Why Are There So Many Churches?

 

Recently I was asked, "Why are there so many churches? Doesn't 1 Corinthians 1:13 pose the question, 'Is Christ divided?' And if Christ is not divided as suggested in 1 Corinthians 1:13, then why are there so many different denominations?"

Has anyone else wondered that? These questions have been pondered by many people including me at one time. 

Christ prayed for his disciples in John 17:20-23. He said, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (that would include you and me) That they all may be one; as You, Father, art in me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that You have sent me. And the glory which You gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and You in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You hast sent me, and have loved them, as You have loved me." Jesus prayed for the unity and oneness of those who believe on Him. If this was His great concern and plea, then why do we have so many “churches?” Let me touch on a few points.

The first reason we have so many “churches” is because of something that John wrote. He said in 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Indeed there are many false prophets that have gone out into the world and some of these false prophets have created “churches” of their own. This is part of Satan’s plan to divide the followers of Christ. The Bible teaches that if it is to his benefit Satan can and will transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). The next verse reads, “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also are transformed as the ministers of righteousness.” In other words, there are people in the world today who appear to be "ministers of righteousness" but who are actually working for Satan even if they are unaware of it. How do you know the difference between the two? John gave us the answer: “Try (test) the spirits whether they are of God.” Therefore, this the only available avenue to know whether one is teaching truth or falsehood–to test the teaching of the false teacher! But how does one do this? Compare what they are saying to what the Bible says and then ONLY believe what the Bible ACTUALLY teaches. However, you must read the Bible to have this discernment. If the Bible does not actually teach it, then reject it. Many false prophets mean many false “churches.” This is one reason why there are so many churches.

Another reason we have so many “churches” is because there are many who are not content to be just Christians. Many want to be “Christians” of a particular sort. This was the problem with the church at Corinth. Paul had to rebuke them because they were calling themselves after something other than Christ. We read in 1 Corinthians 1:11- 12 “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now, this I say, that every one of you says, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” Just like today, many want to say that they are Baptist-Christians, Methodist-Christians, Presbyterian-Christians, Pentecostal-Christians, Lutheran-Christians, etc. What was Paul’s response to this type of thinking? Exactly what was asked of me! He said, “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” Instead of being content to be followers of the one who was crucified for them, instead of being content to be followers of the one in whose name they were baptized, they wanted to be known as Paul-Christians or Peter-Christians, or Apollos-Christians. They were not content with just being mere Christians. Todayou will hear many Christians say, "I follow Kenneth Copeland; I follow Joyce Meyer; I follow Joel Olsteen, etc. but they never pick up a Bible to see if what they are being spoon-fed is true. JESUS WAS THE WORD (made flesh). To follow Jesus today, you must read and rely on the truth of the Word itself. In Paul's day, they wanted their own personalized, monogrammed “Christian club.” This lack of wanting to be merely Christians causes many “churches” to come into existence today. Are you a part of a "Christian club" or do you actually read and learn from the Bible on your own? And if not, how are you able to discern what you are hearing and believing has any truth to it? Is it because your preacher is on TV? Because they look truthful? Because they have hundreds of thousands of followers? Because they prompt you to believe me.

One final point of why we have so many “churches” is because there are many who simply want their own way. And they want it enough that they are willing to allow a church to be divided over their own opinions. So they break out and away from their base to form the "revised" church of ____. As some examples, some Baptists have reformed to Freewill Baptists; some United Methodists to Wesleyan Methodists; some American Presbyterian to Orthodox Presbyterian, on and on. They confuse their opinion with what the scriptures teach and when a segment of parishioners disagree, they leave to form a new denomination. To avoid such division within Christianity requires that we study and know what the Bible teaches so that we do not pawn off our own opinions as Biblical teaching and so that we do not pawn off Biblical teaching as our own opinions! Either mistake is disastrous when it comes to the unity of the church. The Christians in Acts 17:11 practiced this as we read, “These were nobler 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.” They did not merely accept the preacher’s opinion regarding what the Bible taught. They checked things out; they made absolutely sure that what Paul was saying was the truth. They were not content to accept Paul’s opinion. Accepting the opinions of men as “gospel truth” causes division and is a large part of the reason there are so many “churches” today. How often will individuals themselves leave a Bible teaching "church" that disavows the individual's personal opinion? I can give you one of my own examples. I had a Christian lady with a gay son complain to me she was going to, "dump my church because they preach against homosexuality!" 

What is your desire? Do you long for the kind of unity for which Jesus prayed? Do you desire to test the things that you believe against what the scriptures say? Do you want more than anything to be “just a Christian?” Then I offer you this challenge: Find a “church.” Question them regarding what they believe and practice. If the scriptures do not teach it, then reject it. If they are doing what the scriptures teach and ONLY what the scriptures teach, then accept it and become part of that church. Christ is not divided. Read the Bible and learn how to discern truth from lies.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Supper Of The Lamb

One morning during prayer my thoughts drifted to a few scriptures pointing to the joy all Christians will experience the day after we are snatched from this dark world. What came to mind was THE WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB. Supper? What is supper? I mean, we all know physically what supper is, but what does it mean spiritually? Those were my thoughts. It might seem odd that I would question what the word supper means but I'm always curious about the meaning of God's Word beyond what we've heard or been taught through religious sources. Will we literally be eating food? Will our "glorified" bodies require food? My curiosity took me into further study regarding the wedding supper. I found some things I'd like to share I think you'll find interesting. According to everything believers know, all Christians should be watching and waiting for the appearance of the Bridegroom the Lord Jesus (2 Timothy 4:8). The Marriage Supper is a glorious celebration of all who are in Christ Jesus. In Revelation 19:7-10, John saw and heard the multitudes in heaven praising the Lord God at the wedding feast of the Lamb. The wedding feast of the Lamb is the marriage supper which was about to begin. To understand what the marriage supper of the Lamb is, you need to consider the three significant wedding customs in the time of Christ. This is what I learned:

In biblical times there were three major parts of a wedding feast. Keep these in mind and remember your relationship with Christ!

1. A Marriage Contract: Wedding customs in the time of Christ were signed by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom. Additionally, this contract was signed by the parents of the bridegroom, and the bridegroom himself would pay a dowry (down payment) to the bride or her parents. Such a process began the betrothal period, which today would be called the engagement. One example of this was the one Joseph and Mary were in when Mary was found to be with baby Jesus in the womb (Matthew 1:18; Luke 2:5).

2. A Torchlight Parade Through the Streets: The bridegroom accompanied by his male friends went to the house of the bride at midnight, creating a torchlight parade through the streets. Such a parade would not be a surprise to the bride as she knew well in advance such an event was taking place so she would be ready with her maidens. They would then all join the parade and end up at the bridegroom's home. *Such a custom is the basis of the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

3. The Marriage Supper Itself: During the time of Jesus, the marriage supper itself would go on for days as illustrated by the wedding at Cana in John 2:1-2. The events described by Jesus in Revelation 19:7-10 describe the third phase of the wedding feast the marriage supper of the Lamb. John isn’t meaning to skip the first two phases of the wedding feast customs but is communicating they already have happened. NOTE! The first phase was completed on earth when each individual Christian placed his or her faith in Jesus Christ. The dowry, in this case, was paid by the bridegroom's parent (God the Father) by of the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the Bride’s behalf. 

The Church is betrothed to Christ much the same way as the wise virgin in the parable. Why? Because all Christians should be watching and waiting for the appearance of the Bridegroom the Lord Jesus (2 Timothy 4:8). The second phase is when Christ comes to claim His bride and take the Church to the Father’s house in heaven. The Marriage Supper follows as the third and final step and is a glorious celebration of all who are in Christ Jesus. Isn't that interesting? Can you see the correlation between a wedding feast at the time of Christ as compared to the wedding feast we will partake of in heaven? Will we actually eat food in heaven? Yes. Will we have bodies? Yes. Remember, before Adam and Eve sinned they had bodies MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD (uncorrupted, pure, without sin). Though they had not yet been corrupted God gave them of every tree to eat (except one) and stated in Genesis 1:29, "And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food." When we are once again "restored," when we are changed from corruptible to incorruptible, (for this corruptible must put on incorruptible, and this mortal must put on immortality) as written, "BEHOLD, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible shall have put on incorruptible, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)

Clearly, when this corruptible shall have put on incorruptible, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory" (verse 54). THIS is eternal life! We will live forever, never to die again, with Christ and enjoy life in bodies like Adam and Eve BEFORE they knew no sin! There will be only perfection and holiness. No lust of our eyes, no lust of the flesh, no pride whatsoever. When Eve was taken from Adam, he said, "This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman because she was taken out of the man." Adam had bone! Adam had flesh - before the fall. We will have "flesh" but unlike what we know of now. When Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples could literally see Him. Jesus had a body. "God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead" (Acts 10:40-41). Also, eat with him (Acts 1:4) and they drank as well (Acts 10:41). His risen body ate, drank, walked, communed, etc.

Finally, as Christians will one day find our ultimate delight at the time when Jesus consummates all things (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10). Revelation 19 describes the day where we will become like Jesus (changed in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump). On that day, we will wear the most beautiful wedding gown made up of our righteous deeds (Revelation 19:6-8). As glorified Christians, the people of God will finally fulfill the purpose for which we’ve been created, which is a complete, unbroken fellowship with God. Such joy we will experience on that day is beyond description as we will see Christ face-to-face (Revelation 19:9). Every born again Christian will experience this day because they have been declared righteous in the Lord’s courtroom. And we will celebrate this union with Him with an unforgettable heavenly banquet!

Until He comes,

-Pat-

That Which Leads To Disappointment

I have a question. If, according to scripture, God works all things together for my good, then why hasn't everything seemed that great? That's a question people can end up asking after someone quotes Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." I appreciate the encouragement, but I wonder if something is lost in translation. I mean, has everything always gone right for you? Is it really good that your parents got divorced? Is it good that my childhood friend was sexually abused or that my best friend lost her job? Is it good that my neighbor's girlfriend died in a car wreck? Is it really good that all this bad stuff has happened, and still happening? Do things always turn out good for you? Then what's happening?

Too often we pray for God to take away our suffering. We beg for difficult situations to be resolved. Most of us even believe God's promise is a trouble-free life. May I say, that path leads to disappointment in an unbiblical God! God isn't passionately orchestrating a pain-free life. He isn't rooting out problems so you can float through life. God is going after the sin in your life! His good purpose is to shape who you are. A good life isn't a trouble-free experience. It's a resolute character in a shaky world. Romans 8:29 continues this message from 8:28 when Paul reminds us of the original destiny for human beings: conformity to the image of God's son. We are to embody His faithfulness in a faithless world. Christ-followers persevere when others shrink under pressure. We return evil with love. We give while other people just demand. We reenact the way of Jesus. At least, that is what is required of us as we conform day by day to become more Christ-like.

We need to stop trying to escape from problems in life. Trying times have the power to break us down, however, in the same breath, we can be built back up like Christ. All things eventually do work together for our good though we may not see it at the time. Let's stop asking for tough times to end quickly when perseverance is what God wants. The easy life won't give us the good God is working toward. The good character God is forming in us takes shape in difficult circumstances. Learn from what's gone wrong. Consider disappointments and failures as life lessons in order to learn from them and make things better next time. Instead of losing control, learn, learn, and learn some more. BE PATIENT. Everything will eventually be okay. Sometimes it happens right then, but other times you may not understand for many years but when you do, you'll realize what you went through, regardless of how bad it was at the time, was actually a good thing that it took place.

Paul, who was beaten several times and imprisoned more than once said, “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:11-12). But Finding contentment in difficult circumstances is difficult for even the most stouthearted believer. When times are tough and things aren’t going the way we plan, this is a fertile ground for frustration, despair, and discouragement to take root. That is why we need Christ's strength to teach us to be content in every condition. As believers, we have been given the specific ability to find contentment whatever the circumstance, which Paul argues can only come from Christ who gives him strength.

So the next time you quote Romans 8:28 (or any other verse for that matter), make sure you start with a statement about the context. Then you won't be giving people false hope that God is working to solve all their problems and prevent future tragedies. You'll give them the truth. God is working to form people in the middle of a broken world with all its problems and unresolved pain. That's good.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Control That Tongue!

In the 3rd chapter of the book of James, he describes the amazing power of our words—our tongues. This chapter of James is loaded with symbols and metaphorical language. He takes advantage of symbolic language to convey the importance of self-discipline in what we say. Like bits in the mouths of horses to control their direction (James 3:3), or rudders which control ships, or sparks which start a forest-leveling fire, our tiny tongues—through the words we say with them—can do huge things, many of them greatly destructive. Has anyone ever flown off the handle at you and said things in the heat of the moment that hurt you so deeply you have never forgotten how it made you feel? Twenty to thirty years may have passed but you can still recall what and how it was said. What about as a child? Were you ever called "stupid," fatso," "chicken," or "weirdo?" How did it make you feel? You didn’t want to let them know how deeply it hurt. I would bet some of my readers still carry emotional scars from the names you were called as children, or you mentally replay tapes of derogatory comments that were made about you in your youth. 

Instead of instructing us to “be careful of what you say,” in just a few short verses, James compares the tongue to eight different things: a bit in a horse’s mouth, a helm of a ship, a fire, a world of iniquity, an evil, a fountain, a fig tree, and a vine. The result is a host of doctrines, principles, and practices that can touch our hearts because of the symbolic language used. The tongue "sets on fire the course of nature."  What? Don't you find that intriguing? We all have tongues (language, voice) so to think the tongue is a world of iniquity that can actually defile the entire body, don't you want to know more? James describes the tongue itself as a fire, meaning it can burn whatever we touch with our words. This is a good perspective to keep in mind before we use our words on or against another person. The meaning is, that a great collection of iniquity proceeds from the tongue. Indeed “there is no iniquity which an unbridled tongue is not capable of producing; either by itself, when it curses, rails, teaches false doctrine, and speaks evil of God and man; or by means of others, whom it entices, commands, terrifies, and persuades, to commit murders, adulteries, and every evil work.” James is admonishing Jewish Christians and warns that "it (the tongue) defiles the whole body — The whole man, all our members, senses, and faculties."

James also describes the tongue as "a world of unrighteousness." In our natural, sinful state, our words don't just occasionally go bad. They come from a place that is completely bad in every way. The tongue isn't merely the one bad apple in the barrel. It is the member which corrupts all of the other parts of our bodies! Our tongue has power for both good and evil. An uncontrolled tongue is responsible for setting the course of our lives on fire, for burning down everything along the way. But our tongues don't burn with their own fire. That fire of reckless destruction didn't originate with us. Our tongues, James writes, are themselves set on fire by hell. The word "hell" here if you look it up in the original Greek is derived from the name of the Valley of Hinnom. Many of you might know what this is but for those that don't, the Valley of Hinnom was a well-known known place just outside of Jerusalem. Hinnom Valley had been used in the past for human sacrifice. At the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, it was a perpetually-blazing trash heap. Because it was associated with garbage, rejection, evil, destruction, and fire. The Valley of Hinnom was often held up as a picture of God's eternal judgment on sin: hell.

So what does all of this mean? Our tongues—the words we say with them in our lack of self-control—are powerfully evil and destructive. It's not a small problem. It's rooted in the fundamental spiritual problems all people have which sets on fire the course of nature (or the natural man): pride, envy, anger, jealousy, revenge, and lack of self-control. James makes it clear that the way we use our tongues reveals our true nature. As fallen people, our nature is now sinful and destructive. We must be changed. James is clear. If we’re going to behave as Christians ought to behave, then we have to learn to control our speech. We need to use our tongues for the positive things it can do: encourage, build-up, instruct, teach, guide, comfort, praise, etc. “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the abundance of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). In other words, the expression of what you are down inside is what’s overflowing across your tongue. You can measure and judge yourself by what flows from your tongue. Basically, the mouth is the billboard of the heart. 

One of the best things you can do with the tongue is to speak words of encouragement to other people.  And everybody needs encouragement.  It doesn’t have to be elaborate or fancy, just a simple word of thanks or a boost. No wonder Solomon wrote in Proverbs 25:11, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” To control our tongues, I think we need to ask for the help of God’s Holy Spirit.  James says, "no man can tame the tongue.” You can’t do it on your own.  You need to pray regularly, “Lord, help me today. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may control my speech with your help.”  David also prayed, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." You have more control than you realize! If it were not so, how do people control their language when they’re around people where it becomes important for them to do it? It can be done with your own restaints combined with the Holy Spirit's power within you. Let your conversation be full of grace.  Let it be seasoned with salt so that when anyone hears you talk it makes them thirsty for the things of God. God will bless you and you’ll know how to answer them. And when you’re full of that which is positive, your tongue will have the power of life. I guess it shouldn’t surprise us that when we give our lives to Christ it includes the use of our tongue. 

Until He comes,

-Pat-

 

Lust Of The Flesh

The Word of God tells us, "Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh." There are two points we must understand first before we can obey what God asks of us.

1. What does it mean to WALK in the Spirit?

2. Really, what is lust?

I'll start with the latter using a dictionary to keep it plain and simple. 

Lust: sexual desire, sexual appetite, sexual longing, sexual passion. There is not a human being who has not lusted in his or her flesh. It comes with our fallen nature. I know Christians at this very moment who struggle with forbidden sexual desires. If we are honest with ourselves, the only acceptable sexual desire, passion, libido, ardor, zeal is only acceptable within the context of marriage between a man and a woman regardless of what the world says it is! Anything outside of that is immoral in God's eyes. It is a sexual sin. Period. There is no getting around it. If you are lusting with your eyes or thoughts it is still sin. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:27-28, "Whosoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery in his heart." So you see, this covers even thinking about it. John told us, "All that is in the world, THE LUST OF THE FLESH, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:16). Jesus told us, "Love not the world, neither the things in the world, for if any man loves the world the love of the Father is not in him."  What a tall order!! How are we supposed to keep ourselves from passion, lust, desire, longing to bed with someone outside of God's perimeter? We've all been guilty whether as a hormonal teenager, the easily aroused young adult, or a mature person without any self-control.

This is why I am writing this blog today. Specifically, for four Christians (however, anyone can learn from God's Word today). #1: To the one who has been living in fornication for years outside of the confines of marriage. #2: To the one who has asked for my help. You are tormented and driven to continue to fulfill your sexual appetite for a man you find attractive even though you admit it's wrong. #3: To the one whom I know struggling with her feelings for another woman. And finally #4: For the man I know that is currently cheating on his wife.

Even if any reader has no weakness in this area you may know someone that does. If you feel led, pass this blog onto them.

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THE LUST OF THE FLESH? Jesus said by walking in the Spirit. So now let's tackle how we walk in the Spirit. Believers have the indwelling Spirit of Christ, the Comforter who proceeds from the Father (John 15:26). The Holy Spirit assists believers in prayer (Jude 1:20) and “intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:27). He also leads the believer into righteousness (Galatians 5:16–18) and produces His fruit in those yielded to Him (Galatians 5:22–23). Believers are to submit to the will of God and walk in the Spirit. A “walk” in the Bible is often a metaphor for practical daily living. The Christian life is a journey, and we are to walk it—we are to make consistent forward progress. The biblical norm for all believers is that they walk in the Spirit: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, KJV; Romans 8:14). In other words, the Spirit gave us life in the new birth (John 3:6), and we must continue to live, day by day, in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit means that we yield to His control (not what out flesh lusts), we follow His lead, and we allow Him to exert His influence over us. To walk in the Spirit is the opposite of resisting Him or grieving Him (Ephesians 4:30). When we ignore His commands, we make ourselves gods because we dictate and rule, excluding Almighty God from our thoughts, wants, desires, and choices. If you are truly a Christian, you desire HIS WILL, not your own.

Galatians 5 examines the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer.  Those who walk in the Spirit “will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (verse 16). The flesh—our fallen nature under the power of sin—is in direct conflict with the Spirit (verse 17). When the flesh is in charge, the results are obvious (verses 19–21). But when the Spirit is in control, He produces godly qualities within us, apart from the strictures of the Law (verses 22–23). Believers “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (verse 24), and now we walk in the Spirit (verse 25). What does it mean to crucify the flesh? Obviously not to hang from a tree, but rather to denounce, condemn, censure, revile, and vilify what it wants. Then the Spirit will step in to help. You will be able to overcome the temptation to commit the very sin that torments you to fulfill. "When lust has conceived (as a thought in your mind), it brings forth sin (the action, the fulfilling), and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death" (James 1:15).

Those who walk in the Spirit are united with Him and the bearers of the fruit the Spirit produces. Thus, those who walk in the Spirit walk in love—they live in love for God and for their fellow man. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in joy—they exhibit gladness in what God has done, is doing and will do. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in peace—they live worry-free and refuse anxiety (Philippians 4:6). Those who walk in the Spirit walk in patience—they are known for having a “long fuse” and do not lose their temper. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in kindness—they show tender concern for the needs of others. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in goodness—their actions reflect virtue and holiness. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in faithfulness—they are steadfast in their trust of God and His Word. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in gentleness—their lives are characterized by humility, grace, and thankfulness to God. Those who walk in the Spirit walk in self-control—they display moderation, constraint, and the ability to say “no” to the flesh.

Those who walk in the Spirit rely on the Holy Spirit to guide them in thought, word, and deed (Romans 6:11–14). They show forth daily, moment-by-moment holiness, just as Jesus did when, “full of the Holy Spirit, [He] left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness” to be tempted (Luke 4:1). To walk in the Spirit is to be filled with the Spirit, and some results of the Spirit’s filling are thankfulness, singing, and joy (Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 3:16). Those who walk in the Spirit follow the Spirit’s lead. They “let the word of Christ dwell in [them] richly” (Colossians 3:16, ESV), and the Spirit uses the Word of God “for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Their whole way of life is lived according to the rule of the gospel, as the Spirit moves them toward obedience. When we walk in the Spirit, we find that the sinful appetites of the flesh have no more dominion over us.  Our whole way of life is lived according to the rule of the gospel, as the Spirit moves us toward obedience. When we walk in the Spirit, we find that the sinful appetites of the flesh have no more dominion over us. This is the Word of God. Walk in the Spirit daily (read and pray) and you will have power over your flesh to resist temptation and carry out sin. None of this is possible unless you are truly serious about changing and not resisting God. Because when you give in to your flesh, you are defiantly resisting the Holy Spirit.

Until He comes, 

-Pat-

JESUS KILLS A FIG TREE (Matthew 21:18-22)

Out of all the scriptures contained within the Bible, I find the story of the fig tree to be the most uncomfortable. Jesus' actions surprise me and yet I know there is a reason for doing what He did. Here is a fig tree that happens to lack figs when Jesus walks by. Then He kills it. Literally! When you first consider His actions, they seem cruel. Was Jesus angry? Was Jesus showing off His power? Was Jesus drunk on wine? Well, of course, none of these are the reason. The disciples were caught up in amazement that by simply speaking, Jesus killed a fig tree. I was amazed simply believing His actions were simply contrary to everything I had heard about Him UNTIL you understand why. Jesus' miracles are usually beneficial. Why is this one different? People who adhere to the belief that God is so loving, that He would never destroy mankind have a very hard time with this passage. Matthew 21:19-20, "And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!" 

In Romans 11:17-22, God dealt severely with the Israelites. They were not obedient, so God cut them off. And we, the Gentiles, will not be treated any differently. John taught that the rejection of the Jews was fast approaching. (Matthew 3:7-10).

1. The Jews were no longer productive for God.

2. They were no longer obedient to God’s Will.

This is not usual. God had rejected the Jews before (Isaiah 5:1-7).

1. A vineyard that will not produce grapes is not worth cultivating.

2. A people who will not follow God is not worth saving.

3. Fig trees put on fruit before the leaves come out. In fact, did you know the presence of leaves is an indication that the figs are ripe?

4. This tree had leaves, but no figs, not even unripe ones.

**it was a type of the Jews of Jesus’ day. They looked righteous but were unproductive – they had no fruit!

God will not always be tolerant of our misdeeds (Luke 13:6-9.) The Jews thought they were something special because they were God’s chosen people. Unfortunately, Christians can fall into the same trap. We are specially protected from the wrath of God. But we too must be productive for our Lord.

1. We must bear fruit or we will be discarded. (John 15:1-8)

2. vine-dresser does feel sympathy for a dead branch. It is removed before diseases spread to healthy vines.

Some Christians look healthy, but they are not. Some have only a form of godliness - II Timothy 3:5 but are as whited sepulchers... white on the outside, defiled on the inside. Matthew 23:27, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." Some claim to follow God, but their deeds show otherwise (Titus 1:16). It is not what you claim, but what you claim and do. Far too many Christians will talk about their faith, but their lives show that worldly things are far more important to them.

Are you productive for the Lord? It is imperative that if you are a Christian YOU MUST BEAR FRUIT! It is clear that bearing fruit—the fruit of the Spirit—is the calling of every Christian. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is not optional in the Christian life. The fruit of the Spirit, found in Galatians 5:22-23, is made up of the following nine qualities or gifts: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Bearing fruit is a result of obedience to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit’s promptings. Indifference and willful disobedience to God’s will mean I am not truly a Christian—a follower of Christ—and this means I cannot have fellowship with Jesus Christ and the Father. (John 14:15-17; John 14:21,23-24; 1 John 1:6-7) Jesus Himself said that each branch that does not bear fruit is taken away by the Father. Such a thought should awaken all of us to seriousness, but should not lead to discouragement, hopelessness, or heaviness. Rather, it should be an inspiration that we should bear more fruit and have fellowship with Him! So how can you bear fruit? The fruit of the Spirit can only come forth in you by the power of the Spirit. No amount of self-effort will bear spiritual fruit. If you "try" to be good, you'll eventually fail. To bear fruit requires a total surrender of your self-will to God so that you can obey Jesus’ words in the daily situations of life, in order for the fruit of the Spirit to come forth instead of your own nature. Such a total surrender occurs when Jesus is your first love and reigns in your heart and mind. Then it is His will—His Word—that is done in your life, and not our own will. Then the bearing of fruit, the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of obeying Jesus’ words—will come forth quite naturally.

Until He comes,

-Pat-