The Gospel Of Repentance

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death."                                                                                                                                     - Revelation 12:11 The question needs to be answered because there a lot of Christians making this declaration. This is a particularly popular confession in the Neo Pentecostal – Charismatic movement. This phrase is used in prayers all the time. To many using this phrase no doubt is supposed deliver more power and force in their prayer; to move the hand of God to grant their petition. Just recently a neighbor who admitted she’s afraid of certain animals in the neighborhood like Skunks and Raccoons   said that she “pleads the blood” that God will not allow her to see these animals. Others will use this same phrase when it comes to protecting their homes, cars, finances, loved ones, health,   jobs, etc. Bu

Husband love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.                                                                                                                                                                 -Ephesians 5:25-29   This is a tall order for a man. This command is a huge responsibility for us as husbands. It requires obedience by both spouses. The husband has to be willing to lead his wife in this manner, and the wife must be willing to follow her husband as he endeavors to imitate Christ’s love for

The Bible tells us that Jesus chose twelve disciples to be his full time followers and helpers. These are their names:   Simon who Jesus surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John the sons of Zebedee. Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus (sometimes called James the Less), and Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanites   or   Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Jesus gave these men power over all demons and to cure all diseases. They also were called to preach the gospel of repentance (Matt 10:1-8a; Mark 6:8-13; Luke 9:2-6). But, there was one disciple who did all the things the 11 did, but was not true. He was Judas Iscariot the last one always mentioned in the roll call of the apostles. It is important that we ask the question, was Judas genuinely saved at one point, but due to his betrayal of Jesus lost his salvation and became eternally lost or was he chosen like the rest, but was never a true followe

In Matthew 5:27-30 Jesus preaching at the sermon on the mount teaches these words:                 “ You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that whosoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”                 This is very strong language from our Lord. Is Jesus advocating self mutilation? No. Jesus is using a literary rhetorical device called Hyperbole. He is using exaggerated language to drive home his point. [1] Jesus is discussing the sin of adultery. This sin along with all sin is so dangerous and

In the New Testament 3 rich men are described, the rich young ruler, the rich man and a beggar named Lazarus, and lastly a tax collector named Zacchaeus. What I would like to do is make some comparisons and differences between the three of them. 1.        Let’s start with the rich man and the beggar Lazarus. In Luke 16:19-31 we read the following, “ 19  “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20  At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22  “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23  In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24  So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,