The New Life In Christ: Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues.

If I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 1Corinthians 14:6.

Therefore, one who speaks in tongue should pray for the power to interpret. 1Corinthians 14:13.

…nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my word, in order to instruct others also, than thousand words in a tongue. 1Corinthians 14:19.

But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1Corinthians 12:31.Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Be patient in suffering. Romans 12:12.

“I have faith in Christ!”…Trouble and persecution arises on account of the word. Matthew 13:21.

In the world you face persecution. But take courage. John 16:33.

It was fitting that God for whom and through whom all things exist in bringing many to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10.

In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trails, so that the genuineness of your faith…may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter 1:6-7.

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 1Peter 5:10. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Acts 8:33.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.”

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”

But Jesus remained silent. Matthew 26:59-63.

The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:3-5.

The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

“He was led like a sheep to the

slaughter,

and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,

so he did not open his mouth. Acts 8:32. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Woe to shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! Jeremiah 23:1.

Who say, “Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.”

These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.

See, it is written before me:

I will not keep silent, but I will repay;

I will indeed repay into their laps

their iniquities and their ancestors’ iniquities together, says the LORD;

Isaiah 65:5-7.

Have you not brought this upon yourself

by forsaking the LORD your God,

while he led you in the way? Jeremiah 2:17.

Your wickedness will punish you, and your

apostasies will convict you.

Know and see that it is evil and bitter

For you to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of me is not in you, says the Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 2:19. Amen.

                      

The New Life In Christ: You must teach what is according with sound doctrine. Titus 2:1.

In everything let them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make teaching about God our Savior attractive. Titus 2:7-10.

These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke will all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:15. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for my own good, who leads you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17.

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. Ephesians 4:17.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. Ephesians 4:20-21.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day redemption. Ephesians4:30. Amen.

We shall find all kinds of costly things;

We shall fill our houses with booty.

Throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse-

my child, do not walk in their way,

Keep you foot from their paths; for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood. Proverbs 1:13-16.

Those who trust in their (material) riches will wither,

but the righteous will flourish like green leaves. Proverbs 11:28.

The blessings of the LORD makes (spiritual) riches, and he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22.

For human ways are under the eyes of the LORD,

And he examines all their paths. Proverbs 5:21.Amen.

The New Life In Christ: A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7.

The one who sows to please his sinful nature from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: It is Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? Isaiah 50:9.

Listen to me, you who know righteousness, you people who have my teaching in your hearts; do not fear the reproach of others, and do not be dismayed when they revile you.

For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool;

but my deliverance will be forever, and my salvation to all generations. Isaiah 51:7-8.

See, I have taken from you hand the cup of staggering;

you shall drink no more

from the bowl of my wrath.

And I will put it into the hand of your

tormentors,

who have said to you, “Bow down that we may walk on you”;

and you have made your back like the ground

and like the street for them to walk on. Isaiah 51:22-23. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Prepare to meet your God. Amos 4:12.

For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins-you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate.

Seek good not evil,

that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will

be with you,

just as you have said.

Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate;

Alas for you who desire the day of the LORD!

Why do you want the day of the LORD?

It is darkness, not light; Amos 5:12 & 5:14-15 & 5:18. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test? 2Corinthians 13:5.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves:

For we can not do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2Corinthians 13:5, 13:8 and 13:11.

Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are zealous to win you alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of child-birth until Christ is formed in you. Galatians 4:16-19. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” Romans 2:6.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind; to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, and ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 1:28-32 and 2:1. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: God who is enthroned from of old, will hear, and will humble them-because they do not change and do not fear God. Psalm 55:19.

“Go and measure the temple of God and the alter, and count the worshipers there.”

 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky filed from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.

Another book was opened, which is the book of life.

The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the book.

If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 11:1 and 20:11-12 and 20:15. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” Acts 11:18.

“I (Peter) was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

“I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

“The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

Right then three men who had been sent to me…

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said:… So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” Acts 11:5-17. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: But how can I bear the heavy burden of your disputes all by myself? Deuteronomy 1:12.

So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and reputable individuals, and installed them as leaders over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officials, through out your tribes… You must not be partial in judging; …for the judgment is God’s. Deuteronomy 1:15-17.

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be build up until we reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13.

…for each one should carry his own load.

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Galatians 6:5-6. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Refresh my heart in Christ. Philemon 1:20.

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. Titus 3:8.

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not like unproductive lives. Titus 3:14.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. Hebrews 3:13-14. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…Jesus has become a priest forever… Hebrews 6:19-20.

When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. Hebrews 6:13-18. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: You have taken up my cause, O LORD, you have redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:58.

You have seen the wrong done to me. O LORD; judge my cause.

You have seen all their malice, all their plots against me.

You have heard their taunts, O LORD,

All their plots against me.

The whispers and murmurs of my assailants are against me all day long.

whether they sit or rise-see,

I am the object of their taunt-songs.

Pay them back for their deeds, O LORD,

according to the work of their hands! Lamentations 3:59-64. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 1Peter 4:1.

But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1Peter 3:16-17.

The end of all things is near…love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1Peter 4:7-9.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. 1Peter 4:11. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: …for a teaching will go out from me. Isaiah 51:4.

Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. Proverbs 8:18-19.

…for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. Proverbs 4:2.

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ…the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor I was taught it; rather I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:10-12. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15.

 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor you father and mother”-which is the first commandment with a promise- “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves, obey tour earthly masters with respect and fear, and the sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of from your heart.

Serve whole heartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Ephesians 6:1-8. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.” 2Corinthians 4:13.

Since, then, we know that it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.   2Corinthians 5:11.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2Corinthians 5:17.

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way; in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses.2Corinthians 6:3-4. Amen.

The New Life In Christ; So then, no one more boasting about men! 1Corinthians 3:21.

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen

no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1Corinthians 2:9.

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 1Corinthians 2:13.

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1Corinthians 3:9.

If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’stemple is sacred, and you are that temple. 1Corinthians 3:17.

Amen.

The New Life In Christ: I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Revelation 22:9.

“Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” Revelation 22:10-11.

And let everyone who hears say,

        “Come”

And let everyone who is thirsty come.

Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. Revelation 22:17.

…and his name will be on their foreheads  Revelation 22:4.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20.

  

The New Life In Christ: When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Revelation 1:17.

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evil doers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false.

I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the workers you did at first. Revelation 2:2-5.

“See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work”. Revelation 22:12. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Can your courage endure, or can your hands remain strong in the days when I shall deal with you? Ezekiel 22:14.

Mortal, say to it: You are a land that is not cleanses, not rained of indignation…

Its priests have done violence to my teaching and have profaned my holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean…so that I am profaned among them.

 Its officials within it are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain.

Its prophets have smeared white wash on their behalf, seeing, “Thus says the Lord God,” when the Lord has not spoken. Ezekiel 22:24-28. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Matthew 15:13.

“ ‘You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

“These people honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

They worship me in vain;

their teachings are but rules

taught by men.” Matthew 15:7-9.

Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 15:14.

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: His name will be on their foreheads. Revelation 22:4.

…and his name is the Word of God. Revelation 19:13.

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and he will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you here are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23-24.

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 1Corinthians 2:13. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36.

“When an evil spirit comes out a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean (without spiritual power & with worldly desires) and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43-45.

Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing (no spiritual blessings) on it except leaves, (the rules & the laws of mere morals) then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. Matthew 21:19. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2Corinthians 3:17.

Therefore,since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 2Corinthians 4:1-3.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry and in our body the death of Jesus, so that trough life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2Corinthians 4:8-10.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2Corinthians 4:16. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: But unless you repent you too will all perish. Luke 13:5.

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?

“ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit (good deed), next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9.

See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse. Deuteronomy 11:26

Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16. Amen.