Heirs of Righteousness...

The Bible teaches that man is a fallen being. Man without God can produce no righteousness of his own. Righteousness is imputed to a faithful man through the action of God’s Justification. Within this Divine favor, Justification is granted to man because of man’s belief, trust, and consent of the human will to the person of God. The subject of this discourse focuses primarily on how the believer in God can be made righteous through what the Bible terms as, “Justification by faith”. Justification by faith allows any unjust man to receive God’s righteousness because of the finished work that Christ did at Calvary.

• Isa 53:11…by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

• 1 Peter 3:18… For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,

What is Justification? Justification is an act of God that pardons man from all sins of the past. Justification by faith declares man innocent from past sins committed and places this believer into right standing with God. Why? Man believes, trusts, and gives consent to God from the innermost depth of his heart. Justification by the Grace of God removes guilt from the conscience of man and allows fallen man to live and stay right in the sight of God.

• Rom 3:24-25…Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God

Justification by Grace through man’s faith in God has always been the bridge for fallen man to obtain righteousness from God. Justification given to fallen man is and has always been based on the promise of a Savior’s love for humanity.

• 1 Peter 1:19-20…But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world,

God gave the first prophetic utterance of a Savior to the serpent that deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). During that age according to man’s enlightenment to the revelation of God, the Bible teaches that Abel the son of Adam was a righteous man.

• Heb 11:4…By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Why was Abel a righteous man? Two reasons: First: he believed from his heart. Second: He obtained from God, a witness in his heart. Abel’s moral righteousness was given through the Divine favor of God. Divine favor was given because of Abel’s faith. Based on the Creator’s prophetic truth of a Savior, man has always been able to receive righteousness from above by faith in God. The revelation of God that enlightened man in the days of Abel was received, passed down, and witnessed through “Creation itself” and “verbal communication between man and God in the Garden”.

From the beginning God audibly revealed himself to Adam and Eve in the Garden. Down through the Ages God continued to reveal Himself through creation itself and the conscience of man. Only people who received God into their hearts were declared righteous through the Divine favor of God’s Justification. Since the fall of Adam through God’s promise of a Savior man has always been able to find right standing with God through faith. The Bible teaches that Noah was a righteous man and also a preacher of righteousness.

• Heb 11:7…By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

• 2 Peter 2:5… And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Faith allowed Noah to hear the voice of God. Obedience to God proved Noah’s faith. Noah experienced and knew about God-given righteousness through faith in his heart. Noah was thus compelled to be a preacher of righteousness so that others also could share the same righteous experience he personally knew with God. The revelation of God from that period of time was thus conveyed to humanity through preaching as well as creation, and the human conscience. From Adam, to Abel, and to Noah’s day…God was thus revealed to the human soul. All writers of the New Testament Epistles looked back to how God was made known in the Old Testament. Preaching stems all the way back to the days of Noah.

• Heb 4:2…For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

• 1 Peter 4:6…For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

After the flood in Noah’s day Divine Judgment and creation was known of men, remembered, and continued to be passed down verbally through the ages. Preaching continued to enlighten men to the truth about God the Creator and the God of Divine Judgment from the days of the flood.

God continued to reveal himself to the conscience of man in the days of Abraham. God promised Abraham that through him all the families on earth would be blessed. The New Testament revealed this blessing was Christ the promised seed. The blessing of this promise is received today in the Church the body of Christ because of Abraham’s righteousness of faith.

• Rom 4:13...For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

• Gal 3:29... And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Abraham’s righteousness proves that God justified him through faith. Even today believers in Christ receive the same righteousness from God. Righteousness is only granted to the heart of man through the Justification of God.

• Rom 4:1-5…What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

• Rom 4:20-24… He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Why is this Blog named, "The Churches on Trial?"

Originally the Churches on Trial was a radio broadcast that aired in Detroit Mi. in the 1980's. Dr. Hubert Lindsey took call in questions from real life experiences and answered them from the Bible perspective. Brother Lindsey a Theologian with a Spirit led heart of compassion was able to minister truth, love, and understanding to those who called in for Biblical clarification. This writer was among those who were honored to have learned an enough Bible Truth from Brother Lindsey's teaching to be able to stand fast in a world of obstacles, confusion, pressures, and so many things that seem to upset the child of God in 2010.

Formerly called the "Walking Bible" Brother Lindsey with his great memory of the Bible was able to quote scripture and to answer just about any question that anyone would ask! How blessed this writer was to be able listen to those live broadcasts, take notes, and develop a well rounded understanding of God's Word. One of the most blessed things I ever received from that ministry was how to rightly divide the Word of God. Brother Lindsey hammered that focus to everyone that he preached to because he knew the importance of understanding the way the Bible was written and the way it needed to be learned. Brother Lindsey was so grieved with the most popular and erroneous doctrines that run rampant in the mainstream today.

It is of great importance to mention this one last thing that Brother Lindsey taught that must be emphasized at this Blog dedicated to him. Brother Lindsey did not stop his message at Calvary. Brother Lindsey preached about a resurrected Saviour and the victory that comes with knowing the power of a resurrected Christ. This message that is not taught enough today is what prompted this writer to start this Blog that also puts many Churches on Trial!

Hope this Blog blesses you the reader as much as it does this writer! May the Lord Jesus who is behind this ministry use this Blog to touch hearts and lives with much of the knowledge that Brother Lindsey left behind for us. Brother Lindsey told me personally before he died to scatter this material. God has used this Blog. I also publish this material at ChristianBlog.com. The Internet is taking this stuff all across the world. Glory!

Keep us in prayer...

Had an urge from the Lord to ask everyone to pray! Pray for this Blog! Pray for the Upper Room! Pray for the Pastor! Talk to God about it! He hears you...He listens...He meets the needs of our lives.

Prayer life is beautiful! Sometimes healings occur because someone prayed! Sometimes miracles occur because someone prayed! God hears the prayers of His saints!

Prayer developes relationship! God not only hears your prayers...He also answers them!

Don't forget!

With love,

Father's Day Sunday at the Upper Room

There was no more appropriate passage than John 17 to preach on Fathers Day. In this beautiful passage Jesus prayed to the Father and asked God to put the Word in the heart of the believer's that was around Christ.

Deaana (11) and Derik (8) brought forth their well prepared prayer and prayed over the Church. After the prayer Deaana sang,"Yes Jesus loves me" for the Church.

Michelle topped it off with a song, "This little light of mine"....and the whole Church joined in...on Father's Day.

A blessed service...little Glen Wilson blessed his father Glen Wilson Sr. on Father's Day.

Beautiful service, beautiful fellowship, a true work of God in the midst. We're growing in Christ! the Lord is blessing us. Glory!

If you haven't read John 17 lately I encourage you to do so.

With Love,

What is the most important lesson you ever learned from God?

Isa 9:6-7...For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment

Did you notice that prophecy foretold that Jesus would be... Mighty God. Also the... Everlasting Father.

Think about Jesus as the Everlasting Father. The one who cares for all of His children. A great lesson can be found in this verse this Fathers Day.

How much did or does your earthly Father love you?

How much does the everlasting Father love you? How much does He care for you? does He supply all of your needs to witness for Him. Find the lesson in this beautiful subject. More coming later!

Happy fathers day from a happy Father!

What does the Bible teach about the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

The Bible teaches that God "ministered" to Israel under Law...by the Law and through the Law. After Christ died the Bible teaches God "ministers" to the human heart by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit was given at Calvary. God's new dispensation of Grace birthed the Church, the body of Christ. Within in the Church is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus rose from the grave and preached to the disciples (before His ascension to Heaven) He commanded the disciples to preach the Gospel. When the Gospel is preached...the Holy Spirit "ministers" to the heart.

Is "repentance" the ministry of the Holy Spirit? Yes. How? When the Gospel is preached it's the goodness of God that "leads" men to repentance. Repentance means to change your mind.

Is "conviction" the ministry of the Holy Spirit? Yes. How? When the Gospel is preached the Holy Spirit "touches or ministers" to the unbelieving soul. This ministry stirs, sways, and causes man to believe. This ministry of the Spirit is what gets mans attention. This ministry of the Spirit is what "testifies and reveals" Christ to the human soul.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit today is what draws men to God. Preaching the Gospel allows God to minister truth and Christ to the hearer. Holy men of God carry the Gospel. Holy men of God minister the Spirit. Holy men of God preach Christ crucified! Holy men of God are ministers...but the Holy Spirit "ministers" the Gospel that we preach.

John 6:44-45...No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Notice Jesus said under Law that Israel must be taught...they must learn...and they must hear...in order for God to "draw" them. Even more so today in the Grace covenant where the Holy Spirit ministers Salvation to the human soul through the Gospel message. That ministration of the Spirit of God that I speak of "under Grace"... flows straight from Calvary! Glory! That's where forgiveness of sin is found also! How? God ministers forgiveness and removal of guilt to the human conscience through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

I've got it made!

Christ owns Rick Roehm. I have a nice Church, I have a nice wife, and I have a nice relationship with Christ. I've got problems but Christ is my problem solver. Christ gets me through every situation in life. To tell you the truth...I couldn't live without Christ. I've become totally dependant on Him. He hears my prayers and meets my needs. Now do you see why I say I have it made?

Sunday evening! Service tonight at the Upper Room! Church Service is the fiber that unites us together in Spirit of God. The Gospel is our refresher! The Gospel shows everybody else how they have it made too! I'm a thankful man regardless of what the world has to offer.

I've got it made! Christ is in control of things! Christ has all power and authority! Blessed be His Holy name forever! Glory! I'm content with what I have.