The Living Truth Fellowship

What The Hell Is Heaven?

Remember that our Enemy, the Devil, focuses on distorting and contradicting the greatest of God’s truths, and that his very first lie (Gen. 3:4) was that there is no such thing as “death,” as that word is defined in every language on earth: “the end of life.”

Nearly all Christians, and even many non-Christians, believe that when someone dies, he goes directly to either “Heaven” or “Hell”—and stays there forever. No wonder we hear about “the living dead.” Those concepts so deeply permeate our culture that one hears them propounded nearly every day.

In this precise review of critical biblical truth, we look at the theological origins of each of the fallacious notions of “Heaven” and “Hell,” and contrast those to what God actually says in His Word. Be sure you understand these truths so that your True Hope is not distorted or diminished by Satan’s lies.

The Book of Acts: “Jesus, and the Resurrection”

A recent Gallup poll showed that we live in a post-Christian society. Apparently, most people don’t think that Christianity is relevant to their lives. That is not surprising, given the many confusing notions that now pass for Christian doctrine. Christianity is supposed to be a vital relationship between Christ and you, but too much of it has been turned into a religious system, a bland philosophy, a collection of fables that make no sense.

But what if people could find a true hero, and one who loves them? What if they could find a genuine leader whom they could follow passionately? What about a BEST FRIEND? What about someone who is all of that and more—and who conquered DEATH? And what if that formerly dead man promised victory over man’s mortal enemy and glorious everlasting life to anyone who simply chooses to follow him? Let’s go to the Book of Acts for brief excerpts from 19 chapters and see if that is not what we find as being “The Good News.”

What Has God Left You in His Will?

Jesus Christ is God’s “Last Will and Testament.” By the death of the Testator, all the promises of God have been bequeathed to you and me—including healing.

Fear is believing the word of the enemy. Faith (trust) is expecting God to do what He we know is His will. Stepping out in faith is walking on the foundations of the universe. By our obedience to His Word, we can prove that God’s promises are true.

God is diligently searching for anyone who will believe Him so that He can give to us and do for us so that we can make Him known. His time is always NOW. When it comes to the promises of God, as expressed in the person of Jesus Christ, THERE IS NO REASON WHY NOT!!!

A Triumphant Triology

Genesis 3:15 is the first mention of Jesus Christ in the Word of God, and it sets forth the two basic aspects of his life and ministry: SUFFERING and GLORY. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring [seed] and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” In the Hebrew Scriptures, the Glory is sometimes mentioned without the Suffering, but never is the Suffering mentioned without the Glory. The heart of this teaching is a verse-by-verse exposition of Psalm 22 (The Good Shepherd on earth, in death), Psalm 23 (The Great Shepherd, in heaven by Resurrection), and Psalm 24 (The Chief Shepherd, coming in his glory to earth). Join us as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Psalm 22 magnificently sets forth the Messiah’s prayer and plea from the Cross as he for the last time reached out to Israel, with his dying breaths. He quoted the first and last words of this psalm, which was known by all Jews, and which vividly proclaims exactly what was happening before their eyes that terrible day. This is the psalm most often quoted in the Greek Scriptures.

A Meaty Hunk of Bible, Both Rare and Well Done

Written about six months after his scathing first epistle to the Corinthian Christians, which Titus delivered in an asbestos bag, 2 Corinthians is filled with heartfelt words of encouragement from the apostle Paul to his brethren there. Please join us Wednesday, March 1 as John Lynn takes us, verse-by-verse, through Chapters 3, 4, and 5.

Some of the prevailing themes we will examine are ever-increasing glory, the treasure of truth, the life of Jesus revealed in us, our all-encompassing Hope, the ministry of reconciliation, and how we are renewed day by day en route to the Bema, the Judgment Seat of Christ. One of the facets of this teaching is to see how precisely God’s Word unfolds to us.

God’s Hopes and Heartaches Reprise

This overview of the history of man from God’s viewpoint one of his favorite teachings because of the impact it can have on someone. Due to erroneous theology, hardly any Christians would think of GOD as having anticipation or hope and then being thrilled when it came to pass, or disappointed when it didn’t.

When God looks down upon the earth, He sees an ocean that is not on any map—the ocean of tears shed by mankind. The suffering that our Heavenly Father has had to watch since Adam broke His heart 6000 years ago is indescribable, and He is thrilled when anyone (like you or me) desires to please Him and makes an effort to do so. We’ll see what the Word says about how we can please Him, because when we do, He is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.

Are You Sick of Sickness?

The title of the teaching is Are You Sick of Sickness? Statement of the problem: Every one of us is sick, in that we came from the factory with a sin nature, and thus the seeds of death planted within us, so that from the moment of our birth we have been dying. When a leper approached Jesus, the “Prince of Life,” and inquired about whether it was his will to heal him, Jesus replied, ”I WILL!” Those glorious words are still echoing through the universe—and that is exactly what he says to you today!

Jesus showed us that the posture of God is constantly that of reaching out to us with His complete provision for us, so it is basically a matter of our reaching out in faith/trust to take hold of His solution—and refusing anything less. How do we do that? What doubts can negate our faith? What is the best way to minister healing to someone? How can we best take responsibility for our own health?

Finally, no matter how sick we ever get, we are assured of the ultimate healing—a new body, and the guarantee of that promise is the basis for us to have faith/expectation for our Lord to heal us now, as he longs to do.

Is My God Too Small?

Scripture indicates that the root of all human sin is a faulty concept of God, which of course Satan has constantly promoted since Genesis 3 during his first conversation with a human. Even for us faithful followers of Christ, the root of all our nagging unbelief is that we do not see clearly the magnitude of our Heavenly Father and His burning love for us.

The solution: GOD’S WORD, both the Written Word and the Living Word, Jesus Christ. We MAGNIFY God by looking at Him through the lens of His Word, wherein He tells us all about Himself, and about His immeasurable love for each of us.

As we ingest some of what God’s Word says about how BIG, how GREAT, how LOVING, and how POWERFUL He really is, we’ll be reading two magnificently edifying sections in Psalms, and then going into the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and into the Lion’s Den with Daniel.

How About Some “Civil” Government?

Genesis 9 shows us that civil/political government was God’s idea, so as to promote freedom, prosperity, justice, and peace. His underlying goal was that wicked people could not stop God’s people from proclaiming His Word. By definition, “civil” has to do with citizens, and today it also means “not deficient in common courtesy.” Certainly God intended government to be far more “civil” than it has been for 6000 years.

In this teaching we will look at pertinent excerpts from Jeremiah, a prophet faithful to preach God’s truth despite opposition from government authorities. Some excerpts from Isaiah will show us what the perfect government looks like, and a few brief sections of Acts 4/5 will highlight the courage of our first-century brethren to proclaim the saving grace of God’s Word whether or not it was “legal."

War and Peace

Are you hungry? Forget Arby’s. In this teaching, “WE HAVE THE MEAT!” If you would like to be immersed in scintillating Scripture for a few minutes, please join us this coming Wednesday evening. And no, it won’t be as long as Leo Tolstoy’s novel by the same title.

“War and Peace” must be in that order. Why? Because of the existence of Satan/evil, there cannot be peace without war. How do we know? The Bible tells us so. Jesus will eventually return to the earth and destroy all the wicked. Until then, each of us must wage war to demolish the strongholds of our sinful nature and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Each day we can win the battle for Truth in own hearts and have internal peace.

As we will see, the Devil has conscripted many people to promote his lies. Therefore we must be “valiant for the truth,” which is the subtitle of this teaching. TRUTH MATTERS, because it sets people free, while believing error puts them in bondage. We are to follow Jesus’ example and conduct a War on Error.

“Good God!”

Satan began his assault on man’s perspective of God in Genesis 3, but what is the history of the development of the lie that God is in control, and that He either causes or allows all the unspeakable tragedy that has engulfed humanity? Seeing God as He reveals Himself in His Word is critical to the quality of one’s spiritual life.

How could any rational person believe that God randomly determines who will be saved and who will burn in “Hell” forever and yet cruelly offers salvation to all those He knows cannot accept it? Why is Romans 8:28 such a critical verse to correctly understand? This teaching provides the answers to these questions, as well as much profound truth about a subject that very few Christians who have ever lived have understood.

When You Come To A Cross Road, Take It.

This teaching addresses what may very well be the bottom line of each Christian’s life: choosing God’s will or my own will. Why is the Christian life a crucible? How can we assist the Lord Jesus in achieving his goal of being formed in us? What does it mean to "take up your cross"? What does it mean to die to self? How can we be motivated to follow in Christ’s steps and enter this often painful process? What is the biblical relationship among suffering, faith, character, and glory? This poignant and provocative teaching will answer these questions and many, many more.

Magnifying Jesus Christ: The Living Truth

This month’s “WWF” teaching is titled Magnifying Jesus Christ, The Living Truth. It is a “test run” of the opening segment of the video production we are doing in Longwood FL July 11-17. Who is Jesus Christ? Why Jesus Christ? What makes Jesus Christ the “Diameter of the Ages”? How is Jesus Christ God’s resounding “YES!” to mankind? This teaching has the answers to all these vital questions, and more. Check it out!

Good Heavens! (All three of them)

For us Christians who desire to be like our Lord Jesus, a vague hope will not sustain us as we live in “this present evil age,” sorely tempted to succumb to the world’s perverted value system and waste our precious energy seeking its fool’s gold. And what about during times of real tribulation or persecution? Our hope must be concrete, and “going to heaven” is not going to cut it. But the Hope that God gives us—Paradise Regained, on earth—will help us stay faithful and keep going, no matter what.

We see in Scripture the chronological heavens and earth, and the three geographical heavens in this present age. Jesus Christ ascended through the celestial heavens and up to the “heaven of heavens,” where God and His Divine Council currently reside. One day, he will take us there, help us finally become “the organized Church,” and then come with us back to earth for his Millennial Kingdom.

Eventually, both God and the Lord Jesus will bring heaven to earth, and we will enjoy a new world with no war, no sickness, no injustice, no poverty, no hunger, no stress, and endless delights proportionate to the infinite diversity of our Heavenly Father. We must crystallize that vision and keep it before the eyes of our heart in order to rise above the trials of this fleeting life.

The more we recognize God’s magnificence in this world, the more we anticipate His surprises in the age to come, and live our lives so as to please Him and earn His rewards.

Balancing Grace and Truth

John 1:18 says that “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” How so?

How did Jesus Christ, despite the constant pressure on him as the Redeemer of mankind, so magnificently exude the love of God in such a way that all kinds of people were drawn to him, including many who were spurned by society, and even by the religious establishment?

Jesus was more aware than anyone about the extent of evil in the world and the spiritual battle raging around him, and he also felt the pain of humanity far more than we do now, yet he didn’t allow that to bum him out or distract him from his mission of passionately loving people one at a time, no matter how often they disappointed him. How did he do that?

What are the keys to living in the moment like he did, being unhurried and deliberate in our interaction with people? How do we balance a precise awareness of the spiritual battle with being a light in the world? How do we empathize with people like our Lord did, and touch their hearts with God’s Truth we have been given? Join us for some answers to those questions.

Belonging to The Truth: A Journey Through 1 John

Written in part to refute certain first-century Gnostic fables based upon their elevation of “what is falsely called ‘knowledge’” (1 Tim. 6:20), the apostle John’s epistles (we’ll throw in 2 & 3 John for good measure) are pregnant with practical principles, as well as critical doctrinal truth regarding the person of Jesus.

1 John is about internalizing God’s truth and relishing reality. It is about educating your conscience so as to recognize the sin that dwells within you. Rather than the air-headed Gnostic notions, too many of which are still present in traditional Christian theology, John repeatedly follows a statement of truth with the words: “This is how we know…” He shows us that godly LOVE is TRUTH in action.

It is also the only epistle that specifically mentions “the sin unto death,” which Jesus referred to as “blaspheming the Holy Spirit,” a sin that “will not be forgiven.” What is it? Tune in and find out.

We have only 200 online connections, so be sure to join the party. You’ll be GLAD you did!

Satan’s Relentless Assault on God’s Glorious Truth About Man’s Genuine Free Will

First of all, YA GOTTA HEAR THIS TEACHING. Do you realize that the first recorded words of a human being were, in essence: “I’m afraid to be vulnerable with you, God, and it’s not my fault. In fact, it might be your fault.” Do you ever see in yourself any reluctance to own up to the choices you have made? Yes, we all do.

In one sense, Deuteronomy 30:19 sums up the basic message of God to man: “CHOOSE LIFE!” Clearly that means one could instead choose death. God has filled His Word with imperative verbs encouraging us to take advantage of the magnificent FREE WILL He has given us. This scintillating teaching will define free will and then specifically enumerate both the secular and (non)“Christian” lies that assault the truth thereof.

Most importantly, it will show you how you can CHOOSE LIFE thought by thought. The thoughts you choose physiologically change your DNA, turn genes on and off, and thereby program your brain by observably changing its circuitry. Your choices change your mental health, your physical health, and your spiritual development.

Romans 5:8 – The Guts of the Gospel

The Lord Jesus’ revelation to Paul that we read in his letter to the assembly of Christians in Rome has been called “The Magna Carta of Christianity.” As the foundation of the resplendent doctrine set forth in Paul’s Christian epistles, Romans is a treasure trove of truth for anyone seeking to know the heart of God and Christ. Precisely understanding it is indispensable if you desire to maximize the limitless potential you have in Christ.

Join us February 3 when John Lynn exposits Chapters 5-8 verse by verse. If necessary, he will make it a two-part teaching and finish it on the March 2 WWF as a prelude to our celebration of The Resurrection later that month.

Given the magnificence of the words we will read, this will be an enlightening, powerful, inspiring, healing, and exciting presentation.

If it has been a while since you have heard, or done, an expository teaching like this one, be sure to tune in and let the glory of the Lord envelope your heart.

The War on Error (Psychopaths and You)

This teaching will help you start your New Year with a real BIG BANG! In this new calendar year, each day will bring us closer to the appearing of our Lord Jesus to take us out of this wicked world. Why is it so wicked? Partly because about 5% of the population are psychopaths, who feel no empathy toward others, and thus remorselessly abuse everyone they can.

The raging spiritual battle is being fought for the minds and hearts of men. Our God, the Father of Truth, calls the enemy’s Commander-in-Chief “the Father of Lies.” In contrast, Jesus said, “I am the Truth”/”Your Word is truth.” “Spiritual warfare” is a popular term in Christian circles, but most folks don’t realize that Satan’s primary tactic is the promotion of error, i.e., wrong doctrine, as opposed to “sound” (hugiaino=healthy) doctrine, about which Jesus was a fanatic.

What was the theme of Jesus’ last written words to his Body, as set forth by Paul in Timothy and Titus? Why is God called “the Lord of Hosts” about 270 times? Why is purity a prerequisite for authenticity? Tune in January 6 to find out this and more.

What's In A Face

You are the only you God has. The most distinguishing feature about you is your FACE. Your eyes are “the window of your soul,” beholding the beauty of creation. Your nose enjoys delectable aromas, from frankincense to garlic. Your ears hear the music of life. Your mouth can speak words of love and life. It also tastes the joys of good food! People recognize you by your face. But what about God? Does God have a face?

Even though “God is spirit,” the biblical answer is “Yes.” Until the birth of Christ, God’s face was in large part hidden from the world, and even from His chosen people. When His Son walked the earth, God’s face was JESUS, and I think he smiled a lot. We will read a little of Luke 2 and think about Mary looking into the face of the baby Jesus—a far cry from what his face looked like when she stood before the Cross (the Greek word for “stripes” means, “blows to the face”).

We will see how each member of the Body of Christ can now manifest to others the face of Jesus Christ with ever increasing glory, in contrast to Moses, whose shining glory faded away. Are you joyous about Jesus? If so, be sure to tell your face. You will enjoy and be edified by this teaching from God’s wonderful Word.