Jonathan Edwards

It comes down to the word "love". We look forward to rewards due to God's amazing love for us. Origen, an early Church Father and preacher from Alexandria, Egypt wrote eloquently about this profound topic in his commentary on the Song of Songs. We are beckoned to pursue the Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus Christ. The souls won to Christ by his preaching was reward. A crown of glory which cannot fade away. Apostle Paul yearned so much for the Second Coming of Christ; the newly converted would be presented to Christ. We need to have that same apostolic and evangelistic fervor that Apostle Paul. We too feed the flock and preach the Gospel willingly and with a ready mind. We don't vascillate nor pay heed to those who want to engender strife, and engage in useless fables and genealogies . The souls that get converted under our ministries are our crowns of rejoicing because we regard them as trophies of the victory of the Gospel that we preached.

A true father will be a spiritual leader for his spiritual sons and daughters; a shepherd that leads and provides for his family. Melchizedek the High Priest in the Book of Genesis is a prime example. Despite the idolatry that was going on; Melchizedek upheld monotheism and righteous living. Prophet Abraham revered him highly after winning a battle. A spiritual father called by God will be zealous to propogate the Gospel; he is imbued with an agressive spirit to win souls for Christ, and to zealously pastor the new converts. As a father, he has a heart of empathy for those suffering; well aware of the tribulations and heartaches of his spiritual children. Yes indeed! Women have been called throughout church history to be "father figures". A number come to mind: St Catherine of Siena, St Joan of Arc, St Theresa of Avila and women evangelists during the Holiness movement late 19 century. 14th century was indeed very chaotic ! Plagues, church problems, eta--St Catherine was a very remarkable leader that wrought reconciliation amongst foes. St Joan of Arc dressed in soldier's armament and fought valiantly for the glory of God. The church has been blessed by the Holiness preachers in the late 19 th century:. a number of women in the Methodist holiness movement were called to preach, and spread the message of sanctification. In many ways they were "spiritual fathers";. it wasn't common back than for women to be preachers and leaders of churches.

Will not forget my days as a cell group leader back in 1981-1982. Home group Bible studies were a great venue to excercise these motherly qualities. Patience and gentleness are important qualities for a Christian leader; the fruits of the Holy Spirit are developed as well. The Thessalonians were regenerated by the Holy Spirit to such a degree that these qualities were so evident. From worshipping idols and living in sin; they wore their Baptismal robes ! They have put on Christ. Male disciplers could be mentored as they lead a home cell group or when they are out ministering at a jail or nursing home. Training on the job! I will not forget my early days as an outdoor evangelist, and ministry at hospitals. I credit my growth when I was in the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International. Ministering at altar calls, and being a FGBMFI president, I learned a great deal.

Deceit:. Fraudulence, straying from Orthodox church doctrines, teaching cunning fables contrary to the HOLY BIBLE. That which deceives naive believers. Uncleanness: ministering to corrupt passions. Guile: Romans 1:29...falsity, take the bait. The Thessalonians were high and above deceit, uncleanness and guile. Deceit is present in false and heterodox preaching and teaching. Today that is common amongst various churches. Many are not like the Berean church, they don't carefully examine the HOLY BIBLE on matters of faith and morals. This is the downfall of even renowned Evangelical seminaries and churches. Somehow the wheel fell off the cart. It troubles me deeply to see what is happening to churches that should no better. Even the Waldensian church condones Lqbtxyz agendas...a historical pre-Reformation Evangelical church. Even the Methodist Church USA has fallen into deceitful teachings that condone things that are contrary to the HOLY BIBLE and traditional Orthodox teachings. I must continue to be a diligent Bible student always studying and praying overwhat I have studied. This way, I stay clear of deceitful teachings.

Personal courage is essential for both the discipler and the disciple due to the fact that we are not living in a garden of roses. As in other challenges of life, personal courage is intrinsic to getting the job done. The Gospel ministry is not easy; fulfilling one's ministry in accordance with 1 PETER 2:9 demands courage. I can attest to that fact during my years of evangelistic preaching outdoors as well as ministering in skid row in NYC. It was the GOSPEL OF GOD--that captivated the very hearts of Paul, Silas and Timothy. It wasn't just another religion nor another fable. This Gospel was from on high ! They were able to stand for the in the face of strong opposition that proved the very highest value of that their ministry wasn't in vain. Lack of courage is a sign of inertia in the church. Complacency slowly sets in, and the work of evangelism creeps to a halt. 2 Samuel & Isaiah 32 illustrates this very well. King David went into a complacent state of mind as long, and a myriad of troubles ensued. In Isaiah 32, Prophet Isaiah preaches to the complacent women; they were in a state of inertia, not seeking the Lord, they were at ease in Zion. This complacent attitude is the beginning of back sliding. Courage and good old "stickutiveness" are absolutely needed in outdoor evangelistic preaching. The Word of God goes forth despite the hardheartedness of people, and even derision from fellow Christians.

The Christain faith was no passing fancy for the Thessalonians. Their hearts were full of expectation for the Second Coming of Christ. Though they were undergoing persecutions, they firmly believed that the Resurrected Christ is in heaven, to reign, Christ is our Joshua--our heavenly High Priest,preparing a place for us. The Thessalonians had a firm understanding of the connection between Christ's Resurection and our deliverance from the wrath to come at the Second Advent. Christ. We are blessed by the continuous deliverence from the wrath to come. Christ is our PRESENT DELIVERER from the power of sin who will deliver us from the punishment of sin. The Thessalonians were so full of zeal and love for the Parousia of the Lord Jesus Christ. They truly wanted to be ready for the Rapture; despite tribulations and sorrows, they had a true expectation that Christ is the Deliverer. The Thessalonians were not caught up at that time in regards to concise future eschatological events. Issues such exact times and prophetic events were not top on the list. The doctrine of the Parousia is what caught their hearts and minds. Due the election of God and graces given, the Thessalonians radiated the Gospel light by their carefull conduct amongst a crooked and perverse generation. Church of God...Be Rapture ready! Churches have fallen into the "cheap grace" syndrome. The parables of the wide and foolish virgins and the fig tree illustrate my point. Many don't have the fruits of the Holy Spirit,nor do their fulfill their ministries in accordance with 1 PETER 2:9. They have lost their calling to be preachers, prophets, pastors, Apostles. Much of this stems from lack of understanding of the Epistle to the Hebrews: we are called to enter the Holiest of Holies.

Consistent behaviour glorifying Christ was indeed a sure testimony to their conversions. They were living evidences of the truth of Christianity. By their purity of life, unselfish behaviour, and patience in suffering; Christ was glorified. The unbelievers saw their witness. The Cardinal virtues affected the Thessalonians to such a degree that the their pagan neighbors eventually became Christian. We imitate our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ not died as a Sacrifice for sins but lived as an example. Christ had patient endurance in His sufferings. The Thessalonians had joy amidst the tears, a holy joy even in the midst of afflictions. The Thessalonians were teachable; they accepted the message of salvation as a message from God. The example of the Thessalonian church spread throughout Achaia and Macedonia. They were the salt of the earth; they didn't hide their candles under a bushel. Their characters were sanctified by the Holy Spirit to such a degree that others wanted to have what they had. The new believers were mentored by more serious and mature believers;. coming out of paganism and immoral behaviours, the new Christians had a new song in their hearts! They weren't groping for answers; they had the songs of Zion in their hearts despite swift, sharp persecutions.

In our age of rationalism and unbelief, people don't see a true demonstration of the power of God. All throughout church history, signs and wonders followed the preaching of the Gospel:. ministries of St Francis of Assisi and the early Franciscans, St Vincent Ferrer and St Thomas, Apostle to India. Countless others thereafter, preached the Gospel and believed in God for miracles. 1 Corinthians 2:5 is our guidepost! We need the gifts of wisdom and knowledge in the ministry. Many times it will be day by day fulfillment of our Ministerial responsibilities; quietly and dutifully we go about preaching, witnessing and persevering as a mother goes about her daily chores maintaining her home. In God's time and way, God will direct us. Perseverance is truly the work of the Holy Spirit. Will power and human ingenuity can only go so far. Unless the Lord builds the house, they who labor, labor in vain. A true lesson learned. I have personally seen that the spiritual formation system of my former college can only go so far. It was up to my former college classmates to grab the torch and carry on with apostolic endeavors. Sadly, a number of these former classmates went off the tracks into doctrinal errors. The role of miracles was integral in Paul's ministry. Many Thessalonians we're former worshippers of idols and were imbued with false narratives of their pagan gods. The day that they heard the true Gospel with signs following. Just ACTS 4:12 and myriads of Bible texts about JESUS CHRIST. True miracles that bore witness to veracity of St.Paul's preaching. Many got saved and were baptized! If there were miracles today, many would come to the Gospel. Expository preaching is very important as it was for the Apostles; however, something about miracles grabs the hearts of unbelievers or lukewarm Christians. The ministry of Katherine Kuhlman will always remain in my memories. Ms Kuhlman had such a deep belief in God's power to heal.! The Thessalonians had faith, not dead, speculative, or professing faith, but real, living, active productive faith. Lack of this type of zealous faith is one of major causes of the lack of miracles. The new converts we're set free from idolatry and from All sorts of immoral behaviour; they put on Christ when they were baptized into Christ. They had a new song, a new expectation of the miraculous.

In our age of rationalism and unbelief, people don't see a true demonstration of the power of God. All throughout church history, signs and wonders followed the preaching of the Gospel:. ministries of St Francis of Assisi and the early Franciscans, St Vincent Ferrer and St Thomas, Apostle to India. Countless others thereafter, preached the Gospel and believed in God for miracles. 1 Corinthians 2:5 is our guidepost! We need the gifts of wisdom and knowledge in the ministry. Many times it will be day by day fulfillment of our Ministerial responsibilities; quietly and dutifully we go about preaching, witnessing and persevering as a mother goes about her daily chores maintaining her home. In God's time and way, God will direct us. Perseverance is truly the work of the Holy Spirit.

We must keep preaching the Word of God despite opposition. We need to pray about a dire situation and use the gift of wisdom. Prudence is always a factor as well. The Prophet Ezekiel has to use pantomime at times to communicate his prophecies and sermons due to the hard hearts of his listeners. St. Paul didn't make it mandatory that the new converts first had to become Jewish. This methodology upset a number of Jews who made it mandatory that new proselytes had to maintain the Law of Moses. St Paul stood his ground and preached the Cross of Christ; Christ alone paid it all at Calvary. St Paul was very Christ centered. Despite so many problems,his heart was so full of love for Christ. It was the love of God in the heart of Paul that kept him going. A man of prayer and steadfastness; St Paul kept his eyes on the Lord.

God be praised

God

Prophet Elijah's mission was to preach against sin and bring Israel back to God. His prophetic call was like of Prophets Amos and Hosea; in their own ways, they preached repentence and condemned idol worship. God raised up prophets to bring forth the word of God while the established hierarchies of the Temple were enmeshed in idolatry and political intrigues. So amazing that Yahweh had the school of the prophets who remained steadfast. Obadiah and Micaiah were heroic as well. It reminds us of the great the theme of predestination. The awesomeness of Yahweh ! King Ahab and his wife heard the Word of God as did his sons yet persisted in idol worship and living ungodly lives....unrepentant! Prophet Elijah was definitely successful. He maintained his excellent testimony, preached the Word of God followed by signs and wonders. Many were converted as well as witnessing 16 major miracles. He had an anointing that was so deep that called him home bodily like Enoch. Measurement here is the outstanding ministry of Prophet Elijah. No chicanery. He was a real Prophet of God. Though not a favorite of the pagan followers of Baal and Astarte, his testimony shined. Self assessment can be misleading. We are sometimes focused on the negatives, the failures and the things that didn't work out. I have been through this. Many Christian pastors and people in ministry only get focused on the negatives, sad situations that occurred despite all efforts to remedy family or parish debacles. God lovingly sees the whole picture! God tenderly got Prophet Elijah back on track when all looked hopeless. The whole picture must be taken into account. Elijah had the support of his schools of prophets and Prophet Elisha that encouraged him during the dark nites of the soul. At the end of his earthly ministry, we come up with a remarkable assessment! Prophet Elisha continued ministry of his spiritual father...doing double amount of miracles! Prophet Elisha had the double portion of the spirit of Elijah.

With all my heart I believe that God can use in extraordinary ways. Back on November 13, 1971, I was seeking the "double portion of the Holy Spirit". I still believe that God will continue to give me graces to evangelize during these very challenging times. I thank God in advance for my Elisha to assist me in the Gospel ministry. What is also crucial to me is that my character is to continued to be further formed in holiness. It is not the lack of willingness to launch out into the deep, but to make prudent decisions on how to fulfill the evangelical calling in my life. I have made this a matter of carefull prayer and reflection. Here in NYC, outdoor evangelistic ministry has been very important to me for years. With the sharp increase of crime and assaults on innocent people; I have had to make some decisions. For now, venturing out of state for evangelical endeavors.

Both preached repentence when Israel turned from God. They wore clothing of animal hair; not the typical garments of their era. They ate food that was provided in the wilderness. They didn't partake of luxurious foods and drinks. Both were separated from the false religions of their times. Both of these men were men of deep prayer; they had no time to dialogue nor waste time in speaking with those who persisted in their doctrinal errors. Both preached repentence to evil kings. Despite all odds, they heroically bore witness to their faith; there were Christain soldiers that died as martyrs during the Roman emperors. Both were sought by wicked Queens. Prophet Elijah was sought by Jezebel and John the Baptist was sought by Herodias. Lastly, both men had times of depression and doubt. They were no strangers to the human condition. Those in Christain ministry can take great solace in this fact that there are bumpy roads along the way in Christain ministry. Both Prophet Elijah and John the Baptist stood against injustice, false religion and evil in their societies. John the Baptist was not a reincarnation of John the Baptist. John had that Elijah anointing. The similarities of their ministries are strikingly quite similar. Prophet Elijah had his school of the Prophets who maintained the faith while the established scribes and priesthood went on a path of compromise. John the Baptist was not part of the Jerusalem establishment; like the Essenes, John was not part and parcel of the Jerusalem temple priesthood.

Elisha truly wanted to be like his spiritual father. Elisha as a true minister of Yahweh. He wanted to be true in his calling, fidelity to duty, always faithfull in rebuking sin, a spirit of fearlessness and courage in the presence of opposition and danger. Elisha was to be a teacher of others. So Elisha had to be doubly spiritual, doubly carefull, doubly Holy, doubly zealous and scrupulous about his calling. Elisha was not greedy for power. He was living in challenging times. How he needed the gifts and graces of God. We too are in the same predicament! Reminds of how some Catholic priests and Christian ministers and nuns clandestinely hid Jewish people during the Nazi era. Some actually died martyrs' deaths. The Prophet Daniel is another wonderful example. He was given great graces to be a diplomats in the Persian government yet he received visions and prophecies from on High to guide the People of God. Back in November 1971, at the age of 16 years old, I sought the double portion of the Holy Spirit. I sought the Lord diligently as a young man. Was active in prayer meetings and church. I was open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit when I was in high school. Yes, we are so blessed that the Holy Spirit is here on earth; we need to renew our Pentecostal gifts and graces. As we are still in our fleshy tabernacles, we need to go from glory to glory; we are still running towards the goal: beatific vision of Jesus Christ. Strength for evangelism ! I can testify to God's keeping power over the years. The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. We need the Holy Spirit anointing to preach and minister unto others; without the touch of God, we cannot go far, and as a result...backslide into all sorts of errors and sins.

The unseen world, his heavenly transition and the things of heaven were occupying his mind and heart. Elijah was given spiritual flashes about his transition ro heaven; yet he was always mindfull o Elisha. It was too solemn ocassion for greetings, casual conversation, or even exhortations. Elisha stayed with his spiritual father; he wanted to be with Elijah until the end. He didn't want to engage in conversation with others concerning the departure of Prophet Elijah. Back in October-November 1971, I was praying for the double portion of the Holy Spirit. I am still living for the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Though there have been many trials along the way, I still love the Lord. I may not have all the answers why sorrowful things have happened; I still hide in the precious wounds of Christ.

Ahaziah is denying the sovereignty and the worship due to th Lord God of Israel. To go to a foreign pagan deity makes no sense. The pagan Ekron deity is an insult. We see this behavior in the churches today. Tragic how various denominations have allowed false religions to wreck havoc. Astrology, theosophy, spiritualism and other false religions have been mixed in with the worship services. The false idols of humanism have been mixed in with nominal Christainity. Episcopal Bishop Pike is an example. He and his wife sought spiritualism to contact the dead. I have sought counseling in the past as well as asking God for direction. God's ways are mysterious indeed. We don't see the whole picture. We see family members suffer despite our best intentions. We leave so many unanswered questions at the feet of Christ.

Did not Prophet Amos state that two cannot walk together unless they are agreed? A fault committed prepares the way for a repetition sad to say. Friendships involve sympathies; Jehosophat had a serious conflict of interests. What is so bizarre is how a godly man can have affinity to a family of idol worshippers. Ahab and Jezebel didn't not renounce idol worship;idol shrines were still being used. Jehosophat should have had a sense of revulsion in his heart toward such an alliance with Ahab. Some Christain leaders have rose colored glasses on. They are naive in their thinking that social changes can be wrought. The hearts of men are deceitful. Apostle Paul makes that very clear throughout Romans chapters 1-2. Their throats are like open graves. Political leaders are looking for votes, financial rewards and favors and advancement. Here in USA, Political leaders have empty words and misled its citizens, and use people as ATM machines. Case study is the German church back n the 1930s. Many German church leaders were misled by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Except for a few heroic leaders, many in the German church world had no problems with Hitler. European history illustrates the faults of the close affinities of church and state. There were so many problems that the early Mennonites taught that church and state are two separate entities. Early Anabaptist movement influenced our nation's history on this matter. Bible believers must be diligent in daily Bible study and prayer if they are genuinely led to participate in government affairs. They cannot be naive thinking that an ungodly reprobate government is going to approve of godly laws overnite; truly this is a tough call. USA GOVERNMENT and local governments are not hospitable to conservative Christians. Some Christians can be like a Joseph or a Daniel; the environment was not easy for them, but they diligently served God under ungodly circumstances. Called by God for holy tasks.

Happiness is proportionate to completeness of consecration. Jehosophat wanted to be a buddy to Ahab. This is how Christains get into trouble. They have not renounced the world, the flesh and the devil fully. The persuasions of the wicked are subtle. Jehosophat should have regarded the Prophet Micaiah's prophecy with utmost importance, but he joined forces with Ahab anyway. Jehosophat had an element of "people pleasing" in his character. There was definitely a conflict of interests here. Without the Holy Spirit and a complete Bible, we read how many under the Old Covenant were so confused. Gideon fell into superstitious worship when he built a shrine for a vestments used in worship. Disobedience provokes the judgments of God. We see this demise in the life of King Saul; Kings Solomon and Mannasah as well. Jehosophat had no recourse to the Urim and Thummin as in the days of Moses and Joshua. Jehosophat did not pray about this war seriously enough. He was sumptuously entertained by Ahab; he mostly would be concerned what his political partners from Judah would say. This is definitely a case that illustrates the neglect of private prayer. No indication of Jehosophat consulting the High Priest. Where was Obadiah, the court Manger of Ahab? Obadiah was a godly man

A1King Ahab was self deceived; he put his trust in 400 liars. He could not get the flattery of the Prophet Micaiah. Micaiah knew that if he stated the truth he would go back to prison. So bizarre that King Ahab still had such a dislike for this righteous prophet after all that had happened to him and his countrymen! Micaiah had firm faith in Yahweh. Disobedience was no option. To curry favor from men wasn't an option. Like the Prophets Abraham, Isaiah, Ezekiel and many others, he heard the still small voice to preach and preserver in his calling.To not be faithfull in one's calling was anathema. So we are to give testimony to Jesus Christ, this is the spirit of prophecy. We cannot afford to be like other church denominations that have renamed on matters of faith and morals; we cannot fall into a state of timid inertia and doctrinal compromise.

King Jehosophat as a godly man wanted to be genuinely directed by God. The false prophets of King Ahab were either of the idol Astarte or Baal or priests of the high places of Bethel or Dan. King Jehosophat knew what was in their hearts though they claimed a veneer of spirituality. Ahab's prophets were enjoying the patronage of King Ahab, and they knew what would gratify him. They were indeed religious showmen unlike Prophet Micaiah who had nothing to gain, but every thing to lose in maintaining his steadfast trust in Yahweh. This Prophet Micaiah was in prison for three previous years. He could have flattered Ahab to obtain release, but by taking a godly course he could only expect to go back to jail. The false testimony of King Ahab's prophetswas not agreeable to the WORD OF GOD.

God heeded to the sincere confession of King Ahab. God heard the cry of repentence. King Ahab's repentence was not profound nor enduring. The sentence of doom was deferred for King Ahab. Tragic that his wife didn't repent. We see the mercy of God illustrated during the aftermath of Nabith's murder. If Ahab's repentence was lasting, the sentence would have been reversed. Ahab subsequently sinned eventually and do did his sons. We cannot have careless presumption upon final perseverance dogma; we have to work out our salvation in trembling and fear. Though we have been foreordained and predestinatinated, we cannot have superficiality in our spiritual lives. Postponement of judgment was to give King Ahab time to make a more genuine confession. We don't read that he gave up his idols, restore Naboth's property nor forsake his self confidence. His character was still tarnished; there was no change of heart nor life.

The thing coveted is idolatry is commonly found the erotomaniac behavior of so many today. Via the internet and mass media, people are enamored by having a mental possession of a famous actor, popular movie star, brilliant preacher, or a prince. It is a diseased form of love coupled with idolatrous admiration and worship. Pleonoxia is centered on something or someone that is not godly. Those that went to the pagan temples in Ephesus or in Corinth, were full of pleonoxia. They were centered on immoral behaviours and on idols. Their hearts were not centered on Yahweh. Prophet Ezekiel makes this very clear. Many times in his sermons, prophecies and visions, this pleonoxia robs people of their full attention to Yahweh. They cannot be obedient to DEUTERONOMY 6:4. The Shekinah left the Temple was partly due to the idol that was by the northern gate. Yahweh is our jealous God. Prophet Ezekiel saw the impure idols in the secret chamber. God will not tolerate secret sins. Many people today don't have a deep understanding of the HOLINESS OF GOD; secret sins cannot be present in the lives of true BIBLE CHRISTIANS. Our focus ends up on the wrong things. Luke 12: 13-15 is an eye opener. Covetousness is forbidden for the Christain. It will cause the soul gracious harm (1 Corinthians 5:11; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Timothy 6: 9-11). It must be uprooted from the heart of a Christian. We are called to the royal priesthood, a holy nation; we are a different people. We have a much serious calling, no time to waste in matters of the world, the flesh and the devil.