Good Afternoon. Today's video Gospel of Your Salvation is on the topic of the gospel of your salvation is personal between you and God in his Son, Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your 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. (KJV) The word gospel means good news. The good news is not limited to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John which are referred to as the gospels by many. The entire written word of God is the gospel of your salvation, as well as anything you hear personally from God for your walk in the Spirit while here on earth; because it is written, that man does not live by bread alone (the written word), but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The word of God is not bound in a book; it is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even 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; yesterday, today, and forever. The plan of salvation has a Chief corner stone, Jesus Christ our Lord, which sad to say many builders have rejected, but who is blessed forevermore and seated at the right hand of God. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. If we are not allowing God to build our spiritual house by and through His Son Christ Jesus, the leading of the Holy Spirit within us, then who is building it; what will the outcome of it be? Will it be fit for the Master’s use? Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (KJV) God has the only copy of the blueprint of your life (the gospel of your salvation; personal) which he determined for you before the foundation of the world, which he will share with you personally as you continue to abide in his Son, Christ Jesus, and seek him on a daily basis to know what he desires for you. Even if his good news for you today comes in the form of correction because he desires the best for you and your life. He wants you to remain in the plan of salvation, enduring correction and instruction in righteousness, that you may receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your soul. And if you lack wisdom in anything that comes along in your life, go to God first through his Son Jesus Christ in faith nothing wavering, and ask him who will give you liberally that which you need, so that your faith does not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the wisdom and power of God; Christ in you the hope of glory. Our Father has a plan for you; so with the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth who will lead and guide you into all truth, his spirit bearing witness with your spirit, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling knowing that it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. He has a purpose and plan personally for you and your life; so do know dearly loved, all things work together for the good to them that love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. God bless and continue in the doctrine of Christ, the gospel of your salvation. 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) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Obedience is on the topic of obedience to the will and voice of God. If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land, Isaiah 1:19. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Dead Set is on the topic of faith; faith without works (being a doer, not just a hearer only) is dead. Act on your faith; walk by faith and not by sight. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Cup of the Lord is on the topic of partaking of the Lord's cup. Are you willing to partake of the cup of the Lord? You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Inherit is on the topic of our inheritance obtained in Christ Jesus. Look at the Bible as God's last will and testament for you; it tells you or speaks to you what the will of God is and what you have inherited through his Son Christ Jesus. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Will Do is on the topic of the importance of doing the will of God. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Lord Willing is continuing on the topic of doing the will of God. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. This week's video Will of God, is on the topic of, they that do the will of God abide forever. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous week in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (KJV)
God has chosen the foolish things of this world; which I consider myself one of those, having walked according to my own lusts and desires for so many years which always left me lacking and going backward instead of forward. The more one realizes just how weak they truly are, the more they will find how strong God truly is, and how to operate in that strength and confidence for themselves. There truly is strength in weakness. The more we realize this the more we can see the way of escape God has provided for us from this present evil world and its ungodly backwards thinking. Titus 3:1-6 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (KJV) What is your calling and who is it based upon? Is it according to your works and abilities, or is it according to the working of the Lord and what you are allowing Him to do through you? Is your calling based on large numbers, thinking that the only way you can be effective for the Lord is to teach to large audiences, or has the Lord asked you to be more hands on, one on one, not concerned with head counts? And would you be content with working behind the scenes, not in the spotlight so to speak, but rather doing all things heartily as unto the Lord without concern for what man thinks or how others operate? So many have missed the Lord’s calling because they had preconceived ideas of how a ministry should operate, and anything less than what they perceive as being effective will not work for them. Others forget how they were saved, and how they were called of God, which was not based on their works or abilities but rather by the kindness, mercy, and love of God. This same kindness and mercy which gave you access into the kingdom of God is the same that we should be showing and demonstrating to others as well. Sometimes those that are in the position of ministry work forget that they too were once foolish and deceived; rather than show that same compassion with others that was shown toward them they expect changes in others right away, changes that they themselves were not willing to make right away, as they too needed some time to get past their own shortcomings and infirmities of the flesh. 2 Timothy 1:9-11 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (10) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (11) Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (KJV) Grace; God’s unmerited favor toward mankind which definitely eliminates boasting on our part. Each and every believer has had a spiritual blueprint drawn up for them before the foundation of the world, not based on our works and abilities but according to the Lord’s own purpose for us, and the path He has chosen for us to walk. Many people will begin their walk in the Spirit, on His path, but then they come to the conclusion that they will perfect it in the flesh. Instead of man being made in the image and likeness of God, many manmade religions try to make God in their image and likeness, of how they think the Lord should operate based on their own purpose and not the Lord’s. Once a person steps out of the realm of grace through faith they can no longer be used of God, but rather have gone about to establish their own righteousness which is based on works and is not of grace. Romans 11:5-6 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (KJV) These verses remind me of the term awful good, an expression used by many. You are either one or the other; when you try to combine the two they don’t work. The same holds true with grace and works. Anytime someone tries to combine the works of the law with grace they end up with the awful, and not the good. They that are in the flesh and its realm of thinking cannot please God, it’s that simple. Anytime you base your walk with the Lord according to your works and your way of thinking you limit the Lord; you will eventually replace His plan of salvation that He had drawn up and intended for you before the foundation of the world with your own plan, which is a dead end. Lamentations 3:22-24 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (24) The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (KJV) Every day should be a new experience with the Lord, another step closer to Him on the path of life that He is willing to illuminate for all those that seek Him. Are you waiting on the Lord today to hear His answer and instruction for where He would have you on this path, the one He chose before the foundation of the world, or are you to busy running in circles chasing your tail on some dead end path you chose? The arm of the Lord is never too short to save; so if you have fallen down reach up and let Him pull you back up, get back to the place you belong, the one He chose for you and knew where you would be best suited. Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (KJV) Do you wish to be strong? Then become weak to your own thoughts and ways, let the Lord have His way, which according to Him was drawn up and planned long before any of us were around. Believe it or not, God was able to draw up this perfect plan of salvation for mankind without our input or opinions; and quite frankly for myself I have found out that He still doesn’t need my input. So who is your salvation based on, who is it according to, God’s perfect will or your own limited thinking? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (KJV)
Don’t be offended and don’t take it personal that the Lord didn’t call you based on your wisdom and strength. Salvation is not like filling out an application for a job, where the employer is looking for the most qualified employee based on their ability and wisdom. Just the opposite holds true with the Lord; His calling is based on the heart, and what the heart treasures and who the heart truly desires to serve. So don’t think that God chose you because you are the wisest person He could find or because of your standing in the world or in the community, but rather because you realized that you are weak and unable to attain salvation on your own. The more you keep this mindset, humility is another word that describes this, the more God is able to use you. 2 Corinthians 8:10-12 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. (11) Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. (12) For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. (KJV) God called you and accepted you for who you are, not for someone you think you should be; rather now you need to pattern your life according to His will, and walk in the realm of the Spirit. All God asks and will ask is that there is a willingness to follow His path based on His word, letting that be your strength, and not how man measures strength and ability. The more you realize how weak you really are on your own, the more you will find strength in what the Lord has done on your behalf; not like many others who think they are strong because they think they are doing so much on His behalf. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (KJV) Paul had his own issues to deal with, which he described as a thorn in the flesh. What that thorn was, has been speculated for 2 thousand years. One thing we know, Paul had a past that dealt with mistreating Christians, and knowing from my own personal experiences the devil likes to remind people of their past and its shortcomings. So the fact that Paul was able to come to the conclusion that our salvation is based on grace and not of works, which leaves no room for boasting is one reason why God was able to use this man to write a good portion of the epistles. Now being weak doesn’t mean we run and hide, but rather you understand more and more that the Spirit is truly willing it’s our flesh, our carnal mind and understanding that is weak. Paul found his strength in the completed work Jesus Christ did on his behalf, and not the completed work many claim they are doing on the Lord’s behalf. It doesn’t matter how many scriptures you can quote, how many sermons you preach, or how big a congregation you have built, it all comes down to a simple loving obedience to our Lord, and the complete work He has done and is continuing to do within those that are willing to follow His example. You can have all knowledge and faith to move mountains but if you do not have love, a relationship based on trust and commitment with the Father, it will profit you nothing. So where is your strength coming from today; in what the word of God says, a path you are walking by faith, or are you leaning to your own understanding by what you think will make you strong, or should I say head strong as so many are? Galatians 4:12-14 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. (13) Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. (14) And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. (KJV) Obviously Paul had dealt with this infirmity, as we see it written about again, and was humble enough to let the people know that he was just as human as they were. Sometimes those that God has called think they have to come off as bulletproof and invincible which makes it hard for others to relate to them. Yes it is important to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, but being able to relate to the people through your own experiences can be an inspiration as well as opportunity for them to open up and share things that they have had to deal with, their own infirmity and temptation in their flesh. Remember, when it came time for those without sin to cast the first stone no one did. So keep in mind the same compassion God has dealt you; how longsuffering and patience can go a long way to helping someone remove and get past their own thorns in the flesh. 1 Corinthians 9:20-23 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; (21) To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. (22) To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (23) And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. (KJV) Now you don’t have to go back under the old law or become a Jew to relate to a Jew; but rather you hear the Lord, and put yourself in their place, where they are at, so that you can let the Lord minister through you effectively. To the weak; I am reminded myself of times when I have been weak, and how I trusted more in my own abilities and works than the working of the Lord that He was trying to work in me, or what I call the sins and shortcomings of my youth, when I used to let the devil paint a picture in my mind of all the things I was missing out on, and how much better my life would be if I could have the things I desired. The only problem is that the devil doesn’t show us the consequences, which when the tab comes it’s always much bigger and lasts much longer than the short term thrill ride we took in the flesh. Being weak; staying out of the way, not leaning to your own understanding is a good thing, and one that will allow you to see your calling more clearly, and let the Lord minister through you more effectively. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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