Not Acknowledging Religion, But Rather God's Supremacy And Presence In This World - Part 2783

Jesus said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden light."

Jesus -- in whom we have redemption through His blood. Jesus - who hath delivered us from the power of darkness. Jesus -- who has translated [us] into the Kingdom. Jesus -- in whom we can be confident we have forgiveness of sins. Jesus -- who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. Jesus -- for by Him were all things created that are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. Jesus -- all things were created by Him and for Him and He is before all things, and by Him all things exist. Jesus -- in whom it pleased the Father that in Him should all the fullness of the Godhead dwell. (Colossians 1:13-17)

This same Jesus who hung on the cross between heaven and earth -- our Lord God and Saviour who loved us even before the world was formed -- wants to give us rest. His peace. Freedom in His love that surpasses all human understanding.

"This is why it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the of the bondwoman was born after the flesh but he of the freewoman 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 bears not; break forth and cry, thou hast travails 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 him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is 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 freewoman."

So then brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." (Galatians 4:22-31)

As believers born into the freedom of our Lord and King, Jesus wants to give us His kingdom here on earth -- and fill our lives with His abundance. Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. He wants to bestow upon us His many blessings that until now -- the time of promise that is to you and your children and those who are afar off -- blessings in abundance that the eye hath not seen nor the heart imagined. The goodness of His grace that our Lord God and Saviour has in store for those who love Him and press inward toward Him in their daily journey.

"For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For He that is entered into His rest, He also hath ceased from His own works, as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest" coming boldly unto the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:8-11, 16)

Why? Because we do not worship a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Rather, we serve Jesus who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Indeed, He died for our sins so that we could be set free in the liberty wherein is Christ. This is the same Jesus who wants to live in our hearts today. Rejoice! 

Stand in the offering plate.

For By Grace Are Ye Saved Through Faith: It Is The Gift Of God - Part 2782

"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)

Because of the sacrifice of JESUS the Christ, who was indeed the only begotten child of the holy Spirit of God or, as the scriptures state, God Himself manifest in the flesh as a Son, we have an opportunity to be saved. Yes, God in the manifestation of JESUS (Emmanuel -- God with us) had a plan for all of His creation. This is why it is important to understand that in Jesus did ALL the fullness of the Godhead dwell bodily. (Matthew 1:21-23; Colossians 2:9) 

If some of you require an analogy, think of a drop of water from the ocean. Even with only the one drop, you would still be in possession of all the elements found in the ocean waters. Still, there remains a vast body of water that is ocean. It is the same with God in Christ. All of the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Jesus. All of the fullness of the Godhead.

"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)

This is why Jesus said to Philip, "If you have seen Me, then Philip you have seen the Father. I and my Father are one. He that has seen Me (the Son) has seen the Father." (John 14:6-12) In other words, God has fathered all of His children in a Son’s body. Surely natural life as we see it displays this obvious fact. All of man’s offspring are fathered from a son’s body and ... after the child is born the son who provided the seed is recognized as a father.

JESUS then was conceived of the Holy Ghost - the Holy Ghost providing the new blood line. God Himself as a Son seeded us for it is written, "We are the SEED of JESUS the Christ." The SEED of JESUS the Christ is the WORD of God. For we have been born again NOT of corruptible seed BUT by incorruptible SEED which is the WORD of God.

"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

JESUS being the very same WORD/WISDOM that indwelt God. Yes, one and the same. JESUS the WORD  that became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14) the WISDOM of GOD coming forth from the innermost being of God, becoming for our sake God manifest in the flesh as a Son. God was manifest in visible form like unto Adam‘s sin prone race, appearing in such humiliated form to destroy the evil works and destruction of the devil.

"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)

JESUS purposely came in this condescended form so that we might have life eternal. JESUS did not descend into our midst to condemn us! Rather, JESUS came that we might have ample opportunity to be brought out from “the bondage of the law of sin and death" being translated by the grace of God into the Kingdom of God in Christ. And likewise, into the Law of Liberty!

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14)

Indeed, God has a plan for man, which unfortunately is often obscured and hid from many eyes. Who could entertain the thought that God would lay down His own life as a Son for us? But as we know from reading the scriptures, and similarly, our personal walk with our Saviour -- God by Himself provided a way whereby sinful, disobedient, sin prone man could be redeemed.

Even today, with all of the eloquent speeches of men, their words are lame in comparison to the factual WORDS of ETERNAL LIFE spoken and confirmed by God. The same God who was indwelling the man JESUS the Christ who desired from the beginning of time to reconcile fallen man to Himself. As many as received JESUS received life! This is God's promise to one and all!

Stand in the offering plate.

And Each Man Heard Them Speak The Wondrous Works of Jesus - Part 2781

"And ye shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins.| (Matthew 1:21-23) 

JESUS being the only head of the Church commissioned the following message to His disciples. That is, repentance and remission of sin should be preached in My name amongst all nations beginning at Jerusalem. Note specifically the words that state repentance and remission of sin should be preached in His Name. So the question is - what is His name? 

According to scriptures, His Name is JESUS. This explains why the apostles did not preach in any other name. Because at no point in the scriptures were the apostles commissioned to preach in any other name.

But as we also know, satan comes along to muddy the waters - like in the wilderness when Jesus was tempted while fasting for 40 days and nights. Therein, satan tempts JESUS with his distorted translation of scripture. Conversely, JESUS who is the VERY WORD of God never quotes from a revised, rewritten edition. Neither was Jesus tempted to change the Word to please another being.

Indeed, as we know from the example of Jesus being tempted in the desert, Jesus referred satan to the scriptures three times -- "It is written!" [Overall, in both the old and new, "it is written" is cited 95 times.]

From Matthew 4:

"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

Then the devil takes Him up into the holy city, and setts Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, "If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash thy foot against a stone." Jesus said unto him, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

Again, the devil takes Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and shews Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, "All these things will I give Thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Then saith Jesus unto him, "Get thee hence, satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." Then the devil leaves Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him."

It is no wonder the devil had to flee, because Jesus - both Lord and Christ -- remains victorious in all things.

Still, several key issues have emerged since the time (early in Jesus; ministry) when Jesus was in the desert. First, as Amos prophesies from afore, many who profess to believe are not aware of the real salvation message Jesus was sent to preach. Second, the church fathers have since wrapped their changed teachings in a worldly garment, desiring to have followers of Jesus take their eyes from Him, and instead clothe themselves in their own material things. 

Nevertheless, as the historical record alludes, these same church fathers admit to changing Matthew 28:19, rendering the original 'it is written' wording to indicate -- "in the name of the father, son and spirit." Please know that this rendering is in complete contrast to the original teachings of the apostles. Further, there is no confirming scripture for this teaching. As well, if one researches the changes made to this one scripture, they will find that all encyclopedia’s refute Matthew 28:19 as it is currently presented. In fact, even the present day pope admits that the Roman Catholic church altered this scripture at some point.

The difficulty is that the rendering of the scriptures was adopted by all of the reformation churches. Thus, while their adherence and later admission to teaching scriptural error is commendable, it has done little to erase the error. It has not helped either that there exists, even today those indoctrinated adherents who stubbornly uphold their denominational error even when the truth is made known. The confusion becomes more entrenched when the truth is revealed that emphasizes correct Biblical teachings.

For example, any doctrines or teaching pertaining to salvation can be only be found in the Name of JESUS. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9) 

But far too often, what happens is that these same religious folks try to justify their teachings rather than adhere to the scriptures. How many times have we heard in reference to water baptism that you are not being baptized into Jesus the Christ but rather you are only being baptized upon the authority of Jesus the Christ. Apparently, this new rendering of the scriptures justifies the use of "in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit" when baptizing, even when none of these descriptive titles resembles a name.

Still, nowhere in the scriptures was there ever any person or family water baptized using the titles. Sure, many of us have went along with this erroneous teaching, primarily because of our own ignorance of the written Word of God. And perhaps, that we simply trusted the ecclesiastical system. But now that we know different, what will we do?

Remember, Adam and Eve also transgressed God’s instructions in the Garden. Look where they ended up - as strangers and foreigners to God. Still, the good news is that we originally were created of God to be His beloved body of Christ church. 

God made us! 

God loved us! 

And indeed, He loved us so much that He redeemed us back to Himself.

A redemptive price had to be paid. A hefty price. In fact, the cost of our redemption meant the death of a righteous man. But as we learn from the scriptures, there was not to found amongst Adam's fallen race one righteous man. So instead the humanity of God prevailed on our behalf. God Himself veiled Himself in flesh (yet without sin). 

Yes, God laid down His life as a Son, purchasing free redemption for all who come to Him.

This is why we need to adhere to the scriptures. When JESUS COMMISSIONED His disciples to preach the altar call -- it was in Acts 2:36-41. During that first alter call, 3000 persons repented, believed, and were baptized into the name of JESUS for the remission of their sin. 

The question now is this. What hinders you from repentance, believing and being water baptized as JESUS commissioned? 

Peter, standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost told these 3,000 souls that they had to repent, be water baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-41) And so should this very same formula for water baptism be the same message  the apostles used apply on us.

Acts 2:36-41 -- the most critical message for this day!

Stand in the offering plate.

Behold, I Will Both Search For My Sheep And Feed Them - Part 2780

"For thus saith the Lord God, "Behold; I, [even] I, will both search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of the places when they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock and and I will cause them to lie down," saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 34:11-1)

When did the Lord God who created us in the beginning first seek a relationship with His beloved? Moreover, when did the Lord God not only search for His sheep (which is you and I) but deliberately and diligently seek His sheep/you and I out? And feed them/us? And deliver them/us out of the places when they/we have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day?

Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord God told His people that He would become their Saviour. That from the very beginning, even before the world was formed, He had a plan wherein He would bring us salvation. His redemption message wherein we could be saved because of how much He loved us.

Jesus said, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

Jesus also said, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9) 

In other words, whilst the Spirit of the Lord God was moving upon the waters in Genesis, He was also thinking forward to His beloved in this current dispensation of grace, wherein He, the Lord was going to pitch the tent. Wherein He was going to do a brand new work.

And, as a consequence of His amazing love, we can continually commune with our God our Saviour, for He has made a way when there was no way. 

"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, "O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:" (Isaiah 43:1-3)

For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel -- our Saviour -- and He will feed His flock and deliver us out of the places where we have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day, for as He said when He walked this earth, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee!"

Jesus - King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending.

Stand in the offering plate.