JULY 2013 Edition 2 C S S A MP THE TRUMPET CALL Heralding the near return of Jesus for His bride HE S COMING SOON Tweens (8-12 years), Teens and Adults Christian Growth Materiel Written, printed and published by Darwin Christian Centre Ministries Inc PO Box 39923 Winnellie NT 0821 Australia
All scripture quoted in this publication is from the New Living Translation, second edition, unless otherwise stated. Forward all correspondence to:darwin Christian Outreach Centre PO Box 39923 WINNELLIE NT 0821 AUSTRALIA Also available as a free download on the Resources Page at www.streetcrier.com Welcome to the second edition of God s Compass and as we expected, the first edition of the changed format of our pre-teens and adults correspondence material has expanded. Our concern is to get people focused on the necessary preparatory steps to become part of the bride of Christ as events unfolding around the world give a strong indication that Jesus could soon be coming for a prepared bride. The scriptures give us many indicators which point toward His soon coming when He will take those who have prepared for this great event. Continue learning and preparing for His service, reaching the lost at any cost, awaiting His further direction.
JESUS WILL COME I am going to prepare a place for you. When I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:2-3 (Amplified Bible) In this passage of Scripture Jesus was speaking. He had almost reached the end of His earthly life. He would soon be crucified for the sins of the world, Christ died for us. 1 Corinthians 15:3. Jesus was teaching His disciples important truths they needed to know before He went back to His Father in Heaven. He said, I will come again and take you to Myself. John 14:3. He was not talking to the crowds that followed Him around; only the disciples He had been training by word and example. For three years He had been preparing then to take the gospel to the world. Today Jesus is speaking to His own through His written Word. Anyone with ears to hear, should listen and understand. Matthew 11:15. See Matthew 13:9; Luke 8:8; Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, Revelation 3:6,13. He is speaking to us too. He is not talking to the crowds who call themselves Christian because they live in a Christian country or because their parents are Christians. He is not even talking to many church goers whose lives are not right with God. Jesus is coming for all those true Christians who have repented of their sins and are living for Him. Repent means to turn away from sins and forsake them. True Christians must change from their old life to a new way of living. All must repent of their sins and turn to God and prove they have changed by the good things they do. Acts 26:20. See Acts 9:19; Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8. Jesus is coming for born-again believers who are trusting in Him. The Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout. With the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet (call) of God. Then the dead in Christ will rise first, from their graves. Then we who are alive (in Christ) shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. When will Jesus come back to take us home? We do not know. Jesus said, The father (God) alone has the authority to set these dates and times and they are not for you to know. Acts 1:7. Jesus also said, No one knows the day nor the hour when these things (His coming) will happen, not even the angels in Heaven, or the Son Himself, only the Father knows. Matthew 24:36. However, He did tell His disciples many bad things would happen just before He comes; such things as wars, disease and earthquakes. See Matthew 24 and Mark 13. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption draws near. Luke 21:28 NKJ. Today these things are happening all around the world. We should not be frightened; but rejoice because it means Jesus is coming very soon.
1. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS. Someday He (Jesus) will return from Heaven. Acts 1:11. Jesus will come to live on the earth a second time. The first time He came as a helpless baby. See Matthew 1:18 to 2:20, and Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-18. An angel announced His birth, The Saviour, -Yes, the Messiah, the Lord,- has been born in Bethlehem. Luke 2:11. The next time He comes to earth it will be as KING OF KINGS. (See Revelation 19:11-18). On His robe at His thigh was written the title, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:16. The first time He came to die for our sins. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:6. The second time He comes to earth will be to set up His Kingdom in Jerusalem and He will rule the nations for 1,000 years. See Psalm 2:7-9; Psalm 72; Isaiah 11:1-9; Revelation 20:6. On that day, His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:3. This is not the end of the world and it is not the rapture of the bride. 2. THE END OF THE WORLD The world will not end when Jesus returns for He must reign until He humbles all His enemies. 1 Corinthians 15:25. They (those who are with Him) reigned with Christ for 1,000 years. Revelation 20:6. However, it will be the end of this present age called the church age. It will be the beginning of a new age of peace and prosperity. Read Isaiah 11. The church age began on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2, and will end when Jesus comes to take His children home - just a few years before He comes to earth to rule and reign over the nations. The world will still go on for at least 1,000 years. 3. THE RAPTURE OF THE BRIDE SOME ENDTIME EVENTS The word, rapture is not used in the Bible. It is an English word used to describe the catching-up of the bride to meet the Lord in the air. It comes from the Latin rapio which means to seize or take away by force. For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. First the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then together with them, we who are alive and remain on the earth will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. So shall we ever be with Him. 1 Thesslonians 4:16-17. Jesus does not come right down to earth at this time. He appears in the clouds and all true Christians will leave the earth and rise up to meet Him in the air. We do not know the date when this will happen; but there are many signs in the Bible showing us that it will be very soon. Therefore, we must be ready to go at any time. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God while we look forward with hope to the wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ will be revealed. Titus 2:12-13.
You can pray for anything and if you believe that you ve received it, it will be yours. Mark 11:24. Read Acts 12:1-9. When Peter was imprisoned by Herod and about to be killed, The church prayed earnestly for him. Acts 12:5. Peter was miraculously released from prison by an angel. He went immediately to Mary s house and knocked on the door. Rhoda went to the door, heard Peter s voice and knew Peter was outside. Without opening the door she went and told the disciples inside who were still praying for Peter s release; but they did not believe her, until they came and saw him standing there. They believed God could answer prayer; but they did not believe He had until they saw him with their own eyes. They needed proof. Why did Peter go to Mary s house? He could have gone to other places where people were praying. This group needed proof that God had answered prayer, even though it seemed impossible. Very often we are like them. We know God is able to give us what we ask. We know He is willing; but we are not absolutely sure He will do it this time. We do not have the assurance we need. God graciously speaks to our spirits and tells us He has heard our prayer and granted our requests. RHODA HEARD PETER S VOICE AND BELIEVED Do we hear God s voice and believe? Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who reads aloud [in the assemblies] the word of this prophecy; and blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who hear [it read] and who keep themselves true to the things which are written in it [heeding them and laying them to heart], for the time [for them to be fulfilled] is near. Revelation 1:3. Amplified Bible. See Luke 11:28. SEEING WAS BELIEVING PRAY BELIEVING These disciples needed assurance that Peter was alive and God gave them that assurance. God gives us the assurance that our prayers are answered by allowing us to see the answer in our spirits, with our spiritual eyes, before we actually receive it. It has been said that faith is sanctified imagination. If we can see it we can have it. That is true if our imagination is really sanctified (set apart for God). Our natural minds can show us anything we want to see. SANCTIFIED IMAGINATION IS SEEING WITH OUR SPIRITUAL EYES It is really a revelation from God - the Holy Spirit working in us to give us the assurance we need. See John 20:24-29; Hebrews 3:15-19 and Romans 8:25. We can know for sure God has given us what we asked for and we will see it with our natural eyes in His time. When this happens we can stop asking and thank Him for His goodness. For the Lord is good, His unfailing love continues forever and His faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100:6 If we do not have this assurance we need to pray and keep on praying, Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Luke 11:9. See Luke 11:5-13. We can also pray Lord, increase our faith. Luke 17:5. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent. Ephesians 6:18. The eyes of the Lord are over those who do right and His ears are open to their prayers. 1 Peter 3:12. See John 14:14; John 15:17 and John 16:23.
p DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE Read Matthew 14:13-21. Read it again putting yourself into the story. Imagine you are there - maybe one of the disciples. How would you feel? What would you think when Jesus said, You feed them. (verse 16). What? Feed five thousand people with only five loaves and two fish? No way! That is crazy, absolutely impossible! Humanly speaking, it is impossible; but not with God. Everything is possible with God. Mark 10:27. Jesus must have known what they were thinking; but He ignored them. He took the food, blessed it and gave it to them to hand out to the people. When they obeyed Him, while they were doing it, the miracle happened. What an experience! How amazing! This miracle is absolutely beyond human understanding. The disciples must have felt stupid at first; but they soon realized God was working and performing the impossible. God was working through them. They even took up twelve baskets full of left over food. God blessed them because they were obedient. See Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:5-14; John 14:12-14. YOUR PROBLEMS Do you have problems you cannot solve, needs you cannot provide for or a bill you cannot pay? Give them to Jesus. He will say, You do it. What me? you think. This is impossible. Our minds are our biggest problem. We all have belief systems or mind-sets and we know what we can or cannot do. d o G t Le. k in h t u o tr y a y a nsform you w the g in g YOUR FAITH IN GOD i n n to a a n e w ers o n b y c h These mind-sets have to be changed and brought into line with God s Word. See Romans 12:2 Refute (get rid of) arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Amplified Bible. Have faith in God. Mark 11:22. That means we must know what the Bible says, be absolutely certain it is true and do what it says. God always gives us His ability to obey His Word. Do you have a need? Give it to God, believing He will enable you to do the impossible, with His help. He will give you the strategies (know how) necessary. As you obey His directions and begin to work (even though it may seen stupid) putting your trust in Him, God will perform a miracle through you. See 2 Chronicles 20:20. Paul says, I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13. Many people give their problems to God, sit back and wait for God to send someone to do it, send it through the mail or send someone to give them money. They wonder why nothing happens. But God says, You do it. As you begin, the miracle happens through you and the impossible becomes possible. Praise Him!! See Proverbs 3:5,6. Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]- To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21. Amplified Bible.
M i s s io ns i s lo ing The reason that aeroplanes and boats have a compass is so that they can follow a particular course of direction. A compass will always point in the direction that is known as magnetic north. Because of that the compass can be used to guide us in whatever direction we may choose to follow. While our compass heading remains constant, (the same) and continually remains aligned with God s compass (the Bible), we will achieve our God given calling for our life. That is why we need to keep reading God s Word, which is really like a compass, because it will take us in the right direction and we will end up at the place we want to be forever, that is Heaven. As we begin following the right path which is leading us towards our heavenly home, there are things that we must do in order to obey God s direction. When we ask Jesus to come and live in our hearts and forgive us of our sin, that is all the wrong things we have done, and as we follow His compass, His Word, we find that there are other things that He is wanting us to do. One of those things is to be involved in telling other people about the love of Jesus, that is really what missions is. It is like showing them the compass which will take them on the right road, the right direction, so that they too can live with Jesus forever. So telling people about Jesus as we ourselves begin to understand more about Him, is being involved in missions. Missions is very important because it is necessary for us to do everything that God is asking us to do, for Him. All of us at Christian Outreach Centre in Darwin, Australia, love to be involved in missions. We would love to see everyone have an opportunity to get to Heaven and live with Jesus forever. Notice the verse below and see what Jesus told us before He went back to Heaven after He was crucified (was killed), so that every man, woman, boy and girl could have the opportunity which is available to all of us, by simply saying, Jesus, forgive me and come and live in my heart. v p e o p le Jesus came and told His disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. THEREFORE, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20. Read John 3:35; Acts 1:8.
Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists. Hebrews 11:6a. ATHEISTS say there is no God. AGNOSTICS say we cannot be sure that God is real. Even if there is a God we cannot know Him. Such people will never find God unless they change their mindsets. To have faith in God we must also believe He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:6b. See 1 Corinthians3:8; Revelation 22:12. Jesus said, Seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33. See Luke 12:22-34. Everything we receive from God is received by faith as we cannot see Him or touch Him; but we are absolutely convinced His Word is true. HAVE FAITH IN GOD GODLY FAITH IN ACTION The Bible tells us what faith is. In Hebrews 11:1, Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen. It gives us the assurance about things we cannot see. Everything about God is known by faith because, God is Spirit (John 4:24,) and invisible to our eyes. If we believe in God we must also believe in Jesus Christ, His Son and in the Bible, His Word. Believe means to have absolute trust in and rely on - not think so as some say. Unless we believe that the Bible is absolutely true and that God keeps all His promises, we have no hope of salvation. Let us hold tightly to the hope we affirm (know to be true) for God can be trusted to keep His promises. Hebrews 10:23 NKJ. See 1 Corinthians 1:9. FAITH FOR SALVATION By grace (of God) you were saved through faith (yours). Ephesians 2:8. See Romans 4:16. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31. See John 3:16, 36; John 6:47; Acts 13:38,39; Romans 10:9-11; 1 John 5:10. What we must believe about Jesus. He is God. John 1:1-2; John 1:14. He was born of a virgin. Luke 1:26-36; Luke 2:1-20. He lived a sinless life. 1 John 3:5; Hebrews 4:18; 1 Peter 3:18. He died for us. 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 3:18; John 3:15-17. He rose from the dead. Romans 10:9; Revelation 1:18. Colossians 1:15-23; Philippians 2:6-11. Jesus is alive and He can do infinitely more than we can ask or think. FAITH FOR LIVING When we are born again we become different people. Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17. See John 6:63; Romans 8:5-12; Romans 6:4b-10; Colossians 3:12-17. We must change from doing what pleases ourselves to doing what pleases God. This change comes through faith in God - not by self effort. We rely on the Holy Spirit to help us do what pleases God. See Ephesians 3:14-21; Galatians 2:16-20. By faith we receive God s ability to live our lives in His way. Faith by itself isn t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:17. See James 2:14-26; 2 Peter 1:8-9. FAITH TO PRAY We need faith to know we are not talking into thin air; but to a loving God who hears and answers prayer. 1 John 5:15. See John 13:14; John 15:7; 1 Peter 3:12. THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH See Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11-14; Hebrews 10:19-38.
Please write and tell us what God has been saying to you through these studies. If you have any questions about the studies please send them to us and we will be happy to answer them for you. (July 2013) MY RESPONSE NAME... ADDRESS...... CITY...Post Code... COUNTRY... AGE... DATE OF BIRTH.../.../... M / F Forward correspondence to:- Darwin Christian Outreach Centre Ministries PO Box 39923 Winnellie NT 0821 Australia