The Upward Call!

The Church is not a continuation of the Old Covenant Law and Temple system but from a Christian perspective; rather it is the culmination of God’s meticulously planned workings beginning with Adam man from creation, to the promises to faithful Abraham and the patriarchs, to Moses and the Law concerning the nation of Israel, and now it is His highest work through Christ and the Church. This is the progressive unfolding of the manifold wisdom of God down through the ages now being made known by the Church.  Each age is a dispensation in which God interacts with His people in a different way, progressive working towards the fulfillment of His master plan. His work is different within each succeeding age, but all work towards a single purpose of bringing a people into intimate fellowship with Himself.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast

Jesus Christ most often spoke of spiritual things in likeness to the natural so His disciples often misunderstood Him.  When He cautioned them to, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees,” at the mention of the word leaven their minds immediately thought of bread, which they did not bring with them. Jesus however, was speaking of something much more sinister; something very deceptive that could creep into their lives and that of the Church He was to build.At the time of the apostle Paul’s ministry, this leaven of the Pharisees had infiltrated the Galatian Church, as they started to embrace the beliefs and practices of the Old Testament Law.  It seems that there is a tendency in man to drift from the spiritual into the natural, from the pursuit of life in Christ Jesus to the pursuit of obedience to commandment and rituals; from the freedom of the Spirit to the bondage of religion. You see, religion is a “no brainer” so to speak, something that requires or involves little mental effort, or most importantly, the “work of faith” to believe in and pursue the spiritual, the invisible and intangible realities of God.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast/

The thought of mixture entering into the Church remains a constant concern.  Anything foreign to the absolute truth of the Gospel and the testimony of the apostles is an impurity that must be discerned and purge out.  This mixture can come from multiple sources, such as false doctrine, false prophets and teachers, worldly influence, culture, as well as a subtle mixing in of other religions and philosophies.  Two things for sure, a church in mixture cannot mature falling short of the expectations of Christ, and Satan does not fear it but encourages it for it poses no real threat to him or his kingdom.  If another Jesus or a different Gospel were preached today, would you recognize it or may well put up with it?

The words of Paul to the Church of Corinth (2 Cor. 11.1-4) reveal both the grand objective for the Church, as well as a prophetic caution of corruption at its doorstep prone to enter in.  Historically, God’s dealings with His creation have passed from the “age of Creation” focused on Adam and Eve, to the “age of the patriarchs” focused on Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to the “age of Israel” focused on the Jew, and presently on the “age of the Church”  which will culminate God’s eternal plan for His Creation.  Having such a calling and destiny, the Church, must, by all means, be kept pure from mixture “that it might be presented as a chaste virgin to Christ at His return.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast/

When Jesus told Peter, “I will build my church,” did He have in mind a more perfect religion, one to rival existing religions in the world, or did He have in mind something of a higher spiritual nature? Distinction must clearly be made between religion and Christianity, as well as between the Old Covenant (Testament) in Moses and the New Covenant in Christ. The concept of life must be looked at from a spiritual perspective.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast/

It is an undeniable Biblical fact that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, dwells in the believerindividually and in the Church collectively. Yet it seems the reality of this true miracle escapesus. Not only must we come into this realization now, and allow it to impact our lives today, butto anticipate the Holy Spirit as an eternal habitation.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast/Watch the episode on Youtube https://youtu.be/0rMRmGE7Tl8

Man often looks at salvation through a very narrow window, where all he can see is heaven and eternal life—which falls infinitesimally short of God’s plan and purpose in His Son Jesus Christ.In this age Jesus is the Head of His Church, the Body of Christ; and in the age to come thisChurch will become His bride to sit with Him on His throne.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast/Watch the episode on Youtube https://youtu.be/sIeb7I4k9qY

If one is given a bow and arrow and a target with a bull’s eye, a purpose is logicallydefined—aim, shoot, and hit the bull’s eye. To shoot arrows randomly is withoutpurpose and certainly without reward. The Father has a divine purpose for Himselfand mankind, and man may randomly seek one way or another, but to hit the mark isthe ultimate in God’s plan and purpose.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast/Watch the episode on Youtube https://youtu.be/pxe0qJkXd4k

Relationship and fellowship are distinct from one another. One may have arelationship but no fellowship and another may have fellowship without a relationship.Fullness of life is when we have both a true relationship and fellowship with God andwith one another.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast/Watch the episode on Youtube https://youtu.be/neSEXlOEvSY

The believers salvation, calling, and inheritance in Christ is intertwined with, andinseparable from the grace, the purpose, and the inheritance of God; The Father willhave a family of many sons and daughters, the Son will have a Church to become HisBride, and the Holy Spirit will have an eternal dwelling pace.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast/Watch the episode on Youtube https://youtu.be/4_EI4pdzzEg

It is essential to lay the first foundation stone with precision and accuracy, withoutwhich error is distributed throughout the whole building. Regarding the salvation ofmankind we cannot rely on the judgments and estimates of man, but must seek theundeniable and verifiable truth revealed in the Word of God.For other episodes, find us at https://ufsministries.com/podcast/Watch the episode on Youtube https://youtu.be/HCHrSqkx8L8