GROW BY LEARNING : March 2015

Friday, March 27, 2015

God IS

God said:
"This is what the LORD (Yehweh) says ~ Who formed you in the womb: "I Am the LORD who has made all things, who ALONE stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by Myself."
Isaiah 44:24

Jesus ~ God the Son
"... God has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word." Hebrews 1:2-3

Jesus spoke often in gentle words of humility. These words should not lesson our understanding of Who He is. They should greatly exalt our view of Him ~ and our devotion to Him.
"Christ Jesus ~ Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death ~ even death on a cross."
Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus Christ ~ apart from Me
there is no God. There is none besides Me. Turn to Me and be saved all you ends of the earth, for I am God ~ and there is no other. (Isa 44:6, 45:5, 21-22)

Jesus God in the Flesh

"This is what the LORD (Yehweh ~ GOD) says ~ Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty:
'I AM the FIRST and I AM the LAST. Apart from Me there is no God.'" Isaiah 44:6
This is what Jesus said:
"Do not be afraid. I AM the FIRST and I AM the LAST. I AM the Living One. I was dead, and behold I Am alive for ever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and Hades." Revelation 1:17-18

"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'I MYSELF will search for My sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after His scattered flock when He is with them, so will I look after My sheep... I MYSELF will tend My sheep and have them lay down.' declares the Sovereign LORD.'" Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15
Jesus Christ said:
"I Am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." John 10:11
When Jesus said this He knew the ancient prophecies about Himself, including Ezekiel. He said there was only one flock and one Shepherd. Ezek 10:16
Peter refers to Christ:
"You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." 1 Peter 2:25

Thursday, March 26, 2015

E:60 Penny Hardaway (Full Feature HD)

Read the Word, Learn the Word, Know the Word

If when some one finally comes to see for themselves what the preacher preaches and does, you better make sure what you do is Biblical.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Never Avenge Yourselves Leave the Wrath To God

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Let God Take His Wrath Upon Those Who Sin Against Him

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher

Romans 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

Never 3361 yourselves 1438 avenging 1556 beloved 27 but 235 give 1325 place 5117 to wrath 3709 it has been written 1125 indeed 1063 Mine (is) 1473 vengeance 1557 will repay 467 says (the) 3004 Lord 2962

KJV: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Leviticus 19:18; 1 Samuel 25:26,33; Proverbs 24:17, 18, 19,29; Ezekiel 25:12)

Never - The English definition of never is not ever; not at any time; at no time. It refers to the past or the future.

Beloved (27) (agapetos from agapao = love; agape) means beloved, dear, very much loved.

Do Not Take revenge (1556) Webster's) = to avenge (as oneself) usually by retaliating in kind or degree; to inflict injury in return for (revenge an insult); To inflict pain or injury in return for an injury received. Revenge is an action of inflicting harm or damage on someone else in retaliation forharm or damage inflicted on you.,_{http://www.yourdictionary.com/revenge}

Vengeance is something done in revenge. punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense; retribution - the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter . Payback, resprisal, requital, retaliation, retribution, revenge. _{http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vengeance}

Forbidden Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 24:29; Romans 12:17,19; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9

BUT LEAVE ROOM FOR THE WRATH OF GOD:

But - Here Paul presents the Spirit enabled, supernatural contrast.

Give place unto wrath.—It seems best to understand this of “the wrath of God” (indicated in the Greek, here as elsewhere, by the use of the article). Stand aside yourself as a mere spectator, and let the wrath of God have free course to accomplish itself as He shall think well. The other most plausible interpretation would be, “Give room to the wrath of your adversary; let it spend itself; resist not evil,” etc., as in Matthew 5:39. The sense, “Allow time for your own anger to cool,” cannot be got out of the Greek. The view first stated is to be preferred.

Wrath (3709 to swell. conveys the picture of a swelling which eventually bursts, and thus describes an anger that proceeds from one’s settled nature. Does not refer to uncontrollable anger to which men are so prone but to God's settled indignation and controlled passionate hostile feeling toward sin in all its various manifestations. Settled indignation means that God’s holiness cannot and will not coexist with sin in any form whatsoever Is not the momentary, emotional, and often uncontrolled anger (thumos - 2372) to which human beings are prone. Is used primarily of God's holy, righteous wrath but occasionally refers to the wrath of men (see Ephesians 4:31)

FOR IT IS WRITTEN: (Deuternomy 32:35 Proverbs 25:21,22 cp Matthew 5:43-47)

For (gar) is a term of explanation = always pause, ponder and query "for" when it is used as a term of explanation, relying on your Teacher, the Spirit, to give you illumination to the meaning of the text and context.

It is written -God said it, that settles it, whether I believe it or not! It is written should put a stop to every complaint or excuse.

Written is in the perfect tense (gegraphtai) which emphasizes the lasting and binding authority of that which was written. It has been written at some point in time in the past (cf Lv 11:44, 19:2, 20:7 were originally inscribed with a stylus by Moses probably on clay tablets under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit circa 1500BC) and it "stands" written.

VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, SAYS THE LORD: (Ro 13:4; Deuteronomy 32:35,43; Psalms 94:1-3; Nahum 1:2,3; Hebrews 10:30

Do not be deceived, (present imperative + negative ~ stop being deceived, implying some already were being deceived - remember too that when we are deceived, by definition we don't even know it!

The natural instinct is to answer enmity with enmity, and kindliness with kindliness. There are many people of whom we think well and like, for no other reason than because we believe that they think well of and like us. Such a love is really selfishness. In the same fashion, dislike, and alienation on the part of another naturally reproduce themselves in our own minds. A dog will stretch its neck to be patted, and snap at a stick raised to strike it. It requires a strong effort to master this instinctive tendency, and that effort the plainest principles of Christian morality require from us all. The precepts in our text are in twofold form, negative and positive; and they are closed with a general principle, which includes both these forms, and much more besides.

I. We deal with the negative precept.

'Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto wrath.' Do not take the law into your own hands, but leave God's way of retribution to work itself out.

II. Take the positive, -- Follow God's way of meeting hostility with beneficence.

The great object which every Christian man is bound to have in view is to win over the enemy and melt away misconceptions and hostility. It is not from any selfish regard to one's own personal ease that we are so to act, but because of the sacred regard which Christ has taught us to cherish for the blessing of peace amongst men, and in order that we may deliver a brother from the snare, and make him share in the joys of fellowship with God.

III. In all life meet and conquer evil with good.

It implies that in all our lives we have to fight evil, and that it conquers, and we are beaten when we are led to do it. It is only conquered by being transformed into good. We overcome our foes when we win them to be lovers.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Love that is Biblical

LET LOVE BE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY: e agape anupokritos:

(2Samuel 20:9,10; Psalms 55:21; Proverbs 26:25; Ezekiel 33:31; Matthew 26:49; John 12:6; 2Corinthians 6:6; 8:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 1:5; James 2:15,16; 1 Peter 1:22; 4:8; 1John 3:18-20 )

Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them (TLB)

Don’t let love be a mere outward show. (JNT).

Let love be genuine (GWT).

Don’t just pretend that you love others. (NLT)

It is not surprising that Greek literature throws little light on its distinctive NT meaning. Biblical agape love is the love of choice, the love of serving with humility, the highest kind of love, the noblest kind of devotion, the love of the will (intentional, a conscious choice) and not motivated by superficial appearance, emotional attraction, or sentimental relationship. Agape is not based on pleasant emotions or good feelings that might result from a physical attraction or a familial bond. Agape chooses as an act of self-sacrifice to serve the recipient. From all of the descriptions of agape love, it is clear that true agape love is a sure mark of salvation.

Agape love does not depend on the world’s criteria for love, such as attractiveness, emotions, or sentimentality. Believers can easily fall into the trap of blindly following the world’s demand that a lover feel positive toward the beloved. This is not agape love, but is a love based on impulse. Impulsive love characterizes the spouse who announces to the other spouse that they are planning to divorce their mate. Why? They reason “I can’t help it. I fell in love with another person!” Christians must understand that this type of impulsive love is completely contrary to God’s decisive love, which is decisive because He is in control and has a purpose in mind. There are many reasons a proper understanding of the truth of God's word (and of the world's lie) is critical and one of the foremost is Jesus' declaration that "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love (agape) for one another." (John 13:35).

Agape is God-like love motivated and energized by God (Romans 5:5, Gal 5:22) and which loves regardless of the circumstances, a deliberate love that decides (enabled by the Spirit and grace) it will keep loving even if it is rebuffed and a love that centers on the needs and welfare of the one loved and will pay whatever personal price is necessary to meet those needs and foster that welfare. We are challenged to live out this highest form of love and to do so with the highest sincerity. How could this be possible except that it be a supernatural endowment?

Our love is to be genuine, not counterfeit. Don't pat another believer on the back and say something that you don't mean. What does this non-hypocritical love look like? Counter to what many seem to believe, it is not "soft" on evil. In context agape abhors evil and clings to good. The mark of love is to hate evil and to hold fast to what is good.

ROMANS 12:6-21 BEHAVE LIKE A CHRISTIAN

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher

Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, Minford, Ohio

Behave Like a Christian

⁹Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer^;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 1⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

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⁹Love must be completely sincere. Let love be genuine. Let Love be without hypocrisy.
Hate what is evil. Abhor what is evil
Hold on to what is good. Cling to what is good
¹⁰Love one another warmly as Christians, Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
Be eager to show respect for one another. in honor giving preference to one another
¹¹Work hard and do not be lazy. not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit,;
Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Serving the Lord fervent in spirit
¹²Let your hope keep you joyful, rejoicing in hope,
Be patient in your troubles, and patient in tribulation
Pray at all times. Continuing steadfastly in prayer
¹³Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, distributing to the needs of the saints
And open your homes to strangers. given to hospitality
¹⁴ Ask God to bless those who persecute you—yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
¹⁵Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep
¹⁶ Have the same concern for everyone. Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
Do not think of yourselves as wise. Do not be wise in your own opinion
¹⁷If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
Try to do what everyone considers to be good. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
¹⁸Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men
¹⁹ Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord
²⁰ Instead, as the scripture says: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame.” Therefore“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
²¹Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Johnny Edwards Spring Meeting 2015

Saturday, March 21, 2015

The Invincible Power of the Inerrant Word

Introduction
I want to speak to you this morning on, “The Invincible Power of the Inerrant Word.”

Prayer: Steven Lawson said that we should take his outline and teach it to your church.

We understand what the word inerrant means. It means that it is without any errors as it was recorded in its original autographs. This is a flawless book in all that it states.

Psalm 12:6-7 states, “The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.” Refined to absolute perfection. It is a flawless book in all that it states.

Psalm 119:140: “Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it.”

Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God is tested,” meaning: it has been put into the fire. There are no impurities that remain. It is the pure gold and silver of the truth of God.

Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” The word truth means reality, the way things really are. It does not mean that which the culture or population says that something is. It is not reality as is perceived by us. The word truth means reality: the way things really are. Sin is whatever God says sin is. Salvation is whatever God says salvation is. Heaven and hell are whatever God says heaven and hell are. “Let every man be found a liar. Let God be found true!”

In James 1:25, the Scripture is referred to as the perfect law.

In 1 Peter 2:2, the Bible represents itself as the pure milk of the Word. That is to say, it is unadulterated. It is unvarnished.

The Bible says in Hebrews 6:18, “It is impossible for God to lie.” I have translated this from the Greek and it says "It is impossible for God to lie." It means what it says, and says what it means.

Titus 1:2 speaks of “God, who cannot lie.” There are some things that God cannot do. God can never contradict Himself. It is impossible for God to lie, because He is the Truth. And His Son is the Truth. And His Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. And thus the Word of God is the Truth.

Spurgeon said, “If I did not believe in the absolute infallibility of Scripture, I would never enter the pulpit again.” And so it is for all of us who gather here today. If we do not believe in the inerrancy of the Word of God we would never enter a pulpit again. Because the Word of God is inerrant, it is, by necessity, invincible.

Because the Word of God is absolutely pure, it is therefore absolutely powerful. Because the Bible is what it claims to be, it is able to do what it claims to do. The word invincible means “incapable of being overcome or subdued,” “incapable of being conquered or debated.” Such is the supernatural power of the Word of God.
The Bible is so invincible that it requires many different symbols to communicate the whole of its power. The Bible is like a beautiful diamond that has many different facets. And when you hold it up to the light, its beauty refracts the light out of each facet, such that no one metaphor can communicate the perfection of the Bible. There are many metaphors. And many metaphors just to get our arms around the absolute infallibility of Scripture, I

SEVEN SYMBOLS, METAPHORS OF SACRED SCRIPTURE

I want to set before us seven symbols of Sacred Scripture—seven metaphors or analogies that Scripture employs to speak of itself. How the Bible represents itself to us.

And I would encourage you to put this outline in the back of your Bible, to preach this outline, and to teach this as a lesson.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Spring Meeting 2015 Over view

Our meeting started March 15th 2015

Johnny and Phyllis Edwards were our guest on Sunday Night and Monday and Tuesday

Pastor/Teacher Charles started our meeting on Sunday in the Adult Bible Study Hour

Dwight Haynes who does a Chalk Talk, and he takes a blank, gray canvas, and transform into a beautiful illustration of Scripture, which he did five times this week.

Evangelist Winston Hall spoke five time this week, different topics each night. They were good, but a little long. And his lovey wife, Kathy was a blessing as well.

Dwight and his wife Ann, sing beautifully together each night

MOST OF ALL OUR MOST BLESSED WAS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAME EACH NIGHT.

Each night we had visitors. I believe we had a total of 54 different people that came to the Spring Meeting 2015.

Then on Wednesday we had Steve and Susan Free sing for us and they were just great.

Our hope and prayer that this meeting will turn into a revival of new visitors and new people that will come and a new spirit of love and joy for people and the Lord Jesus Christ

Spring Meeting 2015 At Rivers of Joy Baptist Church

On Wednesday Evening our service included the Free’s from McDermott, OH. Steve and Susan Free were our guess singers, and they were very good. I first saw Steve singing at Holiday Inn in December 2014 and then we bought his Christmas DVD and Charity and I just love the songs. They are such a sweet (If I might use that term) couple. They were a blessing