Author: tegoadesulure

1. When God said, … Let us make man IN OUR IMAGE, AFTER OUR LIKENESS…”, He knew Satan would interfere and divided the work of CREATION into two MODELS [Genesis 1:26] The FIRST MODEL was Adam, who God formed out “… OF THE DUST OF THE GROUND, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL” [Genesis 2:7] The LIVING SOUL was the IMAGE of God, but not His LIKENESS, as it is written: “… GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them… “ [Genesis 1:27-28] God reserved His LIKENESS for the SECOND MODEL, made PERFECT “… in the UNITY OF THE FAITH, and of the KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, unto the measure of the stature of the FULNESS OF CHRIST” [Ephesians 4:13]

2. Adam was a LIVING SOUL, but the SPIRIT in him was “A LITTLE LOWER THAN ANGELS, as the Psalmist wrote: “… For THOU HAST MADE HIM A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS, …” [Psalms 8:4-5] The FIRST MODEL, being a LITTLE LOWER THAN ANGELS, fell to the wiles of his angelic ADVERSARY, as it is written: “… while men slept, his ENEMY CAME AND SOWED TARES among the WHEAT, and went his way… THE ENEMY THAT SOWED THEM IS THE DEVIL… ” [Matthew 13:25&39] God sowed His WORD, which is God, as clearly stated in Genesis 2:16-17 [See also John 1:1] When the Serpent said: “…YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED, and YE SHALL BE AS GODS, knowing good and evil”, the ENEMY sowed LUST, his DNA, in man [Genesis 3:4-5] LUST is THE ENEMY WITHIN, enticing us to “THINK”, “SEE”, “SPEAK” and “ACT” contrary to the WORD of God. No sooner LUST was embedded in her FLESH, Eve began to “THINK”, “SPEAK” and “DESIRE” contrary to the WORD of God; the forbidden FRUIT became “GOOD FOR FOOD”, “PLEASANT TO THE EYES” and “DESIRED TO MAKE ONE WISE” [Genesis 3:6] Through Eve, the present world was infested with the three-headed monster of LUST, “For all that is in the world, the LUST OF THE FLESH, and the LUST OF THE EYES, and the PRIDE OF LIFE, is not of the Father, but is of the world” [1John 2:16]

3. LUST OF THE FLESH is Satan working in man to transform NEEDS to insatiable WANTS. Beloved, God acknowledges our NEEDS but “WANTS” come from the ENEMY WITHIN, enticing us to CRASS MATERIALISM [Matthew 6:32] Remember, “… WE BROUGHT NOTHING INTO THIS WORLD, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And HAVING FOOD AND RAIMENT LET US BE THEREWITH CONTENT” [1Timothy 6:7-8] LUST of the FLESH, if unchecked, degenerates into LUST of the EYES. LUST OF THE EYES is DISCONTENT with what God “SEES” in you and WISH you would become, kindling untamed PASSION to become what you SEE”” and “WISH” to be. Those who go down that road ENTANGLE themselves with “AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE” and do not please God and never made PERFECT in His LIKENESS, for “NO MAN THAT WARRETH ENTANGLETH HIMSELF WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE; that he may PLEASE HIM WHO HATH CHOSEN HIM to be a soldier” [2 Timothy 2:4] The END-GAME of LUST is PRIDE OF LIFE, fueled by STRONG DELUSION in those who FALL AWAY from Christ, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,… PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, … IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM…” [Hebrews 6:4-6] PRIDE OF LIFE is total DERAILMENT from FAITH, with no hope of REPENTANCE, in the LIKENESS of Satan.

4. When we come to God through Jesus Christ our SINS are forgiven and we are RE-CREATED, but not yet PERFECT in His LIKENESS. The Bible says: ”Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is A NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW” [2 Corinthians 5:17] Listen closely, the “NEW CREATURE” retains the OLD BODY, riddled with LUST; as long as we are in this BODY, the Pastor as well as his congregation must Contend with LUST. PERFECTION in this mortal BODY is a continuous BATTLE to MORTIFY LUST and live by FAITH in the WORD of God. This is easier said than done, even as Apostle Paul admitted: “… to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the GOOD THAT I WOULD I DO NOT: but the EVIL WHICH I WOULD NOT, I DO” [Romans 7:18-19] Beloved, let us humble ourselves before God as Paul did and acknowledge the pockets of LUST in us, “… for GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, and GIVETH GRACE TO THE HUMBLE” [1 Peter 5:5] The ANTIDOTE to LUST is the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of God, cutting deep “… to the DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT, and of the joints and marrow, and is a DISCERNER OF THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART” [Hebrews 4:12] The FIRST MODEL was weakened by DISOBEDIENCE, the SECOND MODEL shall be made PERFECT in strict OBEDIENCE to the WORD of God.

5. Brethren, let us give room to the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT to cut and purge us of every SPOT and WRINKLE of LUST as we look forward to the coming of the Lord to receive for himself, “… a GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE, …” [Ephesians 5:27] If you are not BORN AGAIN, do so TODAY and be purged of LUST in readiness for His glorious appearance, amen

1. It does not matter how long we live, we shall one day DIE and “ … EVERY ONE SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF to God” [Romans 14:12] For everything we do or fail to do, including thoughts and imaginations, we shall give ACCOUNT, “… as it is APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, but AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT” [Hebrews 9:27] Those who DIE without sorting out their ACCOUNTS with Jesus Christ shall be JUDGED “… out of those things which were written in the BOOKS, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS” [Revelation 20:12] Those who accept Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOUR and SETTLE their ACCOUNTS with Him have their WORKS approved and shall receive His REWARD, as it is written: “And, behold, I COME QUICKLY; and MY REWARD IS WITH ME, TO GIVE EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HIS WORK shall be” [Revelation 22:12] If you “KNOW” not the Lord Jesus Christ and refuse to SETTLE” your ACCOUNT with Him, thus shall He say to you on the DAY of JUDGMENT, “… I KNOW YOU NOT whence ye are; DEPART FROM ME, all YE WORKERS OF INIQUITY” [Luke 13:27]

2. WORDS emanate from within and CLEANSE or DEFILE, as it is written: ”But those things which PROCEED OUT OF THE MOUTH COME FROM THE HEART; and they DEFILE THE MAN” [Matthew 15:18] When a man CONFESSES Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOUR, his SINS are erased and his ACCOUNT CREDITED with SALVATION, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION” [Romans 10:10] If you have not confessed Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOUR you are DEFILED; every WORD out of your mouth is IDLE TALK and for “… every IDLE WORD that men shall speak, they shall GIVE ACCOUNT thereof in the DAY OF JUDGMENT” [Matthew 12:36] IDLE TALK is not limited to SINNERS; when the PREACHER “SWEETENS” the GOSPEL for material gain, he is guilty of IDLE WORDS and “SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT”. When we spend hours CURSING perceived enemies in the name of the Lord, it is IDLE TALK. Brethren, WORDS are so important, “… IF ANY MAN OFFEND NOT IN WORD, THE SAME IS A PERFECT MAN, and able also to bridle the whole body” [James 3:2] I charge you to EXAMINE your speech and let your mouth be filled “… with GRACE, seasoned with salt, that ye may KNOW HOW YE OUGHT TO ANSWER EVERY MAN” [Colossians 4:6] Beloved, if we have OFFENDED God or man in WORD, let us REPENT and SETTLE the ACCOUNT and we shall be blameless when we are CALLED HOME.

3. Whatever we have in this world, we received by DIVINE PROVIDENCE, “… and WHAT HAST THOU THAT THOU DIDST NOT RECEIVE? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” [1 Corinthians 4:7] We received ALL THINGS from God and must give ACCOUNT, “… For unto WHOMSOEVER MUCH IS GIVEN, OF HIM SHALL MUCH BE REQUIRED… ” [Luke 12:48] The Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples the PARABLE of a STEWARD ACCUSED of “WASTING” his master’s goods. The master “ … CALLED him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THY STEWARDSHIP; for thou mayest be NO LONGER STEWARD” [Luke 16:1-2] God is the MASTER who gives material and spiritual riches to men according to His PURPOSE. Take note, the STEWARD had an ACCUSER, as we also do, “ … for the ACCUSER OF OUR BRETHREN is cast down, which ACCUSED THEM BEFORE OUR GOD DAY AND NIGHT” [Revelation 12:10] The ACCUSER is Satan, watching how you spend “YOUR MONEY” and exercise “YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS”. When you neglect the poor, refuse to spend for the cause of the GOSPEL and or monetize SPIRITUAL GIFTS, you yield advantage to the ACCUSER to DEBIT your ACCOUNT. Beloved, AUDIT your RESOURCES now, SETTLE your ACCOUNT with the Lord and give no room to the ACCUSER.

4. Perhaps the only thing the rich and poor have in common is 24 hours in a day, and we shall give ACCOUNT of every second to God, “… who without respect of persons JUDGETH according to EVERY MAN’S WORK, pass the TIME OF YOUR SOJOURNING HERE in fear” [1 Peter 1:7] What you do with your TIME determine the WORDS of your mouth and how you allocate your RESOURCES. Your TIME, WORDS and RESOURCES amount to your WORK and “EVERY MAN’S WORK SHAL BE MADE MANIFEST: for the day shall declare it, because IT SHALL BE REVEALED BY FIRE; and the FIRE SHALL TRY EVERY MAN’S WORK…” [1Corinthians 3:13] If your TIME is frittered on “EARTHLY THINGS”, your WORK has no ETERNAL RELEVANCE; you are sowing to your FLESH and “… HE THAT SOWETH TO HIS FLESH SHALL OF THE FLESH REAP CORRUPTION; but he that SOWETH TO THE SPIRIT SHALL OF THE SPIRIT REAP LIFE EVERLASTING” [Galatians 6:8] Listen carefully, no man can deceive God with ecclesiastical titles or religious activities; God JUDGES the HEART and shall “… bring to light the HIDDEN THINGS OF DARKNESS, and will make manifest the COUNSELS OF THE HEART: and then shall every man have praise of God” [1 Corinthians 4:5] I challenge you to scrutinize your TIME, that your WORK be not in vain.

5. Brethren, let us AUDIT and SETTLE our ACCOUNTS before it is too late. If you have no ACCOUNT in Jesus Christ, I plead with you to accept Him today, as your LORD and SAVIOUR, amen

1. ABIDE IN ME is a PROPHETIC INSTRUCTION to the BRIDE to return and be made ready for the imminent appearance of the BRIDEGROOM. It is the heart cry of the GOOD SHEPHERD to gather His FLOCKS and prepare them for the DAY of His VISITATION. ABIDE IN ME, says the Lord to the GENTILE CHURCH, so you will not be overcome by DESOLATION, as the JEWISH Church to whom the Lord lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, HOW OFTEN WOULD I HAVE GATHERED THY CHILDREN together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and YE WOULD NOT! Behold, YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT UNTO YOU DESOLATE” [Matthew 23:37-38] ABIDE IN ME, says the Lord to His SHEEP, FOLLOW my INSTRUCTIONS and ride to GLORY over looming TRIBULATION, as it is written: “MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, and I KNOW THEM, and THEY FOLLOW ME” [John 10:27]

2. ABIDE IN ME is the REBUKE of the GOOD SHEPHERD to His SHEEP, for we all “… LIKE SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY; we have turned every one to his own way; …” [Isaiah 53:6] SHEEP by nature are wont to wander away from the SHEPHERD in search of food and water and so have we, “For ALL SEEK THEIR OWN, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” [Philippians 2:21] Some of us left sound principles of Christ to forage on “… Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS … ” [1Timothy 6:5] We were enticed by WORLDLY LUSTS to dine on doctrines of devils, “… GIVING HEED TO SEDUCING SPIRITS, and DOCTRINES OF DEVILS” [1 Timothy 4:1] We were BEGUILED and fell away from “… THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST” [2 Corinthians 11:3] We went from being humble DISCIPLES to become MASTERS and sit as gods over the Lord’s vineyard. We no longer SERVE in the HOPE of ETERNAL GLORY but fight tooth and nail for filthy lucre. Brethren, the Lord is calling YOU and I to REPENT and return as NEW BORN BABES, putting away, “… all MALICE, and all GUILE, and HYPOCRISES, and ENVIES, and all EVIL SPEAKINGS, As newborn babes, DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD OF GOD…” [1 Peter 2:1-2]

3. ABIDE IN ME is the Lord telling the ELECT to “Be SOBER, be VIGILANT; because your adversary the DEVIL AS A ROARING LION, walketh about, SEEKING WHOM TO DEVOUR” [1 Peter 5:8] Beloved, present DISTRESS in all nations shall not abate as we press further into the 21st century and in the CHURCH, there shall “… arise FALSE CHRISTS, and FALSE PROPHETS, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THEY SHALL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT” [Matthew 24:24] That is not all, Satan has a SHORT TIME, “… to MAKE WAR WITH THE SAINTS, and to OVERCOME THEM: and POWER was given him OVER ALL KINDREDS, and TONGUE, and NATIONS“ [Revelations 13:7] It is scary, but TRUE and prophecy shall be fulfilled, saying: “… the time cometh, that WHOSOEVER KILLETH YOU WILL THINK THAT HE DOETH GOD SERVICE” [John 16:2] ABIDE IN ME is the Lord calling YOU and I to examine the FOUNDATION of our FAITH as the STORM breaks on this generation. Every FOUNDATION not anchored on SURE “… FOUNDATION of the APOSTLES and PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST himself BEING THE CHIEF CORNER STONE” shall not stand [Ephesians 2:20] The Apostles did not build Cathedrals or mansions, but “… FORSOOK ALL, AND THEY FOLLOWED HIM” [Luke 5:11] ABIDE IN ME is the Lord Jesus Christ asking His SAINTS to return to PRECEPTS of ACTS OF THE APOSTLES and be established in STANDARDS of the EPISTLES.

4. ABIDE IN ME is Jesus Christ inviting YOU and I to a deeper relationship than of SHEEP and SHEPHERD. Remember, as SHEEP we went astray and when we ought to be mature in the likeness of Christ, we were “… become such as HAVE NEED OF MILK, and not of strong meat” [Hebrews 5:12] ABIDE IN ME is the Lord inviting YOU AND I to the fellowship of BRANCH to the VINE, saying: “IF YE ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” [John15:7] As the BRANCH ABIDES on the VINE and feeds on the LIFE of the VINE, so is the Lord calling us to forsake denominational creeds and ABIDE in the WORD, which is the “… BREAD WHICH COMETH DOWN FROM HEAVEN, that a man may eat thereof, and not die” [John 6:50] That BREAD is the REVELATION of God’s PERSONAL IDENTITY manifest in FLESH and BLOOD. The REVELATION of God’s PERSONAL IDENTITY in Jesus Christ is the LIFE of the VINE, which we must EAT to LIVE and DIE no more, as it is written: “Whoso EATETH MY FLESH, and DRINKETH MY BLOOD, HATH ETERNAL LIFE; and I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY” [John 6:54] ABIDE IN ME is Christ calling YOU and I to go beyond being SHEEP and be transformed to BRANCH in the REVELATION of God’s PERSONAL IDENTITY.

5. ABIDE IN ME is Christ’s FINAL CALL to the BRIDE, and “IF A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, HE IS CAST FORTH as a BRANCH, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast into the fire, and THEY ARE BURNED” [John 15:6] Return and ABIDE IN ME, says the Lord, amen

1. PREPARE TO DIE, some may find this topic morbidly offensive, as DEATH is a taboo in many cultures. It is a journey we must undertake and every breathe we inhale is one less to exhale, as “… IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, but after this the judgment” [Hebrews 9:27] Man is like a spaceship programmed to TRAVEL through TIME to ETERNITY. Few minutes after takeoff, the liquid fuel rocket falls off as the ship escapes the pull of GRAVITY and sails into space. In the same way, DEATH is the shedding of FLESH to escape the pull of MORTALITY as we sail to EVERLASTING LIFE or PERDITION. No matter how long a man lives here, it is “FEW MINUTES” compared to ETERNITY and it is these FEW MINUTES we all have to PREPARE our TRAJECTORY to ETERNAL GLORY or EVERLASTING SORROWS. When you take a life insurance policy and or write a WILL, you are not PREPARING TO DIE, but making arrangement for those you shall leave behind. To PREPARE TO DIE is a personal decision to understand the mystery of DEATH, nature of LIFE after DEATH and take deliberate steps to ensure your trajectory after DEATH, therefore, “… SET THINE HOUSE IN ORDER: for THOU SHALT DIE, … “ [Isaiah 38:1]

2. PREPARE TO DIE and save yourself the agony of SECOND DEATH, “FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; but the GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST our Lord” [Romans 6:23] Satan is the father of SIN and from him SIN passed to all men through Adam and Eve [John 8:44] We are CONCEIVED and BORN in SINs and the one who wields the sword of DEATH over the FLESH is the devil, as the Bible says: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy HIM THAT HAD THE POWER OF DEATH, THAT IS, THE DEVIL” [ Hebrews 2:14] The demise of the FLESH is the FIRST DEATH and there is SECOND DEATH which is incarceration in the LAKE OF FIRE. The LAKE OF FIRE was originally prepared for Satan and his angels, but shall also accommodate the “… fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the LAKE WHICH BURNETH WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE: WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH” [Revelation 21:8] I charge you, therefore, to PREPARE TO DIE and escape the SECOND DEATH.

3. PREPARE TO DIE and you will inherit a BODY designed for LIFE after DEATH, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOUJLD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE“ [John 3:16] It is certain this terrestrial BODY shall one day DIE, if the Lord tarries. When it does, God has MANSIONS ready to house the SOUL and SPIRIT of those who BELIEVED the GOSPEL preached in the name of His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. Thus, said the Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples: “In my Father’s house are many MANSIONS: if it were not so, I would have told you. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU” [John 14:2] These MANSIONS are not castles made of glass or stones but CELESTIAL BODIES which neither age nor DIE. They are SPIRITUAL BODIES equipped to shine as stars, forever, as the Bible says: “There are also CELESTIAL BODIES, and BODIES TERRESTRIAL: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another” [1 Corinthians 15:40] Only those who PREPARE TO DIE in line with the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ shall receive CELESTIAL BODIES in the likeness of Jesus Christ, and “… we know that, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see him as he is” [1 John 3:2] Beloved, PREPARE TO DIE, not in fear of DEATH but grounded in the GOSPEL of GRACE and HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE.

4. PREPARE TO DIE in the WISDOM of the only ONE who ever came down from heaven and ascended to heaven, as it is written: “And NO MAN HATH ASCENDED TO HEAVEN, BUT HE THAT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, even the SON OF MAN WHICH IS IN HEAVEN” [John 3:13] Take note, the “SON OF MAN WHICH IS IN HEAVEN” and on earth at the same time is the MYSTERY of God MANIFEST in FLESH to demonstrate His POWER over SIN and DEATH and guide us through FAITH to ETERNAL LIFE [1 Timothy 3:16] To PREPARE TO DIE, therefore, is not about building grandiose mausoleums to house rotten flesh and bones, but choosing the path of POWER and WISDOM of God, that is “… CHRIST the POWER of God, and the WISDOM OF GOD” [1 Corinthians 1:24] Christ is the POWER OF GOD, by which when He died on the Cross, He overcame DEATH and “… DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY” [1 Corinthians 15:54] Christ is the WISDOM OF GOD, by which those who receive SALVATION by GRACE through FAITH in His NAME receive ETERNAL LIFE, “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might GRACE REIGN THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO ETERNAL LIFE BY JESUS CHRIST our Lord” [Romans 5:21] I admonish you, therefore, to PREPARE TO DIE by taking up the offer of GRACE through FAITH in the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ and LIVE FOREVER.

5. It is never too early to PREPARE TO DIE. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour today and remain standing in FAITH until His appearance, when we “… which are ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and SO SHALL EVER BE WITH THE LORD [1Thssalonians 4:17] Amen

ETERNAL FOUNDATIONS

1. The FOUNDATION of ETERNAL FELLOWSHIP with God is FAITH, and by FAITH are we God’s ETERNAL HABITATION, as it is written: “Know ye not that YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” [1 Corinthians 3:16] When you turned your life over to Jesus Christ, you became a TEMPLE for God’s habitation. That TEMPLE was built on the FOUNDATION of what you believed to be TRUTH. Over the years, I guess you have adorned the TEMPLE with religious piety, ecclesiastical titles, gifts of the spirits, fame, etc. Do you regularly check your FOUNDATION to see if it is strong enough to carry the TEMPLE? Do you regularly examine the FOUNDATION of your FAITH to see if it is standing or DESTROYED? Take note, “If the FOUNDATIONS BE DESTROYED, WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO?” [Psalms 11:3] FOUNDATIONS built on TEMPORAL things are susceptible to destruction, “… for the THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL; but the THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL” [2 Corinthians 4:18] I charge you, therefore, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; build your TEMPLE on the infallible tripod of ETERNAL FOUNDATIONS laid from the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.

2. ONE, make the FOREKNOWLEDGE of God the FOUNDATION of your FAITH, “According as he hath CHOSEN US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” [Ephesians 1:4] God chose us in HIMSELF before the devil had access to man, and those “… HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDSTINATE to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” [Romans 8:29] You are not BORN AGAIN by coincidence, God KNEW you will be BORN AGAIN. In the same manner, He KNEW Esau would disdain his inheritance, “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION MIGHT STAND, not of works, but of him that calleth;) … As it is written, JACOB HAVE I LOVED, but ESAU HAVE I HATED” [Romans 9:11-13] God allowed Judas to be ordained an Apostle but in the end was cast out, because he was not CHOSEN by FOREKNOWLEDGE. as it is written: “… those that thou gavest me I have kept, and NONE OF THEM IS LOST, BUT THE SON OF PERDITION; that the scripture might be fulfilled” [John 17:12] If you are genuinely BORN AGAIN, God FOREKNEW you would come to Him, but to all PRETENDERS, He shall say at His coming, “… I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” [Matthew 7:23]

3. TWO, build your FAITH on sure FOUNDATION of the “… LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD” for our SIN [Revelation 13:8] God, knowing we shall contend with SIN offered HIMSELF in Jesus Christ as propitiation for SIN before Satan had a chance to bring SIN into the world. The BLOOD of the SAVIOUR, shed from the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD was activated, as a TYPE in Eden, when a lamb was slain and “… the LORD God MAKE COATS OF SKINS, and clothed them” [Genesis 3:21] In the fulness of time, the LAMB OF GOD was MANIFEST in FLESH and BLOOD and John testified: “… BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, which taketh away the sin of the world” [John 1:29] The LAMB OF GOD is God OFFERING HIMSELF in CHRIST to give us victory over SIN and DEATH. Brethren, we are BORN AGAIN not because we know how to pray or fast round the clock, but God showed up in CHRIST to save us; and the revelation of God manifest in CHRIST is the ROCK and ETERNAL FOUNDATION of the Church, as it is written: “… THOU ART THE CHRIST, the Son of the living God. … and UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” [Matthew 16:16-18] Build your FAITH on the ROCK, and the GATES OF HELL shall not prevail against you.

4. THREE, establish you FAITH on solid FOUNDATION of the “… CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are WRITTEN IN HEAVEN, …” [Hebrews 12:23] CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN is the FELLOWSHIP of men and women whose names are “… written in the BOOK OF LIFE FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD” [Revelation 17:8] Do not build your FAITH on miracles or the working of gifts of the spirit, but ”Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather REJOICE, BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN” [Luke 10:20] Listen closely, Jesus Christ came into the world to seek His SHEEP whose names are written in the BOOK OF LIFE, FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. If your name is there, you will hear His VOICE, as it is written: “MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, and I KNOW THEM, and THEY FOLLOW ME” [John 10:27] The Lord is calling you today, hear His VOICE and come out of the maddening crowd of BRANDED CHRISTIANITY, as it is written: “… COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” [Revelation 18:4] The CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN is not a BRAND, but the FELLOWSHIP of SAINTS whose names are written in the BOOK OF LIFE.

5. Beloved, it is not too late to examine yourself and build your FAITH on ETERNAL FOUNDATIONS, “… But LET EVERY MAN TAKE HEED HOW HE BUILDETH thereupon. For OTHER FOUNDATION CAN NO MAN LAY THAN THAT LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST” [1 Corinthians 3:10-11] Amen

1. The word CHURCH was first mentioned in the Bible when the LORD Jesus Christ said: “… thou art Peter, and UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” [Matthew 16:18] As a reminder, there was indeed a CHURCH in the wilderness, where Moses ministered, as it is written: “THIS IS HE, THAT WAS IN THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS WITH THE ANGEL which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us” [Acts 7:38] Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:18, uprooted all previous foundations of religious fellowship, material or spiritual and laid new FOUNDATIONS for His TRUE CHURCH. Evidently, TRUE CHURCH is not the Pentecostal Fellowship, Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, etc., but a SPIRITUAL HOUSE built on the ROCK, that is, the REVELATION of Jesus Christ. The building blocks are men and women hewn from the ROCK, as the Bible says: “Ye also, as LIVELY STONES, ARE BUILT UP A SPIRITUAL HOUSE, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” [1 Peter 2:5] We are ONE BODY, united by the SPIRIT of Christ, “For BY ONE SPIRIT ARE WE ALL BAPTIZED IN TO ONE BODY, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free;…” [1 Corinthian s 12:13]

2. TRUE CHURCH is the FELLOWSHIP of those who worship God in SPIRIT and in TRUTH, for “God IS A SPIRIT: and they that worship him must WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH” [John 4:24] I will unravel a MYSTERY here, the SPIRIT and TRUTH mentioned in John 4:2 are ONE, as it is written: “… And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because THE SPIRIT IS TRUTH” [1 John 5:6] Listen closely, God is the SPIRIT as stated in John 4:2, the SPIRIT is TRUTH in 1 John 5:6 and Jesus Christ said: “… I AM THE WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” [John 14:6] All three scriptures point to Jesus Christ as God MANIFEST in FLESH. This is the MYSTERY that underscores TRUE CHURCH, as the Bible says: “And without controversy GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH … preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” [1 Timothy 3:16] The revelation of God MANIFEST in Jesus Christ is the ROCK and FOUNDATION of TRUE CHURCH. The ROCK is the prophetic revelation of TRUTH binding the ELECT into ONE-FOLD under Christ, the SHEPHERD of our souls. Where there is no PROPHETIC REVELATION of Jesus Christ, there is no TRUE CHURCH.

3. TRUE CHURCH is the “… general assembly and CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are WRITTEN IN HEAVEN,… ” [Hebrew 12:23] That is, the congregation of those God FOREKNEW before the world, “For WHO HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE to be conformed to the image of his Son,… ” [Romans 8:29] For emphasis, TRUE CHURCH is the SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP of SAINTS, “… WHOSE NAMES ARE IN THE BOOK OF LIFE” [Philippians 4:3] The GOSPEL of Jesus Christ is God’s invitation to locate and confirm your place in TRUE CHURCH, and admission is strictly by FAITH through GRACE, “For BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” [Ephesians 2:8] I know all these sounds a MYSTERY, and they are. You see, God knows His own sheep and came down in Jesus Christ to reconcile them to Himself, saying: “My sheep HEAR MY VOICE, and I KNOW THEM, and they FOLLOW ME” [John 10:27] The invitation to His sheep is the GOSPEL and those who HEAR do so strictly by FAITH. The reason you struggle with the MYSTERY of God MANIFEST in Jesus Christ is lack of FAITH, and as long as you do you are outside TRUE CHURCH, “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but THE WORD PREACHED DID NOT PROFIT THEM, NOT BEING MIXED WITH FAITH in them that heard it” [Hebrews 4:2]

4. TRUE CHURCH is the COMMUNION of souls united “In HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE, which God, that cannot lie, PROMISED BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN” [Titus 1:2] TRUE CHURCH is not an enterprise set up for earthly dividends but God’s vineyard and we are “… LABOURERS together with God: ye are GOD’S HUSBANDRY, ye are GOD’S BUILDING” [1 Corinthians 3:9] Our work is to build souls to EVERLASTING LIFE and not brick and mortar that will not stand the test of time. We are CO-LABOURERS, irrespective of age, status or gender, and no LABOURER may or should expect a REWARD until the work is done. If any man claims to be a STEWARD of Christ and boasts of material REWARDS before the work is over, he is a LIAR and alien to the TRUE CHURCH. I know how tough it is laboring without a REWARD in this world, I exhort you to hold on in FAITH, acknowledging the TRUTH, for “… when the chief Shepherd shall appear, YE SHALL RECEIVE A CROWN OF GLORY that fadeth not away” [1 Peter 5:4] Beloved, every LABOURER, from Adam to the last SAINT shall receive Christ’s REWARDS at His coming, as it is written: “And, behold, I come quickly; and MY REWARD IS WITH ME, TO GIVE EVERY MAN according as his work shall be” [Revelation 22:12] Comfort yourself with these words.

5. Beloved, TRUE CHURCH is not your denomination. SEEK the Lord now, in SPIRIT and TRUTH, while He may yet be found. Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour, amen.

1. THE DAY OF THE LORD was set aside at CREATION, when “… God ended HIS WORK which he had made; and HE RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY from all his work which he had made. And GOD BLESSED THE SEVENTH DAY, and SANCTIFIED IT … “[Genesis 2:2-3] It is evident God requires no REST’ but set the SEVENTH DAY aside for the HARVEST of the earth, when “WHEAT” shall be gathered into God’s REST and “CHAFF” bundled to be BURNT in “… EVERLASTING FIRE prepared for the devil and his angels” [Matthew 25:41] The SIX prophetic DAYS of CREATION represent the TIME allotted for the earth to bring forth, and “… ONE DAY IS WITH THE LORD AS A THOUSAND YEARS, and a thousand years as one day” [2 Peter 3:8] The “SIX DAYS” are almost done and the HARVEST is fast approaching, when the living and dead, rich and poor shall be weighed in the balance before the “… Lord Jesus Christ, who shall JUDGE the quick and the dead AT HIS APPEARING and his kingdom” [2 Timothy 4:1] The JUDGE is the same who sowed the SEED for the HARVEST, when He offered Himself as LAMB of God, “…SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD” to bring forth a bountiful HARVEST of souls in the image and likeness of God [Revelation 13:8]

2. THE DAY OF THE LORD was mentioned twenty-four times in the Old Testament, as a SHADOW of things to come, as it is written:: ”For this is the DAY OF THE LORD GOD of hosts, a DAY OF VENGEANCE, that he may avenge him of his adversaries:…“ [Jeremiah 46:10] The New Testament referred to the DAY OF THE LORD, five times, as the SEASON of RETRIBUTION and RESTORATION. There were fake prophets in the Old Testament who deceived the people, as false teachers now do for gain, with sham prophecies pertaining to TIME and AGENDA of the DAY OF THE LORD. Repeated claims of Christ’s coming and dashed hopes encouraged a general climate of unbelief and an army of scoffers, saying: “… WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” [2 Peter 3:4] Beloved, this is not the time to lose hope or be shaken in FAITH, for “… the DAY OF THE LORD SO COMETH AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT” [1 Thessalonians 5:2] As the DAY OF THE LORD creeps on this generation, I warn you to beware of fake prophets and false teachers, “… for THAT DAY SHALL NOT COME, EXCEPT there come A FALLING AWAY first, and that MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, the son of perdition …” [2 Thessalonians 2:3]

3. The DAY OF THE LORD is not a 24-hour day, but a PROPHETIC TIMELINE preceded by “A FALLING AWAY” from FAITH, as it is written: “Now the SPIRIT SPEAKETH EXPRESSLY, that IN THE LATTER TIMES SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH, giving heed to SEDUCING SPIRITS, and doctrines of devils” [1 Timothy 4:1] Look around, a size-able portion of Christendom is “FALLING AWAY” from the template of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. Brethren, the popular brand of mercantile Christianity is the work of SEDUCING SPIRITS, enticing men away from pristine FAITH with DOCTRINES OF DEVILS. Listen closely, how come Jesus Christ and His Apostles did not leverage Holy Ghost POWER for material prosperity? The “FALLING AWAY” will go on until the Church is purged of carpetbaggers to reveal the “LITTLE FLOCK”, of which the Lord said: “FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” [Luke 12:32] When the “FALLING AWAY” is done, the MAN OF SIN shall be revealed, “… WHOSE COMING IS AFTER THE WORKING OF SATAN with all power and signs and LYING WONDERS” [2 Thessalonians 2:9] This is the season of LYING WONDERS; I charge you to examine your FAITH on daily basis and stand fast in the love of TRUTH.

4. The DAY OF THE LORD shall break when the “… SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ARISE with healing in his wings … ” [Malachi 4:2] The SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS is Jesus Christ who shall APPEAR suddenly, “… and the DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST: Then WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17] With SAINTS gathered out of the way, the Lord shall pour His wrath on the earth [Revelation 8 & 9] There shall be unprecedented TRIBULATION as the Lord JUDGES the earth, and that goes on till ARMAGEDDON, when He shall lay “… HOLD ON THE DRAGON, that old serpent, which is the DEVIL, and SATAN, and BOUND HIM A THOUSAND YEARS” [Revelation 20:2] The DAY OF THE LORD is the THOUSAND YEARS of Satan’s incarceration, when the Lord Jesus Christ shall reign in PEACE over the earth. Those who come out of the TRIBULATION without taking the MARK, and “were BEHEADED FOR THE WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST” shall have their REST in the DAY OF THE LORD [Revelation 20:4] The SAINTS that were “CAUGHT UP” shall return with the Lord, as “… priests of God and of Christ, and SHALL REIGN WITH HIM A THOUSAND YEARS” [Revelation 20:6]

5. THE DAY OF THE LORD is a THOUSAND YEARS of PEACE, RESTORATION and REST prepared for you and I from the foundation of the earth. The Lord Jesus Christ brought your invitation from heaven, saying: “COME UNTO ME, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST” [Matthew 11:28] Accept Jesus Christ today, as your Lord and Saviour and book your place in His REST, amen

tegoadesulure@gmil.com

1. This world is a universe of overlapping DIMENSIONS and the EARTH, where we live is only one DIMENSION out of three. The NATURAL WORLD is like a gigantic LABORATORY and we are all specimens, IMPRISONED to be made ready for ETERNAL LIFE or PERISH. We are BORN into this DIMENSION in excruciating PAIN of parturition and LIVE, only to DIE, as it is “… appointed unto men ONCE TO DIE, but after this the JUDGMENT” [Hebrews 9:27] Every decision you make, and every step taken shall count as EVIDENCE for or against you when you shall stand before “… the Lord JESUS CHRIST, WHO SHALL JUDGE the quick and the dead AT HIS APPEARING and his kingdom” [2 Timothy 4:1] As you go about your daily chores, remember, this DIMENSION is a temporary plane of existence. The glittering cities and sprawling slums have a date with destruction, “… the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the EARTH ALSO AND THE WORKS THAT ARE THEREIN SHALL BE BURNED UP” [2 Peter 3:10] Though our FLESH shall one day DIE or be “BURNED UP” with the EARTH, there is a SOUL in man with potential to LIVE FOREVER. Ask yourself, “… what is a man profited, if he shall GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, and LOSE HIS OWN SOUL? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Matthew 16:26]

2. There is an INVISIBLE WORLD around us where Satan rules as “… PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit that now worketh in the CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE” [Ephesians 2:2] It is an ETHEREAL WORLD operating parallel authority over the PHYSICAL DIMENSION through spiritual agents and human proxy. The Bible says: “But the PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, MICHAEL, ONE OF THE CHIEF PRINCES, came to help me… “ [Daniel 10:13] Persia was the most powerful nation on earth at the time and this “PRINCE” was the angelic ambassador of Satan. In the same manner, there are squadrons of fallen angels over every nation peddling demonic influence in warfare, technology, philosophy, religion, etc. At the ground level, the devil operates through men initiated into the “DEPTHS OF SATAN” [Revelation 2:24] They are stationed in corridors of power to enforce satanic influence, as it is written: “… a certain sorcerer, A FALSE PROPHET, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: WHICH WAS WITH THE DEPUTY OF THE COUNTRY, Sergius Paulus… withstood them, seeking TO TURN AWAY THE DEPUTY FROM THE FAITH” [Acts 13:6-8] This DIMENSION and those who profit from the riches of the kingdom of darkness have a date with perdition, at the coming of the Lord, when he shall say: “… Depart from me, ye cursed, into EVERLASTING FIRE, PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS” [Matthew 25:41]

3. There is a THIRD DIMENSION, which is neither PHYSICAL nor ETHEREAL but WITHIN, as it is written: “… The KINGDOM OF GOD COMETH NOT WITH OBSERVATION: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU” [Luke 17:20-21] The THIRD DIMENSION is the MYSTERY of God dwelling in man to establish His EVERLASTING KINGDOM on EARTH, of which the Bible says: “Know ye not that YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD, and that the SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLETH IN YOU?” [1 Corinthians 3:16] The THIRD DIMENSION is not reckoned by material possessions or religious authority, but of God working “… in you both TO WILL and TO DO OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE” [Philippians 2:13] It is neither affected by the PAINS of the PHYSICAL WORLD nor the OPPRESSION of the kingdoms of darkness, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but RIGHTEOUSNESS, and PEACE, and JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST” [Romans 14:17] Some two thousand years ago, God was MANIFEST in Jesus Christ to establish the template for His Kingdom on EARTH, and “… since that time the KINGDOM OF GOD IS PREACHED, and every MAN PRESSETH INTO IT” [Luke 16:16] The key phrase is “PRESSETH INTO IT”, that is, FIGHT and PUSH against all opposition to ENTER the EVERLASTING Kingdom of God.

4. Beloved, you are more than a BODY of flesh and blood, for the LORD God “… FORMED MAN OF THE DUST of the ground, and BREATHED INTO HIS NOSTRILS the breath of life; and MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL” [Genesis 2:7] The SOUL in you has potential to LIVE FOREVER and LONGS to escape the PHYSICAL WORLD to be reunited with God in His Kingdom. In ancient times, this “LONGING” found expression in the TOWER OF BABEL, when all men came together and said: “… LET US BUILD US A CITY AND A TOWER, WHOSE TOP MAY REACH UNTO HEAVEN; and let us make us a name,… ” [Genesis 11:4] There is INNATE DESIRE in man to escape looming destruction of the EARTH, but FALSE RELIGION or running to SPACE is not the solution. Their coming together was the root of FALSE RELIGION and the construction of the TOWER to “REACH UNTO HEAVEN” was man’s first shot at SPACE EXPLORATION. The reason you do not comprehend or have issues gaining ACCESS to the THIRD DIMENSION you do not SEE it, because “… EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD” [John 3:3] If you will ever get out of the PHYSICAL DIMENSION ALIVE, and escape the damnation that awaits Satan and his hosts, you must be BORN AGAIN.

5. Finally, the Bible says: “For GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, that HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have EVERLASTING LIFE” [John 3:16] ACCEPT Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and be received into the EVERLASTING KINGDOM of God, amen.

1. The CROSS of Jesus Christ is not a TOTEM hung on a wall or AMULET worn on the neck. It is the EMBLEM of Christ’s SUFFERING anchored in the INNER MAN of those who “… HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH with the affections and lusts” [Galatians 5:24] The CROSS of Jesus Christ is not made of wood, iron, silver or gold, but of FLESH and BLOOD; we are the CROSS in who Christ lives, if we FOLLOW in His footsteps. Thus, said the Lord: “… If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, and FOLLOW ME” [Luke 9:23] The CROSS is the PAIN of contradictions experienced in the FLESH by those who GAVE UP ALL to FOLLOW Jesus Christ, as it is written: “Then Peter said, Lo, WE HAVE LEFT ALL, and FOLLOWED THEE” [Luke 18:28] If you have “LEFT ALL” to take up Christ’s CROSS, “… when the chief Shepherd shall appear, YE SHALL RECEIVE A CROWN OF GLORY that fadeth not away” [1 Peter 5:4] Regrettably, I must warn you of GRIEVOUS WOLVES, ENEMIES OF THE CROSS, who preach Jesus without His CROSS of who the Bible says: “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST: WHOSE END IS DESTRUCTION… ” [Philippians 3:18-19]

2. ENEMIES OF THE CROSS woo men with the CROWN of GLORY but will not teach them to take up the CROSS and DIE to the FLESH as Christ did. Thus, said the Lord: “… Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but IF IT DIE, IT BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT” [John 12:24] The SEED that must go into the ground and DIE is FLESHLY PASSIONS. Beloved, those who inflame your heart with PROMISES of material RICHES without telling you to CRUCIFY the FLESH are ENEMIES of your SOUL, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS SOUL?” [Mark 8:36] Whatever you have or have not in this world is nothing if your SOUL is not EXALTED to EVERLASTING GLORY in the likeness of Jesus Christ, who “… humbled himself, and became OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, even the DEATH OF THE CROSS. Wherefore GOD ALSO HATH HIGHLY EXALTED HIM, and given him a name which is above every name” [Philippians 2:8-9] OBEDIENCE is GIVING UP what you want to be to take up the CROSS; without the CROSS, there is no CROWN. Brethren, our OBEDIENCE to God’s WILL is the way of the CROSS and there is no CROWN until we come to God in absolute submission, saying; “… NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE, be done” [Luke 22:42]

3. The Lord Jesus Christ came to this world to SAVE us from SIN and DEATH to RIGHTEOUSNESS and EVERLASTING LIFE, by the “POWER OF GOD unto SALVATION… “[Romans 1:16] The “POWER OF GOD” is the GOSPEL preached in His name. When a man BELIEVES the GOSPEL, he becomes “… A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW” [2 Corinthians 5:17] When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, I became a NEW CREATURE, “… CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE in the flesh I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD… ” [Galatians 2:20] I was CRUCIFIED and DIED with Christ on the CROSS. Now, I live not of myself, but by the POWER OF GOD, taking up Christ’s CROSS and FOLLOWING in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, “… who was made a little lower than the angels FOR THE SUFFERING OF DEATH, CROWNED WITH GLORY and honour… “ [Hebrews 2:9] The CROSS is the identity of Christ and His ability in us to ENDURE the SUFFERING of this present world. Whereas the SUFFERING of the CROSS is foolishness to those who perish, it is to us the deposit of our ETERNAL INHERITANCE, knowing “IF WE SUFFER, WE SHALL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM: if we deny him, he also will deny us” [2 Timothy 2:12]

4. Beloved, those who encourage you to spend hours praying for “EARTHLY THINGS” but will not teach you to take up the CROSS for your spiritual well-being, do so to make merchandise of you, “WHOSE END IS DESTRUCTION, WHOSE GOD IS THEIR BELLY, and whose glory is in their shame, WHO MIND EARTHLY THINGS” [Philippians 3:19] Listen closely, no man may claim to KNOW or experience SALVATION in Jesus Christ until he has DENIED SELF to WALK in FELLOWSHIP of His SUFFERING, as it is written: “That I may KNOW HIM, and the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and the FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS, being made conformable unto his death” [Philippians 3:10] The “FELLOWSHIP of his SUFFERINGS” is our daily commitment to WALK in FAITH, though we are pressed and VEXED on every side by what we SEE, HEAR and FEEL in this perverted world [2 Peter 2:7-8] The CROSS is the TRIAL of our FAITH until the appearance of the Lord when those who ENDURE to the end shall receive the CROWN reserved for His SAINTS, as the Bible says: “That the TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, being much MORE PRECIOUS THAN OF GOLD that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory AT THE APPEARING OF JESUS CHRIST” [1 Peter 1:7]

5. Friend, I encourage you to take the first step towards the CROSS today and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Take up His CROSS and wait patiently for His appearance, amen

tegoadesulure@gmail.com