We are walking in today: Who Really Understands Why God Uses Who He Uses?
This
morning we welcome back Pastor Wagner who is bringing us the word
today. Thank You, Adonai for sending Your servant and use her in a
awesome way! Thank You for coming to teach us that we may walk even
closer with You! Amen!
2 COR. 10
TEARING DOWN BARRIERS (MSG)/ SPIRITUAL WAR (NIV)
THERE WAS NO PLACE IN WHICH THE APOSTLE PAUL MET WITH MORE OPPOSITION FROM FALSE APOSTLES THAN AT CORINTH; HE HAD MANY ENEMIES THERE. LET NOT ANY OF THE MINISTERS OF CHRIST THINK IT STRANGE IF THEY MEET WITH PERILS, NOT ONLY FROM ENEMIES, BUT FROM FALSE BRETHREN; FOR BLESSED PAUL HIMSELF DID SO. THOUGH HE WAS SO BLAMELESS AND INOFFENSIVE IN ALL HIS CARRIAGE, SO CONDESCENDING AND USEFUL TO ALL, YET THERE WERE THOSE WHO BORE HIM ILL-WILL, WHO ENVIED HIM, AND DID ALL THEY COULD TO UNDERMINE HIM, AND LESSEN HIS INTEREST AND REPUTATION. THEREFORE HE VINDICATES HIMSELF FROM THEIR IMPUTATION, AND ARMS THE CORINTHIANS AGAINST THEIR INSINUATIONS. IN THIS CHAPTER THE APOSTLE, IN A MILD AND HUMBLE MANNER, ASSERTS THE POWER OF HIS PREACHING, AND TO PUNISH OFFENDERS IN (2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6). HE THEN PROCEEDS TO REASON THE CASE WITH THE CORINTHIANS, ASSERTING HIS RELATION TO CHRIST, AND HIS AUTHORITY AS AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST IN (2 CORINTHIANS 10:7-11), HE REFUSES TO JUSTIFY HIMSELF, OR TO ACT BY SUCH RULES AS THE FALSE TEACHERS DID, BUT ACCORDING TO THE BETTER RULES HE HAD FIXED FOR HIMSELF IN (2 CORINTHIANS 10:12 TO THE END).
2 COR 10: 1-6 (NIV)
2 COR 10:1-6 (MESSAGE BIBLE)
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
FOR THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE - THE MEANS BY WHICH WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE OUR VICTORY.
ARE NOT CARNAL - NOT THOSE OF THE FLESH. NOT SUCH AS THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD USE. THEY ARE NOT SUCH AS ARE EMPLOYED BY CONQUERORS; NOR ARE THEY SUCH AS PEOPLE IN GENERAL RELY ON TO ADVANCE THEIR CAUSE. WE DO NOT DEPEND ON ELOQUENCE, OR TALENT, OR LEARNING, OR WEALTH, OR BEAUTY, OR ANY OF THE EXTERNAL AIDS ON WHICH THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD RELY. THEY ARE NOT SUCH AS DERIVE ADVANTAGE FROM ANY POWER INHERENT IN THEMSELVES. THEIR STRENGTH IS DERIVED FROM GOD ALONE.
BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD - MARGIN, "TO." THEY ARE RENDERED MIGHTY OR POWERFUL BY THE AGENCY (PURPOSE) OF GOD. THEY DEPEND ON HIM FOR THEIR EFFECTIVENESS. PAUL HAS NOT HERE SPECIFIED THE WEAPONS ON WHICH HE RELIED; BUT HE HAD BEFORE SPECIFIED THEM 2 CORINTHIANS 6:6-7, SO THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF MISTAKE. THE WEAPONS WERE SUCH AS WERE FURNISHED BY TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THESE WERE RENDERED MIGHTY BY THE ATTENDING AGENCY OF GOD.
2 Corinthians 6:6-7
6 IN PURITY, UNDERSTANDING, PATIENCE AND KINDNESS; IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IN SINCERE LOVE; 7 IN TRUTHFUL SPEECH AND IN THE POWER OF GOD; WITH WEAPONS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE RIGHT HAND AND IN THE LEFT;
THE SENSE IS, THAT GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF THE DOCTRINES WHICH WE PREACH, AND THAT HE ATTENDS (MEETS) THEM WITH THE AGENCY (PURPOSE) OF HIS SPIRIT, AND ACCOMPANIES THEM TO THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL MINISTERS TO FEEL THAT THEIR WEAPONS ARE MIGHTY ONLY THROUGH GOD. CONQUERORS AND EARTHLY WARRIORS GO INTO BATTLE DEPENDING ON THE MIGHT OF THEIR OWN ARM, AND ON THE WISDOM AND SKILL WHICH PLANS THE BATTLE. THE CHRISTIAN GOES ON HIS WARFARE, FEELING THAT HOWEVER WELL ADAPTED THE TRUTHS WHICH HE HOLDS ARE TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT PURPOSES, AND HOWEVER WISELY HIS PLANS ARE FORMED, YET THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ALL DEPENDS ON THE PURPOSE OF GOD. HE HAS NO HOPE OF VICTORY BUT IN GOD. AND IF GOD DOES NOT ATTEND (MEET) HIM, HE IS SURE OF INEVITABLE DEFEAT.
THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY IS A SPIRITUAL WARFARE WITH SPIRITUAL ENEMIES, AND FOR SPIRITUAL PURPOSES. OUTWARD FORCE IS NOT THE METHOD OF THE GOSPEL, BUT STRONG PERSUASIONS, BY THE POWER OF TRUTH AND THE MEEKNESS OF WISDOM. CONSCIENCE IS ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD ONLY; AND PEOPLE MUST BE PERSUADED TO GOD AND THEIR DUTY, NOT DRIVEN BY FORCE. THUS THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE VERY POWERFUL; THE EVIDENCE OF TRUTH IS THEREFORE CONVINCING TO PERSUADE MEN/WOMEN TO GIVE A CONSCIENCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD. WHAT OPPOSITION IS MADE AGAINST THE GOSPEL, BY THE POWERS OF SIN AND SATAN IN THE HEARTS OF MEN! BUT OBSERVE THE CONQUEST IN WAR THE WORD OF GOD GAINS. OBSERVE THE TERRITORY APPROPRIATED IN WAR THE WORD OF GOD GAINS, OBSERVE THE TERRITORY FITTING IN WAR, THE WORD OF GOD GAINS. THE APPOINTED MEANS, HOWEVER FEEBLE THEY APPEAR TO SOME, WILL BE MIGHTY THROUGH GOD. AND THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS, BY MEN/WOMEN OF FAITH AND PRAYER, HAS ALWAYS BEEN FATAL TO IDOLATRY, IMPIETY, (LACK OF REVERENCE FOR GOD OR SACRED THINGS) OR THE LACK OF DUTIFULNESS OR RESPECT AND WICKEDNESS.
****THIS IS THE REALITY OF PAUL’S AUTHORITY IN 2 COR 10:7-11
2 COR 10:7-11
YOU ARE JUDGING BY APPEARANCES. IF ANYONE IS CONFIDENT THAT THEY BELONG TO CHRIST, THEY SHOULD CONSIDER AGAIN THAT WE BELONG TO CHRIST JUST AS MUCH.
EXPLANATION: VERSES 7-11
IN THESE VERSES THE APOSTLE PROCEEDS TO REASON THE CASE WITH THE CORINTHIANS, IN OPPOSITION TO THOSE WHO DESPISED HIM, JUDGED HIM, AND SPOKE HARDLY OF HIM: DO YOU, LOOK ON THINGS AFTER THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE (2 CORINTHIANS 10:7). IS THIS A FIT MEASURE OR RULE TO MAKE AN ESTIMATE OF THINGS OR PERSONS BY, AND TO JUDGE BETWEEN ME AND MY ADVERSARIES? IN OUTWARD APPEARANCE, PAUL WAS MEAN AND DESPICABLE WITH SOME; HE DID NOT MAKE A FIGURE, AS PERHAPS SOME OF HIS COMPETITORS MIGHT DO: BUT THIS WAS A FALSE RULE TO MAKE A JUDGMENT BY. IT SHOULD SEEM THAT SOME BOASTED MIGHTY THINGS OF THEMSELVES, AND MADE A FAIR SHOW. BUT THOSE ARE OFTEN FALSE APPEARANCES. A MAN MAY SEEM TO BE LEARNED WHO HAS NOT LEARNED CHRIST, AND APPEAR VIRTUOUS WHEN HE HAS NOT A PRINCIPLE OF GRACE IN HIS HEART. HOWEVER, THE APOSTLE ASSERTS TWO THINGS OF HIMSELF: HIS RELATION TO CHRIST: IF ANY MAN TRUST TO HIMSELF THAT HE IS CHRIST'S, EVEN SO ARE WE CHRIST'S,
***IN 2 COR 10:12-18 THIS IS PAUL’S EXPLAINING THE LIMITS OF HIS AUTHORITY
2 COR 10:12-18
IF WE WOULD COMPARE OURSELVES WITH OTHERS WHO EXCEL US, THIS WOULD BE A GOOD METHOD TO KEEP US HUMBLE; WE SHOULD BE PLEASED AND THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE OF GIFTS OR GRACES, BUT NEVER PRIDE OURSELVES THEREIN, AS IF THERE WERE NONE TO BE COMPARED WITH US OR THAT DID EXCEL US.
PAUL FIXES A BETTER RULE FOR HIS CONDUCT, NAMELY, NOT TO BOAST OF THINGS WITHOUT HIS MEASURE,WHICH WAS THE MEASURE GOD HAD DISTRIBUTED TO HIM, (2 CORINTHIANS 10:13). HIS MEANING IS, EITHER THAT HE WOULD NOT BOAST OF MORE GIFTS OR GRACES, OR POWER AND AUTHORITY, THAN GOD HAD REALLY BESTOWED ON HIM; OR, RATHER, THAT HE WOULD NOT ACT BEYOND HIS COMMISSION AS TO PERSONS OR THINGS, NOR GO BEYOND THE LINE PRESCRIBED TO HIM. THE APOSTLE'S RESOLUTION WAS TO KEEP WITHIN HIS OWN PROVINCE, AND THAT COMPASS OF GROUND WHICH GOD HAD MARKED OUT FOR HIM. HIS COMMISSION AS AN APOSTLE WAS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL EVERY WHERE, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE GENTILES, AND HE WAS NOT CONFINED TO ONE PLACE; YET HE OBSERVED THE DIRECTIONS OF PROVIDENCE, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, AS TO THE PARTICULAR PLACES WHITHER HE WENT OR WHERE HE DID ABIDE. HE ACTED ACCORDING TO THIS RULE: WE STRETCH NOT OURSELVES BEYOND OUR MEASURE
****LET ME REITERATE PAUL'S MESSAGE FROM LAST MONDAY:
IN 2 COR 11: 5, 6. PAUL IS TALKING TO THE FALSE PROPHETS/FALSE TEACHERS.
PAUL HAS BEEN EQUIPPED TO FIGHT THE BATTLE
2 COR 11: 5, 6
5 BUT I DON'T CONSIDER MYSELF INFERIOR IN ANY WAY TO THESE "SUPER APOSTLES" WHO TEACH SUCH THINGS.
6 THOUGH UNTRAINED IN PUBLIC SPEAKING, I AM CERTAINLY NOT UNTRAINED IN KNOWLEDGE. INDEED, WE HAVE ALWAYS MADE THAT CLEAR TO YOU IN EVERY WAY.
2 COR 11: 12
12 AND I WILL KEEP ON DOING WHAT I AM DOING IN ORDER TO CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER THOSE WHO WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE CONSIDERED EQUAL WITH US IN THE THINGS THEY BOAST ABOUT.
WHO REALLY UNDERSTANDS FIVEAM FAMILY WHY GOD USES WHO HE USES?
Is there, today, a church that is truly growing into such knowledge and understanding of Bible prophecies? Do you know of any church that has been willing to change and grow, not to become more like the world, but rather to more deeply understand the Master Plan that God is working out here below? Is there a church that truly understands where we are headed—why the United States and Great Britain are slowly but inexorably sliding from their pinnacle of national greatness, and how and why a powerful union of nations in Europe will soon become the force to be reckon with out of the three?
There is a Church that grasps why we were born and put on this earth, and that understands the incredible human potential—including the amazing truth that God is literally reproducing Himself. This Church knows why most people in this present age never join any type of "Christian" church or organization.
God's true Church understands these matters, and can give clear biblical answers to these most basic questions. Gods true Church - is a Church that keeps on learning and growing in vital knowledge and understanding.
VITAL- CONCERNED WITH OR NECESSARY TO THE MAINTENANCE OF LIFE
A CHURCH THAT KEEPS ON LEARNING AND GROWING IN NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND NECESSARY UNDERSTANDING TO MAINTAIN LIFE. THAT IS CONCERNED WITH THE NECESSITIES OF MAINTAINING LIFE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL.
Remember, most "mainline" churches family, seldom if ever change or grow in true knowledge. When they do change, it is nearly always in the direction of secularism—"watering down" what little bits of biblical truth they may once have had.
But a true Church of God grows continually into a deeper and fuller understanding of the Bible, of the great purpose being worked out here below and of the exciting fulfillments of biblical prophecy now starting to occur.
I say exciting because for those that truly are walking with God should be rejoicing in the fulfillment of the Bible.
PROLOGUE
NIV REV. 1:1-3
1THE REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST, WHICH GOD GAVE HIM TO SHOW HIS SERVANTS WHAT MUST SOON TAKE PLACE. HE MADE IT KNOWN BY SENDING HIS ANGEL TO HIS SERVANT JOHN, 2WHO TESTIFIES TO EVERYTHING HE SAW—THAT IS, THE WORD OF GOD AND THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST. 3BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO READS ALOUD THE WORDS OF THIS PROPHECY, AND BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HEAR IT AND TAKE TO HEART WHAT IS WRITTEN IN IT, BECAUSE THE TIME IS NEAR.
WE HAVE TO BE EQUIPPED TO TEAR THE BARRIERS, THE STRONGHOLDS, THE IMAGINATION THAT CAST THEMSELVES AGAINST GOD, THE FOOLISHNESS PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT IN 2 COR 11, THE BOASTING, THE PRIDE, THE EXALTING THEMSELVES ABOVE GOD, AND ABOVE MEN.
2 COR. 12:1-21
SITUATION- PAUL PROMISED TO COME TO THE CORINTHIANS WITH THE LOVE OF A FATHER, BUT HE FEARED THAT HE MIGHT HAVE TO DEAL WITH TROUBLEMAKERS HARSHLY.
OBSERVATION- GOD DOES NOT SPARE US TRIALS, BUT HE HELPS US OVERCOME THEM, GOD WORKS IN OUR WEAKNESS, BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE WEAK HIS STRENGTH ACCOMPLISHES THE TASK.
INSPIRATION- WHO REALLY UNDERSTANDS WHY GOD USES WHO HE USES? THEY AREN’T EXACTLY WHAT YOU’D CALL A LIST OF “WHO’S WHO IN PURITY AND SAINTHOOD” IN FACT, SOME OF THEIR ANTICS AND ATTITUDES WOULD MAKE YOU THINK OF THE SATURDAY NIGHT CROWD AT THE COUNTY JAIL. WHAT FEW HALOS THERE ARE AMONG THIS BEFUDDLED BUNCH COULD PROBABLY USE A BIT OF STRAIGHTENING AND POLISHING YET, STRANGE AS IT MAY SEEM, IT IS THIS VERY HUMANNESS THAT MAKES THESE PEOPLE REFRESHING. THEY ARE SO REFRESHING THAT SHOULD YOU EVER NEED A REMINDER OF GOD’S TOLERANCE, YOU’D FIND IT IN THESE PEOPLE. IF YOU EVER WONDER HOW IN THE WORLD GOD COULD USE YOU TO CHANGE THE WORLD, LOOK AT THESE PEOPLE…
WHAT PEOPLE? PASTOR WAGNER: THE PEOPLE GOD USED TO CHANGE HISTORY. A RAGBAG OF NE’ER-DO-WELLS AND HAS-BEENS WHO FOUND HOPE, NOT IN THEIR PERFORMANCE, BUT IN GOD’S PROVERBIALLY OPEN ARMS.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT A FELLOW WHOSE LUST GOT SO LUSTY THAT HE GOT A WOMAN PREGNANT, TRIED TO BLAME IT ON HER HUSBAND, HAD HER HUSBAND KILLED, AND THEN WENT ON LIVING LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED? WELL, YOU COULD SAY HE WAS A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART. DAVID’S TRACK RECORD LEFT A LITTLE TO BE DESIRED, BUT HIS REPENTANT SPIRIT WAS UNQUESTIONABLE. (2 KINGS CHAPTER 11)
THEN COMES JONAH. GOD’S AMBASSADOR TO NINEVEH. JONAH, HOWEVER, HAD OTHER IDEAS. HE HAD NO DESIRE TO GO TO THE HEATHEN CITY. SO HE HOPPED ON ANOTHER BOAT WHILE GOD WASN’T’ LOOKING (OR AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT JONAH THOUGHT) GOD PUT HIM IN A WHALE’S BELLY TO BRING HIM BACK TO HIS SENSES. BUT EVEN THE WHALE COULDN’T STOMACH THE MISSIONARY FOR TOO LONG. A GOOD BURP AND JONAH WENT FLYING OVER THE SURF AND LANDED BIG- EYED AND REPENTED ON THE BEACH. (WHICH JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN!) (THE BOOK OF JONAH CHAPTER 1) AND ON AND ON THE STORIES GO: ELIJAH THE PROPHET WHO POUTED, (I KINGS CHAPTER 19).
SOLOMON THE KING WHO KNEW TOO MUCH(1 Kings 11:1-3), JACOB, THE WHEELER-DEALER (GENESIS 25:28-34); GOMER, THE PROSTITUTE (HOSEA CHAPTER 1), SARAH THE WOMAN WHO GIGGLED AT GOD (Genesis 18:12 ). ONE STORY AFTER ANOTHER OF GOD USING MAN’S BEST AND OVERCOMING MAN’S WORST.
EVEN THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS IS SALTED WITH A DUBIOUS CHARACTER OR TWO (MEANING PEOPLE TO PUT IN THE SUSPECT CATEGORY) - TAMAR THE ADULTERESS (GENESIS CHAPTER 38)
NOT TAMAR DAVID’S DAUGHTER, AND NOT TAMAR (DAVID’S GRANDDAUGHTER, HIS SON ABSALOM’S DAUGHTER) THERE WERE 3 TAMAR'S IN THE BIBLE.
RAHAB THE HARLOT (2ND CHAPTER OF JOSHUA), AND BATHSHEBA, WHO TENDED TO TAKE BATHS IN QUESTIONABLE LOCATIONS. (2 Samuel 11:2-5)
THE REASSURING LESSON IS CLEAR, GOD USED, AND USES PEOPLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. PEOPLE! NOT SAINTS OR SUPER-HUMANS OR GENIUSES, BUT PEOPLE, THIEVES, CREEPS, LOVERS, AND LIARS--HE USES THEM ALL. AND WHAT THEY MAY LACK IN PERFECTION, GOD MAKES UP FOR IN LOVE. REMEMBER WHEN YOUR WEAKNESS SURFACES GOD STILL USES YOU.
GOD USES WHO HE NEEDS AND WANTS TO USE FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. (SORRY IF SOME DISAGREE)
2 COR. 10
TEARING DOWN BARRIERS (MSG)/ SPIRITUAL WAR (NIV)
THERE WAS NO PLACE IN WHICH THE APOSTLE PAUL MET WITH MORE OPPOSITION FROM FALSE APOSTLES THAN AT CORINTH; HE HAD MANY ENEMIES THERE. LET NOT ANY OF THE MINISTERS OF CHRIST THINK IT STRANGE IF THEY MEET WITH PERILS, NOT ONLY FROM ENEMIES, BUT FROM FALSE BRETHREN; FOR BLESSED PAUL HIMSELF DID SO. THOUGH HE WAS SO BLAMELESS AND INOFFENSIVE IN ALL HIS CARRIAGE, SO CONDESCENDING AND USEFUL TO ALL, YET THERE WERE THOSE WHO BORE HIM ILL-WILL, WHO ENVIED HIM, AND DID ALL THEY COULD TO UNDERMINE HIM, AND LESSEN HIS INTEREST AND REPUTATION. THEREFORE HE VINDICATES HIMSELF FROM THEIR IMPUTATION, AND ARMS THE CORINTHIANS AGAINST THEIR INSINUATIONS. IN THIS CHAPTER THE APOSTLE, IN A MILD AND HUMBLE MANNER, ASSERTS THE POWER OF HIS PREACHING, AND TO PUNISH OFFENDERS IN (2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6). HE THEN PROCEEDS TO REASON THE CASE WITH THE CORINTHIANS, ASSERTING HIS RELATION TO CHRIST, AND HIS AUTHORITY AS AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST IN (2 CORINTHIANS 10:7-11), HE REFUSES TO JUSTIFY HIMSELF, OR TO ACT BY SUCH RULES AS THE FALSE TEACHERS DID, BUT ACCORDING TO THE BETTER RULES HE HAD FIXED FOR HIMSELF IN (2 CORINTHIANS 10:12 TO THE END).
2 COR 10: 1-6 (NIV)
2 COR 10:1-6 (MESSAGE BIBLE)
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
FOR THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE - THE MEANS BY WHICH WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE OUR VICTORY.
ARE NOT CARNAL - NOT THOSE OF THE FLESH. NOT SUCH AS THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD USE. THEY ARE NOT SUCH AS ARE EMPLOYED BY CONQUERORS; NOR ARE THEY SUCH AS PEOPLE IN GENERAL RELY ON TO ADVANCE THEIR CAUSE. WE DO NOT DEPEND ON ELOQUENCE, OR TALENT, OR LEARNING, OR WEALTH, OR BEAUTY, OR ANY OF THE EXTERNAL AIDS ON WHICH THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD RELY. THEY ARE NOT SUCH AS DERIVE ADVANTAGE FROM ANY POWER INHERENT IN THEMSELVES. THEIR STRENGTH IS DERIVED FROM GOD ALONE.
BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD - MARGIN, "TO." THEY ARE RENDERED MIGHTY OR POWERFUL BY THE AGENCY (PURPOSE) OF GOD. THEY DEPEND ON HIM FOR THEIR EFFECTIVENESS. PAUL HAS NOT HERE SPECIFIED THE WEAPONS ON WHICH HE RELIED; BUT HE HAD BEFORE SPECIFIED THEM 2 CORINTHIANS 6:6-7, SO THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF MISTAKE. THE WEAPONS WERE SUCH AS WERE FURNISHED BY TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THESE WERE RENDERED MIGHTY BY THE ATTENDING AGENCY OF GOD.
2 Corinthians 6:6-7
6 IN PURITY, UNDERSTANDING, PATIENCE AND KINDNESS; IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IN SINCERE LOVE; 7 IN TRUTHFUL SPEECH AND IN THE POWER OF GOD; WITH WEAPONS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE RIGHT HAND AND IN THE LEFT;
THE SENSE IS, THAT GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF THE DOCTRINES WHICH WE PREACH, AND THAT HE ATTENDS (MEETS) THEM WITH THE AGENCY (PURPOSE) OF HIS SPIRIT, AND ACCOMPANIES THEM TO THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL MINISTERS TO FEEL THAT THEIR WEAPONS ARE MIGHTY ONLY THROUGH GOD. CONQUERORS AND EARTHLY WARRIORS GO INTO BATTLE DEPENDING ON THE MIGHT OF THEIR OWN ARM, AND ON THE WISDOM AND SKILL WHICH PLANS THE BATTLE. THE CHRISTIAN GOES ON HIS WARFARE, FEELING THAT HOWEVER WELL ADAPTED THE TRUTHS WHICH HE HOLDS ARE TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT PURPOSES, AND HOWEVER WISELY HIS PLANS ARE FORMED, YET THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ALL DEPENDS ON THE PURPOSE OF GOD. HE HAS NO HOPE OF VICTORY BUT IN GOD. AND IF GOD DOES NOT ATTEND (MEET) HIM, HE IS SURE OF INEVITABLE DEFEAT.
THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY IS A SPIRITUAL WARFARE WITH SPIRITUAL ENEMIES, AND FOR SPIRITUAL PURPOSES. OUTWARD FORCE IS NOT THE METHOD OF THE GOSPEL, BUT STRONG PERSUASIONS, BY THE POWER OF TRUTH AND THE MEEKNESS OF WISDOM. CONSCIENCE IS ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD ONLY; AND PEOPLE MUST BE PERSUADED TO GOD AND THEIR DUTY, NOT DRIVEN BY FORCE. THUS THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE VERY POWERFUL; THE EVIDENCE OF TRUTH IS THEREFORE CONVINCING TO PERSUADE MEN/WOMEN TO GIVE A CONSCIENCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD. WHAT OPPOSITION IS MADE AGAINST THE GOSPEL, BY THE POWERS OF SIN AND SATAN IN THE HEARTS OF MEN! BUT OBSERVE THE CONQUEST IN WAR THE WORD OF GOD GAINS. OBSERVE THE TERRITORY APPROPRIATED IN WAR THE WORD OF GOD GAINS, OBSERVE THE TERRITORY FITTING IN WAR, THE WORD OF GOD GAINS. THE APPOINTED MEANS, HOWEVER FEEBLE THEY APPEAR TO SOME, WILL BE MIGHTY THROUGH GOD. AND THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS, BY MEN/WOMEN OF FAITH AND PRAYER, HAS ALWAYS BEEN FATAL TO IDOLATRY, IMPIETY, (LACK OF REVERENCE FOR GOD OR SACRED THINGS) OR THE LACK OF DUTIFULNESS OR RESPECT AND WICKEDNESS.
****THIS IS THE REALITY OF PAUL’S AUTHORITY IN 2 COR 10:7-11
2 COR 10:7-11
YOU ARE JUDGING BY APPEARANCES. IF ANYONE IS CONFIDENT THAT THEY BELONG TO CHRIST, THEY SHOULD CONSIDER AGAIN THAT WE BELONG TO CHRIST JUST AS MUCH.
EXPLANATION: VERSES 7-11
IN THESE VERSES THE APOSTLE PROCEEDS TO REASON THE CASE WITH THE CORINTHIANS, IN OPPOSITION TO THOSE WHO DESPISED HIM, JUDGED HIM, AND SPOKE HARDLY OF HIM: DO YOU, LOOK ON THINGS AFTER THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE (2 CORINTHIANS 10:7). IS THIS A FIT MEASURE OR RULE TO MAKE AN ESTIMATE OF THINGS OR PERSONS BY, AND TO JUDGE BETWEEN ME AND MY ADVERSARIES? IN OUTWARD APPEARANCE, PAUL WAS MEAN AND DESPICABLE WITH SOME; HE DID NOT MAKE A FIGURE, AS PERHAPS SOME OF HIS COMPETITORS MIGHT DO: BUT THIS WAS A FALSE RULE TO MAKE A JUDGMENT BY. IT SHOULD SEEM THAT SOME BOASTED MIGHTY THINGS OF THEMSELVES, AND MADE A FAIR SHOW. BUT THOSE ARE OFTEN FALSE APPEARANCES. A MAN MAY SEEM TO BE LEARNED WHO HAS NOT LEARNED CHRIST, AND APPEAR VIRTUOUS WHEN HE HAS NOT A PRINCIPLE OF GRACE IN HIS HEART. HOWEVER, THE APOSTLE ASSERTS TWO THINGS OF HIMSELF: HIS RELATION TO CHRIST: IF ANY MAN TRUST TO HIMSELF THAT HE IS CHRIST'S, EVEN SO ARE WE CHRIST'S,
***IN 2 COR 10:12-18 THIS IS PAUL’S EXPLAINING THE LIMITS OF HIS AUTHORITY
2 COR 10:12-18
IF WE WOULD COMPARE OURSELVES WITH OTHERS WHO EXCEL US, THIS WOULD BE A GOOD METHOD TO KEEP US HUMBLE; WE SHOULD BE PLEASED AND THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE OF GIFTS OR GRACES, BUT NEVER PRIDE OURSELVES THEREIN, AS IF THERE WERE NONE TO BE COMPARED WITH US OR THAT DID EXCEL US.
PAUL FIXES A BETTER RULE FOR HIS CONDUCT, NAMELY, NOT TO BOAST OF THINGS WITHOUT HIS MEASURE,WHICH WAS THE MEASURE GOD HAD DISTRIBUTED TO HIM, (2 CORINTHIANS 10:13). HIS MEANING IS, EITHER THAT HE WOULD NOT BOAST OF MORE GIFTS OR GRACES, OR POWER AND AUTHORITY, THAN GOD HAD REALLY BESTOWED ON HIM; OR, RATHER, THAT HE WOULD NOT ACT BEYOND HIS COMMISSION AS TO PERSONS OR THINGS, NOR GO BEYOND THE LINE PRESCRIBED TO HIM. THE APOSTLE'S RESOLUTION WAS TO KEEP WITHIN HIS OWN PROVINCE, AND THAT COMPASS OF GROUND WHICH GOD HAD MARKED OUT FOR HIM. HIS COMMISSION AS AN APOSTLE WAS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL EVERY WHERE, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE GENTILES, AND HE WAS NOT CONFINED TO ONE PLACE; YET HE OBSERVED THE DIRECTIONS OF PROVIDENCE, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, AS TO THE PARTICULAR PLACES WHITHER HE WENT OR WHERE HE DID ABIDE. HE ACTED ACCORDING TO THIS RULE: WE STRETCH NOT OURSELVES BEYOND OUR MEASURE
****LET ME REITERATE PAUL'S MESSAGE FROM LAST MONDAY:
IN 2 COR 11: 5, 6. PAUL IS TALKING TO THE FALSE PROPHETS/FALSE TEACHERS.
PAUL HAS BEEN EQUIPPED TO FIGHT THE BATTLE
2 COR 11: 5, 6
5 BUT I DON'T CONSIDER MYSELF INFERIOR IN ANY WAY TO THESE "SUPER APOSTLES" WHO TEACH SUCH THINGS.
6 THOUGH UNTRAINED IN PUBLIC SPEAKING, I AM CERTAINLY NOT UNTRAINED IN KNOWLEDGE. INDEED, WE HAVE ALWAYS MADE THAT CLEAR TO YOU IN EVERY WAY.
2 COR 11: 12
12 AND I WILL KEEP ON DOING WHAT I AM DOING IN ORDER TO CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER THOSE WHO WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE CONSIDERED EQUAL WITH US IN THE THINGS THEY BOAST ABOUT.
WHO REALLY UNDERSTANDS FIVEAM FAMILY WHY GOD USES WHO HE USES?
Is there, today, a church that is truly growing into such knowledge and understanding of Bible prophecies? Do you know of any church that has been willing to change and grow, not to become more like the world, but rather to more deeply understand the Master Plan that God is working out here below? Is there a church that truly understands where we are headed—why the United States and Great Britain are slowly but inexorably sliding from their pinnacle of national greatness, and how and why a powerful union of nations in Europe will soon become the force to be reckon with out of the three?
There is a Church that grasps why we were born and put on this earth, and that understands the incredible human potential—including the amazing truth that God is literally reproducing Himself. This Church knows why most people in this present age never join any type of "Christian" church or organization.
God's true Church understands these matters, and can give clear biblical answers to these most basic questions. Gods true Church - is a Church that keeps on learning and growing in vital knowledge and understanding.
VITAL- CONCERNED WITH OR NECESSARY TO THE MAINTENANCE OF LIFE
A CHURCH THAT KEEPS ON LEARNING AND GROWING IN NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND NECESSARY UNDERSTANDING TO MAINTAIN LIFE. THAT IS CONCERNED WITH THE NECESSITIES OF MAINTAINING LIFE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL.
Remember, most "mainline" churches family, seldom if ever change or grow in true knowledge. When they do change, it is nearly always in the direction of secularism—"watering down" what little bits of biblical truth they may once have had.
But a true Church of God grows continually into a deeper and fuller understanding of the Bible, of the great purpose being worked out here below and of the exciting fulfillments of biblical prophecy now starting to occur.
I say exciting because for those that truly are walking with God should be rejoicing in the fulfillment of the Bible.
PROLOGUE
NIV REV. 1:1-3
1THE REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST, WHICH GOD GAVE HIM TO SHOW HIS SERVANTS WHAT MUST SOON TAKE PLACE. HE MADE IT KNOWN BY SENDING HIS ANGEL TO HIS SERVANT JOHN, 2WHO TESTIFIES TO EVERYTHING HE SAW—THAT IS, THE WORD OF GOD AND THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST. 3BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO READS ALOUD THE WORDS OF THIS PROPHECY, AND BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HEAR IT AND TAKE TO HEART WHAT IS WRITTEN IN IT, BECAUSE THE TIME IS NEAR.
WE HAVE TO BE EQUIPPED TO TEAR THE BARRIERS, THE STRONGHOLDS, THE IMAGINATION THAT CAST THEMSELVES AGAINST GOD, THE FOOLISHNESS PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT IN 2 COR 11, THE BOASTING, THE PRIDE, THE EXALTING THEMSELVES ABOVE GOD, AND ABOVE MEN.
2 COR. 12:1-21
SITUATION- PAUL PROMISED TO COME TO THE CORINTHIANS WITH THE LOVE OF A FATHER, BUT HE FEARED THAT HE MIGHT HAVE TO DEAL WITH TROUBLEMAKERS HARSHLY.
OBSERVATION- GOD DOES NOT SPARE US TRIALS, BUT HE HELPS US OVERCOME THEM, GOD WORKS IN OUR WEAKNESS, BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE WEAK HIS STRENGTH ACCOMPLISHES THE TASK.
INSPIRATION- WHO REALLY UNDERSTANDS WHY GOD USES WHO HE USES? THEY AREN’T EXACTLY WHAT YOU’D CALL A LIST OF “WHO’S WHO IN PURITY AND SAINTHOOD” IN FACT, SOME OF THEIR ANTICS AND ATTITUDES WOULD MAKE YOU THINK OF THE SATURDAY NIGHT CROWD AT THE COUNTY JAIL. WHAT FEW HALOS THERE ARE AMONG THIS BEFUDDLED BUNCH COULD PROBABLY USE A BIT OF STRAIGHTENING AND POLISHING YET, STRANGE AS IT MAY SEEM, IT IS THIS VERY HUMANNESS THAT MAKES THESE PEOPLE REFRESHING. THEY ARE SO REFRESHING THAT SHOULD YOU EVER NEED A REMINDER OF GOD’S TOLERANCE, YOU’D FIND IT IN THESE PEOPLE. IF YOU EVER WONDER HOW IN THE WORLD GOD COULD USE YOU TO CHANGE THE WORLD, LOOK AT THESE PEOPLE…
WHAT PEOPLE? PASTOR WAGNER: THE PEOPLE GOD USED TO CHANGE HISTORY. A RAGBAG OF NE’ER-DO-WELLS AND HAS-BEENS WHO FOUND HOPE, NOT IN THEIR PERFORMANCE, BUT IN GOD’S PROVERBIALLY OPEN ARMS.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT A FELLOW WHOSE LUST GOT SO LUSTY THAT HE GOT A WOMAN PREGNANT, TRIED TO BLAME IT ON HER HUSBAND, HAD HER HUSBAND KILLED, AND THEN WENT ON LIVING LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED? WELL, YOU COULD SAY HE WAS A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART. DAVID’S TRACK RECORD LEFT A LITTLE TO BE DESIRED, BUT HIS REPENTANT SPIRIT WAS UNQUESTIONABLE. (2 KINGS CHAPTER 11)
THEN COMES JONAH. GOD’S AMBASSADOR TO NINEVEH. JONAH, HOWEVER, HAD OTHER IDEAS. HE HAD NO DESIRE TO GO TO THE HEATHEN CITY. SO HE HOPPED ON ANOTHER BOAT WHILE GOD WASN’T’ LOOKING (OR AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT JONAH THOUGHT) GOD PUT HIM IN A WHALE’S BELLY TO BRING HIM BACK TO HIS SENSES. BUT EVEN THE WHALE COULDN’T STOMACH THE MISSIONARY FOR TOO LONG. A GOOD BURP AND JONAH WENT FLYING OVER THE SURF AND LANDED BIG- EYED AND REPENTED ON THE BEACH. (WHICH JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN!) (THE BOOK OF JONAH CHAPTER 1) AND ON AND ON THE STORIES GO: ELIJAH THE PROPHET WHO POUTED, (I KINGS CHAPTER 19).
SOLOMON THE KING WHO KNEW TOO MUCH(1 Kings 11:1-3), JACOB, THE WHEELER-DEALER (GENESIS 25:28-34); GOMER, THE PROSTITUTE (HOSEA CHAPTER 1), SARAH THE WOMAN WHO GIGGLED AT GOD (Genesis 18:12 ). ONE STORY AFTER ANOTHER OF GOD USING MAN’S BEST AND OVERCOMING MAN’S WORST.
EVEN THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS IS SALTED WITH A DUBIOUS CHARACTER OR TWO (MEANING PEOPLE TO PUT IN THE SUSPECT CATEGORY) - TAMAR THE ADULTERESS (GENESIS CHAPTER 38)
NOT TAMAR DAVID’S DAUGHTER, AND NOT TAMAR (DAVID’S GRANDDAUGHTER, HIS SON ABSALOM’S DAUGHTER) THERE WERE 3 TAMAR'S IN THE BIBLE.
RAHAB THE HARLOT (2ND CHAPTER OF JOSHUA), AND BATHSHEBA, WHO TENDED TO TAKE BATHS IN QUESTIONABLE LOCATIONS. (2 Samuel 11:2-5)
THE REASSURING LESSON IS CLEAR, GOD USED, AND USES PEOPLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. PEOPLE! NOT SAINTS OR SUPER-HUMANS OR GENIUSES, BUT PEOPLE, THIEVES, CREEPS, LOVERS, AND LIARS--HE USES THEM ALL. AND WHAT THEY MAY LACK IN PERFECTION, GOD MAKES UP FOR IN LOVE. REMEMBER WHEN YOUR WEAKNESS SURFACES GOD STILL USES YOU.
GOD USES WHO HE NEEDS AND WANTS TO USE FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. (SORRY IF SOME DISAGREE)
Thank
you Pastor Wagner for your obedience, time and study of God's word. We
pray that you would pour back in to her, Elohim for how she poured out
today, on this line. We pray that would continue to use her in a mighty
and awesome way. Thank You Adonai for showing up on this line,
teaching and leading us in a closer walk with You. Praise Your holy and
wonderful name! To hear this again click here.
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