JESUS -- It is He that will make known "the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you -- the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)
JESUS -- "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
Jesus taught the gospel by example so that we too -- like the apostles -- would respond favourably to His open invitation to become fishers of men.
"And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day [Jesus] entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at His doctrine for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes." (Mark 1:21)
But "there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, "Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who thou art, the Holy One of God."
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Hold thy peace, and come out of him." And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And [those who watched] were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commanded [Jesus] even the unclean spirits, and they do obey Him." (Mark 1:22-27)
Similar to the above example, there are those with unclean spirits in our modern day temple(s) who make the table of the Lord contemptible. (Malachi 1:1-8) These do not want to acknowledge Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Neither will they recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the Holy One - Almighty God in the flesh. (John 1:1-18)
God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Revelation 1:8; Revelation 22:13) Immanuel, being interpreted meaning, "God with us." (Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 9:6)
This is why Jesus warned believers, saying, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (John 6:56)
Thankfully, this same Jesus makes known "the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory." (Romans 9:23) "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand" so that we too can rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)
Jesus -- the same God which causes us to triumph in the prophesied Christ, "and makes manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." (II Corinthians 2:14)
"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 4:6)
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life (for the life was manifested, and we have seen [it] and bear witness and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ."(I John 1:4)
He who knew no sin becoming sin so that we could access the holiest of holiest.
Therefore, "be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass ... for he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was ... but whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth [therein] he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:22-25)
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God." (Romans 11:33) Stand in the offering plate.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Monday, January 26, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
But Ye Shall Receive Power, After That the Holy Ghost Is Come Upon You - Part 1041
It is He that will make known "the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you -- the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)
And when Jesus had said this, He breathed on His disciples and said unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." (John 20:22)
He said unto them, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" And they said unto him, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." (Acts 19:2)
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:13)
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
Sadly, there is much confusion between the use of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost in the scriptures. The dilemma becomes even more complicated by the false teaching of the trinity in modern day churches. Still, the scriptures are clear on this point, and as we have declared before, God is NOT the author of confusion.
"For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9)
JESUS was God Spirit veiled in an Adamic sin prone body coming forth out of Heaven to seek and to save His creation from an otherwise lost eternity. JESUS did not come to condemn the world. That was not His purpose. His purpose was for all of Adam’s fallen offspring to receive redemption which He by Himself was going to secure as a gift. The gift of redemption whereby all persons through faith would be granted an opportunity to be saved from sin.
In fact, when JESUS said to His disciples that He was going to leave and they would see Him no more (in the flesh). He also added that He would not leave them comfortless. This is why JESUS breathed upon them saying prophetically that they would receive of His breath -- whose breath is the breath of the Holy Ghost.
Then He opened their understanding that they might more accurately comprehend the scriptures. In Acts chapters 1-2, the first 3,000 believers all received the Holy Ghost.
Up until this moment, the Holy Ghost had never been imparted to anyone. This is because the Holy Ghost was not as yet given, because JESUS was not yet glorified. (Acts 1:1-8) With the outpouring of the Spirit was the pronouncement that JESUS was and is now glorified! God glorified His Son JESUS, thus declaring, that JESUS both LORD and the CHRIST!
Paul the last of the apostles, chosen of JESUS to bear His Name [JESUS] to the Gentiles could say the following concerning the gospel. That which he preached was not of man and neither was it taught by man, Moreover, neither did he [Paul] receive the gospel message of man but rather through the Holy Ghost revelations of JESUS the Christ!
Remember, after Jesus ascended, He commanded the apostles THROUGH the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:8)
Moreover, JESUS said when we receive His holy Spirit, then His indwelling Spirit shall lead and guide believers into all truth. His Spirit indwelling within believers "shall glorify Me - JESUS - and shall bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you!"
Take the time to study His Word. In so doing, grow in the grace and knowledge of God our Saviour through His Word. Stand in the offering plate with Jesus!
And when Jesus had said this, He breathed on His disciples and said unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." (John 20:22)
He said unto them, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" And they said unto him, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." (Acts 19:2)
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:13)
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27)
Sadly, there is much confusion between the use of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost in the scriptures. The dilemma becomes even more complicated by the false teaching of the trinity in modern day churches. Still, the scriptures are clear on this point, and as we have declared before, God is NOT the author of confusion.
"For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9)
JESUS was God Spirit veiled in an Adamic sin prone body coming forth out of Heaven to seek and to save His creation from an otherwise lost eternity. JESUS did not come to condemn the world. That was not His purpose. His purpose was for all of Adam’s fallen offspring to receive redemption which He by Himself was going to secure as a gift. The gift of redemption whereby all persons through faith would be granted an opportunity to be saved from sin.
In fact, when JESUS said to His disciples that He was going to leave and they would see Him no more (in the flesh). He also added that He would not leave them comfortless. This is why JESUS breathed upon them saying prophetically that they would receive of His breath -- whose breath is the breath of the Holy Ghost.
Then He opened their understanding that they might more accurately comprehend the scriptures. In Acts chapters 1-2, the first 3,000 believers all received the Holy Ghost.
Up until this moment, the Holy Ghost had never been imparted to anyone. This is because the Holy Ghost was not as yet given, because JESUS was not yet glorified. (Acts 1:1-8) With the outpouring of the Spirit was the pronouncement that JESUS was and is now glorified! God glorified His Son JESUS, thus declaring, that JESUS both LORD and the CHRIST!
Paul the last of the apostles, chosen of JESUS to bear His Name [JESUS] to the Gentiles could say the following concerning the gospel. That which he preached was not of man and neither was it taught by man, Moreover, neither did he [Paul] receive the gospel message of man but rather through the Holy Ghost revelations of JESUS the Christ!
Remember, after Jesus ascended, He commanded the apostles THROUGH the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:8)
Moreover, JESUS said when we receive His holy Spirit, then His indwelling Spirit shall lead and guide believers into all truth. His Spirit indwelling within believers "shall glorify Me - JESUS - and shall bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you!"
Take the time to study His Word. In so doing, grow in the grace and knowledge of God our Saviour through His Word. Stand in the offering plate with Jesus!
Saturday, January 24, 2015
For In Him We Live and Move and Have Our Being - Part 1040
"For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world, but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." (Hebrews 9:26)
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who THROUGH the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)
"Have we not all ONE Father? Hath not ONE God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by "profaning" the covenant of our fathers?" (Malachi 2:10)
The first commandment -- "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] ONE LORD. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Right from the start, the scriptures point to one God -- "In the beginning, God." (Genesis 1:1) Simple and straightforward -- something that should be easy to understand. Sadly, however, many in the current religious culture attempt to insert yet an expanded gospel - or as the apostles would state -- another gospel to their professed theology. (Galatians 1:6-9)
But regardless of modern day church-anity, the scriptures must remain true if His Word is to be our foundation. "The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, and God said, "Let there be light and there was light." (Genesis 1:2-3)
"Ye [are] My witnesses," saith the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I [am] He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me." (Isaiah 43:10)
"I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no Saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)
And Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord." (Mark 12:29)
While the religious community remains intent on reducing the King of kings and Lord of lords -- the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and last -- to a human level, the Word does not lie. Moreover, God is not the author of confusion.
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty." (II Corinthians 3:17)
"And so it is written -- the first Adam was made a living soul, the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit ... the first man is of the earth, the second man is the Lord from heaven." (I Corinthians 15:45-47)
The same Jesus that was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... all things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made ... He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not .. and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ..." (John 1:1-18)
God is not the author of confusion. And there are no contradictions in His Word. When we take the time to seek Jesus and His righteousness through His Word, we begin to understand His desire to reveal the mystery of the Godhead (that was hidden in the bosom of the Father from the beginning).
Andrew Murray wrote it this way: "To many Christians this has been a dead article of their faith, held fast and proved out of the scriptures but without any living influence on the soul. To the true believer, it is one of the deepest and most precious truths for the nourishment of the inner life. Christ is God. The soul worships Him as the Almighty One, able to do a divine work in the power of divine omnipotence." (Murray, 37)
"And of the angels, He saith, "Who maketh His angels spirits and His ministers of flame of fire. But unto the Son, He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath annointed Thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." (Psalm 14:7-8)
"For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, "For we are His offspring." Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent -- because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness [by that] man whom He hath ordained; [whereof] He hath given assurance unto all [men], in that He hath raised Him form the dead." (Acts 17:28-31)
"But to us [there is but] one God the Father of whom [are] all things and we in Him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom [are] all things and we by Him. Howbeit [there is] not knowledge; for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat [it] as a thing offered unto an idol, and their conscience being weak is defiled." (I Corinthians 8:2)
This is why Jesus commanded the apostles THROUGH the Holy Ghost after He ascended. (Acts 1:1-8) It also explains why Jesus had to ascend before the Comforter could come. (John 16:7)
Yes, the same Almighty God who created the world in the beginning loved us enough to shed His precious holy blood on a cross so that we might be saved. Search the scriptures, Jesus said, because they speak "of Me."
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God; therefore, the world knoweth us not because it knew Him not ..." (I John 3:1)
Don't accept the premise that man-made religion has a more insightful understanding of the scriptures. Instead, study the scriptures to show thyself approved, and in so doing, understand too that God is one. It may require standing apart from the religious dogma of this day but I can guarantee that when you do, our Lord will not fail you. Stand in the offering plate.
"Have we not all ONE Father? Hath not ONE God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by "profaning" the covenant of our fathers?" (Malachi 2:10)
The first commandment -- "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] ONE LORD. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Right from the start, the scriptures point to one God -- "In the beginning, God." (Genesis 1:1) Simple and straightforward -- something that should be easy to understand. Sadly, however, many in the current religious culture attempt to insert yet an expanded gospel - or as the apostles would state -- another gospel to their professed theology. (Galatians 1:6-9)
But regardless of modern day church-anity, the scriptures must remain true if His Word is to be our foundation. "The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, and God said, "Let there be light and there was light." (Genesis 1:2-3)
"Ye [are] My witnesses," saith the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I [am] He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me." (Isaiah 43:10)
"I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no Saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)
And Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord." (Mark 12:29)
While the religious community remains intent on reducing the King of kings and Lord of lords -- the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and last -- to a human level, the Word does not lie. Moreover, God is not the author of confusion.
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty." (II Corinthians 3:17)
"And so it is written -- the first Adam was made a living soul, the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit ... the first man is of the earth, the second man is the Lord from heaven." (I Corinthians 15:45-47)
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:5)
Jesus told us to "search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)
Jesus told us to "search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)
So, if God is the Spirit that created the world in the beginning, then why do so many people claim to believe in a tri-une God or God in three persons -- and therefore reducing our Lord God and Saviour to a human? Part of the issue is the revision made to Matthew 28:19 in the early days by the roman catholic church. Sadly, as a consequence, man-made religion has made this scripture the cornerstone for their statement(s) of faith.
But again, what does the Word say? That Jesus Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone of our faith. "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9) "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord -- in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)
But again, what does the Word say? That Jesus Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone of our faith. "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9) "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord -- in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)
The same Jesus that was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... all things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made ... He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not .. and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ..." (John 1:1-18)
God is not the author of confusion. And there are no contradictions in His Word. When we take the time to seek Jesus and His righteousness through His Word, we begin to understand His desire to reveal the mystery of the Godhead (that was hidden in the bosom of the Father from the beginning).
Andrew Murray wrote it this way: "To many Christians this has been a dead article of their faith, held fast and proved out of the scriptures but without any living influence on the soul. To the true believer, it is one of the deepest and most precious truths for the nourishment of the inner life. Christ is God. The soul worships Him as the Almighty One, able to do a divine work in the power of divine omnipotence." (Murray, 37)
"And of the angels, He saith, "Who maketh His angels spirits and His ministers of flame of fire. But unto the Son, He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath annointed Thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." (Psalm 14:7-8)
"For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, "For we are His offspring." Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent -- because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness [by that] man whom He hath ordained; [whereof] He hath given assurance unto all [men], in that He hath raised Him form the dead." (Acts 17:28-31)
"But to us [there is but] one God the Father of whom [are] all things and we in Him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom [are] all things and we by Him. Howbeit [there is] not knowledge; for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat [it] as a thing offered unto an idol, and their conscience being weak is defiled." (I Corinthians 8:2)
This is why Jesus commanded the apostles THROUGH the Holy Ghost after He ascended. (Acts 1:1-8) It also explains why Jesus had to ascend before the Comforter could come. (John 16:7)
Yes, the same Almighty God who created the world in the beginning loved us enough to shed His precious holy blood on a cross so that we might be saved. Search the scriptures, Jesus said, because they speak "of Me."
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God; therefore, the world knoweth us not because it knew Him not ..." (I John 3:1)
Don't accept the premise that man-made religion has a more insightful understanding of the scriptures. Instead, study the scriptures to show thyself approved, and in so doing, understand too that God is one. It may require standing apart from the religious dogma of this day but I can guarantee that when you do, our Lord will not fail you. Stand in the offering plate.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
For If I Yet Pleased Men, I Should Not Be the Servant of Christ - Part 1039
Insanity is often defined as doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results? Sadly, Christianity can often be categorized in this fashion. We are quick to get people "churched" but less enthusiastic about inviting these same people to get to know Jesus personally as their Saviour -- as the King of kings and Lord and lords. And then we wonder why the world is quickly sliding into a dark decline.
Paul wrote: "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" (Galatians 5:7)
In other words, who caused you to turn away from the good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ? It was He who knew no sin that paid the full price for our salvation. The cost? His precious holy blood shed on a cross for you and I. Even the scripture hath concluded, "all under sin -- that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3:22)
"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid; for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily, righteousness should have been by the law." (Galatians 3:21)
But as the scriptures point out, the law could not bring salvation.
"Wherefore then, [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions till the Seed should come to whom the promises was made, [and it was] ordained by the angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not [a mediator of] one -- but God IS ONE." (Galatians 3:19-20)
"Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law .... seeing ONE God which shall justify the circumcision through faith." (Romans 3:28-30) The law being established as a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ -- that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24-25)
"And the scripture, FORESEEING THAT GOD WOULD JUSTIFY THE HEATHEN THROUGH FAITH, preached before the gospel unto Abraham [saying], "In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Galatians 3:8)
Wow -- the mystery of the Godhead (that was hidden in the bosom of the Father since the beginning of the world) was unfolding. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not ... but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God -- to them that believe on His name." (John 1:1-18)
"And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
But the modern day church(es) in this current dispensation of grace have changed the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" into some form of tri-une God even though there are no scriptures in His Word to support this. (Ephesians 4:5)
This is why the apostle Paul wrote saying: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel -- which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-8)
And just in case the underlying warning was not received the first time, Paul repeated the same message again, "As we said before, so say I now again, "If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:9-10)
Paul adds even more clarity when he writes toward the end of Galatians. He writes: "Behold, I Paul say unto you -- that if ye be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law. You are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:2-4)
But it doesn't have to be this way. Jesus came to extend to us His gift of salvation. "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves -- it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Receive Jesus into your heart today. Seek His righteousness through His Word. In fact, "study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (I Timothy 2:15)
Not as "churched" people but instead as "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light." (I Peter 2:9) Stand in the offering plate.
Paul wrote: "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" (Galatians 5:7)
In other words, who caused you to turn away from the good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ? It was He who knew no sin that paid the full price for our salvation. The cost? His precious holy blood shed on a cross for you and I. Even the scripture hath concluded, "all under sin -- that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3:22)
"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid; for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily, righteousness should have been by the law." (Galatians 3:21)
But as the scriptures point out, the law could not bring salvation.
"Wherefore then, [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions till the Seed should come to whom the promises was made, [and it was] ordained by the angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not [a mediator of] one -- but God IS ONE." (Galatians 3:19-20)
"Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law .... seeing ONE God which shall justify the circumcision through faith." (Romans 3:28-30) The law being established as a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ -- that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24-25)
"And the scripture, FORESEEING THAT GOD WOULD JUSTIFY THE HEATHEN THROUGH FAITH, preached before the gospel unto Abraham [saying], "In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Galatians 3:8)
Wow -- the mystery of the Godhead (that was hidden in the bosom of the Father since the beginning of the world) was unfolding. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not ... but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God -- to them that believe on His name." (John 1:1-18)
"And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
But the modern day church(es) in this current dispensation of grace have changed the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" into some form of tri-une God even though there are no scriptures in His Word to support this. (Ephesians 4:5)
This is why the apostle Paul wrote saying: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel -- which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-8)
And just in case the underlying warning was not received the first time, Paul repeated the same message again, "As we said before, so say I now again, "If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:9-10)
Paul adds even more clarity when he writes toward the end of Galatians. He writes: "Behold, I Paul say unto you -- that if ye be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law. You are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:2-4)
But it doesn't have to be this way. Jesus came to extend to us His gift of salvation. "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves -- it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Receive Jesus into your heart today. Seek His righteousness through His Word. In fact, "study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (I Timothy 2:15)
Not as "churched" people but instead as "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light." (I Peter 2:9) Stand in the offering plate.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Because It Is Given Unto You To Know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven - Part 1038
Why? Because "we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned ..." (I Corinthians 2:12-14)
And, as Jesus told His disciples, "because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." (Matthew 13:11)
Further, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him -- the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints ..." (Ephesians :17-18)
Let him who has ears to hear, hear the following words written in Revelation 17:
"And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, "Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication."
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns, and the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. (Revelation 17:1-4)
And upon her forehead was a name written, "Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth." (Revelation 17:5)
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
And the angel said unto me, "Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." (Revelation 17:6-8)
And here is the mind which hath wisdom.
The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth, and there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space, and the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. (Revelation 17:9-13)
These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
And he saith unto me, "The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:14-16)
For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:17-18)
It's still not too late to receive Jesus the Christ into your heart, and by faith make Him both your Lord and King. How can I say this? Because even in the midst of a host of prophecies that are about to unfold, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus continues to invite us to come to Him.
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).
Here His voice today. Sup with the King of kings. Stand in the offering plate with Jesus.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Conceived Since Before the World Was Formed - Part 1037
If Isaac were the promised seed, then would all of us still be dead in trespasses and sins. For Isaac, like all of Adam’s disobedient race had been exiled from fellowship with God, particularly since Isaac was a product of Abraham's natural seed.
Isaac was not the promised SEED. Yet, the Lord did say to Abraham that in him (natural seed) Abraham and in his SEED (CHRIST) will all the nations of the earth be blessed. Indeed, the promised SEED did indwell ISAAC along with ISAAC's natural seed. But ONLY UNTIL God advanced the promised SEED into Jacob at his conception.
However, neither was JACOB the promised SEED. The progression of the promised SEED traveled along in Abraham's offspring and yet none of Abraham's offspring were to be the final embodiment of the promised SEED.
In other words, this message is intended to reveal that Christ alone is the SEED of promise. This is why there is no salvation in any other. JESUS being not the seed of man but rather, JESUS is the VERY SEED of the Holy Ghost. The same SEED brought forth JESUS the Christ, who is none other than the Son of God, and similarly, who is none other than God Himself as a son.
When JESUS came forth from the womb of His surrogate mother, did not the angelic host sing? Did not the wise men offer gifts to Him? And did not the aged Simeon in the temple upon seeing the child JESUS declare, "Lord, let now your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation?"
Further, did not the angel declare that the child be named JESUS? His title to be Immanuel meaning "God with us."
Repeatedly, the scriptures declare that in the eyes of God there is neither Jew, nor Gentile, nor is there preferential treatment given to males above female.
JESUS is the one God who created all things, manifesting Himself in the flesh and entering this fallen world as a man with one intent. That objective being to seek and to save those which would otherwise be totally lost.
A SAVIOUR WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD!
Indeed, as is recorded in the scriptures, JESUS wept over Jerusalem saying, "Oh Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered you under my wings as a chicken gathers her brood and you would not come. Therefore, Jerusalem your house is left to you desolate."
Because of their unbelief they were cut off from the dispensation of grace. Note also that Paul declared that if the Gentiles continued not in the goodness of God, they would also be cut off.
Two thousand years later, the Jewish nation is still under the law of sin and death. Conversely, the Gentiles, had the door of grace opened to them for 2000 years. Unfortunately, at this moment in time the Gentiles appear to have turned aside from this faith which was personally delivered to mankind by God Himself.
As a consequence, the Gentiles are now in the state of being cut off too because of their unbelief. The playing field is being levelled. The Jews always had an opportunity to believe in JESUS and as such, a remnant of them will be saved.
Acts 2:36-42 instructs believers on what they must do to be saved. Read these verses with gladness. Receive His promises into your heart. Be baptized in the name of Jesus the Christ. Seek spiritual gifts. Stand in the offering plate.
Isaac was not the promised SEED. Yet, the Lord did say to Abraham that in him (natural seed) Abraham and in his SEED (CHRIST) will all the nations of the earth be blessed. Indeed, the promised SEED did indwell ISAAC along with ISAAC's natural seed. But ONLY UNTIL God advanced the promised SEED into Jacob at his conception.
However, neither was JACOB the promised SEED. The progression of the promised SEED traveled along in Abraham's offspring and yet none of Abraham's offspring were to be the final embodiment of the promised SEED.
In other words, this message is intended to reveal that Christ alone is the SEED of promise. This is why there is no salvation in any other. JESUS being not the seed of man but rather, JESUS is the VERY SEED of the Holy Ghost. The same SEED brought forth JESUS the Christ, who is none other than the Son of God, and similarly, who is none other than God Himself as a son.
When JESUS came forth from the womb of His surrogate mother, did not the angelic host sing? Did not the wise men offer gifts to Him? And did not the aged Simeon in the temple upon seeing the child JESUS declare, "Lord, let now your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation?"
Further, did not the angel declare that the child be named JESUS? His title to be Immanuel meaning "God with us."
Repeatedly, the scriptures declare that in the eyes of God there is neither Jew, nor Gentile, nor is there preferential treatment given to males above female.
JESUS is the one God who created all things, manifesting Himself in the flesh and entering this fallen world as a man with one intent. That objective being to seek and to save those which would otherwise be totally lost.
A SAVIOUR WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD!
Indeed, as is recorded in the scriptures, JESUS wept over Jerusalem saying, "Oh Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered you under my wings as a chicken gathers her brood and you would not come. Therefore, Jerusalem your house is left to you desolate."
Because of their unbelief they were cut off from the dispensation of grace. Note also that Paul declared that if the Gentiles continued not in the goodness of God, they would also be cut off.
Two thousand years later, the Jewish nation is still under the law of sin and death. Conversely, the Gentiles, had the door of grace opened to them for 2000 years. Unfortunately, at this moment in time the Gentiles appear to have turned aside from this faith which was personally delivered to mankind by God Himself.
As a consequence, the Gentiles are now in the state of being cut off too because of their unbelief. The playing field is being levelled. The Jews always had an opportunity to believe in JESUS and as such, a remnant of them will be saved.
Acts 2:36-42 instructs believers on what they must do to be saved. Read these verses with gladness. Receive His promises into your heart. Be baptized in the name of Jesus the Christ. Seek spiritual gifts. Stand in the offering plate.
A Chosen Vessel To Bear My Name Before the Gentiles - Part 1036
"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God ..." (Ephesians 3:2)
This message delivered by the apostle Paul so that we would understand the difference between the old covenant consisting of the law and ten commandments, and this current dispensation of grace that was paid for through the precious blood of Jesus. But as we know, Paul was not always a believer in Jesus Christ. In fact, when Ananias answered the Lord saying, "Lord, I have heard by many of this man" it was because of "how much evil he hath done to the saints at Jerusalem ... and [that] he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name." (Acts 9:13)
In reality, this learned highly placed man (originally known as Saul) was responsible for destroying them which called on this name in Jerusalem. Indeed, by his own words, he admitted imprisoning believers and beating "in every synagogue them that believed on Thee." (Acts 22:19-20)
"Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord" did so in everything he did. (Acts 9:1)
To be specific, Saul persecuted anyone that called on "Thy name" -- the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:13) Just like an earlier instance in Acts 6 when false witnesses accused Stephen (a table servant full of faith and power) for changing the customs which Moses had delivered unto them. (Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-60) For changing the religious customs and traditions that were established under the Law.
But what did the Lord Jesus say to Ananias? He said, "Go thy way; for he [Saul] is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel -- for I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name's sake." (Acts 9:13-16)
In other words, the same Paul who persecuted those who believed in Jesus, was about to receive his sight "and be filled with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 9:17) The scriptures tell us that immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales, and he received sight forthwith and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. (Acts 9:18-19)
Throughout this passage, note that the persecution came from believing in Jesus by faith, and then sharing your journey of faith with others.
Interestingly, when Paul was later sharing his own testimony with others, Paul spoke of Ananias, telling of a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt [there]. He told how he had said, "Brother Saul, receive thy sight."
"And the same hour, I looked up upon him, and he said, "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now, why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:12-16)
What was Paul's message?
"The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified His Son Jesus, whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let [him go.] But ye denied the Holy One and the Just and desired a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses." (Acts 3:13-15)
They killed the King of kings and Lord of lords. His name above every name. The first and the last, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. His name through faith in His name -- Jesus --gives us his life so that we might have life more abundantly. You and I receiving Jesus in this moment of faith, as a chosen vessel that bears the name of Jesus as their witness. Stand in His offering plate.
This message delivered by the apostle Paul so that we would understand the difference between the old covenant consisting of the law and ten commandments, and this current dispensation of grace that was paid for through the precious blood of Jesus. But as we know, Paul was not always a believer in Jesus Christ. In fact, when Ananias answered the Lord saying, "Lord, I have heard by many of this man" it was because of "how much evil he hath done to the saints at Jerusalem ... and [that] he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name." (Acts 9:13)
In reality, this learned highly placed man (originally known as Saul) was responsible for destroying them which called on this name in Jerusalem. Indeed, by his own words, he admitted imprisoning believers and beating "in every synagogue them that believed on Thee." (Acts 22:19-20)
"Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord" did so in everything he did. (Acts 9:1)
To be specific, Saul persecuted anyone that called on "Thy name" -- the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:13) Just like an earlier instance in Acts 6 when false witnesses accused Stephen (a table servant full of faith and power) for changing the customs which Moses had delivered unto them. (Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-60) For changing the religious customs and traditions that were established under the Law.
But what did the Lord Jesus say to Ananias? He said, "Go thy way; for he [Saul] is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel -- for I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name's sake." (Acts 9:13-16)
In other words, the same Paul who persecuted those who believed in Jesus, was about to receive his sight "and be filled with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 9:17) The scriptures tell us that immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales, and he received sight forthwith and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. (Acts 9:18-19)
Throughout this passage, note that the persecution came from believing in Jesus by faith, and then sharing your journey of faith with others.
Interestingly, when Paul was later sharing his own testimony with others, Paul spoke of Ananias, telling of a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt [there]. He told how he had said, "Brother Saul, receive thy sight."
"And the same hour, I looked up upon him, and he said, "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now, why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:12-16)
What was Paul's message?
"The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified His Son Jesus, whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let [him go.] But ye denied the Holy One and the Just and desired a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses." (Acts 3:13-15)
They killed the King of kings and Lord of lords. His name above every name. The first and the last, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. His name through faith in His name -- Jesus --gives us his life so that we might have life more abundantly. You and I receiving Jesus in this moment of faith, as a chosen vessel that bears the name of Jesus as their witness. Stand in His offering plate.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Holding Forth the Word of Life That We May Rejoice In the Day of Christ - Part 1035
"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)
A glorious message of salvation, where in the old covenant, we had no access to Almighty God but because of His fore-ordained sacrifice -- He who knew no sin becoming sin for us -- we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.
"In time past, we walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit now worketh in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God -- who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us -- even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved) and hath raised [us] up together and made [s] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:2-10)
It is we who He has quickened -- those of us who were dead in trespasses and sins -- who loved us enough to become flesh and dwell among us, shedding His precious Holy blood on the cross for you and I. (Ephesians 2:1)
And as a consequence of our faith, "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [His] good pleasure. [Therefore,] do all things without murmurings and disputing that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation -- among whom ye shine as lights in the world -- holding forth the Word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." (Philippians 2:13-16)
Further, press in to "the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus -- that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant -- make[s] you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, in whom [be] glory for ever and ever." (Hebrews 13:20-21)
"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset [us] and let us run with patience the race that is set before us ... looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith -- who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God -- for consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds ... " (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Similarly, "know ye not that they which run in a race run all but one recieveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run ..." (I Corinthians 9:24-27)
How do we do this? By holding forth the Word of life that we may rejoice in the day of Christ.
"Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord -- in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
A glorious message of salvation, where in the old covenant, we had no access to Almighty God but because of His fore-ordained sacrifice -- He who knew no sin becoming sin for us -- we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.
"In time past, we walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit now worketh in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God -- who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us -- even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved) and hath raised [us] up together and made [s] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:2-10)
It is we who He has quickened -- those of us who were dead in trespasses and sins -- who loved us enough to become flesh and dwell among us, shedding His precious Holy blood on the cross for you and I. (Ephesians 2:1)
And as a consequence of our faith, "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [His] good pleasure. [Therefore,] do all things without murmurings and disputing that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation -- among whom ye shine as lights in the world -- holding forth the Word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." (Philippians 2:13-16)
Further, press in to "the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus -- that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant -- make[s] you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, in whom [be] glory for ever and ever." (Hebrews 13:20-21)
"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset [us] and let us run with patience the race that is set before us ... looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith -- who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God -- for consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds ... " (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Similarly, "know ye not that they which run in a race run all but one recieveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run ..." (I Corinthians 9:24-27)
How do we do this? By holding forth the Word of life that we may rejoice in the day of Christ.
"Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord -- in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
To Confound Is Not To Shame - Part 1034
The King James version states: "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea] and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are ..." (I Corinthians 1:27-28)
Apparently, the religious experts in this world -- who ironically have made it their collective purpose to revise the Word of God (on the premise that we could not possibly understand the King James version) changed the text of the abover verse -- I Corinthians 1:27-28 -- to reflect the following.
It is important to note here that not just one modern day translation missed the point but almost all of the modern day revised versions followed suit, including -- New International Version; New Living Translation; English Standard Version; New American Standard; Holman Christian Standard; NET Bible; Aramaic; God's Word translation; American Standard; Darby Bible Translation; World English Bible; Young's Literal Translation.
These so-called expert authored revisions scribe some version of the following, using the word "shame" in place of the word "confound" in the King James version. For example, the NIV states:
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are ...” (1 Cor. 1:27-28)
The issue is this. When one looks at the definitions of "confound" and "shame" these are not one and the same. The two definitions are not even interchangeable. For example:
Confound means -- 1. cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations -- synonyms: amaze, astonish, dumbfound, stagger, surprise, stun, startle, baffle, bewilder, bedazzle, mystify, bemuse, perplex, confuse. 2. mix up (something) with something else so that the individual elements become difficult to distinguish. 3. used to express anger or annoyance, as in exclamation.
Apparently, the religious experts in this world -- who ironically have made it their collective purpose to revise the Word of God (on the premise that we could not possibly understand the King James version) changed the text of the abover verse -- I Corinthians 1:27-28 -- to reflect the following.
It is important to note here that not just one modern day translation missed the point but almost all of the modern day revised versions followed suit, including -- New International Version; New Living Translation; English Standard Version; New American Standard; Holman Christian Standard; NET Bible; Aramaic; God's Word translation; American Standard; Darby Bible Translation; World English Bible; Young's Literal Translation.
These so-called expert authored revisions scribe some version of the following, using the word "shame" in place of the word "confound" in the King James version. For example, the NIV states:
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are ...” (1 Cor. 1:27-28)
The issue is this. When one looks at the definitions of "confound" and "shame" these are not one and the same. The two definitions are not even interchangeable. For example:
Confound means -- 1. cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations -- synonyms: amaze, astonish, dumbfound, stagger, surprise, stun, startle, baffle, bewilder, bedazzle, mystify, bemuse, perplex, confuse. 2. mix up (something) with something else so that the individual elements become difficult to distinguish. 3. used to express anger or annoyance, as in exclamation.
Shame means -- 1. a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behaviour -- synonyms: humiliation, mortification, chagrin, embarrassment, ignominy, indignity, discomfort 2. (of a person, action or situation) make (someone) feel ashamed -- synonyms: humiliate, mortify, chagrin, embarrass, abash, chasten.
In other words, "shame" causes someone to feel inadequate causing distress by outdoing or surpassing them. A form of humiliation that leads to embarrassment. Is this the message our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ wanted to portray? I say not, particularly when we read the rest of the scripture in context. From the King James version, we read:
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea] and things which are not -- to bring to nought things that are -- that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, that, according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:27-28; I Corinthians 1:31; II Corinthians 10:17; Jeremiah 9:24)
You see, God chose the foolish and weak things, the base things of the world and the things which are despised by the world to "confound" the wise and mighty -- not through shame but through His wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption -- so that when we glorieth, we glory in the Lord. There is a significant difference.
Indeed, Jesus put it this way -- "I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight. All things are delivered unto Me of My Father, and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [He] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [Him]." (Matthew 11:25-27)
Get to know the King of kings and Lord of lords today. He invites you to enter into His rest -- through His precious Word -- to confound the wise and mighty so that when we glorieth, we glory solely in the Lord.
"Come unto Me all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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 ... for My yoke [is] easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Stand in the offering plate with Jesus.
Let Us Hold Fast the Profession of Faith Without Wavering - Part 1033
Jesus Christ -- the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8) "Lo I come; in the volume of the book [it is] written of Me." (Psalm 40:7; Hebrews 10:1-7)
The power and dominion of Almighty God Himself -- His authority -- revealed in the promised Messiah -- "the brightness of [His] glory, and the express image of [His] person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a MORE EXCELLENT NAME than they." (Hebrews 13-4)
In Him, the mystery of the Godhead that was kept secret from before the creation of the world -- along with His plan of redemption for you and I. The same Almighty God that is so jealous of His glory and honour that He repeatedly said that He would not share His glory with another.
"I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images." (Isaiah 42:8) "Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me: for (there is) no Saviour beside Me." (Hosea 13:4)
The power and dominion of Almighty God Himself -- His authority -- revealed in the promised Messiah -- "the brightness of [His] glory, and the express image of [His] person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a MORE EXCELLENT NAME than they." (Hebrews 13-4)
In Him, the mystery of the Godhead that was kept secret from before the creation of the world -- along with His plan of redemption for you and I. The same Almighty God that is so jealous of His glory and honour that He repeatedly said that He would not share His glory with another.
"I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images." (Isaiah 42:8) "Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me: for (there is) no Saviour beside Me." (Hosea 13:4)
"I am the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me ... That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me. I am the Lord, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:5)
This same Almighty God came to fulfill the Law (that serves as a schoolmaster to bring us to salvation) so that we might joyfully accept the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe. (Ephesians 1:19) Yes, Almighty God Himself set the old covenant aside so that He could hand deliver His precious plan of salvation through the shedding of His Holy blood on the cross.
And in so doing, the name of Jesus exalted above every other name. This is why we, as believers in Jesus by faith, need to press into Him -- our Lord God and Saviour -- and ask for His divine illumination so that the teachings we adhere to align with His Word. Seeking the hope set before us so that we could enter into the holiest, having obtained everlasting redemption. His sacrifice on the cross wherein He tasted death for us.
"For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death (that is the devil) and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage, for verily He took not on [Him the nature of ] angels, but He took on [Him] the seed of Abraham -- wherefore in ALL things, it behoved Him to be made like unto [His] brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people -- for in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted." (Hebrews 1:14-18)
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus -- let us hold fast [our] profession ... for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin." (Hebrews 4:14-15)
"For the Law having a shadow of good things to come [and] not the very image of the things can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect -- for then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshipers once purged should have no more conscience of sins. But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year -- for [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins -- wherefore, when He cometh into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me, In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, Thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, "Lo I come; in the volume of the book [it is] written of Me." (Psalm 40:7; Hebrews 10:1-7)
Above when He said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein], which are offered by the Law." (Hebrews 10:8) Then said He, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God, He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second, by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once." (Hebrews 10:9-10)
"And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins, but this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering, He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:11-14)
"[Whereof] the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us, for after that He said, "This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days," saith the Lord, "I will put My laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:15-17)
"Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us. through the veil, that is to say, His flesh, and [having] an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water, AND let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering -- for He is faithful that promised." (Hebrews 10:18-23)
Stand in the offering plate.
This same Almighty God came to fulfill the Law (that serves as a schoolmaster to bring us to salvation) so that we might joyfully accept the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe. (Ephesians 1:19) Yes, Almighty God Himself set the old covenant aside so that He could hand deliver His precious plan of salvation through the shedding of His Holy blood on the cross.
And in so doing, the name of Jesus exalted above every other name. This is why we, as believers in Jesus by faith, need to press into Him -- our Lord God and Saviour -- and ask for His divine illumination so that the teachings we adhere to align with His Word. Seeking the hope set before us so that we could enter into the holiest, having obtained everlasting redemption. His sacrifice on the cross wherein He tasted death for us.
"For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death (that is the devil) and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage, for verily He took not on [Him the nature of ] angels, but He took on [Him] the seed of Abraham -- wherefore in ALL things, it behoved Him to be made like unto [His] brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people -- for in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted." (Hebrews 1:14-18)
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus -- let us hold fast [our] profession ... for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin." (Hebrews 4:14-15)
"For the Law having a shadow of good things to come [and] not the very image of the things can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect -- for then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshipers once purged should have no more conscience of sins. But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year -- for [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins -- wherefore, when He cometh into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me, In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, Thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, "Lo I come; in the volume of the book [it is] written of Me." (Psalm 40:7; Hebrews 10:1-7)
Above when He said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein], which are offered by the Law." (Hebrews 10:8) Then said He, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God, He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second, by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once." (Hebrews 10:9-10)
"And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins, but this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering, He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:11-14)
"[Whereof] the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us, for after that He said, "This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days," saith the Lord, "I will put My laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:15-17)
"Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us. through the veil, that is to say, His flesh, and [having] an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water, AND let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering -- for He is faithful that promised." (Hebrews 10:18-23)
Stand in the offering plate.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
And For This Cause, He Is The Mediator Of the New Testament - Part 1032
Too often, the Christian community equates success in forwarding the good news gospel of Jesus the Christ with the size of a congregation and/or its respective church building. But the question should be -- "How many Christians are there yet, who after the profession of faith in Christ come to a standstill? "Taking more abundant heed to what they hear; giving diligence to enter into the rest of God; pressing on to perfection; running with patience the race?" (Murray, 1894)
Draw closer to the author and finisher of your faith today. Get to know Jesus as both your Lord and Saviour so that you too can drink of the fruit of the vine with the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is He who willingly shed His holy blood on the cross so that you and I might have life -- and have life more abundantly.
Sadly, too often, "many rest contented with the thought that their sins are pardoned, and that they are in the path of life, but know nothing of a personal attachment to Christ as their leader, or of faith that lives in the invisible and walks with God. With many this is the consequence of the hopelessness that came from the failure of their utmost efforts to live as they desired. They struggled in their own strength; they knew not Christ as the secret of strength; they lost heart and went back.
The profession of faith is not cast away; religious habits are kept up; but there is nothing to show that they have entered or are seeking to enter the Holiest to dwell there. The power of the world, the spirit of its literature, the temptations of business and pleasure, all unite to make up a religion in which it is sought to combine a comfortable hope for the future with the least possible amount of sacrifice in the present." (Murray, 1894)
The evangelist author then proceeds to say that the book of Hebrews "with its warnings is indeed a glass in which the Church of the present day may see itself. But it is a glass too, thank God, in which we can also see the glory of Jesus on the throne of heaven, in the power that can make our heart and life heavenly too. What the Hebrews needed is what we need. Not in ourselves or our efforts is salvation, but in Christ Jesus. To see Him, to consider Him, to look at Him that will bring the healing ... it is Jesus Christ we must know better." (Murray, 1894)
Jesus -- my Saviour God to me. "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for you and I]." (Hebrews 9:11-12)
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh -- how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
For a testament [is] of force after men are dead; otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth, whereupon neither the first was dedicated without blood ... for when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop and sprinkled both the book and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover, He sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry and almost all things are by the Law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
[It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these ... for Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor yet that He should offer Himself often as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others -- for then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself ...
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." (Hebrews 9:13-28)
Imagine the same God who created us in the beginning "suffering since the foundation of the world" knowing that He Himself would put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (Hebrews 9:28)
Jesus said, "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:28-29)
And in seeking Jesus first, and His righteousness, don't forget to "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (II Corinthians 13:5) Let him who hath ears, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
His Last Will and Testament Sealed In His Own Precious Blood - Part 1031
“Come now and let us reason together,” saith the Lord. “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
Jesus loved His creation enough to die for us. But His intentions did not stop with the cross. In fact, when Jesus the Christ walked upon the earth, He went about doing good for all those He met. As He walked in the streets, He healed all those who came to Him with expectancy (faith). Remember the woman with the issue of blood? Jesus healed her and all she did was touch His clothing. But she is only one example.
Indeed, the New Testament is full of testimonials showing Jesus delivering and healing all those who came to Him by faith. How could this be? The Spirit of God was in the man JESUS. Indeed, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
The God who indwelt the man JESUS the Christ is the very same today as He was in the days of the early church. Two thousand years later, He has still not changed. For God remains the same today as He was yesterday. So much so that the same God who loved us in the very beginning devised a plan of salvation, so that our sins could be forgiven.
And, as a consequence of His plan of salvation -- to shed His precious holy blood on the cross for you and I, we can have expectancy of faith (confidence) that tomorrow this same God will remain unchanged as well. Recall at Calvary when Jesus in His sin-prone body bore all of our sin? The Bible states, "With His stripes" -- the stripes laid across His back - it is by those stripes that we receive our healing.
Therefore, just because we no longer visibly see Jesus does not mean that He is absent from us. In the first chapter of Acts, we read that the same JESUS who ascended is the same one who has once again descended. Only this time JESUS was not to be WITH man. This time, JESUS came to dwell INSIDE man.
"I will not leave you comfortless." He said.
"The Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holies of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ..." (Hebrews 9:8)
Expectant believers being baptized into His death are of God -- “raised again” -- but as new individuals, renewed both in mind and spirit. Believing persons that are grafted into His spiritual body, becoming members of His bone and of His flesh. The body of Christ.
This is why we in feature still bear the image of the first Adam. However, spiritually we are no longer his offspring. We have been redeemed by the blood of His Holy Spirit, which blood flowed in JESUS veins and which blood was poured from His body at Calvary (paying in full the price of our freedom). In Jesus, we have liberty. He has set us free from the worldly constructs.
This is why we now are the body of the same JESUS who laid down His life for us. Now He inhabits us even as He had His own natural body whilst He dwelt among us. He has bequeathed His inheritance to us. He paid the price for us once and for all. Yes, His LAST WILL and testament SEALED in His own precious blood so that we could live forever.
Let him who has ears, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
Jesus loved His creation enough to die for us. But His intentions did not stop with the cross. In fact, when Jesus the Christ walked upon the earth, He went about doing good for all those He met. As He walked in the streets, He healed all those who came to Him with expectancy (faith). Remember the woman with the issue of blood? Jesus healed her and all she did was touch His clothing. But she is only one example.
Indeed, the New Testament is full of testimonials showing Jesus delivering and healing all those who came to Him by faith. How could this be? The Spirit of God was in the man JESUS. Indeed, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
The God who indwelt the man JESUS the Christ is the very same today as He was in the days of the early church. Two thousand years later, He has still not changed. For God remains the same today as He was yesterday. So much so that the same God who loved us in the very beginning devised a plan of salvation, so that our sins could be forgiven.
And, as a consequence of His plan of salvation -- to shed His precious holy blood on the cross for you and I, we can have expectancy of faith (confidence) that tomorrow this same God will remain unchanged as well. Recall at Calvary when Jesus in His sin-prone body bore all of our sin? The Bible states, "With His stripes" -- the stripes laid across His back - it is by those stripes that we receive our healing.
Therefore, just because we no longer visibly see Jesus does not mean that He is absent from us. In the first chapter of Acts, we read that the same JESUS who ascended is the same one who has once again descended. Only this time JESUS was not to be WITH man. This time, JESUS came to dwell INSIDE man.
"I will not leave you comfortless." He said.
"The Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holies of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ..." (Hebrews 9:8)
Expectant believers being baptized into His death are of God -- “raised again” -- but as new individuals, renewed both in mind and spirit. Believing persons that are grafted into His spiritual body, becoming members of His bone and of His flesh. The body of Christ.
This is why we in feature still bear the image of the first Adam. However, spiritually we are no longer his offspring. We have been redeemed by the blood of His Holy Spirit, which blood flowed in JESUS veins and which blood was poured from His body at Calvary (paying in full the price of our freedom). In Jesus, we have liberty. He has set us free from the worldly constructs.
This is why we now are the body of the same JESUS who laid down His life for us. Now He inhabits us even as He had His own natural body whilst He dwelt among us. He has bequeathed His inheritance to us. He paid the price for us once and for all. Yes, His LAST WILL and testament SEALED in His own precious blood so that we could live forever.
Let him who has ears, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Being Justified Freely By His Grace - Part 1030
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
BUT NOW THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD WITHOUT THE LAW IS MANIFESTED being witnessed by the law and the prophets -- Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe -- for there is no difference.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus -- whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith ..." (Romans 3:19-27)
Salvation summarized in a few short scriptures! Stand in the offering plate.
Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
BUT NOW THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD WITHOUT THE LAW IS MANIFESTED being witnessed by the law and the prophets -- Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe -- for there is no difference.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus -- whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith ..." (Romans 3:19-27)
Salvation summarized in a few short scriptures! Stand in the offering plate.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Stand Up For I Myself Also Am A Man - Part 1029
There are considerable insights in Acts 10 that dispute some of the teachings found within the religious culture of this day. I would like to highlight a few for your reference. Before I do, note that the book of Acts demonstrates how the apostles put into action Jesus' teachings.
"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen -- to whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:1-2)
Interestingly, the tenth chapter of Acts -- which focuses on Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian, a just man of good report among all the nations of the Jews, and, similarly, a devout man (meaning that he feared God with all his house -- which gave alms to the people and prayed to God alway) presents as an ensample the transition of several men -- and particularly, Cornelius and Simon whose surname is Peter -- as a consequence of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:5)
The former centurion -- while fasting and praying sees in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day. An angel of God comes into him saying, "Cornelius ... thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." (Acts 10:3-4) And with Peter, he fell into a trance whereby he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel descending unto him (as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth). Therein, Peter was told to "Rise, Peter, kill and eat" all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. (Acts 10:11-16) Note that Peter had to be told thrice (or three times) before the vessel was received up again into heaven. But I digress.
While Peter doubted in himself what this vision should mean, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house and stood before the gate. (Acts 10:17) While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get down, and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them." (Acts 10:20)
As Cornelius waited for two of his household servants and a devout soldier to return, he called together his kinsmen and near friends -- his relatives and close friends. (Acts 10:24) Indeed, many were come together. (Acts 10:27) When he saw Peter coming, Cornelius met him and felled down at his feet and worshiped [him]. What did Peter say?
"Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:26)
Read that again. "Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:26) If Peter had been the first pope, as the Roman Catholic religion of today professes, should he not want to be worshiped or adored by other men -- in the same manner as Cornelius was willing to do? But instead, Peter said, "Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:26)
Reading on, we learn that at the time, it was "an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation." (Acts 10:28) Technically, this means that there should have been no association between Peter and Cornelius, by virtue of their respective religious heritage. Still, Peter came to Cornelius "without gainsaying" as soon as he was sent for. (Acts 10:29)
But so did Cornelius immediately send to Joppa for Simon, after seeing the vision in which a man stood before him, saying, "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God." (Acts 10:30-31) In so doing, "all were present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." (Acts 10:33)
Then Peter opened his mouth and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him. The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He IS Lord of all." (Acts 10:34-36)
The same Word that was in the beginning with God and was God, that came and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18) His name Emmanuel, being interpreted meaning "God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 7:14) Not another person, as religions today would have us believe but Almighty God Himself in the flesh, declaring His peace to all mankind. He is Lord of all.
"The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He is Lord of all." (Acts 10:36)
And should there be any questions, Peter further clarifies the gospel when he states:
"That Word, [I say] ye know, which was published throughout all Judae-a and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached -- how God annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him -- and we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a tree.
Him God raised up the third day and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God [even] to us who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. To Him gave all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:37-43)
We see the same message preached by Peter, standing with the eleven apostles in Acts 2:37-42. So what happens next?
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all of them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God." (Acts 10:44-46)
Note that the pouring out of the gift of the Holy Ghost included speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Again, sadly, many religious denominations today proclaim that the pouring out of the gift of the Holy Ghost, evidenced through speaking in tongues ended with the early church. Does that mean that signs and wonders, and healing and miracles ended too? Again, I digress.
Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:47)
"And Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:48; Acts 2:38-42; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5; I Corinthians 1:14-17) Again, not 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost' as today's religious culture practices when baptizing their congregations BUT IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
What is His name? That is, what is the name of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost? His name is Jesus. "The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He IS Lord of all." (Acts 10:36)
As in the day of Cornelius and Peter, we are to remain steadfast in the apostle's doctrine, believing what is written. (Acts 2:42) The question is why we do not, preferring instead to believe the practices and traditions of a man-made religious culture that does not align with His Word. That is a question that only you can answer. As for me and my house, we will gladly serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15) And stand firmly in the offering plate with our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ who willingly shed His precious holy blood on a cross so that we could receive His wonderful gift of salvation.
"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen -- to whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:1-2)
Interestingly, the tenth chapter of Acts -- which focuses on Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian, a just man of good report among all the nations of the Jews, and, similarly, a devout man (meaning that he feared God with all his house -- which gave alms to the people and prayed to God alway) presents as an ensample the transition of several men -- and particularly, Cornelius and Simon whose surname is Peter -- as a consequence of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:5)
The former centurion -- while fasting and praying sees in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day. An angel of God comes into him saying, "Cornelius ... thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." (Acts 10:3-4) And with Peter, he fell into a trance whereby he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel descending unto him (as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth). Therein, Peter was told to "Rise, Peter, kill and eat" all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. (Acts 10:11-16) Note that Peter had to be told thrice (or three times) before the vessel was received up again into heaven. But I digress.
While Peter doubted in himself what this vision should mean, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house and stood before the gate. (Acts 10:17) While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get down, and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them." (Acts 10:20)
As Cornelius waited for two of his household servants and a devout soldier to return, he called together his kinsmen and near friends -- his relatives and close friends. (Acts 10:24) Indeed, many were come together. (Acts 10:27) When he saw Peter coming, Cornelius met him and felled down at his feet and worshiped [him]. What did Peter say?
"Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:26)
Read that again. "Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:26) If Peter had been the first pope, as the Roman Catholic religion of today professes, should he not want to be worshiped or adored by other men -- in the same manner as Cornelius was willing to do? But instead, Peter said, "Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:26)
Reading on, we learn that at the time, it was "an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation." (Acts 10:28) Technically, this means that there should have been no association between Peter and Cornelius, by virtue of their respective religious heritage. Still, Peter came to Cornelius "without gainsaying" as soon as he was sent for. (Acts 10:29)
But so did Cornelius immediately send to Joppa for Simon, after seeing the vision in which a man stood before him, saying, "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God." (Acts 10:30-31) In so doing, "all were present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." (Acts 10:33)
Then Peter opened his mouth and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him. The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He IS Lord of all." (Acts 10:34-36)
The same Word that was in the beginning with God and was God, that came and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18) His name Emmanuel, being interpreted meaning "God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 7:14) Not another person, as religions today would have us believe but Almighty God Himself in the flesh, declaring His peace to all mankind. He is Lord of all.
"The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He is Lord of all." (Acts 10:36)
And should there be any questions, Peter further clarifies the gospel when he states:
"That Word, [I say] ye know, which was published throughout all Judae-a and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached -- how God annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him -- and we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a tree.
Him God raised up the third day and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God [even] to us who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. To Him gave all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:37-43)
We see the same message preached by Peter, standing with the eleven apostles in Acts 2:37-42. So what happens next?
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all of them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God." (Acts 10:44-46)
Note that the pouring out of the gift of the Holy Ghost included speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Again, sadly, many religious denominations today proclaim that the pouring out of the gift of the Holy Ghost, evidenced through speaking in tongues ended with the early church. Does that mean that signs and wonders, and healing and miracles ended too? Again, I digress.
Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:47)
"And Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:48; Acts 2:38-42; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5; I Corinthians 1:14-17) Again, not 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost' as today's religious culture practices when baptizing their congregations BUT IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
What is His name? That is, what is the name of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost? His name is Jesus. "The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He IS Lord of all." (Acts 10:36)
As in the day of Cornelius and Peter, we are to remain steadfast in the apostle's doctrine, believing what is written. (Acts 2:42) The question is why we do not, preferring instead to believe the practices and traditions of a man-made religious culture that does not align with His Word. That is a question that only you can answer. As for me and my house, we will gladly serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15) And stand firmly in the offering plate with our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ who willingly shed His precious holy blood on a cross so that we could receive His wonderful gift of salvation.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Neglect Not the Gift That Is In Thee, Which Was Given By Prophecy, With the Laying On of the Hands of the Presbytery.- Part 1028
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ (by the will of God) wrote -- "Moreover, I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth, not for that we have dominion over your faith but are helpers of your joy -- by faith ye stand." (II Corinthians 1:23)
In previous posts, we learn that through the laying on of hands by apostles Peter and John, the gift of the Holy Ghost was given to the believing Samaritans. Although the scriptural record does not explicitly state that the Samaritans spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Ghost, we are able to assume this because of the number of other examples cited in the Bible whereby tongues accompanied the entrance of the Holy Ghost into believers, and thus, likewise it was an occurrence with the Samaritans too.
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost (for as of yet He was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then laid they ĥands on them and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
As a sidebar to this conversation, gifts of the Holy Ghost include the indwelling presence of the holy Spirit of Jesus. Indeed, Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you." (John 14:18)
But in relation to the gift of tongues, it is a topic that has been much debated among religious institutions. Questions have come forward including whether it is reasonable in the 21st century to assume that believers today could (or even would) still speak in tongues. In fact, one of the favored verses used by institutions for opposing the gift of tongues is the scripture that states tongues will cease. (I Corinthians 13:8)
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal, and though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing. Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." (I Corinthians 13:1-8)
In previous posts, we learn that through the laying on of hands by apostles Peter and John, the gift of the Holy Ghost was given to the believing Samaritans. Although the scriptural record does not explicitly state that the Samaritans spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Ghost, we are able to assume this because of the number of other examples cited in the Bible whereby tongues accompanied the entrance of the Holy Ghost into believers, and thus, likewise it was an occurrence with the Samaritans too.
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost (for as of yet He was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then laid they ĥands on them and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
As a sidebar to this conversation, gifts of the Holy Ghost include the indwelling presence of the holy Spirit of Jesus. Indeed, Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you." (John 14:18)
But in relation to the gift of tongues, it is a topic that has been much debated among religious institutions. Questions have come forward including whether it is reasonable in the 21st century to assume that believers today could (or even would) still speak in tongues. In fact, one of the favored verses used by institutions for opposing the gift of tongues is the scripture that states tongues will cease. (I Corinthians 13:8)
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal, and though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing. Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." (I Corinthians 13:1-8)
Unfortunately, it is only this latter portion of the verse that they rely on. In so doing, they withhold the rest of the verse which of course mention ‘when” tongues will cease. That is, the most important part -- "when that which is perfect will come."
But this is not all. These institutions also forget that tongues were given as a sign. Not as a sign to them that believe but tongues were given as a sign to those that do not believe. (Acts 2:1-47)
He or she that speaks in an unknown tongue, whether it be tongues of men or angels, or a completely unknown tongue is not speaking to men. No, they are speaking to God. The person praying is praying to God in a spirit language. Although his or her understanding of what he or she is praying about is unfruitful, at least in their natural mind, speaking in tongues represents a pouring out of one's heart to the Lord.
Put another way, in the spirit one is speaking mysteries. Even though the praying believers' understanding is unfruitful, the praying believers are being edified in spirit. For assuredly the believer rightly knows that God knows what is on their mind when they pray. Often, the believer quietly prays in spirit and at times he or she prays also with her natural tongue of understanding.
What then is the exhortation of the scripture, that believers who have received the Holy Ghost gift of tongues (as it was in the day of Pentecost) should cease to speak in tongues. Indeed, believers ought to continue praying quietly in the spirit until the need of the spirit rests. Some might ask why? Because the same God who hears and sees in secret shall reward openly. At the same time, the gifted believer should pray to receive the gift of interpretation that accompanies the gift of tongues, in order that the believer’s understanding will be nourished. (I Corinthians 12:1-13)
For in the spirit, the believer speaks mysteries. Paul (the apostle to the Gentiles) expressed that he spoke with tongues more than all the ones he was addressing . And as a crescendo, the scriptures also state that believers should not be forbidden to speak in tongues. How do the scriptures put it? Desire spiritual gifts because every good and perfect gift comes from Jesus, the true God as a son. The same God who Himself Fathered us at Calvary. God as a son sacrificed Himself for His children. In other words, God loves His believing children.
Believe in His good news gospel of peace today. Stand in the offering plate!
For With the Heart Man Believes Unto Righteousness, and With the Mouth Confession is Made Unto Salvation - Part 1027
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they 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." (Romans 10:1-4)
Why is this? Because as the scriptures state: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the Law -- that the man which doeth those things shall live by them -- but the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, "Say not in thine heart -- Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach -- that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:5-9)
"For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)
For the scripture saith, "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:11-13)
"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, "Lord, who hath believed our report?" So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
But I say, "Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."
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 10:14-21)
I say then, "Hath God cast away His people?" God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. (Romans 11:1-2)
"Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? How he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying, "Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, and digged down Thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life." (Romans 11:3-4)
But what saith the answer of God unto him? "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." (Romans 11:4-6)
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (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 11:7-11)
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? 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. (Romans 11:12-14)
"For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, "The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in." (Romans 11:15-19)
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear, for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. (Romans 11:20-23)
"For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:24-26)
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, "There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob ... For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Father's sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief. Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all." (Romans 11:24-32)
" O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:33-36)
Stand in the offering plate.
Why is this? Because as the scriptures state: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the Law -- that the man which doeth those things shall live by them -- but the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, "Say not in thine heart -- Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach -- that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:5-9)
"For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)
For the scripture saith, "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:11-13)
"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, "Lord, who hath believed our report?" So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
But I say, "Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."
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 10:14-21)
I say then, "Hath God cast away His people?" God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. (Romans 11:1-2)
"Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? How he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying, "Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, and digged down Thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life." (Romans 11:3-4)
But what saith the answer of God unto him? "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." (Romans 11:4-6)
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (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 11:7-11)
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? 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. (Romans 11:12-14)
"For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, "The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in." (Romans 11:15-19)
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear, for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. (Romans 11:20-23)
"For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:24-26)
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, "There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob ... For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Father's sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief. Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all." (Romans 11:24-32)
" O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:33-36)
Stand in the offering plate.
In Whom We Have Redemption Through His Blood, the Forgiveness of Sins According to the Riches of His Grace - Part 1026
"In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of His glory ..." (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Herein, the gospel message is clear. That is, we receive His gift of salvation when we respond in humbleness to the Word of truth, believing with all our heart, soul, mind and strength in the good news gospel of Jesus Christ. (If you have not yet asked Jesus to be Lord in your life by faith, this would be a good time to do so. When the people were pricked in their hearts, and asked what they must do to be saved, Peter (standing with the eleven) said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:37-42).
Only then can we all be sealed with that holy Spirit of promise -- the Comforter, the Holy Ghost in whom Jesus (after being taken up) had given His commandments unto the apostles. Note that the scripture reads -- Jesus speaking -- THROUGH the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:2) Not another person (or persons) of the Godhead, as some in the religious culture would have us believe. Not a trinity or tri-une God but one Lord. "For I [am] the Lord thy God, the holy One of Israel, thy Saviour ..." (Isaiah 43:3) The same Word that was with God and was God dwelt among us -- and paid the price for our salvation on the cross so that we might receive eternal life. (John 1:1-18)
Indeed, the same Holy Ghost that impregnated Mary with His seed. "God with us." (Matthew 1:23) "And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) One God who willingly became our Saviour.
God, our Saviour prophesied decades before His birth as the Messiah, the Christ and Saviour of the world. "And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." (Isaiah 11:2)
"And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David and the virgin's name [was] Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women."
And when she saw [him] she was troubled at his saying and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angels said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shall conceive in the womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of His kingdom there shall be no end."
Then said Mary unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."
The same Holy Ghost that Jesus spoke of when He said, "But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
The same Holy Ghost that Jesus referred to when He said, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me ..." (John 15:26)
And if we still don't understand, Jesus further clarified by stating, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart, I will send Him unto you and when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement, of sin, because they believe not on Me, of righteousness because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; of judgement because the prince of this world is judged.
I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now. 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 show you things to come. He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of mine, and shall show [it] unto you." (John 16:7-14)
As the scriptures clearly explain, Jesus needed to first ascend before the Holy Ghost -- the Comforter which was and now is could come and guide us into all truth. He -- Jesus THROUGH the Holy Ghost -- will show us things to come. "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (I Corinthians 2:13)
Other scriptures to consider:
"Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ and hath anointed us -- God who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (II Corinthians 1:20-24)
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost -- for as yet He was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
There are more scriptures to study but let this suffice for now. Jesus -- the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and end. In the beginning, God. (Genesis 1:1) In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God" that became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18)
"This scripture must needs have been fulfilled which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." (Acts 1:16) God is not the author of confusion. Scripture does not contradict.
In fact, "if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister, who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church ...
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints --- to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles -- which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:23-28)
Don't miss out on this opportunity to receive Jesus' gift of salvation. Stand in the offering plate.
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