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What is the answer? This study is a brief overview of what is happening when our faith level goes down. This is also known as 'backsliding'. Christian believers should understand this and live their lives accordingly. This message is to help us understand when our faith is reducing and also to help us to know what steps to take to prevent it. Hosea 4:16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place. The Lord compares his sinful people Israel to a helpless young cow that is sliding backwards down a slope. The cow is moving away from safety and security as is Israel when they move away from God. Definition of Backsliding: five points To turn away from God after conversion To grow cold towards God and his things To harden your heart against him To turn from your first love To turn back to ways of world Backsliding may be caused by Pride or haughty spirit or stubbornness Spiritual blindness Lusting for evil or longing for old life (bondage) Desire for material things Adversity – when the going gets tough Prosperity – when the going gets easy Associating with evil company Unforgiveness and lack of commitment Effects of backsliding Displeases God May lead to punishment Blessings withheld Makes us unfit for God’s kingdom Examples of Believers who were Backslidden Lot`s wife; Longing for old life (sinful) David; Adultery with Bathsheba Peter; Denied Jesus three times Corinthians; Sexual immorality Ephesians; Left their first love (see Revelation 2:4) Scriptures to encourage us when we backslide 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jeremiah 3:12 “Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the Lord; ‘I will not be angry forever.'” Jeremiah 3:22 “Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness.” Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test! Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Hosea 14:1-4 O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God: for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.2 Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so, will we render the calves of our lips. 3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.4 I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. Hosea calls on Israel to turn to the Lord asking him to cleanse all their sins. Only from God can they find mercy. If the backsliders turn to God, forsaking their idols, he will heal their backsliding, and show his love freely as his anger is turned away from them. In the New Testament when anyone backslides a good starting point to recovery is 1 John 1:9 (see above). Prayer: Today, let us pray for those in our fellowships who have slid back. We now ask the Lord to grant the grace for repentance and removal of sin, then He will heal their backsliding and love them freely. Amen

Go and do thou likewise What is compassion? To enter sympathetically into someone’s sorrow and pain. To show fellow feeling. To extend mercy and help when we see someone’s pain. To show pity in the kind sense. Jesus is a compassionate Saviour. So many times he showed compassion. Compassion when expressed usually leads to action whether in healing, prayer, or appropriate help etc. Examples of Jesus' compassion For the Multitude Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. For the blind Matthew 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. For Jerusalem Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! For the Leper Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. For the Bereaved Luke 7:13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. The Good Samaritan One of the most outstanding acts of compassion was told in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Q. Who is your neighbour? A. Anyone that you can see needs your help. The Samaritan owed the wounded man nothing but recognized that a fellow human being (made in the image of God) was suffering and needed serious help and care. This compassion is a facet of the Love of God. The Good Samaritan firstly took the risk of assisting the wounded man as the robbers could still have been around. There would be plenty of blood on the victim yet the Samaritan helped him, gave him first aid and took him to a place of safety where he could recover. He also paid the wounded man’s expenses promising that he would meet the wounded victim’s full bill. This Samaritan showed great compassion and gave a wonderful example to us of how to show compassion especially to a stranger. Jesus say to us today 'Go, and do thou likewise.' Amen Personal Prayer

How to touch God in faith Just think of it, day and night every day, millions of people bombard the Lord with prayers , petitions and requests. Just as well that God is omniscient (all knowing) and does not need a switchboard particularly as a switchboard might jam. Some people always seem to get through and connect with God with their prayer, whilst others seem to have less success. I personally believe that all our prayers which are in line with God’s will are answered , Yes and Amen when they are offered up in faith. Let us examine God’s word to find out if this assertion is true. Our first proof text is found in Mark 5:24-34 see footnotes [1]. There was a great multitude pressing in on Jesus. The sick woman says to herself ‘if I only could touch the hem of his garment then I would be healed’. Her faith made a difference and virtue proceeded from the Son of God and healed her. She reached out and touched Jesus the Son of God in a living and expectant way. This is how we must learn to touch God! Faith in God is a major and recurring theme in the Bible. Perhaps one of the best scriptures defining just what exactly is meant by faith is found in Hebrews 11:1-6 see footnotes [2]. Faith is at one level is just simply trusting God. It is an assurance in our hearts and minds that we can trust God both in terms of the truth of the scriptures and when He speaks directly by His Holy Spirit. If you believe that the Lord has spoken to you then faith means that you trust Him and do whatever He has called, you to do. Every believer has been dealt the measure of faith [3]. Faith is the gift of God [4] If we have no faith in Jesus Christ and His words, then there is no salvation. Even if all the people are pressing around God only those who reach out and touch him in faith will connect and receive from him. We can trust the bible when it says that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved [5]. And so our eternal lives begin when we place our faith (trust and belief) in Jesus Christ and His words (the words of eternal life). We begin our faith walk as become poor [6] in spirit by admitting our sins and our own inability to put things right with God by our own devices and thus we begin to inherit the kingdom of God. So our progress continues by faith for it is impossible to please God without it [7]. Praying or acting without faith is like firing a gun with blank ammunition. It sounds and looks like the real thing but does not do the job needed. Our prayers should be heartfelt and offered up in faith knowing that our Abba Father will hear them and grant all those that are in His will. We must realiose that our heavenly Father cares about us in every intimate detail of our lives. We should also be aware that we have access into the very Holy of Holies in time of trouble (I also believe at all other appropriate times because we are His children). We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ and are called the children of God. All our activities both secular and spiritual need to be performed in faith. Whether we pray in the Spirit or express thanksgiving, it is our faith that makes the act acceptable to God. Even our thanksgiving and offerings must be lifted in faith. What good would our praise and worship be if we do not enter in by faith? Without faith it is impossible to please God... Look at the staggering promise in Mark 11:23-24 then align your prayers with it… in faith. Sometimes we have to say with the demonized boy’s father ‘Lord help my unbelief’. And the Lord did help him and set his boy free! So in closing, I believe the Lord would challenge us today to consider our ways as to whether we are living our lives as lives of faith? Let us press in and touch Him now in faith believing that we will receive the very thing that we need from our Abba Father now! Amen Personal Prayer Scripture footnotes [1] Mark 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and many people followed him and thronged him. 25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace and be whole of thy plague. [2] Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [3] Romans 12:3. [4] Ephesians 2:8. [5] Acts 2:21. [6] Matthew 5:6-11 Note stepwise progression of the Beatitudes. [7] Hebrews 11:6.

Eternal security and the Trinity Two Views of Salvation Some people would say that man’s work can help him earn salvation, whereas others say salvation is entirely God’s work. If salvation can be earned or deserved in any way, based on our actions, then there is a possibility that we might stumble and lose it again. This is in effect a ‘social gospel’ a gospel based on good works. This would mean that salvation was gained by doing good works and implies a necessary standard of conduct. If, like most Christians we believe that salvation is entirely the work of God, then we could only lose it through some failure on God’s part. This is of course impossible. The Bible is clear on this point that salvation is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Four Foundational Principles for the Eternal Security of a believer 1. God’s omniscience; he knows everything, past, present, and future. He knows each one of us at our worst (faults and failings) and at our best. He knew what he was doing when he saved each one of us. He was big enough to complete the task of preparing us for eternity. Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. See also 2 Timothy 2:13, Isaiah 46:9-10. 2. The nature of a gift from God; Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. A wage is earned, but a gift is given, the Greek word for gift charisma means a gift. Eternal life is a gift, and the Scripture says in Romans 11 :29 the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. If we could lose our salvation, then surely God’s omniscience and grace would be in doubt! 3. The work of the Trinity in our salvation All three personalities of the triune Godhead co-operated in our salvation. The idea that any or all of them failed is absurd. a) The work of the Father. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Father God planned our salvation and has adopted us into his family. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: It was the Father who began the good work in us, and He will faithfully complete it. b) The work of the Son Jesus died for every sin; past, present, and future. If even one sin was not covered by his blood, then we would be in grave danger. But thank God that no sin can now affect God’s plan, because they have all been considered since Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. Jesus is our advocate (1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:). The parakletos (advocate) means one called alongside to help. Jesus does not turn his back on us when we sin but rather, he rushes to the Father saying, ‘Yes, I know he is guilty, but I paid for that sin on the cross’. When we get to heaven there will be great rejoicing ‘He (Jesus) shall see the travail of his soul and be satisfied (Isaiah 53:11). Jesus is both judge and advocate (John 5:22,27). The court is biased in our favour! c) The work of the Father and Son Together. John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day.40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Father gives men to the Son and He will lose none of them! John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never [2] perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man can pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one. d) The work of the Holy Spirit. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest [3] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. We are sealed now at the point of salvation. This implies a ‘done deal’. God owns us from that moment forever. The King of King’s seal cannot be reversed. 4. The family or kindred relationship. We are born-again into God’s family; Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Even if we deny Our Father, He remains faithful to us. Amen Personal Prayer Footnotes [2] Double negative in Greek for emphasis ‘never ever’. In Part 5 we examine the scriptures used to argue against eternal security.

The case for once saved always saved. Is it possible for a true born-again believer to lose their salvation and end up in the eternal lake of fire, separated from God forever? The question usually arises when someone we know or even perhaps ourselves, who previously professed Christianity but is now living far from Jesus and does not seem to even care. As we begin this important study it is crucial to remember that not everyone in any given fellowship may be truly born again! Our question in this study is focused on those who have truly been born-again. This study has three parts to it. 1. The need for holiness in the believer’s life. 2. Bible evidence to support ‘once saved always saved’. 3. Responses to those scriptures which appear to contradict this. It is clear from the teaching of the Bible that the Lord wants and indeed expects us to lead holy lives that bear fruit. It does matter how we live in every area of our lives, and we must not grieve the Holy Spirit who indwells us by living in constant sin. The grace of God and His righteousness in us are not a license to sin. Even if we do stumble our hearts should be quick to confess our sins to the Lord. Background Calvinists and Armenians Calvinists (John Calvin 1509-1564) generally believe in Eternal Security. They believe that God knew everyone who would believe from before the foundation of the world, and because of this He called and chose each one. In this viewpoint God has done all the work for salvation in the past and the people will be saved in the future. One drawback from this point of view is that because it is so focused on the past it leaves out how the believers live in the present. When taken to extremes this could be taken to mean that it really does not matter how the Christian behaves and hence opens the door for widescale immorality. Arminians (Jacob Arminius 1560-1609), on the other hand, concentrate much more on the present. They also believe God has called and chosen us, but that this calling works only on a day to day basis. So, if we live a holy life today, we are still saved, but if not, we are in instant danger of losing our salvation. Some Arminians become very legalistic and keep long sets of rules perhaps even to the extent of keeping all the law of Moses. Some are in more bondage to the law than any legalistic Jew! Most of what the Calvinists believe is scripturally correct, but a balanced biblical viewpoint must take the present into account. Jesus is alive today and .... He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever liveth to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:23-25). Israel needed a high priest to represent the people to God and in the same way Jesus Christ our high priest makes daily intercessions for each one of us. Our eternal security and salvation do not only depend in what the Lord has done in the past but also on the fact that Jesus Christ is interceding for us today. This means there is a present aspect to our salvation. In other words, if Jesus stopped interceding for us perhaps, we might lose our salvation. Praise God however that He can save us to the uttermost (panteles) meaning completely, utterly, or finally, or even better everlastingly (forever). This present aspect of our salvation means that God requires something from us today! Our present-day sin is still loathsome to God. Although Jesus paid the price in full for all our sins when we sin today, Jesus has to say to His Father ‘I suffered and died for that sin’. So, there is still a reaction in heaven when we sin though He graciously forgives us when we repent. Our sins are still of real significance today and we must remember that obedience is better than sacrifice. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. The basis of our eternal security is founded in two equally important things. 1. The work and calling of God in the past 2. The living intercession of Christ for us. If we remember both aspects, they will keep us from extremes of considering sin unimportant or trying to live under the Law. Our love and gratitude to Jesus will lead us into greater holiness. Some Arminian preachers are frightened to preach on God’s grace in case it will promote sin in the believer’s lives. The Bible however teaches that as we acquire an understanding of the grace and love of God and a revelation that Jesus is constantly interceding for us, then we will be inspired to lead holy lives. The supporting scriptures for this motivation to holiness are given below [1]. From these scriptures it is clear that God does not employ fear or outward things to spur us on to holiness but rather it is the truth inside us that will cause a response from our hearts. We respond to God’s love and grace. Those forgiven most, love most! Holiness needs a new nature. No matter how good on external appearances people are, only the new birth can really change their nature. People who have only received the Gospel in their heads are often more difficult to convert because they think they are already saved. Amen Personal prayer [1] Titus 2 11-13. Ephesians 2:8-10. Romans 6:11-15. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20. Ephesians 3:20 -4 22. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12. Collossians 3:1. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. 1 John 3:13.

Security in times of trouble Psalm 91:1-10 Psalm 91 has been called God’s atomic bomb shelter, but is in fact it is our nuclear, chemical, and biological shelter. 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most-High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. There is tremendous protection at the foot of the cross, God himself is watching over his people. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Each believer can truthfully say concerning the Lord, that He himself is our place of safety and not only in easy times, He is like a fortress around us and protecting us in time of trouble, battle, and difficulty. 3 Surely, he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. The Lord is an ever-present help in times of trouble and stands ready to help and protect you from the sudden traps of the enemy, like a bird going into a specifically designed trap Satan tries to ensnare God’s people. God thinks that people who lay traps for other people ought to be caught in their own trap. Amen The deadly pestilence includes all parasites, infections, infestations, viral pandemics and the like. Surely, he will save you and yours. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. The picture here is the adult eagle extended the wing over the chicks to protect and ward off any evil. Anyone or anything wanting to do us harm needs to get past our God who places us under his wings and gives us a place of safety, a place of refuge, a place of immunity from evil. God is always true to his word and is so dependable to his people, that his promise of protection to us is like a battle shield or defensive bulwark of a mighty castle. We can be sure of his protection. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. The Lord’s protection of his covenant people is 24/7 x 365 all through the night and day. Whenever our enemy attacks at night trying to terrify us, God’s hedge of protection surrounds us both sleeping and awake. This applies to the targeted attacks (destructive calamity) of the enemy, even the fiery darts of the evil one, and even when the guided missile zeroing in on you, we can remain assured of the Lord’s protection and security. Even when the vectors/agencies of the enemy i.e. plagues, pestilences, pandemics try to latch on to us under the cover of darkness or by stealth, or in the full heat of the day at noon, we need not fear for God is with us and in us, and wrapped/enveloped around us. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. This promise is particularly suited to the historical plague or today’s pandemic which as we can see is claiming thousands of lives around the world today. But, whatever is happening to other people, those of us dwelling in God’s shelter can expect his special providence and care so much so that the Lord will not let the pestilence come near you to hurt you, God has his marked his favour on his people and you are one of them. Those who refuse to come into God’s shelter, one day we will see the come into God’s judgement at the Great White Throne. 9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 24x7After all God’s above promises of protection, we can indeed say to ourselves with the psalmist, surely the Lord is indeed our refuge and surely we want to dwell under his shadow. Because that is our position, is our true belief then no harm should overtake us and God will prevent disaster coming upon our house. Interim Prayer Lord God, we thank you today for your all-embracing security over your people. We thank you for actively protecting us from plagues and pestilences night and day every day, we thank you that whatever is happening to other people even around us that you will keep the pandemic from us, your people, it won’t reach us. Unfortunately, we will see many who do not love you God fall into the enemy’s hand. We thank you Most High Lord for your assurance that we are in your place of safety, and dwell with you in your shelter where no harm should overtake us nor the plague enter into our houses. We thank you Lord for your shelter at the foot of Jesus’ Christ cross. Amen In Part 3B we will discuss Psalm 91:11-16

Security found in using the Wisdom of God In Part 1 we considered developing our security in God by focusing on the eternal things and by building on the the Rock. Now in Part 2 we consider the security found in the wisdom of God and then proceed to consider security for life and death. 3. To find the wisdom of God we turn to Proverbs 1:7, 20-29. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares. 23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. 24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, 25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, 26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-- 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. 28 "Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. 29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, This reveals that it is only the wisdom of God in your life that will provide a full and total security for your life. Such wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. In this passage Wisdom explains the terrible consequencies of ignoring her advice. 4. Security in life and in death Psalm 23 gives a wonderful explanation of how the Lord cares for each one of his sheep all through each life and in their death. 23:1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. You shall not want in this life nor the next. We don’t need to fear even when we are dying for surely we will dwell with God in his house forever.The death of the righteous is further described in1 Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. In the above passage 'fallen asleep' means died. Whether we are already dead or are still alive when the Lord descands with the trumpet call both the righteous dead and the righteous living will be with him forever. What a wonderful promise for our security in life and in death' See also Proverbs 14:32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge. When calamity comes- the righteous will have hope Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. The eternal hope is our security. Hebrews 6:18 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. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, Please note that God cannot lie and He has said our Hope in Him is a refuge. Hope in Him is an anchor for the soul holding us steady when we are tossed to and fro by the storms of life. We must refuse to be driven by our fears/insecurities even at the point of our death. Amen Personal Prayer

Set your mind on things above Colossians 3:1-2 Sometimes we need to get our problems out from under the microscope and gaze into the observatory of God’s creation. This will help us keep a sense of perspective about our difficulties and problems. James says that ‘We must be both hearers and doers of God’s word.’ We must put the word of God in practice in our day to day lives. We have been made alive in the Spirit and so we must walk in the Spirit. This means that every day we must remember what God had said about us rather than what our circumstances say about us. Remember when Jesus told Peter to step off the boat and walk on the water to him. When Peter looked at the circumstances, he began to sink yet when he walked on Jesus’ word he began to walk on the water. Jesus of course caught Peter and that what he will do for you when you step out on faith on the word Jesus has given you. Amen. Returning now to our keynote scripture, the word ‘walk’ [1] in Galatians 5:16 means to walk around i.e. walk around in the Spirit e.g. he walks around if he owns the joint! Walk around in this verse means that you are putting into practice what you believe in your heart and are convinced about in your mind. So in other words we need to be convinced of the spiritual realities that Jesus has achieved for us. Jesus tells us that we are more than conquerors so why do we end up giving in so easily? And so often? Believers who walk around only in the natural flesh tend to be defeated in their lives and can often become grumpy and unhappy. Believers who walk around in the Spirit usually walk around in victory and uplift our brothers and sisters. Let us put off the deeds of the flesh. Amen Last passage of scripture Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Set your minds on things above-learn them – and believe them. We find them conveniently in Colossians chapter 3. Here are some examples of setting your mind above: Put to death the earthly (Col 3:5-8) Put on the new man (Col 3:11) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Col 3:15) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col 3:16) Give thanks to God (Col 3:17). Summary If we want to have victory in our daily life, we need to walk in the Spirit. this includes Practicing all the regular spiritual disciplines including chewing the cud (meditating on the Word). Being continually aware of the Lord and Practice the presence of God-draw near to him-develop a lifestyle of inviting him into your life. Be aware of your heavenly position as you walk on earth and consider the spiritual realm just as real as the natural realm. Set your minds on the things above. Amen and Personal Prayer [1] Greek peripateo Full text with photos at https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/how-to-walk-in-the-spirit-part-4-of-4

The Lord's table is a covenant meal As we come to the Lord’s table today, we want to consider that our God, the God of the bible, is a God of covenants. Our God is a Covenant making and covenant keeping God. The communion service is a memorial of our blood covenant with God through Jesus Christ. What is a covenant? Definition of a covenant; a formal and legally binding agreement between two parties. In modern life many important things are based on a covenant type agreement e.g. marriage is a covenant with vows taken. In sickness and in health etc. Such an agreement promotes trust and stability. A covenant usually involves vows or promises made by both parties with mutual benefits and may contain penalty clauses. Abram had the same dilemma he asked God how he could be sure that God would keep his promise to bless him with millions of descendants. You can read the story of Abram’s covenant with God in Genesis 15:1-18. Genesis 15:5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. Jumping down to verse 17 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking fire pot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates-- Blood Covenant A blood covenant is the most sacred or solemn type of covenant, and also the most significant and unbreakable. In a blood covenant you promise to give your life, your love, and your protection forever. God's new covenant with us When the time came, the eternal, infinite Creator entered time and space through the person of Jesus Christ. Christ, the Son of God, exchanged names with us and became Jesus, the Son of Man. He was the God-Man who came to identify with us in our human condition and cut the covenant for us so that we might be one with God. Because Jesus lived a perfect life, He was able to cut a perfect covenant with God on our behalf. When it was time, Jesus gathered His disciples together to participate in the covenant meal. Jesus took the bread and wine and explained that they represented His own life which was to be offered in our place as the covenant sacrifice for our sins. He further explained that through His sacrifice, we could have our sins forgiven and receive eternal life through union with Him. Afterward, Jesus planted a memorial tree and stained it with His own blood. That blood- stained tree was the cross. There Jesus paid the judgment of sin for-us by "cutting the covenant" with Father God on our behalf. This is where the exchange of natures took place. Jesus took the coat or robe of our liabilities on Himself. He took our sins into His spirit, our sorrows into His soul and our sicknesses into His flesh. In return, He gives us the gift of His garment of salvation and robe of righteousness. Through Him, we can have right standing with God and become partakers of His divine nature. Because Jesus never sinned, death could not hold Him in the grave. Three days later, He was resurrected and ascended back to heaven where He now sits on the throne of God with all authority and power over sin, Satan, and death. And He promises to come back to earth to rule over a kingdom of righteousness and peace with His followers. As well as being a covenant meal communion is more than just a memorial to remember Jesus' death and resurrection, the Lord's Supper is also an acknowledgement of each believer’s continual dependence upon Christ's life and a regular reminder of His soon return. The Institution of the Lord’s Supper is described by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Examine Yourself 11:27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come. Jesus always comes to His own table so let us commune with Him today and partake with Him and draw His life and strength into us as we partake of His covenant meal. Amen Prayer

The Lord’s Table Communion is more than just a memorial to remember Jesus' death and resurrection. The Lord's Supper is also an acknowledgement of each believer’s continual dependence upon Christ's life and a regular reminder of His soon return. The church of Jesus Christ today is becoming somewhat embattled with enemies on the outside and more worryingly enemies of the bible within its own congregations. Let us draw strength and sustenance from this wonderful sacrament that Jesus told his church to remember Him by. The Institution of the Lord’s Supper is described by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians Chapter 11 23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Examine Yourself 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come. Jesus always come to His own table so let’s commune with Him this evening and partake with Him in His covenant meal. Prayer and blessing

What does it mean? The cross in a church building is usually in a central place. The cross of Jesus Christ has a central place in our faith. Why so? For society the cross is merely a symbol, like a lucky charm and perhaps wards off evil. This is superstition which is offensive to the Lord. So let us turn to God`s word to find the true meaning of the cross. The need for the cross Genesis 2:16-17; Do not eat from the tree Genesis 3; Sin, loss of immortality or spiritual death. Appropriate it was that Jesus crucified on a tree taking away the sin problem back to the tree. Recovering immortality for those who believed. Shadows of Cross in Old Testament Numbers 21:8-9; People murmured, fiery serpents and Moses interceded. Brazen serpent on a pole represented the sin on a tree. They were healed when they beheld sin on the tree. John 3:14-15 2 Kings 18:4; Hezekiah destroyed idols The Cross must not become an idol. Do not offer prayers or worship to a statue. The Cross as an Altar In Leviticus, we see the various offering of sin, guilt, and burnt where the bull, goat, or lamb. Blood was put on horns of alter and rest of blood poured out at the base. Jesus Christ bled on horns of the cross and his blood poured out at the base. The Shame of the Cross Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Anyone hung on a tree was God-cursed, and openly disgraced. Galatians 3:13; Jesus became a curse for us Colossians 2:13-15; Jesus nailed our sin charges to the cross and paid in full for our sins. Colossians 1:20; Restoration through the blood of cross. Ephesians 2:15-16; Reconciliation between the Jews and Gentiles through the cross. Jesus' attitude to the Cross Hebrews 12:2; Joy set before Him Philippians 2:8; Humbled himself to death So what does the Cross mean? 1 Corinthians 18:23; Christ was crucified for Jews (stumbling block) and Gentiles (foolishness) To the believers the cross is the Power of God involving mighty dunamis power. The miraculous power of God cancelling out our debts Effects of preaching the Cross Acts 2:36-37; Hearers were pierced in the heart, leading to repentance. Acts 5:29-33; When Peter and the disciples told them the truth about Jesus Christ the listening crowd wanted to kill them. The preaching of the Cross separates those who will believe or will not believe. But we preach Christ crucified and our only boast is in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Kneel at the foot of Jesus cross today if you have never done so before. Amen Personal Prayer

The resurrection changed everything Perhaps the most puzzling thing about the resurrection of Jesus Christ is why Christians tend to only speak about it at Easter. This was not the case when the Apostle Paul was preaching; Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 Then [b] certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. Paul mentioned the resurrection and Jesus so much that these pagans thought he was talking about two Gods, one called ‘Jesus’ and the other ‘Resurrection’! The American pastor Rick Warren has rightly said ‘the resurrection changed everything’! After the resurrection Jesus’ ramshackle band of disciples began to ‘turn the world upside down’. There are perhaps different approaches we can take when we consider the resurrection. Today I want to focus in on a few scriptures that give insight into its meaning and purpose. Death the last enemy has been destroyed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.”[a] But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. Effects of Denying the Resurrection 1 Cor 15:29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Paul is saying if there was no resurrection then we are simply wasting our time and we would be as well simply leading natural lives the same as the unbelievers. The Father God has declared that Jesus Christ is His Son by resurrecting Him from the dead. Romans 1:1 1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Jesus Christ naturally speaking was the son of David or the son of Man but after the resurrection the Father calls him the Son of God. God sent his son Jesus Christ into the world born of a woman with a natural family tree of the seed of David and was born under the Law. This Jesus Christ was obedient to Father God through all his short life even unto his sacrificial death on the cross but when God raised him from the dead, he was declared to be the Son of God. At the moment of resurrection God the Father and God the Holy Spirit fully endorsed him as the only begotten Son of the Father giving Jesus Christ a truly unique status and hence power. That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection Philippians 3:4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Please note that Lazarus was resuscitated i.e. he came back to a natural life and eventually died. Jesus Christ was resurrected into a new type of life which would never see death again and conferred various supernatural powers such as being able to appear in locked rooms. v10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, Paul longed to progressively and intimately come to know Jesus Christ (the Greek word for know is ginosko and was used to describe the relationship between a husband and wife) and the power of his resurrection. This power was much more than needed to simply resuscitate someone like Lazarus i.e. simply recombining his spirit and body to form a living soul but the power to raise Jesus Christ from the dead into an indestructible and everlasting life. If the resurrection power of God is still available to God’s people then just think what this level of power might be able to achieve in other areas of our lives such as in failed relationships, healing of the body and mind, and to bring all sorts of dead situations back to life! What do you think? Amen Prayer