Who Are You Riding With?

Who Are You Riding With?

Matthew 7:13-15
Enter ye in at the strait gate:for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Did your parents ever tell you not to ride with strangers? Or never take candy from them?

I remember my mom telling me and my sister, "If someone ever pulls up to you in a car, offering you a ride and you do not know them, don't say anything, but just run home!"

Mom even told us if even someone we knew is trying to tell us that "Your mom told me to pick y'all up." Without mom calling the school or letting us know before hand...to be wary.

Fortunately, me and my sister never had that problem, but its still dangerous problem today.

Adductors everyday that try to lure children into traps.

According to statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Crime Information Center, and U.S. Justice Dept. a child is abducted every.......... 40 seconds!

Their tactics are the same....they do not present themselves as the "boogie man" but with kindness, making friends with the child by giving them candy. 

And once they lead them into their vehicle, its a narrow chance that the child can be saved.

Amp-flied Version

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.

As in the Scripture listed above, Jesus describes the path to heaven is not a 6-lane super highway, but it is a old Louisiana highway. With no emergency lane, but surrounded by bayou and swamp and no guard rails!

Sounds like Bayou Rd. on the way to Bishop and Pastors house. (Anyone who has been to the Martins knows what I'm talking about!)

At one point it was rated in the top 10 dangerous roads in the U.S.!

There is only one road to Heaven, not many routes as a GPS may give to a certain destination.

So how do we find that one path? Who do we ride with?
How do we get there?

I think these are very important questions to be answered because not only is there one way to get to everlasting life, but its a narrow path!

We begin to find our path to New Testament salvation in...

Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist:some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona:for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Peter, who because he had the revelation of Jesus Christ, was awarded the keys to the kingdom and the authority given to him to bind and loose in the heaven and the earth.

So we now know, who to jump in the car with, Peter.

Lets take a ride with Peter for a minute....

So we travel with Peter to....

1.Transfiguration at the mountain, where he sees Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah.

2. At the the Passover Supper, where Jesus foretells his denial.

3. Garden of Gethsemane. Where Jesus took Peter along with the two sons of Zebedee to pray, but couldn't stay awake.

4. In that same place Peter cuts off one of the temple guard's ears.

5. Outside the temple where Christ was being persecuted, Peter denies Jesus three times, just as Jesus foresaw.

6. After the resurrection, Mary Magdalene first ran to Peter and John to bring them to the empty tomb.

7. During Jesus' third visit to his disciples, He asks Peter if he loves him more then these. Then Jesus tells him to feed his lambs and sheep. Jesus also then tells Peter the type of death he will suffer to glorify God.

I made these points about Peter to prove a point....that Peter wasn't just a regular disciple, but an Apostle with a particular authority. A authority that even John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved" didn't even have.

Just before Jesus ascends into the heavens, He gives his apostles one last commandment.

Luke 24:47-50

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you:but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

Acts 1:4-5
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that

they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 

 Now Peter has us get back into his Honda....Accord(Acts 1:14)....haha....going to Jerusalem.

From Bethany, Mount of Olives was only sabbaths day journey which was only a 10 minute walk to Jerusalem to wait upon the promise...

So where we wait with Peter and the rest of the 120 people that were in the upper room listed in Acts 1.

But while waiting, on the 10th day...

Acts 2:2-4
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with

other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

As the Holy Ghost is being poured out on the disciples in the upper room...the other people of about 16 other nations walking about hear what is happening.

Each person is hearing them speak in their own language!

Woah! What had just happened? It was quite then all of a sudden everyone is speaking in tongues and languages of other nations magnifying God!

Some others mocked saying, "These men are full of new wine!" But this Ladies and Gentlemen is climax of the ride.

This is what this whole thing is leading up to... 

Luke 24:27,44
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them

in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Everything from Moses, throughout the Psalms, all the books of the Prophets, until now...the Day of Pentecost...

Acts 2:14-17, 21
But Peter( not John, not Matthew, nor anyone else), standing up with

the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them,.......

For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (About 9:00am)

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,.....

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

As Peter continues to preach unto them, he tells them that they had crucified the root and offspring of David, whom God hath made both Lord and Christ.

See Acts 2:22-36 for complete sermon

Just for a moment, I want to go back up to verse 21.

 Acts 2:21

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Question: If just calling upon the name of the Lord shall save us, then why didn't Peter( who has the keys remember?) stop preaching?

Now the same people who watched as the disciples in the upper room being filled with the Holy Ghost and speak in other tongues ask themselves...

Acts 2:37-39
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto

Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Here it is folks!
The promise of the Father.....the door to the kingdom has been opened!

Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles 'doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Continued in who's doctrine? 

The Apostles' doctrine! 

Unlike to the path of destruction, they were many ways, many doctrines... The path of the Kingdom of Heaven is only one way!

Even after the kingdom has now been open to the Jews....there still remained one more door Peter had to open.

And that door was to be opened to the Gentile world.

As Peter is praying on the rooftop, he fell into a trance, and the Lord gave him a vision...

Acts 10:11-15
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him,

Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

What Peter didn't realize that God was fixing to make salvation available unto the Gentiles, who the Jews thought to be unworthy, dogs(which even Jesus called the Canaanite woman Matt 15:26), and unclean.

As soon as Peter fell out of the trance, the men who Cornelius sent, asked him to come with him to Cornelius' house.

So here we go again.....
Peter has to get back into his Honda Accord Acts Edition..4 door...lol 

After everyone is gathered into Cornelius's home...he says unto Peter

Acts 10:33
"..........Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

As Doug White would say...
White Translation:
"Ok Peter, tell us what we gotta to do to be saved!"

Peter begins to preach to everyone that was in the house. (Acts 10:33-48)

But he is stopped short in the middle of his sermon..

Acts 10:43-44
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name

whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Acts 10:46-48
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

I find it quite interesting that the same message Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, was the same message he preached unto Cornelius and his household.

This isn't just a Jew thing, but a God Thing!

Lets compare both events:

Conclusion

So, who are you riding with?

There are many doctrines out there. I know you got guys like Martin Luther, John Wesley, and then some of the modern day guys like T.D. Jakes, Billy Graham, and many others who say none of that is really necessary!

They will tell you, all that speaking in tongues and receiving the Holy Ghost is not important.

They will also tell you water baptism is just an option!

And if they do baptism is not according to what was done in the Book of Acts!

But just as we just analyzed what the Bible says and what the apostles did....so are you going to ride with? 

Remember, the Way is narrow and theres only one road! And there be few that find it!

We can not afford to get off track or be lost. Because the path of destruction is spacious and wide and a lot is going to it!

So one last time I will ask:
Who are you riding with?....I'll make it easy with a multiple choice question.

A. John Wesley 

B. John Calvin 

C. Apostle Peter 

D. Billy Graham

 E. T.D. Jakes

The correct answer is: C, the Apostle Peter

For those of you who say, "Forget the Law and the Apostles, I'm just going to follow the words of Jesus."

I will just end it with this....

Ephesians 2:12-14,18-20
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the

commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens

with the saints, and of the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets(The Law)Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 

 

 

3 Attitudes That Will Get Us To Heaven

3 Attitudes That Will Get Us To Heaven

As I began to focus more on my life lately as Christian, there spare some things I've narrowed down on.
I personally believe that these 3 things are key to living for God.

There really not any particular order, but I thought I would like to share them....

1. A love for God and His Righteousness

One of the most pro-founding statements by Jesus himself was to, " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."
The number 1 thing is to have a true genuine love for God. Throughout the scriptures, from old to new, we find that God wants to me first in our life and no one else.

The story of the rich young ruler is one that we can all learn from...

Matthew 19:16-22
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God:but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother:and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up:what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful:for he had great possessions.

Jesus said if any man wants to follow Him, he must deny himself and pick up his cross and follow me.

Mark 12:29-30
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:this is the first commandment.

They that hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled!

A desire to want more of God everyday and to love His Word.

I may have made some mistakes, but I never lost my desire to stay in the Church!

Its our desire for God that keeps us.

A desire to be like Him. For Christ is our perfect example..
We must learn to..
Love what He loves
Hate what He hates.

Psalms 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:
I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

David loved God with all of his heart. Loved righteousness!

Thats why he was able to be victorious as he was....because when we are in love with Him and living right we will be victorious!

The apostle John said it best...
1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.



2. Willing to Fight

In every Holy Ghost filled Christian, there has to be a lot of fight in us.

Living for God is not for the weak, nor for the unstable. As Bishop Martin would say, " you cant be like a jellyfish but must have a backbone to live for God!"

2 Corinthians 10:4-6
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Im not talking about a physical fight, but a spiritual fight everyday. Fighting and submitting our flesh to the Spirit of God. Its not always easy and a lot of times we fail, because we still dwell in a fleshly body. But we must pick ourselves up and keep going forward!

I found overcoming my flesh involves me telling it what it needs to do.
For example: " Ok, flesh today your fasting."

Saying No to our wants. Saying No to temptation when its presented before our eyes

We all have to find it in us when the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life try to attack us, to say No.

Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. … I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. … Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:11, 16, 105).”

The apostles had boldness to fight the fight of faith is bc they were living righteously. They had no fear because they were connected to the God they served. Always in prayers, and fastings. Praying in the Holy Ghost.

Standing against the enemy. Coming out from among the world and being separate.

Sometimes thats a fight.

It seems that we are always fighting against something.....

Fighting against bad attitudes,
Fighting against lustful thoughts,
Fighting against bitterness,
Fighting against unbelief.

It seems that when you get victory, something else arises...it seems to never end...

But one day it will all end!

Matthew 10:22
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake:but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

It will end one day...we must learn just to keep on fighting!



3. Submission to a man of God.

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).”

Ive been living for God for over 10 years now and i don't think I've ever seen anyone truly live for God without a preacher.

Romans 10:14
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

You can not be saved without a preacher!

Throughout the years Ive seen people who had excellent ministries, could flat out preach. Seen people with anointed talent in music. But for some reason they would leave to go somewhere because they make think the "grass is greener on the other side" or at another church. Maybe because they feel like they need to spread their wings. Thats all good but as long as you have the blessings of YOUR PASTOR! If you dont have the blessings of your pastor then you defiantly dont have the blessings of God.

The people I have seen leave without the blessings of the man of God have fallen terribly.
They are either not in church or not fully preaching what they once embraced.

We must keep ourselves submitted to the man of God in our lives. For this is the government of God.

But dont just submitted in ministry only, but in our personal lives.

Jumping from church to church because you dont like it them the pastor lays in down is not going to save you or your family!

I like to call these people "Church Hoppers" or " Church Bums"

I know whats it like to church hop because my mother who backslide from the truth, couldnt submit.

Many people have the attitude that " No man is going to tell me what to do."

Like the Bishop use to say, " Someone is going to tell you what to do. Someone is going be over you. Your boss, government, family, or whoever. But someone is going to tell you what to do! Why not the pastor, who is going to only love you and watch out for your soul?"

Thats the problem that backsliders, charamsctis, and evangelicals all have in common. They dont want a man over them. Thats why they can not get faithful tithe payers and dedicated saints for over 25 years.

Like Bro Johnny Godair said..."There aint no one more faithful than the Jesus Name Pentecostals!"

Take a time and thank your Pastor for being our watchman on the wall.



Conclusion: 1. We must love the Lord with all of our heart and His Word.
2. Desire to Fight the Fight of Faith
3. Submitting to the Pastor


I believe if we master these 3 things we will be successful in our walk with God!

American Idealism vs Biblical Authority

American Idealism vs Biblical Authority


July 4th, 1766

The United States of America was born.

Born out of tyranny, persecution, high taxation, and religious bondage on Colonist, by the crown of England.

A nation for the first time in the history of the world, would be governed and ruled by its own people.

  "....that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people...."

Abraham Lincoln
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 19, 1863

What an extreme blessing for us - citizens, of this great nation to vote on any law, to vote on any governor or ruler WE DESIRE!

 From the federal level, to the state, and even down to our local government, even in our neighborhoods, we "the people" have a say.

In America, the politicians are viewed as employees and its taxpayers are the employers.

By the majority of the people....

We can change whatever we want.

Amend and vote on our own laws.

Pick and choose our leaders.

We can disagree with our high-elected officials, voice our opinions, protest, and if they don't do what we say....we vote them out and get who will do the will of the American people.

American...a nation like no other in the world.

Our Founders built out values and laws based from the Bible.

I like how our first president said it best about our nation...

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”

It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.
- George Washington


Either though our country was built off of these values of Christianity....I'm afraid that the American Idea...our American thinking has crept into the Church.

The majority of so-called Christianity has replaced the authority of the Bible - the Word of God...with the American concept which I mention earlier...

"..government of the people, by the people, for the people...."

We must understand that the United States of America and the Apostolic Church are two different rules of government.

America-ruled by its citizens
                   Can vote to change laws and leaders
                  People can voice their opinion

The Church- ruled by One Supreme God, Jesus Christ
                         No one can change any law that has been spoken by God himself
                       Gods Word is not open for debate nor voice our opinions.
                      Man has no authority to change was has been written

In the 21st century, I find that denominal churches teach the concept of :

You can believe in whatever you want to. Worship how you see fit. Bring any offering or sacrifice that you desire. Just believe in God, because its all the same worship . God won't condemn you as long as you do good because He is love.You can interpret the Bible however you see it.

You don't need to believe the whole Bible, just the New Testament....matter of fact if that's too much for you... just only read the teachings of Jesus..

Just read your Bible every now and then, say a couple "Our Fathers", go to church only on Easter and Christmas, because God forbid if you go anymore than that you would look like a "Jesus Freak"

If you just do these things everyone is happy and we all get to go to heaven, hold hands and sing  kumbaya.

Sounds like a lovely religion doesn't it?

A church that allows you to believe whatever you want, dress how you want, talk how you want, watch want you want to, pick and choose what parts of the Bible you want....Sounds like a church with a lot of THEIR wants!

More like a Church ruled by the people, for the people, and of the people?

"People treat theology like a buffet line, just pick and choose what you want."
Pastor Otto Martin III

Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God is not concerned about what we think or believe unless its what His Word says.


Matthew 5:18
      For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Deuteronomy 4:2
      Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

From Old Testament to the New...we find as mention above in the following Scriptures that Gods Word is the ultimate authority!

Some folks like to say the Old Testament doesn't matter anymore...Jesus referred to the Law of Moses, particularly the book of Deuteronomy more than any other book. Including other prophets such as

Moses

Luke 24:27
      And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

David

 Mark 12:35-36
       And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Daniel

Matthew 24:15
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)


Matthew 23:35
   That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Right here we find that Jesus is endorsing the entire Old Testament.

From Abel (book of Genesis) to Zacharias (book of Zacharias)..

Jesus covered From the first book of the to the second to last book of the canonized Old Testament.

The doctrine of "bringing whatsoever you want" unto God, is no new thing. It is much bigger is this last day, but it goes back to an old story in the days of King Saul.

1 Samuel 15:2-3
      Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Samuel has give Saul a couple commandments from the Lord:

-kill all the Amalekites thats including kill the Agag the king of the Amalekites
-all the animals
-SPARE THEM NOT!


1 Samuel 15:7-9
      And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.


After the battle was all said and done, Saul only obeyed ONE, JUST ONE commandment.

Kills all the people which was the men, women, and children. But spares the animals and Agag the king!

1 Samuel 15:10-16
     "Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. ........ And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed....."

It's amazing how people can deceive themselves.

The next part of this unfortunate story is very important of the point I'm trying to make, which Samuel has already did.

1 Samuel 15:18-22
    "And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord? And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.

And Samuel said,
Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to hearken than the fat of rams."


Wait a minute!

God rejecting a offering and sacrifice, an form of worship?

Really?

You mean to tell me God had the nerve to reject an offering, either though God said to destroy the animals of the Amalekites?

I thought it was ok to just do whatever you want or worship God how you see fit!

Haha my point exactly!

Folks, this right here is the perfect example of that you just can not do whatever you want in the presence of God.

If your going to please God, obeying ONE PART of the bible or in this case a commandment is apparently not good enough.

Because of Sauls disobedience, the kingdom of Israel was taken from him and the Bible says the Spirit of The Lord departed from Saul!

WOW! God means business about this.

So this doctrine of the denominal so-called church teaches does not line up with Scripture.

Am I saying God hates offerings and sacrifice? Of course not!
But the prophet Samuel said it best...

"And Samuel said,
Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to hearken than the fat of rams."

God is just looking for people that will obey Him and His Word! Not just parts of His Word, but all of it.

Conclusion:

From analyzing Scripture, we find that Gods Church is ruled by one Supreme God, that is Jesus Christ.

The church is not ruled by man nor by its people. Either though the church is governed by man, mentioned in:

1 Corinthians 12:27-28
     Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11-12
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

God has placed the Pastor over the local church. But we must understand that the Pastor or any other minister DOES NOT, I REPEAT DOES NOT have the authority to change anything in the Word of God.


We judge the Pastor or Preacher by Bible.

As my Bishop always says..."as long as its in the Book!"

If the Minister is not preaching nor teaching the entire book...I'll close with this...

 Matthew 7:21-23
     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.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
     And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Which Church Is The Right Church?

       Which Church Is The Right Church?


 As I talk with people about the Lord or about the Bible, the question is often asked. "Which Church is the right Church?"

Many of you whom have been living for God for some time, have been asked this several times. May have been asked in a different way. "Who's church is right?" or "Who's right and who's wrong?"

These are questions that deserve an honest answer.

The Bible clearly tells us how tell which church is the right one. Jesus asked his disciples a question in Matthew 16:13.

            "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. "

After Jesus asked them what are the people saying who He is, the question now becomes personal. He then asks them one of the most important questions about the doctrine of God.

" He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? "
"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
 I'm not sure if the disciples were not sure of the question or just didn't know who He
really was. But Peter with boldness declares that He is the Christ! Jesus told him that he  is blessed because it wasn't by human wisdom nor my his own ability that he received this revelation, but is what God that gave him the understanding.

As at this point, your trying to figure out where I'm going with this. All this was said up to this point to answer the question. "Which Church is the Right Church?"

The next statement that Jesus makes is very pro-founding.

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Upon this rock will I build my church? What is Jesus talking about? Upon this rock? A rock on the ground that was nearby? Or was Jesus referring to Peter, for the meaning of his name in the greek is "stone, rock (Πέτρος * Petros * pet'-ros *)"?

Over the years many doctrines and beliefs have been taught off this passage of Scripture. The Roman Catholic church has based from this the fact that the Apostle Peter was the first pope and that he had complete authority over the church. The same is now for the pope has complete authority over everything in the Catholic movement.

The "little rock, big rock" theory teaches that Peter was that rock.
They that try to support this theory say that the Greek text is a translation of Jesus' words, which were actually spoken in Aramaic. Aramaic only had one word for rock, kephas (which is why Peter is often called Cephas in the Bible). The word Kephas in Aramaic means "huge rock." The Aramaic word for "little stone" is "evna," and Peter was not called "Evna" or "Envas" or anything like that.  In Aramaic, Jesus said "You are Peter (Kephas) and upon this rock (kephas) I will build my Church."

Ladies and Gentlemen, to say that the Church, which " the gates of hell shall not prevail against" was built and founded off of a man, is totally ridiculous!

"...upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Upon this rock, upon this (revelation) I will build my church!

The revelation that had been given to Peter, that Jesus is the Mighty God in the flesh!

"...Thou art the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)"9

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 63:16
"...thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer;.."

The other disciples didnt have the full revelation like Peter did.

John 14:8-10
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.




In Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested and stood before the rulers, elders, and scribes for teaching and preaching the name of Jesus Christ. Mainly because of the healing of the lame man the previous chapter.

As they stood in the midst of the rulers...

 Acts 4:8-12
                 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Peter knew exactly who that Rock was! He knew what Jesus meant.

The Apostle Paul puts it like this..

Ephesians 2:20-22
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

This affirms what Peter also wrote, quoting Isaiah 28:16....
1 Peter 2:5-6
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

So we go back to our question, "Which Church is the Right Church?"

Answer:

The Church that preaches the Mighty God in Christ.

Revelation 1:8
   I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

The Church that is based off of Christ and not off of man

Colossians 2:8-12
    Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:4-7
"....the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith,...."


The Church that is buried with Christ.

Romans 6:3-4
    Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Acts 2:38
   Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Church that calls upon the name of Jesus Christ.

John 14:14
   If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Conclusion:

The church that preaches that Jesus is the Christ, the same God of the Old Testament is Jesus.....is THE RIGHT CHURCH!

2 Corinthians 11:4
   For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Hebrews 1:1-4
     God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

And So It Goes...

Welcome to my first blog. I never thought I would actually would have one of these. But lately I've been inspired to use the blog as a way to share my thoughts, lessons, and sermons I've preached. My blog is named in honor of my Bishop M.O. Martin Jr. If you ever heard any of his preaching, he would call something " BOLOGNA!" if was truth according to the Word of God. You could bank on it he would say it at least once a week. BOLOGNA! He would yell. I sure do miss his teachings. Hopefully his son,which is now my Pastor, Bro Otto Martin, will start some trademark sayings LOL. 

Anyways....

I will be posting my first blog today sometime. I would like to try to post on a weekly basis. Feel free to comment and discuss Bible Doctrine. Because here...there's No Bull, No Bologna...Fully Apostolic.