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| Chapter 17 MAKE UP YOUR MIND Don’t follow the course of the least resistance. The man that says I can, will win, if he chooses to walk in righteousness. No power on earth can conquer you when God is on your side. We must take Him at His promise. All the promises of God are on conditions. If we do His will we have the promise that we shall know. Would you like to know? Of course you would. Now read the promise, John 7 :17, If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. Now what will you do about that? Answer. I ‘11 do His will. All right we are agreed. So will I do His will. We’ll both go along together. Now don’t you back out. I pledge to you my word I’ll not back out. Here we go. But wait a minute where are you going? I want to go to heaven. Where do you want to go? So do I want to go to Heaven, but which Heaven do you want to live in? Why Brother is there more than one? Yes, Paul said he was caught up in the third heaven and if there is a third heaven there would of a necessity be a first and second. Is there any other Scripture that teaches that? Yes, John 14, In My Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am there you may be also. Now doesn‘t that sound good. Then my poor [169] brother that died out of the church will receive a reward for his good work. Yes all the good people will receive a reward for their good work. But where Jesus Christ will live the children of the Kingdom will be. Now where is that? The Saints shall inherit the earth. Zech. 14:5, And the Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee. Zech. 14:9, and the Lord shall be King over all the earth and there shall be one Lord and His name one. Xow this inheritance of the earth is a glorious one, for the earth will be changed and made fit for them. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb. The leopard shall lie down with the kid and the cow and the bear shall feed and their young ones shall lie down together and they shall not hurt nor destroy in all the holy mountain of the Lord. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters of the sea. Matt. 5, Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. So the Saints will inherit the earth and this will be where Christ Jesus lives and the other mansions or glories will be given out to those who are less worthy until every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. Now while all this is true, our subject still faces us, what shall we do and how shall I reach that holy place? First Step We believe in God and we also believe in Jesus Christ. He is our redeemer. That is He must help us and work with us and then we can win. Well we believe. How much do we believe? Well you agreed you would believe all of it. So if you do you will do the things He asks us to do. We believe Jesus is our law-giver and the laws and or dinances must be kept. Well, I still have faith and I’ll [170] take the next step if it hurts. I believe He will reward me as long as I seek Him. I resolve that I’ll do His will regardless of cost. Second Step The second step on this highway is repentance and it may be a little hard to comply. Don’t back out because its God s way. and when we agreed to go throu even if it was hard, we must do. Well what do we do here-? Re pentance means a turning away from evil and do good. What is evil ? Evil is doing wrong. First, we will start with ourselves and I see that the first thing to be done is to clean house. What house do you mean? I mean the house you live in. Your body. Oh, I take a bath regular and wash myself clean. Well you must wash your clothes. Yes. I have done that, and you must clean the inside of that house you live in. How can I do that? This wash ing the inside will include cleaning out the poison and filth that may he there by the things we eat and drink. Tobacco and strong drink is a filthy habit and if von clean house you will get rid of those things that work against your health. Some one says, tobacco doesn’t hurt me. Well, you better ask some one who knows. Poison destroys the body by hindering the transportation of the precious vita mins to the whole body. Stunts the growth of the young. Blights the soul by robbing it of precious food. So re pentance is forsaking those things that hold us down. Baptism Third Step Jesus said, except a man be born again, he cannot en ter into the Kingdom of God. Peter at Pentecost, Acts 2, Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Thus we are face to [171] face with the facts on baptism. Jesus is our first witness and that’s plenty good. This water baptism is given to everyone to obey. Reject it and you will not see the celes tial kingdom. Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Christ from the dead and you being dead in your sins, the uncircumsion of your flesh bath He quickened together with you, having forgiven you all trespass. This is a very clear cut statement and you are required to believe it in order to be one of the children of the kingdom. The church of the first-horn, the Church of Jesus Christ. Those that live with Him in the redeemed earth. So when He said, ‘‘that where I am there ye may be also,’’ that’s the home in the redeemed earth. Fourth Step, Baptism of the Soul The word soul is used in this sense to refer to the Spirit that is in your body. Our Lord fixed this in the plan as a definite and eternal part of the plan of salvation and your baptism is not complete until you receive this part. Now as Jesus Christ so ordered water baptism, so also He or dered the Spirit Baptism and as He fixed the act of irn mersion as His ordinance for water baptism, so He fixed the ordinance of the laying on of hands as the ordinance for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Read Acts , This act at Samaria was the first trip the apostles made after Pentecost and the words of Jesus Christ were still fresh in their memory, “teach them to observe all things what soever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you even unto the end of the world.” Now what do you say? Can you still step to the music of the Gospel bugle? He that doeth the will of God shall know of the doctrine. That was doctrine. They accepted [172] it and received the blessing. Are you going with me? I am going to accept it. AUTHORITY While I have referred to this many times in this book, I still want you to hear a little sermon on authority. There must be authority for most everything. The deed to your farm, the letters you write, all contracts and covenants are signed or sealed, or perhaps both that make them legal and binding on both parties. The stamps you affix to your letter or deed to your land are stamped and made legal by law. You can’t make those stamps, the government sells the stamps and they are legal. If you were born in a for eign country, you would be compelled to comply with the laws pertaining to citizenship before you could enjoy the full right of citizenship, and that includes standing before a judge with hat off and hand turned toward Heaven and swear you would support the Constitution of the United States and uphold its laws. Then the judge would pronounce you a citizen and you would receive a certificate showing you are a citizen. When you met your sweetheart and you agreed to gether that you would marry. You were not married until you stood before a minister or officer of the law and they pronounced the magic words that makes you one. Then and not until then you were married. The authority of God is necessary in the execution of every one of the Gospel ordinances as well as preaching or declaring the word. In Rev. 14:6-7, I saw another angel flying through the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto men on the earth. At that very time the Bible was here and had been here many years, but it takes authority to preach it. [173] When the Israelites were freed from Egypt, it was by the authority of God, the plagues came upon Egypt, and when the sea divided it was by the authority of God. When they crossed the sea, the waters were divided, then they sang Jehovah has triumphed ai Israel is free. In I Cor. 10, They were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea and did all drink the same spiritual drink and did all eat the same spiritual meat for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ. It was by authority they obeyed the law and ordinances. In Numbers 27 :15, Let the Lord God of the spirits of all flesh set a man over the congregation that may go out before them, that he may go in before them, that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep without a shepherd (authority). The Lord said to Moses, “take thee Joshua the son of Nun, in whom is the Spirit, and lay thy hand upon him and put some of thine honor upon him that all the congregation of the children of Israel will be obedient.” The foregoing scriptures show clearly that there was commanding officers in the army of the Lord to which the congregation should look for counsel and guidance. The word of the Lord was given to Moses (the prophet of God) to guide and care for the hosts of Israel. When they were without water in the desert, by the authority of God the waters gushed forth from the Rock. By the authority of God the manna was tossed down from Heaven for forty years. When they crossed Jordan, God designated certain priests to carry the Ark and when a certain fellow put forth his hand to steady the Ark he was struck dead. And in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles they were called and ordained to do their work . [174] When Simon Magus saw that through the laying on of hands of the apostles the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money that on whosoever he laid his hands they might receive a like gift. Peter said thy money perish with thee. Thou hast thought that the gift of God might be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter. And in Acts 19, when Paul came to Ephesus and found certain disciples he asked them if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed. They had not heard of such a thing. He said, unto what then were you baptized. They said unto John’s baptism. After explaining to them about John ‘s baptism, he baptized them. Then laid his hands upon them and they received the Holy Ghost. So you see it takes authority to preach, teach and administer the ordinances, and if we should assume to do this on our own we would incure the curse of God and be destroyed when He comes. No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God as was Aaron. Now what are you going to do? Will you shut your eyes to all this scripture and not see it? If you do you will be led by the priestcraft of our time who by their cunning, wrest the Scriptures to their condemnation and make the children of this generation who follow them blind to fall into the ditch with themselves. The mercy of God may reach them and give them the measure of their glory after they have done their stretch in prison. The terrestrial and telestial rewards are as far from the celestial as the brightness of the sun is compared to the glory of the moon and stars. Brighten your picture. Brush away those cobwebs and curtain of blindness caused by a belief in a false [175] story of salvation and make up your mind you can stand in the power of God. Make your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel. Then stand on the word of the Lord and don’t let any one tell you to put a discount on it. Read Gal. 1:6, And no power on earth can conquer you when God is on your side. These priestly offices of the church are mentioned in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New. The Lord Jesus had a name for each rank and the name that He gave to each rank was given to Him of God. Read Luke 22:29, So when he walked by Galilee and saw those fishermen He called to them and said, follow Me and I’ll make you fishers of men. He called the Twelve and named them Apostles. Then He called other Seventy and made them fishers of men. Sent them out and gave them a com mission like unto the Twelve and when they returned He asked them if they lacked anything, and they said, no Lord, even devils were subjected to us. We have no account of any devil ever dying and we see so many following the teachings of the Devil that we conclude that the old Devil is still at large and using his ingenuity to break down the morale of God’s people. When once he has done that and gets some of them discouraged they can do a lot of harm when they wag the tongue of slander. But back to our subject. God gave these gifts to the officials that they might perform their work. Read Eph. 4, And he gave some Apostles, some Evangelists, some Pastors, and some Teachers. For the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ and for the perfecting of the Saints. That we be no more children tossed about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craf- [176] tiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. For those men who are preaching for money and fleecing the people are those who tell a story of the blisters and torture of a burn ing lake of fire and making a play on words and a sympathetic plea to stay out of that burning Hell. People have been frightened into their church. Now back to that story in Eph. 4, But speaking the truth in love (not hate) may grow up unto Him even Christ from whom the whole body (which is the church) fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working of the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Now, if you think that through you find this: First: Those gifts were given from God and we could not assume to be an apostle or any other officer. God by revelation to the church, puts them there. Second: When God puts them there they are fitly joined together. Third: Every part does its measure of work, or that which is assigned to him. Fourth: The church can grow under God’s power and love. Hi there, can you do it without Him or will you accept this corp of priesthood as He set them there? Hi, there, read I Cor. 12 :28 and then write me a nice kind letter and when you do, ask God to direct you in the things you say. [177] My address is Oscar Case 215 East Walnut Independence. Missouri P. S. : Before you write that letter read this beautiful message: The love of God is greater far, Than tongue or pen can ever tell, It goes beyond the brightest star. It reaches the lowest hell. His love to give, how rich and pure, How measureless arid strong, It shall evermore endure, Thu saints and angels song. We only see a little of thc ocean, As we stand on the rocky shore, Out there beyond our eye horizon there’s more, We can only see a little of God’s love, A few rich treasures from His mighty store, But out there beyond our eye’s horizon there’s more, there’s more. [178] Now in this latter part of our book we want to intro duce you to our Lord and tell you a few things in regard to His mission, that He lives now and these personal testimonies that have been recorded in this book are the experiences that I have had in my association with Him. He has walked with me and talked with me for seventy- two years and He’s a wonderful companion. He has provided and prepared a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. I was anointed with oil and many times my cup has been full. He led me into the valley of sorrow and gave me comfort while there. He led me out of that valley of sorrow and healed my broken spirit. He sent a heavenly messenger to comfort my broken heart and He laid His hand on my shoulder for forty-five minutes while I de delivered the message of salvation to His people. That lifted my soul out of that valley and made me know that although we might pass through that valley of the shadow of death, I would have no fear of death, nor any other enemy who might assail me or my Lord. I have such a wonderful Saviour that I want you to know about Him, that He was sent, ordained, anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor and tell those broken hearted parents who have had a prodigal son or daughter, or even a friend who have strayed away and met death before they found the church, and because of their wicked ness they were sent to the prison house to do their stretch in Hell for their wrong. That still His hands are out stretched to them. He said, Be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in. They said who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts. He is the King of Glory. He commanded those gates to be lifted and went in. Where did He go? Read I Peter 3:17. It is better if the will of God be so that ye suffer for well doing, [179] than for evil doing. For Christ suffered for sins. The just for the unjust. Being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit, by which He went and preached to the spirits in prison, which sometime were disobedient when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the Ark was preparing. Those very ones who rejected Him were preached to, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit. So dismiss your fears ye broken-hearted mothers, fathers, friends and all, your prodigal boy or girl will still hear. My Lord was given the plans and specifications of that superstructure of the church. The Apostle Peter words the description very beautifully. 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. If they had assumed the duties of the priesthood without a revelation from God, they would have received the curse of God. Read Gal.1 :6. Now this same Jesus works in the church by the Holy Comforter today, and whosoever believeth in Him shall not he confoundcd. Do you believe in Him? Then don’t stop short of the goal. Believe He will save the world; that’s what He was sent to do. He’ll get the job done. It will not make any difference whatever, if sectarian preachers say there is no redemption. The prophet said they would weep and howl, but it would not be because others would suffer, but because their loud screams have exploded and sent they themselves to the place called Hell, because of their unbelief. What a wonderful mission to be sent to preach the Gospel to the prisoners, no wonder Zechariah could prophesy and say, “Turn you to the strong [180] hold, ye prisoners of hope. If they were consigned to a burning Hell forever there would be no hope. One of the attribute of God is justice, another is love. He would have to lose all His attributes if He would consign a man to Hell, who rejected the church in this life, when He saw so many and he didn’t know which was right. In Isa. 11, Re will not judge after the sight of his eyes, but with righteousness shall He judge the poor and reprove with equity the meek of the earth. Yet the Lord does not look upon sin with any degree of allowance. Paul: Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap But when you have reaped your reward for wrong, what about the good deeds? Every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. Would you he willing to pay a man who works for you? Well, I think my Father would too. Do you remember the story of the lost sheep? Is there any virtue in that story? If so, what is it ? Do you remember the story of the prodigal son ? Is there any virtue in that story? If so, what is it ? Be true to yourselves and others. Be true to yourself and God. Ere you build your house, mark well the spot, and don’t build on the sod. Dig deep and lay that foundation on a rock and all the storms of man and devils combined cannot tear up that house that Jesus Christ is the builder. The material came from heaven. It endures fire, will not even scorch your clothes, if He stands by you. The good tidings that was sung by the angel choir, ‘‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Many have been told by those men who through hypocrisy preach for money, ‘Take it from me or you will never get it.’ “ And those money grabbers will get just what they are working for (money) and it will perish with them in the prison house. [181] My Lord was sent to preach the Gospel to the poor and advocated that bond of union that holds them together and makes them one here and hereafter. For when they are equal in earthly things they may inherit equality in Heavenly things. Does that sound good to you? Why not look into this Heavenly Kingdom? Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of the structure and that finish lumber He puts there for us to use grew in Heaven. My kingdom is not of this world, and if you belong to the crafts men’s union in Kansas City or some local of another town Just take this tip from me that the Holy City, the New Jerusalem which is in Heaven is 12,000 furlongs on either side. That’s 1,500 miles square and that city was not built by human hands and when it comes back to earth you will be amazed at its beauty. Streets are paved with gold. Walls of jasper. Each gate is a single pearl. You craftsmen what are you going to do about that? [182] |