We will give ourselves continually.
9 March 2008 10AM
Apostle Andre Pelser
Acts 6:1-8
The church was growing and there was a dispute among the Jews and the Greeks, arguing about what the widows should get. See, the Greeks, they wanted "souvlaki" and the Jews wanted "falafels" and "shwarmas." So they were arguing who is going to eat what and all sorts of other things. Because now they say, "every Sunday we must have shwarmas, and the Greeks were saying that they would like something else. We have been neglected." There have been disputes and so the apostles said that they will not be able to satisfy all the old ladies, so they should appoint seven men of good reputation amongst them that is full of faith, full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit. Appoint them over the business of serving the tables. So they selected seven, then the apostles laid hands on them, prayed on them and told them to take care of these tasks and we, the apostles, will
give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.
How many times when Jesus says something we doubt it? Because it does not
look like the truth. But Jesus said to them more clearly then, "there is one
that is going to betray me." Some of the disciples didn't even hear that.
And then Peter said something, to the disciple that was closest to Jesus.
John describes it as the one whom Jesus loved. Why did he say he loved Him?
John had his head upon Jesus'
breast because he loved Him so much. The Hebrew says morally love Jesus. And
then Jesus plainly said to him," the one in whom I am dipping this bread is
the one who is going to betray me." The one that I am going to dip it and
give to is going to betray me. So now the plot becomes unraveled.
Andre wrote a song, "lean upon my breast." How much do we love Jesus?
He says, "if you love Me you will obey what I command. Whoever has my
command, and obeys Me, he is the one that loves me. He who loves Me will be
loved by My Father, and I will love him too and show Myself to him." God
will reveal Himself to you. "If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching.
My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home with him."
That means abode, We will have a mansion with him. Abode means staying,
meaning in residence. "If anyone loves Me, will obey My teaching, My Father
will love him, We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does
not love Me, will not obey My teaching."
There is so much said today about doctrine. "We can be one, just leave the
doctrine out." "Let us have unity, although we don't have the same doctrine,
but let us have unity." It means nothing. Either we obey the Lord's
teachings or not. He says, "he who will keep Me, keep My commandments."
Commandments means prescription. It so funny, when we get a prescription
from the doctor, he even writes on the letter, on the tablets, and you will
obey it 100%. But what about the Bible, the Word of God? Jesus said, "I did
not come to condemn the world, didn't come to judge it, but come to seek and
save the lost. There is One that will judge, it will be the words that I
have spoken." Once we know what God wants, we disobey, He says My father
will not come and visit you. "If anyone loves Me he will obey My teachings.
My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
He who does not love Me will not obey My teachings." To keep means to keep
your eye upon; to watch; to guard; from loss or injury; and to reserve. He
that hath My commandments, it means to hold; it means that you must need it
as necessity and enjoy it. He says, "I will manifest Myself to you if you
do. I will manifest Myself, I will exhibit Myself in person, I will declare
plainly; I will inform; show and signify."
How much do we love the Lord today? Just search your own heart. "The Lord
says the heart of man is wicked above all things." Paul says to judge your
own lives so that you will not be judged. This morning just ask the Lord if
you have done everything He has said. Simplicity.
Acts 2: 38- "Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of
you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Repent and be baptized and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For this gift he says it is for you and for your children, for anyone who is
afar off. In the book of Acts you will see how the apostles will come to
Ephesus and ask people if they have received the Holy Spirit and the people
said no. They asked him with what baptism he has been baptized with. They
said that they have been baptized with the baptism of John. The apostle took
them aside and baptized them in the name of the Lord and he laid his hands
on them and they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "when I
go I will send you My comforter." That is the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts
10 in Cornelius' house, while they received the word of God they began to
speak in other tongues. They were filled with the Spirit.
And then Paul baptized them all. He commanded them to be baptized.
<
