Witness of the Spirit

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Short Summary
The discourse emphasizes the significance of the Holy Spirit as the source of true peace from God, contrasting it with the world’s fleeting and false peace. It calls believers to cultivate faith, love, and spiritual growth through study, prayer, and faithful living, enduring trials and suffering with Christ while actively witnessing and applying God’s Word. Ultimately, it encourages steadfastness in consecration, reliance on divine promises, and continual development into Christlike character, assuring that such faithfulness leads to eternal reward and harmony with God.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on “The Witness of the Spirit as Access to God’s Peace”

Introduction to the Theme:
– The discourse centers on the “witness of the Spirit” as the means to access God’s peace.
– Peace from God differs fundamentally from worldly peace, offering spiritual rest and assurance in a troubled world.

Biblical Foundations of Peace:
John 14:27: Jesus promises peace not as the world gives, encouraging believers not to fear.
Psalm 17:7 (1835 version referenced): God’s grace contrasts with the world’s false promises of peace (“peace, peace, there is no peace”). True peace is found only among God’s children dwelling harmoniously together.
Philippians 4:7: Divine peace is permanent and grounded in God’s promises, balancing heart and mind with compassion, understanding, and love.

Faith and Assurance through Scripture:
Romans 8:31: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” underscores confidence in God’s protective power.
– Spiritual rest is vital amid trials, emphasizing faith without murmuring despite hardships or comfort.
– Believers are encouraged to claim and keep God’s peace daily.

The Role of the Holy Spirit:
Romans 8:16: The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children and heirs according to His purpose.
– Explanation of Hebrew “ruach” and Greek “pneuma” (spirit/wind) to clarify that the Holy Spirit is God’s active influence, not a mystical entity.
– The Holy Spirit inspires Scripture (2 Peter 1:21) and guides believers into truth.
– Jesus personifies the will of God, and believers are urged to live a Spirit-filled life, away from worldly cares, united with fellow believers in faith (“yoke fellow” with Christ).

Witness and Testimony:
– Living testimony is more powerful than mere words; believers are called to exemplify faith in daily life.
1 John 5:9-10: The witness of God is greater than human testimony; believing in God means having a witness in oneself.
John 6:44: No one comes to Jesus except drawn by the Father, confirming the divine call and drawing believers to Christ.
– The witness of the Spirit sustains believers, enabling them to keep peace and faith amid challenges.

Challenges and Trials in the Christian Walk:
– Suffering with Christ is part of discipleship (2 Timothy 2:11-12; 1 Peter 1:11), but suffering isn’t always continuous persecution; it includes self-sacrifice and enduring opposition.
– Jesus’ ministry involved conflict with religious leaders but also acceptance by many; his ultimate sacrifice in Gethsemane is a model for believers.
– Believers are warned about increasing persecution as darkness hates the light.

Separation from the World’s Spirit:
– Believers must keep separate from worldly selfishness and materialism (Colossians 3:1-2; 1 John 2:15-16).
– This separation may lead to social shunning or isolation but is necessary for spiritual growth.
– The Holy Spirit marks believers by producing a right heart attitude and love for others.

Faithfulness and Overcoming:
– To not be ashamed of Christ and his words is essential (Mark 8:38).
– Faith is tested; believers must continue to press on, keeping Christ’s mindset and will as priorities.
– Overcoming the world comes through faith, not through self-satisfaction but humility and continual growth (1 John 5:4).
– Love is the fulfillment of the law and a fruit of the Spirit, contrasting with worldly selfishness.

Practical Christian Living:
– Believers are urged to practice kindness, be doers of the word, and maintain an active prayer life.
– Efforts in witnessing and teaching are in God’s hands, with God providing the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7).
– The peace of God should rule in hearts and minds (Colossians 3:15), and meditation upon Jesus’ teachings is encouraged.

Seeing “Afar Off” – Prophetic Vision and Hope:
– Believers are called to “see afar off” spiritually, understanding prophetic scriptures and anticipating the fulfillment of God’s promises (2 Peter 1:9-11; Matthew 24:33).
– This includes hope in the resurrection and the ultimate establishment of God’s kingdom.
– The church class serves as a model for the world, demonstrating the pathway of consecration and faith.

The Holy Spirit’s Anointing and Mission:
Isaiah 61:1-3: The anointing of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to proclaim good news and joy.
– The Spirit creates within believers a burning desire to do good and bear witness for truth.
– Believers are shaped and polished into Christlikeness through faithful service and study.

Endurance and Final Encouragement:
– Faithfulness unto death is stressed as the way to receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
– The journey involves continual self-examination, prayer, and resisting sin (1 John 5:18).
– The Spirit helps believers to live not for self but for the Lord and their fellow believers, expressing brotherly love (Galatians 6:10).
– Persevering in faith leads to an abundant entrance into God’s everlasting kingdom (2 Peter 1:10-11).

Closing Exhortation:
– Believers are encouraged to be diligent, to dig deeply into God’s Word (likened to mining for precious gems), and to apply truths learned.
– The peace and grace of God will sustain believers amidst trials as they continue onward to the heavenly goal.
– Final appeal to remain steadfast in the faith, claiming access to God’s peace in all circumstances.

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Key Bible Verses Quoted or Referenced:

– John 14:27
– Psalm 17:7 (1835 version)
– Philippians 4:7
– Romans 8:31, 16, 17
– 2 Peter 1:21, 4
– 1 John 5:9-10, 4
– John 6:44
– 2 Timothy 2:11-12
– Matthew 23:13
– First Peter 1:11, 2:21-23
– Colossians 3:1-2, 15
– 1 John 2:15-16, 5:18
– Matthew 5:16, 24:33
– Revelation 2:10
– Galatians 6:10
– 1 Corinthians 3:7, 23
– Isaiah 61:1-3
– 2 Peter 1:9-11

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This discourse exhorts believers to rely on the Holy Spirit’s witness to maintain peace, endure trials, grow in faith and love, separate from worldly ways, and actively participate in God’s purpose until the fulfillment of His kingdom.

Transcript

Now, as announced, the witness of the Spirit is access really to God’s peace, is what we’re going to be talking about. Access to God’s peace. We’re going to use some there’s been some words already spoken about this during this convention. First, excuse me, John 14:27, Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give unto you, but not the way the earth, the world would give peace.

No, I give it to you. Do not be afraid. So that’s hard to say today in this world, but do not be afraid. The peace of God is that which comes through really a realization of divine power, his goodness, his willingness to watch over us, to help us in time of need and, and really to take us by his right hand and guide us through the things we have in our daily lives. So we have this wonderful piece, Psalm 17:7 in 1835.

God’s grace is really in contrast with the world’s promise of peace. You know, they’re saying now, peace, peace. There is no peace, and there’s certainly no peace, not in the homes, not in the country inside. Nowhere is there peace except in a place like this.

The children of God are dwelling together in harmony. So we have Philippians 4:7, Philippians 4:7. So it’s balancing of really the heart and mind that we’re talking about. You have a heart that has compassion, understanding, love for one another. Divine peace is really, it’s permanent and firmly grounded in the promises of God’s word.

I’m sure each of us have a favorite promise that we can just call to mind. So keep that in your heart, keep that in your mind. Speak words about that precious promise, and really, because if God before us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 from the dialogue.

So we need a spiritual rest and peace though in our lives to go on sustain ourselves in this really challenging time, as I mentioned, which we’re in, and there is brother going through difficult trials and experiences just like the world, but for a different outcome. You don’t remember murmur, no reply, just faith and firmly trust, and come what may, we realize our sickness and health in better really times are poor, comfortable, more comfortable circumstances, and those whom God is dealing with really have them by the means, which is to claim God’s peace.

So that piece is there. Claim it, keep it in your heart, keep it in your mind and lead that kind of a life each day that you have that peace exemplified in your daily life’s matters. So again, the Holy Spirit is in our heart and mind, and by the witness of Paul, he stated in Romans 8:16 the spirit itself beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God and then rest of that if children that were heirs heirs according to God’s plans and purposes. We have the spirit of God really we realize in the it’s the invisible power and influence.

The Hebrew word in the Old Testament was translated spirit or ruach. We know these things just we call it your mind, and in the New Testament the Greek word numa is the one rendered spirit. In our English Bibles original meaning was wind current of air, and really the usage was important one in the Scriptures because it’s not some mystical entity, it’s a spirit of God.

And in our lives again is that spirit that leads us to sonship as I mentioned. So ruach in numa can be used by the writers of the Bible and be used in place of the Holy Spirit, and we don’t want that that to happen so well. His Spirit, his God is his direction planning those seeds of hope and encouragement in your life each day. So we have this really revealed to us written word.

And so the words found in the Bible are a product of the Holy Spirit. Apostle explains that holy men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit 2nd Peter 1:21 and likewise the teachings really of Jesus personified those things inspired do this, do this will of God and you’ll be blessed. The more you seek the Lord the more you’ll find truth, and really then the Holy Spirit guide you to all these things especially as we mentioned true truth. Spirit filled life we have to have.

So we’ve begotten the begotten Son Jesus and have a spirit filled life if possible away from the cares of the world and coming to a gathering such as we’re in today to meditate upon his word, to be taught lessons from the platform and also the lessons of getting along spiritually and dwelling in this household of faith one with another as we mentioned yoke fell together one with another with our dear Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. That’s our goal, that’s our desire, and this word of truth comes not only really directs the consecrated people in the doing of his will, but it also encourages them to go on. So there’s not only doing his will but being encouraged to go on. So he reveals himself through his written word as we mentioned and also go on and really to be a living testimony.

I know something in our class the other day said I’d rather see a testimony than hear a testimony, and take that to your heart. It’s not a Down part on you. It’s the witness in us. The witness in us through the word of God and therefore the Holy Spirit.

God has assured us in many ways of standing with him, standing firm on that foundation. Who’s that foundation? Christ, of course, and the apostles. I’ll build my church upon Petros, and he did.

He is now, and one of these is in 1st John 5, 9 and 10. Excuse me. Which reads, if we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. For this is a witness of God which has and testify of his Son.

And he that believeth in the God in God hath a witness in himself. He that believeth not God and hath made him a liar because he believeth not the record of the Son that God gave to him. So this exact expression believeth in the Son and with God and the witness of in its. In himself. It’s a very important one.

The apostle John who wrote these words, quotes Jesus and saying, no man can come to me except the Father, which has sent him. Sent me draw him. John 6:44, and this is the witness that is very sincere believer is assured of. Namely that the Father has drawn him to Christ.

So you’ve been drawn. The call went out, as we mentioned in the special panel yesterday. Call went out and it has to do with my Son. Give me thine heart. Are you following that?

Living up to that? You must if you want to please God so and draw God his power of understanding. So we realize that this witness of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit, which inspired John to finish and his writings and to furnish this information to us the best we can to develop that. We keep it in our hearts and we use it each day in a way for you, the Father. So we may have access to this piece of God.

And it’s a real piece. It’s not a faint piece. It’s a real peace, and you have to do that, and I know how I have difficulty with that.

Keeping it, keeping things straight in my mind and in my heart. Am I doing God’s will? Am I doing better each day to serve him and his Son on the cause of truth and righteousness? So this, this knowledge is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit, and.

And the Scriptures teach us study the Word. What does it say? Be instant in season, be instant out of season. So when it’s convenient for you. Yes.

When it’s inconvenient for you to be a witness of the Spirit, you have to put that effort into practice. So the ever increasing appreciation of his love and clear Understanding of his promises, particularly what, as we mentioned alluded to earlier, the exceeding great and precious promises whereby we might be partakers of the divine nature in second Peter 1:4. So if these things be so, we have a witness of the Spirit in our lives. So there’s a witness right there of the Spirit through Jesus Christ. The providences of God we have been really, they’re overshadowing, enlightening us that we have been begotten of Spirit Be what?

Members of the house of sons, which. Which Jesus is the head. Hebrews 3:6. Hebrews 3:6. Have children then Heirs and heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Romans 8:17. Just think about that for a second. Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. This is unmerited favor that’s coming our way. How do we view that?

We say thank you, Lord, each day we must. Unmerited favor. He called us. He saw something. Each of us in this room has made.

A consecration has been called for. You’re a people for a purpose, Brother Russell wrote in one of the volumes. So you have a purpose. He called you because he can use you in restoring the word of truth to the world of mankind in the time when the highway of holiness is established. So that’s one calling during the present age.

Ephesians 1:18 and 4. 1 and 4. Just as the work of the Holy Spirit in connection with this call and development of the church could not begin until God’s due time, which is where that Pentecost, that rushing wind, the Holy Spirit, came, and they started understanding and had understanding in their hearts and minds. So it cannot continue beyond God’s time. So if we have those words brought out, as long as it does continue, and we can see unmistakable evidence of it, may we be certain that God due time, all these things will come to pass.

All opportunity to run through the prize and the mark rise a high time really will again does not yet come. That time for at the end is not yet come, or else we would not be here today studying, applying, and as we leave this place, we want to take some gem of truth which with us. You’ll hear many during this convention, and not all from the platform, but from your brethren in your fellowship. You have that encouragement again.

Romans 11:25 and Philippians 3, 13 and 14. What’s the key to it? If we suffer with him, we’ll reign with him, and so that again, that prospect is so transporting. As we’ve sung many times.

The other use of the term witness is a descriptive one of God’s acceptance of our consecration, as we mentioned, and of the railway prohibition members, probationary members of the body of Christ is revealed in Romans 8, 16, 19, already partially quoted, and also we know that this message Apostle is so important in our lives. The Spirit testifies that we are the children of God. Again, as we mentioned then, heirs and heirs with Christ. If we do what?

If we sit back and do nothing? No, if we suffer with him. If we suffer with him, and then, first Peter 1:11, we learned that the Spirit of God caused the Old Testament prophetess to testify beforehand and the sufferings of Christ and the glory which it should follow. So some may feel that they are doing very little suffering.

We hear it in our own meetings. What am I suffering? I have a comfortable life, I’m retired, I’m doing fine. What am I suffering? So am I suffering with Christ.

And hence I wonder if his witness really belongs to me. However, we should not think of suffering as necessary. Meaning bitter and painful persecution beginning as we enter in the narrow way and continuing to its close. 2nd Timothy 2:11 and 12 even Jesus did not suffer continuously. Yes, he was never popular again with the religious leaders of the day.

They sought ways to imprison him, to trick him. But the common people loved Jesus and gladly accepted him. He was self sacrificing in his service to others. But much of the time he moved from the circle of trusted friends, engaging occasionally with words and experiences with those battles he had to fight with the Pharisees. Matthew 23, verse 13.

So I’m not saying he was never persecuted in his whole life. He was persecuted because he. He came there, you know, he wrote into Jerusalem and asked his colt, they had a palm frond especially, who comes in the name of the Lord. Did they accept him then? No, but there were some who did, as we realize.

So not until the close of his ministry did the Prince of Darkness direct those come after the mass with such fury as to bring about his arrest and death. As we know, he had his Gethsemane experience. His real Gethsemane experiences in Greek means in the oil press. So. So his life was poured out.

He sacrificed, he endured, he overcame. He committed himself to Heavenly Father. First Peter 2:21 23. Talk about that. When time came, there’ll be.

There’ll be more persecution for us as time goes on. Because remember, as we mentioned, darkness hates the light. Darkness hates the light. It’s been that way, and it will be that way until the kingdom is fully established on this earth. Meanwhile, are we keeping separate from the unholy unit and spirit of this attitude on the earth, the world discovering more and more each day how little interest we really should have in those things.

I’m not saying about your daily life. You’re working and you’re interacting with your colleagues at work. Yes, but that’s secondary to the needs of the new creature. Colossians 3:1 and 2 first. John 2:15.

And keeping apart really from the spirit of the world is selfish ways. You think this is a selfish world? Those who have money want more money. Those who have none want some. But look at me.

Look what I’ve done. Look what I have. That’s not the attitude that we need to be using in our own lives, because that’s brought out in those scriptures I mentioned. Colossians 3:1 and 2 and John 2, 15, 16. So we want to try to do better.

We’re going to be shunned from those we come in contact with in the workplace, and maybe out in the world, if we’re going about our daily lives matter, shopping and so forth.

We realize that it’s not time for them to understand these things. So we could be shown. Jerome, some of you worked in offices. You ever go to the break room and they’re talking about something. All of a sudden they stop talking about something when you walk in the door because they know you.

You don’t believe that. You wouldn’t appreciate it. If you’re doing that, you have a mark, you have a sign of the Holy Spirit in your life that is helping you endure those things. It’s not. It’s not a good thing.

You walk in there and no one wants to talk to you. But it’s not going to be so phenomenal. So we have that spirit again, that we are the children of God and letting our light shine before men. Matthew 5:16. Holy Spirit is bearing witness to you, to those you come in contact with, that you have that heart attitude, and you have a right heart attitude that’s developing, that’s growing, that’s pleasing.

Heavenly Father, so closely alive with the witness of the Spirit showing the privilege of suffering with Jesus and the Master. Whatsoever, therefore, shall be ashamed. Whosoever shall be ashamed. What does he say? I will know you not because you’re ashamed of my words.

Never be in the attitude that you’re. You’re weak. Your beliefs, that you’re. You’re being shunned because of your beliefs. But you know that.

But you’re gaining a victory over the flesh, and it’s what, resistance to sacrifice. It’s not an easy thing to sacrifice your heart, your mind, your will, your all each day. But that’s what is required of you. It’s required of you to do these things.

So of him shall the Son of man be ashamed also who who is ashamed of him, and really, when it comes in the glory of the Father. Mark 8:38 how do we stand in respect to this matter? Do we have a longer desire to honor God and Jesus on every suitable occasion by bearing witness in truth concerning him and concerning really the divine purpose in helping us calling out of darkness in his marvelous light? 2nd Timothy 4:2 if so, then we have another witness of this of the Master that is is using us.

He’s developing us. When we come to the Father in glory, that’ll be the culmination of these aims, these heartfelt desires, and really overcoming the world is a difficult matter, as we realize that we mentioned John wrote, everyone who is begotten of God doth Overcome the world. First John Excuse me. First John 5:4 Young’s Literal Translation it’s begetting really accomplished by the the Holy Spirit.

Through the word of truth. We have begotten, being begotten of God, we have his Holy Spirit in our minds and hearts that we will again have that disposition not look how great I am. Look how wonderful I am, because I understand the Scriptures. But have an appreciation for what you are and what you will be is faithful unto death. Think about those things.

And when you come, your heart is heavy laden and down. Think of those things. Think about our Lord and how he endured faithfully and the other apostles, how they endured, even put to death with horrible deaths. But they said they stood firm to the end. So have that Holy Spirit in your heart and mind.

I know I’ve said that before, but I’m trying to emphasize it as you see. So you have a spirit is indeed causing you to live not for yourself, as the world does, but for the Lord, for the truth, and for who? The brethren. Love is no man of this.

And then he laid down his life for your his friends. You are my friends if you do what I’m asking you to do. So one of those things, fruits of the Spirit, love, brotherly love is so important. Why loves the fulfilling of the law, as we know that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love and in direct contrast the spirit of selfishness, as we’ve alluded to, which rules the world. Do we have that same spirit?

Do we love the Lord? We have love for the truth, especially again, love for each other. As we mentioned earlier, our true yoke Fellows, for all the people as we have opportunity. Do good, do good, do good. We still have a sign where I work.

Practice random acts of kindness. Okay, fine, but should they be random all the time, or should they come from here, through here and then through here? So your heart, your mind, your words, your mouth, and we have that spirit for the truth, and then again, that’s Galatians 6:10, Galatians 6:10. If so, then we have another witness that we have that spirit within us and we are children of God.

So the victory the Greek means success that overcometh the world, the apostle says, is what our faith first John 5:4 it is his faith in God, his plans and blessings of all the people of the earth in his own due time. It’s his will that’s being done. Again, not my will, but thine be done. We pray that our Lord prayed following his footsteps. We have the same mindset to say those words and not only say them, but live that.

So we want to be unselfish. We want to veer away from the pleasures of this world. Cautions, excuse me, 2nd Corinthians 4:18 talks about that the things that Heavenly Father has assuredly promised. We want to do those things and do them willingly, not forced upon you, but press on, do these things. Now we also then do not practice sin.

Would it be easy in this world to get caught up in sin? It’s around about you, every place you go. The lack of trust in the society is so evident. So do not practice sin. Do not sin.

First John 5:18 and unregulated the Young’s Literal Translation so do his will, study, shy away from sin and things that are wrong and go to things that are right, and then also there’s a there’s a scripture in 2nd Peter 4:11 seeing afar off is what we’re going to talk about. 2nd Peter 4:11 already represented with really the most feeling outline and conditions which we may have in our faith in this guy, that’s Satan. Great and precious promises belong to us. Those belong to us.

And as I said, get those promises. Make them your own. Use those each day to grow and develop in character likeness of the Lord. Share those with one another, share them with those you come in contact with the Holy Spirit Again we’re able to see far off. So not completely understanding everything until it’s at due time.

But Singapore off. The writers in the Bible practices seeing the far off. They wrote prophecies. Scriptures are chained to pertain to what would happen in this age of nurture living and do the best I could to bring out these things. So have we entered into this thing and having our hearts and molded our lives.

Molded. What does that mean? And we mentioned and we know character likeness. You know character likeness. You see it in your they see it in your life.

It’s reflected in your face, it’s reflected in your joy, your love, and as to greet everyone with a holy kiss, we see that so much exemplified in the Bible students, the dear brethren. So in addition to this, Paul, Peter, excuse me, adds, if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren. They’re unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. But he that taketh these things and lacketh them is blind and cannot see afar off, can’t see afar off and forgotten again the purpose that we are purged from our sins.

That’s back in that same from Peter and the verses of 2nd Peter 8 and 9. Oh, as we go on, brethren, you realize we have so much to be thankful for, and then as we realize moss put it into practice, so the question arises once again. I’ll go back here briefly. Are we able to see afar off?

Do we not by faith know and see God the beauty of his holiness? Do we have peace by knowing his love, his power, his wisdom, his justice, all the attributes are working together in the lives of the consecrated footstepfathers of the Lord.

Are we yielding ourselves to the influence of the Holy Spirit in order that we may daily become more like Him? The apostle also said that there’s much work in the Gospel age, and we want to be part of that work, seeing afar off particularly really in the true respect of the events which would accompany the harvest, the end of the age. Matthew 13:30 now today we’re really given a witness of the fulfillment of many prophecies which Peter’s day were just among, however remote they were far off, but now in us, what do we say from the Scriptures, Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears they hear.

I mean, as I stand up here today, it’s so important to have this this vision is active and can be used but not only a vision of seeing, but taking that and applying it. What are you seeing? What are you studying? What are you doing? Are you applying the things you hear in the study to your daily life or from the platform?

How you remember testimonies from your brethren, their experiences along this narrow way, and you take that into consideration how you look at them so and also then what Listening ears, hearing ears as a former Speech language pathologist for 42 years. I recognize the necessity for having not only hearing this working and active, but listening and taking that what you listen and take it internally that you can understand. So more than listening, be a listener. Yes, but what. Not only a listener here of the law, but what a doer of the law.

So, a doer so important in our lives. So we have this wonderful peace and rest with God. We have the ability to see afar off. We have the Holy Spirit again, these things don’t overtake you as a thief first. Thessalonians 5, 4.

So not in darkness, in light. You are children of light. Walk as you are children of light. Sometimes you have to go through the darkness to get further on. But you know, one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is the 23rd Psalm.

Just read that sometime again to yourself. You know it. But the still waters, right? The green pastures. He restores my soul, my inner being, my.

My new creature development keeps me on the right track. So we want to make sure we’re following that still waters, but deep of the truth, the wisdom of God, his plans and purposes. So now if you do these things, you will never fall, you’ll never fail. So in interest, we should continue to be administered onto the abundant really abundantly unto everlasting kingdom of the Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Going back again to Peter, it’s second Peter 1, 10 and 11.

So we progressed Peter from 7, 8, 9, now 10 and 11 and again privilege of studying these things. They will include the thought if you continue in them and certainly in the Scriptures warrant the thought of what once saved, always saved. No, this is your TR for life. When you made a consecration, you took up that vow. This is your chance to go through that and wave pleading to the heavenly Father.

So realizing once again the apostles could see a far off they wrote about it. They think that they wrote about things that are not even at the door. Matthew 24:3 excuse me, 24:33 of Matthew and Peter wrote really the great truth under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. So they don’t understand things fully. But look how much has gone on.

Say you’re on the earth, but you can go back, you can study the events, knew what took place and you striving to see ahead. Now as you’re doing this in that 23rd Psalm, you’re looking for pitfalls get in your way that could trip you, that could hurt you spiritually, and we want to make sure we don’t do that at all. So Isaiah 61:1 3 tells us of the anointing of the Holy Spirit and that of those who receive it are anointed to do what? To preach God tidings of great joy.

To be all people. What was that front of your day this morning? City of David. A savior. Which is Christ the Lord.

He’s still your savior, but only that. Is your fellow walking author with you? Companion? I’m sorry, and you want to make sure that we think about that each day.

So has the Holy Spirit created within you a not just a desire, but a burning desire to do good, to practice what you preach, so to speak, to look at your life, bear witness for. For the truth, the influence of the Holy Spirit in ways and direction, activity in God’s service, and to really be not self satisfied. Because we’re not. We can’t be satisfied with ourselves. We’re.

We’re weak in flesh. If you say, well, that’s the way I am, I’m satisfied with that. Wrong answer. We have to go on and pray. Active prayer life is so important, so important.

Again, you’re faithful. Not in the great matters of the little things of life.

If you have that Holy Spirit within you, you’re practicing those things. So that witness of the Spirit is not based on the amount of success we have making conversions to those we come in contact with. That does not deter us. You never know if that’s going to at the time you’re witnessing, if it’s going to bear. But it may.

I’m sure we’ve all come in contact with. Somebody said that is a good message. Please let me know more about it, and you do, right? You do brother Rick with Christian questions.

Christian questions goes without every broadcast. So thank you for that, brother. You’re reaching many people who are in need and also our own brethren who’d like to listen to it to be built up further. Appreciate that lever, and I know it’s done with love.

So results of our efforts in God’s hands. It is for those who give it and then what God gives the increase. First Corinthians 3, verse 7. It should be our desire to let the peace of God rule in our hearts and minds. You know every aspect of.

Of our Christian walk continuing faith. Colossians 3:15, and really our daily lives really should involve meditation upon the Lord Jesus, upon his teachings, upon his character and the things he endured willingly. The witness of the Holy Spirit, as we mentioned, really referred to in Paul, Paul’s writing, the suffering with Christ. So if you suffer with him.

Colossians 3:15 and continuing in faith, suffer with him and you can reign with him, but doesn’t mean with an assurity. As we mentioned earlier, these things have to be put to the test. If you say you have faith going to be tested, I have love, it’s going to be tested. I have devotion tested, it’s all going to be tested. Those are those fruits of the Spirit that we must develop.

I mentioned earlier when I first started my comments, so follow them, dwell in them, develop them, study them, and again we realize that as we study and strive to learn more of the Heavenly Father in the character of our Lord, there’s going to be that wonderful test of faith as we alluded to just now. So to do that and be in the image of our Lord Jesus is a wonderful imitation invitation each day that we want to stand firm. First excuse me, first class no first Corinthians 3:23 faithfulness is really here Christ and Christ is God’s. You’re Christ, Christ is God’s and I’m also you.

Well just I. It just boggles your mind even think about the opportunity you’ve been given to grow and develop on a way creating the Heavenly Father to use your the tools you have at your disposal to use them. Bible helps Comments the Holy word different translations to bring out clearer meaning Going back to the diaglot it’s a depth of study. Not a shallow study, but a depth, right. It’s like it’s mine you’re mining.

This area is famous for mining, mining coal mining, iron ore. Did they find it all on the surface? No, better dig deep to find it. When they did, they benefited from it and we will too. We dig deeper and deeper into the plan of God, deeper into studies we have not on on the surface.

Important to start there but to go on in the depths and go on to get more gems of truth we’re looking for. Even in one gem of truth we’re going to tunnel. We’re willing to dig, we’re willing to apply, we’re willing to be used in his service. That’s definitely what we want to do because we’re being quarried, molded shaped, chiseled and polished and character like this of our Lord. Always keep that in mind that we’re doing these things so we have to have Faithfulness again from First Corinthians 3:23 as you mentioned, spreading a glad tidings, a great joy to be to all people.

All people. Whether you listen and hear and apply. That’s going to be up to them but doesn’t deter us from doing the best we can each day preserve him in the cause of truth and righteousness. So brethren, if we’re faithful, we’ll discover these wonderful things becoming in a reality. Just imagine again seeing those have gone in their way before and fulfilled their vow of consecration.

You’ll have opportunity to see there that in their spiritual realm, what a wonderful thought, what a loving Father and a loving Son that provides us with this opportunity. Take that opportunity, use it, develop it. So that even in. In Jesus day, those are those who sat in darkness, who will now, as the kingdom’s established fully on this earth, have an opportunity to go up the highway of holiness and, and realize what the truth was was right before their eyes, and they didn’t have the understanding because it wasn’t their time.

But they will. They’ll have that wonderful holiness opportunity changing from a character of a stone, a heart of stone, to a heart of flesh, a mind that’s blank, so to speak, to God’s will and his plans and purposes, to a mind developing. They’ll have an opportunity to develop again again as they’re developing, as we did. We know that the church class is a model for the world of mankind. Being taught, applying.

What happens those of you who’s gonna. How many have not been there at the school anyway? When you go to school, what happens? There’s a test and sometimes it’s. The test is you know it’s coming.

Sometimes you don’t know. That’s why you have that in your mind, in your heart at all times and in your conduct, and you’re standing before God and your love for one another. Do those things. So, brother, and we’ll come about to the end of our our time today and again the Lord will give us strength and grace and peace all along.

This way you’ll lift up inconmiry clay of degradation, sin and destruction, and bless the family of the earth forever. Therefore, let us faithfully go on to the end, even unto death, claiming access to the peace of God in all times. Revelation 2:10 and may the Lord out of the blessing keep you all in this most holy faith, firm foundation, build upon that and go on in a way pleading to him. Amen.

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