It's Not the End Yet!

Ps Melinda Song

People are intrigued by the mystery of the unknown future. Hence the popularity of astrology, fortune-telling and horoscopes.

So it is no surprise that Doomsday prophecies garner great interest among people, especially Christians when they involve the end of the world and the second coming of Christ.

But belief in end-time predictions seems to require a faith with a very short memory–you have to forget all the previous times the end was predicted that proved wrong in order to get excited about the most recent time-table. It is like the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

Let us take the example of the latest end-time prediction of the world ending on 23 September 2017. If David Meade had been right, all of us would not be here today.

If you remember, in my last message I spoke of my desire for TOP to be a Spirit and Truth Family Church that honours equally the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Word of God. As such it is my duty as your Pastor to address this issue that keeps cropping up to see how it aligns with the Word of God and how we should respond to it.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

On 16 September 2017, the headline on the front page of Fox News read, "Christian doomsdayers claim world will end next week."

It's under the heading "Science"!!! When you click on it, the article headline proclaims, "Biblical prophecy claims the world will end on Sept. 23, Christian numerologists claim."

How common are predictions that the end is at hand?

Wikipedia lists over 170 different religiously motivated predictions of the end of the world.

·     The first recorded one dates back to the year 66 and ancient Judea.

·     They seem to be a mostly Protestant pastime.

Why this prediction now? Wasn't there another big "apocalypse now" prediction a few years ago? 

Scholars say doomsday predictions cluster around certain events — the Great Plague of the Middle Ages, or the "harmonic convergence" of the planets, or the year 2000.

And there has been a long string of predictions in the last two decades.

1.   American Christian radio host Harold Camping stated that the Rapture and Judgment Day would take place on May 21, 2011. When that did not happen he recalibrated the date to five months later on October 21, 2011 which was also proven wrong.

2.   Then came the blood moon prophecy which is a series of apocalyptic beliefs promoted by Christian ministers John Hagee and Mark Biltz, which state that a tetrad (a series of four consecutive lunar eclipses—coinciding on Jewish holidays—with six full moons in between, and no intervening partial lunar eclipses) which began with the April 2014 lunar eclipse is a sign of the end times as described in the Bible in the Book of Joel, Acts 2:20 and Revelation 6:12. The tetrad ended with the lunar eclipse on September 27-28, 2015. Again nothing happened.

3.   The most recent prophecy is by conspiracy theorist and self-proclaimed Christian numerologist David Meade made international headlines over his claims that the world would end on 23 September 2017.

His comprehensive theory for the end times based on a mixture of supposed biblical studies and science centres around a non-existent planet Niburu which, he claimed, is due to collide with planet earth.

The suggestion was widely rubbished by experts including NASA with a spokesman saying: 'The planet in question, Niburu, doesn't exist, so there will be no collision.'

Clearly the end has been postponed again as we're all still here, but Meade – whose motivations must remain mysterious – has had an enormous amount of media attention.

Now is he claiming people misunderstood his theory, that Sept. 23 was merely a day of “signs.” He told Washington Post that “the world is not ending, but the world as we know it is ending. A major part of the world will not be the same the beginning of October.” His astrological omen interpretations are now meant to be figurative and foreboding omens to a “beginning of the end” (i.e., the tribulation) and the date was pushed back from a very specific “September 23” to “beginning of October.”

Doomsday prophets ALWAYS do this. Failed doomsday prophets don’t repent – they just dig in, change the date, and turn it into a metaphor.

A LOOK AT DAVID MEADE & HIS CLAIMS

1.   He claims to be a Christian numerologist. Rev. Ed Stetzer wrote in Christianity Today, “There is no such thing as a legitimate ‘Christian numerologist.’”

Numbers do have meaning in Scripture but there are no secret numerical codes that require a profession called “Christian numerology.” No seminary nor do any professional accredited institutions offer such a degree.

Whenever someone tells you they have found a secret number code in the Bible, everything else he or she says can be discounted.

There are numbers in the Bible but they don’t require a numerologist.

·     The number one denoting the singleness of the Creator as a unified being: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

·     The number three is used to signify perfection in the Trinity as well as completion: Jesus’ ministry on earth lasted three years and his resurrection occurred three days after his death.

·     The number seven—likely the most well-known of biblical numbers—is also used to show divine perfection and completeness. This can be seen in God’s creation of the world in six days and decision to Sabbath on the seventh as well as numerous Old Testament rituals and celebrations.

God uses numbers in Scripture as a means to communicate with his people, they aren’t to be put to inappropriate use, such as making wild claims and trying to predict the end of the world using numbers and planetary motions as Meade and others have.

2.   Meade doesn’t have any biblical training yet he is discussing biblical matters of profound significance and making predictions about events of global importance without any real authority on these topics.

3.   There’s also another strange detail that those touting the September 23 theories have somehow missed: The same celestial arrangement has reportedly already happened in 1827, 1483, 1293 and 1056 — all in the month of September.

BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE RETURN OF CHRIST?

Mark 13:32-37, NKJV

³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

As we look at events in the world today, we may wonder how history is going to turn out. We may even be confused and troubled about end times, ethnic hatreds, volatile economies, international strife, and the warnings of doomsayers may feel very unsettling.

Jesus' words in Mark 13, Matthew 24, and Lk 21:5-36 speak of these issues. The whole conversation started off with the disciples' comments on the solidity and significance of Jerusalem's major urban structure, the temple (Mk 3:1). Jesus replied by noting how temporary such structures actually are (13.2). Later, in a quiet setting (13:3), he entered into far more detail about the end of history as we know it and the stresses believers would undergo (13:4-37).

Rather than avoid he topic, he spoke of:

•      deception, wars, earthquakes, and famines as the beginning of troubles (13:5-8).

•      how his followers would experience testing as his witnesses before courts, rulers, and. kings (13:9-11).

•      how family members would turn against each other (13:12, 13).

•      how distress and deception would eventually reign, but such times would be limited by God (13:14-25).

•      his eventual return for his own (13:15-31).

•      the fact that no one knows precisely when he will return–and thus the need for his followers to be watchful and dutiful in serving God (13:32-37).

The fact that Jesus says no one knows the day or hour of His return means that it's utter foolishness to predict a specific day. Jesus knows the signs of his coming are sure, but the timing is not (Mk. 13:32,33,35,36).

End-time date-setting does not align with the Bible so we should stop predicting specific days or entertaining them.

WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE?

Before the Second coming of Christ and the end of the age, Jesus will first come for His Church in what is often called 'The Rapture' that could happen at any moment, when hundreds of millions of Christians are suddenly and stealthily removed from the earth without any definite signs.

Verse 33 – Take heed, watch and pray

Verse 35 – Watch

Verse 37 - And what I say to you, I say to ALL: Watch!”

1.   Since Jesus could come back for His people at anytime, we should always live with readiness to meet the Lord. We must be alert (not sleep) and watchful or vigilant, and not grow complacent thinking that the Lord is going to tarry long.

ARE YOU READY?

2.   Jesus is coming back for a radiant bride so let us say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12,13).

1 John 3;2-3), NLT

² Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. ³ And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. 

3.   The Master also left his property, his authority, and his work in the hands of his servants. He has given to his servant “each his work” so we should labour with all our might to make an impact for Him in our assigned tasks, since we have only one life to reach our generation.

We are not discounting biblical prophecy. We need to be students of Bible prophecy which should motivate us to live godly lives and do all that we can to reach our generation while we can.

THE NEED FOR SPIRIT AND TRUTH IN THE CHURCH

The apostle John in his first epistle tells us not to believe everything: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). We need to be discerning concerning things we choose to believe in.

We can’t just believe everything in the media; instead, we must think both carefully and critically about what we read, see and hear. We need to consider our sources and, when situations like this arise, be careful to seek out answers from people who actually know what they’re talking about. If those matters are of a spiritual or eternal nature we should look to the Bible for our answers.

Acts 17:11, NKJV

¹¹ These [Jews in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Gullibility is not a virtue. We need to develop a Christian mind that is able to carefully filter the beliefs and ideas being presented to us. Apply wisdom and cultivate a spirit of discernment.

It’s not crazy to look at world events and ponder whether the signs mentioned in the Bible are, in some form, coming to fruition; but it is bizarre and dangerous to start setting dates in violation of the very scripture you claim to hold dear.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Therefore, as another end-of-the-world prophecy fails, we ought to remember that:

A. WE STAND IN FAITH AND NOT FEAR

"...if indeed you continue in the faith, firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard" (Col 1:23).

The spirit of fear is rampant around the world and we must keep our hearts and minds fixed on God's goodness and His triumphant love. Faith is what pleases God (Heb 11:6). Jesus is coming back for us.

B. JESUS IS RETURNING FOR A RADIANT BRIDE

"Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Eph 5:25-27).

It is to the Father's glory that the Bride of Christ is ready for the return of the Bridegroom. He is looking for a Bride that is held in honour (radiant), free of moral faults (without stain), not old and tired (without wrinkle), blameless (holy), and free of any blemish (without moral blame or rebuke). UNTIL we demonstrate this reality, we have work to do. Let us pray that we would become a Bride that is fitting for the King.

C. THE LOST NEED TO BE SAVED

"Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come,' He said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news' " (Mark 1:14-15)!

We must never forget what we were commissioned to do — preach the gospel of the kingdom of God so that the lost will be saved and empowered for eternity. Every day until Jesus returns provides another opportunity for those in darkness to see the light. Let us use this time wisely as good stewards of this good news.

Every time end-of-the-world predictions resurface in the media, it is important that we ask ourselves, "Is this helpful? Is peddling these falsehoods a good way to contribute to meaningful, helpful discussions about the end times?"

Failed date-setting has discredited Christians many times before. It's irresponsible for any Christian to tell an unbeliever when Jesus is coming back or when the world will end. Dates and deadlines don't have the power to save souls—only the gospel can do that.

Our job is to preach the good news. All the storms, floods, fires, earthquakes, riots, political tension, terrorism and nuclear attacks have put fear and anxiety in people's hearts today. But the answer to all this bad news is not a doomsday prediction; the answer is Jesus, who gives us supernatural peace so we can live securely in a chaotic world.

We should tell about the miracle of Calvary and remind them: "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). Hundreds of thousands of people die every day without Jesus, whether or not He returns in their generation. This alone should motivate us to avoid foolish distractions and false prophecies so we can get busy with the task of evangelism.

One of the signs of Jesus’ return is that the gospel shall be preached to the ends of the earth.

D. WE ARE TO DO BUSINESS UNTIL HE RETURNS

"The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst" (Luke 17:20).

" So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’" (Luke 19:13, NKJV).

Let us do what we have been called to do and let God be God. Luther in response to the question of what he would do if he knew the end of the world would come the next day -- something to the effect of "I would plant a tree." This could mean that he would (1) continue to do what God put him here to do, and (2) live with hope.

CONCLUSION

Jesus Himself said all end-times date setting is strictly off-limits.

Acts 1:6-8, NIV

⁶ So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

As await the coming of our Lord and Master, our Bridegroom may we continue to:

•      Walk in faith and not in fear

•      Live godly and holy lives to be a radiant bride fitting for a King

•      Get busy with the task of evangelism

•      Be good stewards of the gifts, talents, treasure and time that God has given to us

People who get excited about supposed signs miss the point that Jesus made. Instead of setting dates, we ought to be ready for His return at any moment. Are you ready?

If you are, then you be able respond as the apostle John did.

Revelation 22:20, NIV

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

The Word and the Spirit

Ps Melinda Song

  

Ephesians 2:19-22, NIV

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

Roots and wings are a good principle to follow when raising children. Many children fall away when they leave home for further studies. Children need strong foundation and also the opportunity to be free to learn to make good decisions based on a sound value system.

The same root and wings principle applies in our spiritual lives as individuals and as a church. We need to be grounded in the word and have the freedom to embrace the new work God is doing in the midst of us.

With plants we typically observe what is above ground, not the important part that is underneath—its root system. Yet roots have great significance in plant health. Eighty percent of all plant disorders include soil/root problems.

God’s Word transforms our lives—healing, guiding, and changing the way we live.

Solid Anchor

The first major function of roots is to keep plants upright and stable. Redwood trees…about 100 meters tall have stood erect for [about a] thousand years only because millions of individual fibrous roots dig into the ground, even though the depth of penetration is only up to about 5 meters.

During great winds, vegetation with a well-established root system will not be knocked over or uprooted, while plants that are shallowly rooted can be easily destroyed.

Spiritually, this analogy reflects our Christian lives. Many “storms” are raging throughout the world—worsening immorality and perversion, civil conflicts, wild weather patterns, social disturbances, and crimes of every kind. If we are solidly rooted, we will be able to withstand the fury of what swirls around us. But if we lack healthy spiritual roots, we will not stand much of a chance.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Word is living, it is truth and it is sufficient for any and every situation or trial that we may experience in our lives (1 Peter 1:22-25; Psalm 19:7-14).

Moisture and Nourishment

The second major purpose for roots is to provide a plant with moisture and nourishment. The roots are the beginning of the vascular system pipeline that moves water and minerals from the soil up to the leaves and fruits.

Plants and trees make every effort to send down roots as far as possible—or out as far as possible—to get to the water and minerals they need. We must do likewise in searching for the eternal, life-giving nutrients that our Creator provides in His Word. The Bible tells us in John 17:17 that God’s Word is truth. Also, in John 6:63, Jesus stated “...the words [of truth] that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

Strong Immunity

It has been discovered that roots fend off diseases and viruses by producing antibiotic microorganisms to help fight off pathogens both in the soil and in the air.

Spiritually, the world is full of all kinds of wrong beliefs generated by false religious systems, which could be characterized as “religious diseases.” Those who have not built up a strong, healthy, spiritual root system have been unable to ward off these deadly spiritual viruses.

Led by The Spirit and Empowered

Without the Spirit there would be no church.

• The church was birthed by the Holy Spirit
• Men filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit became witnesses of God.
• Signs and wonders followed.
• The Holy Spirit directed Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch.
• Holy Spirit orchestrated the meeting between Peter and Cornelius
• Paul kept by the Spirit from preaching in Asia

Every step of the way, God had to renew their wineskins to receive His new wine! We must always be in step, in sync and aligned with the move of God.

Let’s take a look at our spiritual heritage.

Our Evangelical Heritage

• The Bible is the ultimate authority for life and faith
• The sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the Cross is the only means of salvation
• There must be “Born again” experience and a life long process of following Jesus
• Importance of the Great Commission

Our Pentecostal Heritage

In addition to our evangelical beliefs, Pentecostals also believe that:

• Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience from salvation and water baptism
• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today

Unfortunately there has been much “war” between the two camps.

They are caught in an either/or argument where people have to, or should choose between one or the other. Generally speaking, decisions are much more complex than simply choosing black or white. There is a whole spectrum of gray between black and white.

Arguing that there are only two pre-defined options in an argument keeps the options to respond limited and cannot be applied to every situation.

Jim Collins, a former Stanford Business School professor who spent six years researching great companies that had a track record of success over several generations. He grouped the great companies into gold medal and bronze medal categories. Bronze medal companies performed well over time. Gold medal companies performed extremely well over the same period. Collins wanted to find out what made the difference. His findings are written up in his best-selling book fc Built to Last. 

Collins observed that companies—like people—have a tendency to think in terms of "either-or" instead of "both-and." Most companies, he says, believe their options force them to choose between competing opportunities.

For example, a company can choose either to make a profit or to serve the needs of humanity. Collins then shows that highly visionary companies have the ability to embrace both extremes of a number of dimensions at the same time. Instead of choosing between A or B, these companies figure out a way to have both A and B.

This ability to resist the natural tendency to split the world into competing options, Collins argues, is one secret to a great organizations success.

As F. Scott Fitzgerald pointed out, “the test of first rate intelligence is the ability to hold opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”

In the physical world, quantum mechanics tells us that light has both particle-like and wave properties

Applying this to the spiritual level, we also believe that God is three-in-one; Jesus is the Lion and the lamb; both God’s sovereignty and human choice/responsibility have their part to play in salvation.

In the history of Christianity we can see the body of Christ swinging from one extreme to the other, rarely finding the middle way. Our tendency to swing is still present today but

God’s word and God’s Spirit have been working together since the beginning.

1. God created by His word, with His Spirit “hovering” throughout the process. (Genesis 1:2)
2. God’s written word is produced by the work of God’s Spirit: “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21 ).
3. In the life of our Savior, the word made flesh. After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, he returned, “in the power of the Spirit.” (Luke 4:14)  As he entered the synagogue of Nazareth, he read from Isaiah and applied it to himself. In Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…to proclaim.” And the power of the Spirit in which he ministered, leads him to “teach;” the Spirit leads him to “proclaim;” the Spirit’s power leads to “gracious words coming from his mouth.” (Luke 4:22)  In other words, the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus led to his teaching, preaching, and speaking God’s word.
4. In the book of Acts. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended and people declared the wonders of God. The early believers gathered together for a time of prayer.  At the end of their meeting, “The place where they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31) 
5. Conversion is both a work of the Holy Spirit and a work of God’s word. 

“So faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:18)

“Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.: (John 3:5-6, 8).

The seed of the gospel can only be responded to when germinated by the Holy Spirit. The Scripture is plain that that the word alone is not enough to enter and change the heart of natural man (who is hostile to God's word) but that the heart must be opened and the mind illumined by the concurrent work of the Spirit.

Ezekiel 37 is a wonderful illustration of the intimate connection between the power of God’s word and the work of God’s Spirit.  In this chapter, the prophet is taken into the wilderness and shown a pile of dried bones.  He is told to prophesy – to proclaim God’s word – to the dried bones.  As the prophet preaches to the bones, they come together, they grow sinews and flesh, and they stand in line.  They are described in the end, as “an exceedingly great army.”

The Word and the Spirit are not at opposite points on a spectrum; one cannot be truly spiritual without being truly biblical, and vice versa. Let’s apply the genius of “both/and" to the one organization that truly is built to last, the church.

In his book I Believe in the Church, David Watson writes:

All Word and no Spirit, we dry up;

All Spirit and no Word, we blow up;

Both Word and Spirit, we grow up

All Word no Spirit, we dry up

There churches which focus on the Word of God to the point of excluding the Spirit and anything possibly to do with the Spirit. In the end they become dry because the Holy Spirit that brings life to the Word of God is gone.

Furthermore, when the Word of God is misunderstood and misused to minimize the gifts and work of the Holy Spirit, dry orthodoxies develop. The “rules” become more important than the spirit and intent of God’s Word.

If one has too much knowledge and no evidence of the Holy Spirit, they can end up with puffed heads and walk in pride using their knowledge.

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1)

NOTE: We are not saying that all Word rich Christians are unloving or not spiritual but legalism, rigidity and religiosity is often the manifestation of being all Word and NO Spirit.

All Spirit and no Word, we blow up

When the ministry of the Spirit is done with a minimizing of the Word of God false doctrines and religious excesses can result. Believers may turn to a wrong spirit and follow every wind of doctrine and popular fad spiritual movement. Faith may become strong but will tend to be a groundless faith and turn counterfeit.

Others are too focused on the experiences of the Holy Spirit – as a church they end up seeking the experience rather than where the experience should be rooted (Jesus). In the end they are deceived and led astray.

Too much of the Holy Spirit without a foundation of the Word can lead to divination and mysticism.

“It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way” (Proverbs 19:2)

Both Word and Spirit, we grow up

The presence of the Spirit will be seen in a love for God’s word, a right understanding of that word, and a speaking of that word.

We should be committed to the absolute authority and accuracy of Scripture, even where it flies in the face of ecclesial tradition, contemporary culture or intellectual fashion.

We should be committed to experiencing (and not merely believing in) the presence and power of the Holy Spirit today, eagerly desiring spiritual gifts and bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

How to Fly a Kite

If wind conditions are good, face away from the wind and hold up your kite, letting it catch the wind. As the wind lifts the kite, let line out. If the wind slows or lulls, reel in some line back in to steady your kite.

Your line is the best way to maintain or regain control of your kite due to unexpected wind changes. The wind is like the Holy Spirit so we need the line to make sure we do not get blown away and get lost. But without the wind, the kite would not be able to do what it is meant to do – fly.

Our Rich Heritage

The largest Pentecostal denomination in existence today is the Assemblies of God with a membership of about 51 million worldwide. The preamble to our fundamental beliefs states that: The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice.

• #1 The Scriptures Inspired

The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2Tim 3:15 -17; 1Thes 2:13 ; 2Pet 1:21 ).

Another distinct Pentecostal belief is that there is a second work of the Holy Ghost after initial conversion, in which the Holy Ghost dwells more fully in the believer, and which opens one up to a closer fellowship with God, empowering him or her for Christian service.

• #6 The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect, and should earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church.

With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Lk 24:49; Ac 1:4, 8; 1Cor 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Ac 8:12 -17; 10:44 -46; 11:14 -16; 15:7-9).

With the Baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (Jn 7:37 -39; Ac 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Ac 2:43 ; Heb. 12:28 ), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Ac 2:42 ), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost (Mk 16:20 ).

My dream for TOP is this:

TOP is a Spirit and Truth Family Church that honours equally the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Word of God.

Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

Remember we are first a family of God and it is in the environment of loving and caring relationships in community that we grow as individuals and as a church.

May we love another, be rooted in the Word and Spirit-led and Spirit empowered.

Application in the Preaching of Grace

By Bryan Chapell

Goal of this lecture: To see how grace motivates and enables powerful application of Biblical truth for obedience and hope.

1. What is Application?

So you preached a fantastic sermon. Dr Rayburn's "So what?"

We are not ministers of information. We are ministers of transformation.

• The duty God requires of man.
• What the Scriptures principally teach
• What preachers principally preach

• The personal consequences of expounded truth.

We may know a lot of meaning but if we do not know it's significance, we do not really know it's meaning.

• Eg. What is the significance of the truth of the trinity? It's about a relational God.
• Eg. What's the significance of justification is by faith alone? Maybe it's to know that it's what Jesus did and not your good works.

• The attitude or behaviour a Biblical truth requires.

What should my heart do in response to this? Out of the heart are the issues of life (Prov 4:23)

• Application of biblical truth is not only about behaviour but about the attitude of the heart. If we can change behaviour but the heart has not changed, what is it's significance?
• We tend to focus on the exposition of Scripture and not on its application.
• Topical exposition where the source is from the text but the development is from everywhere else, we can use the word to say what we want. We need to get the topic, the main points, sub-points all from the text. Say what God says and not what I think. That is Expository preaching. Explanation, Illustration and Application all comes from the text.
• Explanation (exegesis, organisation, outline, argument) is not our goal in Expository preaching but it's Application.

What is important doesn't help you if you don't know why it's important.

The young may hear the Bible explained while growing up but they hear no relevance to their lives. They also did not see the impact of the word in their parents' lives. So they leave church once they leave the home.

2. How Important is Application?

• Broadus - "The main thing to be done".

• "If we leave it to men's choice to follow what is taught them, they will never move one foot. Therefore, the doctrine in itself profits nothing at all. - John Calvin (Sermon on 2Tim 4:1-2)

• Our Generational Experience (sola Spiritus)

Theologians sometimes objects to application because it's not the Pastor's job but that of the Holy Spirit. And that if we do try to apply we limit the work of the Holy Spirit. The Sola Spiritus (Spirit alone) argument.

• Just as we explain what the Spirit must ultimately interpret, we must apply what the Spirit will ultimately apply.

• Our Personal Ethos

The perceived character of the speaker.

Logos - verbal content. The written text.

Pathos - emotive content. Not just the message but the manner in which we say the message. If manner contradicts the message, which will we believe? Our manner has to reflect our message.

Ethos - credibility + compassion

Are you speaking truth or are you a truthful person? The most persuasive part of your message is whether you care or not.

• Logos - Explanation - Principles (least remembered except maybe the topic or inspiring thought)
• Pathos - Illustration - Demonstrate (last one likely to be remembered or the first one)
• Ethos - Application - Particular

(I will remember if I strongly disagree or the one I strongly agree)

This is only true as external memory. But there is also an internal memory, the message itself has a redemptive impact. We remember more than the content of the message, we remember the messenger (credibility and compassion). You can trust me but more than that you trust the word I represents. If application is avoided we damage the message. Move from the general to the particular application.

3. What are Perspectives on the "Place" of Application?

Traditional Practice: At the conclusion of the Exposition (ie at the end of the sermon; But consider advantages and disadvantages of Puritan tradition).

• Application that goes at the end of a sermon is a Puritan tradition. It follows a theological essay. Doctrine development from various passages. Followed by the uses. They became ministers of information instead of ministers of transformation. They were not thinking of how people were hearing. We have been thought to preach in an academic model.

Homiletical Advice: In each minor point's "Exposition" (ie integrating meaning and significance to expound understanding of the biblical text).

 

• Deductive Model (inverted pyramid)

The Homiletical advice means the Explanation, Illustration and Application is not the structure for the whole sermon but for each point. The introduction includes what and why. The application begins the message and not an afterthought. People are thinking even as we go along. We deduce the application from the principles.

• Inductive Models (conversational pyramid)

Application/Illustration, Illustration/Application and Explanation. Give people a reason for the subject. The reverse methodology is to start with the particular to the principle. That's where most people are at. We relate to our situations. We present the issues first and then what biblical principles apply.

• Integrated Models

Application from a Rhetorical need. ("Put a man in a hole" = Communications Model) And they want to know how to get out of the hole. Identifying the burden of the text.

Application from a Biblical FCF (Fallen Condition Focus). Identify a redemptive burden = Pastoral Model.

The "Swiss Cheese" effect of 2Tim 3:16-17, Rom 15:5. These are the holes in us. What is going to make them complete?

The Fallen Condition Focus Process.

• Identify the Big Idea of the text. The what question.
• Identify the Concerns causing the text (in context). The why question.
• Show how we Share the struggle (mutual condition). The how question. Mutual condition. How are we like them.

Pastoral effect: Truth❓Struggle

God gave you truth to help you with your struggles. Instead of burdening people we are shepherding people.

The common denominator of all the great preachers of all time is that they gave people hope.

Explanation, Illustration and Application are all needed for full exposition of a Biblical Text (though each has been debated in preaching history); but we still have questions regarding proportion, order and components.

4. What are Appropriate Proportions for Application?

We have a generic model but there is no generic congregation. Age, interest, occasions are decisions we make based on the demographics. We vary our Explanation, Illustration and Application proportions depending on who we are preaching to.

• It is the preacher's responsibility to both think of their congregations' capacities and necessities.
• Generic Model
• 1/3 Explanation
• 1/3 Illustration
• 1/3 Application 
• Appropriate Proportions for Application.
• The Seminary Error
• 2/3 Explanation
• 1/3 Illustration
• 1 sentence Application 
• The Popular Error
• 1 sentence Explanation
• 2/3 Illustration
• 1/3 Application 
• A Pastoral Model
• Audience - needs, learning, expectations, hostility
• Text - nature, subject
• Occasion

5. What are the Components of Application?

• Components of Explanation of Text.

General Processes

• Repeat it. Repeating is explanation.
• Re-state the truth in more familiar terms.
• Define terms or Describe people or events.
• Proof or Argument.

The most common is no. 2. We re-state in more familiar terms to be helpful to people. We know when not to keep going when it's clear and convincing. That's when we start applying.

• The Components of Application
• What should I do?  - Instructional Specificity. The what question. What does the text require me to do, believe, accept, change etc.
• Where should I do it? - Situational Specificity. Good application = situational specificity = Instructional Specificity. Where will it make a difference? Where should I do it? This is through the who door. Who needs to hear this? We don't identify them but their situation or struggle.
• Why should I do it? - Proper Motivation. The right things for the wrong reasons are wrong.
• How should I do it? - Proper Enablement. We may preach the first three but if we do not address the how, we are not just negligent but also cruel. How to do what you are told to do in Christ.

6. Prudent use of Application Options

• Open the horizon
• Reverse the train
• Turn the radio on
• Love a Puritan and a Parable.

7. What troubles us about Application

The four questions that application addresses are What, Where, Why and How.

• The Courage required to be specific. Considered the "Breaking Point". The call to change. Transformation hurts. It requires a confrontation with people. It's hard because we fear rejection.
• The interpretation required to be specific.
• Mistaking duties required by the text. Eg Jesus wore sandals, so we wear sandals. Samson is strong when he had long hair and weak when he had short hair, so we should all have short hair?
• Requiring duties not developed from the text.
• Not matching tone to task. Eg We angrily tell people they need to love.
• Confusing a "good idea" with a Biblical mandate. Eg You should have a 20 minute quiet time every morning. It's a good idea but not a mandate. A church can go to war over a good idea.
• The sense that the Holy Spirit is limited by requiring specific duties.
• The Grace that may be denied by requiring specific duties.

Is it ungracious to talk about duty?

1. To redeem from an empty way of life is gracious. 1Peter 1:18
2. To teach to say NO to ungodliness is gracious. Titus 2:12
3. To lead to the blessings of obedience and godliness is gracious. 
4. To teach that there is discipline for disobedience is gracious.

What is ungracious with regard to duty?

1. To teach that there is merit in obedience is ungracious.

Eg Sunday school teacher saying: If you are a good little girl, Jesus will love you. There is blessings in obedience but no merit in obedience. Isaiah 64:6

2. To teach that God rejects for disobedience is ungracious.

Romans 8:39. We are dependent upon the grace of God. Your obedience is not the basis of your acceptance or rejection.

3. To teach that God does not require godliness is ungracious. Lev 19:2, John 14:15
4. To teach the law apart from grace is ungracious.

You teach what is required but if it's not in the redemptive context of God it damages people. It is through grace that people response to obedience. The provision of God in Christ.

1. Teaching the "Deadly Be's" alone. They are not wrong in itself but is wrong by itself.

1. Be Like eg Be like Barnabas or David or Abraham except non of them were sinless. The exception is Jesus. But if you asked someone to be like Jesus you'll get 3 response: I can't. I can (The young rich man). Despair. Paul says follow my example even as I follow Christ (the redemptive context).

2. Be Good. It's not wrong in itself but wrong by itself. How good? We are required to be holy. Your status before God is not what you do but who you are in God.

3. Be Disciplined. Eg read your Bible, pray and go to church. After preaching that what do you say? Read more. Pray more. Go to church more. How much more? Do God love you more because you pray more? What did we make God to be? That he can be bribed by our works. We can't buy the affection of God or buy favour from God.

2. Teaching Polarities of Perspectives alone.

Liberal Christians vs Legalistic Christians. These are the two ends of the faith spectrum. The legalists says Moral Don't eg smoke, drink, gamble, modest dressing

Liberals says Social Do's eg care for the poor, environment, orphans, widows, tolerant. What it both does is to say your standing before God is based on what you do. They are not wrong in itself but wrong by itself. It's not a bad thing, it's bad theology. It's not based on works. 

8. How do we Properly Apply?

Regular use of ALL FOUR questions of Application. What, Where, Why, How.

• Provide Instructional Specificity (answering the What question):
• The specific instructions derived from and proved by the exposition's concepts and terms.
• The importance of "expositional rain".

What it is:

Consistent use of main points and/or sub-point key terms in applicational instructions. 

What it does:

Establishes your scriptural rationale.

Maintains your scriptural authority.

Overcomes the "Breaking Point".

We want to take them from truth to struggle. From principle to particular.

• Provide situational specificity (answering the Where question).
1. Identify where in real life the concept applies. Focus on what's appropriate for that group.
2. Be concrete by going in through the who door. If I try to speak to everyone, I will end up speaking to no one.
3. Spotlight one situation, then move quickly "unroll" (ie identify other situations your people face where the expositional principle also applies - "Don't fence me in").
4. Illustrate the application vs explanation - discover the motivation power of illustrations vs clarification power. The primary purpose of illustration is not to clarify but to motivate. To show how truth operates in real life eg a Human Interest Account.

• Provide Biblical Motivation (answering the Why question)
1. Love over Fear (self-protection)

If the primary purpose of serving God is so that he loves you, you are actually serving yourself. If we motivate by fear rather than love, they cannot serve him. Why do we do things for God? Because we love him. Biblical fear is not terror. It's reverence. He never punishes his children, to impose penalty to damage you for wrong. He may hurt you but he won't harm you. Christ took ALL the punishment on the cross. God disciplines not punish.

2. Gratitude over Gain (self-promotion)

We are not bribing them. If we are faithful we will want what he wants.

The motive hierarchy (Why should I do what God requires?)

• Love for God (motivated God's gracious character in the text). This has to be the first motivation. We live and die for him.
• Love for others (motivated by love for those our God loves). If we love God above all else we will love all that Jesus loves.
• Love for self (motivated by love for the person my God loves). There is a proper love for self. There are self destructive people who hates themselves. We need to remind people they are God's special people and they are the temple of the Holy Spirit and it's okay to love themselves.

The motivation layers (maintaining proper reasons for repentance)

• What can change.
• Fellowship
• Blessings
• Our assurance
• His delight in our actions
• Discipline
• Conviction
• What cannot change
• Sonship
• Welfare
• His affection
• His desire for our good
• Destiny
• Justification (no condemnation)

In Christ-centred (grace oriented) preaching the rules don't change; the reasons do.

Luke 14:27 Rom 15:4

9. How does God reveal his gracious character?

Answer: Through "Christ-centred exposition" that discloses the grace in all Scripture culminating in Christ.

• Alternative Approaches (Redemptive/Historical; Doctrinal Instruction; Relation Interaction; Literary Motif)
1. Predictive of the Work of Christ

Prophecies in the OT.

2. Preparatory for the Work of Christ

John the Baptist. Passover. The sacrificial system. Tabernacle. Jesus tabernacled among the people. All has been a dead end to prepare us for the perfect sacrifice. He will provide what we cannot provide for ourselves. 

3. Reflective of the Work of Christ

The most common way of identifying God's grace in our lives. The still small voice of God to Elijah who ran into the dessert after a great victory. He called a stiff neck people his treasured possession. A faithful God who gave land back to the unfaithful. He reveals his gracious character in taking care of people who cannot take care of themselves. His affection drives them to obedience.

4. Resultant of the Work of Christ

This is after Christ, the epistles. How can we sinful people now go boldly to the throne of God. It's the result of the great high priest that have made the way for us. The Holy Spirit interceding on our behalf.

• Universal Approach (Two lenses to uses in all contexts)
1. God's nature which provides the work of Christ.
2. Our nature which requires the work of Christ

Ask what does this text tell me about God and what does this text tell me about me. When we ask these questions, it will help us see the redemptive plan of God.

10. What is the Purpose of Expounding Grace from All Scripture?

• Too many people confuse their Who and their Do (ie confuse their justification with their sanctification). The young ruler asked "what must I do?"
1. What we do does not determine who we are
2. Who we are determines what we do

• Faithful exposition shows the "imperative rests on the indicative and the order is not reversible" (Deut 5:6; Epistle structure Heb 10:14).

If you capture that truth, it will change all your relationships with people.

11. How does Expounding Grace enable the Application of Scripture?

How do we discover the power for Christian Living. What gives people the power to obey God?

• Knowledge is Power.
1. Proper knowledge  - What honours God and Blessed US (Doctrine and Duty). What to do and Who God is.
2. Who you are. You are human. Susceptible to sin. Vulnerable and helped by practical; But they are also Redeemed - loved by the father, united to Christ, in-dwelt by the Spirit = New Creation - 2Cor 5:17, Gal 2:20, 1John 4:4.
• Love is Power.

What is the primary reason the Redeemed sin? Because we love it. How do we overcome love for sin? A greater love!

1. What is the source of love? 1John4:19 - we love because…
2. What is the effect of love?
1. Holiness: Love to walk with him. John 14:15 - If you love  me… Titus 2:11,12 - The Grace of God teaches us.
2. Service: Love of what and whom he loves. 2Cor 5:14 - the love of Christ controls. Matt 25:40 - as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Not just obedience but want to.
3. How to build love? Means of Grace (prayer, fellowship) is not Means to Grace (not what we do to obtain favour) (what if we see it as bread and not barter).

Conclusion: Filling up the heart with the Power of Grace.

Bryan Chapell is the Senior Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL and President Emeritus of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is known globally as an established preacher, teacher and speaker especially in the area of homiletics. Bryan has also authored several books, including Unlimited Grace, Each for the Other, Holiness by Grace, Praying Backwards, The Gospel According to Daniel and The Hardest Sermons You’ll Ever Have to Preach and Christ-Centered Preaching—a preaching textbook that is now in multiple editions and languages. Bryan and his wife, Kathy, have four adult children, a growing number of grandchildren. He lives rich with friends, fishing and faith.