THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 372

Today's message is intended for all born of God believers who have entered into the Kingdom of our great God and only Saviour the Lord JESUS the Christ. We have obeyed the voice of His Holy Spirit instructing us to preach this gospel to all nations beginning at Jerusalem. The message is that each and every one of us should repent and be water baptized into His name JESUS for the remission of sin. Whereupon all who receive Jesus gladly shall receive the promised gift of His Holy Spirit.

The message then is to continue to encourage one another with the gospel as it is written. And yes, it is God’s truth that we earnestly contend for. We fight not for glory or honour although both are worthy attributes but rather we are warring against the principles and powers of darkness who endeavour to keep people in chains of tradition and religious darkness. And in so doing, we are advocating for the freedom that is found in Jesus.

Why are we doing this? Because the law of the Spirit of life which is found in JESUS the Christ has made believers free from the binding law of sin and death. Concerning JESUS the scriptures state, "Who is the Seed of the Spirit of God? You are a priest forever after the Order of Melchisedec." Note that where there is a change in the priesthood, it also necessitates a change of the law. But we are no longer bound by the old covenant Law. Instead, we have been ushered in of God to the perfect law of liberty in which the recipients -- us -- receive the free gift of eternal life. This is why we worship God, not in format but we worship God in the liberty and in freshness of a redeemed and reborn Spirit.

When we assemble together then, it is edifying that some within the congregation of believers may offer a psalm, a hymn, a spiritual song, and maybe even a prophesy. Others might deliver a message in a Spirit tongue or bring a message to the people gathered through the interpretation of that Spirit tongue. If prophecy is given then we are to weigh in our hearts that which has been prophesied. And then there might be those speaking in an unknown tongue. Whatever transpires, the scriptures state to let all things be done in an orderly fashion amounting to two or three messages while another interprets. If the person who spoke in tongues has not yet received the gift of interpretation and if there is no one in the assembled group having the gift of interpretation then the scriptures advocate for an assembling of people whereby the gift of tongues should not be audibly pronounced. Most of all, let all things be done decently and in order for God is not an author of confusion. Rather, God is the author and deliverer of peace within all assemblies.

If during the gathering of believers, the Lord’s sacrificial death is to be remembered as well, note that we are each to examine ourselves before partaking of the symbolical emblems (bread and wine). When partaking we remember the one sacrifice of the Lord’s body at Calvary, where JESUS laid down His life once for all time purchasing our redemption. In other words, there is no transubstantiation as some religious institutions might promote.

Peace to all in JESUS our Lord!