The Faith Building Blog

One Year of Faith Building Devotionals

2012-01-30T17:15:00.002-06:00

FAITHBUILDING DEVOTIONALS:

Introductionfrom the Pastor:

Now you can download a printable version of the entire One Year Faith Building Devotionals booklet...

“The law of the Lord is perfect,converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise thesimple…More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeteralso than honey and the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:7,10).

Thereis a blessing that comes to those who set aside time every day to dig deep intoGod's Word—the Bible. As you spend time feeding on His Word, your faith isbuilt up, and you receive vision, wisdom and direction for your day. Myprayer is that these daily devotionals will help you get connected with God andHis Word every day. You are about to embark on an exciting adventure withJesus!

How do youget started? First of all, find a quiet place where you can get alone for agood 5-10 minutes without being distracted or interrupted. Start off yourdevotional time by talking to God – praying, and asking that He would speak toyou through the Scriptures on these pages. Pray that God would give you aspirit of wisdom, and a revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17-18).Then slowly read through the devotional for the day, thinking about theScriptures as you’re reading them. Some of them will be challenges with actionsteps for you to do. Others are words of encouragement to strengthen you inyour relationship with God, and your knowledge of His wonderful love for you.

Once you’refinished the devotional, finish off your time with God in prayer, thanking Himfor His love, and asking Him how He wants you to apply the Word you have justread. Then go about your day, ready to be a blessing to all of those youencounter.

Withlove in the Lord Jesus,

PastorChris Jordan

Beausejour Community Church

Box 1823. Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0

204-268-9950

www.beausejourchurch.ca

Click HERE to download a printable version of The Faith Building Devotionals Booklet.

These devotionals wereoriginally written between 2002 and 2004, and were revised from 2008 to2009.

Resisting Temptation

2012-01-29T09:12:00.000-06:00

ResistingTemptation:

“Howcan a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh,let me not wander from Your commandments. Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin againstYou.” (Psalm 119:9-11).

One of the first things Istarted doing when I became a Christian was memorizing Bible verses, and it isa practice that I still continue to this day, many years later. Why? It wasbecause I discovered the truth of Psalm 119:9-11 very early on in my walk offaith. I discovered that sin was something that came very easily to me, andthat the only way I could resist temptation, and live a pure and holy life, wasto avail myself of the weapons that God had given to me. The most importantweapon God has given us in the battle against temptation is HIS WORD.

TheFIRST KEY is to read the Bible.

If we don’t read the Bible,then we can’t obey the Bible, because we won’t know what it says. So thestarting point must be to READ THE BIBLE. There’s an old Sunday school songthat says, “Read your Bibles, pray every day, and you’ll GROW, GROW, GROW.” Howdo we grow spiritually, and become more like Jesus? Through praying and readingthe Bible.

TheSECOND KEY is to seek God with our whole heart.

We MUST be diligent in ourpursuit of God, and our pursuit of purity. Holiness doesn’t happen by accident.Jesus said, “Watch and pray, lest youenter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh isweak.” (Mark 14:38)

TheTHIRD KEY is to hide God’s Word in our heart.

This means to meditate on andmemorize Bible verses. Why? So that we might not sin against God. There are twoways that memorizing Bible verses helps to keep us from sinning against God.The Bible says, “Don't copy thebehavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new personby changing the way you think. Then youwill know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing andperfect his will really is.” (Romans 12:2). When we read God’s Word, Godbegins to renew our minds, and cause we learn what is right and wrong. Thesecond thing that happens when we memorize Bible verses is that it strengthensour faith. Romans 10:17 says, “faithcomes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Hiding God’s Word inour heart teaches us what is right and wrong, and also gives us the spiritualstrength to choose to do the right thing. Jesus is our example in this inMatthew chapter four. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, every time the deviltried to tempt Him, Jesus responded by quoting Scripture, “It is written.” TheWord is our Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17).

Let me leave you with onefinal Scripture. This is one of the first Bible verses I ever memorized, and itis a great strength and comfort to me whenever I am tempted. It’s FirstCorinthians 10:13: “But remember thatthe temptations that come into your life are no different from what othersexperience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming sostrong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will showyou a way out so that you will not give in to it.” If you’ve nevermemorized a Bible verse before, that’s a good one to start with.

Psalm 119:1-2: “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Whowalk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Whoseek Him with the whole heart.”

Pastor Chris Jordan
Church: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Books: www.chrisjordanpublications.ca

Do Not Be Afraid

2012-01-28T07:42:00.003-06:00

Do NotBe Afraid:

“Hewho dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow ofthe Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God,in Him I will trust." (Psalm 91:1-2).

September 11th, 2001. That wasa day that we will never forget. For many people, that day changed everything.I know people very close to me, who, after the attack on the Trade Towerswere afraid to fly again. Fear. Anxiety. Worry. They are in bondage to thisthing called fear. But God doesn’t want fear to rule your life. Jesus said, “But when you hear of wars and rumors ofwars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.”(Mark 13:7). DO NOT BE TROUBLED, Jesus said. How can He say that? Howcan I say “I am not afraid?” I can honestly say from my heart that I am notafraid, worried or anxious. Why is it that I don’t struggle with fear? What doI know that you maybe don’t?

“ForGod has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." Thatis why we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, so I will notbe afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Go back and read that Scripture again, until the truth contained in itsinks deep into your heart. God willnever fail us. God will never leave us. God will never forsake us. THAT is whywe can say, “God is my helper, so I will not be afraid.” The Bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear,but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7). ConsiderGod’s promise to Joshua, “Have I notcommanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor bedismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua1:9). This promise is for US, too. The reason that we can be strong,courageous, and free from fear, is because the Lord our God is with us whereverwe go – we can have love, power and a SOUND MIND.

Some of you maybe strugglewith fear. Maybe it’s a fear of the future, fear of the unknown, or maybe it’sa specific fear like the fear of heights or fear of the dark. GOD DOES NOT WANTYOU TO BE AFRAID. If you struggle with fear, God wants to set you free. I wantto encourage you to print out today’s devotional, and read the Scriptures onthis page over and over until they sink deep into your heart. Read them, meditate on them, say them outloud, and memorize them. Read through the following Psalm, and claim thepromises in it for your very own.

“1 He who dwells in the secret place of theMost High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say ofthe Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I willtrust." 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowlerAnd from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with Hisfeathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be yourshield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walksin darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 Athousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But itshall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And seethe reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made theLord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 Noevil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and theserpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 Because he has set his love uponMe, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has knownMy name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be withhim in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life Iwill satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91:1-16).

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Extreme for Jesus

2012-01-27T07:41:00.000-06:00

Extremefor Jesus:

“When He had calledthe people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, Whoeverdesires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, andfollow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loseshis life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit aman if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a mangive in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words inthis adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamedwhen He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark8:34-38).

Someone said once, “If something’s not worthdying for, then it’s not worth living for.” I believe that’s true. When I first became a Christian, I wasintroduced to the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “If you want to come after me,you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” Wow. That’s aradical commitment – that’s extreme discipleship. On that day, when JesusChrist became the Lord and Saviour of my life, I took Him as my Master, myEverything. I said, “If this God is whothe Bible says He is – the Almighty Creator of this Universe who created me,loves me, and sent His Son Jesus to die for my sins – then how can I not giveHim my whole life?” Today, I want to challenge you to be extreme forJesus.

An old preacher of the Gospel said once, "Sin exists in our world, and it istime we start talking about it, and its dreadful consequences. My heart longsto hear from our pulpits some old-fashioned, Holy Ghost messages on thenot-so-popular subject of hell. I long to hear life-changing sermons about theprospects of spending an eternity in a place where the worm dieth not, and thefire is not quenched, where men gnaw their tongues for pain, and where thesmoke of their torment ascends forever (Mark 9:43-44)."

Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers,put it this way: “The heavenly occupation of the church is to rescue souls from hell and lead to God, tohope, to heaven. Our job is to teach sinners what sin is, and what the blood ofChrist is, and what the hell that must follow if sin be not washed out, andwhat the heaven is which will be ensured to all those who are cleansed fromsin.”

I could give you quote after quote of preacherafter preacher to try to stir you up today, but I would much rather plead withyou to listen to the words of Jesus – He is calling you to come after Him, todeny yourself, and follow Him. As long as you are living your own life, tryingto do things your own way, it is bound to end in futility and meaninglessness.Jesus said that it is only when you are willing to lose your life – to give upyour way of doings things – that you will find real fulfilment in life – youwill discover the true life, the high life, the God life. You could spend yourwhole life trying to get ahead, trying to be successful, trying to be happy,but until Jesus Christ is your Master and your Everything, life will not becomplete.

Jesus doesn’t just want to be your “bestfriend.” Yes, Jesus will be a friend to you who will stick closer than abrother, but more importantly than that, He wants to be your Saviour, to saveyou from the guilt, power and penalty of sin. Can you say today, “I have beencrucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; andthe life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, wholoved me and gave Himself for me?” (Galatians 2:20). Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grainof wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, itproduces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates hislife in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24-25).

To those of you who call yourselves Christians,I want to issue you a challenge today. There is a lost and dying world that is hurtingand broken without Jesus, and God wants us to go to that world with the GoodNews about the forgiveness of sins that’s available through the shed blood ofJesus. Your life is not your own, you have been bought with a price, and Jesuswants to be the Lord of your life. To those of you who have not yet given yourlives to Jesus, let me leave you with a reminder of Jesus’ sobering words fromour text, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loseshis own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever isashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him theSon of Man also will be ashamed when He comes…”

Pastor Chris Jordan
Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Book Webpage: www.thebeausejourpulpit.com

How God Anointed Jesus

2012-01-26T07:53:00.002-06:00

HowGod Anointed Jesus:

“how God anointedJesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doinggood and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was withHim.” (Acts 10:38)

I think there is a lesson here for us. Let usconsider two things today. First of all, how DID God anoint Jesus? Andsecondly, how does God want to anoint US?

1. HOWGOD ANOINTED JESUS:

(a) Jesuswas anointed with the Holy Spirit and with POWER.

(b) Jesuswent about DOING GOOD.

(d) Godwas with Jesus.

Describing Himself, Jesus said, “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepersare cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have thegospel preached to them.” (Matthew 11:5). “Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him allsick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and thosewho were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.” (Matthew4:24). No wonder the Bible says, “Therefore,to you who believe, He is precious.” (1 Peter 2:7). If you don’t knowJesus today, won’t you call upon His name and believe in Him? He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).

My prayer is that with these simple thoughts Iwould stir up within your heart a desire to know Jesus yourself – to becomemore deeply and intimately acquainted with Him. Is He your Lord, your Saviour,your Best Friend, your All in All? He’sso precious to me.

Having considered how God anointed Jesus, Iwant you to think about this following Scripture here: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” (1 Peter2:21). To be a Christian is to be like Christ. To be like Jesus. How can we dothat?

2. HOWGOD WANTS TO ANOINT US:

(a) Godwants to anoint YOU with the Holy Spirit and with POWER.

Acts1:8 says, “But YOU shall receive POWERwhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

(b) Godwants you to go about DOING GOOD.

Galatians6:10 says, “Whenever we have theopportunity, WE should DO GOOD to everyone, especiallyto our Christian brothers and sisters.”

Mark16:15-18 says, “And (Jesus) said tothem, "(YOU) Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…And these signswill follow those who believe…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

(d) Godwill be with you.

Matthew28:19-20 says, “(YOU) Go therefore andmake disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo,I am with you always, even to the end of theage."

When Jesus walked the Earth 2000 years ago, Hewas anointed by God the Father with the power of the Holy Spirit to do good andheal the sick. Today, Jesus has commissioned and anointed us as His discipleswith the power of the Holy Spirit to do good and lay hands on the sick, and seethem recover. If you want the same anointing that was on Jesus to be upon you,then ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now. Jesus said, “how much more will your heavenly Father givethe Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” (Luke 11:13). Then once you’vegot that anointing, GO. And take the Good News about Jesus to your world.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Choose Joy

2012-01-25T07:50:00.000-06:00

ChooseJoy:

“Rejoicein the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians4:4).

Arthur Pink, in his booklet, TheScriptures and Joy says, “there are some Christians who suppose it issinful to rejoice…Some have been taught…that it is their duty to begloomy…however, there is no precept in Scripture bidding us “Grieve in the Lordalways, and again I say, grieve.” My desire today is to encourage you with thetruth from the Scriptures that God’s will for you is JOY, and then to show youthe way to find joy in your life. The Bible says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries thebones.” (Proverbs 17:22). Jesus Himself said, “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20).

Can you think of anything moreexciting or joyful, than to know that your sins are forgiven, and your namesare written in Heaven? What an encouraging truth. I don’t understand how aChristian can stay depressed all the time – or why they would want to. TheBible encourages, no – in fact, commands us – to rejoice in the Lord always. Notonly that, it tells us that a merry heart – or a joyful heart – will do us goodlike a medicine. That tells me that joy is very important. When we have abroken spirit, it dries the bones – it saps our strength. So what’s the secretto finding real joy and strength in the Lord? Consider these Scriptures…

1. God comes to Dwell in the midst of Hispeople who are praising Him:

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3).

Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, Andinto His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” Theway we come into God’s presence is with praise and thanksgiving. As you beginto worship God, God begins to manifest His presence to you. Which leads us toour next verse…

2. In God’s presence in fullness of joy:

“I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand Ishall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My fleshalso will rest in hope…You will show me the path of life; In Your presence isfullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:8-11)

When you begin topraise and worship God, and He begins to manifest His presence to you, there isa joy that comes – indeed, a fullness of joy, a joy unspeakable and full ofglory. Our heart is glad, and it is a pleasure, to be in God’s presence. If youwant more joy in your life, it’s not going to come from outward circumstances,because your circumstances are always changing. If you want to have a continual,abiding joy, it comes from being with Jesus.

3. The Joy of the Lord will give youstrength:

“Donot sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10).

When you worship God, we enterinto His gates, and He manifests His presence to us. When that happens, weexperience fullness of joy (there’s nothing in life that compares to being inthe presence of Jesus). And when we experience the joy of the Lord, that joy iswhat will give us strength for day-to-day living. Isaiah 30:41 says, “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renewtheir strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run andnot be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Today, maybe you’re notexperiencing the joy of the Lord. It’s easy to get depressed when you focus onand think only about all the problems and troubles around you. But if you canget your eyes off of your problems and onto Jesus, it makes all the difference.

So begin to praise and worshipGod, even if you don’t feel like it, then CHOOSE JOY. “Sing praise to the Lord, You saints of His, And give thanks at theremembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor isfor life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, bemy helper." You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have putoff my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” (Psalm 30:4-5, 10-11).

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Don‘t Forget His Benefits

2012-01-24T07:45:00.004-06:00

Don‘tForget His Benefits:

“Blessthe Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless theLord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:1-2).

The Apostle Peter said, “As we know Jesus better, his divine powergives us everything we need for living a godly life…And by that same mightypower, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful PROMISES…So make everyeffort to APPLY the BENEFITS of these PROMISES to your life.” (2Peter 1:3-5, emphasis mine)

Do you know what kind ofwonderful promises that God has given to us as His children? I think manyChristians don’t, and that’s why the Psalmist David said, “And forget not all His benefits.” Why?Because God knew that if we didn’t constantly remind ourselves of them, that wewould forget them. The Bible says, “Withoutwavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can betrusted to keep his promise.” (Hebrews 10:23). If God has made us apromise in the Bible, you can rest assured that what He has promised, He willbe faithful to perform. O, do not doubt Him. God is not a man that He shouldlie! If He has promised something, believe Him. Claim the promise, and apply itto your life.

Today, I want to encourage youto read through and meditate on the rest of Psalm 103, which records some ofthe many benefits and promises that God has given to His children. I encourageyou to read this Psalm through three times, and think about each of thepromises, and what they mean to you. God promises to forgive ALL of our sins(not just some of them) and He promises to heal ALL of our diseases (not ofthem is too powerful for His healing power). When you’re finished reading andmeditating upon this Psalm – if you’re looking for a way to apply the Word toyour life – bless the Lord, with all your heart, and thank Him for thesebenefits.

3 Who forgives all your sins,Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life fromdestruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth withgood things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord executesrighteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways toMoses, His acts to the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful andgracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9 He will not always strivewith us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with usaccording to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are highabove the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is fromthe west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities hischildren, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame; Heremembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are likegrass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16 For the wind passes over it,and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord isfrom everlasting to everlasting Onthose who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,

18 To such as keep His covenant,And to those who remember His commandments to do them.”

(Psalm 103:3-18)

Don’t forget to go back andre-read this Psalm two more times, and especially verse 8, which reveals to ussomething about the nature of God. He is merciful and gracious, SLOW to anger(thank God for that) and ABOUNDING in mercy. Bless the Lord!

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

Are You Ready for Heaven?

2012-01-23T07:56:00.003-06:00

AreYou Ready for Heaven?:

“Thenas I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I hadheard before spoke to me with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. The voicesaid, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after thesethings." And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heavenand someone sitting on it.” (Revelation 4:1-2).

Although the context of thisScripture is Jesus calling John to come and experience a vision of Heaven,there is coming a day when everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus will hearthose blessed words, “Come up here.” I remember when I first became aChristian, there was a song we used to sing in our church that went like this,“Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King...hallelujah, hallelujah, weare going to see the King.” To the Christian, the prospect of death is not oneto be feared, but one to look forward to with joyful expectation. As CharlesSpurgeon notes in his Morning by Evening devotional, “We are not called down tothe grave, but up to the skies.” To be absent from the body is to be present withthe Lord, and that’s what makes the hope of Heaven so wonderful.

“For we know that when thisearthly tent we live in is taken down – when we die and leave these bodies – wewill have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not byhuman hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day whenwe will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will not bespirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies. Our dyingbodies make us groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and have nobodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodieswill be swallowed up by everlasting life. God himself has prepared us for this,and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. So we are always confident,even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at homewith the Lord. That is why we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we arefully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then wewill be at home with the Lord. So our aim is to please him always, whether weare here in this body or away from this body. For we must all stand beforeChrist to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good orevil we have done in our bodies. It is because we know this solemn fear of theLord that we work so hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and Ihope you know this, too.” (2 Corinthians 5:1-11)

Let me ask you a vitallyimportant and potentially life-changing question. If you were to die tonight,and step out of this life and into eternity, do you know for sure that youwould enter into Heaven, to live forever with God? If not, then this day’sdevotional is a very important one for you. One day you are going to standbefore Christ to be judged, to receive whatever you deserve. “Don't you realizehow kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't yousee how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? But no, youwon't listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because ofyour stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin. For there is going to comea day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge allpeople according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those whopersist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor andimmortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on thosewho live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds.”(Romans 2:4-8). If you keep on sinning, there will be trouble. But if you callupon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in Him, you can be saved,and there will be glory and honour and peace for you.

“Another reason for rightliving is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for thecoming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night isalmost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don't live in darkness.Get rid of your evil deeds. Shed them like dirty clothes. Clothe yourselveswith the armor of right living, as those who live in the light. We should bedecent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of ourbehavior. Don't participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adulteryand immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy. But let the Lord Jesus Christtake control of you, and don't think of ways to indulge your evil desires.”(Romans 13:11-14). Jesus is coming back soon, and it’s time to get ready forHeaven.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Do You Love Jesus?

2012-01-22T08:36:00.001-06:00

Do You Love Jesus?:

“Thisis My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than tolay down one‘s life for his friends. Youare My friends if you do whatever I command you..” (John 15:12-14)

Do you love Jesus? Jesus said,“If you love Me, keep my commandments.”(John 14:15). A good measuring stick for how much you love Jesus is howwilling you are to keep His commandments. First John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keepHis commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” Does thatlast statement sound incredible to you? There are some Christians woulddisagree with it and say, “But God’s commandments ARE a burden. It’s so hard tokeep them.” Would you give me an opportunity to prove that statement wrong? Ibelieve that when we have a right understanding of the purposes of God’scommandments in our life, that you will find they are no longer a burden, but ajoy. Read on…

1. God’s commandments are for our good

“Andthe Lord commanded us to observe all these (commandments), to fear the Lord ourGod, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.” (Deut. 6:24). The commandmentsGod gave to us are not to keep us from having fun – they’re for our good, sothat He can preserve us alive. As our loving Heavenly Father, God gives uscommandments to keep us from danger and death. When we disobey God and breakHis commandments, we are sinning, and the Bible says that the consequences forour sin is spiritual death (Romans 6:23). So when God tells us not to sin, it’sto protect us from danger. I can understand this aspect of God’s nature becauseI am the father of four children. As their dad, I give them rules to protectthem from danger. For example, one of the rules I have for my children is: lookboth ways before you cross the street. Why? Because I know that if they don’t,and a car is speeding along, it could kill them. God is just like that – He gives us rules forour good, to preserve us alive. We may not understand them, but when we obeythem, we can count on His protection.

2. When we keep His commandments, Jesuswill make Himself known to us

“Hewho has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me…he who loves Mewill be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21). Here again Jesusreminds us that keeping His commandments is a sign that we really love Him. Andone of the rewards for keeping His commands is that both Jesus and the Fatherwill love us, and Jesus will make Himself known to us – what a GREAT blessing.

3. When we keep His commandments, we willremain in Jesus’ love

“Ifyou keep my commandments, you will abide in My love…” (John 15:10). If you want toremain in His love, and have a constant sense and awareness of His presence, keepHis commandments.

4. When we keep His commandments, we showthat we really know Jesus

“Nowby this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says Iknow Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is notin him. But whoever keeps His word,truly the love of God is perfected in him.” (1 John 2:3-5).

Do you know Jesus? The Biblesays if we REALLY know Him, we will keep His commands. We should be willing toobey His commandments just because He is God – He’s our Creator, our Lord, ourSaviour – and that gives Him the authority to tell us how to live. The Bible alsotells us that there are some very practical benefits to keeping Hiscommandments. When we obey God’s Word, it is for our own good. Jesus will make Himself known to us, and wewill remain in His love. And finally, keeping His commandments will show bothHim and the world that you know Him – and you love Him.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Two Are Better Than One

2012-01-21T11:56:00.001-06:00

TwoAre Better Than One:

“Twoare better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For ifthey fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when hefalls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, theywill keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered byanother, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Today, I want to talk to youabout the importance of home groups. At our church, I strongly encourage all ofthe members of our church family to be involved in a small group where they canlove and be loved, to care for others and be cared for. Why?

In Genesis 2:18, the Lordsaid, “It is not good that manshould be alone.” In other words, God never intended us to gothrough life all by ourselves. If you read through the Books of the Law (thefirst five books of the Old Testament), you‘ll see that God has a special lovefor the strangers, the widows, and the fatherless. He says, “You shall not afflict any widow orfatherless child.” (Exodus 22:22). “He (the Lord) administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, andloves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.” (Deut. 10:18).What is He saying here? The Lord is deeply concerned about and compassionatefor people who are alone – the fatherless, who have no dad – the widows, whohave no husband – and the strangers, who don’t have anyone. God doesn’t wantyou to be lonely. Psalm 68:10 says, “Godsets the solitary in families.” So the encouraging word for today isGod doesn’t want you to be alone or lonely. When you became a Christian, Headopted you into His family. Not only is God your Heavenly Father, but allChristians have become your brothers and sisters in Him.

Now let’s go to our Scriptureverse in Ecclesiastes. King Solomon said that two people together are betterthan one person alone. Why? Because if you’re alone and you fall, you won’thave anyone to help you up. Now, he’s not just speaking physically here, likewhen you trip and stub your toe, and fall down to the ground. He’s alsospeaking spiritually. If you fall spiritually – backslide, sin, rebel– if youdon’t have a small group of other believers that you meet with on a regularbasis, you could keep falling until you hit rock bottom. But, if you have asmall group fellowship that you are a part of, then they can usually see whenyou’re starting to fall, and pull you up before it’s too late. King Solomonsays that the reason two are better than one is because if one of them falls,the other will help him up. He finishes off by saying that one can be easilydefeated by an enemy, but two can hold him off, and a threefold cord is notquickly or easily broken. Who is that third person? I believe it’s Jesus.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:19, “For where two or three are gathered togetherin My name, I am there in the midst of them.” So when you and other believers come together in Jesus’ name, Hemeets with you there, and there’s safety and power in that place of fellowshipand unity. I want to encourage you today – if you don’t have a home group thatyou meet with on a regular basis – get connected. The Bible says that our enemy“the devil walks about like aroaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:7). And youknow the first person he’s going to come looking for? Someone who’s alone. Theold adage is true – there is strength in numbers. Get involved in a small groupwith other believers today.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Check out my new book's webpage:

www.thebeausejourpulpit.com

God‘s Got a Tattoo of YOU

2012-01-20T07:38:00.001-06:00

God‘sGot a Tattoo of YOU:

“See,I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” (Isaiah 49:16, NKJV).

I remember several years agotucking my children one night in after reading to them from our Beginner’sBible, as was our regular daily practice when they were younger. Caleb wasabout five or six at the time, and I said to him as I helped him get allsnuggled in under the blankets, “Have I told you lately that I love you?” I all of my children that question often. Hereplied, “Yes, daddy. In fact, you must have told me about a thousand timesthat you love me. You’re the best daddy in the whole world.” That really warmedmy heart. I’m so glad to know that my children know how much I love them.

Let me tell you about mychildren. Since Liza and I were married in 1995, the Lord has blessed us withfour wonderful children. Caleb, ourfirstborn, turned 15 in 2011. He is in grade ten this year, he loves sports,and he is a natural born leader. Victoria,Tori for short, turned 13 this year. She loves to read and write, just like herdad. Austinwill be turning 11 just before Christmas this year. He is full of energy, lovesto jump on the trampoline, and he makes us laugh all the time. Our youngestchild, Hannah, who is 9, loves to play the piano, and she is daddy’s littleprincess. And what an amazing thought to know that, even though God hasmillions of children all over the world, He knows every one of us individuallyby name, and He knows everything about us.

If you were tolook into my wallet right now, you would see that I have photos of all of mychildren. And not only are they in my wallet, all of my children are very dearto my heart. If our Heavenly Father had a wallet, guess what? There would bephotographs of YOU in it. But since God doesn’t have a wallet, you know whatthe Bible says? God has a tattoo of you on His hand. Whether that is literal ormetaphorical, the point is that you are always in His heart and thoughts. As afather, I would do anything to protect and provide for my children, and mydesire is that all of them would know how much I love them. But God ourHeavenly Father is so much more perfect and loving a Father than I am. Psalm103:13 says, “The LORD is like a fatherto his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”Matthew 7:11 says, “If you then, beingevil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will yourFather who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.”

What an awesome thing to knowthat God will NEVER leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and NOTHING canseparate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39).

“Butnow, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, OIsrael: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by yourname; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; Andthrough the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through thefire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Meditate on this passage ofScripture in Isaiah 43, and everywhere you see the word YOU, insert your nameinstead, and be encouraged by God’s thoughts towards you. For example, “Butnow, thus says the Lord who created you, O Chris, and He who formed you, OChris, Fear not, for I have redeemed Chris, I have called you Chris by your name,you are Mine.”

And never forget that God’sgot a tattoo of YOU.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Check out my new book's webpage:

www.thebeausejourpulpit.com

Prayer, Worship and the Psalms

2012-01-19T07:40:00.003-06:00

Prayer,Worship and the Psalms:

“Isanyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him singpsalms.” (James5:13).

Have you ever gone to pray andfound that you just couldn’t find the words to express your heart to God? Ifyou have, then you’re not alone. Eugene Peterson (who wrote the Messageparaphrase of the Bible) says, “Most Christians for most of the Christiancenturies have learned to pray by praying the Psalms…The Psalms are the schoolfor people learning to pray.” Martin Luther said, “It is therefore easy tounderstand why the Book of Psalms is the favourite book of all the saints. For every man on every occasion can find init psalms which fit his needs, which he feels to be appropriate as if they hadbeen set there just for his sake.”

Two days ago, I talked aboutthe benefits of reading through the book of Proverbs daily – to receivepractical wisdom for living the day-to-day affairs of life on Earth. Today, Iwant to show you the blessing that the book of Psalms provides for us asChristians – to help us to express our heart to God in worship and prayer. InPsalms, you will find an expression of every emotion you’ve ever felt – joy,anger, praise, repentance, thankfulness, sadness, fear, hope, trust, and evendoubt. When you don’t know what to say when you pray, turn to the book ofPsalms for help.

A SAMPLE OF THE PRAYERS ANDSONGS IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS:

5 –a prayer for guidance

6 –a prayer of faith in time of distress

23 –the Lord the Shepherd of His people

34 –the happiness of those who trust in God

42 –hungry for God in a time of trouble

51 –a prayer of repentance and confession of sin

88 –a prayer for help in time of depression

91 –safety of abiding in the presence of God

95 –a call to worship and obedience

100– a song of praise for the Lord’s faithfulness

121– God the help of those who seek Him

150– let everyone praise the Lord

Read through the Psalms.Meditate on them – think about what they mean. Then pray them back to God. Whenyou read “The Lord is my shepherd” in Psalm 23, say to the Lord, “I’m sothankful that you’re my Shepherd, Lord. I’m so glad that as one of your sheep,I can recognize your voice, and follow you. Thank you for watching over me.”When it says, “Give thanks to the LORD,for he is good. His faithful love endures forever.” then take a momentand thank God for His faithful love and wonderful goodness that never ends.

Pastor Chris Jordan

Check out my new book's webpage:

www.thebeausejourpulpit.com

Look What the Lord Has Done

2012-01-18T07:42:00.001-06:00

LookWhat the Lord Has Done:

ButJesus said, "No, go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderfulthings the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been." (Mark 5:19)

Have you ever read through theFour Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? They record the life andteachings, and the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.It’s wonderful reading about “how Godanointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went aboutdoing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was withHim.” (Acts 10:38). Since I became a Christian, I have endeavoured to readthrough the Gospels at least once a year. The above Scripture in Mark Chapterfive is from an awesome story about how Jesus set free a man who had beenpossessed by a legion of demons. When Jesus was getting ready to leave afterthis incident, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with Him. ButJesus said, “No, go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderful thingsthe Lord has done for you.”

Do you remember the day youfirst encountered the amazing grace and love of the Lord Jesus Christ? I do.When I became a Christian, I couldn’t find enough people to tell about Jesus. Itold my family, my friends – hey, I wouldn’t have preached to a dog if it wouldhave stood still long enough. I was lost, but now I had been found. I was asinner, but now I was saved. I was going to hell, but now I was on my wayHeaven. The point is, God had been so good to me, I couldn’t keep quiet - I hadto tell someone, “Look what the Lord has done.”

When I started following Jesusin the fall of 1990, I immediately felt the Lord was calling me to thefull-time ministry of a pastor. A little over a year after becoming aChristian, I was attending Bible College, preparing forthe work of the ministry. Because God was so real to me, and He had made such adifference in my life, I would never be content to just “be a good littleChristian” or “be religious.” If God was who He said He was, then I had toserve Him with my whole life. Now let me balance this out by saying I don’tbelieve that everyone is called to the full-time ministry. Notice that eventhough the demon possessed man wanted to follow Jesus, just like the 12disciples, Jesus said no. But even though this man wasn’t called to theministry, he was called by Jesus, to go home to his friends and tell them whatthe Lord had done for him.

So, even if you aren’t calledto be a pastor or a missionary, God has called you to share your testimony withyour friends and family. Tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done foryou. The last few words that Jesus spoke to His disciples before He ascendedinto Heaven are recorded in Mark 16:15-16: “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospelto every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he whodoes not believe will be condemned.” This is called The Great Commission– the commission that Jesus gives not only to the original disciples, butindeed to all who call themselves Christians. If the Lord has been good to you– then share that Gospel (Good News) with everyone you know, everywhere you go.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

The Beginning of Wisdom

2012-01-17T07:59:00.000-06:00

TheBeginning of Wisdom:

“Theseare the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel. The purpose of theseproverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understandwise sayings. Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction indiscipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. Theseproverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge andpurpose to young people. Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs andbecome even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance by exploringthe depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles.Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom anddiscipline.” (Proverbs1:1-7).

Many Christians make it ahabit to read a chapter from the book of Proverbs every day, and thereby readthrough the entire book of Proverbs once a month. I think this is a goodpractice. Why? The book of Proverbs is a book of Wisdom. Most of them werewritten by Solomon, the wisest man who ever walked the face of the Earth.Proverbs is a simple, practical book that will help you to live a successfullife. Since I became a Christian, I have read through the book of Proverbs overa dozen times, and I receive new insights every time I do. Allow me to sharewith you just a few of the many benefits of reading through the Proverbs, and Ipray that this will motivate you to begin a journey through this book of wisdomon your own.

THE PURPOSE OF THESE PROVERBSIS:

1. To teach people wisdom and discipline,good conduct, and doing what is right

2. To help them understand wise sayings,and to make the simpleminded clever

3. To give knowledge and purpose to youngpeople, and make wise people wiser

These are all beneficialthings. Who wouldn’t want to be wiser? Who wouldn’t want more knowledge? Andwho wouldn’t want more purpose and meaning in their life? All of these thingsare offered by the book of Proverbs. Let me just share with you a few more ofthe many blessings that you will find in this book of wisdom.

3:1-2 – how to have a long andsatisfying life (memorize God’s Word)

3:3-4 – how to find favourwith God and people (be loyal and kind)

3:7-8 – how to regain renewedhealth and vitality (fear the Lord and turn your back on evil)

18:24 – how to make friends(NKJV – be friendly)

If you’ve never read throughthe book of Proverbs before, why don’t you start today and continue on untilyou’ve read through the entire book? And remember, the most important part ofthe process is not just reading the Proverbs. If you want to receive God’sblessing, you need to be a doer of the Word. James 1:25 says, “But if you keep looking steadily into God'sperfect law – the law that sets you free – and if you do what it says and don'tforget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

God‘s Wonderful Kindness

2012-01-16T07:44:00.002-06:00

God‘sWonderful Kindness:

“Howwe praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us withevery spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ tobe holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been toadopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.And this gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the wonderful kindnesshe has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. He is sorich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, andour sins are forgiven.” (Eph. 1:3-7).

Do you know how much God lovesyou? Sometimes I think we take this most precious and wonderful truth of theBible for granted. I often ask my wife and children this question, “Have Itold you lately that I love you? Have I told you lately that I care? Have I toldyou lately that I love you? Well, Liza (Caleb, Tori, Austin, Hannah – whichever one I’m singing ortalking to at the time.) I’m telling you now.” I believe God wants to giveus a simple reminder today, that He loves us. He loves you and He loves me.What a wonderful thought.

How much does He love us? Ibelieve the above Scripture in Ephesians Chapter One sheds some light on it forus. Let’s take a couple of minutes to go through these verses, shall we?

1. He has blessed us with every spiritualblessing.

Wow. What does that mean? TheApostle James said, “Every good giftand every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father oflights.” (James 1:17). That means every single blessing in your life –every good thing you receive and possess – is a gift from your Heavenly Fatherto you. Have you said thank you to Himlately for all He’s done for you?

2. He loved us and chose us.

O. Now here’s an even more marvellous truth.First John 4:19 says, “We love Himbecause He first loved us.” If God had not chosen us and loved us, andcalled us His very own, we would never have gone looking after Him. The Biblesays that there is none who seeks after God (Romans 3:11). Thank God that Hecame looking for us, that, as one preacher eloquently put it, “The TremendousLover has taken to the chase.” Aren’t you glad that God came looking for you,when you were lost? We never “found God” - He found us.

3. He adopted us into His family.

First John 3:1says, “Behold what manner of love theFather has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.”When we became Christians, God adopted us into His family, We’re children ofGod – children of the King. Since God did not spare even his own Son but gavehim up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?(Romans 8:32).

4. So we praise God forthe wonderful kindness.

God has blessed us with everyblessing in the heavenly realms. Before He ever created the world, He called usand chose us to be His own special people. He adopted us into His family. Hepurchased our freedom, and our sins are forgiven. What should our response be?Let us praise God for the wonderful kindness He has poured out on us – and it’sall because of Jesus. Thanks be to God for His wonderful gift.

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

It‘s Time to Grow Up!

2012-01-15T09:27:00.001-06:00

It‘sTime to Grow Up!:

“Soget rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Don't just pretend to be good. Bedone with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing. You must crave purespiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cryout for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, now that you have had ataste of the Lord's kindness.” (1 Peter 2:1-3).

I love the Bible. When I firstbecame a Christian, I was so hungry to learn more about the wonderful God whohad saved me, so I read through the whole Bible from cover to cover in threemonths. The Apostle Paul told a young man named Timothy that “All Scripture is inspired by God and isuseful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in ourlives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God'sway of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wantsus to do.” (2 Timothy3:16-17) Let’s take a look at what the abovethree little verses in First Peter have to say to encourage and challenge us.The title of this devotional is, “It’s Time to Grow Up.”

1. TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD.

The first key to spiritualgrowth is to know and believe the love that God has for you. If you have never“tasted and seen that the Lord is good” then I can’t challenge you with thenext two points. First John 3:1 says, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hathbestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” In other words, stop and think abouthow awesome God’s love is – that to all who believe in Jesus and accept him,God gives the right to become His children (John 1:12). What an awesome truth.Meditate on it today, and never forget the wonderful privilege of being calledone of God’s children. Because once you know and believe the love that God has for you, you will have a desire to get to know Him more and go deeper in His Word.

2. GET RID OF ALL SIN.

The second key to spiritualgrowth is to make a commitment to obey the Bible – to walk in holiness andpurity. First John 2:4 says, “Ifsomeone says, "I belong to God," but doesn't obey God's commandments,that person is a liar and does not live in the truth.” If you want to grow spiritually, thenmake a commitment to become more and more like Jesus every day. First John 2:6goes on to say, “Those who say theylive in God should live their lives as Christ did.” In other words, if you’re going tocall yourself a Christian, don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk – andthe walk is the Christ walk – to be like Jesus. Someone said once that sin will keep you from the Bible, or the Bible will keep you from sin. If you hide God's Word into your heart, it will help you to say no to sin (Psalm 119:11).

3. CRAVE PURE SPIRITUAL MILK SO THAT YOU CAN GROW.

The third key to spiritualgrowth is to crave the pure spiritual milk of the Word of God. The Bible is ourspiritual food, and if we fail to feed ourselves this pure spiritual milk, thenwe will fail to grow. Colossians 2:7 exhorts us to “Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, soyou will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Letyour lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.” So let’smake a commitment to spiritual growth – by tasting the goodness of God, gettingrid of our sin, and craving the pure milk of the Word. It’s time to grow up – to become more likeJesus.

Check out my faith-building mini-booklet, "It's Time to Grow Up!" by clicking here:
http://player.sermoncentral.com/c/chrisjordan/pdf/183077_3793.pdf

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Lord, Teach us to Pray

2012-01-14T11:07:00.003-06:00

Lord,Teach us to Pray:

“Jesuswas praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples saidto him, Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1)

Can you imagine what it musthave been like, to have been one of Jesus’ disciples, to have watched Him pray?It must have had a great impact on them, because after they watched Jesus prayone day, they came up to Him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” If you want tolearn how to pray, you would do well to go to Jesus and say, “Lord, teach us topray.” That has been my request, and as I have been praying, and seeking God’sface, and reading His Word, and studying books on prayer, I have been learningso much. Let me share one quote with you from a book by Andrew Murray…

“The disciples had learned tounderstand something of the connection between Christ’s wondrous life in publicand His secret life in prayer. They had been with Him and had seen Him pray…And so they went to Him with the request, “Lord, teach us to pray.” In lateryears they would tell us that there were few things more wonderful or blessedthat He taught them than His lessons on prayer… Jesus has opened a school inwhich He trains those of His redeemed ones who especially desire to have powerin prayer. Enter it with the petition, “Lord. This is just what we nee to be taught. O teach us to pray.” (With Christ in the School of Prayer)

One of the first things Jesustaught His disciples about prayer was, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to yourFather who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6). Prayer is aboutgetting alone in the secret place, getting alone until you’re not aloneanymore, but when you begin to commune with your loving Heavenly Father.

I’m going to make today’sdevotional a short one, and encourage you to use the extra few moments to geton your knees and talk to God. Why don’t you do that right now, before you doanything else in your day? Just take two minutes and talk to your heavenlyFather. Jesus is saying to you right now, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice andopens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20). Do you hear the voice of God calling you toprayer? If you do, then open the door to Him and spend some time with Himtoday, in Jesus’ name.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

A Time to Die

2012-01-13T07:40:00.002-06:00

A Timeto Die:

“Toeverything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time tobe born, And a time to die…A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to breakdown, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time tomourn, And a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).

Most people don’t like tothink or talk about death, but the Bible makes it abundantly clear that thereis a time to be born, and a time to die. Unless Jesus comes back in our lifetime, then there will be a day when every one of us will say farewell to ourlives on planet earth, and enter into eternity.

In September of 2007, I saidgoodbye to my dad, Robert Bogle, who was only 55 years old when he lost hisbattle with cancer. When I attended his funeral in Calgary, it was a solemn reminder to me oflife’s shortness, and of that fast approaching day when we will stand beforethe Lord. “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind methat my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.” (Psalm 39:4). Perhaps you haveexperienced the death of a loved one. What are we as Christians to do in theever-present face of death?

THE GRAVE IS NOT THE END –THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH.

“Butlet me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us. Not all of us willdie, but we will all be transformed. It will happen in a moment, in theblinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpetsounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies.And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. Forour perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies thatwill never die. When this happens – when our perishable earthly bodies havebeen transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die – then at last theScriptures will come true: "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death,where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" For sin is the stingthat results in death… How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin anddeath through Jesus Christ our Lord. So,my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic aboutthe Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is everuseless.” (1 Cor. 15:51-58).

In Revelation Chapter one,Jesus revealed Himself by saying, “Don'tbe afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, Iam alive forever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” As Christians, we don’t have to beafraid of death, because death is not an ending - it’s a new and excitingbeginning. As long as we are living on planet earth, there will also be timeswhere we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death. But even there,we will fear no evil, for God is with us. Let me give you just a sneak peakinto what awaits us in Heaven…

“Iheard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is nowamong his people. He will live with them, and they will be his people. Godhimself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there willbe no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evilsare gone forever.” (Rev. 21:3-4).

As long as we continue on ourpilgrimage on planet Earth, we will experience seasons of weeping and laughing,mourning and dancing. But the hope we have as Christians is that one day we’regoing to a wonderful place called Heaven where God will remove our sorrows, andthere will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain anymore. I long for thatday – what a day of rejoicing that will be.

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

Abundant Life of Joy

2012-01-12T07:40:00.003-06:00

AbundantLife of Joy:

“Thethief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have comethat they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Have you ever heard someonesay that being a Christian is dull, monotonous or boring? I don’t know where onEarth they would get that idea. (Maybe from movies like Monty Python‘s “Questfor the Holy Grail” where the monks are shown shuffling their feet alongchanting depressing funeral dirge type songs and banging their heads with twoby four planks – but that‘s not what true Bible Christianity is like). The lifeof faith – can be expressed in an acronym using those five letters F.A.I.T.H. –Fantastic Adventures In Trusting Him. If you’ve never trusted your life toJesus Christ and started following Him, let me warn you – it’s anything BUTboring. It’s not always EASY, but it is EXCITING. I can relate to the ApostlePaul who said, “But none of thesethings move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish myrace with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, totestify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24).

Let me give you a personaltestimony here. When I was in high school, before my personal encounter withthe Lord Jesus Christ, I lived the “party life” just like any othernon-Christian teenager – I went to bars, got drunk, dated girls, and did allthose things that were supposed to be “fun”. Even though that sin waspleasurable for a season, there was no real, deep and lasting joy in thatlifestyle. I want to tell you – this is coming from someone who spent the first18 years of his life in the world, serving Satan and self – that in the last 20+years since I’ve become a Christian, I’ve had more fun – more joy, and moreexcitement – than I ever did in the world. IT’S FUN BEING SAVED!

Well, let’s get to our Bibletext here. Who is the thief that Jesus speaks of in John 10:10? It is thedevil, and from the beginning of time, that old snake has tried to steal, killand destroy in the life of every human being who has ever walked the face ofthe Earth. That’s why the Bible says, “Becareful. Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowlsaround like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” (1 Peter5:7). You see, the devil wants to steal your joy, your peace, and your hope,but you can’t let him. If he does that, he wins. Then he’ll keep you fromsharing the love and joy of Jesus with others. So when the devil comes andtries to get you all sad and depressed, do what the Bible says in James 4:7, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist theDevil, and he will flee from you.”

Alwaysbe full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice. … Don't worry aboutanything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank himfor all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which isfar more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guardyour hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

One more thought here. Eventhough the Christian life – the abundant life that Jesus has for us – is a lifeof joy and peace, it doesn’t mean that we’re never going to have any trouble.Jesus Himself said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that inMe you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of goodcheer, I have overcome the world.” In other words, even though trouble will COMEin your life, it doesn’t have to OVERCOME you. Make a decision – CHOOSE to beof good cheer, and receive the peace of God in your life.

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

John 3:16 – The Most Famous Verse in the World

2012-01-11T07:41:00.002-06:00

John 3:16 – The Most Famous Verse in the World:

“ForGod so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoeverbelieves in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

John3:16 isprobably the most famous verse in the world. Maybe you learned it when you werein Sunday school, or you've seen it on poster boards at hockey games. One ofthe reasons why John 3:16 is such an important Scripture is because it outlinesthe simple message of the Gospel – the Cause, Cost, Condition and Consequenceof salvation…

THE CAUSE OF SALVATION - “For God so loved the world”

If God hadn’t loved us,there would be no salvation for anyone. We could never be good enough to earnour way into Heaven. The Bible says that all of us have sinned and fallen shortof God’s standard of perfection, and that the wages (or penalty) for our sin isspiritual death – separation from God. But thank God He is gracious andmerciful.

THE COST OF SALVATION - “That He gave His only begotten Son”

We sing a song aboutJesus that says, “You came from Heaven to Earth, to show the way, from theEarth to the Cross, my debt to pay.” My son Caleb and I were driving in the carone day singing that song, and I asked him if he knew what that meant, thatJesus paid our debt. When he said no, I explained to him that by dying on theCross, Jesus paid the price for our sins, and took the punishment for the badthings that we have done upon Him. That’s why I love Jesus so much – because Hedied for me.

THE CONDITION OFSALVATION - “That whoever believes in Him”

God has provided thecause of salvation (His love) and paid the cost of salvation – His son Jesus.But the condition of salvation is that it is available only for those who willbelieve in Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no onecomes to the Father (gets to go to Heaven) but through me.” (John 14:6). That means the only wayto get to Heaven is through Jesus – by believing in Him. If you’ve neverbelieved in Jesus, then you’re not going to Heaven. I don’t say that to be mean, and I’m not tryingto keep people out of Heaven, but the only way you can get into Heaven is bybelieving in Jesus. Some people think that just because they go to church thatthat makes them a Christian, but that’s just as silly as thinking that if yougo stand in a parking lot that you’ll become a car, or if you sit in a doghouse you’ll be a dog. Jesus said youMUST be born again – you must believe in Him if you want to be saved.

THE CONSEQUENCE OFSALVATION - “Will not perish, but have everlasting life.”

If you believe in Jesus,you won’t have to perish – to go to hell to be punished for your sins. Instead,you will receive the consequence – the reward – of eternal life. That means youwill live forever in Heaven with God, in a place where there is no death, no pain,no crying – no bad things. If you have never believed in Jesus – asked Him toforgive you of your sins, and be the Lord of your life – then I want tochallenge you to do that right now. If you pray a prayer and trust Jesus toforgive your sins, and commit your life to Him, then God will save you fromyour sins, and adopt you into His family today.

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

Practical Tips for Bible Study

2012-01-10T23:54:00.002-06:00

PracticalTips for Bible Study:

The Bible says, "All Scripture is inspired by God, andis profitable." (2 Timothy 3:16). Reading the Bible is profitable.But there are many Christians who don't know how to read God's Word. I believeit’s so important for Christians to learn how to study the Bible for themselves.If you’ve never read your Bible before, now’s a good time to start. Here are some practical tips to help makeyour Bible study a little bit easier:

1. CHOOSE A MODERN, EASY-TO-READ TRANSLATION:

There are many differentEnglish versions of the Bible available today. Unless you understand the OldEnglish of 1611 really well, then you will have a hard time getting somethingout of the King James Version. I recommend a modern version like the New LivingTranslation, because it is easy to understand. Get a good study Bible – thenotes will help you understand how the Bible applies to your life. If you haveproblems reading, or just don’t like to read, then get the Bible on CD tolisten to, or get someone to read to you.

2. WHERE TO START READING:

Eventually you’ll want to readevery word of the Bible; however, it does not need to be read straight throughfrom page one. Since it is a library of books, you can begin almost anywhere.If you are new to the Bible, here are some suggestions to get you started. Start your reading in the New Testament withthe book of Mark. It is a short, fast-paced account of the life of JesusChrist. This book will give you a dramatic introduction to the events thatchanged the world and can change your life. Studying the life of Jesus willhelp you get to know God better, because Jesus said that when we see Him, wesee the Father.

3. PRAY BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR BIBLE STUDY:

Because God is the author ofthe Bible, He can help us understand what we read. Jesus said the Holy Spiritwould lead us into all truth. This is aprayer I often pray when I read my Bible:

Father God, please give mespiritual wisdom and understanding, so that I might grow in my knowledge ofYou. May my heart be flooded with light so that I can understand the wonderfulfuture You have promised to me. Help me to realize what a rich and gloriousinheritance You have given to me as one of your children, in Jesus‘ name, Amen.(from Eph. 1:17-18)

4. TAKE NOTES ON WHAT YOU’RE READING:

This helps keep your mindactive in the learning process. It forces you to think about what you read andit helps you to remember what you’ve read. Ask yourself questions as you’rereading through the Scripture, like – what does this verse teach me about:

1. God’s nature (what He is like– loving, holy, etc.)

2. My nature (the nature of human beings)

3. God’s Promises (what God has promised to do for me)

4. God’s Commandments (what God requires of me)

5. APPLYTHE WORD TO YOUR LIFE:

This is the most importantstep in your process of Bible study. Don’t just be a hearer, but a doer of theWord. Look for ways to apply the Word to your life - this is the ultimate goalof Bible study. For example, if you read a passage on loving others, look forways to show love. The Bible was not written just to be studied, but to changeour lives.

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

True Worship

2012-01-09T07:36:00.003-06:00

TrueWorship:

“So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you:Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service andpleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.” (Romans 12:1).

The style of Christian worshipvaries from church to church. In some churches today, they sing hymns to an oldpipe organ. In other churches they worship God with singing and shouting,clapping and dancing, with electric guitars, drums and pianos. But the essenceof true worship is not in style of music, nor is it even restricted to whathappens in your church on Sunday mornings. The appeal in Romans 12:1 is tooffer our lives as a living sacrifice to Him, dedicated to His service. Trueworship is an attitude of the heart – it is a lifestyle. This is what Jesusmeant when He said, “But the hour iscoming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spiritand truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (John4:23)

There is a worship songwritten by Matt Redman called, “The Heart of Worship”. The words to the songeloquently depict what I am trying to say.

When the music fades, all is stripped away, and Isimply come

Longing just to bring something that’s of worth thatwill bless your heart

I’ll bring you more than a song, for a song in itselfit not what you have required

You search much deeper within through the way thingsappear, you’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s allabout you – it’s all about you Jesus

I’m sorry Lord for the thing that I’ve made it, whenit’s all about you, it’s all about you, Jesus

King of endless worth, no one could express how muchyou deserve

Thought I’md weak and poor, all I have is yours, everysingle breath.

As Christians, we are calledto live a life of worship to our Creator, our Lord, our Saviour. We are God’schosen people – His very own possession. He wants us to show others thegoodness of God, because we have been called out of darkness into His wonderfullight. (1 Peter 2:9-10). Psalm 150 says, “Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mightyfirmament. Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to Hisexcellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him withthe lute and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him withstringed instruments and flutes. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him withclashing cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”

I want to leave you with thischallenge – if you’re breathing (and you must be, or you wouldn’t be readingthis), then praise the Lord. It’s good to praise Him when you go to church, butworship Him also in your home, in you car, and everywhere you go. Praise Himbecause of who He is, and what He’s done – He is the Lord, so let’s offer ourlives as living sacrifices to Him in worship and praise. Every time you showlove to someone – loving, accepting, forgiving, or caring for another person –that too is an act of worship that brings God honour and glory. This is trueworship.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Will You Forgive?

2012-01-08T09:16:00.001-06:00

Will You Forgive?

“Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love covers all offenses.” (Proverbs 10:12).

I like the book of Proverbs. It offers insightful and practical wisdom for daily living. Consider this little nugget of truth. Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love covers all offenses. What does that mean? If you have God’s love in your heart, it WILL cover ALL offenses. First Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love is patient and kind…Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged…Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Are you patient and kind? If you’re a Christian, and the love of God is in your heart, then those qualities should describe you. Do you demand your own way? Are you irritable? Do you keep records of when people offend you? Do you give up on people? Then chances are, you’re not a Christian. I know that sounds like a strong statement, but let me show it to you in the Scriptures. 1 John 2:9 says “If anyone says, "I am living in the light," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who hates a Christian brother or sister is living and walking in darkness. Such a person is lost, having been blinded by the darkness.” How about John 13:34-35? Jesus said, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

To be a Christian is to be like Christ – to be loving and forgiving. Remember what Jesus said when He hung on the Cross? “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” If you’re going to wear the name of Jesus, then wear His character as well – the love of God. Jesus said if you hate someone it’s the same as committing murder in your heart. He said if you go to church to worship and remember that you‘ve offended someone, or you have failed to forgive someone who‘s offended you, then go and make things right before you worship (Matt. 5:21-26). Jesus also said that if you’re a Christian, not only must you love and forgive your Christian friends, but you must also love your enemies, and bless them, and do good to them as well (Matt. 5:43-48).

Does this sound like an impossible task? Well, it IS impossible in your own strength, but with God‘s help you can do it. I know it’s not always easy being loving, and it’s hard to love and forgive someone who has offended you. But here’s the bottom line. The Bible doesn’t say that love and forgiveness is a “good idea.” It’s a commandment for everyone who calls himself or herself a Christian. Let me give you another Scripture to meditate on. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt. 6:14-15).

Forgiveness is not a side issue. It’s absolutely important. So if you’ve been holding onto unforgiveness, then repent of that sin right now, and ask God to give you the grace to forgive that person. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” Hebrews 12:15 says, “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” Choose forgiveness today – or it’ll destroy you and those around you.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Feed on the Word

2012-01-07T14:14:00.005-06:00

Feedon the Word:

“But Jesus answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live bybread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).

Do you ever feel like there’ssomething missing in your spiritual walk? That you just don’t seem to begrowing or changing at all? If that’s the case, then today’s devotional will bevery important for you. As Christians, we need to learn to feed on God’s Word.But why? Why should we read our Bibles? The above two Scripture verses give ustwo very good reasons.

1. God’s Word is Spiritual Food.

Just like physical foodstrengthens and nourishes our bodies, spiritual food – God’s Word – strengthensand nourishes our spirits. Most of us will eat three square meals a day, not tomention plenty of snacks in between, including that hot plate of nachos andsalsa at the end of the day. Although we don’t neglect feeding our physicalbodies, we often fail to feed our spirits. We think it’s good enough to go tochurch on Sunday and get fed then, but how many of us would be content to feedour physical bodies only one small snack once a week? Come on.

2. Hearing God’s Word Develops Our Faith.

Faith is a spiritual musclethat can grow and be strengthened. Romans 4:20-21 says of Abraham that, “He staggered not at the promise of Godthrough unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fullypersuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Sometimes we doubt and question thepromises of God because our faith is weak, and we don’t believe what Godpromised, He will also perform. If we want more faith, we need to get intoGod’s Word more. We need to feed on the Word. The more we learn about God fromreading the Bible, the more faith we’ll have – the more we’ll trust Him.

Reading the Bible – feeding onGod’s word – nourishes our spirits, and strengthens our faith. Let me give youa few more of the benefits to reading your Bible, and I pray that you’ll beencouraged to start a lifelong journey of feeding on the Word – every day.

12 BENEFITS TO READING THEBIBLE:

CAUSES SPIRITUAL GROWTH (1 Peter 2:2)
CAUSES SPIRITUAL EFFECTIVENESS (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
MAKES YOU PROSPEROUS & GIVE YOU GOOD SUCCESS (Joshua 1:8)
HELPS YOU TO WALK IN PURITY (Psalm 119:9)
GUARDS YOUR HEART AGAINST SIN (Psalm 119:11)
REVIVES YOU (Psalm 119:25)
STRENGTHENS YOU (Psalm 119:28)
GIVES YOU WISDOM (Psalm 119:99)
GIVES YOU LIGHT – DIRECTION FOR YOUR LIFE (Psalm 119:105)
GIVES YOU JOY (John 15:11)
GIVES YOU PEACE (John 16:33a)
GIVES YOU ASSURANCE OF SALVATION (1 John 5:13)

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over

2012-01-06T09:04:00.002-06:00

ItAin’t Over ‘til It’s Over:

“Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of mysalvation; My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall,I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.” (Micah 7:7-8).

I heard a preacher share thisstory once: “In the world of baseball, there was a great player who coined asimple but meaningful phrase that is still quoted today. His name was YogiBerra. And no matter how low the score was, or how badly his team seemed to belosing, Yogi refused to let his confidence sway. When everyone else wasdismissing his team as losers and shaking their heads in disappointment, Yogiwould simply reply, "It ain't over 'til it's over." Yogiwouldn't quit. He refused to be swayed by circumstances or opinion. And to thisday, he is still remembered for it.”

I think this story is a greatillustration of the above Scripture in Micah 7:7-8, and God’s instructions forwhat we should do during the dark and challenging valleys in life.

1. LOOK TO THE LORD.

The prophet Isaiahsaid: “But those who wait on theLORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They willrun and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah40:31). If you need strength, wait on the Lord – spend time with Him in prayer.Yes, life is hard, but you don’t have to fight your battles on your own – thebattle is the Lord’s.

2. BELIEVE THAT YOUR GODWILL HEAR YOU.

In the world today, peoplehave turned that phrase around to say, “WILL my God hear me?” But notice theBible doesn’t say that. God’s Word simply and absolutely declares, “My God WILLhear me.” It’s time for us as Christians to pray with the conviction that Godanswers prayer.

3. DON’T LET THE DEVIL REJOICE OVER YOU.

The Bible says that we have anenemy – the devil – who loves to rejoice when we mess up. But don’t give himthat opportunity. When you fall – whether it’s a fall into sin, or just a fallbecause you are weary or discouraged – say, “Don’t rejoice yet, devil,” andthen use the words of Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over, ‘til it’s over.” Trouble willcome in your life, but it doesn’t have to overcome you.

4. WHEN YOU FALL – ARISE.

Here’s a news flash for you:You’re going to fall. You’re going to sin, and miss the mark – God’s standardof perfection. But your fall doesn’t have to be fatal. Get back up. ARISE. Remember, it ain’t over, ‘til it’s over. Butwhere do we find courage to keep going?

5. THE LORD IS YOUR LIGHT AND YOURSALVATION.

Maybe you’re sitting indarkness today. You may be sitting in the darkness of sin, the darkness ofloneliness, worry, fear or depression. But the Word of God declares, “TheLORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The LORDprotects me from danger – so why should I tremble?” (Psalm 27:1). When we sit in darkness,God comes along with his cosmic search light and reaches out and says, “Are youstuck in there? Do you want a helping hand?”

“Healso brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, and set my feetupon a rock, And established my steps.” (Psalm 40:2). Remember – itain’t over ‘til it’s over. Call upon the name of the Lord – He is mighty tosave.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Are You Weary?

2012-01-05T10:55:00.000-06:00

AreYou Weary?:

“ThenJesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I amhumble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fitsperfectly, and the burden I give you is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

I’m not a morning person onthe best of days – just let me have my shower, a cup of coffee, and everythingwill be alright. But one morning I was feeling exceptionally tired as I forcedmyself out of bed and into the shower. And as I stood in the shower (who knewdivine revelation could happen there?) I thought of the above Scripture, andwondered how many people today would be feeling spiritually tired. Haveyou grown weary on the long journey home? Jesus never said that living theChristian life would be easy. In fact, He said, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here onearth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcomethe world." (John16:33). But in the midst of the long road to Heaven, Jesus offers us thiscomfort: Are you weary and carrying a heavy burden? Then come to Jesus, and letHim give you rest. Here are two Scriptures to encourage you today…

1. Jesus is a friend whowill stick closer than a brother.

"Aman who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who stickscloser than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)

You may have friends who willcome and go in your life, but Jesus will always be by your side. The Bible alsosays, “For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews13:5). What an encouraging word. In a world where friends come and go, it's arelief to know that at least one person will always stand by your side – Jesus.

2. Jesus is a friend whocan help you with your problems.

"Castall your care upon Jesus, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7).

Not only will Jesus always bethere for you, but He is a Friend who you can trust with all of your troubles.You can come to Jesus and tell Him your problems, and know that He loves you,He cares about you, and He has the power to help you. Why carry all of yourburdens by yourself? They're too heavy for you anyway. Cast them onto Jesus,because He cares for you.

I want to leave you with onefinal thought, the words to the well-known poem "Footprints". I thinkit's a beautiful picture of the role that Jesus plays in our lives asChristians. Enjoy…

One night a man had a dream.He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashedscenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in thesand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashedbefore him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that manytimes along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He alsonoticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. Thisreally bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, You said that once I decided to followYou, You’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the mosttroublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed You mostYou would leave me.” The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love youand would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when yousee only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

Passion for His Presence

2012-01-04T12:00:00.004-06:00

Passionfor His Presence:

“Asthe deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.”(Psalm 42:1)

Jesus said: “Behold, I stand at the doorand knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to himand dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

What is passion? It can bedefined as: “strong feeling or emotion” or “something that is desiredintensely” or “a kind of enthusiastic fondness for anything.” Based on thosedefinitions, would you say that you are passionate about being in the presenceof God?

For the past few weeks, I havehad an unquenchable hunger and passion to be in the presence of God. I feelthat the Lord is calling me – and indeed, all of His children – into a deepermore intimate and personal relationship with Him. I’ve been a Christian sinceAugust 1989, and I’ve been in the ministry since January of 1993, and I’ve hadmany awesome mountain top experiences in the presence of the Lord. But latelyI’m so dissatisfied with where I’m at in my relationship with God. I want toknow Him more. Like the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:10, “For my determined purpose is that I mayprogressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him.” (TheAmplified Bible). Are you passionate for His presence? Do you feel that longingin your heart for “something more?” That desire will only be fulfilled when youbegin to seek after the Lord with all of your heart. If you’re passionate aboutHis presence, then seek after Him. Pray and read your Bibles – not because youhave to – but because you can encounter Jesus through the pages of His Word. Becauseyou know that it’s in the secret place, in your prayer closets, and inmeditating on God’s Word that you encounter Him personally.

Take the time today to readthrough this Scripture slowly and prayerfully:

“Howlovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty. I long, yes, I faint withlonging to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, Iwill shout joyfully to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home there, andthe swallow builds her nest and raises her young – at a place near your altar,O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. How happy are those who can live in yourhouse, always singing your praises. Happy are those who are strong in the LORD…When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it willbecome a place of refreshing springs, where pools of blessing collect after therains. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear beforeGod in Jerusalem. O LORD God Almighty, hear my prayer. Listen,O God of Israel…Asingle day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else. I wouldrather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in thehomes of the wicked. For the LORD God is our light and protector. He gives usgrace and glory. No good thing will the LORD withhold from those who do what isright. O LORD Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.”(Psalm 84:1-12).

Haveyou experienced the beauty of the dwelling place of the presence of the Lord?Do you long to enter into that secret place with Him? There is a blessing to thosewho seek Him and choose to dwell in His presence. Take the time today to getalone with God in the secret place. Talk to Him. Worship Him. Read His Word.And let’s long for God passionately, just like the deer pants for the cool andrefreshing water brooks.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

I Was Glad

2012-01-03T09:44:00.001-06:00

IWas Glad:

“Iwas glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1).

This Scripture was on my heartone morning when I was getting ready for church. When you wake up and get readyto go to church, is your heart’s attitude the same as David’s? Do you say, Iwas glad when they said to me, let’s go to church? If not, then it’s time toask ourselves why.

Why is it people don’t getexcited about going to church? When I first became a Christian, and startedgoing to church in the fall of 1990, I would go to church every single time thedoors were open. Jesus Christ had saved me from my sins, and made such adifference to me, I WANTED to go to church. They didn’t have to send someonefrom the church knocking on my door to make sure I was going to church. If theywere having a worship service, a mid-week Bible study, I wanted to be there. Andyou know what? That’s still true today. Why? Because church is not just a religiousexercise for me – it’s a time to meet with my God. It amazes me that there arepeople who debate whether or not to go to church on a Sunday morning. “Should Igo to church or stay in bed, or watch TV, or go to the beach?” Unbelievable.But sometimes when people lose their vision for something, they lose the joythat accompanies living on purpose. So here’s a quick reminder of three of thebenefits to going to church.

1. TO ENCOUNTER GOD

Psalm 27:4 – “One thing I have desired of the Lord, Thatwill I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.”

King David, the person thatthe Bible says was “a man after God’s own heart” said that he had one passionin his life: to dwell in God’s house, to see Him, and hear His voice. The firstand most important reason we go to church is to meet with God and to behold Hisbeauty. It’s not just to sing songs and hear stories about what God did in thepast, but to actually encounter our living, loving Heavenly Father, His SonJesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. As we encounter the Lord, we are blessed,encouraged, transformed, healed, delivered and refreshed by His presence.

2. TO BUILD UP OUR FAITH

Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearingby the word of God.”

The Bible says that when wesit under the preaching of God’s Word, it builds up our faith. Faith is ourspiritual muscle. Jesus also said that man does not live by bread alone, but byevery word that comes from God’s mouth (Matt. 4:4). When we hear God’s Word,our faith grows. The more we learn about how good God is, and how much He lovesus, the more we will confidently trust Him in every situation.

3. TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS

“Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and gooddeeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, butencourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming backagain is drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24-25)

The third reason we go tochurch is to get together with the rest of God’s family. God wants us toencourage one another, to pray for each other, and to bear one another’sburdens. I often say that “There are no Lone Rangers in the body of Christ.” Ifyou’re a Christian, then God wants you to get connected with other Christiansand be an active part of His family. If you need encouragement, then church isthe place to find it. If you are encouraged and blessed, then it’s a place toencourage and bless others.

The next time someone says,“Let’s go to church” then get happy. It’s a time to encounter God, to build upour faith, and to encourage others – GOD’S purpose for church.

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

Daily Devotional #1: New Beginnings

2012-01-01T23:08:00.000-06:00

New Beginnings:

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

There’s something refreshing about a new year. With the turning of the page on the calendar from December 31^st to January 1^st means the old is gone, and the new has come. It’s a great time to forget those things that are behind, and reach ahead to all of the wonderful things that lie ahead. I believe that God wants to do a new thing in all of our lives as we head into this New Year.

The above Scripture, spoken by the prophet Isaiah, is a prophetic picture for us as we begin this New Year. God is saying, “Forget the past. I am going to do a new thing in your midst!” And I love the visual picture that the Lord gives to us through the prophet: “I will make rivers in the desert.” In other words, even though your life may feel like a dry, barren wasteland, even though you may feel cracked, dry and brittle, God wants to pour out rivers of living water into our lives.

Isaiah 44:3 says, “For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.” Are you tired of the usual? Do you want a new and fresh start in this New Year? Then let’s forget the past. If you have messed up, then simply confess that sin to Jesus and receive His free forgiveness. Then let’s start this year with a clean slate. Isaiah 1:18-19 says: “Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”

Here are some suggestionsfor some goals that you can set for the New Year, to start your own newbeginnings!

GOALS FOR NEW BEGINNINGS:

Pray – work on developing your personal relationship with Jesus.

Read your Bible regularly - discover God's wonderful plan for your life.

[Click HERE to download a printable Bible reading schedule]

Serve in your local church - ask your pastor how you can get involved.

Witness – tell other people the good news about Jesus.

Get involved in missions – giving financially, praying, or going on a mission trip.

Do acts of random kindness - always look for ways to bless other people.

Pray for the sick – never pass up an opportunity to pray for someone.

Break a bad habit or stop a habitual sin - get help you if you need it.

Forgive someone who has hurt or offended you.

Work on relationships with others! (the two greatest commands = love God & people)

Praying that you would go deep, grow strong, and bear fruit in this New Year…

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

The Beausejour Pulpit - New Book by Chris Jordan

2011-11-29T13:08:00.001-06:00

Dear friends,

The Beausejour Pulpit:
One Word From God Can Change Your Life Forever!

For generations, the pulpit has stood at center stage in most Protestant churches. More than just a podium to hold the pastor’s notes, this wooden instrument symbolizes the proclamation of the Word of God. This collection of sermons preached in Beausejour, Manitoba is designed to help you encounter the living Word so that your life can be transformed. In this book, you will discover how to:
~ stir up a hunger for more of God in your life
~ grow spiritually and become more like Jesus
~ pray powerful prayers and get more out of your Bible study
~ get more joy and satisfaction in your life
~ discover scientific evidence that supports the Biblical account of creation
~ gain keys to understanding the Book of Revelation
~ and more!

Here's a look ateach of the messages contained in this book:
.

Hunger and the Need for Revival

God’sdesire is that this latter day’s church would be greater in glory and powerthan the early church. It’s time to contend for a fresh outpouring of the HolySpirit in our midst today and pray for revival.
.

Redigging the Wells of Prayer

If wewant to see the same power – signs, wonders, healings and miracles – as thechurch in Acts, then we must have the same priority of prayer as they did.
.

With Jesus in the School of Prayer

Jesuswants to teach us how to pray. When we spend time with Jesus in the secretplace, prayer becomes an exciting adventure.
.

Church, It’s Time to Grow Up!

God hasgiven us an amazing gift in the Bible. He wants us to feed upon His Word, growspiritually, and become more like His Son, Jesus.
.

Fullness of Joy and Rivers of Pleasure

There’ssomething missing in the church today. It’s called JOY. It is God’s desire thatwe would experience fullness of joy, and rivers of pleasure.
.

Origins #1: Creation

Acomparison between the two opposing beliefs of creation and evolution. As humanbeings, we have been created in the image of a God who loves us and has awonderful plan for our lives.
.

Origins #2: The Fall

If God isgood, and He created everything, and the original creation was very good, thenwhy is there death and suffering in the world?
.

Origins #3: Dinosaurs in the Bible

If Godmade the dinosaurs with all other land animals and human beings on day six ofcreation, then are there dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible?
.

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation

TheRevelation of Jesus Christ is one of the most interesting books of the Bible.This message will give you the keys to unlocking the mysteries of Revelation.
.

Foursquare Foundations

A look atour church’s statement of faith.
.

Faith in Focus: The Newspaper Columns 2011

A collectionof articles that were published in our local newspaper.
.

Proverbs: Wisdom for Daily Living

A 31 daydevotional journey through the Book of Proverbs.
.

To download anorder form, click here:

http://sermonplayer.com/c/chrisjordan/pdf/119757758_3793.pdf
.

Book Release Date:January 30, 2012.

Cost: $15

200 pages
Please make chequespayable to Chris Jordan Publications.

For more info,contact:

Chris JordanPublications, Box 1823, Beausejour, MB. R0E 0C0.

chrisjordan@live.ca.204-266-1930.

www.chrisjordanpublications.ca

Foursquare Foundations #8: Judgment and Evangelism

2011-10-20T07:38:00.001-05:00

Foursquare Foundations #8:

Today we come to our final five statements of faith in our Foursquare Foundations.
If you want to download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.
To listen to a special audio podcast covering all 22 points in our statement of faith, click HERE.

18. Judgement: We believe that all shall stand before the judgmentseat of Christ: the redeemed to be delivered unto everlasting life, and theunrepentant unto everlasting punishment (Rev. 20:11-12; 2 Cor. 5:10).

The Bible says, “For we must all appearbefore the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things donein the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor.5:10). This is perhaps one of the most sobering Scriptures in the entire Bible.It warns us that when this life on earth is over, there is coming a day whenevery one of us will have to give an account of the lives that we have lived,before the judgment seat of Christ. What we do with Jesus today, and whether ornot we embrace Him as our Lord and Saviour, will determine where we will spendour eternity.

How does this truth impact our livestoday? I think we should be motivated to live every hour of every day in lightof eternity, and do whatever we can to help bring as many people to Heaven withus!

19. Heaven: We believe that heaven is the glorious habitation ofthe living God and the eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:2; Rev.7:15-17).

There are a lot of misunderstandingsabout what Heaven will be like. Contrary to the ideas popularized by Hollywoodmovies and TV shows, we won’t be lying around on clouds, wearing dresses,playing harps, and eating cream cheese. See how the Bible describes the blissof Heaven: “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day andnight in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. Theyshall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them,nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd themand lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:15-17). Haveyou made your peace with God, and are you ready for Heaven?

20. Hell: We believe that hell is a place of darkness, deepestsorrow, and unquenchable fire, which was not prepared for man but for the deviland his angels; yet it will become the place of eternal separation from God forall who reject Christ as Savior (Matt. 13: 41-42; Rev. 20:10, 15).

I’ll be honest with you – I don’t likethe doctrine of hell. But whether I like it or not is beside the point. TheBible teaches that just as surely as there is a Heaven that awaits those who have trusted Jesus to be their Lordand Saviour, there is a hell thatawaits those who reject His free offer of salvation. Although God is good, Heis also holy and just, and as a just judge, He must punish sin. The Bible says,“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of Hiskingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and willcast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing ofteeth.” (Matt. 13:41-42). How can you escape the punishment that awaits inhell? By trusting in Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour, confessing your sins toHim, and receiving His free gift of salvation!

21. Evangelism: We believe that soul winning is the “one bigbusiness” of the Church on earth, and that every hindrance to worldwideevangelism should be removed (James 5:20; Mark 16:15).

In light of the fact that there iscoming a day of judgment, and the fact that every soul who lives will spendeternity in one of only two places (heaven or hell), how then should we live?If we have found peace with God through a personal relationship with Jesus,then we should be motivated to share the Gospel (Good News) with others, sothey too can be saved from their sins! Jesus has commanded all of His followers:“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15).Let us pray that the Lord would give us boldness and wisdom to be able to shareHis love with others, so that they too can experience the joy and peace ofsalvation, amen?

22. Tithing andOfferings: We believe that tithingand offerings are ordained of God to sustain His ministry, spread the Gospel,and release personal blessing (Malachi 3:10; 1 Cor. 16: 1-2).

In the Old Testament, the Lord gives achallenging rebuke to His people: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me!But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You arecursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.” (Malachi3:8-9). He rebuked His people for neglecting to honour Him with their tithes –the first 10% of their income. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, Thatthere may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the Lord ofhosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out foryou such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi3:10). When we tithe to our local church, not only are we providing for thereto be ‘food’ in God’s house – sustaining His ministry and spreading the Gospel– but God has also promised to bless us when we honour Him with our finances.“Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all yourincrease; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflowwith new wine.” (Prov. 3:9-10). If you haven’t made a commitment to tithefaithfully – and give offerings over and above that first 10% of your income –then why don’t you do so today? God said, “Test me in this – see if I won’tbless you!” Our God is faithful.

As we come to the conclusion of our Statementof Faith, I hope that you have been encouraged as you have meditated on thesegreat truths from God’s Word. “And remember, it is amessage to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only foolingyourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at yourface in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You seeyourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep lookingsteadily into God's perfect law -- the law that sets you free -- and if you dowhat it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doingit.” (James 1:22-25).

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Foursquare Foundations #7: Church and Government

2011-10-19T09:06:00.003-05:00

Foursquare Foundations #7:

As we are coming near the end of our journey through the foundations of our faith, I want to encourage you to read through these final statements - not just with the goal to learn more information - but with the motivation to put these things into practice in your life...

12. Church Relationship. We believe that itis our sacred duty to identify ourselves with a congregation of believers withwhom we can worship God, observe the ordinances of Christ, exhort and supportone another, labor for the salvation of others, and work together to advancethe Lord’s Kingdom (Acts 16:5; Hebrews 10:24).

There has been an unfortunate movement that has taken place today wherepeople say, “I believe in Jesus, but I don’t feel I have to go to church.”However, you cannot reconcile those two statements together! If you are aChristian, then that means you have been adopted into the family of God, and asa part of God’s family, we have a responsibility to gather together with otherbelievers. There is no biblical precedent for someone becoming a believer andnot getting involved in a local church. In fact, the Scripture clearlyadmonishes us to be faithful in attendance to a local church: “Think of ways toencourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us notneglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn eachother, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.”(Hebrews 10:24-25).

Christianity is about two things: Loving God and loving people, but howcan we love people if we refuse to meet together with them? God’s desire is forus to get connected in deep and meaningful relationships with other Christianswhere we love each other, care for each other, pray for each other, andchallenge each other to go deeper in our relationship with the Lord. If youhaven’t made a solid commitment in your heart to prioritize church attendance,I want to challenge you to do so today!

13. Civil Government. We believe that civilgovernment is by divine appointment and that civil laws should be upheld at alltimes except in things opposed to the will of God (Acts 4:18-20; Romans13:1-5).

It grieves my heart when I hear Christians complaining about thegovernment or disrespecting any kind of authority – whether it is civil(government leaders), domestic (parents), social (employers, teachers orcoaches) or church leaders. The Bible clearly tells us: “Obey the government,for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in powerby God. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obeyGod, and punishment will follow.” (Romans 13:1-2). There is only ever one timewhere we have the right to disobey authorities, and that is when they ask us todo something that violates a clear command of Scripture. For example, if theypassed a law in Canada that said we couldn’t read the Bible or pray anymore, wewould submit to the higher laws of God’s Kingdom which encourage us to do suchthings.

Christians have been given the God-given right and responsibility topray for our leaders, and as we are faithful to do that, God has promised tobless us. “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make yourrequests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way forkings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace andquietness, in godliness and dignity.” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). So the next time you feellike complaining about a leader, choose instead to pray for them, and watch Goddo a mighty work in their lives!

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Foursquare Foundations #6: Healing and Second Coming

2011-10-18T14:03:00.003-05:00

Foursquare Foundations #6:

If someone was to ask what the Foursquare Gospel Church believed, the shortest and simplest answer would be: We believe that Jesus is the Saviour, Healer, Baptiser in the Holy Spirit, and the Soon Coming King. We have already reviewed two aspects of the nature of Christ (salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit) and today we will consider Him as Healer and Soon Coming King...

14. Divine Healing - We believe that divine healing is the power of Jesus Christ to heal the sick in answer to the prayer of faith; He, who does not change, is still willing and able to heal the body, as well as the soul and spirit in answer to faith (Mark 16:17,18; James 5:14-16).

In the Great Commission, where Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, He said: "And these signs will follow those who believe... they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18). Contrary to some religious man-made traditions, Jesus is still healing the sick today! The foundational Scripture for the Foursquare Gospel Church - found on the wall in most of our church sanctuaries around the world - is Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." If Jesus was the Lord our Healer 2,000 years ago, then He's still the Lord our Healer today. Thisis the third of the four cardinal Foursquare doctrines we believe about whoJesus is: He is our Healer. As Christians, we have been commissioned by Jesus to lay hands on sick people and see them recover. So let's be obedient to the call, and pray for the sick to be healed today!

15. The Second Coming of Christ - We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; the certainty of His coming and the fact that no man knows the hour of His coming prompt our evangelistic efforts; that the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven, the dead in Christ shall rise, and the redeemed will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (Matthew 24:36,42,44; 1 Thess. 4:16-17).

Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to the Earth as the lamb of God who died on the Cross to pay the price for our sins. One day in the very near future, Jesus will return to the Earth, but this time He's returning as the Great King and Judge of all the earth, to render to every one according to their deeds. Because the return of King Jesus is imminent, how then should we live? Jesus Himself said, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Matt. 24:24). Thisis the final of the four cardinal Foursquare doctrines we believe about whoJesus is: He is our Soon Coming King.If Jesus was to return to the earth today - would you be ready?

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Foursquare Foundations #5: Spirit Filled Life

2011-10-17T20:39:00.003-05:00

Foursquare Foundations #5:

Here is a look at three more aspects of our Foursquare Gospel Church's statement of faith...

11. The Spirit Filled Life. We believe that it is the will of God that believers walk in the Spirit daily and He gives us the grace to do so. (Ephesians 4:30-32)

Christianity isn't just about what happens in a building on a Sunday morning. Being a Christian is about having a living and vital relationship with Jesus today, where we walk in the Spirit. What does that look like? The Bible says, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph. 4:30-32). To walk in the Spirit means we put aside sin, and choose to walk in righteousness. Although we will never be able to do this pefectly, with God's grace, we can do it in an ever-increasing manner ever day, as we choose to submit to the Spirit's leading.

12. The Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to believer, and these will build up the Body of Christ (His Church). As evidence of a spirit-filled life, believers show spiritual “fruit” as a result: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 5:22)

Not only does God want us to be led by the Spirit, but He also wants us to demonstrate the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The fruit of the Holy Spirit enable us to walk in the character of Christ, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit enable us to do the works of Christ. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues."

If you want to learn more about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, click HERE to read a chapter from my Supernatural book on the gifts.

13. Moderation. We believe that the experience and daily walk of the believer should not lead them into extremes or fanaticism. Their lives will model that of Christ in uprightness, balance, humility and self-sacrifice. (Colossians 3:12, 13; Philippians 4:5)

Although I think it is good to avoid extremes or fanaticism, we must be careful that we don't interpret this statement of faith to mean that we do not need to have passion or zeal in our Christian lives. I believe that God's children should be fully enthusiastic and radical in their worship, celebrating the goodness of God through singing, shouting, and undignified dancing, and sharing that excitement with others. The people who are lost don't need a bored, half-hearted, lukewarm disciple - they need to see someone who is genuine and passionate about their relationship with Jesus! When we get set on fire for a passion for Jesus, the world will stand up and take a notice.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Foursquare Foundations #4: Baptism of the Spirit

2011-10-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Fourquare Foundations #4:

Today, we are going to continue examining the basics of the Christian faith by focusing on the person and ministries of the Holy Spirit...

10. Baptism of the Holy Spirit. We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to exalt Jesus, to live lives of holiness, and to be witnesses of God’s saving grace. (Acts1:5, 8; 2:4)

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall giveyou another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; the Spirit oftruth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knowsHim; but you know Him, for He dwells withyou and will be in you.”(John 14:16-17).

There are three important things we need tounderstand about the Holy Spirit if we want to experience His fullness: TheSpirit with us, within us, and upon us. Theseare three different stages or experiences that we can have with the Holy Spirit.

Before you ever became a Christian and calledon the name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was withyou, drawing you to Jesus. Jesus said, “And when (the Holy Spirit) has come, He willconvict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” (John 16:8). When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit comes to liveinside of you.

“But you shall receive power, after that theHoly Spirit is come upon you: and youshall be witnesses unto me.” (Acts1:8).

One of the last instructions that Jesus gaveHis disciples was to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit. He told themthat He would baptize them with God’s Spirit. If you are a Christian, the HolySpirit is already in you. But now Godwants His Spirit to come upon you togive you power and boldness to minister to others.

One of the phrases the Bible uses to describethis experience is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. That word baptism means tobe immersed, or filled to overflowing, with the Holy Spirit. When we talk aboutthe baptism of the Holy Spirit, no longer is the Holy Spirit simply in us, He is now flowing out of us. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture hassaid, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this Hespoke concerning the Spirit.” (John 7:37-39a). This is the second of the four cardinal Foursquare doctrines we believeabout who Jesus is: He is our Baptiser in the Holy Spirit. We needto cry out for a fresh infilling of God’s Spirit, to be filled to overflowingin our lives.

Dear reader, have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit likethe disciples did on the Day of Pentecost? Jesus has a wonderful gift that Hewants to give to you today. The first and greatest gift that God offers to usis the gift of salvation. When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we aresaved, forgiven, and adopted into God’s family. But the Lord has another giftthat He wants to give to His children. Jesus said, “But you shall receive powerwhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me.”(Acts 1:8). How do we receive this gift of the Holy Spirit? Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;knock, and it will be opened to you… how much more will your heavenly Fathergive the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:9,13b). If you ask,you will receive. This is an essential gift for us to have if we want to help others.

If you have never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then Iwant to invite you to pray this prayer right now: Heavenly Father, I thank you that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and I amone of your children. I am asking that you would fill me with the Holy Spirit,and give me power and boldness to be a witness for you. In Jesus’ mighty name,amen. If you prayed that prayer from a believing heart, Jesus has promisedto fill you with His Spirit.

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

Note: Today's teaching on the Holy Spirit was condensed from chapter two of Pastor Chris Jordan's book "Supernatural: Contending for Signs and Wonders Today." If you want a free copy of the e-book of Supernatural, contact the author today at chrisjordan at live dot ca.

Foursquare Foundations #3: Daily Christian Life

2011-10-13T11:16:00.001-05:00

Foursquare Foundations #3:

What are the basics of Christianity? In this seven part series, we are considering together the foundations of our faith, taken from the Foursquare Gospel Church's statement of faith.

8. Daily Christian Life. We believe that it is the will of God that we be sanctified (cleansed from sin) daily, growing stronger in faith, power, prayer, love, holiness and service. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Contrary to popular belief, being a Christian isn't just about going to church once a week on a Sunday morning and singing some songs and hearing some stories about what God did in the past. Rather, it is about having a vital, living, personal relationship with Jesus Christ on a daily basis. There are six different areas listed here that the Lord wants us to grow in:

Faith: Faith comes by hearing God's Word, and therefore, one of the best things we can do to grow stronger in our faith is to feed on God's Word every day, reading, meditating on and looking for ways to put the Bible into practice.
Power: Jesus said that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us so we could be His witnesses. We need God's power and boldness to tell other people about Jesus.
Prayer: Christianity is not a religion - it is about a personal relationship with God. Therefore, one of the best daily disciplines we can incorporate into our lives is daily time in prayer. Not just saying our prayers, but spending time with Jesus in the secret place.
Love: Our highest calling as Christians is to love God with all of our hearts, and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. So every day, let us strive to be perfected in the love walk.
Holiness: In addition to becoming more loving, God also wants us to progress in the walk of holiness - becoming more and more like Jesus every day, and being more and more separated from sin. Although we'll never be perfected in this, our goal should be to grow in holiness.
Service: Finally, Jesus said that the greatest in the Kingdom of God would be those who would serve others. There are many opportunities both in the church and in our community where we can lay down our lives in service to others. Where are you serving the Lord?

9. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is an essential response to Jesus’ command and testifies to His lordship as Christ and King. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4). We believe in remembering Jesus’ death as we observe the Lord’s Supper by receiving the symbols of the bread and juice of the vine and rejoice in His triumph over death on the cross. (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)

After giving your life to Jesus Christ and becoming a Christian, the Lord's first commandment to us is to be baptised in water. If you haven't done so yet, why don't you talk to your pastor today and make the decision to be obedient to Christ's command? Baptism is a public declaration to the world that says, "I have decided to follow Jesus - He is my Lord and Saviour."

Although baptism is a once in a believer's lifetime event, communion on the other hand is a regular and ongoing sacrament that we experience. In most evangelical churches, communion is celebrated monthly, usually on the first Sunday of the month. When we come to the Lord's table, it is a time of remembering what Jesus has done for us. When we partake of the bread or cracker, it reminds us that Jesus' body was broken for us, and when we drink the grape juice, it reminds us that Jesus shed His blood for our sins to be forgiven. This is not merely a religious ritual however - there is actually a communion in the communion - where we fellowship with and experience the presence of the Lord. It is a place to receive forgiveness, peace and healing in our bodies.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Foursquare Foundations #2: The Fall and Salvation

2011-10-12T23:06:00.002-05:00

Foursquare Foundations #2:

Today we are going to continue looking at five more foundations of our faith...

3. The Fall of Man. We believe that man was created in the image of God, but that by voluntary disobedience he fell from perfection. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12).

On Wednesdays, I lead a Christian club at our local high school. I remember one day when we played a murder mystery game that the students enjoy called Mafia. After the game was finished, I used the game as a backdrop to our discussion on the fall of man as recorded in Genesis chapter three. I reminded the students about our lesson from last week, that God is a good God, and He created everything in the universe, and it was all originally good. However, if that's true, then why is there evil in the world? Well, after God created the first two human beings, Adam and Eve, and put them in the Garden of Eden, He gave them only one prohibition: Don't eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But sometime later in creation history, the devil appeared in the garden in the form of a serpent and tempted Eve to eat the fruit, and she in turn gave the fruit to Adam to eat. So even though Adam and Eve had been created in the image of God, now the image of God in them was marred by their sin. "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12). That sin nature was passed on to all of their descendants, including every human being who has ever lived. This is the bad news! However, God had a plan to redeem and restore mankind...

4. The Plan of Redemption. We believe that while we were still sinners Christ died for us, and with His life’s blood purchased the pardon for all who believe in Him. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)

After Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, God didn't write them off or give up on them. In fact, the first words God spoke, immediately after their rebellion, were, "Where are you?" God came looking for them to restore them to a right relationship to Himself. Sadly though, the Bible teaches us that all people have sinned, and that the penalty for our sin is death, or eternal separation from God. But the Bible also says that God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only son Jesus to die on the Cross, so that anyone who believes in Him would not have to perish, but would receive everlasting life (John 3:16). That's the good news! Salvation is available to all through Jesus Christ. Thisis the first of the four cardinal Foursquare doctrines we believe about whoJesus is: He is our Saviour. How then do we experience this salvation?

5. Salvation Through Grace. We believe that we are saved from our sin completely through God’s grace; that we have no righteousness or ability to contribute to receiving God’s love and favour. (Ephesians 2:8)

Although some religions teach that you can be saved by your good works, the Bible tells us a different story. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Our salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone - it is a free gift! How then do we receive this gift from God?

6. Repentance and Acceptance. We believe that upon sincere repentance and a whole-hearted acceptance of Christ, we are justified before God, accepted as though we had no sin. (Romans 10:6-10; 1 John 1:9)

God has done His part to make salvation available to us, but now we must choose to receive this gift. This happens as we repent - we turn from our sins and turn to God, and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour. Romans 10:9 tells us how to do this: "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
As we confess Jesus as our Lord, He comes into our life and we are born again.

7. The New Birth. We believe that the change that takes place in the heart and life at conversion is a very real one and after we receive Christ and His Spirit, we will have new desires, interests and pursuits in life. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20)

One of the most exciting Scriptures that describes what happens when we believe in Jesus says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). Like a caterpillar that becomes a butterfly, a sinner is transformed into a saint. Those who were once children of the devil and on the road to hell are now children of God on the road to Heaven! This new birth is the beginning of an exciting journey with Jesus.

If you haven't trusted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, why don't you call upon the name of the Lord today, for He is mighty to save!

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

Foursquare Foundations #1: The Bible and Godhead

2011-10-07T11:14:00.002-05:00

Dear friends,

Over the past few years, this blog has served many different functions, but it has primarily been a place where I have shared faith-building articles based on God's Word. In addition to a verse-by-verse Bible study on the Book of Revelation, it also includes the complete text of my first published book, Supernatural.

For the next week, I am going to write a series of daily articles that explore the Foursquare Gospel Church's Statement of Faith - a declaration of what we believe. I pray that your faith will be inspired and encouraged as we consider these important foundations together. Feel free to add your comments and questions to the posts each day, and join the discussion!

FOURSQUARE FOUNDATIONS #1:

The Holy Scriptures. We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God: true, immutable, steadfast, and unchangeable. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)

As Christians who call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ, it makes sense that our first statement of faith would be a declaration of what we believe about the Bible. The Bible isn't just another holy book to sit on a shelf alongside of the many other religious books of the world. It stands apart because the Bible is the very Word of God. Second Timothy 3:16-17 declares, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." In other words, this book is not the product or invention of the mind of a man, but instead it was inspired by God Himself. Although the Lord used 40 different human authors over a period of about 1600 years, every word of God is true, and comes from the very heart of a God who is all loving and all wise. Therefore, the Bible is the blueprint for our lives, and teaches us how to live a blessed and successful life on planet earth.

How does this truth impact our lives today? Well, if we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then we should read and study its pages every day, and seek God's wisdom and direction for our lives! If you have never made a commitment to read the Bible, I want to challenge you to do so today.

The Eternal Godhead. We believe God is Triune, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the Three are coexistent, coeternal, and equal in divine perfection. (1 John 5:7)

In the Apostle's Creed, we declare, "I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord. And I believe in the Holy Spirit." The doctrine of the trinity, or tri-unity of the Godhead, is one that we see throughout the Scriptures. "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." (1 John 5:7). One of the most common questions that I get as a pastor is - how can God be three, and yet still be one? Although I have heard numerous attempts at explaining the trinity, I have yet to find one that I think adequately explains this doctrine. However, even though I - with my limited, finite mind - can't totally understand the nature of the Godhead, I can still choose to believe that it is true.

How does this truth impact our lives today? As Christians, our highest calling is to love God with all of our hearts. The more we get to know God, the more we will love Him. One of the best studies we can do in the Bible is a study of the names and nature of God. He is Saviour, Healer, Baptiser in the Holy Spirit, but He is also our Deliverer, our Peace, our Strength and more. Make a commitment to get to know God better through studying His Word, and deepening a personal relationship with Him in prayer.

I hope you've enjoyed this first installment of our Foursquare Foundations. Check back tomorrow to read our next installment!

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation #21-22

2011-07-05T09:29:00.001-05:00

REVELATION #21 – A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN:

(Pastor Chris Jordan – 2011 – Beausejour Community Church)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.

To listen to the audio messages or download the MP3's, click HERE.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND COMING:

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
• At the second coming of Jesus, the rapture of the church will take place.
• The rapture = being ‘caught up’ to meet the Lord in the air.

SET YOUR SIGHTS ON HEAVEN:

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2).
• This final lesson in the book of Revelation is important because God wants us to set our sights on the reality of Heaven, and to let Heaven fill our thoughts.
• Heaven is not about sitting around on fluffy clouds eating cream cheese!

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.” (Revelation 21:1-6).

• Believers will live together with God, enjoying sweet fellowship with Him, face to face.
• God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
• There will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain. The old things have passed away!
• God says, “I will make all things NEW!”
• What do we learn about God’s nature? He is the Alpha and the Omega.
• God promises to let us drink of the fountain of the water of life freely.

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:7-8).

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
• The cowardly and unbelieving = the opposite of being faithful
• Abominable = polluted by the world’s abominations
• Sorcerers = the literal Greek refers to those dealing in drugs. (Spirit Filled Life Bible)
• Does this mean that anyone who has ever told a lie will not go to Heaven? No.
• This is referring to those who live habitually in a lifestyle of sin and rebellion.
• Where will these people go instead? Their doom is in the lake of fire.

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST:

“9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.” (Rev. 21:9-27).

UNDERSTANDING THE PICTURE:
• What is this great city, called the holy Jerusalem? It is the bride of Christ = the church.
• Just as Babylon the great represented the world, and sinful humanity, so this heavenly Jerusalem represents the people of God.
• There is one people of God comprised of Israel (Old Testament) and the Church (New Testament. This is seen in the picture of the 12 gates (the 12 tribes of Israel) and the 12 foundation stones (the 12 apostles of Jesus).
• Heaven described: Streets of pure gold (v.21), God is the temple (v.22), the glory of God illuminates it (v.23), and those who are saved will enjoy its light (v.24).
• The only ones in Heaven are those whose names are written in the Book of Life.

REVELATION #22 – A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN:
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.” (Rev. 22:1-6).

WHAT HAS GOD PROMISED US IN HEAVEN?
1. The river of the water of life = the refreshing presence of the Lord.
2. The tree of life = bearing twelve fruits, and leaves for the healing of the nations.
a. Note the nation of Canada is the only country in the world that has the leaf as an emblem on our flag. A prophetic picture for our nation!
3. We will see God’s face, and bear His name. This speaks of intimate friendship.
4. We will reign with Him forever and ever – we are training for reigning on Earth.

QUOTE: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” (C.S. Lewis).

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS:

“7 Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." 10 And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." 12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Rev. 22:7-21).

CONCLUSION:

• Jesus said, “I am coming quickly” three times in this closing section.
• Jesus said that if we will obey the things written in this prophecy, we will be blessed.
• When Jesus returns to the Earth, He will reward His followers for their faithfulness.
• Jesus again reveals to us something about Himself in this passage:
o He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End
o He is the Root and Offspring of David
o He is the Bright and Morning Star
• All who are thirsty are invited to come and drink of the river of the water of life.
• Note the closing promise in this book of the Bible: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
• As we have observed over and over again, the book of Revelation – like the first 65 books of the Bible – is about revealing Jesus to us, and the amazing grace of God.

ARE YOU READY FOR HEAVEN?

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-6).
• Jesus is the only way to Heaven!
• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

Beausejour Community Church Website: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/

Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Chilton, David. The Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation. Fort Worth, TX. Dominion Press. 1987. An overview of postmillennialism.
Clouse, Robert G. Editor. The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views. Downers Grove, IL. InterVarsity Press. 1977.
Cox, William E. Amillennialism Today. Phillipsburg, NJ. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing. 1966. An overview of amillennialism.
Fee, Gordon & Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Zondervan. 1993.
Grier, W. J. The Momentous Event: A Discussion of Scripture Teaching on the Second Advent. Carlisle, PA. The Banner of Truth Trust. 1945.
Hayford, Jack. The Spirit Filled Life Study Bible. Nashville, TN. Thomas Nelson. 1991.
Hendriksen, William. More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Michigan. Cushing – Malloy, Ann Arbor. 1970.
Henry, Matthew. Commentary on the Whole Bible. Regency Reference Library. 1960. (1708).
Spurgeon, Charles. 12 Sermons on the Second Coming of Christ. Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Books. Eighth printing 1985.

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation #19-20

2011-07-04T09:19:00.000-05:00

REVELATION #19 – THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS:

(Pastor Chris Jordan – 2011 – Beausejour Community Church)

“After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her." Again they said, "Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!" And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, "Amen! Alleluia!" Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” (Rev. 19:1-5).
• God is calling for all of us to praise Him with our songs and with our lives!
• One of the themes of Revelation: “The Lord God Omnipotent reigns.” God is in control!

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:7-10).
• We are called to rejoice, for we are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb, Jesus!
• Jesus is returning for a pure bride, dressed in white, without spot or wrinkle.
• What is the spirit of true prophecy? The testimony of JESUS.

THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE:
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev. 19:11-16).
• Jesus is revealed as the faithful and true, the righteous judge, the Word of God
• Jesus is shown here riding forth on a white horse, conquering His enemies

What is this describing? Two main interpretations:
1. The Second Coming of Jesus, coming to judge His enemies.
2. The victory of the Gospel as God’s Word goes forth in this present age.

1. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE SECOND COMING:
• At His Second Coming, Jesus will return with His angelic armies to destroy His enemies

2. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE VICTORY OF THE GOSPEL:
“The message of the Gospel, the Word-sword of the Spirit, goes out from Christ’s mouth and destroys His enemies by converting them...As the Gospel progresses throughout the world it will win increasing victories, until all the kingdoms become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever… Riding out on His war-horse, followed by His army of saints, He conquers the nations with the Word of God, the Gospel. This is a symbolic declaration of hope, the assurance that the Word of God will be victorious throughout the world, so that Christ’s rule will be established universally. Jesus Christ will be acknowledged everywhere as King of all kings…From the beginning of Revelation, Christ’s message to His church has been a command to overcome...now He assures the suffering Church that, regardless of the fierce persecution…He and His people will in fact be victorious over all enemies.” (David Chilton, The Days of Vengeance).

ARMAGEDDON – THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE GREAT GOD:
“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” (Rev. 19:17-21).

What will happen at Armageddon
• “The victory is announced before the battle is fought. The brief account of the final battle is almost anticlimactic.” (Spirit Filled Life Study Bible).
• The beast and the kings and their armies gather together to make war against Jesus.
• The beast and the false prophet were captured and cast alive in the lake of fire.
• And the rest of those who had received the mark of the beast were killed with the sword.

REVELATION #20 – THE MILLENNIUM:

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:1-6).

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE MILLENNIUM?
The millennium refers to the period of 1,000 years described in Revelation chapter 20.

Premillennialism
“Premillennialists generally believe that the return of Christ will be preceded by certain signs such as the preaching of the gospel to all nations, a great apostasy, wars, famines, earthquakes, the appearance of the Antichrist and a great tribulation. His return will be followed by a period of peace and righteousness. Christ will reign as King in person or through a select group of followers… The Jews will be converted and will become very important during this time… At the end of the millennium there is a rebellion of wicked men which almost overwhelms the saints… After the millennium the non-Christian dead are raised and the eternal states of heaven and hell are established.” (Robert Clouse, The Meaning of the Millennium).
• Jesus is going to return before “the millennium” (pre = before)
• a literal, physical 1,000 year period on Earth when Jesus & the saints will reign

Postmillennialism
“The postmillennialist explains that the kingdom of God is now being extended through Christian preaching and teaching. This activity will cause the world to be Christianized and result in a long period of peace and prosperity called the millennium… This period closes with the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment.” (Clouse).
• Jesus will return after “the millennium” (post = after)
• the victory of the kingdom of God on the Earth, symbolized by the 1000 years

Amillennialism
“Amillennialists hold that the kingdom of God is now present in the world as the victorious Christ is ruling his people by His Word and Spirit, though they also look forward to a future, glorious and perfect kingdom of the new earth in the life to come.” (Clouse).
• there is no actual “millennium” (a = no)
• a spiritual kingdom – Christ reigns in believers hearts between First & Second Coming
• the concept of the 1,000 years (millennium) does not appear anywhere else in the Bible.

A LOOK AT REVELATION 20:1-6:
“the Devil (was) bound for a thousand years… so that he should deceive the nations no more.”
Is this a future event, or has this taken place already?
Jesus said, “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” (Matt. 12:28-29).
• Jesus came proclaiming, “The Kingdom of God is here” 2,000 years ago.
• Satan – the strongman – was bound by Jesus through His death on the Cross.
• In what sense has Satan been bound? So that he can no longer deceive the nations.
• Jesus said to His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.” (Mark 16:15).

ARMAGEDDON DESCRIBED AGAIN - AND SATAN’S FINAL DEFEAT:
“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Rev. 20:7-10).
• Whether you believe there will be a literal, physical 1,000 year reign of Christ in Jerusalem (premillennial view), or you believe that we are now in the symbolical millennium (amillennial view), what follows this millennium is: Armageddon.
• Satan will rally God’s enemies to come to destroy the camp of the saints = the church.
• But before they can mount their attack, the battle is over, as God sends lightning to destroy them all, and then casts the devil into the lake of fire!

THE FINAL JUDGMENT: What will happen after the Second Coming of Jesus?
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.” (2 Timothy 4:1).

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:11-15).

1. The Great White Throne Judgment – all people stand before God 20:11
2. The Book of Life is Opened 20:12a
3. Unbelievers are Judged According to Their Works 20:12b-13
4. Death and the Grave are Thrown into the Lake of Fire 20:14
5. All Unbelievers are Thrown into the Lake of Fire 20:15
6. All Christians are Ushered into the Presence of God in Heaven 21:1--22:5

Beausejour Community Church Website: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation #16-18

2011-07-03T08:47:00.000-05:00

REVELATION #16 - THE SEVEN BOWL JUDGMENTS:

(Pastor Chris Jordan – 2011 – Beausejour Community Church)

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth." (Rev. 16:1).
• Note that the bowls of God’s wrath come after the trumpets of His warnings.
• God first gave people an opportunity to repent, but now God says: its judgment time!
• Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:37: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”

Bowl #1 – Loathsome Sores:
“So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.” (v.2).
• Why did God do this? “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you...The Lord will strike you with the boils of Egypt; with tumors, with the scab, and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed...The Lord will strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.” (Deut. 28:15,27,35).
• Note the similarity with the sixth plague in Exodus 9:8-12.

Bowl #2 – Sea Becomes Blood:
“Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.” (v.3).
• Note the similarity with the first plague in Exodus 7:17-21.

Bowl #3 – Rivers and Springs of Water Become Blood:
“Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due." And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.” (v.4-7).
• Note – God as the Judge of the Universe is just, true and righteous in His judgments.

Bowl #4 – Men are Scorched by the Sun:
“Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.” (v.8-9).
• God promises to be shade and protection to His children.
• “The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil, He shall preserve your soul.” (Ps. 121:5-7).
• This reminds us again that God’s wrath is reserved for the unrepentant wicked.

Bowl #5 – The Throne of the Beast:
“Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.” (v.10-11).

Bowl #6 – The Unclean Spirits Come Forth:
“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.” (v.12-13).
• “The river represents Assyria, Babylonia, the wicked world. When the river is said to dry up, the road is prepared so that all antichristian powers can make the attack upon the church.” (William Hendriksen).
• just like the plague of frogs in Exodus – coming out of the river
• What are the unclean ‘frog’ spirits? They are demons.
• Note the similarity with the second plague in Exodus 8:2-4.

ARMAGEDDON:
“For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.” (v.14-16).
• Jesus reminds us to watch and be ready!

Bowl #7 – Storm, Earthquake and Hail:
“Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.” (v.17-21).
• there is no place of refuge for the wicked to flee to from the wrath of God
• Are you ready for the second coming of Jesus? Call upon His name today!

QUOTE:
“Thus the whole book from beginning to end teaches the great truths – Christ shall triumph! Christ’s enemies shall be overcome! They who hate him shall be destroyed; they who love him shall be blessed unspeakably. The doom alike of Jew and of Gentile is already imminent. On Judea and Jerusalem, on Rome and her Empire, on Nero and his adorers, the judgment shall fall. Sword and fire, and famine and pestilence, and storm and earthquake, and social agony and political terror are nothing but the woes which are ushering in the Messianic reign. Old things are rapidly passing away.” (F.W. Farrar, The Early Days of Christianity, 1882).

REVELATION #17-18 – THE JUDGMENT OF BABYLON:

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.” (Rev. 17:1-6).

THE FOUR ENEMIES OF CHRIST:
1. The dragon - Satan himself
2. The sea beast - the worldly political powers that persecute the church
3. The land beast - AKA the false prophet, the false religions of the world
4. Babylon the Great

There are many different interpretations of Babylon the Great:
• The City of Rome
• The Old Jerusalem (see Isaiah 1:1,21).
• “The Harlot” = “The world as the center of antichristian seduction… that which allures, tempts, seduces and draws people away from God.” (Hendriksen).

“But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Rev. 17:7-14).

SYMBOLS EXPLAINED IN THE TEXT:

SEVEN HEADS OF THE BEAST - seven mountains of the city where this woman rules
- the city of Rome was built on seven hills
- seven kings (five have fallen, 6th reigns, 7th to come)
THE SCARLET BEAST - the eighth king
THE TEN HORNS - ten kings who have not yet risen to power

THESE KINGS COULD REPRESENT THE ROMAN CAESARS:
“five have fallen”: Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius
“sixth reigns” Nero (on the throne – persecuted Christians 64-68 AD)
“seventh yet to come” Galba
“the eighth king” Titus (destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD)

• Whoever these enemies specifically represent, note clearly that: Jesus the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful! (v.14).

“Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 17:15-18).
• God put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose: God is in control – not the devil!

“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.' Therefore her plagues will come in one day--death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.” (Rev. 18:1-8).

GOD’S WARNING TO US TODAY:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

• God says that as Christians, we are the temple of the living God!
• God warns us to come out from the world and separate ourselves from them!
• If we don’t separate ourselves from the world, we will share in its sins and punishments.

BABYLON DESCRIBED:
“9 The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.' 11 And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like this great city?' 19 They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.' 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!" 21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.” (Rev. 18:9-24).

Who is Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots?
• Those who committed fornication and lived luxuriously (v.9).
• She who deceived the nations (v.23).
• She who martyred believers for their faith in Jesus (v.24).

How does God want us to respond to this description of the destruction of the evil harlot?
• Rejoice over her… for God has avenged you on her!

Beausejour Community Church Website: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation #14-15

2011-06-30T11:03:00.000-05:00

REVELATION #14 - JESUS AND THE END TIMES HARVEST:

“Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.” (Revelation 14:1-2).
WHO IS THE LAMB? JESUS
WHAT IS MOUNT ZION? HEAVEN
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant.” (Hebrews 12:22-24)

“They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (Revelation 14:3-5).

WHO ARE THESE 144,000? (this is a spiritual, symbolic description of God‘s people)
1. Virgins - spiritual purity and faithfulness
2. Following the Lamb - disciples of Jesus (Matt. 9:9)
3. Redeemed - Jesus died for them – they are saved (Christians)
4. Firstfruits to God - in the harvest of souls

ANOTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE LAST DAYS BEFORE THE SECOND COMING:
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-- saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water. And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” (Rev. 14:6-8).
• John saw three angels making proclamations regarding Jesus’ victory:
• God is giving the inhabitants of the Earth another chance to repent and turn to God.

ANGEL #1 - came to preach: the everlasting gospel to those on the earth
• Fear God - Luke 1:50; 12:5; 10:35
• Glorify God - Matt. 5:16; 9:8; 15:31
• God is Judge - John 12:23, 31-32
• Worship God the Creator - Genesis 1-2

ANGEL #2 - said: Babylon is fallen, that great city
• this is the first mention of Babylon in Revelation – is this Rome?
• Babylon symbolizes a proud, idolatrous, persecutor of God’s people

“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:9-12).

ANGEL #3 - said: those who worship the beast shall experience God’s wrath:
• they shall be tormented with fire and brimstone - their punishment in hell
• the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever - their punishment is eternal

“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.” (Revelation 14:13-20).
• The ‘One’ on the cloud with the crown = Jesus!
• Note there are two ‘harvests’ taking place here. What do they represent?

WHAT IS THIS HARVEST? THE HARVEST AT THE END OF THE AGE:
“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matthew 13:24-30).

CLOSING APPLICATION:
• Rev. 14:1-5 describes the blessedness that awaits believers in ‘Mount Zion’ = Heaven.
• Rev. 14:6-20 describes the punishment and wrath of God that awaits unbelievers at the end of the age = hell.
• Where will YOU go??

REVELATION #15 - THE SONG OF MOSES:

“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” (Revelation 15:1-4).

• Those who have victory over the beast are all believers in Jesus.
• They are pictured singing the song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-21):
• “Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will exalt Him.” (v.1-2).
• This song was sung on Sabbath evenings in the synagogue to celebrate Israel’s great deliverance from Egypt. (NASB Study Bible).
• In Exodus 15, God’s people had come through the red sea into the Promised Land and were celebrating the defeat of their enemies, the Egyptians, who oppressed them.
• In Revelation 15, God’s people are standing by the glass sea in the Promised Land of Heaven, celebrating the defeat of their enemies, the beast, sin, Satan and the world.
• See what they worship God for:
...o God’s works are great and marvelous.
...o God’s ways are just and true.
...o God’s judgments have been manifested against His enemies.

“After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.” (Rev. 15:5-8).
• The tabernacle of the testimony is the tent of witness from Exodus:
• “Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” (Ex. 40:34-35).
• God is getting ready to pour out His wrath on His enemies – the seven bowls.

Beausejour Community Church Website: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation #13

2011-06-29T07:53:00.000-05:00

REVELATION #13 – THE TWO BEASTS:

WHAT IS THE SEA BEAST?

“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” (Revelation 13:1-2).
- Where does this imagery of this sea beast come from? The OT prophet Daniel:

• “Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night… And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion… And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear… After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard… After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong… It…had ten horns.” (Daniel 7:2-7).

“3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” (Rev. 13:3-10).
• The dragon (Satan) gives this ‘beast’ its power, throne and authority (v.2).
• The Sea Beast represents worldly political powers that persecute the church (v.7).
• The Roman Empire spoke blasphemies (v.5) demanding people declare, “Caesar is Lord.”
• This beast could possibly be the Roman Empire in the first century:

TEXT: “Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief.” (Revelation 17:10).
The Caesars of the Roman Empire:
• five have fallen: 1. Julius - before 31 BC
2. Augustus - 31 BC - 14 AD
3. Tiberius - 14 AD - 37 AD
4. Caligula - 37 AD - 41 AD
5. Claudius - 41 AD - 54 AD
• sixth now reigns 6. Nero - 54 AD - 68 AD (on the throne)
• seventh yet to come 7. Galba - 68 AD (reigned for 7 months)

NOTE: In Daniel’s vision, he saw four separate beasts that represented four successive empires (Babylon, Medi-Persia, Greece and Rome). However, in John’s vision, he saw one beast with that combined all of the characteristics of Daniel’s four beasts. This is a good indication that this beast represents all antichristian political persecution, and not just one particular government.

WHAT IS THE LAND BEAST?

“11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” (Rev. 13:1-15).
• The Land Beast represents the false religions and philosophies of the world.
• This beast is also called the ‘false prophet’ (see Revelation 19:20).
• See the parallel passage in Matthew 24: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved… For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (v.9-13,24).
• Jesus said there would be MANY false prophets – not just one.
• How should we respond to this reality? “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” (1 John 4:1-3).
• Jesus said there would be MANY antichrists as well: “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18).

WHO ARE THESE BEASTS? (A Look at some of the Different Interpretations)

POSITION: TIME PERIOD - SEA BEAST - LAND BEAST
PRETERIST First Century AD (past) Roman Empire – Nero Jewish Religious System (persecuted the church)
HISTORICIST Between First & Second Comings (historical) Roman Empire Roman Catholic Church – The Pope; Possibly Islam
FUTURIST Future The Antichrist (future) The Final False Prophet (future)
IDEALIST Not Applicable World’s Political Powers Persecuting the Church False Religions / Worldly Philosophies

WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST?
"He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” (Rev. 13:16-18).

RIDICULOUS YET POPULAR INTERPRETATIONS FLOATING AROUND TODAY:

“The Antichrist’s three-point plan for world domination consists of a one-world system in which on one can buy or sell without a mark sanctioned by the Antichrist’s administration, a one-world government, and a one-world religion that will eventually focus its worship on the Antichrist himself… The Antichrist’s economy will be a cashless society in which every financial transaction can be electronically monitored...” (John Hagee, From Daniel to Doomsday).
“Everyone will be given a tattoo or mark on either his forehead or forehand, only if he swears allegiance to the Dictator as being God. Symbolically, this mark will be 666.” (Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth).
“If the antichrist is to have control of every sale or purchase, it appears that cash must be eliminated so that there will be a record of every transaction… ‘Chapter Six: If You’re Not Paranoid, It’s Because You’re Not Paying Close Enough Attention.’ The Bible clearly links the global mark-of-the-beast system with the emergence of a global world order.” (Peter and Paul Lalonde, The Mark of the Beast).
• None of these sensationalistic books have any solid Biblical basis for their claims.

• It is ridiculous to think that the ‘mark of the beast’ is something like a VISA card or a microchip under your skin, and that a believer might ‘take’ this mark accidentally. See Revelation 14:9-10: “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”
NOTE: The mark is always linked to WORSHIP of the BEAST.

What then is this mark? Probably NOT an actual physical mark – it is worship of the beast
• hand - with your actions, what you do
• foreheads - with your thoughts, your mind, emotions and will
• those who didn’t submit to Rome in the first century had no economic privileges

“But what is meant by this ‘mark of the beast’? Various amusing answers have been given. These theories err in this respect, namely, that they interpret this mark as a single, individual, outward, visible sign that will appear on the forehead or hand of the wicked at one particular moment in history; then, and then only… The ‘mark of the beast’ is the God-opposing, Christ-rejecting, Church-persecuting spirit of antichrist, wherever and whenever it shows itself. This mark is impressed on the forehead or right hand. The forehead symbolizes the mind, the thought-life, the philosophy of a person. The right hand indicates his deed, action, etc. Therefore receiving the mark of the beast on the forehead or right hand indicates that the person so characterized belongs to the company of those who persecute the church.” (William Hendriksen).

Beausejour Community Church Website: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation #12

2011-06-28T07:53:00.000-05:00

REVELATION #12 – WAR WITH THE DRAGON:

(Pastor Chris Jordan - 2011 - Beausejour Community Church)

“Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.” (Rev. 12:1-2).
• A woman clothed with the sun...moon...twelve stars – who is this woman?
• “Then Joseph dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” (Genesis 37:9).
• Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel), dreamed a dream about the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to his star (see Genesis 37:5-11) - this women represents ISRAEL.

“And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.” (Rev. 12:3-4).
• Stars = angels – one third of the fallen angels followed Satan in his rebellion
• The devil was ready to devour her Child – who is this Child? Jesus!
• The devil tried to kill Jesus as soon as He was born:
• “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under…” (Matt. 2:16).

“She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.” (Rev. 12:5-6).
• A male Child to rule all nations with an iron rod – this is Jesus:
• “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance…You shall break them with a rod of iron.” (Ps. 2:7-9).
• He was caught up to God and His throne – “Jesus has gone into Heaven.” (1 Peter 3:22).

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.” (Rev. 12:7-8).
• Great war in Heaven – the archangel Michael led the angels to fight Satan
• Note: It was God who initiated the war – NOT the devil.
• The devil and his fallen angels were on the defensive.
• The devil lost the battle (obviously) and was forced out of heaven
• This is what Jesus prophesied about His militant church: “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades (hell) shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18).

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Rev. 12:9).

WHO IS OUR ENEMY?
• the ancient serpent - who tempted Eve in the beginning (Gen. 3:1-15)
• the Devil - “the Slanderer” - the father of lies (John 8:44)
• Satan - “the adversary” - or accuser (v.10)
• who deceives the whole world - as the father of lies

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” (Rev. 12:10-12).
• This battle was fought and won in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus – past tense.
• Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand!” (Mark 1:15)
• They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb – symbolic of Jesus’ death
• We overcome the enemy today through the Cross and the word of our testimonies
• This fight is not a portrayal of the final battle of history!

“Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.* Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:17-20).
• Satan’s fall occurred during the ministry of Jesus.
• Jesus said: “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” (John 12:31). Now was during Jesus’ lifetime!

“Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.” (Rev. 12:13-16).
• Jesus has defeated Satan, and now Satan seeks to persecute the woman
• Who is this woman? The church (remember – church & Israel are ONE people of God)
• Just like Israel in the wilderness: “He found him in a desert land, and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him. He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest; hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him.” (Deut. 32:10-12).

APPLICATION: God will always bring deliverance for His people.
• “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17). The devil wants revenge against the church (see 1 Peter 5:8).

Beausejour Community Church Website: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation #10-11

2011-06-27T08:31:00.001-05:00

REVELATION #10 – THE ANGEL AND THE SMALL SCROLL:

Visit our website www.beausejourchurch.ca for printable notes and audio MP3's for all of these teachings.

“I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.” (Rev. 10:1).
Some interpreters believe this angel could be Jesus Himself:
• clothed with a cloud - see Rev. 1:7 - Jesus is coming with clouds
• a rainbow on his head - see Rev. 4:3 - rainbow around God’s throne
• his face was like the sun - see Rev. 1:16 - from the vision of Jesus
• his feet like pillars of fire - see Rev. 1:15 - a description of Jesus’ feet (see Ex. 13:21)

“He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” (Rev. 10:2-4).
• The message of the seven thunders was intended for John alone – not for the church.

• QUOTE: “The meaning is clearly this: never shall we be able to know and to describe all the factors and agencies that determine the future.” (William Hendriksen).

“The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.” (10:5-7).
• What is the mystery of God? “by revelation He made known to me the mystery...that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.” (Galatians 3:3-6).

“Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth." So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” (Rev. 10:8-11).

PARALLEL PASSAGE: “Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it…Moreover He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, "Son of man, feed your belly…with this scroll that I give you." So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.” (Ezekiel 2:9-10; 3:1-3).
• What is the little book? The Word of God.
• Note: God told both Ezekiel and John to ‘eat’ a book before speaking God’s Word to people. We too must put God’s Word into our hearts before sharing it with others.
• Why was it sweet? – the Good News of the Gospel for all who will believe
• Why was it bitter? – the punishment of the wicked who will not repent of their sins.

REVELATION #11 – THE TWO WITNESSES:

“Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.” (Rev. 11:1-2).
• Is this a literal or symbolic temple? It most likely symbolically represents the church. We are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16).

“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.” (Rev. 11:3-4).

WHERE DOES THIS IMAGERY COME FROM? The Old Testament Prophet Zechariah.
“Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, "What do you see?" So I said, "I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” (Zech. 4:1-3).
• In Revelation 1, lampstands represent the churches.
• Sackcloth is a symbol representing humility or repentance.

“And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues…” (Rev. 11:5-6).

WHO DO THESE WITNESSES REMIND US OF?
• They have power to shut up the skies: Elijah did the same thing in 1 Kings 17.
• They turn waters to blood, and send plagues on the earth: Moses did this in Exodus 7-13.

WHO ARE THE TWO WITNESSES? Here are some different interpretations…
1. Literal: Two Jewish prophets who come in the power of Elijah and Moses
2. Symbolic #1: The Bible (Old and New Testaments; law & prophets)
3. Symbolic #2: Israel and the Church (olive tree & lampstands)
4. Symbolic #3: The Witnessing Church (Jesus sent His disciples out ‘two by two’)

QUOTE: “The two witnesses are symbols of the witnessing church militant, proclaiming the gospel accompanied by signs and wonders. They are purposefully not identified as individuals.” (Jack Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Bible).
• Because of the symbolic nature of the Book of Revelation, I don’t see any good reason to adopt a literal interpretation.
• Fire coming from the mouth is a symbol used for powerful preaching. "I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes." (5:14).
• “But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8).

THE TWO WITNESSES:
“7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.” (Rev. 11:7-14).

QUOTE: (William Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors).
“The Gospel age is, however, going to come to an end (Matt. 24:14). The Church, as a mighty missionary organization, shall finish its testimony. The beast that comes up out of the abyss, that is, the antichristian world, urged on by hell, shall battle against the Church and shall destroy it. This is the Battle of Armageddon. The beast will not kill every believer. There are going to be believers on earth when Christ comes again, although they will be few in number (Luke 18:8)… Thus, just before the second coming, the corpse of the Church, whose public and official testimony has been silenced and smothered by the world, lies on the great city’s High Street… The corpse suddenly begins to stir; the breath of life from God has entered into it; the witnesses stand upon their feet. In connection with Christ’s second coming the Church is restored to life, to honour, to power, to influence. For the world the hour of opportunity is gone, and gone for ever. On the day of judgment, when the world shall see the church restored to honour and glory, the world will become frozen with fear. The Church – still under the symbolism of the two witnesses – now hears a voice, “Come up here.” Thereupon the Church ascends to Heaven in a cloud of glory. “And their enemies beheld them.” This is no secret rapture!”

THE SEVENTH TRUMPET:
“15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth." 19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” (Revelation 11:15-19).
• Here we see a description of that ‘Great Day’ again: God’s wrath against His enemies.
• Punishment is decreed for the unrepentant, but rewards are promised to God’s people!

Beausejour Community Church Website: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation #8-9

2011-06-26T08:14:00.000-05:00

REVELATION CHAPTER 8 – THE SEVEN TRUMPETS #1:

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.” (Revelation 8:1-2).

TRUMPETS in the Old Testament were:
• warnings of coming judgement and call for people to repent (Is. 58:1, Ezek. 33:3)
• blown to proclaim the rule of a new king (1 Kings 1:34,39)

“Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Revelation 8:3-5).
• This is similar to Exodus 19:16-18 where Moses met with God on Mount Sinai.
• Reminder –God is a God who answers prayers! Our prayers ascend before His throne.
• Note – the judgments about to be described in the seven trumpets are not to be feared by God’s faithful church – these are the threatenings promised to God’s enemies!

TRUMPET #1:
“So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
• Where did this imagery come from? The Old Testament book of Exodus:
• “And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 9:23).

TRUMPET #2:
Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
• “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt… that they may become blood.” (Exodus 7:19).
• What does the burning mountain represent? Possibly Israel (see. Ex. 15:17).

TRUMPET #3:
Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
• What is this star falling to the Earth? It is likely not a literal star.
• Stars in Revelation 1 = angels. Could this fallen star be a fallen angel?

TRUMPET #4:
Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth,* because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” (Rev. 8:6-13). * unbelievers.
• “Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 10:21).
• What does it mean that the sun, moon and stars were struck? In the OT, this imagery was used for the fall of nations and national rulers. (see Isaiah 24:19-20).

QUOTE:
“References to the Egyptian plagues suggest that in Revelation we have the final exodus of God’s people from the bondage of a world controlled by hostile powers.” (NASB Study Bible).

REVELATION #9 – THE SEVEN TRUMPETS #2

TRUMPET #5:

“Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.” (Revelation 9:1).
• Who is this star? It is an angel (see Rev. 1:20), possibly a fallen angel
• Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” (Luke 10:19).

“And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth.” (Rev. 9:2-3a).
• See again the imagery from Exodus: “Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 10:12).

“Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months.” (Rev. 9:3-10).

• QUOTE: “Can you conceive of a more frightful and horrible and true picture of the operation of the powers of darkness in the souls of the wicked during this present age? Here are the demons, robbing men of all light, that is, of all true righteousness and holiness, joy and peace, wisdom and understanding.” (William Hendriksen).

WHAT ARE THE LOCUSTS?
• These locusts didn’t harm the grass or plants (like literal locusts would)
• These locusts came to harm “those men who do not have the seal of God.”
• God’s faithful servants would not be harmed by this coming demonic attack:
• Where did the imagery of these locusts come from? The OT prophet Joel.

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming… A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness… A people come, great and strong… A fire devours before them, And behind them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like swift steeds, so they run… Like a strong people set in battle array. Before them the people writhe in pain; All faces are drained of color… The earth quakes before them, The heavens tremble; The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars diminish their brightness. The Lord gives voice before His army… For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; Who can endure it?” (Joel 2:1-10).

“And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.” (Revelation 9:11-12).
• the demons had as king...the angel...Abaddon = Destroyer = Satan

TRUMPET #6:
“Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed--by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm. But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” (Revelation 9:13-21).

Why does God pour out His wrath in judgment upon mankind?
• First and foremost, His desire is that they would repent of their sins and turn to Him.
• What were the sins they did not repent of? Demon worship, idolatry, murder, sorceries (Greek pharmakeia) – drug use or witchcraft, sexual immorality, thefts

APPLICATION: How should we respond to the reading of these judgment trumpets?

1. If we are children of God, then let us thank Him that these judgments will not befall us.
2. If we are guilty of any of these sins, then let us be quick to repent and return to God.
3. This should motivate us to share the Good News of salvation with our unsaved loved ones so they can escape the wrath of God as well.

Beausejour Community Church Website: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation #7

2011-06-24T07:37:00.000-05:00

REVELATION #7 – THE 144,000 AND THE GREAT MULTITUDE:

(Pastor Chris Jordan - 2011 - Beausejour Community Church)

“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” (Rev. 7:1-3).

What are the four winds?
• evil forces of devastation, universal or divine judgement
• whatever it is, God is restraining it for the sake of His chosen people
What is the seal of God? It refers to God’s ownership and protection of His people
• “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Cor. 1:21-22).
• “in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” (Eph. 1:13b-14a).

“And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:” (v.4).
• Of the tribe of Judah 12,000 Of the tribe of Simeon 12,000
• Of the tribe of Reuben 12,000 Of the tribe of Levi 12,000
• Of the tribe of Gad 12,000 Of the tribe of Issachar 12,000
• Of the tribe of Asher 12,000 Of the tribe of Zebulun 12,000
• Of the tribe of Naphtali 12,000 Of the tribe of Joseph 12,000
• Of the tribe of Manasseh 12,000 Of the tribe of Benjamin 12,000

Who are the 144,000?
• a description of the entire Christian church (we are spiritual Israel)
• 144,000 = 12 x 12 = 144 (x 10 x 10 x 10 = a perfect cube)

• “A great wall with twelve gates…and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel…the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Rev. 21:12-14).

Why is this likely not referring to literal Israel?
• “There is neither Jew nor Greek…for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:28-29).
• “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh… that at that time you were without Christ… But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” (Ephesians 2:11-14).

Other interpretations:
• The PDF interpretation sees this 144,000 as being literal, physical Jews who will preach the Gospel during the ‘seven year tribulation’ before Christ’s return.
• The Jehovah’s Witnesses say that there will only be 144,000 in Heaven! (false teaching)

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev. 7:9-12).

What is the Great Multitude? - a picture of the Christian church
• Note – John HEARD (144,000) and SAW (Great Multitude)
• Just like in Revelation 5 where John HEARD (Lion of Judah) and SAW (slain Lamb)
• white robes = clothed in His righteousness
• great multitude – tells us God has chosen to save many people!

“Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 7:13-17).

• Note the revelation of Jesus here: He is the Lamb of God who will shepherd us and lead us to living fountains of waters, just like He is described in Psalm 23!

Why is this likely referring to all Christians in general, and not a specific group?

1. All Christians will have tribulation in the world
Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

2. All Christians are washed in the blood of the Lamb
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” (Revelation 1:5)

3. All Christians are headed for Heaven
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house (Heaven) are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).

What is the description here of Heaven?
a) God who sits on the throne will live with us
b) We shall never again be hungry or thirsty
c) We will be fully protected from the sun’s heat
d) Jesus the Lamb will be our Shepherd and will lead us to living fountains of water
e) God will wipe away all our tears
• NOTE: This is a promise of what all Christians have to look forward to.

“We see what is the work of heaven, and we ought to get our hearts tuned up for it, and to long for that world where our praises, as well as our happiness, will be perfected.” (Matthew Henry).

To download printable notes, or listen to the audio message, visit our website below:

Beausejour Community Church Website: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/