Listen to the broadcast program. radio037en.ram (15 minutes)
PROGRAM outline is transcribed below.
Welcome to this program "ComfortForToday.com." The short articles on which we base these broadcasts are from a website of the same name.
I am Doreen Palmer, and my husband Neville and I welcome e-mail correspondence at comfort@comfortfortoday.com. Or if you don't have a computer, you may telephone us at 905-877-4853.
Let us listen to a shortened version of Ron Martin's "King of Glory" from his CD "Every Knee Shall Bow" which you may order by telephoning 519-442-7410.
MUSIC: "King of Glory"
Our message today is about the wonderful inheritance which this King of Glory, Jesus Christ, left for anyone who wants to be part of His family. Those who refuse will, of course, not be eligible for the family inheritance.
I shall now read from the short article number 36 on the website. It is called:
When a person dies, he usually leaves a will. This is an explicit directive to a trustworthy friend as to the distribution of his estate. In this way, the wishes of the deceased are carried out. The document is signed, sealed, and witnessed by another person.
Before Jesus died, He also left a will. In it, He promised a "Comforter" a "Counsellor..."the Spirit of truth" to anyone who wished to receive the bequest. Jesus knew, however, that not everyone would want it (John 14:16-17 KJ & NIV).
The Spirit Jesus promised to His followers was His own Spirit, the Spirit which burst open His grave that first Easter morning and the Spirit who has penetrated the hearts of men and women throughout the world ever since. Jesus told His followers to wait in an Upper Room in Jerusalem until they received their promised inheritance (Acts 1:4-5).
On the anniversary of the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, Jesus' will was carried out when the Holy Spirit fell on His followers (Acts 2:1-4). That day the Christian church began.
Isaiah had predicted hundreds of years prior to Jesus' birth that a baby would be born and His name would be "Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." (Isa.9:6). Isaiah said that this Counsellor would be God Himself--the Messiah who would bring peace to the earth when He returns. How exciting that Jesus Christ is God, and also the Counsellor or Holy Spirit who now lives within the hearts of believers (I Cor.6:19)
Those who have accepted Jesus' Spirit are able to discern truth from error because He IS a Spirit of truth. The churches who are changing their doctrines to suit people's itching ears (II Tim.4:3) do not understand spiritual birth. Only God's Holy Spirit left by Jesus can change a life. Jesus said, "You must all be born anew from above (John 3:7 Amp V). This indwelling of the Godhead is the inheritance Jesus gives to those who love Him.
Jesus knocks on the door of every heart, hoping to be invited in (Rev.3:20). To those who do invite Him in, He has also made another provision in His Last Will and Testament. He gave His power of attorney to use His Name to drive out demons, speak in new languages, and lay hands on the sick to heal them (Mark 16:17-18). God's `new language' is a special prayer language to pray perfect prayers (Rom.8:26-27).
We can receive our inheritance of life eternal, His comforting presence in this life, His power of attorney to heal sickness and overcome evil--IF WE ASK (Luke 11:13).
Jesus' will is "signed" by Him in the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev.21:27), "sealed" by His blood (2 Cor.1:22), and "witnessed" by "a great cloud of witnesses" (Heb.12:1). It is the greatest legal document of all time!
That is the end of the article.
How, then, is it possible to be included in the Last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ--to be a "joint heir" in His estate?
I have written a poem about this which I read recently on a program, but which I shall read again today. I today am naming it "How to Become a Member of God's family."
One day I said, "Lord Jesus, come into my heart today",
He answered quickly and He said "Come, My child, this way."
I walked right through an open door; He took me by the hand,
He opened up my eyes and then I saw the promised land.
Things have never looked the same since that moment in my life
That day when I said "Yes, my Lord, I'd like to be your wife"
For when I opened up that door, His kingdom became mine
All rich with blessings of His love, His glorious Life divine.
I still have trials; at times I fall and cannot find my way,
But then it is I know for sure with Jesus I must stay.
God's kingdom dwells within my heart, and now I live in Him,
He died for me, for love alone, to take away my sin.
So if you haven't answered yet the doorbell Jesus rings
Do answer soon for through the door you'll find all heaven sings.
He's knocking, knocking, knocking, ever seeking to come in
To dwell within your heart, dear child, to take away your sin.
Your sin will be His righteousness, His goodness you will own,
His blood was shed that you might live to sing around His throne.
The grave cannot your spirit claim; He's made a way for you
To cross the gulf 'tween death and life; He said it so it's true.
I'll tell you how I know it's true: that door I have now entered,
I have His joy, His peace, His love; on Him I am now centered.
When storms of life arise and try to sweep my faith away
I look into My Saviour's face and know with me He'll stay.
So come on now, you child of woe, whose heart is torn and sad,
Rise up and open up your door and He will make you glad.
Time is running out, you see; God's time-clock's ticking fast,
Just open up that creaking door, and you'll find peace at last.
Doreen Palmer, October, 2002
I shall play a sample from a song by Jeremy Sinnott of TACF which is entitled "Sons of Adoption."
PRAYER:
Father, we thank You that the powers of darkness have never been able to extinguish the Christian faith which has continued for 2,000 years. Man has tried to destroy it, but You said that the very gates of hell could never prevail against your church, and they never have.
So now we ask Lord Jesus that your Spirit be released into every home where this program is heard today, as well as into everyone who turns on the website and listens to the program or reads it there.
Lord, we ask for a continuation of your great revival across the world. We just thank You, we love You, we worship You, and we praise You because you are the King of kings and You are the Lord of Lords. You are Lord over all the powers of darkness, over all the witchcraft and the occult; You are Lord over all the new age doctrines and false teachings of every kind which are spreading around the world. We thank you that You are Lord, and we give you the praise, the honour and the glory for our Christian heritage, and for all the good things You left us in your Last Will and Testament. Praise your Name, praise your Name. Amen.
Closing: A few bars of "Sons of Adoption"