‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’  Acts 2:17-21 NKJV

By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the prophet Joel prophesied of these days that he called the “last days”. And this was fulfilled approximately 2000 years ago on the Day of Pentecost.

2 Peter 3:8 says that – with the Lord – a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day. If Pentecost was the “last days” then right now, then surely we are in the LAST of the last days! Jesus has appeared to many in the last few decades and told them to tell the people to get ready because He is coming soon! Even if you didn’t believe that He’s coming in your lifetime, you still need to keep your sense of urgency about you. You can’t afford to be complacent! Jesus said that this Gospel needed to be preached in the uttermost parts of the earth, before His return. That is our responsibility! We must reach the uttermost parts of the earth with the Gospel – not just sit in our holy huddle waiting to be airlifted out of here!

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]  John 16:33AMP

The Bible says that as the last days approach, things in the world will get worse and worse, but it also says that God’s grace is enough – even more than enough to meet and conquer sin and death (Romans 5:20b-21).

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.  James 5:7-8 NKJV

‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.  Haggai 2:9 NKJV

Before Jesus comes we will see the greatest outpouring of the Spirit of God that the world has ever seen! But we’ll only see it if the Church does not yield to the sins of compromise, complacency or criticism. The devil always tries to hinder the move of God by tempting them to sin in these areas.

Compromise:

Some Christians compromise the Word of God to be acceptable

to the world. The devil uses certain people to put pressure on you to quit and to water the Gospel down. However, Jesus told us that we are IN this world, but we are not OF this world. (John 17:16). We will NEVER be acceptable to the world, no matter how hard we try. They want you in as big a mess as they are in. They don’t want you to be free and they don’t want you to get anyone else free; they don’t want you – or anyone else – to be victorious! If you compromise, you’ll just let the devil win. You can never win people to the Gospel, when you have compromised the Gospel. Either it’s the TRUTH or it isn’t! If it IS then preach it – if it’s not then just go and join the worldly crowd and stop pretending that you are a Christian!

If you belong to the world – and act like them – then they would love you, but if you are like Jesus, they won’t like you at all. Understand that the world hated Jesus and they’ll hate anyone who walks in His footsteps – a servant is not greater than his master (John 15:18-20). We can’t compromise because someone doesn’t like or understand the Gospel. We can’t compromise the Truth of the Word of God – we can’t compromise on the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, the gifts of the Spirit, prophecy, miracles, healings, casting out devils, or laying on of hands, etc.

Complacency:

Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  2 Peter 3:3-7 NKJV

Jesus told us to “occupy till He come” (Luke 19:13) – in other words: get on and do the works of Jesus till you go home or He comes to get you. He didn’t say: sit on your “blessed assurance” and do nothing till you die! People go about their business as if Jesus isn’t coming at all. We need to have a sense of urgency about the things of God and we need to act and do what He’s told us to do. If the Lord is delaying His coming it’s not because he’s tardy – it’s because He’s giving the world plenty of time to repent and straighten themselves out! (2 Peter 3:9)

Criticism:

You are either a player, or you are sitting in the stands. You are either getting up and being a doer of the Word of God, or you are sitting, doing nothing and critiquing those who are doing something. We have too many armchair critics in the body of Christ and too few who care enough to get up and do something to build the Kingdom of God! Make up your mind to be a player and not merely an arm chair critic.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.  Psalms 100:1-5 KJV

Make a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord, ALL ye lands!

All the nations of the earth are created by Almighty God. He loves them and He is ever reaching out to them. It is the believer’s responsibility to preach the Gospel to every creature and to all nations. Mark 13:10 AMP says, “And the good news (the Gospel) must first be preached to all nations.” He is not just the God of certain tribes and nations, He is God over all nations, whether they know it or not. He is the only one with the power and right to rule the nations. All of them are not only under His dominion, but also recipients of His benevolence, and at the end will give an account to Him alone.

For I know their works and their thoughts. And the time is coming when I will gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. Isaiah 66:18 AMP

All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them [the people] from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats; And He will cause the sheep to stand at His right hand, but the goats at His left. Matthew 25:32-33 AMP

All nations will be judged by Him. If they only knew the truth, they would come flocking to Him, to worship Him and to acknowledge that the Lord is God!

We acknowledge Him as Almighty God when we come into His presence to worship Him, to serve Him, to sing and to shout our praises.

Almighty God is not just one of the many gods worshipped out there – He IS God! We must come to know Him as God and Lord and Savior in our own personal life. We must know that He is the only true God – King of kings and Lord of lords. He asks us to come into His presence to worship Him willingly and of our own accord – with sincere gladness and joy in our hearts and on our lips. He won’t force us. He doesn’t want us to come out of religious duty, but rather with unfeigned faith and a sincere joy-filled heart; making ourselves available to Him in every way – to be touched and changed – and to let His will be done in every area of our lives.

A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. 24 God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).  John 4:23-24 AMP

He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.  Mark 7:6 NKJV

We acknowledge Him when we appreciate His status as our Creator.

Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed and given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God.  Psalms 90:2 AMP

He created us – we did not create ourselves. We do not belong to ourselves, but to Him. Many people live life as though they created themselves; they are the center of their own little world. This mind-set leads inevitably to pride, greed, and idolatry. Then when they lose everything, they lose all hope as well. When you know that God created you and everything else, then you will want to give to and be a blessing to others even as He has provided for you and blessed you. You have confidence that even if you lost everything you have, you still have Him and He will take care of you.

The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created]. 10 All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You [affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise You]! 11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power.  Psalms 145:9-11 AMP

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created.  Psalms 148:5 AMP

We acknowledge Him when we accept His authority in every detail of life.

Jesus is the Head of the Church – the Body of Christ. He is the Word, made flesh, and dwelling amongst us. We acknowledge His authority and headship when we submit ourselves to the Word of God – as we renew our minds to it and as we conform ourselves to it. He is our Lord and Master – we serve Him – not He us. We must also submit to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, as He leads us through our own spirit, according to the Word of God. We do not do our own thing, but we do what He tells us to do.

We acknowledge Him when we enthusiastically agree with the guidance He gives us and when we obediently do what He commands.

Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?  Romans 6:16AMP

Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not [practice] what I tell you?  Luke 6:46 AMP

Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 AMP

We acknowledge Him when we express our thanks for His unfailing love.

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!  1 Chronicles 16:34 AMP

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  1 Corinthians 10:16 KJV

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread.  1 Corinthians 11:23 NKJV

The night Jesus was betrayed was the night of the Passover meal. He instituted Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper that same night. Passover celebrated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The Lord’s Supper celebrates our deliverance from sin and death through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  1 Corinthians 11:24 NKJV

The bread represents the body of Jesus, which was broken, marred and scourged for us – for our healing and restoration. 1 Peter 2:24 NKJV says, “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.”  We partake of communion as a memorial of what Jesus did for us – we remember and celebrate it on a regular basis.

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”  1 Corinthians 11:25 NKJV

The cup is a symbol of Jesus’ blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. It symbolizes His blood that sealed the New Covenant, which is based upon better promises. The New Covenant does not replace the Old Covenant, but it completes and fulfills it. By eating the bread and drinking the cup, we signify and proclaim that we are remembering Jesus’ death for us, and also renewing our commitment to serve Him.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV

“As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup…” This means that there is no set schedule for partaking of the Lord’s Supper. You can receive Communion as often as you need to or want to. We remember Christ in the Lord’s Supper by thinking about what He did and why He did it. We look back to His death and at the same time, we look forward to His second coming. If we partake in Communion out of ritual or religion, it loses its significance, but if we remember what He did and look forward to His return, it becomes a powerful point of contact for our faith. Don’t partake of Communion without preparing yourself spiritually. Gratefully remind yourself of what Jesus has done for you and allow the reality of your forgiven sin to inspire you to live passionately for Him like never before.

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  1 Corinthians 11:27 NKJV

We should not partake of Communion irreverently, unworthily, or in an unfit manner. Those who wish to partake should first be born again – a sinner would be unworthy to partake. We should take the Lord’s Supper thoughtfully; we should take it worthily, with due reverence and respect; we should take it with respect toward His body and also toward His Body, the Church; we should prepare our hearts and come humble, submitted and yielded to Him.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  1 Corinthians 11:28 NKJV

Before we partake of Communion, we should examine ourselves for any unconfessed sin or bad attitudes toward Him or others.

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.  1 Corinthians 11:29 NKJV

The Lord’s Supper is not a normal meal. If you do not treat it with the respect it deserves, you invite judgment on yourself. In a sense, no one is “worthy” to participate, but because of Jesus, we can share in His Supper, knowing that, by His grace, we are forgiven and righteous before Him.

For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.  1 Corinthians 11:30 NKJV

By Jesus’ stripes, we were healed. When you partake of the Lord’s Supper with respect to what it represents, by faith you receive His life, His strength and His healing power. If you do not believe that His broken body represents your healing, then you will stay sick. It is not a meaningless ritual, but it is a living, powerful celebration.

For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.   1 Corinthians 11:31 NKJV

If we repent of our sin, God will forgive us. God cannot and will not forgive unrepentant sin. When we judge ourselves and ask for forgiveness, our sin is washed away forever. If we do not examine and judge ourselves and repent, then our sin remains and will be judged in eternity.

But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

1 Corinthians 11:32 NKJV

When God deals with us and convicts us of sin, He is disciplining us like a parent disciplines a child – a small pain now to avoid a bigger pain later.

Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.  34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

1 Corinthians 11:33-34 NKJV

Partake of the Lord’s Supper out of consideration for others. It is not time for a dinner party. The Corinthians were turning the Lord’s Supper into a carnal feast – the wealthier ones eating their fine food in front of the poorer ones, who did not have as much to eat.

Paul admonished them, “If you are hungry, eat at home!” The Lord’s Supper is not an occasion to feast, but an opportunity to remember Christ’s sacrifice.

As you receive Communion, celebrate what He already did and celebrate that He is coming again very soon!

What are the Houses of Joy all about? We are looking for fruit that will remain, fruit in your own life, and fruit that you will help develop in others. We desire eternal fruit that will remain for the kingdom of God!

1. You have a ministry!

 • Ephesians 4:11-16 Amplified

2. Fellowship 

 • Fellowship is one way that we will come into the unity of the faith.

• Acts 2:42, Proverbs 27:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:11

3. Prayer 

 • If you are going to come into the knowledge of the Son of God, it will not happen without prayer. Prayer produces intimacy with Jesus! I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).

• We must pray for each other.

• James 5:16, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Ephesians 6:18-19

4. Care 

 • We must lovingly express care for each other.

• 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, Galatians 6:2-5, Hebrews 10:24-25

5. Evangelism 

 • This is what causes the body to grow.

• Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel, and make disciples.

• Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, Proverbs 11:30

• You must preach the gospel before you can make disciples.

• When you become a disciplined follower, you will become a fisher of men!

6. Discipleship 

 • Discipleship causes the saints to mature, producing more fruit!

• Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 10:38-39, Matthew 4:19

• What will I benefit from being in a discipleship relationship?

You’ll experience growth in knowledge and spiritual understanding. You’ll have mature leaders praying for you and your family. You’ll develop new Christian friends. You will learn to be a part of the vision. You will learn how to minister to others. You will be known by church leadership. You will learn how to witness and to win souls. You will experience the blessing of unity. You will learn commitment, faithfulness, and accountability. You will discover the gifts and talents that God has given to you!

• You know that you’re discipling people like Jesus did if your disciples are making disciples!

• John 15:8-14

• As you disciple others, you will continue to grow and produce more fruit in your own life, resulting in more joy!

Foundation scriptures:

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  Psalms 2:8 KJV

1.  Prayer Power made available to the Church.

a. Keys to the Kingdom.

b. Matthew 16:19 KJV – “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

c. The Name of Jesus.

d. Philippians 2:9 KJV – “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.”

e. John 16:23-24 KJV – “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

f. Authority has been given to us.

g. Matthew 28:18-20 KJV – “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

h. Elijah was a man of like passions.

i. James 5:16-18 KJV – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

j. Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV – “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

2. A Church that doesn’t pray is a weak and defeated Church.

a. Psalm 2:8: Ask of me – God says – and I will give you the nations as your inheritance

b. Ultimately – the kingdoms of the world will become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ.

c. Revelation 11:15 KJV – “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

e. Standing in the gap and crying out – prayer and intercession – for a nation.

f. Isaiah 59:16 AMP – “And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor [no one to intervene on behalf of truth and right]; therefore His own arm brought Him victory, and His own righteousness [having the Spirit without measure] sustained Him.”

g. America.

3. This is why we have the 24-hour prayer center – for people to press in in prayer.

a. We pray for God to intervene in our nation, to have mercy on America one more time just like He has each century.

b. For the enemy to be setback.

c. For total confusion to be wreaked in the camp of the wicked.

d. For the wheels to be pulled off of Pharaoh’s chariots.

e. Whatever is being planned in secret let it be exposed publicly.

f. Wake up the Church for the harvest.

g. May we have another great spiritual awakening!

4. Will you stand in the Gap and ask God for America? 

a. One more hour of daylight – the sun is fast setting on the horizon of time.

b. Pray.

c. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV – “Pray without ceasing.”

d. 1 Timothy 2:8 KJV – “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

e. 1 Corinthians 14:15a KJV – “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also…”

f. Make yourself available to be used of God.

g. Pray like it all depends on God and go and do like it all depends on you.

h. Yield to the Holy Spirit.

The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Look! There is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 AMP

Jesus was the Perfect Lamb, sacrificed just like the unblemished Passover lamb, but whose blood was shed once and for all. There is no need for any other sacrifice, for Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice and paid the ultimate price. He will forever be the Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world.

Christ, the Sacrificial Lamb:

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 NKJV

The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. Acts 8:32 NKJV

Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV

The Lamb who, by His blood, takes away the sin of the world:

“Takes away”: Greek: “airo” meaning: to bear in the sense of removing sin; doing away with the guilt and punishment. Sin: Greek “hamartia” meaning: a sin; offence, sinful.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 KJV

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12 AMP

And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 1 John 3:5 NKJV

The Lamb who takes away our sin and who empowers us to walk in righteousness and to do right:

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, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 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 2:11-14 NKJV

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 NKJV

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1 John 2:29 NKJV

Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 NKJV

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. 1 John 5:1-4 NKJV

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18 NKJV

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain – to rule and to reign and to receive worship and honor throughout all eternity:

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:11-12 NKJV

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11 NKJV

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:14 NKJV

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. Revelation 22:1-3 NKJV

What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 1 John 1:3 AMP

Four persons with whom we are to have fellowship:

1. God the Father:

For thus says the high and lofty One — He Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, but with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the thoroughly penitent [bruised with sorrow for sin]. Isaiah 57:15 AMP

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23 NKJV

That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:21-23 NKJV

Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:13 NKJV

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 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 1:3-7 NKJV

2. God the Son:

For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 AMP

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 NKJV

3. God the Holy Spirit:

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Romans 8:9 NKJV

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NKJV
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy. Philippians 2:1 NKJV

4. Christians/Believers:

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:14 NKJV

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:1 NKJV

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 NKJV

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:19-21 NKJV

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2 NKJV

Now Jesus, when He saw the great throngs around Him, gave orders to cross to the other side [of the lake]. 19 And a scribe came up and said to Him, Master, I will accompany You wherever You go. 20 And Jesus replied to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have lodging places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. 21 Another of the disciples said to Him, Lord, let me first go and bury [care for till death] my father. 22 But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and leave the dead [in sin] to bury their own dead. Matthew 8:18-22 AMP

Great throngs of people were flooding in to receive miracles and healings from Jesus and He gave orders to His disciples to cross over to the other side of the lake. The scribe wanted to follow Jesus, but he had not counted the cost. A disciple wanted to follow Jesus, or so he said, but he wanted Jesus to wait for him. Many people have been called to follow Jesus, but some of them have not counted the cost and they will start out, only to end up giving up halfway. If you start, you must also commit to finish. Others are full of excuses of why they can’t start following Him right now.

In the disciple’s mind, he had all this important earthly business to attend to, before he could give himself to answer the call to follow and serve Jesus. His personal excuse was his father – he wanted to go bury him. Firstly, this was a poor excuse, because in the Middle Eastern heat, the dead were buried on the same day that they died. If his father was already dead, he wouldn’t be hanging out with Jesus or anyone else; he would’ve been at home and attending the funeral. It’s more likely that he was referring not to the fact that his father was already dead, but that he had to go home to take care of his father until the old man died. He wasn’t asking Jesus for permission to attend his father’s funeral, but rather for permission to delay serving Jesus until later.

Perhaps he was the firstborn son and he wanted to be sure to receive his inheritance. Perhaps he didn’t want his father to disinherit him or give his inheritance to a younger brother or family member while he was gone. Perhaps he didn’t want his father to be angry at him for abandoning the family business to follow a traveling preacher. Many people choose not to serve God or give Him their all, out of fear of financial insecurity, or family disapproval, or friends abandoning them. Some people want to finish a worldly pursuit or accomplish all their natural goals before they follow the call. In their minds, they can’t do their business and serve God at the same time. However, if you are called to business, you are also still called to serve God in your business. He gives you principles that will bring you success and if you make Him Lord of your business, He will bless it. I’ve had someone, who was on their way into military service, tell me that they couldn’t give their life to Jesus until they came out. If ever you needed Jesus, it would be in a fox hole!

This disciple could have gone back to take care of family business with a plan to follow Jesus later, but his father might have lived ten more years, but Jesus was only around for about 3 and ½ years. While he was hanging out at home, he would have missed out on being with Jesus for those few years. There wasn’t any way that he could have caught up or made up the time. The opportunity he missed would be forever lost. Some people SAY that they want to follow Jesus, but in their heart they don’t truly want to follow Him – so they find any excuse not to.

Whatever his reason, this disciple did not want to commit himself to Jesus just yet. Jesus, however, would not accept his excuse. Jesus answers him with these surprising words: “Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead!” How can people who are dead bury dead people? Jesus isn’t referring to physically dead people – he is referring to spiritually dead people. Ephesians 2:1 AMP says, “And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins.” He is saying: Leave the spiritually dead to bury their physically dead. Spiritually dead people see only what is in front of them and they work all their lives for things that will perish, but spiritually alive people see into eternity and they know that only those things that matter in eternity matter at all!

Jesus never beat around the bush with anyone. He was always very direct and honest with anyone who wanted to follow Him. He always made sure they counted the cost, evaluated their priorities, and laid aside any conditions they might have for following Him. Jesus demands full loyalty and obedience – nothing else can take priority over Him and serving Him. There are so many things that compete for our affections and loyalty, but nothing should be placed above our total commitment to living for Jesus.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also]. Matthew 16:24 AMP

Jesus asks us to bury all attachments to earthly things now – not later – and, whatever else we do, make eternity our priority. When we decide to fully give ourselves to following Jesus, we need to “die” to all our own ambitions and desires, but God’s plans for us are far greater than the ones we have for ourselves. The Lord has plans for us that will exceed our wildest dreams. It’s only in dying to the things of earth, that we are made alive in the things of Heaven!

Your life is not guaranteed. You could step over into eternity at any time. The best choice you can make for your life is to fully follow and serve God today with all your heart!

Now Jesus, when He saw the great throngs around Him, gave orders to cross to the other side [of the lake]. 19 And a scribe came up and said to Him, Master, I will accompany You wherever You go. 20 And Jesus replied to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have lodging places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. 21 Another of the disciples said to Him, Lord, let me first go and bury [care for till death] my father. 22 But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and leave the dead [in sin] to bury their own dead.
Matthew 8:18-22 AMP

Great throngs of people were flooding in to receive miracles and healings from Jesus and He gave orders to His disciples to cross over to the other side of the lake. The scribe wanted to follow Jesus, but he had not counted the cost. A disciple wanted to follow Jesus, or so he said, but he wanted Jesus to wait for him. Many people have been called to follow Jesus, but some of them have not counted the cost and they will start out, only to end up giving up halfway. If you start, you must also commit to finish. Others are full of excuses of why they can’t start following Him right now.

In the disciple’s mind, he had all this important earthly business to attend to, before he could give himself to answer the call to follow and serve Jesus. His personal excuse was his father – he wanted to go bury him. Firstly, this was a poor excuse, because in the Middle Eastern heat, the dead were buried on the same day that they died. If his father was already dead, he wouldn’t be hanging out with Jesus or anyone else; he would’ve been at home and attending the funeral. It’s more likely that he was referring not to the fact that his father was already dead, but that he had to go home to take care of his father until the old man died. He wasn’t asking Jesus for permission to attend his father’s funeral, but rather for permission to delay serving Jesus until later.

Perhaps he was the firstborn son and he wanted to be sure to receive his inheritance. Perhaps he didn’t want his father to disinherit him or give his inheritance to a younger brother or family member while he was gone. Perhaps he didn’t want his father to be angry at him for abandoning the family business to follow a traveling preacher. Many people choose not to serve God or give Him their all, out of fear of financial insecurity, or family disapproval, or friends abandoning them. Some people want to finish a worldly pursuit or accomplish all their natural goals before they follow the call. In their minds, they can’t do their business and serve God at the same time. However, if you are called to business, you are also still called to serve God in your business. He gives you principles that will bring you success and if you make Him Lord of your business, He will bless it. I’ve had someone, who was on their way into military service, tell me that they couldn’t give their life to Jesus until they came out. If ever you needed Jesus, it would be in a fox hole!

This disciple could have gone back to take care of family business with a plan to follow Jesus later, but his father might have lived ten more years, but Jesus was only around for about 3 and ½ years. While he was hanging out at home, he would have missed out on being with Jesus for those few years. There wasn’t any way that he could have caught up or made up the time. The opportunity he missed would be forever lost. Some people SAY that they want to follow Jesus, but in their heart they don’t truly want to follow Him – so they find any excuse not to.

Whatever his reason, this disciple did not want to commit himself to Jesus just yet. Jesus, however, would not accept his excuse. Jesus answers him with these surprising words: “Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead!” How can people who are dead bury dead people? Jesus isn’t referring to physically dead people – he is referring to spiritually dead people. Ephesians 2:1 AMP says, “And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins.” He is saying: Leave the spiritually dead to bury their physically dead. Spiritually dead people see only what is in front of them and they work all their lives for things that will perish, but spiritually alive people see into eternity and they know that only those things that matter in eternity matter at all!

Jesus never beat around the bush with anyone. He was always very direct and honest with anyone who wanted to follow Him. He always made sure they counted the cost, evaluated their priorities, and laid aside any conditions they might have for following Him. Jesus demands full loyalty and obedience – nothing else can take priority over Him and serving Him. There are so many things that compete for our affections and loyalty, but nothing should be placed above our total commitment to living for Jesus.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also]. Matthew 16:24 AMP

Jesus asks us to bury all attachments to earthly things now – not later – and, whatever else we do, make eternity our priority. When we decide to fully give ourselves to following Jesus, we need to “die” to all our own ambitions and desires, but God’s plans for us are far greater than the ones we have for ourselves. The Lord has plans for us that will exceed our wildest dreams. It’s only in dying to the things of earth, that we are made alive in the things of Heaven!

Your life is not guaranteed. You could step over into eternity at any time. The best choice you can make for your life is to fully follow and serve God today with all your heart!