"'The Cross, the Holy Spirit Baptism, and 'Tongues'

A Christian's Power Source is THE HOLY SPIRIT. In order for that Power to flow unhindered in a person's life (and ministry, if he is a minister), that person needs to 1) place (and keep) his faith exclusively in the Blood of Christ, and 2) be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in "other tongues".

The Holy Spirit (in His fullness) is... "the Power that worketh IN us". (Eph. 3:20). HALLELUJAH! Friend, it is like we are an "electric appliance", and He is the "Electricity". When you are "plugged into" Him, YOU GOT P-O-W-E-R. YOU GOT.... "ABUNDANT LIFE" (Jhn. 10:10b) !!!! The Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other "tongues" is definitely necessary (and right there in the Bible, btw.); However, you faith has got to stay IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB (Jesus Christ) CONTINUALLY for this awesome Power to flow unhindered, to lead, to guide, to enable you to be and to do all that you are MEANT to be and do! For only "the Law of the Spirit of Life 'in Christ Jesus" (indicates a faith in Him and His Blood Sacrifice on the Cross) makes us free from "the law of sin and death" (See Romans 8:1-2). Just like the law of GRAVITY, these two laws w-i-l-l operate. "Walking in the Spirit" by placing (and keeping) our faith for righteousness exclusively in "the Cross" (No, not the wooden beams, but His BLOOD SHED THERE!) keeps us "in Christ", in God's GRACE, and activates "the law of the Spirit of Life"- the moving and operation of the Holy Spirit in our life. Conversely, "walking in the flesh" by MISplacing our faith for righteousness in "our performance of do's and dont's" (whatever they may be, even if they are "good", like "the spiritual disciplines" of prayer, Bible study, fasting, etc.) keeps us in "LAW", "frustrating the grace of God" (Gal. 2:21), and activating "the law of sin and death" (which is actually "the sin nature"); The result of this is spiritual defeat and a cycle of unmitigated frustration, for Satan then has the legal means to do us hurt, and on a continual basis! Friend, there is no more miserable life on this earth than one of trying with everything in you to please God, and doing all you know to do, but yet failing Him repeatedly (sinning) and then wondering..... WHY? And what compounds the frustration even further, is if one might happen to be (although rare these days) in a "holiness" church, where "living right for God" is demanded on a regular basis from the pulpit! It would be like needing to use your car for work, using it on a daily basis, but IT HAS FLAT TIRES! And then manually inflating those tires, but then THE AIR JUST LEAKS RIGHT BACK OUT. Talk about FRUSTRATION!! And then what if your mechanic (pastor) tells you... "It's YOUR fault; You should be doing a better job of filling air into your tires!!" Now that's enough to make one realize that, "Hey, I need NEW tires!". But then the mechanic comes right back to you and angrily tells you.... "No, you should be able to use THESE tires. The day you got them, they were good, and should automatically last you a lifetime. If you cannot keep THESE filled with air, and you end up getting new tires, then you cannot fit into this church! Just keep your mouth shut about getting new tires." Well, all the other people in that "auto club" look at you, and because THEY put up with their "flat-tire cars", they expect you to ALSO, and if not, then THEY get angry at you as well. Nuts! To further extend this analogy.... our "faith exclusively in Christ and the Cross for righteousness" is like "PROPER HEAVY-DUTY TIRES WITHOUT HOLES", and "the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues" is like "THE FULNESS OF AIR IN THE TIRES". As would be obvious, one needs both, in order for that car to have what it needs to get quickly to where it needs to go! Amen?

In a moment, I will go over in detail "the baptism in the Holy Spirit", and the use of "tongues" in the believer's life. But first, I would like to digress for a moment to discuss "the Holy Bible":As a minister of the Gospel, part of ...my responsibility is to open up the scriptures to share what the HOLY BIBLE has to say about any given subject, using many scriptural references. There is a reason for this: You see, I want what I give to the people to not be MY words, but GOD'S Word; I write and preach under the premise that the Holy Bible not only CONTAINS God's Word, but that it IS God's Word, with every word being given by inspiration of God (1 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). Moreover, that it is the... "Truth" (John 17:17; 8:31-32,39-40; Psa. 119:142,151; 19:9), revealed by "the SPIRIT of Truth (the Holy Spirit) (John 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 2:27) to those who are "OF the Truth" (John 18:37; 8:47; 1 John 3:19; 4:6). You see all that? Without the Bible, I am not even the servant of God and cannot give the people what they need. It also matters what VERSION of the Bible people use; It seems that nowadays the Bible comes in every flavor, including "tuti fruiti". However, what the goal needs to be- for the seeker of Truth- is to find one that comes the closest to the original Hebrew and Greek text (which was what was inspired by God.); Otherwise, what you are reading is "watered down" and "distorted". It will be like looking through a muddy lense, so that one cannot see reality clearly! The two versions that come the closest to the original are "THE KING JAMES" (KJV)version and "THE NEW AMERICAN STANDARD" (NAS) version. I personally have always preferred the KJV, tried and true, and still the best-seller of all ages, ever since it was written in the 1500's! I realize that people are suckered into buying the other translations under the theory that they can "understand" the Bible better; However, one has to realize that GOD is your TRUE Teacher, and He will make sure you understand His Truth, even if it is in "Old English". That being said, there are some good Bibles out there which take out most of the "Thee's" and "Thou's", etc., while still maintaining the integrity of the text. A good one like this is "THE EXPOSITOR'S STUDY BIBLE" from Jimmy Swaggart Ministries (web site: "www.jsm.org"). Like I say, I personally use the KJV; I use the Expositor's for deep study, but I also use a standard King James with cross-references in the center column, and love it (always have since I have been saved); Plus, I have another standard KJV that I use solely for devotions and intimacy with God, with my favorite scriptures hi-lited. LOVE it! I just said all of that, because I will be giving many scripture references for THIS subject, so you can "see for yourself" what the Bible actually says, and not just "take MY word" for it. And I want what you look up to be "accurate", and not some man's "paraphrase" of the scriptures.

Okay, now to "the baptism in the Holy Spirit":The "baptism in the Holy Spirit", in essence, is "POWER" for everyday living, and for ministry (see Acts 1:8). It opens up the supernatural to the believer in a way that just merely being saved does not. It is like the difference of a lawn-mower (representing "salvation") that is the push/non-motor kind.... vs. ..... one that is a high-powered COMMERCIAL RIDING lawn mower. (I am a landscaper, so I appreciate this analogy- lol). To be frank, there is NO COMPARISON between the two. (Which would YOU rather use to mow grass?!). Now, all of this being said, a person must not TRUST in that Baptism for righteousness, or spirituality. His faith must remain anchored in the finished Work of Christ on the CROSS (that "Blood Sacrifice"), or the "engine of that high-powered commercial lawn mower" will not run! The Holy Spirit can only legally operate in a person's life if his faith is in that correct object, and not in HIS PERFORMANCE OF WORKS. That is how a person who HAS been baptized in the Holy Spirit can still have a life that is a moral "wreck", with no victory over sin, "the world", "the flesh", and the devil! That right there is one of the most miserable, frustrating ways to live a life! (I have been there!).One's focus and emphasis and affection must remain upon JESUS - Who He IS, and what He DID. But at the same time, we need to be willing to receive by faith all that God has for us- no, not for God to love and accept us more, to be more "righteous", but FOR OUR BENEFIT, BECAUSE IT HELPS US.It is like.... your parent has a gift for his child (not visibly seen by the child), and he says "I have a gift for you; It will help you in your life; You have my Word on it; Only believe.", and then that child says "No, I don't believe in that, so I cannot take it.""If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: How much more shalll your heavenly Father give THE HOLY SPIRIT to them that ask Him?" -(Lk. 11:11-13). The word "baptism" means "immersion" into something. Let's take WATER, for instance (and no, I am not talking about "water baptism" here.). When one is "baptized" into water, the water completely surrounds him. He is basically a ..."part" of that water. That is his "environment" at that time, so-to-speak. Such is the case when one is "baptized in the Holy Spirit". At that time, the "Holy Spirit"... "becomes that person's environment". He and that person are now "one". He in essence becomes an integral part of every facet of the person's life, AS THE PERSON YIELDS HIS LIFE to Him. You see, the Holy Spirit- the third Person of the Trinity... GOD- is a "Gentleman". He will not force Himself and His Ways upon a person. He does not "DRIVE", He "LEADS", and that person still has the option, via his "free will", to not obey (or NOT obey) His Leading. At the moment of conversion, of being "saved" or "born-again" (see John 3:1-8), the Holy Spirit does indeed enter one's life. God loves and justifies that person from sin THEN just as much as if that person goes on to receive THE BAPTISM in the Holy Spirit . However....."the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues" is a SEPARATE WORK OF GRACE, a "free gift" of God, received the same way as when one gets saved: BY "FAITH". Everything we receive from God has got to be by faith. God has it set up that way!"For without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." -(Heb. 11:6).JESUS is the One Who is "the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit" (see Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:7-8; Lk. 3:16; 24:49; Acts 1:4-5,8). After He had gone to the Cross to secure our redemption, was buried, and was resurrected, He MADE IT POSSIBLE that we might receive this wonderful "Power from on High"! HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!! This mighty Baptism was first recorded in the book of Acts. I have the following scripture passages marked in my Bibles, for personal reference, and to show to others. I encourage you all to please study them carefully, and to mark them in YOUR Bible, if you so choose: Acts 2:1-4; 4:31; 8:14-17; 10:44-47; 11:13-17; 19:2-6. Alot of folks believe that this was "done away with" after the early church and the Book of Acts, citing the "tongues shall cease" scripture (1 Corinthians 13:8). And indeed they SHALL cease, but not until they are not NEEDED, when we are all with the Lord! Until then, many have received and DO receive this mighty Baptism, including your's truly (March 15, 1985). Again, it comes by FAITH. One simply has to "believe" what the Bible clearly says, accepting It as "a little child who believes his parent". The Holy Spirit baptism wondrously opens up to the believer the ministry OF the Holy Spirit in his life. Some excellent Bible passages describing this Ministry is as follows: John 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14.

I would now like to discuss "tongues", and what the Bible has to say about this subject:First of all, "tongues" is the physical evidence that one has BEEN baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46; 19:2-6). Secondly, "tongues" in the life/walk of the believer, as the result of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, is a "supernatural prayer language". Here are some good scriptures on that:

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." -(Romans 8:26-27).

"Praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit..." -(Eph. 6:18).

So in other words, when we are not sure about exactly the right words to pray in English, we can pray "the perfect prayer according to God's will" when we pray in tongues. IT HELPS US. One can also speak in tongues to "build up his faith":"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost." -(Jude 20). Did you know.... that THE APOSTLE PAUL spoke in tongues regularly? Yes: "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all." -(1 Corinthians 14:18). Lastly, there is indeed a "gift of tongues" that is used in A CHURCH SERVICE to edify other believers. This is found in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10,30 and 1 Corinthians 14:12-13,27-28. According to these passages, "tongues" in this sense is one among other supernatural spiritual gifts to be used in that setting, of a gathering together of believers. There is "tongues" and "interpretation" of tongues, and the apostle Paul goes into lengthy detail in those chapters describing how that there should not BE tongues implemented unless they are interpreted in the common language of the people present, so that everyone may clearly understand what "God is saying". The "tongues" can either be interpreted by ANOTHER person (1 Corinthians 14:27-28), or by the one who gave the tongues (see 1 Corinthians 14:5,13). I personally have had the honor of being used in both ways (tongues and ... interpretation of tongues), since being saved and baptized in the Spirit back in 1985, at various churches. I remember the first time it happened: I was in a particular church, worship had just ended, and there was a pause of silence. I felt the tongues (and interpretation) well up in my spirit, and thought I would bust if I did not speak forth. I did NOT, for fear of man and not knowing if that was "just ME" or "of God". Later, after church, I felt real bad for not having spoken up, realizing that it WAS of God. I then apologized to Him and promised that from NOW ON I would obey the leading of His Holy Spirit, regardless of the people, the circumstance, and so forth. At that time also, I made a promise to God... that I would say whatever He wanted me to SAY, do whatever He wanted me to DO, and go wherever He wanted me to GO. He has taken my up on that, countless times, and in a variety of ways!!!!!! (Oh... my goodness! lol, I am sure I have appeared to be quite the curious creature at times to people, and have made quite a few people MAD even! ). The point is, I endeavored to keep my promise, and HAVE, because I love God and want to obey Him. I figure,.. You know something? Certain people may not understand, and think I'm weird; But certain ones did BEFORE I was saved as well, so what's the difference? It is better to please GOD in all things, and let people think what they WANT, for they will anyhow!

I hope this all has been of value to you in seeing God's will on this valuable subject. God bless!

Mini "SERMONETTES"- #7

1) "Sanctification" (being increasingly set apart to live a life holy & pleasing before God) is never a matter of "works & education"; But of "faith (in Christ & the Cross) & revelation (by the Holy Spirit) * see Hab. 2:4; 1 Cor. 1:23-24; 2:11-15; Jhn. 16:13; 17:17. And then, of course... OBEDIENCE to that revelation. This is called "the obedience of faith" (Romans 16:26). ‎.....Then, as we obey, we are being transformed into the Image of Christ! ....and it becomes "who we ARE".

2) A thrice-holy God & a sinner can only meet at one place: THE CROSS; A thrice-holy God & a SAINT can only meet at one place: THE CROSS (Col. 2:6; Gal. 2:20). Folks, it don't matter if we have been saved for 50 years. Without Christ and His cleansing Blood, we are.... nothing (Jhn. 15:5-6). "Where is BOASTING then? It is excluded. By what law? 0f WORKS? Nay: but by the law of FAITH. -(Rom. 3:27).

3) There are no "unbelievers" in hell (They then believe); But there is no "salvation" there EITHER. (See Lk. 16:19-31; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:8; Mk. 8:36).

4) "I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST.. ["...dead.." -(Col. 3:3). A "dead" person is not selfish, does not lust, does not sin, does not get offended, does not need to be recognized and praised.] : NEVERTHELESS I LIVE, YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME ["alive unto God" -(Rom. 6:11). Alive by "the Spirit of Life (the Holy Spi...rit) in Christ Jesus" -(Rom. 8:2)] ...." -(Gal. 2:20). Wanna be a true Christian?, and be "spiritual"? Well then, "self" has to "die". We do this by surrendering our ENTIRE HEART AND LIFE TO JESUS, and by exhibiting faith in Him and His Blood Sacrifice on the Cross. Friend, God will accept no other way than THE Way: His Son and "His" Sacrifice, not "your's". This is the same for everyone. In this state, one is led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, walking in the supernatural. The opinions of man do not phase him/her. I personally am not "there" yet. Sometimes "the flesh" peeks through, and then I have to repent. Many place their gaze on ME, and look for failures. I tell them to place their gaze on J-E-S-U-S, in Whom is NO failure! There is no morally perfect person on this planet until the trump sounds. Until then, we are to humbly trust in HIS Righteousness and allow His Holy Spirit to change us and conform us into the Image of His Son Jesus. This gives us no license to sin (Rom. 6:1). However.... it is "Truth" (see 1 John 1:8-10). To think otherwise exhibits a "self-righteous" spirit, which Jesus hates (see Matt. chpt. 23; Rev. 3:17-18).

5) Key to "happiness": 1) Cling to Jesus, 2) Trust in HIS Sacrifice, not yours, & 3) Allow His Spirit & Word (the Holy Bible) to guide you.

6) Two "YOKES": 1) SATAN"S yoke of bondage: "law" (Gal. 5:1-4; Jhn. 10:10a), & 2) CHRIST'S light yoke of freedom: GRACE & Truth (Mt. 11:29-30; Jn. 1:17; 8:31-32). Jesus tells us to take HIS yoke upon us, for it is EASY; And his burden.... LIGHT. This can only occur as we place our faith for righteousness exclusively in HIS (BLOOD) Sacrifice, not OUR sacrificES of works or spiritual disciplines.

7) Jesus not only died for us to be SAVED, He died for us to "LIVE FOR GOD IN HOLINESS" as well. But how is that ACCOMPLISHED? By keeping our faith in HIS Sacrifice, not OUR'S (see Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 2:6; 1:21-23; Heb. 3:13-14). If, in your Christian walk, you find that you are saying to yourself things like... "OH, I didn't read my BIBLE today. I NEED to." ..... "I don't feel I prayed enough today."....... "I feel "dry"; What am I doing wrong?"..... "I should be ...reading up on this certain book to get a better handle on this spiritual principle."....... "I am not doing what I aught to be doing to be close to God."..... THINGS LIKE THAT, wherein your trust is in "what YOU need to do", rather than simply rest in CHRIST'S Blood Sacrifice on the Cross, your "faith is misplaced", and you have reverted to "works and 'law'" for righteousness. In this state, you are "frustrating the grace of God" in your life (Gal. 2:21), "quenching the (Holy) Spirit" (1 Thes. 5:19; Rom. 8:1-2), stimulating "the sin nature" (1 Cor. 15:56b), and out of frustration you may get to the point where you "just give up" and "fall from the grace of God" (Gal. 5:4) !!
Do we need to do certain things? YES, but not to be "more spiritual" or to be "closer to God" in righteousness. If so, what was the point in Christ dying for us? All we would have to do then is to "perform better"! This is now (and has been) a HUGE problem in the American organized church! And because the emphasis has been on "good works" and programs on" what we need to do", very few sitting in the pews of churches are actually saved; And more alarmingly.... few PASTORS! And out of the Pastors who ARE saved, most of them only believe in placing our faith exclusively in Christ and the Cross for SALVATION, but then tell their people to DO something to be SANCTIFIED.

8) A Christian's Power Source is THE HOLY SPIRIT. In order for that Power to flow unhindered in a person's life (and ministry, if he is a minister), that person needs to a) place (and keep) his faith exclusively in the Blood of Christ, and b) be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in "other tongues". The Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other "tongues" is definitely necessary (and right there in the Bible, btw.); However, you faith has got to stay IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB CONTINUALLY for this awesome Power to flow unhindered, to lead, to guide, to enable you to be and to do all that you are MEANT to be and do!

9) Even though the apostle Paul is popular in this period in history, in his time of ministry, he was... not (see 2 Tim. 4:16). ... Even JESUS HIMSELF was not (see John 6:66-67). You see folks, true Christianity is all about pleasing GOD, and not MAN. To be Frank, being a Christian the BIBLE Way (the Way of "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified") is UNpopular! Jesus WAS popular, with multitudes following Him-when it came to HEALING people and giving them bread & fish. But when He began preaching things of spiritual significance - like "eat My flesh and drink My Blood", they bolted pretty quickly! Most people are all into "self", and "the Message of the Cross" OBLITERATES selfishness! The HOLY SPIRIT will not bless that outside of faith in the Cross for righteousness (Romans 8:2; 7:18).

10) A preacher (or ANYone) can be sincere, but yet sincerely WRONG. You need to know the Holy Bible for YOURSELF! (see Jhn. 8:31-32; 17:17; 16:13; 1 Jhn. 2:27). That preacher will not be WITH you on judgment day; YOU will be responsible! To be frank with you.... most preachers are too proud to admit if they are "wrong", even if they KNOW it! (Which places YOU in peril!). As a minister of the Gospel, I want my readers/ listeners to line up everything I say with the Bible. To be... "Bereans" (Acts 17:10-11).

11) The 'Voice of Jesus- the Shepherd, to His sheep- us (John 10:14,27) is the Voice of THE HOLY SPIRIT (John 16:13) and THE HOLY BIBLE (John 17:17: 2 Tim. 3:16). If what you are hearing from THEM does not line up with what you are hearing from a PREACHER. .... (you fill in the blank). Jesus said "And ye shall know the 'Truth', and the Truth shall make You free" -(John 8:32). You wanna know something ? And here is what I discovered)..... Most people, deep down inside, do not really WANT the Truth. That's why they applaud the fakers, and get mad at us who preach the plain, simple, pure Word of God. Most would rather read some guy's book rather than THE Book!

12) As Christians, we are commanded to "OVERCOME" sin, "the world", "the flesh", and the devil. SEVEN TIMES Jesus tells us to be "overcomers" (Rev. 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21). But HOW? The answer is in Rev. 12:10-11; Col. 1:20-23; 1 Cor. 1:18,23-24; Rom. 8:1-2. HALLELUJAH !!!!!!! You as a Christian do not have to spend ONE MOMENT under the jack-booted heel of Satan. J-e-s-u-s has already crushed his HEAD! (Gen. 3:14-15; Col. 2:14-15; Rom. 6:14). GLORY!!!

Mini "SERMONETTES"- #6

1) If a Christian or even a preacher falls into an habitual SIN HABIT, what should a minister of the gospel SAY to him? a) You are a DISGRACE, Get OUT of here!... b) You were never saved to BEGIN with!.....c) You must do this regemin which I will tell you to do......d) You must get off by yourself somewhere and pray until you get the victory....e) Here, I will lay my hands upon you and PRAY for you.....f) You must repent of that sin and place your faith solely in THE. BLOOD OF JESUS (ie: "THE CROSS") daily, and that bondage will be BROKEN! And by-the-way.... I love you! g) It's okay: We ALL sin at times!
"f" is the correct answer. See Galatians 6:1; Rev. 12:10-11; Romans 6:14; 1 Cor. 1:17-18.
All of those other methods HAVE BEEN and ARE BEING employed, and do not work!!

2) "And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak..... But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek...." -(1 Ki. 22:14,24). Are YOU willing to be bold to speak the Truth, like Micaiah, even if it causes "drama"?
Most professing Christians are not willing to offend PEOPLE, but then do not think twice about offending GOD, by being silent for His Truth. Friend.... daddy, mommy, spouse, relatives, friends, bosses, and co-workers are not gonna be WITH you, on the day of judgment! It'll just be YOU AND JESUS. Think this is "harsh"? Well then take a look at what meek, mild-mannered JESUS said here in His earthly ministry in Matt. chpt. 23. He loved people enough to tell them the TRUTH, even if He was HATED (which He WAS!). ‎.... and it'll mainly come from the "religious" crowd. Do you realize?..... that God HATES "religion"? Look once again at Matt. chpt. 23. Also Rev. 3:15-20. Do you know (and this is incredible) that God respects a RADICAL MUSLIM more than a LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN? Again... turn to Rev. 3:15-20.

3) What stimulates "the sin nature"? "The law/ legalism/ RELIGION".
This is what ultimately had Jesus nailed to that Cross. The motives of the religious leaders of that day were malignant and evil toward the One sent to be their SAVIOR! And in so carrying out their murderous plot (Jesus ALLOWING them to do so) FULFULLED PROPHESY, securing the salvation of the humble, repentant, believing ones, and the eternal damnation of THEMSELVES. Folks, GOD (Jesus) always gets the last laugh (Psalm 2:4), for He has ALL-POWER!!!! All He has to do... is to remove His Hand of protection just a LITTLE BIT, and Satan the destroyer comes in to do HIS job: deceive, kill, steal, and destroy.

4) The HOLY SPIRIT and HIS Agenda (JESUS, THE WORD, AND THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS) need to take precedence in the gathering of saints, not A MAN and HIS agenda (anything else!). If it is "anything else", then the Holy Spirit will not by IN it, and there will be "deadness" (no spiritual Life)! ... and a bunch of ACTIVITY without the Holy Spirit is pointless and nauseating. "Deadness" produces "corruption"/ moral decay. RELIGIOUS deadness produces that PLUS "spiritual BLINDNESS"!

5) Animosity against Christ and the Cross is greater than love for loved ones! (See Matt. 10:21, 35-37; 12:46-50; Lk. 21:16; 14:25-26).
That's what prevents many from truly following Jesus. They do not want to be disliked or shunned by family members and relatives. To them, that would be a fate worse than DEATH! (But what about their ETERNAL SOULS? I guess they sorta.... overlook that?)

6) Either one LOVES Christ and the Cross or else DESPISES them. (see Matt. 6:24; Lk. 16:13-14; Jas. 4:4; 1 Cor. 1:18,23). The "lukewarm" actually despise them (although they would not admit to this), replacing them with "religion": Agendas, programs, good-works activities,etc., ALL THE WHILE, thinking that this constitutes righteousness, the favor of the Lord, and "spirituality". In reality, Jesus HATES this! (see Rev. 3:15-19).

7) If a man preaches Christ without "the Cross", he is preaching "another Jesus", and is "accursed". (see 1 Cor. 1:17-18,23-24; 2:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:3-4; Gal.. 1:8-9).
The "religious world" is opposed to Christ and the Cross (Matt. 10:16-17). ‎"Religion" gives no spiritual Life to ANY ONE; Only JESUS can, and He WON'T, unless a person embraces HIM and HIS Sacrifice!

8) "The Cross of Christ" is the Pivot Point of all of human history. Those who accept this "Blood Sacrifice" are pardoned of their sins. Those who reject it... are damned eternally.
‎... and AFTER ONE ACCEPTS IT, he must CONTINUE to place his faith for Righteousness in that Sacrifice EXCLUSIVELY, to live for God daily; Otherwise, he "frustrates the grace of God" (Gal. 2:21), and can potentially "fall from grace" (Gal. 5:4), losing his soul! Very serious! The BURIAL and RESURRECTION of Christ were both certainly necessary and very important, but they occurred AS A RESULT of that redemptive Sacrifice. Our faith is to be IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB ....daily.... for Victory over "the world, the flesh, and the devil...WROUGHT by THE HOLY SPIRIT (Romans 8:2: Rev. 12:10-11).

9) When one "comes to JESUS", he must leave "THE WORLD"..... B-E-H-I-N-D !!!! (1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor. 6:6:14-18; James 4:4; Isa. 52:11; Heb. 11:24-28). If you call yourself a Christian, and love Hollywood, love messed-up rock stars and their messed-up music, love the delicate dainties of this evil world system, with it's "lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life", THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG. Your life does not line up with the Bible. you need.... to R-E-P-E-N-T and give your whole heart and life to J-E-S-U-S (No, not to some church , not to some program, not to some religious regimen, but to JESUS, and place your faith in HIM AND HIS BLOOD SACRIFICE!). ... and then His HOLY SPIRIT will give you "abundant Life" (John 10:10b), this amazing PEACE (John 15:27), and a LOVE THAT YOU HAVE NEVER KNOWN BEFORE (John 14:21)!!!!! If THE HOLY SPIRIT is not convicting you that all of the worldly stuff. (WHATEVER it is) is wrong, there is a serious problem. ‎...because a "Christian" has the "HOLY Spirit", with "HOLY" right in that Name there..... correct? ...and He will be GRIEVED if there is evil in the things you are delighting in (and why ARE you delighting in them? !). ‎(This is a SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE; Not some legalistic naming of this or that individual thing you watch, listen to, or do. Like I said, the HOLY SPIRIT should be showing you those individual things and activities!)

10) A life governed by the Holy Spirit will produce the FRUIT of the (Holy) Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control (see Gal. 5:22-23; Phil. 1:11; Matt. 7:16-21). IS a person's life characterized by these? If it is... it will be EVIDENT. If it is not, then THAT will also be evident (obvious)!
A person cannot be an actor all the time!! His words and his behavior will eventually BETRAY him! ...Not to say that a ONE of us is perfect morally. However, the general flavor of one's life, like I say, .... WILL BE EVIDENT TO ALL. Do you know a person who is a "nice guy"? LIVE with him for a while, and you will see the "REAL" him! If you cannot live with him, study his life a little bit: What does he like to DO? What are his INTERESTS? Also though, some people ARE "good actors", and it requires discernment of the Holy Spirit if you only have a short time with the person. DOES THE PERSON LOVE JESUS CHRIST? TO READ THE BIBLE? TO PRAY? TO STUDY AND TALK ABOUT SPIRITUAL THINGS FROM ABOVE? OR WOULD HE SOONER DO SOMETHING ELSE? SOMETHING... WORLDLY? All of these things should be evident. If there is no interest in the things of God there, this should tell you something! Most people are "actors". Why do You think MOVIES are so popular these days?! It's time to GET REAL, folks; Not only with OTHERS, but mainly with OURSELVES. What is "reality"? The HOLY BIBLE is reality; It is "Truth". And what does it say? "...If any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW." -(2 Corinthians 5:17). ARE you a new creature? ARE "all things new"? Or is it "the same old same OLD? You know.... don't you? Why not give your HEART, your WHOLE LIFE to JESUS this very moment?!

11) "For He (JESUS) satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." (Psa. 107:9). ‎"And ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, who is the Head of all principality and power." -(Col. 2:10). HALLELUJAH !!!! Friend.... rich or poor, small or great, living in a mansion or living in a shack, male or female, man or child, if you got J-E-S-U-S, you got it........ A-L-L !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12) "JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED". This was the apostle Paul's central Message, not only to be SAVED, but also to LIVE FOR GOD. The proof?, right from the Bible? : 1 Cor. 2:2; 1:17-18,23-24; Gal. 5:11; 6:12,14; 2:21. You know, I see this, and I'm like... "You know something? This is UNDENIABLE! there is a LOT OF PRESSURE there, when one is trying to sanctify oneself with the hoardes of hell against you. It takes faith in the BLOOD, and then THE HOLY GHOST'S Power comes into play which EASILY defeats Satan and sanctifies the saint! Oh hallelujah, this is so LIBERATING. These guys don't know what their MISSING! Many ministers think it's "automatic" at the moment of salvation, but they are dead wrong. It is not. The believer must KEEP his faith in that correct Object (Christ and the Cross), or he will gravitate back towards SELF-WORKS for sanctification. It happened to ME, and it happens to ALL of us at one time or another. But to STAY there?..... Not good. In many cases, the individual sincerely DOES just want to please God, but he is frustrated as to why he is not living "abundant Life", even though doing all he knows to do. That was me. And then when the Message CAME through a servant of God (it happened to be Jimmy Swaggart, but it could have been ANYONE), I found the Answer I was looking for! Self-works ("law") stimulates "the sin nature" (see 1 Cor. 15: 56b) (which many ministers do not believe a Christian can still possess!), resulting in FAILURE (IE: A SIN BONDAGE. May not be "immorality", but could be something else equally... bad... like gossip or a temper problem, etc.). WAKE UP, Church! Look around you at all of the scandals and failures among America's ministers!!! As as the PULPIT goes, so goes the PEOPLE (in most cases), and so goes AMERICA !!!!!!! We are now a weak, corrupt nation which is a laughingstock of the world.
CHURCH RETURN TO THE CROSS ! THE CROSS! THE CROSS!!!!! ‎...No not the "wooden beams", but the BLOOD SACRIFICE He accomplished there. THAT is to be the Object of our faith for Righteousness, for spirituality, for closeness with God, for victory in daily living!!!!!!