Garden Ministry: Break Every Chain

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:37-40

Christ identified himself with the necessities of his people. Their needs and their sufferings were his. According to history, these character traits of Christ were seen in the early church, and will be seen in the CHURCH today. But over the last number of years since 1798, there has been a falling way of the character traits of the membership of those who perface the name of Christ.

The question we need to ask ourselves today is, ‘What has caused the fall away?

The apostle Paul gives insight in warning the church of his day. “That day shall not come,” he says, “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

"Not till after the great apostasy, and the long period of the reign of the “man of sin,” can we look for the advent of our Lord. The “man of sin,” which is also styled “the mystery of iniquity,” “the son of perdition,”...... which, as foretold in prophecy, was to maintain its supremacy for 1260 years. This period of time started in 538 A.D, and ended in 1798 A.D. The coming of Christ could not take place before that time. Paul covers with his caution the whole of the Christian dispensation down to the year 1798. It is this side of that time that the message of Christ’s second coming is to be proclaimed."

In our churches there is a work to be done of which many have little idea, a work as yet almost untouched. What will it take for us to appreciate the movement of the Holy Spirit among us?

Today God is moving in ways, and through people we lest expect. Through these ways and people who have not been recognized by their churches, denominations and organizations. The community outreach program of the LORD in moving forward. These faithful steward, like Dorcas, are reaching their communities, and turning hearts to Jesus. Because they believe with a passion, that they are called to serve others. Some have given up homes, jobs, fame, and families to follow Jesus, and support the church.

In Acts 9:32, 36, 39 the work of Dorcas comes to light, and was organized. The Dorcas Society consisted of groups of women who met frequently to provide clothes, food, and/or money for families in the church or the immediate community who had temporary needs. Later, several churches wanted to involve men and started the idea of a co-ed Good Samaritan Society. In this modern dispensation of the church, the broaden of the concept of service to address an increasingly urbanized society has been put to Gods children again. But what will they do?

Sad to say, many church going people have no faith in God. And the world has lost confidence in them. They appreciate acts of sympathy and helpfulness, but show very little themselves, to others.

But as the world see those truehearted Christian's with no inducement of earthly praise or compensation from their church ministering to the needs of men, and coming to their homes, ministering their sickness, feeding their hungry, clothing them who are naked, bringing comforting to them, and tenderly pointing them to Jesus of whose love and pity the human worker is but the messenger- as they see this, their hearts are touched. Gratitude springs up, faith is kindled. They see that God cares for them, and as His Word is opened they are prepared to listen.

My friends, I need not remind you, "there are stormy times before us, but we must know how to trust, and lay hold on the Source of our strength." Jesus!

ISAIAH 43:4 says, ... "you are precious in my eyes ... and I love you." (ESV)

The church is very precious in God’s sight. He values it, not for its external advantages, but for the sincere piety which distinguishes it from the world. He estimates it according to the growth of the members in the knowledge of Christ, according to their progress in spiritual experience, and not according to there names on their church roll.

Christ hungers to receive from His vineyard the fruit of holiness and unselfishness. He looks for the principles of love and goodness. Not all the beauty of art can bear comparison with the beauty of temper and character to be revealed in those who are Christ’s representatives. It is the atmosphere of grace which surrounds the soul of the believer, the Holy Spirit working upon mind and heart, that makes him a savor of life unto life, and enables God to bless his work.

In the days of Jesus, the Jewish leaders looked with pride upon their magnificent temple, and the imposing rites of their religious service upon the people; but justice, mercy, and the love of God were lacking. Believe it or not, these are some of the same things lacking in denominations of the world today. Justice, mercy, and the love of God, and men.

The glory of the temple, the splendor of their service, could not recommend them to God; for that which alone is of value in His sight they did not offer. They did not bring Him the sacrifice of a humble and contrite spirit. It is when the vital principles of the kingdom of God are lost that ceremonies become multitudinous and extravagant.

It is when the character building is neglected, when the adornment of the soul is lacking, when the simplicity of godliness is lost sight of, that pride and love of display demand magnificent church edifices, splendid adornings, and imposing ceremonials. In all this God is not honored. A fashionable religion that consists of ceremonies, pretense, and display, is not acceptable to Him. Its services call forth no response from the heavenly messengers.

Isaiah 29:13 - 16
13 "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nearme with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart farfrom me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudentmen shall be hid.

15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knowethus?

16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay:for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?"

In this world in which we live today, there are to many people taken a low approach to life, and because of this, spiritual things are lad aside. Infect, because they think so low of themselves, they think others are thinking of them in the same way. So they cover up the truth of who they are with lies, things, or they live a drunken life.

In the professed Christian world there is enough expended in extravagant display, of jewels and ornaments, to supply the wants of all the hungry and clothe the naked in our towns and cities; and yet these professed followers of the meek and lowly Jesus need not deprive themselves of suitable food or comfortable clothing. What will these church members say when confronted in the day of God by the worthy poor, the afflicted, the widows and fatherless, who have known pinching want for the meager necessities of life, while there was expended by these professed followers of Christ, for superfluous clothing, and needless ornaments expressly forbidden in the Word of God, enough to supply all their wants?

As they have measured themselves by things they have. They have even gone as far to tell you when is the best time of the year to buy the best stuff, or get the best discounts. For instance did you know that the best day to buy chocolate it is in February - Right after Valentine's Day, you can find even the fancy stuff cheap.

Best day to buy Luggage: - March- New luggage styles arrive in March in anticipation for summer travel, so you can find great deals on last year's suitcases.

Best day to buy Cookware: - April and May - Graduation and wedding seasons are fast approaching, meaning you'll find good deals on kitchen supplies — particularly over Memorial Day weekend.

Then don't forget Black Friday - this is a day for big discounts in many areas.

And although this may seem wonderful for those who love to buy new things. This is what the Bible calls drunkenness, which is caused by an over taxation of the body, and mind through intemperance to work, eating, and play.

The word of the Lord says He made each one of us unique, individual, and one-of-a-kind. No one has ever or will ever walk the earth who is exactly the same. We are his masterpieces; made in his image and called to live out our God-given identity as his sons and daughters in service.

The Bible tells us time and time again that we're priceless to God, yet it's easy to lose sight of just how much value God has placed on you. Isaiah 43:1-2 / Psalm 139:13-16 / Jeremiah 31:3 / Isaiah 49:16 / Ephesians 2:10. Yet we as humans are all in need of something to satisfy our spiritual mental and physical being.

But at the same time, we should never forget the work of gathering in the needy, the oppressed, the suffering, the destitute, which is the very work of every church that believes the truth in Jesus for this time. We are called to show the tender sympathy of the Samaritan in supplying physical necessities, in feeding the hungry, bringing the poor that are cast out to our homes, gathering from God every day grace and strength that will enable us to reach to the very depths of human misery and help those who cannot possibly help themselves. In doing this work we have a favorable opportunity to set forth Christ the crucified One.

Every church member should feel it his special duty to labor for those living in his neighborhood. Study how you can best help those who take no interest in religious things. As you visit your friends and neighbors, show an interest in their spiritual as well as in their temporal welfare. Present Christ as a sin-pardoning Saviour.

In the Isaiah 58, the work that the people of God are to do in Christ’s lines is clearly set forth. They are to break every yoke, they are to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked.... If they carry out the principles of the law of God in acts of mercy and love, they will represent the character of God to the world, and receive the richest blessings of Heaven. Let us take a look at some of these blessings.

1 John 3:1 - "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

. Zephaniah 3:17 - "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."

At 90 years years, the former soldier, journalist, prolific author, politician and statesman during the first half of the 20th century, Sir. Winston Churchill had many opportunities to influence world events. Being a natural statesman, and a great writer, he was very good it was said, of him putting that wisdom to use.

One of the things Sir. Winston Churchill use to say was, “There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true.” “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” “The price of greatness is responsibility.”

Friends, God has not forgotten His responsibility to you.

The truth be told, "men in high positions of responsibility cannot be trusted to mold and fashion other men’s minds and characters. The result will be a loss of confidence even in the management of faithful men"....