Do You Really Know God? Transcripts

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Mary Banks, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ is the founder of Bible Teachers International Worship Centers, Lifesavers International, Sons.Training, Bible Teachers Global Training Centers, the Mary Banks Faith Library, and Bible Theater International now located throughout the U.S., Canada, The Caribbean Islands, India, Africa, and Europe. Recognized as “The Bible Teacher” to the Body of Christ, as well as an international speaker, Mary has authored many books and courses that have brought a sure word to the world and the Church. Mary has also penned, produced and directed outstanding stage productions, such as “Amazing Grace,” which received eight academy award nominations in the Caribbean.

Mary has touched the hearts of thousands held captive by crack cocaine, depression, alcoholism, unforgiveness, perversion, and lives without purpose’. She is anointed with wisdom and understanding to answer the simplest and most difficult questions of life, by applying the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our everyday situations, circumstances, and relationships.

Apostle Banks has been recognized for outstanding evangelistic work and is valued by her community and peers, business community, as well as government officials.

Do you really know God? That is the question the Lord wants us to ask ourselves. Do you really know the God of the Bible, or is it that you simply know the scriptures you have read about Him?

If we truly want to know our God, we can begin by looking into the schoolmaster

- the Old Testament. It is in the Old Covenant that we see His heart and mind concerning His people. Below is His rebuke of Israel as they walked in their own way, forsaking the way of righteousness.

Scripture Sequence - Isaiah 57:10-15

Isaiah 57:10

Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope:...

I have seen this part of the rebuke play out in the Church so many times with so many sons of God. Essentially, God is saying, “You have traveled so far from righteousness in pursuit of your own way. Though I have not allowed you to succeed in your quest, you will not give up. You will not come to the place where you say, “There is no hope in this that I am doing.”

Isaiah 57:10 (Continued)

…thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved. “You continue to look to yourself, the strength of your own hands. Therefore, you will not be convicted of unrighteousness, because your hope is in your own ability.” do you really Know God?

Isaiah 57:11

And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

“Your life is a lie. You have discarded from your heart the way of righteousness. Even though I (God) have held my peace a long time, you will not be convicted of your evil ways, because you do not fear me.”

This is a sharp rebuke. God was dealing with Israel concerning idolatry. They continued to worship other gods in spite of the commandments God had given them. Today is no different. Many sons of God are worshiping things other than God.

• Some worship ‘self.’
• Their way
• Their image
• Their desires
• Some worship money
• Some worship fame or notoriety
• Some worship knowledge

DO YOU REALLY KNOW GOD?

Isaiah 57:12

I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee. But God will declare or expose all our self-righteousness. He will bring it to the forefront, allowing us to do as we will. But He warns, none of our doings will profit us. But then He goes on to say…

Isaiah 57:13

When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them:...

But when judgment comes, let your way and your will deliver you. Neither is sufficient to deliver you from the judgment of God.

THOSE WHO TRUST IN GOD

Isaiah 57:13 (Continued)

…but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;

Isaiah 57:14

And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people.

The stumbling block is placed in our lives by God. It is a guarantee that we will not enter into God’s rest, as long as we are walking contrary to the will of God. So many have deceived themselves, believing that God’s love will somehow accept or cover their sin. But the truth is, God’s love cannot and will not embrace that which He has condemned.

This is a truth the devil does not want those who have gone out of the way of holiness to receive. Nevertheless, if we should humble ourselves and come before the Lord, He will be just to forgive all our tresspasses.

DO YOU REALLY KNOW GOD? c h a p t e r 1

Isaiah 57:15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,...

It is true that God lives in the sons of God. But it is also true that unless we are contrite in spirit, God will not move through us. He will not override our negative dispositions and do as He has done through those who completely obeyed Him, trusted Him, and feared Him.

To be contrite is to be crushed to powder, to see ourselves as nothing were it not for God, and to embrace the fact that my making will be His doing. Whatever, I am to be, it will be His design; for I am incapable of procuring my purpose without His leadership and guidance.

This literally means, to be completely void of self and selfishness. To consider ourselves as slaves to the will of God.

This is a very hard saying for some, seeing as how many of us actually worship our way, and our right to control our own lives.

This is a very bad place to be with God. He sent Jesus to die a death that purchased our mortal bodies. He is now the Master of the flesh. It belongs to Him. He will follow the commands of the Father and do through this flesh that which pleases God.

But we are not in agreement with that truth. We need power.

We need to exercise our own will.

But God does not work with that mindset. He works through the humble. Those who are lowly in heart. Those who walk in unprofitableness, not entitlement. Those who will forsake all their ways for the way of righteousness at any cost to them.

This life will be a life of suffering. It will include humiliation. But how will we respond to such degradation? Haughtiness

DO YOU REALLY KNOW GOD?

and self-defensiveness is not the way of God. This is not the definition of humility. Humility allows unfairness, disrespect, persecution and abuse. It is a manifestation of the character of Christ.

But you must be honest with yourself. “In my heart, do I really allow these things? Or, is there resentment towards the ones who perpetrate such against me?” The disposition of your heart in such instances determines humility or haughtiness. Isaiah 57:15 (Continued)

…to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. I want to remind you of a verse of scripture that truly reflects the mind and heart of God, regarding those who refuse to live according to the Spirit within them. Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye (Acts 7:51).

Our God is faithful to those who obey His will. He will revive, or in our case, sustain the life of those who submit to His Spirit.

The essence of holiness is best understood as a relationship with God that is acceptable unto Him. This relationship is more than just adhering to religious practices; it is a state of being that aligns with the divine will and character of God. It is characterized by purity, righteousness, and sanctification.

Holiness is the power over sin and all the works of satan, and it is required for fulfilling God’s purposes. Holiness is not a journey in the flesh attempting to do spiritual things; rather, it is a life lived in the Spirit.

This spiritual life is a commitment to manifest what we were created to be; the righteousness of God. The power of holiness is about to be manifested in the lives of the Sons and their ministry to the people of God and the world. This will happen whether we are a part of it or not. The Lord has tarried long with the Body of Christ. He will no longer tarry. Soon there will be “time no more.”

The Lord has systematically brought us to a place wherein we know how to obtain purity and preference for holiness. We have come to this place in our spiritual journey, despite the long road of overcoming traditions, lusts, wants, offenses, and pride. Holiness is also a state of constant submission to the will of the Father. This submission is necessary for the glory that was in the face of Christ to shine in our countenance, or for the power of Christ to rest upon us. Thus, we must walk in the mind of Christ at all times.

THE POWER AND NATURE Holinessof

A SHADOW OF TURNING

It is time for us to be extremely honest with ourselves. “Why can’t I manifest the Christ living in me at all times and in all situations? Why am I not certain of the power of God working through me?”

You must examine whether your focus and strength has been on the need to constantly choose righteousness. If this is the case, then even before the choice is made, it is most likely that your disposition is already unrighteous. Allow me to clarify this. A continuous need to choose righteousness indicates a departure from it. This means you should not always have to come into a situation, or a set of circumstances, nor a relationship where you must now choose to do the righteous thing. This should be a natural occurrence for you. To have to always choose is to live in a state of always considering the alternative. Therefore, it is manifest that within is a shadow of turning in your heart.

The journey of holiness is not without its oppositions.

They include...

• A refusal to allow the Word to change certain mindsets, ways, traditions, or erroneous beliefs.
• Iniquity, which is the act of breaking God’s law in thought, word, or deed, is another opposition, as it stops the flow of love.
• Unforgiveness, unrepentance towards sin, and pride are also considerable obstructions on the path to a holy life.

The power of holiness extends beyond the individual. It produces an anointing that destroys yokes in the lives of others. The walk of holiness makes an impression on the mind, training it to prefer holiness and find sin repulsive. This transformation is so

THE POWER AND NATURE OF HOLINESS

profound that witnessing it in someone else’s life is powerful enough to create a desire for God in others.

As 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 states, God’s will is that we should

• abstain from fornication,
• possess our bodies in sanctification and honor,
• and not live in the lust of concupiscence, as the Gentiles who know not God. This power of the Holy Spirit separates us from the world and its ways, confirming that holiness is not optional but a commandment for those who follow Christ. To conclude…

1. The walk of holiness is a journey of transformation and sanctification.
2. It is a path that requires constant submission to the will of the Father, embodying the mind of Christ, and abstaining from sinful desires.
3. By walking in the righteousness of God, we manifest what we were created to be, displaying a powerful testimony that can inspire others to desire God.
4. With the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can live a holy life, demonstrating God’s power over sin and satan’s works. Ultimately, holiness is the power to live a life pleasing to God, reflecting His divine will and character.

I want you to read this chapter for the sake of reminding yourself of the power of your own salvation. It is to remind you of the peace of God you are able to experience in this hostile environment.

There is a word used in the New Testament approximately 111 times that we need to give close attention to. That word is “Peace.”

Peace: to join, to set at one again, contentment, noiselessness, fellow feeling, and comfort.

God has always spoken to His creation in words we are able to understand until we come to the word peace. With this word He lets us know that there are some aspects of it we will be able to comprehend, but there are other aspects we will not be able to understand or articulate. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

1. Spiritual Reconciliation

Peace in the New Testament is portrayed as reconciliation between God and humanity through Jesus Christ.

Scripture Sequence - Ephesians 2:14-18

Ephesians 2:14

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Jesus has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, reconciling both Jews and Gentiles to God through the cross, thus granting both access to the Father by one Spirit. This peace is the restoration of a broken relationship between God and His creation. We now have access to God.

Ephesians 2:15-16

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

We must cease to make light of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. By this I mean; we treat the crucifixion as an event that was necessary to grant atonement. But that event is separate and apart from our walk. If we don’t understand the gravity of how the crucifixion relates to our spiritual walk, then we truly do not know God or His plan for mankind.

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, . . .

This is crucial to our understanding of salvation. Jesus took on the sins of the whole world. He abolished, (put an end to), the penalty of death contained in the commandments, by the crucifixion of His own flesh.

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, . . . The reconciliation came by both Jew and Gentile being placed in the same body, the body of Christ. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones (Ephesians 5:30). This is a great rest. It is relief from the power of sin and death. We must stop and consider the fact that we are the only creatures on the planet that satan cannot control. He has been expelled from our bodies and our spirit. We have the nature of Christ, our Redeemer.

Ephesians 2:17-18

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. This is the great peace the cross has achieved. It has made us one with God, having received the forgiveness of sins. Furthermore, as those of us who have been born-again are united in the same Spirit, we are consequently united with one another. Salvation has created one new entity - the Body of Christ. Seeing that we have been brought into oneness with Christ, we all must therefore walk as He walked. We must do as He does, speak as He speaks and think as He thinks. Simply put we must be unified in the mind of Christ, speaking the same things, having the same emotions and having the same judgment. Consider the scriptures below that testify to our oneness with Christ and each other.

Acts 4:32

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.`

1 Corinthians 1:10

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 1:27-30

27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Philippians 2:1-2

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 2:5

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

This oneness in Christ has achieved true peace with God and each other.

2. Inner Tranquility

The New Testament also presents peace as a state of inner tranquility or calm that believers can experience, regardless of their external

circumstances. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers not to be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present their requests to God.

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This illustrates peace as a supernatural calm bestowed upon believers who trust in God.

Peace is depicted as a blessing from God. Numbers 6:24-26 features the Aaronic blessing, wishing for the Lord to bless and keep, to make His face shine upon, be gracious to, lift up His countenance upon, and give peace to His people. In the New Testament context, this peace is understood as a comprehensive well-being or wholeness imparted by God’s favor.

3. A Guiding Principle

In the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, peace serves as a guiding principle for the Body of Christ. Matthew 5:9, proclaims, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” This identifies peace as not only a state to be enjoyed but as an active pursuit in relationships and interactions, reflecting the character of God’s children.

4. Hope

Finally, peace is an integral part of the Christian hope—the ultimate peace in the Kingdom of God, where there will be no more conflict, suffering, or death. Revelations 21:4 speaks of a future where God will wipe away every tear, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, nor shall there be any more pain. This ultimate peace is the culmination of God’s redemptive work through Christ.

In summary, according to the New Testament of the KJV Bible, peace encompasses spiritual reconciliation with God through Christ, inner tranquility that transcends understanding, a divine blessing of well-being, a guiding principle for conduct among believers, and the ultimate hope of a future free from conflict and suffering in God’s Kingdom.

Of the 111 times the word ‘peace’ is used in the New Covenant, 89 times it is used to mean; “to join” and “to set at one again.”

I want you to stop and think about this definition of peace; “to join,” and “to set at one again.” The word declares the heart and mind of God relative to salvation. And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (Acts 17:26). Oneness with God and the Son was achieved by receiving the mind of Christ. The mind controls the body; therefore, since we have the mind of Christ, we have His:

• Thoughts
• Emotions
• Desires
• Faith
• Purpose
• Willingness to Suffer

The patriarchs of the Old Covenant did not have the mind of God; therefore, God could not instruct them the same way He instructs us. They could not receive the mystery of Christ, because they were not born of the Spirit; but this mystery must be spiritually discerned.

Nevertheless, oneness was the plan of God from the beginning. He wanted sons who were neither like the angels nor Adam; He wanted sons like Him. This is the whole reason for the sending of the Holy Spirit. He has created peace by “joining” us to Himself.

WHY DID GOD GIVE US Comfortera

WHY DO SAINTS SUFFER?

All that is in the world is the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. It is a crooked world, governed by the forces of evil. Nevertheless, we have been sent into the world as lights to confront such darkness. If I am being frank here, it is not merely our words that confront the kingdom of darkness, but our very existence. Naturally, we will be targets. The enemy will not sit back and watch us destroy his kingdom and influence. Instead he will attack. Having gained permission from our Father, he will bring situations, circumstances, and relationships that will bring great suffering. Despite being manifestations of the devil’s hatred, these attacks are simultaneously essential for cultivating character and steadfastness within us.

2 Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Though Paul was constantly beaten and bruised for the gospel’s sake, it was the will of God that he faced these things. The messenger of satan was sent to attack Paul, however, God allowed it so that he could gain humility. Thus, the trying of the saints is necessary to build character.

Moreover, we must reveal our love for the Father. If we love Him we will keep His commandments despite the situations we find ourselves in. Even as satan was convinced that Job would curse God if he was tried, he is also convinced that we too will fail under pressure. However, our trials are an opportunity to magnify God, by showing that we choose holiness no matter what we face.

THE NEED FOR THE COMFORTER

Contrary to popular belief, the Father is very mindful of us during these trials.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. God will never give us more than we are able to bear. The word “bear” here refers to the ability to endure with unmovable righteous character. We are able to bear it because He provides an escape from the “weight or burden” of the trial. It is indeed a joyful thing to overcome a trial having walked righteously, however, our escape is not limited to the ending of the trial - we escape the weight of the trial by walking in the Spirit. This is where the Comforter comes in.

John 14:18

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The Comforter is the Holy Ghost. He is the presence of God abiding in us.

Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

When we choose to honor God despite the situation, He obligates Himself to the keeping of our souls. He equips our hearts with that which is necessary to righteously endure the trial. He does so by keeping us from negative emotions that would cripple our souls.

WHY DID GOD GIVE US A COMFORTER? C H A p T E R 4

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If our hearts are at peace in the midst of our sufferings, then what can keep us from continuing in God? Peace and love in the heart is the power to keep our souls. Our suffering is the enemy’s only weapon to bring us into sin. Thus, if we are able to bear such attacks how shall we be moved? We become steadfast when we walk in the power of the Comforter in every situation.

By joining us to the Comforter, we have been empowered to walk in godly peace and love, all the days of our lives.

However, there is another aspect of the Comforter that we must consider.

John 14:16-17

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 16:12-13

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

In the context of this text, Jesus was having His last conversation with the disciples before His crucifixion. He had to tell them that He was about to depart. Having heard this, despair filled the their hearts. Having relied on the physical presence of Jesus to lead and guide them, now they will be without Him. Thus, Jesus consoles them stating that He will not leave them in this despair but He will return to them in the form of the Holy Ghost.

The Comforter has two roles.

1. To lead and guide us into the will of God, even as Jesus led the disciples for 3 ½ years.
2. To empower us to bear the will of God for our lives.

Simply the knowledge that saints must suffer is overwhelming for some, however, the Comforter within will confirm this as truth, while simultaneously granting us peace when we accept it.

It is an extremely uncomfortable experience for a son of God to navigate this life or ministry void of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, it is even more uncomfortable to be one with a God who does not speak to you. Yet so many saints dwell in this discomfort daily. They walk on in their way and sins pursuing their hearts desires. However, this was the purpose for the sending of the Comforter to begin with. The Comforter leads us into all truth, it leads us into the will of God for our lives and grants us peace when we pursue it.

What greater comfort is there than to know that God is directing your life? However, it is when we abandon His will that our hearts are filled with turmoil and despair. The Comforter is the birthright of every son, however, we will not experience the peace of God if we abandon His will. Let us choose to submit to God that His peace will abide with us forever.

I love you all with the love of our Savior Mary, the apostle of Jesus Christ

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