Category: Uncategorized (Page 4 of 4)

When’s the last time someone truly showed you Grace

How many of you have heard about the story of Jimmy Baker he was a great evangelist very known all around the world, very popular he was like a big deal and then he crashed and he had someproblem and then he ended up in jail. When you’re so prominent and you end up in jail there’s a lot of shame that comes with it.

Jim baker was given the job of going and cleaning the toilet in jail. It’s like, think about a celebrity in Christendom in those days, he wrote the books and is most popular. His Crusade was attended by many people. He is the greatest man the greatest preacher shamed and nobody wanted to associate with him.

Because he sinned, he crashed, he fell deep down the mud of humanity. He entangled himself in what tempted him the most and the shadow side of his life overtook him blindsided him and he was locked up.

You see Christians are funny. When you are popular, everybody wants to be around you. When you sin, nobody wants to be around you. When you’ve fallen short of a glory of God which the Bible said, everybody all have fallen short of the glory of God, it’s no longer popular. Nobody want to be around you. It seemed like we’ve devised a Christianity of faith and a forgiveness we say, if you ask God for forgiveness he’ll forgive you but even if God forgive you we still believe, we must punish you first because we want you to suffer enough and we have decided what enough means.

I’m saying this prophetically to the church because we live in the days that many of us brothers, the Bible says the way to help people is Grace and love and we need more of a treatment of love and grace, not more hatred. You do the loving, let God do the judging.

the day you and I begin taking the Judgment seat is the day we lose our spiritual ability and strength and presence.

And so, back to Jim Baker is there cleaning a toilet, then someday he heard someone say Jim Baker, you have a visitor. He said nobody will come visit me, I’m just good for cleaning the toilet.

There’s somebody here to visit. Nobody comes, who will come can visit me?

And they say would that matter if it is somebody named Billy Graham? Baker Billy Graham is here to see you.

Billy Graham was a renowned evangelist, known for his integrity and his simplicity in his message of grace and salvation. God used him greatly and mightily. And so, timidly he walked out into this waiting room and guess who he sees, Billy Graham. If there is somebody who should have fled from Jim Baker, it is Billy Graham because he is the antithesis of Jim Baker. People see Billy Graham as a man of integrity and they saw Jim Baker as a man of disintegrity. Where Billy Graham was a man who was faithful or careful this guy was not, and yet somehow in this moment when Jim Baker was muddied over sin, that the media and everybody were just really talking about it, Billy Graham showed up.

We have been talking about the sixth passion of Jesus and one of those passion is visiting those in prison, is doing Justice to others and those who are forsaken. Jim Baker still ended up doing his time in jail. When he came out of jail, he needed to go to a church, he found himself a church to attend. He who used to have many churches he built incredible universities and he went to a church just to hide. When he went to a our church he sat in the very front in order to hide himself, only to be surprised because somebody else was waiting for there for him.

Billy Graham again. When is the last time you’ve been shown Grace, Amazing Grace. When was the last time you received that Ministry of Grace. I believe there’s something about the human heart, there is something about our world and our condition, that can only be mitigated, when the grace of God is applied to the need of what a wreck like me and you.

Amazing Grace. I don’t want you to leave this place without experiencing that Grace, that unmerited favor, that undeserved love. The grace of God is here, and the Bible said where there is sin, his grace abound even more. That’s not what I prepared to preach, but somehow it pleases the Lord for me to share this with somebody who may need to know this. The grace of God abounds.

I have been called by God to preach nothing but the grace of God, by grace I live through faith. Can I pray for you that Grace, Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound the saved a wretch like me. Fill this place with your grace and your love in Jesus name.

The Holy Catholic Church’s identity and self-understanding are anchored in the Anglican spiritual tradition of being Catholic, Evangelical, and Protestant. This communion is known as the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC). We make an effort to uphold and adhere to the religion as it was imparted to us by the Apostles through the global mother church the Church of England, a group of Anglicans.

A communion with parishes that are fully evangelical, fully charismatic, and fully liturgical and sacramental is what the CEEC wants.

As Evangelicals, we hold that the Holy Scriptures are God’s inspired Word and that they are the only source of information that can lead to salvation and a life of holiness. We are dedicated to consistently reading, researching, imparting knowledge from, and preaching the Scriptures. We consider the Holy Scriptures to be a source of spiritual development. We also accept the distinctiveness of being evangelical, which emphasizes the value of having a close relationship with Jesus Christ, leading a holy life, and being dedicated to evangelism and mission.

As Charismatics, we hold that God’s people have always been a spiritually gifted people and that we are to be receptive to the work of the Holy Spirit. Christians have been given a strength greater than themselves, a power from the Holy Spirit, from the Apostles to the current church. In other words, we urge our parishes to expect and welcome His involvement (through the spiritual gifts) in our worship, everyday deeds of service, and intimate relationship with Him.

The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church and the CEEC are in communion with one another. This indicates that we are historically liturgical and sacramental at the core of our worship.

We still practise the threefold ministry, the episcopacy, and the historical creeds. As in the Anglican spiritual tradition, we hold that worship should be liturgical, and the many Books of Common Prayer provide the best expression and guidance for us in this regard. We draw inspiration for our worship rituals and liturgy from a variety of historical periods, including the Protestant Reformation and the rich, deep, and extensive traditions of Catholicism.

The CEEC’s mission is to be a modern communion that combines ministry grounded in the ecclesiastical past and present with modern worship and spiritual renewal while looking to the present and future in ways that are appropriate.

Addressing the needs of both churchgoers and non-churchgoers. It is a media channel that accepts that both Protestants and Catholics are “one in Christ.”

Joining a religious commuity has many benefits, many of which were discussed. Many people continue in the religion in which they were born and raised. Many people who were not born into a religion but wish to join a religious community, may have trouble deciding which religion to join and how to apprach that community. If you fit into this category, I hope this article will guide you into making the right choice for you.

Match Your Expectations

If you are considering joining a religion, you most likely have some expectation of beliefs that a religion has. If so, the first step is to match your expectations with the beliefs of the religion. In order to do so, take some time to note the key factors in what you believe or want the religion to believe. You can also identify factors you do not believe and wish to exclude from your search. The more specific your needs, the less religions that may be available to you.

Do a Literature Research

Begin your research by sourcing books on general religions. This could help you focus on a smaller group of religions. A suitable book will describe the origins and evolution of a religion through history.

If possible, you could expand your literature research to include the main text for the religion such as the Bible, Torah, Vedas etc. As the basis for the religious practice is based on the information held within the text, it is important to understand the reasons for each aspect of the religion. However, something to remember is that without guidance, these may be confusing and they don’t usually read like books so reading one may be more appropriate with someone who is educated in the religion.

Speak with Religious Leaders

Make an appointment to talk with a senior member of the religion, preferably someone who is highly experienced and/or educated in the details of the religion. Examples include bishops, priests, preachers, elders, rabbis etc. In some cases, a religion will have someone specific that is responsible for facilitating new people into the religion.

When talking with this person, ask them to explain anything you do not yet understand about the religion.

Ask them the process for joining the religion. This can vary dramatically among religions from simply attending service to multiple years of study.

Ask about the religious community’s expectations of you as a member. How much active participation can you have or will you be required to have. This can vary a great deal but as with many religions, much of the responsibilities may be optional/voluntary.

You may be interested to know the role of the religion in the local community. As many religions are involved in charities and community groups, it may be important to you that your religion takes part in local groups.

As religious communities are typically a source of friendships for many members of religious groups, you may want to know how social the community is and what events facilitate socialising.

Most religions rely on monetary donations or contributions. As you will likely be a contributor, you may want to know how that money is distributed/used to see if you agree with its use.

Sample the Religious Celebration

In many cases, you will be welcome to attend a ceremony such as a sunday service or other celebration of the religion. How a religion is celebrated is important and may be a primary factor in your decision.

Making a Decision

Before making your decision, consider all the information you have found out about each of the religions you were considering. Write down the pros and cons for each and consider how these factors fit into your life and correlate with your beliefs.

Another important thing to consider is the impact of joining a religion on your life, and anyone close to you, in particular, family members. If you are joining a religion, your new belief system may or may not be like those of your family members and friends. Consider if this will have an impact on your life, either positive or negative.

Devote Yourself

Once you have chosen your preferred religion, you should begin the process of joining. When you do this, do it wholeheartedly. Religion is something you must devote yourself to in order to get the most out of it.