Video Messages
OUTLINE FOR SUNDAY MESSAGE, 1-18-26
“2026, THE YEAR OF THE OPEN HEAVEN, PT. IV,”
1 COR. 13:13 (KJV)
1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV)
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Abiding in God’s love is to keep His commandments, hence the faith (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God), love (If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love), connection.
Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian, Gal. 5:22. Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, John 14:15, 21, 22; 15:10; 1 John 2:5; 5:3; 2 John 6.
1 John 2:5 (KJV): 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 5:3 (KJV)
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
2 John 6 (KJV)
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Perfected, 1 Jn. 2:5, Defined
Greek teleio, pronounced tel-i-o-o, Strongs G5048; from G5046, to complete that is (literally) accomplish or (figuratively) consummate (in character):-consecrate, finish, fulfil, (make)perfect.
Matthew 5:43–48 (KJV)
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children (Xrf. Matt. 18:3, 4; Mk. 10:14, 15; Lk. 18:16, 17) of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Perfect, Matt. 5:48, Defined
Greek teleios, pronounced tel-i-os, Strongs G5046; From G5056, complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun with G3588) completeness:-of full age, man, perfect.
In the above scriptures love is defined as being mature in Christian character, xrf. Gal. 5:22, 23. As we have shown in previous messages that we have everything to do with walking under an open Heaven by walking in God’s revealed will. To love God is to keep His commandments or His Word. Rom. 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, hence the connection between love, faith, and walking under an open Heaven. To walk under an open Heaven is to walk in the blessings of God, walking in the promises, and in the divine favor of God. It’s His good pleasure to give His children the kingdom, Lk. 12:32.
Self-will, that is self-pleasing, is the negation of love to God. Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom. 15:2, Romans 15:2 (KJV): 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification, and works no ill to any, 1 Cor. 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 (KJV):
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Love seeks opportunity to do good to all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith, Gal. 6:10. Xrf. 1 Cor. 13 and Col. 3:12-14. Galatians 6:10 (KJV):
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Colossians 3:12–14 (KJV)
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant love and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects producing and fostering a reverential love in them towards the Giver, and a practical love towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV):
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Here is the conclusion of the matter. To walk under an open Heaven is to abide in His love. To abide in His love is to keep His commandments. To keep His commandments is to walk by faith and not by sight. Matthew 7:12 (KJV): 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. All of the Bible hangs its hat on Love. Loving God is our first priority, then to love our neighbor as ourselves is the whole Bible. Luke 10:27 (KJV): 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Romans 13:8–10 (KJV): 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Galatians 5:14 (KJV): 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. James 2:8 (KJV): 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well. The sure sign of maturity is when we began to be a blessing to others, when we give back into the lives of others, serving. Immaturity is always wanting something for self, taking something for self, give me, give me, give me, but love gives back, a principle that’s taught throughout life. Mark 10:35–45 (KJV):
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. To walk under an open Heaven is to abide in His love.
OUTLINE FOR BIBLE STUDY MONDAY, 12-29-25
“VISION & FAITH,”
JAMES 2:20-26 (KJV)
James 2:20–26 (KJV)
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:22 (KJV): 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Mature or perfect faith here is from the Greek word teleio, pronounced tel-i-0-0, and it means to complete, that is (literally) accomplish or (figuratively) consummate (in character):-consecrate, finish, fulfil (make) perfect. Tonight’s teaching will be our last installment on the series “Faith & Vision,” but it also sets up for CCC’s 21 Day Consecration and our theme for 2026: The Year of the Open Heaven.
Vision needs faith and faith needs vision and they both need action as revealed above for faith, but also for vision, Habakkuk 2:2–3 (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. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV): 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Vision, Hab. 2:2, 3; Pr. 29:18, Defined
Vision – Hebrew chazon, pronounced khaw-zone, Strngs. H2377, and it means a sight ({mentally}) that {is} a {dream} {revelation} or oracle:-vision. The principles in our text can be applied to vision. Vision without works is a dead vision. A vision is no greater than the desire to achieve it. Our text emphasizes the part that our works play in genuine Bible faith. Genuine Bible faith is made perfect, mature, complete, fulfilled, and finished. Without the works, actions, planning, burning the midnight oil, using our gifts and talents, giving monetarily, putting forth the necessary effort, time, dedication, commitment, and what is necessary in the natural realm then faith is incomplete and vision is incomplete, unfulfilled, unfinished, and not accomplished. Our text references Abraham’s faith being complete when it moved him to obeying the Lord in being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, and Rahab the harlot, a prostitute, whose faith was demonstrated when she helped those spies of Israel who Joshua sent in to spy out the city of Jericho. Our faith is seen in the actions it prompts. Vision also is seen in the actions, energy, effort, determination, the hard work, planning and execution necessary to bring the vision to pass.
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