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Barnabas Bulletin ~ 0120
2 WARNINGS FROM JESUS CHRIST
We are living in dangerous and deceptive days! Christians, especially, have to be on guard against all kinds of teachings that abound. Jesus warned us that there are two things that cause a Christian to err away from the truth of His teachings. They are:
Both these statements must be measured against ourselves. It is not for us to point the finger at someone else and accuse them of their shortcomings. So, how well do we ~ you and I ~ know the Scriptures? Do we treasure them enough to search them daily (Acts 17:11)? Do we make sure we check out what we hear and believe on the principles of what the Scriptures teach? In these days we cannot afford to rely solely upon what our pastor or minister teaches from the pulpit. Knowing the Scriptures helps us to more quickly discern the voice of God to our lives, for God’s voice will never violate the principle of the Scriptures. Jesus is the word become flesh (John 1:14)! The main reason why we compiled The GFM Bible Correspondence Courses the way we did was because (as a younger Christian) I had Christians quoting to me what they thought was the Scripture. When I checked out what they quoted against the Scriptures themselves, often I found it was quite different. This concerned me as it was misleading me into believing something that was different from what God said in His word. Up until today many thousands of people around the world have enjoyed the benefits of going through these Bible Courses. If we do not know what the Scriptures are saying then we will be swayed by strong personalities to believe things the way they see it. The best way to know the Scriptures is to regularly read, study and search them out so that we will know the truth that sets us free (John 8:31-23). The other warning Jesus gave was to do with the power of God. This is why the baptism of the Holy Spirit is so important. Jesus saidwe would receive power (“dunamis”) when the Holy Spirit has come upon us (Acts 1:8). In Luke 24:49 we are told to wait until we have been endued with that “dunamis” power of God! Have you received that power yet? Tragically we are not taught greatly today of the importance of the “dunamis” power of God working in and through our lives. It is a major key to New Covenant Christianity being lived and outworked through us to impact our generation for Jesus Christ! We are ineffective without it! It is the power of God operating through us that challenges, convicts and impacts those present when that power is activated. “Dunamis” is a Greek word and means: “act of power; miraculous power, ability; natural capability, inherent power; capability of anything, ability to perform anything; then, absolutely, not merely power capable of action, but, power in action”!! “Dunamis” is used 121 times in the New Testament and is translated into the following English words: ability (1 time), abundance (1), meaning (1), might (4), mighty deed (1), mighty work (11), miracle (8), power (77), strength (7), violence (1), virtue (3), wonderful work (1), worker of miracles (1), and mighty (4). Without the power of God operating in and through our lives we are in danger of going astray from the faith of Jesus. Christianity is much more than a wordy, belief system ~ “the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (“dunamis”)” (1 Corinthians 4:19-20). To properly represent Jesus Christ in this day we need to be delivering more than theories ~ we need to know the power of God. Jesus told us that we err when we do not know the Scriptures, nor the power of God! Let us make very sure that we listen to what Jesus is saying, so that we live our lives in the light of what He teaches us in the Scriptures. Jesus only wants the very best for us, so do not be satisfied to settle for “second best.” Search the Scriptures! “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him” (Psalm 34:8-9). ~ Rodney W. Francis. Bible Readings: 2 Peter 1:16-21; Psalm 119. “Dear God, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and I ask You to help me to be really serious about the teachings of Jesus Christ in my life, so that I may live for and with Him day by day in true knowledge of the Scriptures, and the power of God. Help me to eliminate all false teachings and unproven theories that do not line-up with Your teachings, and by my obedience to Your word I demonstrate my love for You. I ask You to stir me, and liberate me, to be the man/woman of God with power that You have called me to be. Help me to clearly listen to You, Lord Jesus, so that I may distinctly discern Your divine will and purposes. I really do want to be an effective and fruitful minister of Your Supernatural Gospel in my day and generation. In Jesus' name, I pray these things. Amen." The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
