Pomegranate Perfection: Topical Sermon Compilation

By Bishop Dr. Cynthia King Bolden Garner J.D. D.Div.

Pomegranate perfection recognizes the fact that as the seed of God we are is striving toward and destined for perfection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781477282588

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© 2013 Bishop Dr. Cynthia King Bolden Gardner, J.D., D.Div. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/08/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4772-8251-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-8258-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012919894

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Scofield Reference Bible—Public Domain (1917).

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

Colleague’s Reflections

Bishop Dr. Cynthia King

Bolden Gardner, J.D., D.Div.

Introduction

Foreword

ABIDING

Abide In The Ship: Ain’t No Danger Out In The Water

True Vine

Accuser—satan

Accuser Of The Brethren

Advent

David’s Throne: Divine Kingdom

Something Good In The Neighborhood: Heaven On Earth

A Righteous God

Meticulous

Born For Worship: Born To Die

Ordained, Prepared & Freely Given

Gennao: Beginnings From Begotten

Humble Beginnings:

Stronghold, Prisoners Of Hope

Errand Of Mercy And Death Notice

Innkeeper’s Gossip (Good News)

A Better Blessing

Born For Worship: Born To Worship

Comparative: Moses/Jesus

Authority

The Very Christ

Christ: The Preeminent Throne

Betrayal

Judas

Peter: ‘Fessed Up But Can’t Put Up

BLACK HISTORY

Come And Rebuild The Wall

CHURCH

Gates Of Hell Shall Not Prevail Precluded & Prevented

COMMISSIONING (see also FAITH)

Hooked

Cornelius:

COOPERATION (see also U N I T Y)

Ezekiel 1 Notes

Teamwork

CORRECTION

Rainmaker

COURAGE

Quake Preparedness Kit/Persecution Preparedness Plan

COVENANT BLESSINGS

Covenant Blessings

Covetousness

Naked & Ashamed

CRUCIFIXION/GOOD FRIDAY

Lenten Admonition/ I Corinthians 9:24-27

When Your Well Runs Dry

Unlikely Candidate: Art Thou He?

DEATH

On Higher Ground

Graveyard Shift

Quit Tripping: You Must Go!

Death Notices/Errands Of Mercy

If Thou Wouldst Believe!!!

Are Ye Also Deceived?

DELIVERANCE

Enlightened Relationship: Past, Present, Future

A Parade, A Preacher And A Peeping Tom

911-Emergency Dispatch

Special Delivery: God Express

Anazouprein

A Time To Heal

Deliverance: Isaiah 53

DESPAIR

Smoked Christians: Burn Baby Burn

Assyrian Remix

DIVISION

A House Divided

ENCOURAGEMENT

Encouragement

Pick ’Em Up And Put ’Em Down

Blessed

ENEMIES

Family Matters

FAITH

Ministry A Dead Jesus Is Better Than A Live Human

Architectural Plans

Faith For The Family

Going Deep: Surgical I C U

If Thou Wouldst Believe

Hiding For Fear: Assembled For Fear

What You See Is What You Get

FAITHFULNESS (GOD’S)

Open Door Policy: No Child Left Behind

Holy Fear

Flip The Script And Serve

FAVOR

Mindful Of The Purpose: Hecklers’ Veto (Nehemiah)

Exchange Rate

Favor: A Stranger In Town

Heads Or Tails

Ahaseurus: Esther Sermon Notes

FEASTS

Living Waters

FOCUS

God In Your View

John 21-God Is Concerned

FORGIVENESS

The Plight Of The Prophet Hosea

Even A Blind Man Can See Jesus-Why Can’t You?

FRUITFULNESS

Seed To Glory

Todays Fruit From Yesterdays Vision

GOSPEL

Happy Feet

GRACE

I Am What I Am-Without One Plea

Accepted In The Beloved

Witness

Grafted In

Starting From Scratch

Born Ready

Don’t Frustrate The Grace Of God!

HEALING

A Measure Of Immortality

HOLINESS

A Shadow Of Things To Come

HOLY GHOST

God’s Spirit Man’s Liberty

Hitting On All Cylinders

Cannot Block The Flow

Spring Up O’ Well

HOPE

Revelations 11—The Two Witnesses

God’s Name God’s Rep’

Barreness

Plain Speech: Make It Plain

Come On Down!

Refugees & Rejects: Accepted—Beloved

HUMILITY

The Superior Person

HUNGER

Searching/Reflections

LOVE

The Things We Do For Love

It’s A Love Thing: The Tie That Binds

A Clean Slate

LOVE—John 21

Getting To Know You…

Your Love Is My Love

Handle Your Business!

MERCY

Amped Up: Daylight Savings Time

MOTHER’S (DAY)

Mamas On The Mainline

NEW YEAR’S DAY

Pledge Your Heart

OBEDIENCE

How Much Is Too Much?

Take Him Or Leave Him!

Ruel-Friend Of God

On Earth As It Is In Heaven

AMEN

PERSECUTION

Inside Story

POST RESURRECTION

Be It Hereby Resolved

Supposition And Presumption

POWER

Fight To The Finish

God’s Arms

The Head: Logos

Power For Prayer But Not For Praise

PRAISE

He’s Worthy-Rev. 4

Prazostat: Get Your Praise On

The Preeminence Of Praise: Judah

PRIORITIES

Be Still And Know

PROTECTION

Cry Out On High

Rabshekah: The Bully

PROVISION

Joshua 14:6-15 Numbers 14 I Peter 3

Extra Special Care

Close The Door And Pour

RAPTURE

Prodigal Daughters

REBELLIOUSNESS

No Fooling: Form Without Power

REDEMPTION

Redemption, Relationship & Reward

Designer Shoes And Souls

REPENTANCE

A Change Of Heart:

REJECTION

S P L I T O P I N I O N

In The Fulness Of Time

You Can Go To Hell If You Want To

R E J E C T I O N

RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships

RESURRECTION

It Is Not Over Yet

Every Goodbye Is Not Gone

The Risen Christ

SACRIFICE

Self-Sacrificing & Self-Effacing Love

Cross-Eyed And Cross-Addicted

SANCTIFICATION

Get Fired Up And Glorify God

B O T T O M F E E D E R S

  SIN  

So Great A Salvation

Guilty As Charged

SOVEREIGNTY

Hearts Alive, Revelations 2 Ephesus

Secret Places

STRUGGLE (See also Suffering)

Tribulation: The Growth Hormone

SUBMISSION

Under New Management

SUFFERING

P E R F E C T E D

UNITY

Not Mixed With Faith

The Oneness Of God

TESTIMONY

The Strength Of Your Witness

Kinfolk: Redeemed And Revived

VICTORY

Trust In The Lord

VIRTUE

The Woman In Me Says No!

VISION

Get A Grip And Break Me Off

WOMEN’S DAY

I Am My Sister’s Keeper

WRATH

Makeover Messengers

Inspirational Bibliography

Dedication

TO THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, OMNIPOTENT, MY FIRST LOVE, MY LAST, MY EVERYTHING!

O LORD, MY LORD, HOW EXCELLENT IS THY NAME IN ALL THE EARTH… .

Rev. 7:10… Salvation belongs to our god, who sits on the throne and to the lamb! And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying:

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our god forever and ever amen.

Thank YOU MOST HIGH GOD for the blessing of the second love of my life, my dad, Jimmie King, who died October 11, 1999, 13 years to the date of the completion of this manuscript.

Blessings, Glory and Honor to you also Lord for Sgt. Luthor and Mrs Connie Manus, premiere, selfless educators, mentors, lifelong counselors and friends to many like myself.

Colleague’s Reflections

Dr. Gardner has been Highly Favored of the Lord! He has gifted her with Supernatural Spiritual Blessings from Heavenly places yet He gave her an earthly touch were she touches the life of the common and affluent man (woman).

Dr. Gardner is a strong back bone for her family and a true loyal friend!

Come see and hear what the Lord has given her as we feast at his banquet!

Minister Carmen L V Hewitt, MB

Dr. Cynthia Gardner is a sought after speaker and a woman who loves God and His people. She has many testimonies to share with the Body of Christ which she experienced first hand. After knowing Bishop Gardner for several years, I found the example of a humble sweet-spirit within her. Bishop Gardner has been set aside to do God’s work whether behind the pulpit, in the highways, and even through the writing of books. Let’s Bless the WOG as she blesses us.

Pastor Charlene McCoy

AUTHOR’S NOTE: All references to satan are lower case. I refuse to do anything that acknowledges him to be someone/something worthy of recognition.

Bishop Dr. Cynthia King

Bolden Gardner, J.D., D.Div.

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Bishop Dr. Cynthia King Bolden Gardner, J.D., D.Div. is a retired dual graduate of Georgetown University—the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service in 1978, where she received numerous honors, including Alpha Sigma Nu, Pi Sigma Alpha and Phi Alpha Theta, graduating cum laude with a 3.74 of a possible 4.0, and the School of Law in 1981.

Prior to retiring in 2005 due to injuries sustained in an accident, Bishop practiced law for 25 years at the United States Department of Justice Commercial Litigation Division, the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, the General Counsel’s Office of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue (Cleveland), Brown & Bain (Palo Alto), Child Counsel for the Erie County Office of the Public Defender and the San Diego Office of the Public Defender, felony litigation, where she was awarded Deputy of the Year 1999-2000.

Bishop gives God the glory for everything. Recognizing His grace and mercy in her life, she readily dedicates her time to inner city youth, needy families, aspiring clergy, collateral legal professionals and young lawyers who may call her at [phone].

She was born and raised in Erie, Pa. She attributes the credit for her spiritual foundation to her late grandmother, Bigma, Mrs Lela Mae James. Bigma taught her that ‘CAN’T never could help himself’. This left a profound impact upon her resulting in the permanent deletion of can’t, no, impossible and related defeatist notions from her vocabulary.

She has assisted in Baptist churches while teaching Sunday School, including Morning Star and Second Baptist in Erie, Christ Union Missionary Baptist in Mountainview, CA, 19 years in the AME Church, including St. James and Risen Savior, Erie, PA, Arnette Memorial and Elizabeth Nesmith Memorial, in the Pittsburgh area, Bethel and Living Waters Christian, San Diego, Greater Love & Liberty Christian Center, Carthage, Ms., founder of King’s Kids’ Bootcamp and Eaglespeak Inspiration. She sits as the Presiding Prelate of the Eastern Jurisdiction of the National Regeneration Fellowship of Christian Churches under the able, loving, spirit-filled leadership of Chief Apostle, Dr. Annie B. Campbell-Pitre.

Dr. Gardner is the accomplished author of Seek Ye First The Kingdom; Kingdom Seed; Accepted in the Beloved; CHRIST: the Preeminent Throne; Cakes, Crumbs & Crusts: An Anthology of Sermons for Every Liturgical Season; CrumbSnatchers and Three Cs for the Seasoned Trial Lawyer available at www.amazon.com; www.barnesandnoble.com; www.authorhouse.com; www.xlibris.com; www.redleadpress.com; www.rosedog.com; www.greaterloveliberty.com and www.eaglespeaklogos-lex.com.

Introduction

Pomegranate perfection recognizes that, as the seed of God, we are striving toward, and destined for, perfection. Luke 13:24. God commands Be ye holy as I am holy. Ephesians 1:4; I Peter 1:15-16. Pomegranate Perfection acknowledges that we are growing with open face boldness (Ephesians 3:12) from glory to glory (II Corinthians 3:18) and from day-to-day until we are all like Elohim—The Trinity, once again. Colossians 1:27; We will be in Our image and in Our likeness as in Genesis 1:26-27. Made perfect in One… I in Thee and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect… John 17.

God is love. (I John 4:7,8,16)

As Jesus indicated in John 17:22-23:

"and the glory which You gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me." (Not less, but THE SAME!!!)

A pomegranate is a bearer of seed. [He that goeth forth weeping bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalms 126:6].

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary literally defines pomegranate as a seedy apple. It is composed of a thick skin containing several cells or compartments. It is a large reddish berry that is about the size of an orange with many seeds contained in a crimson pulp. It has a tart flavor and is an Old World tropical tree.

Numerous images appear and crowd the mind, including the oft-quoted phrase that we (Christians) need to be thick skinned, longsuffering like love (I Corinthians 13) ie., rather suffer wrong than offend. Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.

It is also a reminder that God promised seedtime and harvest shall never end (Genesis 8:22), that He will minister seed to the sower, (Isaiah 55:10) that the Word that is in us shall not depart from the mouth of our seed or our seeds’ seed throughout all generations (Isaiah 59:21). Blessed are the feet that bear glad tidings of good news, that publisheth peace, that soundeth praise (Isaiah 52:7).

This thick skin cautions us, as Christ did, that they hated Him without a cause and if they hated Him they will also hate us. (John 15:18; Luke 6:22; 21:17).

Each of us are part of the compartments that comprise the pomegranate, portions of the house, God’s husbandry, God’s building, (Hebrews 3:4). The building not made by human hands (I Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:21). We are each distinct and have a work to do. Yet, we are only effective working as a whole of which Christ is the head. (I Corinthians 12-14).

We are in, but not of, the world. (I John 3:1) We are persecuted but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed, always bearing about in our bodies the dying of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (II Corinthians 4:9).

The fact of the several cells or compartments in the pomegranate points to the books and subdivisions of the Bible, the various classifications as patriarchs, prophets, disciples, servants, friends, brethren (John 15) with the untold changes we go through as we proceed from glory to glory (See, Kingdom Seed www.amazon.com; www.xlibris.com)

It reiterates that He who called us is faithful. (Deuteronomy 7:9; I Corinthians 1:9). He called some as apostles, some as prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) for the edifying of the body… . that there are diversities of gifts and administrations. I Cor.12-14.

The reddish pulp fixates the mind upon the precious blood shed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53. He came by water and by blood (I John 5:6) and birthed us through His death after which they pierced His side and water and blood came out (John 19:34) sprinkling many nations.

Think of the blood that He sweat as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane: Father, if Thou wilt, take this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will but Thine be done. (Matthew 26:39) Reflect on the brutality of the beating, the whipping, the scourging, the mockery of the crown of thorns. Imagine the pain and the love it entailed to suffer the destruction of His hands, His feet, the wounding of His side, His flesh (Psalms 22), especially His whipped back, which He willingly sacrificed after stooping to put it on (Hebrews 2:7), that we might be saved!

The pulp is reflective of the winepress, where the wrath of God will be satiated upon those who reject His Only Begotten Son (Isaiah 63). He will trod the winepress alone and His clothing will be red, bloody, like dyed garments from Bozrah. His own arm brought forth salvation!

Finally the tartness of the fruit relays that the victory is bitter and sweet like the scroll (Ezekiel 3:1) John ate in Revelations 10:9. It simultaneously cost Christ’s life and saved ours. We are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13) Our speech is to be grace and seasoned with salt (James 3:12) like the honey that was drawn out of the belly of the most carnivorous, the lion (Judges 14:18.) We are to love, as well as to reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long-suffering (which love is) and doctrine.

Webster defines perfect as being expert or proficient in a thing, entirely without fault or defect, flawless, satisfying all requirements, accurate, corresponding to an ideal standard or abstract concept, faithfully reproducing the original, legally valid, pure or total, lacking in no essential detail, complete, absolute, unequivocal, unmitigated, mature. The coincidental correctness of this secular definition in the context of Christianity is profound! The connection is readily perceivable as you digest the fact that God is perfect!

Seed is perfected once it has immersed itself permanently in love. God is LOVE.

He that saith I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: Hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked. I John 2:4-6.

The surrender to love is a voluntary act as set forth in I Corinthians 13:10-13: but when that which is perfect (Christ’s Second Coming) has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

Love will not and cannot be done away with, because it is GOD. Our immaturity is what will vanish. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face-to-face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:10-13.

The maturity that perfection represents is evident in Jonathan’s courageous deed (I Samuel 14) as he left his father, King Saul, under the pomegranate tree in Migron, the precipitous, steep place. It was on the outskirts of Gibeah (hill country) in Judah (praise), which was known for its very wickedness, though it was the place where Saul was born, the location of his political headquarters, the slaughter of his sons and from whence he led his campaigns. This place is not unlike Jericho road.

Jonathan secretly moved out, unannounced and unnoticed by 600 hundred men. He took his armorbearer and sought the guidance and approval of El Shaddai. He proceeded up a treacherous incline between two jagged rocks, one facing north, the other south. One was named Bozez, meaning shining, the other Seneh, thorny or sharp.

Jonathan progressed on his hands and feet, reminiscent of the God chosen 300 hundred that lapped water, rather than the multitude Gideon selected. Judges 7:2-8.

Jonathan’s arrival at the Phillistine camp was so miraculous that the enemy literally ‘melted away.’ As further assurance that God had Jonathan’s back, He sent an earthquake which confused and scattered them, making the enemy turn upon themselves. The victory was a Divine Masterpiece.

So it was with Christ as He struggled between His capacity to summon Divine deliverance and His ultimate decision to save us. Desiring the glory that He had before the world was (John 17) and facing a sudden horrific and excruciating death as a prerequisite.

So it is with us. We face Bozez, the blinding holiness of God. We are also confronted with Seneth, the perilous path of life in the flesh. The mortal yearning to put on immortality. (I Cor. 15). The bittersweet irony of life for the saint on this side of glory. Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Jonathan left his dad, King Saul, and learned to fully lean and depend upon God. The pomegranate was perfected! Though the path portends death, God will make the crooked places straight and the rough places smooth. The path is necessary for perfection; but we do not undertake it alone. God has promised to never leave nor forsake us and to be with us in the most difficult of times. (Isaiah 43:1-3). ‘Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me…’ Psalms 23.

The surrender to love is also the most natural thing that the seed could ever do or be. Man was created in the image and the likeness of God as set forth in Genesis 1:26: then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and again in verse 27: So God created man in His Own image, in the image of God He created him: male and female He created them.

In Genesis 1:28 God commanded as follows: be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it… . See also, Genesis 2:7: and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

In the same chapter at verse 18 it states: and the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him. At verse 21, God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then with the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (Too bad they not only began but ended being flesh of Adam’s flesh as well since he did not decline the sin either!)

To be in the image and the likeness of God is the essence of perfection. Mankind must strive as a blood bought seed to attain the state of perfection intended by God through the grace of a crucified and resurrected Savior (Phillipians 3).

In the Old Testament, the priest bore the symbol of the seed in the hem of his garment in the form of a pomegranate:

Exodus 28:31-36:

You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue.

There shall be a hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work about the hole of it, all around its opening, like the opening of a coat of mail (habergeon), so that it does not tear.

And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarn, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:

A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around.

And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet:

HOLINESS TO THE LORD

Christ offered Himself, a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice (Hebrews 10) once and for all. Now, that is holy.

Blue in the priestly garment represents heaven. Man is to strive to reach his foreordained end.

John 14:2-3:

In my Father’s house are many mansions; if that were not so, I would not have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

Man must keep heaven as his ultimate goal, his primary objective, singular focus and must prioritize his life in such a way as not to miss the mark. (Phillipians 3).

(Matthew 6:3) Man is to keep this objective in the forefront of his mind like the phylacrities the Old Testament males used to wear attached to their foreheads, hands and borders of their robes. (Exodus 13:9-16).

Purple symbolizes royalty. We are the children of the King. I Peter 2:4-5, 9-10: Coming to Him as a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Scarlet, or red, represents the blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. It is a scarlet thread of redemption as symbolized by the rope that Rahab hung out of the window for the spies. Numbers 13:17(a), 23: So Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan. Then they came to the Valley of Eschol (clusters), and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between the two of them on a pole. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. This resulted in the statement in Deuteronomy 1:25(b) it is a good land which the Lord our God is giving us.

From the foregoing it is apparent that God intends us to be fruitful within our own lives like the land full of grapes, figs and pomegranates. Moreover, wherever we are, wherever God places us, is to be fruitful. (Psalms 1). We are the salt of the earth and cannot lose our savor. (Matthew 5:13).

That we are to be fruitful in the church, in the things of God is evident by his placement of pomegranates in the workmanship of the Temple:

I Kings 7:18:

So he made the pillars, and two rows of pomegranates above the network all around to cover the capitals that were on top; and thus he did for the other capital… v.20: the capitals on the two pillars also had pomegranates above, by the convex surface which was next to the network; and there were 200 such pomegranates in rows on each of the capitals all around. The number two indicates that the matter is agreed upon as acceptable, confirmed.

The pillar on the right, Solomon called ‘Jachin’, which means God establishes. The pillar on the left, Solomon named ‘Boaz’, which stands for strength. God establishes strength alright. He provides that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

The gematria of 200 is 2 (agreement) times 10 (completion /perfection) times 10. It may also denote 4 (unity/creation/cooperation) times 5 (mercy) times 10 (completion/perfection) which is simply to state that what God intends for us is ‘all good’.

Let the journey begin.

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Foreword

Love: AddictiVE DISORDER

John 7:1-14:

After these things, Jesus walked in Galilee, for He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill Him.

v. 14 Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

I. Setting:

Galilee, the inheritance of Asher, Zebulun and Isaachar was especially fertile and luxurious. Its dimensions were 50 miles x 30 miles. Bounded by the sea and Mount Carmel, it was known for olive oil, the fishing industry, Christ’s first sermon, the genesis of the disciples, the site of the first miracle and the most frequented site in Christ’s ministry.

Jerusalem-city of peace, city of prophets, site of the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ—O’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem (Matthew 23: 37) thou that killest the prophets, where the Holy Spirit descended, the Christian church was born, the city of God, God’s holy mountain… ‘If only this city knew the things which belonged to peace, but now they are hidden from her eyes.’

II. Background:

We have all been trapped, snared, engrossed, obsessed, preoccupied, distracted, caught up, wrapped up, tied up, sold out, willing to lie and die for, in love with-somebody or something.

Remember when you had your favorite toy? You couldn’t go anywhere or do anything unless you had your particular baby doll, pacifier, blanket, stuffed animal, sip cup, soldier or storybook with you? You had the capacity to disrupt an entire family gathering or schedule in the absence of your favorite thing. Indeed most restauranteurs were familiar with your tantrums.

In your teen years, you swapped your toys for outfits, hair ornaments, a particular pair of jeans, tennis shoes, that you described as to die for. Now it is the Xbox, MP4 player, IPAD, Wii… .

In your late teens, early adulthood, you simply have to have that certain car, wash and wax it to death, all the CDs/DVDs of a particular artist. In the old days of 45s and 78s it was the Isley Brothers, Babyface, Usher, and NWA, Brownstone, BB King. Now it is Beyonce, JLO, Katie Perry, JayZ, Little Bow Wow, 50 Cent.

You would spent all day teasing the hair, mousing the Elvis do, fluffing that Afro, straightening the braids, applying DAX to your haircut, vacuuming and dusting your first house, pruning and planting the garden or chasing down the dealer for the best dope (weed)—it’s the truth!

We have all fallen head over heels in love, the picture on the dresser, the cologne or perfume on the pillow, the jewelry swinging from the rearview mirror, flush and fan when we saw him or her, smelled them like a teenager seeking a gummy bear fix.

And, so it is with Jesus. He is addicted to glorifying and fulfilling His Father’s plan for us.

In psychology (DSM IV-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) they call it an ‘addictive personality disorder’, ‘obsessive-compulsive’, as opposed to ‘narcissistic’, which is self-absorbed.

III. A Jesus Junkie Is A Good Thing:

Like the military, God is looking for a few good men (people).

God wants some folks willing to deny themselves, take up their cross, daily, and follow Him.

God wants some folks who will lay down their lives that they might find them in Christ.

God wants some folks who can Feed the sheep and tend the lamb. People, who, like Jesus, can say My meat is to accomplish the will of Him that sent Me, I do always those things that please Him or as My Father hath given Me commandment so I do.

God wants an army of strung out folks, who can say like Paul I am a fool for Christ and those things that I have lost I count but dung, that I may win Christ.

God wants homies, if you will, who have a ‘love Jones’ for Him, who can sing nothing else matters, but seeking You Jesus, seeking the Master, the one who reigns over my life (Pastor Donnie McClurkin).

God wants somebody who will seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness, knowing that all these other things shall be added unto you. (see Seek Ye First the Kingdom, www.amazon.com, www.rosedog.com) God is seeking someone confident that in due season, you shall reap if you faint not.

God is seeking addicts, junkies, like Jesus, who will be willing to die for the cause, who will turn their faces steadfastly toward Jerusalem and know that if in this life only we have hope we are of all men most miserable. I Corinthians 15.

IV. The Bible Is Replete With Addicts:

Every page in the Bible tells the story of someone strung out for the cause of Christ.

Amongst the notables of bona fide Old and New Testament tweekers we find:

Abraham walking off of the premises to gain the promises, not knowing where he was headed, and not caring! All Abraham knew was that he was following God’s lead. He was willing to sacrifice his only recognized seed, his son, Isaac, a type of Christ.

Enoch and Elijah, just stepped off of the face of the earth because they loved God more than anything else in the world.

By all accounts Naomi was hopeless, broke, widowed, seedless and homeless, but Ruth was making Naomi’s people her people and Naomi’s God her God.

Joining this list is Esther, after Mordecai defied every commandment of Hamaan. She was living large in the palace fishbowl, ‘moving on up’; but later proclaimed if I perish, I perish in order to do the right thing by her people.

We find David, a little scamp, willing to take on Goliath, a Philistine giant, for disrespecting the God of Israel.

Mishael, Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego endured the fiery furnace, the lions’ den and became the marvel of the kingdom as they refused to bow down and worship anyone or anything other than the only true God.

If there ever was a pure proclamation of love, we find it in the Songs of Solomon. In Chapter 3, it states ‘His banner over Me was love.’

Peter was willing to risk his life to walk across the water to get to his Savior.

The woman with the issue of blood was willing to risk her life, the scorn, ostracism and legal backlash of many to touch the hem of the Great Physician’s garment.

Nicodemus sought Jesus by night to hear the Good News.

Though an aristocrat, Zaccheus was not embarrassed to hang from a tree in the midst of the public in order to see Jesus.

The unnamed four who carried the paralytic were not afraid to commit vandalism, trespass and burglary in order to get their sick friend an audience with, and healing from, the Beloved Physician.

Paul, in his many pilgrimages, lived in the script of the things he must suffer for Christ’s sake. He said that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain—he was constantly torn between the choices of living or leaving for Love.

Indeed one of the most inspiring scriptures was penned by Paul in Romans 8:35-:

Who shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord?

V. Are You Willing To Become A Jesus Junkie?:

(Are ye able says the Master, to be crucified with Me, yea the sturdy dreamers answered to the death we’ll follow Thee… by Earl Marlatt and Harry S. Mason)

Paul said he counted not himself to have apprehended that for which he was apprehended in Christ Jesus. He said this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are past and reaching forth for those that are beyond, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 3).

VI. If It Looks Like A Duck and Quacks Like A Duck Then It Probably Is A Duck:

John 10 My sheep hear My voice and they answer to no other.

Jesus said ‘by this shall all men know that you are My disciples, that you have love one for another. John 15.’ If you love Me, keep My commandments…

A Jesus Junkie does what Jesus does. He or she is like a fiend-you know them when you see them-they need a fix, every time you run into them, they either just got a hookup or they are looking for one. In other words they are constantly in the word of God, around those testifying to the goodness of God, witnessing to an unsaved soul, looking for one, or assembling somewhere, either in the streets or in a formal church. A friend’s mother started a prayer meeting in the parking lot of a bank in Texas while waiting for it to open!

It goes like this-they get the shakes when a Bible study or prayer meeting is delayed or canceled, because they need a fix.

They get tremors, akin to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or alcohol withdrawal (DTs)when circumstances preclude them from worship.

Like James Brown said, they break out in a cold sweat at every opportunity to witness.

Their pupils dilate, their pulse rate increases, when they hear a Spirit-filled sermon.

They get cottonmouth when prayer and praise is over.

Their nails are yellow, chipped and dirty from clutching the altar rail (or tambourine) trying to pray some would be saint into a breakthrough.

Their knees are crusty and ashen from crawling around before the Lord seeking His Face.

Their hair is on end, faces streaked with tears and stomachs shrunken from vigilant and persistent fasting and prayer.

They frequently overdose and jump to their feet, shouting, leaping, praise dancing and worshiping God. In fact, if you don’t know any better you might mistake them for homeless or dead when you see them slain in the Spirit.

They frequently experience separation anxiety as soon as they are distanced in any shape, form or fashion from the Lord and His work.

Have you had your Jesus fix today?

ABIDING

Abide In The Ship:

Ain’t No Danger Out In The Water

Acts 27:1-2, 13-20, 29-32, 41-44

I. BACKGROUND:

Saul of Tarsus (requested). His culture was Greek. His citizenship was Roman making it possible to subsequently bridge the gap with the Gentiles as a religious Jew. Although he became a Christian, he never forgot his true racial identity and heritage as a Jew.

Paul studied under Gamaliel as a teen in Jerusalem. He became great and persecuted Christians. There were three sects:

Essenes: They believed in communal living, revered Moses and there were about 4000 of them.

Sadducees: They denied the resurrection and did not believe in immortality. They also rejected the Holy Spirit. That is why they were sad you see!

Pharisees: Separatists that grew as a group out of the Maccabean revolt in 165 B.C. They were self-righteous and hypocritical. They believed in the resurrection. They thought themselves the only ones loyal to God-Saul, Gamaliel, and Nicodemus.

Saul consented to Stephen’s death by stoning and actually held the garments for those who participated.

Saul was converted on Damascus Road—he was blinded by I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. He became Paul-(the little one).

He was consoled at Ananias’ house on Straight street. He returned to Jerusalem with such a ferver that he was not received by Peter. The disciples were afraid of him. Barnabas took him in.

There were plots to kill them. Paul returned to Tarsus, to obscurity. He was silent for about 14 years after his call, he did not consult with flesh and blood. He was accused of defiling the temple. He appealed based upon his Roman citizenship to King Agrippa who was almost persuaded to be a Christian.

Saul was on a ship to Rome, when he encountered Euroclydon, an incredible storm.

II. Storms Are Inevitable: You Can Weather Them!

The thing about storms is that they give little, if any, notice. Just when you expect the southwinds, you know the warm gentle Caribbean breeze, here comes a storm.

The storm may arise anywhere:

Marriage

Child rearing

Profession

Funding, benefits, retirement

Burgeoning classrooms

Gang activity

Political apathy

Employment strikes

Layoffs

Racism

Government

Education

Student loans

Truancy

Pregnancy

Severe weather admonitions

Finances

Sudden onset of health issues

Increasing insurance rates for health, life or auto

In constructing the ark, Noah had to endure hecklers. The disciples encountered a storm and asked Jesus carest Thou not that we perish?

Jonah found himself in the whale’s belly, not the scenic view he expected when he boarded the ship going in the opposite direction of his assigned preaching engagement at Nineveh.

III. Despair Is Not In The Lesson Plan: Neither Is Defeat:

Christ was crucified and then resurrected. You cannot have one without the other. He entertained the dust of the earth at birth (Genesis 2:7-in all points, like as we-from dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return though He be a special mix from on High in origination) and in death (Psalms 22:14-15).

We must always remember that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world . . .

You must deny yourself daily taking up your cross and follow Him… .

We must not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Encountering too many storms will make you weary.

Since Christ is at the right hand of the Majesty on High, we sit with Him together in heavenly places according to the Word of God (Ephesians 4:7). Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights with whom there is NO variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Paul is a prime example, of suffering while maintaining a victorious attitude in Christ Jesus:

II Corinthians 11:23:

in labors more abundant

in stripes above measure

in prison more frequent

in depths often

of the Jews five times received 40 stripes save one

thrice beaten with rods

once stoned

thrice suffered shipwreck

a night and a day in the deep

in journeyings often

in perils of waters

in perils of robbers

in perils by own countrymen

in perils by the heathen

in perils in the city

in perils in the wilderness

in perils in the sea

in perils among false brethren

in weariness and painfulness

in watchings often

in hunger and thirst

in fastings often

in cold and nakedness.

Despite all of this, God states My grace is all that you need. My grace is sufficient for thee. My strength is made perfect in your weakness. II Cor. 12:9.

Romans 8:36:

As it is written, for Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Recall the song Master the tempest is raging, the billows are tossing high, Peace Be Still by Mary A. Baker and Horatio R. Palmer.

Or we are often tossed and driven on this restless sea of time? (by Charles Albert Tindley and F. A. Clark.)

Paul had to jettison some of the cargo in order to stay alive. There are occasions in our own lives when we are called upon or wisdom takes the initiative to jettison some things, let go of certain situations, circumstances, people, places, things as the Spirit directs. Not for our good, but for His glory, we do these things.

There are also times in a storm when it is neither day nor night and there is no sun nor any stars visible. Can God trust us to do the right thing in the darkness? When we cannot see our way or discern His directives can He depend on us to remember and follow the precepts we know? Have we hid His word in our heart that we might not sin against Him? Is His word a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway?

IV. YOU HAVE FOUR ANCHORS: YOU ARE SEAWORTHY:

Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord… .

God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love… .

Matthew 25:34:

I was hungry… .

I was thirsty… .

I was a stranger…

I was naked…

I was sick . . .

I was in prison…

The first three anchors that you have are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Your fourth anchor is you. And the reason why the fourth anchor is you is because God has deposited certain qualities in you, that make you a valuable commodity. By the things He has allowed in your life, He has equipped you to weather any storm. We have this treasure in earthen vessels… . The storm unearthed some stuff that you were not aware was there! Glory!

One of them is faith. Faith. The word of God says now abideth faith, hope, love these three… (I Corinthians 13). Hebrews 11 faith that maketh not ashamed, steadfast unto the end.

Faith is an instructor. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

In addition, we have hope. The scripture tells us that Thou didst make me hope when I was on my mother’s breast.

An additional anchor is endurance or perseverance. The Word of God tells us that he that endures until the end shall be saved. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has kept us thus far on the way… Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Black National Anthem)by James Weldon Johnson.

The final and greatest anchor is love. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not seek its own but the other person’s good. I Corinthians 13. It was love that caused Paul to heed the word from God and wrestle with the men on board so that their lives would be spared also.

(Four substitute anchors would be preparation, patience or perseverance, practice or experience and passing this on to progeny.)

V. YOU HAVE A CAPTAIN AND HIS NAME IS JESUS:

Acts 27:31 the Angel spoke and stated except ye abide in the ship, you cannot be saved!

John 15:4-5

Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abides in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For without Me, ye can do nothing!

v. 16 Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain…

I Cor. 2:12-14:

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world but the Spirit, which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The natural mind said ‘Paul is nuts, don’t listen to him. We will all die.’ The Spirit said abide with the ship. Paul’s advice was foolishness to man just like the disciples casting their nets out again on the right side of the ship after having caught nothing but they took in a draught of fish!

Children encounter storms also:

Yes, they skip school.

Yes, when they come home, they are high.

Yes, they fail the racially skewed standard exams.

Yes, they have weapons.

Yes, they disrespect you and one another.

Yes, a majority of the parents are either not available or disinterested.

Just do what Paul did. Grab hold of whatever piece of the ship, of the child, that you can save or salvage and row to shore.

II Cor. 4:8

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed

We are perplexed, but not in despair

Persecuted, but not forsaken

Cast down, but not destroyed

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Those that were with Paul managed to get to shore. Some were on boards and some were on broken pieces. When you think that you have nothing left to give, even your brokenness is sufficient for a troubled child to hang on to and make it to shore. It’s more than they will have anywhere else. Indeed your little becomes much when placed in the Master’s hand.

VI. DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP:

Sometimes your clouds may hang low but remember it is the old ship of Zion that will see you safely through. He was despised and rejected of men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief… Isaiah 53:5:

He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.

The billows may roll…

The breakers may dash…

I shall not stray because He holds me fast… My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord by .

Isaiah 40:29:

He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increases strength, even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall…

They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within sinking to rise no more, but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me now safe am I… (Love Lifted Me by James Rowe and Howard E. Smith)

I tell you I am safe in the arms of Jesus. I can lay my head upon the good Lord’s breast. Safe In The Arms of Jesus by Fanny J. Crosby and William H. Doane.

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me… by John Newton

Blessed quietness, holy quietness, what assurance in my soul. On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks peace to me and the billows cease to roll. Joys Are Flowing Like A River by Manie P. Ferguson, W.S. Marshal and James M. Kirk.

As David stated in Psalms 23 surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell (abide) in the house of God forever. Amen!!!

I can hear Paul and/or Job now! Throw me overboard I’ve got a hiding place . . . .

True Vine

John 15:1-5, 9-17:

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away: and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

A. The Creator Expects The Creature To Reflect Himself:

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15).

God is love. His earnest expectation is that in promoting us from servants to friends, we accept the terms of the promotion which is that we show love, compassion, mercy, sincere interest in one another’s welfare.

We see evidence of this Jesus frame of mind in Jonathan when he risked his life and his father, King Saul’s, displeasure for David’s sake. Ruth forsook all and followed Naomi. Abigail fed David and his men incurring the ire and eventual death of Nabal, her churlish husband. The disciples went to an unnamed and theretofore probably unknown man to seek space for the last supper. Prior to that they did the same to obtain the colt and its mother for Jesus to ride through the city on what we refer to as Palm Sunday. Neither party objected to their use of their property!

Think of sacrifices by those like Medgar Evers, the Kennedy family, philanthropists, Secret Santa, Sojourner Truth and myriads in Black History.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give it you. (John 15).

These things I command you, that you love one another.

The widow caught Jesus’ eye sowing her mite. He knew her love. It was as deep and abiding as Mary’s with the anointing spikenard from the alabaster box preparatory to His burial. Similarly selfless was the boy’s surrender of the sacrificial luncheon