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Good day. Today's video Ears to Hear is on, what ears are you listening with; the physical or the Spiritual? As Amos 8:11; there is a famine of hearing the words of the Lord and many today are running to and fro to organizations seeking the Lord and are unable to hear Him because they began in the Spirit but are trying to perfect it by the flesh, by giving more ear to man's traditions and doctrines, instead of seeking God the Father with Spiritual ears to hear the Word of truth straight from His throne of grace given us in His Son Christ Jesus. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 16:12-15 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (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. (14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (KJV)
The reason the disciples could not bear or endure sound doctrine at that time is because they were not born again, but rather still stuck in the carnal realm. The reason Jesus of Nazareth knew the things of God is because He was the first born into the realm of the Spirit, letting this Spirit of truth lead and guide Him and not the desires of his flesh. As good as an example this man was in demonstrating not only in word but in deed the works of God, even then He was instructing them to wait until the Comforter comes and is able to abide within them as well and let that Spirit be their guide. The Spirit itself was not speaking of itself and expounding in areas we were not able to comprehend, but rather would take the things of God and show them to us in a simple way so that we could hear God’s personal plan of salvation for ourselves and the place He has for us in His body of believers. When people spend more time pointing you to themselves and what they consider good works be assured this is not the Holy Spirit speaking through them anymore, but rather fallen people pointing people to the lower nature rather than pointing them in the direction of the one true source of life. The only comfort you will ever find in life is when you are able to know God for yourself and how to operate in the realm of the Spirit, giving more heed to His word and less to man’s. 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; (17) 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. (18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (KJV) Do you know why people miss the message of God and fall for some cheap imitation? Because many times people are looking to other people as their source of strength and comfort, and are not looking to the Spirit which is the only source of that comfort. The other reason many fall is because the person preaching a message makes it sound like without him they wouldn’t be able to make it in their walk. Folks, bottom line, if it is not the Spirit that is leading and guiding you this day; if it is not the Spirit of truth bearing witness with your spirit and renewing your mind, then you are not one of God’s people and you have already fallen from grace. If someone is pointing you in any other direction besides that which is based on truth, that being the Spirit of truth, especially toward themselves or some other prominent person they think is godly, then I would seriously think about pointing myself toward the exit, ASAP. You have a direct line to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ, having sent the Spirit of truth for our benefit. Learn to trust in the inward man more than the outward one and you will get the results our Father intended for you in the form of peace, with a confidence and boldness to know that you are one of His people. God is able to speak through His people, but it is only when they allow the Spirit to speak and they stay out of the way. Like our Lord Himself said it is the Spirit that gives life and the flesh profits nothing; in other words, it is of no help or value. The more one is in tune and harmony with the things of the Spirit the less they will be pointing you to the realm of the flesh, or to any fallen man that thinks God needs them. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (4) 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. (5) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (KJV) You know why He is the God of all comfort? Because He is able to provide what is needed, spirit, soul, and body; the complete package. How many documentaries have you seen of famous people who had great talent in this world only to end up self destructing and having a meltdown? Not only did these people have talent, whether in the form of an athlete or an actor, or any other famous personality, they also had everything they could have desired of this world and yet could never find the true comfort that would bring them peace. All those in Christ shall suffer persecution; but be assured that as those sufferings abound so also will the consolation abound and bring comfort in time of need. The quicker and more alert one is to the things of the Spirit, the quicker they will be able to identify the answer the Lord is bringing to them through His spirit; while many others fall away and think they have done something wrong when confronted with these afflictions. The truth which will only come from the Spirit of truth is what will set you free and keep you free from fear and guilt; while those that don’t have their spiritual senses exercised will not know the difference between what is good and what is evil, keeping them in bondage to the problem and unable to access the solution. Williams New Testament translation of 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father and the all-comforting God, 4. who comforts me in every sorrow I have, so that I can comfort people who are in sorrow with the comfort with which I am comforted by God. 5. For just as my sufferings for Christ are running over the cup, so through Christ my comfort is running over too. What are you going to do when that person that claims they have a hold on your salvation isn’t around? Well there is a person that is around always, one that promised He would be with you always, abiding with you forever. Isn’t it comforting to know that God has made this available to all, not just a few who think they are special, but to whosoever would call upon the name of the Lord? Where do you find comfort; where are you looking for the true comfort that covers all the need; is it in the realm of man which is temporal or temporary, or is it in the eternal one, the one that lasts forever? Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? (10) Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (KJV) You know, there are some fishy people out there with some fishy doctrines, which if something smells fishy then obviously it is. When you look to man for a spiritual answer you may end up with a cheap imitation, while if you are willing to look to the Spirit of truth then you will find the answer that brings comfort. Mankind is limited to what they can give, which usually has a price tag attached to it; while the gift of God is eternal life which was given to us freely through His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Comforting isn’t it? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (2) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (3) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. (4) He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (KJV)
Paul ended chapter 13 by talking about childish things, and then begins chapter 14 here teaching about love and how to operate in the love of God. Again verse 1 uses the term gifts, which is an added word not in the original text. Everything we have been talking about this week points back to the gift of Christ, and how we as believers can allow His Spirit to manifest through us for our profit. One of the childish things Paul saw happening in the Church was the speaking in tongues and the improper use of it. While many were just rattling off in tongues to the congregation, as I still see going on today, few knew the importance of prophesying; which simply means to speak under the inspiration of the Spirit. Basically what was being asked is, what is going to be the most edifying to the body, speaking words of life that will build up or speaking something that is not understood and of no avail. 1 Corinthians 14:5-6 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (6) Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? (KJV) It’s not that Paul was forbidding the manifestation of tongues in the Church, it was that he was trying to instruct them on how it was to be done decently and in order; something that would be from the motive of love to build up the Church and not to confuse it. So unless there is an understanding to what is being spoken then there should be nothing said. 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. (27) 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. (KJV) The Spirit will pray through you with groanings or utterances, which without an understanding should not be uttered. Though these may be in the form of a tongue or an unknown language to the believer, it is the Spirit within you praying to the Father on behalf of all His people. So unless you’re sure what is being spoken, Paul is saying, it is best to keep it to yourself. Ephesians 6:18-20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (KJV) Again, Paul wasn’t forbidding the use of tongues, but rather was teaching them how to effectively operate with a new tongue which is a result of the new heart. Paul knew how to pray and communicate with God, as well as allowing God to communicate His message of salvation back through Him to reveal the mystery of the gospel. His desire was one of love, one to speak boldly, so that it would point the people to God and build them up, giving them an understanding into the mystery of Christ. 1 Corinthians 14:7-12 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? (8) For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? (9) So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (10) There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. (11) Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. (12) Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. (KJV) Thayer’s definition for barbarian: 915 barbaros- 1) one whose speech is rude, rough and harsh 2) one who speaks a foreign or strange language which is not understood by another. Again, what is your motive when you come together? If you are trying to impress others then you will be like a barbarian to others, or like someone from a foreign country who is trying to communicate a message that is not discernable. Like verse 12 alludes to, desire Spiritual; something that will build up the Church and not self. 1 Corinthians 14:13-20 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. (14) For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (15) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. (16) Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (17) For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. (18) I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (19) Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (20) Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. (KJV) If you are unable to interpret a tongue, whether it is in the form of a doctrine or what someone considers knowledge or any other utterance, unless it is done with understanding then they should keep silent. In other words quit acting like a bunch of children with a new toy; if you don’t know how it works you will end up causing more harm than good. Like Paul said, he would rather speak five words that would build up and edify, than sounding off like some auctioneer that makes a lot of noise without any substance. Colossians 4:3-4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (KJV) The most important gift that we can covet and hold to is the gift of Christ, and all that we have access to through His name. For those that are going to mature in Christ and effectively allow the Spirit to manifest through them will be those who have learned how to speak and teach the mystery of Christ from the motive of love. Let’s put away childish things, and come to a loving and mature understanding of God and how He desires His people to operate and speak on His behalf. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (26) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (KJV)
We have talked before about prophesying, which simply means to speak under the inspiration of, that being inspired by the Holy Spirit. Just before the above verses we are warned of many who were not inspired and speaking in line with the Spirit, who end up deceived and fall short of the eternal reward God had intended for them. God sent us a wise man, that being Jesus of Nazareth, who was willing to speak words that were Spiritual and brought life to the believers, having built His house on a rock solid foundation. Knowing what that foundation is for yourself is vital if you wish to be used of God and speak His words which will be Spiritual and bring forth life as well, and allow you access into His eternal realm. Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (KJV) Christ is that rock, that rock solid foundation that is lacking with many who are still building their foundation on sand, that being man’s doctrines and false interpretations of the gospel. Many talk of Jesus the man but are oblivious to Christ the Son of God who was within Him, the Spirit that was leading and guiding Him in truth. After all, He did quite well for Himself having been seated at the right hand of God, and is now ready to reveal Himself to you personally and show you how you too can walk the path that leads to eternal life. Is your foundation built on this Rock, or is it more of a crock, something manmade and not acknowledged by God? 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (KJV) Ever see products that have a seal on them? One in particular that comes to mind is the real seal; this is a seal that marks them as genuine, the real deal. We see again that the writer Paul here was inspired to speak concerning the foundation of God, and that it is in the name of Christ that we are set free and depart from iniquity. We need to rightly divide the word of truth; so as you go through your Bible keep in mind the name of Christ and how important it is that you are established on this rock solid foundation. John 17:1-3 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: (2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. (3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (KJV) How about looking at the verses and ask, what did this man Jesus of Nazareth call Himself? He definitely was an inspirational speaker and still is; seated at the right hand of God and delivering His message of faith and love to His church. So if this is the Rock that He was established on, and this is the name He acknowledged as being His, how can I go wrong? Mark 9:38-41 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. (39) But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. (40) For he that is not against us is on our part. (41) For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (KJV) That’s comforting to know, that if I know His name and belong to Him, being a part of the family in Christ, then I will not lose my reward. Remember in Matthew 7:21-23, many had claimed to be speaking on the Lord’s behalf but He replied depart from me I never knew you. Obviously they didn’t know His name therefore He didn’t know their name either, which meant that they must have built their foundation on something other than the Rock. While today I hear many preach and teach in the name of Jesus, I see in Mark that those that know the name of Christ and teach in that name will not be turned away from the gates of heaven but will be welcomed in with open arms. Do you know the name that will get you access and keep you established on the Rock, or are you building on the sand where it is just a matter of time before the house gets taken down stream? Acts 4:10-13 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (KJV) Remember that name that was revealed to Peter in Matthew 16:16-18? It was the rock solid revelation that came from God Himself and inspired Peter, that others marveled at the boldness and knowledge he received from that revelation. There is no other name given under heaven; there is no other foundation that you can lay than that which is laid, Jesus Christ, not just Jesus but the complete name Jesus Christ. Which is why people who pray in the name of Jesus and leave out Christ are someday going to find out that their name may be left off of His heavenly register as well. If we deny Him (Christ), then He will deny us also. John 4:23-26 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (25) The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. (26) Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (KJV) Who is speaking to you and where are you seeking inspiration from? If it is Christ then you are well established, while anyone else will not hold up. Are you a ‘can do’ person? Then you will know how to get it accomplished. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV) God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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