April 7, 2013
Evening Service

This morning we discussed the commandments of the Lord, and what it takes to obey these commandments.

 

The Lord was with the disciples for 40 days instructing them concerning the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

 

Our life of service to the Master is filled with instructions, and commandments.  Some from the earthly government, that we are taught to be in subjection too, and also, from our Heavenly Father, and the ones He left to instruct us.

 

Such as this statement from Paul:

1Co 14:37  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

By rightly dividing the Word, we should understand that this statement by Paul is also true of the other Apostles that the Lord chose to lead, and instruct His church.

 

The third time the Lord visited the disciples, according to John’s Gospel, it was when they were fishing.  St. Jn. 21.

Joh 21:14-18  This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.  (15)  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  (16)  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  (17)  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  (18)  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

 

I mentioned this morning that the only way you can even come close to keeping the commandments of the Lord, is that you be totally sold out to self, and the world, and filled with His love.

Jesus said; 

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Joh 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

 

The Lord’s first commandment after His resurrection was for the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they had received the promise of the Father, which was a baptism, or filling of the Holy Ghost.

Act 1:4-5  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  (5)  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

 

We know what happened upon obedience to this command:

Act 2:1-4  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  (2)  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  (3)  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  (4)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

This same day the Apostle Peter stood with great boldness, and proclaimed the way to salvation.  In the next chapter 3, he preaches another powerful sermon.  In Acts 4, he heals a lame man, in the name of the Lord.  This is said in chapter 4 of Acts;

·         Peter and John are brought before the religious leaders, and instructed not to preach, or teach in this man’s name. 

·         Peter’s reply;  Act 4:19  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

Peter returns to the disciples, and they have a prayer meeting.

Act 4:23-31  And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.  (24)  And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:  (25)  Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?  (26)  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.  (27)  For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,  (28)  For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.  (29)  And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,  (30)  By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.  (31)  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

 

Obedience to this first command resulted in the disciples receiving the fullness of the Holy Ghost, and with that came great boldness.  God knew that in the times Peter, and the disciples were living that it would take great power, and boldness, to deliver the message that needed to be delivered. 

Many have claimed this experience, but do not produce the same results. 

·         The truth of the matter is that the church does not have in it, another great prayer meeting.  We can’t even get people to fill the pews on scheduled days, let alone a special prayer time.

·         Who knows what could be accomplished if we could get the church filled?  If we had to do something to take care of an overflow?

·         The attention that it would create. 

 

In case you haven’t noticed we are the Laodicean church;  We are neither hot, nor cold, but luke warm, and if we are not careful God is going to spew us out of His mouth. 

We have every opportunity to be that church on fire for the Lord, but we are not.

 

This morning we saw the Lord breathe on the disciples, and told them to receive the Holy Ghost.  They did, and as they tarried in Jerusalem, in the upper room, on the day of Pentecost they received the fullness of this experience.

We, at our baptism, received a measure of the Holy Ghost.  This is what produces eternal life in us.  But, if we want the boldness, and power that Jesus gave the early disciples, we must tarry in prayer, wherever your Jerusalem is. 

Jesus said;  Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

 

In order for the church to bring forth the power of the Spirit, there has got to come a change in our ways.  We must earnestly seek the face of the Lord through prayer, and show Him our unconditional love, and devotion.

It will not be an easy thing to do, “but I can do all things through Christ who loves me.”