Author: Pastor Dennis Williams | Page 31 | Answers to Life Ministry

Weakness To A Rock

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL GROWTH?

The process of development and maturing refers to God’s kingdom and the spiritual development of believers. Scripture uses images of growth (such as seeds, plants, and infants) to stress the dynamic nature of personal faith and the kingdom of God.

2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen

SPIRITUAL GROW FROM INFANCY TO MATURITY SHOWN IN :
Eph 4:13–15: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
• Growing can be painful
• We see and go through a lot
• But we should progress from being baby Christians to Mature Christians
• Till Jesus comes
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
• We should measure our growth
• Not by comparing ourselves among ourselves
• But through the Word of God
• The true measuring rod

WE CAN ALSO USE THE LIVES OF A BIBLICAL CHARACTER LIKE MOSES, PAUL OR PETER
• We will look at Peter today
• We can see how our spiritual life has grown as quickly as his
GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECTION
• He just wants us to grow and make progress
• God doesn’t love Peter more than he loves us
• He is not a respecter of persons
James 2:9: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Romans 2:11: For there is no respect of persons with God.
• God does not show favoritism
• When Jesus died His Blood, sacrifice was for the whole world.
• What God did for Peter He is willing and ready to do for us

PETER WAS CALLED TO LEAVE EVERYTHING AND FOLLOW JESUS
Matt 4:18-20: And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.19And he saith unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
• Peter didn’t have the Cross and the Resurrection to look back to
• Like we do
• Peter left his lucrative fishing business
o And became a fisher of men
o With his brother Andrew
o And the Zebedee brothers James and John
o Who also became disciples of Jesus
o PETER LEFT ALL HE KNEW ON THIS EARTH TO FOLLOW JESUS
o THE THINGS OF THIS EARTH GREW STRANGELY DIM

DO YOU REMEMBER THE DAY THAT YOU MET JESUS?
AND YOU WERE WILLING TO LEAVE IT ALL JUST FOR HIM?
• Are you still there, or have you slid back a bit?

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD AND CONTINUE TO GROW IN JESUS CHRIST!

Growth shown as Seeds and plants

Luke 8:14–15 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

The apostles worked and prayed for growth in believers
2 Co 13:9: For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

Growth In faith
2 Corinthians 10:15–16 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

False Prophets And Their Deceit

By Pastor Dennis Williams

A false prophet is anyone who falsely claims to speak on God’s behalf. They are denounced in the OT and NT for leading people astray. Scripture provides criteria by which true prophets may be recognized and distinguished from false prophets, who often speak from corrupt motives.

MATTHEW 7: vs. 15-16
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
• We just witnessed where so-called prophets were exposed
• Inwardly they were ravening wolves
• Some even appeared to be ravening wolves outwardly
• These prophets said, ” God told them, or God showed them”
o That the former president was going to have a second term
o Which did not come to pass

SCRIPTURE CONCERNING FALSE SIGNS AND WONDERS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew 24:10–11: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:24 says: For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

SCRIPTURE SAY THE SIGNS AND WONDERS WILL BE SO INTENSE THAT IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THE VERY ELECT WOULD BE DECEIVED.
STAY CLOSE TO JESUS, AND THE WORD OF GOD AND DON’T TAKE DECEPTION FOR GRANTED, AND YOU WILL REMAIN THE “ELECT”
• Many are being conned and tricked nowadays because they are following false signs and wonders.
• And thereby are following false doctrine and false prophets
• So, you cannot always tell how a minister looks
o What they are saying
o Or even what they are preaching
o Some preach other people’s sermons
o But their spirit is not correct.

SOME FRUITS OF FALSE PROPHETS
False Prophets messages originate with themselves
Jeremiah 23:16: Thus, saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

Their messages may be brought on by popular demand
Jeremiah 29:8–9: 8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

Their messages may be given for a financial reward
Micah 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, And the priests thereof teach for hire, And the prophets thereof divine for money: Yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? None evil can come upon us.

Their messages may be the result of deception
Ezekiel 14:9: And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

Their messages may be inspired by divination
Jeremiah 14:14: Then the LORD said unto me, the prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and His Word and not on signs and wonders and miracles.

Stay close to the Word of God. You may be the only Bible that some will ever read. Cherish the truth of the Word of God. Repent if you have sat under or are under a false prophet. If you are a leader within the Body of Christ, repent publicly while you have the chance , for prophesying something that did not come to pass. May God bless you and use you in the coming days ahead as you are obedient to His Word.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Beware of False Prophets

By Pastor Dennis Williams

JESUS PREDICTED THE GREAT APOSTASY FROM CHRISTIANITY
Matthew 24:10-13: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
• Many Christian’s first love has grown cold
o They were once hot
o But now they are cold
o Some are confused as to why they are cold
• Because vs. 12 said, “iniquity is abounding.”
o Iniquity is: sinfulness, evil, wickedness, crime immorality
o Sin is abounding: flourishing, it is thriving, and abundant
o Their “first love for Jesus” is waxing (growing) cold
Vs. 13 of Matthew 24 said: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS, NOT THE INIQUITY

SO, WHAT IS A PROPHET:
A prophet receives messages from God concerning events that will take place in the future and then takes that message to a person or group of people whom God intends to hear the message.
THE BIBLE SHOWS THAT GOD ORDAINS TRUE PROPHETS
1 Cor 12:28-29: And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
Ephesians 4:11: And he (GOD) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
• The purpose is in vs. 12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: vs. 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
• These offices are NOT to receive the worship of people
• Or to make people idols

GOD USED A PROPHET TO PROPHESY THE MESSIAH WOULD BE BORN IN BETHLEHEM
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
o And hundreds of years later, the Word is fulfilled in Jesus Christ
o Which increased the truth and validity of the scripture

PROPHETS ALSO DELIVERED GODS’ WORD TO SINFUL PEOPLE
John the Baptist: Matt 3:2: And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

1 John 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Repentance Revival Healing

By Pastor Dennis Williams

Psalm 85:6: Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Revival is to restore, recover, or to repair
• Restoration of joy, liveliness, and strength
• Restore hunger for truth and holiness of the Word of God
• To the believer, the Body of Christ
• So the world will know Jesus Christ is Lord
THE BIBLE TELLS US TO BREAK UP THE FALLOW GROUND
Hosea 10:12 says: Sow to yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord till He come and reign righteousness upon you.
Jeremiah 4:3: For thus saith, the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
Fallow ground:has once been tilled but has gotten hard, and now lies waste. This ground has to be broken up and cleared of thorns and weeds before sowing seeds in it again.
THESE PROPHETS ARE SAYING: Break off your evil ways, repent of your sins, cease to do evil, and then the good seed of the word will have room to grow and bear fruit.

WE AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND AS A NATION NEED A REVIVAL
Acts 3:19: Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
• To have that refreshing
• The prophet John the Baptist said:
• Bring forth fruits meet for repentance: Matt 3:8,
o Or Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance
o Or to show that you are repentant
o Repentance is a turning away from
• Jesus said: His followers are known by their fruit – Matt 7:20
• The fruit of the Spirit is in Galatians 5
o Violence and fighting are not among the fruits of the Spirit
o They are works of the flesh

Romans 8:1: There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Vs. 5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Vs.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity(hostile) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Vs.8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
• The flesh or carnal nature of people is hostile
• The flesh not subject to the Law of God

THE BIBLE TELLS US TO PRAY FOR THE LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY THAT WE MAY LIVE IN PEACE
1 Timothy 2: 1-4: 1 I exhort (encourage) therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
• Doesn’t say if you agree or like them to pray for them
• The encouragement is to pray for them.
o “that we may live a quiet and peaceable life.”
o Presently in our Nation, we have not experienced peace or quiet
• NOWHERE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT ARE CHRISTIANS TOLD TO:
 Physically fight for the cause of justice and peace
 Any Christian that becomes part of physical violence:
• Promotes it
• Or glad that it happens
• Or thinks it needs to happen
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET ON YOUR FACE IN PRAYER AND FASTING BEFORE THE LORD
• Get right with Jesus
• He is coming soon!
He is coming like a thief to those that are not looking for Him

OUR ENEMY IS SPIRITUAL WE FIGHT WITH SPIRITUAL WEAPONS
2 Corinthians10:3-5:For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

USE THE NAME OF JESUS ANOTHER POWERFUL WEAPON
Proverbs: 18:10: The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous runneth into it and is safe.
Matthew 28:18:And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
JESUS GAVE US AUTHORITY TO USE HIS NAME
Mark 16:17-18: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Prayer and Fasting Rocket Booster

By Pastor Dennis Williams

1 Corinthians 9:27: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

PRAYER AND FASTING ARE SUPERNATURAL AND BENEFIT US AS HUMAN BEINGS WHILE ON THIS EARTH
• But Stay in the Bible
• Or you may get on the wrong road
• DON’T SEEK THE SUPERNATURAL
o The Devil can give it to you
• SEEK JESUS NOT THE SUPERNATURAL
• Many a Christian has gotten messed up
o With Angels of Light
o False Holy Ghost voice
o Another Jesus and Another Gospel
2 Corinthians 11:4: For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:7 Which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

JESUS ENCOURAGED US TO GENUINE AND SINCERE WHEN DOING SPIRITUAL THINGS
JESUS ENCOURAGED US TO PRAY IN
Matthew 6:5-6: And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you; they have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
• This verse is not against praying in Public
• The issue in these scriptures is not where but why
• We do spiritual things towards the Lord
• Not for recognition or praise of people
• This type of recognition or praise is your “reward.”
JESUS ENCOURAGED US TO FAST IN:
Matthew 6:17-18: But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head and wash thy face;18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
The rest of those verses say: vs.19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
• Is our focus on the treasures and pleasures of this earth?
• Things that make us feel good
• Things that taste good
FASTING IS ABOUT DENYING OURSELVES FOR PERIODS OF TIME
• Some of these pleasures and treasures
• And focus on our spirit man and our relationship with the Lord
• Not for a selfish reason like “losing weight.”
• But to get closer to the Lord

Proverbs 25:28 – He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Mountain of Sin Crushed

By Pastor Dennis Williams

AFTER JESUS WE ARE NO LONGER SUPPOSE TO BE SLAVES TO SIN

Romans 6:6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye, not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (reprobate: having or showing no moral principles, corrupt, hardened, perverted, sinful, lewd, rude)
• We cannot change all by ourselves
• Only Jesus can make the change from inside out
• Only Jesus can change our friends and family
o We can’t fix them – Only Jesus can
We have to rely on the Lord and His righteousness

Philippians 3:8-9: Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
• Don’t let guilt from the evil one hold you back
• If you feel that you have failed God
• He is there to pick you up again
• BIG SIN may have bound you
• Jesus Blood paid the price for it all

SIN WILL MAKE YOU FEEL SEPARATED FROM GOD
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
THE BIBLE SAYS DYING IN SIN IS ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD
Rev 20:15: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

• Don’t sin because you have forgiveness
• Quickly get your sin under the Blood of Jesus
• Repent and turn from your sin
• Don’t let sin a mountain of sin build up

1 John 2:1-6 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.3 And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments.4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth, not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

BECAUSE OF BEING BORN IN SIN, WE NEED TO BE BORN AGAIN
John 3:3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
• We are spiritually dead before Jesus
• And cannot receive the New Life
• We ask Jesus for this new life
Romans 10:9: 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.