Thank you Melvin! TELECAST SERMON FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018 SURRENDERING OUR ALL, UNTO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TRUSTEE/ASSOCIATE PASTOR EDWIN SPROAT, SR. Welcome, once again ye Saints of God, and telecast viewers, to this morning s Kingdom of God Crusade Telecast. Please join with me in the reading of God s Word in today s sermon entitled, Surrendering Our All, Unto The Lord Jesus Christ, which will bring us all to a better understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ, and even ourselves, as well. The term surrender means to give the Lord Jesus Christ our self-will, and to yield up everything into His hands as the Almighty God, Who will lead and guide us in our daily lives upon this earth. In other words, it means we must deny ourselves, and surrender everything into the Hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ instructed all mankind in Mark 8:34-35, And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? In the New Testament Book of Titus 2:11-14 it denotes, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. The Lord Jesus Christ has already set the pattern for every man, woman, and child to follow, when He shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary, as the Lamb of God, to pay for the sins of the whole world. And likewise in Romans 6:6-8 it denotes, Knowing this, that the old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. Being obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ in everything we say, and do, and obeying God s Word to the very letter, will keep our daily lives pleasing unto Him. And as we invest our complete love, and faith in Christ Jesus, He will be with us through every earthly challenge, and He will give us His peace, joy, and happiness. And today, it is mandatory that every man, woman, and child surrender their self-will unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and constantly seek God s Will in their daily lives. The Lord Jesus Christ explains this 1
new relationship in Mark 3:35, For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother. In II Timothy 2:19-21, God s Word denotes, Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal. The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master s use, and prepared unto every good work. And we are taught in Romans 12:1-3, I BESEECH you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Humility is God s key ingredient to faithful obedience that will be recognized by the Lord Jesus Christ above sacrifice, bringing mankind into Spiritual agreement with Him. And in I Samuel 15:22 it confirms, And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. It is better to obey the Lord Jesus Christ, than to disobey Him, and then have to ask His forgiveness. Therefore, obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ is most pleasing unto Him, vice having to come and seek His forgiveness, because of our disobedience. Also in Proverbs 15:33 it exhorts, The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Humility is God's foundation to all Christ-likeness, as explained in Matthew 11:29, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Galatians 2:19-20 also adds this exhortation, For I through the law, am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. The Lord Jesus Christ is calling every man, woman, and child on a daily basis to come unto Him, and accept His plan of salvation to inherit the promise of eternal life in heaven above. Many souls today are hungry for the Gospel truth, and they are earnestly seeking the salvation of their souls, but are not sure what to do. 2
Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ spoke clearly to doubting Thomas 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. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke in no uncertain terms about Who He is, and mankind must accept Him as their personal Savior, Master and Lord. And the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, preached in Mark 1:14-15, Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel. Also in Mark 16:16 the Lord Jesus Christ declares, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. This mandatory requirement is given to every man, woman, and child to be born again, which is God's spiritual rebirth plan for all mankind. And being born again resembles the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We here in The Apostolic Faith Churches in Hawaii, and in the Philippine Islands, continue to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God daily, and even on these weekly telecast presentations. Therefore, the mission of The Apostolic Faith Church, is to see souls saved for the Lord Jesus Christ. And when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ by being born again, and filled with God s Holy Spirit, We are not joining the church. We instead, are just obeying God's born again commandment. And the good news of the Gospel is, Jesus Saves, Jesus Heals, Jesus Baptizes with the Holy Ghost and with Fire, and Jesus is Coming Soon. A man named Nicodemus heard the Gospel, and approached the Lord Jesus Christ after seeing the wonderful miracles of God that He performed on the Shores of Galilee. Although Nicodemus was a scholar, and a Pharisee who was diligent to the Law of Moses, he realized that these beliefs could not save him. Let us join into the conversation between the Lord Jesus Christ and Nicodemus in John 3:3-4, 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? Nicodemus' reaction to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ reflected the natural perspective of mankind. Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ responded to him, and all mankind with this born again commandment 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. And in John 3:6-7, the Lord Jesus Christ also commanded, 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. Nicodemus quickly realized that he must be born again, but did not understand what it meant to be born of God s Holy Spirit, so the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to Nicodemus in John 3:9-10, Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? The Lord Jesus Christ admonished Nicodemus because he did not understanding the simplicity of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. And even men, women, and children today, who are also 3
educated in many things, lack the Spiritual understanding of the things of God pertaining to the salvation of the soul, and how to be saved. In I Peter 3:21, it explains the act of water baptism, The like figure whereunto even baptism 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. Water baptism demonstrates the act of our good conscience toward God pertaining to the salvation of the soul. And it is the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that removes our sins as far as the East is from the West, and when the Lord Jesus Christ forgives, He forgets. The Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, was also baptized by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:16-17, And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, every man, woman, and child must also be baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ, and filled with God s Holy Spirit speaking in God's unknown tongue, as the true evidence showing we have been filled with God s Holy Spirit within. The Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed in John 7:37-38, In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. And in Acts 2:38, Peter preached God s mandatory commandment to be born again, 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. Repentance, therefore, displays Godly sorrow for our sin. And likewise, Peter displayed true repentance when he wept bitterly with great remorse, after having denied knowing the Lord Jesus Christ three times, and then having to ask for forgiveness. However, Peter received the keys to the Kingdom of heaven from the Lord Jesus Christ on the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, and was filled with God s Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. He then became the prince of the Apostles, and God s powerful preacher of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, bringing a multitude of souls to the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost confirmed the saving power and authority vested in the name of Jesus Christ in Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. And on the Day of Pentecost, 3000 souls accepted the altar call given by Peter, repented of their sins, and were baptized in one day. Then a few days later, an additional 5000 accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and were also baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. In addition, the entire Gentile House of Cornelius was baptized, and filled with God s Holy Spirit, being obedient to Peter s preaching. 4
The Apostle Paul also gave this powerful testimony in I Corinthians 2:2-5, For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Paul taught the congregation at Corinth to take a closer look at their lives, in comparison to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. He also pointed out that human wisdom is good, but the power of God used by Christ Jesus to perform the wonderful miracles, far surpasses all earthly wisdom. And in I Corinthians 9:19-22 Paul declared, For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without the law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Paul set the example for the Saints at Corinth to follow, displaying his voluntary submission in letting God s Holy Spirit do the work within us. Therefore, we as Christian believers must be diligent in our daily service to the Lord Jesus Christ, and in our service to every man, woman, and child that we encounter in this life. The Lord Jesus Christ also defined true discipleship in Matthew 10:37-39, He that loveth father and mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. We are instructed through God s Word, the Bible to put the Lord Jesus Christ first in all things, ahead of everything else, to be worthy of inheriting the blessing, and reward of eternal life with Him in heaven above. And in Luke 6:35-38, the Lord Jesus Christ defined His commandment to love, But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 5
We must love our enemies, just as we ought to love one another, as the Lord Jesus Christ loved us. Therefore, our job is to feed, and care for the hungry; and always pray for them. The roof-top sign above every one of The Apostolic Faith Churches in Hawaii and in the Philippine Islands clearly declares, "Jesus Coming Soon," which God s final warning to both Saints, and souls alike, to prepare for His soon-coming return. Doing so, we will be prepared, along with our families, and fellow Saints of God hear the Lord Jesus Christ call us home saying, Come up Hither. The Bride of Christ, the Church, will be comprised of the Saints of God who have been born again, filled with God s Holy Spirit, and are waiting and watching for the return of Jesus Christ in clouds of glory. The Lord Jesus Christ encouraged His faithful disciples in Luke 10:23-24, And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and Kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. And in Hebrews 11:1, and 6, we find this definition of faith, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Our faith must be based upon God s Word, the Bible, and without total faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will not be able to reap our reward of eternal life in heaven above. James 2:20 concludes today's sermon topic with this thought, But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Let us thank Brother James for his explanation of true faith, to help us be ready, willing, and available when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. Hence, let us remember to always surrender ourselves, and our families unto the Lord Jesus Christ, to be prepared for His soon coming return in clouds of glory to call up His waiting Bride, the 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 http://jesuscomingsoon.org. Until our next telecast, this is your host, Trustee/Associate Pastor 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