Confrontation

There will be no progress of God's kingdom…



                                                                                                against satan’s kingdom…

WITHOUT CONFRONTATION.

Their belief system must be confronted,

their wicked hearts must be CONFRONTED and EXPOSED.

This will always bring OPPOSITION.

It will always bring a BACKLASH.

It will always bring PERSECUTION.

PERIOD.

Strongholds in the sinners heart and mind must be…

CONFRONTED

EXPOSED

and

 DESTROYED

by the truth of the WORD of GOD

in the Power of the HOLY GHOST.

Sinners must be AWAKENED before they can be CONVICTED

and must be CONVICTED before they can be CONVERTED.

Before there can be building and planting

there must be…

 rooting up,

tearing down,

pulling up,

throwing down…

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms,

to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down,

to build, and to plant.

Jeremiah 1:10

CONFRONTATION is the CATALYST for CONVICTION and CONVERSION.

When LIGHT meets face to face with DARKNESS…

There will always be CONFRONTATION.

When TRUTH  exposes LIES and DECEPTION…

There will always be CONFRONTATION.

When  HOLINESS collides with UNGODLINESS…

There will always be CONFRONTATION.

When the POWER of GOD meets the PRIDE of MAN…

There will always be CONFRONTATION.

When the SAINTS of GOD assail the kingdom of DARKNESS…

There will always be CONFRONTATION.

The SOLDIERS of the CROSS will not advance the battle…

without CONFRONTATION.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,

it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you

that ye should EARNESTLY CONTEND for the faith

which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude 1:3

The SAINTS of GOD  must CONTEND!

Persuading. Contending. Disputing.

And Stephen, full of faith and power,

did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist

the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

Acts 6:8-10

And he [Paul] went into the synagogue, and spake boldly

for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things

concerning the kingdom of God.  Acts 19:8

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he [Paul] departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.  Acts 19:9-10

Opposition. Persecution. Reproach.

But Peter and John answered and said unto them,

Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

Acts 4:19-21

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone,

they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews,

do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs,

which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:  Acts 16:19-23

Saints of GOD, YOU have a noble calling…

YOU must, without hesitation, attempt to reconcile…

Hostile, stiffnecked, unrepentant  REBELS

to a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS GOD.

This task requires a courageous HEART that is steadfast with God,

a LIFE that is marked by FAITH and HOLINESS

and GODLY CHARACTER tried by the fires of anguish and affliction.

GOD has entrusted YOU with a message of reconciliation…

HE expects YOU to deliver that message…

All of heaven is waiting upon it.

What are YOU going to DO about it?

Need more exhortation?  Start here…

This requires you to get your nose in your Bible and on your face before a holy God crying out, beseeching, petitioning, supplicating, seeking and asking Him for His power, grace, wisdom and anointing ...

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Acts 26:18

Inspired by “Confrontation” by Brother Micah Armstrong.

Dying For the Gospel

Jesus died and rose again to purify our hearts…

deliver us from the power of sin…

and forgive us from the penalty of sin which is hell.

There is also something else He came to deliver us from.

Forsasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; AND DELIVER THEM WHO THROUGH FEAR OF DEATH WERE ALL THEIR LIFETIME SUBJECT TO BONDAGE.

Hebrews 2:14-15

He came to deliver us from the fear of death.

The fear of death holds people in bondage and as a result they are never able

to submit themselves to the will of God to accomplish and fulfill 

the ministry He has for them to do…

because they fear the consequences.

BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME, NEITHER COUNT I MY LIFE DEAR UNTO MYSELF, SO THAT I MIGHT FINISH MY COURSE WITH JOY,

AND THE MINISTRY WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS,

TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

Acts 20:24-

Paul would never have been able to fulfill the ministry God had for him and finish his course if he had counted his life dear unto him.  

PLEASING GOD AND DOING THE WILL OF GOD,

was more important to Paul than his own life.

Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall LOSE HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE AND THE GOSPEL'S, the same shall save it.

Mark 8:34-35

Notice there is a distinction between the Lord's sake and the gospel's.

Many live for the Lord and serve Him by reading their bible, praying, living clean and moral, but never make any sacrifice to advance the gospel.

The real persecution, sacrifice, suffering, reproach,

and cross bearing comes for the gospel's sake.

Making an effort to advance the gospel

in a world that is hostile to it.

Saving our life and being unwilling to lose it renders us ineffective.

Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die,

it abideth alone: but if it die, it will bring forth more fruit.

John 12:24

We will never bring forth any fruit until we are willing to lose our life

not just for the Lord's sake but also for the gospel.

This is one major reason there is so little genuine fruit in our day in this country.

It is so much more than just being willing to take a bullet in the head

rather than deny the Lord and go to hell.

It is daily laying down our life, denying ourselves,

and allowing the Lord to live through us.

Sin certainly needs to be preached against but sin is so much more than just the lists we see in 1 Corinthians 6 and Galatians 5.

It is exalting our will above God's will

and living for ourselves rather than the glory of God.

Luke emphasized we must do this daily…

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luke 9:23

Jesus said He had power to lay His life down …

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.

I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received of my Father.  

John 10:17-18

and He gives that same power to His followers …

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:8

To be a witness meant to be a martyr…

And they OVERCAME HIM by the blood of the Lamb,

and the word of their testimony; and

THEY LOVED NOT THEIR LIVES UNTO THE DEATH.

Revelation 12:11

We will never be able to overcome the attacks of the devil

to stop us from serving God, fulfilling His purpose, and bearing fruit

as long as we hang onto our lives and are UNWILLING TO DIE.

We are only fooling ourselves if we think we will not deny the Lord

on the threat of death when we deny Him on a regular everyday basis

by refusing to lay down our lives

FOR THE SAKE OF HIM AND THE GOSPEL.

HANDS TO THE PLOW!

~ By Brother Micah Armstrong.

Bound for Rome

Paul’s journey to Rome…

was met with many difficulties…

He travelled as a prisoner…bound in chains.

He suffered perils at sea…and shipwreck.

He was stranded on an island…with Barbarians.

And bitten by a deadly viper...

And yet, he continued on…

Preaching. Healing. Overcoming.

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:  Acts 19:11

And so he sailed on…

ever fulfilling what God paced before him…

And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.  

Acts 28:11-14

Upon their arrival in Rome…

Paul was given some liberty…

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.   Acts 28:16

And after three days…

he called the chief of the Jews together…

…and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

For this cause therefore have I called for you,

to see you, and to speak with you:

because that for the hope of Israel

I am bound with this chain.

Acts 28:17-20

And they said unto him…

We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.   Acts 28:21-22

And so he taught them…

from morning till evening…

expounding the Kingdom of God…

and persuading them of Christ.

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

And some believed the things which were spoken,

and some believed not.

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

Saying, Go unto this people, and say…

Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand;

and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

For the heart of this people is waxed gross,

and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed;

lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart, and should be converted,

and I should heal them.

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.   Acts 28:23-30

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.   Acts 28:31

Steadfast. Valiant. Unwavering. Fixed.

Paul labored  among them…

with one goal in mind…

In his own words…

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

2 Corinthians 5:9-11

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds;

but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things

for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation

which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  

2 Timothy 2:9-10

What are you laboring for?

A Warm Welcome

“…lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.”

~ angel of the Lord

“Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.”

~Paul

Cold. Wet.  Stranded…

276 souls escaped to safety…

and were met with a warm welcome…

And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.  Acts 28:2

This situation unfolded…

just as it was shown to Paul…

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. … for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.   Acts 27:22,25,26

Moreover, the people of that place…

had no idea…

that they were about to encounter…

The Living God!

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.  Acts 28:3,5

And when the barbarians saw…

the venomous beast hang on his hand…

they said among themselves…

No doubt this man is a murderer, whom,

though he hath escaped the sea,

yet vengeance suffereth not to live.  

Acts 28:4

Astounded, and expecting the worst…

they watched Paul…

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.   Acts 28:6

Once again God manifested Himself through Paul.

The barbarians could not refute what they had just witnessed.

Paul should have been dead…

But God’s plan was still unfolding!

The chief offered him lodgings…

In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.  

Acts 28:7

And Paul was immediately put to work…

ministering a healing touch…

for the sake of Jesus Christ…

And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:   Acts 28:8-9

After three months…

Paul and his company, departed…

receiving many honors  and gifts from the people there.

Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.   Acts 28:10

Paul walked with God…

and all who encountered  Paul…

encountered  his God.

A God with POWER to save…

A God with POWER to deliver…

A God with POWER to heal…

Have you encountered HIM?

A Perilous Journey

“Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.”

~ Festus.

And when it was determined…

that we should sail into Italy…

they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius,

a centurion of Augustus' band.  Acts 27:1

And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.  Acts 27:2

And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;  And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.  Acts 27:7-8

Now when much time was spent…

and when sailing was now dangerous…

because the fast was now already past…

Paul admonished them…

And said unto them…

Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage,

not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 

Acts 27:9-10

Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.   Acts 27:11

Determined to press onward…

they set sail…

And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

Acts 27:13-17

And were met with…

a furious storm upon the seas…

just as Paul warned!

And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.  Acts 27:18-20

In the midst of this great storm…

one man stood up…

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.  Acts 27:21

Steady. Composed. Confident.

Paul  addressed the company…

with a message of hope…

and deliverance.

And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying…

Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar:

and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.  Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.   Acts 27:22-26

Notwithstanding, the storm continued…

and the ship was tossed and driven by the sea…

until men feared for their lives…

Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,  Acts 27:29-30

Again, Paul warned…

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

Acts 27:31-32

And he ministered  to the company…

encouragement, hope…

                                                                and strength for the journey…

And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.   

Acts 27:33-37

And when it was day…

…they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

 the ship was run aground…

and lost upon the rocks…

And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.  Acts 27:39-41

Albeit, not one soul was lost to the stormy seas…

And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship.

And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Acts 27:42-44

One ship…. bearing precious cargo…

tossed about in a violent, stormy sea…

276 souls…

lingering at the brink of death…

hopeless, fearful and faint…

One man stood up…

Steadfast. Fearless. Bold.

and ministered LIFE to the assembly.

A promise of hope, in the midst of the storm.

A promise of strength in the time of need.

A promise of life in the face of death.

How was Paul able to stand confident and fearless in this great time of desperation and need?

In his own words…

…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, 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: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 

Philippians 3:8-10

To KNOW God.   To KNOW His voice.   To KNOW His fellowship.

Makes all the difference.

Do you Know His voice?