Self-Help is Human Wisdom

Jesus warned us about seeking SELF-HELP. Self-help, or human wisdom will not save you from anything. Self-help will destroy you.

"This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic." James 3:15

In the carnal church of America, the ONE-MAN SHOW, there is no healing, no Spiritual Formation, no Discipleship. It’s the same ole-same ole dead church. Lot’s of SELF-HELP and HUMAN WISDOM, but no POWER of CHRIST. No healing, no restoration.

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Colossians 2:8

Jesus is and was and will always be INCLUSIVE. Jesus loves all, accepted all, and rejected NONE. People receive or reject Christ. Christ doesn’t reject anyone.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees (religious people), hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." Matthew 23:23

Jesus even died for the Pharisees and Sadduccess (religious people), the very people Jesus accused of being a brood of vipers serving their father the devil.

"You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." Matthew 23:33

Can you imagine Jesus, from the pulpit kicking anyone out of His Church? Can you imagine Jesus accusing anyone of dividing His Body?

So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:7

What did Jesus say to Saul, who became the Apostle Paul?

"For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

There Are No Divisions Possible in the Body of Christ

There is no division in Jesus' Church. Those who expel other followers ultimately exclude themselves, resulting in a unified body.

"Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10

Yes, religious individuals depart from Christ's body daily and opt for self-help communities, yet there remains no division within the body of Christ.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29

Religious leaders may exclude others from their congregations routinely, and that means their assembly does not constitute the Body of Christ; it is a man-made institution. When church leaders reject people they are rejecting Christ.

"A battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory." Matthew 12:20

Instead of kicking people out of the church, leaders voluntarily depart from His Body when they expel others. Jesus neither rejects nor expels anyone—people depart from Jesus of their own volition.

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'" John 8:12

Jesus is absolutely inclusive. Jesus loves all, accepted all, and rejects no one. Jesus gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus washed feet as an example of leadership.

"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

Beware! Don’t Join a Cult

Cults place demands upon people while simultaneously create the fear of being ostracized, abandoned, and kicked out. While Jesus’s church includes everyone, cults kick people out. How do does one spot a cult? Again, cults kick people out, and they compel dissenters to LEAVE.

"(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:7

Cults DEMAND and never SUPPLY. Cults demand absolute obedience and compliance from their members, using the threat of being displaced and kicked out as a means of behavior control.

“having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone," Ephesians 2:20

We are called to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. More importantly, we are called to love our enemies.

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;" Philippians 3:20

Jesus GAVE US His life, the New Creation SHINING through the LIGHT OF GOD providing Salvation for eternity. We receive SALVATION by FAITH, not by sitting in church on Sunday.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

Jesus came so that we would all have DIRECT CONNECTION with GOD. By Grace we now have direct access to the Father IN CHRIST. We have God’s love, wisdom, favor, and presence to receive and fulfill His will.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25

IN CHRIST

IN CHRIST there is no division and no possibility of division, and that is why we are able to love our enemies instead of rejecting them.

"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." Matthew 5:23-24

Jesus conquered all darkness and destroyed the works of the devil. Therefore, we have been equipped to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. People will know the Children of God and the children of the darkness. Everyone will be able to tell the difference between the Children of God and the children of darkness.

"But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

We are ONE in CHRIST by GRACE.

For the most important sermon for mankind, Jesus left the city and the temple and the religious and went out in the countryside. The most important message between God and man did not come to us from the religious leaders or the religious temple (organization).

"having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone," Ephesians 2:20

The TEMPLE on earth was TORN DOWN, and it will not be rebuilt. Followers of Jesus are now waiting for the promise from the Father, the New Temple–New Jersulam, which is IN CHRIST.

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude." Colossians 2:6-7

To Jesus, how important are today’s religious organizations? Which one did He sacrifice everything to save? None of them? You are right!

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

To deliver the most important messages, Jesus left the Temple and the synagogues (church buildings of Jesus’ day) and instead, preached out in the wilderness, away from the control of the central religious leadership.

"so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11

Satan’s Deception and False Gospel

Today, carnal consumer churches use “marketing” to funnel believers into dead-end religious systems, where hundreds of hungry followers sit silently in a big room listening to just one guy, a single teacher teaching for 30 minutes and calling it good.

"seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3

Today, satan funnels new converts into the dead churches so that people don’t grow, so that people do not get discipled, and if they do, they get discipled to build the human church and to serve the corporation. Today, we pay tithes to organizations to feed us just enough junk food on Sunday to keep us duped, but alive–barely.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Cain’s Church

Today’s church state in America… false teachers promoting a dead organization structure in the name of power and control. False teachers prevent followers from becoming fully equipped disciples who disciple others.

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves." 2 Peter 2:1

Today’s church leaders deny giftings, deny people, and instead push the SELF-HELP agenda, hoping people will remain dependent upon them.

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in ALL persons." 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Self wants what it wants when it wants it. Self is corrupted and cannot be fixed, but it will be replaced completely–NEW WINESKINS.

"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace," Romans 8:5-6

Cain went the way of SELF and killed his brother Abel.

"Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him." Genesis 4:8

SELF is SIN and the Bible defines SELF as a form of rebellion, a form of cancer. Putting a few “SELF’s” together in one room is dangerous, with each SELF seeking it’s own self-interest causing all kinds of chaos and disorder. This is precisely why Jesus commands His followers to lay down our lives, pick up our cross, and die to self. There is only one choice, serve self or serve God, no one can serve both.

"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24

Here is our answer and our solution. Deny self, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus BY GRACE.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.'" Matthew 16:24

The Confessing Church - Foundation of Jesus Christ

Humble yourself, confess all your sins and weaknesses to Jesus, hand them over to Him because you believe He is the Son of God who came to take away the sins of the world. Once cleansed, we are equipped and empowered to love everyone, including our enemies. We are called to walk in the LIGHT as He is in the LIGHT, and to WALK BY THE SPIRIT. We are called and equipped to SHINE and share the good news of the Gospel with everyone.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Our life’s foundation being Jesus means that He is our core, our cornerstone, and the bedrock upon which our entire existence is built. To have our foundation in Christ is to center our lives on Him, to derive our identity, purpose, and values from His teachings and example.

"having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone," Ephesians 2:20

When we say our foundation is in Christ, it means that He is not just a part of our lives, but the very essence of our being. Everything we think, say, and do is rooted in our relationship with Him. He shapes our worldview, informs our decisions, and guides our actions.

"When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:4

To have our foundation in Christ is to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior, to trust in His redemptive work on the cross for our salvation, and to surrender our will to His. It means recognizing that apart from Him, we are nothing, but with Him, we have everything we need for life and godliness.

"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 the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith," Philippians 3:8-9

Our foundation in Christ is unshakable and immovable, like a solid rock that withstands the storms of life. It provides stability, security, and assurance in the midst of uncertainty and adversity. With Christ as our foundation, we have a firm anchor for our souls, a source of hope and strength that never fails.

"Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.'" John 14:23

In practical terms, having our foundation in Christ means living out His teachings, walking in obedience to His commands, and abiding in His love. It means seeking His will in all things, trusting in His providence, and relying on His Grace to sustain us.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

There is ONLY ONE FOUNDATION to Build Upon

Ultimately, our foundation on THE ROCK (IN CHRIST) is the most secure and enduring foundation we can have--EVER. It is a foundation built not on our strength or merit, but on the unchanging character and faithfulness of Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The main problem facing church leadership today is the glaring disparity between their professed beliefs and lived-out faith. Hypocrisy and inconsistency plague many, as they proclaim love for God and others while failing to demonstrate it in their churches. This issue extends to destructive communication, worldly priorities, spiritual lukewarmness, and attempts to manipulate and control the body of Christ.

The solution is with church leadership, to drop their growth agendas and slick marketing campaigns and instead focus on discipleship and the Great Commission. We are called to make disciples of the nations, not get butts in seats on Sunday. By cultivating genuine, selfless love for God and others, exercising discipline in speech to build up rather than tear down, reprioritizing life according to God's PLAN FOR HUMANITY, and actively pursuing reconciliation and unity within the Church.

Addressing big challenges requires aligning beliefs with actions, fostering humility and spiritual vitality, and prioritizing God's Kingdom above all else. It is a call to ongoing confession, repentance, and reliance on the internal transforming power of the Holy Spirit to bridge the gap between professed faith and lived-out reality.

The imperative and emphatic declaration for the advanced mature follower and disciple of Jesus Christ is a call to radical obedience, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to the teachings and living out the life of Jesus. This declaration urges us to move beyond mere belief and into action, embodying the love, Grace, and sacrifice of Christ in our daily lives.

Here's a detailed blueprint of this imperative declaration, using the Grace Space model as a guide:

Recognition of the Problem: Identify the pressing issues faced by individuals, communities, and society as a whole. This could include spiritual emptiness, brokenness, division, injustice, poverty, and lack of hope.
Acknowledge the limitations of human efforts and solutions in addressing these deep-rooted problems. Recognize the need for a transformative and supernatural intervention.

Embrace Jesus as the Solution: Affirm Jesus Christ as the ultimate solution to all problems, both individual and societal. Highlight His life, teachings, death, and resurrection as the source of hope, healing, and reconciliation.

Emphasize the centrality of Christ's love, Grace, and redemption in addressing humanity's brokenness and restoring individuals to their intended relationship with God.

Blueprint for Action:

• Establish a community hub modeled after the Grace Space concept, providing a tangible expression of Christ's love and Grace to all.
• Implement 24-hour prayer and worship as foundational elements, recognizing the importance of constant communion with God in seeking His guidance and intervention.
• Create healing rooms and prophecy rooms, where individuals can receive spiritual healing, encouragement, and prophetic guidance, acknowledging the power of the Holy Spirit to bring transformation.
• Develop comprehensive community outreach programs addressing diverse needs such as food insecurity, homelessness, addiction, and emotional trauma, demonstrating Christ's compassion and care for the marginalized and vulnerable.
• Offer educational and workforce development initiatives aimed at empowering individuals to break free from cycles of poverty and dependency, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods and meaningful contributions to society.
• Foster a culture of discipleship and worship, where believers are nurtured in their faith, equipped for ministry, and encouraged to live out the teachings of Jesus in every aspect of their lives.
• Promote radical generosity and unity within the community, inspiring believers to sacrificially give of their time, resources, and talents for the betterment of others.
• Encourage active participation, volunteerism, and financial support from all members of the community, emphasizing the collective responsibility of believers to advance God's kingdom and promote His love and justice in the world.

Call to Action:

• Issue a compelling invitation to all believers to embrace the imperative declaration of radical discipleship and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
• Challenge individuals to lay down their lives, deny themselves, and take up their crosses daily, echoing Jesus' call to sacrificial love and obedience.
• Inspire believers to embody the values of the Grace Space model in their communities, becoming beacons of hope, agents of transformation, and ambassadors of Christ's kingdom.
• Urge believers to seize this moment as an opportunity to make a profound impact on their world, fulfilling their calling to be salt and light in a dark and broken society.
• The imperative and emphatic declaration for advanced mature followers and disciples of Jesus Christ calls for a radical commitment to embody His love, Grace, and sacrificial service in every aspect of life.

By following HIS blueprint outlined above, believers can become FOLLOWERS of CHRIST and create transformative community hubs like the Grace Space, where the power of God's Grace is tangibly manifested, lives are transformed, and His kingdom purposes are advanced.