"IT'S ALL NEW"

Scripture Text: "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

Most of us have been foaming at the mouth - myself included (maybe more than most), about our new president and his "YES WE CAN" policy concerning " CHANGE" here in America.

Now, for those of you who are reading this Sunday message or listening by Radio from another part of the WORLD and you think that since I mentioned the Name Obama and the country of America that this doesn't concern you and you turn a deaf ear. BUT WAIT! Let me finish and you will see where I'm coming from here.

It's no secret that I believe in the IMMINENT RETURN of Jesus Christ "in the Rapture" according to Revelation 4:1; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3;9

Let me explain that the word "IMMINENT" means: near; at hand; and I do believe, without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is coming at any moment! PRAISE HIS NAME!

I believe now, more than ever, that GOD IS DOING A NEW THING! He said so way back in Isaiah concerning the Children of Israel, and you know there's one thing about God's WORD - it stands the test of time. If you are a child of God - and even if you're not... God says, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?" (Ref., Isaiah 43:19)

The difference is whether or not that NEW THING He is doing, will benefit you or not. If you are "in Him" the last part of that verse says, "I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert" will certainly benefit you.

If you are "in Him", He says there in verse 18:

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old."

If you are NOT "in Him" you will probably be swayed by every wind of doctrine and you will have no foundation, no peace; and no hope because your foundation and your peace and your hope was placed in an ideal rather than Christ alone. What does He say through the Prophet Isaiah about Himself?

"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no Saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God". (Isaiah 43:11,12)

But He's not done yet...

"Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? I am the LORD, your Holy one, the creator of Israel, your King". (Isaiah 43:13,15)

You see, whatever is happening in the WORLD today is not just man-made and it is not just President Obama or President George Bush's fault - or whomever else you would like to blame.  Change is a good thing because it stirs things up from what we have become "used to". HEAR ME HERE!

How many Brides-to-be do you hear saying, "Oh I'll wait until he asks me before I start making any plans"? How many Brides-to-be do you hear saying, "Oh I'll wait until he slips that ring on my finger before I start to lose weight"? If you're one of those - don't be surprised that your marriage - if it happens at all... will be dull and dry - and on the skids" within 6 months of the day he says "I do". That's why the Bible speaks of the "trimming of the lamp" there in Matthew 25:7 and I want to take a little time to look at that if you'll turn with me there to the 7th verse of Matthew 25.

"Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps." Mat 25:7 (KJV)

Now, what does it mean to "TRIM" their lamps? Why is that important to what we're talking about here?

Well... what was the title of today's message? "It's All New".

The Father God cannot except the church in it's current condition into His NEW Home that He has created for her. The Church of today thinks that she is, "...rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;" yet the Lord Jesus Himself says through the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation...

"knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Revelation 3:17- 21 (KJV)

When The Angels in their rapturous chorus begin to rehearse for the Coming of The Bride... all of the Heavens must be filled with those glorious WORDS by Ralph E. Hudson..

’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb;
’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb

Yet friend, many cannot pay their tithe without balking with a comeback. Many cannot read their Bible not even one chapter per day - lest you would miss some television program. Many cannot tell out the sweet story of Jesus for fear of retribution of their very own family members let alone your community or your state or the political pundits that would seek to destroy you and every thing you  hold dear - if they thought you truly believed and began to "LIVE LIKE" JESUS "WAS" coming soon - maybe even today!

Now, that did not come from me my friend that was Holy Ghost "speak" and not brother Clabaugh "speak" - for I am no  better than the worst of the worst. I have no right to stand in judgment of anyone hear this morning, but  when the unction of God moves upon me I cannot help but to proclaim it knowing that my wagging tongue and blaring voice may seem to be aimed at you this morning but it is humbling my own heart and bringing condemnation on my own soul to know that I AM NOT READY...  not like I should be. I have  not done enough, and have not lived my life like I should to prepare others for His coming. I pray, but I do not pray as I ought. I preach, but I do not have the fire that I once had in that I have at times become concerned that I do not offend someone with what I might say. Yet, it has become common place in this age to offend people - supposed children of God mind you - if you merely say, "Jesus is Coming Soon!" 

I have been hammered over that one over the past 6 months like never before. It used to be that they would say, "Tell me more". Now they as much as say, "SHUT UP PREACHER!  You're just scaring people - talking about the Great Tribulation and being thrown into the Lake of Fire. If you're going to preach - talk about love. Stop yelling at us about some fictitious hogwash about a RAPTURE!"

To that I say, CHRISTIANS !!!  SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS !!!

Wave the banner, shout His praises,
For our victory is nigh!
We shall join our conquering Savior,
We shall reign with Him on high!

’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb;
’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb

Why is all that it is happening in the WORLD - Stirring things up?

Because our Lord is looking for:

"...a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Eph 5:27 (KJV)

Well, let me quickly return this morning to what got me all going in the first place. Jesus tells his disciples a parable there in Matthew 25:7 and I've got to read it... he says:

Then shall the kingdom of heaven (or the coming of the Kingdom of God )be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Now Listen to this) While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (and What happened?) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom  cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps." Mat 25:1-7 (KJV)

What does it mean "trim the lamp" as mentioned here in Matthew 25:7?

Often with the old oil lamps there was old residue from times of previous burnings that needed to be cleaned out (REMOVED) that would hinder the "culture" of the lamp. The reservoir needed to have clean, fresh, oil in order to properly lighten the room or pathway it was being used to lighten.

In the same way we must in this time of shaking and stirring realize that it is the LORD - Oh I can hardly contain myself here... it is the Lord who has done this thing to "stir us up" and get us out of our lethargy - for He is about to put forth that MIDNIGHT CRY and only those who have trimmed their lamps and removed all that would hinder their light to be shining bright at his coming will be allowed into the feast and marriage supper of the Lamb. Friend there needs to be a removing of all that hinders the clear burning of our lives; removing what hindered the on fire testimonies that have all but gone silent; removing all of the darkness that brought nothing but degradation and certain death, bringing about RENEWAL AND REVIVAL and setting the CAPTIVE FREE in JESUS' Name.

I'm going to close this off here for today but I must ask you this morning, are you ready to admit that you are not all that you should be, and WILLING to do something about it?

You may have already called on the Name of The Lord to save you - yet you have been walking outside of His fellowship and you know it; and you want to get right with God today. Oh My friend. He loves you with an everlasting love and He will wash you as his WORD says, "whiter than snow". (ref., Psalms 51:7)

For those of you who have never excepted Jesus as your Saviour before I appeal to you today to let Jesus come into your heart and life. There is nothing you have ever done that God cannot forgive. He sent His Son Jesus to be the "propitiation" for your sins. All that means my friend is that He sent His only Son to be the Replacement... the Penalty, The Sacrifice for your sin and mine. And The Bible tells us in 1Pe 2:24

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 

Look at it there in the Old Testament where Isaiah records...

"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. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isa 53:5,6 (KJV)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:16-18 (KJV)

Are our ready should Jesus come today? Do you want to be? It starts with a simple prayer of asking Him to come into your heart and life and to save you from your sin. So you want to take that step today and ask Jesus to come into your heart? Just repeat these words after me...

Jesus, I realize I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. I repent of all of the sins I have committed Lord, even some that I don't even remember here this morning because it's been so long ago. But I surrender to you today Jesus and I ask you to forgive me of my sins and wash me whiter than snow as your WORD speak of. I lay everything at the foot of the Cross today and I receive you into my heart  right now. Be Lord of My heart this day, In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Friend if you prayed this prayer with us today the Bible says,

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2Co 5:17 (KJV)

YOU ARE TODAY A NEW PERSON IN CHRIST! PRAISE HIS NAME! NOW GO AND TELL SOMEONE. Just say, "I Just accepted Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Saviour. Get out your Bible and begin to read it... if you don't have one we'll send you one. Join with us here everyday at In The Garden and let God The Holy Spirit fill your life and begin leading you in your Christian Walk
with Christ.

Let me close in prayer now...

Father, you have been true to your WORD here today and you are being true to your WORD with all that is happening in the WORLD today. You are shaking us up and stirring us up and getting ready your bride to be without spot - washed in The Blood of The Lamb. We see that now Father and we, I ask that you would help me instant "in season" and "out of season" and that you will use me to lead  others to you before it is too late. Lord, give me the FIRE of Your Holy Ghost and let nothing ever hinder me from serving you to my fullest potential no matter what it may be. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.

 

 

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