Author: Pastor Dennis Williams | Page 40 | Answers to Life Ministry

Mourning Sin

Matthew 5:4: Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted
Just as “poverty of spirit” has nothing to do with our finances,
• “mourning” has nothing to do with the natural life
• but, rather…like poverty of spirit…refers to our spiritual condition.
One definition of Mourning or to mourn
• To Mourn: is to feel regret or sadness about
o Like we would after the death of someone we love
o Unless they are a Christian
o We will miss them
• But we like to say that have received “THEIR CORONATION DAY” (THEIR CROWNING DAY) WITH JESUS CHRIST
JESUS IS ALSO TALKING ABOUT A MOURNING OF THE SPIRIT
• TO Mourn over sin

Luke 18:9-14: Jesus addresses the Religious Hypocrite and Ones that had no religion. Vs 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

IN VERSE 11 OF LUKE CHAPTER 18 THE PHARISEE WAS COMPARING HIMSELF TO PEOPLE AND NOT GOD
• He was self-righteous
o said in vs 11 God I thank you that I am not like other man are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican
• A hypocrite will always find someone that they feel they are better than
• A Christian is not better than anyone else
• We are not the judges of the World Jesus is

Romans 3:10: As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:23-24: All have sinned and come short of the glory of God 24 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 4:24-25 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

THE PUBLICAN KNEW HIS SINFUL STATE
• He saw himself in the Light of Jesus
• A sinner, he mourned his sin
Vs 13: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Psalm 51:17: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
James 4:8-9 Tells Christians to mourn, grieve and howl over their sins
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, (grieved) and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
• Sin is deceitful
• A person that is deceived doesn’t know they are deceived
• Sin change our thinking we will not even realize we are deceived when we sin!
Heb 3: 12-14: 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

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. Now, 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.

Proud Heart

By Pastor Dennis Williams

God controls the “heart.” Because of his natural “heart,” man’s only hope is in the promise of God:
•Ezek. 36:26 “A new heart also will I give you, … and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh”
• So the sinner prays: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” Ps. 51:10;
• and “… unite my heart [give me an undivided heart] to fear thy name” Ps. 86:11. Also, as David says, “I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness” 1 Chron. 29:17.
• Hence God’s people seek His approval: “… try my reins and my heart” Ps. 26:2.
The “heart” stands for the inner being of man, the man himself.
• As such, it is the fountain of all he does Proverbs 4:4: He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
• All his thoughts, desires, words, and actions flow from deep within him. Yet a man cannot understand his own “heart” Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
• As a person goes on in their own way, their “heart” becomes harder and harder. But God will circumcise (cut away the uncleanness of) the “heart” of His people, so that they will love and obey Him with their whole being
Deut. 30:6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

HOW TO DEVELOP HUMILITY OR THE STATE OF BEING HUMBLE
James 4:7-10 : Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
• Humility means being honest about who we are and what we need.
• Humility opens wide the door to the skeletons in our closets.
• If we make the dark places within us known, the devil cannot use what is hidden to blackmail us.
Psa. 9:12 Cry of the humble.
Prov. 29:23 Honour shall uphold the humble.
2 Chron. 7:14 Humble – pray – seek – turn.
Isa. 57:15 Contrite and humble spirit.
James 4:6 Giveth grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5-6 Be clothed with humility.
Don’t ask God to Humble you: 1 Peter 5:6: Says to Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
THE CLASHING WORLDLY OPPOSITE HUMILITY IS PRIDE AND PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE
We must ask the Lord to reveal pride in our lives
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THE TERM IS USED “PUFFED UP”
1 Cor. 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
1 Cor. 4: 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
1 Cor 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Jas. 4:16: 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:
Isa 9:9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
Isa. 10:33: Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
Isaiah 2:12: For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
Prov: 29:23: A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit
FRUITS OF PRIDE
• An Independent Spirit. Pride promotes rebellion against authority.
• Unforgiving Attitude. Pride is unable to truly forgive.
• Fear Of Man. Pride forces us to dwell on and cultivate the praise of men, not the praise of God.
• Self-Pity. The answer to self-analysis and pity is humility.
• The “I’m Better Than You” attitude. Competition and comparison are generated by pride. To exist, pride must attach itself to something concrete like race, upbringing, theology, etc. It seeks to establish unity in something other than the cross.
• Island Mentality. Pride says it doesn’t need anyone or anything else. Humility longs for others in an attitude of servanthood.

Your First Love

By Pastor Dennis Williams

Jesus examines and evaluates Churches different than people

• The church we think is rich may be poor in God’s sight
Like the Church of Laodicea in Rev 3:17: Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
While the poor church is actually rich The Church of Smyrna in Rev 2:9: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

ONLY THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH JESUS CHRIST CAN KNOW THE TRUE CONDITION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PEOPLE

• Jesus alone sees the inside and outside
Rev 2:23: ….and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
JESUS GIVES EACH OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA MINOR A LOOK FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE
• But Jesus intended for all “churches” to benefit from His messages
Rev 2:7: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
Rev 2:11: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (The judgment of unbelievers) Rev 20:12-15

So, Jesus showed His approval for the Church at Ephesus’ work in Rev 2: 1-3 and vs 6

1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. VS 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
• They were an active church
• They were a discerning church: could discern false ministers and prophets
• They were a sacrificing hard-working church the point of exhaustion
• They were a steadfast assembly: Had been tried by False ministers, the occult and demonic oppression and had not become weary
• Kept going when the going was tough
• They seemed to have everything going for them and had it all together

BUT IN VERSE 4 AND 5 CAME THE HEART ISSUE:

Rev 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
• They left their “first love”
• They sacrificed a relationship with Jesus Christ with “working for the Lord”
• They fell into a habit
• The light shines in the World as the light shines through His people
• THE ONLY POWER WE HAVE IS THROUGH THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

TRUST IN THE LORD. TRUST AND OBEY THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!

Obedience:

Rev 1:3: 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Rev 2: 25-26 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Trust in the Lord (Don’t Worry)

Jeremiah 17:7, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.”
Psalms 4:5, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”
Psalms 5:11: But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”

Self-Deception

By Pastor Dennis Williams

JAMES SHOWS THAT WE HAVE THREE RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS GOD’S WORD:
1. Receive the Word of God
In James 1:21: He says received the engrafted or “implanted word”
• Let that word get down into your bone marrow
WE HAVE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER MATT 13:1-9
• Jesus compared God’s Word to Seed and the Human Heart was the soil
JESUS DESCRIBED FOUR KINDS OF HEARTS
1. The Hard Heart- which did not understand or receive the Word and therefore bore no fruit- The Devil comes and steals the Word
2. The Shallow Heart– Very emotional but had not depth in time of trials and testing fall away and bore no fruit-
3. The Crowded Heart– Lacked repentance and permitted sin and cares of this life to crowd out the Word
4. The Fruitful Heart- Allowed the Word to take root, and produced a harvest of Fruit
We started talking about The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount
Fruit of Christian Character and Conduct for the Glory of God
• Purpose is to show the Glory to God
• What God has done
John 15:16 – Parable of the Vine_ The Union Between Jesus and His Church
Jesus said in vs 16: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
• Jesus chose us and “ordained” or appointed us to bring forth fruit
• Then he gave us the privilege to knock on Heaven’s Door
• “That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you
Other Fruit may be winning souls for Christ
1. Winning souls to Christ- Romans 1:16: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
2. Growing in Holy Living– Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
3. Growing in Spiritual Character -Gal 5:22-23- 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

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. Now, 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.

God In The Flesh

By Pastor Dennis Williams

JESUS CHRIST WHO IS FULLY GOD, WAS WITH GOD “BEFORE THE WORLD WAS” BECAME MAN.
John 1:1-3: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (Then in vs 14 says) 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 17:3-5 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

PROPHECY SHOWS THAT THE MESSIAH WOULD SUFFER FOR THE FINAL DEFEAT OF SATAN: HE SUFFERED IN OUR PLACE
Isaiah 53:3-6 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

JESUS CHRIST IS MEEKNESS AND MAJESTY- A MYSTERY
Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
• Meekness: righteous, humble, teachable, and patient under suffering, long suffering
Meekness: righteous, humble, teachable, and patient under suffering, long suffering willing to follow the Lord’s teachings
• We will participate in Christ’s exaltation in proportion to our participation in His humanity.
• The more we give up, the more we get back;
• the greater the humiliation, the greater the exaltation;
• the greater the battle, the greater the victory.
• Without the cross, there is no crown”
THE LORD UNDERSTANDS US AND LOVES US
• The Lord was tempted Yet without sin.
• He understands our weaknesses
• We can go to Him without fear and ask His help
Hebrews 4:14-16: 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

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. Now, 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.

The Poor In Spirit Pt2

By Pastor Dennis Williams

WE WANT TO KEEP OUR SPIRITS OPEN TO THE LORD THROUGH HIS WORD

THE BEATITUDES FROM THE’ SERMON ON THE MOUNT ARE POSITIVE CHARACTER TRAITS FOR THE CHRISTIAN

CHRISTIANS BRING A LOT OF BAGGAGE INTO THE FAITH- ALL ABOUT LIVING AND LEARNING HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN

MATTHEW 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• In other words, happy are the Humble or have humility in spirit
• The humble-minded, not self-seeking nor over-confident.
• MORE OF JESUS AND LESS OF US
Humility: is the state of being Humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; a modest estimate of one’s worth.
• We are called upon to be humble followers of Christ and trust in Him
• Not an “I have arrived attitude “
• “I know more than the average Christian”
• “I’ve gained everything I need to gain from the Lord.”
• We are always growing in Christ
• Or stagnate or backslidden
• OR PRIDEFUL
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

A SPIRIT OF HUMILITY OR A HUMBLE SPIRIT HAS TO RULE IN OUR LIVES
James 4:10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
• Emptied of the things of this world
• Of the flesh
• Unclean and unholy spirits
• Filled with the Spirit of God
Proverbs 16:18-19: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Colossians 3:12: Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.