Shepherd and Sheep Series-Sheep Refine Their Food during the First Chewing

As we study the eating patterns of sheep we learn many principles that apply of our own "grazing" in the Word. Often while grazing, sheep will swallow sticks and stones along with the grass and plants. These larger objects go into the first compartment of the stomach, the rumen. These indigestible items are not allowed to pass through the digestive system but are brought up again during rumination so that they can be expelled. The digestive system of many animals is activated as soon as they swallow food. This is not true of sheep. Sheep will eat and swallow a sufficient portion of food. Most of this food collects in the first of its four stomach compartments called the rumen or paunch, which is designed to hold larger pieces of food. This compartment does not contain any digestive juices. In our studies of Scripture it is easy to add human presuppositions and inaccurate connotations to what God’s Word is really saying. The truth is there are issues of which we have faulty understanding. Wrong teaching or incomplete teaching, can lead to wrong thinking. Therefore, the vital first step in meditation is to bring each thought that we have under the scrutiny of the principles of Scripture and to throw out those ideas which are not consistent with it. “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 exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4-5). Once the indigestible food is removed from the rumen, the remaining food is passed into the second stomach compartment, called the reticulum. Here, the food is turned into soft clumps which are called cuds. Just as sheep take in large amounts of food before they digest it, so Christians should read and memorize large sections of Scripture. By doing this, we will establish an inward resource upon which to meditate, and as we meditate, we will see each verse from its larger perspective. This practice will decrease the danger of misinterpreting a single verse or a Scriptural idea. It will also allow the Holy Spirit to reveal basic principles and their practical applications so that we can rightly divide the Word of truth (see II Timothy 2:15). The application is obvious; after we take in large portions of Scripture, our minds and hearts must be cleansed of evil or wrong presuppositions that defile us. Then we are ready to begin meditating on God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will bring to our conscious minds those things that offend God, and defile our hearts and minds; as we ask Him to do so. After a time of cleansing we will be able to properly “chew on the Scriptures.” Meditation is building your day and night around Scripture. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Bible Doctrine Series-The Holy Spirit

There are several reasons why the study of the Holy Spirit is of special significance for the believer. One is that the Holy Spirit is the point at which the Trinity becomes personal to the believer. A second reason why the study of the Holy Spirit is especially important is that we live in the period in which the Holy Spirit’s work is more prominent than that of the other members of the Trinity. A third reason for the importance of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is that current culture stresses the experiential, and it is primarily through him that we experience God. The Personality of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a person. He is not just power or energy in the abstract—cf. Zechariah 4:6. A. Properties of Personality. (“Energy” does not possess these properties.) 1. Intelligence—1 Corinthians 12:8. 2. Will—1 Corinthians 12:11. 3. Power—Romans 15:13, 19. 4. Knowledge—1 Corinthians 2:10-12. 5. Love—Romans 15:30. 6. Life—Romans 8:2; John 7:37-38. B. Personal Pronouns. The noun for Holy Spirit in the Greek is neuter, yet whenever a pronoun is used in its place, the pronoun is always masculine. John 14:16, 17, 26. C. Acts of Personality. 1. Speaking—Acts 13:2. 2. Interceding—Romans 8:26. 3. Testifying—John 15:26. (Bear Witness) 4. Commanding—Acts 8:29; 16:6, 7. 5. Overseeing—Acts 20:28. 6. Guiding—John 16:13. (Especially applicable to the Apostles.) 7. Teaching—John 14:26. (Especially applicable to the Apostles.) D. Personal Reactions. 1. Grieved—Ephesians 4:30. 2. Tested—Acts 5:9. 3. Resisted—Acts 7:51. 4. Blasphemed—Mark 3; 29, 30. E. Personal Relationships. (One cannot substitute “energy” or “power” for these relationships.) 1. With God the Father—2 Corinthians 13:14. 2. With Jesus Christ—John 16:14. Note: The above two show equality of personality. 3. With Christians—Acts 15:28. The Holy Spirit is thus related to other personalities yet is distinct from them. The Deity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Sprit is co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal with the Father and Son. A. He is identified with the God of the Old Testament. Compare Hebrews 10:14, 15, and 16 with Jeremiah 31:33. Acts 28:25 with Isaiah 6:1-13. B. He is called God. Sixteen times in the New Testament the Holy Spirit is related by name to the other two members of the Godhead. 1 Corinthians 6:11 (Spirit of God); cf. Acts 5:3, 4. Acts 16:7 (Spirit of Jesus). C. He has the Attributes of God. 1. Omnipotence—Luke 1:35. 2. Omniscience—1 Corinthians 2:10-12. 3. Omnipresence—Psalm 139:7. 4. Eternity—Hebrews 9:14. 5. Love—Romans 15:30. 6. Holiness—Ephesians 4:30. (“Holy” Spirit) 7. Truth—1 John 5:6. D. He Performs the Works of God. 1. Creation—Genesis 1:1, 2; Psalm 104:30. 2. Regeneration—John 3:3, 5-8. 3. Resurrection—Romans 8:11. 4. Sanctification—2 Thess. 2:13. Note: Many more works could be listed. L. S. Chafer lists 17 in his Systematic Theology (Vol VI, pp. 26-46). Many works overlap with other aspects of the doctrine. E. His Associations with God. The Holy Spirit is associated with God in such a way that He is considered equal. Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14. The procession of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s relation to the Father and the Son is such that the Spirit “proceeds” from the Father and the Son. The Spirit is subordinate to the Father and the Son in His work; He is the “third” person in function only. John 15:26; Galatians 4:6; John 16:7; Psalm 104:30. The Work of the Holy Spirit. A. The Holy Spirit and the Old Testament. (His relationship to man) 1. Regeneration. Deuteronomy 5:29; John 3:3, 10. Regeneration is assumed to take place in contexts which stress works under the Law—Micah 6; 8; Jeremiah 22:16; Daniel 4:27. 2. Indwelling Believers. Proverbs 1:23; Genesis 41:48; Numbers 27:18. 3. Enablement for Service. Exodus 31:3 ff. 4. Theocratic Anointing (the ability to lead the Kingdom of God—the nation Israel). Numbers 11:17, 25; Deuteronomy 34:9; 1 Samuel 16:13, 14. Cf. Matthew 3:16 with Isaiah 11:2. 5. Dispensational Ruling (during Dispensation of Conscience). Genesis 6:3. B. The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. 1. The Birth of Christ—Luke 1:35. The Holy Spirit conceived the human nature of Jesus in Mary. Jesus was always a person; but with the conception of the human nature, the God-man came into existence. 2. The Life and Ministry of Christ. a. Anointed Him—Luke 4:18. b. Filled Him—Luke 4:1. c. Empowered Him—Matthew 12:28. Note: Jesus voluntarily limited Himself and gave up the independent use of His attributes (Philippians 2:7). He became dependent on the will of the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. At His baptism a special ministry of the Holy Spirit was given to Him. This was the theocratic anointing that was necessary to do the work of the Messiah, and was given to enable Him to function as the king in the Kingdom of God on David’s throne. 3. The Death of Christ. Just as the Holy Spirit enabled and sustained Him in life, so He did in the sufferings and death. Hebrews 9:14. 4. The Resurrection of Christ. Romans 1:4 (some debate as to whether this is the Holy Spirit) 8:11 (may not teach directly that the Spirit raised Christ, but the substance of the idea is there) C. The Holy Spirit and the world. 1. Conviction of Sin. The Holy Spirit convicts (convinces, proves guilty) the world of (1) the sin of unbelief, (2) the righteousness of God and the righteousness of Christ available to sinners, and (3) the judgment of Satan at the Cross of Calvary. John 16:8-11. 2. Restraint of Sin--2 Thess. 2:7. 3. Bestowal of Common Blessings. Matthew 5:44-45; Acts 14:17; 17:25, 27; Luke 6:35. D. The Holy Spirit and the Church. 1. The Constitution of the Church—Spirit Baptism. a. References to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13. b. Characteristics of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. 1) It is Limited to This Age—1 Corinthians 12:13. It first occurred at Pentecost (Acts 1:5; cf. 11:15-17) and ends at the rapture. It is not mentioned in relation either to the tribulation or millennium. 2) It is Universal among Believers of This Age. 1 Corinthians 12:13 “all” Ephesians 4:5 “one baptism” 3) It occurs at Regeneration and Is Not Repeated. 1 Corinthians 12:13. 4) It Is Non-experimental. It is not based on or derived from experience. It is judicial in nature—a placing of one in the Body of Christ. c. Results of the Baptism. 1) Membership in the Body of Christ—1 Corinthians 12:13. 2) Union with Christ—Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27. 2. The Administration of the Church. Acts 20:28; 13:2. The Holy Spirit and the Christian. 1. Regeneration. Definition—Regeneration is the impartation of eternal, spiritual life to the spiritually dead; it is the new birth. John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5; Titus 3:5. 2. Indwelling. Definition—the indwelling of the Spirit is the permanent abode of the Holy Spirit in all believers; it is a result of regeneration. Romans 8:9 (universal) 1 Corinthians 3:16 (indwelling) 6:19; John 14:16 (forever) (the Holy Spirit is a gift) Acts 5:32; Romans 5:5. 3. Sealing. Definition—the seal of the Holy Spirit is the divine ownership of the believer and the divine guarantee of eternal security because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit Himself is the seal. 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13 (“having also believed”—causal not chronological) 4:30. 4. Earnest. Definition—the earnest of the Spirit is the pledge or token that guarantees the final consummation of the Holy Spirit’s work in salvation. The Spirit Himself is the earnest. Ephesians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:23; 5:5; Romans 8:23 (called first fruits) Note: The final consummation of salvation includes the resurrection and glorification of the believer. 5. Filling. a. Definition—to be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be controlled by the Spirit. C.f. Luke 6:11—to be filled with fury means that they were controlled by it. Ephesians 5:18. Note: The fullness of the Spirit is not the same as instant spiritual maturity and growth. The distinction is comparable to the difference between good health and physical development. b. Steps to Spirit Control. 1) Yieldedness—1 Thessalonians 5:19. Not quenching the Spirit means not opposing or suppressing the will of the Spirit. 2) Confession of sin—Ephesians 4:30. Not grieving the Spirit means not allowing anything contrary to His holiness. 3) Appropriation of power—Galatians 5:16. 6. Fruit of the Spirit. Definition—the fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the Spirit’s control which is manifested in the Christian’s life and service. Colossians 1:10; Romans 6:22; Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:16. 7. Gifts of the Spirit. Definition—a spiritual gift is a sovereign, God-given, Holy Spirit-energized ability, whether natural or supernatural, temporary or permanent, given for service within the outreach of the local church. Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 28-31; Ephesians 4:7-11. Note 1: God has curtailed the use of supernatural gifts today. These were temporary and were given to launch the New Testament church. Note 2: Every Christian has some God-given, natural ability to be used in the local church. This is given at the time of Spirit baptism, but may be cultivated for use in the church. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Where is Home

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured. Refusing to accept release, so that the might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, and they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-of whom the world was not worthy-wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:32-40). As we look at the end of this grand chapter, we feel a crescendo of compassion for these great men and women of God. Although the writer admits that time does not allow him to name all their exploits of courage, these nine verses do much to convince us that each one deserves our highest respect. Imagine yourself in their place? The subject here is endurance in both triumph and tragedy. Note several things about the triumphs and tragedies of the faithful. First, there are erroneous ideas about the Christian life. There are at least four wrong conclusions regarding Christians that have been drawn over time and must be dismissed from our minds. Regarding passivity: “Christians are followers of Jesus, so they are meek, mild, and passive people.” Let's examine the subject of persistence: “Because Christians are people of faith; therefore, they never doubt or become discouraged.” Regarding perfection: “Christians, because they are Christians, are perfect-free from the marks of imperfection.” Regarding protection: “Christians know God, so they are shielded from hardship, calamity, and tragedy.” 1. Jesus was not passive, He stood firm against His critics. 2. Christians, being human do teeter on the fence of uncertainty at times. Defectors have been found within the ranks of Christianity throughout all generations. 4. Christians can and do experience such things as financial disaster, mistreatment, trips through the deepest valleys imaginable. Second, note some actual examples of endurance. The writer attempts to stir up endurance in his readers. Here he gives a sampling of those who have already endured. Several historic names and roles are noteworthy (v.32). Not one of these people was perfect, passive, persistent or protected. They were people who experienced the full spectrum of life’s offerings: both its triumphs and its tragedies. Let’s examine two extremes (vv. 33-38). Triumphs: (vv. 33-35a). 2. Tragedies: (vv 35b-38). Tragedy does not happen only to the wayward, the unkind, the hypocritical, the ungodly; it happens to mature, sensitive, obedient, and concerned believers as well. In this generation, an illusion is spreading: that people of true faith experience only wealth, health, and happiness. Scripture does not support such a superficial teaching. Effect then and now (vv. 39-40). All these magnificent folk of the past who experienced and endured both triumphs and tragedies brought honor to God because of their faith. Through their faith they gained approval. The person of Messiah, the promise of God, under laid each heroic act of faith. Third, note the practical impact of this teaching today. Several unavoidable conclusions must make their way into our thoughts if we are going to see life as God sees it. Undeserving and sinful Christians often rejoice in unexpected triumphs. Godly and great Christians often suffer through unexpected tragedies. Both extremes link us with an uninterrupted history: a history we call “God’s plan” (v.40). How do you respond when you see sinful Christians experiencing triumphs? What type of response does the Scripture teach us? How do you respond when godly Christians suffer tragedy? What type of response does the Bible teach us? Have you personally experienced either of these conditions? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Power of the Church

What power does the church possess under God's authority in spiritual warfare? What can we, as members of the local church, expect to see happen when God is truly ruling there? The power of the church is the power of every single Christian: the Holy Spirit. But in the church that power is enlarged through unified believers. Remember, before the disciples received the Holy Spirit they were in a sense powerless, the same way any unbeliever is today. However, afterward, they experienced incredible power as together they began to impact their society. In the book of Acts we see three amazing results occurred when the Holy Spirit came upon the church: 1. The church experienced growth in numbers (Acts 2:5-11). 2. The church experienced growth spiritually (Acts 10:47-48; 15:32; 19:17-20). Spiritual growth typically results in numerical growth. Healthy Christians reproduce themselves. 3. The church experienced persecution from her enemies (Acts 5:17-42; 14:3-7). I'm not saying these are things that will always happen to any church where the Spirit is working. Sometimes, depending on the situation and for other reasons, a church does not grow dramatically or even incrementally even though there seems to be real spiritual growth. Keep in mind, however, that any church where Christians develop genuine maturity and/or numerical prosperity is subject to spiritual assault by the great deceiver. In fact, I believe the enemy will certainly launch a counterattack. He recognizes that Christ's kingdom is the ardent enemy of the kingdom of darkness. When Satan sees his own strongholds tumbling down, he must act. Often this comes in the form of persecution. It's then that the power of the Spirit is so crucial. This power rarely happens in one person alone. Generally, God uses it in the many, uniting them together in a cause that is greater than any single person's vision. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Truth about the Truth

The solution to any lie is the supernatural illumination that comes from the Holy Spirit and the holy Word of God. Only truth can dispel a lie. But what is the real power of that combination, the Holy Spirit and the holy Word? Jesus revealed it in a few words from John 14. The disciples of Jesus had been shaken by His revelation that He would soon leave them (see John 13:33-37). For three years, He'd lived with them, eaten with them, spent time with them, as some say, "24/7," meaning twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. These men had left their jobs, homes, and security to follow Jesus. And now He was leaving them! The disciples were terrified. What would they do? Where would they go? They'd put everything they had into the life and times of Jesus Christ. Now, seemingly, He was leaving them stranded! It was then that Jesus brought out the greater truth, a truth that would truly make these men invincible: He would give them another comforter, the Holy Spirit. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you" (John 14:26). Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is with us, in us, going ahead of us and behind us. The Holy Spirit is our resident comforter, teacher, encourager, and friend. He's Jesus living in us. It's perhaps the greatest truth of the Bible: Wherever we are, Christ is. We cannot be anywhere that He isn't. Through the Spirit of God, Jesus takes what is in the Word of God and makes it practical and effective in our lives. He answers our questions, shows us how to deal with difficult situations, and guides us through the "valley of the shadow of death" when necessary. In spiritual warfare, that valley can open up before us and seem to swallow us before we even know it. But with the Spirit in us, we cannot fail. The average evangelical church in America acts like the Trinity is made up of the Father, the Son and the Holy Word of God. We need to invite the working of the Holy Spirit back into our churches and our lives. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Need for Personal Holiness

I peter 1:14-16. "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as he which has called you is hold, so be holy in all manner of conversation. Because it is written, be holy for I am holy." As the Apostle is writing the Holy Spirit draws his attention to Leviticus 11:44 and he writes on holiness. Yet there is a difference. Guided by the Holy Spirit he changed the imperative command "You shall be holy" into a loving appealing exhortation "Be holy." God is holy and He has made holiness the moral condition necessary to the health of his universe. Whatever is holy is healthy; evil is a moral sickness that must end ultimately in death. Note eight aspects of holiness. First, the dislike of holiness. A man once said "I do not believe in all this teaching abut holiness and Christ conformity. I am quite content to know that I am saved and on my way to Heaven." Dr. Stuart Holden answered the man in the following way "My friend that is hardly the proper criteria of judgment. You are satisfied to know that you are saved and going to Heaven. But is God satisfied? Is that what Christ died for?" The man was silent. Bishop Moule declared "The fully pardoned must long to be fully holy." I Thess. 4:3 "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification." Second. The need of holiness. Owen said "I do not understand how a man can be a true believer unto whom sin is not the greatest burden, sorrow, and trouble." The very fact that we are sinners shows a need for holiness. A Spirit filled believer will desire to be holy because God is holy. This is proof that we love the Lord Jesus Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is character, conduct and converts. Third, The definition of holiness. Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God. The holy person will endeavor to shun every known sin and to keep every Biblical commandment. A holy man will strive to be like the Lord Jesus Christ. It is complete conformity in all things great and small to the Holy will of God. Holiness us being one mind with God in all the judgments of the mind, in the feelings of the heart, and in all the outworking of life. Holiness is agreeing with God's estimate of things. Holiness is to have a conscience clean through the blood, and life guided by the Spirit through the Word. It is to have the power of Christ resting upon you, and to experience joy through the freedom He gives. Forth, the condition of holiness. Bishop Ryle said "We must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we have saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The condition of holiness is found in obedience to all known commands and desires of our Lord and obedience to God always leads to the blood of Christ (see I John 1:7). Fifth, the pattern of holiness. "As He" God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are the true pattern of Holiness. We are in the process of becoming. The Christian seeking holiness will become more and more like Jesus. Sixth, The imperative of holiness. There are many things in life which we can choose to do. God's wisdom leads us to devote ourselves to God in holiness. Without holiness on earth we shall never be prepared to enjoy heaven. Heaven is a holy place. Seventh, the field of holiness. We must be holy in conversation and conduct. Those who do not have a Christianity that sanctifies the small things in life do not have a Christianity that will sanctify the crises of life. Eight, the possibility of holiness. The very fact that God urges us to holiness is sufficient to settle the possibility of holiness. Holiness is wrapped up in Christ. Holiness is a gift and a process. It as a gift from God, in Christ, it is also a process to be worked out in daily life. God is holy with an absolute holiness that knows no degrees, this He cannot impart to His creatures. But there is a relative and contingent holiness which He shares with angels and seraphim in heaven and with redeemed men on earth as their preparation for heaven. This holiness God can and does impart to His children. Above all we must believe that God sees us perfect in His Son while He disciplines and chastens and purges us that we may be partakers of His holiness. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Discernment

"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 2:14). Did you know Satan is a expert when it comes to fooling us. This is one reason why we need discernment. We need Holy Spirit given discernment. One of my favorite commentators is Paul Harvey. Notice when he speaks you really don't have the whole picture until he gives you the rest of the story. How many times do we have huge decisions to make and we desperately wish we had the rest of the story, that is the whole picture. Every day we make decisions on what we can see, knowing full well there is so much we don't see. This is another reason why we need discernment. Each of my children made a commitment to Jesus Christ as a child. Likewise, each one has updated and reconfirmed that decision as an adult. A child's commitment to Jesus can be very real. In fact, Jesus didn't say children had to believe with adult like faith. He said adults need to come to Him with faith like a little child. I believe a re commitment as an adult shows wisdom and discernment. A wise person makes certain, their relationship with the King of Kings. I have been praying about the subject of discernment. I need discernment in my personal life. The Holy Spirit of God gives wisdom and discernment to those who are seeking the Lord. Have you ever watched an eagle soar? They do so with so little effort and for so long. The eagle waits to see where the wind is blowing and he goes with it. That is how you and I are to make our decisions and forge our plans, waiting to see where the wind of God is blowing in a particular situation and then going with it. This is how "They who wait upon the Lord will mount up with wings as eagles." We need to take care that we are not guilty of spiritual sleepwalking. That is why Jesus told His disciples to "Watch and pray." Being led by the Spirit is for those who are wide awake, and in tune with Him. If we are doing a spiritual sleepwalk we may well stumble into a swamp of crocodiles. The Word of God is a Lamp unto our feet and a Light unto our path, and it will keep us out of the swamp. My friends we live in desperate times. But our Lord is Lord over all seasons of life. When I was in Bible College we sang a timely song that went like this, "In times like these we need a Savior, in times like these we need an anchor." The song then asked the questions "Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?" It is my prayer that a lost and dying world might wake up and realize its our Anchor, Jesus, who has the answers, in desperate times like these. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Sin of Knowing Better

"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins" (James 4:17). Never is ones faith so empty as when he only offers well-wishes to a cold and hungry person. Some times we can commit the sin of being a "Useless fig tree." When Jesus told us to "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me" He means there are things we ought not to do and things we ought to do. When a person comes to Christ there are things that get cleaned out of a new converts life. But there are things that are also added to the believers life. Sinful living leaves, prayer, Bible reading, church going and telling others about Jesus moves in (Matthew 28:18-20). The idea that a Christian can be pleasing to God by turning from evil and then sitting idle while others advance the work of God is the sin of omission. Certainly we understand that we must abandon Satan's vices, however the enemy is just as happy if we sit down and do nothing. Several verses are worth our consideration. "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." Note the doing part. "It is more blessed to give, than to receive." Here the emphasis is on giving. "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel." Here witnessing (proclaiming) is emphasized. Christ told us that He is the Vine and we are the branches, as we abide in Him there will be fruit produced in our lives. We need not (nor can we) master all that God has commanded us to do at once. Just as a new baby struggles in its first attempts to crawl, when we are born again in Christ, our ability may not match our desire to be fruitful. However, we learn that as we are persistent in our efforts, God will prune away the sins which hinder us, and at the same time He empowers us to become more fruitful. This Holy Spirit led fruit bearing reveals the glory, power and love that is found in Christ to those around us. God desires that we avoid the sins of omission. What is the Lord asking you to do in His Kingdom? How obedient have you been? What do you need to clear out of your schedule to make time for His schedule? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Church Jesus is Building

Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you" (Lev. 26:8). There is power in numbers, that is a well known fact. However there is Supernatural Power in numbers in the Church of Jesus Christ. Our Lord founded His Church, made up of spiritually transformed believers, on the festival of Pentecost. This took place 50 days after He arose from the dead. Our Lord continued to minister during the time between His resurrection and the birthday of the Church. He appeared to His apostles for 40 days, further teaching them concerning the nature of the coming Church (Acts 1:3). He told them "Not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4). He explained to them "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ actively participate in believers lives through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:12-13). The Church began when Christ's apostles received the Holy Spirit, just as He had promised (Acts 2:1-4). The Spirit of God instantly transformed them. Everyone who heard them realized they had received special inspiration and power from God. The filling of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost resulted in the apostles preaching about Jesus of Nazareth being the Messiah. They urged their listeners to repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord. By the end of that day "About three thousand souls were added" to the Church (Acts 2:41). Pentecost saw the birth of the Church, its members were repentant people who "Gladly received" the truth of God and were baptized, symbolizing their acceptance of the sacrificial death of Christ and forgiveness of their sins and burial of their old, sinful ways. We live in the Church age today. God is still working through the Local Church to do His will on earth. The church isn't perfect, it's made up of human beings. The Church is kind of like Noah's ark, there was life on the inside and judgment on the outside. We find God's protection under the umbrella of the local Church. We are commanded "Not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together" (Heb. 10:25). If you are not an active member in a local New Testament Church find one that preaches the whole counsel of God and join up. You will find strength, support, comfort, healing and protection there. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Finding Love in the Right Places

Some years ago a popular song stated "What the world needs now is love, sweet love, that's one thing there's just too little of." Perhaps we could adapt that song for the church. What the church needs now is love, sweet love. We don't really have a love shortage, we have a practice of love shortage. Concerning love, John wrote “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." (I John 4:16). We as Christians live in the realm and sphere of love. When a believer shows love toward another believer, this provides assurance to the first believer that he or she resides in God and likewise, that God resides in him or her. Love being practiced lets us know that God is at work. Believers know that they reside in God, and he in them, because of the presence of his Spirit. Believers also know that God has granted them to share in his Spirit because they acknowledge Jesus as God’s Son and because they show love for their fellow believers. John goes on the explain "By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world." (I Peter 4:17). John now talks about Christian growth (what we might call Christian maturity or sanctification). As believers practice love for one another this love is perfected, and that in turn allows them to have confidence in the day of judgment. “If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us.” "Just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world." We are God's representation of His Son in this world. We may well be the only representation of Jesus Christ a person will ever meet. How do we represent Jesus to a lost world? By love. We are to love everyone, our enemies, friends, neighbors, family, believers, co-workers the church, God. True love is made out of shoe leather. God loved and did something about it. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." (John 3:16). Love is an action word. I have a good friend who pastors an inner city church. He will meet with people in some unique places. Several members of his church, at one time, lived under a bridge, He went to their "Home" and opened the Scriptures with them. After they accepted Christ, he helped them find jobs and housing. Most importantly this pastor helped them grow spiritually. This is God's love in action. This same pastor told me about the love Christ has planted in his heart toward lost souls. He said as an officer in the Marines, during the Viet Nam War, one of his men was shot, the wound was mortal. He said while they waited for the medic to arrive, he held the dying man in his arms and shouted "Live, please live." Tragically, the soldier bled to death in his arms. He told me he feels the same way about a person without Christ. He said he has the same passion for a person to live spiritually as he did for that soldier to live physically. How is the love of God being lived out in your life? As believers we have the Lover (Jesus), living in our lives. As Jesus is so are we in this world. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Seaching the Heart

Searching the heart is exclusively the work of the Holy Spirit. J. Edwin Orr taught, "It is to the Holy Spirit that the Christian must look if he is to find a measure of revival for his searching soul". Spiritual blessing for believers is dependent on cleansing, which in turn depends upon confession that is dependent on conviction; and conviction comes from a searching of heart by God's own Spirit. Therefore, each of us needs to get alone with God regularly and allow Him to search our hearts, to plumb the deepest crevices of our soul, for anything contrary to His character. In addition to using the Word, a great aid for facilitating this process is the popular prayer-hymn written by Orr in 1936 during the New Zealand revival. He was in line at a local post office, he penned the following lyrics in just eighteen minutes: "Search me, O God, and know my heart today. Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me: Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin: Fulfill Thy Word and make me pure within. Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame, Grant my desire to magnify Thy name. Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine: Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. Take all my will, my passion, self and pride; I now surrender, Lord, in me abide. O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee; Send a revival--start the work in me. Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need; For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead." This Spirit-inspired hymn give the essentials for getting right with God--searching, convicting, confessing, cleansing and surrendering--all of which precede revival. Notice how he closes by stating his need for personal revival: "Start the work in me." This should be the cry of every Christian. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferances, and local church meetings.