Confession of Faith - July 26, 2004

SCRIPTURAL VERIFICATION

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Romans 10:8-10)

CONFESSION

Series 2.7.26 - #207

July 26, 2004

The voice of rejection speaks loudly. It is yet saying, "Crucify Jesus, and free Barabbas." It is yet saying, "Kill those who are righteous, and allow the murderers to go free." It is yet saying, "Kill the seed of Christ, and allow the seed of the enemy to go free." This is the path that was chosen for me. Jesus journeyed down this path. Those who bear the cross must journey through the valley of rejection and persecution. By the grace of God, he tasted death for all of us. He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor. Without sufferings, the captain of my salvation would not have been made perfect. Many sons have been brought unto glory through this avenue. If I shut off the valley of sufferings, I will not reign with him; therefore, I open my heart unto this journey that he invites me on. I cannot complete this journey unless I am pitiful and filled with tender mercy.

The prophets set forth an example of suffering affliction and of patience. They endured. I must set forth the same example and endure unto the end. He suffered for all and left me an example. I am called unto sufferings; therefore, I follow the Lord's steps. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in me. The sufferings of Christ are abounding in the true children of God, and my consolation is abounding more. As we are partakers of his sufferings, we are also partakers of the consolation. I am comforted in this valley of suffering. Many want to know him in the power of his resurrection but do not desire to know the fellowship of his sufferings. Their knowledge of him is incomplete and worthless without the knowledge of the fellowship of his sufferings. No glory can be revealed in me if I have not suffered with him in this present time.

If I suffer, I shall also reign with him; therefore, I rejoice inasmuch as I am a partaker of his sufferings. I am reproached for his name's sake. I will be happy, for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon me. I am glad with exceeding great joy. He knows the truth about all that has happened. Others know in part. The truth shall be made known in due time; therefore, I continue to suffer as a Christian, for judgment belongs unto him. He has sympathizers, and he had enemies as he suffered on the cross. He could have saved himself, but if he had saved himself, no one would have saved the world. Jesus came into the world for that cause. He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. They hid as it were their faces from him. He was despised, and they did not esteem him. He bore my griefs and carried my sorrows. He was stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. He was wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquities, the chastisement of my peace was upon him, and with his stripes, I am healed.

Jesus was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers was dumb, so he opened not his mouth. He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of the people. Now I go and declare his generation. My penalties have been paid in full. There are no hindrances that can prevent the declaration of his generation. I go and preach the gospel that the sons of this new generation might be born. Through the eyes of the Spirit, he has taken me on a journey to behold his sufferings, his death, and his burial. Jesus' resurrection has occurred and so has mine. I dwell no longer in dead churches with dead ministries. He has called me to preach life. Now I go from these dead places in my experience and cease being a coward. I allow the spirit of the resurrection to work in me. It is the life of my ministry. Now I go and preach life. Death, neither grave could hold the life that I preach. I go and declare a brand new generation of sons and daughters. I believe.

Hebrews 10:22 - 23

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.