6. A Herald to Jesus of Nazareth's Bride

The Church in this country is at a time in which there will be no Isaiah 64:1-3 without Joel 2:13 first.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:01

This is episode six of the uh audiobook uh I'm doing uh based on a book I wrote titled The Herald The Jesus of Nazareth's Bride in the United States of America. And um in this episode, um starting with uh stone number three, remember this is based on Isaiah uh 62, uh 10, 11, and 12, removing the stones from the highway. So this is stone number three, the actual presence. Probably the most important thing Moses ever said, among all the very important things he said, was this if your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? This is Exodus 33, 15 and 16. Every religion has buildings, music, morals, holy writings, good deeds, expressions of kindness, etc. So, what ultimately distinguishes the born again by the spirit followers of Jesus of Nazareth from all the other religions? Just one thing. Capital T thing. The actual presence of the living God actually in and among his people. This is one of the major characteristics and benefits of the Messianic covenant. Jeremiah 31, 33, Ezekiel 11, 19, Joel 2, 28, and 29. And yet, amazingly and sadly, in this country, he is clearly and obviously missing from the vast majority of Christians' lives as well as from the congregations they attend. For a few, this reality is apparent. For most, no one even notices or seems to care. Moses is not talking about having the theology of this God's presence. Neither is he referring to this God's omnipresence. And the issue is not solved simply by people believing he's present. Moses is talking about the actual, felt, experienced, real presence of the living God. The very real reality that the presence is vacant in the church in this country is one reason people don't know the living God, but they've never been around him, substituting theatrical entertainment or religious ritual for mere informational knowledge, like Bible teaching, to for having the presence in their services as well as in their personal lives. When Jesus said that we're two or more gathered in his name, Matthew 18, 20, he was not providing a formula to having his presence. Neither is Jesus guaranteeing his presence just because the people gathered are Christians. For what goes on in lots of Christian gatherings all over this country has more in common with Ishmael, man's doings, than with Isaac, God's doings. And Jesus of Nazareth will not give his approval to such things by being present any longer. In fact, just the opposite is true. His obvious vacancy is supposed to convict his people. His people should be wondering why he's not among them doing what he does. But as I've said, sadly, very few know the difference or care. Once a person knows the difference, he or she cannot go back, or he or she cannot be satisfied or mollified, pacified or placated by the emptiness and silliness and showiness of churchianity. Most of what goes on in this country that is called Christian reminds me of the scene in the movie The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy and the gang first enter the awe-inspiring sanctuary of the great Oz. They're amazed at the grandeur and become quite religious. But what's going on is nothing more than a good show and an impressive production put on by man. People, even those claiming to belong to Jesus of Nazareth, are easily attracted to the show of religion, which is much easier to have than the presence of Jesus. Listen to what Jesus said in relation 3. I know your deeds. He's speaking to the church at Sardis. You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard, hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come to you like a thief, and you will not know at what time I'll come to you. Then to the church of the Odyssea, I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I'm about to vomit you. In other words, church and nauseates Jesus. Vomit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich, out of acquired wealth, and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy for me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness and sad to put on your eyes so you can see. Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So earnestly repent. The last Christians in this country, being so long without the actual presence of Jesus, or more likely, having never even experienced his actual presence, have no idea what they're missing. Fact. There's a gigantic difference between eating the bread of heaven and being fed Twinkies. There's also a great difference between taking long, life-giving draughts of living water and gulping Kool-Aid. And in case you may misunderstand, I'm not talking about the difference between being charismatic and traditional. For every flavor of Christianity is devoid of the presence of Jesus, preferring the wide, easy way instead of the narrow, biblical way. Further, when it comes to ministry, Jesus commanded, not suggested, his followers preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead, to name just a few things. These are demonstrations that they're that are supposed to back up the proclamation of the gospel. How do people know that the good news that the kingdom of heaven is approaching and thus they need to repent is true? Because the kingdom of darkness is being abolished. People become followers of Jesus as well as healed of diseases, set free from demons, brought back to life in the name of Jesus. All evidence of evidences of the actual presence of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus of Nazareth is real. I mean, really real. Christianity is not a philosophy or a religion. Paul said, 1 Corinthians 4, for the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power. And yet, among so many Christians in the church services they attend, there is talk, talk, talk, and more talk. There's all this talk about the living God, but nothing of the actual presence of the living God. Or are the realities of the presence of Jesus in Christians' lives and their gatherings across this country? As they used to say about Elvis, Jesus has left the building. Some 20 years ago or so, a researcher named George Barner wanted to get a more accurate assessment of the condition of the church in this country. So he did some extensive polling. He found some very disturbing yet illuminating things. In his first round, he found that 85% of Americans believe in Jesus, which includes plenty of people of other religions or spiritual beliefs. Well, that's nothing new. And yet we all know that that figure doesn't tell us much. So Barner went deeper. In his second round, in which he asked deeper questions, he found that out of the 85%, only 9% had a biblical worldview. That is, they knew some things from the Bible. But even with this big percentage drop, Barnes sensed that he was still not getting a clear picture of the condition of the church in this country. So he went deeper still. In his third round, he found that 4% of the 9% seriously sought to seek to follow Jesus of Nazareth, living life his way. Assuming Barnum's percentages, as of all polling, are off a bit, plus or minus and points, we're likely looking at a few million people who have received the Spirit and been born again in this country. The next question to ask is would such a low number be backed up by anything in the Bible? Well, actually, yes. Again, I'd Matthew 7, 13 and 14, enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and most enter it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Note that I put the word most in this text instead of the NIV's use of the word many. Here's my reason. The Greek word is pullos, which can be translated many or most, with the context possibly indicating which word fits better. I believe the English translators chose the word many here because the idea of most just sounds too extreme. The thing is, the Jesus I know defines the word extreme. He is not one to soft pedal something. He told people the truth, no matter how extreme it was. Thus, I believe Jesus meant most in this statement, not the softer idea of many. And even more importantly, Jesus is not speaking to lost people in Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7. He's speaking directly to his followers. This entire sermon, which is a presentation of the constitution of his kingdom, is addressed to his followers. Barner's bottom line, most in this country have not chosen the narrow way. Instead, they have chosen the wide way that leads to destruction, as evidenced by their choosing to live and compromise with the world, preferring church unity over apostolic Christianity, and exchanging Jesus of Nazareth for some false version of him. Need some more information? Okay. How about Tom Rainer, president and CEO of Life Wave Christian Resources and the founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary? He wrote this in his book, The Bridger Generation. According to Rayner, of those born between 1927 and 1956, about 65% claimed to be of evangelicals. Of those born between 1957 and 1964, only about 35% claimed to be evangelicals. And of those born between 1984 and 2006, only about 4% claim to be evangelicals. Things have not improved since 2006. First, this is a Southern Baptist, someone who is all about evangelism. He would love to report good news on the growth of the church in this country, thus validating Southern Baptist church growth efforts. Secondly, Brainger's percentages are close to Barnes. The actual reality of the situation is this the church in this country is utterly lacking the presence of a living God. And as a result, most are living in Egypt along the river of denial about it. Stone number four, the fear of the Lord. There are two initiations in biblical history in which the presence of the living God was profoundly manifest. The first one was when Israel began the process of taking her promised land. And as this began, Yahweh told Joshua the following Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth. Meditate it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you'll be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged. For Yahweh your God will be with you. Will be with you wherever you go. Joshua chapter 1. At its core, the taking of the land was going to be a holy endeavor because Yahweh Himself was going to be manifest among them. See also Joshua 5, 13 through 15. And in preparation for this, he had them consecrate themselves. This consecration wasn't in preparation for battle, it was for being in the midst of the presence of the holy God. Thus the warning, be careful to obey. Holy is what he is. Well, everything began very well. The walls of a formidable citadel came crumbling down without Israel having to shoot a single shot. How awesome! However, one person whose name we would never have known if it weren't for what he did and the consequences that befell him and his family. One did one seemingly insignificant thing, the holy God forbade. He kept a little the junk of Jericho. Like Adam and Eve, it wasn't merely that Achan disobeyed the Holy God, but that he hid his sin. Do you understand? The Holy God was right there. His holy presence is present. Thus, he cannot, as in being unable, allow sin to go undealt with, not even for love. It's not that Yahweh is being mean in what he commanded be done to Achan and his family. It's that anything unholy must be purged. For Yahweh is holy. Let's jump to the second profound presence of the living God at the inauguration of the church, as recorded in Acts. Once again, the actual presence of the living God is actually with them by the Holy Spirit. Lots of wonderful things are happening. As these wonderful things are unfolding, Christians are experiencing the Spirit in such real ways that many of them begin to want to simplify their lives and to express kindness to those by due to others. Let me do that again. Sorry. Christians are experiencing the spirit in such real ways that many of them begin to want to simplify their lives and to express kindness to others by selling the possessions and using the proceeds to help those who are in need. Remember, the Holy Spirit has been poured out. His presence, his holy presence is actually right there in them and with them. Well, amid all this personal sacrifice, a couple, once again, people we never would have known their names if it wasn't for what they did and what happened to them, sell some property. Maybe they didn't think it was that big of a deal to say they gave such and such amount when they kept a little of it for themselves. And yet Peter accused them of lying to the Holy Spirit, not to him or to the people, even though the pretense of being generous givers was in front of the people. Once again, Ananias and Sapphire holding what they're really doing with a little misinformation. What they did wasn't all that bad, for it was their property and they had the right to keep some of the money from the sale of it they wanted. It was their claim that they were giving more than they really gave that was untruthful. By today's standards, far worse things go on in individual lives than what these two people did. And yet, as a result of their charade, the Holy Spirit struck them both down. Again, not because he's being mean, but because he cannot dial down his holiness. The lesson and the point is this. When Jesus' presence is present, he is holy. But that is simply who and what he is. He cannot tweak this aspect of himself. Thus, there can be serious consequences that people may consider to be little sins. It's not that he demands perfection, and he is willing to show mercy if a person is willing to confess his or her sins and repent. But in the midst of the actual presence of the Holy Spirit, in sin can be disastrous. This is the message we have heard from him and declared to you. John wrote, God is light. In him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him, yet walk in the darkness, we lie, we do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. In other words, the living God and humans. And the blood of Jesus, his son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his word has no place in our lives. That's 1 John chapter 1. Such a standard then produces the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom and understanding of holy God, Proverbs 9:10. And notice that the result of Jesus dealing with his people like this was that the fear of the Lord, a critically important quality to have if one wants to know the bridegroom came deeply, swept through the newly birthed church. Acts 5, 5, and verse 11, reminding the people that while the gift of eternal life is free, holiness is not optional. To have the presence of Jesus requires certain things from those who would be around him, namely holiness. Not perfection, but honest holiness. Some say that some people stress grace while others stress works. Every writer of the letters that make up the New Testament, all of which are written to born again by the Spirit followers of indeed Jesus, and not to lost people, address the importance of righteous living by grace. For example, like this. In the same way, faith by itself. Someone say, You have faith without being. Show me your faith without beings. I'll show you my faith. I'll say it like this. So I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. So the flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit. And the spirit was contrary to the flesh. They're in conflict with each other. So that you are not so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the spirit, you're not under the law. The acts of the flesh are honest, sexual morality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, passions, and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you as I did before. Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, and goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness and so on control. And then Romans 6 he says, What shall we say then? Shall we born since race may increase? By no means. We are those who have been who have died the sin. How can we live in it any longer? Jesus of Nazareth says those who have received the Holy Spirit and actually born again to become like him. Romans 8 29. He is wanting to provide the grace with the words and power. To enable them to do this. That is what the biblical grace is. Empowerment on the inside to be holy, empowerment on the outside of the ministry, of the anointing, of the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_00 25:59

I can hear the voices proceeding from her throat. I can see the lightnings.

unknown 26:09

I can feel the sun down.

SPEAKER_00 26:13

I can hear the voices proceeding from the throne. Twenty-four hours. And four living creatures crying.