TELECAST SERMON FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 "BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST" ASSOCIATE PASTOR/TRUSTEE EDWIN SPROAT, SR.

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1 Thank you Jose! TELECAST SERMON FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 "BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST" ASSOCIATE PASTOR/TRUSTEE EDWIN SPROAT, SR. We have all won victories in one way or another. Yes viewers, we should praise and thank God for them. However, many tend to seek the Lord only in time of need. We forget the greater picture, which is, our responsibility, "to serve and please God." We fail in this endeavor, because as humans, we tend to regard the Lord only in terms of how He can serve and please us. At some point in time we reversed the role of God and man. Therefore, one step towards rectifying the existing situation is to make the reading of God's Word an important and major part of our lives. After all, His Word is a lamp unto our feet, and His Word is forever settled in heaven. I pray, viewers, my sermon, "BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST," will serve its purpose and draw you closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and bring to memory, our obligations to Him. And what a joy it is, dear television viewers, to share another Spirit-inspired sermon with you all. And for those of you who continue to send in personal notes of praise for the Choir, Band, Orchestra, Instrumentalists, and Vocalists, be it known that we always relay your notes of praise to our telecast participants, and to our entire congregation. And it truly pleasing to know that these Kingdom of God Crusade Telecasts of The Apostolic Faith Church, originating in Honolulu, Hawaii, are appreciated and much enjoyed by many of you in our telecast congregation. Please join me now in reading God's Word. A secure foundation is necessary in just about every walk of life, and most people may relate the term foundation to something in the architectural field. For example, a building of any size will need a solid foundation, and its dimensions will be determined by the size of the building to be placed on it. What is also taken into consideration is a soil analysis. In other words, a building will not be structurally sound if it is built upon sinking sand. And it is said that the building on Manhattan Island of New York State is built on solid granite, one of the most dense forms of rock known to man. We all are familiar with the parable highlighting the two foundations available to mankind. The point emphasized in the parable is that we as individuals must make the choice regarding the kind of foundation we will build upon. And the right decision, dear television viewers, will be achieved when the Lord Jesus Christ is a part of that decision, showing that our desire is to please God, and not mankind A wrong decision is to leave the Lord Jesus Christ out, and instead use the shortcomings of mankind, such as selfishness, self-preservation, greed, covetousness, and envy, just to name a few. Can you visualize Adam and Eve standing before the tree that they were forbidden to eat the fruit thereof? This is a prime example of how our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be tested, to determine whether we will follow the Lord s instruction in our daily lives. 1

2 Luke 6:47-49 denotes this truth, "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." The Lord Jesus Christ loves those, who love Him, and He will keep the Body of Christ, the Church, informed with Spiritual knowledge required by His people to make informed decisions. And we must remember, dear television viewers, that every decision we make will somehow, or in some way, impact our salvation. And we must always consult the Lord Jesus Christ for His guidance, so that every approach is according to the leading of His Holy Spirit. Moses, in Exodus 14:13, spoke to the people, "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever." This very inspiring passage should be remembered by all Saints, and Spiritual leaders, and we should diligently follow the Lord Jesus Christ. We must not rely on our own wisdom, but always remember the foundation set by the Lord Jesus Christ, which is to live, and serve Him in a manner to promote, and preserve the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, upon this earth. The Lord Jesus Christ gives us this solution to making the right choice in our daily lives upon this earth. Let us read the last words of Moses in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you, life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him; for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." The Lord Jesus Christ remains the same unto all mankind as He was in the beginning, in the present, and in the future. Hebrews 13:8 declares, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and for ever." And in I Peter 1:25 it denotes, "But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." God's Word has survived the onslaught of mankind's unbelief, through the millenniums. And the reason that it has survived is because the Lord Jesus Christ is the Word of God, and the Almighty God. The question to be asked this morning is, "What kind of foundation have we built our lives upon, dear television viewers?" Joshua parting words to the people after crossing the Jordan is found in Joshua 24:15, "And if it seem evil unto you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 2

3 Today the Lord Jesus Christ continues to encourage the Body of Christ, His Church, of which He is the head, to hold fast to the foundation of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, which today remains as the only reliable source of righteousness, and true holiness. This foundation which we speak of is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the Solid Rock, and Who is also the Chief Cornerstone. This is the foundation upon which the Apostles of Jesus Christ stood firm. II Thessalonians 2:13-15 adds this exhortation, "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold to the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." Here, Paul speaks to the Church at Thessalonica to motivate, and inspire the members to remain on the path of righteousness. In every Epistle of God's Word, whether by Paul, Peter, or another Apostle, it encouraged the congregation to hold fast to their newly found salvation, despite the difficulties, and the circumstances. Paul is therefore, encouraging the congregation to come out of their sinful ways, and be reconciled the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, is God's message of salvation, and reconciliation. We must possess the Godly remorsefulness of sin which brings about repentance. And repentance, which is godly sorrow for sin, will bring forth reconciliation, and forgiveness of sins. The Jews, were called to be a special people unto God Himself. And Abraham was given a blessing that the number of his seed would exceed the grains of sand of the sea, and the stars in the heavens. God's Word, the Bible describes Abraham as a true friend of God, because of his faith, and actions in obeying God's instructions. Hence, the Jews would become significant in God s eyes, and He promised to bless those who blessed them, and curse those who cursed them. In Genesis 22:15-18 we read, "And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son: thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." The allegory, behind the Jews being God's special people is that the Lord Jesus Christ became God's lamb of sacrifice was given to redeem mankind from the curse of sin and death to receive God's righteousness, glory, His divine image, and the salvation of our souls. And today, everyone who is born again of water and of the Spirit becomes a part of God's family of believers. The Lord Jesus Christ came to save mankind from the curse of sin as spoken in Romans 3:23-24, "For all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace 3

4 through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" Nicodemus who was a learned Jew, Pharisee, and a member of the Sanhedrin came to Jesus Christ in the darkness of night to ask Him about the salvation of his soul. He learned that the knowledge and understanding acquired during his entire lifetime, was but foolishness, useless, and insufficient for the remission of sin. Let us join in on the conversation between Jesus Christ and Nicodemus in John 3:2-4, "The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old" can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" The Lord Jesus Christ responded with this commandment to all mankind in John 3:5, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." The Lord Jesus Christ further concluded in John 3:6-7, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not, that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." The miracles performed by the Lord Jesus Christ motivated Nicodemus to seek out Jesus Christ. The Old Testament passage spoke of a King, and Savior for Israel and Nicodemus pondered in his heart about whether Jesus Christ as the Messiah that was mentioned therein. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God preached by Jesus Christ speaks to the requirement for mankind to be born again in water baptism, and to be filled with God's Holy Spirit. Our faith is made perfect based on our works, and being baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ, and filled with God's Holy Spirit is essential to salvation of our souls. And in the Epistle of James 2:17 it declares, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." The Lord Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan as an example unto all mankind teaching us what we too, must do. And all of the converts listed in the Book of Acts were baptized in the Name of Jesus after accepting the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. And what was preached at the Churches in Ephesus, Thessalonica, Corinth, Galatia and in Rome is the selfsame Gospel, that you are hearing in today's telecast presentation. It is the Gospel good news, that Jesus Saves, Jesus Heals, Jesus Baptizes with the Holy Ghost and with Fire, and Jesus is Coming Soon." The words in Peter's sermon to the Jews in Jerusalem brought them joy, and they each asked him in Acts 2:37, Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" And in Acts 2:38, Peter declared this, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." 4

5 The Apostle Paul explains in II Corinthians 7:9-10, "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." Peter, being filled with the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost declared in I Peter 3:21, "The like figure whereunto even baptism which doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." And in Acts 4:12 Peter declared the saving power and authority vested in the name of Jesus Christ, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." The Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, declared in John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." And we are taught that the Spiritual things of God reside within us when we are filled with His Holy Spirit, and speak in God's unknown tongue, or language, to prove that we have His Holy Spirit within us. Our hope of glory for today is to be able to hear the trump of God shall sound, and the Lord Jesus Christ call unto us, "Come Up Hither," to meet Him in the clouds. In Acts 26:13-20 Paul through the power of God's Holy Spirit, spoke profoundly before King Agrippa nearly 2000 years ago, "At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shinning round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecuted thou me? it is a hard thing for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." Paul's conversion on the Road to Damascus was a personal meeting with the Lord Jesus Christ. He was struck down and blinded by the Lord Jesus Christ, so that he might see what the Lord would have him to do for the rest of his life. The Lord God also spoke through the prophet in Jeremiah 26:2, "Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word." 5

6 God's Word in I Corinthians 8: 9-12 also adds this truth, "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumbling block to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which has knowledge sit at meat in the idol s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ." The whole mission of the Church is to encourage people to live righteously, and to condemn sin. We do not condemn, nor judge anyone, because the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, will have the final say concerning whether we will reap either blessings in heaven above, or eternal damnation in hell below. And in today's present time, we can see that the greatest sin in the world today is the sin of unbelief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must continue to stand for the name of Jesus Christ, and to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, to see souls saved. Making the Lord Jesus Christ our firm foundation in this earthly life, will help us to stand with Him through the ups, and downs, until He returns in clouds of Glory. Hebrews 12:1-2 brings today's telecast presentation to a close saying, "WHEREFORE, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Peter denied the Lord Jesus Christ and wept bitterly in repentance of his wrongdoing, and we too must prepare ourselves to stand with the Lord Jesus Christ, by putting our daily faith, time, skills, and substance into serving Him. And let us press on in this life to prepare ourselves to be ready, and to hear the Lord Jesus Christ call up the Body of Christ, His Church, saying, "Come up Hither, Come up Hither, Come up Hither." If you would like to learn more about God s Word and the Church, and view these telecast presentations in their entirety, please visit our website at Until our next telecast, this is your host, Associate Pastor/Trustee Edwin Sproat, Sr. expressing my sincerest appreciation to each of you, who have allowed us to come into your homes. May the good Lord bless and keep you all in the hollow of His hands. Entire contents of this text copyright 2018 by The Apostolic Faith Church (Jesus Coming Soon), Honolulu, Hawaii. All rights reserved. 6