Bible Teaching

Calvary Temple Teaching Library

Evidence of Eternal Life Pt.4

Let's turn to Matthew, chapter 7. We're going to continue along. We've got a number of sessions that are left as we're looking at the topic of the evidence of eternal life--acknowledging different fruit in our lives that assures us that truly we've been born again, regenerated--that eternal life is abiding in us. The Scripture says that life is in the Son. Amen? "He that hath the Son hath life...[praise God]" (1 John 5:12).

So what does it mean to abide in Him? We've talked a little bit--and we'll be back many times into John 15--the abiding in the vine aspect where the branch abides in the vine. The Scripture makes it very clear that without that abiding, without Him being the source--that without Him we can do nothing, the Scripture says, that's accepted of Him. Without Him we can do nothing!

In our exegesis, in the commentary, we've added to that; and we understand that we can do those things in the flesh, but it's not accepted of Him. Jesus says the same thing in this passage in Matthew, chapter 7, verse 22. You're going to say, "Didn't I do these things in Your name?" And He's going to say, "I never knew you; depart from Me you workers of iniquity." "Yeah, but I gave thousands to missions. I went on the mission field. I preached. I cast our devils." "I never knew you." So it's not the outward appearance, but it's the inward reliance. It's who we're trusting. It's the absolute acknowledging of our dependence on His lordship to where we see no worth in ourselves, but all of our worth is in the finished work of Jesus' redemption, His blood--the precious blood, the Scripture says, by which we have eternal life.

So we saw in chapter 7 that there's, in many ministries today, tragically, the ministry of the Word of God that opens the broad way and allows people to enter in through their "perception" of God rather than God's revelation of Himself through the Word. So the straight gate is the acknowledging of God through the revelation of Himself in His Word. We've heard people say, "My God would never do thus and so." And that's true--the god they've created--but the God of the Bible would. Amen? He is holy. He is just. He's good, praise God. So we see Him revealing Himself to us. We saw in 1 John then, as we review, that He said those of us that love Him and those of us that are keeping His commandments are to walk as He walked [Jesus]: in an absolute dependence upon the Father, in an emptying of self-agenda, so that we could be about the Father's business. Those are the things that indicate that we are, in fact, children of God, children of light.

So we saw the commandment to enter in at the straight gate and that it's a narrow way, and there are few that find it; and we talked about the gravity of that. He's not talking about the flaming homosexual out there who is defying God and being an inventor of evil things and taking pleasure in those evil inventions that others have mandated. So in that particular process, you realize that we miss who these are that are entering the broad gate. These are not the blatant pagan, demonstrative haters of God. These are the people that are "seeking" after God, but they're seeking in their own way. They're creating a god in their image; and He said it's a broad way, and it leads to destruction. But there's a straight way, and there's no other way under heaven whereby men can be saved but at the name of Jesus. He said beware of the false prophets that will broaden the way for you, that will make eternal life something other than what God has revealed in His Word. Beware of these prophets--beware of anybody that preaches any message other than a straight and narrow way.

So He begins to warn us, as the flock of God and as seekers, what message we're to be listening for, and He tells us what to look for in these teachers' lives. Now remember, when we talk about fruit here, we're talking about the prophets, the teachers, and the preachers. He says, "These are the false ones, and here's how you recognize false prophets." The thing you need to understand is this, though: that you're going to bear the same fruit as the people you're following. So it's imperative for you and I to make sure that those that are leading us are walking in the straight and narrow way, that we're following those, like Paul, that can say, "Follow me as I follow Christ." Paul didn't preach Paul; he preached Jesus. Paul's life was one that said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

So we're looking at understanding that, as it pertains to fruit. Nevertheless, in the subject matter here, the Lord is talking about the fact that every life is known by the fruit that it bears. We ended up Sunday night talking about different aspects of the fruit. We went through the first two points of our nine-point series, and we were talking about believing on the name of Jesus. Then we finished with the keeping of His commandments, and "If you love Me, you'll keep My commandments; they will not be grievous unto you" (1 John 5:3). You'll understand that it's the wise man that hears and does who is built upon the rock, as we read in this chapter.

So it's a doing of the Word, not a hearing. Those that hear and don't do, the Scripture makes it very clear, have deceived themselves, and if your light is darkness, how great is that darkness (Matthew 6:23). If you think you're in the truth but you're believing a lie, there is no greater dilemma. So we saw in 1 John then, the admonition to deal with this Gnostic doctrine that said you're okay with God even though you're outwardly expressing carnality, lasciviousness, rebellion, and self-will, as long as your heart's intentions are right. We saw that the epistle said, "...[No, it's] he that doeth righteousness [that] is righteous" (1 John 3:7). "[Listen to the message that I brought you from the beginning]...God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Praise God--infinitely pure and holy and good.

So we see the character of God, and then we ask ourselves, "Am I becoming more like that?" "Fruit" is what you're doing to become more like God, if you want a generic definition of fruit. We get fruit, and we think it's works, we think it's doctrine, we think it's soul winning. All of those things can be the expression of fruit in our lives, but spiritual fruit is the quest to become more like God. What are you doing to become more like God; and is that in abundance, or is self-service and self-will and self-agenda and these things that are sowing to the flesh? "And he that sows to the flesh reaps corruption, but he that sows to the Spirit, life" (Galatians 6:8).

So we were looking--and this will be the last little bit of our review--as we were looking through this particular passage, then, we saw Him bring forth the understanding of the two trees. He talks about the good tree and the corrupt tree. We saw that the good tree brought forth good fruit. In other words, the good tree (that which is grafted into and abiding in the vine, that's going to bring forth fruit) is a tree that is desiring, as we said, to emulate the character of God (to become Christlike.) Everyone that has that hope purifies himself, even as He is pure (1 John 3:3). And if that's the desire of our heart, John 15 says--God speaking to us--He says if that's your heart's desire, if you're truly abiding in the vine and fruit is being manifested--fruit being an inward desire. It's not evidenced; you can't see it outwardly yet (none of us can see it), but God knows it is there. Just the pursuit, just the desire to know Him--the moment our intentions change, when you draw nigh to God what happens? He draws nigh to you. Now, watch. Here's what the Gnostics said: "Well, you know, my heart, my intentions are good." And John said, "Well, that's good. That's fine, but there's some more truth"--he didn't say this, but--"I wrote it over in my other book"--you know, there's a special; you get two books for the price of one in John's evangelistic meetings that were going on.

By the way, I have some books available for you tonight. The new Adam's Rib books are in. What a fabulous job. You say, "Well, I already read it." Good. This is exciting. The new ones are in. Hours and hours of work that went from many of you in seeing this new book--we worked together. Richard did all of the mechanical stuff and roughed out some things and the new cover--it's phenomenal. Nancy Adams just did hours and hours and hours and hours and hours of cleaning up all the mess that was in the other one--the typos and all of the different things that were in there--and it's just really, really outstanding. So be prayerful--we're looking for ways to distribute it now, and the new batch is in. Just a fabulous work that was done. So I want to say thank you to Nancy and Richard and all those that worked hard. It's just really a notch up from what it was, praise God, and we're excited about that. The message is the same, and it'll change people's lives.

So John says, "You've got to read my other book. In my other book"--not a bad segue, huh? "In my other book, I've written something else. You've got to understand that there's another aspect of this: that if there's fruit visible to man or visible to God (invisible to man), regardless, the Spirit of God will begin to purge you. The Word will begin to come forth, and there will be purging. If there is fruit, there will be purging. If you endure purging, it's the very evidence that you are abiding in the vine and there's life in you. And we shared that one of the ways that we can tell whether somebody is a good tree, whether they're abiding in the vine, is how they respond to purging (reproof, rebuke, instruction into righteousness). It's a willingness to hear and to change.

Now, how many of you know that the first time you're not always readily--the first time somebody comes to rebuke you, how many of you know your response is not always, "Oh, praise God, brother! Pour it on. Whup me big!" The Bible specifically says chastening is grievous for the moment (Hebrews 12:11). Nobody likes it! But, listen, the man who is born again embraces it. I didn't say you like it, but you embrace it; you understand that it's good for you. The afflictions, the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6)--you understand these principles. No, you don't like it! No, you don't always just--you're not out celebrating, but the Bible does say, "...count it all [What?] joy when ye fall into divers temptations [tests, trials, purging]; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith [the purging of your fruit] worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing [praise God]" (James 1:2-4). So as we're examining our hearts as to whether eternal life is abiding in us, how do you respond to reproof, to rebuke--these different areas? It's one of the great indicators as to whether or not we're born again.

Now, I don't know about you, but I respond pretty good most of the time. How many of you would say, "Most of the time I respond pretty good"? How many of you find yourselves in this situation sometimes, though, to where we would say, "No, man. I'm not interested." And the other brother around us would say, "Oh, yes, praise God. I'm going to go right into the field." And then what happens? The one that verbalizes and talks and gives the great verbal testimony doesn't go get job done, and the other guy repents and ultimately ends up doing it. It's how we finish. It's not our intentions; it's how we finish. It's what we do, not what we say. And there's that deception. So, if we're not weary in well doing, then what's going to happen? In due season we're going to reap the "much fruit" if we don't faint, the Scripture says.

The point I'm making is, don't panic if you don't always get the giggles over the persecution or the chastisement. But rejoice in the goodness of God and His grace to you if you find yourself habitually obeying and turning and going and doing the will of the Father, because that's not you. It's God working in you. The very fact that you do turn, the very fact that you do obey, it's God. It's not you. There's nothing in you of worth to God. Do you understand that? So as we're looking at fruit, don't mistake natural abilities or personalities or anything else as fruit. Recognize fruit as being everything that originates from the heart of God.

I was just reading one of Tozer's books--it was great--just before coming this evening. I was just resting and fellowshipping in God's presence and reading one of his books, the book on the attributes of God. It's phenomenal, if you haven't read it. I was reading the chapter on the goodness of God. Isn't God good? This chapter on God's goodness just blows your mind. It just gives you such an appreciation for the kindness of God and the benevolence of God and the very perfect compassion and intention of your well-being from God. God's intention for you is peace and life and His presence, and He wants to do you good all the days of your life, praise God! And that's eternal; it's immutable, and He has no other intention for you. So we rejoice in that goodness of God. Then He's omnipotent, which means He can bring it to pass. The only thing that can stop it is what? Your disobedience. The only thing that keeps us from experiencing the goodness of God is our own rebellion, our own self-will, and our own rejection of Him working His grace in our lives.

I'm off track a little bit, but the one thing that I was reading in there that I thought was so good as it pertains to obedience was along these lines. Tozer was a famous preacher in that day, known for holiness and just an outstanding man of God, and he made the comment, he said, "A lot of people who see me think I'm a good man, but I'm not a good man." Jesus responded interestingly to that, "Good Master." He said, "Why call ye Me good? There's none good but God." Whoa! Some of us here think we're pretty good. And Tozer said, "I'm not a good man. I want you to understand something. Everything that any man could do that is sin, I have done or thought or am capable of doing."

You see, you have to come to the understanding of who you are without Him, and then who you are in Him. But he made an interesting statement as he went on, and I like this. In relating to his Heavenly Father, the goodness of God, he said, "and so I understand the goodness of God because of my vileness and how worthless I am, and yet God's goodness gives me value--His delight in me. And I look at my sons, and I see my nature in them." And then here's what I like, this phrase, listen. He said, "and I don't blame them. I whip them, but I don't blame them." Isn't that a fabulous statement?

You see what's in them, and you see that they're prone toward evil and that sin is in our members; but we can't blame that on anybody. It's inherent in us. It's who we are; it is our nature until we experience regeneration. It can't be tolerated. It must be brought under subjection, but goodness--goodness--love thinks no evil, doesn't delight--all of these aspects that are the fruit of the Spirit or the representation of the goodness of God.

So, in our lives we have to understand that good trees--the good tree gets all of its resources from who? God. From abiding in the vine. There's nothing good in us, and so the fruit is going to be in direct correlation to the purging--that which we're allowing God to do in our lives. In the process then, the revelation of Himself causes a quest for God, a hunger for God, and to he then that has shall more be given. And this is the cycle that begins to build. So then we bring forth more fruit, and ultimately God wants us to bring forth much fruit, the Scripture says.

So here we are as those that are pressing on towards the image of Christ, and we're discerning in our lives the fruit that's around us. So we have to see then, that only that which is originating in God is acceptable, and nothing is good that originates from man. Nothing is good that doesn't have its source in His lordship and the power of His redeeming blood. And He said be careful then, because in your midst, if you don't discern things this way, you can be deceived--either deceiving yourself or being deceived by others, by good words and fair speeches. Doesn't Paul say be careful of that--people that "by good words and fair speeches [they can talk the talk, man] deceive [Who?] the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:18)? Who are the simple? Those that are not able to see spiritually into the source or the origin of the things that are good. They're just hearing whatever the latest argument is, and their ears are tickled and enticed by it.

So when we're going to look at fruit, it's not outward actions. It's always the origin. If you're going to examine fruit in your life or in those around you, what is the origin of this, number one? And number two, when the fruit is manifest, who gets the glory? Who is it for? Is it to build our reputation, those of us that are preachers--is it to build a reputation, a larger ministry--all of these different things? Is it to give the appearance of spirituality? What's behind all of these things that are being done? He said, "I want you to discern that." Jesus said watch this among your teachers and your leaders and understand--who is getting the glory out of this thing? Is there a jealousy for the Word of God? It's very important. So He said don't be deceived by those who are outwardly doing all of these great signs.

The Bible makes it very clear in the last days what's going to be taking place. In the last days false prophets are going to arise, doing what? Deceiving many. How are they going to deceive them--by what? The signs, the wonders, this display of power, and the display of, "This must be the hand of God. Look at the effect it's having on lives." And yet we realize that many actors can move people. There are secular philosophies that move people and unite people. There are personalities that can move masses, like a Hitler. What's the source, and who is getting the glory? Does it line up with the Word of God? People are "awed" by many different things.

There's this guy; I don't know what his name is. He's a street magician. I saw him on television the other day. This guy does some of the most phenomenal things I've ever seen, just really an interesting thing. Some people say, "Is it demonic?" I don't know if it's demonic or a lot of it's just the study of the human anatomy and how to trick the mind and all of these different things. It could be supernatural. I'm not venturing to say. He does some of the freakiest things I've ever seen. It doesn't matter. People are going to be enticed by something that far transcends the little acts that this guy does of levitating and doing all kinds of tricks. People are going to be seduced by that if they don't have the foundation of the Word of God.

Now, we've got mass meetings, tens of thousands, mega ministries that are built on lies and fake miracles--the manipulation of people's emotions--and it's a broad way. And this narrow way that you and I are talking about that we have to move into--this highway of holiness where there is no lion (where we're not going to be destroyed by he that's going about seeking whom he may devour)--that comfort, that protection of the straight and narrow way is something that we also have to guard ourselves and make sure that nothing is acceptable or recognized as fruit but that which comes from the Word of God and is done for the glory of God.

So, the commandment, "If you love Me, you'll keep My commandments, and they'll not be grievous." The commandments of God are very clear. One of them is, if you don't hate your life in this world, then you're going to lose it, but if you lose your life in this world, then you're going to retain it unto eternal life. So fruit bearing--put this in your notes--fruit bearing really has to do, then, with the quantity of death to self. Fruit is that which comes from purposeful crucifying the flesh--fruit that's acceptable. Have I made a conscious effort to choose against the natural, which then causes the expression of the spiritual or the supernatural? So we see then, that it's by that kind of fruit that we're known, and so we realize that dependence upon abiding in the vine. Don't mistake fruit for outward actions. It's not outward actions that we judge. It's the source of the outward actions.

He gives us the ability--go over to John 15--to analyze that. We encouraged you to spend a little time reading 1 John and spend some time here in John 15. Jesus saying, "I am the true vine..." (verse 1). I'm the only vine. That's what He means by "true." Everything else is a lie. Everything else is rejected of God. "I am the true vine [I'm the only source by which you can receive eternal life], and my Father is the husbandman [the goodness of God]..." He's there to make sure--God is there to make sure that you and I can finish this course. He's not willing that any should perish. He's drawing us constantly to Himself. "...flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17). God is constantly giving us revelation, illumination, of Himself.

So what are we doing with it? The issue isn't, then, the seed. The issue is not the husbandman. The issue is what? The ground, the soil. And only you, only you can provide good soil. That's the one thing that God in His sovereignty, God in His sovereignty chose--chose in His sovereignty, to give you limited power of choice as it pertains to your receptivity to His Word. God remains totally sovereign. It was His sovereignty that gave you the ability of free will and choice. So free will or choice is not separate from God, but originated in God. Free will does not negate God's power, His purpose, or His omnipotence because your free choice cannot negate God's eternal purpose.

So in the process, each one of us is responsible for what we do with what we hear in the Word of God. That's why the Scripture says very clearly to us that God is not willing that any should perish and whosoever will--say it--may come. Whosoever will--whoever wants to. So those that are not responding to the gospel that you and I are preaching, it's not because God hasn't given them opportunity. Jesus died for the sins of who? The whole world. Now, when we say that no man can come except the Father draw them, that doesn't mean that God is only drawing some people. God is drawing everybody. What it says is you can't come in your own strength. You can't come by your own virtue. You can't come under your own conditions, but access to God is available to all men equally, at all times, until God has broken the stiff neck and they're without remedy.

So when you're praying for those that are lost, your unsaved loved ones, be encouraged. God is working, praise God! When you come and deal with your coworkers, and you realize that the Word is alive and powerful--this gospel is the power of God to salvation. At any moment it can bring illumination to an individual. It can inject the power of regeneration into them where they become, now, illuminated; the scales fall off their eyes. Where they couldn't see, they now see. What they used to hate they now love, and it happens in an instant. Then sanctification takes a lifetime.

So when we begin to look at fruit now, what is it we're really looking for? What originates in God. Go with me for just a moment to Matthew 19. I want to show you something about the rich young ruler here. He's an interesting guy. He knew things weren't right; he comes to the Lord. Now let me ask you, if you were going to observe this guy, how many of you would say he had fruit? Well, let's hear it out of his own mouth, okay? Let's hear it out of his own mouth. Verse 16, "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master..."--now watch the premise--"Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [verse 17, chapter 19] there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." "What good thing must I do?" "Well, if you want eternal life, keep the commandments?" "Which ones?" Good question. All of them. But the Lord responds and says, "Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up..."

Now, if I was, as a young man, given that list, I would have failed all of them. I would have failed everything here. Well, "murdering" in the sense of hating your brother, and physically, it wasn't for a lack of trying. I was arrested for a number of cases of attempted murder; we almost pulled it off. Thank God that's not one of the scars I have to carry around. Can you imagine taking a human life just for your own lusts, your own party spirit? Almost killed these young boys just because we were partying. That's what's in man. But here's a guy that says, "I've done all of that from my youth." That's quite a testimony. This dude, this kid, if what he's saying here is true, he's one of the most moral, one of the best guys in all the Bible.

Now, how many of you, based on this testimony right now--and let's assume that what he's saying is true, because the Lord doesn't rebuke him for lying does He? Let's assume that's true. Now, let's put him in our fellowship. How many of you would say that "Brother Bucks," we'll call him--how many of you would say, "This guy has got some fruit"? Let me see your hands. How many of you would think that--we're watching him, right? Yeah! See, God doesn't look on the outward, does He? Now don't mistake what we're saying here. He expects moral behavior. He expects the flesh to be subdued, but God doesn't look on the outward, and "Lord, Lord" isn't going to get it. "Didn't we do all of these things?"

So Jesus goes to the real root of the matter, and look what He says (verse 21), "If thou wilt be perfect..." That word "perfect"--He's not talking about sinless perfection here; he's talking about complete. "You say you're wanting to know God. You say you're wanting to embrace eternal life. It's obvious that you've tried to keep these commandments; you've tried to come into the presence of God. You are pursuing; you are a seeker of righteousness. You're a seeker of eternal life, apparently. Outwardly, it looks like you really are after this thing, so I'm going to tell you how to get it." Now remember, we're dealing with the spirit of Gnosticism, and in the church that John was writing to in 1 John, there were these people that were saying, "Oh, I want to know God, and I believe I know God; it's just I'm having trouble over here." And John says, "No, it's he that doeth righteousness that's righteous. If His seed abides in you, you sin not; you cannot sin."

That's powerful stuff, man! I want you to understand something. If you've been born again and the seed of God has germinated in your spirit, you cannot sin, period! Now, I'm not talking about sinless perfection. You will commit sins, but you cannot be habitually under the power of sin. Your nature is not toward sin. You never justify sin! You hate sin! You hate it in yourself, and you hate it in everybody around you! You cannot be comfortable in sin! Sin no longer is lord and master of your life! Sin is not natural to you. The appetites are there. The propensity is there. The flesh would like to--no, but the Spirit man lusts against the flesh so that it cannot do the things that it wants to do (Galatians 5:17). That's the indicator of eternal life in us: a constant warring and suppressing of the tendencies of our flesh.

So Jesus speaks to this young man, and He says, "Okay, there's an outward effort. You're at prayer every Tuesday and Thursday. You don't miss any of the services. You don't miss any of the Young Adults, Single-Minded Saints, whatever. Every time somebody in the group is in need you bake a cake, cut the lawn, fill their fridge, wipe their brow; and everybody else is looking, but you know you're not right. The young man came, and he knew he was doing all this stuff. He was the champion among us all, but he knew he wasn't right. You know whether you're right with God or not. Nobody has to tell you.

"What must I do?" "If thou wilt be perfect..." It's amazing to me how some people have thought this is the doctrine of the gospel. They would use this for everybody. Some guy comes up, and he's got porno magazines hanging out of every pocket. He's totally, totally messed up--drunk, on drugs--and he comes up and says, "What must I do to be saved?" And somebody says, "Sell all that you have, and give it to the poor." Some people think that's what this--they misapply the Scripture. No, that's what this guy had to do. How many of you know what the guy I just described needs to do?

Basically, what he is saying is this, "All of these things have I kept from my youth, and I'm willing to do anything necessary." You remember, like the man with leprosy that came and asked what he had to do to be clean? He said, "Just go dip in the river," and the man said, "That's nothing. Give me something to do." What's the bottom line? Your idol has to go. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). Now, whatever it is--now, we all know that its origin is the same in every one of our lives, and what is that? Pride. Self-will. Now the self-will expresses itself in a myriad of ways. One thing that's obvious--this young man was trusting in his what? His riches. What is the answer, "What must I do to be saved?" "Trust in Me and not in your own strength, not in your own ability, not in your own analysis of yourself, not in your own righteousness. So that's the answer: "Get rid of whatever is dominating you, and trust Me."

We were talking about a number of different things. One of the pastors just shared with me. The young people have a bulletin board up there where they share testimonies and different things that the Lord has revealed to them. One of them was insightful not only for youth but for all of us. It was interesting that they were talking about examining your life and realizing that if you have to always be running and playing or having recreation, or if your fulfillment is in your athletic ability or in your looks or in your grades (your academics), or if you always have to have people around and somebody to love you and stroke you and tell you how great you are--if there's anything external that we feel we can't live without, it's an indicator that we're not solely trusting in God. You don't need all the noise. You don't need all the games. Is your sufficiency in Jesus? Are you satisfied by Him alone? You see, that's what He wants for our lives, beloved.

This is one thing I've wrestled with in the battle that we're looking at here and one of the things in the warfare with Janet. I've been married to her since I was a child. She was older, but I was a child when we got married. I was 20; she was 23. I'd only been born again for eight months. Lest some of you young people get a good idea, that was God! It's the exception, not the rule. Put a big star by it in your notes. And in things like that, just on an everyday basis, of the void that that would bring, and the Lord said, "You know, you've got to understanding something, man. My grace is sufficient. I'm sufficient."

In your life, as you look at all of these different aspects, what is the sufficiency? And your testimony--you walk away from security in the natural and jobs that they're offering you. You know what's ironic? I've shared part of my testimony with you of this largest ministry in California, and they were going to pay me everything that I wanted--just put it on the table. Whatever I asked they were going to give me. I know what you're thinking, "Those people must have been deceived. You're not worth it, man." But that's what they were looking to do.

So we're sitting here and that looks secure, man! I was just in a place where we didn't have--at the end of the month, if we used our minimal amount of money for groceries, with nothing in savings (after having paid tithe and putting money toward missions and into the building fund), on a good month we'd have three dollars for everything else. We lived that way for three years in that ministry and came virtually into the same thing here, actually a little less when God moved us back here. But in the interim here was this thing of, "You name the salary." Perks. I didn't know there was anything like perks. Perks! Where I came from, perks was a sick chicken. Insurance? Are you kidding me? You're going to provide me with a car and insurance and a housing allowance? That whole thing has virtually folded today. Where's our security, but in doing the will of our Father?

So the fruit that we're talking about, then, is inward dependence, totally on the ability of God. Then secondly, absolute surrender to the commandments of God--the willingness to do the Word of God at all costs. That's what this man couldn't do. "What must I do?" "This." "Anything but that." "No, that and nothing else. That's all I'll take." It's important, then, that we begin to examine our own hearts in that way. So, as we go on in the study we're going to look at these different points and really come to the personal application of those things in our lives.

Back to Top | Audio   |   Purchase Audio   |   Bible Teachings   |   Print