Disciples May Vary

King James Version Chapter 19

19 And it came to pass, that, while aApollos was at bCorinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to cEphesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard dwhether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto eJohn’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, fJohn verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that gthey should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, hthey were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had ilaid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they jspake with tongues, and kprophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve. 8 And he went linto the synagogue, and mspake boldly for the space of three months, ndisputing and opersuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of pthat way before the multitude, he departed qfrom them, and separated the rdisciples, ndisputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10 And this continued by the space of stwo years; so that all they which dwelt in tAsia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Here we read of Paul’s Aegean ministry, arguably the most important time of Paul’s life, and how he came in contact with some of John the Baptist's disciples. These men where most likely on the “the way” toward Christ, but hadn’t gotten very far. Notice how they had not even heard of such a Holy Spirit. This marker could identify that these very men had held the teaching of John the Baptist, but it most likely fell on his ethical teaching versus preparing the way for Christ.

\ In other words, they had a standing knowledge of what God wanted from them, but not the whole package!!! /

Your Mileage May Vary

ymmv

Internet shorthand used to represent 'your mileage may vary' meaning 'how far you will be able to go depends on (usually external) factors relating to yourself', such as locality.

In my words: “This worked for me, but it may not work for you or your results may vary.”

Unfortunately, Christendom faces this term in their worship services, biblical doctrine, holiness standards, and preaching of truth.

Many have accepted that the gospel that worked for the orginal 12 will not work for today.

I don’t know about you, but my Bible still stands true in 2020 as it did in on the Day of Pentecost where the 120 were filled with the Holy Ghost!

The Power of God still falls today

We still speak in tongues as the Holy Ghost gives the utterance today!

And we still are baptized into Jesus name after repentance.

Note: The baptism of repentance came before the covenant baptism of Jesus Christ!

As Brother St. Claire spoke at NYC, are we really Apostolic if we aren’t in Covenant? If we take the NT circumcision, but fail to commune with God are we really in covenant?

When’s the last time you were slain in the spirit. When’s the last time you stopped worrying about the clock and got a hold of Jesus!?

The Church Today: Many Disciples who have heard the beginning of the Gospel

Liken the generalized Christian faith to the Disciples of John…they’ve got something, but not the whole thing

Today, we deal with many who have the gospel in some form or the other

Many “Christians” today know:

Jesus died for their sins

Jesus loves them (to some degree, but they don’t expect God to intervene in their everyday life)

They should be baptized, but do not usually understand that declares one must be baptized in water and Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God

God hears their prayer, but rarely ever know him to speak back into their life

Should read the Word, but fail to understand that God resides in His Word. For He is the Word (John1:1 IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.)

Much of Christendom is not monotheistic, but believe in a triune God: The Trinity

Much of Christendom is not monotheistic, but believe in a triune God: The Trinity

The question the should much discussed is are these modes of one God operating through various offices or coexistent beings?

We who identify as Apostolic Pentecostal know this answer, but the question is as to why? Today’s American society lacks faith and wants to know why we do what we do. Be prepared to give an answer for why you are Apostolic. The Apostles were not afraid to give an account for what they believed:

8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10 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.

Knowing God as the Father: The Father identified as one according to a Monotheistic Hermeneutic -

(Cited: Bernard, David. 2000. The Oneness of God. Pages: 126-7)

God the Father is biblical and refers to God himself according to :

King James Version Chapter 1

1 *PAUL, an apostle, a(not of men, neither by man, but bby Jesus Christ, and God the Father, cwho raised him from the dead;) 2 And all dthe brethren which are with me, unto the churches of eGalatia: 3 fGrace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 gWho gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this hpresent ievil world, according to the will of jGod and our Father: 5 kTo whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God the Father of All:

King James Version Chapter 2

10  aHave we not all one father?

bHath not one God created us?

Why do we cdeal treacherously every man against his brother,

dBy profaning the covenant of our fathers?

King James Version Chapter 12

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we xgave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto ythe Father of spirits, and live?

Hebrew 12: 9

The Bible plainly states that we have one father:

Malachi 2:10 KJV 1900

Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, By profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Ephesians 4:6 KJV 1900

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

The Bible also clearly teaches that Jesus is the on father in incarnate:

Isa

Isaiah 9:6 KJV 1900

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), .

John 10:30 KJV 1900

I and my Father are one.

John

In conclusion:

John 14:16–17 KJV 1900

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Brother Berry, why do we need to know this? Because your Apostolic, this doctrine must get buried down in your soul! You must be willing to give account to this truth when questioned as Paul and the disciples did! If we don’t love Truth we have no part according to God:

If you can’t handle the truth, heaven may not be the place for you

John 14:6 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Our life must be identified by Jesus, but instead we allow the world, our jobs, our friends, and even our family to identify us.

Jesus was a servant:

Why don’t we take on the identity as servants of the Kingdom?

Instead everyone in the church looks as preachers as rock stars and not servants of the Gospel. My job is not to benefit myself, but to serve God’s kingdom and work the fields just as Adam did. We were created to work! Hello!

If God incarnate came down and served humanity, what does that tell us as his children? We are to be servants of the Kingdom of God.

Disciples May Vary

You can tell a lot about those who serve in the church by just sitting back and watching their conduct. As a Pastor, Brother Noles is not foreign to the concept of testing an individuals spirit. Many times he wants to know if he has a servant or self centered, egocentric disciple. Yes, I said disciple. Even though the characteristics of being selfish do not represent the Christian, they may indeed be attached to those being discipled.

You see not every disciple is the same:

Some aren’t even disciples of Christ because they’ve only known a man and never experienced The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Some follow Christ (Apostolics), but focus more on the benefits of belonging versus being a patron of His labor required to the body

The amount of times I’ve heard people complain about not getting fed in Church is ridiculous. The simple fix to that both physically and spiritually is get to work. The Bible very distinctly says if you don’t work, you will not eat. So as disciples of Christ, why is it that we expect to eat of God’s Word when we fail to work in His kingdom.

You want a word from your Pastor, get to work. Let me take it one step further: if you want a word from Jesus, get to work in His kingdom. The laborers of the kingdom are few, why don’t you pick up the plow and get to work and eat of His fruit!

Back in June a message was preached: The Treasure is in the Field

A mature disciple understands this in more than concept, but works exhibit this. Simply put, a mature disciple will love people and understand the value of souls to the Kingdom of God!

If you want to be fed, get in the field and get your treasure!

I can’t take money or things with me to heaven, but I can take souls!!!

Conclude: Your Mileage May Vary

What do people see in you? What makes you different? Are you seen as a disciple of Jesus or a disciple of a man!

Don’t misquote me today, we need a Pastor, but the God my Pastor serves is Jesus. He doesn’t speak into these ministers lives to lead them closer to him but he speaks into their lives to lead them closer to Jesus Christ!

I’ll go ahead and speak this because our Pastor has already alluded to it, but in 2020 I challenge everyone in this place to know God better through His Word because He resides in this Word!

I don’t know about you, but when people speak of my Kingdom work I don’t want them to say your experience may vary with Brother Berry. I want them to say these Apostolic Disciples are consistent in: Doctrine, Worship, and Zeal for Jesus!!!

Even the closest of Jesus’ disciples betrayed Him: Judas and even the one that God established His Church on, Peter.

Altar Call:

Repentance

Plan of Salvation

Consistency and a heart/burden for souls