SERMONS

Sermon Part 8: “The Church of Jesus Christ Is Called To Walk on Higher Ground!”

THIS MESSAGE IS RATED “R.” ONLY THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SHOULD READ IT. PARENTAL GUIDANCE IS SUGGESTED IF UNDER AGE 17. THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD KNOW THEY ARE NOT WHAT THEY USE TO BE, THEY ARE WHO GOD HAS MADE THEM TO BE.

Good Morning and Happy Sunday Saints!

Introduction

There is an old hymnal we use to sing entitled, “I’m Pressing on the Upward Way.” Here are the Lyrics:
I’m pressing on the upward way
New heights I’m gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on heaven’s tableland
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Though some may dwell where those abound
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground
So Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on heaven’s tableland
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
I want to live above the world
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled
For faith has caught a joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground
So Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on heaven’s tableland
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
So Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on heaven’s tableland
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground

In particular, it’s the chorus of the song I want to focus on today. The Songwriter requests, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” What a humble and beautiful prayer request. And, for every born-again Christian within the Body of Christ, God has already placed our feet on higher ground, as He has quickened and gathered us all together and made us all sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph.2:1-6)

Truly Saints, there is no higher spiritual and moral plain we can be raised to, than to be seated together in Christ Jesus at the right-hand throne of God the Father. In Christ, we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph.1:3) Thus, as born-again Christians living in America and around the world, we have been called to live by an “exceedingly higher standard” than the people of the world who do not know God. We are in this world, but not of this world. We are to let our lights so shine before men that they may see our good behavior and works and glorify God our Father who is in Heaven. (Matt. 5:16)

Seated together in Christ, we are Commanded to love every person on earth, just as Jesus loved us. In keeping the Love Commandment, we are mandated from our regenerated hearts to see every person forgiven of all sin, holy, useful for God’s Divine Purpose, and worthy of unending deeds of kindness. Glory be to God! This is the mark of the prize of the high-calling in Christ that the Apostle Paul stated he was exerting all spiritual might to reach forth to attain. (Php.3:14)

Every Church, denomination, and born-again Christian individually must know that this Christian journey is a race set before us, to become more and more like Jesus Christ in Character, Behavior, and Performance. It’s a race to strive to attain to the excellence of loving all people as Jesus loved us.
Let me emphasize this Truth with a bull-horn:
–We are to love, forgive, and be kind towards our enemies. Say Amen.
–We are to love, forgive, and be kind towards the sinner man (our neighbor in all directions). Say and Amen.
–We are to love, forgive, and be kind towards one another within the Body of Christ; regardless of Church-affiliation, race, or gender identity. Say Amen.

The love of God established in our hearts never fails; never ceases to love the brethren. (I Cor.13:8) At Matthew 18:21-22, Peter came to Jesus Christ and asked “how many times shall my brother sin against me and I forgive; seven-times?” Jesus replied to Peter, “not seven-times, but 70 times seven.” Meaning we are to forgive our brothers and sisters an unlimited number of times. Jesus requires that forgiveness be “continuous” regardless of how many times a brother or sister has wronged you. Thus, we are to always be ready to forgive the offenses of each other.

Oh, why then can’t Churches, denominations, and Christians individually be forgiving of one another when they have differences in doctrine, practices, and traditions? Why can’t we all be faithful friends like Jesus, and stick closer to one another than our own human family members; with fellow Christians even who commit and practice sin? The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins. (I Pet. 4:8)

Why can’t we live up to, and stand in, our calling to love one another above all of our differences? In Christ, our love for each other is greater than our differences. In fact, much of the Body of Christ appears not to understand that our “differences” are tests from God to prove our Love for God and each other! Whatever God Commands us to do, He always brings to us tests to examine the motives and intents of our hearts, to strengthen us spiritually and morally so that we may bear His image in the earth and be pleasing in His sight.

At Deuteronomy 12:1-3, (ESV, emphasis added) God speaking through Moses declared: “For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

This Passage suggests that love, especially love for God and others, is meant to be tested, not just to reveal its genuineness, but also to grow and deepen through challenges. No doubt about it Saints; it’s very challenging for many Churches and denominations to come together and agree on theological perspectives, doctrinal beliefs, worship styles and traditions, as well as on contemporary social issues that impact the Church today in America and around the world.

In Christian Circles, the vast majority of the Body of Christ view our “differences” as something negative, a reason to separate, and impossible to overcome. We are quick to label our differences as unsolvable without taking the time to sharpen one another with the Word of God to reach agreement in the Scriptures. (Prov. 27:17) Saints, it’s not our “differences” that cause division, but our unwillingness to love, forgive, and be kind towards one another in spite of the differences that keeps us from standing together on the higher ground where God has planted our feet.

I pray the day will come when the entire Body of Christ views its “differences” as tests from God, to prove our love for God and one another, and that we “study-hall” together in the Word of God to pass each test. For example, within the Body of Christ, there are wide differences in beliefs regarding “water baptism.” The Pentecostals firmly believe that a person professing belief in Jesus Christ must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in accordance with Acts 2:38. While other denominations, like the Baptist, earnestly hold to the belief that the Christian convert must be baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost in accordance with Matthew 28:19.
The difference in baptism by holy nomenclature among our Churches is not the devil’s work, rather its God testing the love of born-again Christians within these two denominations to work through their differences “together” in interpretation of Scriptures and come to a common understanding on baptism. No matter how long it takes, their love and fellowship with one another should remain constant, because the striving for unity in the faith is crucial to spiritual growth and maturity within the body of Christ.

This must be our approach to all theological differences and religious practices; we must keep working together in love, prayer, and study in the Holy Scriptures until we reach agreement. (Eph. 4:3-6) As we work in this manner, the Spirit of Unity will keep us bonded together in love and peace so that on earth our feet are planted on higher ground.

Satan only has room to enter into our thought-life and cause division when one or both denominations are tempted and yield to the voice of the enemy, and allow our differences to become magnified above the Love Commandment given to us by God. (Eph. 4:27) Such thoughts exalt themselves above the knowledge of God and must be casted down and made to obey the Love Commandment. (II Cor. 10:4-6) Churches, denominations, and Christians individually only deceive themselves when they think religious differences are legitimate reasons for not maintaining continual fellowship with other believers, while claiming to know and have an abiding relationship with God. (I John 4:20)

For the remainder of this Series we are going to consider three highly sensitive/hot-button/lightening-rod “social issues” that much of the Body of Christ has chosen to let divide itself over, and learn how to overcome the divisiveness. The three social issues are homosexuality, abortion, and racism.

All three issues are “sinful actions” and are not to have dominion over us. We are born of God and have been made overcomers, and are not to succumb to the works of the flesh. (I John 5:4) We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loved us. Oh yes Saints, we have the power of the Holy Ghost to triumph over all evil with good. (Rom. 8:37 & 12:21)
In the same manner that we work through religious differences, we must also be willing to work through differences on social issues; never letting any issue rise above the Love Command, because God has planted our feet on higher ground. Our Faithful Friend Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, who abide within our hearts are standing by to guide us into Complete Unity on every issue that confronts us. Today, let’s come together and get on one accord with what the Word of God has to say about “homosexuality.”

The World, and in particular our country and Nation’s capital, this weekend is celebrating “World Pride Day,” an event held every two-years to celebrate the homosexual life-style and to promote its acceptance. But, any exercise in “Pride” that does not exalt and make its boast solely in God Almighty and the Holy Bible, always goes before a fall. (Prov. 16:4)

The Body of Christ Is Conforming to the World’s View on Homosexuality, in America and Around the World

Homosexuality, and its unholy companion “Same sex Marriage,” I address first and for most because this act of sin seeks to violate the highest Divine Purpose and calling of God for Mankind. In our relationships with fellow believers, as well as non-Christians who are trapped in the bondage of homosexuality, the Body of Christ must hold firm and remain unwavering in the Biblical Truth that homosexuality is a “practice of sin turned into an iniquity” that every person engaged in needs deliverance from, by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and power of the Holy Ghost.

This means that born-again Christians must become Faithful Friends of homosexuals to show them the love and compassion of Christ through preaching, teaching, praying, and listening to those who struggle with this sin. Always remembering that once we are born-again and citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are not to continue in the practice of any sin; as it only works to stymy our stand and walk on higher ground with Jesus Christ. (Heb.12:1)

In this regard, the Apostle Paul asked and answered this question at Romans 6:1-2. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” The Body of Christ, the Church must ask itself, if we accept and embrace homosexuality and same sex marriage to its continuance, will we also then allow other iniquitous works such as lying, stealing, murdering, fornication, adultery, and covetousness abound too? God forbid!

Homosexuality and Same Sex Marriage seeks to exalt itself above the Knowledge of God. The evil tandem seeks to turn Mankind totally against God, His Wisdom, and Call and Commandment for procreation. To the Body of Christ, I call your attention to God’s first thoughts, plans, and actions toward Mankind as He recreated the earth, recorded at Genesis 1:26-28.

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

God’s Word makes clear that man and woman, male and female, are to union to procreate in the sanctity of marriage.

This is God’s ordained pathway for Mankind; to enter into holy matrimony and enjoy sexual relations; the male with the female. Mutual attraction, romance, courtship, marriage, and sexual intercourse to fulfillment between a man and woman is God’s idea and what He has blessed.

All other sexual activity outside of marriage is immoral: fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and same sex marriage are not sanctioned nor blessed, but are objectionable to God. Engaging in sexual activity outside of the marriage covenant proves harmful to Mankind spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

The first marriage took place in the Garden of Eden, between Adam and Eve, a male and female, and no man is to put the marriage covenant asunder. (Gen. 2: 21-25) Furthermore, at Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus Christ said that from the beginning God made two genders, “male and female; and for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh. What therefore God has joined together; let no man put asunder.”
Not surprising, however, the people of America and around the world who do not know God have flouted God’s plan for the natural use of the human body. Choosing instead to enter into all sorts of immoral acts: fornication, adultery, homosexuality, transgenderism, and same sex marriage. The rise in “acceptance” of homosexuality by people in the United States, and in many other countries around the world has been dramatic over the last two decades.

According to a Pew Research Center report, the percentage of people in America “accepting” homosexuality rose from, 51- percent in 2002, to 72-percent in 2019. (Pew Research Center, June 25, 2020) Double-digit increases in the proportion of people saying they accept homosexuality were also reported in countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, and India. The rise in homosexuality, and its acceptance, has sparked widespread debate across the landscape of American politics, the courts, education, sports, community, families, and sadly even among Christian Churches and denominations.

Here me now Saints, today almost all Christian groups across Church-affiliations and denominations are growing more “accepting” of homosexuality. According to studies, about “half” of Christian Churches within the United States report acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. (LGBTQ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning.)

The Body of Christ must pay very close attention to the words we use. The definition of “acceptance” means “a willingness to allow or approval of something or someone, or to consider something normal.” Every Church, denomination, and Christian individually must examine/question their thinking and determine whether in the Body of Christ the practice of homosexuality and same sex marriage should be considered “normal;” and whether such practices are acceptable in light of God’s Word, and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost that dwells within their heart? The answer is of course not.

But, according to Pew, surveys conducted from 2007 and 2014, showed double-digit increases in “acceptance” of homosexuality among Churches. Amongst the largest denominations’ memberships there is growing and widespread acceptance, such as the Catholic Church (58-70%), Mainline Protestant (56-66%), Orthodox Christian (48 to 62%), Historically Black Protestant (39-51%), Mormon, and Evangelical Protestant (24-36%). The Jehovah’s Witness group membership experienced increase to lesser extent (12-16%). (Pew Research Center, Landscape Surveys, Sept. 2014)

The Pew data show clearly that large proportions of Christians within the Body of Christ are shifting and conforming to the world’s view on acceptance of homosexuality. This, in spite of the Apostle Paul’s admonishment that the Church is not to conform to the world’s values and ways of doing things, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds with the Word of God. (Rom.12:1-2) The Word of God has not changed, so why are we obliged to move away from the Truth of God’s Word?

I should acknowledge that the Pew Survey also reported that several denominational groups, while accepting (welcoming) homosexuals into their congregations, they continue to preach and teach against such practices. These denominations are employing the Biblical concept of “love the sinner, and hate the sin.” This is the right thing to do as the Church is the House of Prayer for all people. (Matt.21:13)

However, while we are to welcome all people to worship with us, we must ensure that we maintain our stance against the practice of all kinds of sin, including homosexuality and same sex marriage. Churches that claim to accept homosexuality, while continuing to preach and teach against such practices, should be seeing the lives of many Christians who practice homosexuality changed to repent and forsake such activity.
Sadly though, over the last several decades, in America and in many other countries, participation in Christianity and Church attendance has been declining, while homosexuality is growing in popularity and acceptance. Thus, it appears that deliverance efforts in our Churches has largely been ineffective in curbing the practice of homosexuality within its hallowed walls.

Also important to note, studies suggest that in addition to about 7-percent of the total American population who “openly” identify themselves as homosexuals, there are many more people in America, and around the world, who are secretly practicing homosexuality: lesbians, gay, and bisexual individuals, and are referred to as the “global closet.” So the total number of people who are practicing homosexuality in our country are unknown, but studies say about 83-percent of homosexuals remain a part of the global closet.

No doubt, with Christianity still remaining the most popular religion in America, there are many of our brothers and sisters in Christ sitting in pews struggling with homosexuality, and practicing sex-sins in secret. Proverbs 28:13 states that the person who conceals their sins will not prosper, but the person who confesses and forsakes their sins God will have mercy on them. There is no need in glorifying homosexuality by turning a blind eye to it, or being afraid to discuss it within the Church.
The Body of Christ must think soberly about what it calls “acceptable” and “normal” among men and women who claim to be born-again Christians. The practice of homosexuality involves individuals engaging in a variety of sexual activities, including oral, anal, vaginal sex. Homosexual individuals also express affection and intimacy of physical touching, like holding hands, kissing, hugging, and cuddling; just like heterosexual individuals.

Daily, we see same sex couples in television commercials, movies, and print media exhibiting these unnatural behaviors. Can we truthfully say that the commission of these acts among Christians are showing God honor in their bodies and spirits, which belong to God? (I Cor. 6:12) Can the Body of Christ say its “ok” for couples of the same sex to come into our churches holding hands, hugging each other, and so forth and referring to each other as romantic partners or spouses?

Can we say its “ok” for singles of the same sex to continually engage in oral and anal sex; that they are free to practice such Scripturally- unlawful actions within Church of the Living God?

In order for the Body of Christ to help those trapped in homosexuality, we must first league together to resolve the problem of homosexuality within our own ranks. We must all come together in agreement that homosexuality and same sex marriage is sinful behavior that must be repented and departed from. (II Tim. 2:19) If instead, we choose “acceptance” and embrace the practice homosexuality and same sex marriage within the Church, then what makes us any different from the sinning world? If the Body of Christ accepts homosexuality, then we become akin to Sodom and Gomorra; completely void of spiritual power over Satan and the kingdom of darkness; and destined for the eternal fires of hell. (Rev. 21:8)

Jesus Christ is expecting and waiting for Church leadership to come together and stand up, and for, that which is right in the sight of the Lord, and help those struggling with homosexuality to experience breakthrough. We must not forsake the Purpose of the Holy Bible, but use the Holy Scriptures in love and truth to reprove, correct, and instruct those struggling with homosexuality to depart from iniquity. II Timothy 3:16-17 states:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Higher Ground Stance against Homosexuality

As stated earlier, the issue of homosexuality and its place in the Church of Jesus Christ has become one of the most contentious topics within modern Christianity. As society increasingly accepts and even celebrates same-sex relationships, many Churches face pressure to conform to these cultural shifts.

As the days grow more evil and perilous, the Body of Christ must understand that it will be challenged to buckle under and fold to comply with the social orders of the world that are under Satanic stronghold, such as homosexuality and same sex marriage. For its stance against such evils, the Body of Christ will suffer great persecutions by governmental authorities, entities, and people who do not know God. The Holy Bible, however provides clear guidance, some of which I have already discussed, for those who hold to the “Authority of Scripture.”

All Churches “must” hold to the Authority of Scripture and defend the faith, with no exceptions. We must stand against ungodly rulers and people of today and decree that “we ought to obey God rather than man.” (Acts 5:29)

The Body of Christ is to remember and hold to Jesus Christ’s prayer with God the Father in which He said, “Thy Word is Truth,” and He petitioned that we all be sanctified in the Word. (John17:17) Yes, the Church of Jesus Christ is holy and set apart from the world. Jesus also affirmed that Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the Word of God shall not pass away. (Matt. 24:35) Jesus said, “Till heaven and earth pass away, not one dot or tittle of the Word shall pass away.” (Matt. 5:18)

The Word of God does not change to suit our thinking, emotions, and desires. Rather, as Christ followers we are to change to line up our lives in accordance with the Word of God.
Thus, the “goal” of the Body of Christ must be to maintain a strong, biblically-based stance against the practice of homosexuality while simultaneously extending truth, love, and grace to members of the Body of Christ who are practicing homosexuality. We must stick together remembering that our commonality is at the foot of the cross of Christ, and strive to work through our differences on the topic of homosexuality and same sex marriage; without wavering in our commitment to love one another.

In this regard, I urge the Body of Christ and those participating in homosexuality, both openly and in secret, to view the topic as an opportunity for us all to draw nearer to God to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. We are the sons of God and each of us has weaknesses and faults that must be overcome. Let’s submit our whole-beings to Jesus Christ, our Faithful Friend, to do His perfect work in us to conform us into His glorious image.

Every believer’s goal in Christianity should be to become like Jesus; and not to live according to our own personal fleshy preferences, nor of the people of the world. With all humility I ask of you Saints: Was Jesus Christ in His Public Ministry a man who practiced sin: lying, adultery, idolatry, fornication, or homosexualtiy? No way, Jesus knew of no sin.

Since Christ Jesus is in us, neither should we continue to engage in the practice of any sin. The Apostle Paul admonished at Ephesians 5:3: But fornication (sexual immorality) and all uncleanness or covetousness, let them not once be named among you, as becometh saints.

As the sons of God, let us all remember Hebrews 12:6-7 which states:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

For the sin we commit, let us all be ready and willing to receive the chastening of the Lord with humbleness of heart and happiness that God is our Father. The Holy Bible unequivocally condemns homosexuality as sinful. This is not a matter of cultural interpretation but a consistent biblical teaching throughout the Old and New Testaments. In addition to the Scriptures I presented earlier in Genesis and Matthew, within the Law of Moses at Leviticus 18:22, it states, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” (ESV). The term “abomination” in this context indicates something deeply offensive to God’s established order. As born-again Christians, we should never want to do anything that deeply offends God.

The Apostle Paul reiterates this stance in Romans 1:26-27, where he identifies homosexual acts as “dishonorable” and “contrary to nature.” These behaviors are, therefore, not only against God’s Commandments but also against His “natural” order. When we do things that are contrary to the natural order of God, we open ourselves up to the rewards of sin. (Rom.6:23) For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that men who engage in homosexuality can contract and transmit HIV, Monkey pox, Syphilis, Hepatitis B & C, Chlamydia and gonorrhea of the rectum and throat, and genital herpes.

The consistency of the Bible’s Message on homosexuality is further seen in I Corinthians 6:9-10, where Paul warns,
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (ESV).

Those who engage in unrepentant sin, including those who commit homosexual acts, are excluded from the inheritance promised to believers. The Churches’ correction of homosexual behavior should never be used as a tool to mock, hate, hurt, persecute, nor condemn a fellow believer. Rather, all correction should be administered in a way that assist in bringing the believer to the place of repentance of the sin so they may inherit all of the Covenant Promises of God made available to them as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Chief among our spiritual inheritance is Spiritual Authority to “bind and lose” Heaven’s Divine Will on earth. (Math.18:18) Satan’s goal in tempting us to commit sex-sins, as well as all forms of iniquity, is to keep us from operating in our Spiritual Authority so that he can wreck-havoc in our lives, and of those who concern us. Homosexuality not only seeks to stop natural procreation and the family, but also to diminish and block the Spiritual Authority and power of the Church family.

Given the clarity of Scripture on this issue, the Church must not compromise on homosexuality. Accepting homosexuality among Church members, to the extent that we go along with such behaviors, is a direct challenge to the Authority of the Holy Bible. Allowing such behavior to go unchecked or “celebrated” within the Church undermines the Church’s witness to the world and distorts the Gospel. The Gospel calls all people to faith and repentance. God loves us, and His Commands are given in love. Faith accepts that and is content with Christ as Lord and living through us. (Gal. 2:20).

Church Leaders; Pastorships, elderships, deaconships, and other positions of authority require blamelessness and holiness. (Titus 1:6-9) Anyone who holds or aspires to be in such a role must be a person who is faithful to their spouse of the opposite sex. (I Tim. 3:2,12) Practicing homosexuals are thus disqualified from holding leadership roles in the Church, and no Church should allow those who are homosexuals to continue in such roles until they have completely forsaken such behavior and been restored.

Lastly, it is essential to distinguish between the sin practice of homosexuality, and the individuals who struggle with “same-sex attraction.” Christians who struggle with thoughts of attraction to the same sex should be encouraged by Church leadership and fellow Christians to “openly” discuss their weaknesses and struggles, and receive counseling and prayer for strength to resist such temptations. This is what we need to see more of in the Church, these are the images we need to see in commercials on television, movie theaters, and print media; people confessing and forsaking their sins, including the practice of homosexuality.

James 5:16, instructs us to confess our faults one to another and to pray for each other, as the prayers of the righteous yield much power. Additionally, the Church must teach believers who struggle with temptations of attraction to the same sex to examine their thought-life, and cast down all thoughts of sexual immortality. (II Cor. 10:4) Christians must learn to replace all evil thoughts with Scripture that stands against homosexuality and continually confess God’s promises of blessings for right relationships, which will work to keep them in perfect peace. (Is.26:3)

All born-again Christians must remain on guard, watch, and pray for the devil roams the earth seeking whom he may devour with temptations to sin. (I Pet. 5:8) There is no sinful action that can be committed unless we first have taken an evil thought and decided to yield to it. Moreover, if we sin, we don’t have to continue to practice it! Through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, our Faithful Friend, He extends to us mercy and grace to help in time of need. (Heb.4:16)

Jesus Christ is our Advocate forever before God and pleads our case and intercedes for us, and desires only to offer support and strength when we sin or struggle. (I John 2:1) Praise God, with Jesus, we never have to stay down, because we are the righteousness of God in Christ. We may fall seven times, and yet again we rise, and stand again. (Prov.24:16)

In closing, the Body of Christ, must affirm and hold steadfast to the Biblical teaching that homosexuality is sinful and incompatible with Christian life while also extending grace to those entangled in this sin. The Apostle Paul wrote at Galatians 6:1, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (ESV).

Our goal in correcting believers who practice homosexuality is always “restoration,” not condemnation. Our efforts are not to remove homosexuals from the Church, but through love and the power of the preaching of the Gospel to deliver them from the snare-trap of Satan so they may inherit with us the Kingdom of God.
To this end, the Church must emphasize the power of the Gospel to transform lives. I Corinthians 6:11 follows Paul’s list of sins that exclude people from the Kingdom of God with a powerful statement: “Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (ESV)

Some of the Corinthian believers had once been involved in the sins that Paul condemns, including homosexuality. But through the power of Christ, they were changed. The Church, therefore, must offer this hope to all sinners, including those struggling with homosexuality and same sex marriage within its hallowed walls. Given the epidemic America and the World is facing with homosexuality, we must coordinate and cooperate with all Churches and denominations to pool resources for preaching and teaching the Gospel, provide health supports, crisis hotlines, and counseling services.

What a great witness the Body of Christ could be to the world if we banded together and trusted in God and His Holy Word, and stood our ground against the practice of homosexuality and same sex marriage in our Churches. No matter the social pressure and persecution that would arise against the Church, if God be for us who can stand against us? (Rom. 8:31) The Church of Jesus Christ must never be ashamed, nor intimidated to preach the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who would believe.

How wonderful it would be for restored Christians to be able to tell their stories and witness their faith to fellow Christians and Non-Christians trapped in homosexuality and other sex sins; how the power of God delivered them from the bondage of sex sin. Jesus Christ said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Paul wrote at Romans 12:9, “Let love be without dissimulation (genuine and free from hypocrisy).” Let’s help every person in bondage to homosexuality live in truth and liberty.

We do not condemn the person practicing homosexuality or same sex marriage, but we call them to the altar of God to acknowledge, confess, and repent of their sins, and to receive forgiveness for their sins purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Together, with every homosexual practicing Christian and Non-Christian, we must be willing to pray earnestly for their deliverance from the stronghold of same sex relations and attractions. With their repentance, just as Jesus Christ forgave the woman caught in adultery, we then say, “we find no fault in you, “sin no more.” (John 8:11) Through such actions of love we stand on higher ground and grow deeper in our walk with Christ Jesus on earth. Amen, and thanks be unto God for the Preaching of the Word of the Living God.

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Sermon: “Hey, You Better Make Your Momma Proud!”
May 11, 2025

Hannah, who was barren, prayed unto God to look upon her affliction and give to her a son, and promised her man-child to the Lord all of his days. God honored her request and she conceived and gave birth and called his name Samuel, whose name means “Heard of God.” (I Sam. 1:11 &20)

By all accounts, Samuel made Hannah proud as he served God in many ways all the days of his life. Samuel was a key figure in the Old Testament and is known for his roles as the last judge of Israel, a military leader, seer, prophet, and kingmaker anointing both Saul and David.

God worked through Samuel because he was willing to be one thing: “God’s Servant,” just as Hannah’s inner-most desire had been declared unto God. (I Sam. 3:1-11)

Happy Mother’s Day to All Mothers, Especially to Those within the Household of Faith!

Introduction

On this Mother’s Day, I address this Sermon to every born-again Christian within the Body of Christ. Each of us has a mother, or mother figure, who is either alive, or who has gone on to be with the Lord, and they have left us with a rich legacy. By legacy I mean, our mothers have set before us long-lasting impacts of loving events and actions that were borne out of their sanctified and sacrificed hearts to God. In large measure, these events and actions have and are working to shape and mold us into what God has called us to be. That is, “Christs” within the earth.

Like Hannah, the mother of Samuel, in the born-again hearts of every mother is the deepest of all desires for her child; to witness her child “hear and heed to God’s call,” and say “Here am I.” (I Sam. 3:6-8) While it is true in the human experience that every mother wishes for their child’s happiness, well-being, and a fulfilling life, encompassing their health, emotional and financial stability, and the ability to pursue their dreams with love and full support. Even far greater though, within the heart of each Mom, is an eternal ambition that one day her child would be granted a “wise heart” and become the “Servant” of God.

A Christian mother knows her child is a precious gift from God, and belongs to Him alone. (Ps.127:3 & Matt.19:14) From the time the child is born into this world and handed over to her loving arms and bosom, she looks up to heaven and thanks God for the child, and lends them to the Lord for keeping. As such, when we were children growing up, our mothers nurtured and admonished us in the ways of God to prepare us for that Day when we would hear the Master Jesus Christ call us into the fold. (Eph. 6:4 & Prov. 22:6)

We were taken to Sunday school, Worship Services, read the Bible, taught to pray and say the blessing over meals, to give offerings, sing songs unto God, to love God and all people, to forgive those who wronged us, to honor and obey our parents, to be respectful of our elders and those in authority, to be helpful to our neighbors and all people, and when we stepped out of line with a firm hand (and on occasion with the rod, which comforted us) we received correction and were taught to apologize for our misbehavior.

Yes, these events and actions, and so much more, were taught to us with our mother’s inner-expectation, that one Day we would make the wise choice to say to the Lord, “Here I Am.”

“Here I Am” Means Voluntary Service to God Forever

Oh what joy it brings to a mother’s heart to see her child run to the altar of the Church and give their lives to Jesus Christ. A child’s first steps and words, graduations, proms, and wedding day are all great and special events that make a mother proud. But no proud moment in our mother’s hearts exceeds the Day when we give our lives to Jesus, and receive God’s Salvation. To every child born into the world, at the set time known only of God, God begins making the clarion Call to children; the Call to His godly seed to harvest for servanthood all of the days of their lives. We all remember the Day when we came to Jesus, and said literally, or figuratively, said the words “Here I Am.”

The words voluntarily spoken from the heart, “Here I Am,” signifies a humble and complete surrender to God’s Will. It is a declaration of readiness to serve and be used by God as the Lord sees fit. “Here I am” expresses thanksgiving to God for desiring to use us in spite of who we really are. In that most precious and holy moment, we are saying to God, “Just As I AM, Here I Am.”

Sometimes we hear the Voice of Jesus calling us into the fold at a young age and immediately respond, while others may respond much later in life for God never ceases to Call. My “Ace” friend Bishop Larry Dempsey’s father (Willy Dempsey) came to Jesus Christ for the first time in his late 80s. Still, no matter the age when we say “Here I Am,” the Call of Christ must be answered because we were predestinated to belong to the Master and to be molded into His image. (Rom.8:29) This is the real beauty of surrender and the way God uses us. He simply takes broken people, with unclean lips, who are not worthy of His Presence and Anointing, nor to be used; and God says, “I want to use you.”

Even now as I preach, I’m reminded of the Prophet Isaiah’s calling. In II Chronicles 26:16-23, it is recorded that after a 52-year reign of relative peace, King Uzziah of Judah died of leprosy, and in that same year Isaiah began his prophetic ministry. Then, we also find in Isaiah Chapter 6 in more detail how the prophet, through a vision from the Lord begins his ministry for God. In the vision, the Lord asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”(Is. 6:8) Isaiah’s response was to volunteer for service, saying, “Here am I, send me.”

In the vision Isaiah saw the Lord, “high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Is. 6:1)
The Lord had a Message to deliver to the nation of Judah, and He expresses His desire for a messenger in Verse 8, Isaiah’s exclamation “Here am I, send me” marked the very beginning of his ministry, the priest was now a prophet, and the Lord’s Message for Judah eventually would become the Book of Isaiah.

However, before Isaiah could say the words “Here Am I, send me,” he had a problem that had to be addressed. In Isaiah 6:5 it states how he was made aware of his own unworthiness, he wrote:

Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Standing in the Lord’s Presence, Isaiah is made painfully aware of his sin, and he is broken about it in the same way as were Job (Job 42:6) and Peter (Luke 5:8), when they were confronted with the Presence of the Lord. God was preparing Isaiah for his cleansing and commission.

After Isaiah acknowledges his sin, one of the seraphims in the Temple takes a burning piece of coal from the altar, touches Isaiah’s lips with it, and says, “See this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (Is. 6:7)

Some details are important here: Isaiah could not remove his own guilt of sin, the atonement is made possible by the altar; the place of sacrifice, and the purification is specifically applied to the point of Isaiah’s sin—his lips—making Isaiah acceptable as a minister of God’s words.

It is only after Isaiah is cleansed of his sin that he says, “Here am I; send me.” Prior to that point, he saw himself as an unworthy messenger. Once he was forgiven, he immediately desired to serve the Lord in whatever way possible. The Lord’s question, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” God desires willing volunteers in His service—and a grateful and enthusiastic Isaiah doesn’t hesitate in taking the opportunity: “Here am I; send me.” And for the rest of his life, Isaiah serves God who had forgiven and saved him.

In like manner, when we heard and headed the Call and came running to the altar to receive Jesus Christ, our lives were nothing more than sinful filthy rags. But, Jesus, who loved us, washed us from our sins in His own blood, our sins were forgiven past, present, and future; and we were made kings and priests unto God the Father. (Rev.1:5-6) Yes, the Day we were born-again, as our mothers witnessed our testimonies of conversion and water baptisms, they proudly rejoiced that their inner-most prayer had been answered. We were cleansed from all sin and commissioned as Ambassadors of God in Christ Jesus. From that Day forward only what we do for Christ matters and will endure all times.

Mothers Watch Over Our Service with God

Now Saints, let Proverbs 23:25 sink deeply into your souls and thought-life. King Solomon wrote:
Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice. (KJV)

The Message Bible states:

So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!
With the Triune God abiding in us, we can and must make our mothers proud of our Christian service all of our days on earth. Our mothers were made happy the Day we gave our lives to Christ and expression of our willingness to serve the Lord. But, they also understood that our Christian journey had just begun and our commitment to Christ is everlasting. No matter our age, our mothers concern themselves with our spiritual development and maturation in Christ Jesus.

Our mothers are never willing to let us passively live the Christian life and serve God. No, no, no. The Christian mother prays ceaselessly for her child, is always there to provide instruction, correction, and encouragement in accordance with the Word of God.

No matter the problem the child is confronted with, Momma has the solution: With confidence, she boldly declares “God will make everything all right.”

In the born-again heart of every Christian mother there is a bodacious expectation that her child will overcome every trial, tribulation, and/or persecution that comes their way, and that the child is also equipped to endure the chastening of the Lord and remain in complete service to God all the days of their lives on earth. Oh yes, mothers expect to see “all” that she has invested in raising her child come to full fruition.

Now, let me also say a few words to those Saints whose mothers are deceased and present with the Lord in Heaven. I want to comfort and reassure you that they are looking down and cheering you on; to with excellence be all that God has Called you to be in His service.

In my most humble opinion, it seems odd that in Christian Circles, so many Christians assume the Saints, including our mothers, who have made their transition to Heaven and are present with the Lord are completely ignorant of what’s happening here on Earth where the great drama of redemption is unfolding. Dear Lord, wouldn’t we think the citizens of Heaven are far more enlightened about the progression of salvation on earth, not less?

The Apostle Paul wrote at I Corinthians 13:12:

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

This Verse signifies that while on earth our current understanding of God and the world is limited and imperfect, like seeing a blurry reflection, but in the future when we get to heaven, our understanding and knowledge of God and truth will be made much more complete and clear. Further, Paul’s writing speaks of knowing in part in our earthly life, but “knowing fully” in the next, implying a recognition of each other’s character and deeds when we get to heaven. The great hymnal entitled, “When the Morning Comes” says, “By and by, when the morning comes, when the saints of God are gathered home, we will tell the story how we’ve overcome; we will understand it better by and by.”

Praise God, while we cannot fully understand all things from Heaven’s perspective now, the Holy Bible does provide us with clues that suggests that our loved one’s in Heaven are aware and are watching some events that go on in our lives. In the case of mothers, I duly believe that a mother’s love for her children is never forsaken. So rich and deep is her love, compassion, and concern for her children that she is comforted by Christ concerning their security and well-being.

There is no fear in Heaven only faithful fulfillment of the eternal Promises of God. Mother’s in Heaven, I believe, rest in a revealed knowledge that there child is protected and guarded by assigned angels to bring forth their salvation, and so they peer over the balconies of Heaven and cheer their children on to victory.

Here is some of the evidence in the Holy Bible that the Saints in Heaven are aware of events in the earth. For example, Saints please be reminded of the martyrs in Revelation Chapter 6, who knew that God had not yet brought judgment on those who had killed them. It’s likely that they knew many other things about what is happening on Earth. At Revelation 6:9-11 it is written:

“I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’
Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.”

This Passage demonstrates that those in Heaven are the same people; only relocated. There’s continuity of identity from this life to the next. Those we love who are there now are part of what Hebrews 12:23 calls the “righteous men made perfect.”

Notice that the martyrs are aware of what happens on earth when they ask God, “How long… until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” They know those who killed them haven’t yet been judged. That means the martyrs remember their lives on earth; even that they were murdered. Some say people in Heaven can’t remember or see life on earth because knowing of evil would diminish Heaven’s happiness. But that is not so. Saints, the key to Heaven’s joy and our perfection as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven is not ignorance, but perspective, knowing that our afflictions experienced on earth are not to be compared with the glory revealed in heaven when we meet the Lord and dwell in mansions on high. (Rom. 8:18 & John 14:1-2)

Saints, another example of people aware of events on earth, is when called from Heaven to the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah “appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:31). Moses and Elijah seemed fully aware of what was transpiring on earth, and what God was about to do.
Another excellent witness in Scripture for your consideration is Luke 15:7, where Jesus Christ referred to the “rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.” Similarly, Jesus said, at Luke 15:10 that “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Glory to God, Jesus did not say that the angles are the ones rejoicing, but “in the presence” of the angels of God. Surely this includes Saints in Heaven, who would be overjoyed by human conversions, especially of those they knew and loved on earth. To rejoice over conversions on earth, they must be aware of what is happening on earth, not generally, but specifically.

Furthermore, Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” The writer of Hebrews invokes the image of Greek competitions watched by throngs of fans sitting high in ancient stadiums. With the Saints who have gone before us are called a “great cloud of witnesses.” This imagery suggest those Saints, veteran spiritual athletes, watch us and cheer us on from the great stadium of Heaven. Note, that the witnesses are said to “surround” us, not just those who have preceded us.
As such, I submit that the Earth is center stage, awaiting the universe’s climactic event: Christ’s return. In Heaven, our Great High Priest Christ Jesus watches closely what transpires on earth, especially in the lives of believers. (Rev. 2-3) If God’s attention is on earth, why wouldn’t the attention of His loyal citizens of Heaven be here too; faithfully watching over us as we work as Ambassadors for Christ? They all are watching as we perform the works of Christ and greater works.

Make Momma Proud, Become Like Jesus, a Servant of All People

The Holy Bible makes clear that, when we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will desire to serve God. When our hearts are regenerated, we become new creations in Christ, our hearts are made complete with the Spirit of the Life and Mind of Jesus Christ. (II Cor. 5:17 & Col. 3:3-4) Christ lives through us, and inherent in our relationship with God and knowing Him, is the desire to serve Him. Search your hearts right now and prove for your own selves that Christ is in you, and confirm the desire to serve only Him. (II Cor. 13:5) You only have a desire to worship God in spirit and in truth; for we are His true worshippers!

When we look at Jesus’ Life, there’s no denying that He was the “consummate servant” to all people. (Php. 2:5-11) Jesus’ entire life was centered on serving God; by teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom. (Matt. 4:23) Jesus exclaimed that, “He came not to be ministered (served) but to minister (serve) and give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28).

Then, on the night of His arrest, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, leaving them with a final teaching to serve one another: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:12-17) Since Jesus’ Public Ministry on earth was all about serving, and God has predestinated us to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus, then our walk with Christ must be all about service to God and one another. Jesus and all of the witnesses in Heaven are watching us serve others in unfeigned love and obedience to the Word of God.

Genuine service cannot be separated from love. We can go through the motions of serving God, but if our hearts are not in it, we are missing the point of the Christian life. First Corinthians 13 makes it clear that, unless our service is rooted in love, it’s meaningless. Serving God out of a sense of obligation or duty, apart from love for God, is not what He desires. Rather, serving God should be our natural love-filled response to Him who loved us first. (I John 4:9-11)

The Apostle Paul is a great example of how having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ results in a life of service. Prior to his conversion, Paul persecuted and killed believers, thinking he was serving God. But after he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he immediately devoted the rest of his life to truly serving God by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Acts 9:20) Paul describes this transformation in 1 Timothy 1:12-14, writing:

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Once Paul became aware of the love and grace that God had given him, his response was to serve God. Indeed, the Holy Bible offers many motivations for our service. For example, we want to serve God because “we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,” (Heb. 12:28) because our service supplies “the needs of the Lord’s people,” (II Cor.9:12), because our service proves our faith and causes others to praise God (II Cor. 9:13), and because God sees and rewards our labor of love. (Heb. 6:10) Each of these is a good reason to serve God and not grow weary and faint. (Gal. 6:9)

Saints, we can give away only what we’ve first received. The reason we can love and serve God is that He first loved and served us through Jesus Christ. The more we are aware of and experience God’s love in our own lives, the more prone we are to respond in love by serving Him and in turn others. If you want to serve God, the key is to get to know Him by spending earnest time in study of God’s Word and prayer. This is what the events and activities our mothers exposed us to in our youth were intended to accomplish.

Ask the Holy Ghost to reveal more of God to you, and as your relationship with God deepens in love and affection, God will bring you into assignments of service to accomplish Divine Purposes. (John 16:13). When we truly know God, who is love, our natural response is a desire to love and serve Him in return. And, to each act of service required of us, we will say “Here Am I, send me.” (1 John 4:8) Every believer in Christ has been called and anointed to do the works of Christ and greater works, (John 14:12) and also called into specialized services to the local Church. Here are a few examples:

• Sunday School and Bible study teachers
• Children and youth leaders
• Administrators
• Secretaries
• Janitors and maintenance workers to upkeep the building and grounds
• Transportation workers for children or others unable to drive
• Outreach workers
• Ushers and greeters
• Choir members and soloists
• Musicians
• Music directors, song leaders, etc.
• Audio and video technicians
• Website administrators and social media coordinators
• Treasurers and accountants
• Kitchen workers
• Nursery workers

Every member of a Church or Ministry should be serving in some way, and every servant of the Lord should remember that it’s more than just serving others; it’s loving them. Paul wrote, “Serve one another humbly in love.” (Gal. 5:13) Serving within and outside of the Church walls can take on many forms: babysitting for a young couple to give them a night out, preparing a meal for a family struck by illness, visiting the elderly or housebound widow, or just picking up a phone and saying, “I was thinking about you today.” Christians may busy themselves in tasks of service like the ones listed above, but endless performing, without love, is meaningless. (I Cor. 13:1-3) As we go about serving God and others, let us do so with a spirit of humility and brotherly love. (Php. 2:1-4) For in doing these things we are pleasing in the sight of God, will be rewarded in Heaven, and we make our mothers proud.

In closing, the Apostle Peter addresses the importance of serving God in I Peter 4:10-11 wrote:

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Peter makes it clear that we have received our gifts from God for two purposes; to serve others and to bring praise to God. Serving is not about us receiving attention or glory; it is for God to receive glory.

This is what our mothers are expecting from our walk with the Lord; to do good works that bring glory to God the Father. When we are converted, we are required to strengthen our brothers and sisters. (Luke 22:32) Our mothers are watching, so make them proud with becoming a personal “Christ” for all people. Amen for the preaching of the Word of the Living God.

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May 4, 2025
Sermon Part 5: “A Dull Blade Does Not Serve Its Purpose!”

Throughout the Body of Christ we miss a golden opportunity to grow-up in God in Christ Jesus when we refuse to fellowship across Churches, denominations, and with born-again Christians individually to share our knowledge of the Word of God.
Oh, why do we let differences in beliefs, doctrines, and practices divide us, when we all believe in Jesus Christ and His finished works of the cross and Resurrection, and Ascension to the right hand throne of God the Father which binds us together for all eternity?

Good Morning and Happy Sunday Saints!

Today’s Sermon is an Addendum to the open Letter I wrote and preached on Easter Sunday entitled: “America, Only Look At The Man in the Middle (Jesus Christ)!”

As born-again Christians, if we “set” all of our attention and affection on Jesus Christ and His sufferings on the cross, every tribulation (problem, affliction, disagreement) we face in our nation and around the world would be seen through the lense of God Almighty. Praise God, you can’t focus all your attention and affection on Jesus on the cross and remain the same for His Great Sacrifice roles away the burdens of your heart, and humbles and changes your heart to see life, humanity, and the world as God sees it! God sees the cosmos and every person and thing therein in need of Jesus, the Savior of the world!

If we focus on the cross, we become smitten, slain, and overtaken by the Love of Christ and are compelled to grab hold-of and love-on every person as Jesus has loved us. Together, we then would all stand-up for God and the Word of God as “One Church” and conquer the social, political, religious, and racial issues that we have for so long allowed to sorely divide us. Every thing that we would ask of God, according to His Word, would be granted to us! (John 14:14 & I John 5:14-15)

To this end, on Easter Sunday, we called on every Church, denomination, and born-again Christian in America (and for that matter around the world) by faith to return in a “spirit of togetherness” to the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ, and to remember the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection from the dead on the third-day.
We casted aside all personal vanities of religious, political, social, gender, and organizational identifications; to put on who we really are in Christ before the world. For we are the Church of Jesus Christ; we are all members of the Body of Christ! (Rom.12:5)

For example, at the foot of the cross, no longer should we identify ourselves as Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, or Episcapalians. We are not democrates, republicans, nor independents. We are not black or white, nor male or female. We are not a fraternity or sorority brother or sister. We are only “Christians; new creations of Christ Jesus!” (II Cor. 5:17) Even now, the Spirit of God urges that we listen and adhere to the admonition of the Apostle Paul at II Corinthians 13:5. Paul wrote:

Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. Test your own selves. Know ye not yourselves how Jesus Christ is in you, unless ye be reprobates?

Paul directs us to self-assess and reflect to confirm the presence of Jesus Christ in our hearts through genuine faith. Examine your born-again heart and ask whether Jesus Christ is living in you, or are you a reprobate (a sinner already condemned to hell). Of course you are not a reprobate, your life is hidden in Christ Jesus. (Col. 3:3-4) As such, Christ is your life, and you no longer are to live unto yourself; but unto Jesus alone. Jesus Christ has preeminence over all nomenclatures in your life!

So my dearly beloved Saints we must never forget that its at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ where we have our “commonality.” For while we all were yet sinners and destined for death, hell, and destruction, Jesus died for us. (Rom.5:8) At the foot of the cross, is where all of our sins were blotted out, the blood of Jesus healed all of our sicknesses and diseases, and where we must heap-up and bundle together all of our societal problems and related pains, as well as every religious issue that seeks to divide us, and once and for all times cast them all on our Faithful Friend and Great High Priest Jesus Christ, who cares much for us. (I Pet.5:7)

On Christ’s cross, God reconciled the world unto Himself and He has given to us the “Ministry of Reconciliation.” (II Cor. 5:18) At the cross, we learn and remember to forgive and love “every person” as Christ has loved us, and embrace the Truth that we all have been reconciled in God in Christ. In Christ, there are no denominations and separate Church-affiliations. Rather, there are only beloved-believers joined one to another in love in Him.

As One Body, we are to know that God has called and chosen “every person” in the world to be a part of His royal family through belief in Jesus Christ. God’s Salvation is for everybody. As the Body of Christ, we are priviledged to serve as Christ’s Ambassadors sent forth into the world with the Message of Reconciliation to the world of bringing all people to God, through Jesus Christ who loves them.

We have not been sent separately into the world with the Message of Reconciliation, but “together” to go into every town and hamlet with the gospel. To win the world to Jesus Christ requires complete collaboration and coordination among all Christian Churches, denominations, and born-again Christians individually. There is no one Christian organization or person greater than the other; we all need each other.

Moreover, because the Love of God abides throughout our born-again hearts, we are to esteem every brother and sister in Christ greater than ourselves. (Rom. 5:5 & Php. 2:3) Oh, how good and pleasant the Church of Jesus Christ would be if we all would pour out of our respective Churches into the streets and greet one another and say: “Good morning my brother or sister in Christ, we are all a part of God’s Body, and I consider you greater than myself!” Any Christian that would resist or refuse such efforts to love and fellowship with other precious believers, have only identified themselves as Christians, but do not yet have a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. They desparately need to return to the foothills of Calvary and look upon the Sacrificed Body of Christ and be revived again to a lively hope in Him! Its nice to see Christians adnorning crosses around their necks, but far greater it is to offer to place their crosses around the necks of other Christians!

Given that we are Commanded to love one another and esteem one another better than the other, we must not allow any social or religious issue to keep us from working together to fulfill the Great Commision. (Mark 16:15-18) With a new determination, we must pick up our Holy Bibles, God’s gift to us on holy living, and “sharpen one another” with it. For far too long we have mishandled the Holy Bible; using it as a weapon against one another to accuse, belittle, murder, and justfiy divisions among us.

Yet, Ecclesiates 4:9-12 instructs us in the importance of teamwork; working together for common benefit. The Passage states, “That two are better than one, because they have a good return on their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. The Holy Bible is our tool for effective and efficient teamwork building.

There is no book on earth as the Holy Bible, for it is the “Heart Beat” of God for Mankind’s betterment. The writer of the Book of Hebrews stated:
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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. (Heb. 4:12)

The Word of God is a sword that is sharp and penetrating. The Word of God applied cuts through all doubt and unbelief, defenses against God and His Kingdom, and exposes a person’s inner-most thoughts and desires. Further, at II Timothy Chapters 2 and 3, the Apostle Paul instructs us to be students of the Word of God who are able to rightly divide the Word of truth. Every born-again Christian must be well-schooled in the Truth because we work for the Lord. Paul stated:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Tim. 2:15)

Then at II Timothy 3:16-17 he wrote:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Holy Bible is God’s inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, “daily” we must study the Word and apply it to our lives. The Holy Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. We live in the world’s system which is full of lies and deceptions perpetrated by Satan. Thus, it should be every Chuches’, denominations’, and Christians’ desire that we all know the Truth, God’s Word is Truth, and contains no error.

Further the Holy Scriptures are our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live; forever transforming our Character, Behavior, and Performance to be like Jesus.The Holy Bible is our only source of knowledge about how all people can be saved and equipped to live victoriously in this world.

In our quest for the Truth of the Holy Scriptures, we must never forget its Purpose; to equip us to do God-good in the world. We should not study God’s Word simply to increase our knowledge, or to prepare us to win arguments and debates with Christians and non-Christians. Rather, we must study the Scriptures so that we will know how to do God’s work and share that knowledge with other believers to promote spirutal growth and maturity througout the Body of Christ. This is a major problem in the Body of Christ, we do not freely share will all Christians what we know; and this makes us spiritually dull, dull, dull!
Additionally, as a part of our New Covenant with God in Christ, we are not to forsake the “assembling together” of our ouselves in fellowship across the Body of Christ. The writer of Hebrews exorts:

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but exorting one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Heb.10:24-25)

In Christian Circles, most Churches and denominations view this Covenant Commandment as relating only to assembling together regularly, as necessary, with members of their own congregations for worship and fellowship. But, the writer really is calling us to a higher-level of fellowship with all of the Saints, regardless of Church affiliation. As such, the Body of Christ must change its “mind-set” to seek opportunities, as often as we can, to join our worship services to exort one another as we see the Day of the Lord approaching. For how can we truthfully say we love one another and esteem the other greater, if we make no concerted efforts to worship and fellowship with Christian organizations and born-again Christians outside of our religious cliques?

The picture above depicts two Christians shouting at each other and standing apart because of their personal religious views. This truly mirrors the majority of the Church world today; arguing, separating, and neglecting one another over doctrinal issues: We are clashing over issues such as the nature of God, the person of Jesus Christ, salvation, baptisms, the role of the Holy Ghost and gifts and empowerments of the Spirit, biblical interpretation, Church leadership, and end-times theology. Also, we are clashing over biblical interpretations and applications on contemporary issues such as homosexuality, same-sex-marriage, abortion, social justice, immigration and so forth. 

Long-standing disagreements on issues of religion and contemporary social problems have caused many born-again Christians to not venture into broaching hot-button topics with one another. How many times at family and social gatherings have people reminded themselves not to talk about three topics: religion, politics, and money? 

But as noted earlier, our commonality is at the cross of Christ, and through recognition that we all have been made “One” in Him, there is no issue facing us that cannot be discussed and resolved the Bible Way. Through the power of the Word of God, the Holy Ghost, and prayer we can come to a place of understanding and agreement on every issue, no matter how long it may seem to take. 

While it may take time to reach agreement on certain tenants within doctrines, practices, and traditions; we must continue to collaborate and cooperate with each other on fulfilling the Great Commission. As we willingly bind ourselves together to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, God will release the Spirit of Complete Unity on us to strengthen and fortify us to walk in peace and love, as we navigate through issues and differences. 

As long as we allow our differences to serve as the reason for divisions, we all suffer as “dull knives” within the Body of Christ. In the natural, there is nothing worse than a dull knife; a less than sharp knife in your Butcher Block or Tool Box. 

Having to use a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one because it requires more force to cut the food or object, and increases the risk of slips and cuts, and injuries. Moreover, using a dull knife makes cutting foods in desired proportions more difficult and time-consuming.

In like manner, in spiritual things, when Churches, denominations, and born-again Christians individually have not taken the time to sharpen one another with the Word of God; we become dull and less effective in doing our work for God. When unskilled in handling the Word, we can misquote Scripture, add or subtract from Scripture, miss understand and apply Scripture in situations, create false doctrines, mislead others down wrong paths for years and even generations, as well as let precious Promises from the Word of God slip.

Church-leadership within the Five-Fold Ministries must not be intimidated and fearful of gathering our congregations together for “meal-times” in the Word of God. We must be willing to allow the Holy Ghost to have complete control over our worship services; especially our preaching and teaching to bring enlightenment, admonishment, and encouragement in the faith. We should be eager to have fellowships with Churches and denominations different from ours; sharing and imparting our knowledge of Scripture with one another. Look at the following picture and answer a couple of questions:

As we see these two young men studying the Word of God, assume that the born-again Christian on the left attends a Methodist Church, and the born-again Christian on the right attends a Pentecostal Church, tell me: (1) who is benefitting from their fellowship in the Word of God? (2) Who is getting the glory through their fellowship in the Word?

The answer is: Both Christians are benefitting by sharpening each other in the Word of God, and God is being glorified through their study and sharing of the Word. Tell me Saints, when was the last time you sat down with another Christian, from a different Church or denomination, and “studied” the Word of God together to gain mutual spiritual understanding and growth; to sharpen each other as the Day of the Lord approaches?

Most Christians do not seek to form such fellowships, and as a result become “dull blades” in God’s Tool Box, and fail to do God-good works in the world as He has purposed. Moreover, sadly, the majority of born-again Christians across denominations infrequently study the Word of God for themselves, with the majority reporting they read Scripture about “once a week” (Outside of Church), according to a Pew Research Center. But Jesus Christ said, “It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Luke 4:4) Infrequent consumption of God’s Word leaves the spirit of a man famished!

Our Faithful Friend Jesus Christ also said at Matthew 18:18-20:
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Wouldn’t it be an all-powerful event to have our brothers and sisters in Christ from different Churches and denominations come together and study-out, and pray the Word of God, on any topic that confronts us today in America and around the world? Jesus Christ would come into our midst, and as His spiritual kings and priests we would exercise “Spiritual Authority,” to bind Satan and the forces of darkness, and lose Heaven’s goodness on America and the world. While sharpening each other in the Word, God would get all the glory!

In Malachi 3:16, the Prophet extolled the benefits of coming together to study and find understanding in the Word and God.

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

When we sharpen one another in sincere Christian fellowship, the Lord bends an ear from Heaven and is pleased. Not one Word about the Lord which brings Him glory escapes His notice! Our lead Scripture for this Session is Proverbs 27:17. The Life Application Bible reads: “Iron sharpens iron; so a friend sharpens a friend.” Since Jesus Christ is our Friend, and we are in Him, every born-again Christian should consider themselves the friend of every other believer.

Now, we know there is mutual benefit in the rubbing of two iron blades together; as the edges become sharper, and this makes the blades sharper and more efficient in their task to cut and slice. Likewise, as I noted earlier, the Word of God is a “double-edged sword,” and we sharpen one another in times of meeting, fellowship, or any other interaction. (Heb. 4:12) Proverb 27:17 also indicates the need for constant fellowship with one another.

There is a mental sharpness that comes from being around fellow born-again Christians for we all possess the Mind of Jesus Christ in our hearts. A meeting of the minds in the Word of God can help people see their ideas with new clarity, refine them, and shape them into brilliant insights. This however requires partners who can challenge each other and stimulate thought; I mean people who focus on the idea without involving their egos in the discussion; people who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker. Two friends who bring their ideas together can help each other become sharper.

From the beginning of Creation, “Man” was not made to be alone, for did not God say this? (Gen. 2:18) If in the natural, Man was not meant to be alone, how much more, then, after the Fall of Man, with regard to spiritual matters, do we need to come together with our brothers and sisters in Christ for seasons of fellowship, study in the Word, and prayer? No Church, denomination, or Christian individually should seek to be alone; but to always search for opportunities to show themselves friendly to fellow believers everywhere. Jesus is patiently waiting, even with long-suffering, for us to come together to study the Word of God.

The need for Complete Unity was clearly recognized by the Saints of the early Church who devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, which were all corporate activities that provided opportunities for sharpening one another. Most notably, they “continued steadfastly” in the “Apostles’ doctrine,” and supernatural blessings multiplied and many people daily were added to the Church such as should be saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb.13:18) Why then do we need to add or subtract from the doctrine espoused by the Apostles? We must not! If we study the Apostles’ Doctrine and apply it in everyday living with other fellow believers, the Lord will add daily to the Church such as should be saved.

Returning to the analogy of a dull knife, if a knife is blunt, it still continues to be a knife, although it is less effective; less useful in service. Let us therefore be encouraged to spend more time together, exhorting, encouraging, praying, admonishing, and sharing God’s Word so that we may go forth throughout our nation and the world as One bright light with the Ministry of Reconciliation.

Throughout the Body of Christ, we should make every effort to “regularly” come together and sharpen one another in the Holy Scriptures related to the Great Commission, and then work together to fulfill the Commandment of Christ in our streets and homes across America. (Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18 & Luke 24:46- 49) Among born-again Christian small groups, Churches and denominations we should study and share and learn from each other on effectively taking the Gospel Message to our families, friends, and communities to win them to Christ. We should study the Holy Bible together on how best to witness Christ, and defend the faith, with people of different religions and non-religious people in the world. This is the work God wants us to undertake as the Body of Christ, rather than arguing and dividing over elementary doctrinal issues and contemporary social issues.

So I close now with a prayer. Lord God, thank you for giving to us Jesus Christ our Faithful Friend and Great High Priest. Thank you that we abide in Christ’s Love, and that perfect Love casts out fear and torment. Help us to lean on and trust in Christ’s Love that abides in our hearts. Give to us the strength and courage to move out of our vain and decrepit comfort zones and reach out to every Born-again Christian individually, Church, and denomination who profess the name of Jesus Christ that you place in our pathway, to engage in worship and study of the Holy Bible together. It is our ardent desire Lord to be used by you in every way you see fit. You are the Potter and we are the clay; continue to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ so that you may be glorified in the earth.

May we resolve to be used in your Service as “razor-sharp” cutting instruments that lovingly collaborate and coordinate our efforts with other fellow believers in study and application to fulfill the Great Commission to win the lost to Christ, and do the same works and greater works of Jesus Christ as He is seated at the right hand throne of God the Father. Furthermore, help us to always see that Jesus’ Sacrifice on the cross is greater than any doctrinal issue, or social issue, that we face in the world today, and give to us the wisdom and revelation on how best to resolve all matters of differences among us according to your Word in love and peace. In Jesus name we pray, and may the grace and peace of the Lord be multiplied to all of the Saints of the Most-High God. Amen.

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