“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

Foundation Scriptures: II Corinthians 5:7-10; I Corinthians 4:4-5; II Timothy 4:6-8

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
II Corinthians 5:7-10 NKJV

For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
I Corinthians 4:4-5 NKJV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.  II Timothy 4:6-8 NKJV

I. The Crown of Righteousness

•    The Crown of Righteousness will be handed out to certain believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ, together with the other crowns.
•    The Crown of Righteousness is the Winner’s Crown – also known as the Overcomer’s Crown or the Victor’s Crown.
•    It’s a crown for those who finish their race.
•    This is not a crown just for being saved and made righteous by believing in Jesus.
•    The Crown of Righteousness is given to all those who look forward to His return – those who fight the good fight of faith, who have finished the race and who have kept the faith.

II. Fight the Good Fight

•    I Timothy 1:18-20 ERV – Timothy, you are like a son to me. What I am telling you to do agrees with the prophecies that were told about you in the past. I want you to remember those prophecies and fight the good fight of faith. 19 Continue to trust in God and do what you know is right. Some people have not done this, and their faith is now in ruins.
•    We have to keep God’s Word to us in our eyes and ears and fight the good fight by continuing to trust in God and do what is right. If you don’t, you might end up shipwrecking your faith.
•    I Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV – Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.
•    This verse in the Message Bible says: Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, 14 and love without stopping.

III. Keep the Faith

•    Don’t get distracted from your end goal
•    I Timothy 6:10-12 AMP – For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs. 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses.
•    The love of money will cost you your Crown of Righteousness.
•    You have to pursue righteousness.
•    I Timothy 6:20-21 AMP – O Timothy, guard and keep the deposit entrusted [to you]! Turn away from the irreverent babble and godless chatter, with the vain and empty and worldly phrases, and the subtleties and the contradictions in what is falsely called knowledge and spiritual illumination. 21 [For] by making such profession some have erred (missed the mark) as regards the faith. Grace (divine favor and blessing) be with you all! Amen (so be it).
•    Don’t be sucked in by false doctrine and flaky people who compromise the Word of God.
•    James 1:3-4 AMP – Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
•    Trials come to distract, hinder and/or stop you, but they can serve to grow you and grow your faith if you keep your eyes on the Lord and on His word, trust Him with your life and are a doer of the word.
•    Good news! The trials you triumph over all contribute to your reward!

IV. You Can be an Example and an Inspiration

•    I Timothy 4:12 AMP – Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
•    I Thessalonians 1:8-10 NKJV – For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

V. Someone is Rooting for You

•    Both those who have gone before you – the great cloud of witnesses – and your fellow believers are rooting for you and cheering you on (Hebrews 12:1).
•    II Corinthians 1:24 Message Bible – We’re not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We’re partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours.
•    II Corinthians 13:5-9 Message Bible – Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. 6 I hope the test won’t show that we have failed. 7 But if it comes to that, we’d rather the test showed our failure than yours. 8 We’re rooting for the truth to win out in you. 9 We couldn’t possibly do otherwise.
•    I Thessalonians 1:2-3 AMP – We are ever giving thanks to God for all of you, continually mentioning [you when engaged] in our prayers, 3 Recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith and service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

VI. Finish Your Race

•    Run like a winner!
•    I Corinthians 9:24-27 ERV – You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one runner gets the prize. So run like that. Run to win! 25 All who compete in the games use strict training. They do this so that they can win a prize—one that doesn’t last. But our prize is one that will last forever. 26 So I run like someone who has a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something, not just the air. 27 It is my own body I fight to make it do what I want. I do this so that I won’t miss getting the prize myself after telling others about it.

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ minister, 2 Moses My servant is dead. So now arise [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, the Israelites. 3 Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon to the great river Euphrates–all the land of the Hittites [Canaan]–and to the Great [Mediterranean] Sea on the west shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. 9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:1-9 AMP

Moses was the one called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and the one called to lead them into the Promised Land. However, because the majority of the Israelites were faithless and fearful, they were unable to immediately cross the Jordan or take possession of this land of milk and honey. A whole generation had to die off before God could take them in. By that time Moses was quite old and then, unfortunately, he also disqualified himself by disobeying a direct order that God gave him – therefore God told him that he would not lead them over the Jordan or complete his mission. Joshua would have been merely an important leader under Moses – one of his right-hand men – helping Moses and Israel take the land, but now he was promoted to be the actual one who led the entire nation into their inheritance. This was a huge responsibility for him – a mission he could NOT complete without the help and intervention of Almighty God! Anything God asks you to – you’re going to need His help. Don’t ever think you can do it by yourself – He doesn’t expect you to.

And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand and power of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a land good and large, a land flowing with milk and honey [a land of plenty]–to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Exodus 3:8 AMP

For you are to cross over the Jordan to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God gives you, and you shall possess it and live in it.  Deuteronomy 11:31 AMP

God calls Joshua to lead His people and gives him his mission:
–  Moses is dead
–  Joshua, you arise and take his place
–  Take the Israelites – over the Jordan and into the land I am giving them

When God speaks something or makes a promise, He will not back off or give up on it, or forget His promise. He WILL do it! He promised that He would take the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land. Moses couldn’t do it, therefore Joshua was charged with this mission. God will do whatever it takes and use whoever will obey – to get it done. He looks for and carefully chooses the one who will trust and obey Him completely – He will do the rest. When God calls you to do something, you can do it – with His help! He doesn’t call you because you are necessarily the strongest or the smartest or the best – He calls you because you make yourself available, because you have proved yourself faithful, and because you are prepared to implicitly trust Him. You might not even be the first one God calls for a particular mission, but make no mistake; you are not His poorer choice or lesser choice! You are just in the right place at the right time! When God calls, then it’s up to you to pick up the baton and do the best that you can, until you cross the finish line!

For if you diligently keep all this commandment which I command you to do, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave to Him – 23 Then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you shall dispossess nations greater and mightier than you. 24 Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea [the Mediterranean] your territory shall be. 25 There shall no man be able to stand before you; the Lord your God shall lay the fear and the dread of you upon all the land that you shall tread, as He has said to you.  Deuteronomy 11:22-25 AMP

God promises Joshua the same things he promised Moses:
–  Every place upon which your foot shall tread – I have given to you – as I promised Moses
–  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life
–  I will not fail you or forsake you

If God calls you, then He will equip you and help you. When God calls you, you cannot look to the past for direction. You must get your direction from the Spirit of God. The mission may be the same, but the strategy will be fresh! Always remember that you are working for Him – He doesn’t work for you. It’s His mission – He has the best strategy. He also knows what you need to get the job done. If you obey Him and do what He asks, then He will go before you and make a way for you; He will provide everything you need. What you need to do is to trust Him and obey Him – that’s all! He will not fail you – He will provide everything you need when you need it. Because it’s His mission and not your own, you can call on Him and count on Him to meet your needs, protect you as you go, and even move mountains on your behalf!

 

And they returned from scouting out the land after forty days. 26 They came to Moses and Aaron and to all the Israelite congregation in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh, and brought them word, and showed them the land’s fruit.  27 They told Moses, We came to the land to which you sent us; surely it flows with milk and honey. This is its fruit.  28 But the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, there we saw the sons of Anak [of great stature and courage].  29 Amalek dwells in the land of the South (the Negeb); the Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite dwells by the sea and along by the side of the Jordan [River]. 

30 Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it.  31 But his fellow scouts said, We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are stronger than we are.  32 So they brought the Israelites an evil report of the land which they had scouted out, saying, The land through which we went to spy it out is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature.  33 There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.  Numbers 13:25-33 AMP

 

Twelve scouts – one from each tribe of Israel – were recruited by Moses to spy out the Promised Land. At first they all brought a good report that it was indeed a land flowing with “milk and honey” and offered the enormous cluster of grapes as proof. However, ten of them immediately followed that up with an evil report – a negative, fear-filled report – of how large and powerful and intimidating the inhabitants were. Only two of them, Joshua and Caleb, brought a good report.

 

Caleb quieted the frightened crowd and confidently told them, “Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it!” His confidence was not in himself or in Israel, but in Almighty God, who had promised to give them this fine land. Unfortunately, the crowd shouted Joshua and Caleb down and the decision was made to not go up to take the land. They immediately started wailing, crying, complaining, and wishing they were back in Egypt.  What short memories they had of how bad it was in Egypt – they forgot how they cried for freedom from the Egyptians, which was why God sent Moses to get them OUT in the first place – and they had already forgotten the great miracle of their deliverance from Egypt. Now they are crying because God wanted to take them INTO the Promised Land! What a bunch of shallow, whiny babies!

 

And all the congregation cried out with a loud voice, and [they] wept that night.  2 All the Israelites grumbled and deplored their situation, accusing Moses and Aaron, to whom the whole congregation said, Would that we had died in Egypt! Or that we had died in this wilderness!  3 Why does the Lord bring us to this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will be a prey. Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?  4 And they said one to another, Let us choose a captain and return to Egypt.  5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of Israelites.  6 And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among the scouts who had searched the land, rent their clothes, 7 And they said to all the company of Israelites, The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land.  8 If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.  9 Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.  10 But all the congregation said to stone [Joshua and Caleb] with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting before all the Israelites.   Numbers 14:1-10 AMP

 

Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb begged them not to rebel against God and begged them to trust the word of the Lord. Instead the people committed treason against God, in their hearts, and planned to stone them. It took God, himself, showing up to stop them from killing Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb. In the end, God did not take these rebellious people up into the Promised Land. He assured them that they would remain in the desert until all of them died there – except Joshua and Caleb – and that their children who grew up in the wilderness would be trained to obey God and would eventually go up and take this land and enjoy it in their generation. This was not God’s choice for them – they chose this course. The majority ruled, but unfortunately the majority was dead wrong!

 

We have a tendency to give credence to the majority and to allow the majority to rule and to decide what’s right, but we can see from this example that the majority opinion is not an accurate measurement of right and wrong. The voice of the minority is drowned out and usually not considered or given a hearing. However, TRUTH cannot be measured by numbers and for the most part truth stands against the majority’s opinion. The devil tries to convince people that there is no absolute truth and you can have and live your own version of the “truth”. However, truth is something that cannot be bent and twisted. There is only one TRUTH, which is unchangeable, because it is guaranteed by the character of God! God IS truth and His word is the last word on anything and everything! Most often, you must stand alone in order to stand on the side of truth, but take heart and know that you are not alone, because, at the same time, you are standing on the side of God! And when you are on God’s side, your adversaries become God’s adversaries! If God be for you – who can be against you!

 

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  1 John 1:7 NKJV

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9 NKJV

7. Grace cannot cancel the law of confession of sins before they are forgiven.

Receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior involves acknowledging our sin – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV) – believing that Jesus died to pay the price for our sin and that He rose from the dead to give us His resurrection life. It involves confessing Him as the Lord and Master of our lives from that moment on. From that moment all your sin, and your old life, is washed away by the blood of Jesus – you receive a new heart, a new slate and a new beginning.

If you sin after that, God’s grace cannot erase the sin while it yet remains. In order for God’s grace to be applied to the sin, you must repent of the sin and confess it as sin. Once you repent and confess, you are forgiven by His grace.

8. Grace cannot forgive future sins, for transgression and confession are necessary before forgiveness.

The one thing that the Blood cannot wash away, nor can grace do away with, your future sin. The Bible says that you are New Creature in Christ and that you are the righteousness of God in Christ. When you sin, you must come and confess your sin to the Lord, ask His forgiveness and then He will forgive you. God cannot forgive you of sin you have not yet committed. Besides the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin, God can only begin to actually deal with your sin after you sin and after you repent and confess it to Him as sin. Repentance is not merely being sorry for getting caught, but it is being sincerely sorry for the sin and turning away from that sin.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. Revelation 2:5 NKJV

Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. Revelation 2:16 NKJV

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.  Revelation 2:22 NKJV

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  Revelation3:19 NKJV

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?  5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:1-5 NKJV

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 NKJV

So they went out and preached that people should repent.  Mark 6:12 NKJV

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”  Romans 2:4-6 NKJV

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.  2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJV

9. Grace cannot cancel the responsibility of saved men concerning sin.

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  Romans 14:10 NKJV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.  Romans 14:12 NKJV

We are each responsible for our own choices and our own sin. We will reap what we sow here on earth and – no matter what – we will still have to give God an accounting of our lives and what we have done. Grace cannot change the fact that we must give an account and be held responsible before God, but grace can wash away our sin when we pray, confess, and repent of the sin we’ve committed so that we don’t have to take it with us when we go before the Judgment Seat. You never know when the end will come for you, that is why you need to make sure you keep your heart right with God at all times!

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.  1 John 2:28-29 NKJV

We can stand before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at His coming with confidence, when we know that we have obeyed His word and submitted our life to it. He promised that when his words lived and dwelt in us, then He and the Father would come and live permanently with us. If we have a true revelation of who He is and what He has done in us, then we will walk like He walks; we will walk in righteousness. When we walk with God, in righteousness, two things happen: people see that we are His and we belong to Him and He will come to our defense when others attack or persecute us.

Jesus is the light of the world-let him shine through you:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  John 8:12 NKJV

You are the light of the world – do not hide your light – let it shine:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.       Matthew 5:10-16 NKJV

The blessing of God is on your life, when you receive persecution for the sake of righteousness. Because of the blessing, because you know that God is on your side, you can be bold in the face of opposition. Because of fear of persecution, there are those who would draw back and try to hide the light that is in them through Jesus Christ, but he tells us to shine our light boldly. When we do, He will be there to back us up. When our light shines, God is glorified. When we hide the light that is on the inside of us, He receives no glory. Let your light shine for the glory of God. Let your light shine so that those who seek Him can see and be drawn to that light to receive salvation and deliverance, and themselves be lit up with His light.

You are the salt of the earth. You are “salty” as long as you walk in purity of heart and soul before the Lord. The world needs your salt. If the Church compromises and walks like the world, they are no longer salty. It might not be popular to be salty, but it is essential – for the believers and the unbelievers. Do not succumb to the pressure to compromise that the world puts on you. Have a backbone and stand up for the Gospel; stand up for what is right and true. Too many Christians are yielding to this world’s system, by accepting their standards instead of standing up for the Word of God and His standards. If we do not stand up for the truth of the Word of God, then who will?

Do not be ashamed of Jesus or He will be ashamed of you:

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.  35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’  37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.  Matthew 10:32-39 NKJV

Sometimes your greatest persecution can come from those of your own house. If you are ashamed of, and deny, Jesus in front of people, then Jesus have to deny you in the presence of the Father. It is like being married, and denying your spouse. If you want to stay married, you will wear your wedding ring proudly and show off your spouse. We should be proud and honored to belong to Jesus and to show Him off to others. This is the only way to bring His salvation, deliverance and freedom to the nations – by lifting Him up and honoring Him before men. He said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Me.”

Stand up for your faith:

Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.  James 1:12 AMP

And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the conqueror’s crown of glory.  1 Peter 5:4 AMP

Stand up for your faith even if it means persecution. Stand up for your faith even if it means a martyr’s death. God has promised glorious crowns to those who stand up for Him through temptations, trials and persecutions.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.) Hebrews 10:23 KJV

 

Hold fast to the profession of your faith – your faith in Jesus and in the Word of God. The word “profession” means to confess; to promise; to acknowledge; assent; to give thanks. It is a weighty thing – a covenant affirmation or acknowledgement. It’s not a flippant thing to say, that has nothing to back it up. It is a serious and committed statement. The dictionary meaning of profess or profession is: a declaration; to lay claim to; to declare openly; announce or affirm; avow or acknowledge; to affirm faith in or allegiance to. Confess means: to admit as true.

 

Almighty God means everything that He says. He never wastes any of His words. His words have power to create and to command and to bring to pass. He created the entire universe with His words: “Let there be…” Isaiah 55:11 KJV says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”  If He makes a promise, He is faithful to also keep it.

 

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:8-10 NKJV

 

Salvation does not come through the works we can do – it comes through faith in Jesus’ substitutionary work. We receive salvation by believing in our heart and confessing with our mouth. It is not good enough for someone else to pray for you – you need to willingly pray the prayer with your own mouth. Our words, spoken in faith, have the power to change our eternal destiny.

 

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV

 

Every tongue will soon confess Jesus as Lord – whether they want to or not – because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Better to confess Him now and be saved than to die without Him and be made to bow your knee and confess Him later, even though it’s too late for you.

 

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. Hebrews 3:1 KJV

 

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. Hebrews 4:14 KJV

 

Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. When we profess Him and His word, He works on our behalf. Hold onto your profession. Do not back of due to pressure or persecution. Never be ashamed of Him. Confess Jesus is Lord and never change your confession – never confess anyone else as Lord – never deny Him. Eternity hinges on your profession.

 

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV

 

Fight the good fight of faith. A good fight is a fight that you win! Lay hold on eternal life. You are called to be a person of faith and you are intended for eternal life. With your profession you are saved; with your profession of faith, you receive everything that you believe is yours according to the Word of God.

 

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV

 

Jesus is your Advocate before the Father. If you confess Jesus before men, He will confess you before the Father. If you deny him – with your mouth – He will deny you before the Father. The words that come out of your mouth determine your destiny. Jesus is committed to you – be committed to Him!

 

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:15 NKJV

 

God comes to live in the person who confesses that Jesus is the Son of God.

 

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2 John 7 NKJV

 

Those who do not confess that Jesus came in the flesh are deceived and deceivers. They are anti-Christ – against Christ.

 

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Titus 1:15-16 KJV

 

You are in very big trouble with God if you say that you know God, but you behave like the devil. In this case, your mere words are not enough – your heart and deeds must line up with your words.

 

With your words, you shape your life and direct your path.

The Use of Wealth

Foundation scriptures:

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.  1 Timothy 6:3-19 KJV

 

1. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
2. Matthew 6:33 KJV – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
3. Matthew 6:19-34

 

2. We brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it.
3. Be content with food and clothing.
4. Anything more is a bonus.
5. Enjoy the blessings you have now.
6. The love of money is the root of all evil.
7. 1 Timothy 6:9 AMP – “But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing.”
8. Philippians 4:9-13 KJV – “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
9. Learn how to be content, and to act and behave the same, whether you have not enough or more than enough.

 

3. Let your character and conduct be free from the love of money.
4. Hebrews 13:5 AMP – “Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]”
5. Let your character and conduct be free from covetousness and the love of money and possessions.
6. Be satisfied with your present circumstances.
7. Be satisfied with what you have.
8. Trust in God – He will never ever fail you.

 

4.Charge them that are rich in this world.

1. Do not be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others.
2. Do not set your hopes on uncertain riches.
3. Set your hopes on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
4. Do good.
5. Be rich in good works.
6. Be liberal and generous of heart.
7. Be ready to share with others.

h. In this way, you will lay up for yourselves the riches that endure forever and a good foundation for the future, so that you may grasp that which is life indeed.

1. Deliverer

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me. Psalms 30:1 NKJV

And he said: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. 4 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4 NKJV

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalms 18:2-3 AMP

And so all Israel will be saved. As it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob. Romans 11:26 AMP

2. Healer

O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. Psalms 30:2 NKJV

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. Isaiah 53:5 AMP

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 NKJV

3. Preserver

O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Psalms 30:3 NKJV

You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalms 32:7 NKJV

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. Psalms 121:7-8 NKJV

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Timothy 4:18 NKJV

4. Holiness

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Psalms 30:4 NKJV

Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11 AMP

And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 AMP

5. Comforter

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5 NKJV

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 NKJV

This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. Psalms 119:50 NKJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV

6. Provider

Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.” Psalms 30:6 NKJV

And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. 2 Corinthians 9:10 AMP

7. Protector

Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. 8 I cried out to You, O Lord; And to the Lord I made supplication: 9 “What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? Psalms 30:7-8 NKJV

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalms 18:2-3 AMP

8. Helper

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!” 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalms 30:10-12 NKJV

Behold, God is my helper and ally; the Lord is my upholder and is with them who uphold my life. Psalms 54:4 AMP

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:6 AMP

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. Titus 2:1 NKJV

But [as for] you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine [the character and right living that identify true Christians]. Titus 2:1 AMP

The Lord, through Paul, commanded Titus to preach sound doctrine to all people. This is His command to each of us as well.

6. Preach to men-concerning grace:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.

Titus 2:11-12 NKJV

God’s grace has appeared to bring salvation to ALL mankind. This grace, that forgives and saves, also teaches us to:

Deny ungodliness

Deny worldly lusts

Live soberly

Live righteously

Live godly

The Greek word for “teaching” is paideuo, which means instruction as to children.

Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all]. Luke 18:17 AMP

How can a person “receive the Kingdom of God like a child”? It means to have a humble, teachable spirit. It means that you trust Father God and you believe His word – just as a child believes the word of an adult who loves him and whom he trusts. We should be willing to be guided and taught by the Word of God. We should be willing to learn, grow and change.

7. Preach to men concerning the rapture and the second coming:

Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13 NKJV

One of the truths of the Gospel that we should believe, trust, and preach is that Jesus is coming back in His glory. In these last days, there are people who deny the second coming, but God’s Word tells us that we should comfort each other with these words. If we believe God’s Word about the resurrection and salvation then we should believe Him about the second coming.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NKJV

8. Preach to men-concerning redemption:

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:14 NKJV

Jesus gave Himself for us:

To redeem us from iniquity

To purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works

9. Preach with authority:

Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. Titus 2:15 NKJV

Four admonitions to Titus:

1. These things speak.

Speak these things – preach, say, speak, talk, tell, utter. The Gospel must be preached. It can only be preached when we open our mouths and tell it.

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:13-14 NKJV

2. These things exhort.

Exhort – means to call near; invite; invoke; beseech; call for; be of good comfort; desire; entreat; pray. We are to exhort others concerning the Gospel – we are to invite them, beseech them and entreat them.

And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in [spreading] the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, to strengthen and establish and to exhort and comfort and encourage you in your faith.

1 Thessalonians 3:2 AMP

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMP

3. Rebuke with all authority.

When you preach the Gospel, preach it with boldness and authority, because when you speak, you speak with the whole of Heaven backs you up.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

4. Let no man despise you.

What man thinks of you is of no consequence in eternity. Only what God thinks counts. Do not worry about what people think. Go ahead and boldly preach the Gospel.