Don't Worry, Be Normal

Paul asked the question of the ages in his epistle to the Romans.

Romans 6:1 - "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?"

 

He also answered the question for us...

Vs. 2 - "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Sometimes it is confusing for Christians when it comes to dealing with sin, the sin nature, the new nature in Christ, the cleansing from sin, the admonitions to be free from sin, the establishment of man made doctrines telling you that you can never be free from sin, etc.

What is the "normal" Christian experience? What does God expect from us? 

John in his first epistle says: 

1 John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

There it is. This is the expectation of God and the normal day to day experience of the Christian.

Follow Jesus. Stay in close contact with other Christians in fellowship of prayer and study of the Word. Live in the blood washed state of purity and holiness.

Understand that you CANNOT accomplish this daily or even momentarily in your own strength, power, or volition. You cannot will this to happen. You cannot determine this to happen.

Several thousand years of Jewish history says we can't. Remember the Ten Commandments? Remember how the Israelites failed to keep them? 

What were the two things they lacked that we have? Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Trying to live for God encompasses one thing and one thing only. That we follow Jesus. Period.

This is what Jesus meant when He instructed us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. It simply means that we keep our attention and faculties focused on what He accomplished for us on the Cross.

That's it. In Him all of the Laws of God have been fulfilled. Keep Jesus and we keep the Law. Keep Jesus and we please God.

This is "walking in the light". No toiling. No works. No self sufficiency. It's all Him. It's all grace. Grace is sufficient and grace is extended toward those who walk after Jesus.

It really is simple. When your attention is upon Jesus, and you have settled your craving of the worldly appetite, the desire to sin grows dim.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin<><

www.reallifect.com

The Revealed Plan (Part 3)

Jesus began His revelation to the world at the Sermon on the Mount, which we looked at yesterday.

Understand that I believe this is different and set apart from anything else Jesus taught or preached. While Jesus taught about salvation throughout the gospels it is explained in its fullest sense here.

It was so important that He gave it to the Apostle Paul so many years later, even perhaps as long as a decade after Paul's Damascus Road experience.

What is the culmination of this revelation? Indeed, what IS the heart of the revelation?

Jesus pointed out the condition and needs of the human heart and the result of the saved soul, but He reserved the one special element that was the most critical. He has to leave it out because it had not yet been concluded when He conducted the Sermon on the Mount teaching.

The critical element is The Cross. 

Yes, we need the acknowledgement of the bankrupt spirit, the mourning of our dead sinful state, the meekness of His righteousness, and certainly the hunger and thirsting for more of Him, but...

None of that comes to any conclusive victory without the Cross. Without the Cross it's all just Law.

This is what He gave to Paul.

Paul gave it to the world. Even Paul struggled with trying to live righteously until he received this revelation (Rom. 7).

1 Cor. 1:23 - "We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense."

Gal. 3:13 - "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'"

1 Cor. 2:2 - "For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified."

Gal. 6:12 - "Those who want to make a good impression and a fine show in the flesh would try to compel you to receive circumcision, simply so that they may escape being persecuted for allegiance to the cross of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."

And perhaps the greatest testament from Paul of all:

Gal. 6:14 - "But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!"

Clearly this is THE most important thing that Paul felt he could share with the world. 

Nothing. Nothing but the Cross of Jesus Christ by which mankind is saved to God and from his sin and worldly ways. Nothing but the Cross of Christ for his freedom from sickness and disease. Nothing but the Cross of Christ to effect even our Holy Ghost baptism.

The Cross is the central event in all of biblical and world history. There has never been anything greater or more effective than what Jesus did on the Cross.

This is THE revelation of God to man. Within it holds the secret and power of successful living for anyone who merely says "YES!" to it!

How about you today? Have you said "Yes!" to it? Have you appropriated all the blessings that are contained in it?

You know if you have or not. Perhaps only you and Jesus know this.

You cannot get anywhere with God until you deal with Calvary. You can't live on the Incarnation, and you can't leapfrog over the Cross to the Tomb. 

You have to first deal thoroughly with the Cross.

Personally, I think this is what is weakening the Church today. The Cross is no longer popular. It is systematically being replaced by new emergent theologies and doctrines.

Why don't you have a conversation with Him about it today? Seriously. Why not?

If there is anything that lives up to "Keepin it Real", in my humble opinion, it doesn't get any more "real" than this people.

Be blessed,

Continuing in...

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

www.reallifect.com

The Revealed Plan (Part 2)

The "Master Plan" of Jesus Christ was begun during what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount.

In my opinion it is the greatest Word that God has ever handed to the human race. 

The first four "beatitudes" sets the foundation and an order to the elements needed for salvation.

Matthew 5:3-6 (KJV) 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

 

The poor in spirit: this is crucial for it means that man must recognize his own moral bankruptcy in order to make way for the control of Jesus in their life.

They that mourn: the mourning is for the individuals lost life in sin. This MUST occur if one is going to repent and be forgiven.

The meek: This occurs when one admits their personal inadequacy, turns to Christ in repentance, and receives His forgiveness. The exchange of self righteousness for His righteousness occurs. "Inherit the earth" means that the believer will reign with Christ when He sets up His rule on earth after His Second Advent. This will never happen properly until one become poor and admits sinfulness.

They which hunger and thirst: this is the proof in the pudding so to speak. Every born-again believer will exhibit this spiritual hunger and thirsting for more of Jesus and His righteousness in the same way the physical body craves food when experiencing hunger pains. If one is not exhibiting this then there is something wrong that needs to be fixed. Something has not been yielded to Christ. Something has broken down elementally in the first two. Generally it is in the full yielding of oneself to Jesus. Folks don't like getting off their throne and allowing Jesus to sit in it.

These are NOT meant to be perceived as "steps" to be followed religiously. They are elements which are incorporated into the what occurs instantly when one gives their life to Jesus and becomes born-again. It's grace through faith, not working a system.

This is the Jesus "side" of His revelation. Tune in tomorrow for the Paul "side" of the Revealed Plan of Jesus Christ. Something still needed to happen to make this revelation complete for us to experience.

Together we are...

...Keepin' it real,

Pastor Kevin <><

www.reallifect.com

The Revealed Plan (Part 1)

There really is a plan you know. It is an ordered plan of Jesus Christ that was first partly revealed by Jesus Himself in the flesh upon the Mount of Olives during what has become known as "The Sermon on the Mount".

I say "partly revealed" because Jesus was not able to reveal all of it until it was completed. It would only be completed when He went to the Cross.

This is where the Apostle Paul enters into the revelation.

Jesus needed to complete His revealed plan to the human race by providing it to a person of His choosing. That person is Paul.

Look at how Paul explains it:

Galatians 1:11-12 - "For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man's gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard]. (12) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

This leaves absolutely no question to the fact that what Paul has revealed to the Church through the Word of God has been directly taught to Paul by Jesus Christ.

It was not given to him by the other apostles, nor by any other man.

Let's be clear here. This is what has made Paul unique. Paul was singled out by Jesus to be converted and to serve Him by direct physical confrontation on the Road to Damascus AFTER Jesus died and was resurrected.

"(16) To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone]. (17) Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles (special messengers of Christ) before I was, but I went away and retired into Arabia, and afterward I came back again to Damascus." 

The four gospel accounts are historical accounts of Jesus rather than revelation, with the exception of John who later in life was given the same type of revelation that Paul was given. Paul was given revelation about how to live in the present, John was given revelation about what would happen in the future.

Stay tuned as to what exactly this combined revealed order of the plan of Jesus Christ and Paul for living successfully for Him is .

You will not be disappointed. In fact, you will be surprised, pleased, and relieved.

Just...

...Keepin it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

www.reallifect.com

Renegade Deserters

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: "Renegade" - 1 : a deserter from one faith, cause, or allegiance to another.

People are branded as renegades all the time. Their accusers generally use less inflammatory labels.

Concerning the gospel, Paul said there is only one, but people who desert it act as if there are others.

In other words, when people desert the one true gospel of Jesus Christ, which is steadfastly rooted in the Cross and what Jesus accomplished at Calvary, they are essentially deserting Jesus Himself.

Galatians 1:6 - "I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel."

A "different", and even worse, an "opposing" gospel.

What constitutes an opposing gospel?

Certainly joining a cult like the Jehovah's Witnesses would qualify. They most definitely teach an opposing doctrine because they misrepresent the Person of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes within the confines of the Church there are different gospels taught. Roman Catholics and some Protestant sects are considered "Christian" yet they teach regeneration by works and sacraments such as baptism. That is a different gospel than what the Bible teaches.

An example of an opposing gospel that is subtle, yet no less dangerous, is the message of the get rich quick schemers that have taken over much of Christian television broadcasting. They are mixing the biblical truth of God's prosperity and blessing, and making false formulas on how to achieve it. One can plainly see that since the only ones who are "getting rich quickly" are those who are picking the pockets of good but ignorant believers.

Friends, keep one thing in mind. You NEVER have to pay for grace. Any blessing or prosperity you will ever enjoy flows directly to the believer from the Cross of Jesus Christ. All you ever have to do is steadfastly believe in Christ.

Paul says:

"...but we preach Christ crucified..." 1 Corinthians 1:23

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" Galatians 6:14

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" 1 Corinthians 2:2.

Seeking riches or to be rich is the way of the flesh, NOT the way of the gospel. Seeking anything other than to become more conformed to Jesus Christ and His will and way would be to follow a different gospel.

Cherrypicking particular verses from the Word and formulating new doctrines is the earmark of a false teacher and should be condemned, not commended.

Do not become like Ephesus and make Jesus your jilted lover! Even denouncing the false apostles was not enough! They had to return to Jesus!

Examine yourself today. What has captivated you and led you away from the truth?

Paul says in Chapter 5, "Who (what) has hindered you? You were doing so well."

Is it the need to gather material things? Is it dependency on alcohol or drugs? Is it a forbidden relationship? The listed "works of the flesh"? (sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies)

Some obviously evil, but some may creep in innocently. ALL are designed to rip you away from Jesus.

The good news in all of this is it can be turned around before it becomes too late. Don't forget, one of the biggest lies ever perpetrated upon the gospel is the false notion that it can never become too late.

Return to the gospel that saved your soul. Denounce anything that has gotten between you and Jesus and...

...DO IT NOW!

That my friends is...

...Keepin it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

www.reallifect.com

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Clint Eastwood movie? No, the inside of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Right from the very beginning of the established Church of Jesus Christ was there great grace and beauty. There was also deception, sin, and ugly behavior.

In fact, two of its earliest participants were literally named after Grace and Beauty.

They were the husband and wife team of Ananias and Sapphira.

Acts 5:1 - "BUT A certain man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property, (2) And with his wife's knowledge and connivance he kept back and wrongfully appropriated some of the proceeds, bringing only a part and putting it at the feet of the apostles."

Grace and beauty giving in to greed and avarice. Consecrated Christians of the earliest formation of the apostolic church headed up by the apostles themselves. You had to be saved and sanctified to be a part of that.

Sin and greed can break through all barriers once man's heart turns cold and grieves the Holy Spirit.

(3) But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should [in violation of your promise] withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land?"

Once the heart grew cold with selfish scheming, and the Holy Spirit fled them, A & S were easy pickin's for Satan.

It's basically the Adam and Eve story all over again. Once pure, now sidetracked by the temptation of shiny objects. 

Satan knows his prey. He's been picking losers for centuries. Losers, by the way, are good for Satan.

(If you're not living right for Jesus, there's a big ol' "L" on your forehead).

Once Peter confronts the husband (Ananias) about his grievous sin against God ("You have not [simply] lied to men [playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful] but to God."), Ananias is overcome and drops dead on the spot.

When Peter confronts Sapphira with the same rebuke, she drops dead too.

Satan + 2. Church -2.

(11) And the whole church and all others who heard of these things were appalled [great awe and strange terror and dread seized them].

I don't think the Church is appalled enough today. Not enough "great awe" or "strange terror".

It's been replaced by laziness, avarice, lying spirits, disinterest, hitmen evangelists doing the dirty work for pimp preachers, greed, false neo-emergent philosophies, watered down gospels, etc., ad nauseum.

You can't lie to God, or lie to people using God.

I'm actually surprised more people are not just flat out dropping dead. Especially at the pulpit.

I guess it's all collecting compound interest and will be P.O.D. (Payable On Death).

It's all certainly something to ponder.

Most of us can't comment on the state of the Church overall.

We can however, see what is really going on around our little corner of the Church.

Open your eyes. Examine your hearts. Clean out your ears.

Don't forget...you are responsible for your actions. When God calls you up you won't be able to cop out with "I was just doing what the preacher said!"

Adam tried that and...well...look at the mess he made.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

www.reallifect.com

They Know Where You've Been

Pharisees (authoritarians, legalists, religionists), then and today, always look to the carnal, fleshly, base, earthly, natural, and sensory oriented attributes of a person when drawing conclusions about them. They will weigh a persons looks, the style of their clothing, the way they speak, the way they act, how many degrees they have, what kind of title they have before and after their name, and maybe even what kind of car they drive. 

Now granted, if the person being scrutinized is after a secular job then certainly one has to expect to be put under a microscope.

However, I'm not talking about a job interview here. I'm talking about how the brethren is treated within the confines of the Church.

Take a look this morning at how Peter and John were being perceived, keeping in mind that they were on the spot for DOING SOMETHING RIGHT AND GOOD!

Acts 4:13 - "Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

The rich, powerful, and educated Pharisee could not comprehend how common uneducated fishermen could speak as well as they did, could rally a crowd like they did, or could handle themselves in a desperate situation like they did. 

It didn't make sense in their carnally controlled natural minds. It is a clear example of the natural being confronted by the supernatural. The supernaturalness of God will always confound the natural state of those living apart from the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Holy boldness which comes from Spirit-filled believers will always change the minds and attitudes of those who are being exposed to it. 

I said it would change perceptions, but sometimes it could swing either way. "They" are either going to love you or want to kill you, but one thing's for certain, they won't be able to ignore you!

You will find acceptance or resistance, even within the walls of the Church, the Body of Christ!

You will be loved and appreciated, or you will be reviled even by those you consider the "brethren".

Don't forget, you who are blood washed and Spirit-filled, sin and evil comes in subtle forms. Be wary of strong opinions that charge you openly with false and non-biblical accusations. Your boldness may be changing perceptions. Remember that gate swings both ways.

Again, your Holy Spirit filled boldness will change perceptions both positively and negatively.

Stay the course. The Holy Spirit knows what He is doing. Stand strong in faith that you are right where God wants you and stay the course.

The bottom line is that whatever the situation, whether in or out of the Church, is that you would be known for having been with Jesus.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

www.reallifect.com