American Pastor

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-19

1 Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the twelfth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-19 teaches of those who "sleep in the night" and are completely unaware of Christ's second coming: "When men are asleep to the spiritual realm, they cannot perceive, and are not aware of either the opportunity for salvation, or future judgment for sin. The opposite of sleep is when a man is alert and watching to both hear God’s voice and avoid the danger of not obeying divine commandments. A watchful man, biblically speaking, is one who is looking to fully do God’s will in his life, while also preparing for God’s Son’s return to the earth.
"In seeking to destroy men’s lives, the devil does all he can to intoxicate the unsuspecting through leading them towards sin, which will produce spiritual slumber in any who engage in it. Sin therefore will, if lived in and maintained, completely separate a man from any true awareness of God and God’s judgment for sin.
"Man, in his fallen state, is at war with the Lord, and the Lord with him. Thus, it is only when faith in God is desired and held, that men prove themselves as willing to come under God’s government. For no man will seek to believe, if he has not first determined within himself, that he will yield to the One he is seeking to believe in.
"There is no greater evidence of purity of religion, than when divine love is manifested in Christians. It is this that proves their relationship with God as sincere, and their affection for Him as genuine.
"True ministers are spiritual gifts provided to the church by Christ. Because Christ has given these spiritual ministries to the church, it is a great affront to His own spiritual authority if their divine positions are not properly respected. To be under Christ’s rule requires that men freely become subject to not only Jesus’ words and His Spirit, but also, as evidenced here, to those ministers whom He has placed in the church for the church’s growth and spiritual development. Without also these gift ministries being placed by the Son over His people, believers would be tossed to and fro, and carried about with every false and misleading doctrine meant to deceive the elect.
"When children are young, they are most vulnerable to deception. This is especially so concerning those who, though born of God, remain young because of spiritual immaturity. And like a toddler that will place virtually anything in his mouth, even if it is dangerous to him, so can new believers, because of their lack of spiritual perception, be easily deceived to receive false doctrines purposed to do them spiritual harm. Consider as well that, just as there are true ministers in Christ’s church, so also are there an equal amount, if not more, men sent by Satan to deceive the elect. Their devilish aim is to not only bring disgrace to the gospel, but also by teaching falsities, to lead people away from true religion, and a proper understanding of the Son of God."
"All recompense for sin must be left to the Lord Who alone has sufficient wisdom to justly exercise it. Ultimately, it is God, Who will manifest Himself as His people’s avenger, and not they who should take this responsibility upon themselves. There is but One power and authority in the world, and no man has the right to believe himself equipped to do what is solely the right of God.
"The Lord is good beyond all measure, and none know this more than those whom He has saved and made His own. The reason also that Christian are instructed to rejoice evermore, is because there is no time in the future that there will be any just causes not to rejoice. We have been given life eternal, and because of this, we will have even more reason in the ages to come, to rejoice evermore.
"Prayer is that quality which reveals dependence upon God, and thankfulness to Him. If a man has a genuine relationship with the Lord, this will manifest itself in prayer without ceasing. Ultimately, prayer is the means, whether it is rendered for thanks, for seeking direction, or for asking for forgiveness, that believers reveal their great affection and dependence upon their Savior. He, who prays knows he needs the Lord, and cannot do anything successfully without Him. 
"It is common that men wish to think of God as they desire Him to be, and not as He really is. Thus, if a man does not wish to believe in certain qualities of the Lord, like the reality that God is as a consuming fire, then he will throw out clear revelation concerning the true nature of God, and believe of the Lord only what he chooses. It was in a burning bush that God first revealed Himself to Moses. Mount Sinai it is said was both wrapped and covered with smoke, when the Lord descended upon it, in the form of fire, when also the whole mountain trembled violently. God also led Israel, through His presence being manifested in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. When David received his vision of the ancient of days, the Lord sat upon a throne ablaze with flames, and its wheels were a burning fire. When also the Lord spoke to Israel on Mt. Sinai, He spoke from the midst of a fire. Psalms speaks of the Lord as having fire devouring all before Him, with also a stormy tempestuous around Him. In the New Testament, it was revealed that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were in the temple at Jerusalem, obeying Christ’s command to wait for the promise of the Father that the scriptures state that the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of cloven tongues as of fire. Christ has also said that He will try every man’s work with fire, to examine it, to determine if it will pass His test for holiness and sincerity. Fire is thus often used to denote the presence of the Lord, and if necessary, both His anger and judgment for sin. Lastly, Jesus Christ, your Savior and mine, in the vision John received from Him is said to have eyes as a flame of fire. Revealing the spiritual power that lies within Him, that all men should wisely fear and reverence."
Broadcast live on 08/14/2022
 

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 4:17-5:5

1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the eleventh in the series, 1 Thessalonians 4:17-5:5 highlights what the believer's end is  when Christ returns: "Those who have believed upon Christ, will at Christ’s return, be raised to meet Christ. The reward of their faith, then will be, sight of their Savior. The manner in which saints will be caught up to meet Christ in the air is first seen in Enoch, whom the scriptures state, walked with God before God took him.
"Ultimately, the unity that was established on earth between Christ and His people will reach its purposed end, when both the living and the dead, are eternally joined to the Savior. Some have speculated that one of the reasons that the saved will join Christ in the air, is that the earth could not contain such a great number of redeemed saints  for such occasions as the church’s final salvation, and the judgment of God.
"Man, as we know him today in his fallen state, has lost the right to rule or be given stewardship over anything; therefore a new race of men, created in the image and likeness of the Son of God will replace him. This people, because of having new hearts created in them by God, shall forever remain loyal to God, faithfully keeping God’s laws and commandments. Having already then been given new hearts, Christ shall complete His people’s salvation by providing for them new spiritual bodies.
"When then men do not respect or have a high regard for that which is holy, they prove themselves ripe for judgment. The two greatest sins in man, absent blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, are unbelief and ungodliness. These sins are committed directly against a holy God and as such are worthy of divine judgment. The Day of the Lord will demonstrate and prove how distasteful the Lord finds the pride and the insolence of man to be.
"Once raptured by the Son of God, the saved shall never again be separate from Him. It is common today in those who possess the Spirit, that any separation from the God, no matter how brief, causes pain to the soul. Whether it is because of personal sin, or simply the trials of life, there is nothing that disturbs and causes inner consternation more than when spiritual fellowship with our heavenly Father and Savior is damaged. This is why once the believer is joined to the Lord Jesus, all such fear will be eternally removed. Our spiritual hearts will be at peace, simply because of our close proximity to the Lord of peace. In God’s presence is fullness of joy, and this joy will be exceedingly felt in the saved, once they join their Savior in heaven.
"The day of the Lord is that day when Jesus Christ will be openly manifested to the world. It is stated that Jesus’ return and appearance to the world will cause many to wail. This wailing is directly related to those who have rejected God’s sovereignty, and have become aware that divine judgment is ready to be revealed upon them. All the previous rejoicing of sinners will cease, once then they realize that God’s authority has returned to rule the world. What a contrast this is, to when Jesus was crucified, and His followers mourned and wept for His absence. The complete opposite scene is described here, for now it is sinners who cry because righteousness has come. 
"Sinners have foolishly surmised that they could reject living under divine rule, as well as evade any future judgment for doing so. This human reasoning will be proven demonstrably wrong. It is a predominant characteristic of the ungodly, that they wrongly estimate the danger of sin, as well as God’s final judgment for it."
 
Broadcast live on 07/31/2022
 
 

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16

1 Thessalonians 4:14 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the tenth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 teaches Christianity's criteria for salvation, belief that God raised Jesus from the dead: "Christianity has a criteria for salvation that no other religion does, it is for a man to be saved by God, then he must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. As Romans reveals, salvation requires two essential elements: 1. A confession of Christ’s lordship. 2. Belief, that God raised Jesus from the dead. On these two great spiritual truths, salvation rests, without which no man can be saved. Understanding this, for God’s salvation to be given, it is essential that there is in the penitent, a solid and sure belief, that God raised Jesus from the dead.
"Simply put, if a man did not believe in Christ’s power to deliver him, then Christ could not. The record of Jesus healing the two blind men in Matthew’s gospel shows us that to be delivered by the Son of God, men need to believe in His ability to deliver them.
"Ultimately, the two men had exhibited the necessary faith to be delivered by the Lord. 1. They had believed Him to be the Messiah. 2. They had the faith to follow and pursue Him where He went. 3. They held sufficient faith that Jesus could do the impossible, and heal them of their blindness. Thus, it was their total and complete faith in the Son of God, that yielded to them a miracle from God.
"Practically speaking, every man possesses all those elements—body, soul, and spirit—which comprises his being. He has a body of the earth, he has a soul like the beasts of the field, and he has a spirit. What is unique though in a Christian, someone who has believed upon the Son of God, is that they are given a Holy Spirit, a divine Spirit directly related to and connected with Christ’s own resurrected nature. This nature is both holy and everlasting. Possessing this Holy Spirit is necessary for entrance into heaven.
"The gist of the revelation is this, that there is no real advantage to be alive at Christ’s second coming, simply because the dead will be changed before the living. Thus, before the living are given new bodies by the Lord Jesus, the dead shall have already received them. In simple terms, the bodily transformation of the dead, shall be prior to those living at Christ’s return, given their new bodies. Thus, at this time, this glorious time when Jesus returns to the earth, to rightfully claim what God has given Him, it shall be more advantageous for the bodies of those who have fallen asleep in Christ, than even those saints still alive at His return.
"He shall come in the Father’s glory, and the heavenly sounds introducing Him, foretell of His glory. Practically speaking, Christ’s entrance will startle all the inhabitants of the earth. He shall interrupt all the noises of human activity and communication. Never before has the earth, the entire earth heard the trump of God, which also caused the Israelites to shrink in fear at Mt. Sinai, and summoned them to hear God’s voice. Never before has this voice of the archangel, been so loud and dramatic, that not even one will not recognize it as coming from God. So great also will be this shout that accompanies Jesus’ return, that it shall awaken and call from the grave, the bodies of those, who in death, maintained faith in the Son of God.
"If one should ask why such a public, and universal display of Christ’s glory, then it should be considered that Christ was first humiliated publicly; He was mocked and put to shame for all men to see by the Romans, the Jews, and the devil. Thus, as open and public as men sin in this world, and did sin against the Son of God, so shall Christ’s victory over hell and death be a grand and visual event in view of the world. Not only though will Christ’s glory, be made visible and open, but so also shall His people be glorified, who their entire life have been mocked by the entire world, and persecuted because of their loyalty to God. All faith therefore both of the Son of God, and those who have believed in Him, shall be proven true, and worthy to be openly glorified.
"There is no day that a true believer in the Son of God looks forward to more than this one, when their faith in God and His Son, is both justified and vindicated. So that when all they have suffered for, believing on the Son of God will redound to being glorified with Him. And though this glory is yet future, still it is certain. We know this because all that Paul has revealed, and will reveal, he assures us came from the Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus will therefore descend from heaven in like manner that He ascended up into heaven, and His return shall consummate and put an end to this present age. For at Christ’s return it is not simply that saints will be raised, but the whole world shall be changed. All that once was will then pass, and all that God has purposed to come, will enter. At this time also, at Christ’s return, God’s kingdom will come. Whereby through the Son of God, God will rule all men. And this will be unmistakably proven by when through the power given to Jesus by God, Jesus will raise the dead bodies of the saints. This shall be a glorious day, and one which every true son of God should expectantly wait for."
Broadcast live on 07/17/2022

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 4:7-13

1 Thessalonians 4:7 "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the ninth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 4:7-13 highlights why the Christian should not sorrow at the prospect of death: "The language Paul uses in his instruction to the Thessalonians that they should sorrow not, even as others which have no hope, is strong so that his point may be clear: the fate of an unsaved man is vastly different than that of a saved  man. This teaches us that for Christians there is hope, but for those who have no relationship with the Son of God there can be only sorrow. And like the thieves crucified with Christ on the cross, two men can die at the very same time and in the exact same manner yet have two totally different futures. For this reason, Christians should not grieve as do those to whom physical death brings much sorrow. If a man has Christ in him, though his physical body is destined for death, his soul/spirit will live because of his connection to Christ.
"The key to a man continuing to live once his fleshly body dies is through the Christ Spirit living within him. The manner in which Christ lives with the Christian is through the Spirit of God Christ imparts to them. But how, though, does a man know that Christ lives within him? It cannot be just because he assumes it to be so but must rest on a much more concrete foundation than human assumption. Ultimately then, it is only by men keeping Christ’s commandments that it can be seen that Christ lives in His people. The proof therefore that the Holy Spirit lives within a man is that he will both keep and walk in God’s laws.
"Because of the presence of this divine spiritual nature, sent by the Son of God to the saved, spiritual death need not follow bodily death. Though the natural body must return to the dust from whence it was made, the spirit, because its source is God, returns to God. Practically speaking, the natural material realm, which is what the earthly body consists of, cannot pass over to the higher spiritual realm where God maintains His being. Each world, natural and spiritual, consists of two completely different substances, and because of this the natural body, whether alive or dead, cannot without transformation enter the higher spiritual realm of God.
"It was from the first Adam that we derive our natural, physical, and carnal nature, but it is from the last Adam, Jesus Christ, that a new spiritual life is given to us. This life is not natural; rather, it is spiritual and descends from the higher spiritual realm. Its source is God; its sender is the Son of God. Those of the last Adam, who have been born again or born from above, are made living spirits both like and by Christ. Hence, whereas the first Adam genetically passed natural life to his progeny, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, because He is a living Spirit, imparts eternal spiritual life to His children.
"Adam’s creation by God was a natural one. All the elements used in it came from the natural realm. Adam was the first of an earthly race of men who would populate and spread over a natural and organic world. A splendid and bountiful earthly garden was prepared for Adam’s residence, purposed by God not only to bless Adam’s life but also to provide the necessary sustenance for his survival. The first man, Adam, was earthly in every way. The next Adam, though, Jesus Christ, is not natural but spiritual, and for those called to heaven through Him, God has purposed heavenly habitation. 
"For a man to enter the higher spiritual realm, biblically defined as heaven, he must be born again. This teaches us that for any to live beyond the grave, a new spiritual birth must be given to them by God, whereby through the Spirit they are given the same nature as God.
"Just as believers must share in the weakness, deficiencies, and death of the first man, Adam, they will also share just as equally in the glory of the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Being born of God through possessing the Spirit of God gives hope of glory in the world to come. Again, it needs to be emphasized that the connection to the second Adam, Jesus Christ, is not less than the one to the first man, Adam, once a man is born again. Thus, just as men must physically die because of their relationship to the first man, Adam, so too will they eternally live because of their relationship with God’s second Adam, Jesus Christ. 
"For most men it would be enough to be saved by the Savior, but this is not what God’s Word reveals is the believer’s true hope. This hope is to be made through Christ’s power to share in Christ’s own glory and likeness.
"Hence, as surely as he who is without Christ will die eternally, just as certainly will believers who are given life through Christ live eternally. All that was lost in Adam through the fall has been regained, and then some, by the second Adam, Jesus Christ, in resurrection. Because of this, we who have believed upon the Son of God should sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."
Broadcast live on 07/03/2022

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-4:6

1 Thessalonians 3:9 "For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the eighth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-4:6 touches on several topics, emphasizing the importance of love in the Christian life: "If men do not possess God’s love, then we know that they are not yet Christian and still abide in death. The Son of God also, because He both sees and searches the hearts of men, knows where genuine love exists and where it does not. Thus, though men may deceive other men in regard to whether they sincerely love or not, they cannot deceive Christ."
"Consider as well that if a man lacks love and/or charity in his heart and life, his entire religion (and even himself, though perhaps viewed as acceptable in the world) is accounted by God to be nothing.
"It is love that tends toward holiness, and holiness that shall prevent a man from trembling when exposed to God’s wrath at the day of judgment. All then who love both God and God’s people have no reason to fear in the day of judgment.
"True piety demands that men do more than simply hear God’s word but also walk obediently in it. It is the walk of the Christian and not simply what he has heard that produces a life pleasing to God. Hearing by itself means nothing if the word heard is not obeyed. Hence, it is not simply a man’s faith that pleases God but his walk, whereby the sincerity of his faith is proven.
"If a man desires a true place in heaven, he must pursue holiness and sanctification while on this earth. What a man does in his body directly affects his sanctification.
"There is a way in which a man controls his body that tends towards sanctification and honor. This is when it is not carnal lusts that govern his behavior but the Holy Spirit. Whatever nature also rules men, whether it be their flesh or their spirit, reveals the nature they are subject to. Suffice to say that if it is the flesh that leads sinners, and especially so sexually, then it is the flesh also that controls them. Practically speaking, if the body has no constraints and is allowed to satisfy itself as it wants, then it is impossible that any true divinity or holiness is walked in. It goes without saying that those who live in sin cannot be saved by God.
"When men know not God, they pursue things only of the flesh. If they continue in these sins, they will assure themselves that they will never see God nor gain entrance into heaven. Without Christ cleansing the sinner, the door to heaven would remain locked to all men. Sin is against God’s nature; thus, none should willfully commit it and think that an eternal place with God will be found."
Broadcast live on 06/12/2022

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 2:19-3:8

1 Thessalonians 2:19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the seventh in the series, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-3:8, continues in the epistle and highlights the mark of a true minister: "Here is the mark of a true minister: it is that those whom God has given him care over, might abide in Christ’s presence at His coming. This was the apostle’s hope, and would ultimately be his own joy and crown of rejoicing at Christ’s coming. It is this full and complete salvation of God’s people, which will be the minister’s crown. Hence, a day of victory and celebration when the labor it took to both bring people to Christ, as well as help them remain in Him, is rewarded by God in Heaven.
"There is nothing that Jesus cares more for than the saving of a man’s soul. It was for this purpose He died, and it is still the primary purpose of His heavenly ministry today. 
"Religious bonds are the strongest bonds, when it is faith in God’s Son and God’s Spirit that forms them. True Christians also will bear no greater allegiance, nor loyalty to, than towards those who are also themselves Christ’s. Spirit is thicker than blood, and spiritual ties, greater than earthly ties, when also men share the same heavenly Father and Lord and are bound together by the same Holy Spirit. 
"Labor is the result of sincere faith in Christ. Thus, if men do not labor, and are not willing to expend sacrifice for the gospel, it is hard to conclude that they possess any deep faith. Consider as well, that if men will not labor for something, you can know that they do not really value it as important.
"Ask a man to endure long hours at business, for his own personal gain, and he will gladly spend himself. But ask him to suffer for Christ, and the extension of the gospel and rarely will he respond favorably. Yet, those who will not deny himself for Christ, shall never be glorified with Him. All Christianity demands that men, after being saved, must endure some form of tribulation. There is no road that leads to Heaven, which will not entail bearing reproach, or suffering some form of persecution, because of faith in the Son of God.
""There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." It is because God is both with and in His people, that no worldly force can overcome them. Hence, it is never human strength that propels and allows a man to continue in the midst of persecution, but only the power of God’s Spirit. God is the strength of His people’s hearts, and time shall prove that His presence was more than sufficient in sustaining their ability to persevere."
Broadcast live on 05/29/2022

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-18

1 Thessalonians 2:13 "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the sixth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 2:13-18, primarily highlights why the Thessalonians were such a model of faith: "There is no verse so instructive as to why the Thessalonians were such a model of faith, than this one. Why their faith grew into love, and their love into hope, why they became examples to all other believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia, and why from them sounded out the Word of the Lord, that Word which proclaims Jesus as Lord—it was because they received the Word spoken to them, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God. It is this principle of how men receive the Word, which shall ultimately determine whether men believe the gospel or not, and also whether it is given opportunity enough to save their souls. It is impossible for men to gain true faith, and receive salvation from It, if they do not believe the gospel preached to them, has God as Its source. He then, who does not believe the truth, to be of God, cannot be saved by it.
"The Thessalonians, because of their astute spiritual perception, realized that the gospel that Paul and his companions brought to them, had its origin not in man, but in God. Knowing that the gospel was from above, and sent from God, is what prompted them to believe upon Jesus Christ. Because the Thessalonians believed that the Word preached to them had Its source in God, they heartily and with great joy received Its message. At the base then of all true belief, lies the internal confidence that the Word of God can be trusted, because of both Its spiritual nature and divine source. This is what made the Thessalonians’ faith so unique, and it is also what separates out and distinguishes those called by Christ today. Jesus’ sheep hear His voice, know that it comes from Christ, and upon hearing, will seek to obey Christ’s commands. 
"Jesus said, which is true concerning the entirety of the gospel He brought, that His words were both Spirit and life. (John 6:63b) "...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." By this it is meant that the words of Christ, contain the life and presence of God. Just as God’s breathing into Adam’s nostrils brought life to his organic body, so also has God’s breath brought life and holiness to the scriptures. It is for this reason that theBible is so vastly different from any other secular book ever written. Since It has Its origin in God, God’s spiritual life remains present in it. In truth, the Word of God is supernatural in every respect. Because It is given to us by God’s own person, and because it contains God’s presence, It has accompanying with It, God’s spiritual power.
"The way then that God’s Word will prove Itself as God’s Word is by Its ability to practically, albeit supernaturally, move things from one point to another. This will include the conversion of sinners, the healing of diseased bodies, bringing peace to a troubled soul, or anything else whereby God’s power changes things. This teaches us that there is no such thing as blind faith to those who believe, simply because through belief, the spiritual power of the Word of God, will be experienced."
Broadcast live on 05/15/2022

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12

1 Thessalonians 2:10: "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the fifth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 examines Paul's conduct among the Thessalonians, which is a model for all ministers: "How a man lives reveals the true character of his being. If a man is devout in his personal and everyday life, we can know his religion is pure. The opposite of a devout and holy man is a common man. This is someone who lives his life without any respect for the sacred Scriptures, fellowship with the Lord, internal devotion, or the pursuit of holiness in his heart. Natural men are both common and defiled by nature, having no desire to be holy. The unsaved will not sanctify God in their hearts nor have any real desire to pursue that characteristic of God that makes Him unique in creation. Yet without both holiness and sanctification, no man will see the Lord. Practically speaking, a common man, one who lacks the holiness of God, is unfit for Heaven. This is why, if a man does not seek holiness, he shall neither see nor experience God on this earth or in Heaven.
"A man’s religion, and the God he serves, is easily visible in the life he lives. So, if a religion is impure, it will be very apparent in the commonness its adherents live in. This teaches us that all religions can be seen as either clean or unclean by the people who practice them. The apostle’s life proved that his God was holy. Because of this, he could live in no other way than with holiness among the Thessalonians. Observe as well that a religion cannot be good if the people who practice it are not holy, since this is what the Lord demands of all who follow Him.
"A just man will have a strict code of conduct with others. It is only when we love our neighbors as ourselves that our dealings with them are fair, equitable, and generous. None should underestimate how righteous our dealings with other men must be if we are to properly fellowship with the Lord and witness for Him. There is no such thing as a righteous and holy man who does not deal thoughtfully and charitably with not only the people of God but  even those who are not."
"The Kingdom of God is that Kingdom where God will rule His people through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was this Kingdom that Jesus preached about. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This Kingdom, Jesus warned men, could not be entered simply by claiming to be Christian and without doing the will of God.
"At first glance, the definition of glory might not arouse a person’s attention, but when we realize that man in his fallen condition has no intrinsic value or worth, or any actual glory, then the word takes on a unique meaning. This means that sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God have, in fact, lost any reason why God should think well of them. The stain of sin makes those who commit it unworthy of possessing any heavenly value. If a man falls short of God’s glory, he has no intrinsic value or worth before God. Just as Jesus said that the flesh profiteth nothing, before a holy and righteous God, those of the flesh are devoid of worth themselves. Ultimately, for sinners to have standing or value in Heaven, they must be cleansed of their sin, given a holy nature from God, and made part of Christ’s celestial body.
"Because of the power given to him by Jesus Christ, every child of God shall share in divine glory. Because God’s new children have been given God’s nature, it is legally fitting that spiritual inheritance should be theirs. Inheritance is by relationship right, and because they possess the same holy nature as Christ, God’s new sons are promised to share eternally with God’s only begotten Son. And just as there is no such thing as a partial Savior, there is also no such thing as a partial spiritual inheritance."
Broadcast live on 05/01/2022