The Riches Of God Through Christ!

.....Mathew 13:44 says, " The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for the joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

.....Mathew 13:45-46 says, " The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

.....I wish to discuss these 2 small parables today, but first let's ask ourselves, What is the kingdom of heaven?

.....The "kingdom of heaven" or "kingdom of God" in New Testament terminology and concept stands for and is indicative of the blessings of God according to Mark 10:25-26. Heaven is that which is over this earth, and through Jesus' Lordship and rule, is now available to bring life to every human experience today. A new power and presence of a new world of potential and hope to mankind, with respect to experiencing heaven on earth.

.....The kingdom of heaven. The term "kingdom" which means the king's domain is used about 137 times in the New Testament. "Kingdom of heaven" or its equivalent is found about 100 times in regards to Jesus' Ministry, and preaching about the kingdom. John the Baptist came preaching the kingdom of God and indicated it was then imminent in Mathew 3:2.

.....These 2 short parables were given to us to better understand the things concerning the kingdom of God that are far beyond anything that we could ever think or imagine. Spiritual truths always have preeminence over the physical, or the natural. This is why Jesus had to speak to us in parables, so we could get the bigger picture.

.....The treasure hid in the field, or the pearl found represent things of great value and worth, which we may make our own. Jesus Christ is the true Treasure; in Him there is an abundance of all that which is rich and useful, and will be a portion for us: all fullness (Col. 1:19; John 1:16): treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3), of righteousness, grace, and peace; these are laid up for us in Christ; and, if we have an interest in Him, it is all our own.

.....The gospel is the field in which this treasure is hid: it is hid in the word of the Old Testament and the New Testament. In gospel ordinances it is hid as the milk in the breast, the marrow in the bone, the manna in the dew, the water in the well (Isa. 12:3), and the honey in the honey-comb. It is hid, not in a garden enclosed, or a spring shut up, but in a field, an open field; whoever will, let him come, and search the scriptures; let him dig in this field according to Proverbs 2:4; and whatever royal mines we find, they are all our own, if we take the right course. It is a great thing to discover the treasure hid in this field, and the unspeakable value of it. The reason why so many slight the gospel, and will not be at the expense, and run the hazard, of entertaining it, is because they look only upon the surface of the field, and judge by that. The richest mines are often in grounds that appear most barren; and therefore people in general will not so much as bid for the field, much less come up to the price.

.....Those who discern this treasure in the field, and value it, will never be easy till they have made it their own upon any terms. They that have found this treasure, sometimes hide it, which denotes a holy jealousy, rejoicing in it, though as yet the bargain be not made; they are glad there is such a bargain to be had. They are the ones whose resolve is to buy this field, making it their own, for the sake of the unseen treasure in it. It is Christ in the gospel that we are to have an eye to; we need not go up to heaven, but can experience the kingdom of heaven on this earth if and when we truly find Christ. Christ is the key that opens up the kingdom to us. But in finding that key, we must be willing to part with all, counting every thing but loss, that we may win Christ, and be found in Him.

.....Today, many of us are busy, seeking our own treasures and pearls: ones that would make us rich, other things that would bring us power or honor, and take up with counterfeits for pearls. Jesus Christ is a Pearl of great price, a Jewel of inestimable value, which will make those who have it rich, truly rich, rich toward God. And in having Him, we have enough to make us happy here and forever. This is truly what opens the eyes of our understanding to see all the treasures and pearls which He has placed around us upon this earth. A true experience of heaven on earth through the all the wonderful people that He places in our path to have fellowship, and relationships with. I have found Christ, and that spiritual treasure or pearl of great worth today. And because of that, I am truly blessed and able to see all of the physical treasures and pearls of great worth in my life today. I would only hope to show them, as God has shown me through truth and love, by having the privilege of experiencing the kingdom of heaven on this earth with them today with Christ. Isn't that why we are here?
..

Unifying The Church - The Body Of Christ!

.....I come to you today as an Ambassador for God through Christ, to speak to YOU as a trumpet, and also as a prophetic voice, detached from things that mean nothing, and attached to God's things, that mean everything, preparing the way. A clear sounding word, used in the Old Testament as a signaling of God's presence, a calling of the assemblies, announcing a Feast, and a gathering of the Nation of Israel. As an Ambassador, it is my job to be a peacemaker. A peacemaker does not evade issues. He faces them, deals with them, and conquers them. He has no passive acceptance of things, but actively faces things, making peace, even when the way to peace is through struggle. The Church is to be the conscience of the Nation, and the conscience of Society, establishing peace, which is for the most part, to experience F.R.E.E.D.O.M. - Fully Renouncing Every Evil Dominion Over Man, from all trouble, and the enjoyment of all good. A conviction brought about by loyalty and living for Christ today.

.....I wish to address this day, the subject of Unifying the Church - The Body of Christ. Jesus is coming again, and is returning for 1 Bride, without spot, or blemish. Yet, the body of Christ is still not picking up on this. The true power of the Church will not manifest itself today until we come together as one.

.....I am about to show you a physical picture of a Spiritual Truth concerning this. Christianity was meant to be seen. We are to be a guide to make clear the way as an example, and also a warning light to others, concerning our duties to the world. I wish to start with Mathew 5: 14-16 which says, "You are the light (One Light) of the world. A city, (The New Jerusalem), that is set on a hill, (A High Place For Everyone To See), and cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house, (The World). Let your light so shine before men, (Visible To All), that they may see your good works, (Attracting Them To God), and glorify your Father in Heaven."

Follow me now to the book of "The Revelation Of Jesus Christ."

.....In Revelation 1: 10-13 it says, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as a trumpet, saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, and what you see, write to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, and in the midst of the seven lamp stands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band."

.....Note that there are seven lights revealing Christ, in His fullness, standing there in the midst of the light. And as I said earlier, we are the Light. But why are we not there yet?

.....Chapters 2 and 3 in the book of Revelation of Jesus contains seven messages to seven churches. The number 7 in the bible represents Completion, or Divine Perfection. God is trying to reveal to us how the unity of the body of Christ is to come about. The perfecting of the Church. A physical picture of a Spiritual Truth. Each message contains a praise, and a rebuke from the Lord, then a correction to be made in the body, and then a reward for that correction. I have listed them below in part for this study.

The Church of Ephesus

Commendation- Rejects evil, perseveres, has patience.
Criticism- Love for Christ no longer fervent.
Correction- Do the works you did at first.
Promise- The tree of Life.

The Church of Smyrna

Commendation- Gracefully bears suffering.
Criticism- None.
Correction- Be faithful until death.
Promise- The crown of Life.

The Church of Pergamos

Commendation- Keeps the faith of Christ.
Criticism- Tolerates immorality, idolatry, and heresies.
Correction- Repent.
Promise- Hidden manna, and a stone with a new name.

The Church of Thyatira

Commendation- Love, service, faith, patience is greater than at first.
Criticism- Tolerates cult of idolatry and immorality.
Correction- Judgement coming, keep the faith.
Promise- Rule over nations and receive the morning star.

The Church of Sardis

Commendation- Some have kept the faith.
Criticism- A dead church
Correction- Repent, strengthen what remains.
Promise- Faithful honored and clothed in white.

The Church of Philadelphia

Commendation- Perseveres in the faith.
Criticism- None.
Correction- Keep the faith.
Promise- A place in God's presence, a new name, and the New Jerusalem.

The Church of Laodicea

Commendation- None.
Criticism- Indifferent.
Correction- Be zealous and repent.
Promise- Share Christ's throne.

Now picture with me how this all works:

Imagine we, the church, are in a dark room, (The World), and as a correction is made in our lives, a light is lit on a Menorah, (Jesus is the Golden Candlestick, and YOU are the Light of the World). The light reveals an aspect of Truth, about Christ, and you in Christ. A promise revealed and received. Now we know through the study of scripture that light always dispels darkness. And also no amount of darkness can ever put out that light, (Truth), once it is lit, (Within You). That is Revelation. So as we, the Body of Christ, continue to make these 7 corrections within the Church, more and more lights are then lit, revealing more of Him and less of us, until all that we see is Him. These corrections are in the correct order according to the word of God, and will manifest the fullness of Christ, restoring the power within the Church, unifying the body, creating a bride, (1 Bride), without spot or blemish for Him to receive. God gave us the perfect example of this when He created Adam and Eve. God first made Adam, and then Eve for him, his help-mate, 1 bride, was made from a part of him. In this same way, God made Christ, and His Bride, the Church is to also be made from Him. That can only be manifested stage by stage through these 7 corrections for perfection. So Church, let's start making these corrections. How you might ask? Through the Six Steps to the Throne of God, which I will reveal to you later.
..