Category: Open Door

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Speaking in Tongues

Open Door Baptist Church

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

( Acts 2:1-13 )

What is speaking in tongues?

According to our context it is speaking in foreighn languages so that you may be understood.

Why do we have language?

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

( Genesis 1:28 )

But what happened?

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

( Genesis 11:1-2 )

This was not God’s will because it didn’t fit his plan.

Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

( Genesis 11:7-9 )

If God has the power to confound language then he has the power to unconfound it.

So God has power over language and the ability for us to understand each other.

Jesus said this:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

( Mark 16:15 )

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

( Matthew 24:14 )

Has this been accomplished?

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

( Mark 16:20 )

So the gospel has been preached everywhere. It is accomplished. It was done with signs following. The signs, such as speaking in tounges, were to confirm the authenticity of the apostles.

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

(Acts 5:15 )

And then what happened?

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

( 2 Timothy 4:6-7 )

And what happened to Paul’s power to heal?

Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

( 2 Timothy 4:20 )

He didn’t have the power to heal anymore.

Do we have the power to speak in tongues?

If I were you I would be very suspicious of anyone who thinks that incoherent babble is speaking in tongues.

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Peter Stood Up

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 1:12-26

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.


And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
( Luke 24:52 )

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Prayer, supplication and diligent Bible study.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

Why did Peter stand up? They had been studying the Scriptures and it was time to sum up everything that they had learned.

16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

( Psalms 41:9 )

How is this relevant? Jesus quoted this passage in John’s gospel:

I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

( John 13:18 )

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.


For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

( Psalms 55:12-13 )

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

( John 17:12 )

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.

( Matthew 27:3-10 )

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

The prophecy may have been spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, but it was not written not written. However Jeremiah did buy a field in Anathoth, not far from Jerusalem.

And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it. So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.

And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.

( Jeremiah 32:6-10 )

The prophecy was written by Zechariah

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

( Zechariah 11:12-13 )

When Peter and the disciples realized that Jeremiah and Zechariah wrote 700 years before that the Potter’s field was bought for 30 pieces of silver, and that the money was cast down in the temple, then when Judas cast down the money in the temple and the priests bought the field everything must have clicked into place.

Incidentally, 30 pieces of silver was the price of blood, but Hosea paid 15 pieces of silver to buy his wife.

So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

( Hosea 3:2 )

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

This is a combination of two passages from the Psalms:

1.

Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

( Psalms 69:25 )

This is not the only prophecy about Christ in Psalms 69

They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

( Psalms 69:21 )

2.

Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

( Psalms 109:8 )

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

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Where is Your Dynamite?

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. ( Acts 1:1-9 )

  1. Theophilus   theo – god; philus – lover
  2. There were 11 apostles at this time. The ascension was at Bethany, not far from Jerusalem
  3. 40 days after Easter gets us to 10 days before Pentecost, so they had to wait over a week after the ascension
  4. Told to wait at Jerusalem
  5. Pentecost: 50 days after Passover ( 7th Sunday after Easter ) Jesus was the Passover lamb
  6. Still expecting a conquering King as prophesied
  7. Power here translates the Greek word – ἐξουσίᾳ – exousia ( authority )
  8. Power here translates the Greek word – δύναμιν – dynamin ( miraculous power )* Luke 24:49
  9. Taken up as he intends to return
  10. Angelic messengers
  11. Prophesying his return

Dunamis

*Definition (miraculous) power, might, strength

*Usage (a) physical power, force, might, ability, efficacy, energy, meaning (b) plur: powerful deeds, deeds showing (physical) power, marvelous works.

  • dýnamis
  • (from 1410/dýnamai, “able, having ability“) – properly, “ability to perform” (L-N); for the believer, power to achieve by applying the Lord’s inherent abilities. “Power through God’s ability”
  • (1411/dýnamis) is needed in every scene of life to really grow in sanctification and prepare for heaven (glorification).
  • 1411 (dýnamis) is a very important term, used 120 times in the NT.

Do we have dynamite power?

What do we have to do the get dynamite power?

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Why Art Thou Cast Down?

Open Door Baptist Church

  1. {To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.} As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
  2. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
  3. My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
  4. When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
  5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
  6. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
  7. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
  8. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
  9. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
  10. As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
  11. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. ( Psalms 42:1-11 )

We have talked before about depression.

If the Bible is a source of wisdom and knowledge which covers all life situations, then where does it talk about depression?

We found that it is described in the Bible in a couple of ways:

  1. A spirit of heaviness ( Isaiah 61:3 )
  2. Discouragement ( Isaiah 42:4 )

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. ( Isaiah 61:3 )

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. ( Isaiah 42:3-4 )

Here we may be seeing it again described as feeling cast down. Today we would call this being downcast.

  1. (of a person’s eyes) looking downward.”her modestly downcast eyes”
  2. (of a person) feeling despondent. synonyms: despondent, disheartened, discouraged, dispirited, downhearted, low-spirited, in low spirits, hopeless, cast down, crestfallen, down, low, disconsolate, in despair, despairing, wretched, oppressed;

Disquieted isn’t in this list but it certainly is appropriate.

Being downcast means we are looking downward feeling discouraged. Depression can affect the outward appearance:

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. ( Genesis 4:1-7 )

Is it possible that Cain was depressed? Abel’s offering was better than Cain’s. Animal husbandry doesn’t happen overnight, it takes generations of breeding to produce the type of offering that God was satisfied with. What if Cain watched Abel raising his livestock for years and knew the whole time that he really wasn’t putting in the effort like Abel was?

We know when we aren’t working hard enough or applying ourselves. Then we get depressed and unmotivated and it is hard to break out of it. We may get warnings at work or poor evaluations and we have to buck up. We know what will happen if we don’t:

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. ( Hebrews 10:26-27 )

So how do we snap out of depression and get back on track?

Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. ( Psalms 43:1-5 )

We have to praise the Lord. This is the third time we have been able to find depression in the Bible and again we find that the cure is to praise the Lord!

  1. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise himfor the help of his countenance. ( Psalms 42:5 )
  2. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. ( Psalms 42:11 )
  3. to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; ( Isaiah 61:3 )
  4. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. ( Psalms 43:5 )

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By Their Occupation

Open Door Baptist Church

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. ( Acts 18:1-3 )

  1. On Paul’s second missionary journey he worked to pay his way.

And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. ( 2 Corinthians 11:9 )

2. On Paul’s third missionary journey he was receiving support.

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. ( Philippians 4:15 )

Philippi and Thessalonica are not far from each other.

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ( Philippians 4:16-20 )

3. The often used quote

“But my God shall supply all your need”

Was to the Philippians who were supporting Paul’s ministry. It exists within the context that God will supply the need of people who are supporting the church. This is the reason why we step out in faith and support the church: so that God can supply our every need.

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If Ye Forsake Him, He Will Forsake You.

Open Door Baptist Church

And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD. ( 2 Chronicles 15:1-2, 8 )

This was the beginning of Azariah’s prophecy to Asa. Asa responded appropriately.

Asa was a good king.

And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. ( 2 Chronicles 14:2-6 )

Asa understood what happens when you forget, neglect or ignore God.

1. Does God forsake his people?

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ( Hebrews 13:5 )

So what are we talking about, if we can’t be forsaken, how can we be forsaken? Is this a contradiction? Is this an Old Testament/New Testament thing?

The OT word is עָזַב – aw-zab
– to leave, forsake, loose
– be remote, absent, depart,

The NT word is ἐγκαταλείπω – eng-kat-al-i’-po
– to leave behind, (in a good sense) let remain over or (in a bad sense) desert
– properly, left in a condition of lack (“without”); hence, to feel forsaken (helpless), like left in dire circumstances.

No. The words have the same meaning. The difference is in understanding nuance. It’s an eternal security thing. We can see it laid out in the passages which describe the partaking of the Lord’s Supper

Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. ( 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 )

2. We cannot be forsaken

We cannot be forsaken because we cannot loose our salvation.

That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. ( John 18:9 )

So what is the forsaking that we are talking about?

3. This is about what we do with our salvation.

The forsaking here is loosing the blessing of God on our lives and our life’s work.

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. ( 1 Corinthians 3:10-14 )

This is about living right in order to receive the full blessings of God. Being saved is the beginning, not the end.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ( Ephesians 5:15-17 )

Yes, we are saved. Yes, we have everlasting life. Yes, we are still accountable to live right while we are here on the earth.

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Job 23

Job 23:12

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  (Matthew 4:4)

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

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The Beauty of Holiness

Open Door Baptist Church

2 Chronicles 20:21

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Jehoshaphat made some mistakes early in his time as King of Judea, and he had a narrow escape. This caused him to seek God.

2 Chronicles 19:4

And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

2 Chronicles 20:1-4

It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

2 Chronicles 20:20-23

And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

Ammon and Moab teamed up to kill the inhabitants of Mount Seir, then killed each other while Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and Jerusalem were worshiping the beauty of holiness.

Ephesians 5:18-20

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

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October 2nd

Let’s Attack Hell

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

(Matthew 16:18) KJV

If the gates of hell won’t prevail against the church, and gates are defensive structures, then the church must be attacking hell.

Continue reading “October 2nd”
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Loaded With Benefits

Open Door Baptist Church

Psalms 68:19-20

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.

What are our benefits?

  • No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)

Immune to weapons.

  • But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11)

Armored, not appointed to wrath, obtained salvation, live forever in Christ.

  • Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Riches

  • For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

  • For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9)