|
|
As Harmless As DovesIn this message, Pastor Landis teaches the path to elevated patience needed to temper the disciplines of the true Christian life due to our existance in a dead and hostile world which operates beneath the blindness of spiritual darkness. Listen and aquire a sense of how to become as harmless as doves. |
|
|
| Old Testament Scripture Reading: Malachi 2:1 – 13 (NASB) |
|
Mal 2:1 “And now, this commandment is for you, O priests.
Mal 2:2 “If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,” says the LORD of hosts, “then I will send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart.
Mal 2:3 “Behold, I am going to rebuke your offspring, and I will spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it.
Mal 2:4 “Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi,” says the LORD of hosts.
Mal 2:5 “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me, and stood in awe of My name.
Mal 2:6 “True instruction was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity.
Mal 2:7 “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
Mal 2:8 “But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of hosts.
Mal 2:9 “So I also have made you despised and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways, but are showing partiality in the instruction.
Mal 2:10 “Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?
Mal 2:11 “Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD which He loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.
Mal 2:12 “As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who awakes and answers, or who presents an offering to the LORD of hosts.
Mal 2:13 “And this is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. |
|
|
| New Testament Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:5 – 8 (KJV) |
|
Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Mat 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
Mat 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
Mat 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
Mat 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
Mat 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Mat 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Mat 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Mat 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. |
|
|
|
| Transforming Power Statements:
#1) The memory of the past manner of life as well as the growing reality of the present struggle against the personal sin of ourselves and others, saved or lost, must become fuel for the vehicle of mercy as we travel the roads of this life.
#2) Being in full understanding of the problem with our culture, we must increasingly learn to practice the teachings of Jesus and tend to export His solution for the conflict which is salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone.
#3) Allow the ever increasing view of the already delivered victory to be encouragement to yourself and more and more others, knowing that God is faithful to keep His promises. |
|
|
