"OCCUPY TILL I COME" by Stephen Benton

THE PASTOR'S PEN

"OCCUPY TILL I COME"

            Good morning and welcome to The House of Good News, the BIGGEST little Church in Los Angeles.

            The scriptures tell us that Jesus will appear the second time to those who look for him.  We are actively looking for the coming of the Lord.  The search is not a casual search.  The expectancy is not the wait and see if He's coming variety that is so common in the Church today.  The Lord gave me a date of the Day of Atonement in October of 1997 that marked the announcement of the Jubile year for Israel in 1998.  That was the appointed day that God had earmarked to receive his Church including the dead in Christ to himself.  All those who heard and read the scriptural proof for that date and rejected it were lost in unbelief.  Because of that unbelief, God then took that promise off the shelf and delayed or tarried that day for the Church just like he did when he delayed Canaan for the Children of Israel; and the Kingdom for Israel on so-called Palm Sunday (which was actually Palm Saturday but that's another subject).

            The fearful, the unbelieving, and the scripturally deficient were hiding behind the passage of scripture where Jesus told his disciples to "occupy until I come."  (Let's look at that verse for a  minute.)  A casual look will reveal that it was not written to the Church at all.  It is found in Luke chapter 19.  Luke gives a footnote for a parable given by Jesus.

            "And as  they heard these things,  he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear."     verse 11

            Understand, that which would immediately appear would be Christ's crucifixion within four days and the birth of the Church 53 days later.  The Kingdom of God would not appear until Jesus made his second advent and began to rule on the earth as King of Kings.  This parable is spoken to Israel, shown here as his servants.)  Now let's continue.

            "He said therefore, a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.                                                                                                                            And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come."

            He's not addressing the Church because there is no Church at this time. He's letting the Jews know that when he gets to Jerusalem, he would not be made a king (as they anticipated,) the kingdom of God would not come, but rather, he would be crucified.  In other words, he was letting them know that the kingdom of God on earth would be postponed for quite some time.  The Church is part of the hierarchy of the Kingdom of God but to teach that the Church is the kingdom of God is erroneous.  The Church certainly does not occupy the role of servants in the Kingdom, but as heirs and joint heirs, kings and priests.

            (But let's give the benefit of the doubt to those who take this scripture to be for the Church.  If that's the case, they should be actively trading whatever assets God has given to them to increase their treasures in order that they might give them to God.  That is the true meaning of "occupy till I come.")

Written by Pastor Stephen Benton in

THE WEEKLY WORD OF THE HOUSE OF GOOD NEWS

To read more current revelations from Pastor Steve, check out his book published September of 2017 on Amazon.com

                 https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Final-Secret-Stephen-Benton/dp/1976338476/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509271792&sr=1-1&keywords=god%27s+final+secret+by+stephen+benton

WHERE DOES JESUS RANK IN YOUR LIFE? by Stephen Benton

THE PASTOR'S PEN

WHERE DOES JESUS RANK IN YOUR LIFE?

by Stephen Benton

                I take time out in bible class to read some news articles. I share key information with you from the internet because this event commonly called, "the Rapture" is a real event and I am not in the "wait and see" camp.

            When I was in high school I was a shoe salesman in Ohio.  My boss once told me that most people will take more time selecting a pair of shoes than they will to buy a new car.  He was right. The same is true regarding salvation.  I am amazed at how non-committal people can be where their eternal salvation is concerned but how committed they are to the affairs of this world.  I shouldn't be amazed though because Jesus pointed out that same enigma in the parable of the Sower when he mentioned the seed that fell among thorns.

            "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."  Matthew 13:22

            Those two elements: the care of this world, and making a living, will cost many who are professing salvation to lose possession of heaven.  The thorny seed dwellers are those who are saved but who become unfruitful.

            I told you about the individual who once worshiped with us but would not make the sacrifice to save himself and his family by driving to Los Angeles at least once a week.  The ironic part of that situation is that this same individual will drive to Los Angeles five days a week to meet the needs of this temporary life but does not see the necessity of making the same trip to meet the needs and requirements of eternity.  There are going to be some sad souls come the day of the rapture.  They think just because they know about the Rapture they are going.  WRONG!  Along with the rapture message came the warning to intensify your attendance in Church and your study of God's word.  God was not joking when he said that.  And anyone who did not and does not take him seriously regarding that matter will fall victim to the strong delusion and the lie, God will guarantee it!

            Christianity and discipleship has always been an issue of completely belonging to Jesus Christ and it is not without its costs.  He said the following:

            "And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned and said unto them,                                                     

 if any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.                                    

 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."               

Luke 14:25 ,26

            First of all, Jesus is telling us that he must be first and above any and all family relationships.  Too often I hear excused from individuals not being able to attend church because of a family commitment.  That reminds me of another situation Jesus encountered after inviting a man to follow him, the man said that he first had to go bury his father.

            "And he said unto another, Follow me.  But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.                                                                                                                                                                       Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.             And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.                                                                                                                         
 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."   Luke 9:59-62

            Being human, I naturally hurt when I see potential candidates for salvation miss their window of opportunity but my inner man, equipped with spiritual understanding, assures me that such individuals are not fit for the kingdom of God, i.e., God has no use for the partially committed.  He has no use for the individual who cannot recognize and does not desire to meet the full measure that God demands from his disciples.  In both of the situations above the individual said, "Let me first go..."  Too many have the wrong first in their lives.  God is behind first.  Salvation is second to first.  Eternal life is after first.  There have been many occasions when I have invited someone to come to church and after saying "yes," they always had something to do first.  Most of the time they never made it beyond first.
            What's first in your life?  I can tell you this, that which receives most of your time, energy, thought, and money is first.  My use of the word most is not restricted to mere quantity but quality as well.  It's time to destroy these idols in our lives.

            One cannot truly call himself or herself a follower of Christ who lets anything hinder them from the minimal obligation of simply being in attendance at a service where God has promised that where two or three are gathered together in his name, he too, will be there.  Reason would dictate that just that promise alone, the requirement of only two or three necessary for insuring God's own presence in the meeting, would serve as sufficient motivation to be there.  The mindset should be, God doesn't have the necessary number to be there, it won't be because of me.  You must make yourself a committee of one in order to guarantee God's command of not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together and more as we see the day (of the rapture) approaching.  (Hebrews 10:25)

            It's time we ask ourselves, what am I really saying to God when I know He is speaking based on knowing His voice, and I am not hearing or reading?  I think that if I were God, no excuse would be deemed acceptable at this point in time.  Further, if I were God, I'm not sure if I would take someone to heaven to be with me eternally when they could not make the "cares of this world" secondary to Him and the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  A tithe of hours in a week is at least 16 hours.  Don't be deceived, if you are not meeting with God in his word hearing a message from a true prophet of God, for at least 4 hours a week,  the easiest of responsibilities in this day, you are not giving him at least that much time in private. You cannot be realistic about going to heaven to be in the presence of God forever.  That individual is not fit for the kingdom of God.  The person who puts family relationships before God will eventually get exactly what they have been pursuing here on earth: an eternity with family and friends outside of the presence of the LORD.  God will not be second, he will be first or not at all.  He went on record in the Old Testament by telling us that  his name is JEALOUS, why provoke him? (Exodus 34:14)

Written by Pastor Stephen Benton in

THE WEEKLY WORD OF THE HOUSE OF GOOD NEWS

To read more current revelations from Pastor Steve, check out his book published September of 2017 on Amazon.com

                 https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Final-Secret-Stephen-Benton/dp/1976338476/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509271792&sr=1-1&keywords=god%27s+final+secret+by+stephen+benton

HOW DO WE GET TO HEAVEN; BY GRACE OR OUR WORKS? by Stephen Benton

THE PASTOR'S PEN

HOW DO WE GET TO HEAVEN; BY GRACE OR OUR WORKS?

by Stephen Benton

                Let's go back to the scripture in Luke 14:28-33
            " For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?    
             Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,                                                                                                                                                  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.                                                                      Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?                                                                                                                                                             Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."

            In this segment Jesus makes it clear that discipleship requires some careful forethought.  I have a problem with preachers who try to convince someone to get saved the first time they meet the person.  My philosophy is let them come for a few Sundays and give them time to make up their minds about following Christ.  It is not a frivolous decision or one to be entered into lightly.  Salvation is free.  You can come without money but if you expect to lay hold to eternal life, it will cost you.  What is heaven worth?  What is it worth not to ever grow old?  What is it worth to not ever have another pain, hurt or sorrow?  What is it worth to be in the presence of God forever?
            This morning I expect to go into the book of Philippians and focus on the following verse unless the Holy Ghost dictates otherwise.
            "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."   Phil. 3:14
            This entire contest, starting at verse one, picks up the theme of the bible class regarding the flesh and the saw.  The Church has always been plagued with those who preach legalism as an addition to salvation and as I pointed out in the class in Galatians, that the children of the bondwoman (the law) always persecute the children of the free woman (promise.)  When they unleash their persecution on you, you can always count on them to point out something external about you that they consider to be a violation, usually in accordance with their own personal law.  The merging of legalism with salvation by faith negates the message of salvation by grace through faith.  Either Jesus paid the full price of redemption or else we have been left with a balance that we must work off through fleshly effort.  Salvation by grace does not give one a license to sin.  It should motivate one to put off the sins of the flesh because of the unmerited favor of God's bestowal of righteousness without works based solely on one's faith.

            We cannot trust the works of the flesh with one iota of our salvation because the flesh has been proven to be untrustworthy.  Paul states that fact clearly in verse three:

            "For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."        

            God himself made a definitive statement about flesh in Genesis, chapter six.
            "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh."
            Man being flesh was reason enough for God to destroy him because the flesh cannot be rehabilitated, perfected, improved or anything else positive.  God determined to drown all flesh the first time and the next time he destroys it the job will be done with fire.  Don't expect the flesh to cooperate with the Holy Ghost within you.  We are engaged in a trench warfare; hand to hand combat, the Spirit warring against the flesh.

            Paul told us that he was in the business of pressing toward the mark, bearing down on the goal, pursuing on for the prize of the call from above of God which is in Christ Jesus.  May God clearly elucidate this truth to you from His word this morning.

Written by Pastor Stephen Benton in

THE WEEKLY WORD OF THE HOUSE OF GOOD NEWS

To read more current revelations from Pastor Steve, check out his book published September of 2017 on Amazon.com

                 https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Final-Secret-Stephen-Benton/dp/1976338476/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509271792&sr=1-1&keywords=god%27s+final+secret+by+stephen+benton