Ensuring Your Name in the Book of Life: Christian Bible Study

Understanding the Book of Life and its relevance to believers

The importance of harmony and unity in the church

The role of love and obedience to God's will in achieving harmony

The example of Jesus Christ as a pattern for unity and harmony

Music Music This message you are hearing today is called, Is Your Name Written in the Book of Life? It was prompted as I was reading in Paul's epistle, Philippians chapter 4, verses 2 and 3. I was amazed at the correlation of the book of life and an argument between two godly women who co-labored with Paul in ministry, but yet were being singled out for the serious issue of conflict and dispute that had developed between them. My amazement at the mention of the correlation was found at the reference at the end of verse 3, which was giving tribute to these two women and yet contrasting those who were fellow workers with Paul as well, whose names were called out as to being in the book of life. Reading in Philippians chapter 4, verses 2 and 3, Paul says, I entreat and advise Iodia and entreat and advise Syntishi to agree and to work in harmony with the Lord. And I exhort you to, my genuine yoke fellows, to help these two women to keep on cooperating, for they have toiled along with me in the spreading of the good news, the gospel, as have Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life. As I said, my amazement, and yet could say possibly was a revelation in the moment, that Paul was making reference at the correlation between the women's unresolved contention, whatever it was, and the names that were recorded in the book of life at the end of his statement in the ending verse. I believe the first place we need to look for answers is in Paul's opening words in Philippians 4.2. Paul said, I entreat and advise Iodia and Sythasi to agree and work in harmony in the Lord. In music, if one is off key, there will be no harmony. In fact, it will be as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, verse 1, in reference to a particular gift we may have. If we have not love, we are only as a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. In Romans 12, verse 16, the chief apostle declares, Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, snobbish, high-minded, exclusive, but readily adjust yourself to people and things and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourselves or be wise in your own conceits. Since Paul's exhorting and possibly life-saving words to these women in our opening verse was to agree and work in harmony, I believe we should look seriously at the key words and meanings. Harmony in Greek means same mind, like-minded agreement. It literally means for the church to think the same thing. The same thing will always relate back to God and his commandments for his true followers. In Job 22, verse 21, the treasure lies therein for us. The word declares, submit to God and be at peace with him. In this way, prosperity will come to you. So boiling it all down, for a growing, mature believer in Jesus Christ, this word tells us that we first form a bond of perfection or maturity with Jesus Christ by submitting to him and to his word before we can come together in agreement or work in harmony in the church and prosper with our fellow brethren. Prospering is one of the fruits of revival and restoration. It's prompted by love for God, dear church. Blessings of peace and unity follow because of obedience to do God's will. And scripture tells us in John chapter 6, verse 35, that Jesus prospers in that he always does the will of his heavenly father. Jesus was in full agreement with his father's will. And since he is our pattern for this new covenant way of life, we must learn to mirror him as he mirrored his father on this earth as our example. Jesus was highly exalted and now sits at the right hand of God and he will come again in all power and authority to this earth once again to judge it as the Lion of Judah. Saying it again, this bond of love for every true believer first begins with God before we are able to literally think the same thing and have the same mind in the church with our fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Harmony means to dwell together in unity or agreement. Believing and living the very word of God and his commands is our new way of life. Colossians 3 verse 12 instructs us, Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy, dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Verse 13. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Verse 14. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. You see, unity and harmony are and mean the same thing. These two words are the outgrowth of a loving and mature relationship with God and his son Jesus Christ. Paul's command to these two women was, I entreat and advise them to agree and work in harmony in the Lord. this is saying that something had happened between them in their relationship as they have previously worked side by side with Apostle Paul in their co-labor with him other synonyms for entreat and advise are beseech, implore, beg, command, insist this doesn't sound like a suggestion from Paul for these two women to get their act together and made right does it. Paul had received word of these two women's immature behavior while he was in prison. The apostle further says these two had toiled and labored at his side while he was in the city of Philippi and they were actually instrumental in the starting of a home group there. He was employing them and actually commanding them. According to other biblical translations of the Greek words used for entreat and advice, which again means to be of the same mind in the Lord. Now, this tells me that not being in the same mind in the Lord, there was a major disagreement and dispute that was getting out of hand since the leadership had apprised Paul of their differences while he was in prison. And one of the major and main teachings and themes of Paul in his epistle was about unity among believers. Paul actually had to call on a trusted yoke fellow to intervene in the midst of this major disagreement that was bringing disruption in the church at Philippi. Paul had previously regarded these women's faith their steadfastness and loyalty with such great joy and satisfaction. So we can possibly assume there was no false teaching, no division among them on this important and imperative subject regarding doctrine. So the only thing we can assume by scripture then is that Paul was distressed over the lack of harmony between them which could have amounted and arisen from anything from petty personal differences which were not kept under control and handled and settled between them in a mature way. Nevertheless, Paul beseeches them to give up their differences and to live at peace with one another in the Lord. He gives them the order to reconcile with one another and bring their dispute to an end. In other words, hear this, in other words, to live in dispute and sinfulness is not worthy or representative of those who are in the Lord who have been redeemed by Christ, whose lives should be representatives of a serious, determined effort to please and obey the one who died for them. 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 1 describes Apostle Paul's memorable prayers as he prayed regarding another dispute in the household of Chloe. I urge and entreat you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say and there be no dissensions or factions and divisions among you but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments verse 11 for it has been made clear to me my brethren that those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions and wranglings and factions among you. Again, here Paul must speak to the church about their lack of unity and mutual love for one another. This has always been a subject throughout Paul's epistles. As I previously said, one of Paul's main and major themes through his epistle was regarding unity. among believers. To speak the same things, stand opposed to speaking different and conflicting things, which is evidence where different opinions are held and expressed. Paul is asking that they all be in harmony and full agreement in what they say in regards to what they have been taught by him and others who have been sent out with the message of salvation found only, hear this precious church, found only in Jesus Christ. Any disruption, regardless of conflicting controversy in regards to doctrine or any other subject, creates contention and division in the church. Even petty differences can grow into a mountain of nothingness, which can cause people to lose out on eternal life because it is spearheaded by pride and immaturity. when Paul wrote the mandate that the brethren be perfectly joined together this speaks of anything that is in need of repair that which is in disorder that which is being properly restored or mended it means to settle controversies to produce harmony and order wow, all of that again means being perfectly joined together bottom line here means that you and I and every professing believer in Jesus Christ has the option and will to use in the synergistic work of the Holy Spirit who has given to each of us to refuse to exercise our own opinion on what I think is right or good in defense of guarding a point on a particular subject or bringing continuing disruption and disorder when it is condemned and breeds disharmony Apostle Paul, in our main scripture discussed thus far, desires that the brethren be united in unity, that every member in the church should be content in their standing and place in the body of Christ, as they grow and mature in the knowledge of our Lord. Jesus said in Luke 6.40, a pupil is not superior to his teacher, but that everyone, when he is completely trained, readjusted, restored, set to right and perfected, which means maturity, will be like his teacher. And since Jesus is our ultimate example and pattern and given of the new covenant commands, that we should follow, we should be led by faith in his example to produce harmony with one another. May I remind you again that the title of this word today is called, Is Your Name Written in the Book of Life? Today dissension, disagreement, distorted and perverted abominable doctrines have permeated the church of the living God to the point that is absolutely disgusting and sickening to the very nostrils of God. The body of Christ should look like a healthy proportioned body or resemble a well-oiled machine that is working in perfect harmony with all of its components doing their part. The church of the living God is called to be of one mind according to the truth found in scripture, as they represent the glory of God in the church and the very one who died for them. The two disagreeing women, who were considered co-laborers with Paul in preaching the gospel, were being admonished to fall back into line with what they preached. We have a saying that says, practice what you preach. It can be in time, if the battles of the wills between them kept escalating, that they could have lost out, and possibly their names could have been blotted out from the book of life. Their dissension and quarreling with one another could bring division to the church. And so it is today. It doesn't matter what the issues are. Dissension, division, and arguing are condemned by God and his word. These two women are examples of many along the generations of time, right up to our moment in history this year in 2019. Apostle Paul spoke of the differences of being led by the Spirit and producing fruit, and also works of the flesh, which is also called acts of the sinful nature. In Galatians 5, verse 18, Paul declares, if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious. Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. Verse 23, gentleness and self-control. Against these there is no law. Those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. You notice that Paul said, those who live by the works and acts of the sinful nature will not inherit the kingdom of God. Okay, I know at this time, some hearing this word are going to fall apart and say, once saved, always saved. or my name can never be removed from the book of life once I make my confession of faith. But I tell you, this is no small matter. To think that once saved, always saved, is one's insurance to inherit eternal life is self-deception big time. But let me say this. Never does God's word allow for brethren to argue, fight amongst one another, or to pervert the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, or any other matters in the church. In Philippians chapter 2, verse 12, Paul says, My dear friends, as you've always obeyed, not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining and arguing so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault or in a crooked and deprived generation in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. the command here to us is to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling working out one's own salvation doesn't sound like a one time confessing Christ as savior and make salvation a sure thing to where eternal life is an altogether certain fact furthermore the command here is that you and I as believers in Jesus Christ walk by the same rules that Paul laid down for hearers in his day in order for your salvation or mine to be completed by being fulfilled with love and the fruit of the spirit until the day Christ comes for us. The selection of Paul's words, fear and trembling, warn us of the danger of aborting our call due to sinful practices and compromising the truth of Scripture for error rather than fulfilling the perfect will of God in our lives. Fear and trembling warn us to guard our hearts, to not grow weary in doing right when confronted with difficulties and trials or temptations. This tells us to watch and pray and constantly lean on the Holy Spirit who will faithfully lead us on the straight and narrow path If one is not yoked with the Holy Spirit, Satan will surprise and devour the negligent ones, and their light and life will become extinct for having grieved him. James chapter 5 verse 9 declares, Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold the judge is standing at the door. Philippians chapter 2 verse 2 instructs, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but also the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. If the church then represents the same attitude of its founder Jesus Christ, then she needs to look and act and resemble him in her words, in her deeds and actions, as she displays his glorious splendor. But as I said, today dissension, disagreement, distorted and perverted abominable doctrines have permeated the church of the living God to the point that is absolutely disgusting to the nostrils of God. Can I tell you, we are in a war for our lives? All over the world today, as never before, mankind has succumbed to the lowest level of moral decay. With the internet and various modes of news going viral overnight, everything from good to evil blazes the biggest headlines that sway and influence people mainly for the worst part young children are hooked on pornography and mind wasting programs that dull their senses and make them lethargic and anxious and angry without their understanding why and their parents if they do know, they do not care because their children are being kept quiet and entertained. Yes, I'm talking mainly of parents in the church. They're sacrificing their children to the world called Satan's system. God assures that safety is only assured to him whose names are written in the book of life. And that safety and that protection is found in his love, dear church. Romans 8, verse 35 declares, who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness and danger of the sword? As it is written, for your sake, we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Verse 37. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is found in Jesus Christ our Lord. This scripture, in essence, is telling us that the Lord defends his own. He defends those whose love and life is found and grounded and rooted in Jesus Christ. Paul warned of those who were impostors in his day, who were in the church and pretended to be friends with the brethren, but were quietly waiting for the opportunity to deceive them with perverse and crooked things and distracting them with apostate doctrines. In Acts chapter 20, verse 29, Paul says, I know that after I am gone, ferocious wolves will get in among you, not sparing the flock. Even from among your own selves, men will come to the front who will, by saying perverse and distorted and corrupt things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them to their own party. I have to say this. I was both sickened to my stomach and angry to read the leading news headline yesterday. It read, Hundreds of Southern Baptist leaders and volunteers accused of sexual misconduct in bombshell investigation. These hundreds of leaders and volunteers within the Southern Baptist churches across the nation have been accused of sexually abusing young church goers for decades. Many of these leaders quietly returned to their church roles even after being convicted for the sex crimes. The investigation found that over the last 20 years, about 380 Southern Baptist church leaders and volunteers have faced credible accusations of sexual misconduct. Of those, roughly 220 were convicted of sex crimes or received plea deals in cases involving more than 700 victims who came forward in all. This means that 180 of these sexual offenders are still on the loose and back behind pulpits preaching or volunteering somewhere else. Many accusers were young men and women who allegedly experienced everything from exposure to pornography to rape and impregnation at the hands of these church leaders The youngest child was three years old One young woman reportedly told of her abuse and the pastor told her to remain quiet about it and go home and forgive her accuser. How absolutely sickening and how abominable to our heavenly God and Father. At what point does the Almighty say that is enough and remove that individual's name from the book of life? My Bible tells me in 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 5 that people like these mentioned are not lovers of the good. They are treacherous and rash, conceited lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, and having the form of godliness but denying its power have nothing to do with them. This says that the wonder-working power of the Holy Spirit never took place in the hearts and the souls of those predators who use God's precious little ones as items to satisfy their own sinful and lustful passions and desires upon. The Catholic Church has its own problems with news in the headlines as well just recently. Priests and bishops who have over the years raped little boys and girls. The latest blazing headline in the news a few days ago read, nuns, sex slaves, scandal, fresh blow to the Catholic Church. The Pope himself made the horrendous announcement. also in the news Pope Francis signs agreement with a Muslim ayam heading closer to one world religion the Pope the article declares and the grand ayam al-Izar have signed a historic declaration of fraternity calling for peace between the nations religions and races in front of a global audience of religious leaders from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and other faiths. In other words, there was a concerted effort to make sure that all religions of the world were represented at this recent gathering, and I repeat again, even Christian leaders were there. The document signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Iman is reported to have been prepared with much reflection and prayer. The Pope said the one great danger at this moment, he continued, is war, destruction, hatred between us. He said if we believers are not able to shake hands, embrace one another, kiss one another, and even pray, our faith will be defeated. The Pope exclaimed that this document is born of faith in God, who is the Father of all and the Father of peace. It condemns all destruction, all terrorism from the first terrorism in history, that of Cain, he said. I remind you again, this message today is called, Is Your Name Written in the Book of Life? How dare those who sway millions of people with their perverted and twisted doctrines of God's word and encouraging ignorant followers to chase after their apostate revelations, saying God gave me the answers to world peace. Or to follow after with the new move of ecumenicism, which is the doctrine of uniting all religious belief systems together, including Christianity under the guise of unity, saying that we all serve and worship the same God. or others who introduced doctrines of mysticism, witchcraft, nudism and every other satanic craft into the church under the guise of Christianity. Who gives right to these apostate deceivers to become my spokesman regarding the pure, unadulterated word of God? John 17, verse 3, Jesus said, this is eternal life that they may know you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent also in Mark chapter 12 verse 29 the first of all commandments is hear O Lord the Lord our God the Lord is one and you shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart with all of your soul with all of your mind with all of your strength how dare those who profess to know the Almighty God and his Son Jesus Christ, cheapen and pervert the blood sacrifice and the grace of the precious Lamb of God and his unfathomable love, who has sacrificed his dear Son, his supreme sacrifice for man's wretched sin. You see, our concern regards the church and its representation of her pattern Jesus Christ, bringing him the glory he is due through the redeemed and precious children of God whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. King David said in Psalm 69, verse 25, as he cried out to God over such traitors, let their habitations and their encampment be a desolation. Let no one dwell in their tents, for they pursue and persecute him whom you have smitten. and they gossip about whom you have wounded, adding to their grief and pain. Let one unforgiven perverseness and iniquity accumulate upon another for them in your book. And let them not come into your righteousness or be justified or acquitted by you. Verse 28. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, the book of life, and not be enrolled among those who are upright in right standing with God. Beloved John in the New Testament declares in Revelation chapter 20 verse 12 regarding the book of life. The books were opened and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works. and whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Not only is there a book of life which the tried and faithful redeemed lovers of Jesus Christ's names are recorded, but there is another book in which their works and deeds are recorded therein also. in Luke chapter 10 verse 20 when the disciples came back from their first ministry assignment in the field they were so excited at the fact that even the demons bowed and obeyed them at the name of Jesus and Jesus said to them nevertheless do not rejoice at this that the spirits are subject to you but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven the book of life is the book in which God writes the names of the redeemed through all the ages and it is only when one's name is in that book that entrance into heaven is permitted all others will be eternally lost is there an obligation to be carried out until the end of their life indeed Oh yes, indeed, there most certainly is. Ephesians 1 verse 4 declares, Even as in his love, he chose us, actually picked us out for himself as his own in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, consecrated and set apart for him, and blameless in his sight, even above reproach, before him in love. He foreordained us, destined us, planned in love for us to be adopted, revealed as his own children through Jesus Christ in accordance with the purpose of his will because it pleased him and it was his kind intent. These are not idle words of Paul. This is a mandate for all two followers whose lives are found in Jesus Christ, whose names will be found in the book of life, and the other book where righteous deeds and act of these faithful believers are recorded and will remain if, if they are faithful to the end. Paul's description and mandate of those destined and bound for eternal life are those who took the commands of Christ and his father serious in that they should become holy as God's holy chosen people standing blameless before him. In love. The last expression. Is reference of love. Did you catch that? Stand before him. In love. Let me say. This is all traced back. To the love of God. The preference of those. Who pursued Jesus Christ. Was love motivated. It was love for Jesus. Which prompted these people. To prefer his righteousness. in their lives. These God lovers knew they had no claim on his love and knew also they did not deserve it. They knew by divine revelation that this love they had for him grew out of the highest expression of love that could ordain them to be destined to an eternal life. They know that this highest form of love was a costly love. It was not cheap. It came with the highest moral excellence of character possible. He cost the innocent Lamb of God his life and his blood, and moreover, he was spiritually rejected for a time by his Heavenly Father, while all perversion and vile sins of all peoples in every nation, everywhere, were once and for all placed upon him as he was nailed naked to the cross and left to die a horrible death as a supreme sacrifice for all of mankind's sin. This, may I say, this is true and divine love, which is very costly. It is not cheap. It came with a price. It was motivated by love. since the creation of the world the names of those who will be saved from damnation of eternal death and who will go into the heavenly Jerusalem will have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life. I cease to be amazed at those mainly pastors, scientists and doctors who brazenly speak for God in the name of advancement for their idolatrous and perverted causes. The last example I leave with you of one such kind individual who is an OBGYN doctor. The headline on the Christian News website reads, Christian abortion doctor, the Good Samaritan inspired me to do abortions. It reads, an abortion doctor who is a professing Christian says he began performing abortions after having an epiphany, which means a sudden leap of understanding while listening to a sermon about the parable of the Good Samaritan. Willie Parker, an OBGYN, who provides abortions at clinics in five states, Alabama, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Illinois, said during a February debate with a pro-life apologist that a sermon by Martin Luther King impacted his career. He quotes, As someone who has chosen medicine at the craft, I have an ethical responsibility to provide health care to that woman. Parker said, as a Christian, I'm thrilled to have the moral responsibility to provide compassion to provide compassionate care to that woman. Any Christian with discernment knows firsthand that Dr Willie Parker is self in his worldly wisdom as he declares fetuses are human beings but they are not people Yes, I know. You're saying, what? This apostate professor of the faith used scripture pertaining to the Good Samaritan to grossly manipulate God's truth with untruths laced with worldly wisdom and reasoning, surmising that the general population of true Christian believers are ignorant and naive. According to the word of God, people like this are labeled as being evil-minded and have not the things of God in mind. They are the ignorant ones, and their endeavor at being shrewd and crafty in the things of God blind them because of their vocational badges of honor, and mainly pride and greed, which prevent them from truly knowing the precious truths of God's word and his ways. Romans 8 verse 5 Paul declares those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires but those who live in accordance with the spirit have their minds set on what the spirit desires the mind of the sinful man is death but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace the sinful mind is hostile to God it does not submit to God's law nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. I must ask you, will people like this have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life? Will they have a share in the promises of God or receive a rich welcome into the kingdom of the eternal King of Kings? You see, this awesome and precious knowledge and understanding is imparted by the Holy Spirit of God. And it's called supernatural revelation. And it's given to those whose hearts are committed to living a righteous life in Jesus Christ. And they long with all of their hearts to please him in every way, in all of their words, their actions and deeds, for no other reason because they love their precious Lord and wish to obey all of his commands and attribute all glory to him. This love is simple. It is not complicated. It originated within the heart of the believer because the Holy Spirit was willingly allowed to do his wondrous and marvelous work of making the defiled sinner a new creature in Christ. Apostle Paul describes how the natural love of God is generated within our lives and our hearts. In 1 Timothy 1, verse 5, Paul says, The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith. Jesus says, You will know them by their fruit. dear listener you have the truth in this message today you have heard examples of apostate degeneracy and sickening accounts of perversion of God's word and his ways that have been presented and reasoned by worldly men who use the word of God to present a doctrine of demons to ignorant Christians who do not know the word of God for themselves may God have mercy on their souls Only those who truly live for Jesus Christ, whose names are written in the book of life, will hear at the end of their lives, well done, good and faithful servant. And they will hear this, because they obeyed the most important commandment, which is to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, in your mind, and with your entire being. And secondly, they love their neighbor as themselves. because they proved their love for God in this way through their obedience and produced eternal fruit to prove it. They knowingly in all aspects of their lives gave glory to God for all that they did for him so that his kingdom may prosper in their labor for him. They did not pervert the unadulterated truth of the living God. Paul said also in Hebrews 10 verse 36, as we labor to the end, he says, For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away and enjoy to the full what is promised. these people faithful people will be rewarded for their steadfast patience and willful obedience to the will of God what awaits us in eternity is held near and dear to our hearts by faith with hope as its anchor 1 Corinthians chapter 2 verse 9 Paul said it is written eye has not seen nor ear heard nor have entered into the hearts of men the things which God has prepared for those who love him. What comfort! Oh, what comfort to know within your heart without a doubt, without presumption that you will receive the greatest reward at the end of your life, and that is the very bread of life himself, Jesus Christ, who is the hidden manna, who will reward you with a white stone and a new name which is only known to the individual to whom Jesus gives it. How absolutely precious. Those whose names are written in the book of life will not be torn away from the love of God. This is a promise for those who hold fast to the love of God by sincere faith and hope which lies beyond. Jesus spoke in Revelation 21 verse 7. he who overcomes will inherit all of this I'll be his God and he will be my son verse 8 but the cowardly the unbelieving the vile the murderers the sexually immoral those who practice magic arts the idolaters and all liars their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur this is the second death finally may I remind you again that abortion is murder. No way anyone tries to reason it differently. There is no such thing called Christian abortionist. It is not okay with God that any member of the so-called church be involved in making women sex slaves in the name of God. It is not okay that any human being, especially in the church, be involved in human trafficking and also use innocent little children for their sexual gratification. It is not okay for pastors to teach their congregations that there is more than one way to heaven besides through Jesus Christ, God's own son. You judge. What kind of fruit are these people producing? What kind of fruit are you personally producing? Do you take the grace of God lightly and compromise his distinct commands in a way that we should live as his children? Will your name be in the book of life? Paul declared in Titus 1 verse 15, To the pure in heart and conscience all things are pure, but to the defiled and corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are defiled and polluted. They profess to know God, to recognize, perceive, and be acquainted with him, but they deny and disown and renounce him by what they do. They are detestable and loathsome, unbelieving and disobedient and disloyal and rebellious. And they are unfit and worthless for the good work, the deed or enterprise of any kind. the Lamb's book of life confirms the appointment to salvation but according to Revelations chapter 3 verse 5 the baptized members are also threatened with the danger of being blotted out of the book if they do not remain loyal and conquer in the battle of sin and temptation until the end Revelation chapter 3 verse 5 declares yet you still have a few persons names in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes and they shall walk with me in white because they are worthy and deserving. Verse 5, he who conquers is victorious. Be clad in white garments and I will not erase or blot out his name from the book of life. I will acknowledge him as mine. I will confess his name openly before my father and before his angels. The indication here is that people who are written out of the book of life were those whose deeds did not conform to God's truth, to his will, and to his ways. Thus, they will fall into the final death. So, the bottom line here, dear listener, in this word today, all people who profess or claim to be a Christian and who may even appear to be believers, who seek to pervert the gospel from within the church and teach and advocate false doctrines which are evil will definitely, I say will definitely, be blotted out of the book of life and will forever be lost in eternal darkness. For those who choose life, please, can we always remember that our walk is a walk of faith until the end, until our last breath. Our goal is to inherit the crown of eternal life and live eternally with the one who died for us. Paul encourages us in this parting scripture, Philippians 2, verse 12. Therefore, my dear friends, as you've always obeyed, not only in my presence, now how much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. for it is God who works in you and wills to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and deprived generation in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. This walk is to the end. Yes, it is true that we must hold fast and continually work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Recalling the two women at the beginning of this word who were arguing and having great conflict and dispute between themselves. They caused such a big stir in the church. And to where leaders were compelled to write to Paul while he was in prison to inform him of this trouble. Paul, in essence, demanded that they get their act together. Yes, you must know, it is possible for those who diligently served, they stand to have their names written out of the book of life, because they lost sight of their real cause of mission in life, and that is their fellowship of love with Jesus Christ. It was neglected for another cause. Jesus asked Peter, who denied him three times, Peter, do you love me? This dear listener is what Jesus will be looking for in you and me. Are we presently producing viable and living fruit in our lives to prove our love to Christ? Are we able to examine our own consciences with a pure heart and sincere faith and know that we know for sure that our names are written in the Lamb's book of life, you judge. .

Playlist coming soon.