SERMONS

April 27, 2025

Sermon Part 4: “The Blind Church Fails To See Jesus Christ As He Is!”

Good Morning Saints!

I will simply say: God in Christ Jesus is Love! (I John 4:8)

Introduction 

Saints, here is a question for you, and for every born-again Christian, and Church Leader in the USA and around the world: How many people in the world today has God predestinated to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ? How many people has God Chosen, Called, Justified, and Glorified? (Rom. 8:29-30)

The answer is: God has predestinated every person born into this world to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. (John 3:16 & II Pet. 3:9) God wants all people to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. (Mark16:15-18) God wants all people to be His children and to inherit the Kingdom of God. As such, no person on earth should go unfed of both natural food and spiritual food (The Word of God). (Luke 4:4)

Since God desires for all people to be saved, why then don’t we as born-again Christians treat every person on the planet the same; to love them as much as we love Jesus Christ? Why don’t we seek to be the friend of every person, as Jesus Christ is our Friend? For we are all a part of God’s Body!

America Lacks Spiritual Vision

Not long ago, I had a conversation with a born-gain Christian woman, and she inquired about the work of our Ministry. As a recent example of our Ministry work, I began sharing with her our coordinated efforts with a Church in the Philippines (Jesus for All Nations) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, feed the hungry, and provide other support services.

Below are pictures of some of the precious adult and children souls in a village in Misamis Oriental, Philippines, as well as the brand new Shelter for Worship that we are helping to construct with the Jesus for All Nations Church under the Leadership of Pastor Lizzane Katrina Pudol Dailo. (We are prayerful to have Pastor Dailo with us latter this summer.)

Members of the Church family in the Village.

Snack of Rice Soup for the children.

Christmas Feast prepared for the Village.

Morning Prayer Service with Children and youth.

New Worship Shelter with Comfort Room and Kitchen under construction.

As I was talking about our Ministry efforts, the woman interrupted and said, “That’s nice Pastor Darryl, but I only help my fellow African American brothers and sisters who I see begging for bread on streets in Washington, D.C.” She continued saying her belief is that, as “black people, we have to look after our own before we can be concerned about others in foreign lands.” Then she shared a few details about her own efforts to help impoverished black people in her neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C., as well as her plans to acquire an assisted living home for the elderly there.

When she finished, I paused for a moment to catch myself, as she had rather rudely interrupted me after having asked about our Ministries’ work, to flood the conversation about her own work. It was as if providing natural and spiritual assistance to people in need in the Philippines was irrelevant, and not worth talking about.

I congratulated her on assisting blacks in her neighborhood, and she went on talking about other things. I did not get the chance to finish what I was going to say in response to her. But, I find this kind of attitude troubling and pervasive in many Christian Circles across America, and the world. This belief that it’s a righteous thing to “only” have compassion on a certain segment of the human population. Many Christians in our country pledge and demonstrate greater allegiance and support to people based on race, culture, sexual orientation, economic status, physical and intellectual abilities, Church affiliation, or denomination.

We expect this kind of behavior from people and organizations in the world who do not know Jesus Christ. But, for those who claim to know the name of Jesus, who is the Friend of all people, this is not God’s way!

I had planned to say to the woman, as I often do with other born-again Christians when talking about our service for Christ; that God has filled us all with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost and power. (Acts 1:8) The Holy Ghost dwells within our hearts; and has shed the “Love of God” throughout our hearts. (Rom.5:5)

This means that the Love of God within us has no limits to its acts of kindness, tender-heartedness, and forgiveness for all people. The Love of God is no respecter of persons, and instead seeks to favor everybody! Jesus Christ has Commanded that we Love every person as He has loved us. (John 13:34 & Eph. 4:32)

The woman’s desire to only be of assistance to “black people,” and specifically to those within her neighborhood, is called “Spiritual Blindness.” For example, suppose she encountered Iranian immigrants begging bread on the same street corners in her neighborhood, would it be a “righteous” act for her to ignore them and refuse to help because of the color of their skin? In her heart, wouldn’t the love of God through the Holy Ghost, compel her to help Iranian people, just as she would help black people?

Now thinking globally, I ask this. Are the pains and groaning of a hungry precious human being living in Barry Farms Southeast, Washington, D.C. any greater than the pains of hunger of a precious human being living in impoverished nations such as Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, or Haiti? I tell you the Truth, the Holy Ghost desires that “All” people be assisted in a “Time” of need.

Moreover, consider with humility the souls of every precious person in the world, are they not all needing to hear the gospel preached to the winning of their souls to Christ Jesus? Do we all not need our Friend Jesus to come and quench our thirsty souls with the Living Water that He alone can provide? (John 7:38) Should the gospel of Jesus Christ only be preached on Street corners in Barry Farms, Southeast, or should it be preached in every hamlet and village around the world; calling every person to repentance? The name of Jesus Christ as been given to all men so that they might be saved. (Acts 4:12)

“Spiritual Blindness” refers to a state where a person or group of people are unable to perceive or understand Spiritual Truths in the Word of God. Essentially, the person or group of people are “blind” to the reality of the spiritual realm, often due to a lack of exercise in faith in the Word of God, or a deliberate rejection of the Word and its Divine Message. Moreover, Spiritual Blindness implies a lack of insight into one’s own, or the groups’ own spiritual condition, and an inability to see God’s Will clearly; even when presented with evidence from the Word of God.

Many people in the world are Spiritually Blind because they are sinners and their hearts are darkened by Satan, not having yet received Jesus Christ, the Light of the world to regenerate their hearts. (I Cor. 2:14, II Cor. 4:4, & John 8:12) Then, within the Body of Christ, we have many Church Leaders and born-again Christians and who are Spiritually Blind because they refuse to believe, trust, and obey the Truths of God’s Word. (Heb. 5:12-14)

Saints, God does not want any born-again Christian, Church Assembly, or denomination to walk Blind to any Truth in the Holy Bible. For blind people can only lead other blind people into a ditch together! (Matt.15:14)

The quickest and most certain way to fall into a spiritual ditch is by failing to love every person on the planet, without condition or merit. Saints, right now, if there is any person or group of people that you are not willing to love as much as you love Jesus Christ, you are “Spiritually Blind!” (This includes convicted felons, murderers, crooked politicians, the immoral, the racists, atheists and agnostics.) I caution everyone who lacks a “loving way” for all people to watch their step for they are on course to land in a spiritual ditch!

Just imagine the kind of “Time” that is wasted by born-again Christians, Churches, and denominations who find themselves trapped in a spiritual ditch all because they fail to walk in love towards all people, as Jesus has loved them. Isn’t it a sad state of affairs to see three or four churches occupying all four corners of a street intersection, and yet they all have no fellowship with one another?

As stated throughout this Series, in America, we have approximately 200-separate Christian denominations in the United States, and 45,000-denominations world-wide, and rarely is there “active” fellowship among any of them. Can any one of us readily report-out what “planned and coordinated work” our Churches and denominations across America are doing together to advance the Kingdom of God?

Moreover, who is keeping track of the efforts being made to “Unify” our Churches and denominations as “One” body in Christ Jesus? Since we all claim Jesus Christ as our “Friend,” we must all become “friendly” with each other to the exclusion of none!

Spiritually Blinded Christians, Churches, and denominations who have fallen into a ditch have only one way out, as in their own ability they have no strength to climb out. They must call on Jesus Christ, our Friend and Great High Priest, to come and rescue them out of their troubles by opening their eyes to see as Jesus sees all people of the world. (Heb.7:25 & I John 4:20) Yes, “All” lives matter to God.

Regarding the woman I was talking to: My plan was to encourage her, to from her heart, to see Jesus Christ as He is seated at the right-hand throne of God the Father and Great High Priest, and ask the Holy Ghost to open-up her spiritual eyes and heart to see the whole world as Jesus does. For we have the Mind of Christ. (I Cor. 2:16)

JESUS LOVES THE COSMOS AND ALL CONTAINED THERE IN!

Frankly speaking, given the wide-schism within the Christian Community in the United States and abroad today, with racism and doctrinal infighting and more, we all need to see Jesus as He is, and ask the Holy Ghost to open our spiritual eyes and hearts to see the world as He does. And to see His Church as He sees it; for we are all “One.” We all need to make the decision to “set” our affections on things above and not on the things in the earth. (Col.3:1) We need to make heavenly things our focus, instead of earthly things. 

In light of eternity, God has called us to prioritize “spiritual values” far above “worldly values.” We are to be consumed with the passions of Jesus Christ, as He is seated at the right-hand throne of God the Father. Jesus is impassioned about seeing to it that every person in the world receives salvation. (Mark 16:15) Jesus is impassioned about continually making intercession before God for the infirmities and weaknesses of His people; advocating before the Father on the basis of His finished work on the cross. (Heb. 7:25) Jesus is impassioned about every believer in Him coming into the “Unity” of faith in His finished works on the cross. (Eph. 4:13)

Well Praise God, as Jesus is so are we in this world. (I John 4:17) We are Christ’s preachers of the gospel to win the lost, as well as His priest to serve as intercessors for the people of the world and Saints of God. (Rev.1:5-6) As intercessors, we are to live continually seeking to be the “friend” of all people, both of sinners and Christians, and to diligently work together to bring Unity and Peace within the Body of Christ.

God in Christ Jesus’ motive for making us intercessors is so that we might have “Unity” among all men and nations. So that we might all be “One” in God in Christ Jesus. It is not possible for any born-again Christian, Church, or denomination seeking to live in the Truth of God’s Word to misunderstand or misinterpret this call of God to Unity among us!

The Holy Bible plainly tells us we are called into “One” Body, and we are admonished to strive to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (I Cor. 12:12-27, Eph. 4:1-6, & Rom. 12:4-5) Yet, how much earnest preaching, teaching, and practical application do we hear from our nation’s pulpits about moving into active and continual fellowship with Church denominations and Church affiliations outside of our own cliques?

I highlight Romans 12:5 which states: “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
My, my, my. We all need to flow-out of our Churches around the world, drop our denomination and Church-affiliation nonsense, hug and congratulate each other, and rejoice in the “Truth,” that God in Christ has made us all “One’ body in Christ, and members one to another in the Spirit! We all have been made to drink of the same Spirit of Christ. (I Cor.12:13)

Ephesians 4:5-6 states:
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say we are 45,000-Christian denominations; only that we are “One” in God in Christ. God is in us all, and working through us all. This is the “Truth!” As such, we must come into the Unity of the faith, or else we walk this Christian journey in Spiritual Blindness and fall into a spiritual ditch. We must strive with all diligence to bring Unity to the Body of Christ to mirror the sweet communion of fellowship that exists in Heaven. (Eph. 2:5-6)

Unity in the Faith Brings Us All into Harmony with God

As I continually emphasize in this Series, the Body of Christ is to promote Unity in the faith among all believers in Jesus Christ regardless of denomination or Church affiliation. For then we resemble and harmonize with God’s work in Heaven where we all are joined together and seated as “One” in God in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:5-6)

Every Church leader: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher is mandated by God to work toward bringing all believers into the Unity of the faith so that we can grow up into a “perfect” (complete) and whole-body of the Lord. At Ephesians 4:11-16, the Apostle Paul wrote:

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Saints, we achieve Unity within the Body of Christ through loving one another and rallying around our “faith” in the finished works of Jesus Christ on the cross, His death and burial, Resurrection from the dead on the third-day, and Ascension to the right-throne of God the Father. This is our common ground and every good work of God builds upon this Truth.

If we truly are God’s children, then we all must kneel-down before the Lord Jesus and acknowledge that He is the Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, and our Great High Priest.

That Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man; and the only way to God. As Jesus’ work on the cross reconciled us all together in God through the act of selfless-love, so must we also demonstrate selfless-love for every person and faith organization in the Body of Christ. There can be no schism in the Body of Christ for any reason. For example, the Methodist claimed “Christian,” and Pentecostal claimed “Christian,” are one in the same in God’s sight. What God has joined together how dare we tear asunder!

Here me now, it’s Jesus’ finished work on the cross that compels us to love God in Christ. I John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” If we love Jesus, then we must love every person. What many Christians within the Body of Christ do not yet have the revelation on is that the Kingdom of God expands the more we come into Unity with one another. As we connect ourselves to other Ministries, Churches, and denominations, Paul’s writing at Ephesians 4:16 indicates that the perfect bond of love is established and causes the body of Christ to “increase.”

The more we Unite as One Body in Christ, the more souls are won to Christ, the Body of Christ expands, and we grow up into the fullness of Christ. Unity among all Christians enlarges and magnifies the glory of Christ in the earth, and presents Jesus to the world, as He is in Heaven! Complete Unity among believers is exactly what Jesus prayed to God the Father for in John Chapter 17, shortly before going to the cross. At John 17:11 Jesus is recorded as praying:

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Later in the same prayer at Verses 21-23, Jesus asked the Father:
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; (complete unity) and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Obviously, Christian Unity is vitally important to our Lord. I believe in all Christian Circles, Church leaders and Christians alike have read the Lord’s Prayer to the Father at John 17. Why then has the Body of Christ, for the most part, chosen to ignore Jesus’ prayer for Unity among us and instead stubbornly resigned itself to function independent of one another?

In the Lord’s Prayer, He set forth the reasons for Christian Unity: Jesus asked that all believers may be in the Father and the Son, “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21). And then Jesus prayed for “Complete Unity” so that, “the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17: 23).

When Christians are united in Christ, the world sees two things clearly: Jesus was sent by the Father, and Jesus loves His Church. When in Unity, the people of the world can observe the authentic Christ living through all Christians, Churches, and denominations; that we all preach and live by the same gospel, display un-feigned love and kindness for all people, have all things in common–a love for Christ and Truth, they will see supernatural manifestations of the Spirit in miracles, signs and wonders working throughout the Body of Christ never seen before. Then, the people of the world will ask of us, “What must I do to be saved?”
Further, the Holy Bible speaks of many other reasons why Christian Unity must be achieved. For example, in Romans 15:5-6, the Apostle Paul wrote, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (English Standard Version).

God wants us to glorify Him as “One” body, as is done in Heaven. Every Church and denomination should strive to come into such Unity in the faith, that with “One” Voice,” we sing and testify together of the glory of God. How magnificent would that be to see every Christian affiliation joined together to praise and glorify Jesus Christ. This past Easter Sunday, we saw a remnant of this at a Sunrise Service held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. As shown below, Christians from all types of Church-affiliations came together for fervent prayer for our nation and world.

To work together to strive for the Lord’s blessing of Complete Unity requires courage, stamina, and encouragement that can only come from the Love of God gushing out of our hearts for one another. But, the carnal tendencies of many Christians and religious organizations, through ungodly pride to operate independent of each other, works to quench the Spirit of the Lord’s desire for cemented fellowships.

Indeed, the work of unification among Christians, Churches, and denominations is very hard work, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Php.4:13) The Apostle Paul wrote at Ephesians 4:3 that we are to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

To aid in advancing Unity, God has also given to us the gifts of the Spirit; differing gifts, and their exercise in the edification of the Church, which leads to more and more Unity. For example, if we who are enlightened about the gift of praying in the Holy Ghost (in other tongues), would reach-out in love and Truth to other members of the body of Christ to teach, expose, and pray together in tongues, the Love of God within all of our hearts would usher in Unity, as the mercies and graces of the Lord would shower down on us. (Jude 20)

Additionally, the Apostle Paul presents the Church of Jesus Christ in I Corinthians 12:12-27 as a living body. Paul emphasized that every member of the Body is important and must be nourished and cherished. The body has many members, each with specialized work to do, but all the parts are united in the Head of the Body, which is Christ. (Eph. 4:15) As such, the mega-Church is just as important as the store-front Church, and the Church on Zoom is just as important as the mid-sized Church on the corner in fulfilling the Mission of Christ. We all should be a supply to one another.

God also intends for Christians and Churches to form local communities in which no one needs to rejoice or suffer in isolation. (Rom. 12:15;& 1 Cor. 12:26) Christians from many different backgrounds working in Unity in the Spirit to display the power of the gospel and the universality of its saving Message. (Gal. 3:26–28) Christians bring honor to God’s name before the world by pursuing Unity in the power of the Holy Ghost who brings us together as “One” through faith in Christ.

As I close, let me make one caveat concerning Unity within the Body of Christ. Indeed, Complete Unity among and across individual Christians, Churches, and denominations is a virtue. However, according to the Holy Bible, there are some things that can and should limit Unity. As born-again Christians, we are not to pursue togetherness with everyone who claims to be a Christian for the mere sake of saying we are all united together. No, no no: It is only “Christ and His Truth” that unites us.
The Holy Bible tells us to separate ourselves from professed brothers and sisters in Christ who live in persistent and unrepentant sin, and from those who teach false doctrine. (Matt.18:15-17, I Cor. 5:1-2, Rev. 2:14-15) Also, check out Romans 16:17, it reads:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

We only find Unity and harmony with those in Christian Circles who come in the name of Jesus Christ and His finished works on the cross; in a spirit of love, mercy, grace, and Truth of God’s Word. At I John 4:1-5, The Apostle John provides us with instructions on testing the spirits in people who we seek to fellowship with, or they with us. In determining their “Unity in the faith.” John wrote:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We readily find harmony with every born-again Christian, Church, and denomination who from their hearts and mouths acknowledge that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. Meaning that Jesus Christ is the “God-man,” the “Messiah” who came to earth in human form. We harmonize with all believers who believe the Truth that Jesus was not just a divine being, but also a real person who lived on earth, experienced emotions and physical pain and suffering, and ultimately died on the cross for humanity and rose again on the third-day, and is seated at the right-hand throne of God the Father. We hug and embrace those who have the expectation that Jesus Christ is coming again to rapture His glorious Church having not spot or wrinkle nor any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Eph. 5:27)

Believers who confess these Truths signify that they are born of God, are aligned with the teachings of Christ, and that the Holy Ghost is at work in their lives and guiding them to understand and believe the True nature of Jesus Christ. Thus, the confession of “Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh” is a crucial test to determine the authenticity of spiritual teaching of all religious organizations, as well as the Truth it’s congregates have received is genuine.

I John 4:3 warns that those who deny this Truth; who reject Jesus Christ’s humanity, are not from God and are under the influence of the spirit of the Anti-Christ. Such organizations and individuals we must pray for that their hearts and minds be stirred and opened to the gospel of Christ, and that they repent and receive God’s salvation while there is yet time. 
Though presently, the Church of Jesus Christ with all of its many members are sorely divided and walking Blind to the Truth of the oneness we all share in Christ, we must wake up, and with all of our synergies work together to attain Complete Unity throughout the Body of Christ. So that we might as Paul said, “come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”(Eph. 4:13)

To reach spiritual maturity in Christ starts with us all recognizing that God has predestinated all people of the earth to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. While it is God’s desire that all people would repent of their sins and accept Jesus as Lord, it’s up to every individual to choose to believe and receive Christ as Lord in response to the gospel. Only God, in His omniscience, knows the exact number of people who love Him and will believe on His Son Jesus to the saving of their souls. And, since we are not privy to that number it behooves each of us to treat every person on the planet, without exception, with the same love that Jesus Christ has afforded us.
To this end, no person is beyond the reach of God’s Love and we must extend His love to all people. Therefore, with the help of the Holy Ghost, let us remove and throw away all Spiritual Blindness and see that we are the Lord’s priests on earth. (Rev.1:5-6) We are Jesus’ intercessors who are to follow after His example, and become the friends of many sinners and all of our sisters and brothers in Christ.

I know for some Christian folks this rattles their religious and self-righteous cages; to become a friend to many sinners. But how can we say that we are loving, forgiving, and tender-hearted like our Friend Jesus, if we have no relationship with people who do not know Him? We were all lost in sin and Jesus took us in, why not do the same for those who are lost?

Tell me Saints, how wide is your human intercessory net and who do you pray for earnestly?

I Timothy 2:1-4 says we are to intercede for all people to bring peace and salvation to our nation and world:

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Our fervent prayers for all the people of the world make it possible for every person to be saved, and come into the knowledge of the Truth: That is, in Christ, “All” have been predestinated to be conformed into His image; to become “One” with God and the sons of God. Amen to the glory of God!
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April 20, 2025
Sermon Part 3:“America Only Look at the Man in the Middle!”

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb.12:2) Jesus Christ’s finished works on the cross was accomplished so that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. (Rom.14:9)

Happy Resurrection Sunday Saints!

Introduction 

Easter Sunday, is the day when our Churches across America, and around the world, are most heavily populated with believers. This is a good thing because then more of us have an opportunity to hear a Word from God, and hopefully heed to it. This is certainly my wish for anyone who hears or reads this Message from the Lord today. May it be a Word that you never forget! While it’s a good thing to remember the Lord’s great sacrifice on Easter, it’s even more important to remember what Jesus has Commanded us to do, and go do it!

In this Series entitled, “Oh What a Friend We Have in Jesus” we have called on all Churches, denominations, and born-again Christians individually to obey the Command of Jesus Christ to love one another as He has loved us. (John 13:34-35) So that the entire Body of Christ may experience the Spirit of “Complete Unity,” which comes only from God. (Ps.133)

As we dwell in Complete Unity, we grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ, and God lifts us up together into His Presence as His spiritual kings and priests on earth. Then, “Everything” we ask of the Father in the name of Jesus is done for us. (John 14:15-17, 15:17, & I John 5:14-15)

In Complete Unity, the supernatural power of God will flow through and outside of the entire Body of Christ; with great manifestations of miracles, signs, and wonders in America and around the world. All of our Churches will experience an abundant increase in attendance, and most importantly many people from all walks of life will give their lives to Jesus Christ, and become citizens of the Kingdom of God. If we love Jesus, our ardent desire must be to work in unison to bankrupt hell, and populate Heaven with all of God’s called and chosen people.

Let’s focus today on how the Body of Christ can achieve togetherness; as “One Body.” To come together in love, every born-again believer must return to Calvary and set all of their attention and affections on the “Man in the Middle,” Jesus Christ, who was crucified between two malefactors; and not on the things of this world. Everybody shout; “Get your eyes off the world and the things of the world, and set your eyes on Jesus!”

America is looking in All the Wrong Places to Resolve the Ills of Society

Across the American landscape, we see a people grossly divided on every issue of national prominence and importance. The American people whether registered as democrats, republicans, independents, or undeclared are clashing on such issues of immigration, inflation, racism, gun violence, abortion, the federal budget deficit, health care affordability, sexual morality, gun violence, climate change, vaccines, domestic and international terrorism, quality of public education, air transportation safety, drug addiction, as well as the size of the federal government workforce. Everyone has a closely held and guarded belief on how societal problems can best be resolved.

You name the issue in America, and there is wide disagreement on how to resolve it. Yes, things have gotten so out of control in our country that the majority of people in America see democrats and republicans working together to resolve problems, as a “huge problem” in and of itself! (Pew Research Center, June, 2023 Report)

In our country, we have chaos in the White House, Congress, Courts, and state and local governments. Jesus Christ said, “…every city and house divided against itself shall not stand.” (Matt.12:25) Saints, “America the Beautiful” is free-falling into a ditch! Not just because of divisive political leadership in the White House and state houses, but more so because of “Spiritual Blindness” among Christian Leadership within the Body of Christ. The root cause of America’s woes are largely because of woes within the Body of Christ. For as the Church of Jesus Christ goes, so goes America!

The Founding Fathers of our great nation established the United States, its Constitution, laws, currency, code of ethics and morality, school systems, governmental engines and so forth on the Holy Bible. Though far from perfect in its implementation, our nation has always been a “Christian” nation that has acknowledged the preeminence of God in Christ Jesus, and blessed and favored Israel God’s chosen people.

As the United States, we have stood for truth, free elections, liberty, equality, and justice for all. We have opened our borders to all people, protected the weak and poor at home and abroad, defended the sovereignty of nations, and made treaties and alliances with many nations in the world to maintain peace. In the 248-years of American history, God has blessed our nation, and made us the most powerful and largest economy in the world. Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his inheritance.” 

It would behoove the people of our nation, and its leaders, well to remember that it is God who has caused us to prosper, and not we ourselves. Still today, Christianity is the most popular religion in the United States and abroad. The vast majority of Americans (67-percent) identify themselves as Christians. (Gallup Survey, 2023) However, this is significantly lower than Christian attestations in the early 1900s, when above 90-percent of Americans reported being Christians.

Experts say the decline in Christianity is due to several factors, including secularization and immigration. They add that secularization has led to an increase in the number of Americans who are “nonreligious.” But, I find neither secularization nor immigration as an excuse that can be held-up for the decrease in the popularity of Christianity in our country.

America is a free society, and we welcome people of all nationalities, cultures, traditions, and differing beliefs. Down through the years of legal immigration to the United States, the Body of Christ should have, and still should today, view migration into our country as a “golden opportunity” to “collaboratively” preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the fulfilment of the Great Commission. (Mark 16:15-18) Rather than viewing immigration as a “burden” on society as many Americans do today, the Body of Christ should be shouting and praising God for sending all people our way to receive God’s Salvation through the name of Jesus Christ. This is how we make America Great: By every Church Leader and lay Christian working “together” to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature. (Mark 16:15 & Acts 4:12)

The fundamental root cause of the decline in the proportion of Americans who affiliate with Christianity is more appropriately placed within the Church of Jesus Christ itself. As during the early 1900’s there were as many as 186-Christian denominations and by 1936, the number had increased to 256 Christian- denominations. Denominations (a collection of Churches within the same organization) proclaim themselves to be independent branches within the Body of Christ with varying doctrines, practices, and traditions. Even today, experts report there are above 200-recognized denominations.

Down through the years, the lack of coordination and collaboration among denominations and non-denominational Churches to preach the “same” gospel Message to Americans and immigrants and share resources, has greatly diminished our effectiveness in saving the lost. A diluted, distorted, and watered down gospel Message over time confuses people about the Truth, ushers in doubt and unbelief, chases away the Anointing of God, and causes people to look to false religions, or no religion at all to practice.

The Holy Bible does not mention denominations, only that as born-again believers we are “One” Church, the Church of Jesus Christ having many members. (Eph. 4:4-6 & I Cor.12:13) By definition, to identify with Christ means we all profess to be followers and adherers of the teachings and doings of Jesus Christ. If we say we are Christ’s then our lives must be completely surrendered to Him, we must deny ourselves, shoulder our crosses, and walk in our Lord’s nail-pierced foot-prints throughout the world.

If the Body of Christ in America had not splintered-off into hundreds of denominations, and instead worked together to bring both citizens and immigrants to Christ, the percentage of Christians in the United States identifying as Christians would have remained high, and many of the ills we face as a society would likely not exist today. Saints, isn’t it interesting to see that within the Body of Christ we have a wide schism, with disagreements amongst ourselves on nearly all religious issues; and our nation also is divided and torn apart on every issue.

Just as democrats and republicans refuse to work together in the political theater, the vast majority of Churches and denominations refuse to work together in God’s Theater, the Church. Oh, how sad it is for human beings to give preeminence to their “personal beliefs” on how social issues and religious issues should be resolved and practiced, above the regard for “human life” and “love for one another,” as Jesus Christ has Commanded.

These days, if you put an equal number of born-again Christians who vote Democratic or Republican in a room together to discuss hot-button topics of homosexuality, immigration, abortion, racism, and the economy both sides likely will go away offended and wounded; never to speak again. The same would be true if Christians across Church-affiliations and denominations attempted to broach differences in doctrinal beliefs. Many of them would turn and walk away from each other in bitterness over doctrines like the nature of God, salvation, baptisms, speaking in other tongues, the role of Scripture, the authority of leadership, the Trinity, and faith alone for salvation versus works or sacraments. Oh, why can’t we all just keep our eyes set on the “Man in the Middle?”

Yet, on Easter Sunday, and during other times of the year, every Christian within their respective Churches and denominations take part in Communion Services; judging themselves worthy of Christs’ body and blood, while having no fellowship with other believers with differing social and religious views.

Can we not plainly see Satan’s work in all of this? His aim is to tempt us to divide ourselves and clash over our “differences;” to allow our closely held beliefs on “issues” to rise above our love for one another, and celebration of our “Oneness in God in Christ!”

Our Faithful Friend Jesus Christ warned that in this world we would have “tribulation,” which is great trouble, suffering, and affliction. (John 16:33) Though systematic trouble is in the world, Jesus told us to be of good cheer because He has conquered the world for us; and robbed it completely of power to hurt us. To deal with the stress, frustration, and fear of tribulation, Jesus has given to us His Peace. (John 14:27) However, as long as we continue to push and make our own beliefs about religion and how to resolve societal ills of greater importance than loving one another as Jesus has Commanded, the wider the schism grows within the Body of Christ, and our country will increase in hatred until there is massive corruption and civil unrest to the complete demise of America.

America, Only Look at the Cross of Christ and Live!

To heal our nation of all division, the Body of Christ comprised of every Church, denomination, and born-again Christian individually must only look at the “Man in the Middle” on the cross Jesus Christ. I ask every believer in Jesus Christ these questions:
–Were we all not born-again, and made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, through the “same” expressed words of faith?

–From our hearts and mouths, did we not all confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and that God has raised Him up from the dead on the third-day? (Rom.10:9-10)

Thus, we find our commonality at the cross of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection from the dead. This is the place where we all “agree” and “harmonize” as Christians; and this is the place where God seeks to meet us and lift us all up together into His Presence as His holy priesthood.

We must run hurriedly back to Calvary’s Hill where we all first saw the Light and the burdens of our hearts rolled away! We must take every one of our sundry issues and related cares that divide us as a nation and Church, and cast them all on the cross of Christ. The Apostle Peter wrote at I Peter 5:7, (Amplified Bible)

Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

We are to cast every issue and related care on Christ’s cross because the Lord bore all of our griefs and sorrows there. No matter your religious or political affiliation, right now, zoom in on the Man Jesus in the middle hung between two thieves.

For the Romans hung-high and stretched-wide and low Jesus, placing stakes in His hands and feet and tortured sinless Christ to death on a jagged tree made cross; thereby bringing salvation, peace, reconciliation, and healing to the whole-world.

As you gaze at the cross, do not forget the pre-cross sufferings that Jesus endured: the mockery, gnashing, punching, spitting, whipping, crowning of thorns, bearing the cross, and abandonment of disciples and family at the cross. Oh, what a Friend we have in Jesus as He endured it all for us!

Saints, continue to get closer, closer, and closer to Jesus on the cross and look at His torn body, marred more than any human being.

Picture illustrations provided to us do not accurately depict the Lord’s suffering, for His persecutors rendered Him unrecognizable. The Prophet Isaiah saw from a far off the Passion of Christ and bemoaned at Isaiah 52:14:

As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.

While examining the pictures, don’t just look at the crucified Jesus with your physical eyes, but by faith with the spiritual eyes of your born-again hearts. See Jesus’ sacrificed life was for you. When John the Baptist saw Jesus of Nazareth approaching to be baptized, He exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) As you stand before the cross, let your praise be mighty, as Jesus took away your sins, my sins, and the sins of the whole world! Let us praise God together until our Voices all hit the same love-chords to say, “Oh Happy Day, Oh Happy Day, when Jesus washed my sins away!

Isaiah 53:5-10 states:

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Let every believer in Christ, bow-down at the gory, gruesome, and glorious cross and let the precious blood of Jesus flowing down Golgotha’s Hill; cover all of our heads, faces, physical bodies, hearts and souls and cleanse us from our sins, including our sins of “hatred” for one another and “division” from one another, as well as all of our sicknesses and diseases; (Rev.1:5-6) Let us remember that we have a Covenant with God, that the Blood of Christ has washed away all of our sins, iniquities, and transgression, One-Time for all Times throughout the ages of human existence on earth. And, that God remembers our sins and iniquities no more (Rom. 6:9-11 & Heb.10:10-17)

Now Saints, get so close to the foot of the cross that you are in ear-shot of Jesus our Savior, and look upon His face. Look into the Lord’s eyes covered in dripping blood and sweat and see how much He loves you and loves every person in the world. See how He has sacrificed His own “will” completely to the Father’s “Will” and placed the entire world before Himself: For Jesus is forever merciful, gracious, and tenderhearted toward us even in His greatest time of agony.

Enduring the cross and its shame, among Jesus’ last words, He prayed to God saying: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) To every believer, follow now the Lord’s lead and forgive every person who has wronged you. Jesus’ last Words upon the cross were “it is finished.” (John19:30) The work was complete, God in Christ reconciling the whole-world to Himself through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. (I Cor. 5:18-19) Wherein God has given the Body of Christ, the Church, the Ministry of Reconciliation.

Knowing the price that Jesus paid on the cross for all of our sins, His example, we must all seek to follow. We must follow Christ in like manner, as the Apostle Paul did. So moved by the testimony of Jesus Christ and his personal experience with meeting and coming into fellowship with Jesus, Paul lost all care for the troubles of this life.

Paul, with all that was within Him sought to be like Jesus in all manner of life. Paul wanted to experience the joy of sacrifice of all things for the sake of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to all men, Jew and Gentile alike. To the Saints at Philippi, Paul wrote at Philippians 3:8-11:
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Oh, what life in America would be like for all people, if every born-again Christian counted everything else in life as “dung,” in order to seek after the knowledge of Christ Jesus, as Paul did. For the closer we get to the cross and identify ourselves with the Lord’s Passion, we lose all desire for self-righteousness and our own way of doing things at the expense of others. We completely lose our vain and guarded opinions about religion and social issues and become consumed with knowing, experiencing, and living for Jesus Christ.

Paul knew that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no man can come to God but by Him. (John 14:6) This Truth places every person born into this world front and center before Jesus; as every man seeks to find God the Creator and Sustainer of life. (Acts.17:28) Jesus is the mediator between God and every man; no man can come to God but through Him. (I Tim. 2:5)

Every person born in this world is trying to find their way to God Father. Every person tries to search for and find the way to happiness and a fulfilled life; to serve as their own personal Truth that justifies their human existence and way of doing things. But the Prophet Jeremiah exclaimed that it is not in man to know the way that he should go. (Jer.10:23) Left to man’s own devices he will always choose the wrong path and means to accomplish what he perceives to be the road to peace and happiness. King Solomon, wrote at Proverbs 3: 5-6:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

When you look into the eyes of Jesus, you can glean the motivations and meditations of His heart.

Obedience unto God the Father in all things and servanthood unto all men was the mind-set of Christ. (Php. 2:5-11) As followers of Christ, we must put on the same mind-set of Jesus and become obedient unto God and His Word, and become the servant of all people.

Greatness through Servanthood Must Become Our Mantel

Looking unto Jesus Christ’s example of servanthood on the cross provides the entire Body of Christ with the direction in which it must go. That is, servanthood towards one another. It’s through serving others through Christ’s Anointing that brings lasting happiness and satisfaction in life, and greater rewards in Heaven. Every Church, denomination, and born-again Christian individually seeks to be pleasing in the eyes of the Resurrected Anointed King Jesus, as He is now seated at the right-hand throne of God the Father.

During Jesus’ Public Ministry on earth, He admonished the disciples saying, “Let him that would be first become last.” This emphasizes the concept of humility and service. Any believer seeking a leadership position should prioritize serving others rather than seeking personal power. To be a true leader, one must put the needs of others before their own and be willing to serve in a humble capacity, even if it means taking a lower position. Churches and denominations must adapt this same mentality of humbleness and become servants of one another.
If we truly belong to Christ, we must be willing to wash each other’s feet across Church-affiliations and denominations. Are you willing to wash the feet of every member in the Body of Christ?

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:13-14)

Servanthood is our “Vocation” as born-again Christians. Do we not realize that as born-again Christians serving all people is our job? I think on this Resurrection Sunday, it would do us all great benefit to think, speak, and act like servants of one another. We should whole-heartedly say to every Christian regardless of Church affiliation or denomination: “I am a servant of Christ, what can I do for you today? In this regard, Paul wrote at Ephesians 4:1-5 that the body of Christ to maintain Unity. He wrote:
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

In closing, I say to every born-again Christian that Jesus Christ our Faithful Friend and Great High-Priest is the only man in the history of the world to accurately predict His death and Resurrection. Early on Sunday morning, Jesus got up victoriously from the dead; having the keys to death, hell, and the grave. (Rev.1:18) We don’t own the keys to hell, Jesus does! We have no right to condemn any person to hell and permanent disassociation, and certainly not any person or Church organization who claims Jesus as Lord within the Body of Christ.

After Jesus arose from the dead, the Holy Scriptures tell us that Jesus showed Himself alive with many infallible proofs, being seen by His disciples and over 500 people. For forty-days, He came speaking again of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. (Acts1:2-3 & I Cor.15:6)

On an occasion, when the disciples were gathered together, Jesus appeared in the midst of them. Thomas was there and had said before-hand that he would not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, until he examined the nail prints and wound in His side. The Lord told Thomas to handle him, saying “to reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side (The place where the Roman Soldier had pierced Jesus with the spear to ensure that He was dead on the cross and blood and water gushed out.): and “be not faithless, but believing.” (John 19:34 & 20:27)

While, the Holy Bible does not specifically tell us that Jesus, now in Heaven, has retained the scars of His crucifixion. Largely in Christian Circles, based on a few Scriptural clues, we confidently believe Jesus Christ still bears the scars, and these are the only scars anywhere in Heaven.

As I just mentioned, according to the Apostle John’s account, when Jesus rose from the dead, His Resurrected, glorified body still had the scars and Jesus also invited Thomas to see and feel the scars of crucifixion. Jesus may have chosen to retain the scars for several extremely important reasons.

First, the scars serve as an eternal witness to the Incarnation of the Son of God. A spirit has no scars, but “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14) Just as the Son lost none of His divinity when He came to earth, so He lost none of His humanity when He returned to Heaven. Jesus is forever God in the flesh, the perfect and only Mediator between God and man. (I Tim. 2:5) The scars were received by Jesus as He walked on earth as one of us.

Second, the scars reveal why Jesus came to earth: to be a sacrifice for us. As Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28) Jesus came to suffer for us and save us from sin. He came to reconcile us to our Father God in Heaven. That reconciliation required His suffering as detailed in prophesy by Isaiah as well as other Old Testament prophets.

Third, the scars reveal that God loved us while we were still sinners. The sin of mankind put Jesus on the cross. As He was being arrested, Jesus told His enemies, “This is your hour—when darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:53) And the world itself grew dark when He was on the cross. (Luke 23:44) But thus it had to be. If God had waited until we somehow made ourselves righteous, we would never have known salvation. We weren’t interested in righteousness, and we could not attain to it even if we desired it. (Rom. 3:10-12) Evil scarred Jesus, and those scars are proof that “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

Fourth, the scars Jesus still bears in Heaven reveal that He suffered as we do in this world. He knows our pain. Jesus wept with those who wept. (John 11:35) He resisted against sin unto the point of bloodshed. (Heb. 12:4) Yes, Jesus is our Great High Priest who empathizes with our weaknesses. (Heb. 4:15)

Fifth, the scars signify that death has been defeated. The wounds Jesus received were lethal, but He triumphed over the grave. What’s more, He allows us to share in His triumph. The scars show that our final victory is in Him. “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” . . . “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Cor. 15:55,57)

The scars of crucifixion Jesus will likely possess for eternity speak of the greatest Love-fest ever. (John 15:13) Presumably, Jesus will have the only scars in Heaven, in which case we will see a visible reminder of His praiseworthiness. Without the event that occasioned those scars, no one else would be there.

Considering all these things, the entire Body of Christ within this earth realm, represents the Lord’s “pierced-hands” and pierced-feet and must go forth together as “One Voice” and preach the Gospel of Christ and spread His love, forgiveness, and kindness to all humanity. Every issue of self-righteousness and self-indulgence in handling and resolving the social issues of our age, as well as religious differences that have sought to divide, beset, and conquer must be left in the Lord’s death on the cross. The cross of Christ and Resurrection are our common ground. When we all as the family of Jesus Christ resolve to work together as His servants to fulfill the Great Commission, our differences become meaningless and disappear. We grow up into the fullness of Christ, and we walk pleasing in God’s sight. Saints, never stop looking at the “Man in the Middle” and America will become great in the sight of God Almighty. Amen for the preaching of the Word of the Living God.

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April 13, 2025
Sermon Part 2: “The Long Suffering Christ Patiently Waits For Us To Love One Another!”

We celebrate Palm Sunday to remember that momentous occasion of King Jesus, the Christ, riding on a lowly donkey into the city of Jerusalem, for Jesus is worthy of All Praise! The whole-earth must sing praises to the Creator of all things in heaven, in the earth, and the beneath the earth. (Col.1:16)

Happy Palm Sunday Saints!

Introduction

On this Palm Sunday, I write an open Letter to the beloved members of the Body of Christ; to Churches, denominations, and to every born-again Christian individually who preach and live by the same gospel espoused by the Apostle Paul. (Gal.1:8 & I Cor.15:3-4) As this Letter is read, be sure to become a doer of the Word of God, and not a hearer only, so that you may be blessed in all of your deeds. (James 1:22-25)

Dearly beloved Saints, when I think of Palm Sunday in which we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ coming into Jerusalem, the Sunday before His crucifixion, I am moved in the Spirit to reflect on the state of the Body of Christ today. I find a great “spiritual parallel” between how the Jews (God’s chosen people) “misperceived” the Purpose of Jesus Christ’s ride into Jerusalem over 2000-years ago, and how today the vast majority of Churches, denominations, and born-again Christians individually within the Body of Christ also “misperceive” the Purpose of Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into their born-again hearts upon hearing and receiving the gospel’s Message of salvation through the holy name of Jesus Christ.

I am so very grateful though to our “Friend,” the Anointed King Jesus, who remains the same today, yesterday, and forever. Jesus remains “Faithful” in all of His Promises given to us, even when we are not faithful to Him. (Heb. 13:8 & II Tim. 2:13) Jesus said unto His disciples “…lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:20) Thank God Jesus is always with us!

I stand completely in awe at the Lord’s long-suffering towards us throughout the ages, as He patiently waits for His people, both Jews and Gentiles alike, to wake up to the Truth of God’s Divine Purpose and Plan for His People. That is, that we “love one another” as Jesus has loved us, so that God Almighty might bestow upon the entire Body of Christ the “Spirit of Complete Unity.” (Eph. 4:13) That we might be “One in God in Christ” on earth, as we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus in love in perpetuity. (Eph. 2:5-6)

So join me now Saints in this short prayer with our Father God in Heaven. Lord God, in the name of your dear Son Jesus Christ, we pray that “One Day,” perhaps on a Palm Sunday like we are remembering Jesus today, that every born-again Christian come together as “One” in our streets and Houses of Worship across America and around the world to celebrate your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Anointed King of kings and Lord of lords.

In unison, may our Voices shout and rejoice saying, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:13) Lord we thank you for the Messiah Jesus Christ and worship only you! As we unite in Covenant with you God, bestow upon us the grace of the “Spirit of Complete Unity” so that we might work together in peace and love to fulfill the Great Commission you have given to us!” (Mark 16:15-18) May we through the work of the Holy Ghost cast aside petty debates and disagreements and continually dwell together in brotherly love until the return of your Son Jesus Christ to rapture the Church. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Jesus’ Ride into Jerusalem Misunderstood By the Jews

The triumphal entry of Jesus Christ riding on a donkey is one of the few events in the Life of Jesus which appears in all four of the Gospels: Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-48, and John 12:12-19. I take this to mean that God really wants us to pay close attention to the accounts for they have great significance and application for our lives as Christians. Putting the four accounts together, it becomes clear that the triumphal entry was a significant event, not only for the people of Jesus’ day in the earth, but for Christians throughout history. But, also we study the Palm Sunday story to learn from the Event to come into a greater understanding and knowledge of what having Jesus Christ abiding in our hearts truly means, and how we should live as precious members of the Lord’s Body.

Now, understand Saints that the Apostles wrote their accounts of this glorious Event after Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension to glory. As the events of that glorious day were unfolding the disciples did not understand the things that were happening. But, when Jesus was glorified, they remembered prophesy written concerning the Messiah in the Old Testament, and that they had prepared things for Jesus’ triumphant ride into Jerusalem exactly as it was foretold. (John 12:16)

We all know well major details of the Palm Sunday accounts in the Gospels. In summary, the Gospels tell us that Jesus rode from Beth-phage into the city of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, on the back of a borrowed donkey’s colt in a village; one that had never been ridden before. The disciples spread their cloaks on the donkey for Jesus to sit on, and the multitudes came out to welcome Him, humbly and honorably laying before Jesus their cloaks and branches of palm trees.

The throngs of people hailed and praised God for all of the mighty works they had seen Jesus do, including the raising of Lazarus from the dead. As Jesus rode, the people surrounded Him front and back and cried loudly more and more, “Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord,” peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” (Luke 19:34) The multitudes also cried aloud, “Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the Highest.” (Matt. 21:9)

When Jesus arrived in the city of Jerusalem, the whole city was “moved,” the people inquiring, “Who is this?” The multitude answered it is “Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matt. 21:10-11) Immediately, Jesus went into the Temple where He found within in His Father’s House, “the money changers and those who bought from them.

From within the Temple, Jesus overturned the tables and seats of the money changers and casted out the money changers, saying “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

This was the second time Jesus had to remove thieves and robbers from God’s House. Early in Jesus’ public ministry He had to cleanse the Temple of those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves along with the money exchangers with a whip made with cords. See John 2:13-16.

Sadly, what we see Jesus having to do at the beginning of His Ministry within the Temple, He also had to do at the end of His Ministry on earth; because of the religious leaders (Pharisees) and people’s hearts were corrupted and consumed with the love of Mammon rather than God. Their love had been perverted away from God to serve and worship money.

During this second cleansing of the Temple, the blind and the lame came to Jesus in the Outer Courts of the Temple, and he healed them all. Under the Law of Moses the blind and lame could not serve as priests, nor were they permitted to enter into the Inner Courts of the Temple. Those with physical impairments were considered outcasts.

But when Jesus healed the blind and lame who were once excluded from worship, they would now be included in God’s House; removing the barrier of physical impairments that stood between them and the worship of God. This fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah 56:6-8, that God’s House shall be called “the house of prayer of all people,” as the Lord God would gather to Himself the outcasts of Israel, strangers, and others.
Also, Jesus sat and taught the people daily in the Temple, as all the people were attentive to Him. Angered that Jesus had interrupted the flow of fraud monies into the Temple and the peoples’ love for His teachings, the chief priests, scribes, and chief of the people sought to destroy Jesus.

Oh dear readers of this Letter, see the multi-varied “mind-sets” of the masses of people on the day of Jesus’ triumphant ride into the city of Jerusalem. All around Jesus, there were many of the people who were calling Jesus their “king;” when Jesus arrived in the city the multitudes were calling Jesus a “prophet;” when Jesus entered the Temple He found God’s House polluted with money changers, thieves and robbers worshipping money rather than making prayers to God; and for Jesus’ actions of cleansing the Temple, religious leaders displayed great hatred and were determined to kill Him while the people were attentive to His teachings.

Yes, on this most momentous occasion there were people with both good and bad intentions all around Jesus. But, none of the people were honoring Jesus Christ for the “right” reason. They all grossly misunderstood why He rode into the city of Jerusalem.

In our remembrances of Palm Sunday, most often, we as preachers and teachers have left out a very significant aspect of the story. Most often we examine the story from the hearts and minds of the throngs of people praising and shouting “hosannas,” while ignoring how Jesus Christ is discerning the hearts and minds of the people who sought to follow Him.

In the Apostle Luke’s account, he recollects how during Jesus’ ride from Beth-phage, as Jesus approached the city of Jerusalem, He “beheld the city and wept over it.” (Luke 19:41-44) Jesus wept and lamented over the Jewish nation for whom He was sent, because of their hardness of heart, their rejection, and their unbelief. The Jews did not understand that Christ’s ride into the city of Jerusalem was their “Day of Visitation.” That the Messiah had come to bring them salvation with everlasting peace and love. A peace and love that would reconcile them to God and cause them to overcome every trial and tribulation in this fallen world. To save the soul of every person so they might have life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10)

In Verses 42-44, please read the “Lamentations” of Jesus for the city of Jerusalem:
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 
43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 
44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Jesus wept not only over their disbelief of the prophets that had foretold of His coming as the Messiah, but also their personal rejection of Him as the only begotten Son of God, and ultimately God the Father. For Jesus Christ is the only way to God. (John 14:6) Jesus knew that without the Jews acceptance of Him as Savior, the city and people would be destroyed.

History tells us that the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 CE (about 40-years after the Resurrection of Jesus) during the First Jewish-Roman War. This was the culmination of a four-year campaign against Jewish resistance in Judaea, a bloody battle that destroyed much of the city.

From Jesus’ Perspective, as He rode into Jerusalem though welcoming the praise of the people, He realized that the crowds were shouting “hosannas” for all the wrong reasons, and He was grieved at heart. He came to save them from their sins, but they did not believe in Him. In their hearts, they had rejected the Messiah, even while the massive crowds were calling Him their king.

Jesus’ Purpose for riding into Jerusalem was to make public His claim to be the Messiah and King of Israel in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Apostles Matthew and John wrote that the King coming on the foal of a donkey was a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9; which proclaimed,”
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem was hailed by the Jews of that day in a manner only reserved for kings. The spreading of cloaks was an act of homage and royalty. (II Kings 9:13) No longer did Jesus tell His disciples to keep quiet about Him, but He accepted the shouts of praises and worship of Him. (Matt. 12:16, 16:20) Jesus was openly declaring to the people that He was their King and the Messiah they had been waiting for.
The streets of Jerusalem the royal city established by King David 1000-years prior, were made open to Jesus, and like a king He ascended to His palace. Not a temporal palace, but the Spiritual Palace; the Temple because Christ Kingdom is a “Spiritual Kingdom.”

Unfortunately, the praise the people heaped upon Jesus was not because they recognized Him as their Savior from sin. They welcomed Jesus out of their desire for a messianic deliverer; someone who would lead them in a revolt against the Roman Empire. There were many Jews, though they did not believe in Christ as Savior, nevertheless they hoped that perhaps He would be to them a great temporal deliverer. So they hailed Jesus as king with their many “Hosannas,” recognizing Him as the Son of David who came in the name of the Lord. Oh, what great misunderstanding the Jewish people had of Jesus’ triumphant ride into the city of Jerusalem.

This man Jesus who only came preaching things pertaining to the Kingdom of God; preaching peace and love and doing all manner of miracles was mistaken for a “military king” to lead the people into battle against the Romans. However, during the public Ministry of Jesus, He never picked up a sword, drew up military plans, gathered and trained armies to set out on conquests against the enemies of Israel.

Furthermore, as the multitudes of people observed the works of Jesus on Palm Sunday, they only saw Jesus go into the Temple chasten the money changers, proclaim God’s House to be the House of Prayer for all people, do many wonderful miracles, and sit down and teach the people daily in the Temple. (Matt. 21:14-15 & Luke 19:37) These all being the good works of God, and not of military prowess and might of a temporal king. Tell me, where in Jesus’ actions did they find a leader who would overthrow and conquer Rome by human might?

At Acts 10:38, the Apostle Peter gave the summation of Jesus’ earthly Ministry:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

The masses of Jews wanted Jesus to be to them what they wanted, and not what the Will of God had planned for them. When Jesus failed to meet their expectations as a military leader and revolt against the Roman occupiers, the crowds quickly turned on Him. Within just a few days, their “hosanna” chants changed to poisonous cries of “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:20-21)

Those who had hailed Jesus as a hero and celebrated Him with military-style honors soon rejected and abandoned Him. Yet, Jesus, our Faithful Friend and Great High Priest, remained obedient unto God; ever steadfast marching onward and looking to the cross to sacrifice His life for His people and the world’s sins.

The Palm Sunday story of the King who came as a lowly Servant of all the people on a donkey, not a prancing steed, not in royal robes, but on the clothes of the poor and humble. Jesus Christ came not into the earth to conquer by “force” as earthly kings but by “Love, Grace, and Mercy and His own sacrifice for His people. His is not a kingdom of armies and splendor but of lowliness and servanthood. He conquers not nations but “hearts and minds” of people. Jesus’ Message is one of everlasting Peace with God, not of temporal peace.

Now Saints, as born-again Christians, if Jesus has made a triumphal entry into our hearts, then He reigns within us in “peace and love.” As His followers, we are to exhibit the same qualities as those of Christ, so that the world can see the true King living and reigning in triumph in us. The Lord’s Prayer recorded in John 17: 20-23, evidences that every believer in Christ has been made “One” in God in Christ, we share the same glory of Christ, and have been made perfect in God in Christ. Thus, the people of the world ought to be able to see that God sent Christ into the world, and loves all people as He loves Jesus.

However, it is ironic that the Jews of Jesus’s day on earth rejected the Messiah, the one who came riding on the lowly donkey offering peace and love, while today we who believe in Jesus as the Messiah and have received salvation, neglect to walk in peace and love towards one another throughout the Body of Christ.

With a humble heart, it leaves me to wonder whether Jesus from His throne at the right-hand of God is beholding the entire Body of Christ, and “weeping” as we continually miss-out on Visitations of the Lord, because we are grossly divided. In complete disobedience to God’s Love Commandments we all are, which are intended to usher in the “Spirit of Complete Unity” in the Church of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 133)

The Body of Christ Misunderstands Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Our Hearts

We cannot gloss over the last statement I made in the preceding Section. If we have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, He abides within our born-again hearts in peace and love forevermore. Jesus proclaimed at John 14:23, “…“If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him and make Our abode with him.

Precious Saints, I believe God’s Word and Promise. I believe that every person who has confessed in the hearts and with their mouths that Jesus is Lord is membered within the Kingdom of God; that God in Christ Jesus loves them and dwells within their born-again hearts. How about you?

Regardless of denomination or Church-affiliation, every person who believes in Jesus is an interconnected member of God’s family; they are a son of God. They are not born of human blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:10-13)

Since God calls us “sons of God,” then we must not see other fellow Christians as anything other than what God has made us all to be. We are all “One” in God in Christ; having been made to drink of the self-same Spirit. God has commended His love to us while we were all yet sinners. (Rom. 5:8) When God gave us Jesus, He gave to us His “Love,” and we are to love every person membered within the Body of Christ. We are to love, with corresponding actions the Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopalian, Pentecostal, Assembly of God, and God in Christ…on and on… as Jesus has loved us. (John 13:34-35) This is so all people can know that we are Christ’s disciples.

Jesus Christ also said my “Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto: not as the world giveth, I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Every member in the Body of Christ has been given Jesus’ “Peace.” The Lord’s peace is a gift of tranquility and reassurance that comes from God and transcends the peace of the world.
The Peace of Christ is permanent, guaranteed, and eternal. Christ’s Peace is a gift and one the world cannot give us. Knowing that Jesus understands all of our earthly troubles firsthand can bring us great peace when we are walking through perilous Times as we see in the world today: wars, catastrophes, death, violence, hatred, racism, and lawlessness in government.

In our born-again hearts the peace and love of God seeks to bring us together to work to encourage and support one another in spiritual and natural ways. Why then, have we allowed and continue to foster division among us, when Christ’s peace and love dwells in our born-again our hearts?

The Body of Christ is sorely divided with approximately 200- denominations within the United States and worldwide 45,000-denominations that operate as “autonomous branches” within the Church of Jesus Christ. Our lack of “Unity” causes Jesus to patiently wait, with long-suffering, for us to come into the knowledge of how His Kingdom operates. Jesus is faithful to serve as our Savior, Lord, and Great High Priest. Jesus is faithful to heal, deliver, prosper us, and keep us from evil and falling. But when will the Body of Christ be faithful to His Love Commandments so that the Lord may Unite us as “One” on earth?

Jesus is waiting for the Body of Christ to adhere to the admonishments of Paul:

II Corinthians 13: 11
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Philippians 2:2-3
Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

Every Church and denomination will say they want to know and feel God’s Presence in our places of worship and see great manifestations of the Spirit in healing and deliverances, but our attitudes and behaviors of ill-will toward each other throughout the Body of Christ prevents Visitations of Christ’s Anointing among us.

Our lack of togetherness across denominations and Church- affiliations keeps Jesus our Great High Priest, continually making intercession for us before God; His precious blood having to cover our sins of division and divisiveness before God.

We sorely misunderstand the triumphant entry of Jesus into our hearts when we “stubbornly” choose to operate as separate and autonomous Christian entities within the Church of Jesus Christ. In like manner to the Jews who celebrated Jesus as He was riding into the city of Jerusalem shouting “hosannas” for the wrong reasons, as our Churches choose to separate and worship apart from other Churches and denominations, we celebrate Jesus for the wrong reasons. Forever thinking that our worship services are pleasing in the sight of Jesus Christ, while at the same time, refusing to fellowship even with Churches within our own cluster of neighborhoods.

With self-indignation, so many Churches, denominations, and born-again Christians individually “refuse” to leave their places of worship and extend the right-hand of fellowship to other Churches outside of their fortified cliques. As the Body of Christ, we deceive ourselves, thinking that we are in love with God and all people when we have no fellowship with each other.
Oh Saints, how far away we are from understanding the heart-beat of Jesus!

Jesus wants to be in the midst of all believers who desire to gather together in streets and Churches without regard to denomination and race to celebrate Him as the Messiah and Savior of the world. Jesus does not want us to think of ourselves as belonging to Churches according to the color of our skin, or some aspect of our beliefs as we currently are aligned: The Black, White, Hispanic, or Chinese Church. The Baptist, Methodist, or Lutheran Church! No, we all belong to Christ’s Church!

When we have motives of worshiping according to religion, practices, traditions, or race we miss understand Christ’s entry into our hearts with peace and love. We turn ourselves away from God and His Word and become worshippers of our own agendas; idolaters. We turn away from the very attributes of Christ that are intended to help us join together to experience the Spirit of Complete Unity from God.

If we turn away from fellowship from other believers, our Worship Services become nothing more than “tinkling cymbals;” empty and confusing within God’s House. (I Cor. 13:2) We are nothing to God without love at work with all people. The Apostle Paul noted at I Corinthians 1:10: that we should have peace and love, and enjoy Oneness throughout the Body of Christ. Paul wrote:

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Paul continued writing,

“What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (I Cor. 1:12-13)

The Christians at Corinth in Paul’s day were dividing themselves into groups based on the personality and practices of their favorite teachers. Paul rebuked this early type of denominationalism as “wholly unnecessary” and damaging to the Unity of Christ. Christians are to follow Christ, and the Church is to be of the “same mind and of the same judgment,” because we love and follow a God who is One with Christ and us all, and who does not change. (Deut. 6:4 & James 1:17)

The vast majority of Christians misunderstand Christ’s entry into our hearts because they have not yet received and applied Paul’s revelation on the mystery of God in Christ, which he personally received from Jesus Christ. Paul wrote at Colossians 1:25-27 & Ephesians 3:17-19, respectively:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Now Ephesians 3:17-20
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Every Church, denomination, and born-again Christian individually needs to have their spiritual eyes opened by the Holy Ghost to receive the great mystery of God: That is, Christ is living and dwelling in their hearts, and the hearts of all believers. Jesus Christ rode into each of our hearts so that we might have a deep and abiding relationship and fellowship with God Almighty. So that we might know and experience the richness of God’s “Love:” How to unconditionally receive God’s Love, and how to unconditionally give God’s Love away to all people.

Jesus came into our hearts not just so we can call on Him when we need or want something from God. Because Jesus is our Faithful Friend and Great High Priest, this He will always do! When we call on Jesus to heal us, He will; to forgive our sins, He will; to deliver us from demonic oppression, He will; to give us money when broke, He will; to comfort us in time of sorrow and loneliness, He will. But, the Purpose of Jesus riding into our hearts is so that we might become mighty Lovers of God and Lovers of all people.

As such, within the Body of Christ, we are to have fellowship with “all” believers regardless of “religion or racial distinction.” Paul declared that all believers are to walk as “one new man in Christ!” For this is in fulfillment of God’s Word, who predestinated from the foundations of the world, that we all should be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:29)

In closing, as we come into the knowledge of the mystery of Christ, that we are all “One in Christ,” and that our spiritual lives are all hidden in Christ, let us work to eliminate all thinking and actions that cause us to be divided. For example, in like manner to how Jesus went into the Temple and casted out the money-changers and those who bought, let us as Church leaders and lay Christians examine our thought-life and turn over and tear down every thought that seeks to exalt itself against the knowledge of God. Thoughts that divide us by denominationalism and race, and let us instead embrace and hold the Truth that all Christians are sons of God and interconnected in the Spirit one to another.
Let us all enlist the power of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom of God to help us take actions to love, forgive, and do acts of kindness towards all Christians within the household of faith, as well as for non-Christians. Complete Unity comes from God in Christ Jesus when we obey, without condition, the Command to love one another as Jesus has loved us.

As the Body of Christ, let us strive to focus on the “core” tenants of our Christian beliefs that Unite all believers. That is, prioritization of the Gospel Message above specific denominational practices and traditions, and to actively seek fellowship with Christians from different denominations and Churches, recognizing that the Bible does not mandate specific denominational structures, and that the “Body of Christ” transcends denominational labels; essentially, emphasizing the Unity of believers in Christ over the distinctions between denominations.

As a first step toward loving one another and setting the atmosphere for God to usher in Complete Unity throughout the Body of Christ, on holy days such as Christmas, Palm Sunday, and Easter we can work together to organize joint Worship Services, community outreaches with the gospel, as well as various activities and services to meet peoples’ spiritual and human needs. Furthermore, as the “Times” in our nation and around the world grow more perilous, let us commit to building new and expanding existing networks of Churches and denominations to band together as “One” in Christ and pray and tear down the gates of hell and do great exploits that make Satan and the kingdom of darkness the footstool of Christ.

Thank you for reading my Letter, and may your work to bring peace and love to all of those within the Body of Christ cause you to grow deeper in the knowledge of Jesus Christ the Lord. I beg you dear Saints, to open wide your hearts to the Will of God to always forge ahead in making new friends and fellowships with other Christians across all denominations and Church-affiliations so that we may together win the lost to Christ through the advancement of the gospel Message to every creature in the world. Jesus’s triumphal ride into our born-again hearts is intended to bring us all into Complete Unity with God, and one another, as we travel along this Christian journey.

Let’s not keep Jesus our Faithful Friend and Great High Priest waiting any longer to behold our peace and love toward one another. Amen for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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