EVER FILLED?

FEBRUARY 7, 2012

EVER FILLED?

The old potato-chip commercial said, "You can't eat just one." This is true for all desires. AND... the more you have (of what you want), the more you want to have. Are you driven by your desire for God. Love Him, seek Him with your whole heart, and you shall be filled.

Upward and Onward in Jesus,

Pastor David L. Gould

ON ARNOLD MURRAY

FEBRUARY 4, 2012

ON ARNOLD MURRAY

I just met a man who is deceived by Arnold Murray, the TV religious personality, who teaches a Pre-Adamic human race; the pre-existence of souls; the Serpent Seed doctrine (the erroneous belief that the Serpent, Satan, had sexual relations with Eve, producing Cain); Satan's Seed (present day "Jews," according to Murray's false teaching) escaped flood on Noah's ark: Anglo-Israelism (the anti-Semitic belief that the "real Jews" are Anglos] ; Modalistic Monarchianism (heresy that God is not three Persons, but rather, He takes the mode or identity of three persons); Annihilationism (the false notion that the soul or essence of man ceases to exist, therefore, there is no eternal punishment); Denial of the physical resurrection; Denial of the Rapture, along with other heresies. These people are fully persuaded. So sad.

For the Record

How can people miss the clear teaching of the word of God.
*The Bible does not refer to a pre-Adamic human race.

*There was no pre-existence of souls (Mormon doctrine).

*Eve DID NOT have sex with the Serpent in the Garden of Eden (and ultimately a threesome with Adam), producing Cain.

*The Bible clearly tells us that Cain was the product of Adam and Eve. (Interesting side light; the Mormons believe that Adam sinned in order to save the human race and that he received God's blessing for his sin).

*The Jews are in the linage of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Judah not the evil seed of the Serpent, through Eve.

*British (Anglo) Israelism is an antisemitic repudiation of the revealed word of God, and is taught by SDA and white supremacists, Identity movement.

*The Godhead is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three persons, but one God. Oneness has been a heresy taught since the early days of the Church (Arius and Sabellius among others).

*The Bible clearly teaches that the soul/spirit of man neither sleeps or is annihilated, as is taught by the SDA and the JWs.

*Jesus was raised physically from the dead, contrary to the JWs and we will also be raised from the dead physically. (Remember, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord).

*The order of end times events can only be literally understood if there is a pre-tribulational, pre-millennial rapture. Literal interpretation is a key issue here, which is where reformed and covenant theology errs concerning the second coming events.

Consider...
It is interesting to observe that people who follow cult leaders justify their beliefs because "Dr. Whozit says so." Whereas a Bible believer, even when he is in error, will base his beliefs on what he believes the Bible says.If we readily accept the Bible as its own interpreter and if we accept the Bible as the final and only authoritative revelation of God, we can be lead into God's truth. But if we follow men, instead of God, we may never see the truth.

Upward and Onward in Jesus,

Pastor David L. Gould

PURPLE GORILLA

FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Purple Gorilla

Now that I have said purple gorilla, and if you have thought about a purple gorilla, it will be difficult to not think about a purple gorilla, even if I tell you not to think about a purple gorilla.

Likewise, when a person has been introduced to, and saturated with, false doctrines, it is almost impossible to get that person to read the Bible without the constant presence of those false doctrines. God's truth is viewed through the grimy and distorted lenses of error.

When the church in the west abandoned, traded in, neglected and rejected the Bible and basic Christian truth, the doom of the next generation was secured. It is so difficult to win the deceived to Christ.

Upward and Onward in Jesus,

Pastor David L. Gould

COSTLY ENTANGLEMENTS

FEBRUARY 2, 2012

COSTLY ENTANGLEMENTS

Have you ever been fishing with a person who did not understand the importance of keeping his lines straight? Crossed, tangled lines can happen whether fishing from a pier, beach, anchored boat, drifting or trolling, even with the best of fishermen. However, a novice is more prone to get tangled lines. Many fish are lost or missed while you are trying to clear up the lines, not to mention the loss of equipment and valuable time.

This is true when a Christian allows false doctrine to foul his thinking. It takes time, work, sacrifice and understanding to untangle the confusion that thwarts his growth and service.

Launch Out And Hold Fast

Pastor David L. Gould

THE WAYS AND MEANS OF ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION

FEBRUARY 2, 2012
THE WAYS AND MEANS OF ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION
God's word tells us we can be entirely sanctified in this life, by a work of His grace. God is the Means, while His instruments are His word, our faith and our obedience.

THE PROVISION AND THE PROMISE
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION IS THE WORK OF GOD
SANCTIFIED BY GOD, THE FATHER
1 Thessalonians 5:23
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 13:20-21
(20) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10
(10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Jude 1:1
(1) Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

SANCTIFIED BY THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST
Hebrews 2:9-11
(9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
(10) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
(11) For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Hebrews 10:10
(10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:14
(14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:29
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 13:12
(12) Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

SANCTIFIED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Romans 15:16
(16) That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 6:11
(11) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

2 Thessalonians 2:13
(13) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

1 Peter 1:2
(2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

INSTRUMENTS OF ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION
Sanctified Through The Word
John 17:17
(17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Ephesians 5:26
(26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

James 1:21
(21) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Sanctified Through Faith
Acts 15:9
(9) And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Acts 26:18
(18) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Sanctified Through Obedience
Acts 5:32
(32) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

1 Peter 1:22
(22) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Pastor David L. Gould

BEAUTY OF HOLINESS

FEBRUARY 2, 2012

BEAUTY OF HOLINESS
When it is said, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," beauty becomes relative. However, when God is the Beholder, then beauty becomes an absolute. As a tuning fork sets the standard for all the instruments in the orchestra, God sets the standard concerning "Beauty." God says that HOLINESS is beautiful. *see verses below.

What Is Holiness
Holiness is separation from sin and separation to God. Holiness is twofold, being the purified heart and the godly life. God purifies the heart of the Christians from the carnal mind, so that we are dead to sin and alive to God. God empowers the believer to live a life that is pleasing to God, by resisting temptation and obeying God.

Titus 2:14
(14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

DLG note...

Titus 2:14 has a main point with two sub-points:

1. Christ gave Himself for us that He might...

a. Redeem sinners (the lost) from all iniquity (this refers to the initial work of salvation, which includes Justification [including Forgiveness], Regeneration, Adoption, Cleansing).
b. Purify believers from the old man, carnal mind, law of sin and death (Entire Sanctification [through the infilling of the Holy Spirit]), so they will be a distinctive people, zealous of good works.

Since so few Christians ever hear about this deeper work of God's grace there are few who experience and demonstrate such righteousness and passion.

This life of holiness is accompanied by mercy, love, compassion, patience, kindness, courtesy, tenderness. These are some of the traits that God considers beautiful. What a wonderful world this would be if we lived in the beauty of holiness.

*Verses
Offerings Of Praise
1 Chronicles 16:29
(29) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Praise Through Song
2 Chronicles 20:21
(21) And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Glorifying God
Psalms 29:2
(2) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The Whole World Should Bow In Awe
Psalms 96:9
(9) O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

The Result Is Unity Among Believers
Psalms 133:1
(1) ...Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Upward and Onward in Jesus,

Pastor David L. Gould

HOLINESS, AN OPPORTUNITY, AN OPTION, AN OBLIGATION

JANUARY 31, 2012
Holiness of heart and life is an Opportunity, an Option and an Obligation.

1- As an Opportunity: God provides holiness of heart as a gift to believers. Through the redemptive work of Christ it is possible for a person who is dead in his sins and trespasses to become a child of God and for a child of God to be purified from all sin and to live a life of godliness in this present evil world. God provides everything that is necessary for life and godliness through Christ. (*see verses below).

2 Peter 1:2-4

(2)  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

(3)  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

(4)  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2- As an Option: God enables believers to choose the way of full salvation. Since God provides the grace to be holy, He also calls us to be holy. It has been said that God's call brings God's enabling. Whenever we are invited or commanded to do the will of God, it is because God is enabling us to freely obey or disobey His will. Whenever we choose to accept His work of grace it is because we are taking advantage of an option provided by God. (**see verses below).

3- As an Obligation: God requires Holiness of heart and life. God provides the way of holiness and God enables us to choose His way of holiness because holiness of heart and life are obligatory for a right relationship with God. (***see verses below).

*OPPORTUNITY... GOD PROVIDES HOLINESS

1 Thessalonians 4:3
(3) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Ephesians 5:26-27
(26) That He (Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church) with the washing of water by the word,
(27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Hebrews 13:20-21
(20) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

**OPTION... GOD ENABLES US TO CHOOSE HOLINESS
2 Corinthians 7:1
(1) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Matthew 5:6
(6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

1 John 3:3
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Isaiah 1:16
(16) Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

***OBLIGATION... GOD REQUIRES HOLINESS
Hebrews 12:14
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Matthew 5:8
(8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
(7) For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
(8) He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Psalms 24:3-4
(3) Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
(4) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Upward and Onward in Jesus,

Pastor David L. Gould