Every Eye Shall See
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
It is going to take the near total destruction of the earth and the explosive, totally unexpected return of the Lord, to get people to take notice of their creator and the purpose of their existence. This is revealed to be the most earthshattering and important day in human history... totally inescapable. REV 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him (a day of great tragedy for all the unsaved, both dead and alive, of all cultures on the entire planet). Every human on the earth, no matter who, or where they are... even the dead will be granted consciousness to see the most amazing part of God's plan for humanity. The great majority will be devastated. We are continually warned in the scriptures of the certain return of Jesus Christ; his need to repair the unsolvable mess the human race has brought upon itself. This warning applies both to the unsaved and the church alike. Why the church? Because we have been called for a purpose that must be honoured, We have been given supernatural powers and abilities to walk in the Spirit according to God's purposes. Our sins and failings are catered for, so we can freely serve God within the purposes of the Spirit. We are free to choose our life as long as we make God our first priority in every action... a very small price to pay for eternal life. If we fail to walk in the spirit, people will die. We are the only hope for the unsaved and equally, we have powerful influences on other church members. Without the testimony of the saved (us)... everyone is hopelessly lost.
The Great Divide - The Sure Mercies of David Part Five
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
Despite all the multitudes and diverse cultures in this world, there are only two types of people that summarise all humanity. There are those that are spiritually alive and those that are spiritually dead. Spiritual life comes by the anointing of the Holy Spirit (through the death and resurrection of Christ) and the maintenance of that life has been established on the mercies of David. However, when the maintenance is lacking, troubles and despair will also create a great divide. The mercy that David established for all of us; has one key requirement that most people overlook. PSA 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Verse 13 reveals the basis of David's agreement with God. Those who walk in the spirit must also be servants and administrators of God's word... not just hearers, but doers. Being a hearer only is unhealthy. This is the obvious question that God directs to all his saints... ROM 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? It isn't enough to know the gospel and its promises, it has to be our life.
The Heart of David - The Sure Mercies of David Part Four
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
There have been some very special people in scriptural history whose sacrifices and faith have given us a lot more than we deserve, or could ever earn. Many who have gone before have made it possible for us to be part of this wonderful blessing of eternal life. David established a guaranteed pathway for the successful management of our sin and weaknesses. Jesus Christ died as a perfect sacrifice to provide the power and mechanism for eternal life... he also provided a system of fellowship and worship which is 100% effective. Let's establish the principles and promises relating to David, which allow us to manage our sins and failings.
The Two Trees - The Sure Mercies of David Three
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
Adam and Eve were presented with numerous fruit trees to meet their daily, nutritional needs. However, there were two specific trees centrally located in the Garden of Eden, which offered spiritual choices that determined the health of their soul. The tree of life offered spiritual guidance where God would carry the burden of all human choices. The tree of knowledge of good and evil, transferred the guidance and burden of spiritual values to themselves. This meant they would be personally accountable for their own actions (God made it clear that this option would prove to be unmanageable and fatal... death would certainly follow). It is perhaps not surprising that the two following major covenants that God made with humanity also contained the same attributes the good and evil trees in the garden. The first; the Law of Moses was primarily built upon human ability to choose and earn their own destiny... this failed miserably because no one could measure up to it. David established a merciful option within the Law that bridged the barrier and punishment, which our sins and failings created. Not surprisingly, the New Covenant applications are built on the mercy of David (grace), through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit... providing the same benefits as the tree of life. The battle between good and evil has a much better solution, now.
The Sure Mercies of David Two
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
The death and resurrection of Christ enabled God to introduce a far better covenant, than the one it replaced. Our covenant begins with the personal anointing (indwelling) of the Holy Spirit. Due to the frailty of human beings, a system is also needed that can successfully deal with our failings and vulnerabilities. To meet these needs, God introduced a covenant dominated by grace and mercy. Mercy =Not getting the judgment you deserve. Grace=Getting forgiveness and blessing you don't deserve. Interestingly enough, God included one of the great, yet little understood blessings of the Old Testament for our ongoing benefit. This mechanism that keeps us free from our shortcomings is also referred to as 'the sure mercies of David'. These mercies are comprised of deliverance from our enemies and deliverance from ourselves... we no longer need to be victims to anything, especially sin.
Everyone Has An Opinion
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
Before any discovery or invention can be confirmed, it is necessary that scientific methods of testing and duplicating can bring about the claimed result. If a theory is correct, it will be reproduced with continuous and consistent results forthcoming. When it comes to matters of God and salvation, there is a simple and effective formula that works every time. If we simply repeat what Jesus said and what the apostles did, we too can get the same results. Today, there are more opinions around than ever, but there is only one formula that God still backs with signs following. The formula is: Repentance, water baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit.
A Message of Life and Hope
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
Human government is powerless to prevent wars, diseases, disasters, nor are they able to care for all the earth's people. The world is divided into political and religions groups; none can properly care for their own people, nor are able to implement a lasting system of peace and hope. Most are either powerless or selfish, accepting the suffering of others, while trying to maintain their beliefs and lifestyles. None are addressing the world's problems, none are fighting for all the world's people. Thankfully, there is a far better way available.
The Bible is not Politically Correct
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
Neither should it be. Commonly abbreviated to PC: is a modern term, claimed to be used to describe language, policies, or measures that are intended not to offend/disadvantage any particular group of people. In reality, the PC movement uses guilt and deceit, to support the perversions of a minority at the expense of everyone else. Given enough time, a whole society will crumble. This is nothing more than Godless ideology. PRO 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. Selfishness never ends.
Defining Devils and Serpents in Mark 16
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
The church age began on Pentecost (33AD) when the New Covenant was activated with signs miracles and wonders. The sacrifice that Christ had made opened the door for all men to witness the salvation plan of God. Faithful disciples began speaking in tongues as the spirit entered their bodies... other signs and wonders were being equally poured out for the first time. Much of what Jesus had prophesied was now becoming reality. This encouraged men and women to search the scriptures so they could identify and learn exactly how the New Covenant applied to them. Every era and culture has their own terminology and unique culture. That is why scriptural terminology and observable reality need to be put into a spiritual perspective... keeping in mind that the bible usually self interprets for the seekers of the truth. 1COR 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. People are easily confused by Hollywood stereotypes, religious errors and cultural myths... that is why we use the bible to interpret itself where possible.
The First Day of Eternity
By Pastor Brad Smith [Brisbane]
The first day of eternity began for humanity on the day of Pentecost (33AD). It was given to those who had been obedient to the salvation gospel of Jesus Christ and was confirmed with God given signs. This outpouring included natural, intellectual and spiritual changes and opportunities, which will never be taken away from those who remain faithful. Interestingly, this offer is still available today... eternity is still awaiting the wise.