A Letter to the Church
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A Letter to the Church
As I witness world events unfolding today with global ramifications it doesn't take someone endowed with
highly attuned observation skills to see the trouble we (even the church) are currently faced with and the
troubles ahead. Even in small congregations I have repeatedly witnessed family, friends and loved ones choose
the world over God. Who are those that overcome the world? The Word of God says, “For whatsoever is born of
God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that
overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1John 5:4,5). If small congregations are
faced with so many internal trials and turmoil it is clear the church as a whole is in such poor condition only God
can give us the discernment to endure. And I don’t have the time nor the space to elaborate.
Paul wrote explaining, even warning, to get beyond spiritual milk. I would like to present a study on true
spiritual growth laying foundational birth truths and moving on to deeper identification truths of the believer’s
union with Christ; and this theological perspective is hard to understand, many commentators take an easier,
more explainable position. This will be structured more like a class and will require a serious, studious attitude
of spiritual need and hunger.
As believer’s we must come to understand and move beyond foundational birth truths and on to identification
truths if we ever wish to experience any significant spiritual growth, to experience the overcoming life or to
walk in victory. In my experience all the self help books in the world are worth less than the paper they are
printed on and would serve a better purpose as kindling for the fire. Only God can truly change a persons
character and He is not too interested in the spiritually lazy; no, the word of God says we will be tested to
prove our faith genuine (1Pet 1:6,7). God is interested in diligent seekers, not those that knock once on the
door and leave discouraged. In Luke 11:7-9 we are told of a friend asking his neighbor for some bread at
midnight. "Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise
and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you". Just as Christ said, the friend will open the door because of his
importunity; the Greek being anaidĕia (an-ah’-ee-die-ah’) denotes shameless importunity ,and is used to
illustrate the need of earnest perseverance and persistence in prayer (Strongs #335). Diligent seeking and
persistence is not to be confused with badgering annoyance.
I hope you can see where I am going with this. Victory in overcoming the world is only found in God and only in
His way; and the deeper truths of God’s word do not come easy. The Holy Spirit does not reveal the deep,
profound treasures of the Word too quickly, or effortlessly. God takes pleasure in true, diligent seekers. What
kind of God would we serve if He were so easily known? It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour
of kings is to search out a matter (Pro 25:2). Studying and searching out the truths of God’s Word is a difficult
task that involves diligent work. Only those who possess spiritual hunger and thirst for the knowledge of God
can enter into understanding.
And all the truths of the cross as described by Paul in the book of Romans; to enter into understanding and to
apply these truths into the life of the believer will prove one of the most difficult spiritual growth phases of the
believer. Therefore I am writing this for those who have become aware of the spiritual deficit they find
themselves in. To those who have admitted their short comings and failures as Christians; to those who have
come to a place of self loathing and cried out "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of
this death"?(Ro 7:24). I address this to Christians that feel they should be freed from the power of sin who
despite all their efforts find themselves defeated in failure; to those who have grown tired of empty promises of
deliverance through charismatic teachings of men. In the end they only serve to disappoint and weaken faith. It
is my objective to bring to light and unfold the hidden wisdom and knowledge of God of the "abundant life" as
partakers of the divine nature (1Co 2:7). And that is where many teachings fall short. They teach we should be
imitators of Christ when in fact we are partakers, we are to participate in Christ. As F.J. Huegel said " The
great dilemma of which we have been speaking resolves itself into most simple terms when we grasp the
distinction between imitation and Participation. For, what is impossible to me as an imitator of Christ becomes
perfectly natural as a participant of Christ."(F.J. Huegel, Bone of His Bone p17). Being an imitator, as noble as it
may be, is relying on self.
Another issue I want to address is the condition the world is rapidly approaching, and is now here. My friends,
we are living in the end times and beginning to witness the “beginning of sorrows” and the preceding birth
pains of the tribulation. I stumbled, or was rather led to the book of Zechariah during my quiet time (May 2008).
I had been sharing with the men’s Bible study how I believed we were facing some serious difficulties ahead. A
sub-title caught my attention and as I read I was amazed how the text was directly related to what I had been
sharing and I felt a confirmation. I read about four world empires that were used to disperse Israel as a nation.
As I continued I read about four carpenters that would be used to weaken the gentile nations. This caught my
interest so I dug a little deeper and found the Greek term used for carpenters is also used for engravers. A
mental picture entered my mind of engravers chipping and chiseling away piece by piece the powers of the
gentile nations, weakening and diminishing them. These carpenters have been compared to the four horseman
of the apocalypse in the book of Rev., judging the world – war, famine, pestilence & evil beasts.
A week doesn’t go by without disaster in the headlines. Tornadoes, cyclones, earthquakes, mud slides and fires
wreak havoc throughout the earth. Gas prices are forcing an inevitable recession. The world is facing a global
food shortage. Globally, Christian persecution and martyrdom is at an all time high in world history. We are
entering the time Christ spoke of in Matt 24. The church is not appointed to wrath but that does not mean we
will escape hard times or suffering.
The church, the body of Christ, needs to unite; to come together in unity as never before. The priority and
attention of church generosity needs to be directed more inwardly. I want you to clearly understand I am not
suggesting hardening your hearts and turning away from those that suffer in the world. The church has always
been endowed with a charitable heart beyond comparison and our light should shine as an example to the
world of Christ in us. But when churches send financial gifts to victims in China, India and so forth, while Brother
Bill at church suffers the loss of job and home – something is wrong with that picture. The word of God says we
are to love our brethren. I believe the mentality of the end times church is now called to be in harmony with
that of the beginning church. Let me give you examples from scripture of the unity of the early church being of
one mind and one accord.
• And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily
with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat
with gladness and singleness of heart (Acts 2:44-46)
• And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of
them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things
common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked:
(Acts 4:32-34)
• If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them,
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things
which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (James 2:15,16)
• But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his
bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us
not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
(1 Jn 3:17,18)
Neither am I suggesting we all sell our possessions; but rather a unity of mind in one accord, considering the
times we now live in.
continue to.............. The Mystery Revealed
As I witness world events unfolding today with global ramifications it doesn't take someone endowed with
highly attuned observation skills to see the trouble we (even the church) are currently faced with and the
troubles ahead. Even in small congregations I have repeatedly witnessed family, friends and loved ones choose
the world over God. Who are those that overcome the world? The Word of God says, “For whatsoever is born of
God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that
overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1John 5:4,5). If small congregations are
faced with so many internal trials and turmoil it is clear the church as a whole is in such poor condition only God
can give us the discernment to endure. And I don’t have the time nor the space to elaborate.
Paul wrote explaining, even warning, to get beyond spiritual milk. I would like to present a study on true
spiritual growth laying foundational birth truths and moving on to deeper identification truths of the believer’s
union with Christ; and this theological perspective is hard to understand, many commentators take an easier,
more explainable position. This will be structured more like a class and will require a serious, studious attitude
of spiritual need and hunger.
As believer’s we must come to understand and move beyond foundational birth truths and on to identification
truths if we ever wish to experience any significant spiritual growth, to experience the overcoming life or to
walk in victory. In my experience all the self help books in the world are worth less than the paper they are
printed on and would serve a better purpose as kindling for the fire. Only God can truly change a persons
character and He is not too interested in the spiritually lazy; no, the word of God says we will be tested to
prove our faith genuine (1Pet 1:6,7). God is interested in diligent seekers, not those that knock once on the
door and leave discouraged. In Luke 11:7-9 we are told of a friend asking his neighbor for some bread at
midnight. "Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise
and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you". Just as Christ said, the friend will open the door because of his
importunity; the Greek being anaidĕia (an-ah’-ee-die-ah’) denotes shameless importunity ,and is used to
illustrate the need of earnest perseverance and persistence in prayer (Strongs #335). Diligent seeking and
persistence is not to be confused with badgering annoyance.
I hope you can see where I am going with this. Victory in overcoming the world is only found in God and only in
His way; and the deeper truths of God’s word do not come easy. The Holy Spirit does not reveal the deep,
profound treasures of the Word too quickly, or effortlessly. God takes pleasure in true, diligent seekers. What
kind of God would we serve if He were so easily known? It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour
of kings is to search out a matter (Pro 25:2). Studying and searching out the truths of God’s Word is a difficult
task that involves diligent work. Only those who possess spiritual hunger and thirst for the knowledge of God
can enter into understanding.
And all the truths of the cross as described by Paul in the book of Romans; to enter into understanding and to
apply these truths into the life of the believer will prove one of the most difficult spiritual growth phases of the
believer. Therefore I am writing this for those who have become aware of the spiritual deficit they find
themselves in. To those who have admitted their short comings and failures as Christians; to those who have
come to a place of self loathing and cried out "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of
this death"?(Ro 7:24). I address this to Christians that feel they should be freed from the power of sin who
despite all their efforts find themselves defeated in failure; to those who have grown tired of empty promises of
deliverance through charismatic teachings of men. In the end they only serve to disappoint and weaken faith. It
is my objective to bring to light and unfold the hidden wisdom and knowledge of God of the "abundant life" as
partakers of the divine nature (1Co 2:7). And that is where many teachings fall short. They teach we should be
imitators of Christ when in fact we are partakers, we are to participate in Christ. As F.J. Huegel said " The
great dilemma of which we have been speaking resolves itself into most simple terms when we grasp the
distinction between imitation and Participation. For, what is impossible to me as an imitator of Christ becomes
perfectly natural as a participant of Christ."(F.J. Huegel, Bone of His Bone p17). Being an imitator, as noble as it
may be, is relying on self.
Another issue I want to address is the condition the world is rapidly approaching, and is now here. My friends,
we are living in the end times and beginning to witness the “beginning of sorrows” and the preceding birth
pains of the tribulation. I stumbled, or was rather led to the book of Zechariah during my quiet time (May 2008).
I had been sharing with the men’s Bible study how I believed we were facing some serious difficulties ahead. A
sub-title caught my attention and as I read I was amazed how the text was directly related to what I had been
sharing and I felt a confirmation. I read about four world empires that were used to disperse Israel as a nation.
As I continued I read about four carpenters that would be used to weaken the gentile nations. This caught my
interest so I dug a little deeper and found the Greek term used for carpenters is also used for engravers. A
mental picture entered my mind of engravers chipping and chiseling away piece by piece the powers of the
gentile nations, weakening and diminishing them. These carpenters have been compared to the four horseman
of the apocalypse in the book of Rev., judging the world – war, famine, pestilence & evil beasts.
A week doesn’t go by without disaster in the headlines. Tornadoes, cyclones, earthquakes, mud slides and fires
wreak havoc throughout the earth. Gas prices are forcing an inevitable recession. The world is facing a global
food shortage. Globally, Christian persecution and martyrdom is at an all time high in world history. We are
entering the time Christ spoke of in Matt 24. The church is not appointed to wrath but that does not mean we
will escape hard times or suffering.
The church, the body of Christ, needs to unite; to come together in unity as never before. The priority and
attention of church generosity needs to be directed more inwardly. I want you to clearly understand I am not
suggesting hardening your hearts and turning away from those that suffer in the world. The church has always
been endowed with a charitable heart beyond comparison and our light should shine as an example to the
world of Christ in us. But when churches send financial gifts to victims in China, India and so forth, while Brother
Bill at church suffers the loss of job and home – something is wrong with that picture. The word of God says we
are to love our brethren. I believe the mentality of the end times church is now called to be in harmony with
that of the beginning church. Let me give you examples from scripture of the unity of the early church being of
one mind and one accord.
• And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily
with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat
with gladness and singleness of heart (Acts 2:44-46)
• And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of
them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things
common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked:
(Acts 4:32-34)
• If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them,
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things
which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (James 2:15,16)
• But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his
bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us
not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
(1 Jn 3:17,18)
Neither am I suggesting we all sell our possessions; but rather a unity of mind in one accord, considering the
times we now live in.
continue to.............. The Mystery Revealed