"“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.” (James 2:23)
Continuing the theme from the last post, Abraham was declared a friend of God. In John chapter 8, the Jewish audience said to JESUS that they had never been in bondage. We read Jesus response in the following verses. That is, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abides not in the house forever: but the Son abides forever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed, but ye seek to kill Me, because My Word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father ..." (John 8:30-38)
The point to note here is that Jesus' reply would have been spoken directly to the Jewish audience. Nevertheless, such a statement is applicable also to the whosoever -- which includes all of Adam's prone to sin offspring. Therefore, because every one of us have sinned, it necessitates that sin prone persons (both male and female, prophet, priest, or king) are in much need of a Saviour.
[In other words, confessing one’s sin to another equally sin prone sinner is an exercise in futility but that is a topic for yet another day.]
Unfortunately, often, in man’s eyes there are an abundance of ways to be saved. However, in God’s eyes there is only One Way to be saved. That is why we refer to the SEED of the Holy Ghost in these posts and the showing forth of the two promised SEEDS. That at that appointed time, the Holy Ghost did bring together the two promised SEEDS in the womb of a willing surrogate mother named Mary who, as we know (and likewise prophesied) was a virgin.
The appointed time -- "This day have I begotten Thee!"
Herein, the two SEEDS unite and thus is clothed with Mary’s sin prone flesh. And lo, He who comes forth is none other than God Himself with us -- appearing in fashion as a Son. The Only Begotten Son of God! The flesh was in the image of God in "created form" whereas the Spirit within that flesh being -- the very life of the Holy Spirit of God -- in this SEED is life.
Therefore, let no man rob you of God’s way of salvation for it is the Lord your God who is mankind’s only Saviour. In the late 18th - early 19th centuries, there was a saying that goes like this. "It is the duty of the educated to keep the general populace in ignorance." However, there is a prayer offered by the man JESUS the Christ which says, “I thank you Father that you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, but you have revealed these [important truths] to babes!”
As we study His Word, hiding the Word in our hearts, we see how the prophecies foretell of a time when many false prophets and teachers will come and deceive many. And as the scriptures also reveal, many shall follow their pernicious ways departing from the truth. Indeed, the truth shall become as if it were error, and error as if were truth.
The Lord Himself forewarned believers that such things would come to pass, and that unfortunately, there would be a great falling away. In fact, the Lord said that the church which ought to be witnesses to the truth would have their candlestick removed. Why? Because they are no longer representatives of truth. The modern day religious culture fails to recognize "Thy Word is truth!" (John 17:17)
Indeed, as we know from Revelation, the churches' initial love affair with the Lord Jesus has grown cold or at best lukewarm. It is in this context that the Lord says about the church being neither hot or cold --- vomiting the church out of His mouth.
Still, in spite of the longstanding traditions of men that operate apart from the scriptures -- the Word of God, the Lord is still seeking to save those which are lost. God’s faithfulness is true and likewise offered toward all generations. As the Bible states, God stands at the door of our hearts knocking. When we say yes and open up our hearts we let His sunshine in. Yes, indeed, we let the SONshine in so that we can live the very life that God Himself intended for us to live. For to us is the Word of this salvation sent.
Let us therefore earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to us by the Lord JESUS Himself! God bless you all with peace, joy and certainty!
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, July 31, 2017
Knowing That A Man Is Not Justified By The Works Of The Law, But By The Faith Of Jesus Christ - Part 1772
Jesus said, "If you continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed." Similarly, by continuing in the Word, Jesus said you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:31-32) But the Jewish members of the audience, upon hearing these words spoken to them by JESUS argued, "We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man; how say Thou, Ye shall be made free?" (John 8:31-33)
[Note: When the Jews said that they were of Abraham’s seed, they were of Abraham's natural seed. As we read in the scriptures, Ishmael was born of Abraham's natural seed to a bondwoman. Sarah, who was Abraham's wife died and when Abraham remarried, he had born of his natural seed six more children. This is important to understand, because there are those who don't understand the faith of Abraham, and who would be quite content with putting us under the Law again -- the law of bondage.]
However, if we examine the scriptures concerning Abraham and Sarah further, we read that Sarah's womb was sealed. Still, within her did dwell the SEED of promise - the seed promised by God and first mentioned to Eve in the Eden garden. The scriptures also declare that Eve was the mother of all living with God declaring that it would be the SEED of a woman that would bruise the serpent (satan/devil's head). The promised SEED was not one of Adam’s now sin prone seed. Rather, the promised SEED was a PURE SEED, which SEED contained ALL the fullness of the spiritual humanity of God.
Or, put another way, the Son of God or God Himself robed in flesh as a son. The SEED then was the SEED of the Holy Ghost. (Luke 1:35) Therefore, JESUS is God Himself as a Son.
The aforementioned SEED of promise passed from Eve into Seth and thus, we are introduced into the generational travels of the promised SEED through the scriptures. This SEED did not pass through Cain or Abel. Moreover, Sarah caused her bond maid to lie with Abraham which led to Ishmael being born from one of Abraham's natural seed. Ishmael was not born a Muslim. Why? Because at this time, such a religion was non existent. But nevertheless, God did promise that Ishmael who had twelve sons would, as a consequence become a great nation!
How do we know this to be true? First, God is a God of impossibilities. There is nothing too hard that God cannot do. However, God’s way of doing things is not necessarily bound to man’s ways or the norms established within society. So when Abraham was 100 years of age and Sarah, Abraham's wife 90 years of age, God promised Abraham that in his SEED would all the nations of the earth be blessed. But as expected, Abraham's capabilities to reproduce were now non existing. In the mind of humans, this would have been the end of the story.
However, as mentioned earlier, God deals with impossibilities. This means that God stepped in and resurrected Abraham's capabilities as a man. At the same time, God implanted into Abraham the SEED of promise, wherein, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Yes, God is God.
As a result, Abraham and Sarah were both rejuvenated of God.
God opened Sarah's womb and lo and behold Isaac was born. Isaac was the product of Abraham and Eve’s natural seed whereby the two SEEDS of promise passed into Isaac. Indeed, the SEEDS of promise now continue on their generational travels awaiting God’s appointed time (future tense) to be brought together by the Holy Ghost.
From Galatians:
"For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by promise. Which things are an allegory; for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar.
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem, which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, "Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Now, we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted h/Him that was born after the Spirit, even so is it now.
Nevertheless, what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman." So then brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free." (Galatians 4:19-31)
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)
More to come on this subject. For now, stand in the offering plate.
[Note: When the Jews said that they were of Abraham’s seed, they were of Abraham's natural seed. As we read in the scriptures, Ishmael was born of Abraham's natural seed to a bondwoman. Sarah, who was Abraham's wife died and when Abraham remarried, he had born of his natural seed six more children. This is important to understand, because there are those who don't understand the faith of Abraham, and who would be quite content with putting us under the Law again -- the law of bondage.]
However, if we examine the scriptures concerning Abraham and Sarah further, we read that Sarah's womb was sealed. Still, within her did dwell the SEED of promise - the seed promised by God and first mentioned to Eve in the Eden garden. The scriptures also declare that Eve was the mother of all living with God declaring that it would be the SEED of a woman that would bruise the serpent (satan/devil's head). The promised SEED was not one of Adam’s now sin prone seed. Rather, the promised SEED was a PURE SEED, which SEED contained ALL the fullness of the spiritual humanity of God.
Or, put another way, the Son of God or God Himself robed in flesh as a son. The SEED then was the SEED of the Holy Ghost. (Luke 1:35) Therefore, JESUS is God Himself as a Son.
The aforementioned SEED of promise passed from Eve into Seth and thus, we are introduced into the generational travels of the promised SEED through the scriptures. This SEED did not pass through Cain or Abel. Moreover, Sarah caused her bond maid to lie with Abraham which led to Ishmael being born from one of Abraham's natural seed. Ishmael was not born a Muslim. Why? Because at this time, such a religion was non existent. But nevertheless, God did promise that Ishmael who had twelve sons would, as a consequence become a great nation!
How do we know this to be true? First, God is a God of impossibilities. There is nothing too hard that God cannot do. However, God’s way of doing things is not necessarily bound to man’s ways or the norms established within society. So when Abraham was 100 years of age and Sarah, Abraham's wife 90 years of age, God promised Abraham that in his SEED would all the nations of the earth be blessed. But as expected, Abraham's capabilities to reproduce were now non existing. In the mind of humans, this would have been the end of the story.
However, as mentioned earlier, God deals with impossibilities. This means that God stepped in and resurrected Abraham's capabilities as a man. At the same time, God implanted into Abraham the SEED of promise, wherein, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Yes, God is God.
As a result, Abraham and Sarah were both rejuvenated of God.
God opened Sarah's womb and lo and behold Isaac was born. Isaac was the product of Abraham and Eve’s natural seed whereby the two SEEDS of promise passed into Isaac. Indeed, the SEEDS of promise now continue on their generational travels awaiting God’s appointed time (future tense) to be brought together by the Holy Ghost.
From Galatians:
"For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by promise. Which things are an allegory; for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar.
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem, which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, "Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Now, we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted h/Him that was born after the Spirit, even so is it now.
Nevertheless, what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman." So then brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free." (Galatians 4:19-31)
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)
More to come on this subject. For now, stand in the offering plate.
Of The Rock That Begat Thee Thou Art Unmindful, And Hast Forgotten God That Formed Thee - Part 1771
Jesus said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink; he that believes on Me, as the scripture hath said, "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." This spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given] because that Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39; John 12:16, 23, 31-32; I Peter 4:11)
If you read this scripture again, you will see that the Holy Ghost was not yet because Jesus was not yet glorified. This is critical to understand, if we are to fully understand the doctrine of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1-2; II John 1:9)
As well, the scripture here shows that we who believe on Him should receive the Holy Ghost, similar to the the first outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, wherein they were all filled and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. In Acts 2, 3,000 souls believed that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, repenting of their sin, and later water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-38; Joel 2:22; Acts 2:1-47)
Note that the outpouring of the Holy Ghost was prophesied earlier in Joel.
"And it shall come to pass in the last days," saith God, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on My servants, I will pour out in those days of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath ..." (Acts 2:17-21; Joel 2:28-32; Acts 10:45; Acts 21:9; I Corinthians 12:10; Matthew 24:29)
But there is more here to understand. Citing from Ephesians, note that we are builded for an habitation of God through the Spirit -- the same Spirit wherein, after Jesus was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
As Jesus told His disciples, they were to wait for the promise of the Father; "which," saith He, "ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water: but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence ..." (Acts 1:4-5)
" ... but ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me [Jesus] both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
(More can be understood by studying Acts 2, I Corinthians 12-13-14, Ephesians 4, and Romans 12)
How does receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost impact you, beyond strengthening and edification? From Ephesians 2:
"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works 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 ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might shew 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 hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:1-10)
If you read this scripture again, you will see that the Holy Ghost was not yet because Jesus was not yet glorified. This is critical to understand, if we are to fully understand the doctrine of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1-2; II John 1:9)
As well, the scripture here shows that we who believe on Him should receive the Holy Ghost, similar to the the first outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, wherein they were all filled and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. In Acts 2, 3,000 souls believed that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, repenting of their sin, and later water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-38; Joel 2:22; Acts 2:1-47)
Note that the outpouring of the Holy Ghost was prophesied earlier in Joel.
"And it shall come to pass in the last days," saith God, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on My servants, I will pour out in those days of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath ..." (Acts 2:17-21; Joel 2:28-32; Acts 10:45; Acts 21:9; I Corinthians 12:10; Matthew 24:29)
But there is more here to understand. Citing from Ephesians, note that we are builded for an habitation of God through the Spirit -- the same Spirit wherein, after Jesus was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
As Jesus told His disciples, they were to wait for the promise of the Father; "which," saith He, "ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water: but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence ..." (Acts 1:4-5)
" ... but ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me [Jesus] both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
(More can be understood by studying Acts 2, I Corinthians 12-13-14, Ephesians 4, and Romans 12)
How does receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost impact you, beyond strengthening and edification? From Ephesians 2:
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 ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might shew 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 hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:1-10)
Why? So that in Christ Jesus, we who sometimes were afar off are now made nigh by the blood of Christ, for He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby, and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were night ... for through Him, we both have access by ONE SPIRIT unto the Father.
"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22)
Therein lies our hope, from whence comes our salvation! Stand in the offering plate.
Grow In Grace And In The Knowledge Of Our Lord And Saviour Jesus Christ; To Him Be Glory Both Now And Forever - Part 1770
"Herein is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us, and sent His Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us. Hereby, know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit ... and we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world." (I John 4:10-14)
His Spirit? The Holy Ghost. The Comforter which will lead and guide us into all truth. (John 14:26; Acts 1:2-3; John 15:26) The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him. (John 14:17) The same Spirit of God which moved upon the face of the waters in the very beginning. (Genesis 1:1-2) The same Holy Ghost which overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. (Matthew 1:18-23) The same Holy Ghost wherein Jesus, after He was taken up, through the Holy Ghost gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) The same God -- the Word of life who was manifest for you and I so that we might have eternal life in Him.
"For the life was manifested and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew 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 1:1-3)
What is important here is that these things have been written unto us so that "our joy may be full." (I John 1:4)
How can our joy be full? Scripture which cannot lie provides us with the answer. That is, when we grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ, He takes the veil from our hearts, so that we can recognize Him as our Lord God and Saviour. (Titus 2:13-14) Both our Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) The first man earthy, but the second, the Lord from heaven. The Lord having come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6)
"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ... and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
In understanding then who the Great Shepherd is, our understanding of the doctrine of Christ must unfold, offering further clarity to the statement --"Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me." Unlike a modern day religious culture that does not know in whom they worship, the Lord God Almighty has taken the scales off the eyes of those who seek Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. And He does not hide His glory from those who desire in their hearts to be His friends. (John 15:15)
Indeed, "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends." (John 15:13) As we know, Jesus laid down His life for you and I whilst we were still His enemies. The greatest love story ever told, when we realize that the same He who made the world paid the ultimate price for our sins on a cross designed only for criminals. And even though He was without sin, He Himself willingly became the perfect sacrifice. For this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament. (Hebrews 9:15-18)
But this only came to be after the Holy Ghost signified that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing. (Hebrews 9:8) Thus, the first covenant with its ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary, which stood only in meats and drinks and diverse washings and carnal ordinances, imposed until the time of reformation -- the time of Christ -- had to end.
Then, after that, the second veil -- the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all. (Hebrews 9:3; Exodus 26:31-35; Exodus 40:3) No longer would the veil divide between the holy place and the most holy, because He taketh away the first, that He might establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9) "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10)
"For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14)
How are we sanctified? Through His Word. Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17) When we understand that the Lord now puts the laws into our hearts, and in our minds He writes them, "and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more," we know too that we have 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. (Hebrews 10:16-20; John 14:6-14; Ephesians 2:18; Jeremiah 31:33-34)
When we understand that there can be no other way of salvation, we will come into the fullness of the knowledge of God, that He who willingly took upon Himself the sins of the world is similarly, the Great I AM. As Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:59) By this time, Jesus has already told the Pharisees, "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father; if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also." (John 8:19)
"If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also; and from henceforth, ye know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:7; John 16:2-3)
The Same God who builded the house, and made all things, has told us, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
Because He builded the house, the same He who builded all things -- whose house are we "if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith, "Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness; when your fathers tempted Me, and saw My works forty years. Wherefore, I was grieved with that generation ..." (Hebrews 3:7-11)
Yes, in the old, the first commandment begins with -- "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord." (Deuteronomy 6:4) This same commandment is confirmed in the new when Jesus speaks to the scribe on the new testament side. (Mark 12:29-31)
The good news gospel message of the Kingdom of God is nigh. The Word which was with God in the beginning, and WAS GOD, according to John 1, was manifest in the flesh and dwelt among us, so that we could behold His glory. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-4, 14, 18) "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. (John 1:10-11)
The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)
"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new, and all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses among them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:17-19)
Don't let the traditions of men sway you from the truth. Instead, look 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 12:2-3)
Stand in the offering plate.
His Spirit? The Holy Ghost. The Comforter which will lead and guide us into all truth. (John 14:26; Acts 1:2-3; John 15:26) The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him. (John 14:17) The same Spirit of God which moved upon the face of the waters in the very beginning. (Genesis 1:1-2) The same Holy Ghost which overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. (Matthew 1:18-23) The same Holy Ghost wherein Jesus, after He was taken up, through the Holy Ghost gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) The same God -- the Word of life who was manifest for you and I so that we might have eternal life in Him.
"For the life was manifested and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew 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 1:1-3)
What is important here is that these things have been written unto us so that "our joy may be full." (I John 1:4)
How can our joy be full? Scripture which cannot lie provides us with the answer. That is, when we grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ, He takes the veil from our hearts, so that we can recognize Him as our Lord God and Saviour. (Titus 2:13-14) Both our Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) The first man earthy, but the second, the Lord from heaven. The Lord having come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6)
"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ... and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
In understanding then who the Great Shepherd is, our understanding of the doctrine of Christ must unfold, offering further clarity to the statement --"Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me." Unlike a modern day religious culture that does not know in whom they worship, the Lord God Almighty has taken the scales off the eyes of those who seek Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. And He does not hide His glory from those who desire in their hearts to be His friends. (John 15:15)
Indeed, "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends." (John 15:13) As we know, Jesus laid down His life for you and I whilst we were still His enemies. The greatest love story ever told, when we realize that the same He who made the world paid the ultimate price for our sins on a cross designed only for criminals. And even though He was without sin, He Himself willingly became the perfect sacrifice. For this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament. (Hebrews 9:15-18)
But this only came to be after the Holy Ghost signified that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing. (Hebrews 9:8) Thus, the first covenant with its ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary, which stood only in meats and drinks and diverse washings and carnal ordinances, imposed until the time of reformation -- the time of Christ -- had to end.
Then, after that, the second veil -- the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all. (Hebrews 9:3; Exodus 26:31-35; Exodus 40:3) No longer would the veil divide between the holy place and the most holy, because He taketh away the first, that He might establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9) "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10)
"For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14)
How are we sanctified? Through His Word. Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17) When we understand that the Lord now puts the laws into our hearts, and in our minds He writes them, "and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more," we know too that we have 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. (Hebrews 10:16-20; John 14:6-14; Ephesians 2:18; Jeremiah 31:33-34)
When we understand that there can be no other way of salvation, we will come into the fullness of the knowledge of God, that He who willingly took upon Himself the sins of the world is similarly, the Great I AM. As Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:59) By this time, Jesus has already told the Pharisees, "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father; if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also." (John 8:19)
"If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also; and from henceforth, ye know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:7; John 16:2-3)
The Same God who builded the house, and made all things, has told us, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
Because He builded the house, the same He who builded all things -- whose house are we "if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith, "Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness; when your fathers tempted Me, and saw My works forty years. Wherefore, I was grieved with that generation ..." (Hebrews 3:7-11)
Yes, in the old, the first commandment begins with -- "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord." (Deuteronomy 6:4) This same commandment is confirmed in the new when Jesus speaks to the scribe on the new testament side. (Mark 12:29-31)
The good news gospel message of the Kingdom of God is nigh. The Word which was with God in the beginning, and WAS GOD, according to John 1, was manifest in the flesh and dwelt among us, so that we could behold His glory. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-4, 14, 18) "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. (John 1:10-11)
The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)
"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new, and all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses among them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:17-19)
Don't let the traditions of men sway you from the truth. Instead, look 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 12:2-3)
Stand in the offering plate.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
"Not By Might, Nor By Power, But By My Spirit," Saith The Lord Of Hosts - Part 1769
In the book of Revelation, Jesus shares a promise. In fact, (when Jesus was specifically speaking to the seven churches) He singles out a certain group of believers [church] for possessing a little strength. This is important because Jesus acknowledges that these faithful continue to keep "My Word and hast not denied My Name." (Revelation 3:8-9) His Name which is above every other name. (Philippians 2:9) The Only Name whereby we must be saved in this current dispensation of grace. (Acts 4:12)
Indeed, as the angel of the Lord proclaimed, His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)
This is why we are instructed to focus our eyes on our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, believing on "His Name" -- because as Peter (standing with the eleven) declared, this same Jesus is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11)
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8)
And thus, in our hearts, "we give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art and wast and art come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power and has reigned." (Revelation 11:17)
After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ... (Titus 3:4-7; Titus 2:13-14)
Interestingly, the scriptures speak also of a time when "the mystery of God should be finished," -- the same mystery of God as He hath previously declared to His servants -- the prophets. (Revelation 10:7) But I am getting ahead of myself herein. For those who may not be aware, the book of Revelation (the last book of the new testament) is widely known for end time prophecies. But John's writings scribed (while he saw a vision on the Isle of Patmos) is more importantly about the revelation of Jesus, and His identity as our Lord God and Saviour.
Wherein we understand the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world.
It is in this capacity too that we hear Jesus' voice, after He is finished speaking to the seven churches. Here, Jesus speaks to every man or woman who has reached the age of understanding, and He invites us to come in to His presence -- all those who are weary and heavy laden.
"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. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Revelation 3:20-22)
[In Matthew 19:28, Jesus tells His disciples -- that "ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes." But I digress.]
Getting back to the Lord's invitation intended to garner our heart response, we see Jesus' message further explained when Peter, standing with the eleven declares that "this same Jesus whom ye have crucified" is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) The Lamb forever and ever, of whom all honour, and glory, and power is worthy of hallowed praise from every believer.
So, what was Peter's message on the day of Pentecost? That we are to "repent, and be [water] baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ," so that we too can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-41)
And when we accept His invitation to come unto Him, He will give freely to anyone that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life. And the Lamb shall feed those who believe, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Like Jesus said to the woman at the well, "If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, "Give Me to drink" thou would have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water." (John 4:10)
And again, "but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)
For those suffering from persecution, do know -- as the scripture declares, "He that overcomes shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be My son." (Revelation 21:6-7)
In looking to Jesus -- the Author and Finisher of our faith -- we find ourselves seeking the Lord Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, understanding that the Lord thy God is One Lord, and worthy of all worship and praise. And, as a consequence, our hearts change, wherein we begin to learn how to love one another as a flow through, doing every thing that we do in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)
The same Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending who said, "Behold, I will make all things new." (Revelation 21:5)
This is the promise to those who stand in the offering plate. Those believers who are unwavering in their dedication to the Lord. Why? Because for those who believe in Jesus by faith, and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, there will come a time when we can sing a new song.
That is, "great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee O Lord God Almighty; and glorify Thy Name? For Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest." (Revelation 15:3-4)
Indeed, the Word of God. (Revelation 19:13) The Word which was with God and was God was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18)
And we behold His glory, the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)
The same He of whom Peter said, "being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." (Acts 2:22-24)
And to them gave He power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on His Name -- the precious Name of the Lord Jesus the Christ.
Stand in the offering plate.
Indeed, as the angel of the Lord proclaimed, His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)
This is why we are instructed to focus our eyes on our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, believing on "His Name" -- because as Peter (standing with the eleven) declared, this same Jesus is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11)
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8)
And thus, in our hearts, "we give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art and wast and art come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power and has reigned." (Revelation 11:17)
After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ... (Titus 3:4-7; Titus 2:13-14)
Interestingly, the scriptures speak also of a time when "the mystery of God should be finished," -- the same mystery of God as He hath previously declared to His servants -- the prophets. (Revelation 10:7) But I am getting ahead of myself herein. For those who may not be aware, the book of Revelation (the last book of the new testament) is widely known for end time prophecies. But John's writings scribed (while he saw a vision on the Isle of Patmos) is more importantly about the revelation of Jesus, and His identity as our Lord God and Saviour.
Wherein we understand the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world.
It is in this capacity too that we hear Jesus' voice, after He is finished speaking to the seven churches. Here, Jesus speaks to every man or woman who has reached the age of understanding, and He invites us to come in to His presence -- all those who are weary and heavy laden.
"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. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Revelation 3:20-22)
[In Matthew 19:28, Jesus tells His disciples -- that "ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes." But I digress.]
Getting back to the Lord's invitation intended to garner our heart response, we see Jesus' message further explained when Peter, standing with the eleven declares that "this same Jesus whom ye have crucified" is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) The Lamb forever and ever, of whom all honour, and glory, and power is worthy of hallowed praise from every believer.
So, what was Peter's message on the day of Pentecost? That we are to "repent, and be [water] baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ," so that we too can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-41)
And when we accept His invitation to come unto Him, He will give freely to anyone that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life. And the Lamb shall feed those who believe, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Like Jesus said to the woman at the well, "If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, "Give Me to drink" thou would have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water." (John 4:10)
And again, "but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)
For those suffering from persecution, do know -- as the scripture declares, "He that overcomes shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be My son." (Revelation 21:6-7)
In looking to Jesus -- the Author and Finisher of our faith -- we find ourselves seeking the Lord Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, understanding that the Lord thy God is One Lord, and worthy of all worship and praise. And, as a consequence, our hearts change, wherein we begin to learn how to love one another as a flow through, doing every thing that we do in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)
The same Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending who said, "Behold, I will make all things new." (Revelation 21:5)
This is the promise to those who stand in the offering plate. Those believers who are unwavering in their dedication to the Lord. Why? Because for those who believe in Jesus by faith, and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, there will come a time when we can sing a new song.
That is, "great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee O Lord God Almighty; and glorify Thy Name? For Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest." (Revelation 15:3-4)
Indeed, the Word of God. (Revelation 19:13) The Word which was with God and was God was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18)
And we behold His glory, the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)
The same He of whom Peter said, "being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." (Acts 2:22-24)
And to them gave He power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on His Name -- the precious Name of the Lord Jesus the Christ.
Stand in the offering plate.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Which Was, And Is, And Is To Come! - Part 1768
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:19)
"Now the Lord is that Spirit ... and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!" (II Corinthians 3:17)
When we as believers consider the wondrous works of God, we recognize too that we have only begun to scratch the surface of the love and kindness of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Indeed, He has so much more in store for those who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, and have been water baptized into His precious Name. (Acts 2:36-38) This is why we are instructed to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to study His Word faithfully unto God, as doth a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
And what is truth? Jesus said, "Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17)
For those who don't know Jesus personally in your heart, today is the day of salvation. This is the day that you can know that He is inviting you into His rest, all ye who may be weary of this world. Yes, the Lord Jesus is saying, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come into Him and will sup with Him and He with Me." (Revelation 3:20-22)
This promise made before the world was even formed -- wherein the Lord who made the world knew that a body would have to be prepared as the perfect sacrifice, wherein His precious holy blood would be shed for our salvation. Yes, Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) "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." (John 1:10-11) After His kindness and love, God willingly became our Saviour, paying the ultimate price so that we might be saved and know Him.
He clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) in order that we could have a relationship with Him -- our Lord God and Saviour. O, how He must have suffered from the very beginning, knowing that tearing the veil from top to bottom -- from heaven to earth -- was the only way His beloved creation could be redeemed back unto Himself. Thus, the old covenant [testament] was the shadow of things yet to come.
But now, the promised Christ, the Messiah, has come and fulfilled the prophecies of old, concerning Him. And, we also know that this same Him of whom Peter said, "being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death -- because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." (Acts 2:22-24)
The first Adam was earthly, but the second Adam was the Lord from heaven. Not 1/3 of some god that is co-equal or co-eternal with another god but the one and same Lord God Almighty who moved across the face of the waters in Genesis 1:1-2. The same Lord God Almighty which was, and is, and is to come. And in this dispensation of grace, the time in which we live, our salvation is in Him -- the Lord Jesus -- who will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:18-21; Luke 1:35)
Indeed,"hear ye Him!"
His Name is Jesus -- Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1"21-23) Yes, Jesus, who openly declared Himself the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending! (Revelation 1:8, 11)
This same Jesus whom declared: "ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18)
The prophet Daniel from afore alludes to one like the Son of man who came with the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of days, who gave Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13-14)
In the new, the scripture is further explained. "For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under [Him, it is] manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead,if the dead rise not at all?"
And then we will be given a new Name. But until that day comes, we should joyously look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (Titus 2:13-15)
Stand in the offering plate.
"Now the Lord is that Spirit ... and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!" (II Corinthians 3:17)
When we as believers consider the wondrous works of God, we recognize too that we have only begun to scratch the surface of the love and kindness of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Indeed, He has so much more in store for those who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, and have been water baptized into His precious Name. (Acts 2:36-38) This is why we are instructed to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to study His Word faithfully unto God, as doth a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
And what is truth? Jesus said, "Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17)
For those who don't know Jesus personally in your heart, today is the day of salvation. This is the day that you can know that He is inviting you into His rest, all ye who may be weary of this world. Yes, the Lord Jesus is saying, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come into Him and will sup with Him and He with Me." (Revelation 3:20-22)
This promise made before the world was even formed -- wherein the Lord who made the world knew that a body would have to be prepared as the perfect sacrifice, wherein His precious holy blood would be shed for our salvation. Yes, Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) "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." (John 1:10-11) After His kindness and love, God willingly became our Saviour, paying the ultimate price so that we might be saved and know Him.
He clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) in order that we could have a relationship with Him -- our Lord God and Saviour. O, how He must have suffered from the very beginning, knowing that tearing the veil from top to bottom -- from heaven to earth -- was the only way His beloved creation could be redeemed back unto Himself. Thus, the old covenant [testament] was the shadow of things yet to come.
But now, the promised Christ, the Messiah, has come and fulfilled the prophecies of old, concerning Him. And, we also know that this same Him of whom Peter said, "being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death -- because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." (Acts 2:22-24)
The first Adam was earthly, but the second Adam was the Lord from heaven. Not 1/3 of some god that is co-equal or co-eternal with another god but the one and same Lord God Almighty who moved across the face of the waters in Genesis 1:1-2. The same Lord God Almighty which was, and is, and is to come. And in this dispensation of grace, the time in which we live, our salvation is in Him -- the Lord Jesus -- who will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:18-21; Luke 1:35)
Indeed,"hear ye Him!"
His Name is Jesus -- Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1"21-23) Yes, Jesus, who openly declared Himself the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending! (Revelation 1:8, 11)
This same Jesus whom declared: "ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18)
The prophet Daniel from afore alludes to one like the Son of man who came with the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of days, who gave Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13-14)
In the new, the scripture is further explained. "For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under [Him, it is] manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead,if the dead rise not at all?"
And then we will be given a new Name. But until that day comes, we should joyously look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (Titus 2:13-15)
Stand in the offering plate.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
For He Saith, "I Have Heard Thee In A Time Accepted, And In The Day of Salvation Have I Succoured Thee!" - Part 1767
Is this the experience which was previously spoken of by the prophet Joel? Is this what the scriptures intended when we read that in the last days the Lord would pour out His spirit upon all flesh? Certainly, Joel prophesies of the last days. As well, in Acts chapter two, it is revealed that not only do the heavens open but we see the outpouring of God‘s Spirit into the lives of Adam‘s redeemed race of believers. The actual event recorded plainly for us in the scriptures, so that we also could be partakers of the goodness that God has for us.
Yet in spite of the succinctness and accuracy of the scriptures, and the eventuality of Joel's prophesy coming to realization, we are left wondering as to why someone would endeavour to misrepresent this grand opening of the entrance of the new covenant sealed with Holy Ghost blood and confirmed by the Spirit of God. Why would that be? The new covenant entering in, complete with sound effects sounding as if a mighty wind was blowing, this sound so effective that its sound filled all the place where they were sitting should have been sufficient evidence. Indeed, the prophesy now fulfilled in Acts chapter two definitely demanded their priority attention and focus.
We should have been saying wow to the events that were transpiring in Acts. Their tongues and language now also affected by the Spirit of God. Their tongues somehow feeling as if they had become cloven (split or divided) in a way that made them appear to be on fire. This experience felt as if someone was sitting on them. Certainly, something unexplained was happening to those individuals assembled together. Everyone appeared to be moving from one episode to another, with each one in step one with the other one. In essence, what was happening? Well, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of God.
While the noise filled the room, the dialect was totally unknown to those listening. As they observed the proceedings, they noted that the sounds being expressed by those who were assembled were emanating from their own mouths. It seemed like their tongues were on fire, just like a lot needed to be said and yet, there was not enough time to say it. This cloven tongue on fire experience just remained on them. Again, to those observing, it appeared as if they were not in command.
Then wonders of wonders, an emotional high occurred within the midst. It was as if a spring of waters began rising up. Just when the people had thought there could be no higher or greater joy, peace covered them like a blanket. What better peaceful experience than the peace that comes with redemption? These experiences birthed them into a new covenant, a new creation experience. They have now been filled with the His Spirit. They have now engaged in a born again experience. They had been born of God. Indeed, these people had been adopted by the one true God who was in the man Jesus and reconciled us to Himself by the shedding of His own blood. (for more on Pentecost, see Leviticus 23 )
No longer is God on the outside knocking on hearts but now God is on the inside. We, as new born children, now desire more than ever before to be fed with the sincere word of God. Yes! With cloven tongues we speak as men in everyday happenings. We speak with surety of the wonderful words of life which allow individuals who receive Jesus into their lives to secure God's plan of redemption and enjoy a born again life. Although this life experience is unimaginable in the eyes of unbelievers, it is true nonetheless.
I repeat the words Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Are you a ruler and you do not know these things? Except a man be born again, he can neither see nor can he enter the kingdom of God."
But the good news is that we can see clearly now. Lord, you alone have the words of eternal life, and you alone have given freely of the gift. Stand in the offering plate. Be still and know that I am God. Remember too that when the Holy Ghost enters, we, like the bush in the old testament may burn as with fire, but we will not be consumed.
Thanks to the goodness and grace of God, we are regenerated and reborn. Peace in Jesus.
Yet in spite of the succinctness and accuracy of the scriptures, and the eventuality of Joel's prophesy coming to realization, we are left wondering as to why someone would endeavour to misrepresent this grand opening of the entrance of the new covenant sealed with Holy Ghost blood and confirmed by the Spirit of God. Why would that be? The new covenant entering in, complete with sound effects sounding as if a mighty wind was blowing, this sound so effective that its sound filled all the place where they were sitting should have been sufficient evidence. Indeed, the prophesy now fulfilled in Acts chapter two definitely demanded their priority attention and focus.
We should have been saying wow to the events that were transpiring in Acts. Their tongues and language now also affected by the Spirit of God. Their tongues somehow feeling as if they had become cloven (split or divided) in a way that made them appear to be on fire. This experience felt as if someone was sitting on them. Certainly, something unexplained was happening to those individuals assembled together. Everyone appeared to be moving from one episode to another, with each one in step one with the other one. In essence, what was happening? Well, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of God.
While the noise filled the room, the dialect was totally unknown to those listening. As they observed the proceedings, they noted that the sounds being expressed by those who were assembled were emanating from their own mouths. It seemed like their tongues were on fire, just like a lot needed to be said and yet, there was not enough time to say it. This cloven tongue on fire experience just remained on them. Again, to those observing, it appeared as if they were not in command.
Then wonders of wonders, an emotional high occurred within the midst. It was as if a spring of waters began rising up. Just when the people had thought there could be no higher or greater joy, peace covered them like a blanket. What better peaceful experience than the peace that comes with redemption? These experiences birthed them into a new covenant, a new creation experience. They have now been filled with the His Spirit. They have now engaged in a born again experience. They had been born of God. Indeed, these people had been adopted by the one true God who was in the man Jesus and reconciled us to Himself by the shedding of His own blood. (for more on Pentecost, see Leviticus 23 )
No longer is God on the outside knocking on hearts but now God is on the inside. We, as new born children, now desire more than ever before to be fed with the sincere word of God. Yes! With cloven tongues we speak as men in everyday happenings. We speak with surety of the wonderful words of life which allow individuals who receive Jesus into their lives to secure God's plan of redemption and enjoy a born again life. Although this life experience is unimaginable in the eyes of unbelievers, it is true nonetheless.
I repeat the words Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Are you a ruler and you do not know these things? Except a man be born again, he can neither see nor can he enter the kingdom of God."
But the good news is that we can see clearly now. Lord, you alone have the words of eternal life, and you alone have given freely of the gift. Stand in the offering plate. Be still and know that I am God. Remember too that when the Holy Ghost enters, we, like the bush in the old testament may burn as with fire, but we will not be consumed.
Thanks to the goodness and grace of God, we are regenerated and reborn. Peace in Jesus.
Jesus Said, "If Ye Continue In My Word, Then Are Ye My Disciples Indeed, And Ye Shall Know The Truth, And The Truth Shall Make You Free - Part 1766
"But God be thanked, that ye WERE the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you ... being then made free from sin, ye BECAME the sons of righteousness!" (Romans 6:17-18; II Timothy 1:13)
Jesus said to those Jews which believed on Him, "If ye continue in My Word, [then] are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
And, as a consequence of remaining steadfast in His Word, the apostles' doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, we can know (beyond a shadow of a doubt) that God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Indeed, Jesus said to His apostles, just prior to being taken up wherein He THROUGH the Holy Ghost would give commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen, that "ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you ..." (Acts 1:2-3, 8)
We witness this happening on the day of Pentecost, when they were with one accord in one place, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4) However, the multitudes who came together were confounded because every man heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:6-13)
So, Peter, standing with the eleven, lifts up his voice and says unto them, "Ye men of Judaea and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words, for these are not drunken as you suppose, seeing it is the third hour of the day." But rather, says Peter, this is exactly the moment the prophet Joel had spoken of so many years before. (Joel 2:22; Acts 2:16-21)
That is, "it shall come to pass in the last days," saith God. "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy; and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth, beneath blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood before that great and notable day of the Lord come; and it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Joel 2:22; Acts 2:16-21)
Not a different Spirit as the modern day religious culture suggests but "My Spirit" saith God. The One and Same Spirit of God who moved across the face of the waters in the beginning. (Genesis 1:1-2) The Same Spirit of God to which we look this day -- "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us ..." (Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 1:7; I Timothy 3:16; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6)
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God ... when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:4)
Indeed, as Peter so clearly points out -- God said, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh ... I will pour out in those days of My Spirit and they shall prophesy." And as we know from Acts 2, those who "gladly received the Word" that day repented of their sin and were baptized every one of them in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that these too c/would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:26-38)
Why? Because these saw the glory of the Lord which was to be revealed, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken. (Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 35:2) It is no wonder these faithful continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, eating their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. (Acts 2:46-47; Acts 1:14; Luke 24:53; Acts 20:7; Acts 5:14)
The Lord said -- "This people have I formed for Myself; they shall forth My praise!" (Isaiah 43:21)
And we would know -- "To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:19; Romans 3:24)
And because of His love and kindness are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" ... for He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
And that, according as it is written, "he [we] that glorieth, let him [us] glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:30-31; II Corinthians 5:21; Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Stand in the offering plate.
Jesus said to those Jews which believed on Him, "If ye continue in My Word, [then] are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
And, as a consequence of remaining steadfast in His Word, the apostles' doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, we can know (beyond a shadow of a doubt) that God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Indeed, Jesus said to His apostles, just prior to being taken up wherein He THROUGH the Holy Ghost would give commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen, that "ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you ..." (Acts 1:2-3, 8)
We witness this happening on the day of Pentecost, when they were with one accord in one place, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4) However, the multitudes who came together were confounded because every man heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:6-13)
So, Peter, standing with the eleven, lifts up his voice and says unto them, "Ye men of Judaea and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words, for these are not drunken as you suppose, seeing it is the third hour of the day." But rather, says Peter, this is exactly the moment the prophet Joel had spoken of so many years before. (Joel 2:22; Acts 2:16-21)
That is, "it shall come to pass in the last days," saith God. "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy; and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth, beneath blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood before that great and notable day of the Lord come; and it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Joel 2:22; Acts 2:16-21)
Not a different Spirit as the modern day religious culture suggests but "My Spirit" saith God. The One and Same Spirit of God who moved across the face of the waters in the beginning. (Genesis 1:1-2) The Same Spirit of God to which we look this day -- "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us ..." (Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 1:7; I Timothy 3:16; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6)
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God ... when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:4)
Indeed, as Peter so clearly points out -- God said, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh ... I will pour out in those days of My Spirit and they shall prophesy." And as we know from Acts 2, those who "gladly received the Word" that day repented of their sin and were baptized every one of them in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that these too c/would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:26-38)
Why? Because these saw the glory of the Lord which was to be revealed, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken. (Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 35:2) It is no wonder these faithful continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, eating their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. (Acts 2:46-47; Acts 1:14; Luke 24:53; Acts 20:7; Acts 5:14)
The Lord said -- "This people have I formed for Myself; they shall forth My praise!" (Isaiah 43:21)
And we would know -- "To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:19; Romans 3:24)
And because of His love and kindness are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" ... for He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
And that, according as it is written, "he [we] that glorieth, let him [us] glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:30-31; II Corinthians 5:21; Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Stand in the offering plate.
And That Ye Put On The New Man, Which After God Is Created In Righteousness And True Holiness - Part 1765
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4; I Corinthians 15:29; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 6:14; John 2:11; Galatians 6:15)
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27; John 1:12; Romans 10:12)
"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [Him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgive you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross, and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:12-15; Ephesians 1:19-20; Acts 2:24; Isaiah 53:12; Ephesians 6:12)
Baptized every one of us in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, remaining steadfast continually in the apostles' doctrine. (Acts 2:36-47)
As a consequence, we become "dead" to the Law - the ordinances of divine service by the body of Christ. "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the Law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14) "For if we be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the Law." (Galatians 5:18; Romans 7:4)
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:14-17)
"For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the Law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit; and not in the oldness of the letter ..." (Romans 7:4-5; Galatians 2:19; Galatians 5:8, 22; Romans 6:13; James 1:15)
Thus, we are delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we were previously held in the bondage of this world, we can and should now serve in newness of spirit, standing fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ. (Galatians 5:1)
The mediator of the new testament, who paid the ultimate price once and for -- with His precious holy blood so that we might inherit eternal life in Him.
Therefore, by the mercies of God, we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service AND to not be conformed to this world. Rather, "be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 10:1-4; Hebrews 10:18,20; I John 2:15; Ephesians 4:23; I Thessalonians 4:31)
When we begin to understand how much the Lord God must have loved His beloved creation, from the very beginning, knowing that He paid the ultimate price on the cross of Calvary, we can also be persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 1:21)
Be thankful in your hearts today. Get to know our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ personally, who after His kindness and love, willingly redeemed us from the abyss of hell. Seek His love by faith, working out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
His Name is JESUS in this current dispensation of grace, "for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23)
Stand in the offering plate.
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27; John 1:12; Romans 10:12)
"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [Him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgive you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross, and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:12-15; Ephesians 1:19-20; Acts 2:24; Isaiah 53:12; Ephesians 6:12)
Baptized every one of us in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, remaining steadfast continually in the apostles' doctrine. (Acts 2:36-47)
As a consequence, we become "dead" to the Law - the ordinances of divine service by the body of Christ. "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the Law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14) "For if we be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the Law." (Galatians 5:18; Romans 7:4)
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:14-17)
"For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the Law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit; and not in the oldness of the letter ..." (Romans 7:4-5; Galatians 2:19; Galatians 5:8, 22; Romans 6:13; James 1:15)
Thus, we are delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we were previously held in the bondage of this world, we can and should now serve in newness of spirit, standing fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ. (Galatians 5:1)
The mediator of the new testament, who paid the ultimate price once and for -- with His precious holy blood so that we might inherit eternal life in Him.
Therefore, by the mercies of God, we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service AND to not be conformed to this world. Rather, "be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 10:1-4; Hebrews 10:18,20; I John 2:15; Ephesians 4:23; I Thessalonians 4:31)
When we begin to understand how much the Lord God must have loved His beloved creation, from the very beginning, knowing that He paid the ultimate price on the cross of Calvary, we can also be persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 1:21)
Be thankful in your hearts today. Get to know our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ personally, who after His kindness and love, willingly redeemed us from the abyss of hell. Seek His love by faith, working out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
His Name is JESUS in this current dispensation of grace, "for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23)
Stand in the offering plate.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
For The Lord Is A Great God And A Great King Above All gods: This Is The Blood Of The Testament Which God Hath Joined Unto You - Part 1764
"Know ye that the Lord, He is our God: it is He that hath made us ..." (Psalms 100:3)
"But I trusted in Thee, O Lord, I said, "Thou art my God!" (Psalm 31:14)
"Thou art My Father, My God, and the Rock of My salvation ... I will make Him My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth!" (Psalms 89:26-27)
"But Thou, Lord, art Most High evermore!" (Psalms 92:8)
"For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods ..." (Psalms 95:3)
"Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven ..." (Psalms 119:89)
"God is the Lord; which hath shewed us light ... Thou art my God and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee ..." (Psalms 118:27)
All these scriptures pointing to the new covenant which was yet to come -- "for if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." (Hebrews 8:7) For this reason, the Lord said He would make a covenant with them AFTER those days -- a time when the Lord will put His laws into our hearts,"and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:16-17)
The mystery that was hid from the beginning of the world, wherein, the dayspring from on high visited His people. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour -- this same Jesus who is both Lord and Christ. (Titus 3:4-7; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; I Timothy 3:16; Revelation 1:8,11; Acts 2:36-38)
"For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified ..." (Hebrews 10:14)
"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 hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10; II Timothy 1:9; Romans 4:4-5, 16; John 1:10-13; Romans 11:6; Romans 3:23-27; Isaiah 19:25)
But our salvation did not just occur by happenstance. Salvation came when God decided to reconcile both the Jews and the Gentiles unto God in one body by the cross; having slain the enmity thereby, and came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were nigh ... for through Him we both have access by One Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:13-18)
In Christ Jesus, those of us who were far off can now be made nigh by the blood of Christ. What does Hebrews say?
"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. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: (for He is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which stood only in meats and drinks and diverse washings and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
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 us.
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies 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 lives.
Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took 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 enters 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.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment; 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. 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 had no more conscience of sin. But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again of sins every year.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins, wherefore when He comes into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou would 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) to do Thy will, O God. He takes 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 for all ..." (Hebrews 10:1-10)
Indeed, by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, His precious blood shed on a cross for you and I, once and for all. Stand in the offering plate.
"But I trusted in Thee, O Lord, I said, "Thou art my God!" (Psalm 31:14)
"Thou art My Father, My God, and the Rock of My salvation ... I will make Him My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth!" (Psalms 89:26-27)
"But Thou, Lord, art Most High evermore!" (Psalms 92:8)
"For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods ..." (Psalms 95:3)
"Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven ..." (Psalms 119:89)
"God is the Lord; which hath shewed us light ... Thou art my God and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee ..." (Psalms 118:27)
All these scriptures pointing to the new covenant which was yet to come -- "for if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." (Hebrews 8:7) For this reason, the Lord said He would make a covenant with them AFTER those days -- a time when the Lord will put His laws into our hearts,"and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:16-17)
The mystery that was hid from the beginning of the world, wherein, the dayspring from on high visited His people. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour -- this same Jesus who is both Lord and Christ. (Titus 3:4-7; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; I Timothy 3:16; Revelation 1:8,11; Acts 2:36-38)
"For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified ..." (Hebrews 10:14)
"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 hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10; II Timothy 1:9; Romans 4:4-5, 16; John 1:10-13; Romans 11:6; Romans 3:23-27; Isaiah 19:25)
But our salvation did not just occur by happenstance. Salvation came when God decided to reconcile both the Jews and the Gentiles unto God in one body by the cross; having slain the enmity thereby, and came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were nigh ... for through Him we both have access by One Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:13-18)
In Christ Jesus, those of us who were far off can now be made nigh by the blood of Christ. What does Hebrews say?
"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. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: (for He is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which stood only in meats and drinks and diverse washings and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
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 us.
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies 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 lives.
Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took 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 enters 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.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment; 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. 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 had no more conscience of sin. But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again of sins every year.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins, wherefore when He comes into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou would 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) to do Thy will, O God. He takes 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 for all ..." (Hebrews 10:1-10)
Indeed, by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, His precious blood shed on a cross for you and I, once and for all. Stand in the offering plate.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
For Where Your Treasure Is, There Will Your Heart Be Also - Part 1763
By example, Jesus led us to pray, to the extent that those around Him desired to know how to pray. Indeed, these disciples said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13; Ephesians 4:13-14) In response, Jesus calls back to them a form of the prayer already taught them in the Sermon on the Mount. This is important for several reasons. First, in Matthew’s account, Jesus warns us of those who pray to be noticed. Jesus also informs us that prayers come from the heart and are not intended to be repeated multiple times. It is for this reason that we should examine the Lord’s prayer as an example.
Further, in Matthew’s account, the prayer is part of a larger sermon that includes three chapters in our new testaments. Jesus begins with what modern day men refer to as the Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:2-11) Then Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth; however, if we have lost our savour, we are good for nothing. Using the example of light, Jesus shares with the multitudes that a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Therefore, we are to let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:12-48)
However, there are several “but” this and “but” that which follow, so that we take heed not to do your alms before men, so that we can be seen of them. It is in this context – of sounding like a hypocrite when we pray that Jesus provides us with a model prayer, as an example.
Jesus said, “And when thou pray, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men, “Verily, I say unto you – they have reward. But thou [you], when thou [you] pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” (Matthew 6:1-8)
Then Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth, as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
Luke’s account of this same prayer differs slightly, which I might suggest, is because Luke had a much more in-depth knowledge of who Jesus was, and that in Jesus, the Kingdom of God was already nigh, when he scribed these words.
And Jesus said unto them, “When ye pray, say, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:1-4)
So, what is the message here? Prayer does not just happen. Rather, prayer grows from having a personal relationship with our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ within our hearts. Having repented of our sins, and taking on His precious Name in water baptism, having an answer of a good conscience toward God our Saviour, we can receive the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38; Hebrews 6:1-2; II John 1:9; Titus 3:4-7; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:20-21)
This explains why we pray “Father” because when we ask Jesus into our heart, we become a member of the body of Christ church, wherein, Christ Jesus is the Head, the Rock, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11) [Note that later Jesus tells His disciples, “I and My Father are ONE!” and also, “If ye have seen Me, ye have seen the Father” but this is a revelation that the disciples did not fully understand until after Jesus’ resurrection. (John 10:30; John 14:6-12)]
As well, we are to praise His Name – the precious Name of JESUS, and the only name whereby we must be saved in this current dispensation of grace. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9) As we understand from scripture, which does not lie, the angel of the Lord instructed Joseph to call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
It is in this context then that we acknowledge through prayer our total and absolute dependence on the Lord Jesus for our daily bread, because without Jesus in our heart, this same Jesus whom we crucified, who is both Lord and Christ, we are without. (Acts 2:36) In other words, without surrendering our hearts to the King of kings and Lord of lords, we will never understand experiencing His power in our life.
We will never understand that He – JESUS – is the living bread which came down from heaven, from which if we partake, we will never hunger again. (John 6:41, 48)
Moreover, Luke fully understood when Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15; Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:36-38; Galatians 4:4-6)
Jesus went on to share a parable about a man who went to his neighbour asking for bread for a friend who had journeyed and was now staying at his house. He had nothing to serve this friend, so he went to the neighbor and asked for loaves so that he could feed him. The neighbour does not want to open the door, having gone to bed for the night, but because of the man’s persistence, he does eventually get up and give to him “as many as he needed.” (Luke 11:5-8)
Some take this parable to mean that Jesus wants us to become parrots, praying repeatedly the same request, as if our God and Saviour would be hard of hearing. That is not the case. The point is that the real power of prayer is found in boldly coming to the throne of grace with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, knowing that He will provide. He will open the door when we knock. That he/she who seeks the Lord will find the answer. The “stand in the offering plate” heart response, rather than parroting words on a page. After all, effective communication should be evident in any relationship, but even more so when it comes to our Lord God and Saviour.
Just in case, there are some who still miss the point of this parable, let me reiterate that Jesus wants to give His people the Kingdom, and we need to understand the breadth and depth of His love for us, when we come to Him in prayer. Perhaps, this explains why we are instructed to “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing … in everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
To confirm this latter point, Jesus said, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:9-13)
But Jesus is saying so much more here. Jesus is telling us that His desire is to give those who believe in Jesus the Christ by faith, and go on in His Word, the gift of His Spirit – the Spirit of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ – the Holy Ghost “regenerated” after Jesus had been taken up (Acts 1:2-3; Titus 3:4-7), which is the ultimate, supreme gift for man. Therefore, if the same God who created us, and willingly planned to become our Saviour – “Behold the Lamb of God” -- is so willing to give us so great a spiritual gift, then why would we even think that He would not give us our innermost heart desires? (Acts 1:2)
Thus, the message here is that if we are faithful in prayer, and in His Word, we will be filled with the Holy Ghost who will lead and guide us into all truth. The same Holy Ghost who overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. (Luke 1:35) The same Holy Ghost which revealed to Simeon that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Luke 1:25-26) The same Holy Ghost which revealed unto John the Baptist/baptizer that he would know Him not, except he would “see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.” (John 1:33) The same Holy Ghost which revealed to Zacharias – “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people.” (Luke 1:69)
The same Holy Ghost who wants us to desire spiritual gifts – diversities of gifts, differences of administrations, diversities of operations, wherein the manifestation of the Spirit (after we understand that Jesus is Lord) can be given to every man to profit withal. (I Corinthians 12:1-11)
“For by ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been made to drink into ONE SPIRIT.” (I Corinthians 12:13)
And we understand this, as the first 3,000 souls saved on the day of Pentecost did, when we recognize (as Peter, standing with the eleven said, “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)
“Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)
Stand in the offering plate.
Further, in Matthew’s account, the prayer is part of a larger sermon that includes three chapters in our new testaments. Jesus begins with what modern day men refer to as the Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:2-11) Then Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth; however, if we have lost our savour, we are good for nothing. Using the example of light, Jesus shares with the multitudes that a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Therefore, we are to let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:12-48)
However, there are several “but” this and “but” that which follow, so that we take heed not to do your alms before men, so that we can be seen of them. It is in this context – of sounding like a hypocrite when we pray that Jesus provides us with a model prayer, as an example.
Jesus said, “And when thou pray, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men, “Verily, I say unto you – they have reward. But thou [you], when thou [you] pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” (Matthew 6:1-8)
Then Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth, as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
Luke’s account of this same prayer differs slightly, which I might suggest, is because Luke had a much more in-depth knowledge of who Jesus was, and that in Jesus, the Kingdom of God was already nigh, when he scribed these words.
And Jesus said unto them, “When ye pray, say, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:1-4)
So, what is the message here? Prayer does not just happen. Rather, prayer grows from having a personal relationship with our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ within our hearts. Having repented of our sins, and taking on His precious Name in water baptism, having an answer of a good conscience toward God our Saviour, we can receive the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38; Hebrews 6:1-2; II John 1:9; Titus 3:4-7; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:20-21)
This explains why we pray “Father” because when we ask Jesus into our heart, we become a member of the body of Christ church, wherein, Christ Jesus is the Head, the Rock, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11) [Note that later Jesus tells His disciples, “I and My Father are ONE!” and also, “If ye have seen Me, ye have seen the Father” but this is a revelation that the disciples did not fully understand until after Jesus’ resurrection. (John 10:30; John 14:6-12)]
As well, we are to praise His Name – the precious Name of JESUS, and the only name whereby we must be saved in this current dispensation of grace. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9) As we understand from scripture, which does not lie, the angel of the Lord instructed Joseph to call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
It is in this context then that we acknowledge through prayer our total and absolute dependence on the Lord Jesus for our daily bread, because without Jesus in our heart, this same Jesus whom we crucified, who is both Lord and Christ, we are without. (Acts 2:36) In other words, without surrendering our hearts to the King of kings and Lord of lords, we will never understand experiencing His power in our life.
We will never understand that He – JESUS – is the living bread which came down from heaven, from which if we partake, we will never hunger again. (John 6:41, 48)
Moreover, Luke fully understood when Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15; Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:36-38; Galatians 4:4-6)
Jesus went on to share a parable about a man who went to his neighbour asking for bread for a friend who had journeyed and was now staying at his house. He had nothing to serve this friend, so he went to the neighbor and asked for loaves so that he could feed him. The neighbour does not want to open the door, having gone to bed for the night, but because of the man’s persistence, he does eventually get up and give to him “as many as he needed.” (Luke 11:5-8)
Some take this parable to mean that Jesus wants us to become parrots, praying repeatedly the same request, as if our God and Saviour would be hard of hearing. That is not the case. The point is that the real power of prayer is found in boldly coming to the throne of grace with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, knowing that He will provide. He will open the door when we knock. That he/she who seeks the Lord will find the answer. The “stand in the offering plate” heart response, rather than parroting words on a page. After all, effective communication should be evident in any relationship, but even more so when it comes to our Lord God and Saviour.
Just in case, there are some who still miss the point of this parable, let me reiterate that Jesus wants to give His people the Kingdom, and we need to understand the breadth and depth of His love for us, when we come to Him in prayer. Perhaps, this explains why we are instructed to “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing … in everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
To confirm this latter point, Jesus said, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:9-13)
But Jesus is saying so much more here. Jesus is telling us that His desire is to give those who believe in Jesus the Christ by faith, and go on in His Word, the gift of His Spirit – the Spirit of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ – the Holy Ghost “regenerated” after Jesus had been taken up (Acts 1:2-3; Titus 3:4-7), which is the ultimate, supreme gift for man. Therefore, if the same God who created us, and willingly planned to become our Saviour – “Behold the Lamb of God” -- is so willing to give us so great a spiritual gift, then why would we even think that He would not give us our innermost heart desires? (Acts 1:2)
Thus, the message here is that if we are faithful in prayer, and in His Word, we will be filled with the Holy Ghost who will lead and guide us into all truth. The same Holy Ghost who overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. (Luke 1:35) The same Holy Ghost which revealed to Simeon that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Luke 1:25-26) The same Holy Ghost which revealed unto John the Baptist/baptizer that he would know Him not, except he would “see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.” (John 1:33) The same Holy Ghost which revealed to Zacharias – “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people.” (Luke 1:69)
The same Holy Ghost who wants us to desire spiritual gifts – diversities of gifts, differences of administrations, diversities of operations, wherein the manifestation of the Spirit (after we understand that Jesus is Lord) can be given to every man to profit withal. (I Corinthians 12:1-11)
“For by ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been made to drink into ONE SPIRIT.” (I Corinthians 12:13)
And we understand this, as the first 3,000 souls saved on the day of Pentecost did, when we recognize (as Peter, standing with the eleven said, “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)
“Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)
Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Behold, The Tabernacle of God Is With Men, And He Will Dwell With Them, And They Shall Be His People, And God Himself Shall Be With Them -- Part 1762
"Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation -- to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:16-21)
What is the ministry of reconciliation? That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. Thus, we preach to you to be reconciled to God, for He hath made Him to be sin for us -- He that knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. This is why after repentance that we are baptized in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, when we recognize Jesus as both Lord and Christ -- so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (Acts 2:36-38; Acts 10:4-48; Romans 6:1-2)
"Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 3:20-21)
This is why the angel said to call His Name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) Because when He walked on this earth, Jesus was the prophesied Christ, Emmanuel being interpreted, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23) And now, after He was taken up, He THROUGH the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
The doctrine of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1-2) The same Christ which the Israelites followed through the Red Sea, and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea..
"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:1-4)
This is why -- "whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:16-21)
What is the ministry of reconciliation? That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. Thus, we preach to you to be reconciled to God, for He hath made Him to be sin for us -- He that knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. This is why after repentance that we are baptized in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, when we recognize Jesus as both Lord and Christ -- so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (Acts 2:36-38; Acts 10:4-48; Romans 6:1-2)
"Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 3:20-21)
This is why the angel said to call His Name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) Because when He walked on this earth, Jesus was the prophesied Christ, Emmanuel being interpreted, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23) And now, after He was taken up, He THROUGH the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
The doctrine of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1-2) The same Christ which the Israelites followed through the Red Sea, and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea..
"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:1-4)
This is why -- "whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)
Not three gods, or one God divided into parts as the modern day religious culture presents but One God who loved us so much that He willingly would come into this world and become the perfect sacrifice for you and I.
"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." (John 1:10-11) The Word made flesh and dwelt among us. The "same" Word that was with God and WAS God -- the "same" which was in the beginning. (John 1:1-4) He is the Light of the world, which gives man life. He is the bread of life, wherein when we eat, we will never hunger again.
In this current dispensation of grace, Jesus is His Name. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. JESUS -- King of kings and Lord of lords. The Son of man being the Lord from heaven.
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And He that sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said unto me, "Write: for these words are true and faithful." And He said unto me, "It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely; he that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:3-8)
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And He that sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said unto me, "Write: for these words are true and faithful." And He said unto me, "It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely; he that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:3-8)
Jesus is the one true invisible God and Father -- the visible image of God Almighty. And now, in the Holy Ghost, we can become His forever and ever -- for Thine is the kingdom of God drawn nigh unto you.
If you have not asked Jesus to be Lord of your life, please do not delay, because this is the only day which is promised unto you. Be water baptized [buried] in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that ye too can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of the resurrected Christ living within you. And let Him lead and guide you -- through His Word -- into all truth -- Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17)
And know that you will never thirst again, because from this point forward, you will be drinking the living water from a well that never runs dry.
"Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me. Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to Him shall men come; and all that are incensed against Him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory." (Isaiah 45:21-25)
"Who hath wrought and done it,calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I AM HE ..." (Isaiah 41:4) Indeed, after the kindness and love of God our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
Stand in the offering plate.
Friday, July 21, 2017
Therefore Seeing We Have This Ministry, As We Have Received Mercy, We Faint Not - Part 1761
"Behold, He comes with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Revelation 1:7-8)
"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10)
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation ..."
From the beginning of time, our Lord God knew that He would become our Saviour. As the scripture relates -- how often must He have suffered from the beginning of the world, knowing that the only way back to Him was through the offering of a perfect sacrifice on the cross. It is no wonder Jesus wept! Even though He is "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," saith the Lord, "which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty," there was still a cross to bear that would satisfy the endless ordinances of the old testament. (Hebrews 9:1-18)
From the beginning of time, our Lord God knew that He would become our Saviour. As the scripture relates -- how often must He have suffered from the beginning of the world, knowing that the only way back to Him was through the offering of a perfect sacrifice on the cross. It is no wonder Jesus wept! Even though He is "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," saith the Lord, "which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty," there was still a cross to bear that would satisfy the endless ordinances of the old testament. (Hebrews 9:1-18)
Why is this so?
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when He comes into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou would 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,) to do Thy will, O God."
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when He comes into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou would 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,) to do Thy will, O God."
Above when He said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin Thou would not, neither hadst pleasure therein;which are offered by the law; Then said He, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. He takes 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 for all. And every priest stands 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. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that He had said before, "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. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." (Hebrews 10:4-18)
After the kindness and love of God our Saviour ... (Titus 3:4-7)
It is no wonder we are excited to tell those we love about Jesus -- for He is our strength and stronghold, the Giver of life to all mankind!
"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
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 1-6)
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
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 1-6)
And now, knowing that our salvation is assured, we look for "that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13-14)
Stand in the offering plate..
Stand in the offering plate..
Thursday, July 20, 2017
For Now We See Through A Glass Darkly But Then Face To Face - Part 1760
The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one where into His disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with His disciples into the boat, but that His disciples were gone away alone; (howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither His disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found Him on the other side of the sea, they said unto Him, "Rabbi, when came Thou hither?" Jesus answered them and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed."
Then said they unto Him, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"
Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." They said therefore unto Him, "What sign shewest Thou then, that we may see, and believe Thee? what dost Thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat." Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world."
Before continuing on, let's examine a couple of the points introduced.
First, Jesus has just traveled over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias, and has a great multitude following Him. Indeed, they followed Him "because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased." (John 6:1-2) A short while later, Jesus uses five barley loaves and two small fishes to feed the five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples and the disciples to them that were set down: and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they gathered the leftovers that remained, they gathered together and filled twelve baskets of the left over barley bread. (John 6:3-13) Jesus even walked upon the sea, for His disciples to witness, and yet these people still asked Jesus for a miracle, saying "What sign shewest Thou then, that we may see, and believe Thee?"
Second, within the text wherein Jesus is speaking, Jesus once again refers to the work of God -- "that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." (John 6:29) "And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the Name of the His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment." (I John 3:23; Matthew 22:39) Another example of the "hear ye Him," that remains evident throughout the scriptures. "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!"
Continuing on, these said unto Jesus, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that comes to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst ... but I said unto you, that ye also have seen Me, and believe not." (John 6:36)
Jesus is telling them that He is the bread from heaven, but their hearts are not believing, and Jesus calls them on it. But Jesus does not stop there. He wants us to know that He is the bread from heaven, so that when we come to Him in our hearts, He will in no wise cast out.
"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)
When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither His disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found Him on the other side of the sea, they said unto Him, "Rabbi, when came Thou hither?" Jesus answered them and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed."
Then said they unto Him, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"
Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." They said therefore unto Him, "What sign shewest Thou then, that we may see, and believe Thee? what dost Thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat." Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world."
Before continuing on, let's examine a couple of the points introduced.
First, Jesus has just traveled over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias, and has a great multitude following Him. Indeed, they followed Him "because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased." (John 6:1-2) A short while later, Jesus uses five barley loaves and two small fishes to feed the five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples and the disciples to them that were set down: and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they gathered the leftovers that remained, they gathered together and filled twelve baskets of the left over barley bread. (John 6:3-13) Jesus even walked upon the sea, for His disciples to witness, and yet these people still asked Jesus for a miracle, saying "What sign shewest Thou then, that we may see, and believe Thee?"
Second, within the text wherein Jesus is speaking, Jesus once again refers to the work of God -- "that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." (John 6:29) "And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the Name of the His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment." (I John 3:23; Matthew 22:39) Another example of the "hear ye Him," that remains evident throughout the scriptures. "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!"
Continuing on, these said unto Jesus, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that comes to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst ... but I said unto you, that ye also have seen Me, and believe not." (John 6:36)
Jesus is telling them that He is the bread from heaven, but their hearts are not believing, and Jesus calls them on it. But Jesus does not stop there. He wants us to know that He is the bread from heaven, so that when we come to Him in our hearts, He will in no wise cast out.
Jesus continues, "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which he hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:37-40)
The Jews then murmured at Him, because He said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." These did not want to accept that Jesus was the Christ, the Lord of glory made flesh and dwelling among them. After all, the miracles that Jesus performed to heal the sick and diseased, and in feeding the five thousand should have been sufficient -- if their hearts were right. But instead, they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that He saith, "I came down from heaven?"
Jesus then begins to clarify what He meant, In fact, Jesus refers to prophecy from the old to confirm His identity -- "I am that bread of life."
Therefore, Jesus says unto them, "Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, comes unto Me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed ... he that eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, dwells in Me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats Me, even he shall live by Me.
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." (John 6:22-58)
Behold, the Lamb of God. "I the Lord, the first and with the last, I am He." (Isaiah 41:4)
"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)
Stand in the offering plate.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Jesus Said, "But That Ye May Know That The Son Of Man Hath Power On Earth To Forgive Sins!" - Part 1759
According to the Biblical scriptures, the Church is His body. We are the body of Christ. We are His bones. We are His flesh. We are the temple in which He is pleased to dwell. We are the people called by His name (the Jesus people). The early believers continued steadfastly in the teachings of the Spirit of God, which they in turn delivered to us.
As the scriptures state, "For another foundation can no man lay other than that which has been laid." This is the apostles' foundation with Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone.
Further, Jesus said this is My church and the gates (teachings of hell) shall not prevail against it. The holy Spirit of Jesus Himself will lead and guide believers into all truth. As it is written, believers will all be taught of God. Christ alone is the Head of His Church (body). In essence then, this church is not a two headed church. This foundation verifies yet again that there is only one mediator between God and man. That is, the man Jesus the Christ who is the only begotten Son of the Spirit of God. It is in this body that all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.
You see, we needed a redeemer to purchase with His own precious blood our salvation, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, no not one.
But the good news is that whosoever sins that you remit, they are remitted. Whosoever sins that you retain, they are retained. When Jesus bore our sins on a tree, He allowed the people -- sinners -- to call upon Jesus so that they would receive forgiveness and remission of sin. But the apostolic message did not end there. In this context, other questions are asked. Am I really baptized if I am baptized in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit?
As outlined in earlier posts, these are relationship titles with no applicable name attached. By being baptized in the titles and not the precious Name of the Lord Jesus, one is substituting man’s rendition of Matthew chapter 28:19 without including the practical applicability. How did the apostles baptize? How were ALL new believers baptized in the Bible? Note here that the apostles did follow Jesus' instructions when they baptized believers in His Name -- in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus! (Acts 2:36-47)
When we recognize that Jesus was made the perfect sacrifice -- the Word made flesh -- we also understand that this same Jesus is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36). It was Jesus Himself that said on the cross -- "it is finished." The sacrificial death of Jesus -- present tense.
Moreover, there is only one high priest. That is Jesus, who is a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Therefore, is the new testament a continuation of the old covenant? No. The new testament is a testament between one party. This one relationship is between God who is Spirit and between God Himself as a Son. The grace testament. Whereas the old covenant was between two parties -- a covenant of life and death -- the new testament is about grace!
This is why the scriptures ask new believers to search the scriptures so that they will know and understand the plan of salvation that was from the beginning of the world. The doctrine of Christ.
What were the first believers told to do? The first 3,000 souls who believed in Jesus repented and were baptized into the Name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, and as a consequence, received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:1-47 provides the details. As you read, ask our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ to open your eyes for understanding -- His wisdom and knowledge downloaded so that you too can enter into His rest.
Stand in the offering plate.
As the scriptures state, "For another foundation can no man lay other than that which has been laid." This is the apostles' foundation with Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone.
Further, Jesus said this is My church and the gates (teachings of hell) shall not prevail against it. The holy Spirit of Jesus Himself will lead and guide believers into all truth. As it is written, believers will all be taught of God. Christ alone is the Head of His Church (body). In essence then, this church is not a two headed church. This foundation verifies yet again that there is only one mediator between God and man. That is, the man Jesus the Christ who is the only begotten Son of the Spirit of God. It is in this body that all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.
You see, we needed a redeemer to purchase with His own precious blood our salvation, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, no not one.
But the good news is that whosoever sins that you remit, they are remitted. Whosoever sins that you retain, they are retained. When Jesus bore our sins on a tree, He allowed the people -- sinners -- to call upon Jesus so that they would receive forgiveness and remission of sin. But the apostolic message did not end there. In this context, other questions are asked. Am I really baptized if I am baptized in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit?
As outlined in earlier posts, these are relationship titles with no applicable name attached. By being baptized in the titles and not the precious Name of the Lord Jesus, one is substituting man’s rendition of Matthew chapter 28:19 without including the practical applicability. How did the apostles baptize? How were ALL new believers baptized in the Bible? Note here that the apostles did follow Jesus' instructions when they baptized believers in His Name -- in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus! (Acts 2:36-47)
When we recognize that Jesus was made the perfect sacrifice -- the Word made flesh -- we also understand that this same Jesus is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36). It was Jesus Himself that said on the cross -- "it is finished." The sacrificial death of Jesus -- present tense.
Moreover, there is only one high priest. That is Jesus, who is a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Therefore, is the new testament a continuation of the old covenant? No. The new testament is a testament between one party. This one relationship is between God who is Spirit and between God Himself as a Son. The grace testament. Whereas the old covenant was between two parties -- a covenant of life and death -- the new testament is about grace!
This is why the scriptures ask new believers to search the scriptures so that they will know and understand the plan of salvation that was from the beginning of the world. The doctrine of Christ.
What were the first believers told to do? The first 3,000 souls who believed in Jesus repented and were baptized into the Name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, and as a consequence, received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:1-47 provides the details. As you read, ask our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ to open your eyes for understanding -- His wisdom and knowledge downloaded so that you too can enter into His rest.
Stand in the offering plate.
But Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures In Heaven, Where Neither Moth Nor Rust Doth Corrupt And Where Thieves Do Not Break Through Nor Steal - Part 1758
Jesus said, "Therefore, I say unto you, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them]. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:24)
Jesus said that we ought always to pray, and not to faint. To pray without ceasing, and yet, rejoice evermore. But in many ways, we have forgotten the art of prayer, wherein we pour our hearts out to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ for those around us, who have yet to find Him. Perhaps, this is why Jesus taught His disciples to pray, cognizant that prayer did not necessarily come easy. It is perhaps, for this reason that the words expressed by Jesus in the model prayer, known as the Lord's prayer, serves as an ideal starting point for learning, in addition to Jesus prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, just prior to the cross.
But Jesus does not want us to pray like the hypocrites did -- "for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you -- they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to they Father which is in secret, and thy Father which sees in secret reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:5-6)
Perhaps, this is why Jesus shares the parable wherein He makes reference to a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man. When the widow in that city came unto him, saying, "Avenge me of mine adversary," he would not for awhile, but afterward he said within himself, "Though I fear not God, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming, she weary me." And the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge saith." And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-5)
This example distinguishes between the Pharisee who justified himself and the publican who standing afar off smote upon his breast saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus said, "I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased: and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14)
The first shall be last and the last, first.
Indeed, Jesus said, "If ye abide in Me and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples." (John 15:7)
Thus, "seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near ..." (Isaiah 55:6)
And know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that "EVERY GOOD GIFT AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, of His own will begat He us with the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." (James 1:17)
Stand in the offering plate.
Jesus said that we ought always to pray, and not to faint. To pray without ceasing, and yet, rejoice evermore. But in many ways, we have forgotten the art of prayer, wherein we pour our hearts out to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ for those around us, who have yet to find Him. Perhaps, this is why Jesus taught His disciples to pray, cognizant that prayer did not necessarily come easy. It is perhaps, for this reason that the words expressed by Jesus in the model prayer, known as the Lord's prayer, serves as an ideal starting point for learning, in addition to Jesus prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, just prior to the cross.
But Jesus does not want us to pray like the hypocrites did -- "for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you -- they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to they Father which is in secret, and thy Father which sees in secret reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:5-6)
Perhaps, this is why Jesus shares the parable wherein He makes reference to a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man. When the widow in that city came unto him, saying, "Avenge me of mine adversary," he would not for awhile, but afterward he said within himself, "Though I fear not God, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming, she weary me." And the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge saith." And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-5)
This example distinguishes between the Pharisee who justified himself and the publican who standing afar off smote upon his breast saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus said, "I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased: and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14)
The first shall be last and the last, first.
Indeed, Jesus said, "If ye abide in Me and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples." (John 15:7)
Thus, "seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near ..." (Isaiah 55:6)
And know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that "EVERY GOOD GIFT AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, of His own will begat He us with the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." (James 1:17)
Stand in the offering plate.
For As The Sufferings of Christ Abound In Us, So Our Consolation Also Abounds In Christ - Part 1757
"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)
Indeed, as clarification, Jesus told His disciples, "I and My Father are one!" (John 10:30) And also, Jesus said, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also ..." (John 14:6-12; John 8:58)
"Ye are from beneath, I am from above; ye are of this world, I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins' for if ye believe not that I am HE, ye shall die in your sins." And this Jesus said shortly after being very explicit about who He was, having said, "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father; if ye had known Me ye should have known My Father also." (John 12:19)
It was Jesus who said, "I am the Light of the world. He that follows Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life!" (John 8:12)
JESUS -- the Bread of life!
The voice that came from heaven always pointed to JESUS, saying, "Hear ye Him!" As a consequence then, of the desire in our hearts to hear His Word -- the words that Jesus spake and commanded whilst on this earth, we can enter into His rest. We can come into the presence of the Lord all the time, even whilst we are still living in this world. The peace of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ dwelling within, and leading us into the knowledge of His goodness and grace and mercy.
Perhaps, this is why the scripture encourages us to pray without ceasing and rejoice evermore. But there is so much more to embrace when it comes to the kindness and love of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. That is, His instruction and guidance and leadership that will lead us into all truth. Knowing that He can and will open the doors of heaven and pour out the many blessings from heaven if we remain faithful in His Word.
In Luke 11, there is an example of this. Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:13)
If we read on, we see Jesus describing the kingdom of God. After showing His disciples how to pray, Jesus then relates a parable of what happens when a friend, wanting to do a good deed for another friend who had been journeying and now staying at his house, comes to a neighbour at midnight, asking for three loaves of bread to feed this person. Note that the man was not asking for himself but for a friend. Also important is that the man who was asking had nothing to set before this friend.
The neighbour however, not wanting to be disturbed at midnight says from within the house, "Trouble me not!" Moreover, he said the door is now shut, and the children asleep with him in his bed. Still, because of persistence, the man does finally rise and give him what he needs. Jesus puts it this way, "Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity [persistence] he will rise and give him as much as he needs." (Luke 11:5-8)
In complete contrast to the worldly example above, wherein self-interests can become our motivation, Jesus, as our true friend never leaves us nor forsakes us. In fact, Jesus said, "And I say unto you, "ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:9-13)
Matthew reaffirms Jesus' message in a similar account. There, Jesus says, "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks, finds, and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son asks bread, will he give him a stone? Or, if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Matthew 7:7-11; Proverbs 8:17; Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21)
In other words, the Lord wants us to rely on Him for our sustenance, trusting Him constantly by faith for our day to day. Conversely, the earthly/worldly always points to a man-made kingdom wherein you have to be a part of society to win. Wherein you have to be a part of the highways and byways crowd to have significance.
But what is Jesus saying here? Some might argue with me on this point, but I believe Jesus is encouraging us to take hold of the heavenly, to taste and see that the Lord is good. He is telling us that if a son asks a father for bread, is he going to give him a stone? Likely not. But too often we settle for the earthly bread instead of trusting the Provider of the manna from heaven.
Still, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35-51) "For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven and gives life unto the world." (John 6:33)
Jesus told those who followed Him (only because of the miracles He performed earlier) that this is the work of God -- "That ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." (John 6:29) And shortly after, when these same people were looking for yet another sign, "that we may see and believe Thee" -- Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven." (John 6:32)
As we know Jesus is the bread of life, and those "that come to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst .. for I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me -- that of all which He hath given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that everyone that sees the Son, and believes on Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up the last day." (John 6:35-40)
Of course, this caused many Jews to murmur about who Jesus was, because these did not desire in their hearts for the Lord to evermore give us this Bread. But for those of us who desire the peace and joy that comes from repenting (turning away from the things of this world) and being water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive the Bread of life -- this same Jesus resurrected, who now gives commandments THROUGH the Holy Ghost to those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Hear O Israel the Lord thy God is One Lord! His Name is Jesus in this current dispensation of grace, and He desires to give you the Kingdom, if you would only believe on Him and follow His commandments. Indeed, don't let this day pass without taking hold of our Lord God and Saviour in your heart.
Stand in the offering plate.
Indeed, as clarification, Jesus told His disciples, "I and My Father are one!" (John 10:30) And also, Jesus said, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also ..." (John 14:6-12; John 8:58)
"Ye are from beneath, I am from above; ye are of this world, I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins' for if ye believe not that I am HE, ye shall die in your sins." And this Jesus said shortly after being very explicit about who He was, having said, "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father; if ye had known Me ye should have known My Father also." (John 12:19)
It was Jesus who said, "I am the Light of the world. He that follows Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life!" (John 8:12)
JESUS -- the Bread of life!
The voice that came from heaven always pointed to JESUS, saying, "Hear ye Him!" As a consequence then, of the desire in our hearts to hear His Word -- the words that Jesus spake and commanded whilst on this earth, we can enter into His rest. We can come into the presence of the Lord all the time, even whilst we are still living in this world. The peace of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ dwelling within, and leading us into the knowledge of His goodness and grace and mercy.
Perhaps, this is why the scripture encourages us to pray without ceasing and rejoice evermore. But there is so much more to embrace when it comes to the kindness and love of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. That is, His instruction and guidance and leadership that will lead us into all truth. Knowing that He can and will open the doors of heaven and pour out the many blessings from heaven if we remain faithful in His Word.
In Luke 11, there is an example of this. Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:13)
If we read on, we see Jesus describing the kingdom of God. After showing His disciples how to pray, Jesus then relates a parable of what happens when a friend, wanting to do a good deed for another friend who had been journeying and now staying at his house, comes to a neighbour at midnight, asking for three loaves of bread to feed this person. Note that the man was not asking for himself but for a friend. Also important is that the man who was asking had nothing to set before this friend.
The neighbour however, not wanting to be disturbed at midnight says from within the house, "Trouble me not!" Moreover, he said the door is now shut, and the children asleep with him in his bed. Still, because of persistence, the man does finally rise and give him what he needs. Jesus puts it this way, "Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity [persistence] he will rise and give him as much as he needs." (Luke 11:5-8)
In complete contrast to the worldly example above, wherein self-interests can become our motivation, Jesus, as our true friend never leaves us nor forsakes us. In fact, Jesus said, "And I say unto you, "ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:9-13)
Matthew reaffirms Jesus' message in a similar account. There, Jesus says, "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks, finds, and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son asks bread, will he give him a stone? Or, if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Matthew 7:7-11; Proverbs 8:17; Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21)
In other words, the Lord wants us to rely on Him for our sustenance, trusting Him constantly by faith for our day to day. Conversely, the earthly/worldly always points to a man-made kingdom wherein you have to be a part of society to win. Wherein you have to be a part of the highways and byways crowd to have significance.
But what is Jesus saying here? Some might argue with me on this point, but I believe Jesus is encouraging us to take hold of the heavenly, to taste and see that the Lord is good. He is telling us that if a son asks a father for bread, is he going to give him a stone? Likely not. But too often we settle for the earthly bread instead of trusting the Provider of the manna from heaven.
Still, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35-51) "For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven and gives life unto the world." (John 6:33)
Jesus told those who followed Him (only because of the miracles He performed earlier) that this is the work of God -- "That ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." (John 6:29) And shortly after, when these same people were looking for yet another sign, "that we may see and believe Thee" -- Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven." (John 6:32)
As we know Jesus is the bread of life, and those "that come to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst .. for I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me -- that of all which He hath given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that everyone that sees the Son, and believes on Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up the last day." (John 6:35-40)
Of course, this caused many Jews to murmur about who Jesus was, because these did not desire in their hearts for the Lord to evermore give us this Bread. But for those of us who desire the peace and joy that comes from repenting (turning away from the things of this world) and being water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive the Bread of life -- this same Jesus resurrected, who now gives commandments THROUGH the Holy Ghost to those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Hear O Israel the Lord thy God is One Lord! His Name is Jesus in this current dispensation of grace, and He desires to give you the Kingdom, if you would only believe on Him and follow His commandments. Indeed, don't let this day pass without taking hold of our Lord God and Saviour in your heart.
Stand in the offering plate.
Jesus Said, "If Ye Abide In Me, And My Words Abide In You, Ye Shall Ask What Ye Will And It Shall Be Done Unto You - Part 1756
"To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:19)
Jesus cried when He said, "... he that believes on Me, believes not on Me, but on Him that sent Me. And he THAT SEES ME SEES HIM THAT SENT ME. I AM COME A LIGHT INTO THE WORLD, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES ON "ME" SHOULD NOT ABIDE IN DARKNESS. And if any man hear MY words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world; he that rejects Me, and receives not My words, hath one that judges him; the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of Myself, but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever, I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak." (John 12:44-50)
Why is this so? Because He was in the world and the world was made by Him but the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11; I Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:4-7; II John 1:9) The mystery that was held from the foundation of the world was being revealed for one and all to behold. That is, the same God who created all things in the beginning, had become our Saviour.
Like most mysteries, the unfolding of the story -- the revelation -- comes toward the end. This is why the prophets so looked forward to the promise -- the Christ which was to come -- when the dayspring on high would visit His people. The Lord Himself coming forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35)
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7)
"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began: but hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching, which is committed unto me -- according to the commandment of God our Saviour." (Titus 1:1-3)
The doctrine of Christ -- lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me! (Hebrews 6:1-2; II John 1:9) Repeatedly, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35-51) "For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven and gives life unto the world." (John 6:33)
The first man Adam was earthly, the second the Lord from heaven.
Therefore, for those who believe on Jesus by faith, and been water baptized in His precious holy Name (as the first 3,000 souls were on the day of Pentecost), we can with solid assurance look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13-14)
Be blessed that He has both chosen and ordained you. Stand in the offering plate.
Jesus cried when He said, "... he that believes on Me, believes not on Me, but on Him that sent Me. And he THAT SEES ME SEES HIM THAT SENT ME. I AM COME A LIGHT INTO THE WORLD, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES ON "ME" SHOULD NOT ABIDE IN DARKNESS. And if any man hear MY words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world; he that rejects Me, and receives not My words, hath one that judges him; the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of Myself, but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever, I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak." (John 12:44-50)
Why is this so? Because He was in the world and the world was made by Him but the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11; I Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:4-7; II John 1:9) The mystery that was held from the foundation of the world was being revealed for one and all to behold. That is, the same God who created all things in the beginning, had become our Saviour.
Like most mysteries, the unfolding of the story -- the revelation -- comes toward the end. This is why the prophets so looked forward to the promise -- the Christ which was to come -- when the dayspring on high would visit His people. The Lord Himself coming forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35)
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7)
"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began: but hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching, which is committed unto me -- according to the commandment of God our Saviour." (Titus 1:1-3)
The doctrine of Christ -- lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me! (Hebrews 6:1-2; II John 1:9) Repeatedly, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35-51) "For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven and gives life unto the world." (John 6:33)
The first man Adam was earthly, the second the Lord from heaven.
Therefore, for those who believe on Jesus by faith, and been water baptized in His precious holy Name (as the first 3,000 souls were on the day of Pentecost), we can with solid assurance look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13-14)
Be blessed that He has both chosen and ordained you. Stand in the offering plate.
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