In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal testimony of going through tough times and relying on God's faithfulness. He emphasizes the importance of walking with God and holding onto His promises. The speaker highlights the significance of faith and belief in Jesus, as well as the joy and salvation that come from trusting in Him. He also discusses the concept of discipline from God, explaining that it is a sign of being a legitimate child of God and leads to righteousness.

This is tape number 11 in a series. We urge you to listen to all the tapes in the series in numerical order, so that the whole teaching can be received and understood. Listening to a part of this series or to the tapes out of sequence can lead to a misunderstanding of the nature, the intent, and the importance of this series. And my wife will bear witness to you. And I really thank God for my wife. She stood through me through some tough times. We left and we nearly starved to death. I mean, we didn't even have a place to live. You ever been there? And I just kept crying out to God. I was so tired of the failure and the futility of my life. Boy, I had worked hard to be holy. Boy, I had worked hard to put to death things in my body and they were still there. And they were still as much alive as ever. All I knew to do was seek Him and just cling to Him and cry out to God. And that's all I did. And one night, one night in the midst of this, I was just seeking God. And all of a sudden, God spoke to me and He said, James, He says, I've planted a seed in you. I've planted a seed in you just like I've planted in all of those who believe Me and want to walk with Me. He said, I've planted a seed in you and it will come to maturity. I backed up and I said, well, God, I don't even know what you're saying, really. He said, James, you've become a tree of righteousness. And He said, you will grow up. Because He said, I am the good gardener. I tend all of mine. And it will grow up unless you uproot it. He said, you can uproot it, James. And it'll quit growing. I didn't even know what He told me then. But you know what burst within me at that moment? Hope. All of a sudden, you know what? I began to realize, you know, hey, I can make it there. God has told me that I can make it there where I long to be. Entered within the veil with Him and He's told me I can be there. It'll kind of help you walk. Because you know what? It's a whole lot more rest. Knowing that He's well able to perform these things that I can't. He's well able to live His life out of me. Oh, well, some will say, well, are you saying we don't have to purge ourselves? No, don't read that into this. You're not going to find any false security or any easy religion in this, okay? God's made a promise to you. But you know what? All along your walk, you can stop any place, any place along the way. You can decide to stop. You can stop. You can reject the grace of God. You can reject all of the faith. You can reject all of His goodness and all of His mercy. You can stop and say, I can't go any further, God. This is it. This is as far as I'm going. You can rationalize. You can justify. You can do all sorts of good things. And then die and go to hell. That's hard. But it's a fact. Because you know what God is saying? He's saying, if you'll keep walking with Me, if you'll cling to Me with all of your heart, if you'll love Me with all of your heart, and just cling to Me and hold on to Me, and continually hold the very hope of the promise I've made, He says, you'll arrive there. You'll arrive there. Verse 21, And being fully assured that what He had promised He was able to perform, therefore also it was reckoned to Him as righteousness. Now, not for His sake only was it written, here it comes. Verse 24, Let's read verse 23 again. Now, not for His sake only was it written that it was reckoned to Him, but for our sake also to whom it will be reckoned as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Glory! Bring on the fire! Bring on the knife! Because God, I believe that you, just as you raised Jesus, you can raise up my body. Boy, I like that. Why don't you turn with me over to 1 Peter? I want to change this up a little bit, because I think the Spirit of God wants to do something. 1 Peter 1 Look at 1 Peter 1, okay? 1 Peter 1, verse 1, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout these different areas, who are chosen. And how are they chosen? According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit. Is that there? Have you been chosen? By the sanctifying work of the Spirit? Put your finger right there and go with me to Hebrews 12. I want you to see it. Now, you've got to see it. If you don't see all of it, you're going to miss it. Verse 11, Hebrews 12, verse 11. Hold your place in 1 Peter. We're going right back there. Hebrews 12, verse 11. All discipline for the moment seems to be sorrowful. Look at verse 7 first. Excuse me, verse 7. It is for discipline that you endure, and God deals with you as with who? Did Abraham deal with his son? Reckon that's the type of the Father with his sons? For what son is there whom his father doesn't discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate sons. You're illegitimate children. Can I tell you something? If you want to save yourself, you're not a son. If you want to come off the cross, if it's too heavy, if it's too burdensome, you can save yourself, but you won't be a son. Verse 11, all discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful. Yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet. Are we on a walk? Look at me. You're making straight paths for your feet. So that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men and the what? Without which no one will what? Turn back over to 1 Peter. We just read 1 Peter. It says, "...who are chosen," in verse 2, "...according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit." And why is it that process? "...that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood." Verse 3, read it with me. Please follow along. "...Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again." Are you seeing? Wait a minute. Look at me. Are you seeing in this? We began in Acts 13 where the Word of God, Paul is preaching. He says, "...I am proclaiming to you, I am preaching to you, the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that this promise has been fulfilled to us, in that He raised up Jesus, saying in the second Psalm, Thou art my," what? "...son. Today I have done," what? "...begotten you." I've begotten you. You've been born again to what? What have you been born again to? Can I tell you something? You've been born again to a living hope. It's going right back to the same thing where Abraham, he believed that God was able to perform in him what He promised. He believed that God was able to bring forth an heir out of His own body who would inherit this spiritual land, and that's what he's saying here. You've been born again to a living hope. The hope, the fulfillment of the hope is over here. See, it's the same thing Paul wrote in Colossians. He said, it is Christ in you, the what? Hope of glory. We've looked at that and said, well, that's the hope. Can I tell you something? It's Christ in you, being conformed in you, that causes you to walk. Do you see what I'm saying in that? Christ in you, the hope of glory. Paul's process in Romans 8, that we may suffer with Him, that we may be also what? Glorified with Him. It's Christ in you that's causing you to continue to walk to arrive at that land, that spiritual city. Folks, that's the hope. That's the hope arriving at the city Abraham was looking for. Let's read on. You've been born again to a living hope. How have you been born again to a living hope? Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Well, you're about to see why that's important. To obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, won't fade away. Where is it reserved? This heavenly city is a spiritual place, a spiritual habitation. Who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, in this you greatly rejoice. Even though now, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, knowing that the proof of your faith being far more precious than gold, which is perishable even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, and what's that next word? Oh, it's Christ in you, the hope of glory, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. And just like our brother said, you want me to tell you what the revelation of Jesus Christ is? You may be seeing it here. You may have already sensed it. You're being led by the Spirit of God through the wilderness and the Father has lifted up the fire and the knife. He's made you the offering that He may raise you from the dead. And when He raises you from the dead, you're going to be in the image of Jesus. As you've suffered this, as He's brought to birth this new man out of you, can I tell you that the revelation of Jesus Christ is in your flesh? They'll see Jesus in you. Let's go on. And though you haven't seen Him, you love Him. And though you don't see Him now, you believe in Him. You greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible, obtaining as outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. Verse 13, Therefore, gird your minds for action. Keep sober in spirit. Fix your... what's that? Hope. Completely, is that partially? Completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ as obedient children. Don't be conformed to your former lusts which were yours and your... what? But be like the Holy One who called you. Be holy yourself also in all your behavior, because it is written... Now look at this, because we misread this. He says, You shall be holy, for I am holy. Can I tell you what that is? It's a promise. He said, You shall be holy. It's a promise. And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth, knowing that you're not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with a precious blood as of a lamb unblemished and spotless the blood of Christ. For He who was foreknown before the foundation of the world has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him, who through Jesus, are believers in God, who raised Jesus from the dead and gave Him what? I'd love to take over in John 17 and see what Jesus said about the glory. He said, Father, the glory that You've given Me, I do what? I give it to them. Who gave Him glory so that Your faith and Your what? Your faith and Your hope are in who? Are in God. Why? Because God has raised up the dead body of the Lord Jesus Christ. So guess what? He can raise up your dead body. I want you to turn with me one more place. I want you to see this. As a matter of fact, two places. Look and turn at Colossians 2. Colossians 2. Just a second. I want you to see this. Look at Colossians 2 verse 11. And in Him you were also... What's that word? Let me ask you a question. What kind of an instrument do you have to use for circumcision? Oh, you have to use a knife. You were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, having died with Him, having suffered the pains of this death, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were what? Also raised up with Him through faith and the working of God who raised Him from the dead. Do you see it? You're real close to it. Turn to Philippians 3. I want to show you this because see, today's theology is so perverted the Word of God. See, the enemy will just attack your mind with so many things. I want to look at this and I'm going to go to Romans 10. So if you want to hold Romans 10 and Philippians 4. Now, if you remember right over there in Colossians, when you get there, I want you to look at me. Colossians 2. Remember it said over there? And I want to read it. Don't turn back there. Stay where you're at in Philippians. But I want to read this. "...having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him." You were raised up with Christ through faith and the working of God who raised Him from the dead. Well, see, today the theology teaches, well, you've been raised up with Him because you believe. Just because you've said your words and you believe that Jesus died. We're trying to take this, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and confessed to you the mouth and you know what? You'll be saved. So as a pastor, I said that a bunch of times to a lot of people. And you know what? I didn't know what it meant. You're about to see what it means completely. Let me ask you a question. I want you to think of this, particularly our Spirit-filled brothers here. Was Paul a prophet and a teacher in the church at Antioch? Did he see the Lord? Was he an apostle? Did he write most of the New Testament? Did he write to the church at Corinth and say, I speak in tongues more than y'all? Did he say those things? Okay, look at Philippians 3 with me. Verse 8, More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered. I have suffered the loss of how many things? And count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ. Can I tell you something about these believers? You know, we've always said how persecuted they were and they didn't have places to live and they didn't have money and they didn't have all these things. And we think about, oh, how terrible it was. Can I tell you something? They didn't want them. They didn't want to get bogged down in this world. They understood some things we don't. They weren't so poor and broke and destitute because they just couldn't make it. You know what? They didn't want them. Boy, that's good. I like that. Thank you, Lord. And 9, And I may be found in him. I count all of this as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ. In verse 9, I may be found in him. I may be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, not a righteousness from my house, but, God, one You've built, not my son, but the one You're birthing out of me, God. Your righteousness derived not from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead, not that I've already obtained it. That's the apostle to the church who was filled with the Spirit of God and wisdom. He still had some ways to go, didn't he? You reckon you do? Even if you do speak in tongues? You know what they tried to teach? I know because I pastored a full gospel church for a while. You turn from Egypt and you came, and here came the Spirit of God, and you're filled with the Spirit, and you know what being filled with the Spirit is? It's the promised land. You're there. Can I tell you something? There's a tremendous truth, because you won't go in and possess the land unless you're led by the Spirit of God, so don't misinterpret what I'm about to tell you. You've got to be led and empowered by the grace and the Spirit of Almighty God or you'll never get there, okay? Flesh and blood can't inherit it. But can I tell you something? There's no greater lie than to say, well, boy, when you're filled with the Spirit, that's it, you've got it. Sit down. Relax. You're there. They've taught that. You've heard it. I've heard it. But it's a lie, okay? It's a lie. Don't worry about it. Don't fret about it. It's a lie. Because Paul in verse 12, he says, I haven't attained to it. He said, I'm not yet perfect. He said, I press on in order that I may lay hold of that. Now look at this with me. I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Glory be to God. He's pressing forward to lay hold of that very thing for which Jesus laid hold of Him for. You see what he said there? Turn with me to Romans 10. Romans 10. And I'm going to read you that famous verse of Scripture. I tell you what, every track I've ever seen on salvation, you see this verse. And I'm not making fun of it, okay? I'm just saying we don't understand what it means. Romans 10, 9 and 10. Look at it with me. You know it. That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes resulting in righteousness. Now let me stop right there. Look at me. Please look at me. And the Word of God, you read over there in Genesis 15, 6. In that section of Scripture, God said, No, Abram, this man in your house shall not be heir, but one who shall come forth from your own body. The Word of God says that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as what? Is that what the Word says? Look at this with me again then. Verse 9. That if you confess with your mouth Jesus said those things that come out of the mouth come from where? If you speak forth out of your mouth and you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you'll be saved. For with the heart man believes resulting in righteousness and with the mouth he confesses. Do you see what he's saying here? Here's what he's saying. We've read it in Colossians 2, 12. We read it in 1 Peter 1, 21. And it's right here again. I always wondered as a pastor, why does my believing a mere fact about Jesus being raised from the dead, why does that bring me salvation? You want to say, don't misunderstand. I'm not taking anything away from Jesus being raised from the dead. That's a glorious event. You better believe it's a glorious event. It's what the Gospel is based on. But why does believing that bring salvation to me? Why does it bring salvation to you? Here's what it's saying. We just read all these Scriptures. That's what he's saying. God, I believe that because you raised Jesus' dead body from the grave, that you can what? You can raise mine. He says that is the belief that results in righteousness. Well, the Word of God just says that Abraham believed that God was able to bring forth a new man out of his innermost being to inherit this spiritual land, and God accounted that as righteousness. What do you think you're called to believe? You're called to believe the same thing. Do you hear what I'm saying? You're called to believe that God is able to bring forth out of you a new man. Matter of fact, you know what? God has promised. He's promised you. He's well able to perform what He has promised. He'll do it. You don't have to. You don't have to struggle with it. You don't have to make it happen. You submit to God, and you follow Him every day. You follow Him. When the fire comes, you follow Him, and you submit to Him. You make your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. Which is your what kind of service? Oh, can I tell you something? A lot of you here are so hurting, and so broken. A lot of you haven't been able to understand why the fire, but it's your salvation. Do you understand what I'm saying? It's your salvation. You endure that you may receive what's been promised. Listen to me. Listen to me well. Please, please don't turn back in the midst of the fire. Don't turn back. Do you hear me? Don't turn back. I don't care what the religious leaders, I don't care what all the smart, wise men in all of the world, I don't care what they say. When you turn back, you're shrinking back to destruction. That's what the Word of God says over there where we're reading in Hebrews 10. You can read it as plain. You can save your life. You don't have to die. You don't have to suffer. Save it, but you'll lose it.