Be Strong In the Lord! (Sermon)

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COJCOM · 1-11-2025 ── Be Strong In the Lord!

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

Last Sabbath night – or rather early Sunday morning – as I lay in bed trying to go to sleep. A title to a message came into my mind. Be Strong In the Lord. Then, just as quickly, Scriptures from God’s living word flashed throughout my mind. I quickly jumped out of bed, entered our office, grabbed a pencil and a piece of paper, and jotted down the Scriptures.

The first passage that came to my mind was Ephesians 6:10. Let’s turn in our Bibles and read this verse.

The power of His might is THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Before I begin this Sabbath, I would like to thank our Brethren and Friends in Clonee, Ireland; Brussels, Belgium; Prineville, Oregon; Forth Worth, Texas; and of course our dear brethren and friends in Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Anderson, Alabama. Welcome. And thank you all for joining us this Sabbath for the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.

Now, Satan the Devil is our adversary. He is our physical and spiritual enemy. He and his minions are seeking to destroy our Lord Jesus’ Church, and you along with it. We must always be prepared to fight and to win our spiritual battles.

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

Notice 1st Timothy chapter 1.

Verse 18.

The apostle Paul knew that we, dear Brethren, both in his day and throughout all generations, would be involved in many tribulations, troubles, trials, tests, and even sufferings for our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why he wrote Timothy and told him – and by extension, us as well – to wage a good warfare.

Notice 2nd Timothy chapter 2.

Verses 3 & 4.

Brethren war is nothing new to the living Church of God. Over and over throughout God’s living word God’s people have been involved in wars. Our Lord Jesus’ Church has always been in one war or another. Though we wrestle not against human beings, but rather we wrestle against the spiritual forces of the evil one – Satan the Devil. He marshals against us in trying always to discredit us and even to destroy the very work of the Eternal One.

Over the weekend my wife and I held a family get-together. And my sister-in-law was lamenting over the fact that she “lost” a great many of her family members to death. Either by suicide, cancer, or by a bleeding ulcer. And she had said that this great loss had affected her throughout half of last year.

In her expression of grief and sorrow, she called me a “winebibber,” because I was having a beer. She knew me before I was converted.

Again, and I recognized it immediately, Satan the Devil - we wrestle not against human beings, but rather we wrestle against the spiritual forces of the evil one. Satan the Devil trying his best to discredit me. Well, I love her. And I pray for her always. Wanting no ill will to come to her or her family.

Well, the soundness of wisdom will be judged by the fruit of her wisdom.

Now, our Lord Jesus Christ has said, “’ I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’”

Brethren, His Church will prevail throughout the rest of this present evil age. But will you?

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

To ensure that you will not become a casualty of this war against the evil one – Satan the Devil’s demonic kingdom – you should enlist in the army of our Almighty God!

But first, just like what I went through myself, you must go through a battery of tests to determine your character and your mental fitness. Some of these stories I have told a few times. Tests from God that I went through. And, looking back, I know them to be tests. This was before I was converted. Before I rightly repented, was properly baptized, and had hands laid upon me, receiving the glorious gift of the Holy Spirit.

Once, as I was walking out of a truck stop, an exquisitely dressed man began calling after me, “Hey, can I get a ride!?” As I turned around I saw that this well-groomed man was dressed in the finest dark suit I had ever seen, with gold cufflinks, a gold chain, a gold wristwatch, and shiny black dress shoes. A chill ran up my spine. As I kept walking, he began following me and called out again, “Hey, can I get a ride!? I just got off the bus.” I had assumed that he meant a Greyhound Bus, although he didn’t have any luggage – and I had not seen hardly anyone at the truck stop, so I knew he wasn’t telling the truth. “No, I’m not going to give you a ride,” I said sternly, as I continued walking away from him. He began to follow more briskly, “I’m just going down the road.” Then he stopped suddenly and yelled, “You’re not going to give me a ride!” – which was more of a statement than a question.

Friends, I truly believe that this was a demon, trying to trick me! He knew that I would soon belong to Jesus Christ! What would have happened if I had allowed him in my truck? That time the test was successful – I won the battle. I… was STRONG IN THE LORD!

There were other times that I had failed miserably. It’s a learning process.

For I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. Very possibly several. And, I have a story – Back a few years ago now, when I was driving a tractor-trailer over the road heading for California Again, before conversion. I had pulled into a truck stop for the night as it was just getting dusk, and I saw this old woman walking across the parking lot. She appeared to be wearing nothing but a filthy, ragged blanket. She passed all the other trucks, and just as I pulled the airbrakes – she was standing next to my truck looking up at me with very kind eyes. As I slowly rolled down the driver-side window, she asked very quietly, “Do you have a blanket?”

And I thought to myself – she already has a blanket. I quickly replied, “No, I don’t have a blanket!” Without saying another word, she turned and walked out into the desert and out of sight. But I had an extra blanket – in fact, I had two extra blankets that I always brought with me. And, the thought then struck me – I had just failed the test. And I said to the LORD, “O’ Lord GOD! I have failed!”

Well, we, dear Brethren, were called to serve. And even though we passed the initial trials and tests, we are still just an enlistee – we’re still in basic training. But, the difference is we now have the gift of the Holy Spirit within us. And, as the apostle Paul wrote, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.”

While in this training we must have proper nourishment. Both physical and spiritual. And God’s living eternal word tells us that for the Christian soldier proper nourishment is the living word of God. We are to be fed on the milk and the solid meat of the Word – speaking of the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ! And we must exercise the fruits of God’s Spirit. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We must also exercise discipline in studying and meditating on the word of God. Praying always to maintain our spiritual strength.

To BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

We must also learn to use weapons. In one sermon, I believe it was a sermon, I went through, step-by-step, the Elementary Principles of Christ. And we must also go on to perfection. These spiritual weapons are described for us back in the Book of Ephesians – where we began in this message. Ephesians chapter 6. I’ll cover these with you in a little while here.

Another important lesson we must learn is how to take orders. Sadly, this is something that a lot of ministers have a difficult time with. Many believe that once they reach that pinnacle of standing behind the lectern, they no longer need to listen to their fellow servants. With many, their heads become bloated and even twisted, and then some sadly lose the Spirit of God altogether. So, we must learn to take orders. Because – God willing – when we make it into the born family of God, we will still have to take orders. When your Commander tells you, “’ I want you to go do this!’” You must go and do that. Being a soldier in Christ is a team endeavor.

I once had a so-called minister – and now a filthy, vile, and rotting minister, a Liberace of his ministry – I once had him say to me that competition between ministers is a good thing! It is not! Was the apostles of Christ in competition with each other? Did they rival against each other? No. We each cannot just charge off with our bayonets attached, and run in whatever direction we choose. Any military – to win battles, is UNIFIED. And it is directed from the very top – as is the army of God!

Once our basic training is complete before our conversion, we are ready for solid food. We are ready for deployment. The foundation should be fully understood, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. In the case of the LORD God’s Army – we are full of the glorious Spirit of God!

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

We must now learn COURAGE.

Turn with me to the Book of Deuteronomy chapter 20.

Verse 1.

Brethren, when we look today throughout the world, many of our attackers are mighty in power. I was attacked one Feast of Tabernacles Season, and the sycophant leader wanted to put me in front of their rulers, and authorities – to chastise me and persecute me. They certainly have more power and prestige than I do. Yet, the LORD God’s power is unmatched – and God gave me the wisdom of how to handle myself.

Verse 2.

Verses 3 – 8.

Notice that the fearful and those faint of heart were told that they weren’t even wanted near the brave men. The Lord our God wants people in His spiritual military who will strap on the Armor of God and will fight with unwavering faith, devotion, and veracity against our enemy – Satan the Devil and his minions – until complete victory! Until an unconditional surrender of the enemy.

The LORD God – the family of God, which at this present time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – desires soldiers who are STRONG IN THE LORD! Who are spiritually strong enough to begin this journey, and those who are strong enough to endure whatever trial, test, tribulation, or suffering may come, with the LORD God’s help to the end of our fight.

A great many – and I speak of this very thing in a THINK ABOUT THIS… The Nicolaitans – a great many, the overall majority, have thrown this precious knowledge and our Savior’s sacrifice away. And then some place a mask on and – like a Hollywood actor – pretend to be a “minister of righteousness.” So, we needed to be tested and tried before conversion.

In the Book of Hebrews chapter 2.

We read in verse 10 that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Captain of our salvation. He is the Captain of His Church, and we, His spiritual military, His Army! And, like I said earlier – we are in a warfare.

When our enemies are lobbying spiritual mortar rounds at us – our Lord Jesus Christ is our SHIELD!

Turn with me and notice the Book of Psalm chapter 33.

Verse 8.

The people of this world will soon stand in awe of the LORD God. But right now – you brethren – should always be standing in awe of the LORD God. And if we stand STRONG IN THE LORD TOGETHER we are going to shake kingdoms with this Message from the LORD God far more powerfully than anything else we could do.

Verse 9.

Verses 10 – 12.

Truly blessed are those who are in our Lord Jesus’ Church whom God the Father has chosen for His inheritance.

Verses 13-20.

Brethren, as long as we are pleasing the LORD God, and doing the will of God, we have NOTHING to fear in any battle.

Back in 2022, I gave a sermon entitled, “We Are At War!” And this is even more true today! We Are At War! And we need to always keep in our minds – will I win!? Will I be victorious!?

Turning a page, notice chapter 34 of Psalm.

Beginning in verse 7.

Let us fully realize, again, as long as we are pleasing the LORD God, and doing the will of God, and we have a right heart, a right spirit, a right attitude, and keep in constant communion with our Captain, the Captain of our salvation – our Lord Jesus Christ – His angels will protect us from danger!

You know, it was a tragic thing that just happened in New Orleans. And our hearts and prayers go out to the victims' families and friends in their loss – may the LORD God truly comfort them. But, if you are being led by the Spirit of God, you are a child of God – and if a child of God – you would not have been there on Bourbon Street participating and celebrating a pagan holiday.

We MUST have endurance and strength.

Sometimes, we will find ourselves in the heat of battle, and we will need endurance and strength.

Notice again, verse 7.

So, in conclusion, let’s go over the Armor of God that we must wear.

Again, Ephesians chapter 6.

We should always be looking upon ourselves as soldiers for Christ! And that we are fighting a battle against the evil one – Satan the Devil. And there might be times when Satan the Devil appears to give you a low blow, an unfair blow – so he can destroy you. But as long as you ARE STRONG IN THE LORD he will not succeed.

Ephesians chapter 6.

Beginning in verse 10

Verses 11 – 16.

The SHIELD OF FAITH. The assurance in the LORD God. That the LORD God is faithful. That the LORD God will never leave you or forsake you. That the LORD God is always beside you. And that the LORD God will help fight our battles with us.

Verse 18.

We should be praying constantly for all the saints! Here in the United States of America – in North America, and around the world! All the saints.

Brethren, I have looked at our analytics for our YouTube channel. Our audience is mostly men, ages 55 to 64. Many of us, dear Brethren, have long received our basic training. Many of us have had years of experience now in the spiritual Army of the Lord our God. We’ve had skirmishes throughout all these years that we’ve been in service to the Lord Jesus. But now, as we get closer to the end of this present evil age, brethren, we are in a fierce fight with Satan the Devil, and his demons. He knows that he has but a short time left. And as we are so close to victory – let us keep in mind Proverbs 3:6 - In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Satan desires more than anything that we would just quit. Or let a young idol get in our way.

PUSH HIM ASIDE MY DEAR BROTHER! And take the reigns of our Captain, let Him lead you through this field of battle!

Thank you for listening this Sabbath!

Let us NEVER SURRENDER!

Until next time, this is Leonard V Johnson for the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.

What Is Sin?

In this THINK ABOUT THIS… let’s talk about sin. What is sin?

Now, certainly, we could write up a whole booklet on this one subject of── sin.

The LORD our God’s living and immutable word says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23.

But, what is the definition of sin according to the LORD our God?

This world believes that sin is: “thinking thoughts you ought not to be thinking about thoughts you ought not to be thinking about things you ought not to be doing while you are thinking the kind of thoughts.” Certainly a word salad straight from Kamala Harris!

Well, it’s not far from the truth── but still, no cigar.

The LORD our God’s definition of sin is──

“Whoever commits sin also commits LAWLESSNESS, and sin is LAWLESSNESS.” – 1 John 3:4.

It is a violation of the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

Now, nearly everyone on planet Earth knows, or has heard of the Ten Commandments! Right!? Let’s go over them──

1) “’ You shall have no other gods before Me.’”

2) “’ You shall not make for yourself a carved image── …’”

3) “’ You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, …’”

4) “’ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’”

5) “’ Honor your father and your mother, …’”

6) “’ You shall not murder.’”

7) “’ You shall not commit adultery.’”

8) “’ You shall not steal.’”

9) “’ You shall not bear false witness …’”

10) “’ You shall not covet …’”

Also known as THE LAW OF LOVE!

Our Lord Jesus Christ has said, “ …’ Hear Me everyone, and understand: 15) There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, THOSE are the things that defile a man. 16) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!’” – Mark 7:14-16.

What did He mean!? His disciples asked Him concerning this parable.

“ …’ Do you not perceive that WHATEVER enters a man from outside CANNOT defile him, 19) because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?’” – vs. 17-19.

Sadly, many Bible critics cite Mark 7:1-15 as a license from our Lord Jesus the Christ (Christ being His title) that all meats are allowed to be eaten. Did our Lord Jesus do away with the prohibition of unclean meats!? Did He say that He had “purged all meats”? The children of Israel’s dietary law was well known by the Jews in the time of Jesus. The self-righteous Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for eating bread without first washing their hands – vs. 2. Our Lord Jesus’ response was to severely reprimand those self-righteous Pharisees for their rejection of God’s Commandments – vs. 6-13. He then summoned the crowd to hear what He was about to say (vs. 14). He told them that whatever goes into a man (into mankind) from the outside cannot defile the man, but what comes out of a man can (vs. 15-23). Now, many read verse 19 and conclude that a person can eat any kind of meat because our Lord Jesus has “purged all meats.” Sadly, most people neither carefully study and read verse 19, or they read past it – and thereby completely miss the entire point of Jesus’ instruction! Even our Lord Jesus’ own disciples did not immediately understand His teaching – vs. 18. The apostle Matthew’s account shows that apostle Peter asked Him to explain it – Matthew 15:15. Our Lord Jesus clearly was emphasizing that it is the evil things which come out of people – from within, out of the mouth and heart – that defiles a man. He went on to explain that to eat with unwashed hands does not spiritually defile anyone (Matthew 15:20; Mark 7:20-23). This entire account was written to address the futility of the Pharisees’ elaborate handwashing before meals! Privately He explained this parable to His disciples, He gave a frank description of the human body’s normal elimination of any accidentally ingested dirt. He said that such dirt “goes out into the draught” – in other words, the sewer. There was NEVER any Old Testament command to avoid eating food with dirty hands! Our Lord Jesus used this occasion to condemn a man-made tradition that had been elevated above the importance of getting rid of evil and rotten attitudes and thoughts that are INSIDE all human beings – thus defiling them! Notice that in Luke 11:38, the Pharisee was astonished that our Lord Jesus sat down to dine without first washing His hands. Our Lord showed that it is much more important to control what words come out of your mouth, and what thoughts come out of your mind than to worry about dirty hands – Mark 7:20-23.

“ …’ What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21) For from within, OUT OF THE HEART OF MEN, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22) thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23) All these evil things come from within and defile a man.’” – Mark 7:20-23.

So, it’s the breaking of the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

And, what man── as well as what true brother or sister── has not time and time again struggled against committing sin as described by the apostle Paul!?

“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20) Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” – Romans 7:19-20.

All of us── at times── have lost this struggle.

Now, no man or woman can live ABOVE not ever sinning against the LORD God. The Lord our God says──

“ … ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible.’” – Mark 10:27.

Our beloved apostle Paul continued that our ONLY DELIVERANCE from this “body of death” is through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – Romans 8. CHRIST IN YOU!

“that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do NOT walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:4.

But, the Spirit is not going to do it for us──we must do our part! And, like our Lord Jesus has said, it all has to do with our HEART.

Repentance. To repent of sin literally means to change one’s heart and mind in respect to the breaking of God’s Commandments, and accepting our Lord Jesus as Savior. For us to be “renewed in the Spirit of your mind, 24) and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:23-24.

Again, CHRIST IN YOU!

The apostle James (a brother to our Lord Jesus) explains to us exactly how sin occurs──

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15) Then, when desire [the desire WITHIN THE HEART] has CONCEIVED, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth DEATH.” – James 1:14-15.

You are TEMPTED IN YOUR MIND. When you think about something that tempts you── and you allow your mind to dwell upon it── either a desire to go somewhere, to do something, or to have something you know that is WRONG── the thinking about it finally CONCEIVES (it leads to action), and then GIVES BIRTH (you sin).

Truly, if you continue thinking about it, after a while you can’t resist it.

How do you prevent sinning!?

You allow your mind to be filled with God’s Spirit──

“ … seek those things which are above, where Christ is, … 2) set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:1, 2.

A spiritually mature begotten child of God should use self-discipline and set his heart on spiritual things. If a TEMPTATION enters your mind, OPEN UP GOD’S LIVING WORD── refocus your mind on a spiritual subject. Pray over it── and ask God the Father and our Lord Jesus to help you. You will begin to rapidly win the victory over temptation and sin! □

Commentary: A Need For Strong Leadersip

by Guy LaMar

I’ve been watching a few messages from various church groups splintered from the Church of God.

And, this is just my personal observation.

I am not too keen on what I am seeing from some.

There are a few of the groups within these same organizations that do have some good strong ministers, and also a few with some weak ministers.

The older ministers appear more strong while the younger ministers appear more liberal.

Some appear too spooked in saying anything that may offend.

Now, I’ll let you know something about me – I DO NOT like weakness. In fact, I frankly HATE it!

And, I’m not talking about being mean here. I’m talking about not standing against what is clearly WRONG!

There are too many people walking around with very fragile feelings.

Leaders in the churches are trying to cater to the more spoiled. I DO NOT like this.

I raised my sons with strict sternness. I NEVER gave them a 2nd warning.

And they turned out just fine and dandy. No matter what – they have always shown me respect.

And to this day I still offer my guidance. They may not always agree with it, but they listen and grant that respect.

If they don’t agree then that just proves that they have a lot more growing to do … hahaha! 😆

But seriously, the point is, some of the churches need to tighten up their belts and STOP being so weak!

Brethren, I can clearly see various Church of God groups falling into a trap of liberalism.

And this problem begins at the top – with the church leadership.

Without giving out any names, I can certainly think of FOUR groups where the church leadership is failing terribly by catering to the spoiled. And, I can think of TWO groups who are like a Cult of Idolatry because of their leadership.

One group comes to mind where the church “head honcho” just loves to brag himself up as an important figure to where he is the “main” guy among this world’s population! And then there’s another group in which its leader speaks more about himself than anything else!

And, I can think of another group that has literally wrapped everything around Right-Wing political views. And they actually believe they are God’s Church! It’s truly insane!

There are TWO groups that come to mind who have very grounded leadership guiding them. The elders of these groups stay very close to the “Trunk of the Tree” – the spiritual tree.

Through the years I have spoken to many within various churches of God and it’s actually becoming much harder to find a more balanced group.

There are also some groups that embrace Hebrew names and believe that they are being righteous for doing so.

Brethren, these so-called “sacred name” groups NEED to block me, I am not going to help promote you. They are people who get off on these crazy calendars or make them up each year. They need not be here! The Independent Christian Church of God and our affiliated churches will not agree with them!

Oh my, how there are so many groups out there completely off course!

Brethren, we NEED to get back to the SOUND and STRONG footing of the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God!

We NEED to stay in the living word of God – the Holy Bible – on matters that matter!

Not political junk that comes and goes.

Not the spewing of hatred concerning political leaders.

Not whinny storytellers who only self-glorify.

We NEED strong solid good leadership with common sense and intellectual thinking.

For crying out loud, since the ministry is led by men, the men NEED to be STRONGER and more STERN in making sure that the living truth of God stays solid!

When a person comes into a church and begins to try and get their own agenda going, then that is when the leadership's foot needs to be implemented to that person's derrière!

These fluffy churches which are all dramatic and like to get all showy, they are all based upon taking out intellectual reasoning and replacing it with a bunch of fluffy gobbledygook! □

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Women in the Church - As we go along in this journey towards the end of this age we are seeing more and more a great weakness within the Church of God. [...]

Many Convincing Proofs - Friends, no one would become a true martyr to what they know to be false! [...]

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