THE TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVE We believe the Bible teaches seven great happenings which are soon to take place. They are: • The Rapture of the Church, or, if you prefer, the Resurrection. • The Rise of the Antichrist. • The Great Tribulation Period. • The Battle of Armageddon. • The Second Coming of the Lord. • The 1,000 year Kingdom Age. • The Perfect Age to come, which will be forever. THE CHURCH AGE We are presently living in the very closing days of the Church Age. That means the Rapture could take place very, very shortly. In fact, the stage is being set for all of these great happenings to be brought about in this world. The Bible is full of this information and you, as a Believer, ought to know and understand what it says about these most important subjects. If we as Believers do not know and understand what is coming upon this world in the very near future, then it is quite possible that we do not know too very much about what is happening now, or what has taken place in the past. The Bible is the only Book in the world that gives us information as it regards the future. We must, and beyond the shadow of a doubt, know what it says. This Book will help you to do just that, as nothing that’s ever been placed in your hands, we believe. 2 September, 2010 For Fast & Easy Ordering Call Toll Free 1-800-288-8350 The Evangelist CoTablne oftents ARTICLES How Could David Do What He Did? . . 4 by Jimmy Swaggart The Rapture Of The Church . . . . . . . 12 by Frances Swaggart He Has Anointed Me To Preach please notice The Gospel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 (the evangelist) by Donnie Swaggart If you would like for any Christian friend (any number) living in the United States to receive this magazine (The Evangelist) each World Evangelism month, postage paid and free of charge, please send us their name (or names) and address Bible College And Seminary . . . . . 26 (or addresses). We will begin their subscription immediately. If they live outside the United Faith That Stands In The Power Of God States, please contact our office for more information. by Loren Larson Crossfire Youth Ministries . . . . . . . . 28 The Spirit Of The Lord Came Upon Saul by Gabriel Swaggart From Me To You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 by Jimmy Swaggart SonLife Radio Programming & Stations . . . . . . .6 product Warranty Television Programming Listing . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Jimmy Swaggart Ministries warrants all products for 60 days after the product is received. As well, all CD’s, DVD’s, and other SonLife Broadcasting Network recorded media must be in the original plastic wrap in order to receive a refund. Opened TV Stations & Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 items may only be returned if defective, and then only exchanged for the same product. Jimmy Swaggart Ministries strives to pro- Campmeeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 vide the highest quality products and service to our customers. Visit our Website at: www.jsm.org or e-mail us, Letters From Our Audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 our U.S. office address is: [email protected], our Canada office address is: [email protected] Crossfire International Youth Conference . . . .29 The Evangelist September, 2010 3 S “Sin never betters itself. The slide is always arranging for his murder was a depth of infamy, which is appalling.”2 downward. Irrespective of how holy man has To describe this scene one is unable! Adultery is been or how educated he might be, sin is a force bad enough, but cold-blooded murder is something else altogether! and power that can only be dealt with by the When Uriah leaves his king with this letter in his Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.” garment, and to be delivered to Joab, he has no idea whatsoever as to what has happened. He doesn’t know that his king has dishonored him by committing adultery II SAMUEL 11:24 – “AND THE SHOOTERS SHOT with his wife. And above all, he doesn’t know that David FROM OFF THE WALL UPON YOUR SERVANTS; had set about to cover his sin, by demanding his death. AND SOME OF THE KING’S SERVANTS BE DEAD, In all of the sins of man, the way this thing went AND YOUR SERVANT URIAH THE HITTITE IS down, it would be difficult to find something that was DEAD ALSO.” worse. Cold-blooded murder! The pattern is: JOAB 1. (Vs. 14) Uriah didn’t know it, but David had writ- ten his death warrant. It will amount to murder As to what Joab knew about this situation, if any- in cold blood, and of one of his loyal subjects. thing, we cannot know. But the Scriptural Text seems 2. (Vs. 15) How could the man who wrote the to indicate that he suspected something. At any rate, Twenty-third Psalm do this? he carried out David’s instructions to the letter. David Sin never betters itself. The slide is always downward. had told him bluntly, “You set Uriah in the forefront of Irrespective of how holy man has been or how educated the hottest battle, and you retire from him, that he may be he might be, sin is a force and power that can only be smitten, and die.” dealt with by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. How awful are these words! Once again we ask the Sin is so powerful that even though God could speak question, “How could the sweet singer of Israel commit worlds into existence, still, due to His Nature, He could such a dastardly deed?” not speak sin out of existence. He would have to die on Even at the risk of being overly repetitious, please a cruel Cross, offering up Himself as a Perfect Sacrifice allow us again to state the following: in order to pay in full sin’s demands. 3. The Holy Spirit intends for us here to see not only THE CROSS OF CHRIST David’s terrible sins, but also our sins as well! 4. The wording of the Text concerning Verse 21 tells • The only thing that stands between mankind and us that Joab now knew at least something about eternal Hell is the Cross of Christ. the situation, if not its entirety. • The only thing that stands between the Church and total apostasy is the Cross of Christ. COLD-BLOODED MURDER • The only thing that stands between Believers and them once again being taken captive by Satan Williams says, “Uriah was one of David’s mighty men is the Cross of Christ. (II Sam. 23:39). To make him the bearer of the letter • The only thing that guarantees security, help, and 4 September, 2010 The Evangelist WE BELIEVE . . . T . . . The Bible is the inspired and only infallible and au- thoritative written Word of God. (Ps. 119; Mat. 4:4; “The ‘choice’ is, ‘Do we subscribe to God’s Pre- Lk. 24:27) . . . there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. scribed Order of Victory, or do we set out on anoth- (I Jn. 5:7) . . . in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Virgin er course?’ That’s where the choice actually is!” Birth, in His Sinless Life, in His Miracles, in His Vicari- ous and atoning Death, in His Bodily Resurrection, in His Ascension to the Right Hand of the Father, in His personal future return to this Earth in Power and Glory to rule a thousand years. (Jn. 1:1-4; Eph. 2:13-18; protection, is the Cross of Christ. Rev., Chpts. 19-20) . . . in the Blessed Hope — the Rapture of the Church at Most would look at this scenario and be quick to say, “But I would never do Christ’s Coming. (I Thess. 4:13-18) that!” . . . the only means of being cleansed from sin is through Repentance and Faith in the Precious Blood of Christ. Perhaps you wouldn’t! However, one thing is certain, if your Faith is not (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9, 13-18) . . . Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential anchored squarely in Christ and the Cross, you then become an easy target for for personal Salvation. (Jn. 3:5-8; Titus 3:5) the Devil, and to be sure, he will most certainly take advantage of the opportu- . . . the Redemptive Work of Christ on the Cross provides Healing of the human body in answer to believing nity, whatever way he does choose. prayer. (Ex. 15:25-26; James 5:14-15; I Pet. 2:24) . . . the Baptism with the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4 is given to Believers who ask for it. (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; DAVID’S SIN 19:1-7) . . . in the Sanctifying Power of the Holy Spirit by Whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life. This terrible sin of David’s, which we are now addressing, was so evil, so (Rom. 6:3-14; 8:1-2, 11) . . . in the Resurrection of both the saved and the lost: the disgusting, so wicked, so ungodly, in actuality, was the result of his greater sin, one to Everlasting Life and the other to everlasting damnation. (Rev. 20:5-6, 11-15) which, in essence, constitutes rebellion against God and His Way, to which we’ve already addressed. That is where sin always begins. THE PRICELESS CORNER We have set aside this corner of THE EVANGELIST to show God’s Plan of Salvation. If you are unsure where WILLPOWER you will go when you die, please listen to what God has said in His Word: When David stood on the top of his palace, and looked over and saw Bath- FIRST . . . GOD LOVES YOU! “For God so loved the world that he gave His only sheba bathing herself on the top of the house next door, because of his rebellion Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should against God’s Way, which was the Cross, one might say that he was past the not perish, but have Everlasting Life” (Jn. 3:16). point of no return. SECOND . . . MAN IS A SINNER, AND SIN HAS SEPA- RATED HIM FROM GOD! Most would instantly retort by saying, “All he had to do was simply say ‘no!’” “For there is not a just man upon Earth, that doeth Because David’s faith is now placed in something, probably himself, other good and sinneth not” (Eccl. 7:20). than the Sacrifice of Christ, the Holy Spirit is now greatly limited in what He “For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). can do for the king. This is the manner of all sin, and with all people. THIRD . . . JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY REMEDY FOR SIN! IS SIN A CHOICE? “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God . . .” (I Pet. 3:18). Yes it is, but not exactly in the way that most think or believe. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, The “choice” is, “Do we subscribe to God’s Prescribed Order of Victory, or do we whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). set out on another course?” That’s where the choice actually is! FOURTH . . . YOU MUST RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS If we choose wrong here, and please understand that the decision is always YOUR PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOUR . very subtle, then we are beyond saying “no” to whatever it is that Satan proposes. Jesus calls this experience the “new birth.” He told Nicodemus: “. . . Except a man be born again, he cannot Listen to Paul: see the Kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:3). “For that which I do (the failure) I allow not (should have been translated, ‘I We invite you now to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. “But as many as received Him, to understand not’; these are not the words of an unsaved man, as some claim, but them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name” (Jn. 1:12). rather a Believer who is trying and failing): for what I would, that do I not (refers to the obedience he wants to render to Christ, but rather fails; why? as Paul Pray this prayer and mean it with all of your heart: explained, the Believer is married to Christ, but is being unfaithful to Christ Dear Lord Jesus, I now realize that I am a sinner. I accept the fact that You died for me on the rugged Cross by spiritually cohabiting with the Law, which frustrates the Grace of God; that of Calvary. I now open my heart’s door and receive You as Saviour and Lord of my life. Please take full control of means the Holy Spirit will not help such a person, which guarantees failure me and help me to be the kind of Christian You want me [Gal. 2:21]); but what I hate, that do I (refers to sin in his life which he doesn’t to be. Amen. If you prayed this prayer in all sincerity, you are now a want to do and, in fact, hates, but finds himself unable to stop; unfortunately, Child of God. So that we might rejoice with you, we invite you to fill out this coupon and mail it to Jimmy Swaggart due to the fact of not understanding the Cross as it refers to Sanctification, this Ministries, P.O. Box 262550, Baton Rouge, LA 70826-2550. is the plight of most modern Christians).” In Canada, mail to Jimmy Swaggart Ministries of Canada, P.O. Box 1020, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6V9. We will send The Apostle then said, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no you a free copy of Jimmy Swaggart’s book What Must I Do To Be Saved? This book will help you grow in grace and good thing (speaks of man’s own ability, or rather the lack thereof in comparison knowledge. to the Holy Spirit, at least when it comes to Spiritual things): for to will is pres- ent with me (Paul is speaking here of his willpower; regrettably, most modern DEAR JIMMY: TODAY I ACCEPTED JESUS Christians are trying to live for God by means of willpower, thinking falsely that AS MY LORD AND SAVIOUR . since they have come to Christ, they are now free to say ‘no’ to sin; that is the NAME ADDRESS Continued on page 8 CITY STATE/PROV zIP DATE OF DECISION AGE The Evangelist • 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. • 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. “The Word” with Gabe and Jill Swaggart • 5:00 - 6:00 a.m. A prerecorded service from Family Worship Center with • 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. (Live) Jimmy Swaggart • 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (Rebroadcast) “The Message Of The Cross”: Jimmy Swaggart and a panel • 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. of ministers address particular Bible subjects, but more Various Family Worship Center and Jimmy Swaggart particularly “the Cross of Christ.” Ministries Music selections • 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. (Live) Monday onLy • 8:00 - 8:45 p.m. (Rebroadcast) • 4:30 - 5:30 a.m. “News You Can Use” with John Rosenstern & “Spanish” Telecast Josh Rosenstern Wednesday onLy • 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. • 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. • 8:45 - 9:00 p.m. “LIVE” Family Worship Center Service Various Family Worship Center and Jimmy Swaggart Ministries Music selections ThuRsday onLy • 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (Live) • 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. • 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. (Rebroadcast) Crossfire Service “Frances And Friends” with Frances Swaggart saTuRday onLy • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon • 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. • 11:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight “Salvation Station” (Children) Various Family Worship Center and Jimmy Swaggart • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Ministries Music selections “Crossfire with Gabriel Swaggart” (Young Adults) • 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. • 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. • 12:00 midnight - 1:00 a.m. Bob Cornell Loren Larson sunday onLy • 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. • 1:00 - 2:30 a.m. • 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. “A Study In The Word” with Jimmy Swaggart and a panel “The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast” of ministers address particular Bible subjects, but more • 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon (Live) particularly “the Cross of Christ.” “LIVE” Family Worship Center Service • 2:30 - 2:55 p.m. • 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. • 2:30 - 2:55 a.m. Various Family Worship Center and Jimmy Swaggart Various Family Worship Center and Jimmy Swaggart Ministries Music selections Ministries Music selections • 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. • 2:55 - 3:00 p.m. “A Study In The Word” with Jimmy Swaggart and a panel • 2:55 - 3:00 a.m. of ministers address particular Bible subjects, but more A “Daily Devotional” reading by Gabe Swaggart particularly “the Cross of Christ.” • 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. • 2:30 - 6:00 p.m. • 3:00 - 4:00 a.m. Various Family Worship Center and Jimmy Swaggart A prerecorded service from Family Worship Center with Ministries Music selections Donnie Swaggart • 6:00 p.m. • 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. “LIVE” Family Worship Center Service • 4:00 - 5:00 a.m. Various Family Worship Center and Jimmy Swaggart • 10:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight (Rebroadcast) Ministries Music selections Family Worship Center Service You can also receive the SonLife Radio Programming on the internet by logging on at www.jsm.org 6 September, 2010 The Evangelist FuLL-PoWeR Crete, IL ........... ... ..... ... ........ .88.1 (Covering South Chicago and Chicago Heights) sTaTions Ottawa, IL ......... ... ..... .... ........ .88.9 Baton Rouge, LA .............. .. .. .. .. ..88.5 (Covering Ottawa, West La Salle, East Joliet, and (Covering parts of Southern Louisiana) North DeKalb) Greenville, MS/Lake Village, AR . .. .. .. .. .. ..95.9 Kankakee, IL .................. .. ...... .88.3 (Covering parts of Western Mississippi and Eastern (Covering Northeastern Illinois and Northwestern Arkansas) Indiana) Bowling Green/Toledo, OH . . ... . ... . ... .730 AM Nashville, AR .................. .. ...... .96.9 (Covering parts of Northern and Central Ohio, East- (Covering Southwestern Arkansas) ern Indiana, and the Southern tip of Michigan) Mobile/Citronelle, AL ....................102.1 Atlanta/Texarkana, TX . ... .. .. ... .. .. .. ..100.1 (Covering Mobile, Alabama) (Covering parts of Northeastern Texas, Northwest- ern Louisiana, Southwestern Arkansas, and South- Lafayette/Church Point, LA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91.9 eastern Oklahoma) (Covering Southern and Western Louisiana) Chattanooga, TN .............. .. .. .. .. ..95.7 Ada, OK ........... ... ..... ... ........ .88.7 (Covering parts of Southern Tennessee and North- (Covering South Central Oklahoma) ern Georgia) Albion/Rochester, NY . ... ..... ... ........102.1 Camden, AR .... .. . ... . .. .. .... . ... .1450 AM (Covering North Western New York State) (Covering parts of Southern Arkansas) Oklahoma City/Norman, OK ...............89.3 Grenada, MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95.7 (Covering Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) (Covering parts of Central Mississippi) Panama City, FL .... ... ..... .... ........ .91.7 Bentonia/Yazoo City — Jackson, MS .........92.1 (Covering Panama City, Florida) (Covering Central Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana) Beatrice/Lincoln, NE .................... .88.9 (Covering South Eastern Nebraska) Guthrie, OK .............. .. .. .. .. ..1490 AM (Covering Oklahoma City, Edmond, and parts of Grand Island/Hastings, NE . .. ....... .......90.7 Central and Northern Oklahoma) (Covering South Central Nebraska) Jonesboro, LA .............. .. .. .. .. .. .104.9 Lakewood/Jamestown, NY .. ... ..... .......88.9 (Covering Northern Louisiana) (Covering Lakewood and Jamestown, NY) Augusta/Little Rock, AR ... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .97.7 Corrigan/Lufkin, TX .................... ..99.3 (Covering Central Arkansas, Western Tennessee, a (Covering Corrigan and Lufkin, TX) small part of Northwestern Mississippi, and a small TRansLaToR sTaTions part of Southern Missouri) Andalusia, AL ...... ... ..... .... ........ .89.3 Desoto/St. Louis, MO . . ... .. .. ... .. .. .. ..100.1 Eufaula, AL .................. .. ...... ..88.9 (Covering Southern Missouri, parts of Eastern Mis- souri, and Western Illinois) El Dorado, AR .................. .. ......89.7 Bishop, CA ......... ... ..... ... ........ .91.3 Palm Springs, CA .. . ... . .. .. .... . ... . ... .90.9 Key West, FL .................. .. ...... .90.5 (Covering the Coachella Valley) Dublin, GA ......... ... ..... ... ........ .90.9 Winfield — Wichita, KS . ... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .91.9 La Grange, GA ..... ... ..... .... ........ .90.3 (Covering South Central Kansas and North Central Waycross, GA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90.7 Oklahoma) Continued on page 8 The Evangelist September, 2010 7 sonLiFe Radio How Could David Do What He Did? Continued from page 7 Continued from page 5 P Carlinville, IL .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .89.1 “Paul is reaching back into his experience with Effingham, IL .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .88.7 the Lord, which, of course, followed his conversion Freeport, IL ........ . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .91.3 and him being baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Jacksonville, IL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88.1 Bastrop, LA .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..88.3 Delhi, LA .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..88.3 DeRidder, LA .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .89.5 Grayson, LA ...... . ... . .. .. .... . ... . ... .91.9 Many, LA .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..91.3 Minden, LA ..... .. . ... . .. .. .... . ... . ... .91.1 Morgan City, LA . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..90.9 Natchitoches, LA .............. .. .. .. .. ..90.1 Alexandria, MN .... . ... . .. .. .... . ... . ... .91.7 Morris, MN .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .90.5 Kirksville, MO ... .. . ... . .. .. .... . ... . ... .88.1 Mountain Grove, MO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91.7 St. James, MO .............. .. .. .. .. .. ..89.3 Springfield, MO .. .. . ... . .. .. .... . ... . ... .91.5 wrong way to look at the situation; the Believer cannot live for God by the strength of willpower; while the will is Willow Springs, MO .............. .. .. .. ..90.5 definitely important, it alone is not enough; the Believer Columbia, MS ...... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .88.3 must exercise Faith in Christ and the Cross, and do so Philadelphia/Union, MS .............. .. .. .91.5 constantly; then he will have the ability and strength to say ‘yes’ to Christ, which automatically says, ‘no’ to the Morehead City, NC .. . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .91.9 things of the world); but how to perform that which is good Rockingham, NC .............. .. .. .. .. ..88.3 I find not (outside of the Cross, it is impossible to find a Corning, NY .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..89.5 way to do good)” (Rom. 7:15, 18). I don’t know why it is, but some preachers get Chambersburg, PA .. . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .89.7 incensed, when we say that Satan can override the will Franklin, PA .... .. . ... . .. .. .... . ... . ... .90.3 of a Believer, and make that Believer do something that he is strongly trying not to do. Lewisburg, PA .............. .. .. .. .. .. ..90.1 Why? Lock Haven, PA .............. .. .. .. .. ...89.3 Possibly it’s a matter of pride! Mansfield, PA .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .91.5 Paul plainly tells us that before he understood the Message of the Cross, which in reality is the meaning Andrews, SC .... ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .88.7 of the New Covenant, that the very thing he wanted to Clinton, SC ..... ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .88.1 do, which was to live clean before the Lord, he found he Manning, SC ....... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .88.7 couldn’t do. As well, what he didn’t want to do, what he hated, he found himself doing, and despite every effort Winnsboro, SC .. .. . ... . .. .. .... . ... . ... .91.9 to do otherwise. All of this is very, very clear! Satan can Brookings, SD .............. .. .. .. .. .. ..89.7 override the will of a Believer, and force that Believer into Mitchell, SD .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..88.7 a course of action that they don’t want to take, that is, if the Believer has made something other than the Cross Watertown, SD .. .. . ... . .. .. .... . ... . ... .90.1 of Christ the object of his faith. Yankton, SD ....... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .91.1 Paul is reaching back into his experience with the Pikeville, TN .... ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .91.3 Lord, which, of course, followed his conversion and him being baptized with the Holy Spirit. There was a time Bonham, TX ....... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .91.1 frame there possibly of several years, where Paul did not Columbus, TX .............. .. .. .. .. .. ..91.1 know nor understand the Message of the Cross. During that time, he tried his best to live a godly life, but found Midland, TX .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..91.7 he couldn’t. Palestine, TX .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .90.7 Of course, when he wrote the Seventh Chapter of 8 September, 2010 The Evangelist I The Grace of God comes to us exclusively from Christ “If the Believer is not functioning in Grace, by the Means of the Cross. To receive this unending flow of Grace, and on a constant basis, it is required of which can only be done through our Faith in the Believer that our Faith be exclusively in the Cross of Christ and the Cross, then such a Believer is Christ (Rom. 6:1-14; 8:1-2, 11; I Cor. 1:17-18, 21, 23; 2:2; Gal. 6:14; Col. 2:14-15; Eph. 2:8-9). Let us say it again: functioning under Law.” If the Believer is not functioning in Grace, which can only be done through our Faith in Christ and the Cross, then such a Believer is functioning under Law. Regret- Romans, he full well knew and understood the meaning tably, the latter is where most modern Christians are. of the New Covenant, because it had been given to him Most would disagree with that statement claiming by Revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:12). The that they know that the Law of Moses has been fulfilled Lord, therefore, allows him to go back in his experience in Christ, and it is no more incumbent upon Believers. and to portray his efforts for Christ before he understood The facts are, it’s not the Law of Moses to which modern God’s Prescribed Order of Victory. And let the reader Believers are adhering, but rather laws made up by their understand, if Paul couldn’t live this life without the Cross church, other preachers, themselves, or the religious of Christ being the Object of his Faith, even though he denomination with which they are associated. was Saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit, how do you think that you can do what he couldn’t do? WHAT TYPE OF LAWS? The truth is, you can’t! And neither can anyone else, irrespective as to whom they might be. In fact, most of the laws that are made up by individu- God’s Way is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. He has als are good. They’re not evil, they’re not bad and, in fact, no other way, and if any Believer sets out to try to live within themselves, at least some of the laws, are helpful for God in the wrong way, which refers to living outside and beneficial. So exactly what am I talking about? of the Cross, in some way, that Believer is going to find For instance, the other day over television I heard a himself in a position similar to that of David. While most, young preacher state, “If you want victory over a bondage thank God, never fail to the degree as did David, still, in your life, you must make it a matter of prayer and fasting.” in some way sin, as we’ve already stated, will dominate Now prayer and fasting are two of the greatest disci- them (Rom. 6:12). plines in the church. In fact, any Believer who has any And to all who might claim that they can live a vic- type of relationship with Christ must have a prayer life. torious life without the Cross, I again take you to Paul. Actually, that has been my mainstay through the years, He said: a prayer life, that which my Grandmother taught me “I do not frustrate the Grace of God (if we make any- when I was a child. thing other than the Cross of Christ the Object of our However, when we try to take one of these great attri- Faith, we frustrate the Grace of God, which means we butes, these great disciplines, such as prayer and fasting, stop its action, and the Holy Spirit will not help us): for or the Lord’s Supper, or anything else for that matter, and if Righteousness come by the Law (any type of Law), then try to make it function in a way that it was never intended, Christ is dead in vain. (If I can successfully live for the Lord we turn it into a law. Within itself it’s not a law, but if we by any means other than Faith in Christ and the Cross, look at it wrong, that is if we place our faith and confidence then the Death of Christ was a waste)” (Gal. 2:21). in that thing, then it becomes a law. There is only one way that bondages can be broken WHAT IS LAW? in one’s life, only one way that a Believer can have Vic- tory over sin, only one way that a Believer can grow in If it is to be noticed in reading the Epistles of Paul, he Grace and the knowledge of the Lord, only one way to mentions “Law” any number of times, in fact, about 140 live for God, and that is simply by one placing one’s Faith times, that is if he wrote the Book of Hebrews, which I exclusively in Christ as the Source of all things that come believe he did. While the word is used in several different to us from God, and the Cross as the Means by which we capacities, the Apostle mostly uses it in the realm of the are given those things. Law of Moses; however, there are times that he mentions But the truth is, the modern church is living under law, which does not refer to the Law of Moses, but other law and doesn’t even realize it. That’s the reason for so types of laws, and sometimes in a general sense. many failures! That’s the reason for so many Christians The idea is, the Believer is either under “Law” or having terrible problems! That’s the reason for preach- “Grace.” There’s no other place to be. ers failing! That’s the reason that anyone fails for that Some think that because this is the Dispensation of matter! There is no difference between preachers and the Grace, and it is, that we are automatically under Grace. laity. All come under the same measurement, the same The truth is, most Christians, sadly and regrettably, rule, which is the Cross of Christ. Listen again to Paul: are frustrating the Grace of God (Gal. 2:21), and many “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the Faith (the have even fallen from Grace (Gal. 5:4). No, Grace, words, ‘the Faith,’ refer to ‘Christ and Him Crucified,’ with even though this is the Dispensation of Grace, is not an automatic thing. Continued on page 10 The Evangelist September, 2010 9 How Could David Do What He Did? Continued from page 9 I “It doesn’t matter who it is, whether the Evangelist preaching to the largest crowds in the world, the Pastor who shepherds the largest Bob and Sharon Cornell church in the world, irrespective, the only way Office: 225-768-3887 • E-mail: [email protected] that anyone can live for God, and do so suc- AUGUST 19-21, 2010 – NASHVILLE, TN cessfully, is by that person placing their Faith James Smith Nashville, TN exclusively in Christ and the Cross.” (615) 781-3735 **Meeting location and schedule SBN** AUGUST 29, 2010 – LAFAYETTE, LA Pastor Stanley Sinegal First United Full Gospel Assembly 400 St. John St. (corner of St. John & Simcoe St.) Lafayette, LA 70501 (337) 291-2479 Sunday: 10 am SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2010 – NEW BOSTON, TX Pastor Matthew Neese Faith Assembly of God 407 West Walters Blvd. New Boston, TX 75570 (903) 628-6607 [email protected] Friday: 7 pm the Cross ever being the Object of our Faith); prove your Saturday: 7 pm own selves. (Make certain your Faith is actually in the Sunday: 10:45 am Cross, and not other things.) Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you (which He can only be by our SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2010 – TRUMANN, AR Faith expressed in His Sacrifice), except you be reprobates? Pastor Chad O'Brien (rejected)” (II Cor. 13:5). Living Waters Church David, the sweet singer of Israel, the man after God’s 216 West Main St. Own Heart, lost his way, and committed some of the most P.O. Box 562 dastardly sins in human history, simply because he took Trumann, AR 72472 his eyes off of Christ and the Cross, and placed his faith (870) 483-1300 in other things, whatever they might have been. Let me www.livingwaterschurchsite.com say it again: Friday: 7 pm (Bob Cornell) It doesn’t matter who it is, whether the Evangelist Saturday: 7 pm (Sharon Cornell) preaching to the largest crowds in the world, the Pastor Sunday: 10 am (Bob Cornell) who shepherds the largest church in the world, irrespec- tive, the only way that anyone can live for God, and do so successfully, is by that person placing their Faith exclusively in Christ and the Cross. That must ever be the Object of our Faith. It must remain there, even on a daily basis, even as our Lord warned us (Lk. 9:23). 2 George Williams, The Student’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, Grand Rapids, Kregel Publications, 1949, pg. 167. (The above article was derived from the Jimmy Swaggart Bible Commentary, “I Samuel and II Samuel”, II Samuel, Chapter 11.) 10 September, 2010 The Evangelist