The People of God - Not the People of Men
Greetings elect of God, Wayne a servant of God, called by the grace of God, and placed under the Authority of Jesus Christ. This video will address the importance of God’s people, or called out ones, to self-examine the commitment they made at baptism, to fulfill the will of God rather than the will of men.
Diligent study of the scriptures, which is our reasonable service for so great a reward, will highlight God’s will and provide us with the knowledge necessary to ensure we are putting Him first.
I will be the words in green. Purple highlights in the scriptures are key words of truth. Reference scriptures will be provided.
Christ, as God of the Old Testament, During the Exodus:
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday [in time past], and to day, and for ever.
Who was He in time past? Would that not be referring to the Old Testament?
1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat [doctrine of God through Moses who had God’s Holy Spirit ( see Isa 63:11)];
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
All this speaking of the Exodus from Egyptian slavery (see Exo 8:1) – the deliverance of the Old Testament. Now to The Apostle John’s teaching:
God in the Flesh:
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [God of the Old Testament].
The one who those that profess to know Christ, or say that I am Christ (of Christ), should fully understand:
Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
This is referring to the genealogy of Christ (Mat 1:1-17)and His crucifixion by those who received Him not:
Mat 27:22 Pilate says unto them [the people of Israel in Jerusalem, along with any strangers (gentiles, people of the world that new Him not)], What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ [anointed one]? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
Mat 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
And so He was, fulfilling the prophecies regarding that crucifixion. Here is one:
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb [mute], so he opened not his mouth.
Continuing with Jesus confirming the prophesies:
Luk 18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
All the prophesies, including the ones yet to be fulfilled.
His final words according to John:
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished [prophecy fulfilled]: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost [Spirit].
The Spirit that would first descend down into the heart or center of the earth for three days and three nights, and then rise the third day:
Mat 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes [the religious establishment at that time who had descended down from the false prophets of the Old Testament (see Jer 23:26,27,32 -note the words "my people"), unwittingly ruled by Satan, so deceptively, that they accused Christ of having a devil [see Joh 8:13 for who was contesting with Christ, verse 20 for the location, continue reading up to verse 27, and then verse 28 for the accusation). This was spiritual warfare (Eph 6:12) in high places far beyond the understanding of the average citizen then, as it is today. Let’s continue--- , and they shall condemn him to death,
This is why the Jewish people as a whole should not be blamed for the death of Christ. Some believed, and the rest were deceived by the Pharisees, who in turn were deceived by "their father" the devil (Joh 8:44). The following verse shows who did the crucifying:
Mat 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles [the Romans] to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Now to those who believed on Him:
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
How did He give them power? What action was required to become a son of God?
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized [full immersion into the water] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of [freedom from; deliverance from; forgiveness of] sins , and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [Spirit];
Now considered to be spiritually begotten children of God – people of God.
Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call [Joh 6:44].
Now continuing in the first chapter of John concerning the Word:
Joh 1:13 Which were born [begotten, not yet born of the Spirit, still in the flesh (see Joh 3:6). In the meantime, while still in the flesh, fear Him who is able to destroy both body and spirit in Hell [Gehenna; fire (see Mat 10:28)], not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Let no man deceive you; He is where the called of God go for the grace that only He and the Father can provide as well as to the Holy Bible, the word of God, for the Truth (see Joh 17:17). And where is our Lord now?
Act 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost [Spirit], he has shed forth this, which you now see and hear [the testimony of Jesus Christ].
Act 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens [he is dead, sleeping with his fathers, waiting to be born a spirit being in the first resurrection (Joh 3:6)]: but he says himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit you on my right hand [Psa 110:1],
And so this is Christ today waiting on the Father for the day of His return:
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
And now concerning Jesus being forever:
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ [anointed one]; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Now in the meantime, have we made are calling and election sure by obeying our Lord Jesus the Christ, our King?
Confirm Your Calling and Election
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity [which is love as well as charity].
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins .
Transgressions of the law, the commandments, which now include, by Christ’s own words, not to even think upon another in the spirit of adultery or show hatred towards another, and that we love one another as He Has loved us (see 1Jn 3:4; Mat 5:22,28; Joh 13:34)
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Do you want to be in that Kingdom? Continuing:
2Pe 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things [nor will I], though you know them [or should know them], and be established in the present truth.
And here is the truth concerning our calling, according to our Lord Jesus Christ:
False Prophets: Shepherds deceiving God’s people today, and will continue to do so right up until Christ’s return. Remember the two great commandments:
Mar 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Parable of the Sower
Luk 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word [His word], keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
And how does God look upon those with an honest and good heart?
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Now here, speaking to the religious establishment of that time, the Pharisees, who claimed to be following God's will but were in fact burdening and deceiving the people for gain with their own traditions.
Mat 15:8 This people [false shepherds or false brethren] draw near unto me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
And so the same continues in this present evil and adulterous age.
Paul, describing the spirit in some who were saying they were of Christ but were not:
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
Sound familiar? Unless Jesus Christ Himself has divinely appeared to one and given this title, like with the Apostle Paul, any who have claimed to be, or claim to be, an apostle of Christ have transformed themselves into the apostle of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness [truth; see Pro 12:17]; whose end shall be according to their works.
This is speaking of those who claim to be true ministers of God but are actually deceived by Satan (read Rev 12:9) to teach doctrine contrary to the doctrine of Jesus the Christ, to the people of God. The remaining multitudes of ministers in the world who are the "blind leading the blind into the ditch"(Luk 6:39) are of no concern to Satan who he has already deceived. As the end of the age is quickly approaching, it is the people of God he is attacking. We, the people of God, are in a spiritual war (Eph 6:12). A common tactic in war is to divide and conquer. That is why you see some churches saying I am Christ and I am the only true body of Christ, exalting themselves and taking on titles as they do so (see Mat 23:10 and Joh 5:44). This is a doctrine of demons for the sole purpose of attacking the unity of the body of Christ. I say as our Lord does, observe or keep what they say to observe (the 7th Day Sabbath and all of God's Holy Days, but diligently compare what they are teaching you with what our Lord teaches.
An example, some teach God's people in their own church to love one another and that they are the true church, while also teaching that they have no fellowship with the rest of God's people in the other churches. If more than one - and there are more than one - teach the same thing then someone is lying. Do not believe the lie. Stay close to the words in red and you will not be deceived. You will know the truth "and the truth shall make you free" (Joh 8:31-32). Allow me to put you in remembrance of things that we ought to be remembering:
Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly [that is disobedient (to Christ)] and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Of the Pharisees; of their father the devil, and so are any who work to deceive the elect today:
Tit 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert [overthrow; to cause the downfall of] whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake [for money or gain which could include a promotion to a religious title].
Does this (whole houses) sound any horn of warning to any of the called among the divided houses of God?
Joh 8:44 You [ that would be the pharisees, the supposed ministers or voices of God at that time] are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own [and not the truth of God]: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Make no mistake about it, Satan will try to murder your calling through lies. So what is the spiritual defense?
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: ---devour? how?
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets [religious imposters] shall rise, and shall deceive many [read Mat 22:14].
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. ---do not let them deceive you!
Mar 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man [false prophet or false Christ] deceive you:
Let our Lord teach us about what He expects from ALL of God's people.
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
This is a commandment!
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.
Jesus is the one who we ought to be obeying:
Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice [read Joh 10:27]; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one [Merriam-Webster: being in agreement or union - unity].
Jesus' prayer to the Father concerning the elect or called of God:
Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these [disciples of Christ] are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom You have given me [Joh 6:44], that they may be one, as we are.
Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as You, Father, art in me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Will the world believe in divided church members who shun one another? No! And that is exactly what Satan wants!
Joh 17:22 And the glory which you gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23 I in them, and You in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them, as You have loved me.
If you have not been keeping this new commandment, to love one another and be at one with each other, then your calling is in danger!
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
So let us all therefore repent, and remember our first love and the love of ALL of God's people, the called, the elect, everywhere around the world. Let us have the Apostle Paul sum up the matter for us.
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling ;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism [and we, the called, have all been baptized into that one faith], ---to what end?
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God [by His words, the words in red], unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
So regardless of what "establishment" the elect of God are in, always remember to what spiritual church we all belong to.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto you, That you art Peter, and upon this rock [Himself] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Jesus is that rock! Jesus is the rock of our salvation!
Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
In conclusion, for any of you who have been kicked out of some Church of God for standing up to the truth, let this scripture from Isaiah comfort you:
Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, you that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he [the Lord] shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
And remember to which house you truly belong:
1Pe 2:5 You [the called of God] also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices [prayers and good works which are good fruits], acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Freely I have received; freely I have given.
Peace be unto all,
Servanthood