The Pause That Refreshes

Who is standing in the gap of God's grace for us?
Paul

The "Pause" That Refreshes

(continued audio portion from the Powerpoint Presentation on More on Rightly Dividing)
Review from the presentation
Ephesians 2:7, 11-12,13
Romans 16:25,26

Deeper Meaning to Paul's Name
(from a study by Fred Knapp)

Paul - to most 'scholars' and books, the word "Paul" means "small." "paulos" in Latin = small.

The Bible however, doesn't say 'small' - it says 'weak' and 'base' but not small. Paul was never into Latin anyway.

Paul spoke Greek (Acts 21:37) and Hebrew (Acts 21:40; 22:2). No Latin. Catholics are into Latin and of course they would want everyone to think of Paul as 'small.'

Dig a little deeper and the dictionary goes on to say that paulos is derived from the Greek word, "pauo' which means to stop or cease. We get our English word, 'pause' from this same root word.

In other words, going beyond Latin,
because the world would rather we think of Paul as small,
we could easily say that the meaning of the word Paul is 'pause!'

Apostle to the Pause
And that would make sense dispensationally, eh! Paul is the apostle for the 'pause' between Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom and the final return of Jesus Christ to rule and reign on this earth.

This 'gap' is between the suffering's of Christ and His glory - a time where He literally gave the blessings to the Gentiles in order to make the Jews jealous of the Gentiles - a group of folks whom God did not even consider a people as He called them dogs.

He did not even go TO the Gentiles originally.
No doubt, Christ came FOR all (John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. but He was going only TO the Jews first.

Matthew 6:31,32 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Matthew 10:5-7 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Israel rejected God's offer of His Son again through Peter and again through Stephen

God then "Blessed" & "Used" the Gentiles to Provoke the Jews!
Romans 10:19-21 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Romans 11:8-11 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Romans 11:13,14 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Is This Pause Really A Time of Refreshment?
(I preached that back in 2003 for a New Years' Message)
For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
I Corinthians 16:18

...Has this "dispensational awakening" been a "pause of refreshment" or a "frustrating time of burden"
or a "confusing series of teachings," or a simply a "damnable heresy?"

Have you yet been able to:
...stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God. I Samuel 9:27b
(Have you even just slowed down at all?)

Are you still caught up in II Corinthians 4:8?
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

NOT A REST - yet!
Remember, we are not talking of a complete "REST."

We can have rest for our souls now (Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.)
but our total "rest" comes in the actual Millennium - (Hebrews 4:9,10 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his...)
...but before all that Millennial stuff, this pause for God's grace and peace today should be a marvelous time of refreshment that God offers the world.

It is a pause that is full of God and yet the devil is fully aware of this opportunity of liberty & grace...
...it is then full of the devil as well.

The Devils' Input
As we know from Revelation 16:14, in order to build up his army to do battle on that great day of God Almighty,
we see the devil throwing into this 'pause:'

...cares of and riches and pleasures of this life
...temptations
...emphasis and importance of "food & fun" for the flesh
...images & entertainment
...imitation churches, preachers, bibles, music, spirits, teachers, salvations and imitation saviors.
...false christs and wolves in sheep's clothing
...blessings beyond God's design
...preaching and teaching of righteousness backed with pride and success (man's own designed righteousness, by the way - many have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
...churches and public ministries growing in size and numbers, but not able to come to the knowledge of the truth - getting closer and closer to that famine, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
... an increase of the enemy of principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, the spiritual wickedness in high places.
...vain words, fair speeches, pastors personalities
...willingness to accept compromise
...ecumenicalism
...humanistic love and self-worship
...hides the school master
...becomes a great thief and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

As this pause of God's Grace draws to a close,
(called the fulness of Gentiles (Romans 11:25),)
we see the eyes of the enemy not only in the workplace and community,
but in our KJB churches and homes!

We can see clearly now...

...apostasy picking up speed - faster and faster!
...rumors of war on the increase!
...earthquakes in more and more divers places!
...serious weather changes!
...a serious and dangerous advancement of the UN and world government!
...more and more laws against Christianity, the local church, preaching and even against the KJB itself!
...chip technology now approved and being implemented!
...kids being disobedient to parents, (no matter how they were brought up - raised or trained...)
...unthankfulness abounding!
...covetousness being passed on to our children and grandchildren!
...unholiness - and/or a wrong emphasis on holiness making it all even more unholy - doing right wrong!
...people from all walks of life being without natural affection!
...no blushing concerning abominations (remember, there are more than one abominations)!
...truce breakers!
...false accusers!
...incontinence within the home and church as well as government (incontinence: Not restraining the passions or appetites, particularly the sexual appetite!
...traitors - even in churches now - little or no loyalty - thanks to web sites, tapes, CD's, DVD's and great named and flashy personalities
...highmindedness!
...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God!
...many ministries, families, and individuals, etc. with a form of godliness but denying the power thereof!
...women that have been captivated by a liberated world and lead away from their house with divers lusts - with husbands who allow it all to take place!
...the strong man of the house has been taken out and away from the home and yet, most men are not even able to muster enough strength, wisdom nor even a desire to get the home back, even if the opportunity did arise!
...strength of the man has been turned over to women - and now by law!
...the desire of women has been denied and 'canceled' (on the outside, anyway) and is turning more and more teens and little girls toward the unnatural & perverted lifestyles as presented by today's media and public schools!
...more knowledge available 'more than ever' yet not able to come to the knowledge of truth!
...evil men and seducers waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived more and more!
...scholars, pastors, teachers, etc. that God calls proud, knowing nothing, doting about questions and strifes of words!
...God says they are people who are full of envy, strife, railings and evil surmisings!
...God says they are men with corrupt minds leading perverse disputings!
...God says they are people who are actually destitute of the truth!
...These are people that believe gain IS godliness and are not content with true godliness!
...people who hold the truth in unrighteousness!
...people that glorify God not as God, have become vain in their imaginations and have a darkened & foolish heart.
...people who profess themselves to be wise yet in truth, are fools!
...people who change the truth of God into a lie!
...people who worship and serve the creature more than the Creator!
...women who have changed their natural use into that which is against nature!
...people who have fallen in love with money more than anything else, so they err from the faith more than ever before and are filled with sorrows more than ever before!
...men who have left the natural use of the woman, burn in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet (AIDS - GRIDS)
...people that are filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them!

Whew! That is all in the PAUSE THAT "REFRESHES?"
What kind of 'refreshment' is that?

Ah, but that isn't the stuff that counts to us Bible Believers! God will get His vengeance!
II Thessalonians 1:6-10 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Psalm 149:5-9 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Now on the other hand, for us today...
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3

Let's See God's Input into This Pause...

This 'pause' in God's plan has given us the opportunity to:

Receive God's mercy - it endureth forever! (The Jews still have His mercy, for now - it does go away, and then returns...)
Receive God's cleansing - dead to sin, alive unto God - we are free from sin - sin is not imputed - we are forever clean!
Receive God's righteousness - ours is worthless. Our FAITH is what is counted for our righteousness now! (The Jews had their chances)
Receive His Faith - the faith OF Jesus Christ simply by putting our faith and trust IN Christ. (the Jews had the chances)
Hear the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation - then having the freedom to believe and trust in Christ! (the Jews had their chances)
Know that we are SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise - (the Jews never did have that!)
Receive the GRACE of God!
Be given LIBERTY (with a few strings, of course - be expedient and not cause anyone to stumble, however, that still doesn't negate our liberty!)
Have God's WORDS given to us in their INSPIRED, PRESERVED, PURE form - WRITTEN, PRINTED & PUBLISHED so that we may read and study them - rightly divide them, preach them, teach them, review them, remember them, use them, live daily by them!
Have the peace from God, the peace of God and peace with God!
Have the fruit of the Spirit given to us - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law!
Have God's blessings have them abounding if we so choose to 'love Him in return.'
Have Christ in us!
Have Christ in us not only leading us down the right path, but walking the walk Himself - just for us and for His father to get the glory!
Have a full inheritance waiting for us (maybe..., eh?)
Have opportunities to tell others because of what HE has shown & told to us.
Receive the words of God that we should speak in our mouth - just like Jeremiah, except ours are written down.
Be given the ability to tell others by using HIS WORDS!
Have the truth - and be able to rightly divide it!
Know the past and the truth of it (some of it, anyway)
Know the present and what is going on today!
Know the future somewhat anyway - at least our part - and at least that part that isn't sealed until the end times!
Know we have no wrath to be concerned about in our future
Grow with grace!
Look for the appearing of Jesus Christ, NOT the antichrist!
Not to allow the daily temptations do their damage - drive you away - we can use His escape, if we can win over the flesh - a battle HE fights for us, if we would only allow Him to - through the Book!
Not let the cares and riches and pleasures of this life rob you of bringing fruit to perfection
Be on good ground and be able to bring forth fruit with much patience
For Him to be our Strong Habitation!
For Him to be our Comforter!
Fellowship one on one with God - we are brought nigh to God through the blood of Jesus Christ - we can even fellowship with Him and live daily by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit - all of which live in us!

All of which brings me to my concluding point!

This pause also allows us to worship God in spirit and in truth!
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father
in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:23
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:24

There are more than these reasons to truly desire to praise God with music, for example,
so with this sermon as a mere introduction,
let us look at music and see the real purpose of music and
see what it is that God would have us do with it.

Tonight:
The Purpose of Music
Psalm 68:4