GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM VERSUS SECT RELIGION

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GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM VERSUS SECT RELIGION

Poetically addressed by Harlan Sorrell

A holy religion each one may possess
That’s not bounded by sects or by creeds;
The fullness of God in your bosom to bless
And to satisfy fully your needs.

Sects each have their own central themes to promote,
Which their whole systems pivot around;
Observe each one closely – those points you will note
Are their basis-of-fellowship ground.

Some pivot on “baptism,” others on “tongues,”
And still others on the “Sabbath day;”
On whatever points each gets twisted and hung
You will hear its brand harping away.

Some pivot on “prophecy” – “Revelation” – (Book of Revelations)
Ride the hobby of “trumpets” and “seals” –
Supposing their private interpretations
Their place in church history reveals.

Some teach that “once saved we can’t but always be,”
And most teach we can’t be freed from sin,
While others deny the divine Trinity,
And that God dwelt incarnate with men.

Then there’s the materialists with their “no soul” creeds,
There’s the legalists, liberalists too;
And who knows how many “millennial” breeds
Of the whole diverse, vain-jangling crew?

Each sect has its prophets and, usually,
They are well versed for all which they stand,
Professionally trained by some seminary
In the interest of that unique brand.

But though so well trained, most know nothing at all
Of a perfectly sanctified heart;
Nor dare they proclaim that sublime Gospel call,
For ‘twould tear their sect structures apart!

It’s fatal to organizations of men
To give God complete charge and control;
For if He took charge, He’d expose ev’ry sin
And abolish its membership roll!

He’d set up His own “Book of Life” in its stead,
And would certainly reorganize
By His own good system, all Holy Ghost led,
A true church that is pure in His eyes.

He’d set all the members each one in their place
As it pleaseth the Father above,
Unite in one body all those saved by grace,
Having tempered them all by His love. (1 Cor. Chapter 12)

The Spirit would guide them into all the truth, (John 16:13)
In the Shepherd’s rich pasture they’d feast; (Psalm 23)
The aged would learn right along with the youth,
And they’d ALL KNOW HIM, greatest to least. (Heb. 8:10-11)

And thus would the church be well nourished and fed
By a system that’s only divine,
Proceeding directly from its living Head,
Jesus Christ, the pure life-giving Vine.

If all so-called Christians would only launch out
On the whole will of God, without fear,
The world would soon realize beyond any doubt
That the kingdom of Heaven is here!

The kingdom IS here, but so few recognize (Mark 9:1)
The pure government Christ has set up; (Acts 2)
Sect organizations have blinded their eyes,
And the kingdom’s door they have shut up. (Matt. 23:13)

Christ told Nicodemus, right there from the start,
That this kingdom we can’t enter in,
Till we have been born of the Spirit in heart – (John 3:3-8)
It’s a kingdom we possess within. (Luke 17:21)

Thus, all who are born of the Spirit, we find,
Have the kingdom of God in their heart,
And all who possess it, together combined,
Make the whole of God’s church, each a part.

Its government rests on the shoulder of Christ, (Isa. 9:6-7)
It’s established by the Prince of Peace; (Psa. 87:5)
Its organization no group has franchised, (1 Cor. 3:6-7)
For ‘tis God who gives all its increase. (Col. 2:19)

The names of its members are written with love
In the Lamb’s Book of Life at God’s throne;
For there’s its headquarters, in Heaven above,
And no other by God’s church is known.

Christ is the Foundation and also the Head (1 Cor. 3:11; Eph.
Of the church; He’s the Chief Corner Stone. 2:20; Col. 1:18)
By His Holy Spirit it’s guided and led (See the Book of Acts)
Through a perfect system all His own. (Rom. 8:14)

If in Heaven’s book, friend, your name is enrolled,
In this church of God you have a place;
Because on the pages of God’s Word we’re told
That He adds such as he saves by grace. (Acts 2:47)

Its fellowship pivots on God and His Son
And on walking in Heaven’s pure light; (1 John 1:3-7)
It embraces ev’ry regenerate one
Who has cast off the dark works of night.

It’s not a religion of some man-made form,
But the true life and power of Christ’s blood;
It breaks sinful habits, calms life’s raging storm,
And brings heartfelt communion with God.

It does what no human religion can do:
Takes man’s heart, which is vile and unclean, (Jer. 17:9)
And in God’s own image creates it anew (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10)
Like it was back at Eden’s first scene. (Gen. 1:27)

It is the religion that sets mankind free,
For the Son makes men free, free indeed; (John 8:34,36)
No longer a servant of sin shall he be
Who is born of the heavenly seed. (1 John 3:6-10)

Have you been confused, have you oft’ stood in doubt
Of religion, and which way is right?
Have you often wondered what it’s all about
As the sects in carnality fight?

Behold, there’s a “highway” above all that maze,
Whereupon the unclean have not trod -- (Isa. 35:8)
Most beautiful sight upon which man can gaze (Psa. 48:2)
Is Mount Zion, the true church of God! (Heb. 12:22-23)

The church that is built upon Jesus, the Rock, (Matt. 16:18)
High above all confusion and sin; (1 Cor. 10:4; Matt. 5:14)
The heavenly kingdom, the heaven-born flock, (1 Pet. 2:5-9)
Where the Shepherd Himself takes them in.

Enfolding His lambs in His bosom of love, (Isa. 40:11)
To the conscience of each He makes known
That they by His Spirit are born from above,
And the Father has made them His own.

Christ says, “I’m the door, if by me any man
Enter in, he’ll be saved;” thus we find
That this is the God-given church-joining plan,
And the only one, true Bible kind. (John 10:9)

He’s part of the church who abides in the Lord,
Has the Spirit of Christ in his breast;
We try ev’ry spirit by God’s holy Word – (1 John 4:1)

This alone is the fellowship test.

The Spirit of Christ is the church of God brand
And the church of God fellowship bound;
In fellowship we gladly give our right hand
Unto all in whom JESUS is found.

“If any man have not the Spirit of Christ,”
As the Word says, “he is none of His;” (Rom. 8:9)
Hereby we discern the true body of Christ,
Who is not in the church and who is.

All children of God who abide in His love
Are the church, the divine family;
The spirit’s the same here on earth and above –
It’s a heavenly society.

If you are a branch of the heavenly Vine, (John 15:1-8)
You are part of Christ’s body, you see: If Christ’s life is yours, and if Christ’s life is mine,
We’re united spontaneously!

Now what is Christ’s body? God’s Word doth record
It’s the church; there is nothing more sure. (Col. 1:18,24)
As sure as no vile thing is part of the Lord,
So His body, the church, is but pure.

“If the root be holy, the branches are so.” (Rom. 11:16)
Christ, the root, is the life-giving source.
Thus, all who are grafted into His life flow
Are made holy like He is, of course.

Forth from a pure fountain there comes a pure stream,
To no one should this truth appear odd:
Thus from that pure fount Christ opened to redeem
Comes the pure church of the living God!

Since Christ is the door through which all must be brought
And in Him we are cleansed and made whole,
And whoso abideth in Him sinneth not, (1 John 3:6)
Then the church contains no defiled soul.

Now if in Christ any man cease to abide,
Of the church he’s no longer a part,
Because God disfellowships all who backslide
At the time sin re-enters the heart.

To illustrate this, let us now take a look
At the churches established by men:
It’s obvious your name must be on their book,
For you are not a member till then.

Now God says that “he who against me hath sinned,
Even him from my book will I blot;” (Exo. 32:33)
Though God’s church assemblies he may still attend,
Yet a member of it he is not.

Just stop and consider, it’s naturally so,
Any time any branch of a vine
Stops receiving sap from the vine, its life flow,
It’s no longer a part of the vine.

All unfruitful branches, we hear Jesus say,
Shall my Father remove; that’s His plan.
It’s God who adds members and takes them away
In the heaven-born church, and not man.

“By their fruits you’ll know them,” hear Christ say again,
A good tree brings not forth evil fruit:” (Matt. 7:15-20)
That the church of God is a church free from sin
Is a fact that no man can refute.

Not all who the “Church of God” title may wear
Are the church of God either, my friend;
You must discern this by the fruit that they bear,

Whether they are “of God” or “of men.”
The true Bible system bears true Bible fruit –
This is what you must always look for.
The right system always springs from the right root,

Right foundation, right head, and right door.
It’s very important that our souls be fed
Through a system that’s pure and divine,
Which emanates wholly from Christ as its Head,
By His Word and His Spirit’s lifeline.

That substance which sustains Christ’s body on earth
Is His own Spirit’s life-giving flow;
It quickens His Word and gives spiritual birth
And anointing to men here below.

There are “fallen movements” who once o’er the land
Brought forth fruit in God’s kingdom of love,
But now in apostasy barren they stand,
And no longer bear fruit from above.

God’s calling His children from these to “come out,”
And by His Word and Spirit be led; (Rev. 18:4)
Don’t stay where there’s spiritual famine and drought,
But “come out” where your soul can be fed.

Friend, remember this, keep this truth in your head:
To no “movement” does God tie His hands.
He does bless a movement that is Spirit-led
In as much as by His Word it stands.

But if any movement indeed substitute
Its own system and standard for Christ’s,
God’s Spirit moves out, leaving it destitute,
And to “other spirits” sacrificed.

This is how a great many sects came about
Since Christ set up His church long ago; (33 A.D.)
They’re “bundles of branches” His Father cast out,
Which have ceased to receive His life flow.

They ceased to extol Jesus Christ as their Head,
And conform to His Word on all lines,
Adopted their own creeds and doctrines instead,
As interpreted by their divines.

Sect hirelings can’t preach God’s Word in completeness –
To do so would endanger their trade;
Therefore, they must only those subjects address
For which they have been trained and get paid.

They do not the pure, divine unction possess
Of God’s Spirit sent down from above,
But revel in forms of so-called godliness
That deny the real power thereof. (2 Tim. 3:5)

The most will deny that God’s Spirit today
Gives men power to live free from sin,
And also deny that Christ heals folk today,
Like He did back when His church began.

John’s prophetic vision of Revelation
Well foretold of these sad “last days” scenes –
The mystical city of sect confusion;
That is what the term “Babylon” means. (Rev. 18:1-2)

Great Babylon’s fallen, yes, fallen indeed,
In the evening of this Gospel age;
In her habitation all foul spirits feed,
Yes, some kind in ev’ry sect cage.

Each solicits members, and each gets some too,
For to “fleshly” minds each can appeal;
One religious “form” or another will do
For all such as care not for the real

And forms are available of ev’ry kind,
One to suit almost ev’ryone’s taste;
Just whatever seems the most right to your mind,
You can join it, but oh, what a waste!

For strait is the gate, and what? narrow the way
That leadeth the soul into life;
And how few there be that find it in this day
When confusion and error are rife! (Matt. 7:14)

But broad is the way of destruction, we’re told; (Matt. 7:13)
It’s a way that will accommodate
The lusts of the flesh, and will also enfold
Any faith human minds can create.

But the one, true way is no wider than Christ,
And the route that it leads is as straight;
Our own ways of thinking must be sacrificed,
And our sins all fall off at the gate.

For Christ is that Gate, and He’s also the Way (John 14:6)
And the Truth and the Life and the Light; (John 3:21)
All who follow Him will never go astray,
For the way that He’ll lead you is right.

We’re the church of God, not if that name we own,
But if “Christians” without and within;
By being in line with the Chief Corner Stone,
Jesus Christ, who’s the standard for men.

Yes, Christ is the length and the breadth and the height
And the depth of the true church of God; (Eph. 3:14-21)
He is the whole boundary of all that’s right,
And His Word is the measuring rod. (Rev. 11:1)

The chief mother sect began forming around
The year two hundred sev’nty A.D.;
Today her headquarters and head can be found
In a city called Rome, Italy.

Her daughters have their headquarters scattered abroad
Where their governing bodies reside;
But still the headquarters of the church of God
Are in Heaven, where her Head abides.

Thus, none of her resource has she ever lost,
For to man-rule she simply won’t bow;
What set her in motion back at Pentecost
Is what’s leading and guiding her now.

And thus has her purity e’er been maintained,
For God’s church and all functions thereof
Originate from her Head, and are sustained
By the Spirit of life from above.

Wherever these wonderful truths were not lost,
And men’s hearts were revived by the same,
Down through all the centuries since Pentecost
God has had a pure church, without blame.

She passed through the wilderness of Romish night,
And the Protestant dark, cloudy day,
Then into the glory of the “evening light,” (Zech. 14:7)
And till Jesus comes that’s where she’ll stay.

Oh, glory to Jesus! All hail the good light!
Stand ye back in the darkness no more!
For now we behold the true pathway of right,
And we see how to enter its door!

Sect organizations established by men
Are o’erflowing with sinners, that’s true!
It’s because the doors through which they take them in
Hold no cleansing for those who pass through!

The Door to which we are inviting you now
Will the kingdom of heaven unlock!
So please follow closely as God’s Word shows how
Ev’ry man must approach it and knock!

“Knock, it shall be opened, seek, and ye shall find,
Ask, and unto you He’ll impart;” (Matt. 7:7-8)
You can have salvation, the real Bible kind,
If you’ll SEEK GOD with all of your heart! (Jer. 29:13)

Though your heart is black as the darkest midnight
And your sins red like crimson do glow; (Isa. 1:18)
Christ makes saints of sinners who come to the light
Where His blood washes whiter than snow. (1 John 1:7)
9.
A perfect salvation Christ offers to all
Who will open their hearts to receive,
Who’ll humble themselves and repentantly call (Acts 2:21)
On the name of the Lord and believe.

In Adam mankind lost his righteous estate, (Rom. 5:12-21)
But these glad tidings fall on his ear:
In Christ we regain it, there’s no need to wait,
For the day of salvation is here! (2 Cor. 6:2)

God’s kingdom is here, not in form or vain words,
But in power of the Holy Ghost! (1 Cor. 2:1-5)
How many this sweet proclamation have heard:
“Jesus saves folk to the uttermost?” (Heb. 7:25)

“Repent ye, repent ye, the kingdom’s at hand,” (Mark 1:14-15)
Yea, it lies now right within your reach!
If you will press into it, you’ll understand (Luke 16:16)
These rich truths, which in love we now teach!

With heartfelt remorse, godly sorrow indeed, (2 Cor. 7:10)
You must confess and forsake your sin; (Pro. 28:13)
Ask God to forgive you, and His mercy plead; (Isa. 55:6-7)
This is your part, now, what happens then?

The great King of glory will enter your breast (Rev. 3:20; Psa. 24:7-10)
By the Spirit’s soul-quickening power,
Will break sin’s dominion, and your pleasure quest
Will attain sweet fruition that hour. (Psa. 16:11)

In sin men seek pleasure through worldly pursuit,
In amusements and things they possess,
But still find no joy that yields real, lasting fruit,
Or brings inward peace and happiness. (Isa. 57:20-21)

But salvation will bring a joy to your heart
That will calm all its turmoil and strife;
And you will know certainly, right from the start,
You’ve indeed passed from death unto life! (1 John 3:14)

Your life will take meaning, and you’ll recognize
The true purpose for which you are here;
You’ll foretaste the joy of your home in the skies,
And of death you will have no more fear.

You’ll love ev’rybody, your enemies too, (Matt. 5:44)
Christ will walk by your side day by day;
His presence will bring heaven down into you
As together you walk in His way.

Continued, scroll back to top Right Col.

10.

Thus quickened with Christ you become dead to sin,
And your heart reaches out for what’s right; (Col. 3:1-10)
His sweet Holy Spirit will witness within
That His blood makes you clean in His sight. (Rom. 8:15-16)

Friend, this is salvation, and knowing the Lord,
The beginning of favor divine;
Repenting, surrendering , you are restored
When you take up the Christ-life for thine.

That’s just the beginning of the Christian race;
It gets better as you go along!
Gets fuller, and richer, and deeper in grace,
And it makes your heart vibrate with song!

The joy of salvation just can’t be expressed,
Oh, if sinners but knew what they miss!
It’s joy unspeakable at language’s best,
And one songwriter told it like this:

“Salvation, oh glory! Its rapture I feel –
A current of heavenly bliss;
My soul is delighted, I cannot conceal
The deep-seated joy I possess!” (-- B. E. Warren, Evening Light Songs, #211)

The joy in the bosom, the peace and the love
Unto half has not ever been told!
Dear friend, have you really been born from above,
Or some sect, lifeless, formal and cold?

There’s faith, goodness, gentleness, peace, joy, and love,
There’s longsuffering, meekness, and more! (Gal. 5:22-23)
All these things are ours when we’re born from above; (John 3:3-8)
Say, what better things could we ask for?

A formal profession nor good works will do
Without true divine life in the soul;
For naught will avail but Christ’s work wrought in you,
Making you a new man, cleansed and whole. (2 Cor. 5:17)

This work of the Spirit wrought in human hearts
Is a miracle no man can do;
It applies the pow’r of Christ’s blood, and imparts
To the soul its pure living virtue.

By regeneration, this spiritual birth,
Is the conscience and soul freed from sin: (Tit. 3:5-7)
Next, baptism has its true meaning and worth
As an “answer” to what’s wrought within. (1 Pet. 3:21)

11.

When “self” empties out, then God’s fullness moves in,
Shedding His love abroad in self’s place; (Rom. 5:5)
It’s easier to keep the victory then,
For He “seals” us with preserving grace. (Eph. 1:13)

It is a real spiritual work in the heart
That brings fullness of grace to the soul,
“Anointing” to those who set themselves apart (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
For God’s service, His will, and control.

When He’s given this capacity to work,
Then His Spirit takes full, complete charge.
If only believers from this would not shirk,
How their hearts in God’s love could enlarge! (Psa. 119:32)

Yes, God wants all Christians to be sanctified – (Rom. 15:16)
For this also was Jesus’ blood spilled; (Heb. 13:12)
Oh Christian, has “self-life” been all crucified, (Gal. 2:20)
And that place by God’s Spirit been filled?

With sanctification the Lord waits to bless
Ev’ry Christian who perceives his need
Of being perfected in true holiness,

That he may in all graces succeed. (1 Thes. 3:12-13; 4:3; 5:23-24)

This is our “inheritance” experience, (Acts 20:32; Eph. 1:13-14)
It’s a second work of divine grace.
God’s house of old time shows its typical sense
By the “holy” and “most holy” place. (Exodus 25:8-9; Heb. 9:1-10)

All “brethren” in Christ may now enter on in
Through His blood to the “holiest place.” (Heb. 10:19-22)
If you have been purged from all committed sin,
You’re entitled to this “deeper grace.”

For this is that “rest” which we’re told “there remains
For the people of God.” Thus, we see (Heb. 4:9-11)
That it is the Christian who enters and gains
It by being sanctified wholly.

Let us labor, therefore, to enter that rest,
Lest we come short of faith, and then fall
When we face great trials and bitter, hard tests
Which in life will encounter us all.

There’s healing for body as well as for soul
Intertwined within salvation’s plan: (James 5:14-15)
“By His stripes we’re healed,” by His blood we’re made whole:
This encompasses the entire man. (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17)

Whatever you need, Jesus Christ has it all, (Col. 1:19)
And His Spirit’s on hand to dispense;
He says, if in faith on His name you will call,
He will hear, and your need recompense. (John 14:12-14)

Love from God, the Father, grace from Christ, the Son,
And communion of the Holy Ghost: (2 Cor. 13:14)
This is the inheritance of ev’ry one
Of God’s ransomed and sanctified host.

Communion with God as was one time enjoyed
In the Garden of Eden so fair
Is the kind of pure fellowship that’s now enjoyed
When saints worship God in song and prayer.

Yes, God did once dwell in a house made with hands,
And was worshiped thus back in that day; (2 Chronicles 5)

13.

But Christ brought that people, and those of all lands,
A far better and new living way. (Heb. 10:1-22)

Paul says, we’re the Jews, or the circumcision, (Rom. 2:29)
(Keep this truth in your mind ever fresh!)
Who worship God in the Spirit’s provision,
And put no confidence in the flesh. (Phil. 3:3)

Old Testament shadows and types, as a whole,
Are fulfilled in a “spiritual” way;
God’s Sabbath is now a true rest for the soul,
And no longer a literal day. (Col. 2:16-17)

We cease from our own works as God did from His, (Heb. 4:10)
We stop struggling with “self” and with “sin” –
That’s what the New Testament sabbath day is;
By the Holy Ghost we enter in!

“Mount Zion,” “Jerusalem,” and “Canaan land,” (Heb. 12:22-23)
Also have their true meanings fulfilled,
And find their real substance in salvation’s plan,
Which to us through the Spirit is willed.

This spiritual worship supersedes by far
The ceremonial worship so dim;
God’s dwelling place now is what His people are, (2 Cor. 6:16)
And true worship takes place within them!

“The kingdom of God is within you,” says Christ, (Luke 17:21)
It is “righteousness, peace, and it’s joy (Rom. 14:17)
In the Holy Ghost” – this pure treasure, blood-priced,
Is ALL spiritual worship employs!

We pray with the spirit and sing thus also, (1 Cor. 14:15)
And by the Spirit’s unction we preach; (1 Pet. 1:12)
God’s Spirit united with ours here below
Puts our souls right within Heaven’s reach!

In spirit we know Him, His great love we feel,
We have tasted and found He is good! (Psa. 34:8)
To us He is personal, precious, and real,
And His mysteries are understood. (1 Cor. 2:6-16)

And that’s why we trust Him for body and soul,
Gladly put our whole life in His hands;
Surrender our all to His will and control,
As our “reasonable service” demands. (Rom. 12:1-2)

Oh, come get acquainted with our blessed Lord,
If you really want true, lasting thrills:

14.

Oh simply drift along with this world’s tide,
Hoping that for you all will be well,

Someday, with this world, it is certain you’ll glide
Right into the perdition of hell! (Psa. 9:17)
The signs of the time show the end very near, (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Matt. 24:32-39)
When the “last trump” shall sound, and then what?

In power and glory the Judge shall appear: (Matt. 25:31-46)
We shall meet Him then, ready, or not!
The earth shall then melt and the heav’ns pass away
With a noise such as never was heard! (2 Pet. 3:10-12)

And these are the folk who’ll be saved in that day:
Those who’ve anchored their hope in God’s Word.
The heavens and earth shall indeed pass away (Matt. 24:35)
But God’s Word shall forever endure; (1 Pet. 1:25)

It’s now time to find out what God’s Word does say,
Make our calling and election sure! (2 Pet. 1:10)

Let’s all search the scriptures, they’re within our reach;
We’ll be weighed in their balance someday. (John 12:48)
If our lives don’t measure up to what they teach,
From God’s presence we’ll be cast away!

No man can have boldness in the Judgment Day
To look God in the face without fear,
Unless he knows God in an intimate way,
By partaking His holiness here. (1 John 4:17; 3:2-3)

Without the assurance of freedom from guilt,
“Without holiness,” saith the Lord, (Heb. 12:14)
No man can see God’s holy face and not wilt
When His wrath against sin is outpoured.

In His love and mercy God gave unto men
Holy Scriptures to read, so that they
Could know right from wrong, how to get freed from sin,
And be ready to meet Him some day.

Moreover, through Christ’s blood He proffered, in love,
Full fruition of redemptive powers;
Then sent down His Spirit from heaven above
To impart them to these hearts of ours.

Therefore, there are three that bear witness on earth:
That’s the Spirit, the Word, and the Blood; (1 John 5:8)
All three testify of the great pow’r and worth (Isa. 55:10-11)

15.

Of the perfect salvation of God. (Eph. 5:25-27)

If we are found lacking, there’ll be no excuse!
All that we can then say is, we failed
Through sheer unbelief, or neglectful abuse,
To appropriate grace God availed.

The Spirit and Bride, ‘mid this world’s busy strife,
Send a grand invitation to all
To come and drink freely the water of life; (Rev. 22:17)
Does your heart hear the heavenly call?

That voice that you hear in your heart’s inner ear
Is the Spirit making His appeal.
Your heart feels the awe of a pure godly fear,
For you’re dealing with something that’s real!

The Spirit reproves and convicts you of sin, (John 16:8)
And He shows you the heavenly way;
He seeks your affections to Jesus to win,
And He bids you the Gospel obey.

Your spirit within you is starving with thirst
To know its loving Maker’s embrace;
Its eternal welfare should you not put first,
E’er you sin away your day of grace?

Christ’s blood cannot do your poor soul any good
If the call of the Spirit you’ve spurned;
You can’t have the power to live as you should
Till He imparts the virtue it earned.

God’s Spirit will not always strive with mankind; (Gen. 6:3)
When He draws you, it’s time to move THEN!
God’s presence and favor your soul cannot find
Unless mercy comes calling again.

There is such a thing as men sealing their doom
Through the stubbornness of their own hearts:
When God sees they simply will not give Him room,
Then His Spirit withdraws and departs.

Oh sinner, on you did this truth ever dawn,
That no man can approach unto God
Except by His Spirit the heart’s being drawn, (John 6:44)
As the King holds out His golden rod? (Esther 5:2-3)

When the Spirit draws you, the King’s saying, “Come,
In my court you now have audience;
You now may pray through and obtain your ransom,

16.

For my Spirit is here to dispense.

It’s foolish and dangerous to procrastinate
When your heart feels the conviction call;
For you do not know when it will be too late
To have any more chances at all!

The Spirit is calling, the King of all kings
Holds out His golden scepter to you;
Will you turn it down for this earth’s fleeting things,
When He offers such favor to you?

He longs to bring you to His “banqueting house,” (Song of Solomon 2:4)
And unfold to you there His great love,
Within the “bride chamber” of His holy spouse, (Song of Solomon 2:4)
The pure church that is born from above.

The pure gospel outreach of this holy church
Is the heavenly call of the bride;
She bids you to come end your soul’s long love search,
Marry Jesus and be satisfied!

Do you really know Him? Is His life your life?
Is your spirit united with His? (1 Cor. 6:17; Rom. 7:4)
Those who marry Jesus become the “Lamb’s wife;” (Rev. 21:9-10)
This is what the true church of Christ is.

Her Maker, her Husband, the heav’nly Bridegroom, (Isa. 54:5)
Longs to make you a part of her too;
He died for that purpose, and ‘rose from the tomb
With that glorious object in view!

He’s now interceding at Father’s right hand (Heb. 7:25; 8:1)
In the interest of His holy bride;
His Spirit is going throughout ev’ry land,
Wooing human hearts the whole world wide.

To purchase for Himself this pure, loving bride,
From the portals of glory Christ came;
He gave her her life by the blood from His side, (Acts 20:28)
And He keeps her in His Father’s name. (John 17:12; Eph. 3:14-15)

She’s now standing ready, waiting His return,
Clothed in fine linen robes, clean and white;
This denotes the righteousness of saints, we learn,
Yes, a heart that’s made pure in God’s sight. (Rev. 19:8)

If truths here presented have found someone short,
Why not study these scriptures, and pray?
Don’t kick at the pricks with indignant retort,

17.

But consider the words that I say.

Be sure they’re intended to help and to bless
And enlighten each person who reads;
To show how you may “full salvation” possess,
And find grace to meet all your soul’s needs.

If we go to Heaven, beyond all mistake,
It is certain that we must be pure; (2 Pet. 3:11, 14, 17)
So let us give diligence, therefore, to make
Our own calling and election sure! (2 Pet. 1:10)

And you, dear backsliders, who once knew the Lord:
Once again you must count the true cost; (Luke 14:26-33)
Unless you to purity’s plane are restored,
Then most certainly you will be lost!

For he who hath sinned against me, saith the Lord,
Even him from my book will I blot. (Exo. 32:33)
Soon Christ shall return, as His Word doth record,
For a church without blemish, or spot. (Eph. 5:27)

“He that overcometh shall be clothed in white
And from my book I’ll not blot his name,”
Says Jesus, “but before the angels in light,
And my Father, I’ll confess the same.” (Rev. 3:5)

A heartfelt right standing with God and His Son,
Fellowship and communion divine,
Through the Holy Spirit, is willed to each one; (Eph. 2:18)
Thou canst KNOW in thy heart it is thine!

Author’s Contact Information:
Harlan Sorrell
244 County Road 274
Myrtle, MO 65778
Phone: 417-938-4336
Email: hsorrell@windstream.net

GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM VERSUS SECT RELIGION continued

9.

“Repent and be baptized,” repentance comes first, (Acts 2:38)
And repentance takes place in the heart; (Rom. 10:10)
Repentance brings righteousness to all who thirst
For divine life in their inward part. (Acts 11:18)

From death unto life, out of darkness to light,
Through the threshold of God’s kingdom door,
By regeneration, there looms to our sight
An attainment in Christ even more!

It’s the Holy Ghost who now administrates
The economy of all Christ’s grace –
Draws sinners, repentant ones regenerates,
Then leads them on to yet deeper grace.

Yes, ev’ry true Christian God’s Spirit will lead
To the grace where the sanctified stand, (Rom. 5:1-2)
Who so consecrate until self dies indeed
And they conquer the sweet Canaan land.

This is what “entire sanctification” is:
It means giving God complete control:
Surrendering your will entirely to His,
In an offering of body and soul. (Rom. 12:1)

When “self” empties out, then God’s fullness moves in,
Shedding His love abroad in self’s place; (Rom. 5:5)
It’s easier to keep the victory then,
For He “seals” us with preserving grace. (Eph. 1:13)

It is a real spiritual work in the heart
That brings fullness of grace to the soul,
“Anointing” to those who set themselves apart (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
For God’s service, His will, and control.

When He’s given this capacity to work,
Then His Spirit takes full, complete charge.
If only believers from this would not shirk,
How their hearts in God’s love could enlarge! (Psa. 119:32)

Yes, God wants all Christians to be sanctified – (Rom. 15:16)
For this also was Jesus’ blood spilled; (Heb. 13:12)
Oh Christian, has “self-life” been all crucified, (Gal. 2:20)
And that place by God’s Spirit been filled?

With sanctification the Lord waits to bless
Ev’ry Christian who perceives his need
Of being perfected in true holiness,

That he may in all graces succeed. (1 Thes. 3:12-13; 4:3; 5:23-24)

12.
The Spirit will cleanse like a “refiner’s fire,” (Malachi 3:1-3; Isa. 9:5)
“Throughly purging” away carnal dross, (Matt. 3:11-12)
Bring under control ev’ry human desire
To the glory of Christ and His cross.

This is our “inheritance” experience, (Acts 20:32; Eph. 1:13-14)
It’s a second work of divine grace.
God’s house of old time shows its typical sense
By the “holy” and “most holy” place. (Exodus 25:8-9; Heb. 9:1-10)

All “brethren” in Christ may now enter on in
Through His blood to the “holiest place.” (Heb. 10:19-22)
If you have been purged from all committed sin,
You’re entitled to this “deeper grace.”

For this is that “rest” which we’re told “there remains
For the people of God.” Thus, we see (Heb. 4:9-11)
That it is the Christian who enters and gains
It by being sanctified wholly.

Let us labor, therefore, to enter that rest,
Lest we come short of faith, and then fall
When we face great trials and bitter, hard tests
Which in life will encounter us all.

There’s healing for body as well as for soul
Intertwined within salvation’s plan: (James 5:14-15)
“By His stripes we’re healed,” by His blood we’re made whole:
This encompasses the entire man. (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17)

Whatever you need, Jesus Christ has it all, (Col. 1:19)
And His Spirit’s on hand to dispense;
He says, if in faith on His name you will call,
He will hear, and your need recompense. (John 14:12-14)

Love from God, the Father, grace from Christ, the Son,
And communion of the Holy Ghost: (2 Cor. 13:14)
This is the inheritance of ev’ry one
Of God’s ransomed and sanctified host.

Communion with God as was one time enjoyed
In the Garden of Eden so fair
Is the kind of pure fellowship that’s now enjoyed
When saints worship God in song and prayer.

Yes, God did once dwell in a house made with hands,
And was worshiped thus back in that day; (2 Chronicles 5)

But Christ brought that people, and those of all lands,
A far better and new living way. (Heb. 10:1-22)

13.
Paul says, we’re the Jews, or the circumcision, (Rom. 2:29)
(Keep this truth in your mind ever fresh!)
Who worship God in the Spirit’s provision,
And put no confidence in the flesh. (Phil. 3:3)

Old Testament shadows and types, as a whole,
Are fulfilled in a “spiritual” way;
God’s Sabbath is now a true rest for the soul,
And no longer a literal day. (Col. 2:16-17)

We cease from our own works as God did from His, (Heb. 4:10)
We stop struggling with “self” and with “sin” –
That’s what the New Testament sabbath day is;
By the Holy Ghost we enter in!

“Mount Zion,” “Jerusalem,” and “Canaan land,” (Heb. 12:22-23)
Also have their true meanings fulfilled,
And find their real substance in salvation’s plan,
Which to us through the Spirit is willed.

This spiritual worship supersedes by far
The ceremonial worship so dim;
God’s dwelling place now is what His people are, (2 Cor. 6:16)
And true worship takes place within them!

“The kingdom of God is within you,” says Christ, (Luke 17:21)
It is “righteousness, peace, and it’s joy (Rom. 14:17)
In the Holy Ghost” – this pure treasure, blood-priced,
Is ALL spiritual worship employs!

We pray with the spirit and sing thus also, (1 Cor. 14:15)
And by the Spirit’s unction we preach; (1 Pet. 1:12)
God’s Spirit united with ours here below
Puts our souls right within Heaven’s reach!

In spirit we know Him, His great love we feel,
We have tasted and found He is good! (Psa. 34:8)
To us He is personal, precious, and real,
And His mysteries are understood. (1 Cor. 2:6-16)

And that’s why we trust Him for body and soul,
Gladly put our whole life in His hands;
Surrender our all to His will and control,
As our “reasonable service” demands. (Rom. 12:1-2)

Oh, come get acquainted with our blessed Lord,
If you really want true, lasting thrills:

He gives joy and pleasure this world can’t afford,
Fills the vacancy nothing else fills.
14.

In times when you’re lonely, your spirit He’ll cheer,
In the night seasons, He’ll give a song; (Psa. 42:8)
You can’t find another companion so dear
Who’ll abide with you life’s journey long. (Heb. 13:5)

His yoke is so easy, His burden so light,
And His wondrous soul-rest is so sweet; (Matt. 11:29-30)
We love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and might,
And we worship each day at His feet. (Mark 12:30)

As He, through the Spirit, communes with our hearts,
We behold wondrous things in His Word;
It’s spiritual meaning to us He imparts –
Profound truths that the world never heard.

The righteous possess the rich secrets of God (Psa. 25:14)
Which unto “carnal” minds are concealed; (Pro. 3:32)
Like as buried treasures hidden ‘neath the sod (Matt. 13:44)
They’re disclosed to God’s saints and revealed.

A Christian, with pleasure, a holy life lives,
With joy leaves worldly ways far behind
To follow in Jesus’ own footsteps, who gives
Us His nature, His life, and His mind. (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

God pity those dear souls who live in behalf
Of this world’s vanity, pomp and pride;
God’s judgment fires soon will consume all that chaff,
Then in what will their poor hearts confide?

If you simply drift along with this world’s tide,
Hoping that for you all will be well,
Someday, with this world, it is certain you’ll glide
Right into the perdition of hell! (Psa. 9:17)

The signs of the time show the end very near, (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Matt. 24:32-39)
When the “last trump” shall sound, and then what?
In power and glory the Judge shall appear: (Matt. 25:31-46)
We shall meet Him then, ready, or not!

The earth shall then melt and the heav’ns pass away
With a noise such as never was heard! (2 Pet. 3:10-12)
And these are the folk who’ll be saved in that day:
Those who’ve anchored their hope in God’s Word.

The heavens and earth shall indeed pass away (Matt. 24:35)
But God’s Word shall forever endure; (1 Pet. 1:25)
It’s now time to find out what God’s Word does say,
Make our calling and election sure! (2 Pet. 1:10)

15.

Let’s all search the scriptures, they’re within our reach;
We’ll be weighed in their balance someday. (John 12:48)
If our lives don’t measure up to what they teach,
From God’s presence we’ll be cast away!

No man can have boldness in the Judgment Day
To look God in the face without fear,
Unless he knows God in an intimate way,
By partaking His holiness here. (1 John 4:17; 3:2-3)

Without the assurance of freedom from guilt,
“Without holiness,” saith the Lord, (Heb. 12:14)
No man can see God’s holy face and not wilt
When His wrath against sin is outpoured.

In His love and mercy God gave unto men
Holy Scriptures to read, so that they
Could know right from wrong, how to get freed from sin,
And be ready to meet Him some day.

Moreover, through Christ’s blood He proffered, in love,
Full fruition of redemptive powers;
Then sent down His Spirit from heaven above
To impart them to these hearts of ours.

Therefore, there are three that bear witness on earth:
That’s the Spirit, the Word, and the Blood; (1 John 5:8)
All three testify of the great pow’r and worth (Isa. 55:10-11)
Of the perfect salvation of God. (Eph. 5:25-27)

If we are found lacking, there’ll be no excuse!
All that we can then say is, we failed
Through sheer unbelief, or neglectful abuse,
To appropriate grace God availed.

The Spirit and Bride, ‘mid this world’s busy strife,
Send a grand invitation to all
To come and drink freely the water of life; (Rev. 22:17)
Does your heart hear the heavenly call?

That voice that you hear in your heart’s inner ear
Is the Spirit making His appeal.
Your heart feels the awe of a pure godly fear,
For you’re dealing with something that’s real!

The Spirit reproves and convicts you of sin, (John 16:8)
And He shows you the heavenly way;
He seeks your affections to Jesus to win,
And He bids you the Gospel obey.

16.

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GOD’S HEAVENLY KINGDOM VERSUS SECT RELIGION