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OUTLINE FOR BIBLE STUDY MONDAY, 4-28-25

“PILLARS OF THE FAITH,”

JN. 8:1-9 (KJV)

John 8:1-9 (KJV)
¹  Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
  ²  And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
   ³  And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
  ⁴  They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
  ⁵  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
⁶  This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
⁷  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
⁸  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
⁹  And they which heard it, being convicted (Strngs. 1651) by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

The 39th. Pillar of the Faith, “Conviction.”

CONVICTED, JN. 8:9, DEFINED

Greek Strong's Number: 1651

Greek Word:  ἐλέγχω

Transliteration:  elenchō

Phonetic Pronunciation:el-eng'-kho

Root:  of uncertain affinity

Cross Reference: TDNT - 2:473,221

Part of Speech: v

Vine's Words:  Convict, Convince, Fault, Faultless, Rebuke, Reproof, Reprove

Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV:

reprove 6
rebuke 5
convince 4
tell (one's) fault 1
convict 1
[Total Count: 17]

of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish :- convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.

Convict – Strngs. 1651, Elencho, signifies (a) “to convict, confute, refute,” usually with the suggestion of putting the convicted person to shame; see Matt. 18:15 (KJV), where more than telling the offender his fault is in view; it is used of “convicting” of sin,  Jn. 8:46 (KJV);16:8 (KJV); gainsayers in regard to the faith, Titus 1:9 (KJV); transgressors of the Law,  James 2:9 (KJV); some texts have the verb in  John 8:9; (b) “to reprove,” 1 Cor. 14:24, RV (for KJV, “convince”), for the unbeliever is there viewed as being reproved for, or “convicted” of, his sinful state; so in  Luke 3:19 (KJV); it is used of reproving works,  John 3:20 (KJV); Eph. 5:11, 13 (KJV); 1 Tim. 5:20 (KJV); 2 Tim. 4:2 (KJV); Titus 1:13 (KJV); 2:15 (KJV); all these speak of reproof by word of mouth. In  Heb. 12:5 (KJV), and Rev. 3:19 (KJV), the word is used of reproving by action.

John 16:7-12 (KJV) 
  ⁷  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
  ⁸  And when he is come, he will reprove (Strngs. 1651)the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
⁹  Of sin, because they believe not on me;
  ¹⁰  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
  ¹¹  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
  ¹²  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

James 2:9 (KJV)
⁹  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced (Strngs. 1651) of the law as transgressors.

Matthew 18:15 (KJV)
   ¹⁵  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

John 8:46 (KJV)
⁴⁶  Which of you convinceth (Strngs. 1651) me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

Titus 1:9 (KJV) 
⁹  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince (Strngs. 1651) the gainsayers.

James 2:9 (KJV)
⁹  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced (Strngs. 1651) of the law as transgressors.

Luke 3:19 (KJV)
¹⁹  But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved (Strngs. 1651) by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done.

John 3:20 (KJV)
²⁰  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (Strngs. 1651).

Ephesians 5:11 (KJV)
¹¹  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (Strngs. 1651)  them.

Ephesians 5:13 (KJV)
¹³  But all things that are reproved (Strngs. 1651) are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

1 Timothy 5:20 (KJV)
²⁰  Them that sin rebuke (Strngs. 1651) before all, that others also may fear.

2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV)
²  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, (Strngs. 1651)  rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Titus 1:13 (KJV)
¹³  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke (Strngs. 1651) them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.

Titus 2:15 (KJV)
¹⁵  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke (Strngs. 1651) with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Hebrews 12:5 (KJV)
⁵  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked (Strngs. 1651) of him.

Revelation 3:19 (KJV)
   ¹⁹  As many as I love, I rebuke (Strngs. 1651) and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

In my experience growing up in the Church, this term “conviction”  was used quite a bit, but in present times not as much, if at all. There was a time when Christians saw conviction as a necessary part of our faith walk. If we are to be true to our salvation experience we must be convicted, or be aware that we have done wrong and need to repent, make a course correction, change our mind, go back and make it right, apologize, ask for forgiveness, or whatever was necessary to make right what have been wronged. It seems that in this generation Christians are less likely to come under conviction and even less likely to make right wrongs committed. This is a tragedy because without it there is not genuine fellowship between us. Conviction is taught in Scripture and expected to be part and parcel of our faith walk to the glory of God. It is a sign of spiritual maturity.

OUTLINE FOR SUNDAY MESSAGE, 5-15-22
“THE SHIFTING OF GOD, PT. II,”
1 COR. 14:33, 40 (NLT)
 
Holy Bible, New Living Translation
 
^{1Co 14:33} For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the other churches. ⁷
 
Holy Bible, New Living Translation
 
^{1Co 14:40} But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.
 
Shifting defined (Webster’s New World Dictionary) – To change the arrangement of (gears). To change direction, position, etc.

Order defined – from <G5021> (tasso); regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity :- order.
 

Shifting, or another word that we may use is changing, is a part of life. We’re constantly shifting, and changing as we go through life, especially if you’re set on accomplishing something, being an achiever, bettering yourself, educating yourself, excelling on your job, your business, etc. We are constantly shifting and rearranging in our environment. Biblically, one of the greatest shifts was when the Lord was transitioning His people from the Old Testament Law under Moses, to grace and truth under the New Covenant through Christ. The Jewish people truly were challenged in making that shift as witnessed by the preaching of Dea. Stephen in Acts 7: 51-53 (KJV): ⁵¹  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. ⁵²  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: ⁵³  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. Since Adam’s sin there have been divine shiftings to the order of God. The flood, the Egyptian exodus, the Jewish diaspora, the Law of Moses, the New Covenant, and to this day, God’s divine shifting and rearranging to His order is going on in the earth. We may not call it divine shifting, we may not recognize it as divine shifting, nevertheless, divine shifting it is. With His people, the Jews, God had to reveal to them that divine shifting was happening in their generation, Matt. 9:14-17 (KJV): ¹⁴  Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? ¹⁵  And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. ¹⁶  No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. ¹⁷  Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. Jesus was revealing to His disciples that while He was with them there was no need for the outward religious formality of fasting, which was a type of mourning, when His ministry was the answer to the dilemma of man and the fulfillment of all that the law pointed to. He drew an analogy between Himself and the bridegroom of a marriage feast. While the wedding party was with the bridegroom it was a time of celebration. So too, the disciples were to celebrate the divine shifting of God in their generation as God was preparing His bride, the Church, for their wedding feast future. Also, to further reveal the divine shifting of God in that day, the Lord explains that no one would attempt to sew new pieces of clothing to old clothing because the new would take away from the old creating a worse situation. So also putting new wine into old bottles, since the violence of the fermentation would burst the old bottles, therefore you must put new wine into new bottles, and the new bottles would be viable enough to stretch with the fermentation. These have been interpreted as you can’t mix Judaism with the gospel message of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and that the gospel message will not mix with the old unregenerated mindset, but the message of grace can only mix with that spirit and mind that has been born again. The focus being that there was a divine shifting and in order for the people of God to flow with the divine shifting of God they had to shift as well.
 
WE’RE CONSTANTLY SHIFTING
The Amplified Bible
 
^{Ro 12:2} Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Change moves us out of our comfort zone. Most people do not like change for that reason. Comfort is an enemy to change. Shifting is changing and changing is shifting. Just like the gears in a transmission when a vehicle gets to a certain speed, in order that that vehicle ride smoothly and flow with the faster speed, that transmission must shift. If it does not shift, it may get you to your destination but it will take much longer, not to mention, you could burn up your engine or transmission or both trying to run a faster speed in a gear that was not designed to run at faster speeds for long periods of time. The transmission shifts in order that you travel smoothly at faster speeds. It’s less wear and tear on the engine, transmission, and burns less gas when shifting to the proper gear. The vehicle runs smoother. Life is a series of shiftings and changes throughout, and if we are to flow smoothly in life then we must be able to shift with it. For instance, if I’m expanding in my business then I must also shift mentally to accept more responsibilities, possibly hiring more people to cover the extra business now coming in, be prepared for more hours working during the transition, perhaps training to learn how better to handle the expansion, and everything that comes with growth. You’ve got to make that shift to keep up. When a person desires to become, lets say, a doctor, then they invest into a College tuition in order that they shift their education to receive the learning for that field. As we go through life we’re constantly shifting and changing to accommodate for our destinies, and purposes that we have been placed on this planet for, and our choices. As Rom. 12:2 above reveals, that God is shifting and changing our thinking to be able to flow with His will, purposes and plans for our lives. The Jewish people struggled with shifting with the plans and purposes of God. Men, as a whole, have struggled with shifting with His will as well. There were those though, that God always had reserved to Himself, who were always able to make that shift with Him so that when He moved they moved. When He stopped, they stopped. When God said now, they moved. When God said not now, they didn’t move. As the fire by night and the cloud by day led the Israelites in days of old, His remnant was always able to shift with His will. The Lord recorded many of these in Heb. 11, the hall of faith and a commentary on their faith, Heb. 11: 13-16 (NIV): ^{Heb 11:13} All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; ⁱ  they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. ^j  And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. ^{k  Heb 11:14} People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ^{Heb 11:15} If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ^{l  Heb 11:16} Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. ^m  Therefore God is not ashamed ⁿ  to be called their God, ^o  for he has prepared a city ^p  for them. In this year of 2022, the shifting continues. Let us be that remnant that shifts with Him. 

OUTLINE FOR BIBLE STUDY MONDAY, 5-9-22
“KINGDOM VISION, KINGDOM GIVING,”
PR. 29:18 (NKJV)
 
Proverbs 29:18 (NKJV)
¹⁸  Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
 
Without a vision of where we want to go, where we want to be in the future, and a picture in our minds of that destination, giving will also be affected because the question is what are we sowing toward? What are we sowing into? What are we sowing for? That’s why casting the vision for any visionary is so important. The focus from the start of my ministry here at CCC has been the same, “Building Lives Through The Message of Christ.” Of course I understand that there’s more to vision than just a slogan, but from the beginning I have based whatever we do in ministry around building the people. The people are the vision from the standpoint of encouraging faith, the Word, a personal relationship with the Lord, walking in love, excellence and integrity, walking in the Spirit, and from the cradle to the grave, providing Biblical based activities, teachings, ministries, worship services, Bible studies, etc., for the spiritual upbuilding of God’s people. Vision, as it relates to the Church, must be centered around the Word of God, the Bible. The message of Christ must be the center of attraction. Having vision drives everything else that will be necessary for bringing the vision to pass. Vision is the drive, the engine, the pusher and puller, the motivation, the fire, the pick-me-up, the lightning rod, that will buoy us until the vision is brought to pass. Vision is everything that it will take to make it happen.
 
CATCHING THE VISION
Catching the vision, or getting people to buy into the vision and taking ownership of the vision themselves is key to getting people to sow into the vision of their own resources. In order that that may happen there are 3 things that are foremost to get others to catch the vision. 1. For Christians, first and foremost, did that visionary hear from God on the direction that he wants to go, 2. What’s in it for those that he’s asking to accept the vision, and 3. How will that vision impact the immediate world around them and those they love. So let’s take these one at a time and I will give my view on each.
 

1. Did the visionary hear from God on the direction that he wants to go?

I know that God called me into ministry as I have shared many times to the Partners of CCC. I believe that God led me out to Calvary and that the vision that I have shared with the Partners of CCC is what God has placed in my heart long before I ever came to Calvary. I’m doing what God called me to do, whether it would have been at Calvary or wherever the Lord would have sent me. It just so happens to be Calvary Christian Center. Therefore, the answer to #1 is yes, I heard from God on the direction that I am headed in the ministry.
 

1. What’s in the vision for those that I’m asking to accept it?

Building a ministry that our children’s children will be blessed by. If God is with us, and I believe He is, then the vision for our personal lives will be intertwined with the vision for the ministry and that these will be a testimony to our faith, that we believed God and brought the vision for our personal lives and for the ministry to pass. Our children will be inspired by our faith and in turn do greater things in their generation all to the glory of God. And then finally, the greatest blessing will be that we obeyed God and glorified Him in order that His will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. Amen!
 

1. How will that vision impact the immediate world around them and those they love?

Our light will shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in Heaven, Matt. 5: 13-16 (KJV):
 
Matthew 5:13-16 (KJV)
¹³  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
¹⁴  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
¹⁵  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
¹⁶  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
 

We will have fulfilled our commission as the Church, and preached the gospel to a dying world, Matt. 28:18-20 (KJV):
 
Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)
¹⁸  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
¹⁹  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
²⁰  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.       

And we will have been the witness that God called us to be to the world in these last days, Acts 1:8 (KJV):
 
Acts 1:8 (KJV)
⁸  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
 
As our text reveals, without a vision the people cast off restraint, discipline, limits, restrictions, guidelines, laws, and the character necessary to bring the vision to pass.
 
Habakkuk 2:2-4 (KJV)
²  And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
³  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
⁴  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. 

OUTLINE FOR SUNDAY MESSAGE, 5-8-22
“THE COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE,”
EPH. 6:1-4 (KJV); PR. 31:10, 25-31 (KJV)
 
Ephesians 6:1-4 (KJV)
¹  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
²  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
³  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
⁴  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
 
Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)
¹⁰  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
 
Proverbs 31:25-31 (KJV)
²⁵  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
²⁹  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
³⁰  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
³¹  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
 
 
Today is a very special day for so many since we celebrate the givers of life, our Mothers. The blessedness of honoring our parents is witnessed in our text, Eph. 6:1, the first commandment with a promise, that if we obey this commandment of honoring and obeying our parents, the results are longevity of life. We’ll receive much of that longevity just by the wisdom of their advice. Divine providence though, dictates longevity of life to those who will obey God’s Word, and honor their parents. Today, though, we celebrate a Mother’s love.
 
A VIRTUOUS WOMAN
As we celebrate today, my own memories of my Mother are nothing but a Pr. 31 Mother. My Mother is all that Pr. 31 says about a woman of God. As a young man growing up with my 3 brothers Vincent, Terry, and Chris, and my 2 sisters, Carol, and Denise, my brothers and I would play in the woods for hours at a time. We would play army, build make-shift tents, with our dogs, whom we loved being with. We would eat the berries, grapes, and enjoyed one another’s companhy and adventurous ideas. But if we got a whiff of Mama’s fried chicken cooking, then it was time to go, and we would be on our way home to eat. Times were so innocent then. We didn’t think much of politics, racism, or what was going on around the world. We were just enjoying each other and enjoying life. As we got older, we all went off into the military. Vince & myself joined the Army, Terry, the Marines, & Chris, the Air Force. When we would come home, Mama would fix whatever each one of our favorite dishes were. My favorite was her pot roast. It was so tender, when a fork got close to it, the meat would just separate. It was delicious. On Sundays, after Sunday dinner, we would all watch whatever football game was playing, and before it was over, the football game was watching us. We’d all fall asleep. But these are the memories that I have of my childhood and youth growing up to adulthood. I always have fond memories of my Mama and how she is a Pr. 31 Mother. 
 
HONORING OUR PARENTS
As we celebrate Mothers today, we celebrate every time they were there for every important event of our lives, how they loved us through the years, unconditionally, always there, always understanding, always seeing the best in us. Mothers are the gift of God to us. The greatest way that children can honor their Mothers is to listen to what their Mothers are telling them. God’s love can be seen through a Mother’s love. He loves us unconditionally, always there for us, always believing in us and seeing the best in us. Those of us who are blessed to have our Mothers with us should love on them and plant their flowers on them while we have them with us. I truly thank God for my Mother, and all of the sunshine she has brought into my life and continues to bring in my life and I say to her and to all of the Mothers today, happy Mothers Day, and may the Lord bless you to see many many more. 

OUTLINE FOR BIBLE STUDY MONDAY, 5-2-22
“KINGDOM VISION, KINGDOM GIVING,”
MATT. 13:44-46 (KJV)
 
Matthew 13:44-46 (KJV)
⁴⁴  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
⁴⁵  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
⁴⁶  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
 
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure & the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price are awesome analogies between them and the kingdom. As in the parable of the hidden treasure, when the man discovered the hidden treasure in the field, understanding the value of it, and then selling all that he had to purchase that field, so is the Believer who, when he discovers God’s plan of salvation, he then seeks the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all the other things needful in this life God would supply, understanding the value of his salvation in eternity. As in the parable of the pearl of great price when the merchant, searching for a good pearl, discovers a pearl of great price and realizing it’s value, sold all that he had and bought it, again, realizing it’s value, the same with the Believer, who when discovers God’s plan of salvation, sells out to God, putting Him first in his life from that day forward.

 
THE VALUE OF THE KINGDOM

The kingdom is called that because it is where the King has dominion. That King is Jesus Christ. He is Lord. Both of these parables start out with the following: “The kingdom of Heaven is like unto,” therefore it’s drawing an analogy between how we value the kingdom and how the man who found the hidden treasure valued that treasure, and how the merchant man valued the pearl of great price. In both parables the men demonstrated how they valued these by making them priority to have in both their lives. They sold all that they had to purchase them. In other words, it meant more to them to have than all of their possessions.

 
THE KINGDOM

Is that now what the Word teaches us about the kingdom of Heaven? No doubt scripture clearly teaches us that the kingdom must be priority in the lives of Believers, Matt. 6:33 (KJV), and that these possessions on earth are not to take priority over the kingdom, Matt. 19:16-29 (KJV):
 
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
³³  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 
Matthew 19:16-29 (KJV)
¹⁶  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
¹⁷  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
¹⁸  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
¹⁹  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
²⁰  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
²¹  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
²²  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
²³  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
²⁴  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
²⁵  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
²⁶  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
²⁷  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
²⁸  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
²⁹  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
 
I personally don’t think that the focus was so much on the young man’s possessions, but to reveal his heart condition, because later in the chapter when Peter mentioned to the Lord that he and the other disciples had left all to follow Him, Jesus replied that they would receive a hundredfold more possessions, and in the life to come, eternal life. The focus was to make the kingdom priority and this is what scripture teaches. Here lies the power of prayer. In prayer, God will reveal our true selves to us because prayer is so much more than petitioning God, but is a time of getting into His Presence and letting the Holy Spirit reveal to us those things that shouldn’t be and trusting those matters to God, and He, in turn, strengthens us, empowers us, leads us and guides us into all truth. It’s the matters of the heart that is the central focus of these passages and where we are, as it relates to these. Our hearts must be pure before God if the kingdom is to be first. A God-first mentality is taught throughout His Word without which we would surely end up as the young man who’s possessions had him more than he had them.
 
 
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM WORTH TO US?
 
So, what is the kingdom worth to us? What kind of question is that? Everyone’s probably thinking, the kingdom of Heaven is priceless. Well, of course it is. It’s worth more than anything our little finite minds can think of. I’ll put it another way, in a more personal way. What is the kingdom worth to you? How valuable is the kingdom to you? How valuable is my salvation, my relationship with God, His Holy Spirit, His Word, eternal life and all that makes up the revelation of the kingdom given to us by the Word of God? What is more precious to us than the message of the kingdom and it’s reality in our lives? Is there anything that has our hearts more than God? These are the questions we all should ask ourselves periodically and be honest to ourselves because God already knows. He won’t be anything but first in our lives, Ex. 20:1-6 (KJV):
 
Exodus 20:1-6 (KJV)
¹  And God spake all these words, saying,
²  I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
³  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
⁴  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
⁵  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
⁶  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

OUTLINE FOR SUNDAY MESSAGE, 5-1-22
“THE SHIFTING OF GOD,”
1 COR. 14:33, 40 (NLT)
 
Holy Bible, New Living Translation
 
^{1Co 14:33} For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the other churches. ⁷
 
Holy Bible, New Living Translation
 
^{1Co 14:40} But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.
 
Shifting defined – To change the arrangement of (gears). To change direction, position, etc.
Order defined – from <G5021> (tasso); regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity :- order.
 
As we have already taught in our message on the theme for 2022, that 20 is the symbol of divine order and 2 is an emblem of unity, for instance, as the husband and wife are one. Our God is the God of order and we are His people, a people of order, 1 Cor. 14:33. Order is the life of the Believer. Whatever is out of order in our lives, as we walk by faith and not by sight, He brings in order. He’s bringing order in marriage relationships, relationships that have been fractured between parents and children, relationships between the saints with other saints, order in our Churches, our land, in our personal lives, our finances, in our relationship with Him, our relationship with others, loved ones, and all that is out of His order, He’s bringing in order to His glory. When we find ourselves in the order or God He’ll work all things together for our good, Rom. 8:28 (NLT): ^{Ro 8:28} And we know that God causes everything to work together ¹¹ for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.   
 
In Rom. 8:28 we have a promise from God that He will work all things together for our good, even those things beyond our understanding. Man is intrinsically sinful and from Genesis to Revelation always unstable apart from God. It is a mystery to how much God is involved in the everyday affairs of men, but one thing is for sure, the One who spoke the worlds into existence, that spun the stars into the sky, and breathe the breath of life into the man He created, is in control. Even when we think He’s not, God is still in control. When King Solomon had completed the building of the temple and dedicated it and prayed to God, the Lord responded to Solomon’s prayer in 2 Chron. 7:12-16 (KJV): ¹²  And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
¹³  If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
¹⁴  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
¹⁵  Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
¹⁶  For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
This land needs healing, this country needs healing, people need healing. The Body of Christ is in the best position to affect that change as seen in 2 Chron. 7:12-16, through the power of prayer. God will bring order out of our chaos when we turn to Him trusting His wisdom above our own, understanding that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, and we’re finite in ourselves. We trust Him to bring order to our land, order to our personal lives, order to our Churches, that the Kingdom of God be established in the earth.
 
When God led the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, He led them in a cloud by day and a fire by night, Ex. 13:17-22 (KJV):   
¹⁷  And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
¹⁸  But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
¹⁹  And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
²⁰  And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
²¹  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
²²  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
 
Wherever the cloud moved the people of God moved with the glory cloud. The same with the fire by night. Whenever these picked up and moved then the people moved with them. To be more precise, they moved when God moved. We too, the people of God today, must move with the glory cloud. The cloud by day and the fire by night for the people of God today is the Word of God, Ps. 119:105 (KJV):
¹⁰⁵
 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
 
The Word of God is our cloud by day and our fire by night. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and our Guide. He will lead us into all truth. Faith in His Word will accommodate the necessary shifting and rearranging to His divine order. That order that the enemy have attempted to disrupt since the beginning of man’s sojourn on the earth and what has been the desire of the Father from the foundation of the world. That order is found in the Word of God and has not changed though much has changed in the world. Order comes to our lives when we walk by faith. With the order of God comes the blessings of God upon the lives of His people, 2 Chron. 7:14 (KJV); Josh. 1:8 (KJV); 1 Jn. 5:14, 15 (KJV); Mk. 11:22-24 (KJV).
 
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
¹⁴  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
 
Joshua 1:8 (KJV)
⁸  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
 
1 John 5:14-15 (KJV)
¹⁴  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
¹⁵  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
 
 
 Mark 11:22-24 (KJV)
²²  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
²³  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
²⁴  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
The challenge for many Christians is the battle between our spirit man and our carnal man so that, if not careful, we’ll lean towards the scriptures that we like and shun the scriptures that shine light on our sinfulness, but that’s exactly the purpose of the Word. The Word illuminates the path ahead for us and reveals our wrongs and the devices of the enemy. God’s Word is His salvation plan revealed to us. Therefore we’ll always be shifting from one level of faith to the next level as we mature in the things of God. One thing is for sure, there is a shifting going on, and will always be going on, in the kingdom and we should welcome any shifting that aligns us more with the order of God.