Soteriology Volume 2

 

THE DOCTRINE

 

OF

 

SOTERIOLOGY

(SALVATION)

 

VOLUME 2

 

by

EDGAR LEE PASCHALL

Pastor

NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH

1661 Griggstown RD

Calvert City, KY 42029

 

INTRODUCTION

to the

DOCTRINE OF SOTERIOLOGY

 

       I pray this booklet will be a blessing to you. It is only a skeletal outline of the doctrine of Soteriology. This in no way exhausts the doctrine of Soteriology.  No one man knows everything there is to know about this subject.  I am reminded about what my pastor said after my ordination, “Bro. Eddie I might be right and you wrong, and you might be right and me wrong, and both of us could be wrong on a subject because we do not have enough light on that subject.”  May the Lord enlightened us on this subject.  If all were written about the doctrine of Soteriology, it would be as John said about the Lord Jesus in John 21:25 "The world itself could not contain the books that should be written."

       Read this booklet, study it, dissect it, reprint it in part or in its entirety, teach it, preach it, or use it anyway you see fit.  I do not claim any originality.  Also, there are not any copyrights for who can put a copyright on truth?

       This series was preached in our church in 2005.  If you would like to have the CDs (23) of these messages please let us know.  They are free for the asking.  We had to put this writing in two volumes.  If you come in contact with either volume 1 or 2 and want the other volume, we would be glad to send it to you just for the asking.  If we can be of help in any way, please feel free to write or call.  We care.

 

Because of Calvary,

Edgar Lee Paschall

 

 

THE DOCTRINE OF SOTERIOLOGY

 

I. Deals with man’s fall.

II. Deals with the means and action of God delivering man from the fall.

       A. God’s work for fallen man. This concluded volume 1.

       B. God’s work in fallen man. Begins volume 2.

       This work involves three things, 1) awareness, 2) awakening, and 3) apprehending.  When Jesus was facing the cross, He spoke words of comfort to His apostles.  John 14:16-18 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”  This Comforter is the third part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.  He is also called the Spirit of Truth (verse 17) and the Spirit of Christ.  Rom. 8:9 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”  The statement “shall be in you” (verse 17) refers to the coming of the indwelling Holy Spirit at Pentecost when He indwelt every believer and since Pentecost He indwells every one saved at the point of salvation.  But for this to occur this side of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit must do a work in each and every one for fallen man to be saved.  This is called the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit--mentioned two times in the NT.  I Peter 1:2 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.”

       II Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”  This work must be completed in every man if he is to experience salvation--spiritual healing of man’s soul.

               1. Awareness.

                      a. Moves in our darkness.

       Genesis 1:2 “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”  He moved on us to make us aware.  If you could have stood on the edge of the earth at this time you would have not seen anything, because of the darkness.

 

1) Positions us to the "knowledge of accountability."

       "Knowledge of accountability" is the point in one's life where he has a knowledge of good and evil not just right and wrong.  It is not the “age of accountability” as most believe.  In fact in many churches if a child 12 years of age has not made a profession, many will tell them that it is about time they joined the church.  Yet they may or may not be to the “knowledge of accountability.”  A Bible example is the children of Israel at 20 years of age.  Deuteronomy 1:39 “Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”   Even though one has reached the "knowledge of accountability" darkness is still in many areas of his life due to:

 

                                    a) Blindness.

       II Corinthians 4:3‑4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”  The devil will try to keep you blinded to keep you from being saved.

 

                                    b) Deception.

       Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  No one knows their own heart until the Lord reveals it to them.

                             2) Positions us to receive light.

       I Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” "Discerned" means determined; made known.  Light is truth and truth is necessary for one to be saved.  Psalms 145:18 “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”

 

                                    a) Light of conscience-‑inside.

       Romans 1:19 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.”  The Holy Spirit fingers inside our conscience and makes us aware.

 

                                    b) Light of creation-‑outside.

       Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

       REVEALS THERE IS A GOD: Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  “Cometh” along the path of understanding means to make the soil of our heart “good ground.”

       REVEALS THE CHAOTIC CONDITION OF OUR SOUL: Genesis 1:2 “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

       SAME WORD "MOVED" IS ALSO TRANSLATED "SHAKE": Jeremiah 23:9 “Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.”

       SAME WORD "MOVED' IS ALSO TRANSLATED "FLUTTERETH": Deuteronomy 32:11 “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings.”

 

                                    c) Light of the gospel.

       I Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.”

 

                             3) Positions us for the work of reproval.

       A shake up in our darkness is necessary to receive truth which is light, which is Jesus, the day star.  II Peter 1:19 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”

 

               2. Awakened

                      a. Works reproval.

       John 16:8‑11 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

       Conscience and creation will not convict by themselves.  It takes the Word of God sharpened by the Holy Spirit in His work of reproval--right standard.

       Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

       His work of reproval is sometimes called "Holy Ghost conviction" or "Godly sorrow."  II Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

       Godly sorrow is a deep, God caused grief which is a broken and contrite heart because of your sin, that brings you to repentance which is necessary for salvation.  Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

       The Greek word for "reprove" is also translated "rebuke," "tell a fault," "convince," and "convict."

 

                             1) These five words defined.

                                    a) Reprove ‑ John 16:8.

       "Reprove" means to lay blame on someone with the purpose or intention of correcting the problem. When the light of reproval is turned on (we are put in a position to expose our real condition), we tend to blame everyone else, pass the buck so to speak.

       AN EXAMPLE: ADAM WHO REALLY BLAMED GOD: Genesis 3:11‑12 “And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked?  Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”

       WE USUALLY BLAME THE PREACHER, WHO IS JUST A LIGHT TURNER-ONER, BUT IN REALITY WE BLAME GOD: Luke 10:16 “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.”

       We place blame on others to get the pressure off us or get the attention off us or to get others in trouble, but not so with God.  He lays blame on us with the purpose of correcting the problem.

 

                                    b) Rebuke.

       I Timothy 5:20 “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”  "Rebuke" means to reprove sharply and sternly with authority. When this occurs we have two choices:

       SEEK MORE LIGHT: Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

       REJECT: Acts 7:54 “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.”

       This work happens to all who are saved whatever their age may be. When this occurs you are just closer to the SON rise: 2 Peter 1:19 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”

 

                                    c) Tell a fault.

       Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”  "Tell a fault" means to give evidence of.  This is done by:

 

                                           aa) Lip.

       PREACHING: 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”  I Corinthians 1:21 “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching: to save them that believe.”

       TESTIFYING: John 4:39 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”

 

                                           bb) Life.

       II Corinthians 3:2 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.”  Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  I Peter 2:12 “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

       One's life must match their lip if they really give evidence.  Eph. 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”  "Worthy" means to bring up the other side of the balance. This is so that there will be evidence shown forth that you are really saved.

 

                                    d) Convince.

       Titus 1:9 “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”  "Convince" means to persuade by argument using the evidence at hand.  The Holy Ghost argues with you because you argue with Him.  God in His love and longsuffering will convince you--persuade by argument.

 

                                    e) Convict.

       John 8:9 “And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”  "Convict"  means the state of being proven guilty; also a firm belief based upon the facts at hand.

       The summary of these words and a full definition of the Holy Ghost's work of reproval is: To lay blame on someone sharply and sternly with authority using the evidence at hand to persuade by argument that individual, bring him to a state of being proven guilty.  This is all done with the purpose or intention of correcting the problem.

 

                                     b) The reproval consist of three things.

                                            aa) Sin.

       John 16:9 “Of sin, because they believe not on me.”  Sin is singular, which is unbelief.  John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  The word "on" in John 16:9 and "in" in John 3:18 means to come to a point, time, and place with a purpose. This can only be done after the sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost is completed in all three areas.

 

                                            bb) Judgment.

       John 16:11 “Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. The lost sinner has the same verdict as the devil which is hell.”  Mattthew 25:41 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”  We need to see judgment because, before saved, we are a child of wrath and that wrath remains (abides) on an unbeliever (one who has reached the knowledge of accountability).

       Ephesians 2:3“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”  John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

       When we see judgment rightly, it will back us into a corner of desperation and no hope within ourselves and then the Holy Ghost will show you the Door which is Jesus--Righteousness.  John 10:9 “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”  The reason for dealing with judgment before righteousness is because many make a profession after seeing the judgment but have never had the work of reproval of righteousness completed in their lives; therefore, they are not saved.  The Lord does not save you to keep you out of hell!

 

                                            cc) Righteousness.

       John 16:10 “Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more.”  This does not refer to self‑righteousness nor acts of righteousness but it refers to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Matthew 5:20 “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”  I Corinthians 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

       The problem with the Jews is that they would not submit to Jesus Christ as Lord.  Romans 10:3 “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

       Righteousness is:

a. Required to enter heaven (Romans 3:10)

b. Resounded in every generation. (II Peter 2:5)

c. Read in the Scriptures. (Romans 3:21-22)

d. Revealed through the gospel. (Romans 1:16-17; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 3:25)

e. Reproved by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8)

f. Received by faith--saving faith--gift. (Romans 3:22; 10:17; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10)

g. Really Jesus. (I Corinthians 1:30)

       All three: sin, righteousness, and judgment, must be reproved for one to be saved.  Many are "short‑circuited" by well meaning preachers and so called "soul‑winners" who do not allow the Holy Ghost to complete His work of reproval.

 

               3. Empowers the gospel (apprehending).

       1 Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”  If not empowered, no work is done.

       Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

       This is not just claiming a verse but the Holy Ghost making the gospel real to you.  The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

       1 Corinthians 15:1‑4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scripture.”

 

               4. Grants repentance and faith.

       You cannot separate repentance from faith or vice versa.

       PAUL PREACHED BOTH: Acts 20:20‑21 “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

       ALSO HAD THE SAME MESSAGE IN ACTS 16 EVEN THOUGH REPENTANCE IS NOT MENTIONED: Acts 16:30‑32 “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.”

       Notice Paul spake unto him the Word which allowed the Spirit of God to work reproval whereby repentance and faith could  be granted.

 

                      1) Repentance.

       "Repentance" means a change of mind, attitude, heart, and direction.  It involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.  This is taking up sides with God against self, therefore we need help because we are so bound in sin.

 

                             a. Godly sorrow works it.

       2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Turning over a new leaf is just reformation.

       This makes repentance a work of God not man.  God must grant repentance for one to be saved.

       Acts 11:18 “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”  The early church told Peter this concerning Cornelius’ conversion.  They knew that repentance was necessary and it must be granted.

 

                             b. God's goodness leads to it.

       Romans 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

       THE PSALMIST MISUNDERSTANDS GOD'S GOODNESS AT FIRST: Psalms 73:2‑3  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”  He was about to quit--take out on God.

       Psalms 73:12‑14 “Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in  the world; they increase in riches.  Verily I have cleansed my  heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.  For all the day  long have I been plagued and chastened every morning.”

       Psalms 73:16‑17 “When I thought to know this, it was too painful  for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I  their end.”  God’s goodness to them was designed to lead them to repentance.  All goodness the lost will ever have is now.

 

                             c) The Lord desires all to repent.

       2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us‑ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to  repentance.”

 

                             d) Necessary to be saved.

       Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all  likewise perish.”

 

                             e) Saints are commissioned to preach it.

       When Christ was about to ascend, He commissioned them to preach the word.  Luke 24:46‑47 “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus  it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in  his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

 

                      2) Faith.

                             a. Defined.

       Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

 

                             b. It is the Lord's faith.

       This is not your faith.  Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

 

                             c. It is a gift.

       John 3:27 “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”  This is John the Baptist.  Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

 

                             d. Comes by Hearing.

       Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

       "Word" means every utterance of God whether it be preaching, testifying, or God working in our circumstances.

 

               5. Calls.

       Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” One will be made willing only “in the day of His power.” Psalms 110:3

       Romans 8:30 “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”  This call is the effectual (capable of producing the desired results) call.  Every person who receives this call will be saved.

 

               6. Enables us to obey the gospel.

       1 Peter 1:2 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

       The sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit brings us to an act of obedience, which is to repent and believe.  This is man's part but we could not even do that if it were not for the Lord.

       1 Corinthians 12:3 “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”

       2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”  Belief of the truth emphasizes the human response of faith to the truth of the gospel.There is no other way.  God has only one plan.  Psalms 145:18 “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”  If a person does not obey the gospel, the outcome is hell.

       2 Thessalonians 1:7‑9 “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

               7. Quickens our dead spirit.

       "Quicken" means to make alive.  Some refer to this as to the time when the seed is planted (conception) and man's spirit is awakened.  Others refer to this as to the time when one is saved.  It takes the Holy Ghost to awaken and quicken.  Man was born with a dead spirit passed from our forefather Adam whose spirit died the moment he ate of the forbidden tree.

       John 5:25‑26 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”

       John 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

       Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

       Ephesians 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).”

       Colossians 2:13 “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him having forgiven you all trespasses.”

       One can be awakened and not have life.  Luke13:24 “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”  Life is in the Son. 1 John 5:12 “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 

 

               8. Justifies.

       “Justifies” means for one to have been rendered just or right in the sight of God.

       NO ONE CAN BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW: Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight  for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

       BY THE SPIRIT: 1 Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

       BY THE LORD JESUS: Acts 13:39 “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

       BY GRACE AND BLOOD: Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

       BY FAITH: Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

       BY GRACE: Titus 3:7 “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

       THERE ARE TWO ASPECTS OF BEING JUSTIFIED FOUND IN: Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

       "Redemption" refers to being saved from the penalty of sin.        "Forgiveness" refers to being saved from the guilt of sin.

 

               9. Sheds love abroad in our hearts.

       Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

       HE IS LOVE: 1 John 4:8 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

 

                      1) Love for the Lord.

       1 John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.”

 

                      2) Love for others.

                             a. Saints and the man of God.

       1 John 3:14 “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 4:20‑5:1 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

       John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

 

                           b. Sinners, mates, children, and even your enemies.

       1 Thessalonians 3:12 “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.”

       Matthew 5:43-45 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children (the Greek word means a mature son or mature children) of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

       Proverbs 16:7 “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at Peace with him.”

 

                      3) Love the Word.

       1 Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

       1 John 5:2‑3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

       ALL THE WORD OF GOD HANGS ON LOVE: Matthew 22:40 “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  The two commandments are: 1) love the Lord with all your heart and 2) love thy neighbor as thyself.

 

               10. Places us in the Lord's body.

       1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into  one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

       Romans 6:3 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”

       When one is saved, he is baptized with the Spirit into a forming body that will be complete at the rapture.  The local new testament church is a picture of this as one is baptized into the local new testament church with water baptism.  There is no universal church.

 

               11. Indwells every believer.

       PROMISED: John 14:16-17 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

       I John 3:24 “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.  And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us.”

       I John 4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

 

               12. Seals every believer.

       THE HOLY GHOST IS THE SEAL: Ephesians 1:13-14 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of you salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”  Earnest means there is more to come.

       2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

       A seal signifies:

 

                             1) A finished transaction.

       Jesus finished what He came to do.

       John 17:4 “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

       John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” Not one thing can be added nor one thing taken away, but there has to be an actual work done in one’s life for him to be saved.

 

                             2) Ownership.

       1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

 

                             3) Security.

       Ephesians 4:30 “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

       John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”

       Romans 8:35,37‑39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

                             4) Approval placed upon.

       John 6:27 “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”

       The one who labors rightly is the one the Father puts His approval upon.  An example would be USDA #1 meat.  The US government would put its seal of approval upon all that passed inspection.

 

                             5) Leaves an impression upon.

       Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

       This nine‑fold fruit is present in every saint, without exception, in some quantity.

       Colossians 1:5-6 “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.”

       Matthew 13:23 “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”  Different quantities but all bear fruit.

 

       13. Gives assurance.

       Assurance means entire confidence.  2 Peter 1:10  “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: . . .”

 

                      1) Much Assurance.

       1 Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. . .”

 

                      2) Assurance forever

       Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

       THIS IS THE HOLY SPIRIT'S JOB, NOT THE PREACHER'S: 1 John 5:6b “And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”  "Beareth witness" means to give testimony to; to give a firsthand, detailed account of what one has seen or heard or experienced (it must match the Book); in this case all three; the tense speaks of a continuous action, not a one-time thing; you can depend on Him, thus John calls Him "truth."

       Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”  This is not my spirit bearing witness with your spirit as many preachers will tell you.

       1 John 5:13 “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.”  "Know" means assurance which is the opposite of doubt. You can see this assurance if we look at these verses in reverse order.

       1 John 5:12 “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

       1 John 5:11 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

       1 John 5:10 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.” (Note: the witness is in himself.  This is the Holy Spirit who lives in every saved person.)

       1 John 5:9 “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.”

       1 John 5:8 “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”  What the blood has cleansed, the Spirit bears witness to and the Word (water) verifies.  This is not Word only.  The Devil can't shake it, the world don't doubt it, that's why we can shout it--saved, saved, saved, all because of the Spirit's work in and after salvation.  A person does not doubt what the Lord does, even seekers.

 

               14. Teaches.

       1 John 2:20 “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” 1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”  Unction" and "anointing" are from the same Greek word and mean reception of the Spirit which is a one time occurrence. We don't need another anointing but we do need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit again and again.

       John 16:12-15 “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

       Titus 2:11-13 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”  Grace gives you what you don't deserve--salvation and a classroom set up in your heart-- protect you from this wicked world.

 

                      1) Lay aside some things.

       Titus 2:12a “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts.” (Denying means to reject.)

 

                             a. Ungodliness

       Ungodliness is wickedness or anything against God.

       James 1:21 “Wherefore (In view of the fact you are saved; James1:17-18 “Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”  This is referring to the saved’s sanctification.

       Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

       1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”  We are not only to abstain from evil itself but from the appearance of it, even that which seems to be wrong.  A great variety of subjects, such as those pertaining to dress, amusements, the opera, the ballroom, games of chance and hazard (lottery), and various practices in the transaction of business, come under this general class--appearance of evil.  Even though there is a supposition that some cannot be proved to be in themselves positively wrong or forbidden but they have the appearance of evil and will be interpreted so by others. The safe and proper rule is to "lean always" to the side of virtue and when in "doubt," "don't."

       Some say we're under grace not law.  True, but grace is not a license to sin. Galatians 5:13 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

 

       PAUL SAID IT THIS WAY: 1 Corinthians 6:12  “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” "Expedient" means profitable or advantageous.

       1 Corinthians 8:13 “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”  "Meat" refers to the meat offered to idols.  Paul said “I will not eat that meat if it makes someone stumble.”

 

                             b. Worldly lust.

       "Worldly lust" means a longing for what is forbidden.

       1 John 2:15 “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.”  This is plain.  The legalist is trying to put godly teaching inside ungodly people who have never had the Holy Spirit as their teacher.

       James 4:4 “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”  God's enemy is not going to heaven. We all were enemies of God before we were saved but His precious blood changed that.

 

                      2) Live for the Lord.

       Titus 2:12b “Teaching us that, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”  "Live" means to conduct one's self or to order one's steps.  This refers to lifestyle.

       Psalms 119:133 “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”

 

                             a. Soberly

       "Soberly" means sound reasoning or self restraint that governs all passions and desires.  Sound reasoning knocks a lot of things in the head, such as a lot of things people wear in public, also some places people go, tattoos, and etc.

 

                             b. Righteously

       "Righteously" means acting in a just upright manner.

       1 John 2:29 “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”

       Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

       Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

       1 Peter 2:12 “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”  "Conversation" refers to your lifestyle.

 

                             c. Godly.

       Godly means showing reverence toward God in our actions. Where?

                                    a) In this present world.

                                    b) Not in a monastery.

                                     c) Not as a hermit.

                                    d) Before others.

       Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

 

                      3) Looking for the Lord's coming.

       Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”  "Looking" means expectant longing.  The blessed hope is the Lord's coming.

       Acts 1:11 “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

       John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”

       1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

       1 Corinthians 15:51-57 “Behold, I shew 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 must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, 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. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

       Luke 19:13 “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

       Hebrews 9:28 “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

       Hebrews 2:11 “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.”  He will not be ashamed of His own when He comes back.

 

               15. Comforts.

       John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.”

       John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

       “Comforter” means one along side to aid. "Another" means another of the same kind, referring to the Holy Spirit as being the same kind of Comforter as the Lord Jesus was.  Let me say He comforts to a degree those coming to Him--not yet saved.

 

                      1) Helps us pray.

       Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

 

                      2) Comforts us in tribulation.

       2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”  Note: “That” gives the reason we are comforted.  The Holy Spirit does not comfort us to make us comfortable but to make us comforters.

 

               16. Produces Fruit.

       Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  This fruit begins to be produced the minute you are saved.  Colossians 1:5-6 “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.” 

       Fruit is singular but nine-fold, classified in three categories:

 

                      1) Character as an inward state.

                             a. Love.

       This is "agape" love, the God kind of love produced in the heart of every believer.  Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”  “Shed abroad” means to pour in like a flood, not as a sprinkle of rain or as dew drops.

       This kind of love lets you even love those who do not love you.

       This love is even present in some degree in an awakened sinner for the Lord Jesus said so in Luke 7:37-39,47 “And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”  She loved (agape) much even though she was lost.  How could she?  Because the sanctification work of the Holy Spirit was working

 

                             b. Joy.

       This is gladness of heart.  1 Peter 1:8 “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

 

                             c. Peace

       This is tranquility of mind based on the consciousness of a right relationship with God.

       This peace is a person not the absence of trouble.  Ephesians 2:14 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”

       Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

 

 

                      2) Character in expression toward man.

                             a. Longsuffering.

       This speaks of steadfastness of the soul under provocation.  The idea is forbearance and patient endurance of wrong under ill treatment, without anger or thought of revenge.

 

                             b. Gentleness.

       This refers to kindness which is a quality that should penetrate the whole nature, mellowing in it all that is harsh and hard.  The quantity and quality of the fruit of the Spirit increases with age. If you get more cantankerous the older you get you need to check out the problem. You do not have the fruit of the Spirit. If that be the case you are not saved.  Romans 8:9 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

 

                             c. Goodness.

       This refers to that quality in a man who is ruled by and aims at what is good (the quality of moral worth).

 

                      3) Character in expression toward God.

                             a. Faith.

       This does not refer to saving faith but to faithfulness and fidelity as produced in every believer by the Holy Spirit. This is called the perseverance of the saints.

       Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”  It is not possible for a saved person to live in a continuous state of deception because he has the Holy Spirit who will guide him into all truth.

       John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

       Hebrews 3:6 “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

       Hebrews 3:14 “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.”  These last two verses show that the saints of God continue firm and stedfast unto the end.

 

                             b. Meekness.

       This means to have a teachable spirit.  Many who say they are saved do not have this.  In fact their attitude is, “My mind is made up.  Don't confuse me with the truth.”

       Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

 

                             c. Temperance.

       This is self control by the aid of the Holy Spirit.

       Matthew 7:15-18,20 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”  The fruit of the Spirit is the fruit you are known by.  If you do not possess this fruit then you have not the Holy Spirit, thus you are not saved. You need to take Paul's advice to the church at Corinth.

       2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

 

               17. Gifts.

       There is common thinking that when one is saved he is given gifts by the Holy Spirit, but this is false thinking.  Gifts are present from birth and need to be stirred (enabled) by the Holy Spirit if they are to be used for the Lord's glory--to futher His own cause.  Let us see some things about these gifts.

 

                      1) Given to every man.

       1 Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”  This is not just talking about the saints.

       1 Corinthians 12:11 “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

       Ephesians 4:7 “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”  Not just to saints but to every man.  Do not our politicians have the gift of speaking and persuading men?  Do not men of the world have gifts to build large magnificent buildings?  Do not men of the world have gifts to organize, to edify others, and on we could go?  We would have to answer, Yes!  Where did these gifts come from?  You say they were born with them.  Yes, but where did they come from? From God--the Holy Spirit.”  John 3:27 “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” 

 

       EXAMPLE OF PAUL: Galatians 1:15 “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace.”  Made it known on the Road to Damascus, even though He was not saved until three days later on the street called straight.

       EXAMPLE OF JEREMIAH: Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”  Had to come a time it was made known to Jeremiah.

       My case rests.  Gifts are given to every man at birth and are stirred up and enabled by the Holy Spirit to be used for the Lord when saved.

 

                      2) Without repentance.

       Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”  This means God will not change His mind no matter how men use their gifts.  The gifts He bestows are immutable and unalterable.  Even if a man disqualifies himself from the ministry by divorce and remarriage, that does not change the fact he was gifted to preach.

 

                      3) Different kinds.

       1 Corinthians 12:4 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”

       PAUL USED MAN'S BODY AS AN ILLUSTRATION: 1 Corinthians 12:14-17 “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?”

       Romans 12:4-6a “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.” Diverse but according to grace, undeserved yet equally honorable because they are bestowed by the same Spirit, administered under the same Lord, and energized by the same God. The different kinds of gifts are given according to a wise God who knows best.

       1 Corinthians 12:11 “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

       1 Corinthians 12:18 “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”

 

                      4) Given to profit.

       1 Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”  The Greek construction refers not to the manifestation of the gift but the manifestation of the Lord which is done by the Holy Spirit speaking of Him.  John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

       THE LORD IS LIGHT: Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” How can you let your light shine? By allowing the gifts the Holy Spirit has given you to be energized and operating in your life. This will cause the church to be edified--built up.

       Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

       “Profit withal” means to be advantageous together.

       There are three types of gifts:

 

                             a. Sign gifts.

       These are given for the purpose to show and confirm the Word of God. These are miracles done to vindicate the person used in performance of these miracles that his ministry was from God.

       John 3:2 “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

 

       Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

       These are for the unbeliever and a wicked generation as Jesus Himself said. Matthew 16:4 “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.”

 

                             b. Speaking gifts.

       These are given for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel and edifying the church.  This is the ability to teach, preach, sing, foretelling, exhorting, and debating--discussion (not arguing, may seem like it if you are confident).

      

                             c. Serving gifts.

       These gifts are given that we might serve one another and build up one another in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ--profit withal.

 

                      5) Some gifts have passed away.

       Sign gifts have passed away. These primarily include tongues and healing. You may ask, “Does God still perform miracles today?”  Oh!  Yes!  Does He still heal?  Oh!  Yes!  He is the Great Physician.

       James 5:14-15 “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord (not some so called divine healer) shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

       Only God can forgive sin and only God can heal.  Which is the greatest miracle--to be healed of blindness or be born again--saved? To be healed of deafness or be born again?  For a soul to be saved is better than fire falling from heaven.

       Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

       There will be signs given again in the end time, but they will be for the unbelieving Jews--a wicked nation. For example, signs will follow the two witnesses of Revelation 11:6 “These (two witnesses) have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.”

       The Antichrist will be performing signs which will cause unbelievers to follow him but the saints will not follow him. Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible (indicates it will not be possible), they shall deceive the very elect.”  A lot of Baptist will be deceived but they are not saved.

       We don't need these sign gifts today but many are desiring, coveting them anyway. 1 Corinthians 12:31 “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”  “More excellent way” is the way of charity (explained in 1 Corinthians 13) which is God's love in action demonstrated by speaking gifts and serving gifts.

       1 Corinthians 13:8-10 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”  “That which is perfect” refers to the completed Word of God which we possess today; therefore, we no longer need the sign gifts.

       We have the speaking gifts and serving gifts which the Holy Spirit has so graciously given us.  And when we exercise these gifts we recognize the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us and put them to use for the Lord's glory.  That edifies the saints and exalts the Lord.

 

               18. Calls Into Service.

       Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Gifts are different from calling.

       1 Corinthians 7:17 “But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called (effectual) every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.” “Calling” is the means whereby one becomes aware of gifts he already possesses and what they are for.  Just like in salvation one has to have an experience of the reality of his “calling”--that is being fully made aware.

       2 Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.“  If there is no sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit then one is not elected--saved.

       1 Peter 1:2 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

       Peter was called into service in Matthew 4:18-19 “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

       This is not salvation, for Peter was already saved when his name was changed in John 1:41-43 “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.  And he brought him to Jesus.  And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.  The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.”

       The calling of one into service will be connected to the local church which Jesus started and built upon Himself during His earthly ministry.  Matthew 16:18-19  “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock (Himself) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

       Ephesians 3:21 “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

       One will be rewarded only if his service is through the authority of a local, New Testament church, which is a living organism and not an organization.

       The choosing of the seven men (we usually call deacons) to serve tables for the church was done by the authority of the church. Acts 6:1-6 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”

       The first missionaries were chosen by the authority of the local church at Antioch in Acts 13:1-3 “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Note that the Holy Spirit said--spoke to the local church.

       Paul was called and directed. Acts 16:9-10 “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.”  All God's pastors and missionaries are called and placed, if they are true servants of God.

       Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

       Christian service is simply the ministering of the gifts an individual has received.

 

       C. God’s work through man.

               1. Empowers You to be a Witness.

       A person cannot be a proper witness until the Holy Ghost comes upon him in power.  Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

       He gives power to live victoriously, clean, and holy so others can read your life.  2 Corinthians 3:2 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.”

       Philippians 1:27a “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. . .”

       Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

       1 Peter 2:12 “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”  The Gentiles (lost) glorify God by believing (be saved) on the Lord when the Holy Ghost visits in godly sorrow using the evidence of another's faithful witness.

       A witness is one who can give a first hand, detailed account of what they have experienced. He just tells how he was saved. If saved, you can be a witness by life and lip.

       The favorite term used by most churches today is "soul-winner." There is only one place in the Bible where that term is used.  Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” “Winneth” means to persuade and influence which is what a witness does.  The Bible says for the saints to be witnesses.  Therefore we should obey the Scriptures and leave the “soul-winning” to the Holy Ghost for He is the “soul-winner.”

       He empowers saints to be a witness--work out what the Lord put inside.  Philippians 2:12-13 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

       He empowers us even in terrible times.  Luke 21:10-18 “Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.”

       This power only comes after His calling, for we need directions where to go and to whom.  Matthew 10:1 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

       He is the Enabler.  Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

 

             2. In preaching.

       Means heralding forth.  Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”  Matthew 19:1, 5-7 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Not just anything.  But the cross.  1 Corinthians 1:18, 21, 23-24 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. . . .For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. . .But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”  The Gospel.  Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  This is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Word, not just about the word.  1Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”  Repentance and remission of sins.  Luke 24:46-48 “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  And ye are witnesses of these things.”  Herald forth what God had done for fallen man and how it can be made effectual in one’s life.

 

             3. In teaching.

       Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  Acts 5:42 “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”  Jesus was a preacher but also a teacher.  Mark 4:1-2 “And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.  And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine.”  Needs much repetition in order that the people might understand. Isaiah. 28:10 “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”  A pastor is listed as pastor-teacher in Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”  And his qualifications includes “Apt to teach.”  1 Timothy 3:2 “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach.” 

 

             4. As Human instruments.

       Romans 10:13-15a “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent. . . ?”  I Corinthians 3:5 “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?” 

 

             5. Through the church.

       The church is a local visible body of baptized believers who meet together to glorify the Lord.  The Lord gave keys (symbol of authority to transact business between heaven and earth) to the church.  Matthew 16:19  “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  And that is where (in the church) He gets glory.  Not through man made organizations but God breathed organism--the church.  Ephesians 3:21  “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” 

 

       6. Ministering to Christ.

       Matthew 25:31-40  “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  However small and insignificant, Jesus takes notice.  The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet did what she could.  Mark 14:8 “She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.”  The widow who gave two mites gave all (worth about 1/4 of a penny).  Mark 12:44 “For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”  The Lord is blessed when you reach out to others and you will get credit and will have something to cast back at His feet.

 

       D. God’s future work for man.

       When one is saved (justified; saved from the penalty of sin), the Lord has promised some things that will come to pass.  Every saved person will have:

 

       1. Complete salvation.

       Philippines 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” 

 

                      1) Sanctification.

       Defined--the walk of progression toward perfection gained at the first resurrection.  This deals with the soul being saved from the power of sin, day by day.  James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”  “Wherefore” means in view of the fact you have been saved from the penalty of sin, you can be saved from the power of sin, day by day.  The Lord promised in Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”  thus 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.” 

 

                      2) Glorification.

       Deals with the body being saved one day from the presence of sin.  Romans 13:11 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation (glorifacation) nearer than when we believed (justified).”  1 Peter 1:3-9 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”  If a saved person dies before the Lord comes back, what will happen--the soul and spirit will be separated from the body and will be present with the Lord.  The body will be placed in the grave awaiting the rapture (not a Bible word but a Bible principle) when the Lord comes back with all the souls and spirits of the saved to get their body.  I Thessalonians 4:14-17 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”  How will this occur?  1 Corinthians 15:51-57  “Behold, I shew 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 must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, 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.  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

       Then we must:

 

               2. Face the judgment seat of Christ.

       2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”  Only the saved will be there--proof text 2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”  What will this be like?  I do not know all about it but do know the Bible calls it a “terror.” 2 Corinthians 5:11 “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”  Thus, this will not be a Sunday School picnic.

       Described in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”  Some will not have rewards or crowns to cast down at the feet of Jesus.

 

               3. Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

       Revelation 19:7-9  “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”  “Called” is the effectual call of Romans 8:30  “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”  All the saved and safe will be there and there will not be any guest present.  Revelation 21:27  “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”  All saints, OT and NT, will be there.  Luke 13:29  “And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.”  All the saved will be in the bride and be at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

 

             4. We will then come back with the Lord on white horses.

       Revelation 19:11-16  “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Armageddon ensues when the Lord speaks (“out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword”) and all in the valley die.  The beast (antichrist) and false prophet will be thrown in the lake of fire.  Revelation 19:20  “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”  Then the devil will be chained for 1000 years.  Revelation 20:1-2  “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.”

 

             5. We will rule and reign in the Millennium kingdom with Jesus.

       Announced by Gabriel.   Luke 1:31-32  “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”  Revelaion 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” 

 

       6. Be witnesses at Great white throne of judgment.

       Saints will not be judged but will be there.  1 Thessalonians 4:17  “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  What a sad day that will be when we see our loved ones cast in the lake of fire.

 

               7. Then we will be with Him in heaven.

       Revelation 21:1-3  “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”  John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  You may ask how could it be heaven after what we had just witnessed.  Revelation. 21:4-5a  “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. . .”

       Isaiah 65:17 “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.“  When God wipes away those tears we never know past life existed.  Example: we had two girls and if our third girl had never been born, we would not have known she ever existed.  If you are not saved, after our tears are wiped away, we will never know you ever existed.  In heaven there is no more darkness because He is the Light of that new city--the city Abraham looked for 41 years before he was saved.  Hebrews 11:10  “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

       All these things the Lord will do for all His own, all because of His work for fallen man on Calvary.  It is finished; therefore, all these things are as good as done.  Abraham will get to see the city the same time I will.  Paul was caught up to heaven--the same as paradise--in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4  “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”  He was not allowed to record what he saw but he spoke of future glory in Romans 8:18  “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  John saw heaven when caught up on the Isle of Patmos and recorded it and when he got through recording what he saw, he said in Revelation 22:20 “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.  Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” 

       The doctrine of soteriology!  May the Lord use these messages to stir the saints to look for the blessed hope.  Titus 2:13  “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”  And to stir the sinner to desire these things and thirst after them.  If one will do so he has a promise.” Isaiah 44:3a  “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty. . .”

 

 

ENDING WORDS