How to Experience Spiritual Birth and Growth that Qualifies One to Live in New Jerusalem

By Floyd L. Mathews

One of the greatest desires of all humankind is to gain a vision of what is to come at the end of this earthly journey called life. What is it that awaits humankind beyond the grave? What comes next? Where do we go from here? What does the God of Israel have in store for born-again believers in His Son Jesus when our journey on earth is complete? Whether you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord or a creature with the desire to experience a physical and spiritual change in your current lifestyle, this book is written for you. The Holy Spirit has blessed me with the vision needed to fashion this book to be a guiding light for those who have a desire to experience spiritual birth and growth in this life that will qualify a person to spend eternity in New Jerusalem. The purpose of this book is to assist you in getting to know the gatekeeper to New Jerusalem (Jesus), learn of His guidance, directions, protection, and commands on your life, and apply them to your lifestyle. This book has also been fashioned to give you a vision of what awaits believers in New Jerusalem. I challenge you to read this book, get a vision of what's to come for born-again believers in Jesus as the Christ, and apply it to your lifestyle in the interest of being qualified to spend eternity with the God of Israel in New Jerusalem.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781098097165

Book preview

cover.jpg

How to Experience Spiritual Birth and Growth that Qualifies One to Live in New Jerusalem

Floyd L. Mathews Sr.

Copyright © 2021 by Floyd L. Mathews, Sr.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Brief Bible History and Doctrines

Beware of the Final Judgment (Great White Throne)

Beware of the Consequences of Sin and How to become an Overcomer

Who Is Jesus and Why You Must Get to Know Him

Forgiveness of Sin through Jesus Christ

What Is a Christian?

The Fruit of a Christian

How to Become a Christian

How to Live the Life of a Christian

How to Control Your Thoughts

Developing a Winning Attitude with Power and Passion

Mission of the Church (You)

What Can I Do as a Christian to Help Grow God’s Church

How to Experience Spiritual Satisfaction

How to Get to New Jerusalem

What Shall I Expect to See and Experience in New Jerusalem

Spiritual Values to Be Gained in New Jerusalem beyond Your Death

Measuring Your Spiritual Growth

Personal Spiritual Growth Survey

Acknowledgments

Iwant to acknowledge my father in the ministry, Dr. Jesse B. Bilberry Jr., who patiently nurtured me along early on in my ministry. Further, he modeled before me and others the life of a true pastor that was committed to the cause of Christ as he served humankind from all walks of life. I also want to acknowledge Brother Alvin Hollins Sr. that cared enough to challenge my faith and prompted me to take a closer look as to who I was in Christ versus where I should have been at age thirty. I thank God for his concern for me and his patience to tolerate me and the attitude I possessed at that time. I grew to better know Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord because he cared. Acknowledgments go out to my friend and coworker in Christ William Bill McMahan who was a long-time prayer partner, supervisor, promise keeper, and my partner in prison ministry (Kairos). Bill has had a great influence on my life, and for this, I am most grateful. Thanks be unto God for the prayers and financial support of Brother Oliver and Sister Sharon Battiste who encouraged me to proceed with the publication of this book without delay. I am both pleased and honored to acknowledge Ida Warren Mathews, my lovely wife for over fifty-four years and personal and private editor of my books. Together, we have been blessed with two fine children, Tonya and Floyd Jr., both of whom are now enjoying their own families. I am further honored to acknowledge the able assistance of my sister, Willie Mae Christie, who, in spite of being visually impaired, provided value-added assistance in the editing of this book. I wish to dedicate this book to our parents, Edward and Rosa Lee Matthews, who are absent from the body and present with the Lord. I am the product of a truck driver and a homemaker/domestic worker who blessed this society with seven children (five girls and two boys) in a small three-bedroom home on a single lot of land in a village called Norwood, Louisiana. They did so much with very little, but we made it. To God be the glory for the blessings of family, friends, and associates that surrounds me with love and encouragement in spite of my faults.

Introduction

As a creature of the all-wise, eternal God of Israel, who has at least a remote interest in getting to know the gatekeeper (Jesus the Christ) of New Jerusalem, this book was written for you. You are hereby invited to join me in this journey in the interest of being qualified to live eternally with the royal family of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the New Jerusalem. Think of your life as a journey of joy moving from earth to heaven with a vision of victory in spite of the challenges you face and the burdens you bear along the way. This book has been carefully fashioned to get you where the God of Israel has prepared for you to live beyond your earthly journey, in New Jerusalem with Him.

Endorsements

Floyd Mathews offers challenges galore to Christians in his book, How To Experience Spiritual Birth and Growth that Qualifies One to Live in New Jerusalem; challenges that open avenues to Biblical knowledge and encourage spiritual growth. Through Old and New Testament scriptures, Mr. Mathews maps a clear path to eternal life. For Christians from newborn to mature, there is a palatial banquet of food for thought in the pages of this discipleship educational tome, culminating in a useful tool to assess one’s spiritual growth.

Valarie Banks, Minister of Music

This book sets forth the doctrines of the Church in a concise manner. A number of challenges are then given; even a challenge to get to know God and to become intimate with Him. If these challenges are accepted it will result in an Experience of Spiritual Birth and Growth that Qualifies One to Live in New Jerusalem. This book is scripturally sound and will strengthen your faith.

Dr. James E. Cross, General Secretary

Christian Bible College of Baton Rouge, La.

I highly recommend the purchase of this book. It will be a great resource to add to your library. I have been blessed by this addition to my library as it relates to Kingdom Building.

Pastor Frank Rideau, Jr., Pastor

First Love Missionary Baptist Church Outreach Ministry, Bossier City, La.

If you have been struggling with thoughts of how you can have a sure ticket into the Kingdom of God and live happily ever after in New Jerusalem, I highly recommend purchasing this book. I personally know the Author, my brother, Floyd L. Mathews, Sr. Floyd is a devoted man of God, a Spiritual Counselor and most important, cares deeply for all. In this book, from start to finish, the Author clearly explains what you need to do to develop a personal relationship with God in order to have eternal life in the Kingdom. I was most impressed on how he uses Bible verses that relates to everyday living and how he challenges you to live accordingly through those verses. The Author also tells us what kingdom hunger looks like. This is an amazing book for readers who have been seeking answers through spiritual readings and how to prepare themselves for The Kingdom during their daily living. This book is food for the soul and the pursuit of spiritual happiness, while getting you one step closer to spending life in New Jerusalem.

Shasta Marie Matthews Crier, Member

Little Zion Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, La.

To be or not to be prepare through Spiritual Birth and Growth has been made plain, simple, and easy to help all who desire to live in the New Jerusalem. Those who are looking for a clear and precise message will benefit from reading this book that will help them to be ready and prepared for the New Jerusalem.

Dr. Leroy Williams, Jr., Board Member and Instructor

St. John Bible Institute of Baton Rouge, La.

Whether you are someone who is contemplating giving your life to Jesus Christ or a seasoned Christian with fifty or more years of experience serving Christ, you will benefit greatly from this book. Rev. Mathews has laid out a crystal-clear explanation of the importance of becoming a Christian, what it takes to join the body of Christ, how to grow your Christian faith, what you can expect from life in Christ, and what joys await after moving from this life on earth to our home in the New Jerusalem. He issues challenges that will help you develop a closer walk with the Lord while giving clear directions about how to meet those challenges. This book delivers what it promises – to get you prepared to live with God forever in the New Jerusalem!

Saundra Yancy McGuire, Ph.D.

Sunday School Teacher, Youth Department, Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church

Professor Emerita, Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University

Owner, SYM Educational Consultants, LLC

Floyd L. Mathews, Sr. writes an eye-opening, soul-searching, book for the unsaved, as well as the saved. He challenges you to be sure you are saved, go tell the Good News to a dying world, get active in ministry, and really get to know Jesus Christ; not only be your Saviour, but also as Lord over your life. After all the challenges to you, Rev. Mathews gives you action steps to