Pastor was so in tune with the Spirit and spoke to all of us, saved and unsaved, that “virtue” is a necessary element in our commitment to God. Reading from the King James Bible, that highlights that aspect, “Virtue”, more than any other translation. 2Peter chapter 1. If this doesn’t speak to your heart then you are hard as nails. Take the time to listen to Pastor’s message, available on the GLBBC web site. Dated 01/27/2013

This Sunday Morning 12/9/12 Pastor Giardinio opened up with Mark 7:14-23. Jesus explaining that what comes out of a man is what defiles a man not what is taken in. What comes out comes from the heart of a man; All evil within is what defiles a man.

Pastor wanted to pull from a timely song called, “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch.” Watching a video with the words and music we find out Pastor wanted to focus on a word, “GUNK”. Before pastor explained why he wanted to focus on “gunk”, he made it clear that a person in the best of circumstances or even separated from all forms of worldly impression, the heart would be as evil as was described in this song and it will condemn them. No matter who it is, man is incurable without Jesus Christ.

When it comes to men/women of the cloth and the most deplorable, such as the Ted Bundy, Charles Manson etc., we are all cut out of the same material. We are all incurable. The more we Christians recognize that, the more God can justify and redeem. “Be merciful to me a sinner.” Pastor asks at this point, “Now, Aren’t you glad you came here today?” Pastor had us turn to Rom. 3:10-18 and suggested how much it sounds like the song. This passage refers to everybody. No one is born with the propensity to do good. We are all wretched. This is the plight before Christ was revealed. Souls are going to hell because it is not being preached straight up. We need to be convinced of our own evil heart before we can see the profound need for Christ. Rev. 3:15 speaks of neither being hot nor cold. God will spue thee out of his mouth. We cannot have God’s covering until we know the truth about our heart.

NOW, pastor explains the reason for “Gunk”. Pulling out two cans of an engine cleaner called, you guessed it, “Gunk”. Gunk Engine Degreaser is specifically formulated to remove baked on grease and deposits from hard working engines. Comparing a dirty engine to our hearts where grime can get so built up and eventually causing it to not perform.

Gunk’s instructions: Step (1) Clean.(Ransom) Step (2)Protect(Soul Protector)- Once you got it all shined up, don’t you want to protect it and keep it that way and show it off a bit. What’s under your hood?

The more pastor got into describing this product and what it does the more it became clear where this was heading. We need to be washed. I thought of this verse while writing this blog. Ps.51:7 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean :wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” The engine can’t clean itself. There is an application needed. The KJ Bible and the working of God through His Spirit by way of Christ. We are made clean by the word. (Jn.15:3) Isn’t it amazing that God can come down in a body and do all kind’s of great things and still not be tainted by mankind. When Jesus came and cleansed me and is within me he was not tainted by me but I am cleansed, moved and life changed.

1Cor:6:1 “Dare any of you” How dare you allow each other to upset what brotherly kindness ought to be doing. How about some fellowship, how about a little face to face. The Corinthians were taking issues to civil lawsuits. Too much Gunk in the church and in the pews. We do wrong to one another and is there no wise one among you to handle the matter? Paul says, “I say this to your shame.” We use vrs 9 toward the unsaved but the context is the Christian. We have been wash and sanctified. We can be saved, professed, possessed but not sanctified. (Separated unto him) Do you realize that all things are lawful for the believer but not all things are worth the loss and the cost. What power do we come under? We can quench the Spirit just like a fire.

Whatever is under the hood (Our Heart) will not remain hidden. The purpose and intent. The only sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken and contrite heart. Let our works be Christ who gave himself for the good of others. Flee all manner of wickedness. Do not give it time or thought. Instead flee to Jesus, one way or another, knowing we are all cut out of the same cloth.

Today, Sunday morning service, this 11/25/2012, we were graced to have Pastor Tom Bard an Evangelist that according to his own testimony, “Home is where I am.”

Opening with Mark 4:11-14.

Sowing, as in sowing seeds, is the fundamental foundation of life. Whether it is plant life or animal life all things come from a seed. All food come from seed. We do take much for granted when it comes to this principle because it is so simple and it works, yet somehow we have forgotten the principle of sowing. One seed produces more seed and if we keep sowing the seeds we will soon have more than we need.

Pastor Tom Bard didn’t mention this verse but I thought of it while he was speaking. (Mark 4:28) For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

When Jesus spoke of the sower the image is not of planting seeds in the soil but of scattering seed upon different soils. It is God who brings the increase so leave it to God to handle the results whether good soil or bad. (Is.55:10) Speaks of God’s word returning to Him. It’s to Him not to us. Therefore it is in His hands.

Sowing and reaping is vital to survival and if we neglect that principle we don’t eat. We depend on others to do that for us now but it was not always like that. Your life depended on the crop and the livestock as well. If you don’t think this has anything to do with your life then you are not paying attention. It is the essence, foundation and basis of Christianity to sow the word. Think of all the various things Christians do to circumvent sowing the word and teaching the gospel. What else are we going to do? Teach them how to be better people and how to be happy? Is that what we think God is about? God is not there at our beckon call to make sure we are happy. The sooner we figure that out the happier we will be. Sowing is like the law of gravity, it doesn’t change, it is in God’s control. When we are sowing the word we are locked into something that makes us part of it because God is in control, not us. We just have to do it. Everyone should be casting the seeds of the word of God. Pray over the word/seeds.

2Cor. 9:5-8 Do it on purpose. Purpose it. Here Paul in showing the connection between sowing and reaping when it comes to giving. God is able to make grace abound toward you. Always having sufficiency for good works. Note there is nothing about getting anything. It is about abounding and increasing in the fruits of righteousness. 2Cor.9:10 Purpose to sow/give. If the principle of sowing and reaping works in the earthly then it must also work spiritually. How money is handled is critical in your life with God. Gal 6-7-9 The lost however, are outside the grace of God. God cannot save you because salvation stands on grace not on works. Gal.6:8 The 2nd part of that verse speaks of this. How does one sow to the spirit if they are outside of God’s grace? The reason people want this to be based on good works is then it is in our control. They are comfortable with that.

Just like children we hurt ourselves when we do not listen to direction and try to do this on our own terms. Think of your children when you are having trouble doing what is right. Do it! Your children are a branch from you and become a part of what you are not what you teach. No one is going to be perfect but you should be going in that direction. Therefore, consider the principle of sowing. Conform to this truth so that it can work and abound in grace and fruit for eternity.

Opening with Gen.50:22-26, Pastor Giardino read about Joseph saying, to his brethren, that when God delivers Israel to the promised land that his bones should be kept in a coffin and carried to the promise land. Pastor read Heb 11:21-22 as reference to this. Paul giving this part of Joseph’s life to explain the power of faith.

“Don’t Mention It”, as in the title of this sermon, is often used as a way of saying thank you.

Joseph was sold out by his brethren. (Christian brethren, so to speak) Sold into Egypt. Pastor again, goes over the events in Joseph’s life and many times making comparisons to us as Christians. His afflictions and him being elevated, then being afflicted again and then being elevated even more. Joseph passing these tests and God delivering him till we see how Joseph, in the final years of his life, knew what would happen to the people of God long after he passes.

Give the gift of forgiveness. That is going to be hard at times but as a Christian, (Take Note) There ought to be something inside, something inside brewing.

Coffee Cups?

Yes, there better be something brewing inside that can fill you up. Listen, we are all going to die but what is the message we pass on? What would the mention of us be? We have to be careful about what standards we put on ourselves. Nothing wrong with standards but we need to loosen up and see people saved.

Pastor spoke some on the belief of the Egyptians on preserving dead bodies through embalming and other practices like mummifying. They saw this as preserving the life. We know that they are dead and there is no life there but somehow it was a way of hanging on to the present life in our bodies. Joseph allowed himself to be embalmed and made his brethren to carry out his desire that his remains would not be left in Egypt, because his heart was not there. Joseph was in Egypt but Egypt was not in Joseph. His heart was with the promise.

Why coffee cups? We will get to it in a moment. Gen. 50:1-2 Preserving a patriarch and wanted himself to be preserved. It is interesting that Joseph uses the world’s technology and science to preserve his body, and that Joseph commanded that his body be placed in a coffin. Now, can we call the coffin a “Box” and can we call Joseph “Joe”?

Box O’ Joe. Coffee is a seed. There is a process to grind down that seed in a way it can be brewed. Dunkin’ came up with this box as a way to preserve it and to be carried someplace. This world wants us to be preserved for their own will by way of Cares, Pleasures and Riches. They want us to continue in that mode in order to preserve us for them. For the Christian there should be something hot brewing in us. Either let it be an Ice Cappuccino or a cup of Hot Joe. So interesting how pastor uses this to explain how when we go in a coffin and we physically waste away that there is something inside of us, the seed, that there should be something brewing in us that is more than a dead body. We should even smell good, like coffee, even if others don’t like the flavor.

The generations of Joseph had an oath to carry Joe in a box. Very inconvenient to carry through the wilderness, through the battles, through the trials, however it was not a chore to carry one who they were thankful for. Well, didn’t Joseph carry them? Didn’t Joseph save them? (Like Jesus for us. It is not hard to carry him.) Your name, your reputation, your soul and who you are and how you are remembered. (Ex.13:19) They have to take care of Joe in a box. Why was only Joseph mentioned and not Jacob? Because Joseph was a type of Jesus. (Josh.24:32) Joseph being buried after being carried to the promise land. Very important that Joseph be remembered in Israel and not left back at Egypt. This is all about resurrection from the dead. (1Pet.1:3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” This is the picture that God gave through Joseph: To save much alive. (We were resurrected from the dead the moment we believed, through the resurrection. (Jn.5:24)) We better leave something for our posterity.

(Luke 7:11-) Jesus breaking up a funeral. (Not the only time.) Breaks up a death sentence because he is the resurrection. This is a picture of being raised, our resurrection. In Lk.7:16 note the same words from Gen.50 and Ex.13. “God has visited His people”.

“Mention” is the word to consider. (Speak Of) Don’t we mention those that have inspired or influenced us even after they pass? Joseph wanted to be mentioned and remembered and so does Jesus.

What if Joseph was slain and dead and what if Joseph didn’t go through what he went through to save? The promise would have ended and been blown to smithereens.

Pastor opened up with Gen. 50:20. Joseph speaking to his brethren after he revealed who he was, saying, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Those words hold strong messages from many angles. God used the evil intent of Joseph’s brethren to work, both to bring down the haughtiness of the brethren in time, but also to set Joseph in a place to save them. Joseph took the weight of it on himself through his faith. To preserve life and posterity beyond just us in the present time. (The posterity of the saints) Also reading Gen 45:1-2, Pastor explained how emotion was heard by the Egyptian house but they did not know the details.

Pastor brought up a Peanuts comic strip from Sunday’s paper and how Snoopy got himself shot down by his arch nemesis, the Red Barron. Snoopy, feeling total lost and dejected behind enemy lines, just begins to cry. Charlie Brown comes over, takes him by the hand and leads him out of his burden. Pastor suggested that Charlie was a type of savior. Charlie saved Snoopy.

God uses us, like Joseph, to take the hits, to be the shock absorber for the salvation of many. That is not to be mistaken for allowing others to walk all over you. Can we be in a place where we can save someone out of the fire? (Jude 1:23)….
Note the timing of both Joseph, to bring forgiveness, and of Charlie to come and save Snoopy? So very important to learn to read the spirit of things. People need a savior at times in their life.

Pastor brought up an early verse from an early sermon on this same subject. Ps.2:12- Kiss the Son. Some of us need to fall in Love with Jesus. Maybe we haven’t done that yet. Notice how much love Joseph’s brethren held for Joseph after the scenario played out? Jesus wants us to love him and be thankful. (If we run around playing Christian we could be blocking the work of the Spirit of our Father to bring us to a place of seeing the hardness of our hearts and how He works through it to Love.) We need to have that work in us so that we can bring that same forgiveness and grace to others. Yes, we need to save somebody.” We should be close enough to Jesus to touch inwardly and intimate enough that nothing else matters. (Amen, Let it be)

In Gen 33:4 is Jacob and Esau embracing after a fall out. Gen.48:10, Prov.4:8 is about embracing wisdom. Ecc.3:5, Song2:6 (Christ and the Church)

Our shock absorber is the promise. When we get embarrassed and ashamed it is our shock absorber. All the Hall of Faithers in Heb 11:13 embraced that promise. The famine was a shock but Joseph was the shock absorber unto saving the posterity of Abraham. Jesus took the brunt and shock of sin but instead of holding us up to our error/s, He forgave.

Pastor Giardino had us turn to Gen.46:1-4. Here is God saying to Jacob (Israel) that he should go to Egypt and that God would be with Jacob in Egypt and that it was His plan and will to do so. Pastor remembered a part in a popular movie he saw when he was much younger; “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”.

Young Charlie somehow managed to be the last of the Golden Ticket winners to remain without something bad happening to while going on tour in the factory. The ticket was also supposed to include winning a lifetime supply of chocolate. So after the tour Willy just said, “Have a good day”, and closed his office door behind him. Grandpa Joe and Charlie didn’t know why they were being treated so cold and; Where was the lifetime supply of chocolate? When they went in and asked about it they were told, “You Lose!…..It is all there in the contract, etc., etc.” Grandpa scolded Willy good for building up a young boys hope and then dashing them to pieces. Now, as they both were leaving, disappointed, Charlie stopped for a second and solemnly walked back to Willy’s desk and set the gift of the GobStopper candy that he was given back to Willy and turned to leave. Willy whispers something like, “A good dead in an evil world.” and turns and calls Charlie, “Charlie, you won!” All this time Willy was testing to find someone to take over the Chocolate Factory. Charlie passed the test.

Consider Abraham and how God lead him to sacrifice his only son and God stopped him after it became obvious Abraham would have honored God over anything, even though it appeared to be against God’s own promise to him that Isaac would be born and through his lineage a great nation would come forth.

Look at Joseph and what he went through:
(1) The Promise
(2) The Pit
(3) The Prison
(4) The Palace

Did you ever think that what your angry at or what your going through is God testing you and it really isn’t even about you?

Pastor wanted to make note of the way God calls twice, as shown in our initial reading of Gen.46:1-4 “Jacob, Jacob”. There always seems to be an earnestness about it. “Wake up”, “Listen”, imploring. Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon” like “Listen up”, “Get this”. Then “Behold”. “Look” Mat.27:46 Jesus calling out in earnest like emotion, “Eli, Eli” meaning “Father, Father”. The humanity’s cry of forsakenness. Consider Mat. 7:21-22 “Not everyone one who says Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” Pastor brought up the contrast of how many words those calling “Lord, Lord” say to justify themselves to a place in heaven when all it takes is seven words. “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Lk.18:13

Alas, pastor had much more he wanted to get into. Lord willing next Sunday Morning.

Pastor Giardino had us open to Luke 6:37-38. Judging and condemning are negatives that apply to us if we do them while forgiving and giving are positives if we do them. Pastor noted the colon at the end of verse 37 to show that verse 38 is a continuation of thought. Vrs: 38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Pastor with no uncertain terms made us aware that the colon punctuation connects the two verses and that verse 38 is not about money. It is more about “Forgiveness”. Don’t forget the mission of remission.

In order to help show how our attitude or how our spirit causes good or bad reactions pastor used a couple props. First, a hand puppet of the Sesame Street character “Beaker”. Beaker was a scientist kind of guy that used to run around making odd noises as he worked in the lab. He was always causing an explosion. He would get so frustrated at times. His hair shows how frazzeled he was.

Now out comes Kermit The Frog. Kermit had a way about him that brought people together. Being quick to give the benefit of the doubt and just bring a sense of everything is all right. Instead of explosions he brought the positive not the negative. Referring to Luke 6:37-38. Think about how many children love this little green guy but just laugh at Beaker’s antics.

Leave it to the timing of God. My grandchildren were in for a visit and they were loving this.

Now, going back to our story line, Genesis 43:1-8. This is a typology of tribulation. It was the famine in the land that forced Joseph’s brethren to have to return to Egypt and with the youngest brother Benjamin to buy a little food. Pastor brought up the relevance of dining since Joseph was about to dine with his brethren. Lk 11:37 was Jesus dining. Dining is face to interaction. John 21:12 was the Lord, after being raised saying, “Come and dine.” Pastor noted how Jesus doesn’t want our money he wants our hearts. In Gen.43:18 the brethren thought for sure Joseph was concerned about money. It is not as if Joseph had forgotten the betrayal. Back in Gen.37:28 was him being sold and Joseph brings it up again while in prison in Gen.40:14-15. Joseph knew it was not about him and let God use him as a tool, not only to save the lineage of Abraham, but also to portray the very spirit of forgiveness that is essential to God’s work in and through our lives.

What some have done is quench the Spirit. Stopping it through not forgiving. Stopping the pump to the Fountain of Salvation.

The brethren feared Joseph was going to use this dinner as an occasion to lay accusation against them (Gen.43:21-22), but just as Jesus often said to those who were afraid, Joseph responded with “Peace be to you, fear not.” Joseph was so intent on seeing Benjamin. You have to ask why. Was it just because he was the youngest or just because it completed the family? Why was Benjamin so important? Well, yes, it was vital that all the brethren be alive for the fulfillment of God’s work, but Benjamin was the last one in and a very powerful Apostle known as Paul was from the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin. The last apostle in the twelve. Paul was the last in but so important for the building of the early churches and still today his writings instruct the church in many important areas. (Phil.3:5-8)

Jesus directly associated the twelve apostles to the twelve tribes in Mat.19:28 and Cross Ref. Lk.22:30.

For us to get built right we need to get stripped down to the chassis. “The righteousness of God that depends on faith” (Phil.3:9) We need supernatural ability. (Phil.3:10) Our hearts are apprehended of Jesus Christ. (Phil.3:12)

Pastor Giardino had us turn to Acts 7:6-10. Steven speaking before the council to defend the false charges laid upon Steven and Phillip. After reading this tremendous overview account given by Steven, from Abraham until the the Lord’s house built by Solomon. Steven included the betrayal of Joseph. Steven was revealing their history of rebellion and stubbornness toward their God.

Pastor began with an introduction. A very vivid image was presented of an accident, NASCAR driver Maynard Troyer, was involved in 1971. Using this image of losing control and other historical accounts of major pile-ups and severe traffic jams as a means to explain the seriousness of our heart locking up (Not Forgiving), as Troyer’s engine did, causing a chain reaction and shutting the track down. Troyer’s car flipped 18 times yet between the roll cage and the five point harness Troyer only sustained minor injuries. The roll cage is like our salvation which cannot be lost and the engine is like our heart. In this particular accident only Troyer’s car was involved but what if when our heart locks up, causing a major chain of events, and we don’t restrain our flesh and get others involved? Pastor gave an account of another accident that when another car slammed into an out of control car, it burst into flames killing the driver.

Going back to the book of Genesis and referencing Joseph pastor mentioned; though Joseph was in Egypt, Egypt was not in Joseph. Joseph cleared all men out of his presence when he made himself known to his brethren. It was a private matter. Joseph didn’t want to openly air all the dirty laundry. In Chapter 45 Joseph could no longer restrain the desire to be restored to his brethren. Forgiveness needed to be released. Joseph recognized that what was happening was bigger than just about him.

When we begin to put together the chain of unforgiveness it is like adding link to link till we are bound by it and weighed down.The links through self absorption.

The world should see the fruit of forgiveness at work in us instead of the burden of resentments, grudges and discontent. Just as Joseph is a type of Jesus so are we in this world. (1Jn.4:17) This is bigger than just about you. Note how Joseph said to come near as he revealed himself to them. “Come near” (Gen.45:4) Forgiveness brings people together. Instead of being just into the gray matter of theology and thought, get some forgiveness in there.

In Acts 9:3-5 we read about Saul meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. Three times in Acts we have this account and it is Jesus revealing himself as the Persecuted One, saying, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” So similar to the words of Joseph in Gen.45:4, “I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.” (On these verse comparisons I could not help but remember the words written in Revelation 11:8, “Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.”) Jesus wants to reveal himself to the unsaved. God’s work is to preserve much alive. (Gen.45:5 and Jn.3:16)

Please forgive us. No matter how hard we worked to get these Blogs up and keep up with what’s currently going on along with Blogging the Sunday morning services it just couldn’t get done due to circumstance beyond our control. Trusting God that the delay was just a traffic jam of sorts and the road is now clear, to the Glory of God. Sometimes we just have to trust that God is in it, in the end.

We have missed 10 blogs on services with the same message thread and that being, “Strength To Forgive”; Referencing Joseph from the last 13 chapters of Genesis. (25% of Genesis)

We will be going into the 15th part in the series, also known as, “Forget About It”.

Before I start this installment, I want to take a moment to clear some things up. These articles are a series of articles that I am putting together outlining the information that I have found in a pamphlet that was provided to me by Pastor G for this study. It is called The Gift of Tongues and is written by Ernest Pickering. I felt that this information could be very helpful to folks regarding sound doctrine in these last days.

It is also important to note that this article may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Gospel Light in whole, but Gospel Light definitely agrees that speaking in tongues is not for our present age. Another thing to note is that Gospel Light does not believe that we need to refer to the Greek to get a fuller meaning. The only point of putting the Greek in this article was because that is what the tongues supporters go to in order to prove there point. However, we believe wholeheartedly that you can use the authorized King James Version to show that speaking in tongues is not for today.

Here goes Part 2:

What is the gift of tongues?

There are three different views on this:

1)      All tongues are ecstatic, unintelligible speech

2)      “tongues” in the book of Acts were human languages, but the “tongues” of 1 Corinthians were heavenly languages or unknown ecstatic utterances.

3)      That ALL references to “tongues” in the New Testament refer to human languages.

We believe the last position to be the correct one. Most modern tongue advocates hold to the second position.

Tongues Were Languages

After review of the Greek word for tongue – glossa, there is no evidence that it is used to mean ecstatic unintelligible speech.

Glossa means “language,” that is always referring to foreign languages. Therefore, it cannot refer to both foreign languages and unknown ecstatic utterances as modern tongue advocates claim.

Acts 2:4- “every man heard them speak in his own language.”

Acts 2:8- “How hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born?”

The same thing happened with Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:44-48) as took place at Pentecost. Acts 11:15 – Basically, if the tongues spoken at Pentecost were human languages, so were these. Acts 19:6 – Same thing.

Not Ecstatic Utterances

Large numbers of Pentecostalists hold that there is a difference between the tongues mentioned in Acts and those described in 1 Corinthians. Here are some arguments refuting this position.

1)      There is no sound reason for adopting this position. To ascribe two different meanings to the same word (glossa, tongue) without any definite support of such is questionable.

2)      The thought that the word “interpret” used in 1 Corinthians means to interpret some unintelligible language is false. It is talking about interpreting an actual human language.

3)      The term “beside ourselves” (2Cor. 5:13) is taken by some to mean that Paul and the Corinthians were speaking in tongues and appeared to be irrational. The phrase really has no connection with speaking in tongues.

4)      In both 1 Cor. 14 & 28 the reference to “speaking to God” is held by some to refer to a means of addressing God which is unintelligible. These verses don’t actually speak to the nature of the speech, but only the direction of it, i.e. to God.

5)      The fact that an interpreter was required at Corinth but none was required at Pentecost is seen by some as evidence of the fact that the Corinthians were speaking unknown” languages. However, no interpreter was needed at Pentecost because all of the people there could understand in their own languages. In Corinth, most of the members were from the community and would not have been familiar with foreign languages. Hence, they were in need of interpretation.

6)      The reference Paul made to the “tongues of angels” (1 Cor. 13:1) does not imply that people with the gift of tongues speak in “angelic” tongues unknown on earth. Paul was not saying that he or anyone else spoke in angelic languages. He is saying, “Supposing I had all the powers of earthly and heavenly utterance, and had not love…”

7)      1 Cor. 14:7-9 does not support the idea that Christians spoke unintelligible sounds. Speech that cannot be understood has no value.

8)      1 Cor. 14:23 – Paul’s statement that unbelievers visiting the church assembly might think the believers “mad” doesn’t imply that they were speaking ecstatically. Paul was concerned that when unbelievers heard church members speaking in earthly languages which they did not understand, and which were not being translated, they would think the speakers were mad.

9)      The Greek word dialektos is used in Acts 2:8 but not in 1 Cor. 12-14. This does not prove that the nature of the tongues was any different. The words dialektos and glossa are synonyms. The word tongue nowhere referred to ecstatic speech. All languages of the world, even the most primitive, have some grammar, syntax, and word structure.

I am really learning a lot here. I hope you are too! Have a great day and we will see you on Sunday Lord willing.

Psalm 91:1-16

Pastor’s introduction was a very gripping story about four different soldiers from three different wars whose physical lives were spared by their pocket New Testament in their pocket over their heart. Two of them found that the last burn mark was located at Psalm 91:7.

These are definitely dark days. We need some bright spots. We need to be able to come to church and get some light.

1 Kings 8:10 – 12 – The cloud / thick darkness – God was insulating himself from man that is sinful.

2 Chronicles 5:11 – When the people are one and all the cylinders are hitting, wow what a service that can be!

Don’t dwell in the darkness too long. The darkness can trick you!

Heb 2:14-18
Luke 4:5 (Matt 4 – Companion vs) – Jesus tempted without sin – We can be tempted without sin.

The devil was trying to run interference with Jesus just like he tries to do with us.

The devil quotes the word of God. He knows exactly where Christians should be going for help, but he is twisting it. Memorize Psalm 91. Know where to go for help in time of need.

1)      A PLACE
Get alone with God.
Have a strong devotional life.
Psalm 17:7-9, Acts 10

2)      THE PESTILENCE
A plague, contagious infectious disease, corruption, moral disease.
Acts 24:5

3)      PEACE
Psalm 91:4

4)      A PROMISE
Psalm 91:9

5)      POWER
Psalm 91:11
Psalm 91:14 – Deliverance in the day of darkness – Do you know God’s name?

6)      PERSONAL
Psalm 91:14-16 – God’s PS to us.
God wants us to have a personal relationship with him.

I am my neighbor’s Bible
He reads me when we meet;
Today he reads me in my home —
Tomorrow on the street.
He may be relative or friend
Or slight acquaintance be;
He may not even know my name,
Yet he is reading me.

And pray, who is this neighbor
Who reads me day by day,
To learn if I am living right
And walking as I pray?
Oh, he is with me always
To criticize or blame;
So worldly-wise in his own eyes,
And “sinner” is his name.

Dear Christian friends and brothers,
If we could only know
How faithfully the world records
Just what we say and do,
Oh, we would write our record plain
And come in time to see
Our worldly neighbor won to Christ
While reading you and me.

— Joseph Wilson Barron

This is an incredible age we live in with politicians defining and redefining marriage. Marriage is a divine institution from God. One major problem is that even pastors are blurring the lines on this subject.

Gen 2:21-24

Notice: God is in the union – introducing Adam to Eve.

Gen. 2:24 – Spiritual & Physical Union

Eph 5:18 – “…be filled with the spirit;”

Marriage MUST have a spiritual beginning.

Eph. 5:30 – “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.”

1 Cor. 12 – Christ’s Body – UNITY

In this spiritual union, God does the joining spiritually and man does the joining physically.

n  There is a serious lack of HONOR amongst Christians today. Maybe this explains a lot of the marriage problems, family problems, and other problems within the church.

Matt. 1:18-23 – God considered Mary & Joseph married though they were not physically joined.

Matt. 1:15 – God considers them to be married and the scriptures place Jesus’ birth after the marriage of Joseph & Mary.

Matt. 1:24-25 – There was no physical relationship until AFTER Mary gave birth to her first-born son.

John 4:13-18 – Jesus gives her an order and tries to get her under conviction so that there can be a true change.

-     Sex outside of marriage does NOT mean that you are married to that person.

-     THERE WAS NO SPIRITUAL UNION HERE

Spirituality should have a change in our lives.

We need to make sure that our children understand that they need a spiritual union with God.

Jesus pointed to her sin because she needed to understand that she needed to deal with this sin.

John 4:29 – She admits that he is the Christ.

John 3:8 – The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

THE SPIRIT DID SOMETHING IN HER LIFE!

Dealing with living water – Jesus wanted her to have a contrite heart.

Prov 5:15 – 19, Song of Solomon 4:15 – living waters = marriage

A husband and wife should enjoy each other’s body like someone enjoys fruit.

Eph 5:26 – Sanctify = Set apart as a HOLY Marriage & cleanse with the washing of water by the word.

Adam did the physical union and God did the spiritual union.

Prov. 5:8, 19 – “…be thou ravished always with her love.”

Ravish – to delight with ecstasy, to transport

Why be ravish w/ a stranger? (Prov. 5:20)

Prov. 5:21 – “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.”

Job 31:1-12

This is some pretty powerful stuff! I hope that you were as edified spiritually as I was by this and trust that we will see you on Sunday!

I had some questions about tongues as I was going through my Bible reading, so Pastor gave me a booklet to read on the subject. I felt that the information was very good and helpful to studying out the subject, so I figured I would share it with you as I dive into it.

At that time – during the apostolic era there was a valid gift of tongues. Believers were not forbid it’s use within the guidelines given by the apostle. Now however, there is no valid gift of tongues being given. We are free, therefore, to forbid the use of any gift purporting to be the gift of tongues because it’s bestowal as a valid gift has ceased.

Tongues Bestowed Sovereignly

1 Cor 12:11 – As HE WILLS not as WE will or desire.

God positions the members of the body “as it hath pleased him” 1 Cor. 12:18

Believers in the New Testament times never had to learn how to use it or practice it’s functions.

They received the gift on the spot, immediately, and spoke with fluency without any instruction (Acts 2:4) “As the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 2:1-13, 10:44-48, 19:1-7

This was not a LEARNED EXPERIENCE.

It was MIRACULOUS! It was also instantaneous with no hindrance or warm up period.

Tongues & the Baptism of the Spirit

-          The gift of tongues was given to select people.

-          Not available for everyone.

-          It is not EVIDENCE of the baptism of the Spirit.

-          No Old Testament believer was ever baptized with the Spirit – Matt 3:11 – the coming Messiah would baptize some with His Spirit.

-          The promise was reiterated by the Lord Jesus prior to his ascension to heaven.          (Acts 1:4-5)

Acts 1:5 – Some have concluded that the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the filling of the Holy Spirit are the same. They are incorrect. They also believe that this is ALWAYS accompanied by the evidence of tongues because the believers at Pentecost spoke in tongues. They are also incorrect.

Baptism & Filling

-          Baptism of the Spirit is not the same as the filling of the Spirit.

-          Both occurred at Pentecost but they are not identical.

Baptism of the Spirit:

Sovereign – The work of God – not dependent on your yeildedness.
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” 1 Cor. 12:13
- Not an action we take, but an immediate work of God at the moment of salvation.
- We are never commanded to be “baptized with the Spirit” because it is a sovereign of God and has nothing to do with our obedience.

Instantaneous – It occurs at the moment of salvation when we believe in Christ (Acts 11:17)

Imperceptible – Non-experimental, not subject to the senses
- You cannot “feel” it.
- Nothing is said about any feeling – 1 Cor. 12:13.

Inclusive – It includes EVERY believer – 1 Cor. 12:13

Immutable – You cannot be unbaptized.
- When you are placed into Christ’s body it is an irrevocable and eternal act.

Filling of the Spirit:

Selective – upon yielded believers
- Requires being yielded
- Requires Obedience

We are commanded to be “filled with the Spirit” Eph. 5:18.

Acts Passages

There are several reasons why the passages in the book of Acts are not normative (absolute) for the church today:

1)      The New Testament was not yet completed; now it is and we have further revelation.

2)      During the period described in the book of Acts God was still authenticating the apostles’ ministry with sign gifts.

3)      The apostles were present in person and were ministering in ways that no one can duplicate today (e.g. laying on of hands, Acts 8:14-18)

4)      Certain features of these happenings cannot be duplicated today (tongues of fire appearing, wind, prophesy, etc. Acts 2 and 9)

5)      The teaching of the epistles is now the authority of the church following the transitional period.

6)      In ALL instances described in the Acts passages the tongues were actual human languages, which is not true of the alleged tongues practiced today.

None of the “tongues” passages in Acts are intended to give us a pattern of reception of the Holy Spirit today.

This was a transitional time period between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament dispensation and the full establishment of the New Testament era. God did some things during this time period that he did not continue after the new dispensation was fully established.

“Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues?” 1 Cor. 12:29-30

The obvious answer to these questions is no. Why? Because the disposition of the spiritual gifts was affected by the sovereign will of God (1 Cor. 12:11), and because there were “diversities of gifts” (1 Cor. 12:4), and not all had the same gift.

Even in the days when the gift of tongues was being bestowed, not all believers possessed it or could posses it.

*** Well, I only got through Chapter 2 of this study that Pastor gave me and it is so good so far. All of the information used here is from the booklet that he gave me. I hope that this is helpful to somebody else too.