WEST CENTRAL INTEGRATED TREATMENT FACILITY - July 19, 2014
Wayne, Julia and I went to West Central to minister to 29 precious ladies. The video praise and worship was powerful and the Holy Spirit moved in an amazing way through the girls. Many came up front during the worship standing and kneeling before God weeping. After the praise and worship, I turned the service over to Wayne who brought the message on "Salvation" using text from Luke 13 and John 3.
What is a relationship with God? What does it mean to be "born again"? Wayne told the ladies that his goal is for them to have no excuse when they stand before God.
What is a relationship with God? What does it mean to be "born again"? Wayne told the ladies that his goal is for them to have no excuse when they stand before God.
Wayne, Julia and I went to West Central to minister to 29 precious ladies. The video praise and worship was powerful and the Holy Spirit moved in an amazing way through the girls. Many came up front during the worship standing and kneeling before God weeping. After the praise and worship, I turned the service over to Wayne who brought the message on "Salvation" using text from Luke 13 and John 3.
What is a relationship with God? What does it mean to be "born again"? Wayne told the ladies that his goal is for them to have no excuse when they stand before God.
So what is salvation? What does a relationship with God look like in our life? Wayne used his and Julia's relationship as an illustration from the time they met, courtship until now. He then talked about if he just said good morning to her when they got up, went about his day with his job, meeting his buddies, playing on the computer or games, going to sports, etc. and then just said good night to her when they went to bed, doing this day after day after day, what kind of relationship would they have? What kind of marriage would they have?
He asked what was the purpose of Christ's death on the cross. He had many answers before one lady finally said to restore us to God. That was the foundation of Christ's death - to restore our relationship with the Father. (Isa. 59:2 says we're separated from God by sin and 2. Cor 5:18 says we are reconciled through Jesus Christ)
He then discussed the "sinner's prayer" and Romans 10:9 ( that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved) that is traditionally used for the basis of the prayer. However it is more than just saying a prayer and you are immediately saved. This is where so many people are missing it. They think they can say the prayer and then keep on living the way they were living and still go to heaven.
When will you be saved? He who endures to the end! Matt 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13 - these are all words of Christ. Other Scriptures by both Peter and Paul - Heb 9:28; Heb. 3:6: Heb. 3:14; Rev. 2:10
What is believe? John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." The second believe in this scripture is the Greek word apeitheo which means disobedient and obey not. So we not only need to believe in Him we have to obey him! That means live according to His Word. There are two believes: one knowing He is God (believing He is God) and the second is action (obeying). You have to know which believe is being used.
Luke 13:3 Jesus says we must repent and in John 3:3 He says we must be born again. Repent and born again go hand in hand.
Being born again is purifying of soul in obeying truth of the Spirit through the Word. (I Peter 1:22-23)
We are born again if we practice (action) righteousness. How do we do that?
I John 3:4-9 - deny sin I John 5:18 - keeps himself to God; I John 4:9 - loves one another (including enemies and those who do wrong to you).
What is repentance? The Greek word for true repentance is met·a·noi·a which means repentance consisting of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments.
What is sin? Romans 7:7 says we know sin by the Law. In this case it is talking about the Ten Commandments. That is what points out our sin.
We have to understand the Laws of the Old Testament and how they apply to us today. There are 3 types of laws:
Ceremonial Law: This type of law relates to Israel's worship. (Lev 1:1-13) The laws pointed forward to Jesus Christ and were no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection. Though we are no longer bound to them, the principles behind the ceremonial laws, that is to worship and love God, still apply.
Civil Law: This law dictated Israel's daily living (Deut 24:10-11); but modern society and culture are so radically different that some of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. The principles behind the commands are used to guide our conduct.
Moral Law: The moral laws are direct commands of God. A good example are the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:1-17). The moral laws reveal the nature and will of God, and still apply to us today. We do not obey this moral law as a way to obtain salvation, but to live in ways pleasing to God.
John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commandments
John 14:23-24: Jesus said if we love Him we will keep His Word (commandments); if we do not obey Him, we are not part of Him and He does not abide with us.
John 15:10: If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Heb 5:9: And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him
We need to stop sinning. Many are being deceived today. Matt. 7: 21-23 says .... Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Hebrews 10:26 says "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" Yes, He forgives us but if we ask for forgiveness and repeatedly do the same thing over and over knowing we are doing wrong, we are trampling His blood under our feet.
There was some interaction in conversation with the ladies. It seemed like their eyes were opened about things they were repeatedly doing knowing they should not do it. When Wayne gave the altar call, every lady in the room came forward to re-dedicate their life.
What is a relationship with God? What does it mean to be "born again"? Wayne told the ladies that his goal is for them to have no excuse when they stand before God.
So what is salvation? What does a relationship with God look like in our life? Wayne used his and Julia's relationship as an illustration from the time they met, courtship until now. He then talked about if he just said good morning to her when they got up, went about his day with his job, meeting his buddies, playing on the computer or games, going to sports, etc. and then just said good night to her when they went to bed, doing this day after day after day, what kind of relationship would they have? What kind of marriage would they have?
He asked what was the purpose of Christ's death on the cross. He had many answers before one lady finally said to restore us to God. That was the foundation of Christ's death - to restore our relationship with the Father. (Isa. 59:2 says we're separated from God by sin and 2. Cor 5:18 says we are reconciled through Jesus Christ)
He then discussed the "sinner's prayer" and Romans 10:9 ( that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved) that is traditionally used for the basis of the prayer. However it is more than just saying a prayer and you are immediately saved. This is where so many people are missing it. They think they can say the prayer and then keep on living the way they were living and still go to heaven.
When will you be saved? He who endures to the end! Matt 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13 - these are all words of Christ. Other Scriptures by both Peter and Paul - Heb 9:28; Heb. 3:6: Heb. 3:14; Rev. 2:10
What is believe? John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." The second believe in this scripture is the Greek word apeitheo which means disobedient and obey not. So we not only need to believe in Him we have to obey him! That means live according to His Word. There are two believes: one knowing He is God (believing He is God) and the second is action (obeying). You have to know which believe is being used.
Luke 13:3 Jesus says we must repent and in John 3:3 He says we must be born again. Repent and born again go hand in hand.
Being born again is purifying of soul in obeying truth of the Spirit through the Word. (I Peter 1:22-23)
We are born again if we practice (action) righteousness. How do we do that?
I John 3:4-9 - deny sin I John 5:18 - keeps himself to God; I John 4:9 - loves one another (including enemies and those who do wrong to you).
What is repentance? The Greek word for true repentance is met·a·noi·a which means repentance consisting of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments.
What is sin? Romans 7:7 says we know sin by the Law. In this case it is talking about the Ten Commandments. That is what points out our sin.
We have to understand the Laws of the Old Testament and how they apply to us today. There are 3 types of laws:
Ceremonial Law: This type of law relates to Israel's worship. (Lev 1:1-13) The laws pointed forward to Jesus Christ and were no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection. Though we are no longer bound to them, the principles behind the ceremonial laws, that is to worship and love God, still apply.
Civil Law: This law dictated Israel's daily living (Deut 24:10-11); but modern society and culture are so radically different that some of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. The principles behind the commands are used to guide our conduct.
Moral Law: The moral laws are direct commands of God. A good example are the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:1-17). The moral laws reveal the nature and will of God, and still apply to us today. We do not obey this moral law as a way to obtain salvation, but to live in ways pleasing to God.
John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commandments
John 14:23-24: Jesus said if we love Him we will keep His Word (commandments); if we do not obey Him, we are not part of Him and He does not abide with us.
John 15:10: If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Heb 5:9: And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him
We need to stop sinning. Many are being deceived today. Matt. 7: 21-23 says .... Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Hebrews 10:26 says "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" Yes, He forgives us but if we ask for forgiveness and repeatedly do the same thing over and over knowing we are doing wrong, we are trampling His blood under our feet.
There was some interaction in conversation with the ladies. It seemed like their eyes were opened about things they were repeatedly doing knowing they should not do it. When Wayne gave the altar call, every lady in the room came forward to re-dedicate their life.