Friday, October 7, 2016

Forgiving your Debtors just as He has forgiven you!



Matthew 18:21-35
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

**Because God has forgiven all our sins, we should not withhold forgiveness from others. Realizing how completely Christ has forgiven us should produce a free and generous attitude of forgiveness toward others. When we don’t forgive others, we are setting ourselves above Christ’s law of love.
There have been times we have truly been hurt by others and what makes matters worse and what deepens the hurt is when it is done by those close to us. While we are hurt and feel that we are wronged in this matter, we must always remember to have love and not to allow ill feelings to bottle up inside of us towards them. We must also remember not to judge and point fingers, for it will only make matters worse. Instead give it up to God to take care of and to resolve the conflict between you and the other person. Yes, we may see from the other side that they are wrong and you are right, but God is the judge not us. Remember, before we judge others we must judge ourselves to see if we are in the wrong as well before God. For God has forgiven you of your debts, we must forgive others and not judge them, but we must have love and compassion and set ourselves as an example of God’s love and mercy. **

Matthew 7:1-3
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”

**Jesus tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others. The traits that bother us in others are often the habits we dislike in ourselves. Our unbroken bad habits and behavior patterns are the very ones we most want to change in others. Do you find it easy to magnify other’s faults while ignoring your own? If you are ready to criticize someone, check to see if you deserve the same criticism. Judge yourself first, and then lovingly forgive and help your neighbor. **


**If you would like to give your heart to Jesus today, repeat these words below:
'Dear Heavenly Father,i come to in the name of Jesus; Forgive me a sinner and wash me in your precious blood. Make this heart of stone to be made flesh, so that your word may be sown in it. Any addictions that i may have, remove them now in Jesus name! I've accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and believe that He died and rose from the dead! And from this day forward, i commit my life to you and seek for guidance and understanding in your word, as i walk in your path of righteousness, In Jesus name i pray, AMEN!!!'
If you have recited these words and meant them in your heart, you are saved and if the Lord would come today, you will be ready to go to Heaven!! I will keep you all in prayer, to continue to walk in the ways of Jesus Christ our Lord. READ, PRAY, SEEK and TRUST in Him and you will overcome this wicked world! **
I have also provided a link to the Full Gospel Holiness Church below, where you will find sermons from the word of God (no comprising to sin) but the Full truth to the Word of God! You can also view our contact information to email us or call us for prayer. May God bless you!








Thursday, August 11, 2016

Our Duty to those in Need



(1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

 [Our responsibilities as "children of light" and "children of the day"
continue as we now notice "Our Duty To Those In Need”.
Both in the church and out, there are those in need of help from
Christians.  Some may not even be aware of their need, yet our duty
remains.  For example, we have the duty to...]

I. WARN THE UNRULY (14)

A. IDENTIFYING THE UNRULY...
1. The Greek word (ataktos) means "disorderly, out of ranks"
a. Used often of soldiers who fall out of line
b. Deviating from the prescribed order of rule
2. The unruly Christian is one who does not abide by the teachings
of the apostles
a. From the beginning, faithful Christians "continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine"
“They continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

b. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to do the same
“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.”

B. WARNING THE UNRULY...
1. Warning brethren is a crucial component of preaching Christ
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”

a.  Paul warned the brethren at Ephesus
“Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

b.  He encouraged Timothy to do the same
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

2. Unruly brethren who do not heed the warning are to be marked
and fellowship withdrawn
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.13But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

II. COMFORT THE FAINTHEARTED (14)

A. IDENTIFYING THE FAINTHEARTED...
1. The Greek word (oligopsuchos) literally means "small-souled,
little-souled"
a. Translated "feebleminded" (KJV), "timid" (NIV)
b. It describes those who lose heart, prone to dropping out, be
quitters
2. Various conditions might lead some to lose heart; for example:
a. Persecutions, tribulation
“Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”

c.  Lack of immediate results
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

B. COMFORTING THE FAINTHEARTED...
1. Such brethren are to be encouraged, consoled
a. Paul had done this while at Thessalonica
“As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

b. He did it earlier in this epistle
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

2. Thus we see need to make a distinction
a. Some brethren (the unruly) need to be warned, admonished
b. While others (the fainthearted) may need a more tender
touch, to be encouraged

III. UPHOLD THE WEAK (14)

A. IDENTIFYING THE WEAK...
1. The weak could be those in need
“I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

2. But more likely it refers to those whose faith is weak
b. Who are tempted to sin
B. UPHOLDING THE WEAK...
a. Not to argue over things in which they have doubts
b. Nor to despise them because of their weak faith
2. We uphold the weak by bearing with their scruples
 Romans 15:1-2
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.”

a. Making an effort not to put stumbling blocks in their way
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”

[Brethren who are weak in faith need time to grow, for their consciences
to become strong.  Our duty is for "each of us to please his neighbor
for his good, leading to edification"

IV. TOWARD ALL MEN (14-15)

A. RENDER NOT EVIL FOR EVIL TO ANYONE...
1. A principle taught by our Lord
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

B. PURSUE WHAT IS GOOD...
1. For yourselves (i.e., Christians)
a. Such as things that make for peace and edify one another
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

b. Such as righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
gentleness
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

d.  Such as holiness
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

2. For all (including non-Christians)
a. Such as things honorable, and honor itself
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

b. Such as things that are good
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

c. Such as civil obedience, kind words, gentleness and meekness
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

d. Such as prayers in their behalf, and a knowledge of the
truth leading to their salvation
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

**If you would like to give your heart to Jesus today, repeat these words below:
'Dear Heavenly Father,i come to in the name of Jesus; Forgive me a sinner and wash me in your precious blood. Make this heart of stone to be made flesh, so that your word may be sown in it. Any addictions that i may have, remove them now in Jesus name! I've accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and believe that He died and rose from the dead! And from this day forward, i commit my life to you and seek for guidance and understanding in your word, as i walk in your path of righteousness, In Jesus name i pray, AMEN!!!'
If you have recited these words and meant them in your heart, you are saved and if the Lord would come today, you will be ready to go to Heaven!! I will keep you all in prayer, to continue to walk in the ways of Jesus Christ our Lord. READ, PRAY, SEEK and TRUST in Him and you will overcome this wicked world! **
I have also provided a link to the Full Gospel Holiness Church below, where you will find sermons from the word of God (no comprising to sin) but the Full truth to the Word of God! You can also view our contact information to email us or call us for prayer. May God bless you!





Thursday, July 28, 2016

Problems with a hard heart and hard thoughts


(Mark 3:1-6)
“And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. 2And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. 4And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 6And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.”

I. CONSIDER THE PROBLEM

A. OF HARD HEARTS...
1. Has been around for a long time (Cain, Pharaoh, Israel)
2. It leads to spiritual dullness - an inability to see truth
a. Which prompted Jesus to teach the public in parables
“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

b. Which hindered His disciples from understanding the obvious
Mark 16:14
“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”

3. It leads to mental resistance - a refusal to consider what
might be true
a. As seen in our text with the Pharisees
b. They were blinded to the good Jesus had done
4. The end result is calamity!
 Proverbs 28:14
“Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.”
-- Hardness of heart is a very serious problem!

B. OF HARD THOUGHTS...
1. Hard hearts produce hard thoughts (e.g., the plot to destroy
Jesus)
a. The Pharisees and Herodians were unable to see the good that
Jesus was doing
b. They became co-belligerents, though normally opposed to one
another
2. Very similar to what we see in today's political environment
a. An inability to see any good in the opposition
b. A willingness to engage in the politics of personal
destruction
c. Plotting to destroy by any means possible
3. The same occurs often in the realm of religious differences
a. In our efforts to stand firm for the truth
b. We can easily begin to think ill of neighbors, co-workers,
even brethren!
c. It becomes evident in the way we treat others (ignore,
malign, abuse)
4. Hard thoughts thus lead to verbal abuse and physical violence
-- Hard thoughts don't remain thoughts very long, they transform
into deeds!

[Since the problems of "Hard Hearts And Hard Thoughts" are real and
serious, what can be done...?]

II. CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE

A. FOR HARD HEARTS...
1. We can nurture a tender, compassionate heart; by remembering:
a. Our own weaknesses and need for forgiveness
“And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

 Colossians 3:12-13
“Put therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

b. The condemnation of those without compassion
“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

James 2:13
“For he shall have judgement without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”

2. This will help create good and noble hearts, with fair minds
like:
a.  The good soil in the parable of the sower
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

b.  The Bereans willing to give Paul a fair hearing
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

-- Tender hearts are created by remembering our own failings

B. FOR HARD THOUGHTS...
1. Tender hearts will address the problem of hard thoughts
2. But kind thoughts can be further nurtured by:
a. Dwelling on things that are noble and pure
 Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

c.  Developing the mind of Christ
Philippians 2:3-5
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

3. Such tender minds will be characterized by:
a. Lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than ourselves
b. Looking out for the interests of others
-- Tender minds are the result of growing in Christ



**If you would like to give your heart to Jesus today, repeat these words below:

'Dear Heavenly Father,i come to in the name of Jesus; Forgive me a sinner and wash me in your precious blood. Make this heart of stone to be made flesh, so that your word may be sown in it. Any addictions that i may have, remove them now in Jesus name! I've accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and believe that He died and rose from the dead! And from this day forward, i commit my life to you and seek for guidance and understanding in your word, as i walk in your path of righteousness, In Jesus name i pray, AMEN!!!'

If you have recited these words and meant them in your heart, you are saved and if the Lord would come today, you will be ready to go to Heaven!! I will keep you all in prayer, to continue to walk in the ways of Jesus Christ our Lord. READ, PRAY, SEEK and TRUST in Him and you will overcome this wicked world! **

I have also provided a link to the Full Gospel Holiness Church below, where you will find sermons from the word of God (no comprising to sin) but the Full truth to the Word of God! You can also view our contact information to email us or call us for prayer. May God bless you!

http://www.fghconline.com/