A Possible Command

Twice in the Scriptures we see the Lord Jesus Christ telling people to “sin no more” (John 5:14 & John 8:11). According to my understanding, as long as we live our lives in this present flesh, this is an impossible command to obey. In John’s first epistle he write these words inspired by the Holy Ghost, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). So we know that no matter who we are, we will battle a life-long struggle with sin until the Lord returns and changes “our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). This, therefore, is my understanding of the Lord’s command to “sin no more”: it is a command that we will never be able to completely obey, but we are to do our very best.

There is another command in Scripture that I used to believe was similar in the sense that we will never be able to completely obey it in this lifetime, but we were supposed to give our very best effort. Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” I thought, “Every creature? That’s impossible, but I’m going to try my best.”

I was wrong, though. It is not impossible.

1. Biblical example shows us it can be done.

In Paul’s ministry there was a time when he spent three years in Ephesus. There he labored and as a result every creature that dwelt in what was then called Asia heard the gospel. Acts 19:10 says, “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” An example of a group of believers that dwelt in Asia and who did not live in the place where Paul was would be the Colossians. They lived about 100 miles inland from Ephesus and the believers there had never seen Paul’s face (Colossians 2:1). Yet there was a church! Most likely Paul had reached Epaphras, who was himself a Colossian, trained him, and then he was sent to plant a church in Colossae (Colossians 1:7 & Colossians 4:12). The point here though is the fact that due to Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, every inhabitant of a specific region heard the gospel. Look at what it says happened during Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas in Acts 13:49, “And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” How about the example of Philip the evangelist after he won and baptized the Ethiopian eunuch? It says in Acts 8:40, “But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”

If these biblical examples are not enough to prove that getting the gospel to every creature is possible, then surely what we read in Paul’s letter to the Colossian believers seals the deal, “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” (Colossians 1:23; see also Colossians 1:6)

2. History shows us it can be done.

Take the example of the great Missionary Charles Cowman in the orient. Charles Cowman left the comforts of home to preach the gospel to the Japanese over one hundred years ago. The heartcry of Cowman and every great missionary has been, “The evangelization of every creature in our generation.” At the time he left for Japan there were a total of 10,376,700 homes in that country. Having led a successful ministry in Tokyo, Cowman became increasingly burdened for the rural populations of Japan. He devised a plan that developed into what he called, “The Great Village Campaign”. The goal was to systematically take the gospel to every home in Japan. Their great team was successful in that they sent personal workers to every home in the country; these workers left a portion of Scripture and preached the gospel to everyone they met. One would think this daunting task must have taken a lifetime, but that is not true. Charles Cowman and his team of workers managed to get the gospel to over ten million homes in just six years. This man proved it can be done.

God did not mean for the great commission to be done little by little over 2,000 years so that by the time He comes back the gospel would have gotten to every part of the earth. The thrust of the great commission is individuals and it is something that must be actively accomplished during every generation. Each generation of believers is responsible for the evangelization of every creature during their generation. We can’t trust the generation before us because they had a generation of their own and now they are dead. We cannot trust the generation to come because they will have their own generation to reach and ours will have died. We have a window of opportunity during our short lives to get the gospel to every creature in our generation.

How can it be done?

Every church must have a ministry that constantly works to get the gospel to every creature in their region. That church also must consistently support missionaries who are doing the same work (getting the gospel to every creature in their region) through prayers and financial support. The philosophy of every missionary should be, “To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you” (2 Corinthians 10:16). Those missionaries in turn must go to the regions beyond and start churches that will continue the cycle of evangelizing and discipling while dedicating themselves to the evangelization of every creature in their region and supporting missionaries who are doing the work in regions beyond them.

Not only is “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” something that we can do, but it is something that we must do. We will do our part in our region, and we will support those in the regions beyond us; what will you do?

[This article was originally written by myself as a guest blogger on a friend's blog: http://pastorstrother.com/]

Finances

This is a great outline that I was taught by Pastor John Wilkerson, and now I have taught it personally. Yesterday I translated it to be able to teach it here in Chile. Here it is in both languages:

Finances

I. God is the source (Job 41:11, Psalm 24:1, Psalm 50:10 & 12)

II. Giving is a must (Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:8-10, Deuteronomy 14:22-23)

A. The offering

B. Alms

C. The tithe

1. It’s His- Malachi 3:8-10

2. It’s pre-law (Abraham & Jacob)

3. It’s one-tenth of all income

a. Genesis 28:22

b. Genesis 14:20

4. Where does it go?

a. Old Testament- house of God & His ministers (Tabernacle/Levites)

i. Malachi 3:10

ii. Numbers 18:21 & 24

b. New Testament- house of God & His ministers (Church/Pastors)

i. 1 Timothy 3:15

ii. 1 Timothy 5:17-18

3. Go to work (Proverbs 6:11, Proverbs 22:29, 2 Thessalonians 3:9)

4. Guard against debt (Proverbs 22:7, Matthew 6:24)

5. Gain contentment (Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Hebrews 13:5)

6. Get on a budget (Luke 14:28-29)

7. Generosity (Luke 6:38)

If you are in trouble, get counseling (Proverbs 11:14)

Finanzas

I. Dios es la fuente (Job 41:11, Salmo 24:1, Salmo 50:10 & 12)

II. El dar es necesario (Proverbios 3:9-10, Malaquías 3:8-10, Deuteronomio 14:22-23)

A. La ofrenda

B. La limosna

C. El diezmo

1. Es Suyo (Malaquías 3:8-10)

2. Es pre-ley (Abraham & Jacob)

3. Es un décimo de todos los ingresos

a. Génesis 28:22

b. Génesis 14:20

4. ¿A dónde va?

a. El Antiguo Testamento: la casa de Dios y Sus ministros (Tabernáculo/Levíticos)

i. Malaquías 3:10

ii. Números 18:21 & 24

b. Nuevo Testamento: la casa de Dios y Sus ministros (Iglesia/Pastores)

i. 1 Timoteo 3:15

ii. 1 Timoteo 5:17-18

III. Trabaja (Proverbios 6:11, Proverbios 22:29, 2 Tesalonicenses 3:9)

IV. Evita la deuda (Proverbios 22:7, Mateo 6:24)

V. Ten contentamiento (Filipenses 4:11, 1 Timoteo 6:6-8, Hebreos 13:5)

VI. Usa un presupuesto mensual (Lucas 14:28-29)

VII. Se generoso (Lucas 6:38)

Si estás teniendo problemas, busca consejo (Proverbios 11:14)

The Dead Sea vs. the Sea of Galilee

In his book, The Challenge of Missions, J. Oswald Chambers said, "The Dead Sea takes in and takes in, but it never gives out; hence it is stagnant. The Sea of Galilee takes in but it also gives out; hence, it is filled with life; and its water is fresh."

Oh, Lord, help my life to be a funnel and not a bucket!


Luke 6:38
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. 

God will give through you what He will not give to you.

Do you know the way to heaven?

Do you know the way to heaven?

One day Jesus was telling His disciples about the wonderful place called Heaven. It sure is wonderful! Jesus told them they knew where He was going and that they knew the way there. Thomas, one of His disciples, said they didn’t know where He was going and they didn’t know the way. Look at Jesus’ response:

John 14

4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The way to heaven is not through some religion or system of good works. The way to heaven is through a person and His finished work of redemption. Jesus Christ is the way to heaven!

The bad news is that we have all sinned against God and the punishment is eternal separation from Him in the Lake of Fire.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death…

Revelation 20:14

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

The good news is that God loves you and Jesus took the punishment for your sin on Himself when He died on the cross. The blood that He shed paid the price of your sin.

1 Corinthians 15

3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

God’s word says that anyone who believes this message, the gospel, will receive everlasting life.

This is why Jesus Christ is the way to heaven!

If you understand that you are a sinner, that you deserve to be punished for your sins, but that Jesus sacrificed Himself as your substitute, then right now you can turn to God and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.

Acts 16:31

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…

How to read the Bible:

According to Psalm 119

A study prepared by Kyle Sheridan

1. Come to the Bible with a pure heart and a clean life

v. 1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

v. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

v. 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

v. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

2. Obey those things in God’s word that have already been revealed to you

v. 1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

v. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

v. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

v. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

v. 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

v. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

v. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

v. 44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

v. 51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

v. 55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

v. 56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

v. 57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

v. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

v. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

v. 87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

v. 88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

v. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

v. 102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

v. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

v. 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

v. 157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

v. 166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

v. 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

v. 168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

3. Give it your whole heart

v. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

v. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

v. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

v. 58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

v. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

v. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

v. 145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

4. Before, during, and after you read, pray for:

(a) God’s help to obey His word

v. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

v. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

v. 29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

v. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

v. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

v. 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

v. 37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

v. 133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

(b) God’s help to understand His word

v. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

v. 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

v. 26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

v. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

v. 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

v. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

v. 64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

v. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

v. 68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

v. 73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

v. 80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

v. 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

v. 108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

v. 124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

v. 125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

v. 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

v. 169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

5. Value all of the Bible

v. 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

v. 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

v. 86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

v. 128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

v. 151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

6. Come to the Scriptures with a heart of praise

v. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

v. 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

v. 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

v. 108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

v. 164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

v. 171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

v. 175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

7. Memorize the word of God

v. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

v. 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

8. Tell others what you read

v. 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

v. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

v. 46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

v. 172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

9. Meditate in the Scriptures

v. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

v. 23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

v. 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

v. 78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

v. 95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

v. 97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

v. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation

v. 148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

10. Take pleasure in the Bible

v. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

v. 24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

v. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

v. 47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

v. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

v. 72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

v. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

v. 92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

v. 97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

v. 111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

v. 113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

v. 119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

v. 127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

v. 140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

v. 143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

v. 159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

v. 162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

v. 163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

v. 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

v. 174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

11. Remember what you read

v. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

v. 52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

v. 61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

v. 83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

v. 93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

v. 109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

v. 141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

v. 153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

v. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

12. Hunger and thirst for the words of life

v. 20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

v. 25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

v. 28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

v. 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

v. 45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

v. 82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

v. 94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

v. 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

v. 123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

v. 131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

13. Have resolve and diligence

v. 30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

v. 31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.

v. 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

v. 60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

v. 75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

v. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

v. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

v. 115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

v. 139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

v. 173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

14. Believe, hope, and trust in His word

v. 42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

v. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

v. 49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

v. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

v. 74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

v. 81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

v. 114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

v. 147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

15. Go to the Bible when you are in distress

v. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

v. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

v. 92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

v. 107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

v. 143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

v. 147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

16. Examine yourself in light of the Scriptures and repent of any unholy thing

v. 59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

v. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

17. Go to the Bible for guidance

v. 24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

v. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

v. 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

18. Approach the Bible seriously

v. 120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

v. 161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

19. Accept every word as absolute truth forever

v. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

v. 89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

v. 142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

v. 151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

v. 152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

v. 160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

20. When you go to the Bible, cry to God for help in your life

v. 86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

v. 94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

v. 126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

v. 146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

v. 134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

v. 153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

v. 153 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

v. 170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

Review

1. Come to the Bible with a pure heart and a clean life

2. Obey those things in God’s word that have already been revealed to you

3. Give it your whole heart

4. Before, during, and after you read, pray for:

(a) God’s help to obey His word

(b) God’s help to understand His word

5. Value all of the Bible

6. Come to the Scriptures with a heart of praise

7. Memorize the word of God

8. Tell others what you read

9. Meditate in the Scriptures

10. Take pleasure in the Bible

11. Remember what you read

12. Hunger and thirst for the words of life

13. Have resolve and diligence

14. Believe, hope, and trust in His word

15. Go to the Bible when you are in distress

16. Examine yourself in light of the Scriptures and repent of any unholy thing

17. Go to the Bible for guidance

18. Approach the Bible seriously

19. Accept every word as absolute truth forever

20. When you go to the Bible, cry to God for help in your life