Church Of The Lost Sheep

"Let all that you do be done in love." -Apostle Paul writing to the first church in Corinth, 1st Century 1 Corinthians 16:14 [45th and possibly the last message of the New Believer Series] Fot sure, this has been a long series and we pray that you have been blessed as much as we have in sharing these lessons with you. Now, you should be ready to move on from spiritual infancy -- move on to feeding on solid food (the meat of the Word of God) from the milk of the Word. With the power of the Holy Spirit, Scriptures, and brothers and sisters in Christ (the fellowship of the saints) we are being equipped, our mind is being renewed and our spirit being built up, daily as we walk with Christ. Doing Everything With Love Everything starts and ends with God's love. Apart from God, we can do nothing. Whatever good that we do is because of Him, because He first loved us. When we think about what Jesus has done and how God so loved us so, we are able to love Him back and lov...

" They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country." Written by Luke, 1st century Luke 7:16-17 [44th message of the New Believer Series] Needless to say that this is the fourth message, if you've not yet gone through all the previous messages then you've missed the important aspects of this series.  ( Speaking in Tongues Part 1 ) Speaking in Tongues Epilogue Granted that you did, then you should be able to speak in tongues as the Spirit enables and leads you to do so. Although like a newborn child, initially your new language will be like that of a child -- speaking in syllables... A A A A...  Ba Ba Ba Ba...  Ci Ci Ci Ci... 1 Corinthians 14:14 "For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying....

"Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’  -Jesus of Nazareth, 1st Century Written by the Apostle John John 7:38 [43rd message of the New Believer Series] This is the third part of the Speaking in Tongues message, it is our recommendation that before you proceed to please study the previous messages (if you haven't yet). Let's Go I know many people do not read instructions or follow signs or ask for directions even when they get lost. It's just human nature. Right now we request that you do and honestly ask yourself, if you are ready to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Only you would know. The Holy Spirit is Promised 'I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will kee...

" We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen— not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God." -Peter speaking about Jesus Written by L...

" Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?” “We’ve never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?” “How were you baptized, then?” asked Paul. “In John’s baptism.” “That explains it,” said Paul. “John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you’ve been baptized in John’s baptism, you’re ready now for the real thing, for Jesus.” And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God’s action...

A Sound Like a Strong Wind "When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them." Written by Luke, 1st century Acts 2:1-4 [40th message of the New Believer Series] In the preceding messages of this series we've discussed about God's messages to the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Today (because it is Pentecost Sunday), we will talk about the birth of the Christian Church which happened on that day -- Pentecost Sunday as mentioned by Luke in the Book of Acts (Chapter 2), as we read from the excerpt above.  On this day the mission of the church to go to all the nations to spread the gospel started in a supernatural way. Wait But prior to thi...

" I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles. Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name." Written by the Apostle John, 1st century Revelation 2:2-3 [39th message of the New Believer Series] This is the last message to seven first century churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation (as revealed to and written by the Apostle John). We have studied these messages in reverse order. This is not uncommon for the Lord who turned everything upside down, who said and did everything contrary to their traditions, did say that the first will be last and the last will be first. [The good news was first preached to the Jews, who mostly rejected its message. It was spread northward, from where it then circled the world. Today the first places where the gospel went to, have lost their first love....

"I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan." Written by the Apostle John, 1st century Revelation 2:9 [38th message of the New Believer Series] We will continue on with the messages given to seven different churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation (as revealed to and written by the Apostle John). In the excerpt above, John is writing what the Lord wanted to tell the believers belonging to the first church in Smyrna (another first century church, in a place then known as Asia Minor, now in modern day Turkey). Back in those days this ancient city boasts of a thriving port, trade and business and with all the trimmings of a rich and vibrant city. Today, one may liken it to a city such as Los Angeles, home to an important trading port and a lot of rich people. Compliment T he excerpt above is the first part of this three part short message. In t...

" I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits. Yet you have held fast to My name and have not denied your faith in Me, even in the day when My faithful witness Antipas was killed among you, where Satan dwells." Written by the Apostle John, 1st century Revelation 2:12 [37th message of the New Believer Series] We will continue on with the messages given to different churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation (as revealed to and written by the Apostle John). In the excerpt above, John is writing what the Lord wanted to tell the believers in the first church in Pergamum (like the ones from the previous messages, this was a church back in the 1st century, in a place now located in modern day Turkey). Back in those days this ancient city was home to a lot of abominable activities, hence the allusion to being the place were the throne of darkness sits. Ruins  Ancient City of Pergamum Praised T he excerpt above is the first part of this message. The Lord acknowledg...

" I know your deeds—your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance—and your latter deeds are greater than your first." Written by the Apostle John, 1st century Revelation 2:19 [36th message of the New Believer Series] In the last three messages of this series, we already read what the Lord have said to three different churches that was mentioned in the Book of Revelation (as revealed to and written by the Apostle John). In the excerpt above, John is writing what the Lord is feeling about the believers in the first church in Thyatira (like the ones from the previous messages, this was a church back in the 1st century, in a place now located in modern day Turkey). [These messages also have become a mini series of " He Who Has Ears"] The passage above (directed towards the church in Thyatira) is an excerpt of the longest and the sternest message. Cautious This message will also be the longest expansion of any of the messages to those who have ears in ...

" I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead. Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God." Written by the Apostle John, 1st century Revelation 3:1-2 [35th message of the New Believer Series ] In the two preceding messages of this series, we already read what the Lord said to two churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation (as revealed to and written by the Apostle John). In this excerpt above, John is writing what the Lord is feeling about the believers in the first church in Sardis (like the ones from the previous messages, this was a church back in the 1st century, in a place now located in modern day Turkey). [These messages have now quickly become a mini series of "I Know Your Deeds" and "The Seven Churches of Revelation"] The passage above i s a warning to some believers (both the new and not so new) in that church. And that is to no...

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name." -Jesus Written by the Apostle John, 1st century Revelation 3:8 [34th message of the New Believer Series] In the  preceding message of this series, we read what the Lord said to the first church in Laodicea. It was one of the seven churches mentioned in the last book of the New Testament bible (as revealed to and written by the Apostle John). In this excerpt above, the Apostle John is writing what the Lord is telling the believers in the first church in Philadelphia (like Laodicea -- from the preceding message, this was a church back in the 1st century, in a city now located in modern day Turkey). The passage above is a commendation to the body of believers (both the new and not so new) of that church. And this is to tell them God knows that even though they weren't strong, they've ke...

" I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!" -Jesus Written by the Apostle John, 1st century Revelation 3:15-16 [33rd message of the New Believer Series] In the  preceding message of this series, we read the Apostle John wrote that Jesus washed their feet during the occasion of the last Supper He had with all of His 12 apostles. In this excerpt above, the Apostle John is writing how the Lord was feeling concerning the believers in the first church in Laodicea (a place now located in modern day Turkey). This is a warning to the body of believers (both the new and not so new). And that is to not lose the fire and turn lukewarm (not hot or cold) in their faith. Lukewarm The verse after that stern warming is this: "You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poo...

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet 'Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Pe...

'But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—  these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.  And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." - The Apostle Paul, writing to the first believers in Corinth ...