THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JONAH (1) ARISE, GO AND CRY OUT!

During the Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled ‘The Gospel according to Jonah’ (1). Her main text was taken from the Book of Jonah chapters 1:1-17 and 4:1-4.

INTRODUCTION

The story of Jonah is more than children’s tale. It is more than an adventure about a great fish. It the revelation of God and His Grace towards men. It is the testimony of King Grace. Simply said, Grace means unmerited favor, undeserved Kindness for the sake of Christ! In the Book of Jonah, we shall find the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected. The study of this Book from the Old Testament will help us see that the Bible is One. In the Old Testament the Gospel is revealed in symbols and shadows. In the New Testament, we see reality of the Gospel. There are many deep revelations here, about salvation and the call of God to ministry. All people can gain wisdom and strength from the study of the Book of Jonah, but in particular the backsliders. Praise the Lord!

The Book of Jonah is one of the most criticized Books in the Bible. Over the years, many people said that the story of Jonah is not true. These critics do not believe in miracles. They are not willing to believe that a great fish (or a whale) had swallowed Jonah and he survived in its stomach for three days. As for me, I totally believe the Word of God! There are two main reasons why I believe Jonah’s testimony to be true. The first reason is because it is in the Bible. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). We must believe ‘all Scripture’ to be God’s Word. We cannot choose some parts and ignore others. The second reason is the fact that our Lord Himself spoke about the Jonah. He said that Jonah’s story is a symbol of His own death and resurrection. “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed, a greater than Jonah is here” (Mt 12:38-41). The sign of Jonah is the death and the resurrection of Jesus. For these two reasons, I believe that Jonah’s story is true.

WHO IS JONAH?

In Hebrew, the name “Jonah” means “Dove”. It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Jonah was a true Prophet of Jehovah God. God wanted to use him as an ambassador of peace. He prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II, the King of Israel. “In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, became king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. He (Jeroboam II) restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath Hepher. For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter; and whether bond or free, there was no helper for Israel. And the Lord did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven; but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash” (2 Kg 14:23-27). King Jeroboam II was a wicked king. But God had compassion on the people of Israel. The Prophet Jonah prophesied that King Jeroboam II will restore some of the territories that belong to Israel and that the Assyrians have conquered. King Solomon conquered the area called Hamath and took it from the Assyrians (2 Chr 8:3). It is not 150 years since the death of Solomon. The Assyrians have taken the city Hamath back from Israel. Jeroboam II re-conquered them according to Jonah’s prophesy. This victory was to the glory of God and for the honor of Prophet Jonah.  

Jonah lived in a small town called Gath Hepher, located at the north border of ancient Israel. It was part of the inheritance of the Tribe of Zebulun (Joshua 19:13). (Today, the town does not exist. There are some ruins there, and a stone said to be Jonah’s tomb. The ruins are five Kilometers north of Nazareth). Jonah must have lived between 800 and 750BC. Assyria was Israel’s neighbor in the north. At that time, the Kingdom of Assyria was the greatest power in the world. Its capital, Nineveh, founded by Nimrod, was at its peak. The Kingdom of Assyria was conquered by Babylon in 600 BC.  Jonah’s ministry started immediately after the prophets Elijah and Elisha. It is possible that Jonah was a disciple of Elisha. Jonah lives in the northern kingdom. It is now 150 years since the death of King Solomon. The Kingdom was divided. The ten northern tribes are now called Israel. Their capital is Samaria. The people rejected God’s commands and worshipped idols. All their kings were wicked. Jonah lives during the time of King Jeroboam II, one of the most wicked kings. God sent His servants, the prophets, to speak to the people of Israel. Basically, the prophets had two roles: to warn the people to repent and to show them the mercy of God. Elijah and Elisha did that in the past. Now Jonah is to do the same. He prophesies that King Jeroboam II will witness the grace of God and have victory against the enemies. He restored part of the land Israel lost. Jonah knew how to warn the wicked and how God shows mercy. But now, he has to learn who this God is, in a personal way. It is not enough to know the doctrine. You must apply it! The first thing we see is that Jonah struggles with the Grace of God. Jonah knows that God is merciful and kind. That is how Israel survived all the attacks against it. Jonah knows that himself was saved by grace alone, and not by his works. But when God wants to show same grace to the wicked Assyrians, Jonah rejects God’s word. To him, grace is given only to him and his people, not to their enemies. How little Jonah knows about King Grace!

THE THEME OF THE BOOK OF JONAH – SALVATION IS OF THE LORD!

The Book of Jonah is not a prophecy. It is the Prophet’s miraculous story, his testimony, and his relationship with Jehovah God. Jonah’s story reveals the way The God of all Grace deals with His people, even when they rebel against His commands. The greatest revelation in the Book of Jonah is that “Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). This is the Gospel of justification by faith, thru grace, and not by works. When God saves His child, He saves him to the uttermost. King Grace is in charge of salvation, from the beginning to the end. The story of Jonah helps us to understand and appreciate the irresistible Grace of God in salvation and redemption. We see that God is all-powerful, kind, patient, and faithful. Jonah is called ‘the worst missionary’. God commanded him to go on a missionary journey to Nineveh, to warn its citizens to repent so that they will not be destroyed. Nineveh was the greatest city at that time with a population of about 600,000. But Jonah runs away from God’s call. He chooses to be thrown into the sea and die than to bless the Assyrians. Jonah hates that God wants to show mercy to their enemies. It is possible that one of the reasons why God sends Jonah to the Assyrians is to rebuke and discipline His people. God has sent many prophets to Israel, but they rejected all of them. God now wants to show His people that the Assyrians will repent at the preaching of only one ‘little’ prophet.  God commands Jonah using three words: “Arise, go, and cry out!” For God to say ‘arise’ it means that Jonah was idle or maybe jobless. ‘Jobless’ prophet Jonah obeys God at the beginning. He ‘rises’ from his comfort zone but runs in the opposite direction.

TWO REASONS (NOT EXCUSES) FOR JONAH’S DISOBEDIENCE: IGNORANCE AND HATRED  

*The first possible reason why Jonah refused to obey is because of his ignorance of God, His Grace and His ways. God’s command sounded ‘strange’ to Jonah. He could not imagine why Jehovah God will show mercy to their enemies. The truth is that in the Old Testament, Jehovah God manifested His mercy and Grace mostly to Israel. Generally, God did not send missionaries to the Gentile nations, to preach grace to them. Israel witnessed to other nations but not by going to them. The Gentiles who desired to know the God of Israel came to Jerusalem to see the Temple and God in action. For example, the Queen of Sheba came from far Ethiopia to have an encounter with the God of Solomon (1 Kings 10). People like Joseph, Daniel, Queen Esther or Mordecai, were ambassadors for Jehovah. They witnessed to the grace of God in foreign lands, not because God sent them as missionaries, but because they had to live there as strangers. It is true that in the Old Testament, God revealed Himself as the God of all nations, but generally, His Word was limited to Israel. God said to Abraham that “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” thru Him (Gen 12:3). But Israel struggled constantly when God blessed other nations the way He blessed them. It is only after the Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit came, that men and women went as missionaries, going to the Gentiles to preach the Gospel to them. “Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” (Mt 28:18-20). Our Lord also said: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Practical application: God’s Word and His Ways are extremely different than ours. As children of God, we must trust and obey God’s Word even when we do not understand it. It is better to hold on and pray for a greater understanding and for the grace to obey than to choose backsliding. Faith is stronger than understanding. We walk by faith and not by sight or by our wisdom. Disobedience has terrible consequences. Harden not your heart when God commands you to do something for “obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam 15:22).   

*The second possible reason why Jonah disobeyed God’s word is hatred of people and of God who created them. Jonah hated the Assyrians and he wanted them dead. He did not want them to be saved. What could be his excuse? The truth is that Assyria was one of the most brutal kingdoms of ancient time. They were extremely violent and wicked. They were like ISIS, a terrorist organization. For example, when they punished a traitor, they will bury the man in the hot sand of the desert up to his neck. They will pierce his tongue with a thorn and leave the man there to die. The Assyrian army moved slowly because the soldiers carried their families with them. When they conquer a city, they will kill all the men and the children. The women they will keep as slaves or wives. When a city was attacked, the people prefer the commit suicide than to fall into the hands of the Assyrians. Jonah’s native town Gath-Hepher, was at the border with Assyria. It is possible that Jonah experienced firsthand the cruelty of his wicked neighbors. That is why when God told him to go on a missionary journey to the Assyrians he refused and ran away. God sent him with a message of judgment. But Jonah feared that the Assyrians may repent, and God will show them mercy. Jonah hated them too much to give them any chance to live. He preferred to be punished by God and even die than to show grace to these wicked people. Jonah prophesied victory to Jeroboam II, a wicked king in Israel, because God told him so. God had compassion upon the people of Israel. That is why He prospered the wicked king. Jonah could accept that because Jeroboam II was an Israelite. But Jonah was not ready to show mercy to the Assyrians, an ‘uncircumcised nation’ hated by Israel.

Practical application: Hatred or people means hatred of God who created them! Hatred is a work of the flesh (Gal 5:20). Pray for the grace to be able, for Christ’ sake, to forgive and love your enemies!

ARISE – GO – CRY OUT!

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up” (Jonah 1:1-4)

The word of the Lord came to Jonah. In the Old Testament, God speaks expressly to His prophets and expects instant and total obedience. In the New Testament, God speaks thru His Word and by the Holy Spirit. For the child of God, obedience brings blessings and disobedience invites discipline. God commanded Jonah: ‘Arise, go…’. Jonah heard the word. He decided to obey partially. He arose and went… but to the opposite direction. After the initial ‘rising’ Jonah goes lower and lower. “Jonah went down to Joppa… and down into the belly of the ship”.

GOING DOWN- DOWN- DOWN

He bought a ticket to a ship that was going to Tarshish, a city in the south of Spain. Jonah did not care where he is running to. He had no business in Tarshish. All he wanted was to be far from God. Two times in one sentence we are told that Jonah flees ‘from the presence of the Lord’. In Hebrew, the word ‘presence’ is also translated ‘the Face’ of God. Jonah did not want to see God’s face anymore. One of the greatest blessings for the people of Israel was that God’s face will shine on them. “The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance (face) upon you and give you peace” (Nu 6:25. 26). Jonah knew that the face of God brings life out of death, light in darkness, victory in war and favor in any situation. “For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them” (Ps 44:3). In other words, when King Grace looks at you, He blesses you! Jonah was ready to die, to suffer, to forsake all God’s blessings and His Grace, just because of a rebellious proud spirit. Selah! Backsliding is always a tragedy! A child of God does not lose his salvation, but he loses his peace, joy, fellowship with God, opportunities for service and many rewards. “The way of the unfaithful is hard” (PV 13:15). Jonah ran away from God. Many Christians get busy with secular work so that when God calls, they have an excuse that they do not have time. Rebellion is always evil. It is suicidal. There is no gain in it. Running from God never succeeds. It is like running from light. You will only end in darkness.  

Practical application: No man can hide from God. Jonah was running from the “God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land” (Jonah 1:9). Where can he run to? It is foolishness to run from the presence of God. This is because God is omnipresent. The Psalmist says: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You” (Ps 139:7-12). Rejoice that you serve the Omnipresent God!

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt 5:43-48)

Let us study the general definitions of love and hate.

Love is an unselfish, warm, deep, strong, and tender emotion. Love always manifests in a relationship. Love is ready to sacrifice for the benefit of another. God is Love because God is a Trinity. God cannot love itself. Love must love another. Love is the eternal champion for ‘love never fails’ (1 Cor 13:8). Hatred is the opposite of love. It is a negative emotion, an extremely strong feeling of dislike, mixed with anger, bitterness, envy, and malice. It is a spiritual poison, wicked, ugly, destroying the soul and all relationships. Hatred leads to crime. It comes from feeling as a victim when another has hurt you and you continue to blame that one. Hatred is like holding a live coal in your hand, so that you throw it to your enemy. But it burns you before you can attack another.          

This command of our Lord is the climax of behavior for the Christian. As Jonah struggled to love the Assyrians, so many Christians struggle to love the people who mistreat them. We need the Holy Spirit to be able to obey this command. We should desire to pay the price to be ‘perfect’ as our Father in heaven is perfect. In the Sermon of the Mount, our Lord exposes the teachings of the Pharisees as total error. He contrasts these false teachings with the truth. He says many times: “You have heard that it was said… But I say to you…”. The Pharisees thought the people that this is God’s law: “‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy”. The truth is that nowhere in the Old Testament this sentence appears. This is a law the Pharisees made by themselves. The Jews considered themselves as God’s people. Any other person or nation, they considered to be cursed. The Jews called the Gentiles ‘dogs’ and thought of them as more inferior human beings than them. Over the years, this proud attitude brought a lot of hatred and discrimination against the Jews. When the Jews thought of a ‘neighbor’ they only thought about themselves. They never thought of Gentiles as neighbors to be loved, but as enemies to be hated. Jonah never thought that the Ninevites are his neighbors to be helped or loved. That is why he refused to extend grace to them. Jonah wanted that all Assyrians should go to hell. It is the same attitude that Jesus exposes here among the teachings of the Pharisees.

Why did the Pharisees commanded the Jewish people ‘to hate their enemies’? Some passages in the Old Testament, if wrongly understood, may lead people to think that God loves some people and hates others. For example: God commanded the Jews that when they enter the Promised Land, they should kill all the pagan inhabitants and take over their land. God told the Jews not to make friends with the Moabites. God said that if a man kills another, the victim’s family can pursue and kill the criminal, except he hides in one of the cities of refuge. In the Book of Psalms, we read of curses spoken upon wicked people. These are called ‘Imprecatory’ psalms. Imprecation means curses! For example: “Let their table become a snare before them, And their well-being a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins shake continually. Pour out Your indignation upon them, And let Your wrathful anger take hold of them. Let their dwelling place be desolate; Let no one live in their tents. For they persecute the ones You have struck and talk of the grief of those You have wounded. Add iniquity to their iniquity and let them not come into Your righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous” (Ps 69:22-28). These imprecatory psalms are written for people who have been oppressed and violated. It is their cry for justice. If we like it or not, this is God’s Word. In the New Testament our Lord curses some cities, the unfruitful fig tree, and the Pharisees. But at the same time, our Lord said we should love our enemies.

How do we reconcile all these scriptures? The only way for us to understand these apparently opposing scriptures is to see God in His position as Sovereign, the Creator of all things and the Judge of all men. God is holy and just. It is hard to see mercy in God’s Judgments, but God is also Love. God the Father sent His Son to die for some people, called the elect. Only God knows who these people are. The Gospel is preached to all. Believing in Christ means life. Rejecting Christ means condemnation and death. God has the right to bless and to curse. He has the right to condemn all unbelievers. This is God’s right! The problem is that the proud Pharisees put themselves in God’s place. They thought that all Jews are saved by God and all Gentiles will go to hell. They distorted God’s law. That is why our Lord cursed them and condemned their doctrines.

THE COMMON AND THE SAVING GRACE

In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord introduces the principle of Agape Love. He commands us that we should love not only our ‘neighbors’ but even our enemies. We are to hate sin and the devil, and we are commanded to love all men. This is the correct doctrine. It is not an easy doctrine to apply practically in our daily lives. But we must do it. What are some principles of Christians behavior?

*The way we behave towards others should not be a reaction to what these people say or do to us. God is Love and He is kind towards all people. He gives sunshine, rain, and the blessings of life to all, the good and the bad. It is not only the business of the godly that prospers. The business of the wicked prospers too. The people who reject Christ also marry and have beautiful children. This general kindness towards all men is called ‘The Common Grace’. You should not be jealous when the wicked prosper. It is still a manifestation of the general grace of God. But these natural blessings are not a proof that the man is going to heaven. The amazing effectual special Grace of God must call a man to become saved.  King Grace works in some people’s hearts, convict them of sin, brings them to repentance and to salvation. They become children of God and citizens of heaven. This saving grace does not work on all men. Men hate this doctrine. They refuse to believe that God saves some people and the others, He allows them to go to hell. Please remember that Grace is the unmerited favor of God! It is God’s choice and sovereign will to save some. May we fear God! May we worship God!

*The way we behave towards others is to be like Jesus! We want to be like our Master! We forgive and love others by choice, because our Lord did that! As a born-again believer you are a new creation! You see everything differently, thru the lenses of King Grace. When people insult you, you do not react with another insult. You show self-control and wisdom. You see that your ‘enemy’ is an ignorant tool of the devil. You pity him, forgive him, and pray for him to be saved. The reason a Christian does that it is because of the Holy Spirit in him, the Spirit of love, wisdom, strength, peace, and joy. Too many people live their lives in bondage to others. They react to what others say or do to them. Is it not true that each time you thought wicked things in your heart was in connection with a person? As Christians we must live in a higher realm. It is called the realm of Agape Love. The greatest example of Agape Love towards enemies was manifested on the Cross. Our Lord prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Mt 23:24). Apostle Paul said: “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink…” (Rom 12:17-21). When Stephen was dying, he prayed for them who stoned him. He “knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Ac 7:60).

How can we practice such love? The only way you can love your enemies is to have the mind of Christ. You need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. You need to be dead to all self-interest. For as long as ‘self’ is still active, you will fight back defending your reputation or your ideas. It is only by the Cross that you are able to become dead to self. Some people say that you should love your enemies so that they become your friends. That is not what Jesus teaches. If your enemies become friends or not, that is not your problem.

What then is the purpose for such a sacrificial love? It is to display the Grace and Love of the God who saved you to others. You are an ambassador of Christ. That is a great responsibility. Your behavior gives honor or dis-honors your King. This is how the Kingdom of God spreads. This is how revival comes. By living and loving like Jesus; by laying down our lives for the sake of the glory of God! May we be found to be holy and noble vessels for the Master’s use! Worship the Lord!                              

PROPHETIC SCRIPTURE

“The Lord had accepted Job. And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning” (Job 42:9-12)

Immediately Job prayed for his friends who misunderstood and condemned him, who behaved as they were his enemies, God blessed Job again, with spiritual and material blessings. By the Grace of God, Job was able to change Pain into Prayer. God accepted that sacrifice and prospered him twice as much as he had lost! We must forgive the people who have hurt us in the past. We must pray that God blesses them. Our prayer is the ‘signal’ accepted and rewarded in heaven. God will restore all that the ‘canker-worm’ has eaten! There shall be supernatural prosperity manifested in our lives! Glory to God! Worship the Lord!  

“The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen…” (Rom 16:20, 24)

God the Father is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible. He is wonderful! Look at this pink flower in my garden. Red and white are basic colors. Pink is a combination of the two. Pink is a re-creation of colors, a luxury of love just to bless your heart. This humble flower lives only one day. By tomorrow, she is dry. But for as long as it is today, she is happy and grateful to fulfill the purpose for which God has created her! There is no inferiority complex or fear in this bloom. Can you see that?

God encourages me thru His creation. I remove my attention from what men can do and I gaze at only God can do. All the science of men cannot produce a pink flower like this out of nothing. Only God can! With all the economic and social problems around, the pink of this flower still remains pink. It’s color does not fade or become grey for lack of ‘fuel’.

Dear children, God speaks! May you listen! In all things today, remember God, remember Jesus, your Lord. He who woke up from ‘sleep’ and quenched the deadly storm, saying, “Peace, be still!” is still the same, yesterday, today and forever! Worship the Lord!

CHILDREN WORSHIP GOD IN OUR CHURCH!

WE PRAY FOR REVIVAL IN THIS LAND!

GOD BLESS NIGERIA!

WORTHY IS THE LAMB!

REVIVAL – THE LIVING WATER (10) –WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH! –  THE HARP AND THE BOWL

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled Revival – The Living water (10) Worship in spirit and truth! Worthy is the Lamb! Her main text was taken from the Book of John chapter 4 and the book of revelation chapter 5. “Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (Jn 4:21-26)

We are still studying the wonderful revelation of the Living Water offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a symbol of eternal life, salvation, spiritual maturity, being filled with the Spirit, true worship, and revival. The simplest definition of revival is a repeat of the Book of Acts! The Living Water is offered by the Lord to the Woman at the well. The Samaritan woman is a sinner. She is also religious. She is seeking for truth, for meaning in her life. Our Lord directs the conversation to the point of the revelation of Himself. Please notice how He gently ‘increases and purifies’ the vision of salvation in her heart. Initially she sees him as a man, a needy man, a stranger, and a Jew. Then she sees him as a Prophet. Lastly, she sees Him as Christ, her Savior, and her Lord! He tells her about the true worship and then, He reveals Himself to her. “I who speak to you am He” (Jn 4:26). This is the exact moment when saving faith is born in her heart. She instantly believes that Christ is the Messiah. This is the moment when King Grace saves her soul! This is when, for the first time in her life, she drank the Living Water! From this moment in time, she is never the same person again! Halleluiah! As we read these words, we sense the power and the holiness of that moment. There is a wonderful anointing on this encounter. We feel it too as we read the story. Heaven rejoices when a sinner is saved. Our Lord said this: “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7). We join the hosts of heaven and cry: “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12). Glory to God!

WORTHY IS THE LAMB! (Revelation 5)

The Book of Revelation is unique. It is the last Book of the Bible. It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1). This Book shows us that Christ is God. He is at the center of the universe where He truly belongs. Apostle John wrote it while in prison on the Isle of Patmos. The Resurrected Christ invited him up, to come and see heavenly things.  “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this” (Rev 4:1). No man can see heaven without the invitation of Jesus who died for him. The chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of Revelation are some of the most important in the Bible. The word that appears most frequently is the word ‘throne’. The word ‘throne’ appears 62X in the New Testament out of which, 47X is in the Book of Revelation.  Everything that happens in heaven revolves around the throne of God, that is the center of worship in the universe.

THE SCROLL

In chapter 5, John sees God seated on the throne. He has a scroll in His right hand. There were writings on it, inside and outside. It was closed, sealed with seven seals. This scroll represents the Title deed by which God the Father has made God the Son the owner and controller of the Universe. “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, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Ps 2:7-9). In this scroll it is the history of creation and the plan of salvation. The names of all who are saved, all who are in the Lamb’s Book of life, are written there. Not only their names, but their destiny, their blessings, and future rewards. John weeps because none was worthy to open the seals and to read the scroll. For a moment, John experiences the conviction, and horror of sin. No sinner can open that scroll. Not even himself, though he is in heaven. For a moment, John experiences a world without redemption, without a Savior, without Christ. He weeps ‘much’. Sin is the tragedy of mankind. Sin must be punished by death and destruction. Even in heaven, with all the worship going on, John feels the deep despair of sin. That is why he weeps hopelessly.

What is the practical application? For a sinner to be saved, he must be convicted of sin. The Samaritan woman was convicted of sin when the Lord asked her about her husband. None can appreciate the Worthiness, and Grace of the Savior without passing thru the horror chamber of conviction of sin. It is only the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin. His work is to prepare the sinner for salvation. Any other regret or remorse is not acceptable to God. The Holy Spirit will bring you to a point where you see that you are lost, and you are going to hell. You will see your need for a Savior. At your lowest point, the same Holy Spirit will lift you from the miry clay of despair. Have you wept for your sins like John? Do you know something of the despair of being lost in sin? This is a necessary painful work so that you appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf! This is the testimony of all saints!   

WEEP NOT IN HEAVEN!

As John was weeping, one of the elders spoke to him: “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals”. It was not an angel that told him to stop weeping. Angels do not understand the pain of conviction of sin and the longing for a Savior. It was one of the 24 elders who sat before the throne of God. “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads” (Rev 4:4). These 24 elders represent the redeemed saints, 12 from the Old Testament and 12 from the New Testament. They symbolize the Church, the Body of Christ. In Christ, the Jew and the Gentile become one new man. Each gets saved thru faith in the Lord Jesus, and by His grace.  Each one of these elders was saved because Christ died for them. They are seated closest to the throne of God. They have white robes, a symbol of the imputed righteousness of Christ. They have crowns of God, given to them by Christ, because of their faithfulness in serving Him. One of the elders speaks to John. He tells him to weep no more. What is the reason for this hope and comfort? Somebody was found worthy to open the seals and read the scroll. That extraordinary Person is called “The Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David”. He alone has prevailed! The word ‘prevailed’ in Greek, is ‘nike’. It means to conquer, to be victorious, or to overcome the enemy.  Because of this victory, Christ alone is worthy to open the seals and read the scroll. He stands alone in Victory! Halleluiah!  

THE LION AND THE LAMB

*The Lord Jesus Christ is called ‘The Lion of the Tribe of Judah’.

Just before his death, weak in his body but strong in faith, Jacob worshipped God and blessed his sons. “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff” (Heb 11:21). He blessed his son Judah in a particular way. The name Judah means ‘praise’. He prophesies that out of Judah (Praise), the Messiah will come. He will be like a Lion, the King of the jungle, totally fearless and strong. This is a symbol of our Lord Jesus Christ, who defeated the power of sin, death, and the devil. All people will obey and praise Him for this mighty victory! “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people” (Gen 49:8-10). What is the practical application? As the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Christ gives us strength to stand during trials and persecutions in this life! All the saints have this testimony: During trials of faith, the Lion roared, and the enemy ran away! Also, as a Believer, you need to be fearless like a Lion. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7). We are commanded not to share in the fears of the unbelievers. “Do not fear what they fear! It is the LORD of hosts whom you are to regard as holy and awesome. He shall be your fear, and not man” (Is 8:12, 13).

*The Lord Jesus Christ is also called The Root of David!

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked” (Is 11:1-4).  “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.” (Is 11:10). Because of sin, the house of King David, could have disappeared from the history of Israel. If God judged David’s sin with death, there was not a descendant left on the throne. But God did a covenant of Mercy and Grace with David and his descendants. God said that David will be a king forever; that he will always have a son to seat on the Throne. This is a prophetic promise. Our Lord Jesus Christ comes from the Tribe of Judah, from the house of David. While he was a Man on earth, many people called Jesus by His prophetic name: ‘The Son of David’. Isaiah sees that the house of David is almost destroyed but out of its roots, a Branch will come forth. This is the symbol of the resurrection power manifested in Christ. The Holy Spirit who led and strengthened Jesus, as a Man on earth has seven descriptions: The Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge, the Fear and the Delight of the Lord. As the Branch of David, Christ comes with the authority of a judge. He will punish the wicked and bring peace on earth. Christ as the Lamb tells us to be patient during trials, gentle with our enemies and faithful with our testimonies. The Branch of Jesse brings peace to all nations, including the Gentiles. This prophecy foreshadows the Gospel! John saw Christ as a Lion and as Lamb. This is a combination of strength and gentleness. Men on earth are eighter strong in character or weak willed. No man can be strong and weak at the same time. It is only the Resurrected Christ that perfectly and harmoniously combines strength and gentleness. He is God and Man, King and Servant, The Lion and The Lamb. That is why all creation worships Him! In the Book of Revelation, Christ is called Lion only once, but He is called The Lamb 29 times. That means it is thru the weakness and sacrificial love of the Lamb, thru the power of the Cross, that Christ became worthy to open the seals of the scroll. The salvation, the victory on behalf of His people, was achieved at the Cross where “The weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength! (1 Cor 1:25). The worshippers cry not ‘Worthy is the Lion!” but they cry: “Worthy is the Lamb!”

THE LAMB OF GOD

To understand the heavenly worship, we need to study the title of our Savior as ‘The Lamb of God”. These are many symbols in the Old Testament announcing the sacrifice of the Lamb to release the people of God from their bondage of sin. In the Book of Genesis, God killed an animal to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve (Gen 3:21). The innocent animal died on behalf of the guilty pair. The word worship appears for the first time in the Bible when God tested Abraham. By faith, Abraham was ready to kill his son Isaac but God provided a ram as a substitute (Gen 22). To come out of Egypt, each household had to kill a lamb. The Blood of the Passover lamb smeared on their doors, protected them from death (Ex 12). Later, God told His people that they must sacrifice animals daily for the forgiveness of sins. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, Aaron, the high priest, had to enter the Holy of Holies with the Blood of the Lamb, to atone for their sins (Leviticus 16). From all these examples, we see that worship requires the shedding of Blood, Love expects death. Why? This is God’s law: without the shedding of Blood there is no remission of sins (Heb 9:22). Man was created by God to have dominion, authority, over all creation (Gen 1:28). But man disobeyed God’s law and fell into sin. From that moment, thru one man, sin entered humanity. Man has lost his authority over creation to the devil. Sin is a failure to obey God’s law and a falling short of His glory. Since Adam, all men were born sinners. But Jesus was different! Jesus came as a Man on earth, lived a life of total submission to God’s law. He died as a Substitute for men who believe in Him. There is no other Savior. Jesus died to set men free from the guilt, shame, pollution, and bondage of sin. That is why we praise Him forever!

THERE STOOD A LAMB

John looked and expected to see the Lion on the throne, but he saw the Lamb.  “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth” (Rev 5:6). The Lamb was wounded mortally but it was not dead. Bleeding to death, the Lamb still stood in the midst of the throne. This is a symbol of the power of resurrection, released thru the shedding of the Blood at the Cross of Calvary. The Lamb has 7 horns. The horn means victory power over the enemies. The number seven means perfection. The Lamb, though bleeding to death, stands and prevails over satan and death. The Lamb stands in the midst of the elders. In other words, Christ Crucified and Resurrected stands in the midst of His Church. It is this picture of weakness becoming strength, of death defeated and the resurrection power released, that makes the Lamb to be worthy of worship. It is because Christ suffered and died on the Cross for sinful man, that is why God the Father gave Him the authority to open the seals and to read the scroll. All men, dead or alive, are now under His authority. Finally, The Lamb is capable to rule and reign all humanity, and to fulfill God’s purposes. He is the only One who can bring the world to an end, in God’s time and God’s way. He is the only One who can start a new earth, populated with the people He died for.

THE HARP AND THE BOWL

“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev 5:8). In heaven, we see that the Living creatures around the throne of God and the twenty-four elders, who represent the church, they worship God in a particular way. Each has a harp and a golden bowl full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. The Harps represent praising and worshipping God with songs. The Golden Bowls full of incense mean prayers and intercession for God’s work on earth. In other words, we sing, and we pray! This combination of singing praises to the Lamb of God and praying for His work on earth has been called by many as ‘The Ministry of the Harp and the Bowl’. It is always powerful!

Here you see the wonderful combination of singing praises and obeying the Great commission to preach the Gospel to every nation in earth. “Sing praise to the LORD, who rules in Zion! Tell every nation what he has done!” (Ps 9:11; Good News Translation).  King David declared that God is ‘enthroned’ in the praises of His people.  “You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel” (Ps 22:3). The ‘enthroned’ is powerful. It means the King sits on His throne, ruling and reigning during praises. As we praise the Lamb of God, He gives us fresh testimonies. He fights our battles and takes the glory for the victories. Let us praise and pray as they do in heaven! Glory to God!

CHIRST LAY DOWN HIS LIFE THAT HE MAY TAKE IT AGAIN!

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:5-11)

The Father exalted Jesus to the highest position in the universe because of the Son’s choices. Jesus chose to become a man. He chose to have poor parents. We do not choose our parents. Only Jesus did. Jesus chooses to be the lowest servant in a family, the one who washes the feet of others. Jesus chooses to die at thirty-three, a most painful and shameful death. When God the Father saw all what His Son did on earth, He became satisfied. He said: “Here is My Man!” He now gave Jesus, the Man, dominion over the whole universe. Jesus has the authority to rule and reign over all creation forever! A Man is the Controller of the universe! Like the Samaritan woman, call people to see ‘The Man’, the Savior of the world! The Holy Spirit witnesses to this story! Halleluiah!  

This is the song of praise around the throne in heaven: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev 5:12). Our Lord came to the earth as a baby, weak and needy. Now He receives all power! Christ was poor on earth. Now He receives riches. He was mocked and thought to be foolish. Now He receives all Wisdom. He died in weakness on the Cross. Now He receives all strength. He was ignored and dishonored on earth. Now He receives now the greatest honor. Christ left the visible manifestations of His glory behind when He came to earth. Now He receives all glory! Christ became a curse for us that we may be saved. Now, He receives all blessings, in heaven and on earth!

THE LAMB REVEALED IN THE FUTURE  

*The Lamb is wrathful against sin and evil!

“And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Rev 6:15-17)

*The Lamb is worshipped forever, and He comforts His people

“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.” 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 7:9-17)  

*The Lamb defeats all enemies!

“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 17:14)

*The Lamb is getting married to His Bride, the Church!

“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! 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.” (Rev 19:6-8)

What is the practical application for us? We need to know and understand Jesus Christ as the Lamb upon the throne! We need to study the Word of God and pray for deeper revelation. Apostle Paul was also taken to heaven. The Lord told him that all he needs is His Grace! “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:8-10). The Lamb on the Throne works in our hearts only thru His Grace. He allows trials to come so that we become humbled. Then, He releases His Grace, as God’s strength in our weakness. This Grace is always ‘sufficient’ to stand and overcome all trials!

Worship on earth must be patterned after the worship in heaven. Worship must be done in spirit and in truth. It is only the born-again believers that are the true worshippers. You do not need a special place to go or to take a special bodily position. Worship is in your spirit. Also, you need to know the Word of God, to worship God in Truth! Worshiping God strengthens you! Immediately Jesus opens the first seal, trouble starts. It is called the Great Tribulation. Jesus gave the Book of Revelation to John, so that we are prepared for any trial, present or future. The glimpse of heaven and the people worshipping the Lamb is for our encouragement. We know that Jesus, a Human Being, and our elder Brother, is the Controller of the Universe.  For the believers, all suffering is going to end in glory; everything is going to be wonderful. Circumstances come and go. But worshipping God and His Christ is forever! Worship the Lord!

My Book on Amazon! Read it and be blessed! To God be all the glory!

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering” (Rom 12:1; TM)

This week my husband and I celebrate 46 years of marriage. This is my simple advice for the younger wives: be grateful to God for the gift of marriage! Many wives confuse spirituality with practicality. They feel that taking care of the home is not very spiritual. They feel used and misused. They develop inferiority complexes. They think that preaching in the pulpit or singing solo in the worship team are the only signs proving that they are women of God. That is not true! The Bible teaches us that there is a practical side to being spiritual and a spiritual side of being practical. For example, as a wife, I pray for my husband and our children. This is clearly a spiritual work. But cooking good meals for my husband is also a spiritual work, highly rewarded by God! When I fry the tomatoes and pepper for the Nigerian stew (as you know, it takes a long time, you need to be patient so it will not get burnt…) I play worship music on my radio and I pray. Cooking in the presence of the Holy Spirit makes me happy and the stew will be tasty. I never feel that my work in the kitchen is a low class type of ministry. Cooking tasty food for my husband is a practical expression of my spirituality and a demonstration of God’s grace to him, thru my kitchen ministry! Like pepper and salt, prayer and cooking they go together! What God had joined together, please do not separate! (You can smile now!) Glory to God!

(I wrote this letter in March 2020. My husband, Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh, is now in heaven. I do not need to cook for him anymore. He now worships Jesus, His Savior and His Lord, forever! But the wisdom of how to be a woman of God is still with me on earth. Dear daughters, I pray that you learn from it. To God be all the glory!)

“The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets” (Ps 50:1). Halleluiah!

I took this picture yesterday evening, after the rain, about 6:30 pm, from my balcony, Warri/Nigeria!

REVIVAL – THE LIVING WATER (9) – FALLING IN LOVE WITH JESUS – WATERPOT LEFT BEHIND    

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled Revival – The Living water (9) “Falling in love with Jesus!” Her main text was taken from the Book of John chapter 4:13-42. We are still studying the wonderful revelation of the Living Water offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a symbol of eternal life, salvation, spiritual maturity, being filled with the Spirit, true worship, and revival. The simplest definition of revival is a repeat of the Book of Acts! The Living Water is offered by the Lord to the Woman at the well. The Samaritan woman is a sinner. She is also religious. She is seeking for truth, for meaning in her life. Our Lord directs the conversation to the point of the revelation of Himself. Please notice how He gently ‘increases and purifies’ the vision of salvation in her heart. Initially she sees him as a man, a needy man, a stranger, and a Jew. Then she sees him as a Prophet. Lastly, she sees Him as Christ, her Savior, and her Lord! He tells her about the true worship and then, He reveals Himself to her. “I who speak to you am He” (Jn 4:26). This is the exact moment when saving faith is born in her heart. She instantly believes that Christ is the Messiah. This is the moment when King Grace saves her soul! This is when, for the first time in her life, she drank the Living Water! From this moment in time, she is never the same person again! Halleluiah! As we read these words, we sense the power and the holiness of that moment. There is a wonderful anointing on this encounter. We feel it too as we read the story. Heaven rejoices when a sinner is saved. Our Lord said this: “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7). We join the hosts of heaven and cry: “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12). Glory to God!

WATERPOT LEFT BEHIND – CHRIST AND HIS WORK IS THE NEW PRIORITY

The Samaritan woman has an encounter with the Lord. She is convicted of sin, and she truly repents of her sin. The eyes of her understanding got open, and she becomes saved. She now drinks the Living Water. From that moment, she is a new person. She is now born again, a child of God. She leaves the waterpot at the well and she runs to the city. She calls the people saying: “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” The result was that they went out of the city and came to Him. The woman left the waterpot at the well. Why? She did not become overexcited and forgot about it. The waterpot represents her former life, the life of sin. It also represents her natural life on earth, the work of her hands. She purposely leaves the waterpot at the well. She calls the men in the city: “Come and see a Man…”. She did not tell them: “Go and see a Man…”. No! She intended to go back with them, to bring them to Jesus! Her waterpot was the point of contact for her testimony. She brought many to Jesus, so that they can listen to Him. She came back to her waterpot. She did not abandon it. She will still do her work on earth, but a greater love has taken over her heart. Christ, His work is now her priority! Family, business, all these can wait! The woman has changed completely. She is not the same person. She has lost her shame and fears. In the past, she comes to the well at noon time. Nobody comes to draw water in the heat of the day. But she comes at that inconvenient time because she wants to avoid the people who criticize her. She has been doing that for many years. But now, she is no longer ashamed of her past of sin. Christ has forgiven her sins. Christ has given her a new spirit. She is now a child of God. She has a new freedom and courage to talk to people.

The Samaritan woman left the waterpot behind as a symbol that her heart is still with Jesus. Christianity is a fallen in love with Jesus. The believer becomes Christ obsessed, and Christ focused. From that moment when the Christian drinks the living water, all other things become secondary. For the Samaritan woman, her waterpot was her identity. She hated coming daily to draw water. Nevertheless, the thing she hated the most was her life. Slavery was her identity. For the first time, she leaves her life behind and moves on to find another life. This losing and finding is possible only in Christ Jesus. No other theory, philosophy or religion can help you move from past to the future, from darkness to light. Christ in her now has become an all-consuming passion. She has fallen in love with Jesus! This power inside, this spring of water flowing from her heart, will define her from now on. The way she will look at God, at herself, at the world in general, all these will be different. Christ has now become her defining passion. Christ is now her priority. She will live to please her Christ and to do His will. His Word will satisfy her, and His Spirit will fill her. The waterpot can wait.

The woman leaves her waterpot at the well and goes to the city to tell the people about Jesus. Her action is spontaneous and joyful. Nobody is commanding or forcing her to leave her watersport there and go to evangelize. This is true Christianity. Why does she run to the city calling people to Jesus? Why is she so quick to do the work of God? First, it is because she is a new person. She has discovered the truth about Jesus. He is the Messiah, the Savior! She has had a glimpse of His power, love, and glory! This revelation is extraordinary to her. She feels compelled by love to share the good news to others. In the past, she saw the people as wicked, mocking and judging her because of her past of sin. Now, she sees them differently. She knows that they too are sinners, thirsty for meaning in life. She identifies with them because she has experienced the power of salvation. She has something to give to others. She has a voice and a message. “Come and see a Man”, she says! The reason for her faith and confidence is because she has met with authority. All people desire to meet with true authority. They want to submit and bow and worship someone who knows it all. That Person is Jesus! Our Lord is the ultimate authority in the universe. Some believe Jesus, worship Him and witness to others. But even face to face with Jesus, refuse to believe. “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” (Mt 28:17-20). It is only somebody who has experienced genuine salvation, who is filled with the Holy Spirit that has enough compassion for others. That person alone is willing to pay the price to save souls. This is the truth: If you fall in love with somebody, no one will force you to talk about your lover! It is the same in the Spirit’ realm. If you are truly saved, nobody will force you to talk about Jesus! You will tell all people: “Come and see a Man!”  

SALVATION IS A RADICAL CHANGE

What are the lessons? All true born-again Christians are radically changed. Christianity is not an addition or an improvement to your former lifestyle. It is called ‘a new creation’. It is a new life. The same power God used in Genesis 1:1 to create the heavens and the earth, God uses to create a child of God. The word ‘create’ means to produce something out of nothing. Men and devils cannot create anything. Only God creates! “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). Nicodemus was a great religious teacher in Israel. Our Lord called him ‘The Teacher of Israel’ (Jn 3:10). But he did not know the basics of a relationship with God. Our Lord told him: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (Jn 3:5, 6). As you can see, religion and pride are obstacles on the road of salvation. The Samaritan woman became saved before the great Nicodemus. This is the mystery of salvation! It is the power of the Holy Spirit!     

This is another lesson: Anytime you see that Christians need to be trained in the Bible school on how to evangelize, something is not right. When Christians need to be begged, or to be manipulated to spread the Word, something is wrong. I am not saying that it is wrong to give some guidelines about evangelism. But if there is human pressure to share the Word about Jesus, that is wrong. This woman discovered that once she became saved, once she drank the Living Water, a new power started working in her. It is the power ‘to will and to do’ God’s pleasure (Phil 2:13). It is that internal power of the Holy Spirit that propels her to evangelize. This is God’s method from the beginning. The Gospel is spread ‘organically’, as man talks to man. God places people around you for this very purpose, that you talk to them about Jesus and His Living Water. That is how Andrew called his brother Peter to Jesus. Andrew “found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus” (Jn 1:41,42). In the same way, Philip brought Nathaniel to Jesus. “Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (Jn 1:45, 46). This man-to man method to spread the Gospel was applied throughout the Book of Acts. During the persecution, many believers had to run away from Jerusalem. “Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Ac 8:4). The word ‘preaching’ does not mean standing behind a pulpit. It is the spreading of the Gospel as man talks to man. Some commentators described it as ‘gossiping’ the Word. We should not gossip about negative things, but we should gossip the Word of God with others!  Great crusades have their own value but the personal touch among people is still the best method to bring people to Jesus.

THE DANGER OF RELIGION

The evil spirit of religion is the greatest enemy against true salvation. Many Christians believe the scriptures, but they do not press on to have a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. Many read this encounter between the Samaritan woman and Christ, but they look at it only as a beautiful story in the past. They are not able to believe that we too, those living in these last days, can experience exactly the same miraculous salvation and filling with the Holy Spirit. They admire the story from afar. They refuse to enter into its revelation. This faith in the scriptures that only applies to history, or to the past, is not true living faith. This is one reason why revival is absent in many churches. Our Lord rejected this religious faith that believes in the Bible but is disconnected to the present reality. Our Lord said to the religious leaders: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (Jn 5:39, 40). To have faith in Jesus is not only about the past. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever’ (Heb 13:8). What is the purpose of the scriptures? It is to bring us to the Living Christ, to have an encounter with Him, right now! Faith always works in the present moment! If not, it is not true saving faith! “Now, faith is…” (Heb 11;1).

The evil spirit of religion tells you to go to church, to study the Bible, but you are not able to apply it practically in your life today! Because of that, you cannot experience revival or miracles. Appy this test to yourself: When you read the Bible, do you expect to meet with the Lord Jesus Christ thru His word? Do you expect to hear His voice, to guide and strengthen you, thru His Word? Do you expect His miraculous help now, as you read the Word? Are you able to apply God’s Word to your present circumstances? If not, something is wrong somewhere. Your faith is ‘damaged’. You are either not born-again, or you are backsliding! Therefore, examine your faith, your spiritual foundation! Think of it: what is the purpose of reading this story in John chapter 4 if you cannot apply it to your present life? The Samaritan woman was religious before she met the Lord. But she was still in bondage of sin and thirsty for the living water. The Bible is a religious and historical book. Everything in the Bible is a description of historical facts. But The Bible is more than that! It is the Word of God! Thru its pages, the only Living God speaks to you! The reason you read the scriptures is to connect with the God of the scriptures. If not, you read the Bible in vain. May God open the eyes of your understanding to see the truth and to obey it!

THE LORD JESUS IS ALIVE AND MANIFESTS HIMSELF TO US NOW

Read the Book of Acts. On the day of Pentecost, our Lord sent the Holy Spirit. At that time, the Lord Jesus was not physically present with His disciples. He was with His disciples thru the Holy Spirit. Study the way Peter, John and the others spoke and behaved. They believed that Jesus was with them presently, not like a Man who has died. Faith always believes that Jesus lives and reigns at this present moment! The reason why the Psalmist was not afraid during trials is because he believed that God is with him always. “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Ps 46:1, 2). It is not enough to believe that in the past, God helped David killed Goliath. This faith connected only with the past is not sufficient for me in the midst of a trial. I need to believe that the same God that helped David is with me now, that God is my refuge, my strength, and my very present help in my trouble right now! I must believe that God is the only Living God. He will surely manifest and help me now, in His own special way, in my present trial. The experience of all the believers, in the history of the church is that God is faithful and He indeed manifests and saves them during all trials. Apostle Paul said: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1Cor 10:13). If you have not experienced His faithfulness, His mighty help in each trial of your life, then it means that you are not saved. Examine your spiritual foundation! A Christian believes that Jesus lives and reigns forevermore, and that He is the King of kings right now! A child of God does not live by spiritual memories. The experience you had when you became saved is only the foundation of your faith. You must build on it. You cannot live on past glories! You must grow spiritually! You must continuously drink the free-flowing Living Water!

Read the story of how Stephen died. It should encourage us greatly. Jesus was with him to his last breath. “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Ac 7:55-60). When the religious leaders were stoning Stephen to death, he saw the Lord Jesus. Clearly, the Lord Jesus was the present help in times of his need. It was the will of God for Stephen to die as a martyr for his faith. His death was not in vain. He died as a champion of faith. Jesus did not save him from physical death because he gave him a greater testimony. Stephen saw Jesus as he was dying. It was not a vision. He was not imagining Jesus. He did not try to remember some scriptures he has memorized in the past. No! He was strengthened by seeing Jesus Himself as He is in heaven right now. The prevailing revelation of Jesus is that in heaven, He sits on the throne. But Stephen saw Jesus standing, as a sign of total encouragement towards him. That is why Stephen received the grace to pray for his enemies and to pass gloriously from earth to heaven. What a testimony! Jesus cares! Jesus is with us to the end or our lives and forever! Selah!

Apostle Paul saw the resurrected Christ on the way to Damascus. This is how he became saved, and Spirit filled. The Lord appeared to him to encourage him during his trials. This is Pauls’ testimony how the Lord spoke to him and directed him where to go and what to do. “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ So, I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting [b]to his death and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles” (Ac 22:17-21). Later, The Lord Jesus said to him that the people cannot kill him in Jerusalem because he must go to Rome to preach there too. “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome” (Ac 23:11). The Lord helped Paul when all men either opposed his ministry or they forsook him. “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also, I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Tim 4:14-18). You can see that Paul has a personal present intimate relationship with the Risen Christ. Do you have this testimony? If you are a child of God, you should! Paul and the other saints were always conscious of the presence of the Lord with them. Their testimony is the proof that they were drinking the Living Water. The assurance of God’s presence was enough for them. They became bold to preach God’s Word. They became mighty warriors in prayer. They were filled with wisdom, peace, and joy! They were not thirsty for the things of the world anymore. This is the true Christianity.

This is a question people ask: Is it possible to feel the presence of the Lord the way the Samaritan woman experienced it? The answer is yes! This is the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ before He went to heaven. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (Jn 14:19-23). All the saints agree that this is one of the greatest promises in the Bible. The Lord Jesus promised that He will personally manifest to His obedient worshippers. When our Lord said that He will ‘manifest’ Himself, He meant that He would make Himself clearly known in a special way. He will become spiritually visible and so close that the child of God will be able to ‘feel’ Him. God the Father and God the Son will come to live in the same house with Their child on earth. This manifestation is much deeper than what we receive when we newly become saved. These are mountain peaks of spiritual experiences. They are not for just some special people, but for all the believers who pay the price for such intimate fellowship with the only Living God. Do you long for a deeper relationship with Christ?   

How can we find the Lord in this special way? How can we always drink the Living Water? How can we pray for revival? The first thing to do is to seek the Lord always. You must become desperate for Christ, obsessed with Him! Seek Christ in His Word. Seek Christ during the Holy Communion. Expect to meet with the Lord always, especially during the preaching of God’s word and during worship. Fast and pray about your desire to have a deeper relationship with Him. Be willing to repent from all religious attitudes that have no life in them. Humble yourself. Make sure that you totally surrender yourself before God! Repent from pride and doubt! Pay the price for spiritual maturity. “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (Jam 4:8). Remember that the Lord desires to meet with you and to reveal Himself to you. He loves you more than you love Him! Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Immediately you sense His presence drawing closer to you, forget all things and stand still, waiting for Him to speak. Cultivate this spiritual sensitivity! Read books about other believers, about revival. They will inspire you to pay the price for spiritual maturity. God will help you! Faithfully serve God in your local church! The Lord will reward you spiritually and materially!

Do you desire a deeper relationship with Jesus? Can you say with the Psalmist that you thirst like the deer in the desert, that your deep calls unto God’s deep? “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”  Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me” (Psalm 42:1-3, 7). Have you felt this restlessness in His rest, this deep painful longing for the living water brooks of God? Can you live without Christ? Is He your priority? Is He your very life? He only manifests Himself to those He can trust, to the true worshippers who worship Him unconditionally, in spirit and in truth! May we be among the few who pay the price for revival! Worship the Lord!   

There are many books written about the leadership. I read somewhere that there are more than 800 different definitions of what is a leader. It is possible that because of so many words, few people know what a true leader is. There are many leaders in different areas: political, social, business, and religious. We are interested only in spiritual leadership. Leadership is a gift of God. It is given to a believer for the benefit of the Body of Christ and for the glory of God.

A spiritual leader is a believer in Christ who is called by God to lead others to Him. He leads them by the power of the Holy Spirit. He inspires them thru the Word of God and his own behavior. God uses His Christian character as a light to draw people closer to him. The Leader leads the people to God, to His purposes for them. The leader does not bring people to his personal dreams or future plans. He leads them to God. He studies the Word of God to find the plan and the purpose of God so that he can lead people to those. This is the key to spiritual leadership: leading people to God’s purposes. God is not bound to the opinions of men about what leadership is. God is not interested in the physical appearance, but He searches the hearts of men to find faithfulness, humility, and a willingness to learn and obey. Popularity is not leadership. True leaders stay faithful to God and obey Him as they lead men into their destiny.

The people of Israel wanted a king like the other nations. That is how God gave them King Saul, who later proved to be unfitted for the throne. Later, God directed Samuel to choose the next king of Israel, King David. The prophet was an old, experienced man of God at that time. But even Samuel could have been deceived by appearances. David’s elder brothers look more royal than him. But God rejected them from that position. God made His choice based on the heart of David and not by his appearance (1Sam 16:6-13).

LEAD WITH DILIGENCE

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom 12:6-8). The gift of leadership is to be done ‘with diligence’. In Greek, this word means to lead with ‘speed, zeal, and enthusiasm. It means to serve God with all your heart, by taking your responsibility seriously, in leading people to Him. Diligence is a steady, persistent, constant, and energetic effort to accomplish your goal. Simply said, you need to work hard, to try your best to please God by leading men to Him. You press on until you see results. The opposite of diligence is to be careless, passive, irresponsible, idle, sleepy, or spiritually dead.

OUR LORD – THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF A TRUE LEADER

The greatest model we have in leadership is the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not come to earth to fulfill His plans or personal dreams. He said it again and again that He came sent by the God the Father and to do the will and the work of the Father. The devil tried to make Him do His own will, but Jesus refused and rejected all these temptations. He remained faithful to the Will of God unto His death. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Lk 2:48-52). We need to grow in knowledge and grace like Jesus! We need to increase in favor with God and men! The Lord Jesus did not come to do His will on earth. His relationship with God the Father was His constant source of strength and wisdom. Listen to what our Lord said:

“Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (Jn 4:34)

“So, Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does” (Jn 5:19)

“I can do nothing on my own initiative or authority. Just as I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just (fair, righteous, unbiased), because I do not seek My own will, but only the will of Him who sent Me” (Jn 5:30; AMP).

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (Jn 6:38).

It should be our deepest desire to be like Jesus! Because Jesus did the will of the Father to the end, the Father raised Him from the dead and made Him Lord of all. Therefore, like Jesus, true leaders are tested and true followers. Like Jesus, the spiritual leader knows God the Father intimately. He waits for God to move, then he joins in His work. During difficult times, true leaders do not run away like the hirelings. They stay with the people until they have achieved their God’s given destinies. Even when the people are rebellious, they still lead them to God. A good example is Moses. Most people rebelled against God and Moses, and they died in the desert. But God still used Moses as their leader until he died. True leaders have a high sense of responsibility towards God. Examine yourselves! Search your hearts! Do you desire to give God all the glory for your lives and ministries? Then God will provide all that you need, spiritually and physically, for the work of the ministry and for His glory! In Jesus’ name, amen!

(From Malia)

REVIVAL – THE LIVING WATER (8) – CONVICTION OF SIN

COME AND SEE A MAN!!!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled Revival – The Living water (8) (Conviction of sin). Her main text was taken from the Book of John. “Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?” The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him” (Jn 4:13-30).

We are still studying the wonderful revelation of the Living Water offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a symbol of eternal life, salvation, spiritual maturity, being filled with the Spirit, true worship, and revival. The simplest definition of revival is a repeat of the Book of Acts! The Living Water is offered by the Lord to the Woman at the well. The Samaritan woman is a sinner. She is also religious. She is seeking for truth, for meaning in her life. Our Lord directs the conversation to the point of the revelation of Himself. Please notice how He gently ‘increases and purifies’ the vision of salvation in her heart. Initially she sees him as a man, a needy man, a stranger, and a Jew. Then she sees him as a Prophet. Lastly, she sees Him as Christ, her Savior, and her Lord! He tells her about the true worship and then, He reveals Himself to her. “I who speak to you am He” (Jn 4:26). This is the exact moment when saving faith is born in her heart. She instantly believes that Christ is the Messiah. This is the moment when King Grace saves her soul! This is when she became born again, when she became a true worshipper of the only Living God. This is when, for the first time in her life, she drank the Living Water! From this moment in time, she is never the same person again! Halleluiah! As we read these words, we sense the power and the holiness of that moment. There is a wonderful anointing on this encounter. We feel it too as we read the story. Heaven rejoices when a sinner is saved. Our Lord said this: “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7). We join the hosts of heaven and cry: “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12). In our Christian life and ministry, we all need to come to this holy moment. Eternal life bursts forth when truth is revealed as Love who died for us, that we may live! Glory to God!

SIN – THE HINDRANCE TO THE LIVING WATER

Our Lord guides this woman towards Himself, the only source of Living Water. As a sheep following her shepherd, she trusts, and she follows Him. Slowly, she sees that Jesus offers her a much greater life, much more satisfying than what she has experienced. She sees that He offers her something that no man can give to her. She is making spiritual progress. She comes to the point of faith saying: “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw”. This is a prayer. Talking to Jesus is prayer. At this moment, the Lord reveals to her the hindrance. That hindrance is called sin! She is a sinner. She desires a greater life, but she must repent of her sin. The Living Water comes from the Cross! Her flesh must die so that her spirit can live. This is the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected, the only hope for mankind. Glory to God!

As you can see, immediately the woman expresses her desire to drink the free-living-water, our Lord suddenly changes the subject. He exposes her sin.  “Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet” (Jn 4:16-19). This is the center of the conversation. We should not be impatient and run over it. Doctor Jesus diagnoses her sickness and the reason why she is not fulfilled in this life. That ‘sickness’ is called sin! She now knows that she sin-sick. For the first time she knows that she needs a Savior who will not judge her for her sin, but who will forgive all her sins. She needs peace with God before she can have peace with men. Later, when she runs to the town to tell her people about Jesus, the first words that come from her lips were these: “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did.” (Jn 4:29). She did not tell them about worship or the living water. What impressed and excited her the most was that Jesus ‘told her all the (sinful) things that she ever did’. What is the meaning of these words?

The woman has experienced what is called ‘conviction of sin’. We should look at this doctrine closely because without the conviction of sin and repentance no one becomes saved. None can drink from the promised Living water of eternal life. What is conviction of sin? It is the deep work done by the Holy Spirit preparing the sinner to become saved. For the first time in his life, the sinner is aware that he is a sinner and that he has offended God. Before now, the sinner feels good about himself. Even if he sins, he justifies himself calling sin a mistake. He does not see himself as an enemy of God who is going to be punished by God. He sees himself as a good person that occasionally may fall. Once the Holy Spirit ‘locates’ a sinner for salvation, He shines God’s light, God’s Truth, upon him. In that holy glorious light, the sinner now sees the truth, that he is guilty before God, condemned and deserving hell. This awakening of the conscience is purely the work of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord said about the Holy Spirit: “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (Jn 16:8-11). Our Lord defines sin primarily as unbelief in Him! People born in Christian homes assume that they ‘believe in Jesus’ just because they know something about Him. The truth is that all are born sinners. We are all born lacking faith in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not aware of this sin until the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin.

The doctrine of ‘conviction of sin’ is hated by all religious unbelievers. It is because of this doctrine that Jesus was hated so much and eventually He was killed by the religious leaders. Read the Gospels and see the opposition our Lord experienced when He was telling the Jews to repent of sin. This is the truth: religion is the greatest enemy to salvation. The religious men are ignorant that they are sinners in need of a Savior. They think that they are already saved by their religious good works. That is a common deception even today!   

FALSE REPENTANCE

The doctrine of sin is hated by many people. Few pastors preach about it. They present Jesus as the solution of all problems in life. They say that Jesus is the Savior, but they avoid preaching the Cross. Without repentance there is no salvation. True repentance is a change of mind and behavior when the Holy Spirit convicts of sin. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, any change of behavior is only religion. The spirit of religion is the greatest hindrance for men to be truly saved. Many people experience a superficial form of repentance of sin. That is why there are many ‘Christians’ who say that they are ‘born again’ but in fact, they are not saved. Many churches have a lot of activities but no power to save souls. What a false conviction of sin is? There is a difference between remorse and repentance. Remorse means to feel sorry that you were caught in sin. Repentance is being sorry that as a sinner you have offended God. Just ‘being sorry’ for your sins in general, is not good enough. For example, Judas had remorse for betraying Jesus, but he was not convicted of sin, and so, he did not repent. He committed suicide. Having a guilty conscience, being ashamed of something you have done, or even fearing that God will punish you, all that is still not conviction of sin. Occasionally, the unbelievers experience a guilty conscience when they commit sin, and they feel sorry for that. They try to atone for their sins with some good works. They try to change their behavior, to become more religious. But all these good works are still rooted in the flesh. The Holy Spirit is absent from these religious works. They profit nothing before God. Cults encourage good works as a form of conversion. Many churches are in fact cults. A cult is a religious gathering that follows a man. The people may look ‘Christian’ but they are not saved. They worship their leader. The people have a religious ‘conversion’ but they are not saved. They go to church, read the Bible, pray, fast, and give offerings. But they are not saved. They have never drunk the Living Water. Their leaders are false prophets who try to enter the sheepfold by an illegal door. Their so called ‘Christianity’ lacks the foundation of true repentance. It gives them false hopes of salvation. That is why cults are dangerous and many are trapped inside. But once they hear the Truth, the Gospel, the Holy Spirit convicts them of sin and many run to Jesus!  

CONVICTION OF SIN – TRUE REPENTANCE  

What then is the true conviction of sin done by the Holy Spirit? First, we need to know the definition of sin. In Greek, there are twelve words translated ‘sin’. For example, sin is called evil, lawlessness, wickedness, deception, slavery, guilt, or hypocrisy. The most common word in Greek is ‘harmatia’. It appears sixty times in the New Testament. This word means ‘to miss the mark’. It is like a man who shuts an arrow but misses the center of the target. The arrow goes astray. Sin is an insult to God! Sin a failure to please God who has a standard of righteousness for all men, how they should stand before Him. His standard is perfect, and it is according to His will. God cannot go down to men’s standard of behavior. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the only Man who pleased God and achieved God’s standard of life. Because of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners. They cannot please God. Because God is holy, He hates it. Sin is punished with death. That is why Jesus died on the Cross as a substitute for sinners. Sin cannot be atoned except thru the death of Christ. This is the Gospel we preach, Christ crucified and resurrected!  

Sin is a break in God’s relationship with man. Sin separates man from God. “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Is 59:2). Sin hinders man to arrive to glory. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).  God made man for His glory. He made man to be like His Son Jesus Christ. “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Rom 8:29, 30). God designed the plan of salvation before the foundation of the World. From eternity God foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified some people. These are the children of God. Because this process is purely by the Grace of God, all the people whom God foreknew will be glorified. In fact, by faith, they are glorified already.

In Greek, the word ‘conviction’ is ‘elenxei’. It means “to convince someone of the truth; to rebuke, to discipline, to accuse, to show to be guilty, or to cross-examine a witness.” Imagine the court of God. You are the sinner in the box. The devil is your useless lawyer. The Holy Spirit acts as prosecuting attorney in the court. He exposes your sin, how wicked your heart is and how much you hate God. The Holy Spirit destroys all your arguments of self-righteousness and convinces you that you are guilty. You must die and go to hell. This process is spiritually and emotionally fearful. Like a Potter and his clay, the Holy Spirit breaks you. The fear of God is now going deep into your soul. You cannot save yourself! You feel like dying, going down and down. Suddenly, at the exact time, God’s time, you see Jesus crucified for you. You finally trust in Jesus! The Holy Spirit lifts you up from the miry clay of condemnation. You feel God’s mercy and grace lifting you up. You feel God’s love embracing you. The battle over your soul is over! King Grace has won! Jesus always wins! Halleluiah!  

All sinners who got saved remember this conviction of sin as death to self. Some call it ‘the dark night of the soul’. They saw death face to face. They saw themselves condemned and going to hell. They accepted the verdict of the Judge, that they were wicked sinners and enemies to God. Initially, the sinner depends on the devil, his defending lawyer. He assumes that the devil is God. He is ignorant of the truth. He is deceived by the devil who gives him false hopes. But the Holy Spirit bombards the sinner with truth upon truth. He reveals to him that his lawyer, the devil, is a criminal and eternally condemned. As truth shines brighter, the sinner sees that he is lost. He has lost his case. There is no appeal in this court. God’s court is the highest court in the universe. He now totally surrenders to God trusting in the only Savior, Jesus Christ! At this point of saving faith, the Holy Spirit gives peace and joy. A sinner has been set free. A child of God is born into the Kingdom. There is no other way to be saved. There is no other way to drink from the Living Water. You need to be defeated and die at the Cross, for you to trust and appreciate the Lord Jesus Christ. Death first before eternal life! No other religion gives a sinner access to God. It is only thru Jesus! Only Thru Jesus!      

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Cor 7:10, 11). The Holy Spirit convicts of sin bringing you to godly sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation. The fake ‘worldly sorrow’ leads to death. There is no conviction of sin in worldly sorrow, just a form of remorse and regret at being caught in sin. This godly sorrow is also called ‘conviction of sin’. The Holy Spirit leads on from sorrow, to repentance, and to salvation. This is the road leading to eternal life and to the Living Water. God starts the process, and He always ends it. For his glory! Conviction of sin is terribly painful. But it is ‘the injection’ of the Holy Spirit towards the cure from sin. It is the gift of God. Weeping is always before rejoicing! King David said: “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” (Ps 30:4, 5). The weeping led by the Holy Spirit always ends in praise! Halleluiah!    

Please observe that the Holy Spirit ‘convicts of sin’ (singular) and not of ‘sins’ (plural). Because of Adam’s fall, we are born sinners. Different sins are the works of the sinful nature. We are sinners not because we commit sins, but because we are born like that. Sin is like a congenital incurable disease. It cripples us, it blinds us, it enslaves us. Because as sinners we do not understand what holiness is, we are ignorant of how much God hates sin. Sin is the root of all our problems. The sins we commit are only branches of a deep root that only God can uproot. At the Cross, when Jesus died, God defeated and destroyed sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). God the Father sent God the Son to die on behalf of sinners, as our Substitute. Nothing else and nobody else can save us from the wrath of God, from death and hell. Only Jesus! Only Jesus! That is why we worship Him! “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12).

GOD’S METHOD TO CONVICT OF SIN

What is the method God uses to convict of sin? Most of the time the Holy Spirit uses anointed preaching of His Word, especially the preaching of the Gospel of Christ Crucified and resurrected. The Word of God is a spiritual sword that penetrates the hearts and convicts of sin. “Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17). Men can argue with religious arguments, but none can block the Word of God preached under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. There is no shield against the Word of God. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb 4:12, 13). Once the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, you feel naked and exposed before God. You see God as your Judge. God the Father is the Creator of all and the Judge of all. But because Jesus lived and died as a Man, to save men, God gave the Son the authority to judge all men. He said: “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (Jn 5:22, 23). Jesus is not only the Savior of men, but He is their Judge!

EXAMPLES OF CONVICTION OF SIN AND TRUE REPENTANCE

People assume that they can repent and become saved anytime they wish. But it is not so. God has His own timing. The Holy Spirit must do this peculiar work of convicting of sin in you before you can be saved. Give Him glory! To be convicted is to feel in your heart the wickedness of sin. This happens when you see God’s beauty, His purity and holiness. When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife to commit adultery, he ran away from her. He saw adultery as a sin not only against Potiphar, his master, but against God! Joseph told his mistress: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen 39:9). You must be convicted of sin and repent of sin before you appreciate God’s Grace and Mercy and be able to worship Him. After David committed adultery and murder, he repented before God. The Lord used the Prophet Nathan to convict him of sin. Immediately David knew that he committed sin not only against men, but against God. He pleaded for mercy. He asked God to give him a new heart and a new spirit. He said: “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight, That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge” (Ps 51:1-4). When Isaiah saw God, he immediately saw himself as a sinner living among sinners. He was terrified before God. He said: “Woe to me! . . . I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips . . . and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty” (Is 6:5). Prophet Isaiah was known as a righteous man. But in the light of God, he saw himself as a wretched sinner who needs mercy. This is the work of the Holy Spirit helping a sinner to repent of self-righteousness and pride.   

Read the story of how Peter encountered the Lord. That night they went fishing but caught nothing. Jesus gets into Peter’s boat to preach the Gospel. Later, Jesus tells Peter to go back and fish again. Peter was reluctant to obey knowing that Jesus was not a fisherman. Eventually, Peter obeyed the command. He went back and caught so many fishes that his boat was sinking. Peter’s reaction to this miracle is interesting. “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Lk 5:8). Why did he do that? The Holy Spirit convicted him of sin, especially of unbelief in Jesus. Peter saw the glory of Jesus in his boat! In the light of that glory, Peter saw his sinfulness. This is conviction of sin! It ends in worship and service to Jesus. He and the other disciples forsook all and followed Jesus!  

It is the same with the Apostle Paul. He was a religious man, He hated Jesus and the believers. He tried his best to arrest and kill them. One day, the light of the glory of Jesus shines on him. He was immediately blinded. He was convicted of sin on the spot. “As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:3-6). Apostle Paul was persecuting the Christians seeking to arrest them. But the Resurrected Christ arrested Paul. He tells Paul that ‘he is kicking against the goads.’ That describes a man who is striving with the Holy Spirit. No man can fight God and win! Convicted of sin, the persecutor of the church became the great Apostle Paul, a bondservant to Christ! Praise God!

Read the dramatic story of how the Philippian Jailer got saved (Acts 16:25-34). Paul and Silas delivered a slave girl from a spirit of divination. Her master was making money from her predictions. He got angry and he arrested Paul and Silas as troublemakers. The jailer put them in the inner cell of the prison. Over there, with chains on their feet, in the middle of the night, they prayed and praised God. Suddenly, an earthquake shook the foundation of the prison. All the doors opened, and all the chains got loosed. The jailer assumed that all the prisoners escaped, and he will be killed for that. So, he tried to commit suicide. But Paul stops him. The jailer falls at the feet of Paul and Silas saying: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Ac 16:30). Why did he say that? Paul did not preach to him. But in that moment, he sensed the presence of God. He was convicted of sin. He now sees himself as a sinner fighting God. He suddenly wants to be saved from his sins. He did not ask Paul: “What must I do not to lose my job or my life?’ No! He asked: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved from the wrath of God? I want to be like you, Paul! I want to have the same joy as you, Silas! I want to drink the living water like you people. I believe that Jesus, your God, is the only God who can save me and my household…” The prison became the place for evangelism! Never despise your problems. King Grace can manifest thru them and save many!

The Samaritan woman at the well sat with the Judge of all men. In a moment, she felt convicted of sin. She believed in Him who alone can save her. She drank the Living water. That is why the first words she spoke to the others was “Come and see a Man who told me all the things I ever did”. The nearer you go to Jesus, the greater the conviction of sin and the need for forgiveness. This is the primary work before any revival. The cry of the true worshipper is “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!” (Rev 5:12). The cry of the true evangelist is “Come and see a Man!” (Jn 4:29).  May we surrender to Jesus! May we cooperate with the workings of the Holy Spirit! Worship the Lord!

“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power (making it active, operative, energizing and effective); it is sharper than any two edged sword, penetrating… between joints and marrow (of the deepest parts of our nature) exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart” (Heb 4: 12, AMP)

Just like the pregnancy, like the hidden power of life within the womb, the Word of God ingested works without interruptions until it pleases God to behold the final masterpiece. There is Holy activity in my spirit. No rest until there is rest. Peace has a crown and smiles like a queen. Truth is a friend, a father and a judge. Like a bird flies away, leaving behind the sad, sad cage, so yesterday is quietly put to rest. Tomorrow is a sketch of hope’s song. Today is my gift, to fill with God’s presence until the overflow expands it to be more than twenty four hours. There is work going on inside of me. None can stop it and none can steal it. I love how God is good to me. His goodness is power that changes me, beholding His glory!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God! I am saved by the Blood of the Lamb, by the Grace of the King of Kings! I trust the Word of God! Even when I do not see much ahead, His Word is still the unquenchable light at my feet! I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus! I gaze long on the eternal things of God’s invisible Kingdom! I only glance at the visible things of this world, for they are temporary! I break any addiction with the infatuation with the material things! I love the Word of God! I trust the Word of God! In all circumstances, in Spirit and in Truth, I will worship God! This is my pledge!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen!

“Lord Jesus Christ, I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will. Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low by You. Let me have all things, or let me have nothing. As You wish, Lord! I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. Lord, Jesus, You are my Treasure forever! And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am Yours. So be it! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!”

(John Wesley, 1703-1791)

They say: ‘you are what you eat’. Better said: ‘you are what you hear’.

The pulpit is the center of the world.

Preach the Word!!!

REVIVAL – THE LIVING WATER (7)  

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled Revival – The Living water (7). Her main text was taken from the Book of John. “A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.  Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” …  Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”  Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?” The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him. In the meantime, His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore, the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” (Jn 4:7-10; 21-38)

We are still studying the wonderful revelation of the Living Water offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a symbol of eternal life, salvation, spiritual maturity, being filled with the Spirit, true worship, and revival. The Living Water is offered by the Lord to the Woman at the well. The Samaritan woman is a sinner. She is also religious. She is seeking for truth, for meaning in her life. Our Lord directs the conversation to the point of the revelation of Himself. Please notice how He gently ‘increases’ the vision of salvation in her heart. Initially she sees him as a man, a needy man, a stranger, and a Jew. Then she sees him as a Prophet. Lastly, she sees Him as Christ, her Savior, and her Lord! He tells her about the true worship and then, He reveals Himself to her. “I who speak to you am He” (Jn 4:26). This is the exact moment when saving faith is born in her heart. She instantly believes that Christ is the Messiah. This is the moment when King Grace saves her soul! This is when she became born again. This is the moment when she became a true worshipper of the only Living God. This is when, for the first time in her life, she drank the Living Water! From this moment in time, she is never the same person again! Halleluiah! As we read these words, we sense the power and the holiness of that moment. There is a wonderful anointing on this encounter. We feel it too as we read the story. Heaven rejoices when a sinner is saved. Our Lord said this: “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7). We join the hosts of heaven and cry: “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12). In our Christian life and ministry, we all need to come to this holy moment. Eternal life bursts forth when truth is revealed as Love who died for us, that we may live! Glory to God!

TRUE WORSHIP IS ALWAYS CHRIST CENTERED 

How do we drink this Living Water? By going straight to Him who offers it! Go to Jesus! Go to the Cross! Meditate on the Person of Jesus, who He is, what He has done, especially His death on the Cross! This long gaze on the Crucified brings you the Living Water and will enable you to worship Him! The source of the Living Water, of eternal life and all satisfaction, is not in a geographical place. It is a Person! In the whole universe, it is only the Son of the Living God that offers men the Living Water. You need to desire an encounter and a deeper relationship with Him. Then you shall find this Living water.  All teaching and preaching must glorify the Lord Jesus Christ! True worship is always Christ centered. The worshipper’s deepest cry is “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12). The Holy Spirit main’s work is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ! Before going to the Cross, our Lord said this: “He (The Holy Spirit) will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore, I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you” (Jn 16:14, 15). The Holy Spirit does not glorify (advertise) any man, but Jesus! One of the most dangerous temptations we face is to ignore or marginalize the Lord Jesus Christ; to remove Him from the center of His throne! This is not possible in reality, but it can happen in our minds. The evil spirit of religion can corrupt our understanding of what is true worship. This attitude grieves the Holy Spirit. This is a test for all: Any sermon of song that does not make people to draw closer to Jesus, is a waste of time and energy. It is even worse than a waste. It is idolatry. And God punishes idolatry! Be faithful to proclaim the true Gospel, Christ crucified and resurrected! Be faithful to sing songs that glorify the Lord Jesus Christ! This leads to the salvation of sinners and to true worship. It is the holy approved platform for all true work for God! True worship is genuine ministry approved and blessed by the Father!

JESUS IS THE TIME MASTER

Let us go back to the story of the encounter between the Christ and the Samaritan woman. The Lord is totally in charge of the encounter. He chose to pass thru this Samaritan village because He had this sinner in mind.  “He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria” (Jn 4:3, 4). At that time, because of racial discrimination, the Jews do not pass thru Samaria. But our Lord ‘needed to go through Samaria’. The word ‘needed to go’ is also translated as ‘it was necessary for Him to go’ thru Samaria. You can see that the Lord knows who are to be saved and goes to them. The Lord sits and waits for the woman to come so that she will be saved. For her, it was an ordinary day. She did not know that it was her destiny day. Observe that it is the Lord who initiates the conversation. At that time, the disciples did not completely understand Christ, but they were learning who He is as they followed him. As a Man, our Lord was tired from the journey and sat at the well. His disciples went to the town to buy food. Between the time they went to buy food and the time they came back a miracle of salvation has taken place. The Lord saved a soul from the bondage of sin and death! Jesus said that His reason for coming to the earth was to finish the work of the Father, to save souls! “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk 19:10).

“Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?” (Jn 4:26, 27). Our Lord just revealed to the woman that He is the Christ. This is the greatest revelation any one can receive. The disciples were surprised that He was talking with a woman in public because this was against the law of the Pharisees. According to them “a man should not salute a woman in a public place, not even his own wife”. But our Lord was free from these man-made religious laws.  At the very moment of the revelation that He is the Christ, the disciples came back. We may feel that they ‘disturbed’ the spiritual conversation, but it is not so. The Lord has finished just talking to the woman. He has opened her eyes. She got saved. Not a second was lost. See how the Lord is the Master of time! Not a word He speaks too early or too late. Not a miracle He does too early or too late. Our Lord is the second Person of the Trinity. In heaven He lives outside time. He lives eternally. But once He became man, to live on earth, He lived ‘in time’. But He mastered time! Men are slaves to time. We are either too fast or too slow. We cannot control or stop time. But even as a Man, our Lord mastered time! That is another reason why we worship Him! “Worthy is the Lamb!”

The Lord Jesus always spoke the right words, at the right place, and at the right time. The following are some examples of our Lord Mastering the time and the circumstances, for His glory!   

*Our Lord healed the servant of the Centurion with just a word spoken at the right time. “Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour” (Mt 8:13). Faith believes the Word of God spoken at this particular time! Faith does not postpone believing! “Now, faith is…” (Heb 11:1). Doubt postpones believing! Selah!

*The Lord healed the woman with the issue of Blood. She was sick for twelve years, but she was healed instantly at that very ‘hour’. “Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour” (Mt 9:22).

*Our Lord healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman who had faith in Him. The healing also happens at ‘that very hour’. Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Mt 15:28).

*Lazarus was sick. His sisters called Jesus to heal him. But Jesus delayed His coming. He told His disciples: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (Jn 11:4). Lazarus died and was buried. Four days later Jesus comes to see Martha and Mary. They both complained that He was too late to heal their brother. Jesus said to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world” (Jn 11:25-27). Martha believes just like the woman at the well. At the tomb of Lazarus “Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” (Jn 11:35-37). Martha, Mary, and the people expected Jesus to prevent death by healing Lazarus. But Jesus performed a greater miracle. He did not prevent death, but He defeated it. Lazarus was called forth and he came out of the tomb alive. The Lord delayed His coming to manifest His power over death. This miracle was truly for the glory of God that the Son of Man may be glorified thru it. We need to trust the Lord and His timing. Delay for a miracle is to increase the glory of God thru it!   

MY HOUR – HIS HOUR

Our Lord was always sensitive to time. Every word and every miracle had to happen at a particular time. For example, He gently rebuked His mother for trying to control Him to do a miracle at the wedding at Cana. He told her that each miracle must be done at a particular ‘hour’. Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4). When He addressed His brothers, He made a distinction between them and Himself. This distinction relates to time also. Jesus told them, “Although your time is always at hand, My time has not yet come” (Jn 7:6). Our Lord often said that ‘His hour’ has not yet come to die. “He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come” (Jn 8:20). Our Lord said that He can only be arrested when the hour of darkness has come. He accepted the sins of humanity upon Himself. He now passively goes to the Cross to die, as a Lamb goes to the slaughter. “When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Now they arrested Him and led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance” (Lk 22:53, 54). He did not complain during His trial and crucifixion. In the Old Testament the priests were not supposed to torture the animal before it was killed as a sacrifice. But religious leaders tortured our Lord before they crucified Him. This is to prove how much they hated Him!

“He (God) has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end” (Ecc 3:11). God created all things. Sin has damaged man and creation. But Jesus Christ came to redeem sinners and also His creation. This is a lesson for us all: You have a need. You pray and nothing happens. For a long time, things look the same. It seems like God is sleeping. But God works in mysterious ways. Suddenly, there is a movement of the Holy Spirit. What looks ordinary, now becomes beautiful and glorious. God’s time is revelation time. His Grace reveals the beauty hidden beneath. Blessed are those who acknowledge God’s time and wait for the beauty and perfection promised! Because our Lord created even time, He “is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). Please note that the same Jesus who talked to the woman at the well, He is right now in our midst, and also in heaven. When we go to heaven, our memories will go with us. We shall have fellowship with the Lord and with one another, remembering things we did on the earth. This is our Living Hope!

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT

We all have 24 hours in a day. Some people use these hours to achieve great things. Others waste their time and opportunities. We should learn to do the same. Time management is defined as the process of planning and organizing your time between different activities. The benefits of good time management are these: you always finish your task, you work with no anxiety and at the end, you will have great joy. You stay focused, you work patiently and with peace of mind. You pray before making plans. You pray as you work. You give thanks to God as you finish your task. There is no greater joy than to finish your work. Because you finish your task, you can help others who need your assistance. The opposite is that you waste your time and squander your opportunities. Without a good ‘time management’, you become impatient, easily distracted, anxious, and overwhelmed by pressure. You become a busybody. You work more and you achieve less. A poverty mentality sets in that increases your level of anxiety. Another demon that confuses you about doing the right thing is called ‘procrastination’. This is defined as a weakness of the will to start something you need or love to do. Procrastination is not laziness. Lazy people simply don’t do anything and are just fine with it. Procrastinators, on the other hand, have the desire to actually do something but can’t force themselves to start. Procrastination is the same as sin of omission. “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (Jam 4:17). You need self-discipline, strength and courage by the power of the Holy Spirit!

As a Man, Our Lord used His time wisely. There is no greater joy than to say at the end of your life: “God, I have finished your work. I have finished the race’. Our Lord said: “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (Jn 17:4). Apostle Paul said before he died: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7). You need focus, wisdom, and strength to fulfill destiny on earth. That takes time management. You make plans how long your ‘quiet time’ with the Lord should be in the morning or in the evening. You make plans to study the Word of God and attend church activities. This requires wisdom, faith, and patience. You can do it!         

TRUST AND WORSHIP JESUS EVEN WHEN YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND HIM

“Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?” (Jn 4:26, 27). The disciples were surprised that Jesus was talking to a woman in public. They were even more surprised that He revealed to her deeper things than He revealed to them so far. He was breaking the religious and social etiquette. It is possible that they were embarrassed by that. They wanted to rebuke Him for His freedom to talk, but there was something about Him that humbled them even at that time. They kept silent. That is good. They had to learn to trust Him even when they do not understand Him. This is a lesson for all of us. Jesus is in control of time, events, and circumstances. He leads and we follow. Always! We should learn to keep quiet and pray for spiritual understanding when things seem difficult. Control your tongue like Job! “In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God” (Job 1:22).

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:1-3). In the past, most of the time, God spoke thru prophets and priests. Since Jesus Christ came to earth, died, and ascended back to heaven, He is the One who speaks to men. God the Father made the worlds thru Jesus Christ who ‘upholds all things by the word of His power’. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the glorious brightness and the express image of God the Father. He is God!

When Jesus spoke, people were amazed. He spoke like no other man. His words had authority and love that could break the hardness of any heart. “When Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mt 7:28, 29). “When the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!” (Mk 6:2). The soldiers could not arrest Him. They said: “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (Jn 7:46).

We need to learn how to trust Him, His words, and His ways. It is not easy because we are born sinners. But we must accept the truth that He does what He wants because He is God. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Is 55:8,9). King Grace is always in charge of His work. Nothing and nobody can stop His work. He came to Samaria to save this woman. Nobody could stop that! This is a great lesson: Jesus always does surprising things. As the wind cannot be controlled by man, so He is!  He told Nicodemus: “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (Jn 3:7, 8). We worship the Lord because He is Man and God. If Christ is only Man, then we cannot worship Him. If Christ is only God, then He cannot save sinners like me and you. He is God and Man. That is why we worship Him. When He came to earth, He left the robe of glory behind. He came as a poor man, a carpenter. It was His choice to leave the external signs of glory in heaven. But take note: He did not leave His personal glory, because He is always God. But His glory was hidden by human flesh. Even so, from time to time, men saw His glory, like on the Mountain of Transfiguration. May our eyes open to see the Lamb upon the throne and to worship Him forever! “Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous (difficult, unique, great) things!” (Ps 72:18).

We need to come to the place of totally trusting Jesus despite the difficult circumstances. We must say with Job: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him… Even though He kills me; I will hope in Him” (Job 13:15; NKJ; AMP). When you understand God or not, trust and worship Him to your last breath. Jesus is the Hope of your glory! He is the only Hope you have! Worship the Lord!

PRACTICAL APPLICATION – WALK AS JESUS WALKED – MAKE THE BEST OF EACH SECOND

We need to learn how to walk by faith, and not by sight, and led by the Spirit, and not by our flesh. This walk requires training in spiritual sensitivity. It is a walk of wisdom. We walk ‘circumspectly’. The meaning of this word is to be wise, alert, and watchful in the face of danger or risk; to be careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences. Watch a cat when she passes thru a dirty wet place. She watches for clean and safe stones and carefully steps on them. She avoids getting dirty as she passes thru. This is what it means to walk circumspectly. Practically, it means to be prudent in all your decisions, how and when to speak and when to keep silent. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:15-18). As we walk led by the Spirit, we do not waste time, and we make no mistakes. We do not speak words or make decisions that we regret later. We learn to control our tongues. We avoid dangers and overcome temptations. We make spiritual progress daily.  We become more and more like Jesus! “Whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself” (1 Jn 2:6; AMP). We learn to appreciate our Lord and we worship Him with a grateful heart! Speak only led by the Holy Spirit! Then your speech will heal others and bring joy to your heart! “A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer, And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!” (PV 15:23; AMP). Like our Lord, we need to speak only led by the Holy Spirit. Each word should be ‘in season’ and to encourage the weary. “The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned” (Is 50:4). Worship the Lord!

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life” (Col 3:1-3; TM)

My children,

One of the greatest discoveries I have made is to know myself! Next to knowing God, I discovered who I am. I now have an identity that is found in Christ alone. Before I became saved I only knew that there is a ‘me’. I knew I had a name, parents and a sister; I was a medical doctor; I had a husband and three children; I had wonderful dreams of success in this world… But all these ‘external additions’ were not able to explain to me who I really was. I defined myself thru the opinion of others. For example, as a child, I saw myself thru the eyes of my parents. Both of them were my teachers. They were very proud of me and I tried to make them proud in return. I pushed myself very hard to always be first in the class. It was my way of paying them back for their love. After I got married I saw myself thru the eyes of my husband. If he said that I was beautiful that day I was ‘floating in the air’ with happiness. I was ready to quarrel with anyone who saw me ugly. But when my husband was too busy to compliment me, I felt foolish and ugly. After I had children, if they said: ‘Mummy, you are a good mummy…’ I felt proud that I am a good mother. I was ready to ‘compete’ with other mothers for the title ‘the best mother in the world’. But when any of my children emotionally rejected me and loved ‘another mother’ more than me, I will weep, blame myself and feel so sad. It was the same with all my relationships, with family and friends. I depended totally on their words. I gave them too much power over my soul and they used it or misused it.

This situation could have gone on forever if not for the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. By the grace of God I became born again in 1986. Since then my greatest passion is to know God and to become like His Son Jesus Christ. Thank God for my husband because he too is a child of God. We encourage each other in this holy race. Like I said, one of the greatest discoveries I have made is to know myself! I study the Word of God and I apply it daily to myself and to my circumstances. I see myself now thru the eyes of God. No opinion matters except that of my Lord. I know that I am a sinner saved by grace. No man or devil can condemned me because by faith, I died with Jesus and rose with Jesus. Whatever negative things you may say about ‘me’, you are talking about a dead woman buried long ago and who feels nothing.

I no longer define myself thru my outward appearance. I do not see myself as a fat, short, ugly, wrinkled and old menopausal woman. That is not me at all! It can never be me! I see myself as a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made. My body is nothing less than the temple of the Holy Spirit! I believe that! He changes me from inside out! I am holy because God my Father is holy. Even if I am a hundred and twenty years old like Moses, my youth can never become ‘old’ for it is ‘renewed like the eagles’. Because holiness is beautiful I am beautiful! As a wife I am precious in the eyes of God. The Holy Spirit will help my husband to see me as precious. As a mother, I am totally fulfilled. I am not a mother in ‘Warri’ but I am ‘a mother in Zion’ (Jdg 5:7). My children, natural and spiritual, are covenant children, special, unique, gifted and wonderful. If the devil likes it or not, they shall serve the Lord who brought them to me!

After I discovered myself in Christ, I developed a relationship with myself. I love myself so that I can love others. I forgive myself as the Lord has forgiving me! I encourage myself thru the Word of God! I prophesy on myself, what I should be according to the Bible. I pray for myself, that my dreams come true! I delight myself in the Lord. Therefore my heart’s desire shall manifest! It is just a matter of time… I truly enjoy my company. I am surprised at the wonderful things God has done in my life. He has made me spiritually strong. He gives me peace and joy. He puts His Words in my mouth to encourage others. My hearts sings… And His work in me continues… With unashamed face I behold Him who saved my soul! Today, I give thanks to God for my life, for what I have become, eternally safe in the Beloved! It is well with my soul….Glory to God!

Love in Christ alone,

Malia”

(I wrote this letter in 2018. The words are still fresh, and Spirit filled. Read, pray and be blessed! My husband took me this picture on the little bridge over the river where God opened the heart of Lydia (Acts 16). This was in Philippy, Greece in one of our travels. My husband is now in heaven. In all things I give thanks to God!)

Satan fears your prayers. He knows that one hour talking to Jesus destroys the stronghold he built for many years. Pray! Pray! Pray! In Jesus’ name!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled Revival – Come to the Living water (6). Her main texts were taken from the Books of John and Revelation 4 and Isaiah 55. “A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water…  Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (Jn 4:7-10; 21-26)

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (Jn 7:37-39)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them” (Jn 10:1-6)

We are still studying the great subjects of worship and revival. We connect both with the Living Water offered by the Lord to the Woman at the well. The Samaritan woman is a sinner. She is also religious. She is seeking for truth, for life. Our Lord directs the conversation to the point of revelation. Please notice how He ‘increases’ in her heart. Initially she sees him as a needy man, a stranger, and a Jew. Then she sees him as a Prophet. Lastly, she sees Him as Christ, her Savior, and her Lord! He tells her about the true worship and then, He reveals Himself to her. “I who speak to you am He” (Jn 4:26). This is the exact moment when she believed that Christ is the Messiah. This is the moment when King Grace moved in her spirit, and she became saved. This is when she became born again. This is the moment when she became a true worshipper. This is when she drank the Living Water! We sense the holiness of that moment. There is a wonderful anointing on this encounter. We feel it too as we read the story. Glory to God! Heaven rejoices when a sinner is saved. Our Lord said this: “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7). We join the hosts of heaven and cry: “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12). In our Christian life and ministry, we need to come to this holy moment. When truth is revealed as Love who died for us, that we may live!  How do we drink this Living Water? By going straight to Him who offers it! Go to Jesus! Go to the Cross! Mediate on the Person of Jesus, who He is, what He has done, especially His death on the Cross and His resurrection! This long gaze on the Crucified will bring you the Living Water and will enable you to worship Him!

THE THRONE ROOM IN HEAVEN – COME UP HERE! – THE CALL OF CHRIST

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne” (Rev 4:1, 2)

Worship in heaven is Christ-centered! Christ is the Creator of the Universe! Christ is Conqueror of all powers! Christ is the Controller of the Church! The Church has only one head! It is not a human head. That Head is Christ! Worship starts with the word “Come!”. The Resurrected Christ calls us to come closer to Him. As believers we believe two opposite things: 1-God is far away from His Creation and 2-God is closer than our breathing. This is a paradox. But it is true! If you lose any of these revelations, your faith will be damaged!!! The devil always attacks our faith! If you only believe that God is far away in heaven, then you lose the intimate fellowship of the Holy Spirit. If you become overfamiliar with God, and you lose the sense of wonder, you cannot worship Him in Spirit and in Truth! We need to be balanced in doctrine! This is a wonderful scripture describing God in heaven and at the same time, intimately close to His children. “For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Is 57:15)

Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of Revelation are among the most important chapters in the Bible. We should study the way worship goes on in heaven so that we can do it on earth.  The voice that sounded like a trumpet calling John to see things in heaven is the voice of the resurrected Christ. He has already talked to John previously. “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last” (Rev 1:9-11). The Lord dictated seven letters to John to send to the seven churches in Asia Minor. John was already in the Spirit. Now, the Lord calls John to a deeper spiritual level and to come to heaven to see things that ‘must take place’. This is a reminder that the Lord Jesus Christ is God. He oversees the universe and deigns the future.

We see that the Lord Jesus Christ initiates the conversation with the woman at the well, drawing her to Him, to the place or revelation and worship. He says: “Give Me a drink!”. It is the same Christ who calls John to a deeper revelation of worship, saying: “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this”. Our Lord calls both the unbelievers and the believers to come to Him to have an intimate relationship with Him. Worshipping God means to obey His call to come to Him! The holy heavenly call is vertical. Our response to come and worship God is also vertical. We bow before God so that our spirit will rise to meet Him up there in heaven!  

The Lord calls everyone who is tired of sin and oppression. He promises rest for the soul and easy satisfying labor when working for Him. The Lord calls those who hunger and thirst for knowing God. He promises that they shall be filled with peace and eternal satisfaction. The Gospel is the only Word of Hope and satisfaction in the whole world. The people who refuse the call are the religious unbelievers, the proud, and the hypocrites. They pretend not to be tired, hungry, or thirsty. They claim that this world satisfies them. They deceive themselves and others.  

The verb ‘to come’ is defined as moving closer towards the speaker. You leave a place and go to another place, a change of location and status.  God the Father facilitates the seeking and finding the Son.  You must be willing to come to Jesus!

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30)

“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out… Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn 6:35-37; 43,44)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” (Mt 5:6)

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (Jn 5:39, 40).

I read the biographies of many secular successful people. They all had money and fame. But on their dying bed they confessed that they failed to find rest of mind, peace, satisfaction, and joy! The world is not able to provide these. The Living Water is found in Christ alone!

THE GREAT INVITATION OF KING GRACE (Is 55:1-13)

This is a true story I saw on the internet. Ruby Ibarra was a 15-year-old girl Mexican girl. She wanted to celebrate her birthday party in a village in Mexico. Her parents are not wealthy people, but they love their daughter. To please her, her father made an open invitation on a video clip on Facebook. He said that all people are invited to come to the party. He later said that he intended it to be for the neighbors in his village. But by mistake, he posted it as ‘public’. Immediately, 1,3 million people responded. Thousands promised to come to the party. Ruby became an international ‘star.’ The Mexican airlines made 30% discount for anybody that wants to attend Ruby’s party. People posted fake pictures of fried turkeys and mountain of food and drinks waiting for the visitors. Two live bands came uninvited and raised the stage to play for the people. On that day, their small village was flooded with visitors. 20,000 people came to her party. There was a horse race competition where one man died. Of course, there was no food or entertainment for all. What a story… What a disappointment…

This story is a symbol of what the world promises but cannot satisfy. Men are born with legitimate desires to love and to be loved. That is why they fall in many deceptive traps. Men respond to the empty promises of the world. They go there hungry and thirsty, hoping for fried turkeys, but return home feeling disappointed and cheated. Sin always offers false hopes. Because of these disappointments, men have lost the desire to dream and hope for a better future. All people in the world are restless and depressed. They do not know that true Hope is found in Christ alone. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes (longing fulfilled, a wish come true), it is a tree of life” (PV 13:12). Because of the disappointment of the world’s invitation to pleasure, many have become bitter in their hearts. That is why when they hear the holy call of God, they doubt it and they refuse to obey it.

What is our problem? We do not seek God! Our desires for God are not strong enough. We are too easily satisfied with the temporary pleasures of sin. That is why we do not pay the price to seek the true God and His free offer of Grace. True satisfaction is found only in the Gospel. By Grace and By Faith in Christ, we are saved and satisfied. The word ‘satisfaction’ means the condition of having your desire or need fulfilled. It is the pleasant feeling that you get when you receive something you always wanted, or when you have done something, you always wanted to do. It is also defined as justification, vindication, or compensation for loss or injury. May we hear the call of Jesus and come to Him!

In Isaiah 53 we see Christ as the Lamb to be slain for the sins of the world. In Isaiah 54 we see the benefits of salvation in Christ. In Isaiah 55 we see God’s invitation of Grace towards sinners. Those who mock it, will meet God at the Judgment seat. Those who humble themselves and trust in Jesus Christ come to partake from this wonderful feast. Those who come shall be satisfied. They shall hunger and thirst no more. They shall worship God in spirit and in truth! This is a true invitation and open to all! These are some lessons taken from God’s invitation from Isaiah 55:  

GOD COMMANDS ALL SINNERS TO COME TO HIM! THIS IS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST CRUCIFIED AND RESURRECTED!

*King Grace’s invites all people to come to Him! The invitation looks too good to be true! The devil is trying to convince you to reject it. This is the truth: Grace is always too beautiful for the sinners. Grace is too Kind and too Generous, ready to welcome all who believe in Jesus. Come!

*This invitation is God’s command! It is not just a fantastic opportunity to ‘enjoy ourselves’. There are 12 commands in the first 7 verses. When God commands a man, he either obeys or he disobeys. Each option has its own consequences. “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; But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Is 1:18-20). After hearing God’s invitation, there are only two ways to respond: repentance or rebellion.  The willing and obedient eat the good of the land. The stubborn and rebellious shall be eaten by the land. The words ‘the good of the land’ mean – material prosperity in the land God has given you. This is an invitation for full forgiveness, free feasting, and prosperity! Only a fool will refuse it!

*Come! The word ‘come’ appears 4 Times! Eat! God offers the Living Water, as Milk and Wine ‘Without money and without price”. Why? Because Jesus has paid the price on the Cross! For us to have a free salvation, Jesus had to die for us! Salvation is free but it is not cheap. When King Grace talks, money is deaf and dumb!

*What is the Condition necessary for the application to this party? Spiritual thirst! Thirst is a powerful force, even stronger than hunger. You can live without food for 40 days. You cannot live without water for 7 days. These are some of the symptoms of thirst: dehydration, dry mouth, no tears when crying, fatigue, dizziness, restlessness, and confusion. “If you thirst!” You need to know your need. If you are satisfied by yourself, you cannot desire the living water. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” (Mt 5:3-6)

*Sin deceives and destroys us. The rich live by their money and the poor, by their labor. These two lifestyles do not satisfy. “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy?” (Is 55:2).

*To be a true worshipper you must live a crucified life. Come to Jesus as you are! At the Cross, you will share in His death and resurrection. You shall find the Living water! You shall worship God in spirit and in truth! “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mk 8:34-38). The word ‘profit’ means to satisfy. Gaining the whole world at the expense of your soul, will never satisfy you! You live in a mansion, but your soul is homeless. You dress with designer clothes, but your soul is naked.

*Listen and ‘eat’ the Word of God! Open your ears and your heart! You will find the glorious joy of salvation!  “Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance” (Is 55:2). The word ‘abundance’ means ashes of sacrifice and fatness! God has accepted your soul as a living sacrifice! God is now ‘free’ to bless you above your imagination!

*THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID

God calls sinners to Him! He will receive and bless them as He blessed King David, in the covenant of mercy and grace He made with him. David was the king worshipper of Israel, a man after God’s heart. God wants to give you the best of the best. He does not change His mind. The way God blessed David, He will also bless you! God promised David everlasting blessings and a great name. God said that David and his family will be royalty forever! His descendants will always sit on the throne (2 Sam 7:1-29). These promises are for us, the believers in Christ! What are the sure mercies of David? God dealt with Israel by way of mercy and grace. To make that mercy sure to all God took a man whom He had chosen, a man whom He loved, a man whom He intended to use. God made with a covenant with David that He would set him upon the throne. Because of David, God promised to bless all people that belong to him. These are “the sure mercies of David.” In the matter of our salvation, “the sure mercies of David” mean that God has laid blessings upon his Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Christ, God will bless all those who belong to Christ! “He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ (Ac 13:34). By the death and resurrection of Christ, these sure mercies are guaranteed to us, sinners saved by Grace! God pledges Himself to defeat all our enemies, to bless us eternally, all for the sake of His Son Jesus Christ! He is our ‘Leader and commander’! He conquered all enemies including death! Christ is forever exalted. And we are one with Him! In Christ, salvation is sure and eternal! For Christ’ sake, our family shall be saved too! Our children are children of covenant! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Ac 16:31)

We trust God for revival based on the sure mercies of David. King Grace blesses the humble people, and they rise to positions of authority in the church and it the city. This shift creates a new atmosphere for the Gospel and to worship God. “When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves” (PV 28:12; AMP). During revival people become bold and they come out from their hiding places. There is rejoicing and celebration, giving all glory to God!  

*The promise of the Gospel is for all the nations. The glory of the Lord Jesus is His authority! There is no other way to go to God but thru Jesus!

*Come, but you must come on God’s terms! You must repent! Repent quickly and completely! God is not always ‘near’. You cannot find Him always. Use the opportunity you have today! No wasting of time! Repentance is more than regret. It is a deep change of heart, mind, will and behavior. It is an unconditional surrender and total submission to Jesus! How will God respond to the true repentant soul? ‘He will have mercy and abundantly pardon!’ (Is 55:7). This is more than forgiveness. It is blessings following the mercy and grace of God!

*King Grace preaches the Gospel. This Gospel is too good to be true. The Gospel also is too good not to be true! Amazing Grace!

King Jesus warns the religious people to come and buy from Him: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (Rev 3:17, 18)

WHY SHOULD WE TRUST GOD’S INVITATION?

*Because of God’s character! He alone is worthy of our trust and worship! Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let the sinner take God’s Way and think God’s thoughts! “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (PV 3:5, 6). Trust God! Listen to His call! Lean on Him! God’s thoughts and ways are higher than our imagination! Humble yourself!

*Because of God’s Word! The rain and the snow change the soil. It produces seed and bread. God is in charge from the beginning to the end, from the Promise to the Performance. ‘My Word goes forth out of My Mouth’ says God! It is not the preacher speaking. It is God using the mouth of the preacher! “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Is 55:11). The word ‘void’ means empty, useless, without result. The word ‘prosper’ means to push forward, to make progress and prosper! His Word that never fails to produce results!

WHAT IS THE RESULT OF COMING TO KING GRACE?

There shall be peace, joy, singing and fruitfulness! There shall be revival! When Adam and Eve sinned, God cursed the ground to produce thorns and thistles. Now, these thorns will become cypress trees. The curse is turned in to blessings! The whole nature rejoices! Bareness becomes fruitfulness! Death dies and life takes over! This change is an everlasting sign that will not be cut off! God does all these things to ‘make a name for Himself’ so that all creation will bow to Him and give Him glory! Worship the Lord!

JUST AS I AM

Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot;

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt;

Fightings within, and fears without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

(By Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871)

“Be strong! God is with you! You will not fall! You will not be moved! God will surely help you early this morning!” (Ps 46:5)

The Word of God is faithful and true! God has already helped me in a special way this early morning. Yesterday I had a problem. Last night I did not know what to do. I prayed before I went to sleep. This morning I woke up with a fresh word of wisdom. I obeyed it. Problem solved! Joy and peace overflow! To God be all the glory!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled Revival – Living water (5). Her main text was taken from the Books of John and Revelation. 

“A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water…  Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (Jn 4:7-10; 21-26)

WOMAN- WELL- WATER- WORSHIP

We continue to study the destiny changing encounter between our Lord and the Samaritan woman at the well. Study the words of Jesus. He is the One waiting at the well to meet this woman. He is the One who initiates the discussion. His first words are these: “Give Me a drink”. She is surprised at His request. Then Jesus says: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water…” The woman is ignorant of who is talking to her and what Jesus can provide. Follow His lead… He is stretching her imagination. Her dreams of life are so small. Her understanding is purely natural. But our Lord is challenging her to think spiritual, to dream big, from ‘bucket human effort drawing water’ to ‘fountain of eternally flowing Living Water’. He is the Greatest Fisherman. She is a fish coming into His net. Eventually the discussion ends in the revelation of the Lord, her salvation and true worship. This is the true pattern of evangelism.    

The woman has many needs. She is seeking for truth and desires to worship God. But she is ignorant of the true God. Face to face with Christ, she does not recognize Him. This is the situation with all unbelievers. Even if Jesus will come down from heaven again, they will still not recognize Him, they will still reject and kill Him. Sinners hate truth because it exposes them to the light of God and challenges them to repent! And they do not like that! They prefer to live in darkness, in ignorance, and suffer the consequences than to repent and surrender to Christ! Our Lord did not come to earth as a Man to condemn men. There was no need for that because thru Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners, therefore they are all condemned before God. Our Lord came to earth as a Savior. He came as Man to die for sinners, that they may live. Those who believe in Christ and in His Blood shed for them are forgiven of their sins. The unbelievers continue to remain condemned before God. This is the Gospel: “The Just shall live by faith” (Rom 1:17). We are saved by Grace and thru Faith (Eph 2:8). Faith in Christ is always connected with the Grace of God, with the Light of God and Eternal Life. Unbelief in Christ is sin, spiritual darkness, pride, and eternal death.  “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (Jn 3:18-21). 

The Samaritan woman is a sinner. She is also religious. She is seeking for truth, for life. Our Lord directs the conversation to the point of revelation. Please notice how He gradually increases truth in her heart. Initially she sees him as a man, then a needy man, a stranger, and a Jew. Then she sees him as a Prophet. Lastly, she sees Him as Christ, her Savior, and her Lord! He tells her about the true worship and then, He reveals Himself to her. “I who speak to you am He” (Jn 4:26). This is the exact moment when she believes that Christ is the Messiah. This is the moment when King Grace moves in her spirit, and she became saved. This is when she became born again. This is the moment when she became a true worshipper. This is when she ‘abandoned her bucket and the well’ (Jn 4:28) and she drank the Living Water! We sense the holiness of that moment. There is a wonderful joyful anointing on this encounter. We feel it too as we read the story. Glory to God! Heaven rejoices when a sinner is saved. Our Lord said this: “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7). We join the hosts of heaven and cry: “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12). In our Christian life and ministry, we need to come to this holy moment. When truth is revealed as Love who died for us, that we may live!   

WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

Worshipping God is the deepest and greatest spiritual activity of man before God. We are saved to worship God. Any man who says is a Christian but cannot worship God in spirit and in truth, is not saved. “I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.” (A.W. Tozer). True worship is the eternal, heavenly, conscious, sacrificial expression of the love of man towards God.  It is an equal mixture of Love for God and the Fear of God. It is total surrender before God, in perfect adoration and awe. True worship is not the same as prayer. Worship is more than a humble attitude towards God. During worship the believer does not make any request before God. He does not even give thanks for what God has done for him. He simply bows down and loves God because of who God is as a Person! Worship is always ‘vertical’, God centered. We worship God the Father and God the Son, the Lamb of God who died that we might live! The deepest cry of the worshipper is ‘Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12)

The word ‘worship’ comes from an old English word spelled ‘worth-ship’. There is an intimate connection between worship and the worth of God. You see in heaven how the elders worship God declaring that He is Worthy to be worship (Rev 4:10, 11; 5:8-14). The more you see the worth, the greatness of God, the deeper shall be your worship. The meaning of the word ‘worthy’ is this: somebody deserving to be noticed, deserving respect, admiration, or support. To deserve it means to have earned something or be given something because of your actions or excellent moral qualities. Worth means great value, excellent character that deserves recognition. Men desire to honor a worthy person. God alone is worthy of all our love.  Because we are born sinners, and enemies to God, we do not deserve salvation, respect, or any good gift. All these are ours just because of God’s Grace. We worship King Grace who alone is worthy as a Person to receive all worship!  “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created… Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev 4:11; 5:12).

Worship is God’s command. In Hebrew and in Greek, the word ‘worship’ means to kneel, to bow down or prostrate before God, or another deity. This position of the body reflects the spirit inside the body. There is a humbling, a submission, an acknowledging to the supreme God. All singing and all praying is not always worship. Singing praises should lead to worship. The preaching of the Word should lead to worship. If not, these religious activities are in vain. The word ‘worship’ appears about 200 times in the Bible. Worship is a manifestation of deep love and admiration towards God. It is a point of total surrender and humility before God. In worship, the Fear of God and the Love of God are combined in a perfect mixture. Worship is the atmosphere of heaven. God seats on the throne and all other beings worship Him. Worship is more than a beautiful song. It is a spiritual deep work in the soul of man. As God’s will is done in heaven, so it must be done on earth. We need to understand how God wants us to worship Him.

Biblical worship gives a visible expression to the relationship between God and His child. Worship is different than prayer. The worshipper does not make petitions, does not even give thanks for what God has done. During worship the believer gives himself to God, sacrificially and unconditionally. This is the unique holy pattern of true worship. God is seeking for true worshippers. God is looking for people who love and trust Him enough not to make so many demands. Like a millionaire who wants to marry a girl who loves him for himself and not for his money, God is looking for people who love Him because of who He is. There are few believers who truly worship God like this.

THE THRONE ROOM IN HEAVEN

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones, I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:1-11)

As believers we know there is a heaven. We also know that our permanent home is in heaven. But we are not given many details about heaven. This is probably because human words are not enough to describe heaven, which is another much higher spiritual realm. In the Book of Revelation chapters 4 and 5, there is a glimpse of what Apostle John saw in heaven. Clearly, in heaven there is true worship. God is seated on the throne and all other beings worship Him. Christ, the Lamb upon the throne is also worshipped. Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of Revelation are among the most important chapters in the Bible. We should study the way worship goes on in heaven so that we can do it on earth.  

John sees ‘a door standing open in heaven’. He is called from above. A loud voice like a trumpet tells him: “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne” It is the Resurrected Christ, who calls John, with the same voice ‘like a trumpet’ (Rev 1:10). He tells John that He will show him ‘things which MUST take place’. The Lord does not tell him that some things will or possibly take place. The things ‘must’ take place. You see the total authority of our Lord over the future. God not only knows the future, but He designs the future. “From the beginning I revealed the end. From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying, “My plan will stand, and I’ll do everything I intended to do” (Is 46:10; GWT). The Book of Revelation was written by Apostle John when he was abandoned on the Island of Patmos to die. But the Lord shows him things of the future and tells him to write letters to the seven churches. That means John will not die on that barren island. Indeed, John was taken back to Ephesus where he continued to be the bishop of that church until he died an old man. The Book of Revelation has given much encouragement to all believers who suffer persecution or pass thru trials in this life. This is because Jesus is the Beginning and the End of all things! Jesus says: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Rev 22:13). Amen!

As soon as John heard the voice of Christ, ‘immediately he was in the Spirit’. Apostle John was already in the Spirit but now, he goes deeper into the Spirit’ realm. His body is still on the island of Patmos, but his spirit rises and sees heaven and the worship there. The first thing he sees is a throne. The word Throne appears 46 times the Book of Revelation. The throne represents the total authority, power, and the justice of God. “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all” (Ps 103:19). This is not the great white throne where God will judge all unbelievers (Rev 20:11-15). This throne is God’s presence in the middle of the Temple, the center of worship. God is sitting on His throne amid the praises of His people. He sits on the throne as a King and Judge! “But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed” (Ps 22:3-5). John sees ‘One’ who sat on the throne. He is Jehovah God. It is interesting that all who saw God on His throne could not describe Him in human words. It is the same with the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel (Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1). God cannot be seen by human eyes. God, “alone has immortality, is dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen” (1 Tim 6:16). Around the throne there is flashing light and loud worship!    

John sees a rainbow around the throne. This is a symbol of God as the Gracious, Merciful and Faithful Covenant and Promise Keeper. God promised Noah that He will not destroy humanity with water again. The rainbow shall be the sign of His Promise. “And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.” (Gen 9:12-17). In heaven, that rainbow is a pledge that God is gracious, and He will save His people from trials and death. The rainbow is the signature and seal of King Grace who is forever faithful!

‘Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones, I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads’. The 24 elders who sat on 24 thrones represent the Body of Christ. These are the 12 patriarchs from the Old Testament and the 12 apostles in the New Testament (Rev 21:12-14). See how close the Body of Christ is to the throne of God! They see God face to face, all the time. They are dressed in white robes, which are the imputed righteousness of Christ. They have crowns of gold which they received from Christ, as a glorious reward, for finishing the race with honor and faithfulness. Apostle Paul had faith that he will finish the race with courage and faithfulness. He said: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim 4:6-8). Our Lord said: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life… Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (Rev 2:10; 3:11). During the worship, the elders cast their crown before God who sits on the throne. Christ gave them the crowns but in the presence of God, as they worship, they humble themselves. If worshipping God does not humble you, that is not true worship!   

Worship is ‘noisy’ in heaven because it is powerful. “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices”. Anyone who hates ‘loud music’ in the church, should think again. The lightnings and the thunderings that proceed from the throne are a sign of Omnipotence and God’s Word. The first people who hear it are the members of the Body of Christ. They respond with ‘voices’ in worship. “The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” These are cherubs who worship God always, day and night. They shout saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created!” The meaning of the word ‘worthy’ is this: somebody deserving to be noticed, deserving respect, admiration, or support. To deserve it means to have earned something or be given something because of your actions or excellent moral qualities. Worth means great value, excellent character that deserves recognition. God is worthy to be worshipped because He is the Creator of all. Creation must bow down and worship its Creator and Sustainer of life. He is also worthy to be worshipped because He is Omnipotent and Holy! Amen!

TRUE TREASURE IS TRUE WORSHIP

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt 6:19-21)

True worship is the only thing that engages and satisfies both the mind and the heart. Idolatry can never do that! The Bible speaks much about wealth, money, and possessions and what should be our attitude to these things. The greatest competitor to the worship of God is Mammon. This is a good test to apply to us the believers: If you store your treasures on earth, you do not worship God in spirit and in truth. If you store your treasures in heaven, you are a true worshipper of God. There is no middle ground. Search your heart. Where is your heart? In heaven or on earth!  God blesses us richly with spiritual and material blessings. These are all gifts of Grace. The danger is always to love the gifts more than the Giver. Greed is an enemy to worshipping God. Money itself is not evil. But the love of money is sin! The love of money also called Mammon is a person. It is the devil who hates the true worship of God. What should be our attitude towards money and material wealth?

These are some Biblical principles: God is good and generous. God blesses us with riches, spiritual and physical. “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (Deut 8:18). But we are not the owner of this wealth. We are stewards under God. We need to give account to God for the way we make and spend ‘our’ money. We also remember that we live in ‘the world’. The world is not just the physical environment where we live in. The world is a system, a way of thinking. The world is made by all the unbelievers whose ruler is the devil. The worldly people live like God does not exist. Even if they are religious and attend churches, to the worldly people, God is not the center of their lives. They are the center of their lives! Worldly people are all selfish and live for themselves. They do not worship God. But we the believers, live for God, for Jesus! We are worshippers of God! The Word of God rules our lives. The believer is often tempted to backslide and live like the worldly people. Our Lord commands us to consider our attitude to material wealth while we live in this world. If your treasure and your heart are on earth, you shall be full of doubts and anxiety. If your treasure and your heart are in heaven, you shall be full of peace and glorious joy! The difference is clear!

One of the special marks of the believers in the early church was joy. That joy, in spite of trials, was what attracted others to Christ. “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Ac 13:52). The unbelievers saw how the Christians were thrown to the lions and they died rejoicing that they will soon see Jesus. This pure joy is peculiar to the believers, and it is supremely attractive. It is the best way to do evangelism. It springs from a heart whose treasure is in heaven!  

In the scripture above there are two commands: one is negative, and the other is positive. We need to obey both! Each command has an explanation so that we understand why we should obey it. The first command is this: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” (Mt 6:19). The right translation is this: Do not treasure your treasures on earth! The word treasure means something of great worth or value (such as money, jewels, gold, or silver) that is hidden or kept in a safe place. Treasure is your crown, your credit, the thing that makes you proud and you boast about. In other words, different people have different treasures. For some, it is the amount of cash they have in the bank. To others, it is education, intelligence, gifts, social status, and position is society. Marriage and good family can become a treasure. All these things are good. The danger is to see them as an end of themselves, to forget that these are only temporary. Like the woman at the well, who was coming to draw water daily, the problem with these good things is that they do not satisfy. The pleasure you derive from them is temporary. Like with drugs or alcohol, you need more and more to find happiness in them. God gave them to us to enjoy, but not to find satisfaction in them. With time, they lose their attraction and keep us anxious to find something else. The pleasure of this world, even the gifts God has given to us, do not last and do not satisfy the soul. This is the greatest ‘weakness’ of any natural gift. For example, as beautiful as marriage is, it only lasts ‘until death do us part’.  We should know the truth and protect our souls from self-deception! We should enjoy them ‘loosely’ knowing that we are pilgrims in this world. Immediately you forget that this world is not our destination and destiny, and you fall in love with it, you will live an anxious life, filled with doubts and depression.

What is the solution then? It is to obey the positive command of Jesus! “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Mt 6:20). We are commanded to increase our treasures in heaven. How do we do that? First, we remember that heaven is our eternal home. Salvation is free because Jesus paid for it with His Blood. But we are told that in heaven there are different levels of rewards. Some have crowns and some do not. Some people seat on thrones and others stand on their feet. Some are close to the throne and other are far away. They all worship God but there are levels of rewards. The level of reward is not decided in heaven. It is a reflection of our lives on earth. In both the Old and the New Testament, we see that God rewards our works! “Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work” (Ps 62:12). “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Mt 16:27).

How do we treasure our treasures in heaven? We are commanded to use money and our resources of time and energy to invest in the Kingdom of God. For example, helping the needy, doing good to others, especially to the believers, these deeds are noticed and rewarded by God. He will pay into our ‘heavenly account’. That account is waiting for you to arrive in heaven. Because of your personal heavenly account, heaven will not be a strange place to you anymore. It is home! As your account increases in heaven, so your faith and confidence on earth increases. Your anointing for ministry increases too. On earth banks may close and you may lose your money. But your heavenly account is eternally secure. None can steal from it. It humbles you to know that your life on earth was not in vain. That you have used your temporary ‘treasures’ to gain eternal ones. “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Lk 16:9-12)

Your heart is intimately connected with your treasure. The worldly man’s heart is on earth. Thieves can break it. He is always anxious that he may lose his money. He has not prepared himself for death. He clings to his treasure ignoring the danger of losing it. But the true worshipper of God has found his real treasure. He enjoys his life on earth, and he uses his resources to invest in eternal things. He is a wise man! He has found his joy and satisfaction in God. He can never lose that. This is the secret of his wisdom, power, peace, anointing, and joy!  By doing good to God’s people, even to the least of them, your account in heaven is increasing. These are the true riches! “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Mt 25:34-36). These is the story and the testimony of all true worshippers!

Material wealth is to be used as a tool to help the needy. This is an investment in the worship of God. It will keep us humble and faithful. The earthly riches are ‘uncertain’. They can disappear easily. But the true foundation, the true treasure in heaven is eternal. “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim 6:17-19)

That is what our Lord was telling the woman at the well. He said: “Give Me to drink!” Like the Samaritan woman, obey His humble command! Draw water from the earthly well and give it to Jesus, or to His people who are thirsty. This action will be rewarded by the Lord! This is a seed that will become a harvest of worship. One of the true marks of a true worshipper is this deep clean soul cleansing all satisfying Joy! It is the sign that he is thirsty no more. Have you experienced this Joy of the Lord? The Living water supplies the treasure in heaven. It never runs dry! It never disappoints! What a mystery! What a holy challenge! Do you understand these things? Do you desire this Living Water? Do you want to worship God in spirit and in truth? Is Jesus Christ your true eternal love and treasure? Then you are blessed indeed! Worship the Lord!        

God is God from everlasting to everlasting.

He can’t be early or late!

When God moves and comes to help you, His time is always perfect!

Glory!