knew and quoted the written word of God. Often Jesus would say...

It was written...
Have you not read?
What is said in your Law?
Go do as Moses commanded...
All things must be fulfilled that are written...
He opened up the Scriptures about Himself...
Jesus quoted Daniel the Prophet...
Jesus quoted Isaiah the Prophet...
Jesus quoted David the Prophet...

Jesus in His own words confirmed truth of the Old Testament records. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John individually recorded these accounts confirmed by Jesus. Scriptures confirm scriptures of the truth of the written Word of God that all point to Christ, the promised Messiah for the Jew first and also the Gentiles.

Overcome the dangers of life with Christ

Children of God are blessed with a consciousness to the presence of Christ. Belief and trust in Christ gives children of God an assurance they are taken care of through every condition in life. Children of God also face dangers in this life. They must be cautious about worldly things...as  they walk with Christ.

The Devil still lurks to destroy the child of God's walk with Christ. The world we live in... is in total opposition to the life of a believer in Christ. The world accepts disobedient conduct such as drinking, drug use, gambling, lying thats OK, etc. The world says its OK, we're only human. The Bible says to, "Walk in the Spirit not in the flesh". The reason for walking in the Spirit is to keep your heart and life in harmony with the presence of Christ. Without compromise.

Compromise is dangerous. Compromise to the world is even more dangerous. Compromise to temptation is dangerous. The world we live in can "destroy" the walk of a believer as it subtly teaches compromise to the point that the child of God "throws in the towel" and gives into the worldly way of thinking. The Devil wants the marriages to be wrecked. The world hates the light and loves darkness. Without truth the world can teach a lie and some will believe it.

Don't be deceived. The world, the flesh, and the Devil are out to tear down and destroy the child of God. The world hates the child of God. Opposition against the truth will never cease. Love not the world. Don't be conformed to the world. This is where the test comes in. It's called the trying of your faith or going through the fire. Recognize the dangers caused from worldly opposition. Trust the Lord for everything in life. Keep your heart clean and holy. Walk in the Spirit...not in the flesh. The world cannot harm you if you depend on Christ. The Devil has to flee if you depend on Christ. Truth prevails as opposition diminishes. Glory!

The witness in your heart will keep you from faltering. A child of God lacks nothing concerning the dangers they encounter. Do not deviate from the truth. If you do your life will go out of order and the world can creep in. Your association with Christian people can change. Dangers multiply and then comes sin. When sin is found condemnation comes upon the human soul. Consciousness to peace found in the person of Christ...becomes misery. The joy that comes from Christ is lost and contentment is nowhere be found.

Keep yourself pure. Avoid the heaviness and condemnation that comes from sin. Stay steady and right in the eyes of God. Avoid the dangers of the world. When tempted turn to Jesus. Keep the flesh in subjection to a life of obedience found only in Christ. No compromise. When in doubt about something...be safe. Don't do it unless God permit. Husbands love your wives. Wives love your husbands. Marriage is honorable in the eyes of God. Christians are overcomers. Christians are more than conquerors. Christians are winners! Glory! The gates of hell "cannot" prevail. Why? Christ is your Saviour.

Jesus told the Pharisee's that by their traditions...they made the Word of God of none effect...Do you see this today?

Man's fallen nature caused Israel to "add their own interpretation" to the Law of God which was the Torah. By adding the Rabbi's interpretation...traditional views and human opinions began to "take away" from the truth and authority of God's effectual Word. The truth and authority of God's Word is what "effects the human soul and gives us a basis for our faith". Tradition or human ideals are not the ways of God, nor do they effectually work within the human soul. Traditions and opinions "add too" God's Word and thus water it down to a place where it has no "effect" on the heart of man. Religious tradition and human opinion is a violation against the truth and authority of God's Word.

Matt 15:1-8...Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples "transgress the tradition of the elders?" for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also "transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have "ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Today there are modern doctrines and teachings that still make the Word of God of none effect in 2010. These doctrines and teachings have a form of godliness but they "deny the power!" The Word of God should have power and effect! The Word of of God teaches the authority behind man's righteousness and holiness is Christ. Without the truth of the Word of God we have no standard to live by. Christ is the central theme of the Bible's great truth! Man's natural standard and natural inclination is not one of victory but defeat! Victory comes from the work of Christ in the human soul. Defeat comes from human works which are stench in the nostrils of God! The Word of God teaches man to have a holy character from Christ, not an unholy character from the works of human conduct. I'm so glad we have the truth of God's Word to live by in 2010! The traditional and religious ways of the modern Church say we are defeated..but the Word of God in the New Testament records teaches we can have victory over sin, victory over the flesh, victory over the Devil, and victory over every problem in our lives! Christians can have this victory...the Bible says so! Yes, God's Word says so. Tradition can not give us victory. Man's ideals can not give us victory...but the truth of God's says "all Christian's should have this victory". See the harm that religion and tradition has caused even at this present hour? Come on?

I'm so glad we have the Bible as the basis of our faith. I'm so glad we have a resurrected Christ ruling and reigning in our hearts and lives! I appreciate the truth and authority behind God's Word. The Word has an effect in my life and my ministry for Christ. I love teaching the Word! I love reaping the Word's dividends from the fruit in your lives. Christ made a way. The Holy Spirit is our teacher. May this ministry and Blog go out with power and authority that comes from the Truth of God's Word. May it change your heart and life for the glory of Christ! I'm thankful it has my own. The Word teaches victory and truth. No matter what the opinions of men are. No matter what tradition says. In this ministry for Christ...the Word of God still has an effect! Glory! I love this Blog. I love you the reader! Trust and Obey!

Don't forget about the "Churches on Trial" radio broadcasts uploaded to this Blog

On the left side of this Blog under Hubert Lindsey audios...you will find many interesting radio broadcasts. All audios contain a wealth of Biblical knowledge. Brother Lindsey brings forth unlimited amounts Bible truth as callers ask questions on every topic you can think of. Check them out when you find time! They are listed as COT 1987.

Happy Thanksgiving from Rick Roehm and the COT...

A different approach to your Christian walk...don't take Christianity lightly

We don't deny that the Devil in his deceitfulness is always looking to knock down a Christian especially those weak in the faith. Nor do we fail to realize in the splendor of God's Mercy that God can pick the believer back up that's been knocked down by the Devil...but... what we emphasize at the Churches on Trial is the truth of the Bible...and the Bible says,

" 1 John 4:4...greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world"...

What this verse simply means is that Christ is greater than the Devil. Note..."GREATER " not equal to. In the power, person, and presence of the Christ this writer represents...Christ is GREATER THAN the Devil. GREATER IS HE, GREATER IS HE, GREATER IS CHRIST!

All that said to say one thing, "The reason John wrote about Christ being greater simply means that the child of God doesn't have to let the Devil knock him down because Christ gives the believer power to keep from being knocked down. Why? We are those ...

"Who are kept by the power of God through faith ...1 Peter 1:5

Glory to the Christ I serve...Glory to the Christ behind this ministry! Glory to the Christ who gives us the full armour of God! Why? So we can stand against the wiles of the Devil!

1 John 3:8...He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might "destroy" the works of the devil.

Believe the Word of Truth...

First Epistle of John (audio)...a verse by verse study...Chapters 1-3...by Rick Roehm

This study on the First Epistle of John was made in 2004 to bring clarification to the truth of the Bible and to the truth about the holy heart and holy living. Throughout life I have met many people that use John's First Epistle to condone sin rather than to condemn it. They say that the Bible contradicts itself. Not so!

The New Testament was not written to condone sin. John's First Epistle will not contradict itself if studied in the right context. This First Epistle of John when kept in proper context brings to light the power and victory that all Christians can experience in 2009. Without contradiction! It will cut your thinking away from tradition, imagination, and religion. God's Word is rich, true, and teaches holiness of heart and sin free living. May this study (pt. 1) bless your personal life in Christ and your personal studies of the Bible, especially the New Testament records.

I thank God for the Apostleship of Brother Lindsey who was used by God to leave behind beautiful doctrines of holiness (like this foundation in First John) for all to learn from. I thank God for the technology that has made it possible to keep alive Brother Lindsey's teachings as well as his timeless audios that were made for the edification of the saints in Christ across this nation. Google makes this possible on this Blog! Sermon.net makes it possible on the Internet...but most of all God makes it possible through the willing heart of his servants for Christ. Glory to the name of God through Christ our Saviour! Glory to the name of Christ!

The Beatitudes (audio)

This audio was a blessing from God and was originally made to send to a dear brother in Christ in Medellin, Columbia. His name is Mario Tapias. God Bless Brother Mario, Eliza, and family.

The process of this recording was also furthered by a dear Brother from the Upper Room, James Allen who also publicizes Brother Lindsey's preaching material at http://sermon.net/holy . Just open link and click on "Sermon player" and you will find an excellent list of preaching material.

This writer preached the sermon titled, "The Beatitudes" but accidentally hit the pause button before the sermon completed. By the Grace of God we did however capture the depth of the message within its 42 minute content. All in all, this message is a God-sent and so is this Christian Blog which permits Rick Roehm to carry this blessed and true Gospel message outside the four wall's of the Upper Room in Williamsburg Ohio.

Please take time to experience this audio and video on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount as God ministers His Spirit and confirms His Word of truth to your heart and soul.

The power of the Gospel message "calls" a lost world to Christ

Yesterday's Blog dealt with the Holy Spirit testifying or making Christ known to the heart of man. Today's Blog deals with how the Holy Spirit ministers to a lost world.

Christ left us with a command to preach the Gospel. The reason for preaching is God's means of reaching a "lost world" with the power of Salvation of the human soul. I speak of power that gets men to Heaven! The Bible teaches that lost men (the unsaved world) are called by the truth of the Gospel.

The Holy Spirit works (ministers) to the heart of man through the power of the Gospel message. The Gospel message calls lost men to repentance and sways them to a belief in the truth. Faith and salvation comes by hearing the Word of Truth. The Holy Spirit reaches the heart of man when the person of Christ is preached. What this writer is saying is, "There is power in preaching because a living Christ is behind the true Gospel message". Christ changes things Brother! He delivers men from sin and drug addictions! He cures the sick! He restores the heart and soul to a right and moral make-up in the eyes of God! He gives life! He makes men holy! He cleanses the heart and soul from the sin nature and sinful conduct.

Preaching goes into the ears and into mental process of man. This allows God to reach the hearts of fallen men through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is how Christ is made known to the human soul. This is why there is power in preaching. This is why Christ commanded us to preach the Gospel in "all" the world.

This type of teaching gets beyond human intellect! It leaves out human reasoning! It takes out mans intelligence by pointing all men and every walk of life to a simplicity that's only found in the person of Christ. This simplicity is the peace that passes all human understanding. This simplicity is a righteousness that's only found in a living Christ and not produced by man himself. This simplicity is a holiness of character that's only produced by God's Grace in the human soul. Man's brain, man's intelligence, man's social status, and man's eloquence of speech has nothing to do with...the simplicity of Christ that's found when Salvation or Sanctification from God is experienced.

The power of the Gospel gets men away from themselves and points them to Christ . The power of the Gospel calls lost men to a place to find out the truth about Christ's death burial and resurrection. The power of the Gospel allows God to minister His Spirit to the hearts of lost men and women. The power of the Gospel teaches the saint. The Gospel is God's way of bringing fallen man to a right standing with God. The Gospel teaches men the truth about Christ and what Christ is able to do within the human soul. The Gospel allows the Holy Spirit to make Christ known to all who listen. This is the other Comforter that Christ spoke of in Saint John. Christ said He would send another Comforter...thus declaring He was a comforter himself.

That's why I preach for Christ and write this Blog! I realize there's power in preaching the Gospel! The power I speak of is Christ who bled and died for this writer. The power I speak of is Christ, who bled and died to restore this writers marriage. The power I speak of is Christ, who rose and is exalted to give this writer revelation of who He is and what He does from the Throneroom. Yes, the Christ I serve is the one who gave understanding to this writer concerning the truth of His Word. He taught me the Word of God. He gives me the messages to preach. He "confirms" the Bible with the blessing of His Holy Spirit in this writers life.

Mark 16:20...And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

The Eternal Value...of the Word of Truth we preach

May the Word that we teach at http://churchesontrial.blogspot.com/ have an Eternal value to "all" who receive it. I admit this doctrine is not taught much in the mainstream today but it does get people "confirmed" in their hearts concerning the Word of Truth. It teaches men and women the truth about holiness in this life. Holiness in this life is what gets people to Heaven. May this Word of truth that teaches who Christ is and what Christ does "now" in the Church bless you the reader by giving more assurance than the forgiveness of sins. May this Word of Truth fortify your personal relationship with Christ, and perhaps your marriage, fatherhood, motherhood, etc. May its value stick in your memory and last, may its truth be the foundation of your Christian standard of life. God bless you all who read and follow this Blog. I appreciate your desire to grow in the Grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was listening this morning to one of Brother Lindsey's Church services at Birmingham Mi. I was touched by how he committed his teaching to those who were faithful in that local body. I am touched to have been learned under the Father of the Gospel Brother Hubert Lindsey, that reached my heart for Christ and founded this writer in the truth of the Gospel. May this Blog (a product of Brother Lindsey's Ministry) be as much of a blessing to you the reader as it has it has been for this writer since February 2009. Glory to the Christ we serve...with a whole heart! Glory to Christ! Glory to the Christ we serve!

Why the subject of "Sin" is not controversial

The truth about sin is not controversial when "more light" is placed on the Word of God. Many take the following Scripture as an excuse to sin...

1 John 1:8...If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

God doesn't excuse sin! His Word doesn't excuse sin! Only men excuse sin!

John is not talking about sin as something men do! He is not talking about a sinful act or a violation against God...he's talking about the "sin nature" of man.

1 John 1:8...If we say that we have no sin (nature), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

At the time this first Epistle of John was written the pagan religion of Gnosticism was prevalent. Gnosticism rejected the fact that Jesus was a human being and thus missed the redemptive power of Salvation that comes to the heart of a believer because of the atoning work of Christ at Calvary. Gnosticism rejected the fact that man inherited sin from Adam. Gnostic's did not believe man was born with a sinful nature! This is what John was refuting in his first Epistle.

1 John 1:8...If we say that we have no sin (nature), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Any student of God's Word will agree that "Sin" in the Bible is not limited to just a single "act". Sin is also a propensity, or an inherited nature that all men are born with..since the Fall of Adam. Sin can be an action..or something you do; but it can also be your nature...or what you are from birth. A sinful act is a verb or an action taken by man. The sinful nature is a noun or the nature of man's being.

With understanding of what "sin" really is clarification on the subject takes away much controversy that plants the seed of doubt that causes confusion. Clairification on what sin is changes the way we think. The Word of God is "never" controversial if taught in its proper perspective. God doesn't excuse sin! His Word doesn't excuse sin! Only men excuse sin!

I agree... teaching the Bible in this context doesn't get along with all men...but it does get along with God, it does get along with the Spirits directive for men to be holy, and does get along with the truth of the Holy Scriptures.

Sin is taught in the Bible to show men how to get rid of it! God provides man through Christ...with a way to get rid of the acts of sin and from the inherited sinful nature!

Justification (a pardon from God that grants the new birth) deals with the acts of sin that man committed against God.
Sanctification (the cleansing work of the Spirit of God) deals with the sinful nature that man inherited from the Fall.

Both Justification and Sanctification are the "Action of God". The action of God is what "rid's" man from sinful acts and the inherited sinful nature. When the controversy is taken out the Scripture we can see the action of God more clearly. We thus see the power of His Grace. We thus see the complete work of His Holy Spirit. By taking away the controversy from the subject of sin a complete and different light is placed on the necessity of Christ and His living active power from the Throneroom.

The acts of sin can be forgiven through man's confession and the regenerating work of the New Birth.
The nature of sin can only be "destroyed" by the action of God. That action performed by Christ is the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. This final work of the Spirit of God comes upon man "after" man has received the new birth.

Fish fry last night at the Upper Room

We are so blessed at the Upper Room. We have such a beautiful fellowship in the Spirit. Last night we had a partially unannounced fish fry that worked out so beautifully. Many came! We had dinner, fellowship, and then a nice service in the Upper Room. The beauty of these kind of things is more than doctrine...it's the actual fellowship we have with each other in Christ through the Spirit.

From a doctrinal standpoint...draw a Triangle. Put Jesus on the top... The Holy Spirit on the left point... and you the believer on the other point. This triangle in the Greek text is called ,
"Koinonia"...which means communion or fellowship with each other and with God. The communion (fellowship) we shared last night with each other, with the Spirit, and with Christ was Koinonia.

1 John 1:3...That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship (koinonia) with us: and truly our fellowship (koinonia) is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

A man came to me after the service and said this evening makes me think of how Jesus fed fish to the five thousand. I was touched!

Revived ...Churches on Trial (audio) Forth original broadcast 6/14/87...

There's a wealth of Biblical knowledge contained in these "Revived" audios for all who desire to grow in knowledge about Christ and the Bible. This writer is personally thankful to God to be able to review and re-publish the content of these audios... as they strengthen my personal ministry for Christ... as a minister at the Upper Room. These broadcasts will also built others up in the faith as Christ "perfects" the saints for the work of the ministry.

Eph 4:11-12...And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

The Churches on Trial... radio broadcasts and (other recordings) that Brother Lindsey made are in the process of being "Revived" and "Re-published". This Biblical knowledge is far to valuable to be buried away on some dusty shelf.By the Grace of God this writer hopes revive and re-publish this wealth of knowledge for the furtherance of the cause of Christ. God wants it that way...Hubert Lindsey told me personally he wanted it that way, and this writer also wants it that way.Enjoy the broadcast...stop it often...study it closely...and let it's wealth of knowledge confirm the truth of the Word of God in your personal walk with Christ.

Churches on Trial weekend special titled..."Carnal Christians" (audio)

The following teaching is not a "Churches on Trial" radio broadcast but was however; recorded during the same time period that the Churches on Trial was being aired. During those years Brother Lindsey was a Pastor at the Church at Birmingham, in Birmingham Mi. Much was going on through Brother Lindsey's ministry for Christ in the late 80's. Examine the following closely! So..get your pen, your notebook, and a Strong's Concordance and allow Hubert's recording to minister the Word of Truth. It's titled, "Carnal Christians".