Subject: Bible Study..."God's Legion--A Gathering Of Souls"
[23:55] Father we come together this evening in worship [23:55] We pray that we may lift each other up [23:56] yes lord we do
[23:56] amen
[23:56] That we may draw closer to you [23:56] yes lord
[23:56] Thank you for loving us thru your Son [23:56] for the grace and mercy [23:56] and the Holy Spirit....amen [23:56] amen
[23:57] amen
[23:57] amen
[23:57] CRONUS-KEDAR changes topic to "God's Legion--A Gathering Of Souls"
[23:58] Tonight we are going to look at a topic that has been approached from many different view points. [23:59] Tonight we are going to look at the coming together of the children of God in unity and love [00:00] First we have to look at and define what we are studying tonight
[00:00] For many the word church brings ideas of a building
[00:00] a denomination
[00:00] a group of people under a label [00:01] Baptist
[00:01] Methodist
[00:01] Lutheran
[00:01] and other names are not what God had intended for His bride to be
[00:02] we are all one body and Jesus is the head of us all
[00:02] but today many look upon coming together in fellowship as to belonging to a big church [00:02] a fancy building
[00:02] or a label to call themselves by [00:02] In truth the Lord never meant for this to be [00:03] He did not look for a building or a denomination [00:03] No He wanted His children to come together for the purpose of unified worship of Him
[00:04] In the old testament we see that the Lord was planning for His body of believers to be
[00:05] niv exodus 19:5-6 Exodus 19:5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,
Exodus 19:6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." [00:05] God meant a chosen people for His family to be a example to the world of Him
[00:06] why is this you ask? [00:06] It is because it is only through His children He can show Himself to a lost world
[00:06] His chosen were to be examples of Him to the world
[00:07] niv Deuteronomy 7:6-9 Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
Deuteronomy 7:8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.
[00:07] Today my friends you are the same as the Israelites
[00:08] we each have been called out of the dark world of sin to become ambassadors of Christ to the world [00:08] You are not here by accident [00:08] You were chosen by Him [00:08] He called you out of the world and unto Him [00:09] niv 1 peter 2:1-3
1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
1 Peter 2:3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. [00:09] niv 1 peter 2:4-6 1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--
1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy
priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious
cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
[4]
[00:10] niv 1 peter 2:7-9 1 Peter 2:7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, [5]" [6]
1 Peter 2:8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [00:10] niv 1 peter 2:10
1 Peter 2:10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. [00:11] Today we see that man has defiled what the Lord had started
[00:11] Jesus never separated disciples into groups but they were all in one accord
[00:12] and even after His ascension into heaven the disciples still met together as one body in one mind and accord [00:12] Some ask why is the church today not like the first century church?
[00:12] the reason is simple [00:13] we have split into different groups and fight each other more then the enemy
[00:13] Paul wrote many of his epistles in military terms
[00:13] concerning the body of believers [00:14] Ephesians is a perfect example of this [00:14] and today if we are to effectively reach a lost world we have to get back to the idea of the first century church [00:14] The church we find in the book of acts [00:15] And when we do we will see the benefits of coming together in fellowship in unity
[00:15] During the first century the roman army kept peace in the world they had
[00:16] they did this with might but they also had a plan for their armies
[00:16] today if we will look at this we can see how it could be example of the body of Christ
[00:17] for in truth in these last days the body of Christ is the legion of God
[00:17] first in coming together the first thing is we do not look at each other in different ways
[00:17] we are all children of God [00:18] color does not matter [00:18] wealth does not matter [00:18] gender does not matter [00:18] all that matters is that you have accepted the Lord as your Saviour
[00:19] And see that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ
[00:19] we must help each other [00:19] through the valleys of despair [00:19] and the mountain tops of joy [00:19] there is strength in numbers [00:20] now we all know that 1 with God is a majority [00:20] but we need each other to accomplish what the Lord wants us to do
[00:20] to do this we must be of one mind [00:20] and one accord
[00:21] the strength of the roman legion was the phalanx [00:21] in times of war it was this that gave them the victory over the enemy
[00:21] in battle the legion would lock their shields together and form a battle line
[00:22] each soldier had to depend on his comrade on his right and left side to be safe in the battle [00:22] the ends of the shields had ridges to interlock [00:23] together and form a solid barrier to face the enemy
[00:23] niv Ephesians 4:1-6 Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called--
Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
[00:24] today we like the roman legion must lock our shields of faith together
[00:24] as we face the onslaught of the dark carnal world and its leader
[00:25] for example alone I can fight the enemy but I can not guard my sides or back
[00:25] the enemy can keep me busy from the front and then send another attack from the side
[00:26] but if I am in fellowship with my brothers and sisters
[00:26] I have no weak spot [00:26] so here we see benefit 1 [00:26] with Jesus we are overcomers [00:26] but when there are many overcomers together then the enemy flees from them
[00:27] God has won the battles for us [00:27] but we still have to help each other to accomplish the goals He wants
[00:27] by laying aside our differences [00:27] and coming together in one accord of fellowship we are showing the world
[00:28] the power of God's love [00:28] and by working together we are showing the world the power of God in changing lives
[00:28] where two or three are gathered so is the Lord [00:29] with two when one stumbles the other is there to pick them up
[00:29] In this daily battle I may get down as I move in the battle line
[00:29] but by coming here and fellowshipping with my brothers and sisters
[00:29] I am lifted up
[00:29] and renewed in the Lord [00:30] because they are praying for me and I for them [00:30] by locking our shields together our faith is magnified
[00:30] and Satan is doomed [00:31] this is why Satan tries so hard to sow the seeds of discord in the body of Christ
[00:31] and sorry to say he has done this effectively [00:31] but there is a coming together now [00:31] of the children of God [00:31] amen
[00:32] they are beginning to lay down their differences [00:32] their prejudice
[00:32] their ritual training [00:32] and coming together in one with other believers [00:32] and working together [00:32] here on the Internet is a perfect example [00:33] not one in this room tonight is the same [00:33] we come from different backgrounds [00:33] and different races [00:33] with different educations [00:33] and ideals
[00:33] but we all have one thing in common [00:34] we love the Lord
[00:34] and want to do His work here together [00:34] in unity and in love for one another in the Lord [00:34] niv romans 12:4-5 Romans 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, Romans 12:5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
[00:35] niv 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by [29] one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
1 Corinthians 12:14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
[00:35] we are one in the Lord [00:35] we work together in the lord [00:36] we rejoice together [00:36] we cry together
[00:36] if my brother or sister is down [00:36] we will help them up [00:36] if they need rest we will cover them with our prayers until they are renewed in the Lord [00:36] We train each other [00:37] we watch out for each other [00:37] we must see each other has the Lord sees us [00:37] not one above another [00:37] but equal in the work for God [00:37] He died on the cross for all of us [00:38] on the cross there was no separates [00:38] He did it for us all [00:38] and to Him we are all His children [00:38] like the roman legion we are the example to a lost world of God
[00:38] together we are through Him to save the lost [00:39] heal the sick
[00:39] and free the captives [00:39] not one man or woman but all as one [00:39] giving God the glory [00:39] for we are all equal [00:39] benefit two of fellowshipping is [00:40] that no matter where we may be or go [00:40] we will always feel at home with our fellow brothers and sisters
[00:40] In the roman army camp every camp was laid out in the same way
[00:40] a soldier from a southern country [00:41] could go to the northern country and feel right at home
[00:41] for the surroundings were the same [00:41] this is what we must have as the body of Christ [00:42] we should be able to go anywhere and join other believers and feel at home
[00:42] Paul traveled the world [00:42] on his missionary journeys [00:42] but was always at home with fellow believers [00:43] sorry today but we have all felt uncomfortable in some
congregations
[00:43] but I need the fellowship of other believers [00:43] and that is why I like this room [00:43] and some of the new churches that are arising [00:43] If you love Jesus
[00:43] come on in and sit down [00:44] If you love His word and not the word of man come on in
[00:44] if you want to work for the Lord with others who are in unity and love and one mind
[00:44] come on in
[00:44] this is another reason for fellowshipping [00:45] friends who care for each other [00:45] who do not want something from you [00:45] or want to make fun of you [00:45] friends and fellow believers who care for you [00:46] showing the love of Jesus to you [00:46] God forbid we ever make a visitor to our fellowship feel like a stranger
[00:46] amen
[00:46] for when this occurs then the enemy has effectively neutralized God power from flowing [00:47] niv Ephesians 2:19-21 Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
[00:47] niv Ephesians 2:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. [00:48] it is all of us that make up the body of Christ [00:48] it is all of us together that will reach the world
[00:48] and the Internet
[00:48] as a unified body of believers [00:48] who care for each other [00:49] and want to see the will of God done in their lives and in the lives of others
[00:49] niv acts 2:41-47
Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:42- And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. [00:54] today we have to see this truth if we are to achieve what the Lord wants us to do
[00:54] the days of labels are over [00:55] it is tiMe for us all to come together in one accord
[00:55] for our Lord
[00:55] amen
[00:55] now let me close with thiS [00:55] when Jesus returns [00:55] and we are all standing in front of Him [00:56] do you think there is going to be a different book of life for each of us
[00:56] I do not believe that Jesus is going to look and say
[00:56] ok lets look at the Baptist book [00:56] of the Methodist book [00:56] or the American book [00:57] European book
[00:57] African book
[00:57] and so on and so on [00:57] no there is only 1 book of life [00:57] and we are all brothers and sisters in his eyes [00:58] fellowship is a must for our survival [00:58] Yes Jesus can protect us and see us through [00:58] but we need each other [00:58] to make it
[00:58] you need me and I need you [00:58] all equal in the eyes of God [00:59] doing His work for His glory [00:59] not as man sees the body of Christ [00:59] but as God sees His body [01:00] kjv Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
[01:00] kjv Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; [01:00] ONE MIND
[01:00] ONE SPIRIT
[01:00] TOGETHER
[01:00] AS ONE
[01:00] IN JESUS
[01:01] spreading the news of Jesus to a lost and sinful world
[01:01] working together hand in hand [01:01] in fellowship with each other and with Jesus [01:02] until we are called home and as one family sit with our Lord in heaven
[01:02] God bless all of you [01:02] my brothers and sisters [01:02] together in fellowship [01:02] with one another
[01:02] for the glory of God [01:03] amen
