On one of the audios by Brother Lindsey I heard several years ago he testified about a loss of property that he once experienced. It was in regards to an apartment building (owned by Brother Lindsey) that was lost in a fire. Brother Lindsey made a statement about this loss that has stuck with me for over 20 years. He said God showed him these 4 things listed below in this Blog. I made note of these 4 things as I have thus pondered them time and time again in my personal ministry for the past 20 years. I'd like to share them with you at the Churches on Trial.
The Enthronement of Christ
The sufficiency of God
The power of a resurrected Saviour
The ministry of the Holy Spirit
May they bless you as much as they have this preacher. I thank God that Brother Lindsey shared them with me. Now, as writer of this Blog...I know why. God Bless!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross
Last night we had a beautiful service at the Upper Room. The sermon was about the final hours of the Lord Jesus Christ on Earth during His crucifixion. The Spirit ministered to our hearts about how personal Salvation stems from the suffering Saviour who could have came down off the cross because He was God in the flesh. When Jesus stepped down from His heavenly position He became a man, yet as the Son of God He had power to do anything within human comprehension, but didn't. God's plan for fallen man far out weighs human comprehension. Notice the Scriptures written by Matthew as the people observed our Saviour in public shame.
Matt 27:40...If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Matt 27:42...If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Jesus was mocked by humanity. He was ridiculed by the Pharisees yet there was no guile found in His mouth. He was "made" sin who knew no sin, that "we" might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He bore the punishment for sin in His fleshly body at Calvary yet His soul did not see corruption. He could have come down off the cross and proved that He had power to do so..but didn't. Jesus by the Grace of God tasted suffering and death so that you and I could be saved and redeemed from eternal separation from God. When Jesus suffered on the cross He tasted death for fallen man.
Heb 2:9-10...But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Christ tasted death for you and I. He could have came down off the cross because He had the power to do so...but didn't according to the plan of God. His compassion and mercy for fallen man can not be described in His suffering. His love for fallen man cannot be described as He hung on the cross in public shame. Did He have power to come down from the cross and prove He was God? Yes, but if He would have come down from the cross you and I would not have had any means of redemption. Redemption flows from Calvary. The Holy Spirit was given to humanity through the Church that was birthed at Calvary. If Jesus would have come down off the cross the Church wouldn't have been birthed. Mosaic Law would not have ceased and Grace would not have begun.
During the ninth hour (after darkness was over all the land) Jesus commended His Spirit into the hands of the Father and cried out, "It is finished"...and then He gave up the ghost. The son of God had power to come down off the cross but didn't... so you and I could be saved. Glory!
Matt 27:40...If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Matt 27:42...If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Jesus was mocked by humanity. He was ridiculed by the Pharisees yet there was no guile found in His mouth. He was "made" sin who knew no sin, that "we" might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He bore the punishment for sin in His fleshly body at Calvary yet His soul did not see corruption. He could have come down off the cross and proved that He had power to do so..but didn't. Jesus by the Grace of God tasted suffering and death so that you and I could be saved and redeemed from eternal separation from God. When Jesus suffered on the cross He tasted death for fallen man.
Heb 2:9-10...But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Christ tasted death for you and I. He could have came down off the cross because He had the power to do so...but didn't according to the plan of God. His compassion and mercy for fallen man can not be described in His suffering. His love for fallen man cannot be described as He hung on the cross in public shame. Did He have power to come down from the cross and prove He was God? Yes, but if He would have come down from the cross you and I would not have had any means of redemption. Redemption flows from Calvary. The Holy Spirit was given to humanity through the Church that was birthed at Calvary. If Jesus would have come down off the cross the Church wouldn't have been birthed. Mosaic Law would not have ceased and Grace would not have begun.
During the ninth hour (after darkness was over all the land) Jesus commended His Spirit into the hands of the Father and cried out, "It is finished"...and then He gave up the ghost. The son of God had power to come down off the cross but didn't... so you and I could be saved. Glory!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
God is behind this Blog...read it. Share it. Put it in your favorites.
Fear not. God is behind this Blog. Over the past year or year and half this writer/pastor has been going through some tight tribulation in the world. My sales job after 14 years came to an end. Some say economics caused the problem some say management issues caused the problem. Only God knows the real reason. Anyway I was blessed last Friday with a new place of employment...so now I'm going through that transition. New job, new people...lots of CHANGE. Perhaps the Blogs I write have been slighted I'm not sure. I write several. Can't do it during the day anymore as it's all about work so I'm up this morning at 5:30 am... filling in the gap. This Churches on Trial Blog goes around the world and reaches people with a touch of the Spirit of God. God has blessed this writer (and James Allen) with the time and the means to get all this material posted for your viewing and listening. God is behind it!
This ministry touches hearts and lives around the globe. God knows what's needed. This ministry is still under the hand of God. Brother Lindsey's preaching still ministers power today in 2011. We have so much material archived here and so much more to post. Now, all I need is time to make these posts as I'm giving attention to the new job recently. Please bear with us. Check out our Blog and utilize the material we have posted. We will being having new and fresh material coming in the future for your study. We appreciate your hunger and thirst for the truth of God's Word. Brother Lindsey lived and breathed to scatter this preaching material into all the world. So does this writer/preacher/and pastor at the Upper Room. Beautiful service last night! Anyway just wanted to share my heart and thank everyone for stopping by. We have years of material posted here and much, much more to come. Keep this site in your favorites. Share this site with a friend. We're in it for the cause of Christ and the salvation and edification of those who need Him in their lives. God Bless you all. Sincerely, Rick Roehm
This ministry touches hearts and lives around the globe. God knows what's needed. This ministry is still under the hand of God. Brother Lindsey's preaching still ministers power today in 2011. We have so much material archived here and so much more to post. Now, all I need is time to make these posts as I'm giving attention to the new job recently. Please bear with us. Check out our Blog and utilize the material we have posted. We will being having new and fresh material coming in the future for your study. We appreciate your hunger and thirst for the truth of God's Word. Brother Lindsey lived and breathed to scatter this preaching material into all the world. So does this writer/preacher/and pastor at the Upper Room. Beautiful service last night! Anyway just wanted to share my heart and thank everyone for stopping by. We have years of material posted here and much, much more to come. Keep this site in your favorites. Share this site with a friend. We're in it for the cause of Christ and the salvation and edification of those who need Him in their lives. God Bless you all. Sincerely, Rick Roehm
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Can a man lose faith in Christ and then regain faith in Christ?
Yes, but there is a better life than that. Here's why.
Losing faith is what the Bible calls the sin of unbelief. What happens when men lose faith in Christ? Defeat develops. People become habitually disobedient to God. Sin separates man from God's Saving Grace. As we all know - the wages of sin is death. Did you know losing faith can become a habitual life of defeat? Keeping the faith means you are faithful to God with victory in Jesus. Losing faith means you are unfaithful to God and living a life in defeat. Faith is a consciousness and awareness of Christ in your heart and life. If you don't know if your sins are forgiven. They're not! Faith in Christ allows man to know that every sin is forgiven and that the heart is clean and holy in the eyes of God. You can keep this victory every day of your life with the power of God's Grace.
A clean heart comes from your trust in what Christ did for you personally. Your trust in Christ and what Christ did for you personally is why you're forgiven by God Almighty. You will know you're forgiven because the guilt of sin is lifted from your conscience. You are aware of the fact that Christ made you a new creation and you know every sin is forgiven. This is soul rest. Soul rest is freedom from the guilt of sin. Redemption comes through your personal trust and belief in Christ. Can you lose this trust? Yes. Can you regain it? Yes. Don't waver back and forth in defeat. Stay steady with victory by the power of God's Saving Grace.
Men fall into sin. Why? They lose faith and quit trusting Christ for personal forgiveness. They turn back to sinful conduct. Sin is not an unconscious act. Sin is a wilful act of rebellion and disobedience to God. When faithfulness to Christ is lost, unfaithfulness to Christ is found. Unfaithful men are sinful and wilfully sinful. Not a product of belief and trust in Christ where Grace is found. A defeated life of misery and shame with "wavering faith". Christ gives us something better. It's a connection to the power of God's Grace we are to keep, "without wavering".
God's Grace and mercy is always connected to man "if" (notice I said if) man believes and receives Christ into the heart and soul. God's Grace and mercy is disconnected from the soul when man "loses faith in Christ" or "lets go of Christ". The Bible calls this disconnection grieving the Spirit and/or quenching the Spirit. You must hold on. Can you be reconnected if you let go? Yes. How? When you get every sin forgiven "again" through personal acceptance of the cleansing power that flows from the blood of Jesus Christ that hung on Calvary's tree. Faith in Christ can be lost or let go of. Faith in Christ can be regained. Who wants to go through all of this?
Wouldn't it be a better life to just, "Keep the faith?" Paul said, "Fight the good fight of faith". Paul said, "I have kept the faith". There is no better life than to stay faithful to Christ all the way to Heaven. No faith lost. No faith to regain. The Bible calls this "immovable in the faith". Glory! I get blessed just writing about keeping faith in Christ and in the Bible. They both have shown this writer that nothing can defeat the child of God! Faith in Christ doesn't have to be lost. Stay satisfied with a faithful life connected to Christ in the Spirit. Greater is He in me...than He that's in the world. Isn't joyful? Is this what the Bible means, "Joy unspeakable". Hallelujah!
Losing faith is what the Bible calls the sin of unbelief. What happens when men lose faith in Christ? Defeat develops. People become habitually disobedient to God. Sin separates man from God's Saving Grace. As we all know - the wages of sin is death. Did you know losing faith can become a habitual life of defeat? Keeping the faith means you are faithful to God with victory in Jesus. Losing faith means you are unfaithful to God and living a life in defeat. Faith is a consciousness and awareness of Christ in your heart and life. If you don't know if your sins are forgiven. They're not! Faith in Christ allows man to know that every sin is forgiven and that the heart is clean and holy in the eyes of God. You can keep this victory every day of your life with the power of God's Grace.
A clean heart comes from your trust in what Christ did for you personally. Your trust in Christ and what Christ did for you personally is why you're forgiven by God Almighty. You will know you're forgiven because the guilt of sin is lifted from your conscience. You are aware of the fact that Christ made you a new creation and you know every sin is forgiven. This is soul rest. Soul rest is freedom from the guilt of sin. Redemption comes through your personal trust and belief in Christ. Can you lose this trust? Yes. Can you regain it? Yes. Don't waver back and forth in defeat. Stay steady with victory by the power of God's Saving Grace.
Men fall into sin. Why? They lose faith and quit trusting Christ for personal forgiveness. They turn back to sinful conduct. Sin is not an unconscious act. Sin is a wilful act of rebellion and disobedience to God. When faithfulness to Christ is lost, unfaithfulness to Christ is found. Unfaithful men are sinful and wilfully sinful. Not a product of belief and trust in Christ where Grace is found. A defeated life of misery and shame with "wavering faith". Christ gives us something better. It's a connection to the power of God's Grace we are to keep, "without wavering".
God's Grace and mercy is always connected to man "if" (notice I said if) man believes and receives Christ into the heart and soul. God's Grace and mercy is disconnected from the soul when man "loses faith in Christ" or "lets go of Christ". The Bible calls this disconnection grieving the Spirit and/or quenching the Spirit. You must hold on. Can you be reconnected if you let go? Yes. How? When you get every sin forgiven "again" through personal acceptance of the cleansing power that flows from the blood of Jesus Christ that hung on Calvary's tree. Faith in Christ can be lost or let go of. Faith in Christ can be regained. Who wants to go through all of this?
Wouldn't it be a better life to just, "Keep the faith?" Paul said, "Fight the good fight of faith". Paul said, "I have kept the faith". There is no better life than to stay faithful to Christ all the way to Heaven. No faith lost. No faith to regain. The Bible calls this "immovable in the faith". Glory! I get blessed just writing about keeping faith in Christ and in the Bible. They both have shown this writer that nothing can defeat the child of God! Faith in Christ doesn't have to be lost. Stay satisfied with a faithful life connected to Christ in the Spirit. Greater is He in me...than He that's in the world. Isn't joyful? Is this what the Bible means, "Joy unspeakable". Hallelujah!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
They that sleep, sleep in the night
Sleeping in the night are those who are living in darkness. Sleeping means to be unaware of what's going on around you. These are godless and without hope. People today are so unaware of Christ and to be honest Christ is the farthest thing in life from their hearts and thinking. People drink and drug today without an inkling of what will happen in their future. With no ideal that substance abuse will control their lives, marriages, relationships with Christ. The booze takes over their mind and actions. the drugs take over their mind and actions. The temper is altered from use of drugs whether illicit or legal. Nobody in darkness knows how much the booze or drugs are going to consume them. These people are sleeping in the night. Living in darkness and unaware of Christ our Saviour. Even the adulterer or fornicator who begins the relationship outside the sanctity of marriage, doesn't have a clue of where these relationships will lead; or how many people will be hurt or affected by their sinful conduct and dirty living. These people are sleeping and unaware of what they are getting into. Darkness rules and blinds the minds of those who believe not in the Gospel of Christ.
I've written all the above to say this one thing,
I've written all the above to say this one thing,
"The child of God is aware of Christ and Christ's saving Grace. The child of God is not sleeping nor does he walk in darkness anymore. The child of God is sober and right at all times in the eyes of God because he has the God given power to do right. The child of God is not "overtaken" by booze, by sensuality, or by dirty living anymore. The child of God has the person of Christ in their hearts. They are sober and constantly watching for the coming of their Lord Jesus Christ. Their hearts are prepared for trials and tribulations that come during our life on earth. Children of God walk in the light because God's Grace made them overcomers in the world. Nothing can defeat the child of God. Children of God are of the day, not of the night. Children of God do not sleep in darkness, they are aware of Christ and His return to Rapture the Church. This is the character of a child of God who depends on Christ for every need in life. The child of God is aware of Christ and ready for Christ's return. The heart is prepared and watchful. Goodbye Devil...hello Jesus".
Friday, March 18, 2011
The life of a Christian, after forgiveness is found
What is the life of a Christian "after" Salvation is found? It's a life of accountability to Christ. Every sin is forgiven and the heart is clean and right. The moral make-up is changed. The desire to live right is given. The believer in Christ has "God given power to do right". The soul is redeemed. The soul is regenerated and deemed Eternal Life rather than Eternal Damnation. The conscience is "free" from the guilt of sin. You "know" you have a future hope without doubt.
When forgiveness is found pardon and innocence sweeps through the heart, soul, and body. The believer "knows" that God forgave and pardoned. Inner peace is given and realized when forgiveness from God is granted to the human soul. Trust in the redemptive work of Christ is found and experienced. This experience means so much that the child of God doesn't desire wrongdoing or sinful living anymore. The Spirit life is a God-given life to live out the the life of a Christian. Christians are not Christians because they say they're Christians. Christians are Christians because they've been "morally changed by the Grace of God". Christians act like children of God not children of the Devil.
Christians experience forgiveness in the new birth. Forgiveness is when the life of disobedience and rebellion to God ceases. Forgiveness is the beginning of a new life in Christ. The conduct and character is changed. When forgiveness is found a better life can begin. It's called the life of a child of God. It's a life of victory over sin and right standing with God at all times. It's a life of no more boozing or no more carousing. It's a happy life of peace because Christ gave you peace with God. Peace with yourself, and peace with humanity. No more guilt, no more wrongdoing, and no more dirty living. It's a life given to Christ because you appreciate what Christ did for you personally. You realize that Christ suffered and died for you! You're given to Christ and accountable to Him. This life has meaning, character, and responsibility.
Yes, my Brothers and Sisters this is life "after" forgiveness is found in the person of Christ that saved you. It's a better life than sinful living. It's a better life because you're aware of your standing with Christ today. It's a better life because you have assurance and hope of your inheritance in Heaven. No more question about right standing. No more I think I'm saved. You know! You know! You know! Glory! You're sure because you have. Isn't that beautiful? think about it. It's called victory in Jesus!
P.S...A forgiven and holy life will keep you from running to the alter every week.
When forgiveness is found pardon and innocence sweeps through the heart, soul, and body. The believer "knows" that God forgave and pardoned. Inner peace is given and realized when forgiveness from God is granted to the human soul. Trust in the redemptive work of Christ is found and experienced. This experience means so much that the child of God doesn't desire wrongdoing or sinful living anymore. The Spirit life is a God-given life to live out the the life of a Christian. Christians are not Christians because they say they're Christians. Christians are Christians because they've been "morally changed by the Grace of God". Christians act like children of God not children of the Devil.
Christians experience forgiveness in the new birth. Forgiveness is when the life of disobedience and rebellion to God ceases. Forgiveness is the beginning of a new life in Christ. The conduct and character is changed. When forgiveness is found a better life can begin. It's called the life of a child of God. It's a life of victory over sin and right standing with God at all times. It's a life of no more boozing or no more carousing. It's a happy life of peace because Christ gave you peace with God. Peace with yourself, and peace with humanity. No more guilt, no more wrongdoing, and no more dirty living. It's a life given to Christ because you appreciate what Christ did for you personally. You realize that Christ suffered and died for you! You're given to Christ and accountable to Him. This life has meaning, character, and responsibility.
Yes, my Brothers and Sisters this is life "after" forgiveness is found in the person of Christ that saved you. It's a better life than sinful living. It's a better life because you're aware of your standing with Christ today. It's a better life because you have assurance and hope of your inheritance in Heaven. No more question about right standing. No more I think I'm saved. You know! You know! You know! Glory! You're sure because you have. Isn't that beautiful? think about it. It's called victory in Jesus!
P.S...A forgiven and holy life will keep you from running to the alter every week.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The error of what some people think Sanctification is
Sanctification is not based on what we do. Sanctification is based on what we are. What is man? Man is a sinner by nature; a fallen being; and polluted with sin from birth. Sanctification has nothing to do with the new birth. The new birth only makes men eligible to be sanctified. Sanctification is not a progressive work performed by God as many people think. Sanctification is a completed and final work of the Spirit of God that "removes" the Adamic Nature from the life of a new born Christian. So often people want to believe sanctification is a process. Not so! It's the action of God's Grace that removes the Adamic Nature from the heart of man.
In relation to (2) types of sin (the sinful acts; and the sinful nature) an illustration can be drawn to show the vast difference between regeneration and sanctification. Regeneration is an initial work of the Spirit of God that takes place "after" man is Justified; and declared innocent by God from Heaven. Justification deals with the "acts of sin". Sanctification deals with the sinful nature inherited from the fall of Adam. A child is polluted with the Adamic Nature in the womb of is mother.
Man is rid from all sinful acts when Christ is trusted in and accepted for personal forgiveness found in Salvation that flows from Calvary. Regeneration of the human soul takes place when the new birth is found. The Adamic Nature still exists and tries to rule after regeneration. A regenerated man has power to do right, but the Old Nature still tries to rule. This Old nature that still tries to rule is only dealt with through Sanctification that is an instantaneous experience. The Bible terms this experience as the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. This work of the Spirit of God does not relate to forgiveness of sins it directly relates to the "removal" of the Adamic nature.
The (still existing) Adamic nature cannot be confessed because it is not an act of sin committed by man. The action of man's sins are only dealt with in the power of God's Justification by Grace. The nature of man's sin is dealt with only through the sanctifying power of God's Holy Spirit found in the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire (like on the day of Pentecost). This sanctifying work is not a progressive work but received right on the spot.
The two natures of man (divine and carnal) are not equal. Why? Greater is He in you...The divine nature gives the regenerated soul "power to do right". This God given power is what keeps the child of God from falling short or falling back into sin. Holiness of heart is found here. The Divine nature is the path to receive the sanctifying power of God that "rids" or "removes" the Adamic Nature from the life of a Christian. Sanctification is not a process or gradual separation from worldly things or dying to self. Sanctification takes place when the Indwelling Spirit of God "removes" and "rids" man from Indwelling Sin that still tries to rule a child of God.
The intent of this Blog is to clarify the "error" that many people think Sanctification is. Christians don't live to be Sanctified. Christians get sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost so they can really "live". The struggle of the carnal nature is removed in sanctification. The Old Man is buried and not shown anymore. Sanctification is found and experinced when the Adamic Nature is "destroyed". Read it in Romans 6:6! Don't be caught up in the error of understanding what Sanctification really is.
In relation to (2) types of sin (the sinful acts; and the sinful nature) an illustration can be drawn to show the vast difference between regeneration and sanctification. Regeneration is an initial work of the Spirit of God that takes place "after" man is Justified; and declared innocent by God from Heaven. Justification deals with the "acts of sin". Sanctification deals with the sinful nature inherited from the fall of Adam. A child is polluted with the Adamic Nature in the womb of is mother.
Man is rid from all sinful acts when Christ is trusted in and accepted for personal forgiveness found in Salvation that flows from Calvary. Regeneration of the human soul takes place when the new birth is found. The Adamic Nature still exists and tries to rule after regeneration. A regenerated man has power to do right, but the Old Nature still tries to rule. This Old nature that still tries to rule is only dealt with through Sanctification that is an instantaneous experience. The Bible terms this experience as the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. This work of the Spirit of God does not relate to forgiveness of sins it directly relates to the "removal" of the Adamic nature.
The (still existing) Adamic nature cannot be confessed because it is not an act of sin committed by man. The action of man's sins are only dealt with in the power of God's Justification by Grace. The nature of man's sin is dealt with only through the sanctifying power of God's Holy Spirit found in the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire (like on the day of Pentecost). This sanctifying work is not a progressive work but received right on the spot.
The two natures of man (divine and carnal) are not equal. Why? Greater is He in you...The divine nature gives the regenerated soul "power to do right". This God given power is what keeps the child of God from falling short or falling back into sin. Holiness of heart is found here. The Divine nature is the path to receive the sanctifying power of God that "rids" or "removes" the Adamic Nature from the life of a Christian. Sanctification is not a process or gradual separation from worldly things or dying to self. Sanctification takes place when the Indwelling Spirit of God "removes" and "rids" man from Indwelling Sin that still tries to rule a child of God.
The intent of this Blog is to clarify the "error" that many people think Sanctification is. Christians don't live to be Sanctified. Christians get sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost so they can really "live". The struggle of the carnal nature is removed in sanctification. The Old Man is buried and not shown anymore. Sanctification is found and experinced when the Adamic Nature is "destroyed". Read it in Romans 6:6! Don't be caught up in the error of understanding what Sanctification really is.
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