Weekly Message 10-23-2023
This month’s key word is ENCOURAGEMENT!
Author: CLG
Message from First Lady Worthem – 10/22/2023
Church of the Living God The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased With His Own Blood, Inc. Jewell Dominion Message from the Desk of First Lady Deaconess Linda Worthem Date: Sunday, October 22, 2023 Holy Greetings my brothers and sisters in the …
Weekly Message 10-16-2023
Church of the Living God
The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased With His Own Blood, Inc.
Jewell Dominion
Weekly Message from General Chief Overseer Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
Date: 10/16/2023
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory, Power, and Dominion forever and ever and to the Holy Ghost that is yet abiding in the body. This month’s key phrase is the same as the month of September, “Be Different”. Different – to be alive and sensitive in one’s spirit. Different – to show emotion. Different – to listen to what is going on in God’s house, ready to hear, to respond. Different – to take Jesus Christ seriously.
Ought not Christians be different? Ought not we be distinct, separate, not the same, out of the ordinary, unusual? Jesus Christ was distinct, separate, out of the ordinary, and He called His followers to be like Him. The Biblical word “holy” describes the word “different”. A holy person is not an odd person, but a different person. A holy person has a quality about their life that is unique. Their present lifestyle is not only change from the past lifestyles, but is set apart from the lifestyles of the unbelievers around them. A holy person takes Jesus Christ seriously.
Believers in Jesus Christ have been called to live this unique life and different lifestyle. Peter wrote, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” 1 Peter 1:15-16. We may choose a married life or a single life, but it is not left to us to choose whether or not we live a holy life. Holiness is not an option. It is mandatory. My brothers and sisters the problem with being different is, we don’t want to be different. Why is that? (1) We value conformity: we don’t want to be perceived as being odd. We have become an assembly line society. We are terrified of being set apart. (2) We visualize a caricature of holiness: We don’t want to become known as holier than thou, we think holiness communicates an attitude. (3) We misunderstand what it means to be holy: We think that holy people live in a far-away monastery, separate from others, any kind of fun and frivolity, and trade in their luxury cars, comfortable homes, and well-paying jobs.
In closing real holiness, the genuine authentic character of being different is none of those things outline above. Yet it is more than that. What does it mean to be different” Next week, the Apostle Peter answers that question. What is the meaning of being different? Until next week, remember, “…with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b).
In His Service,
Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop
Weekly Message 9-25-2023
Church of the Living God
The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased With His Own Blood, Inc.
Jewell Dominion
Weekly Message from General Chief Overseer Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
Date: 09/25/2023
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory, Power, and Dominion forever and ever and to the Holy Ghost that is yet abiding in the body. This month’s key phrase is “Be Different”. As Believers we must be different because we know Jesus Christ. Paul describes the Believers’ relationship to Christ in Ephesians the fourth chapter verses 20-21. “But ye have not so learned Christ; If so, be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.”
Paul says being different from the world is the Believers’ relationship to Christ. He says, “You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.” Hence, “we did not learn Christ.” Paul could have said they learned about Christ, but he doesn’t. Why? Because Christianity is a relationship with Christ. Christ’s tells us in His teachings in John 17:3: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”. My brothers and sisters, salvation is knowing God the Father and God the Son. Paul was letting the Asian Believers know that when they heard the Scriptures, Christ spoke to them. In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul describes washing the church with the Word of God to make it a pure and blameless bride. This happens every time we hear the preaching of the Word of God. Jesus Christ is involved in every transmission of Scripture to His people. He is present to give us understanding and to help us apply it.
Christ is the subject, the teacher, and the classroom. We were taught “in Him” (Ephesians 4:21). This refers to our union with Jesus Christ, which happens at salvation. First Corinthians 12:13 says, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit”. As Believers, we are the body of Jesus Christ; forever connected to Him. Paul tells us throughout Ephesians, Believers are the faithful “in Christ” (1:1). We have every spiritual blessing “in Christ” (1:3). We were chosen “in Him” before the foundation of the world (1:4). God has given us His grace “in the One” He loves (1:6). “In Him” we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins (1:7). In Jesus Christ we have so many blessings, and it is in this union that He teaches and changes us day by day.
In closing, we must be eager learners, 1 Samuel 3:9 tells us, “…Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth...”. We must be obedient learners. James said, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”. What are they deceived about? They are deceived about their faith. Only those who hear and obey God’s Word are truly born again. Jesus says in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”. Only believers, who do the Father’s will enter the kingdom of heaven. Are you an obedient learner? As Believers we must be different because we are new in Christ. We must put off the old self. We must receive a new mind. How do we receive a new mind? We must reject the ungodly and think on the godly. We must put on the new self. Paul emphasizes that we were, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Every day we must make it our aim to fulfill God’s purpose in saving us – to be like Him. We must get rid of sin, renew our minds, and practice righteousness. Until next week, remember, “…with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b).
In His Service,
Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop
Message from First Lady Worthem – 9/10/2023
Church of the Living God The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased With His Own Blood, Inc. Jewell Dominion Message from the Desk of First Lady Deaconess Linda Worthem Date: Sunday, September 10, 2023 Holy Greetings my brothers and sisters in the …
Weekly Message 9-11-2023
Church of the Living God
The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased With His Own Blood, Inc.
Jewell Dominion
Weekly Message from General Chief Overseer Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
Date: 09/11/2023
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory, Power, and Dominion forever and ever and to the Holy Ghost that is yet abiding in the body. This month’s key phrase is “Be Different”. Second Corinthians 6:17a tells us, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, …”.
Often Christians are no different from the world in the way we think, talk, and dress. Clearly this was a problem with Ephesian Christians. Paul writes “that they must no longer live among the Gentiles. “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind” Ephesians 4:17. He teaches the Ephesians that they must be different.
Why must we be different from the world? Because God commands it. God calls believers to be different from the world throughout the bible. The Lord instructed Moses saying, “Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy” Leviticus 19:2. God gave the Israelite over 600 laws to teach them how to worship Him. This applies to us as well. We live in a society that is perverse, ungodly, and full of sin, and we must be different. Like God we must be separate, holy, and righteous.
In 1 Peter 4:3-4, Peter said this to the scattered Christians throughout the Roman Empire; “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.” In concurrence, Paul said to the Corinthians, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10.
In closing, the Ephesians, Romans, and Corinthians were saved out of a sinful lifestyle to worship the living God, and God called them to not go back. Similarly, many of us were saved out of all kinds of sin: drunkenness, sexual immorality, deceit, pride, rebellion, and selfishness, and we are called to not return. Until next week, remember, “…with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
In His Service,
Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop
