Friday, September 21, 2007
Are You Under a Curse?
"Let's find out if you are Under A Curse or Not! Galatians 3:10-11 says, "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything that is written in the Book of the Law.' Clearly no one is justified before God by the Law because, 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Are you relying on the fact that you think you're a "good person" to get you to Heaven? If you ARE, the Bible says, you must keep the WHOLE LAW or you are under a curse. Have you fully obeyed God's Law? Let's find out. Have you ever lied before? Have you ever stolen anything at all? Have you ever looked at someone with lust? If you have broken just these three of God's Laws, then you are a liar, a thief and an adulterer at heart. YOU ARE Under A Curse! The Curse that is upon You is that you will go to Hell should you die in your sins. That's the bad news. The good news is that, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us..." 2,000 years ago, Christ live a sinless life and died on the cross for us. The Just died for the unjust. Christ fulfilled the Law by perfectly obeying it. If you will Turn from your sins and put your Faith in Jesus Christ, your sins will be Washed Away by the Blood of Jesus, you will be Reconciled to God and you will no longer be under a curse. You will be saved from Hell and the power of sin by the Grace of God. Don't rely on keeping the Law (being a "good person" or doing "good things") to get into Heaven! You won't make it! Turn from your sins ONCE AND FOR ALL and put your Faith in Jesus Christ TODAY! He will Empower you to live a life of holiness and purity! Do you think that you are already right with God? GO TO: www.heaven-or-hell.us OR www.checkyourself.us
Monday, September 17, 2007
The "Jesus" of the Cults
By Ron Carlson and Jason Carlson
In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus’ disciples came to him and asked, “Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” In responding to this question, it’s very interesting what Jesus identified as the foremost sign of his second coming and of the end of the age, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
Today we are seeing the fulfillment of this warning sign as never before. Our world is literally flooded with false “christs” and false messiahs. It is estimated that there are over 1,000 cults in America alone with some 25-30 million followers! And each of these false cults promotes their own man-made version of “Jesus Christ” who is not the Jesus of the Bible.
So, who is the “Jesus” of the cults?
Jehovah’s Witnesses say that Jesus is actually Michael, the Archangel. He was the first creation of God. He came to Earth as a man, died on a stake, and rose from the grave invisibly as a spirit. Jesus then returned invisibly to Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1914 to head-up the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) teach that Jesus is the spirit brother of Satan. He was once a human being like you and I, but through good works he evolved spiritually to become a god. However, Jesus is just one god amongst a pantheon of gods, all of who were once human and evolved to become gods themselves. Jesus was born to Mary through physical incest when his father god had sexual relations with her. And Mormons teach that the blood and cross of Christ is foolishness and cannot fully atone for our sins (ever notice how there’s no cross on any Mormon church or temple?).
Christian Science and Mary Baker Eddy say that Jesus was only a man and that Christ is a Divine idea. Furthermore, Jesus never did any supernatural miracles; he simply showed people their mental illusions of sin, evil, illness and disease. Christian Science says that Jesus did not die and his resurrection was only in a spiritual sense.
Sun Myung Moon (the Korean messiah) claims that Jesus was a man who failed his divine mission and he, Rev. Moon, is the second coming of Christ to unite the world under the banner of the Unification Church.
The Bahai say that Jesus is only one of nine great world manifestations; he is not a unique path to salvation and all religions are basically the same.
Unitarians believe that Jesus was a good man who was mistakenly deified by his followers.
Freemasonry teaches that Jesus was only a moral teacher. He was no better than Buddha, Confucius, Moses or Mohammed. They deny that Jesus was the light of the world and claim that Freemasonry is the true light of humanity.
Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard claim that Jesus is a false dream.
Spiritists say that Jesus is an advanced medium in the 6th sphere of the astrological projection (wherever that is?).
Unity teaches that Jesus is a man who perfected a divine idea.
Rosicrucians claim that Jesus is a manifestation of cosmic consciousness.
Maharishi and Transcendental Meditation says that Jesus was an enlightened guru who never suffered or died for anyone.
The more you study the false cults, the more you realize that the “Jesus” of the cults is not the Jesus of the Bible. All of the cults promote their own false, man-made versions of Jesus Christ; they are counterfeits and cannot save anyone.
So, who is the real Jesus?
In John 1:1 we read, “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” A few verses later in John 1:14 we learn, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
In Colossians 1:15 Paul tells us that Jesus “is the visible image of the invisible God...” In Colossians 2:9 Paul says, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…”
The real Jesus is the one true God of all creation. He is the second person of the eternal Triune Godhead. He loves us so much that He broke into human history and split history into B.C. and A.D. to personally reveal Himself to us. The Bible says that Jesus came to “seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10; John 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:8-9). And as Acts 4:12 declares, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Have you put your faith in the real Jesus Christ?
In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus’ disciples came to him and asked, “Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” In responding to this question, it’s very interesting what Jesus identified as the foremost sign of his second coming and of the end of the age, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
Today we are seeing the fulfillment of this warning sign as never before. Our world is literally flooded with false “christs” and false messiahs. It is estimated that there are over 1,000 cults in America alone with some 25-30 million followers! And each of these false cults promotes their own man-made version of “Jesus Christ” who is not the Jesus of the Bible.
So, who is the “Jesus” of the cults?
Jehovah’s Witnesses say that Jesus is actually Michael, the Archangel. He was the first creation of God. He came to Earth as a man, died on a stake, and rose from the grave invisibly as a spirit. Jesus then returned invisibly to Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1914 to head-up the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) teach that Jesus is the spirit brother of Satan. He was once a human being like you and I, but through good works he evolved spiritually to become a god. However, Jesus is just one god amongst a pantheon of gods, all of who were once human and evolved to become gods themselves. Jesus was born to Mary through physical incest when his father god had sexual relations with her. And Mormons teach that the blood and cross of Christ is foolishness and cannot fully atone for our sins (ever notice how there’s no cross on any Mormon church or temple?).
Christian Science and Mary Baker Eddy say that Jesus was only a man and that Christ is a Divine idea. Furthermore, Jesus never did any supernatural miracles; he simply showed people their mental illusions of sin, evil, illness and disease. Christian Science says that Jesus did not die and his resurrection was only in a spiritual sense.
Sun Myung Moon (the Korean messiah) claims that Jesus was a man who failed his divine mission and he, Rev. Moon, is the second coming of Christ to unite the world under the banner of the Unification Church.
The Bahai say that Jesus is only one of nine great world manifestations; he is not a unique path to salvation and all religions are basically the same.
Unitarians believe that Jesus was a good man who was mistakenly deified by his followers.
Freemasonry teaches that Jesus was only a moral teacher. He was no better than Buddha, Confucius, Moses or Mohammed. They deny that Jesus was the light of the world and claim that Freemasonry is the true light of humanity.
Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard claim that Jesus is a false dream.
Spiritists say that Jesus is an advanced medium in the 6th sphere of the astrological projection (wherever that is?).
Unity teaches that Jesus is a man who perfected a divine idea.
Rosicrucians claim that Jesus is a manifestation of cosmic consciousness.
Maharishi and Transcendental Meditation says that Jesus was an enlightened guru who never suffered or died for anyone.
The more you study the false cults, the more you realize that the “Jesus” of the cults is not the Jesus of the Bible. All of the cults promote their own false, man-made versions of Jesus Christ; they are counterfeits and cannot save anyone.
So, who is the real Jesus?
In John 1:1 we read, “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” A few verses later in John 1:14 we learn, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
In Colossians 1:15 Paul tells us that Jesus “is the visible image of the invisible God...” In Colossians 2:9 Paul says, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…”
The real Jesus is the one true God of all creation. He is the second person of the eternal Triune Godhead. He loves us so much that He broke into human history and split history into B.C. and A.D. to personally reveal Himself to us. The Bible says that Jesus came to “seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10; John 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:8-9). And as Acts 4:12 declares, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Have you put your faith in the real Jesus Christ?
Getting to Know God
September 16, 2007 - Sunday
By Mark G.
Today we started a new series with our youth at church. We are beginning a study on the attributes of God. I have been becoming more and more concerned with the fact that very few people seem to know what God is really like. Most people these days are quick to talk about His love (and they describe it inaccurately), but leave out many other of His characteristics. That leaves us with an incomplete picture of who God really is. So over the next few months, we are going to be looking at some of His attributes. We will be looking at such things as His holiness, love, justice, faithfulness, and wrath, to name a few. I thought I would share my teaching outlines with you with some additional thoughts thrown in. I hope you are blessed as you see what God has to say about Himself. I pray that we are drawn to love and worship God more and more as we begin to see Him as He really is. The first one we are going to look at is the holiness of God. Before you look at my outline, I wanted to borrow a quote from Charles Spurgeon that sums up how I feel as I struggle to teach on our infinite God.
"The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise." But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing." No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God. We shall be obliged to feel—
"Great God, how infinite art thou,
What worthless worms are we!"
But while the subject humbles the mind it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe. He may be a naturalist, boasting of his ability to dissect a beetle, anatomize a fly, or arrange insects and animals in classes with well nigh unutterable names; he may be a geologist, able to discourse of the megatherium and the plesiosaurus, and all kinds of extinct animals; he may imagine that his science, whatever it is, ennobles and enlarges his mind. I dare say it does, but after all, the most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatary. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrows? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of grief and sorrow; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead." Charles Spurgeon
OUR GREAT GOD PART 1
(Selected Scripture)
1 Samuel 2:2- There is no one holy like the Lord, indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.
Scripture continually describes God as being holy. What exactly does that mean, though? Holy means "set apart". So, God is completely set apart from mankind. He is higher in every way. He is completely and utterly perfect. He has no faults or weaknesses in any way. He is set apart from everything sinful. Every characteristic of God hinges on His holiness. I say that because every one of His characteristics is infinitely higher and set apart from our sinful ways. Let's begin to look at some things that illustrate that God is infinitely more holy than us.
GOD IS HOLY IN HIS SINLESSNESS
James 1:13- Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
1 John 1:5- This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
Matthew 5:48- Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Psalm 119:142- Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.
Habakkuk 1:13a- Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You can not look on wickedness with favor.
It is not just a case of God always choosing to do the right thing. He is right. It is impossible for Him to do wrong. Everything He does is right and holy. Righteousness and holiness is who He is, not just what He does. Not only is He set apart from sin, but He is set against those who sin.
GOD IS HOLY IN HIS VIEW OF SIN AND SINNERS
Psalm 97:2- Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Psalm 7:11- God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
Psalm 5:4-6- For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
Deuteronomy 25:16- For everyone who does these things, everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the Lord your God.
Psalm 11:5- The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
We often hear the phrase "God loves the sinner, but hates the sin". Yet these verses and others teach that God not only hates sin, but hates those who sin. The verses above plainly say that He hates them and goes so far to say that they are an abomination to Him. God cannot give His love to people that are sinful without something being done about their sin. Sin is so sickening and loathsome to Him that on our own we simply cannot come to God. He is too holy to accept sinful creatures. Sinful creatures would be destroyed by the very presence of His holiness. Even holy angels cover their faces in the presence of His holiness (Isaiah 6). When we realize how God views us and our sin, it should make us tremble with fear. Especially since the Bible includes these verses: Romans 3:23- "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10- "There is none righteous, not even one." Isaiah 64:6a- "And all of our righteous deeds are like filthy rags." Psalm 130:3- If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" It is no wonder that Romans 5:10 says that we are enemies of God, since we are all sinful.
GOD IS HOLY IN HIS PUNISHMENT OF SINNERS
Romans 1:18- For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
Isaiah 13:9- Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, cruel, with fury and burning anger, to make the land a desolation; and He will exterminate its sinners from it.
2 Thessalonians 1:9- These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.
Revelation 20:15- And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Matthew 12:36- But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.
2 Corinthians 5:10- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
The Bible is crystal clear about how God views sin and how He will punish sinners. We are all deserving of the full fury of His wrath. That leaves a question. How can a holy God accept a sinful man into His presence?
GOD IS HOLY IN HIS REMEDY FOR SIN
Romans 3:24-26- Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:21- He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Mark 1:15- The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.
Ephesians 2:8-9- For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Jesus became the substitute of those who repent and put their faith in Him as their only hope of salvation. When Jesus was on the cross, the Father poured out His full wrath on the Son. He gave the sinless Son of God the wrath that we deserve. Because Jesus took the full impact of God's anger and wrath, He can offer us His own righteousness. God can view us as sinless because Jesus offers us His spotless righteousness. What does it mean to repent and believe, though? To repent means that we can't stand our sin and we want to be rid of it. It is a change of mind about our condition that results in a change in our actions. To believe in Christ means that we realize that there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn our salvation, so we trust in Christ as our only hope. That is the only way a holy God can accept a sinful person. Since we sin (fall short of the mark of perfection) every second of the day, that means we sin at least 86,400 times a day. In one year, that makes at least 31,536,000 sins. It amazes me that people with that much sin want to stand before a holy God to answer for it. It amazes me even more that people who claim to be Christians can look at sin like it is no big deal and keep doing things that we know God hates. We can slap God in the face and then we don't think twice about it. May God open our eyes to the seriousness of our sin and His incredible holiness before we have to stand before His holiness ourselves.
Now I want to add one more thing. This lesson goes against what most people have been taught. We have been taught to think that our sin is no big deal. When people read the verses that talk about how severely God views sin and the sinner, most people think that makes God unloving. Actually, it has the opposite effect on me. When I realize how sinful I am and how holy God is, I am amazed that He offers His love to me. It is one thing to offer your love to people who treat you well. It is quite another to offer your love to people who are completely against everything you are. That is not the fickle and conditional love that we give each other. That is the purest and most amazing form of love imaginable. We deserve nothing but His wrath and anger, yet He offers us His unconditional love. What a wonderful thought. If that is not a reason to worship Him, I don't know what is.
Until next time, blessings to you...
By Mark G.
Today we started a new series with our youth at church. We are beginning a study on the attributes of God. I have been becoming more and more concerned with the fact that very few people seem to know what God is really like. Most people these days are quick to talk about His love (and they describe it inaccurately), but leave out many other of His characteristics. That leaves us with an incomplete picture of who God really is. So over the next few months, we are going to be looking at some of His attributes. We will be looking at such things as His holiness, love, justice, faithfulness, and wrath, to name a few. I thought I would share my teaching outlines with you with some additional thoughts thrown in. I hope you are blessed as you see what God has to say about Himself. I pray that we are drawn to love and worship God more and more as we begin to see Him as He really is. The first one we are going to look at is the holiness of God. Before you look at my outline, I wanted to borrow a quote from Charles Spurgeon that sums up how I feel as I struggle to teach on our infinite God.
"The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise." But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing." No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God. We shall be obliged to feel—
"Great God, how infinite art thou,
What worthless worms are we!"
But while the subject humbles the mind it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe. He may be a naturalist, boasting of his ability to dissect a beetle, anatomize a fly, or arrange insects and animals in classes with well nigh unutterable names; he may be a geologist, able to discourse of the megatherium and the plesiosaurus, and all kinds of extinct animals; he may imagine that his science, whatever it is, ennobles and enlarges his mind. I dare say it does, but after all, the most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatary. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrows? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of grief and sorrow; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead." Charles Spurgeon
OUR GREAT GOD PART 1
(Selected Scripture)
1 Samuel 2:2- There is no one holy like the Lord, indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.
Scripture continually describes God as being holy. What exactly does that mean, though? Holy means "set apart". So, God is completely set apart from mankind. He is higher in every way. He is completely and utterly perfect. He has no faults or weaknesses in any way. He is set apart from everything sinful. Every characteristic of God hinges on His holiness. I say that because every one of His characteristics is infinitely higher and set apart from our sinful ways. Let's begin to look at some things that illustrate that God is infinitely more holy than us.
GOD IS HOLY IN HIS SINLESSNESS
James 1:13- Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
1 John 1:5- This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
Matthew 5:48- Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Psalm 119:142- Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.
Habakkuk 1:13a- Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You can not look on wickedness with favor.
It is not just a case of God always choosing to do the right thing. He is right. It is impossible for Him to do wrong. Everything He does is right and holy. Righteousness and holiness is who He is, not just what He does. Not only is He set apart from sin, but He is set against those who sin.
GOD IS HOLY IN HIS VIEW OF SIN AND SINNERS
Psalm 97:2- Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Psalm 7:11- God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
Psalm 5:4-6- For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
Deuteronomy 25:16- For everyone who does these things, everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the Lord your God.
Psalm 11:5- The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
We often hear the phrase "God loves the sinner, but hates the sin". Yet these verses and others teach that God not only hates sin, but hates those who sin. The verses above plainly say that He hates them and goes so far to say that they are an abomination to Him. God cannot give His love to people that are sinful without something being done about their sin. Sin is so sickening and loathsome to Him that on our own we simply cannot come to God. He is too holy to accept sinful creatures. Sinful creatures would be destroyed by the very presence of His holiness. Even holy angels cover their faces in the presence of His holiness (Isaiah 6). When we realize how God views us and our sin, it should make us tremble with fear. Especially since the Bible includes these verses: Romans 3:23- "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10- "There is none righteous, not even one." Isaiah 64:6a- "And all of our righteous deeds are like filthy rags." Psalm 130:3- If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" It is no wonder that Romans 5:10 says that we are enemies of God, since we are all sinful.
GOD IS HOLY IN HIS PUNISHMENT OF SINNERS
Romans 1:18- For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
Isaiah 13:9- Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, cruel, with fury and burning anger, to make the land a desolation; and He will exterminate its sinners from it.
2 Thessalonians 1:9- These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.
Revelation 20:15- And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Matthew 12:36- But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.
2 Corinthians 5:10- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
The Bible is crystal clear about how God views sin and how He will punish sinners. We are all deserving of the full fury of His wrath. That leaves a question. How can a holy God accept a sinful man into His presence?
GOD IS HOLY IN HIS REMEDY FOR SIN
Romans 3:24-26- Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:21- He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Mark 1:15- The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.
Ephesians 2:8-9- For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Jesus became the substitute of those who repent and put their faith in Him as their only hope of salvation. When Jesus was on the cross, the Father poured out His full wrath on the Son. He gave the sinless Son of God the wrath that we deserve. Because Jesus took the full impact of God's anger and wrath, He can offer us His own righteousness. God can view us as sinless because Jesus offers us His spotless righteousness. What does it mean to repent and believe, though? To repent means that we can't stand our sin and we want to be rid of it. It is a change of mind about our condition that results in a change in our actions. To believe in Christ means that we realize that there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn our salvation, so we trust in Christ as our only hope. That is the only way a holy God can accept a sinful person. Since we sin (fall short of the mark of perfection) every second of the day, that means we sin at least 86,400 times a day. In one year, that makes at least 31,536,000 sins. It amazes me that people with that much sin want to stand before a holy God to answer for it. It amazes me even more that people who claim to be Christians can look at sin like it is no big deal and keep doing things that we know God hates. We can slap God in the face and then we don't think twice about it. May God open our eyes to the seriousness of our sin and His incredible holiness before we have to stand before His holiness ourselves.
Now I want to add one more thing. This lesson goes against what most people have been taught. We have been taught to think that our sin is no big deal. When people read the verses that talk about how severely God views sin and the sinner, most people think that makes God unloving. Actually, it has the opposite effect on me. When I realize how sinful I am and how holy God is, I am amazed that He offers His love to me. It is one thing to offer your love to people who treat you well. It is quite another to offer your love to people who are completely against everything you are. That is not the fickle and conditional love that we give each other. That is the purest and most amazing form of love imaginable. We deserve nothing but His wrath and anger, yet He offers us His unconditional love. What a wonderful thought. If that is not a reason to worship Him, I don't know what is.
Until next time, blessings to you...
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
September's Empowered Newletter
Note from Chip:
Welcome to the very First Evangelism Update Newsletter. This will be sent out once a month to let each of you know What Our Evangelism Teams are doing. Please Note we are looking for serious Christian who want to do What Jesus Did, seek and save the lost! We have teams that go out weekly to whereever people gather to share the gospel with them. We are being obedient to the Great Commandment to Preach the Gospel to every Creature.
If you are interested please Contact Evangelist Farris, Deacon Ford, Evangelist Dilworth and Evangelist Chip. We would like to know who will be coming out with us each week.
I will be leading a Team out Saturday, Sept 22, 2007. IF no one contacts me then I will go out in Russellville, Alabama. You can let me know by emailing me at gnnshoalsareateam@gmail.com We also have a Message Board at http://gnnshoalsareateam.org . Click on the message board link and create an account and password. You will have access to lot of Evangelistic infomation and training. When you become a Proven Seed Sower you and choosen as a Team Leader you will have excess to Team Leader Only Board on the Message Board. This takes a special passwords and it will be emailed to you when you become a Team Leader. There will be a lot of training you will be able to look at both when you join our team and more once you become a Team Leader.
You may also want to join the Great News Network at http://thegreatnews.com they also have a message board and you get to intereact with other Seed Sowers and get more resources for the serious Christian who wants to win the lost. When I end a class at Ekklessia Church, I always try to tell everyone, it may be the end of the class but not the end of the training. Three ways to continue your Evangelism Training is:
(1) Go out with one of Our Evangelism Teams and bring a friend who wants to learn, even if they are from another Church. This is about the Kingdom.
(2) Join both message boards I suggested above.
(3) When any other Evangelism Classes are offered please attend them and do all the assignments. If you have missed any video's or handouts you can go to the message board and view them on-line and download the handouts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scripture of the Week:
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians, 5:25, NASB)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Week:
"The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become." (Henry Martyn)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resource:
FellowshipTractLeague.org
They offer free gospel tracts, and from what I've seen some of them are pretty good.
Check these out...
The Ten Commandments
God's Last Name is not Damn
All This I Did For Thee
They also have some nice tracts to share with: Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, Jews and Native Americans.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions & Objections:
This Q&A comes from The Evidence Bible.
Q. Does someone go to hell for committing suicide?
A. Those who are adamant that a person who takes his life is committing a mortal sin, and will go to hell, are basing their belief on church doctrine rather than on the Bible. Scripture is silent on the subject. There are no verses that say "He who takes his own life shall be damned." According to Scripture, only one sin does not have forgiveness, and that is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. That means there is forgiveness for every other sin.
Some quote 1 Corinthians 3:17, which says that God will destroy someone who "defiles" the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet, there is disagreement about what it means to defile the temple. Does this include suicide? Does it include illicit drug abuse (slow suicide), prescription drug abuse, cigarettes (deliberately breathing in poisons that will eventually kill), tattoos, over-eating (digging a grave with your spoon), or alcohol abuse?
God forbid that we add to the pain of someone who has lost a loved one through the tragedy of suicide, by making a judgment about their eternal destiny. God is the ultimate Judge, and we should therefore leave the issue in His hands. It would be wise to follow the biblical example and not come to any verdict in the case of suicide.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Way of the Master Evangelism Training:
We would be glad to host a Way of the Master evangelism training for your church or small group. This one-day "Empowered seminar" is a proven, effective way to help people overcome their fear of witnessing and show them how to reach out to the lost. We will quickly equip those who attend to simply and effectively share their faith with family, friends, and strangers. What makes our training unique is when the classroom training is over, you have the option to hit the streets and immediately start to use the new tools you have just learned. The seminar consists of the following activities:
Three powerful interactive messages that will equip the attendees in how to share the gospel effectively and biblically with anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Quick Tips on how to have fun sharing your faith while overcoming your fears.
Quick Tips on how to effectively witness one-2-one using the Way of the Master.
Hands-on, in-the-trenches training with proven leaders.
The One-Day Empowered Training is Usally $25.00 to all who attend. This include all matterials you will need to enhance your training. Lunch will be provided and also tracts so you can go out with us after the training to put the biblical principles into practice you just learned.
** The Way of the Master has been commended by Franklin Graham, Dr. D. James Kennedy, David Wilkerson, Bill Gothard, John MacArthur, Ravi Zacharias, David Jeremiah, Joni Eareckson Tada, Josh McDowell, and many other Christian leaders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly "Fishing" Report:
This is where we will be adding our stories as we go out Fishing. In the past, I have been doing drive by Evangelism or Drive Thru Evangelism. This is where we I go to the Drive Thru Windows of fast food places, I will hand out a lot of tracts. I have been giving out Spanish Tracts at the Post Office here in Russellville. Tracts are a must especially for those times you don't have time to share.
IF you have any E-Stories to share in these monthly newsletter email me them and I will share with the rest of the teams.
This was one of the tracts we found.
Click here to read it online.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prayer Points:
Pray for the salvation of Jehovah's Witnesses this week.
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38, NASB)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calendar:
One 2 One Witnessing, This is up to each Team Leader where you go to Witness. We will go to Parks, 10,000 Doors, Malls and anywhere people gather in order to share the gospel with them. The Weather if cold or raining we will go to the mall or Walmart or somewhere in doors to Witness. (Recurring)
Saturdays at 10am.
If you would like to join us, email us your contact info. Contact us through Minister Farris at jorjafarris@aol.com or me at gnnshoalsareateam@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These newsletters have no copy-right. Take the liberty to share them with others.
'til the nets are full...
__________________________________________________________________
GNN, Shoals Area Harvest
On Fire so Other's Want Be!
Welcome to the very First Evangelism Update Newsletter. This will be sent out once a month to let each of you know What Our Evangelism Teams are doing. Please Note we are looking for serious Christian who want to do What Jesus Did, seek and save the lost! We have teams that go out weekly to whereever people gather to share the gospel with them. We are being obedient to the Great Commandment to Preach the Gospel to every Creature.
If you are interested please Contact Evangelist Farris, Deacon Ford, Evangelist Dilworth and Evangelist Chip. We would like to know who will be coming out with us each week.
I will be leading a Team out Saturday, Sept 22, 2007. IF no one contacts me then I will go out in Russellville, Alabama. You can let me know by emailing me at gnnshoalsareateam@gmail.com We also have a Message Board at http://gnnshoalsareateam.org . Click on the message board link and create an account and password. You will have access to lot of Evangelistic infomation and training. When you become a Proven Seed Sower you and choosen as a Team Leader you will have excess to Team Leader Only Board on the Message Board. This takes a special passwords and it will be emailed to you when you become a Team Leader. There will be a lot of training you will be able to look at both when you join our team and more once you become a Team Leader.
You may also want to join the Great News Network at http://thegreatnews.com they also have a message board and you get to intereact with other Seed Sowers and get more resources for the serious Christian who wants to win the lost. When I end a class at Ekklessia Church, I always try to tell everyone, it may be the end of the class but not the end of the training. Three ways to continue your Evangelism Training is:
(1) Go out with one of Our Evangelism Teams and bring a friend who wants to learn, even if they are from another Church. This is about the Kingdom.
(2) Join both message boards I suggested above.
(3) When any other Evangelism Classes are offered please attend them and do all the assignments. If you have missed any video's or handouts you can go to the message board and view them on-line and download the handouts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scripture of the Week:
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians, 5:25, NASB)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Week:
"The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become." (Henry Martyn)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resource:
FellowshipTractLeague.org
They offer free gospel tracts, and from what I've seen some of them are pretty good.
Check these out...
The Ten Commandments
God's Last Name is not Damn
All This I Did For Thee
They also have some nice tracts to share with: Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, Jews and Native Americans.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions & Objections:
This Q&A comes from The Evidence Bible.
Q. Does someone go to hell for committing suicide?
A. Those who are adamant that a person who takes his life is committing a mortal sin, and will go to hell, are basing their belief on church doctrine rather than on the Bible. Scripture is silent on the subject. There are no verses that say "He who takes his own life shall be damned." According to Scripture, only one sin does not have forgiveness, and that is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. That means there is forgiveness for every other sin.
Some quote 1 Corinthians 3:17, which says that God will destroy someone who "defiles" the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet, there is disagreement about what it means to defile the temple. Does this include suicide? Does it include illicit drug abuse (slow suicide), prescription drug abuse, cigarettes (deliberately breathing in poisons that will eventually kill), tattoos, over-eating (digging a grave with your spoon), or alcohol abuse?
God forbid that we add to the pain of someone who has lost a loved one through the tragedy of suicide, by making a judgment about their eternal destiny. God is the ultimate Judge, and we should therefore leave the issue in His hands. It would be wise to follow the biblical example and not come to any verdict in the case of suicide.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Way of the Master Evangelism Training:
We would be glad to host a Way of the Master evangelism training for your church or small group. This one-day "Empowered seminar" is a proven, effective way to help people overcome their fear of witnessing and show them how to reach out to the lost. We will quickly equip those who attend to simply and effectively share their faith with family, friends, and strangers. What makes our training unique is when the classroom training is over, you have the option to hit the streets and immediately start to use the new tools you have just learned. The seminar consists of the following activities:
Three powerful interactive messages that will equip the attendees in how to share the gospel effectively and biblically with anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Quick Tips on how to have fun sharing your faith while overcoming your fears.
Quick Tips on how to effectively witness one-2-one using the Way of the Master.
Hands-on, in-the-trenches training with proven leaders.
The One-Day Empowered Training is Usally $25.00 to all who attend. This include all matterials you will need to enhance your training. Lunch will be provided and also tracts so you can go out with us after the training to put the biblical principles into practice you just learned.
** The Way of the Master has been commended by Franklin Graham, Dr. D. James Kennedy, David Wilkerson, Bill Gothard, John MacArthur, Ravi Zacharias, David Jeremiah, Joni Eareckson Tada, Josh McDowell, and many other Christian leaders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly "Fishing" Report:
This is where we will be adding our stories as we go out Fishing. In the past, I have been doing drive by Evangelism or Drive Thru Evangelism. This is where we I go to the Drive Thru Windows of fast food places, I will hand out a lot of tracts. I have been giving out Spanish Tracts at the Post Office here in Russellville. Tracts are a must especially for those times you don't have time to share.
IF you have any E-Stories to share in these monthly newsletter email me them and I will share with the rest of the teams.
This was one of the tracts we found.
Click here to read it online.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prayer Points:
Pray for the salvation of Jehovah's Witnesses this week.
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38, NASB)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calendar:
One 2 One Witnessing, This is up to each Team Leader where you go to Witness. We will go to Parks, 10,000 Doors, Malls and anywhere people gather in order to share the gospel with them. The Weather if cold or raining we will go to the mall or Walmart or somewhere in doors to Witness. (Recurring)
Saturdays at 10am.
If you would like to join us, email us your contact info. Contact us through Minister Farris at jorjafarris@aol.com or me at gnnshoalsareateam@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These newsletters have no copy-right. Take the liberty to share them with others.
'til the nets are full...
__________________________________________________________________
GNN, Shoals Area Harvest
On Fire so Other's Want Be!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
10 Signs of Salvation
“If you’re Christian walk has been a little, um, un-even. We would love for you to listen to this sermon. You will be able to see once and for all if you are truly saved.”
- Way of the Master Radio(http://www.wayofthemasterradio.com/listenwatch/ToddFriel_Sermon-Bethel_TX.mp3
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13)
Todd Friel examines 10 signs of salvation taken from 1st John.
01. You Fellowship
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
02. You Recognize Your True Sinful State
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
03. You Are Obedient to His Commandments
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:3)
04. You Do Not Love the World
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
05. You Have Knowledge of Who Jesus Christ Is
“Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” (1 John 2:23)
06. You Look Forward to His Coming
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)
07. You Do Not Practice Sin
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:8-10)
08. You Love Your Brothers
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (1 John 3:14)
09. You Love Preaching, Teaching and Hearing God’s Word
“We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:6)
10. You Proclaim Jesus Christ
“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)
- Way of the Master Radio(http://www.wayofthemasterradio.com/listenwatch/ToddFriel_Sermon-Bethel_TX.mp3
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13)
Todd Friel examines 10 signs of salvation taken from 1st John.
01. You Fellowship
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
02. You Recognize Your True Sinful State
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
03. You Are Obedient to His Commandments
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:3)
04. You Do Not Love the World
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
05. You Have Knowledge of Who Jesus Christ Is
“Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” (1 John 2:23)
06. You Look Forward to His Coming
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)
07. You Do Not Practice Sin
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:8-10)
08. You Love Your Brothers
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (1 John 3:14)
09. You Love Preaching, Teaching and Hearing God’s Word
“We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:6)
10. You Proclaim Jesus Christ
“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Is God calling YOU?
TO BE A SERVANT LEADER?
The Apostles, Luther, Wesley, Spurgeon, Whitfield, and thousands of lesser-known servant leaders have wholeheartedly pioneered the cause of Christ during some of history's darkest days. They lead individuals to trust in Jesus by Faith, and whole sections of society from self-destruction by taking the gospel to the frontiers of sin and evil. Our times cry out for contemporary pacesetters to make it happen again. God sometimes surprises his people by turning the worst of times into the best of times by the way he uses people like you!
Even in morally distressing times, God wants everyone saved. His plan for achieving this purpose is to raise up a new generation of radical servant leaders with unflinching convictions, a tenacious grasp of truth, and a warm heart for people. He wants to empower persons whom difficult circumstances cannot intimidate or stop.
Trailblazers are needed who have souls sold out to God, willing to pay any price for spiritual awakenings in every place. They are God's answer to a poet's prayer"
"Renew in us, Almighty God, the spirit of the pioneer,
Those giant men, those women of the rugged path,
Who smiled at fears and daily gave impossibilities the laugh.
New frontiers lift their rock heights,
New deserts stretch before our years;
Renew in us, Almighty God, the spirit of the pioneers."
This is you; this is the challenge faced daily, remain "Empowered" to face it and encourage your TEAMS to do the same!
ITGFY!!
Written by Rev Rod Knapp
Director of Local Leader Development
The Great News Network
The Apostles, Luther, Wesley, Spurgeon, Whitfield, and thousands of lesser-known servant leaders have wholeheartedly pioneered the cause of Christ during some of history's darkest days. They lead individuals to trust in Jesus by Faith, and whole sections of society from self-destruction by taking the gospel to the frontiers of sin and evil. Our times cry out for contemporary pacesetters to make it happen again. God sometimes surprises his people by turning the worst of times into the best of times by the way he uses people like you!
Even in morally distressing times, God wants everyone saved. His plan for achieving this purpose is to raise up a new generation of radical servant leaders with unflinching convictions, a tenacious grasp of truth, and a warm heart for people. He wants to empower persons whom difficult circumstances cannot intimidate or stop.
Trailblazers are needed who have souls sold out to God, willing to pay any price for spiritual awakenings in every place. They are God's answer to a poet's prayer"
"Renew in us, Almighty God, the spirit of the pioneer,
Those giant men, those women of the rugged path,
Who smiled at fears and daily gave impossibilities the laugh.
New frontiers lift their rock heights,
New deserts stretch before our years;
Renew in us, Almighty God, the spirit of the pioneers."
This is you; this is the challenge faced daily, remain "Empowered" to face it and encourage your TEAMS to do the same!
ITGFY!!
Written by Rev Rod Knapp
Director of Local Leader Development
The Great News Network
Monday, September 3, 2007
The Gift of Labor
"And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it" (Genesis 2:15).
When God first created man, He gave him work to do. Although "the Lord God planted a garden" for man (Genesis 2:8), it was up to man to take care of it if he would continue to eat its fruits. Thus, having to labor for one's living is not a divine punishment for man's sin as people sometimes interpret it, but rather a divine benefit for man's good.
Similarly, even in the new earth, when sin and suffering will be gone forever, there will still be work to do. "There shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him" (Revelation 22:3).
We don't know yet what our assignments will be there, but they will somehow be commensurate with our faithfulness in serving the Lord here. "My reward is with me," says the Lord Jesus, "to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12).
It is, therefore, a God-given privilege to be able to do useful work, whether that work consists of preaching God's Word or improving God's world. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do" (whether being paid for it or not), "do it with thy might; for there is no work . . . in the grave, whither thou goest" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). As Jesus said, "the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4).
No matter what the job may be that has been provided for us to do, it is important to remember and obey the admonition: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24) and "your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Corinthians 15:58).
When God first created man, He gave him work to do. Although "the Lord God planted a garden" for man (Genesis 2:8), it was up to man to take care of it if he would continue to eat its fruits. Thus, having to labor for one's living is not a divine punishment for man's sin as people sometimes interpret it, but rather a divine benefit for man's good.
Similarly, even in the new earth, when sin and suffering will be gone forever, there will still be work to do. "There shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him" (Revelation 22:3).
We don't know yet what our assignments will be there, but they will somehow be commensurate with our faithfulness in serving the Lord here. "My reward is with me," says the Lord Jesus, "to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12).
It is, therefore, a God-given privilege to be able to do useful work, whether that work consists of preaching God's Word or improving God's world. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do" (whether being paid for it or not), "do it with thy might; for there is no work . . . in the grave, whither thou goest" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). As Jesus said, "the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4).
No matter what the job may be that has been provided for us to do, it is important to remember and obey the admonition: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24) and "your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Corinthians 15:58).
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