Ministers of Jesus Christ Church

Date: July 17, 2022

To all the Saints of God,

Grace and peace be unto all the Saints of God around the World. As this Coronavirus Pandemic continues, we are continually reminding the Saints of God that we are obeying the magistrates and following the guideline of the health and governmental authorities for the safety of all people.

Health authorities and governmental officials continue to strongly encourage people to wear face coverings in public gatherings and use social distancing, wash your hands, and get tested to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In some places wearing face mask is mandatory in indoor public spaces.

We are open for indoor, in-person services with face mask, social distancing, temperature checks and Covid-19 testing. We are also continuing online services through Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. In-person Baptism and prayer service are available by attending our local service on site, attending our services on Zoom, or emailing your request to:

info@ministersofjesuschrist.com or prayerrequest@ministersofjesuschrist.com.

As we obey the Magistrates, we have complete faith that God will continue to hear our prayers and provide a way for us through these uncertain times.

Romans 13:2-4 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

TITUS 3:1-2 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

This week’s encouraging words of growth focuses on:

Edited By Apostle Dennis G. Smith

When you know the Biblical order of the coming events, you can state your belief and encourage others based on the Apostle’s Doctrine and not the false doctrine of false churches. The Apostle Paul speaks of our ability to comfort each other with these words. We can comfort each other because we know our future destiny in this present life and for all eternity.

1Thessolonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Focus your daily life on pleasing God.

Apostle Paul teaches all the believers to walk each day with the purpose to please God according to the commandments that should produce conduct and behaviour of a holy lifestyle for those who follow and obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Thessolonians 4:1- 5 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 1Thessolonians 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

Abstain from all fornication which is not pleasing to God. Any sinful physical sexual acts, provocative clothing, or suggestive speech conversations that will lead to sensual, sexual contact that are not a part of a Godly holy marriage between a man and a woman is sin. Any sensual or sexual contact outside of a marriage between a man and a woman will not be pleasing to God and is against the will of God.

1Thessolonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 1Thessolonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 1Thessolonians 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

Do not make false statements or knowingly teach false doctrine because this is fraud. Any known misrepresentation of the truth fact is a false statement. When people intentionally say things that they know are false to be accepted by a crowd or to receive the honor of men to be famous before the world is fraud with the intent of deceiving and influencing people for personal worldly gain. Holiness is to engage in conduct and behavior with no sinful intent and with no unclean or impure desires. Fraud can also include taking advantage of people by false pretense for monetary gain.

1Thessolonians 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 1Thessolonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1Thessolonians 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

The inward filling of the Holy Ghost should lead all believers to Brotherly love.

Apostle Paul teaches us that he does not need to write about the love of all the Saints of God because this is taught by God himself indwelling and filling his Saints to love with unconditional agape love for one another.

1Thessolonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

We are taught by Apostle Paul to work honestly in our daily Jobs.

1Thessolonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 1Thessolonians 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

And when we focus of living a Holy, Godly life, we can approach each day and the future with hope and eternal expectation of living with the Lord God Jesus Christ. We no longer have to look at the distresses of life with sorrows as the people of the world who do not know God and therefore have no hope for eternal joy. So that even when our natural body dies, we can speak of life eternal with the Lord Jesus Christ for we will return with him during his second coming in his glorified ascended bodily form.

1Thessolonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 1Thessolonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 1Thessolonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1Thessolonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Thessolonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1TH4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

We can look on the daily events in the world and the events to come with hope of eternal life. We can see the signs and know of the next coming event based on the Biblical Order of things to come:

1.The Signs and the Tribulation period

We believe that the distress upon the earth is the “beginning of sorrows” and will become more intense until there “Shall be a time of trouble, such as there never was since there was a nation even to this present time,” Matthews 24:3-8; Daniel 12:1.

From this Statement and knowledge of the signs of the times the Saints should not become weary in well doing because of the distresses upon the Earth, but should continually focus on living a daily holy lifestyle according to the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ being fully aware and making provision for daily life according to the sign of time. We should continue our daily work schedules, school schedules, home schedules and not become confused or mislead by evil spirits presiding in deceptive people. When we see rain clouds, we expect water to begin to fall from the sky, so we carry our umbrellas and wear waterproof coverings to keep up as dry as possible. In other words we make decisions based on what we expect to happen from the signs of the time. So we should check ourselves and make sure we live a holy life, not giving way to the increase in sinful ways of those around us.

2. First RESSURRECTION AND TRANSLATION OF SAINTS

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will make a change in the present order of things. The dead in Christ shall rise first. Those that remain shall be caught up or sometimes called Rapture to meet the Lord in the air. Parts of the First Resurrection have already taken place usually called the First Fruits which should gives us clear evidence that the Church will also be a part of the First Resurrection.

Christ having come for his saints in the translation, I Thessalonians 4:17, shall after the tribulation period, return with them and reign on the earth for a thousand years. There shall be peace on earth and goodwill toward all men, after which there shall take place the second resurrection and the White Throne Judgment. “Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection. On such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

The rapture is term that summaries the teachings from which some Apostolic Christians believe in the End of time event when all obedient Christians who are pure in heart believers whose bodies are alive will be changed to immortal bodies and those who bodies are in the grave will be resurrected from the grave and both will ascend up into the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. This is the teaching of the Apostle’s Doctrine by Apostle Paul.

1Thessolonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1Thessolonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Thessolonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1Thessolonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

All people should be fully aware that many Christian Churches do not believe in the rapture. This is a reason you must examine all Churches that you attend for they may be unbelievers wearing a Christian name. From your examination you will come to see that there are many false prophets and false churches.

All must understand that there are different viewpoints about the exact timing of the rapture and the event known as the Rapture which is the taking away of the Church, and the event known as the Revelation which is the coming of Christ with the Saints. All the Saints of God should avoid any interpretation that leads to speculation and conjecture. In other words, we do not know the exact moment in time that some of these events will occur, the same way that we do not know the exact moment that the rain will fall but we can see the rain clouds in the sky which indicate that it is going to rain. This should tell the Saints of God that the tribulation period and the great tribulation are definite events that will and are happening, but the exact timing should not be used as a point of division and may not be the complete dividing line that some have put forth because we can see the signs of it today.

Many so-called Christian denominations do not subscribe to rapture theology and have a different interpretation of the gathering to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the Mid-Air which Apostle Paul teaches about in 1 Thessalonians 4^th Chapter. Nevertheless we should continue to comfort one another with these words.

3. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS

We believe that pre-millennium coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in person, is a doctrine clearly set forth by the Apostles in the New Testament. Jesus taught it; the Apostles believed it; the saints expect it.

Matthew 24th Chapter; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21 1 Corinthians 1:7-8; 11:28; Phil. 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:14 - 17; Titus 2:13-14; and Luke 21:36.

The Second Coming is the promised revealed by the men in white apparel that the Lord Jesus Christ would return again in the way that he ascended. Christian belief that Jesus will return again, after his glorified bodily ascension into heaven.

Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Matthew 25:13; Revelation 22:12.

Acts 1:9 - 11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

The Rapture is the term that describes His coming in the air to receive His saints, which may occur at any moment.

The Revelation refers to His coming down to earth with His saints after the events that will happen during the tribulation period or the Great Tribulation (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10; Revelation 19:20) (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Matthew 24-27; 26:29; Revelation 20:4),.

4. THE MILLENNIUM

The tribulation period will be followed by the dawn of a better day on earth; and that for one thousand years there shall be “peace on earth and good will toward men.” Revelations 20:3; Isaiah 65:17-25; Matthew 5:5.

5. FINAL JUDGMENT

When the thousand years are finished, there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, who shall be summoned before the Great White Throne for their final judgment, and all whose names are not found written in the book of life shall be cast into the lake of fire, burning with brimstone, which is the second death that God hath prepared for the devil and his angels and all the wicked who serve him, Satan being cast in first. Revelation 20:7-15, 21:8; Matthews 25:41-46.

We should repeat this statement to emphasize that the righteous and the wicked dead shall not rise until the thousand years are expired, which will be the white throne judgment, and whosoever it not found written in the book of life shall be cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20th Chapter; Mathew 4:36-4.; Luke 17:20-27; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians. 4:13-17.

A brief short summary of the future events should comfort all believers who look for eternity with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We may expand upon this series in the future but for now comfort each other with these words.

1. Signs of the last days and the beginning of sorrows

2. The First Resurrection and Rapture of the Saints of God in the Church

3. The Great Tribulation and the man of sin

4. The Wars of Armageddon and Death of those who turn to God during the Great Tribulation.

5. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ with the Saints of God, the Revelation

6. The millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ and 1000 years of peace and righteousness

7. The Second resurrection of all remaining human beings

8. The White throne judgment of the righteous and the wicked. The wicked casted into the Lake of fire.

9. ETERNITY with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the one and only Almighty God.

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you and eternally hold you in the center of his will.

May he open your understanding that you will come to know that you must repent of your sins and be baptized by immersion in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.

Then you must continue in prayer to God asking him for the Holy Ghost, calling on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and waiting or tarrying until you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign following speaking with other tongues as the spirit gives you utterances.

Then you must leave the principles of the doctrine and go on to perfection overcoming the love of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

Then you must continue steadfastly in the Apostle’s Doctrine remembering always that he that endures until the End, the same shall be saved. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty. Amen

With perfect love,

Apostle Dennis G. Smith

The online service Zoom link is sent out each Sunday at 9:50 am for Eternal Life Church of the Living God and 11:00 am for the general Ministers of Jesus Christ Church services to the Saints and friends who sent in email addresses. If you wish to worship with us, please send you email address to: info@mininstersof Jesuschrist.com and we will email you a link to join the service. We start the zoom services 10 am each Sunday morning and 7:30 pm each Thursday Evening for Bible Study and Auxiliary meetings.

You are invited to attend and be a part of the Ministers of Jesus Christ Church Services each Sunday which are also published on Facebook through Holy Tabernacle, Ministers of Jesus Christ Apostolic Church, and Ministers of Jesus Christ Church or Dennis Smith Facebook timeline.

You will need to download the zoom app to your cell phone, laptop computer, or tablet to activate your connection. Go to Google Play Store to get your free zoom app and install it on your cell phone, laptop computer or tablet. When you see the zoom link sent to your email address, click, or tap on the link to open the connection. Then click or tap on the camera and microphone icon to join the service and select internet. We look forward to seeing you and worshipping with you in the Lord!

You may also give freewill tithing and offerings through Givelify, Cash App, Visa, Master Card, American Express Credit and Bank cards or PayPal. For cash app use the cash app link name ($MinistersofJesus935).

ONGOING GUIDANCE

• Vaccination remains the most effective protection against COVID-19

• Practice social distancing

• Frequently wash hands

• Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas

Social Distancing guidelines:

• Social distancing means staying away from close contact in public spaces. It includes actions like staying out of places where lots of people gather and maintaining distance — approximately 6 feet — from others.

• Social distancing also includes minimizing contact with people when possible, limiting nonessential travel, working from home, and minimizing social gatherings.

• All people should practice social distancing — not just those who are seriously ill or at high risk.

• Social distancing is a proven way to slow the spread of pandemics.

When to Wear a Mask:

Those who are staying home and have no close contact with people who are infected with COIVID-19 do not need a mask most of the time. However, wearing a nonmedical or homemade mask may be helpful in certain situations or for certain populations. Wear a Mask when:

• Shopping at essential businesses, like grocery stores or pharmacies.

• While visiting your health care provider.

• Traveling on public transportation.

• Interacting with customers/clients at essential businesses.

• When feeling sick, coughing, or sneezing.

• In all public spaces indoors and outdoors.

Because masks protect everyone else from the droplets created by the wearer, it is important that as many people as possible wear these masks when leaving their homes. This helps prevent those who may be infectious but are only mildly symptomatic or not symptomatic from spreading the virus to others in the community.

Everyone should remember the phrase: “My mask protects you; your mask protects me.” By increasing the overall number of people who are containing their coughs, sneezes, and other droplets, it will help us control the overall spread of the virus.