Messages
| "When we have a thorough talk with the Lord and pour out our heart to Him, our intimacy with the Lord is one step further, and we know Him a little more. Intimate contact with Him at these times is hundreds of times better than our ordinary fellowship with Him. By these contacts we advance in life. We should bring our problems to the Lord and tell Him about them. He can comfort us and help us. If a person has never shed tears before the Lord, if he has never shared his joy or sorrow with the Lord, and if he has never talked with the Lord about his private matters, he has never had any deep acquaintance with Him. We are not saying that you cannot ask others to pray for you or ask others to help you. We are saying that one can only be drawn closer to the Lord through telling Him everything."
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2010 Messages
Messages
Weekly Probing in the Bible
Weekly Probing in the Bible
Week 01
Week 02 - Creation
Week 03
Week 04
Week 05 - Forgiveness
Week 06 - Feeding
Week 07 - Justification
Week 09 - The Gospel
Week 10 - God and YOU
Week 11 - Reconciled
Week 12 - Faith
Week 13 - Resurrection
Week 14 - Abounding Grace
Week 15 - Baptized
Week 16 - Presenting Yourself
Week 17 - Run the Race
Week 18 - Two Husbands
Week 19 - Indwelling Sin
Week 20 - The Spirit Of Life
Week 21 - Power of Indwelling Spirit
Week 22 - Sanctified
Week 23 - Transformation
Week 24 - Conformation
2009 Messages
Week 24 - Conformation
Saintly Spiritual Awakenings
Saintly Spiritual Awakenings
Saintly Spiritual Awakenings are Biblical excerpts to help feed and inspire God's people to have a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. On the other hand, it is designed to unveil the various hidden meanings in the Bible so even those with misgivings may come to realize the wisdom of God."
Saintly Spiritual Awakenings - Volume 1
Saintly Spiritual Awakenings
Week 01 (January 5-9, 2009)
Week 01 (January 5-9, 2009)
Saintly Spiritual Awakenings - Volume 1
Page 001 - Are You Robbing God?
Page 001 - Are You Robbing God?
*Verses from NIV
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "in tithes and offerings. You are under a curse---the whole nation of you---because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (NIV: Malachi 3:8-10)
Every year we need to stop and consider our priorities. God would ask each one of us to list what are the most important matters in your life. Does God rank in your top five? If you say, I think He should be #1. Then God will ask, "Have you been robbing me?" as He asked Israel long ago?
The Israelites were requested to tithe one-tenth of all they earned (Deuteronomy 12:11-14; 14:22). Yet, this was the bare minimum. Besides their tithing, they brought burnt offerings, sacrifices, special gifts, and all the choice possessions that they had vowed to the Lord. What else could we give besides our money? How about our time or use of some skill?
The Lord knew that it would be easy to say that He has the first place in our hearts so He puts what we have to the test. It actually comes down to whether or not we will trust God when we give in abundance to Him.
The Apostle Paul says it this way:
"Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (NIV: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
James L Ruffin
Page 002 - Word Power
*Verses from NIV
"And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." (NIV: Genesis 1:3)
God has given mankind, those created in His image and likeness, a marvelous ability. On the one hand, it is quite hidden, but on the other we see its effects daily. An excerpt from a poem I wrote says,
"Words may be shallow or deep and profound
Words may be steadfast or lying around
Words may be heard or just empty sound
Words set you free or keep you bound"
Our God is a speaking God and not a speechless idol which has no power to affect its worshippers (Psalms 115:2-8). When God speaks, things happen (Isaiah 55:11; Luke 1:37). So it is with our own speaking. We have the power to confess the Word of God daily and make it real in our lives. (Romans 10:8-17; Revelation 12:11). Unfortunately, we can also speak negatively and tear ourselves away from God's goal (Proverbs 6:2)
Although it is better to speak out loud, we may be talking to ourselves about all the wrong things and have a running conversation in our mind. This can bring about a negative result. Paul says it this way:
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." (NIV: Romans 8:5-6)
James L Ruffin
Page 003 - Believe It Or Not
*Verses from NIV
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name; Who were begotten not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (NIV: John 1:12-13)
The problem with the word "believe" is that it is too common of a term today. One easily dismisses what has been proposed in the Word of God. This is probably why Scripture emphatically declares that those who are born of God have nothing to do with man's belief in some blood line, some natural understanding, or some good intention.
No, the basis for believing here is receiving and subjectively experiencing God Himself. For example, James 2:19 tells us:
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that---and shudder." (NIV)
The demons may believe in God more than you do because they are fearful. Yet, they have nothing to do with God because they do not subjectively receive Him.
People today classify belief as a known or unknown fact which they adhere to. The Bible, on the other hand, says believing is a transaction with the living God that produces a substantial result: eternal salvation. Believe it or not! (John 3:16-18; 2 Timothy 1:8-12)
James L Ruffin
Page 004 - Are You Free?
*Verses from NIV
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you know the truth (reality), and the truth (reality) shall set you free. They answered Him, We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free? Jesus replied, I tell you the truth (reality), everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son set you free, you will be free indeed." (NIV: John 8:31b-36)
It is ironic that in the United States everyone is for FREEDOM! Nevertheless, everyone's definition for freedom is so different. The superficial way of looking at freedom is that I can do what I want, when I want, and no one should be able to limit my rights. This type of freedom is selfish and self-centered.
A more noble approach to freedom is that the American people should be able to govern them-selves the way they want through elected representa-tives that collectively carry out the will of the people for the betterment of the country.
However, there is a flaw with each approach. Jesus warned us that anyone who sins is a slave to sin. This means no matter how noble a people we want to be, sooner or later, corruption will bring us down. Despite the fact that the Unites States began with strong Christian roots, people are under the bondage of sin more than ever. Once we give up Christ's teachings, which bring us into life, we no longer have liberty or the freeing truth that is only within God (2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:1, 13-14)
James L Ruffin
Page 005 - Does God Support Crime?
*Verses from NIV
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (NIV: Matthew 5:38-42)
Should Christians never fight back and let all types of people take advantage of them?
Jesus was instructing His disciples on what type of attitude they should have. They should not be self-seeking, combative, try to get even, or seek re-venge. The Lord emphasized the matter of meekness, which is, gentle, deferential and compliant towards others. As those living in the kingdom of God, Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (NIV: Matthew 5:3)
Nevertheless, Jesus Himself never lost sight of the real world and the evil that was within it. Right before He was crucified He instructed His disciples in this way, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (NIV: Luke 22:35-36).
Did Jesus change? No! God established law that good would punish evil. (NIV: Romans 13:1-6)
James L Ruffin
Week 02 (January 12-16, 2009)
Page 005 - Does God Support Crime?
Page 006 - What Can Be Said of the Creation of the World?
Page 006 - What Can Be Said of the Creation of the World?
*Verses from AMP
"In THE beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned,) and created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving, (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. And God Said, Let there be light; and there was light." (Amp: Genesis 1:1-3; See Hebrews 11:3; Job 9:5-7; Isaiah 45:7; Jeremiah 4:23)
Due to our living in a scientific age, we hear of cave men and dinosaurs and wonder how they fit into the book of Genesis. Even harder to grasp is stating the world as we know it is only 6000 years old instead of millions of years.
Nevertheless, Genesis chapter 1 may be giving us an account of how God first created, then purposely destroyed the earth by water and finally remade the earth some time afterwards in 6 days. Since the sun, moon, and stars were created on the 4th day, we should not assume what is men- tioned are 24 hour days.
Isaiah 45:18 does tell us that God did not create the earth waste. So what happened? Did Satan fall as lightening from heaven to earth? (Luke 10:18) Was he responsible for the destruction of this first creation by water? According to Genesis 1:9, God did not create the earth here. It simply appeared from under the water. Much of what God did was to remake and not create as He did in the beginning.
God has not given us all the details because this is not His purpose. However, man today does have a 6000 year history and that is all we know.
James L Ruffin
Page 007 - Are You God's Friend?
*Verses from AMP
"And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God's will in thought and deed), and he was called God's friend." (Amp: James 2:23)
What does it take to be God's friend? You may think it requires that you do all the right things and never make a mistake. However, if you look at the life of Abraham, you do not see a perfect man, but one who has flaws and shortcomings.
Yet, see how they matched one another: "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He[even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life." (Amp: John 3:16)
It is also written:
"AFTER THESE events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. [God] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you. And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took hold of the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! He answered, Here I am. And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son." (Amp: Genesis 22:1-2, 10-12)
Abraham understood what God felt and was willing to do what God would do Himself! How about you?
James L Ruffin
Page 008 - "AMEN" in the Bible
*Verses from AMP
"May this water that brings the curse go into your bowels and make your body swell and your thigh fall away. And the Woman shall say, So let it be, so let it be." [Amen, Amen] (Amp: Numbers 5:22)
Did you know that the initial usage of the word "Amen" was for a woman to accept a curse if she had committed adultery? It was next employed on Mount Ebal for the people to accept a curse if they would not obey God's law. (Deuteronomy 27:14-26)
During the reign of King David the word "Amen" began to refer to positive things. When David declared that Solomon would succeed him, "Benaiah, son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, "Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, say so too." [Amen] (Amp: 1 Kings 1:36) When David brought up the ark, thanking the Lord with a psalm, all the people said, "Amen." (1 Chronicles 16:36). Later when Ezra blessed the Lord, all the people said, "Amen." (Nehemiah 8:6)
"Amen," meaning "Let it be so" concluded each of the 4 books of the Psalms in 41:13; 72:19; 89:52 and 106:48. In Isaiah 65:16, the God of "Amen" is mentioned twice, but is translated as either "Truth" or "Faithfulness." In the New Testament, God's promises become the "Yea or Amen" in Christ.( 2 Corinthians 1:20)
Eventually, "Amen" becomes the response of Christians and of the angels to all God has done through Christ. There is no longer agreement to cursing, but only to God's blessing. (See Hebrews 13:21, 25; 1 Corinthians 14:16; Revelation 7:12) This is because Christ Himself is the "Amen" to God and will build His church. (Revelation 3:14; Matthew 16:18)
James L Ruffin
Page 009 - What Is Your Status?
*Verses from AMP
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory." (Amp: Romans 8:14-17)
One's status in this world determines a great deal. Your status often determines what kind of recognition and privileges you are entitled to. Lucifer, the highest archangel in the universe, wanted to be equal with God. This led to his rebellion and the relinquishing of his privileges. He could never tolerate mankind receiving what he himself wanted so desperately.
Some have stated that since the Apostle Paul says we are adopted by God, we could never partake of the life and nature of God as genuine children. However, the Bible speaks about those born of God, who have the very life of God: "You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God." (Amp: 1 Peter 1:23; See John 3:6; 3:36; 5:24;l 10:10; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 5:12)
Paul does affirm that even legally (as in an adoption) we have a right to inherit all that is entitled to us as sons of God because we are indeed genuine brothers of Jesus Christ who have the same Father. (Hebrews 2:10-14)
James L Ruffin
Page 010 - Where Does God Want to Live?
*Verses from AMP
"Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him." (Amp: John 14:23)
We all know that a house is not the same as a home. Is it not amazing that the God of the universe who dwells in the heavens seeks a dwelling place which He can call home?
God Himself declares: "THUS SAYS the Lord: Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house would you build for Me? And what kind can be My resting-place? For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things have come into being [by and for Me], says the Lord. But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands." (Amp: Isaiah 66:1-2)
We may think that it is merely a human custom for a man and woman to get married and settle down in a home together. Yet this institution comes straight from God. He alone declared, "It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper, meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him." (Amp: Genesis 2:18)
Is it no wonder that marriage is difficult? It did not originate with man. When man tries to uphold something according to the nature of God, he fails. Yet God wants to have a marriage for eternity:
"And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband; Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God." (Amp: Revelation 21:2-3)
James L Ruffin
Week 03 (January 19-23, 2009)
Page 010 - Where Does God Want to Live?
Page 011 - Idle Words Are Not Meaningless
Page 011 - Idle Words Are Not Meaningless
*Verses from AMP
"You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the [a]superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things.But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak." (Amp: Matthew 12:34-36)
I used to think that idle words were just meaningless sayings. Often when we are with friends or one's spouse, we make frivolous comments or make light jokes. Yet, the Lord Jesus was not referring to these kinds of off-the-hand comments. No! He was pointing to words that have a negative impact proceeding from evil intentions.
In Matthew 20:3, 6, the Lord spoke about men who were idle in the market place because they chose not to work. They did nothing that was beneficial all day. In 1 Timothy 5:13 the word refers to gossips and busybodies who say what they should not say and talk of things they should not mention. In Titus 1:12 those who are idle are liars, hurtful beasts, and lazy gluttons. An idle person tends to be unfruitful because they lack growth n the divine life. (2 Peter 1:8). They may have a tendency to speak one way, but in reality are hypocrites who do not live up to what they profess (Luke 12:1-3).
Idle words tear down others rather than build them up. They are words which are unprofitable and useless. Anyone guilty of this offense the Lord will judge severely.
James L Ruffin
Page 012 - Idle Words Are Not Meaningless
*Verses from AMP
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you" (Amp: 1 Peter 5:10).
Once we believe, that is, receive the Lord Jesus Christ, we are given God's eternal life through His divine Spirit. (John 3:6; 16) As wonderful as this is, it is not the end, but rather the beginning. God sees His newly re-
generated children as new born babies needing the proper growth, develop-ment, and training. His desire is that all would become full grown sons of God. (Romans 8:14; 1 Peter 1:3; Titus 2:11-12). A person’s actual physical age does not change this fact.
Unfortunately, just like children, we are often not so willing to eat and drink the healthy Word of God (1 Peter 2:2-3) and grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). So what is God to do? Since He has committed Himself to us, He will do everything possible to help us get what we need. This includes the school of hard knocks which we typically refer to as sufferings. Even if we have not done anything wrong, sufferings are quite useful in God's hand to help perfect, complete, or consummate His will in us (Hebrews 2:9-10). The Lord Jesus Himself was not exempt from this kind of dealing from the Father's hand.
This does not mean we look for suffering or inflict intentional pain upon ourselves. We do not need to help God out. We only need to learn the lessons God is trying to teach us. Otherwise, God may have to put us through the same life lesson numerous times. This could end up being painful indeed. Yet, if we become pliable clay for God to mold, we will be able to say as the Apostle Paul did in 2 Corinthians 12:10, "So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).
James L Ruffin
Page 013 - Born in Sin
*Verses from AMP
"Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful]. Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart" Psalms 51:5-6).
The thought of original sin is based upon the fact that what Adam and Eve ate in the garden became absorbed into their being which was then transmitted to all mankind (Romans 5:12). King David was fully aware of this from his own experience. He knew that he was plagued with something that caused him to sin against the commandments of God. The Apostle Paul confirmed this fact hundreds of years later by his own experience (Romans 7:14-20).
Since today we live in a scientific age, could this not be the Bible’s way of saying that genetically SIN is passed down from one generation to the next. And as it spreads among mankind, it has afflicted every person in a unique way. We have all heard of or been apart of the following: lusts, lying, stealing, greed, hate, vanity,covetousness, rebellion, addictions, evil, unthankfulness, pride,idolatry, promiscuity, apathy, miserliness, etc.
Because we are not capable of escaping the negative affects of this genetic infection, God supplied those who believe in Jesus Christ with an eternal antidote. Jesus bore mankind’s genetic abnormalities on the cross so we would not have to be cursed by them any longer. In Christ we get re-gene-rated (1 Peter 1:3). God’s gene has the ability to nullify the gene injected into our flesh by the Devil. However, God starts in our spirit, in our inner man, and then works outwardly into our soul,that is, our mind, emotion, and will, until ultimately He subdues our fleshly body. (Romans 6:6) Hallelujah
James L Ruffin
Page 014 - How Should We Train Our Children?
*Verses from AMP
"Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Amp: Proverbs 22:6)
The hardest thing for a parent is knowing how to raise up their children. After all, they are gifts from God placed into our care (Psalms 127:3). Our desire for each of them should be that they love God and and become responsible, productive adults. The most prudent way for us to do this is to live godly lives before them.
Furthermore, we should never assume our children will drift into being proper human beings. We need a plan. The Bible does focus on some crucial matters. Obviously, no one can rear a child without giving them the proper love. This entails providing for all their needs, but we cannot afford to spoil them so they become self-indulgent and expect everyone else owes them something (2 Corinthians 12:14).
Fathers must learn to not be over barren and needlessly provoke their children to anger (Ephesians 6:4). Yet they must raise them with appropriate, instructive, discipline and counsel them in the ways of the Lord. This will help children learn responsibility and realize that there are always consequences to our actions.
Lastly, our children need to be inoculated from the negative influences of the world (Romans 12:2) so that their humanity remains wholesome and fit for the Lord's use. This requires creative ways to occupy our children by using outside resources. Here are some suggestions on the Web: TPRonline, egadideas, PointManGames, discoveryeducation, and kidshealth.org / Books: "Revolutionary Parenting" by George Barna / My Single Mom Life: Stories and Practical Lessons for Your Journey
James L Ruffin
Page 015 - Do You Have Christian Friends?
*Verses from AMP
"I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father." [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him]---Amp: John 15:15.
"Peace be to you! (Good-bye!) The friends here send you greetings. Remember me to the friends there [to every one of them personally] by name" (Amp: 3 John 15).
Usually Christians address one another as brother or sister. This is because we share a life relationship with one another through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God is our Father and all His children partake of His life and nature (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Nevertheless, Jesus made it clear to His disciples before He departed from this earth, that He regarded them as friends. He explained that His disciples were not just those who dutifully obeyed, but were partners and intimate associates with Him and His heavenly Father (1 John 1:1:3). The Apostle John had similar sentiments to those he wrote to in his epistle.
No doubt, as Christians we do love other believers. Yet, this does not mean that we like one another. The capacity of the divine life is so powerful that one can even love his or her enemies [which just might be the person sitting next to you] (Matthew 5:43-44). So it is no small thing that some brothers and sisters develop genuine friendships and reliable confidants. This is a higher level of fellowship and interaction which is not just about doing spiritual activities. The deepest love that God will ever display among Christians is when a strong commitment is made to one another as friends!
James L Ruffin
Week 04 (January 26-30, 2009)
Page 015 - Do You Have Christian Friends?
Page 016 - What is Blessing?
Page 016 - What is Blessing?
*Verses from AMP
"May blessing (praise, laudation, and eulogy) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm" (Amp: Ephesians 1:3).
The word "blessing" is derived from the word "eulogize" in the Greek. It means to speak well of, to give praise or thanksgiving in relationship to God, mankind or even things. Wishing someone well, for example, is a form of blessing. Another way to bless others is by praying on their behalf that God would intervene in their lives and grant them what they need.
However, when God blesses, it is not simply a favorable speaking on man's behalf. When God blesses, He acts with an intention of accomplishing His purpose. Instead of allowing man to have his own way that leads to destruction, God speaks His blessing. This speaking brings action because it releases energy to accomplish what is spoken; as when God said, "Let there be light and there was light (Genesis 1:3)."
The Bible, as God's Word, especially towards those who believe, are His blessings towards us (Ephesians 3:20). Due to our appreciation of Him we are able to bless the Lord (Psalms 104:35; Revelation 7:12). Furthermore, despite the fact that we are complete failures and full of weaknesses, God comes in to bless our working on His behalf far beyond what we are able to do (Mark 6:32-44).
James L Ruffin
Page 017 - Love and Faithfulness
*Verses from AMP
"Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart" (Amp: Proverbs 3:3).
We live in a world that is highly suspicious. It is has become difficult to trust anyone. There are so many lies floating around, so much misinformation, so many scams being perpertrated, that everyone is wondering what happened to the real McCoy. One can live in a city of millions and still feel all alone. A reaction to all this isolationism has perpetrated gang after gang. Everyone needs security and to feel they can trust and depend on someone. No wonder gangs seek true bonding in the phrase, "I got your back."
Unfortunately, the Chrisitian church over the past 2000 years, has been misled by spiritual leaders who erred, either knowingly or unknowingly, leaving in their wake believers who are angry, apathetic, disheartened, disillusioned or disengaged altogether. Yet, God never promised spiritual leaders who would be perfect. King David, who committed horrendous sins, did repent and restored himself back to the Lord, but that did not mean the children of Israel were exempted from paying a tremedous price (1 Chronicles 21:1-19).
So what should our stand be? As Christians, the Bible has always been clear. Proverbs tells us to continue in love by means of mercy and kindness and to continue in truth by means of putting away all hypocrisy and falsehood. Truly what you see should be what you get. We cannot be the judge of others, let God do this (Romans 12:19); but we must trust God will judge the church and purify it so that those who are faithful to the Lord's word will prevail (1 Peter 4:17; Revelation 3:11-13). At such times we may suffer. Nevertheless, We should never let go of lOving others and bonding with our Christian family which befits this divine summons and earnestly starts in our own homes.
James L Ruffin
Page 018 - Building the Church Within the City
*Verses from AMP
"EXCEPT THE Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain" (Amp: Psalms 127:1)
In the ancient times cities always had watchman to look out for the enemy so they would not be invaded or seized by force. In Jerusalem, the most precious part of the city was the temple, the house of God. However, the Psalmist is quite clear that no matter what one does to protect the city or the house, it is in vain if the God of heaven and earth is not using His strength to protect it.
The reason why God protects the city and the temple is for His testimony. He sees His people as a fruitful vine that bear fruit to who He is. Isaiah 27:3b says I, the Lord, am its Keeper; I water it every moment; lest anyone harm it, I guard and keep it night and day. Jesus had the same sentiments in John 15:1-5 with an added warning should the vine (the believers) become unfruituful.
Satan, knowing that Christ was for God's testimony wanted to tempt Him away from His true mission and cause Him to focus on Himself. The verse that Satan spoke was from Psalms 91 that speaks of how God keeps those who are righteous under the shadow of the Almighty and they have made the Most High their dwelling place. Thus satan quoted, "For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone" (Amp: Psalms 91:11-12).
Christ was not deceived by Satan's ploy and quoted another verse from Deuteronomy 6:16 which paralleled His situation, "You shall not tempt and try the Lord your God as you tempted and tried Him in Massah" (Exodus 17:1-7).Unless we rely on God, our testimony in the city and our daily church life will crumble.
James L Ruffin
Page 019 - Can You Follow the Lord Now?
*Verses from AMP
"Peter said to Him, Lord, why cannot I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You. Jesus answered, Will you [really] lay down your life for Me? I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me [completely disown Me] three times" (Amp: John 13:37-38).
When our heart first turns to the Lord, our first desire is to follow Him. As We plunge in, we do not give much thought as to what this means. Of course, the Lord is glad to accept our love and devotion to Him and He pours Himself into us as much as we are willing to take. In a sense this is just like a honeymoon where everything is pleasant and wonderful.
Soon we begin to understand, however, that the Lord requires something more of us. He delights in our reading and musing over His holy Word daily. He wants us not only to love Him, but a bunch of strangers who are our Christian brothers and sisters, regardless of whether they have problems or not. He would like, when we have opportunity, to speak the gospel to others even if they are nasty or mistreat us. Then He wants us to take care of them as our ownchildren. He even requests that we tithe 10% of the money we receive and possibly more if there are special offerings needed. Last, but not least, everyone should offer up their bodies as a living sacrifice to serve Him and the church (Romans 12:1) This not only requires extra time, but use of our skills and talents.
Although some may be willing to go this far, there still is a place they cannot go. Peter did not realize that he was incapable of facing life-threatening opposition until he confronted it. Others may have to face family loss, disease, a catastrophic accident or financial hardship. Like Peter, we must all come to see ourselves as we truly are. We will not be able to follow the Lord completley until we do. The Apostle Paul had to learn these lessons as well which he told us about in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 4:16-18.
James L Ruffin
Page 020 - How Mindful is God of You?
*Verses from AMP
"What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him? Yet You have made him but a little lower than God [or heavenly beings], and You have crowned him with glory and honor." (Amp: Psalms 8:4-5)
According to Psalms 8, man has such an elevated position that he has been made only a little lower than God Himself. This is why mankind is served by angels: "Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation" (Amp: Hebrews 1:14)?
Satan would have us belittle ourselves and shrink back from the noble tasks given to us by God as those who are unworthy. In the book of Zechariah 3:1-7 Satan actually appeared before the Lord on the right hand of Joshua to be his adversary and accuse him. The Lord immediately rebuked Satan. Even though Joshua stood before all with filthy garments, the Lord said that his filthy garments should be removed. The Lord then told Joshua that all his iniquity had been taken away and that he would be given rich apparel fitting royalty just as in Luke 15:21-24.
These verses tell us that although Satan is constantly accusing us, God is on our side. But we must remember where our power lies. We overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of our testimony (professing what is true and not a lie) and not loving our soul-life Or self until it is terminated by the cross administered through the Spirit (Revelation 12: 10-11; Romans 8:13). This is why the Apostle Paul wrote the following:
"What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love" (Amp: Romans 8:31-35)?
James L Ruffin
Week 05 (February 2-6, 2009)
Page 020 - How Mindful is God of You?
Page 021 - What Are You Eating?
Page 021 - What Are You Eating?
*Verses from AMP
"I [Myself] am this Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he will live forever; and also the Bread that I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh (body)---He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has (possesses now) eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day."
(Amp: 6:51, 54.)
Jesus was the first to make it clear that it is most important what one eats. Today everyone knows that one of the biggest problems in America is our diet. It is not that we do not have enough of the right kind of food, but we have so much junk food that it is causing obesity and a host of other diseases.
When Jesus said that He was the living bread, the Jews would have had more insight than we do. The processed bread that we eat today is not living. If you planted this bread in the ground, nothing would happen. It is subpar to real bread with grains that if planted will actually grow. This type of living bread is portrayed in Ezekiel 4:9, "Also take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt, and put them into one vessel and make bread of them."
Jesus wanted to make clear that His blood would be shed for our redemption so man we would not suffer eternal death. This is what is meant by drinking His blood because the life of a human being is in the blood (Leviticus 17:14). On the other hand, the Lord's body would be broken for us just as bread we eat for our life and life suppy. The precious thing about the bread He gives to us is that the life we receive is eternal.
James L Ruffin
Page 022 - What Do You Fear?
*Verses from AMP
"And Jesus said to Simon, Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!" (Amp: Luke 5:10)
The problem with fear is that it is always lurking in the shadows. Everyone has those hidden places where fear reigns and inhibits them from carrying out God's purpose. Sometimes our fears are so overwhelming that we allow them to dictate our lives to the detriment of ourselves and others. The Lord has come to stop this trend and to relieve us from the greatest fear of them all: death---"Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to naught and make of no effect him who had the power of death--that is, the devil"--(Amp: Hebrews 2:14)
To our dismay there are more immediate fears we must deal with day by day. It may involve a personal weakness, difficult relatives, a shaky occupation, a volatile marriage, disobedient children, financial woes, etc. You may wonder why the Lord would not just remove these heartaches. If He did, you would not grow up into Him in all things (Ephesians 4:15). The Lord wants to be real to us in the very areas we fear the most.
He wants to prove Himself to us and make His word practical to us according to what He has spoken: "For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will ways] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently" (Amp: 1 Corinthians 10:13). Similarly, Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice."
Page 023 - Salt that Enlightens
*Verses from AMP
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltiness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your [a]moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and [b]recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven (Amp: Matthew 5:13-16)."
Usually when we think about salt it is because of its preserving qualities. We all know how it was used to keep meat fresh and stop decay. It has a purifying affect because it kills germs. Since we live in a world full of corruption and decay we need to be the salt of the earth among our families, neighborhoods, and cities. The more Christians live out Christ according to His divine life and nature, the more there will be a positive effect on the people around us stemming the tide of decay.
Even more so, some people will be enlightened because of their contact with us. Due to what they see in us, there will be a shining which cannot be hidden. Our good deeds will inspire others and awaken them to the injustices in the world. This is the most effective way to deal with our decaying morality and subverted views of right and wrong. As the light, we help make others lucid regarding God's righteousness and their responsibility toward other human beings.
As it is written, "[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world (Amp: Philipians 2:13-15)."
James L Ruffin
Page 024 - Fulfilling God's Will Costs Others
*Verses from AMP
"And as they led Him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Amp: Luke 23:26).
It may seem that when anyone decides to follow the Lord, it is simply a personal matter. On the contrary, others are affected despite their intention not to be involved. This interference in the lives of other people is often the reason they have a negative reaction. No one wants to be put out because of situations beyond their control. Yet this is what happened to the man who was forced to carry the cross of Jesus.
Our former friends, who we use to hang out with and have a good time, were set aside. Now we can no longer take pleasure in the things we once partook of and our friends are offended because we have abandoned them. Is this not what Peter says, "For the time that is past already suffices for doing what the Gentiles like to do--living [as you have done] in shameless, insolent wantonness, in lustful desires, drunkenness, reveling, drinking bouts and abominable, lawless idolatries. They are astonished and think it very queer that you do not now run hand in hand with them in the same excesses of dissipation, and they abuse [you]---Amp: 1 Peter 4:3-4.
Therefore, we must have a sober mind and realize that when we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, others may have to suffer due to the life we are leading. Hopefully, it will lead them to salvation and they will not just be inconvenienced or be left with a bad taste in their mouth. Jesus also had to deal with His own family:
"Jesus was still speaking to the people when behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, Listen! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You.
But He replied to the man who told Him, Who is My mother, and who are My brothers? And stretching out His hand toward [not only the twelve disciples but all] His adherents, He said, Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!" (Matthew 12:46-50)
James L Ruffin
Page 025 - With God You Are Never Alone
*Verses from AMP
"At my first trial no one acted in my defense [as my advocate] or took my part or [even] stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the [Gospel] message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was delivered out of the jaws of the lion.[And indeed] the Lord will certainly deliver and draw me to Himself from every assault of evil. He will preserve and bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen (so be it)."---Amp: 2 Timothy 4:16-18
We may feel that within the church life that too often we are left alone. This can make us feel unloved, unwanted, or unimportant. None of these things may be true, but when one feels isolated, it is easy to become upset, bitter, critical or judgmental. The Lord only knows how much blame there could be. Undoubtedly, as believers, we are short in many ways, and negligence seems to be at the top of the list.
The Apostle Paul himself while in prison and facing trial under Nero was keenly aware that the brothers displayed a lack of concern. He could have been quite negative towards the brothers when this all happened. However, he showed a spirit of meekness and did not charge anyone with anything.
Paul learned that God Himself was His best ally and friend. It may be that the Lord would have us spend more time with Him alone. This is the best way to get to know Him and for Him to enlighten us about ourselves. This is why He would take His disciples aside to Himself alone. More often than not, such a quiet time may be a blessing in disguise:
"And as soon as He was alone, those who were around Him, with the Twelve [apostles], began to ask Him about the parables. He did not tell them anything without a parable; but privately to His disciples (those who were peculiarly His own) He explained everything [fully]."---Amp: Mark 4:10, 34
James L Ruffin
Week 06 (February 9-13, 2009)
Page 025 - With God You Are Never Alone
Page 026 - Why Did Christ Die?
Page 026 - Why Did Christ Die?
*Verses from AMP
"You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold; But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Even though most Christians realize that Christ died for their sins, they do not understand that the sin which indwells us (Romans 7:18-20) is accommodated by the lifestyle handed down from our forefathers. Hence, the very fabric of our human existence rests upon associations We have within our supporting family unit.
The Apostle Paul explained it this way in Colossians 2:8, "See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men's ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah)."
We are not an island to ourselves and everyone is plunged into a particular culture. This culture may or may not recognize Christ as the Savior of mankind. Despite having been taught by our parents a particular belief system, this does not mean that it is based on the truth.
The education we receive may be fraught with erroneous facts that detour us from knowing Christ. Our social network may be very strong with people we respect and admire, but it may foster a lifestyle that subverts us from knowing Christ. Our political affiliations may be quite important to us, but they may cause us to advance causes which have nothing to do with Christ. Christ is supremely unique and no philosophy, religion or system compares to Him.
James L Ruffin
Page 027 - A Teenager's Resolutions
*Verses from AMP
"In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths" (Amp: Proverbs 3:6)
When Jonathan Edwards was 19 years old, he desired to follow the Lord as much as possible. He realized Christ would have to give him the strength to do what he had resolved in his heart, but he was nevertheless determined to be spiritually exercised to fulfill these resolutions. Although he had 70 items he wanted to fulfill, I have selected 12 for our consideration. It shows that a young person can lead the way in spiritual things as Edwards' did:
#1 I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration.
#2 To do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.
#3 Never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
#4 To be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
#5 To maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
#6 Never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise Him for, or to think any way the more meanly of Him
#7 To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
#8 To strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
#9 To ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better.
#10 Never hence-forward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's.
#11 Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
#12 After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
James L Ruffin
Page 028 - How Is Good, Evil and Evil, Good?
*Verses from AMP
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" (Amp: Isaiah 5:20)
God is definite about what He considers good versus evil. It is certainly not compatible with man's thought. In the New Testament Matthew 19:16-17 gives us a window. It says, "And behold, there came a man up to Him, saying, Teacher, what excellent and perfectly and essentially good deed must I do to possess eternal life? And He said to him, Why do you ask Me about the perfectly and essentially good? There is only One Who is good [perfectly and essentially]--God. If you would enter into the Life, you must continually keep the commandments."
In the mind of the Lord Jesus only God is good and if Jesus is truly good, then He must be God. Furthermore, one who is good keeps what God commands. Yet in today's climate of moral relativism, there are no absolute standards that man should live by. Even the church is influenced by what is not only politically, but morally correct by society at large. One might ask, is the church teaching the world or is the world teaching the church?
Man's rationalization of what he considers to be good has no merit when compared to the wisdom of God. Man's condition compared to God is declared in Romans 3:10-12, "As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one. No one understands [no one intelligently discerns or comprehends]; no one seeks out God. All have turned aside; together they have gone wrong and have become unprofitable and worthless; no one does right, not even one!"
Is it no wonder that man loses his way? When human beings decide to take over and act as God, determining their own moral values and goodness, without the living God as a compass, then surely something "Bad" becomes "Good!"
James L Ruffin
Page 029 - The Simple Church Life (Part 1)
*Verses from AMP
"And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness into light before them and make uneven places into a plain. These things I have determined to do [for them]; and I will not leave them forsaken" (Amp: Isaiah 42:16).
Don Graves and Ron King wrote an article about how the church needs to remain simple. They stated,
"As simple churches, we are committed to a methodology for doing and being a church that seeks to be uncomplicated in nature, essence and expression. We believe the church of Jesus Christ in all her ways share similar values, but not always similar outward expressions. And for us, those expressions are far too often barriers to those who most need to experience the presence of Jesus Christ. Simple churches come in all shapes, sizes, cultures and theological distinctives. But we do seem to share a common thread:
"1. SIMPLE MISSION: What do we see as our prime directive from the King and how do we accomplish this? We make disciples! We do this by being incarnational in our mission. We carry the life of Jesus in cracked vessels so that the power and beauty we experience and demonstrate is of God and not ourselves."
"2. SIMPLE LEADERSHIP: Who are those among us whom the Spirit has touched to help us reach our full potential in the things of Christ? We recognize those among us who are called by the Spirit to be the spiritual moms and dads of the community. We deeply honor the work of the Spirit of God in those humble servants… Those who serve are those identified as having the spiritual gift of leadership, those who are able to share leadership. Simple leadership may be rotational or situational leadership-not just taking turns, but a community recognition of God’s calling and expression of that calling with a spirit of humility and the ability to listen in each circumstance."
James L Ruffin
Page 030 - The Simple Church Life (Part 2)
*Verses from AMP
"Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace. (Amp: Ephesians 4:3)
Don Graves and Ron King in their article in how to carry out a simple church life continues as follows:
"3. SIMPLE TEACHING: How do we receive, obey and share God’s story as a community? We learn as a community. Discovering the living Word through the study of scriptures, through life teachings from one another, from our struggles in this life and from spiritually gifted ones among the body of Christ. Obedience to the Word of God is essential in learning what the Bible means."
"4. SIMPLE FELLOWSHIP: In what ways are we a family? What does this look like during the week? We are building community and family life-practicing faith in the daily relationships and opportunities and challenges of life together as they arise, so that all among and around us are encouraged to become whole.
"5. SIMPLE WORSHIP: How does a whole-life love for Jesus demonstrate itself when we gather? We acknowledge Jesus by listening to Him and talking to Him, declaring who He is and what He has done."
"6. SIMPLE GIVING: How do we generously share our resources with one another and with others who are serving the King? We seek to practice wise and generous giving in ways that promote the kingdom, build relationships and reveal the heart of Jesus. We intentionally care for the real needs of our family members and strangers."
"7. SIMPLE SERVING: How has the "neighborhood" benefited from the presence of Christ among us? We are a people zealous for good works to which the Father has called us. Therefore we strive to see that every part of the body of Christ working together performs the work of Jesus on earth, especially in saving what is lost."
James L Ruffin
Fellowship in Luke
Christ Versus Religion
Christ Versus Religion
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- A woman Bent Over Double
- Luke 13:10-11
- And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all.
- Pressed to the Ground
- Jesus Frees the Woman
- 12When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your sickness."
- 13And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God
- Synogogue Ruler Indignant
- 14But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, "There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day."
- Authoritative Reprimand
- Jesus Points Out Hypocrisy
- 15But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him?
- 16"And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day
- Opponents Put to Shame
- 17As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.
- The Crowd Rejoicing
- The Kingdom of God
- 18 So He was saying, "What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it? 19"It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and (THE BIRDS OF THE AIR NESTED IN ITS BRANCHES."
- Mustard Trees
- The Kingdom of God
- 20And again He said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?
- 21"It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."
- Leaven Put in Meal
- Entering the Kingdom of God
- 22And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them,
- 24"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
- 25"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.'
- The Master Shuts the Door
- Pleading Does Not Help
- 26"Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets';
- 27and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.'
- Go Away Workers of Unrighteousness
- A Place of Shame
- 28"In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out.
- Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth
- The First Last, the Last First
- 29"And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God.
- 30"And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last."
Table Talk
Table Talk
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- Luke 14
- 14:1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.
- 14:7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:
- 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.
- 14:16 Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests."
- Luke 14:1-6
- One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away. Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?" And they had nothing to say.
- The Testimony of Jesus
- Pharisees -> give hospitality with a hidden agenda, with ulterior motives
- Jesus -> accepts the invitation, no questions asked
- The Testimony of Jesus
- Pharisees -> insensitively and cruelly seat a man with dropsy across from Jesus.
- Jesus -> had compassion on the man
- DROPSY
- The Testimony of Jesus
- Pharisees -> rudely and judgmentally "observed" Jesus closely.
- Jesus -> unafraid, released the man of his life-threatening disease
- The Testimony of Jesus
- Pharisees -> attempted to frame an innocent man by the letter of the law.
- Jesus -> heals according to the inherit principle of the law
- JESUS TAKES OVER
- Luke 14:7-11
- When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
- Humility
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- Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
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- I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.
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- And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
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- But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
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- Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
- Humility
- Comes by revelation
- Of our sinful nature
- Humility
- Comes by revelation
- Of our inability to do good
- "Wretched man that I am. Who will deliver me from the body of this death?" Romans 7:24
- Humility
- Comes by revelation
- Of others' virtues
- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phil. 2:3
- A New Motto
- God helps those who CAN'T help themselves
- Humility
- Enforced through Difficulties
- Suffering environment
- financial struggles
- insurmountable problems, family, personal
- Luke 14:12-14
The Kingdom of God - Part I
The Kingdom of God
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- How to enter in
- Luke 14:15-24
- "Happy is he who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God!"
- What is the Kingdom of God?
- The Kingdom of God is God's domain, realm, sphere, where God is everything
- Those who enter in must match Him, in life, nature, position
- HE is holy and righteous. HE is light and love; HE is glorious and honorable
- What is the Kingdom of God?
- Initial Entrance
- EASY!
- Born again
- Forgiveness
- Eternal life
- The Holy Spirit
- Final Entrance
- High standard
- Judgment seat of Christ
- Overcomers
- Easy....Challenging
- "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
- For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Rom 10:13)
- Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. (Matt. 7:21)
- Where are You?
- How do we enter in?
- Verses 16-24
- But He said to him, "A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.'
- "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.'
- "And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'
- "And the slave said, 'Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' "And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. 'For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.'"
- The Big Dinner is Ready!
- God has embodied Himself in the Son and is NOW realized as the Spirit!
- The word of God has been released from Genesis to Revelation!
- The word has been expounded for 2000 years!
- Our environment is perfect for the experience of Christ!
- Our being is designed--spirit, soul, and body--to contact, receive, and enjoy Him!
- We are designed to enjoy God as food
- Man's Concepts of God
- God's Concept of Himself
- God's Desire—Old Testament Pictures
- "the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden" (Gen. 2:9)
- "So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey." (Exo. 3:8)
- "...they slay the burnt offering they are to slay the guilt offering, and he shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar...Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy" (Lev. 7:2,6)
- "Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day." (Exo. 16:4)
- "Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast to Me." (Exo. 23:14)
- New Testament Reality
- "Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35)
- "As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me." (John 6:57)
- "'To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life." (Rev. 2:2,7-Ephesus)
- "To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna." (Rev. 2:17-Pergamum)
- "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." (Rev. 3:20—Laodicea)
- Three Dinner Invitations
- Jews – 30 AD to 70 AD
- Gentiles – 70 AD to today
- Great Tribulation – Last 3 ½ years of this age
- Jews
- Gentiles
- Poor, crippled, blind, lame
- My resume
- Great Tribulation
- Compelled to come in
- Designed for those who refuse to acknowledge they are poor, crippled, blind, lame
- Due to:
- Supernatural disasters
- Economic collapse
- Religious persecution
- Humility
- Humility is the key virtue to enter into the kingdom of God
- Humility means
- I am nothing
- Christ is everything
- I will eat Him every day
- I will live Him every day
- Pride kills everything
- Stir Up a Hunger!
- But He said to him, "A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.'
- "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.'
- "And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'
- "And the slave said, 'Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' "And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. 'For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.'"
Wedding Feast of the Lamb
Wedding Feast of the Lamb
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- ...A certain man was making a great dinner and invited many (Luke 14:16)
- The Cost of Discipleship
- Luke 14:25-35 And there were great crowds going along with Him, and He turned and said to them,
- 26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, and moreover, even his own soul-life, he cannot be My disciple.
- 26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his (own) father and mother in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God) and (likewise) his wife and children and brothers and sisters--(yes) and even his own life also--he cannot be My disciple.
- 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
- 28 For which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
- 29 Lest perhaps, once he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all those looking on will begin to mock him,
- 30 Saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish.
- 31 Or what king, going to engage another king in war, will not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
- 32 Otherwise, while he is yet at a distance, he sends an envoy and asks for the terms of peace.
- 33 So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple.
- 34 Therefore salt is good; but if even the salt becomes tasteless, with what will its saltiness be restored?
Attracting Sinners
Attracting Sinners
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- 1 NOW THE tax collectors and (notorious and especially wicked) sinners were all coming near to (Jesus) to listen to Him.( Luke 15:1)
- Typical Lovers of the World
- Indignant Pharisees and Scribes
- And the Pharisees and the scribes kept muttering and indignantly complaining, saying, This man accepts and receives and welcomes (preeminently wicked) sinners and eats with them. (Luke 15:2)
- Upholding Tradition
- First Parable
- So He told them this parable:
- What man of you, if he has a hundred sheep and should lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness (desert) and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?
- And when he has found it, he lays it on his (own) shoulders, rejoicing. (Luke 15: 4-5)
- Finding the Lost Sheep
- The Joy in Heaven
- And when he gets home, he summons together (his) friends and (his) neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep which was lost.
- Thus, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one (especially) wicked person who repents (changes his mind, abhorring his errors and misdeeds, and determines to enter upon a better course of life) than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance. (Luke 15:6-7)
- Second Parable
- Or what woman, having ten (silver) drachmas (each one equal to a day's wages), if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and look carefully and diligently until she finds it?
- And when she has found it, she summons her (women) friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the silver coin which I had lost.
- Even so, I tell you, there is joy among and in the presence of the angels of God over one (especially) wicked person who repents (changes his mind for the better, heartily amending his ways, with abhorrence of his past sins). (Luke 15:8-10)
- Searching for the Lost Coin
- Rejoicing with Friends and Neighbors
- Rejoicing Over a Penitent Sinner
The Prodigal
The Prodigal
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- Luke 15:11-32
- The Foolishness
- There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
- The Failure
- Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
- He scattered his wealth
- With riotous living
- Devoured his life savings with harlots
- Economic Downturn
- Repentance
- When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.
- "Came to Himself"
- What was I thinking?
- "I have sinned..."
- "I am not worthy..."
- The Father's Unconditional Love
- But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
- Those Kisses Meant:
- Much LOVE
- Much FORGIVENESS
- Much JOY
- Full RESTORATION
- He gave him a new life
- But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
- He was lost ->
- He was dead ->
- Dancing, making merry
- But not everyone had joy
- Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
- "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
- The older brother on the outside ...
- 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'
- Come join the celebration!
The Prudent Steward
The Prudent Steward
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- Luke 16:1-13
- 1 And He said also to the disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and this one was accused to him of squandering his possessions.
- 2 And he called him and said to him, What is this I hear concerning you? Render the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.
- 3 And the steward said within himself, What shall I do, because my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed to beg.
- 4 I know what I will do so that when I am removed from the stewardship they may receive me into their own houses.
- 5 And when he had called to him each one of his master's debtors, he said to the first, How much do you owe my master?
- 6 And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said to him, Take your bill and sit down quickly and write fifty.
- 7 Then to another he said, And you, how much do you owe? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. He said to him, Take your bill and write eighty.
- 8 And the master praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted prudently; for the sons of this age are more prudent in their dealings with their own generation than the sons of light.
- 9 And I say to you, Make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles.
- 10 He who is faithful in the least is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in the least is unrighteous also in much.
- 11 If therefore you have not become faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you what is true?
- 12 And if you have not become faithful in that which belongs to another, who will give to you that which is your own?
- 13 No household servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
- And he called ten of his own slaves and gave them ten minas, and he said to them, Do business until I come (Luke 19:13)
Eternal Choices
Eternal Choices
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- Luke 16:14-31
- Power, Lust, Money, Religion vs. The Kingdom of God
- 14 Now the Pharisees, who were covetous and lovers of money, heard all these things, and they began to sneer at and ridicule and scoff at Him.
- 15 But He said to them, You are the ones who declare yourselves just and upright before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted and highly thought of among men is detestable and abhorrent (an abomination) in the sight of God.
- Power, Lust, Money, Religion vs. The Kingdom of God
- 16 Until John came, there were the Law and the Prophets; since then the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone strives violently to go in.
- 17 Yet it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to fail and become void.
- Lust of Man
- 18 Whoever divorces (dismisses and repudiates) his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.
- Parable of a Rich Man and a Poor Man
- 19 There was a certain rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen and reveled and feasted and made merry in splendor every day.
- 20 And at his gate there was (carelessly) dropped down and left a certain utterly destitute man named Lazarus, (reduced to begging alms and) covered with (ulcerated) sores.
- 21 He (eagerly) desired to be satisfied with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover, the dogs even came and licked his sores.
- Eternal Consequences
- 22 And it occurred that the man (reduced to) begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
- 23 And in Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.
- 24 And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity and mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.
- A Great Chasm
- 25 But Abraham said, Child, remember that you in your lifetime fully received (what is due you in) comforts and delights, and Lazarus in like manner the discomforts and distresses; but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish.
- 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who want to pass from this (place) to you may not be able, and no one may pass from there to us.
- You've had plenty of warning.
- 27 And (the man) said, Then, father, I beseech you to send him to my father's house--
- 28 For I have five brothers--so that he may give (solemn) testimony and warn them, lest they too come into this place of torment.
- 29 But Abraham said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear and listen to them.
- 30 But he answered, No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent (change their minds for the better and heartily amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins).
- 31 He said to him, If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe (even) if someone should rise from the dead.
- What can we do?
- Believe into God through Jesus Christ
- Strive to enter the Kingdom of God
- Get to know God : Read the Bible with a desire to find God
- Call on Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer
- Spend time with other believers
- Enter into our spirit : Pray, talk to God, sing with a desire to touch God
- Cultivate a heart for the salvation of unbelievers
- Enjoy the true riches of God's Kingdom...
- The True Riches of God's Kingdom
Living the Kingdom Life
Living the Kingdom Life
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- Luke 17:1-10
- "I must preach the kingdom of God .... for I was sent for this purpose."
- Luke 4:43
- What is the Kingdom of God?
- 21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."(Luke 17)
- 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom.14)
- 17 May Christ through your faith (actually) dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! (Eph 3)
- Luke 16
- "You cannot serve both God and Money."14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.
- 18 "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
- Two Basic Matters
- 1. Dealing with Sins
- 2. Feeding Others Christ
- 1. Dealing with Sins
- 1 He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come!
- 2 "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble."
- 3 "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
- 4 "And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."
- 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
- 6 He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
- A Comparison
- Stumbling blocks
- Justifying our sinful ways
- They become "normal", accepted, even encouraged
- They become wrapped up and packaged as our religious life
- With the Pharisees, it included love of money and divorce
- Sins
- NEVER JUSTIFY YOUR SINS
- Sins vs Faith
- Sins
- Start small
- If not dealt with, they take root
- They become a huge problem
- Like a deeply rooted tree
- They become stumbling blocks
- Faith
- Even a small amount of Christ in our heart can uproot the biggest sin
- Christ within motivates us to
- Rebuke
- Repent
- Forgive
- Rebuke is epitimao—put honor upon you
- In the Light
- We can rebuke one another in love
- We can repent of our sin
- We can forgive one another
- In the darkness
- We really don't care about one another in Christ
- We defend ourselves and justify ourselves and get offended
- We continually remind ourselves and the sinning one of their sin
- Forgiveness
- Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled. (Heb 12:14-15)
- Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Eph. 4:31-32)
- 2. Feeding Others Christ
- 7 "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'?
- 8 "But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'?
- 9 "He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?
- 10 "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"
- The Secret to Service
- Our aim is to please the Lord
- If you focus on the fruit of your work, you will:
- Either get proud
- Or discouraged
- What We Ought to Do
- Plowing
- The goal of plowing is to grow Christ in our heart
- Tending Sheep
- We feed the saints what we have gained of Christ
- Many Ways to Plow
- Open up your heart to the Lord in repentance and confession
- Enjoy the precious word of God
- Join Christ in prayer
- Sing songs to the Lord
- Allow the Lord to regulate your life, your thoughts, your attitude, your behavior
- Gain Christ in His specific attributes while you work, drive, play, shop, etc.
- Many Ways to Tend Sheep
- 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
- 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
- 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Rom. 12)
- What is the Kingdom Life?
- Applying Christ to Offenses
- Feeding Others Christ
- Your turn to speak!
- Avoiding stumbling blocks
- Dealing with sins
- Plowing
- Tending the sheep
- Satisfying Christ
How to Miss the Kingdom of God
How to Miss the Kingdom of God
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- Luke 17:11-19 And as He was going to Jerusalem, He passed between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered into a certain village, ten leprous men, who stood at a distance, met Him. And they raised their voice, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! And when He saw them, He said to them, Go and show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, glorifying God with a loud voice; And he fell on his face at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answered and said, Were not the ten cleansed? But the nine, where are they? Were none found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner? And He said to him, Rise up and go; your faith has healed you.
- Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied to them by saying, The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display,Nor will people say, Look! Here it is! or, See, it is there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you in your hearts and among you surrounding you (vv.20-21).
- The Kingdom of God
- The Savior:
- In His First Coming (vv.21-22)
- In His Second Coming (vv.23-30)
- In the Rapture of His Overcoming Believers (vv.31-36)
- In His Destroying of the Antichrist (v.37)
- How to Miss the Kingdom of God?
- -Missing the Present Christ
- And He said to the disciples, The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
- And they will say to you, Behold, there! Behold, here! Do not go away, nor run after them.
- For just as lightning flashing from one end of heaven shines to the other end of heaven, so will the Son of Man be in His day (vv.22-24).
- -Rejecting God's Salvation
- But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation (v.25).
- -Being Occupied by the Cares of this Life
- And even as it happened in the days of Noah, so will it be also in the days of the Son of Man:
- They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day in which Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all (vv.26-27).
- Likewise, even as it happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building;
- But on the day in which Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
- It will be in the same way on the day in which the Son of Man is revealed (vv.28-30)
- -Loving the Things of this World
- In that day, he who will be on the housetop and his goods in the house, let him not come down to take them away; and he who is in the field, likewise, let him not turn back to the things behind.
- Remember Lot's wife.
- -Preserving Our Soul Life
- Whoever seeks to preserve his soul-life will lose it, and whoever loses it will preserve it alive.
- I tell you, In that night there will be two on one bed; the one will be taken and the other will be left.
- There will be two women grinding together; the one will be taken but the other will be left.
- Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left (vv.33-36).
- -Looking for outward Signs of Where the Kingdom Will Come
- And they answered and said to Him, Where, Lord? And He said to them, Where the body is, there also will the vultures be gathered together (v.37).
- How the Miss the Kingdom?
- Getting Caught by Miracles
- Missing the Present Christ –by Asking When the kingdom was to Come
- Rejecting God's Salvation
- Being Distracted by Signs
- Being Occupied With the cares of this Life and Loving the things of This World
- Preserving Our Soul Life.
- Looking for Outward Signs of Where the Kingdom will Come
Zoe
Zoe
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- Experiencing the Reality of Resurrection
- Or....How to make Jesus weep
- The Story
- Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."
- Waiting
- When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
- Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
- Perfect Timing
- Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
- The Characters
- Thomas
- The realist
- Mary
- The emotional one
- Martha
- The legalist
- The Crowds
- The critics
- Thomas
- "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
- Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
- Martha
- When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
- "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
- Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
- Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
- Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes into Me will live even if he dies,
- and everyone who lives and believes into Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
- She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world."
- When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you."
- Martha
- Living in the past
- ....if you had been here!
- Trapped in her dogma
- I have believed you are the Christ, the Son of God...
- Waiting for the future
- ....he will rise again, in the last day
- Mary
- Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
- Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
- Jesus
- When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled,
- moved with indignation , a strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base; righteous anger
- and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."
- Jesus wept
- I AM
- I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
- I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE ZOE
- ZOE
- Life in action
- Life flowing
- Life moving
- Life operating
- Life NOW, in YOUR SPIRIT, in YOUR SITUATION
- Zoe is the Present Christ
- Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the zoe. He who believes into Me, though he may die, he shall be zoe-fied."
- INTO
- "He who believes INTO me"
- No just believe in me or on me (objective fact of Jesus and His resurrection)
- But entering into who He is right now, as the life-giving One (subjective experience)
- "He who believes, has dynamic faith that leads one's entire being into an organic and vital union with Me"
- The Crowds
- So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!"
- But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?"
- So Jesus, again being deeply moved within with indignation, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
- The Stone
- Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days."
- Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"
- So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
- "I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me."
- When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth."
- Zoe!
- The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.
- Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
- Two Sides to Experience Zoe
- What Jesus does:
- "Lazarus, come forth!"
- What we must do:
- "Remove the stone!"
- Open your stony heart to the Lord's living zoe imparting Spirit
- Open to the Lord in your situation, in your failure, in your success, in your apathy---yes, it might stink
- "Unbind him, and let him go!"
- Be freed from your guilt, your past, your anxiety of the future, your fantasy, your grudges, your depression, your dogma, your religion....
- Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes into Me, though he may die, he shall live."
The Kingdom of God - Part II
The Kingdom of God
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- And when He was questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God does not come with observation;... For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. ...The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it (Luke 17:20-22).
- The kingdom of God = The Son of Man (Christ Jesus)
- How to Enter into the Kingdom?
- Always to Pray
- And He told them a parable to the end that they ought always to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1),
- Humbling Oneself
- And He told this parable also to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised the rest:
- Two men went up to the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
- The Pharisee stood and prayed these things to himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
- I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all that I get.
- But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, be propitiated to me, the sinner!
- I tell you, This man went down to his house justified rather than that one; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted (Luke 18:9-14).
- Being like a Little Child
- And they were bringing to Him also their babies that He might touch them. But when the disciples saw this they rebuked them.
- But Jesus called them to Him, saying, Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God.
- Truly I say to you, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall by no means enter into it(vv.15-17).
- Renouncing All and Following the Man-Savior
- And a certain ruler questioned Him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
- But Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One -- God.
- You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.''
- And he said, All these things I have kept from my youth (vv.19-21).
- And hearing this, Jesus said to him, Still you lack one thing: all that you have, sell and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come, follow Me (v.22).
- But when he heard these things, he became very sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich.
- And Jesus, seeing that he became very sorrowful, said, How difficult it is for those who have riches to go into the kingdom of God.
- For it is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God (vv.23-25).
- Who Can Be Saved?
- And those who heard said, Then who can be saved (v.26)?
- But He said, The things that are impossible with men are possible with God (v.27).
- And Peter said, Behold, we have left our own things and have followed You.
- And He said to them, Truly I say to you that there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God,
- Who shall not by all means receive back many times as much in this time, and in the coming age, eternal life (vv.28-30)
- Always to Pray vs. Losing Heart
- Being like a little Child vs.
- Being Complicated and Unbelieving
- Being Proud and Trusting in Our Self-righteousness
- Renouncing all and Following the Man-Savior vs.
- Being Rich in Things
- I can't---- He Can
- Impossible with Man---Possible with God
- Where Are We?
A Gift Given for His Business
A Gift Given for His Business
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- Luke 19:11-27
- He will Return to Obtain His Kingdom
- 11 Now as they were listening to these things, He proceeded to tell a parable, because He was approaching Jerusalem and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to be brought to light and shown forth immediately.
- 12 He therefore said, A certain nobleman went into a distant country to obtain for himself a kingdom and then to return.
- 13 Calling ten of his (own) bond servants, he gave them ten minas (each equal to about one hundred days' wages or nearly twenty dollars) and said to them, Buy and sell (do business) with these while I go and then return.
- 14 But his citizens detested him and sent an embassy after him to say, We do not want this man to become ruler over us.
- Let us be Faithful
- 15 When he returned after having received the kingdom, he ordered these bond servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know how much each one had made by buying and selling (doing business).
- 16 The first one came before him, and he said, Lord, your mina has made ten (additional) minas.
- 17 And he said to him, Well done, excellent bond servant! Because you have been faithful and trustworthy in a very little (thing), you shall have authority over ten cities.
- Let us not be Wicked, Let us not be Fruitless
- 20 Then another came and said, Lord, here is your mina, which I have kept laid up in a handkerchief.
- 21 For I was (constantly) afraid of you, because you are a stern (hard, severe) man; you pick up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not sow.
- Let us Believe, Let us not be enemies
- 24 And he said to the bystanders, Take the mina away from him and give it to him who has the ten minas.
- 25 And they said to him, Lord, he has ten minas (already)!
- 26 And (said Jesus,) I tell you that to everyone who gets and has will more be given, but from the man who does not get and does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
- 27 (The indignant king ended by saying) But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them--bring them here and slaughter them in my presence!
- In Spirit we can do His Business: We share this gift of the Spirit
- 1 Corinthians 12:7 - But to each one is given the manifestation of the (Holy) Spirit (the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit) for good and profit.
- 1 Peter 4:10 - As each of you has received a gift, employ it for one another as (befits) good trustees of God's many-sided grace (faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor).
- Ephesians 2:8-10
- 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God;
- 9 Not of works that no one should boast.
- 10 For we are His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand in order that we would walk in them.
- How do we do it?
2008 Messages
A Gift Given for His Business
Fellowship in Luke
Fellowship in Luke
The Gospel of Luke
The Gospel of Luke
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- Who was Luke?
- A gentile doctor
- "The beloved physician"(Col.4:14)
- His View concerning the Person of Christ:
- Jesus the man (Son of Man, the Man-Savior) expressing God
- Compared to John's Gospel:
- The God-Man, God expressing Himself in Man
- And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40).
- Human Virtues and Divine Attributes
- And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary as a duty for Me to be in My Father's house and occupied about My Father's business (2:49)?
- And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man (2:52).
- The Lord's Work: As the real Physician
- To Seek and to Save that which is lost
- For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost (19:10).
- So He said to them, You will doubtless quote to Me this proverb: Physician, heal Yourself! (4:23a)
- The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me the Anointed One, the Messiah to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity (2:18),
- As a Physician, He full of feeling, care and compassion
- Just as He drew near the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large gathering from the town was accompanying her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, Do not weep.
- And He went forward and touched the funeral bier, and the pallbearers stood still. And He said, Young man, I say to you, arise from death! And the man who was dead sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother (7:13).
- But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy (compassion) for him (10:33),
- He, Himself was the Divine Prescription.
- But Jesus said, Someone did touch Me;
- for I perceived that healing power has gone forth from Me (8:48).
- In Jesus, As the Man-Savior, we see the Tri-une God's concern for the Lost:
- The Son, as the Shepherd caring for the Lost sheep
- And when he gets home, he summons together his friends and
- his neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have
- found my sheep which was lost (15:6).
- The Spirit as the Woman, looking for the lost coin
- And when she has found it, she summons her women friends
- and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the silver
- coin which I had lost (v. 9).
- God the Father, as the Father of two sons
- Because this son of mine was dead and lives again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to be merry (v. 24).
- And he called ten of his own slaves and gave them ten minas,
- and he said to them, Do business until I come (19:13).
- NOW AFTER this the Lord chose and appointed seventy others and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come (visit).
- And He said to them, The harvest indeed is abundant there is much ripe grain, but the farmhands are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (10:1-2).
Good News, Great Joy, A Heavenly Celebration
Good News, Great Joy, A Heavenly Celebration
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- Luke 2:4-7
- The Birth of Jesus
- So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
- Luke 2:8-14
- The Shepherds and the Angels
- And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
- "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
- The Good News
- A Savior has been born
- He is Christ the Lord
- Actors in this Story
- The Heavenly Angels
- The Lowly Shepherds
- The Heavenly Angels
- The Heavenly Angels
- The Shepherds
- King David
- Anointed when a lowly shepherd
- Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"
- "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
- Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."
- So he sent and had him brought in....Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." 1 Samuel 16:11-12
- King David
- Despised even among his brothers
- When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle." 1 Samuel 17:28
- A New Testament
Sinners Un-Paralyzed
Sinners Un-paralyzed
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- THE GOD MAN WHO FORGIVES AND EMPOWERS SINNERS.
- THE HEALING OF THE PARALYTIC.
- Luke 5:17-20 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem. and the power of the Lord was with Him to heal. And behold some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when the He saw their faith, He said, "man, your sins are forgiven you."
- Luke 5:21-26 And the Pharisees and the scribes began to question ,saying," who is this who speaks blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God alone? When Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered them, why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say ‘your sins forgiven you' or to say,' rise and walk'? But that you may know that the son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-He said to the man who was paralyzed-I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home" And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home Glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying," we have seen extraordinary things today."
- Sin paralyzes people
- Sin makes us dead-Eph.2:1
- Sin makes us unresponsive (paralyzed) toward God
- Sin makes it impossible to move to come to God
- Sin numbs us to our condition before God
- Faith saves us
- Faith with determination-this explains Ephesians 2:9 "(Not of works that no man should boast")
- Faith saves us...
- Unconditional Faith
- Not dependent on the environment
- (Crowds and or hindrances)
- Shame
- Rejection
- Verbal abuse
- Unconditional Faith
- Daily needs for both ourselves and those around us
- Spiritual success and accomplishment
- Unconditional Faith
- Our faith should always be unto the Lord in good and bad times alike.
- The son of man--the forgiver of sins
- The son of man has authority to forgive sins.
- "But that you may know that the son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-
- God is powerless in His divinity to forgive sins! Only the son of man, a perfect man, the God man, can forgive our sins.
- The son of man--the forgiver of sins
- Finally there is a man who can forgive us of our sins
- The forgiven sinner is empowered from paralysis by the God man
- The testimony of an empowered forgiven sinner is the best Gospel.
- Jesus' Forgiveness
- Gave him the ability, the strength, the power to glorify and praise God
- Conclusion
- We are sinners
- Sin paralyzes us
- Faith saves us
- The Son of man has the authority to forgive and empower us from sin
Jesus As Rest
Jesus As Rest
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- The Lord of the Sabbath
- Luke 6:1-11
- Scripture Reading
- One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some ears of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
- Scripture Reading
- On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.
- Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
- He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
- Jesus makes a point:
- "One Sabbath..."
- "On another Sabbath..."
- In fact, all the synoptic gospels place these stories together.
- What is the Sabbath?
- Exodus 20:8-11 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
- What is the Sabbath?
- Exodus 31:14-15
- Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.
- Did Jesus violate the Sabbath?
- He allowed His disciples to prepare food:
- "One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some ears of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels."
- Compare this to Exodus 16
- So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning... on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day; no one is to go out
- Did Jesus violate the Sabbath?
- Then He justified Himself, citing David's example of breaking the priestly regulations to feed himself in a time of need.
- Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."
- Did Jesus violate the Sabbath?
- He did a healing work on the Sabbath:
- On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.
- Compare this to Exodus 20
- "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
- The Point!
- 5.16 Spinning
- 5.17 Weaving
- 5.18 Making two loops
- 5.19 Weaving at least two threads
- 5.20 Separating two threads
- 5.21 Tying
- 5.22 Untying
- 5.23 Sewing at least two stitches
- 5.24 Tearing for the purpose of sewing
- 5.25 Trapping
- 5.26 Slaughtering
- 5.27 Flaying
- The Point!
- Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
- The Point!
- Colossians 2:16-17
- Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
- The Same Error Can be Repeated in Christianity Today
- Enforcing a day of rest, because it is the "Lord's Day" –based on one mentioning of this phrase
- Revelation 1:10 "I was in spirit on the Lord's Day..."
- Having the Lord's Table only on "The Lord's Day" –based on one "apparent" mentioning of this practice
- Acts 20:7 "And on the first day of the week when we gathered together to break bread..."
- The Same Error Can be Repeated in Christianity Today
- Adding a list of traditions to the Bread breaking gathering, such as:
- Prayer style
- Music style
- Enforced mutuality
- Sacrament presentation, including bread size and shape, cloth cover, table position
- Prayer that proceeds distribution
- Distribution rules
- Closing ceremony to the Father
- Official close of the meeting
- The Point!
- All practices, traditions, and regulations are only a shadow of Christ... the Christ Who is our real rest.
- Jesus said in Matthew 11:29:
- Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
- Warning:
- Look at the Jews:
- But they were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
- Warning:
- Look at us:
- We often live under condemnation for not living up to a self-imposed standard.
- We are unduly concerned about how others view us.
- We are jealous of those who seem to have their life together.
- We feel good about ourselves when we accomplish a set of weekly rituals.
- We feel angry when practices change and express ill-will toward the perpetrator.
- Listen to the words of Jesus
- "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
- A Good Hymn:
- And...
- What is Jesus doing on the Sabbath?
- Taking care of His disciples, even physically.
- "Doing good," healing, saving lives that are destined for destruction
- Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
- Saving His people from the self-destruction of their rules and regulations
- Becoming the reality of the Sabbath rest as the Son of man.
- Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath!
Moved with Compassion
Moved with Compassion
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- Luke 7:11-17
- Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.
- Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.
- When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, "Do not weep."
- And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise!"
- The dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
- Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited His people!"
- This report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district.
- What makes someone Great?
- Who they are
- What they can do
- Physical
- Money
- Medicine
- Technology
- What Makes Jesus so Great?
- Who He is
- God
- Man
- Moved with compassion as a man
- Having resurrection power as God
- What He can do
- He can move us with compassion
- He can impart divine life to us and through us
- He is compassionate power
- The Need for Both
- Compassion with no power
- Power with no compassion
- Jesus is
- Compassionate Power
- Why we aren't the greatest
-
- But....
- We have Jesus living in us!
- "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1)
- "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all respects like us, yet without sin"
- "Let us therefore come forward with boldness to the throne of grace that they may receive mercy and find grace for timely help." (Heb 4)
- Consider all the people...
- Where are they going?
- Bottom Line
- We need Jesus every day
- "Lord Jesus, fill me with your humanity
- And empower me with your divinity
- That I might feel for other people
- And I might impart to them divine life"
- Feel Where People Are
- In Failure
- In pride
- In physical pain
- Big plans for future
- Lonely
- Religious
- Disciplined
- Rich
- occupied
- In success
- In guilt
- Living it up
- anxious for future
- Lots of friends
- Secular
- Loose
- poor
- bored
- We can stop the coffin
- "To me, less than the least of all saints, was this grace given"
- "to announce to the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ as the Good News" (Eph 3)
The Pharisees
The Pharisees
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- What They Represented
- Of the three major religious societies of Judaism at the time of the New Testament (the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes), the Pharisees were often the most vocal and influential. The origin of the Pharisees is uncertain, but their movement is believed to have grown from the Assideans (i.e. the "pious"), who began in the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Greek/Syrian ruler Antiochus IV, or "Antiochus Epiphanes," around 165 B.C. It was during that roughly 4 centuries between the end of the Old Testament record and the birth of Jesus Christ, prior to the rise of the Roman empire, that the idolatrous Greek influence was at its peak in Jerusalem. The first direct mention of the Pharisees was by the Jewish/Roman historian Flavius Josephus in describing the three sects, or schools, into which the Jews were divided in 145 B.C.
- The Name Pharisee
- The name Pharisee in its Hebrew form means separatists, or the separated ones. They were also known as chasidim, which means loyal to God, or loved of God - extremely ironic in view of the fact that by His time, they made themselves the most bitter, and deadly, opponents of Jesus Christ and His message.
- The Pharisees perhaps meant to obey God, but eventually they became so devoted and extremist in very limited parts of The Law (plus all that they themselves added to it), that they became blind to The Messiah when He was in their very midst. They saw His miracles, they heard His Words, but instead of receiving it with joy, they did all that they could to stop Him - eventually to the point of getting Him killed because He truthfully claimed to be the Son of God.
- The Main Problem
- The lesson from the Pharisees' example is that self-righteousness is not righteousness, and that God's true people are to live according to all of God's Word, not just certain parts that are most convenient or to one's own liking.
- Jesus Invited to Dinner
- This story begins with a Pharisee inviting Jesus to dinner with some of his peers present. No doubt, they felt Jesus' spiritual understanding was inferior to their own. However, God in His providence arranged that Jesus would actually expose their situation and ultimately do the instructing.
- Luke 7:36-50
- 36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.
- 37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
- 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
- 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner."
- Parable of Two Debtors
- Luke 7: 40-43
- 40 And Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher." 41"A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
- 42 "When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?"
- 43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
- The Woman and Simon
- Luke 7:44-47
- 44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
- 45 "You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
- 46 "You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
- 47 "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
- Grace for the Sinner
- Luke 7:48-50
- 48 Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
- 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"
- 50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
- Only God Can Forgive Sins
Where is Your Faith?
Where is Your Faith?
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- Luke 8:22-25
- 22 Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they launched out.
- 21 But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.
- 23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep;
- and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.
- 24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!"
- And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.
- 25 And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another,
- "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"
- Who then is this?
- That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the full knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened... (Eph 1:17-18)
- HIM...not ME
- Who He is
- What He can do
- Not who I am
- Not what I can do
- A little science
- What holds the universe together?
- 4 basic forces
- Strong force—holds atoms together
- Electromagnetic force—holds molecules together
- Gravity—holds stars, planets, galaxies together
- Who is Christ?
- ...His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
- And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb 1:2-3)
- Where is your faith?
- Who is Christ?
- For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.
- He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Col. 1:16-17)
- Where is your faith?
- Who is Christ?
- All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
- In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men (John 1:3-4)
- Where is your faith?
- So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Rom 10:17)
- Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb 11:1)
- And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb 1:6)
- For indeed we have had glad tidings presented to us, even as they also; but the word of the report did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard. (Heb 4:2)
- However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)
- But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Rev 21:8)
- Two Kinds of Prayer
- "Master, Master, we are perishing!"
- And He said to them, "Why are you cowardly, you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matt. 8:26)
- "For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it." (Matt 8:9)
- Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. (Matt 8:10)
- "Open the eyes of my heart Lord.
- I want to see You."
Man in Chains Unshackled
Man in Chains Unshackled
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- Man in Chains Unshackled
- Casting out a legion of Demons
- Luke 8:26-39
- Verse 26
- They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.
- Verse 27
- When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.
- Verse 28
- When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!"
- What are Demons?
- Disembodied spirits in the sea from God's judgment of the prehistoric earth (??)
- Unclean spirits (Matt. 10:1)
- Spirits that embody humans (Matt. 12:43-45)
- What do demons do?
- Possess, take control of people
- "Many times it had seized him" – V. 29
- Force humans to behave unnatural or inhumanly (see v. 28)
- 1) Supernatural strength (see Acts 19:16)
- "though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains "– v. 29
- 2) Cause their host to live in the tombs
- 3) Shouting loudly
- What do demons do?
- Possess, take control of people
- Force humans to behave unnatural or inhumanly
- Deceive intelligently
- 1) Infiltrating the church with damaging teachings, such as forbidding marriage and abstaining from foods (1 Tim.4:1-3)
- 2) Hiding behind idols, waiting to "fellowship with their worshippers (1 Cor. 19-20)
- 3) Able to foretell the future (Acts 16:19)
- Damage or harm their host
- Falling on the ground, foaming at the mouth, wounding, suicidal, causing physical and mental disorders.
- Similarities to Indwelling Sin
- Romans 7:14-20
- For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
- Sin "LIVES" in the flesh
- Indwelling Sin
- Enslaves us
- Binds us, rendering us helpless to do what we know we should
- Damages our humanity
- Causes us to despise our human existence
- Unleashes evil into the unsuspecting mind
- Verses 30-31
- Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.
- Verses 32-33
- A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
- Christ has authority
- over the demons
- Christ has received all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18)
- Christ casts out demons by the Spirit of God, bringing in the kingdom of God (Matt. 12:28)
- Christ has given this authority to the church
- Matthew 16:18
- "...and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
- Verses 35-37
- When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
- Verses 38-39
- The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 3"Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
Jesus Returns
Jesus Returns
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- Jesus Welcomed –Luke 8:40-56
- 40 And as Jesus returned, the people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him
- Jairus Seeks Out Jesus
- 41 And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house;
- 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him.
- Pressed by the Crowd
- A Woman with a Flow of Blood
- 43And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone,
- 44came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.
- 45And Jesus said, "Who is the one who touched Me?" And while they were all denying it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You."
- Touching Jesus
- 46But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me."
- 47When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.
- 48And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."
- The Leaking Out Of Life
- The Raising of Jairus' Daughter
- 49While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore."
- 50But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, "Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well."
- 51When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl's father and mother.
- Not Death But Sleep
- 52Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep."
- 53And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.
- 54He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise!"
- 55And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat.
- 56Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened
Who Do You Say That I Am?
Who Do You Say That I Am?
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- Who is this Jesus?
- But You, Who Do You Say That I Am?
- And He called together the twelve and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.
- And He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Luke 9:1-2).
- And Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening and was utterly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,
- And by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that a certain prophet of the ancients had risen up.
- And Herod said, John I beheaded, but who is this concerning whom I hear such things? And he sought to see Him
- And when the apostles returned, they related to Him the things they had done. And taking them aside, He withdrew privately into a city called Bethsaida.
- But the crowds found out and followed Him, and He welcomed them and spoke to them concerning the kingdom of God; and those who had need of healing He healed.
- And the day began to decline, and the twelve came and said to Him, Send the crowd away so that they may go into the surrounding villages and fields to lodge and find provisions, because we are here in a deserted place.
- But He said to them, You give them something to eat. But they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.
- For there were about five thousand men. And He said to His disciples, Make them recline in groups of about fifty each.
- And they did so and made them all recline.
- And He took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
- And they ate and were all satisfied. And what was left over among them was taken up, twelve hand baskets of broken pieces.
- In His Ministry, the Lord:
- 1-Gathered
- 2-Spoke
- 3-Healed
- 4-Fed
- And as He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, Who do the crowds say that I am?
- And they answered and said, John the Baptist, and others Elijah, and others that a certain prophet of the ancients has risen up.
- And He said to them, But you, who do you say that I am? And Peter answered and said, The Christ of God (vv.18-20).
The Revelation of Christ
The Revelation of Christ
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- Unveiling His Death and Resurrection
- 20 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
- Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
- 21 Jesus strongly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 He said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. The elders will not accept him. The chief priests and teachers of the law will not accept him either. He must be killed and on the third day rise from the dead."
- Following the Lord
- 23 Then he said to all of them, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross every day and follow me. 24 If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me, he will save it. 25 What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses or gives up his very self?
- Shame versus Glory
- 26 "Suppose you are ashamed of me and my words. The Son of Man will come in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. Then he will be ashamed of you.
- The Kingdom of God
- 27 "What I'm about to tell you is true. Some who are standing here will not die before they see God's kingdom."
- 28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he went up on a mountain to pray. He took Peter, John and James with him.
- Mount Tabor
- Transformation
- 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed. His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
- As Lightening
- The Law and the Prophets
- 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in shining glory. Jesus and the two of them talked together. They spoke about his coming death. He was going to die soon in Jerusalem.
- The Sleeping Disciples
- 32 Peter and his companions had been very sleepy. But then they became completely awake. They saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing with him.
- Peter Speaking Foolishly
- 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter spoke up. "Master," he said to him, "it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters. One will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He didn't really know what he was saying.
- The Father Comes As Spirit
- 34 While Jesus was speaking, a cloud appeared. It surrounded them. The disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud. 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone.
- Peter Rebuked by the Father
- One Way to the Father
- 35 A voice came from the cloud. It said, "This is my Son, and I have chosen him. Listen to him."
- The Beloved Son
- Jesus Alone
- 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone.
- The disciples kept quiet about this. They didn't tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
- Jesus Only
Training us for the Kingdom
Training us for the Kingdom
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- Luke 9:37-62
- What is the Kingdom of God?
- It is Jesus Himself, the God-man, lived out of us in the daily church life
- Luke 9
- Jesus the Man-Savior
- Sends out the 12
- Feeds the multitudes
- Revealed as the Christ
- Reveals His death
- Transfigured in glory
- More Lessons
- What kind of world do we live in?
- What kind of person am I?
- How do I follow the Lord?
- A Demon Possessed World
- 37 On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him.
- 38 And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, "Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy,
- 39 and a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves.
- 40 "I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not."
- 41 And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here."
- 42 While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father.
- 43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God
- His Death Revealed
- 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples,
- 44 "Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men."
- 45 But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.
- Dealing with Our Pride
- 46 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.
- 47 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side,
- 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great."
- Dealing with our Intolerance
- 49 John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us."
- 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you."
- Dealing with our Condemning Spirit
- 51 When the days were approaching for His taking up, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;
- 52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.
- 53 But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.
- 54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"
- 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;
- 56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."And they went on to another village.
- Dealing with our Excuses
- 57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go."
- 58 And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
- DEALING WITH OUR COMFORT ZONE
- 59 And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father."
- 60 But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God."
- DEALING WITH THE PAST NEGATIVE THINGS
- 61 Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home."
- 62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
- DEALING WITH OUR PAST POSITIVE THINGS
- Summary
- Jesus is the Kingdom of God, lived out as the church life
- His crucified life within us constantly saves us from
- Our pride
- Our intolerance of other Christians
- Our condemning spirit
- Our excuses for following Him absolutely
- So that we can help people into the kingdom
Shine as the True Light
Shine as the True Light
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- Jesus Rejected by the Evil Generation
- The Works of Jesus Treated as from Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons
- Tempting Jesus
- 14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15 But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons." 16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven
- The Demon Cast Out
- A Kingdom Divided Cannot Stand
- 17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
- Jesus Overcomes the Devil
- 21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.
- A maxim to Unbelievers
- 23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters
- The Jews as the Possessed Man
- Matthew 12:22 - Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.
- The End of the Rejecting Jews
- 24"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left. 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first."
- Repudiating Natural Relationships
- 27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you."
- 28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
- The Gentiles Will Believe
- 29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
- The Believing Gentiles
- Christians as the Lampstand
- 33"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."
- Shining as the True Light
The Unforgivable Sin
The Unforgivable Sin
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- What is The Unforgivable Sin?
- Is it Possible to Commit The Unforgivable Sin Today?
- Luke 12:1-12
- Meanwhile, when the myriads of the crowd were gathered together so that they trampled on one another, He began to say to the disciples first, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
- Hypocrisy
- Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy
- Having an outward form of godliness, though denying its power; from these also turn away(2 Tim. 3:5).
- 2 But there is nothing covered up which will not be revealed, and hidden which will not be known.
- 3 Therefore what you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in the private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops (vv.2-3).
- For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34).
- 4 And I say to you My friends, Do not fear those who kill the body and afterward have nothing more that they can do.
- 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two assaria? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
- 7 But even the hairs of your head have all been numbered. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
- Truly I say to you that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they blaspheme,
- But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit has no forgiveness forever, but is guilty of an everlasting sin (Mark 3:28-29).
- Who formerly was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insulting person; but I was shown mercy because, being ignorant, I acted in unbelief (1Tim. 1:13)
- 8 Moreover, I tell you, Everyone who confesses in Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess in him before the angels of God;
- 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
- 10 And everyone who will say a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
- For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt.12:34)
- And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment:
- Concerning sin, because they do not believe into Me (Jn.16:8-9)
- You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in hearts and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, you also do (Acts 7:51).
- That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom.10:9);
- 1 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how or what you should reply in defense, or what you should say;
- 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that hour what should be said.
Guarding Against Covetousness
Guarding Against Covetousness
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- Among Family Members
- The Apostle of God
- 13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me."
- 14 But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?"
- 15 Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
- GREED
- Story of the Rich Man
- 16 And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive.
- 19 "And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."'
- 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'
- 21 "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
- More and More Storage
- Life in the Sight of God
- 22 And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
- 23 "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
- FOOD and CLOTHING
- GOD PROVIDES
- 24 "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!
- 25 "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span?
- 26 "If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?
- 27 "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
- 28 "But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!
- Ravens and Lilies Don't Worry
- Firstly Seek God's Kingdom
- 29 "And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.
- 30 "For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.
- 31 "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
- Knowing the Word of God
- Do Not Be Afraid
- 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
- 33 "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.
- 34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
- The Kingdom Awaits You
Be Ready
Be Ready
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- In the News
- ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN)
- Dr. Ronald Dworkin tells the story of a woman who didn't like the way her husband was handling the family finances. She wanted to start keeping the books herself but didn't want to insult her husband.
- The doctor suggested she try an antidepressant to make herself feel better.
- She got the antidepressant, and she did feel better, said Dr. Dworkin, a Maryland anesthesiologist and senior fellow at Washington's Hudson Institute, who told the story in his book "Artificial Unhappiness: The Dark Side of the New Happy Class."
- But in the meantime, Dworkin says, the woman's husband led the family into financial ruin.
- Most Common Drug
- For Dworkin, the proof is in the statistics. According to a government study, antidepressants have become the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States. They're prescribed more than drugs to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, or headaches
- Be Ready!
- Luke 12: 35-48
- Stay dressed for action!
- and keep your lamps burning!
- And be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
- Happy are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.
- If he comes at midnight, or at 3 AM, and finds them awake, happy are those servants!
- But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
- You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
- Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"
- Faithful and Wise
- And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
- Happy is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
- But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,
- the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unbelievers.
- Three Options
- Feeding people Christ
- Mistreating God's people
- Giving them the law and religious demands
- Criticizing, condemning, despising, etc.
- Eating, drinking, getting drunk
- Being lost in the concerns of this world
- And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.
- But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating.
- Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
- Three Things
- Know His will
- God wants to dispense Christ into people
- Get ready
- Enjoy God's word
- Be filled in spirit
- Take action
- Look for opportunities to share Christ
- Bottom Line
- Keep your lamps burning
- Keep freshly supplied with the spirit every day
- Stay dressed for action
- Be equipped with the truth of God's word every day
Life of Joshua
Learning from the Life of Joshua
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- CHAPTER 1:1-9
- What Does God Want?
- But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired for a possession, so that you may tell out the virtues of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Pet 2:9)
- God Wants a Testimony of Himself
- God
- Moses
- Joshua
- Initiated
- Law was given
- Man failed and died in the wilderness
- Grace
- For the law was given through Moses; grace and reality came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17)
- 1 After the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, Jehovah spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' attendant, saying,
- 2 Moses My servant is dead; now then arise, and cross over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, to the children of Israel.
- 3 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads I have given to you, as I promised Moses.
- 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory
- 5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you nor forsake you.
- 6 Be strong and take courage, for you will cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give to them.
- 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being certain to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Do not turn away from it to the right or to the left, that you may have success wherever you go.
- 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall muse upon it day and night so that you may be certain to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success.
- 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and take courage; do not be afraid or dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go
9 Part Series on the Church (God's Eternal Purpose Eph. 3:10-11)
Ephesians 3:10-11
10 In order that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenlies the multifarious wisdom of God might be made known through the church,
11 According to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord
A 9 part series that focuses on God's Eternal Purpose: His Church! |
Part 1 - Stepping Into Eternity
Part 1 - Stepping into Eternity
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- The multifarious wisdom might be made known through the church, according to the eternal purpose—Ephesians 3:10-11
- If we could step into eternity with God, what would He tell us?
- To find out, we need to ask about these words:
- Ephesians 3:9
- To enlighten all that they may see what the economy of the mystery is, which has been hidden in God, Who created all things
- Ephesians 3:10
- In order that NOW to the rulers and authorities in the heavenlies the multifarious wisdom of God might be made known through the Church
- Ephesians 3:11
- According to the eternal purpose
- Ephesians 3:9-11 summarized
- There is a mystery that historically has been hidden in God
- The church is the manifestation of this hidden mystery
- This is God's eternal purpose
- If we could step into "God's shoes"
- He would tell us about the church
- Ephesians 5 Explains this eternal purpose:
- His pleasure
- His heart's desire
- The apple of His eye
- His eternal counterpart
- Christ loved her and so He died for her
- Christ sanctifies the church, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word
- The Bible's Theme: Christ and the Church
- Portrayed 4 Women
- EVE
- The Wife of Adam
- The church comes out of Christ, is the counterpart of Christ and becomes the fullness of Christ
- The church is produced through the death and resurrection of Christ
- The Bride of Christ, The New Testament Church
- The Church is loved by Christ
- The Church is cherished by Christ
- The Church is glorious in the eyes of Christ
- The Woman (Rev. 12)
- At the end of this age
- The church at the end of this age gives birth to the manchild, the overcomers;
- She defeat the enemy to prepare for Christ's second coming
- The Wife of the Lamb
- For Eternity
- The wife that has made herself ready
- The New Jerusalem, the city of God, united with Christ for eternity
- What is Christianity to you today?
- An obligation on Sunday mornings?
- A Seeking of personal growth in Christ and a daily devotion in His word?
- Fits your social status
- Has many in your age category
- Identifies with your culture
- Matches with what you are used to
- With a music/preaching/meeting style that makes you comfortable
- Agrees with your doctrines
- With ministries that care for your hardships and personal struggles
- With ministries that care for your children, parents, spouse, etc.
- With ministries that help you succeed in the world
- With ministries that uplift the soul to carry you through another week
- Attracting large numbers
- Organizing charitable events
- NO!
- Put yourself in God's Shoes
- Step into Eternity
Part 2 - Unveiling the Eternal Blueprint
Part 2 - Unveiling the Eternal Blueprint
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- Paul's Vision
- Paul's Work
- Where Did He Get All This?
- The Blueprint
- God's Eternal Purpose in Genesis
- Let Us make man in Our Image and after Our Likeness
- Let them have dominion over all the earth
- Old Testament Pictures of the Church
- Adam and Eve
- Abraham -> Israel
- The Tabernacle
- "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagle's wings and brought you to Myself..."
- "Now therefore if you will indeed obey My voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be My personal treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine." (Exo. 19:4-5)
- Christ
- He is the center and focus of the church
- Christ is the grace, power, speaking, and leading of the church
- All we say and do in the church should lead people to Christ
- The Church
- The expression of Christ
- The door to Christ
- Dispensing Christ as food and light
- Our Vision
- New Testament Reality
- Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of Man is?
- And they said, Some, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
- He said to them, But you, who do you say that I am?
- And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
- And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in the heavens.
- And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
- I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatever you bind on the earth shall have been bound in the heavens, and whatever you loose on the earth shall have been loosed in the heavens. (Matt. 16:13-19)
- The Lord's Person
- His Heart's Desire
- And the glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, even as We are one;
- I in them, and You in Me, that they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. (John 17:22-23)
Part 3 - Laying Foundation of the New Testament Church
Part 3 - Laying Foundation of the New Testament Church
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- Ephesians 2
- Picture of Fallen Humanity
- That you were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers of the promise of the covenant, having no hope and without God.
- But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off have become near in the blood of Christ.
- Christ's Solution:
- Makes us members of God's household
- And fellow citizens with the saints (19)
- Being built and fitted together on the foundation...Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone... into a dwelling place of God in spirit (20-22)
- Abolition of Divisive Enmity
- Differences lead to enmity
- Laws and ordinances
- Rituals & spiritual practices
- Race & culture, age, gender, social class, political preference, ministry, music, books, bible versions, clothing style, preaching styles, praying styles, association or lack of, etc. etc.
- Issue of Offenses (1)
- Starting arguments.
- Spreading gossip.
- Creating cliques.
- Carrying grudges.
- Backstabbing.
- Deliberately undermining those in authority.
- Pitting one person off against another.
- Lying.
- Issue of Offenses (2)
- Setting up rules in order to create social barriers.
- Being a racist or sexist or elitist.
- Giving orders and demanding obedience.
- Using principles (or even 'righteous' anger) as an excuse to cut off contact.
- Personalizing a political dispute.
- Raising the stakes in disputes.
- Having an 'I win, you lose' attitude.
- Acting without concern about how it affects others.
- Man's Solution - End Results
- Avoidance
- Accommodation
- Competition
- Compromise
- God's Solution
- Collaboration & Reconciliation
- Lord's admonishing (Matt 5:22-24)
- Paul's example
- (I Cor 3 : 5-9 )
- "To reconcile is to restore to friendship or harmony, to settle or resolve differences."
- Two Natures
- Our Evil Nature
- Starting arguments
- Spreading gossip
- Creating cliques
- Carrying grudges
- Backstabbing
- Our Aspiration to Do Good
- Politics
- Religious zeal
- Insistence on practices
- Division
- Hatred
- But We Have Died...
- Our Evil Nature
- Starting arguments
- Spreading gossip
- Creating cliques
- Carrying grudges
- Backstabbing
- Our Aspiration to Do Good
- Politics
- Religious zeal
- Insistence on practices
- Division
- Hatred
- Moses Went UP
- Moses was called into God's presence on Mt. Sinai
- "Moses... and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. ...they saw God, and they ate and drank."
- "Moses... stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights."
- Blueprint Given on Mt. Sinai
- Moses received blueprint for building tabernacle on mountain top.
- Lord to Moses: "Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you."
- Stephen Looked UP
- "The Grecian Jews...complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food."
- 7 were chosen for food service
- No record of what Stephen did, but...
- Stephen was "full of the Spirit and wisdom...full of grace & power"
- Stephen Looked UP
- "...being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."
- We Need to Grow UP
- "Out from whom all the body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love." (Eph 4:16)
- "But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ." (4:15)
- But to Go UP
- We Must First Go DOWN
- "If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him." (Rom 6:8)
- When was the last time I knelt down to pray?
- When was the last time I laid down my soul life according to the inner-anointing:
- opinions,
- "my-way-or-the-highway" insistence, and
- evil as well as good intentions?
- Know Christ & Know Ourselves
- To build the church, our old man must die.
- "And might reconcile both in one Body to God through the cross, having slain enmity by it." (Eph 2:16)
- "In whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in spirit." (Eph 2:22)
Part 4 - The Spawning of the New Testament Church
Part 4 - The Spawning of the New Testament Church
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- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- Underlying Principle of our study of the church
- The Scriptures
- Satan's strategy: Distract us from the plain a simple Word of God
- The Vision of the Church in God's Word
- 2 Important Old Testament Passages
- Genesis 1:26-28 Birds-eye view
- Exodus Chapters 26-40 The tabernacle
- The Vision of the Church in God's Word
- 2 important references by Jesus
- The Mountain Retreat
- Matthew 16 Jesus explains the building of the church
- One of Jesus' final prayers
- John 17 Jesus asks the Father for oneness among the believers
- The Vision of the Church in God's Word
- 4 Important New Testament Passages
- The Apostle Paul
- Ephesians 3 & 5 The eternal purpose, the bride of Christ
- Ephesians 2 Christ's death
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 Christ's resurrection and ascension
- Church Vision Applied in the New Testament
-
- Description of the early church life
- It's probably not what you think
- It probably has few similarities to what we practice today
- So, before we make up our mind as to what the church life should look like, we better take an honest look at the Bible
- Church Vision Applied in the New Testament
-
- Teaching Church Practice
- Paul describes the building Jesus' spoke of in Matthew 16
- Paul expounds on the oneness of the church that Jesus prayed for in John 17
- Church Vision Applied in the New Testament
-
- Teaching Church Practice
- Ministry and gifts
- Oneness and coordination
- Edifying meetings
- Church Vision Applied in the New Testament
-
- Parallels to modern Christianity
- Ministry and gifts
- Oneness and coordination
- Edifying meetings
- Let's Talk About Pittsburgh
- A testimony, gospel, and witness to this city
- A life-style
- A spiritual home life
- Joyful and edifying meetings
- An environment of healthy growth in the divine life, development of spiritual function, and an uplifting of humanity
- Rediscovering God's Church
- The Spawning of the New Testament Church
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- There was no church in the Old Testament
- There was no church during Christ's earthly ministry
- Just a promise
- And a prayer
- The Church into existence through:
- The death of Christ (Ephesians 2)
- The resurrection and ascension of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit
- Baptized into the Spirit
- Initiating a new era
- This baptism occurred firstly on the day of Pentecost to the Jews
- "And there appeared to them tongues of fire ... and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ..." Acts 2:3-4
- And secondly at the house of Cornelius to the Gentiles
- Baptized into the Spirit
- Initiating a new era
- The baptism of the Spirit changed the world
- The non-church age became the age of the church
- The blueprint became a reality
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit
- Baptized into the Body of Christ
- Inheriting a new life-style
- Those alienated and far off became fellow citizens of the saints (Ephesians 2:11-12, 19)
- The lonely strangers became members of a loving family (Ephesians 2:19)
- Baptized into the Body of Christ
- Inheriting a new life-style
- Those who once were haunted by demons (addictions, lusts, temper, etc) became a temple of God (Ephesians 2:22)
- Those dwelling in darkness became the light of the world (Matthew 4:14-16)
- Once having a purposeless existence, but now a part of the bride being prepared for her husband (Ephesians 3:11; 5:32; Rev2elation 21:)
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit
- Drinking of the Spirit
- Experiencing a new reality
- The Spirit is the reality of Christ and the work of Christ
- "But when He, the Spirit of reality comes, He will guide you into all the reality ... All that the Father has is Mine ... He receives of Mine and will declare it to you." John 16:13, 15.
- The church is not our talk, but our experience. It is real.
- The church is not our doctrine, it is our daily reality
- The church is not merely our stand, it is our experience
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit
- Oneness
- Entering into a divine existence
- Paul deliberately emphasizes the word, "one," in this verse
- The era of the church is the era of the oneness of the human race
- It is not man-made—it is the divine oneness that Jesus prayed about in John 17, a oneness created by the Trinity
- So in Ephesians 4:3, Paul exhorts us to "keep" the oneness of the Spirit.
- Oneness is a fact! Believe it and receive it!
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit
Part 5 - Church Practices, New Testament Style - The Facts in Acts
Part 5 - Church Practices, New Testament Style - The Facts in Acts
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- Speaking to the Disciples the Things concerning the Kingdom of God V.3
- Charging Them to Wait for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit vv.4-8
- And as He met together with them, He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, ...(V.4)
- But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth (V. 8)
- Meetings:
- Teaching and fellowship meetings (by the apostles)
- Home gatherings (Acts 2:46; 5:42)
- Held from house to house
- Daily
- Accompanied by food
- In simplicity of heart
- With one accord
- And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with exultation and simplicity of heart (2:46),
- And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and announcing the gospel of Jesus as the Christ (5:42).
- To:
- Speak the gospel to friends
- Review and fellowship the apostles' fellowship and teaching
- Break bread (Lord's table?)
- Pray (Acts 1)
- Temple gatherings (2:46; 5:42)
- Daily
- Healings (3:1-10)
- Preaching the gospel and teaching (Acts 5:20-25, 42)
- Prayer meetings
- Church prayer (2:42; 4:24)
- Apostles' prayer (6:4)
- Gospel Outreach:
- By the Spirit
- Preaching Christ and the work of Christ
- Through:
- Speaking in the tongues of the people
- Open air preaching at the temple
- Apostles' visitation to the homes (5:42)
- Having favor among the outsiders (2:47)
- On a chariot
- Through signs and wonders
- People were exhorted to be saved by:
- Repentance
- Calling on the name of the Lord
- Being baptized
- Gospel reports
- People saved daily
- Numbers reported
- Practical Dealings
- Communal living (2:43-44)
- Church discipline
- Widows cared for
- One accord
- Offices
- Apostles
- Spend time and prayer and ministry of the Church
- Teaching & fellowship of the truth
- Open air preaching
- Deacons
- Requirements: full of the Spirit and wisdom
- Appointed to meet the needs of the widows
- Appearance to Outsiders
- The ones that overturned the world
- The way (9:31)
- Christians (13)
Part 6 - Advanced Church Practice - Paul's Vision of the Body of Christ
Part 6 - Advanced Church Practice - Paul's Vision of the Body of Christ
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- Jesus' Prayer for Oneness
- "That they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected into one.."
- Jesus' Prophecy to Build His Church
- "Upon this rock I will build My church"
- Eph 4:1-6
- I THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord, appeal to and beg you to lead a life worthy of the divine calling to which you have been called
- With complete lowliness of mind and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.
- Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of the Spirit in the binding power of peace:
- One body and one Spirit--just as there is also one hope to the calling you received--
- One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
- One God and Father of all, Who is above all, through all and in all.
- Oneness
- Keep the oneness
- You cannot make oneness
- The oneness is just the Triune God
- Lived out in lowliness of mind and love
- We lose the oneness if we focus on
- Teachings
- Practices
- Ministers
- Eph. 4: 7,11
- But grace was given to each of us individually in proportion to the measure of Christ's gift.
- And His gifts were varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us-- some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some shepherds and teachers.
- Eph. 4:12-13
- His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints, that they should do the work of ministry, unto the building up Christ's body,
- Until we all attain at the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, at a full grown man-- the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ.
- Building
- Depends on diversity
- Each member, uniquely operating, builds the Body of Christ
- Oneness in Diversity
- Over 200 distinct cell types in the human body
- Yet the body is one
- They all start off as STEM CELLS
- But they all become different
- The Same With the Body of Christ
- We all start off the same
- Yet we should grow to become different
- Conformity is Not Oneness
- Who You Are
- God's Plan
- Balanced View
- When the focus is God....
- Everything is One
- When we lose that focus division
- When the focus is the believers....
- Everything is diverse
- When we lose that diversity conformity
- He gave some as...
- Gifts...
- THE SAINTS
- Unto the work of...
- Unto the building up of...
- "ministry churches"
- THE CHURCH
- Eph. 4:15-16
- But, holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the head, the Christ:
- Out from whom the whole body, joined together, and connected by every joint of the rich supply, according to working in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the body to the building up of itself in love.
- "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH"
- Not "I will build my ministry"
- The ministry is for the church
- The church is not for the ministry
- Our Goal
- Help every saint minister according to their God given grace
- Immersed in the atmosphere of love for the building of His church in oneness
Part 7 - Oneness through Diversification for the Building Up of the Body
Part 7 - Oneness through Diversification for the Building Up of the Body
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- "For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12)
- Maturity in life should lead to differences
- The fruit is all different
- Oneness and Building Manifest Gifts, Ministry, and Operation (Function)
- Oneness
- Building
- Gifts
- Ministry
- Operation
- The Principle
- "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking in the Spirit of God says, Jesus is accursed; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord! Except in the Holy Spirit.
- But there are distinctions of gifts, but the same Spirit; And there are distinctions of ministries, yet the same Lord; And there are distinctions of operations, but the same God, who operates all things in all" (1 Corinthians 12:3-6)
- Speaking
- Calling on the name of the Lord makes us one with the person of Christ. So also in any kind of prophesying when one speaks for God or speaks forth God as a minister of Christ, one does so by being in the person of Christ.
- Different Ministries
- Ministry
- Ministry in Ephesians 4 is not related to the gifted ones
- But to the ministries of each member of the Body
- "And He Himself gave some (gifts)....for the perfecting of the saints...unto the work of ministry" (4:11-12)
- Operating in and by means of the Holy Spirit
- "I am crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.
- And the life that I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Gal. 2:20)
- Every operation must be inspired by the Spirit, be an impartation of the Spirit, and result in spiritual building up of the Body.
- Three Levels of Function
- Distinct Gifts
- Distinct Ministries
- Distinct Operations
- So...
- what has God given to you to carry out in the local church He has placed you in...
- or are you running wild without substantiating this vision?
- But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is profitable.
- For to one through the Spirit a word of wisdom is given, and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
- To a different one faith in the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing in the one Spirit,
- And to another operations of works of power, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits; to a different one various kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor. 12:7-10)
- Examples of Gifts
- Word of Wisdom
- Word of Knowledge
- Faith
- Healing
- Power
- Prophecy
- Discerning
- Tongues
- Oneness through Diversification
- Crucial Attitudes in the Body
- Not honoring one's distinct portion
- If the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, it is not that because of this it is not of the body. (v 15)
- Crucial Attitudes in the Body
- Despising other's portions
- And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (v 21)
- Crucial Attitudes in the Body
- Mutual Care for One another
- That there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same care for one another (v 25)
Part 8 - Rediscovering God's Church
Part 8 - Rediscovering God's Church
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- Church Life in it's Most Pure And Biblical Form
- How Do We Apply the Vision of the Church?
- Who are We?
- What Should the Church Look Like?
- Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint (run wild, become demoralized); but happy is he that keepeth the law (the Word) (Prov.29:18).
- The Lord did not leave a handbook on how to practice The Church
- Two items necessary to go on:
- The Spirit
- The Word of God
- But when *he* is come, the Spirit of truth, he shall guide you into all the truth...(Jn.16:13)
- Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psa. 119:105).
- The church is the called out assembly of the Body of Christ
- Where do we assemble?
- In the Temple
- From house to house
- And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house...(Acts 2:46)
- What is a local church?
- The application, practice, and substantiation of the vision of the Body of Christ
- Why do we call ourselves the church in Pittsburgh?
- The church is not so much our name as it is what we are
- And we are here in the city of Pittsburgh
- Complications came in between Peter's ministry and Paul's (Acts 15)
- Studying Paul's experience correlates with our experience of modern Christianity.
- A. Diversity of cultures and backgrounds produced animosity and division among the believers
- Differing practices led to churches becoming divided from one another (Acts 15)
- Rallying around different ministries caused division among the believers (1Cor.1)
- The practical church life should:
- Have Christ as our content
- Have the freedom and authority of the Spirit
- Hold the Word of God as our standard
- Receive all believers, open to all genuine ministries, love all Christians, meet as generic Christians, not holding onto any special practices, ministries or non-essential teachings
- Who We Are
- We are a group of Christians who come from a number of different backgrounds. Our common denominator is a desire to know, love, and follow the living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His love has captured us, and in such a love we meet together with a church life according to the New Testament revelation.
- We are families and singles. We are young and old. We are workers at a variety of jobs along with college students. We come from many countries and cherish all races. But with this variety there is a marvelous oneness of the Spirit that we strive to keep.
Part 9 - Gifts for the Church
Part 9 - Gifts for the Church
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Fellowship in Acts
Acts - Back to Basics
Fellowship in John
John - Fruitbearing (with updates from Africa)
Africa and Fruitbearing
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- A Fruitful Branch in the Vine - John 15
- Having faith in Jesus' promise: "He who abides in Me and I in Him, he WILL bear much fruit (15:5)
- Being sobered by Jesus' warning: "The Father takes away every branch that does not bear fruit (15:2)
- Since apart from the vine the branch is unable to do anything (15:5), we should rely on the Father by asking for fruit in the name of Jesus (15:7)
- A Fruitful Branch in the Vine - John 15
- The Bottom Line:
- Commitment to Consistent and Specific Prayer
- A Sower
- Indiscriminately casting baskets of seed on every kind of ground, being ready to pass out tracts, to speak to people, to testify the Lord's name, etc. wherever we are, realizing that God has, according to His sovereignty, placed us on this earth particularly to preach the gospel.
- A Sower Sowing with a forethought of reaping:
- strategy
- purpose
- creativity
- practicality
- A Shepherd
- Reaching the world being based on an overwhelming love (a passion) for the lost (Luke 15:4)
- Being watchful, aware when one sheep has gone astray
- Bearing the helpless on our shoulders (Luke 15:5)
- Joining in on the angelic emotional jubilation of rejoicing when a sinner turns to God (Luke 15:5-7)
- A Steward
- Stewardship is based upon the principle that what you have received from God is what you are to give to others (Ephesians 3:2)
- A household steward must personalize the care for each member of the household
- A household steward is responsible to mentor the "children" one-by-one to grow as healthy believers and servants of Christ to:
- Cultivate spiritual life habits
- Participate in a meaningful church life
- Develop a serving life
- An Investment Broker - Matthew 25; Luke 19:13
- Jesus charged us to "Do Business until I come"
- An Investment Broker
- A life-time of time
- Money
- home & neighborhood
- Family
- Job / school
- Achievements
- God Arranges our life
- According to His sovereignty
- To spread the good news to the uttermost parts of the earth
- Cooperating with God to Manage Our Time effectively
- Set apart time for Weekly prayer
- Personal guidance/leading from God
- List of people
- Outreach plan
- Fruit bearing meeting
Listen to more messages on the work in Uganda and Africa here...
John - Life's Shepherding Outside of Religion
Life's Shepherding Outside of Religion
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- John 10:1-16
- Within the Veil
- Let us come forward to the Holy of Holies with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Heb.10:22).
- Outside the Camp
- Let us therefore go forth unto Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach (v.13:13).
- Truly, truly, I say to you, He who does not enter through the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up from somewhere else, he is a thief and a robber; But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John10:1-3)
- When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers (vv.4-5).
- Jesus therefore said to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you that I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved and shall go in and go out and shall find pasture (vv.7-9).
- The thief does not come except to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and may have it abundantly (v.10).
- I
- am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and it does not matter to him concerning the sheep (vv. 11-13).
- I am the good Shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, …And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must lead them also, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd (vv.14-16).
Fellowship in Philippians
John - Life's Shepherding Outside of Religion
Philippians - Just 3 Things!
Philippians - Just 3 Things!
Just 3 Things!
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- Paul's Exhortation in Philippians 4:1-9
- Paul Exhorts the Philippians
- Concerning their church life
- Concerning their heart
- Concerning their testimony to the world
- The Church Life
- Success achieved through
- Love
- The bottom line, the most fundamental expression of the Body life – 1 John 3:14
- The divine element that separates the Church from all secular societies – 1 John 4:16
- The church's greatest attraction to the world
- The Church Life Success achieved through
- Love
- Forbearance
- Understanding that I am just as fallen and weak as the next guy
- Realizing that the only reason I am here is because of the forbearance of Christ.
- Observing that those that are faithful church life survivors are those with forbearance
- The Church Life Success achieved through
- Love
- Forbearance
- Labor
- Members of the church life are farmers on God's farm.
- Caring for others lifts our spirits and causes us to have a positive attitude toward the saints.
- The Heart
- Working through anxiety
- The Heart
- Working through anxiety
- Did you know?
- Anxiety Disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., with 40 million (18.1%) of the adult U.S. population (age 18 and older) affected.
- According to "The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders," a study commissioned by the ADAA and based on data gathered by the association and published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year
- More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the repeated use of healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses.
- The Heart
- The Heart
- The Heart
- The source of anxiety
- Seeking more than you have
- The Heart
- The Heart
- The source of anxiety
- Being in the eye of a religious storm
- The Heart
- Prayer and petition
- Present your requests to God
- The Heart
- Working through anxiety
- The Heart
- Working through anxiety
- God grants every request.
- God changes your environment to relieve your anxiety.
- God transforms you to be able to handle anxiety.
- The Heart
- Working through anxiety
- Rather, through prayer, The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard
- Remember
- The Heart
- Working through anxiety
- The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.
- George Muller.
- Testimony to the world
- Take account of 6 things
- What is truthful
- What is dignified
- Testimony to the world
- Take account of 6 things
- What is truthful
- What is dignified
- What is fair
- What is pure
- Testimony to the world
- Take account of 6 things
- What is truthful
- What is dignified
- What is fair
- What is pure
- What is lovely
- What is worthy of good report
- FINALLY
- The things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you. – verse 9
Philippians - The Experience of Christ
The Experience of Christ
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- Chapter 1
- Slaves of Christ Jesus to all the saints in Christ Jesus (1:1)
- One who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other.
- Metaphorically spoken of voluntary service, a servant, implying obedience and devotion.
- Fellowship Unto the Furtherance of the Gospel (1:5)
- Participation or communication in the furtherance of the gospel or in caring for others because of something which you have in common, i.e., Christ.
- Financial contributions both in the gospel and in meeting the needs of those who are in Christ.
- Defending and Confirming the Gospel (1:7)
- Giving an answer or speech in defense of oneself relative to the gospel.
- To make firm or reliable so as to warrant security and inspire confidence, to strengthen, make true, corroborate and fulfill, thus to confirm.
- Longing after the saints in the inward parts of Christ Jesus (1:8)
- The inward parts signify one’s inward affection or tender mercy and sympathy which are according to Christ.
- Our inward parts should long for the saints according to the grace we have received since this is Christ’s heart.
- Love Abounding in full knowledge and all discernment, approving by testing the things that differ (1:9-10)
- Not loving in ignorance
- Discerning different people, teachings and practices as under sunlight,
- Moses did not discern properly his calling and how to carry it out until God revealed the way to him.
- Filled with the fruit of righteousness (1:11)
- Righteousness is the way God carries out His doings or activities.
- If we experience Christ in everything we do, then all our activities are done in a righteous manner.
- Christ being announced (1:18)
- Rejoicing in whatever way Christ is announced.
- Knowing what is in pretence or truth and not taking the wrong way.
- Petitioning for the saints and receiving the bountiful supply of the spirit (1:19)
- Knowing the saints well enough to petition for them in a meaningful way.
- Opening to the bountiful supply of the Spirit to know the humanity of the suffering Jesus and the divinity of the all-inclusive Christ.
- Christ magnified in the body in life or death (1:20-21)
- The highest experience of Christ is to magnify Him in whatever circumstances we may have.
- The most precious life is to live for Christ in life or in death.
- Remaining in the flesh for the progress and joy of the faith of the saints (1:24-25)
- It is better to die and be with Christ and to not suffer in the flesh.
- Nevertheless, we should choose to remain to be on earth only for the benefit of the saints and this is the most rewarding experience of Christ.
Philippians - The Heavenly Brain Transplant
The Heavenly Brain Transplant
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Page 1 of 67 of the Yellow Pages
- A Remnant of People Ministries Incorporated
- Abundant Faith In Christ Fellowship
- Abyssinian Capernaum Baptist Church
- Advent Episcopal Church
- Agape Christian Fellowship Church of Pittsburgh
- Agape Life Church
- Albright United Methodist Church
- All Saints Episcopal Church
- Allegheny Center Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Resh 717
- Allegheny Open Arms United Church of Christ
- Allen Chapel Ame Church
- Allison Park Assembly of God
- Alpha Nv Omega Ministries
- Ambassador Baptist Church
- Annunciation Church
- Apostles Lutheran Church
Man's Way
- Amplify diversity -> DIVISIONS
- Annul diversity -> UNIFORMITY
God's Way
- Much diversity -> Oneness
- Humanly IMPOSSIBLE
The Heavenly Brain Transplant
Experiencing Christ in Philippians Chapter 2
- The Desire
- "If then, any encouragement comes through union with Christ, if there is any persuasive power of love, if there is any common sharing of the Spirit...Fill up my cup of joy
- That you think the same thing, having the same love, with united souls—your hearts beating in unison—your minds set on one purpose, as though you had only one mind between you."
- "Doing nothing by way of selfish-strife or petty ambition, but in lowliness of mind, true humility, with low thoughts of self, practice treating one another as your superiors, as more important than yourself.
- Stop looking after your own interests and virtues only, but every man the virtues and interests of others too." (v 1-4)
- The Heavenly Brain--Christ
- "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
- Though the divine nature was His from the beginning, He did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped or to be clung to
- But emptied and impoverished Himself, laid it aside, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the likeness of men;
- And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of a cross" (v 5-8)
- Working out Your Salvation
- "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
- For it is God who energizes within you who makes you willing and gives you the energy to do what He wants.
- Do all things without complaining or arguing" (v 12-14)
- "That you may be blameless and guileless, children of God without blemish , living in a warped and diseased world, among whom you shine as luminaries in the world, offering to men the message of Life" (v 15)
- Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus – Three Successful Brain Transplants
- Paul: pouring himself into the saints (v 17)
- Timothy: "But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged by knowing the things concerning you. For I have no one like-souled who will genuinely care for what concerns you; For all seek their own things, not the things of Christ Jesus. " (v 19-21)
- Epaphroditus: "he has been homesick for you all...Because for the work of Christ he drew near unto death, risking his life, that he might fill up your lack of service toward me." (v 25-30)
Be Zapped
- By the Spirit and the Word
- Get Christ's mind in you daily
Philippians - Chapter 3
Philippians 3
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Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision. (v. 2)
- Dogs:
- Christians who accepted Jesus as the Messiah, but probably as the Savior of Israel only. (exclusivism) Having a shameless, reckless, mischief-devising, raging, unclean, irreverent, and disrespectful attitude towards other believers.
- Evil workers:
- Insisting that Christ’s kingdom could be entered only through the gate of Judaism. (elitism) They controlled saints by giving them a false view of their superiority in the eyes of God. (Rev. 3:17-18)
- Concision:
- Only those circumcised would be fully accepted by God. (legalism)
- Conformity to a specific practice or rallying around the principle imposed (the unwritten law) instead of the letter of it.
- The Antidote
- The antidote for the three problems previously addressed is to turn one’s pursuing and mind from "isms" to God Himself.
- For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. (v. 3)
- Serving by the Spirit of God keeps us from being dogs, boasting in Christ Jesus alone keeps us from becoming evil workers, and having no confidence in the flesh keeps us from legalities, saving us from religious formalism.
- Paul goes on to say, "Moreover I also count all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse that I may gain Christ. (v. 8)
- Forgetting the things which are behind, both the good and the bad, the religious and non-religious is to apply the cross to our past situation.
- Furthermore, Paul states, "Stretching forward to the things which are before, pursuing toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward." (vv. 13-14) We should no longer be concerned with what ever earthly prizes are before us, especially self-indulgence (vv. 17-19), but rather seek Christ as the Head, and the building up of His Body in reality. Our destiny is that one day we all will be conformed to the body of His glory. (vv. 20-21)
Jubilee
Jubilee
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- The English term Jubilee derives from the Hebrew term yobel (via Latin:Jubilaeus), which in turn derives from yobhel, meaning ram; the Jubilee year was announced by a blast on an instrument made from a ram's horn, during that year's Yom Kippur
- And you shall number seven sabbaths or weeks of years for you, seven times seven years, so the total time of the seven weeks of years shall be forty-nine years.
- Then you shall sound abroad the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month (almost October); on the Day of Atonement blow the trumpet in all your land (Lev.25: 8-9).
- And you shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his ancestral possession (which through poverty he was compelled to sell), and each of you shall return to his family (from whom he was separated in bond service) (v.10).
- That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall not sow, or reap and store what grows of itself, or gather the grapes of the uncultivated vines.
- For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat the (sufficient) increase of it out of the field.
- In this Year of Jubilee each of you shall return to his ancestral property (vv. 11-13).
- Luke 4:18-19
- "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to announce the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to send away in release those who are oppressed,
- To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, the year of jubilee."
- It Signaled:
- A Release From Debts
- A Release of Slaves
- Letting the Land Lie Fallow and Uncultivated
- Our Condition Was Like that of the Jewish People:
- We Lost Our Birthright
- Sold Ourselves into Captivity
- Became Slaves
- Sold Under Sin:
- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23)
- That you were at that time apart from Christ,
- alienated from the commonwealth of Israel,
- and strangers to the covenants of the promise,
- having no hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12)
- However at that time, not knowing God, you were slaves to the gods which by nature are not gods (Gal.4:8);
- For we also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving as slaves various lusts and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another (Tit.3:3).
- Christ's Redemption from the Law:
- Being justified freely by His grace through
- the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
- Whom God set forth as a propitiation place
- through faith in His blood (Rom.3:24-25a)
- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Eph.2:8)
- To Release Us From the Slavery of Sin:
- Knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be annulled, that we should no longer serve sin as slaves (Rom. 6:6)
- And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free (Jn.8:32).
- Christ's Redemption Brought Us Back to Himself as Our Allotted Portion:
- Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you for a share of the allotted portion of the saints in the light (Col. 1:12)
- To open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me (Acts 26:18).
The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
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- Of the religions of the world, Christianity is unique because it stems from the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, the greatest man who ever lived. In Jesus, we have One who has virtually changed every aspect of human life, but sadly, most people are completely oblivious to the reality of how He has so completely impacted the world.
- Christianity is founded, not on what Jesus taught (and this distinction is vital to grasp) but on who Jesus is and on what Jesus accomplished. Of course, as Christians, we stand firmly on His teachings.
- No one ever spoke and taught like Jesus, but ultimately, the value of what He said was dependent upon who He was and what He did and the abundant historical evidence that authenticated His life and words. This gave the teachings of Christ authority and placed them alone in the category of absolute truth.
- All other beliefs are based on the teachings and ideas of those who were nothing more than mere men. No matter how brilliant, charismatic, or powerful they may be, there is no guarantee of their objectivity, accuracy or ultimate ability to deliver what they have promised.
- The Supernatural Nature of Christ
- The Old Testament, which even the most ardent critic acknowledges was in existence centuries before Christ, predicted the where ( Micah 5:2 ), the when ( Dan. 9:26 ), and the how ( Isa. 7:14 ) of Christ's entry into the world.
- The Old Testament predicted that Christ would die for our sins ( Psalm 22 ; Isaiah 53 ; Dan. 9:26 ; Zech. 12:10 ) and would rise from the dead ( Psa. 2:7 ; 16:10
- All of these supernatural prophecies were uniquely fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This is not true of any great religious leader or person who has ever lived, including Muhammad.
- Unique in Life.
- From his very first miracle in Cana of Galilee ( John 2:11 ), Jesus' ministry was marked by its miracles. Jesus even raised several people from the dead, including Lazarus whose body was already to the point of rotting ( John 11:39 ).
- Events surrounding Christ's death were miraculous. This included the darkness from noon to 3 p. m. ( Mark 15:33 ) and the earthquake that opened the tombs and rent the temple veil ( Matt. 27:51–54 ).
- The way in which he actually died was miraculous. As Jesus said, 'I lay down my life–only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord' (John 10:18 ).
- Unique in the Resurrection.
- Jesus himself predicted it from the very beginning of his ministry: He said, ' ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.'... But the temple he had spoken of was his body' ( John 2:19 , 21 ; Matt. 12:40–42 ; 17:9 ).
- Jesus demonstrated the reality of his resurrection in twelve appearances over forty days to more than 500 people.
- Unique in the Ascension
- Just like his entrance into this world, Jesus' departure was also miraculous. After commissioning his disciples, 'he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1:10 ).
- Unique in Sinlessness.
- For a description of what those closest to Jesus thought of his character, Hebrews says that he was tempted as a man 'yet without sinning' ( 4:15 )..
- Jesus himself once challenged his accusers, 'Which of you convicts me of sin?' ( John 8:46 ), but no one was able to find him guilty of anything.
- The Character of Christ Is Unique In Exemplifying Virtues.
- Even Bertrand Russell , who fancied he saw flaws in Christ's character, confessed nonetheless that 'What the world needs is love, Christian love, or compassion.' But this belies a belief in what most others acknowledge, namely, that Christ was the perfect manifestation of the virtue of love.
- In Combining Seemingly Opposite Traits
- Christ brought together in his person characteristics that in anyone else would seem impossible. He was a perfect example of humility, to the extent of washing his disciples' feet ( John 15 ).
- Yet he made bold claims to deity, such as, 'I and the Father are One' ( John 10:30) and 'before Abraham was, I AM' ( John 8:58 ; cf. Exod. 3:14 ).
- The claim, 'I am meek and lowly in heart' (Matt. 11:29 ) sounds arrogant, but he backed his words among little children (Matthew 18:4 ).
- Yet he was so strong as to overturn the tables of those who merchandised God's house, cracking a whip to chase away their animals ( John 2 ). Jesus was known for the virtue of kindness, yet he was severe with hypocrites who misled the innocent ( Matthew 23 ).
- His Uniqueness in Teaching
- The Jewish intellectuals admitted, 'No one ever spoke the way this man does' ( John 7:46 ). Later, he confounded those who attempted to trick him so that 'No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions' ( Matt. 22:46 ).
- Christ Is Superior.
- Jesus Christ was unique in every way. From his complete deity to his perfect humanity; from his miraculous conception to his supernatural ascension; from his impeccable character to his incomparable teaching–Jesus stands above all other religious or moral teachers.
- What If Jesus had Never Been Born? Would there be:
- Hospitals, which essentially began during the Middle Ages.
- Universities, which also began during the Middle Ages. In addition, most of the world's greatest universities were started by Christians for Christian purposes.
- Literacy and education for the masses.
- Capitalism and free enterprise.
- Representative government, particularly as it has been seen in the American experiment.
- The separation of political powers.
- Civil liberties.
- The abolition of slavery, both in antiquity and in more modern times.
- Modern science.
- The elevation of women.
- Benevolence and charity; the good Samaritan ethic.
- Higher standards of justice
- The elevation of the common man.
- High regard for human life.
- The codifying and setting to writing of many of the world's languages.
- The countless changed lives transformed from liabilities into assets to society because of the gospel.
- The eternal salvation of countless souls!
Gospel
The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
Gospel - "Feed My Sheep"
Gospel - "Feed My Sheep"
Gospel - "Feed My Sheep"
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Gospel - Reaching The World
Reaching Out
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- Make no Mistake:
- Make no Mistake:
- Make no Mistake:
- We are NOT EVEN
- Gimmicky Religious Workers
- If This is YOUR Concept:
- Rather, we are Ministers of the Gospel (the good news)
- Reaching out to those who have need
- Paul Told Us Why
- We are stewards, appointed by God to distribute His riches—Ephesians 3:2
- Our stewardship which is entrusted to us by God obligates us to preach the gospel—1 Corinthians 9:17-19
- We owe unbelievers the chance to hear the good news of Jesus Christ—Romans 1:14-15
- Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are already white for harvest—John 4:35
- The White Harvest
- The White Harvest
- Do they know where they are headed?
- The religious relative
- The “good” coworker
- The annoying neighbor
- The loving friend
- The rogue sinner
- Jesus said:
- "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep”—John 20:16
- The White Harvest
- the Case of the beaten down
- Bearing the burden of guilt from sin
- The White Harvest
- the Case of the beaten down
- Scarred by a troubled or broken relationship
- The White Harvest
- the Case of the beaten down
- The White Harvest
- the Case of the beaten down
- Condemned by the religious
- Jesus said:
- the Case of the religious
- In vain do they worship Me, teaching as teaching the commandments of men. While leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—Mark 7:7-8
- The White Harvest
- the Case of the religious
- The hypocrites who build there house on sinking sand—Matthew 7:24-27
- The White Harvest
- the Case of the religious
- The blind leading the blind so that both fall into the pit—Matthew 15:14
- The White Harvest
- the Case of the religious
- Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
- Jesus said:
- And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free—John 8:32
- John the Baptist told us how
The Temple - A short journey through Israel
The Temple
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- A short journey through Israel
We are Christians! - Goshen, Indiana Conference - February 2008
We are Christians!
2007 Messages
We are Christians! - Goshen, Indiana Conference - February 2008
Fellowship in Acts
Fellowship in Acts
2007 Messages
The Apostles, The Work, And The Church - Part 1
The Apostles, The Work, And The Church - Part 1
The Apostles, the Work and the Church - Part 1
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- Our History is one of standing on the Bible as our only standard
- Approaching the Word of God:
- The revelation of the truth
- Approaching the Word of God:
- The revelation of the truth
- Prescriptions, such as
- "Take and eat; this is my body" -Matt. 26:26
- "This is my commandment that you love one another." - John 15:17
- "Always rejoice; unceasingly pray; in everything give thanks ..." 1 Thes. 5:16-18
- Approaching the Word of God:
- The revelation of the truth
- Prescriptions
- Descriptions, such as
- "And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house ..." Acts 2:46
- "And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles." Acts 1:26
- "For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things which were sold and placed them at the feet of the apostles ..." Acts 4:34-35
- Apostleship
- Gifts given to the church according to their measure of grace
- "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of gift of Christ." Eph. 4:7
- "And He Himself gave some as apostles and some as prophets ..." Eph. 4:11
- Apostleship
- Gifts given to the church
- Set apart by the Holy Spirit for the work of ministry unto the building up of the Body of Christ.
- Acts 13:2
- Ephesians 4:11-12
- Apostleship
- Gifts given to the church
- Set apart by the Holy Spirit for the work of ministry unto the building up of the Body of Christ.
- Called and appointed by Christ.
- Apostleship
- "And He appointed twelve, whom He also named apostles." - Mark 3:14
- "Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, a called apostle ..." -- Rom. 1:1
- "Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead)" - Gal. 1:1
- "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles 1 Cor. 12:28
- "For which I was appointed a herald and an apostle" - 2 Tim. 2:7
- Apostleship
- Gifts given to the church
- Set apart by the Holy Spirit for the work of ministry unto the building up of the Body of Christ.
- Called and appointed by Christ.
- Confirmed through fellowship and prayer and sealed by the saints.
- Apostleship
- "Now there were in Antioch, in the local church, prophets and teachers: Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch and Saul. And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for Me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." - Acts 13:1-2
- "... Are you not my work in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, yet surely I am to you; for you in the Lord are the seal of my apostleship." 1 Cor. 9:1-2
- The Work of the Apostles
- Commissioned to perfect the saints unto the work of ministry unto the building up of the Body of Christ-Eph. 4:12
- "Set apart" for "the work" beyond the confines of a local church-Acts 13:2
- "Sent out" according to the measure which God has apportioned.
- The Work of the Apostles
- But we will not boast beyond our measure but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure has apportioned to us, to reach even as far as you. For we are not extending ourselves beyond our bounds, as if we did not reach you, for we were the first to come even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ. We are not boasting beyond our measure in others' labors... 2 Cor. 10:13-15
- The Work of the Apostles
- The apostles' work being for the profit of the local church (1 Cor. 3:21-22), but the local church NEVER being subjected under the apostle (consider the book of Philemon)
- Examples of the Work of the Apostles
- Jerusalem: apostles lived in Jerusalem, but were occasionally sent out for special activities
- Peter and John were sent out to confirm the Lord's work in Samaria-Acts 8:14-25
- Phillip the evangelist was sent out to preach the gospel-Acts 8:26-39
- Peter was sent out to bring salvation to Cornelius' house-Acts 10-11
- Examples of the Work of the Apostles
- Jerusalem: apostles lived in Jerusalem, but were occasionally sent out for special activities
- Antioch: apostles were raised up locally and sent out to raise up churches through the fellowship of the local church-Acts 13:1-2
- Examples of the Work of the Apostles
- Jerusalem: apostles lived in Jerusalem, but were occasionally sent out for special activities
- Antioch: apostles were raised up locally and sent out to raise up churches through the fellowship of the local church.
- The apostles worked together as coworkers for the profit of the local churches
- Examples of the Work of the Apostles
- Paul planted the Corinthian church and Apollos watered them, but their work was "one"-1 Cor. 3:6, 8.
- Paul acknowledges Barnabas as a fellow fulltime coworker, even after their sharp contention-1 Cor. 9:6
- Peter recommends Paul's writings, even after Paul exposed Peter's compromise with the truth in Gal. 2:11-15
- How does a Local Church Respond to Issues Among Apostles?
- Having a realization that it is childish and fleshly to "take sides" and divide from one another by being "of" a man.
- How does a Local Church Respond to Issues Among Apostles?
- And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not hyet able to receive it. But neither yet now are you able, for you are still fleshly. For if there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and do your not walk according to the manner of man?
- How does a Local Church Respond to Issues Among Apostles?
- For when someone says, I am of Paul, and another, I of Apollos, are you not men of the flesh? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Ministers through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one of them. I planted; Apollos watered; but God gave the growth. So then neither is he who plants anything nor he who waters, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's cultivated land, God's building.-1 Cor. 3:1-9
- Having a realization that it is childish and fleshly to "take sides" and divide from one another by being "of" a man.
- Following Ephesus's example to "try" the apostles.
- "I know your works and your labor and your endurance and that you cannot bear evil men, and you have tried those who call themselves apostles and are not, and have found them to be false-Rev. 2:2
- Having a realization that it is childish and fleshly to "take sides" and divide from one another by being "of" a man.
- Following Ephesus's example to "try" the apostles.
- Learning from three crucial examples in Acts
- Acts 15:1-2
- And certain men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. And when no little dissension and discussion with them came about through Paul and Barnabas, the brothers directed Paul and Barnabas and certain others among them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this question.
- Acts 15:36-39
- Now after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brothers in every city ....And Barnabas intended to take John, who is called Mark, along with them also; But Paul did not consider it suitable to take with them this one who withdrew from them in Pamphylia and did not go with them to the work. And there was a sharp contention , so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas, taking Mark along, sailed away to Cyprus.
- Galatians 2:11-14, 16
- But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. For before some came from James, he continually ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to shrink back and separate himself, fearing those of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also joined him in this hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not walking in a straightforward way in relation to the truth in the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how it it that you compel the Gentiles to live like the Jews? ... An knowing that a man is not justified out of works of law, but through faith...
A Contrast Between Jerusalem and Antioch - Part 2
Contrast Between Jerusalem and Antioch - Part 2
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- The Foundation of the Lord's Recovery
- The Word of God
- 3 Levels
- Truth (the resurrection of Christ)
- Prescriptions (the Lord's Table)
- Descriptions (meeting from house to house)
- Traditions
- "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?" - Matthew 15:3
- The Church in Antioch
- A healthy pattern
- Focused on Christ - "...announcing the Lord Jesus as the gospel"
- Acts 11:20 - "...the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."
- Acts 11:26 - "... they were ministering to the Lord and fasting... "
- Acts 13:2
- Encouraging the development of the ministries of the saints - "Now there were in Antioch, in the local church, prophets and teachers; Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul."
- Acts 13:1
- Full of loving concern for the other churches - "And the disciples, according to how one was prospered, determined, each one of them, to send things for dispensing to the brothers dwelling in Judea, which also they did..."
- Acts 11:29-30
- Led by the Spirit - "The Holy Spirit said, Set apart for Me now Barnabas and Saul for the work..."
- Acts 13:2 - "They then, having been sent out by the Holy Spirit..."
- Acts 13:4 - "Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit... said..."
- Acts 13:9
- Fellowshipping with the churches - Receiving the brothers from Judea (Acts 15:1) - Sending Paul and Barnabas to fellowship with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem (15:2) - Bringing great joy to the brothers in Phoenicia and Samaria (15:3)
- Full of tolerance - Receiving the fellowship from co-workers (Acts 15:22,34) - Keeping the oneness of the Spirit even when the co-workers had sharp contentions (15:35-41)
- The Church in Antioch
- "This was a great step taken by the Lord for the spread of the gospel... It was begun from Antioch....without the organizing of a mission, without the raising of funds, without human ordination, and without any human plan or method. It was initiated by five faithful and seeking members of the Body of Christ, who gave the Head of the Body an opportunity... "
- "This major step had nothing to do with the church in Jerusalem organizationally, and it was not under the authority and direction of Peter and the other eleven apostles in Jerusalem. It was begun solely and purely from a Gentile center, far away from the atmosphere and influence....even from the church in Jerusalem."
- "It was absolutely a move by the Spirit, in the Spirit, and with the Spirit through the coordination of the faithful and seeking members of the Body of Christ....It was not a religious movement with a human schedule. From Antioch the Lord's move on the earth for God's New Testament economy had an entirely new start."
- The Church in Jerusalem
- A religious church life
- Focused on something other than Christ - "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law"
- Acts 21:20
- Forming a special class of brothers
- "When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them." (Acts 15:4)
- "After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present." (Acts 21:17-18)
- Emphasizing uniformity, canvassing the churches the Lord raised up through His other servants, leading them into their ideology - "there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ" (Gal. 1:7) - "But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage." (Gal. 2:4)
- Dominated by personalities rather than truth - "Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." (Acts 15:1) - "Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls." (Acts 15:24) - "For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision." (Gal. 2:12)
- Using strength in numbers to influence others - "And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law" (Acts 21:20)
- Eventually, cutting off the ministry of brother Paul - "This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me." (2 Tim. 1:15)
- Our Current Situation
- The Contrast
- Focused on Christ
- Each local church led by the Spirit
- Many ministers, many workers, many works
- Fellowship of joy between churches
- Focused on other things
- Each local church uniformly follow leading of "the body"
- One ministry, one work
- Exclusion, quarantines, divisions, lawsuits
- Speaking Out Against the Deviance
- "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned... But when I saw that they were not walking in a straightforward way in relation to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all... " (Gal. 2:11,14)
- Paul's attitude: - "But if even we or an angel out of heaven should announce to you a gospel beyond that which we have announced to you, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:9)
- The Present Deviance in Truth
- 1. There is a unique "Minister of the Age," most recently Brother Witness Lee.
- 2. The "blended co-workers" are the unique continuation of Brother Lee's "Ministry of the Age."
- 3. There is a unique "Wise Master-builder," supervising God's building work on the entire globe.
- 4. The "Master-builder" (Brother Lee or his continuation) oversees one global company of workers.
- 5. There is only "one publication"
- The Truth of God's Word
- 1) There are many ministers of the age of grace - "There are distinctions, diversities, varieties, of ministries, yet the same Lord." (1 Cor. 12:5)
- 2) There are no other leaders in the church besides local elders and the apostles with their God-commissioned ministries and regions - "When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them." (Acts 15:4) - "It then seemed good to the apostles and the elders with the whole church..." (Acts 15:22)
- 3) There is no unique master builder, but rather the Lord has from the beginning of the age of grace used a multitude of builders - "as a wise master, I have laid a foundation, and another builds upon it." (1 Cor. 3:10)
- 4) There was never in truth, prescription, or description, any global coordination of workers - "And there are distinctions, diversities, varieties of operations, but the same God who operates all things in all." (1 Cor. 12:6)
- 5) God speaks through many gifted ones, ministers, and works, through many publications, with no central coordination - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John - Peter, Paul, James, Jude, Hebrews - The entire Old Testament
- The Present Deviance in Practice
- Quarantine of Brother Titus
- Lawsuits among the saints
- Insisting on - attending the "seven annual feasts," - using only "The Holy Word for Morning Revival" - uniformity
- Genuine Local Church vs a Sect
- "Do you know how to determine whether or not a particular Christian group is a sect? One way to determine this is to check whether or not that group receives all real believers in Christ. For example, suppose a brother in the Lord who is a Roman Catholic priest attends our Lord's table meeting. We certainly would receive him because he is our brother in Christ. However, any group that does not receive all true believers is a sect and is not practicing the fellowship of the apostles." (Life Study of Acts, Message 12, p. 94)
- Being General
- "Concerning the faith we must be very specific and particular (Jude 3; 1 Tim. 6:12); however concerning the other things we must follow Paul's example and be general, never insisting that others believe as we do (Rom. 14:1-8). To possess such a spirit of generality is the generality of the church life.
- If we are special and insist on anything other than the common faith, the oneness will surely be damaged, and divisions will occur." - (Benson Phillips, The Speciality, Generality, and Practicality of the Church Life)
- One Work?
- Watchman Nee rejected one global company of co-workers as unscriptural and "Romish." He says, "Scripture... does not imply that all the apostles formed themselves into one company and placed everything under one central control...One company is not shown in the Word of God." He points out that "in the Scriptures...there is a company of apostles, but it is not great enough to include all the apostles. That is Romish, not scriptural." Witness Lee also warned against producing hierarchy, saying, "Regions of the work exist today.... If we organize these regions into one unit, it will lead to hierarchy with an official leadership. This would insult Christ's headship."
- One Accord vs Uniformity
- "Can we be in one accord if we have differences? The answer to this question is 'yes.' We must be in one accord in spite of the differences. Both in the Gospels and in Acts, we are taught to be in one accord (Matt. 18:19; Acts 1:14; 2:46; 4:24; 5:12; 15:25; Rom. 15:6). Some would say that we must get rid of all the differences among the believers in order to be in one accord, but this is only to make everything uniform." (The Practice of the Church Life According to the God-ordained Way, pp. 37)
- Biblical?
- "All the saints and all the churches everywhere should ... be restricted to one publication in the Lord's recovery" - Publication Work in the Lord's Recovery by the "Blended Brothers"
- Biblical?
- "In every age God does not give His vision...to two men; He gives it to only one man...God does not give other ministers their own light and revelation. All the ministers in a particular age must enter fully into the vision of that age, speak only the contents of the unique vision...This is a strong principle that holds in every age, including today." - A "blended brother"
- Forsaking the Word
- It is not a matter of right or wrong, biblical or non-biblical. It is a matter of whether there is one sound or more than one sound. - (Ministry Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 1, Jan. 2005, p. 186)
- The Lord's Way
- "The Bible is our only standard. We are not afraid to preach the pure Word of the Bible, even if men oppose; but if it is not the Word of the Bible, we could never agree even if everyone approved of it." - Watchman Nee
- The Church in Pittsburgh?
- "This was a great step taken by the Lord for the spread of the gospel... It was begun from Pittsburgh....without the organizing of a mission, without the raising of funds, without human ordination, and without any human plan or method. It was initiated by five faithful and seeking members of the Body of Christ, who gave the Head of the Body an opportunity... "
- "This major step had nothing to do with Living Stream Ministry organizationally, and it was not under the authority and direction of Ron Kangas and the other "blended brothers" in Anaheim. It was begun solely and purely from a Gentile center, far away from the atmosphere and influence...."
- "It was absolutely a move by the Spirit, in the Spirit, and with the Spirit through the coordination of the faithful and seeking members of the Body of Christ....It was not a religious movement with a human schedule. From Pittsburgh the Lord's move on the earth for God's New Testament economy had an entirely new start."
Healthy Teaching in the Church Life - Part 3
Healthy Teaching in the Church Life - Part 3
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- The Bible is our only standard!
- Any subjective experience, inward leading, and outward teaching must be based solely on the Revelation in God's Word
- The Bible Nourishes us
- Being nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which you have closely followed (1 Tim. 4:16b)
- As newborn babes , long for the guileless milk of the word in order that by it you may grow unto salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good (1 Pet. 2:2-3)
- "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out through the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4)
- The Bible Washes Us
- That He might sanctify her; cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word (Eph. 5:26)
- The Bible Enlightens us, Giving us understanding
- The opening of Your words gives light, imparting understanding to the simple (Psa 119:130).
- And that from a babe you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).
- The Bible Gives us Revelation
- That by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I have written previously in brief, by which , in reading it, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:3-4).
- 1 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
- Ftn 161: To confront the death, corruption, and confusion in the church's decline, the eternal life, on which ch. 1 is based (1:1, 10), the divine truth, emphasized in ch. 2 (2:15, 18, 25), and the holy Scripture, highly regarded in ch. 3 (3:14-17), are all needed...
- A Healthy Church Life is Filled With Healthy Biblical Teaching
- To bring us into the experience of the reality of the divine truth
- To direct us according the revelation of the mystery of Christ
- Take heed to yourself and to your teaching
- Patterns and examples for us to learn from (See 1 Cor. 10:11)
- Commands that we should obey (see John 15:12, 10)
- Items of the faith, namely, the truth concerning God, the Word of God, Christ and His redemptive work, the Spirit and the believers' divine salvation, the church, the Body of Christ
- Descriptive, Prescriptive, or Truth?
- The Last Adam became the life-giving Spirit—1 Cor. 15:45
- This do unto the remembrance of Me—1 Cor. 11:24
- Descriptive, Prescriptive, or Truth?
- Go therefore, and disciple all the nations, baptizing them ...--Matthew 28:19
- The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them two by two before His face into every city ... Do not carry a purse nor a bag ... Luke 10
- Descriptive, Prescriptive, or Truth?
- The Law of the Spirit of life has freed me in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and of death—Rom. 8:2
- But flee youthful lusts ... with all those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart—2 Tim. 2:22
- Descriptive, Prescriptive, or Truth?
- And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon your name—Acts 9:14
- This is My commandment that you love one another even as I have loved you-- John 15:
- Descriptive, Prescriptive, or Truth?
- And he (the Philippian jailor) was baptized immediately, he and all his household—Acts. 16:33
- We have been buried therefore with Him through baptism into His death ... Rom. 6:4
- Descriptive, Prescriptive, or Truth?
- ...Repent and each one of you be baptized ... Acts 2:38
- Otherwise what shall they who are baptized for the dead do? If the dead are actually not raised, why then are they baptized for them? – 1 Cor. 15:29
- Descriptive, Prescriptive, or Truth?
- Receiving teachings from the Lord's Servants
- Realizing
- No servant of God is infallible
- No servant of God in church history has the absolute final and canonized interpretation of every scripture
- Every saint should follow the "noble” example of the Bereans who examined Paul's teaching with the Scriptures (Acts 17:11)
- Receiving teachings from the Lord's Servants
- We appreciate the teachings of all of the Lord's servants in church history
- Receiving teachings from the Lord's Servants
- Appreciating the inheritance we have received through Brothers Witness Lee and Watchman Nee
- Studying the Word in context of the light we have received from these brothers
- Discerning between prescriptive teachings, descriptive teachings, and teachings that convey the truth.
The Pattern of the Work of the Holy Spirit - Part 4
The Pattern of the Work of the Holy Spirit - Part 4
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- Through the Lord's Servants
- The Manifestation of the Spirit
- But there are distinctions of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are distinctions of ministries, yet the same Lord; and there are distinctions of operations, but the same God, who operates all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is profitable (1Cor. 12:4-7)
- But the one and the same Spirit operates all these things, distributing to each one respectively even as He purposes (v. 11)
- Now you are the Body of Christ, and members individually (v. 27)
- If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were the hearing, where would the smelling be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, even as He willed (vv.17-18)
- 1. Peter - growing unto maturity in every aspect of God's work
- The Lord Himself calling him (Matt. 4:18-19, Luke 5:1-11).
- Receiving revelation of Christ from the Father, and being given the keys of the kingdom of the heavens (Matt. 6: 16-19).
- After many failures, being restored by the Lord and received the Lord's commitment to shepherd and feed His flock (John. 21:15-17).
- Becoming a great servant of the Lord, and praying in one accord for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, opening the door of the gospel to the Jews (I :14; 2:4,14,38,41).
- Being the first to minister for the Lord in the New Testament age and bringing in three thousand and even five thousand believers; signs and power being with him; and experiencing the Lord's miraculous deliverance (2:14,41; 4:4; 5:12, 19; 12
- Judging according to the authority of the Holy Spirit (5:3).
- Opening the door of gospel to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius (10:24, 34, 44).
- His later ministry is not clear. We know from his Epistles that he was in Babylon (1 Pet.5:13) and that he reached spiritual maturity.
- He might have traveled among the Hebrew-speaking saints in the churches that Paul had raised up. This reveals that his work was related to Paul's in some way. (1Pet.1:1-2)
- 2. Stephen- the first martyr for the Lord Jesus in God's economy
- Being well attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom (Acts 6:3).
- Being full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, full of grace and power, doing great wonders and signs among the people (6:5,8).
- Being the second particular person portrayed as ministering the word for the Lord in the age of New Testament. His message is the longest in the New Testament(7:2-53).
- His words provoking people and a young man Saul. He was the first Christian martyred in the New Testament (7:54-60). (John's brother James was the first apostle to be martyred-l 2: 1-2.) His martyrdom stands as a turning point in the Holy Spirit's work(8: I).
- Being full of the Holy Spirit, as he was being martyred he looked into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (7:55-56).
- 3. Philip - walking with God and growing unto ministry
- Being well attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom (6:3).
- Going down to Samaria and proclaiming the Christ to them. (He healed people and cast out demons and performed many signs-8:4-7.)
- Hearing the angel of the Lord and going on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Following the direction of the Holy Spirit, and approaching the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch he preached the gospel to him and baptized him. Afterwards, the Spirit of the Lord caught him away and he found himself in Azotus-8:26-39.)
- Preaching the gospel from Azotus of Judea to Caesarea. (He lived there, becoming known to history as "Philip the evangelist"-8:40, 21:8.)
- 4. Mark - Loving the Lord fervently yet having his weakness
- Being a timid young man (Mark 14:51).
- His house being a place where a number assembled to pray (Acts 12:12).
- Brought to Antioch by his cousin Barnabas (12:25).
- Going with Barnabas and Paul in their first journey. (Perhaps because of difficulties, he departed from them in Pamphylia and returned to Jerusalem-I 3:13.)
- Being the source of disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (15:37-39).
- Continuing to love the Lord faithfully. (He became Paul's fellow worker and a consolation to Paul while he was in jail (Col. 4:10-11.)
- Timothy bringing him back to Rome, since he was useful to Paul for the ministry (2Tim. 4:11).
- Peter referred to him as his son in his letter. (1 Pet. 5:13).
- After the martyrdom of Paul, he seems to have been with Peter in Rome and finished his Gospel (Mark).
- He might have raised up the church in Alexandria afterwards.
- 5. Paul- suffering the loss of all things that he may lay hold of that for which he also has been laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
- Being born in Tarsus of Cilicia, educated at Tarsus (At the time, Tarsus was a key commercial city with a very high reputation academically-22:3.)
- Being trained at the feet of Gamaliel, according to the strictest interpretation of Jewish law (22:3).
- When the Lord Jesus went to the feast in Jerusalem, it is likely he would have seen the Lord Jesus in person (26:4).
- He should also have seen the great work of the Spirit in Jerusalem, yet he still lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of Jewish religion (26:5).
- It is very possible he was the primary person who stirred up the crowd to kill Stephen (7:58-60).
- He also persecuted the people who were in the Way of the Lord (that is the Way which Jews called a sect, 24: 14) unto death (22:4)
- Paul, seeing the vision
- Hearing and seeing the Lord Jesus in the light (9:3-4,22: 14)
- Also seeing the Body of the Christ, the church, in the vision (9: 12,22: 12-13)
- Paul's pursuing - going to the wildness in Arabia for about three years (Gal. 1:17-18)
- Preaching the gospel in Damascus full of power so that the Jews wanted to do away with him (Acts 9:23-25)
- Preaching the gospel in Jerusalem full of power so that again the Jews wanted to do away with him (9:28-29)
- Going back to Tarsus, preaching the gospel in the regions of Syria and Cilicia and raising up some churches (9:30, Gal. 1:21-23)
- Going up to Jerusalem five times (Acts 9:26-28, 11:27-30, 15:2, 18:22, 21: 15-17)
- Receiving the fellowship of Barnabas and going to Antioch (11:24-26)
- Coordinating with brothers in Antioch for at least a whole year to build up the church in Antioch (11:25-26)
- Having the organic relationship with the churches he served
- Establishing a close relationship in Christ with the serving brothers in the churches (i.e., Philemon-Philem. 1)
- Carrying out the Lord's commitment
- Bringing the gospel from Asia to Europe in three journeys of preaching
- Perhaps preaching the gospel to Spain after being released from his imprisonment in Rome (Rom. 15:23)
- Manifesting his maturity in political and religious persecutions
- Strongly testifying before a king and a governor (Acts 24:10, 26: 1)
- Remaining in his own rented dwelling under guard, and writing the Epistles with revelations that testified of the Lord's work in him.- out of the constitution and maturity of truth, life and operation (28:30, Eph. 3:1-4, Philem. 9,
- Col. 1:28-29).
- After being released, he wanted to continue to Spain and was eventually martyred in Rome (2 Tim. 4:6-8)
- 6. Barnabas a consecrated apostle was a son of encouragement
- Barnabas experienced the revival in Jerusalem and consecrated everything to the Lord (Acts 4:36-37)
- He was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch (11:22)
- Barnabas introduced Paul to the apostles (9:27) and also sought out, found and brought Saul from Tarsus to Antioch to teach the disciples there (11:25-26)
- He was set apart by the Holy Spirit with Paul for the work (13:2)
- There was sharp contention between him and Paul regarding Mark, causing them to separate (15:39)
- He still ministered to the churches and had Paul’s strong acknowledgment (1Cor.9:6, Col 4:10)
- 7. There being prophets and teachers in the local church in Antioch (Acts 13:1)
- Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul
Gospel Fellowship
The Pattern of the Work of the Holy Spirit - Part 4
The Operation of Each One Part
The Operation of Each One Part
The Operation of Each One Part
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- Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love. (Eph.4:16)
- Nor do men light a lamp and place it under the bushel, but on the lampstand; and it shines to all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in the heavens. (Matt.5:15-16)
- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God;
- Not of works that no one should boast.
- For we are His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand in order that we would walk in them. (Eph.2:8-10)
- But rise up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a minister and a witness both of the things in which you have seen Me and of the things in which I will appear to you; (Acts 26:16)
- Minister
- for Ministry
- Work
- Saved by works
- Justified by works - (James 2:24)
- Witness
- for Testimony
- Person
- Saved by Grace
- Justified by grace - (Eph. 2:8)
- Kingdom of the Heavens
- As a Reward for Eternal Life
- From Perdition
- So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself. But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:17, 18)
- You see that faith worked together with his works, and by these works faith was perfected. (James 2:22)
- You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith only (James 2:24)
- We are first justified by faith, and then we are justified by works. Unfortunately, many Christians only receive the first justification… The second justification is obtained after receiving the first justification through appropriating the Lord's good works. In James, his Epistle emphasized both faith and works; he never annulled faith. From this we see that faith is the foundation of justification.
- The purpose of James' Epistle is to exhort people to " become doers of the word and not hearers only " (1:22). Furthermore, what he mentioned was merely a man's evaluation. Hence, words such as "Can that faith save him?" "Faith...is dead," and so forth, refer only to what people see in a believer and to the result of truth in man's eyes. They do not refer to the soul. We should know that we are first saved, then we perform good works. We do not perform good works first and then become saved.
- Eternal life is different from the kingdom of the heavens. ..The kingdom of the heavens is obtained by works (Matt. 11:12, etc.). Eternal life means that we are saved from perdition. The kingdom of the heavens is the heavenly portion of the millennium. ..The kingdom of the heavens is where the saints rule as kings with the Lord Jesus in the millennium. This is a prize to be gained through works. Those in Matthew 7:22-23 will not lose their eternal life, but they will lose the kingdom of the heavens; that is, they will not be able to rule with the Lord for a thousand years. (Nee,Watchman, The Christian (5) pp.1039-1041)
- A Christian needs a ministry that is particularly his, not just a general ministry. Every organ in the body has its special function… If you have a special knowledge of the Lord, this special knowledge will constitute your specific ministry.
- Only specific ministries can serve the Body and cause the Body to grow. This is why every member has to continually seek and gain from the Lord what the Body does not have and convey it to the Body. When every member fulfills its ministry, there will be growth in the Body of Christ.(Nee, Watchman, Conferences, Messages, and Fellowship (4) p.844)
- 36 Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas); this woman was full of good works and alms which she did. 39 And Peter rose up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him up into the upper room. And all the widows stood by him, weeping and showing him tunics and garments, all of which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
The Good Samaritan
The Good Samaritan
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- From the book of Luke, Chapter 10
- 29 But he (a certain lawyer), wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
- 30 Jesus, taking up the question, said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who having both stripped him and beaten him, went away, leaving him half dead.
- 31 And by coincidence a certain priest was going down on that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
- 32 And likewise also a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the opposite side.
- 33 But a certain Samaritan, who was journeying, came upon him; and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion;
- 34 And he came to him and bound up his wounds and poured oil and wine on them. And placing him on his own beast, he brought him to an inn and took care of him.
- 35 And on the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, Take care of him; and whatever you spend in addition to this, when I return, I will repay you.
- 36 Which of these three, does it seem to you, has become a neighbor to him who fell into the hands of the robbers?
- 37 And he said, The one who showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go, and you do likewise.
- 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
- 42 But there is need of one thing, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:38-42).
- That I might be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, a laboring priest of the gospel of God, in order that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, having been sanctified in the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:16).
- For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
Parables
Parables
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- The Greatest Stories Ever Told
- To Hear the Lord’s Word and Do It is to be Prudent, but if One Does Not Do It is to be Foolish.
- Building one’s house upon the rock and not sand – Matthew 7:24-27
- Letting your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in the heavens. - Matt. 5:16
- Let your word be, Yes, yes; No, no; for anything more than these is of the evil one – Matt. 5:37
- Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you – Matt. 5:44
- Take care not to do your righteousness before men in order to be gazed at by them; otherwise, you have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens. – Matt. 6:1
- When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. – Matt 6:3
- In praying do not babble empty words as the Gentiles do; for they suppose that in their multiplicity of words they will be heard. – Matt. 6:7
- For if you forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also; But if you do not forgive men their offenses, neither will your Father forgive your offenses. – Matt. 6:14-15
- Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not dig through nor steal. – Matt. 6:20
- No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. – Matt. 6:24
- Do not be anxious for your life, what you should eat or what you should drink; nor for your body, what you should put on. Is not the life more than food, and the body than clothing? – Matt. 6:25
- Do not judge, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you. – Matt. 7:1-2
- Do not give that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the hogs, lest they trample them with their feet, and turn and tear you. – Matt. 7:6 (religious persons not clean , c.f. 2 Pet. 2:12, 19-22; Phil. 3:2)
- Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you – Matt. 7:7
- ...every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces bad fruit. – Matt. 7:18
Seeking The Lost
Seeking The Lost
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Dealing with Our Self
Seeking The Lost
Understanding our Enemy, Satan and his Strategy
Understanding our Enemy, Satan and his Strategy
Understanding our Enemy, Satan and his Strategy
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- (Isaiah 14 12-14)
- How you have fallen from heaven, Daystar, son of the dawn! How you have been hewn down t the earth, you wh made nations fall prostrate! But you said in your heart: I will ascend t heaven; above the stars of God. I will exalt my throne. And I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost parts of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the most high.
- ...Therefore I sent forth fire from your midst; it consumed you, and I reduced you t ashes upon the earth in the sight of all those wh looked at you. ( Ezk.28:18b)
- Satan-adversary, the devil-accuser, slanderer, the tempter
- His deceptions against us, the saved ones
- Keeping us from being absolute in our consecration t GodBut Peter said,
- Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart t deceive the Holy Spirit and t put aside for yourself some of the proceeds of the land? (Acts 5:3)
- Holding us back from taking off our filthy garments
- For because they were ignorant of God's righteousness and sought t establish their own righteousness they were not subject t the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:3)
- Then they showed me Joshua...and Satan standing at his right hand t accuse him... Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments. (Zech. 3:1,3)
- Working in fleshly jealousy and rivalry
- But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, d not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but it is earthly, soulish, demonic. (James 3: 14-15)
- Keeping us from the cross by means of other men
- And Peter took him aside and began t rebuke Him, saying, God be merciful t you, Lord! This shall by n means happen t you! But He turned and said to Peter, get behind Me Satan! You are a stumbling block t me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men. (Matt. 16: 22-23)
- Threatening us as a roaring lion
- Be sober; watch. Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking someone t devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
- Making us proud
- Not a new convert, lest being blinded with pride he fall int the judgment suffered by the devil. (1 Timothy 3:6)
- Causing us t doubt God's word
- Now the serpent was more crafty than any other animal of the field that Jehovah God had made. And he said t the woman, did God really say, you shall not eat of any tree of the garden? (Genesis 3:1)
- Setting up his snare
- And he als must have a good testimony from those outside, that he may not fall int the reproach and snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:7)
- Accusing us the believers
- ...for the accuser of our brothers has been cast down, wh accuses them before our God day and night. (Rev. 12:10b)
- Corrupting our faith
- But I fear less somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your thoughts would be corrupted from the simplicity and purity toward Christ. (2 Cor. 11:3)
- The Warfare Required t Stand Against the Stratagems of the Devil
- Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able t stand against the stratagems of the devil, for our wrestling is not against blood and flesh but against rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlies.
- Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able t stand in the evil day and having done all t stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breast plate of righteousness, (Eph. 6:11-18)
- and having shod your feet with the firm foundation of the gospel of peace; besides all these, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able t quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.
- And receive the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which Spirit is the word of God. By means of all prayer and petition, praying at every time in spirit and watching unt this in all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints.
Overcoming Addictions
Overcoming Addictions
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- Driven By Vision
- God became man so that man could become God in life and nature, but not in the God-Head - 2 Peter 1:4-5
- Having a God-man living today - Matthew 5:48
- Shepherding others for the building up of the Body of Christ - Ephesians 2:21-22; 4:16
- Obeying God's Word - God's Standards are Absolute, Not Merely Excellent
- "Knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be annulled, that we should no longer serve sin as slaves…So also you, reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but living to God in Christ Jesus. Do not let sin therefore reign in your mortal body so that you obey the body's lusts" - Romans 6:6, 11-12
- "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price. So then glorify God in your body." - Romans 6:19-20
- "Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened; for our Passover, Christ, also has been sacrificed. So then let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to mingle with fornicators, But not altogether with the fornicators of this world or with the covetous and rapacious, or idolaters, since then you would have to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to mingle with anyone who is called a brother, if he is a fornicator or a covetous man or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or a rapacious man, with such a one not even to eat." - 1 Corinthians 5:6-11
- Addictive Behaviors
- Doing things in isolation, that is, being mentally and emotionally detached whether people are around or not causing there to be a void in relationships and a lack of openness. It manifests itself by fantasizing about something or dwelling on something that one acts upon.
- A double life where part of your living is secret and not transparent to others.
- Self-obsession which leaves little room to give to others.
- Self-gratification without regard to the harmful effects on others and on one's self.
- Behaviors that result in guilt, regret, and feelings of emptiness.
- Actions which escape pain and problems that only intensify but never solve anything.
- A cycle of preoccupation, ritualization, and compulsive behavior that ends in despair.
- Making excuses rather than not doing whatever it takes to rid yourself of the addiction through God's supply. This may involve rehabilitation, counseling, and/or social programs designed to deal with specific addictions. Some major areas of concern are sexual, drug abuse, alcoholism, debt, and uncontrollable anger.
- Practical Ways To Implement God's Word
- "Do not be deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals."- 1 Corinthians 15:33
- "I made a covenant with my eyes; How then can I gaze upon a virgin?" - Job 31:1
- "For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful before God for the overthrowing of strongholds; As we overthrow reasonings and every high thing rising up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought unto the obedience of Christ."
- "But flee youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." - 2 Timothy 2:22
- "Be subject therefore to God; but withstand the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7
- "No temptation has taken you except that which is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow that you be tempted beyond what you are able, but will, with the temptation, also make the way out, that you may be able to endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
- The End Result Of Following God Absolutely
- Regaining and revitalizing your relationship with God in Christ Jesus through the Spirit
- Regaining and revitalizing your relationship with your family
- Regaining and revitalizing your relationship with the saints
- Regaining and revitalizing your relationship to your particular gift or ministry God gave to you
Living in the Modern Age
Living in the Modern Age
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- Our High Vision
- God became man that He might make man God, in life and nature, but not in the Godhead.
- What does this look like?
- God becoming man
- For though I am free from all, I have enslaved myself to all that I might gain the more.
- And to the Jews I became as a Jew in order that I might gain the Jews….To those without law, as without law (though I am not without the law to Christ), that I might gain those without law.
- To the weak I became weak that I might gain the weak. To all men I have become all things that I might by all means gain some. (1 Cor. 9:19-22).
- To the college students, I became a college student, that I might save the college students. To the moms I became a mom, that I might save the moms.
- To the sick I became sick, that I might save the sick; to those who exercise, I became one who exercises, that I might gain those who exercise.
- To those who take walks in the park, I became one who takes walks, that I might gain the walkers.
- To the TV watchers, I became as a TV watcher, that I might gain the couch potatoes; to the bowlers I became a bowler, to gain the bowlers.
- To the Steeler fans, I became as a Steeler fan, that I may gain the Steeler fans.
- To the Catholics I became as a Catholic, that I might gain Catholics; to the Pentecostals I became as a Pentecostal, that I might gain Pentecostals.
- To the atheists I became as an atheist, that I might gain atheists; to the liberals I became a liberal, that I might gain liberals; to the conservatives I became a conservative, that I might gain conservatives.
- To all Pittsburghers I have become all things, that I might by all means, save some.
- God has strategically placed each one of us to invade part of the world for His kingdom
- The church is not our exclusive club that we are trying to maintain
- God became man, by becoming all things, by using all means, to make some men God
- The Rules of God Becoming Man
- God will not sin
- God will not be worldly
- God loves sinners, but hates the sin
- God loves the world, but hates worldliness
- How do we tell what is worldly?
- What is the World?
- The lust of the flesh
- The lust of the eyes
- The vainglory of life
- The Lord's Secret Weapon
- Leviticus 11
- "These are the animals which you may not eat"
- Eating
- To eat is to contact the things outside of us that could affect us inside. This especially refers to our contacting of people and things of this modern life.
- 5 Categories of Animals
- We are constantly surrounded by five categories of "animals"
- We must learn how to discern these things to live the life of a God-man resulting in shepherding people
- Discerning our Food
- "Whatever has a divided hoof…and chews the cud among the beasts, that you may eat."
- "Anything in the water that has fins and scales…these you may eat"
- "Abominations among the birds; they shall not be eaten…vulture, falcon, raven…"
- "These you may eat…flying insects…which have legs...to leap on the earth"
- "Unclean to you…all the swarming things"
- Beasts-feed and discern
- Fish-protect and resist
- Birds-transcendent life-eaters
- Insects-leaping and flying above the world
- Creeping things-one with the world
- Not Touching Dead Things
- Unclean until evening
- Cleansed by the water (life-giving Spirit)
- Earthen vessels must be broken
- Christ, Only Christ
- Christ is the only clean one
- Christ is mingled with our spirit
- Christ:
- Divides the hoof and chews the cud
- Is covered with scales and has fins
- Has leaping legs
- Is a clean cistern filled with living water
- John 17:15-18
- I do not ask that You would take them out of the world, but that you would keep them out of the hands of the evil one.
- They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
- Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
- As You have sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
Clearance of the Past
Clearance of the Past
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- A man who has been truly regenerated and saved will naturally bring all of his past to an end.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 17 So then if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, they have become new.
- In the Old Testament, immediately after the Israelites were saved by keeping the passover, they left Egypt. They forsook the Egyptian ways of living. From that day forward they lived a new life and walked a new way; everything they did was new. This is a very clear type.
- God wants to renew us inwardly and outwardly, to make us a new man living a new life and walking on a new path. He wants to renew us completely from center to circumference.
- We know that all the religions of the world are built on their various religious codes. Their followers live and behave according to these rules. The Lord’s salvation is not like that. The salvation of the Lord, through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, gives us a new life.
- Since we are saved and are a new man, our living and daily walk should have a new beginning. After we are saved, we should turn to the Lord to see whether any person, thing, or matter in our living should remain the same.
- This has nothing to do with the forgiveness you received from the Lord, but it is very much related to your testimony.
- God always draws our attention to the fact that our past sins are under the blood. We are fully forgiven and saved because the Lord Jesus has died for us.
- Our salvation is not based on how we deal with the past. Man is not saved by repentance for his past bad deeds, just as he is not saved by trusting in his past good deeds. Man is saved through the salvation accomplished by the Lord on the cross.
- We do not need to do anything additional to take care of our past sins. We do not need to search our past and deal with each item in a thorough way in order to obtain God’s forgiveness.
- Our past is under the precious blood of the Lord. God has forgiven us. It is finished.
- Hebrews 8:12 12 For I will be propitious to their unrighteousnesses, and their sins I shall by no means remember anymore.
- God in His grace has completely forgotten our past. God’s forgiving is the same as His forgetting. We should not remember what God has forgotten.
- Neither the Lord Jesus nor the Apostle Paul clearly taught anything in regard to the clearance of the past. They did not give any rules demanding what one must do to end his past. The Bible, however, does present numerous examples of things that believers did after they were saved.
- There is no direct teaching in the Scriptures concerning terminating the past; there are only examples.
- What are the things of the past that need to be cleared away after we are saved? What are the objects which must be ended and cleared up?
- There are four categories: (1) unrighteous matters (2) improper matters (3) evil and unclean matters (4) old ways of living
- (1) Unrighteous Matters Unrighteous means unjust, illegal. All that we have obtained in the past by unjust, illegal means, such as stealing, swindling, taking by force, not returning things that were borrowed long ago, and any other unjust dealings toward others are things that we should clear up.
- Luke 19:1-10 1 And He entered and was passing through Jericho. 2 And behold, there was a man whose name was called Zaccheus; and he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see Jesus, who He was, and could not because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. 4 And he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.
- 5 And as He came to the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay in your house. 6 And he hurried and came down, and received Him, rejoicing. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, He has gone in to lodge with a sinful man.
- 8 And Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, the half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four times as much. 9 And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.
- As soon as Zaccheus was saved, he immediately felt that he had extorted others in the past and was thus unrighteous. He also felt that he was a money lover with a stingy manner of living.
- He said therefore to the Lord that if he had taken anything from any man by false accusation, he would willingly restore him fourfold. Furthermore, he was willing to give half of his goods to the poor.
- Formerly, he had extorted money from others and was unrighteous; so, he put an end to his unrighteous deeds by restoring fourfold. He also gave half of his goods to the poor; that was to end his old way of living.
- The words of Zaccheus the tax collector to the Lord when he received Him demonstrate the overabounding power of the Lord’s salvation. These actions were not conditions for salvation, nor were they the requirement and commandment of the Lord, but they were the issue of the Lord’s dynamic salvation which came to Zaccheus.
- Based on this case of salvation, as soon as possible after we have believed in the Lord, we also ought to return any unrighteous gain to those whom we have wronged. Only then will we have a testimony before men and peace in our conscience.
- (2) Improper Matters Improper and unrighteous are close in meaning, yet they are different. Improper means that the very nature of a certain thing or matter is improper or indecent.
- For instance, things used in gambling and drinking can be obtained by legal means. Since both gambling and drinking are improper and indecent, the very nature of these things is improper and indecent. Reading obscene novels cannot be said to be unrighteous, but surely it is improper. All these matters are also things that we should put to an end.
- (3) Evil and Unclean Matters Evil and unclean matters are things related to idols This includes things such as graven or portrait idols, candlesticks and censers used in idol worship; items with the image of the dragon; unclean things related to curious arts, such as books on horoscopes, charms, etc.
- This also includes evil and unclean things, such as worshiping idols, worshiping ancestors, divining, fortune-telling, etc. These are hated by God even more than the things in the first two categories, and they are certainly intolerable to the life within us, which is holy and clean. Therefore, even more so must these things be thoroughly put to an end.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded out; not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but in every place, your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need of saying anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of entrance we had toward you and how you turned to God from the idols to serve a living and true God.
- This verse refers to the believers in Thessalonica. Once they believed in the Lord, they turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
- We should leave the things of the past in the past but conclude anything related to our present involvements. Even though the offense of a person who worshipped idols in the past is washed away by the blood of the Lord once he believes in the Lord, he may presently still have an idol in his home.
- No matter how much he worshipped idols in the past, there is no need to speak of these experiences. However, from the day of his salvation, the idol in his home and in his life must be removed and terminated.
- Acts 19:18-20 18 And many of those who had believed came, confessing and making known their practices. 19 And a considerable number of those who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them before all; and they counted up the price of them and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 Thus, the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
- These verses describe the new Ephesian believers, who originally were worshippers of a goddess in Ephesus. After they believed and turned to God, they brought the evil books in their possession and burned them before all.
- The price of the books burned was fifty thousand pieces of silver. Since each piece of silver approximated a day’s wage, we can see that these books were worth a lot of money.
- The Bible specifically states the value of the things burned, showing that the believers in those days burned expensive items. They did not sell their books and give the money to the church. Instead, the books were burned.
- When we abandon demonic and filthy things, we should not consider the cost. If Judas had been present, he certainly would not have allowed this. This was much more than thirty pieces of silver which could have been given to the poor. But the Lord was pleased to have them burned.
- This case makes clear that after we have believed in the Lord, we should discard all evil and unclean things which have to do with idolatry and wicked works. Since we are people who belong to God, who worship and serve God, what we wear and what we display and store in our homes must not show any traces of these evil and unclean things.
- Exodus 20:4-5a 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, nor the form of anything that is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water beneath the earth. 5a You shall not bow down to them, and you shall not serve them; for I, Jehovah your God, am a jealous God.
- Deuteronomy 7:5 5 But you shall deal with them in this way: Their altars you shall tear down, their pillars you shall shatter, their Asherahs you shall hew down, and their idols you shall burn with fire.
- God will not tolerate one who serves Him to bow down and worship before any idol. This is because there are demons hidden behind the idols. In the Old Testament, God demanded that His people smash and burn all idols.
- We who belong to God should do the same, never preserving any idols in order to give them to others. Not only the idols themselves, but also all objects related to the idols must be smashed and burned.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 16 And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, even as God said, “I will dwell among them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
- 1 John 5:21 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
- (4) Old Ways of Living Old ways of living refer to our entire old manner of living before we were saved. After we are saved, we must also put an end to our whole former manner of living and have a new beginning.
- In his former life, Zaccheus put an extreme value upon money. Covetousness was his philosophy of life. Loving money was his old way of living.
- When Zaccheus was saved and God’s life entered into him, his concept concerning money was immediately changed. He esteemed it to be of little value. He was willing to give. This shows that his life was changed and his old way of covetous living was ended.
- How far should we go in putting an end to the things of the past? To what degree should we proceed?
- Romans 8:6 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.
- The clearance of the past is not based on the demand of outward regulations, but on the sense of life within. When we are practicing the clearing of the past, what needs to be ended really depends on the sense of life within.
- We should care for the feeling of the conscience in terminating and dealing with these items. We must also be careful. We should not let our conscience become overly sensitive.
- We should use common sense to balance the feeling of our conscience. Therefore, we should not rush into dealing with the past simply because we have repented and are zealous. Rather, dealing with the past requires us to walk continually before the Lord.
- This is not a matter of outward regulation. Instead, the Holy Spirit will touch us concerning these matters. When He does, we should respond.
- If we follow the demand of our inner feeling to make restitution, to confess our sins, to eliminate improper and unclean things, and to end our old way of living, we will surely feel strengthened, enlightened, satisfied, and enlivened. We will also feel peaceful, secure, and full of the presence of the Lord.
Leaving Religion
Leaving Religion
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- What is Religion?
- Religion-Theskeia (Gk.)
- Refers to the ceremonial service and worship to God (implying the fear of God).
- Religion in its external aspect.
- An outward form of godliness.
- If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this one's religion is vain. (James1:26)
- Having an outward from of godliness, though denying its power; from these also turn away. (2 Tim. 3:5)
- And after these things He went out and beheld a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, Follow Me.
- And leaving all, he rose up and followed Him.
- And Levi gave a great reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining at table with them. (Luke 5:27-29)
- And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured at His disciples, saying, why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?
- And Jesus answered and said to them, those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but those who are ill;
- I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:30-32)
- And they said to Him, the disciples of John fast often and make petitions, likewise also those of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.
- And Jesus said to them, you cannot make the sons of the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?
- But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days. (Luke 5:33-35)
- And He also spoke a parable to them: No one tears a patch from new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise, he will tear the new garment, and also the patch from the new will not match the old.
- And on one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine will burst the wineskins, and it will be poured out and the wineskin will be ruined;
- But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. (Luke 5:36-38)
- And no one who has drunk the old desires the new, for he says, the old is better. (Luke 5: 39)
- O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed crucified?
- This only I wish to learn from you, did you receive the Spirit out of the works of law or out of the hearing of faith?
- Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Gal. 3:1-3)
- For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14:17)
- Let no one therefore judge you in eating and drinking or in respect of a feast or of a new moon or of the Sabbath,
- Which are a shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ.
- Let no one defraud you by judging you unworthy of your prize, in self-chosen lowliness and the worship of the angels, dwelling on the things which he has seen, vainly puffed up by his mind set on the flesh. (Col.2:16-18)
- Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I desired to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!
- Behold, your house is left to you desolate.
- For I say to you, You shall by no means see Me from now on until you say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. (Matt. 23:37-39)
Fellowship in Ephesians
Leaving Religion
Introduction to the Book of Ephesians
Introduction to the Book of Ephesians
Introduction to the Book of Ephesians
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- God's Heavenly View of the Church in Seven Aspects
- The Body of Christ (1:23; 4:13) – not an amorphous blob, free or clergy-laity
- The New Man (2:15) – exhibits the person of Christ
- The Kingdom of God (2:19) – displays God's ways of righteousness
- The Household of God (2:19) – intimate family relationship
- The Dwelling Place of God – universally and locally (2:21-22)
- The Bride of Christ (5:24-25) – a loving union and communion
- The Warrior (6:11-12) – fighting for God's interests on the earth
- Unique Characteristics of the Believers
- Blessed by the Triune God – (1:3; 1:7; 1:13)
- Predestinated unto Sonship – to be holy and without blemish before Him in love (1:4-5)
- God's Masterpiece – created in Christ Jesus for good works (2:10)
- Freed by the abolishing of all ordinances, so making peace (2:15)
- Being built together universally through each member in their locality (2:21-22)
- Gifted members working together with all the members function harmoniously (4:11-12, 16)
- Imitating God by walking in love (5:1-2)
- Filled in Spirit by speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (5:18-19; 1 Chronicles 25:1-3, 6)
Ephesians Chapter 1 Verses 1-6
Ephesians Chapter 1 Verses 1-6
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- Ephesians 1:1-6
- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
- Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ,
- Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish before Him in love,
- Predestinating us unto sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
- To the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He graced us in the Beloved;
- 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, ...
- Paul was made an apostle of Christ, not by man, but through the will of God. This gave him authority to put forth the revelation in this epistle of God's eternal purpose concerning the church.
- 1 ... to the saints who are in Ephesus ...
- The receivers of this book were the saints in Ephesus. The saints are those who are made holy, sanctified, separated unto God from everything that is common.
- 1 ... and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
- The receivers were also the faithful in Christ Jesus. They had not only a sanctified position, but also a faithful living. In order to be qualified and positioned to receive this book, we need to be this kind of people.
- 2 Grace to you ...
- Grace is God as our enjoyment. When God becomes our portion for us to enjoy, that is grace.
- 2 ... and peace ...
- When we enjoy God as grace, we are in a condition that is full of rest, satisfaction, and joy. This is peace.
- 2 ... from God our Father ...
- We are both God's creatures and God's sons. To us as God's creatures God is our God, and to us as God's sons He is our Father.
- 2 ... and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Grace and peace also come to us from the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Redeemer, and we are His redeemed ones. As the Lord's redeemed ones, we have Him as our Lord.
- We have a threefold status: we have been created, regenerated, and redeemed. We have God as our Creator, we have the Father as our Father, and we have Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.
- 3 Blessed be ...
- The Greek word for blessed means well spoken of, praised with adoration. The Greek word for blessing means good speech, fine speaking, implying bounty and benefit.
- 3 ... the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ...
- God is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of Man. God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God. According to His humanity, God is His God; and according to His divinity, God is His Father.
- "Lord" signifies Christ's lordship. "Jesus" signifies His humanity to be our Redeemer and Savior. "Christ" signifies that He is God's anointed One.
- 3 ... who has blessed us ...
- The God whom we bless has blessed us. In the New Testament God speaks well regarding us. The books of the New Testament are filled with God's beautiful speech concerning us.
- We bless God, because God has blessed us. Because He has spoken so well concerning us, we return the well-speaking to Him.
- 3 ... with every spiritual blessing ...
- All the blessings, benefits, and bounties in the universe are of three categories. The first category is God's creation, the second is God's redemption, and the third is God's regeneration.
- We are qualified to partake of all the good things of God's creation because we are God's creatures. As the redeemed ones, we enjoy forgiveness of sins, justification by faith, reconciliation in God's grace, and sanctification. Because we are redeemed, all the benefits in God's redemption are ours.
- Because we have been regenerated, we enjoy God's life, His nature, and His Person. By these three qualifications–being created, redeemed, and regenerated–we are fully and thoroughly qualified to enjoy all the blessings in the universe, the blessings in God's creation, redemption, and regeneration.
- 3 ... in the heavenlies in Christ,
- God has blessed us with blessings that are spiritual, in the heavenlies, and in Christ. The believers in Christ are enjoying on earth these heavenly blessings. They are different from the blessings with which God blessed Israel. Those were physical and earthly.
- 4 Even as He chose us ...
- Verses 4-14 present a list of all the spiritual blessings with which God has blessed us. God's choosing is His first blessing bestowed upon us. God's choosing is His selection. From among numberless people, He has selected us.
- 4 ... in Him ...
- Christ was the sphere in which we were selected by God. Outside of Christ we are not God's choice.
- 4 ... before the foundation of the world ...
- God's selection was not made in time, but in eternity. Before the foundation of the world, God chose us. Among millions of people, He foresaw us before we were even born and selected us before the foundation of the world.
- 4 ... to be holy ...
- God chose us that we should be holy. Holiness is neither sinlessness nor perfection. Holy not only means sanctified, separated unto God, but also different, distinct, from everything that is common. Only God is different, distinct, from all things. Hence, He is holy; holiness is His nature.
- The way God makes us holy is to impart Himself, the Holy One, into us. For us, God's chosen ones, to be holy is to partake of His divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4). This makes our being holy, like God Himself in His nature and in His character.
- Through which he has granted to us precious and exceedingly great promises, that through these you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is in the world by lust.
- 4 ... and without blemish ...
- A blemish is like a foreign particle in a precious gem. God's chosen ones should be saturated only with God Himself and have no foreign particles, such as the fallen natural human element, the flesh, the self, or worldly things. This is to be without blemish, to be without any mixture, to have no element other than God's holy nature.
- 4 ... before Him ...
- "Before Him" means to be holy and without blemish in the eyes of God according to His divine standard.
- 4 ... in love,
- Love here refers to the love with which God loves His chosen ones and with which His chosen ones love Him. Firstly, God loved us. This divine love inspires us to love Him in return.
- 5 Predestinating us unto sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself, ...
- Being predestinated unto sonship is the second item of God's blessing. The goal of God's predestination is sonship. As God's creatures, we need to be regenerated by Him so that we may participate in His life to be His sons.
- Sonship implies not only the life, but also the position of the son. God's marked-out ones have the life to be His sons and the position to inherit Him.
- 5 ... according to the good pleasure of His will,
- God predestinated us unto sonship according to the good pleasure of His will, which is His purpose. This reveals that God has a will in which is His good pleasure, the desire of His heart.
- To be holy is the procedure, not the goal. The goal is sonship. God has chosen us to be holy so that we might be His sons. God does not merely want a group of holy people; He desires many sons.
- 6 To the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He graced us ...
- For God to grace us means that He has put us into the position of grace that we may be the object of His grace and favor, that is, to enjoy all that God is to us.
- Here in the position of grace and as the object of grace we are fully accepted by God, and God is pleased with us. His delight is in us, and we are happy with Him.
- 6 ... in the Beloved;
- The Beloved is God's beloved Son in whom He delights. For God to grace us is to make us an object in whom He delights. This is altogether a pleasure to God.
- In the Beloved we were graced, made the object of God's favor and pleasure. As such an object we enjoy God, and God enjoys us in His grace in His Beloved, who is His delight. In His Beloved we also become His delight.
Ephesians Chapter 1 Verses 7-14
Enjoying the Triune God
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- For the building up of the local church
- Christ and the church
- Now you are the Body of Christ, and members individually.
- The Father
- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ,
- Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish before Him in love,
- Predestinating us unto sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
- To the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He graced us in the Beloved;
- The Son
- In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of offenses, according to the riches of His grace,
- Which He caused to abound to us in all wisdom and prudence,
- Making known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself,
- Unto the plan of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in Him;
- The Spirit
- In whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, in Him also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise,
- Who is the pledge of our inheritance unto the redemption of the acquired possession, to the praise of His glory.
- Enjoying the Triune God
- The Father
- Chose us
- Predestinated us
- The Son
- Forgives us our offenses
- Heads us up
- The Spirit
- NT Example
- Now there were in Antioch, in the local church, prophets and teachers: Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
- OT Example
- You shall number them, every one (this means me) who enters into the service to do the work of the Tent of Meeting (the church life)
- And this is the charge of what they are to carry, according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the boards of the tabernacle and its bars and its pillars and its sockets, and the pillars around the court and their sockets and their pegs and their cords, with all their equipment (all the experiences of Christ)
- And you shall assign by name (my name) the equipment they have been charged to carry.
- According to the commandment of Jehovah through Moses they were numbered, everyone (this means me) according to his service and according to his burden.
- Every Day
- Daily enjoy the supply of Spirit in the Word-
- Allow Christ to head us up as we operate in the local church
- This makes the Father happy
Ephesians Chapter 1 Verses 13-21
Ephesians Chapter 1 Verses 13-21
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- The Apostle's First Prayer
- Ephesians 1:13-21
- 13 In whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, in Him also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise,
- 14 Who is the pledge of our inheritance unto the redemption of the acquired possession, to the praise of His glory.
- Heard---the Word (the gospel)
- Believing---in Him
- Sealed---with the Holy Spirit
- The Promise—the Pledge of our inheritance
- Unto the redemption of the acquired possession
- 15 Therefore I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you and your love to all the saints,
- 16 Do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
- 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him,
- 18 The eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of **His inheritance in the saints,
- 19 And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the operation of the might of His strength,
- Hope of His calling---Christ
- Riches of the Inheritance in the saints---the church
- Greatness of His Power
- Seeing is Believing
- Toward us who believe
- What do we See?
- 20 Which He caused to operate in Christ in raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenlies,
- 21 Far above all rule and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named not only in this age but also in that which is to come;
- But be careful and guard your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; rather, make them known to your children and to your grandchildren (Deut.4:9).
Christ Subjecting All Things to Himself
Christ Subjecting All Things to Himself
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- Christ Subjecting All Things to Himself To Be Head Over All Things
- I. The Triune God's Operation to Gain the Seven Aspects of the
- Church – Eph. 1:3-14
- A. The Body of Christ (Eph. 1:23; 4:13)
- B. The New Man (Eph. 2:15)
- C. The Kingdom of God (Eph. 2:19)
- D. The Household of God (Eph. 2:19)
- E. The Dwelling Place of God (Eph. 2:21-22)
- F. The Bride of Christ (Eph. 5:24-25)
- G. The Warrior (Eph. 6:11-12)
- II. Christ Subjecting All Things to be Head Over All Things
- Ephesians 1:22 – 23 "And He subjected all things under His feet and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, Which is His Body, the fullness of the One who fills all in all."
- A. The whole creation being subject to vanity
- Romans 8:19-23 – "For the anxious watching of the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to vanity, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it;
- B. Man taking the lead to be rebellious against God and replacing God with something else – "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold down the truth in unrighteousness." – Romans 1:18
- 1. Sinful things – "And even as they did not approve of holding God in their full knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things which are not fitting, Being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity..." – Romans 1:29
- 2. Philosophical, Cultural, and Ritualistic Observances –
- "Beware that no one carries you off as spoil through his philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ." – Colossians 2:9 -
- The world would tells us:
- God is love and would never condemn anyone for eternity
- We should be politically correct and not be narrow minded or prejudiced in any way so we can accept everyone's beliefs
- The path to God takes many forms and you should find whatever fits you
- 4. We should worship with people we like and are comfortable with according to our social status, cultural background, or race
- 5. We should worship together only when we all agree on our favorite ministers, doctrines or teachings, eating habits, drinking habits, dress, ascetic views, or favorite music
- B. The Whole Creation Needing to Be Headed Up by Christ in Man
- 1. Beginning with man's spirit – John 3:5-6
- "Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God; That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
- 2. Transforming man's soul – Romans 12:2; Mark 12:30;
- "And do not be fashioned according to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind that you may prove what the will of God, that which is good and well pleasing and perfect."
- "And you shall love the Lord your God from your whole heart and from your whole soul and from your whole mind and from your whole strength."
- 3. Transfiguring man's body – Philippians 3:20-21
- "For our commonwealth exists in the heavens, from which also we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who will transfigure the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of His glory, according to His operation by which He is able even to subject all things to Himself.
- 4. Christ as a Man Heads Up through the eternal, divine life of God
- "For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each one in his own order: the firstfruits, Christ; then those who are Christ's at His coming; Then the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to His God and Father, once He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until God puts all His enemies under His feet." – 1 Corinthians 15:22-25
Fellowship in Philippians
Christ Subjecting All Things to Himself
Philippians - Paul, A Slave of Christ Jesus
Philippians - Paul, A Slave of Christ Jesus
Paul, A Slave of Christ Jesus
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- Philippi
- Paul’s First European Gospel Outpost
- The Beginnings
- Positions
- Positions
- Positions
- Slave-saint relationship
- The saints hold the slave in their heart
- The saints participate in the gospel out of their intimate relationship with their slave.
- Slave-saint relationship
- As the slave remembers and longs after the saints, he petitions the Lord on their behalf
- The slaves petitions fill him with joy
- Slave-saint relationship
- CONFIDENCE:
- The work that God has begun in the believers will be completed.
- The Prayer
- The love of the saints would abound, yet in:
- full knowledge
- discernment
- The saints would prove by testing the more excellent things
- The saints would harvest righteousness to the glory and praise of God
Philippians - Learning the Secret
Philippians - The One and Only Thing
The One and Only Thing
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The One and Only Thing
- Philippians 2:1-5
- Philippians 2:1-2
- "If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ,
- if any consolation of love,
- if any fellowship of Spirit,..."
- Encouragement
- Greek paraklesis
- Para – to one's side
- Kaleo- to call out to
- A calling to one's aid
- Jesus Christ encourages us by coming to us in our spirit with His sympathetic humanity and empowering divinity
- "Lord Jesus! Come here! I need You! Encourage us!"
- Consolation
- Greek paramuthion
- Para- nearby
- Muthos-speech
- A tender, near, intimate conversation
- The Father dispenses Himself as loving consolation in our spirit through our intimate conversations
- "Father God I love You! Console us!"
- Fellowship
- Greek koinonia
- Koinos-common
- A mutual sharing, joint participation, of what we all have in common
- The Spirit dispenses what the Father and Son are into and out of our spirit
- "Spirit, flow in me!"
- Enjoying and Experiencing the Triune God
- Christ's encouragement
- The Father's consoling love
- The Spirit's dispensing fellowship
- We all enjoy
- We dispense, receive, share, communicate, fellowship this enjoyment with each other through the Spirit in our spirit
- The One and Only Thing
- FatherSonSpiritour spirit
- Experience and enjoy the Triune God!
- The Result?
- "...if any tenderheartedness and compassions,"
- Tenderheartedness
- Greek splanchnon—inward parts, the seat of our emotions
- When we experience the Triune God, He changes our heart, making us full of tender feelings for each other
- Compassion
- TOWARD THE LOST
- And seeing the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and cast away like sheep not having a shepherd. (Matt 9:36)
- TOWARD THE SICK
- And going forth, He saw a great crowd, and He was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick (Matt 14:14)
- Compassion
- TOWARD THE HUNGRY
- And Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I am moved with compassion for the crowd, because for three days now they have remained with Me and they do not have anything to eat. And I am not willing to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way. (Matt 15:32)
- Compassion
- TOWARD THOSE IN DEBT
- Then the slave fell down and worshipped him, saying, Be patient with me and I will repay you all.
- And the master of that slave was moved with compassion and released him and forgave him the loan. (Matt 18:27)
- Compassion
- TOWARD THE BLIND
- And Jesus, standing still, called them and said, What do you want Me to do for you?
- They said to Him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
- And Jesus, moved with compassion, touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight and followed Him. (Matt 20:34)
- Compassion
- TOWARD THE SINFUL
- And a leper came to Him, entreating Him and falling on his knees and saying to Him, If You are willing, You can cleanse me.
- And He was moved with compassion, and stretching out His hand, He touched him and said to him, I am willing; be cleansed! (Mark 1:40-41)
- Compassion
- TOWARD THE DEAD
- And as He came near the gate of the city, behold, one who had died was being carried out, an only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a considerable crowd from the city was with her.
- And when the Lord saw her, He was moved with compassion for her and said to her, Do not weep. (Luke 7:12-13)
- Compassion
- TOWARD THE SAINTS
- Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, inward parts of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, long-suffering;
- Bearing one another and forgiving one another, if anyone should have a complaint against anyone; even as the Lord forgave you, so also should you forgive.
- And over all these things put on love, which is the uniting bond of perfectness. (Col. 3:12-14)
- Oneness
- "Make my joy full, that you think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking the one thing,"
- Philippians 2:3-5
- Doing nothing by way of selfish ambition nor by way of vainglory, but in lowliness of mind considering one another more excellent than yourselves;
- Not regarding each his own virtues, but each the virtues of others also.
- Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
- A Key to Oneness
- Learning to appreciate the riches of the Triune God in ALL the saints
- We do not think about our differences, or how our views are better or more spiritual or more right than others
- This is all we think about:
- "Lord Jesus, I love the Triune God in all the saints. All the saints are wonderful!"
- If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of Spirit, if any tenderheartedness and compassions, make my joy full, that you think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking the one thing. Doing nothing by way of selfish ambition nor by way of vainglory, but in lowliness of mind considering one another more excellent than yourselves; not regarding each his own virtues, but each the virtues of others also.
- Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Philippians - Let This Mind Be In You
Let This Mind Be In You
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- Philippians 2:6-11
- Christ as the Pattern
- Christ Jesus, Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped. (2:6)
- Existing in the form of God – the Lord’s preexistence from the beginning had the form or divine nature and character of God and is permanently identified with it. It is a perfect expression of a perfect essence. It is not something imposed from without, but something which proceeds from the very depth of the perfect being, and into which that being perfectly unfolds, as light from fire.
- Did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped – the Lord did not cling to His prerogatives as God’s equal.
- LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU
- But emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the likeness of men (2:7)
- Emptied Himself - The Lord stripped Himself of all privileges and rightful dignity. He divested Himself of that peculiar mode of existence which was proper and peculiar to Him as one with God. He was not unable to assert equality with God. He was able not to assert it.
- Taking the form of a slave – The Lord took upon Himself the nature of a bondservant. It is that Christ assumed that mode of being which answered to, and was the complete and characteristic expression of, the slave’s being. The mode itself is not defined. This is appropriately inserted here as bringing out the contrast with counted not equality with God, etc. What Christ grasped at in His incarnation was not divine sovereignty, but service.
- Becoming in the likeness of men – The choice of verb here is not was, but became: entered into a new state. Likeness of men expressed the fact that His mode of manifestation resembled what men are. This leaves room for the assumption of another side of His nature—the divine—in the likeness of which he did not appear. As He appealed to men, He was like themselves, with a real likeness; but this likeness of men did not express His whole self.
- LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU
- And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of a cross. (2:8)
- Being found in fashion as a man – The Lord appeared in the guise of men. He was recognized as truly human.
- He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death – The Lord humiliated Himself in obedience so as to die. This was how His self-emptying manifested itself.
- And that the death of a cross – The Lord went as far as to actually die a criminal’s death. The Mosaic law had uttered a curse for anyone hung on a tree (Deut. 21:22-23) and the Gentiles reserved it for malefactors and slaves. Hence the shame associated with the cross (Hebrews 12:2). This was the offence or stumbling-block of the cross, which was so often urged by the Jews against the Christians (Gal. 3:13). To a Greek, accustomed to clothe his divinities with every outward attribute of grace and beauty, the summons to worship a crucified malefactor appeared as foolishness (1 Cor. 1:23).
- LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU
- Therefore, also God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name (2:9)
- Therefore, also God highly exalted Him – As a consequence of such humiliation, God raised Him to the very highest place.
- And bestowed on Him the name which is above every name – God freely gave Jesus the Name which stands above all other names or conferred on Him the Name which is supreme above every other name. The name Jesus was bestowed on Christ at the beginning of His humiliation, but prophetically as the One who should save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21).
- LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU
- That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth (2:10)
- That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow – So that in adoration of the Name of Jesus every knee should bend. In relationship to worshipping God there is only one spiritual sphere or holy element as it were, in which every prayer is to be offered and every knee to bow.
- Of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth – Including all intelligent beings as well as all things in heaven, on earth and those in the underworld.
- LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU
- And every tongue should openly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (2:11).
- Openly confess – the verb may also be rendered thank or extol as in Matt. 11:25. In Luke 10:21 the sense is of open, joyful acknowledgment.
Philippians - Recipe For A Healthy Church Life
Recipe for a Healthy Church Life
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- Philippians 2:17-30
- 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice together with you all.
- 18 And in like manner you also rejoice, and you rejoice together with me.
- "For these men are not drunk as you suppose....but this is what is spoken through the prophet Joel, I will pour out of my Spirit..." (Acts 2:15)
- 19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged by knowing the things concerning you.
- 20 For I have no one like-souled who will genuinely care for what concerns you;
- 21 For all seek their own things, not the things of Christ Jesus.
- 22 But you know his approvedness, that as a child with a father he has served with me unto the gospel.
- 23 Him therefore I hope to send immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me.
- 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly.
- 25 But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your apostle and minister to my need,
- 26 Since he longed after you all and was greatly distressed because you heard that he had become sick;
- 27 For indeed he had become sick, near to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
- 28 I have sent him therefore the more eagerly, so that when you see him again, you may rejoice and I may be less sorrowful.
- 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor,
- 30 Because for the work of Christ he drew near unto death, risking his life, that he might fill up your lack of service toward me.
- Summary
- Being saturated and poured out like wine
- Sharing your joy
- Hoping in the Lord Jesus
- Sending saints
- Being encouraged when I learn of your condition
- Being like-souled
- Genuine care
- Seeking not your interests, but Christ's
- Proven worth in furthering the gospel
- Trusting in the Lord
- Serving in life (father-son)
- Being a brother, a fellow-worker, and a fellow-soldier
- Being an apostle, and minister to the saints needs
- Longing for the saints
- Not wanting to distress the saints
- Receiving one another with joy
- Holding co-workers in high regard
- Willing to risk our life to serve the church
Philippians - Religiosity vs. Pure Pursuit Of Christ
Religiosity Vs. The Pure Pursuit of Christ
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- Philippians 3:1-11
- The Context
- Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!
- Now, The Warning
- Now, The Warning
- Beware of the evil workers
- Those that subject the Gentiles to the traditions and practices of the Old Testament and the Talmud
- Now, the Warning
- Beware of the concision
- Those that "mutilate the flesh" by their insistence on circumcising Gentile believers.
- The Irony
- Dogs—a derogatory label the Jews had for the godless Gentiles
- Evil workers—a typical Jewish condemnation of the unrighteousness of the Gentiles
- The concision—a twist of the word circumcision and an act strictly forbidden in the Old Testament (Lev. 21:5)
- Paul's Testimony
- His Religious Past
- Confident in the flesh
- proud, boastful, condescending, lover of the self, ignorant of weaknesses, unwilling to admit failures
- Paul's Testimony
- His Religious Past
- Circumcised the 8th day
- A stellar history of following the "sanctioned" practices and traditions
- As to position in the religious world
- Of the race of Israel
- Of the tribe of Benjamin
- A Hebrew born of Hebrews
- Paul's Testimony
- His Religious Past
- As to attainment in the religious world
- An elite member of the Pharisaical law-keepers' club
- Paul's Testimony
- His Religious Past
- As to zeal in the religious world,
- persecuting the church, those that follow Christ in a different paradigm.
- Paul's Testimony
- His Religious Past
- As to appearance in the religious world
- blameless, "righteous," according to the written law
- In summary, religiosity is manifested as:
- Confidence in an unenlightened self-life.
- Diligent following of sanctioned traditions and practices.
- Seeking rank and power without labor.
- Joining a condescending, elite, and eventually vicious religious club.
- Criticizing and devouring others who threaten their way of life.
- In appearance –blameless– yet full of darkness within
- Paul's Testimony
- His Conversion
- On account of Christ
- I count all my religious experience as a loss
- On account of the overwhelming preciousness of the knowledge and understanding of Christ
- What things were "gains" to me, these I have counted as refuse, rubbish, even dung.
- Paul's Testimony
- Pure Pursuing of Christ
- To be found in Christ
- not performing righteousness according to personal resolve
- but living righteously as a spontaneous result of faith
- not being appreciated by man for a perfect life-style
- but being a testimony of the mercy and grace of Christ
- Paul's Testimony
- Pure Pursuing of Christ
- To know Christ
- The POWER of His resurrection
- Paul's Testimony
- Pure Pursuing of Christ
- To know Christ
- The Fellowship of His sufferings
- SO, REJOICE!!!
- Count as loss the depressing religiosity.
- Rest in the grace and mercy of Christ, fulfilling God's righteousness through faith
- Rely on the power of His resurrection.
- Fellowship in His sufferings.
- Trust in His work of conformation.
Philippians - Gaining Christ By Pursuing Him
Gaining Christ by Pursuing Him
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- (Phil. 3:12-16)
- Not that I have already obtained or am already perfected, but I pursue, if even I may lay hold of that for which I also have been laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Phil.3:12)
- Brothers, I do not account of myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before,
- I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward (vv.13-14).
- Do you not know that those who run on a racecourse all run, but one receives the prize? Run in this way, that you may lay hold.
- And everyone who contends exercises self-control in all things; they then, that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we, an incorruptible (I Cor.9:24-25).
- But what things were gains to me, these I have counted as loss on account of Christ.
- But moreover I also count all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse that I may gain Christ (vv.7-8)
- Let us therefore, as many as are full-grown, have this mind; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, this also God will reveal to you.
- Nevertheless whereunto we have attained, by the same rule let us walk (vv.15-16).
The Star Of Bethlehem
The Star of Bethlehem
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- Two Ways to Find God
- By His word
- Objective writings
- Can you trust the Bible?
- By His Spirit
- Subjective leading
- How to follow?
- The Story
- Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east (at its rising) and have come to worship Him."
- (Matt.2:1-2)
- When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
- When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
- Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.
- And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."
- (Matt. 2:7-8)
- After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
- When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
- (Matt. 2:9-10)
- After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
- (Matt. 2:11-12)
- Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. (v 16)
- Who Were the Magi?
- The ancient Magi were a hereditary priesthood of the Medes (known today as the Kurds) credited with profound and extraordinary religious knowledge. After some Magi, who had been attached to the Median court, proved to be expert in the interpretation of dreams, Darius the Great established them over the state religion of Persia. They became the teachers and instructors of the Persian kings. In Persia no sacrifice could be offered unless one of the Magi was present. They became men of holiness and wisdom.
- Daniel—Chief Magi
- Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. (Dan. 2:48)
- 'O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery baffles you, tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation. (Nebuchadnezzar )
- I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel;
- For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. (Darius)
- Daniel the Magi
- Daniel was told the exact year when the Messiah, the King, would appear in Jerusalem, only to be crucified.
- He may have imparted a heavenly revelation to the other magi about the appearance of a star to herald His birth
- Ancient Persia
- Persepolis Today
- A Word About Astrology
- Today it means the reading of the sky to find personal guidance
- It has been thoroughly disproven by modern science
- It is clearly forbidden by the Bible
- But God created the stars as "signs" that are there to lead us into faith in God
- The stars can lead us to Christ
- Characteristics of the Star
- It had an exact time of appearance
- The duration of events was between 1 and 2 yrs
- It was not very obvious
- It was first seen in the east
- It led them westward
- It disappeared for a time
- It stopped above Bethlehem as seen from Jerusalem
- It was His star
- Possibilities
- Fiction
- Miracle
- Comet
- Nova
- Star
- Planet
- Possibilities
- Fiction
- Miracle
- Comet
- Nova
- Star
- Planet
- Which Planet?
- Jupiter
- In Roman mythology, He was called Juppiter Optimus Maximus Soter (Jupiter Best, Greatest, Saviour) as the patron deity of the Roman state, in charge of laws and social order
- Jupiter = Jov + Pater (God and Father)
- Marduk, the great god of the Babylonians, was the planet Jupiter; so was Amon of the Egyptians; Zeus of the Greeks
- Regulus
- Regulus is Latin for "prince" or "little king," derived from "Rex", which in turn was derived from the Greek meaning "The Star of the King", and the much earlier Akkadians of Mesopotamia as the legendary "King of the Celestial Sphere" who ruled before the Great Flood. Babylonians called it "Sharu" meaning king.
- It is further known as Qalb Al Asad, from Arabic قلب الأسد qalb(u) al-´asad, meaning "the heart of the lion."
- It is 77 light years from earth
- It is a "triune" star, a triple star system
- Looking For the Star
- When was Jesus born?
- Luke, the Historian
- Luke
- Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, ....the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
- And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins
- Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age. (Luke 3)
- Tiberius Caesar
- Began to reign on Aug 19, 14 AD
- His 15th year would be from Aug of 29 AD to Aug of 30 AD
- Thus Jesus was born sometime around 1 or 2 BC
- And He was crucified in 33 AD, at age 33
- There is no year zero
- 70 Weeks
- "Seventy weeks (70 sevens) have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.
- So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks (69 weeks); it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.
- Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. (Dan 9:24-26)
- 490 Years of Jewish History
- 444 BC
- And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. ...
- Then the king said to me, "What would you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven.
- I said to the king, "If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it."
- And I said to the king, "If it please the king, let letters be given me ...And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me. (Neh 2:1-8)
- Heavenly Math
- 7 + 62 =69 weeks
- 69 x 7 = 483 years
- Decree by Artaxerxes went out in 444 BC, in Nisan. (Neh 2:1-8)
- 483 years later would be 40 AD (too late!)
- But, the ancient Jewish year was 360 days. To modify we must multiply 483 x 360 = 173,880 days
- 173,880 divided by 365.24 days/year = 476 years
- 476 years after 444 BC would be 33 AD, in Nisan
- Jesus was crucified on Friday, of Passover
- Pilate Ruled 26-36 AD
- Passover of 29 AD fell on a Sunday (April 17th)
- Passover of 30 AD fell on a Thursday (April 6th)
- Passover of 31 AD fell on a Tuesday (March 27th)
- Passover of 32 AD fell on a Monday (April 14th)
- Passover of 33 AD fell on a Friday (April 3rd)
- Passover of 34 AD fell on a Tuesday (March 23rd)
- Passover of 35 AD fell on a Monday (April 11th)
- Passover of 36 AD fell on a Friday (March 30th)
- Passover of 37 AD fell on a Thursday (April 18th)
- Pilate Ruled 26-36 AD
- Passover of 29 AD fell on a Sunday (April 17th)
- Passover of 30 AD fell on a Thursday (April 6th)
- Passover of 31 AD fell on a Tuesday (March 27th)
- Passover of 32 AD fell on a Monday (April 14th)
- Passover of 33 AD fell on a Friday (April 3rd)
- Passover of 34 AD fell on a Tuesday (March 23rd)
- Passover of 35 AD fell on a Monday (April 11th)
- Passover of 36 AD fell on a Friday (March 30th)
- Passover of 37 AD fell on a Thursday (April 18th)
- Let's Go!
- Persepolis
- September 8, 3 BC
- Jewish New Year
- Three Kinds of Responses
- Herod
- The Scribes
- The Magi
- Following the Star Today
- "And we have the prophetic word (objective) made more firm, to which you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (subjective) " (2 Peter 1:19)
- "I am the bright morning star" (Jesus-Rev. 22:16)
Earlier Messages
The Star Of Bethlehem
The Way of Life
The Way of Life
| Words that may infuse a pursuit in Christ
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Fellowship - Regeneration
Regeneration
The Greek word rendered "regeneration," palingenesia, is composed of palin ("again") and genesis (“birth"). Thus, its participial form "regenerated" literally means "born again." Although a significant New Testament term, according to Strong's Concordance it appears only rarely (Titus 3:5; Matt. 19:28). As Wycliffe explains in his Bible Dictionary, "Other New Testament" expressions are used for the same truth, but all have in common the idea of a dramatic change likened to and called a new birth, hence, to be born again or born from above (John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23), born of God (John 1:13).‿ Although this definition is not doctrinally complex, in its significance and reality it is profound.
- Regeneration – God’s salvation is exceedingly full and complete. It includes forgiveness of sins, cleansing, sanctification, justification, reconciliation, freedom from bondage, regeneration, etc. Of all these parts of God’s salvation, only regeneration is the life part.
- The need for regeneration
- Born again too see the kingdom of God
- John 3:3 “ …unless a man is born anew he cannot see the kingdom of God.‿
- Born again to enter into the kingdom of God
- John 3:5 “…unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.‿
- The flesh is flesh, it cannot enter into the Kingdom of God
- The flesh was born in iniquity (Psa.51:5)
- The flesh is sold to sin (Rom. 7:14)
- The flesh is incurably wicked (Jer. 17:9)
- The flesh is enmity against God, and is not subject to the law of God, and cannot please God (Rom. 8:7-8)
- The flesh is estranged fro the life of God (Eph. 4:18)
- The flesh cannot be improved (Jer.13:23)
- Our condition before Regeneration
- Our nature is corrupted (Jer.17:9)
- The heart is hardened toward God (Ezk.36:26)
- Our spirit is dead toward God (Eph.2:1)
- Man is separated from God’s life (Eph. 4:18)
- The results of regeneration
- Receiving the divine life (Eph. 2:5; 1 John 5:12; John 6:47)
- Becoming the children of God, partaking the divine nature (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1; 2 Peter 1:4)
- Receiving a new heart and new spirit (Ezek. 36:26)
- Receiving the divine life (Eph. 2:5; 1 John 5:12; John 6:47)
- Christ living in us (2Cor. 13:5; Col. 1:27)
- Becoming a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17)
- Entering into the Kingdom of God (John 3:5; Mark 4:26; 2 Pet. 1:3—11)
- Receiving an eternal inheritance (1 Pet. 1:3,4)
- The assurance of regeneration
- The Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are the children of God (Rom.8:15—16)
- The Word assures us that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13)
- The love we have toward brothers is also a proof (1 John 3:14)
- The security of regeneration
- We have the eternal life, we are eternally secured (John 10:28)
- We are secured by the Father’s hand (John 10:29)
Fellowship - Baptism
Baptism
- The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1.1-5)
- John the Messenger sent by God as prophesied by Isaiah 700 years earlier
- Preparing the way of the Lord in our hearts
- Preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins
- Received by all the people of Judea and Jerusalem
- Baptism rejected by the Jewish leaders
- Rebuked by John as the "offspring of snakes," (Matt 3.7)
- Nullified the counsel of God for themselves (Luke 7.28-30)
- Rebuked by the Lord Jesus after He cleansed the temple, because they refused to believe baptism was "from heaven" (Mark.11.15,17,27-33)
- The Lord's final charge before His ascension, the "Great Commission" (Matt 28.19)
- Preached by the Apostles on Pentecost (Acts 2.36-38)
- Peter considered baptism as important as repentance and belief in the Lord's name
- Baptism causes us to have our sins forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit
- The believers entrance into the kingdom of God (John 3:5)
- To be born of Spirit is to receive by faith the Lord Jesus into our heart as our new life for our regeneration, our being born again
- To be born of water is to be baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus, into His death, and into His resurrection (Romans 6.3-5)
- Quote from Truth Lessons: "In His burial we and our past were terminated, and in His resurrection we have received His life and have a new beginning in life. Hence, when we go into the water to be baptized, we walk into the death of Christ by faith, allowing ourselves and everything that belongs to and is related to us to be buried in the tomb of the water of baptism, in the burial of Christ. Then, by faith we walk out of the water, and in resurrection we allow the resurrected Christ to live in us that we may live by Him and with Him. Therefore, through baptism we have been identified with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. His death and burial, on the negative side, terminated us and everything that is of us, that we may be delivered from the self, sin, the world, and everything that is of the old creation, everything that is of Satan, and everything that is outside of God. His resurrection, on the positive side, had made us a new creation to partake of God's life and all its riches in Christ, and has brought us into a new realm of resurrection. In this new realm old things have passed away and have become new."
- Baptism is the symbol of our union with the Lord Jesus our Husband, just as the wedding ring is the symbol of marriage, the visible testimony of the invisible life union
- The meaning of the word Baptism from the Greek work baptizo, meaning to immerse in water, as Martin Luther once said, "I wish that whoever is to be baptized should be sunken entirely into the water, for this would be right according to the meaning of the word 'baptism.'"
- Old Testament picture of Israel crossing the Red Sea (I Cor.10.1-2)
- The blood of the lamb on the door of their house saved them from God's judgment upon sin (Heb 9.22, John 3.16)
- The water of the Red Sea saved them from God's judgment upon the world
Fellowship - Dealing with Sin
Dealing With Sin
Dealing implies that we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to purge away all the difficulties that hinder our growth in life as Christians. Once we our saved, God must cleanse us, deal with us, and purge away all our problems so that we may be fit for His use. If we wish to use a glass, we would first want it to be washed. When it is completely clean, it is a glass that we can use. When we have purged ourselves in such a way, we will become a vessel unto honor, useful to our master.
"If therefore anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, useful to the master, prepared unto every good work." (2 Tim 2:21).
- What are sins?
- "All unrighteousness is sin." (1 John 5:17).
- "Sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4).
- Both references show that in our actions, all acts of unrighteousness and lawlessness are sins. Therefore, all deeds of unrighteousness and lawlessness are the sins of our actions and must be the object of our dealings. These deeds could include inward thoughts or outward behavior.
- Scriptural basis for dealing with sins
- "Therefore since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and of spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Cor. 7:1).
- "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, Leave your gift there before the altar, and first go and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matt. 5:23-24).
- "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9).
- "He that covers his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall obtain mercy." (Proverbs 28:13).
- From these verses, we can see how we are to deal with sins: towards God, we must confess our sins; and towards men, we must be reconciled with them and agree with them; and towards sin, we must forsake it. These kinds of settlement of sin are what we mean by dealing with sins.
- The practice of dealing with sins
- The initial dealing with our sins before God is based on the redeeming work of our Lord Jesus on the cross. Our Lord bore for us the righteous judgment of God. His blood satisfied the requirement of God's law on our behalf. See Heb. 8:12 & 1Peter 2:24. However, if this objective fact is to become our subjective experience, there is still the need of application. There are two stages of our application - before we are saved and after we are saved.
- Before we were saved:
- "To this One all the prophets testify that through His name everyone who believes into Him will receive forgiveness of sins." (Acts 10:43).
- These are the words of Peter when he was preaching the Gospel to the unsaved. He told them that all the sins they committed before being saved would be forgiven if they would only believe. The forgiveness of our sins and the abolishing of our record of sin before God, before we are saved, depends on our believing. The application, therefore, is through our believing.
- After we are saved:
- "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9).
- These words were written by John to those who are saved, and refer to all the sins we commit after we are saved. If we become conscious of them in His light, we must confess them before God; then we will be forgiven and cleansed. The forgiveness of our sins and the abolishing of our record of sin after we our saved, therefore, depends upon our confession. Here the application is through our confession.
- Confession of Sins
- "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, Leave your gift there before the altar, and first go and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matt. 5:23-24).
- "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from every sin." (1 John 1:7).
- In carrying out our dealing with sins, God does not require us to confess and deal with all our sins at once, but to deal with all those that we are conscious of while in fellowship with Him. The above verses illustrate this point.
- In Matthew 5:23, offering the gift is for fellowship with God. Therefore, this means that when we are having fellowship with God and are conscious of any discord between ourselves and others, or vice versa, we should immediately endeavor to rectify this situation lest our fellowship with God be affected or hindered.
- 1 John 1:7 indicates that if we have fellowship with God, we can see our sins in His light; then, according to what we have seen in His light, we are to confess this to God and deal with it before God in order to obtain God's forgiveness and cleaning.
- Matthew 5 speaks of our problems with others, 1 John about our problems with God. One is the remembering by the altar; the other is the seeing in the light. Both indicate our consciousness while in fellowship with God. If we wish to deal with our sins thoroughly, we should strengthen our fellowship with God. As this fellowship is strengthened, our consciousness concerning sin will become correspondingly broadened, and our dealing with sins more thorough.
- If we confess our sins in this way, God is "faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." When we sin and when we know our sin and acknowledge it as sin, God will forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We have to pay attention to the words every and all in 1 John 1:7 and 9. "Every sin" and "all unrighteousness" are fully forgiven and cleansed. When the Lord says "all," He means all! When He says "every," He means every!
- How should we deal with the actual committing of sins?
- If we have offended God, we must deal with it before God and ask His forgiveness. If we have sinned against man, we should deal with it before man by asking man's forgiveness. If our act of sinning against man involves only a moral matter, we have only to confess this and apologize before man. If it also involves a loss of money, property or profits, then we should pay accordingly the amount we owe or replace the property. This act of apologizing and reimbursing applies not only to sins committed after we are saved; we must also deal with all those sins committed before we were saved; we must deal with them one by one before man according to the inner consciousness.
- In addition, every morning and every night we should have some quiet time with the Lord, in the Lord's presence, to allow the Lord to shine His light in our heart. This shining will uncover any sins we may have committed, but we were unaware of at the time. Then, we must make a thorough confession to the Lord. Such a thorough confession will bring us into a deeper fellowship with the Lord, with many feelings of thankfulness and appreciation and joy.
Fellowship - Consecration
Consecration
- The Basis of Consecration-God's Purchase (I Cor. 6:18-19)
- With His precious blood (I Pet. 1:18-19)
- Redeeming us from the law (Gal. 4:5)
- Ownership was transferred from the law to the hand of God
- God now has the proper ownership over us
- The Motive of Consecration-God's Love
- God's love constrains us (II Cor. 5:14-15)
- By God's compassions we should present ourselves (Rom. 12:1)
- The Meaning of Consecration-To be a Sacrifice (Rom. 12:I)
- To be a sacrifice means to be offered to God for His use
- A change is made in our position and usage
- We become food to God (Lev. 3:11)
- We our His satisfaction
- We are offered willingly
- The Purpose of Consecration-to work for God
- To be used by God, to work for God
- To have our hands filled
- Serving God
- Saturation of Christ
- We can only work for God to the extent we allow Him to work on us
- The Result of Consecration-to Abandon Our Future
- To cut off all relationships with people, matters, and things
- To be consumed by fire on the altar to become ashes
- Giving up our future
- Having no hopes of becoming anything
- For a sweet smelling savor to our God
- Never letting our consecration become old
- The burnt offering was offered every day, morning and evening
- Every Sabbath, new moon, and festival day
- Service to the Lord
- The fullness of the Experience of life depends on the fullness of our consecration
- The greatest honor of life
References:<br>
Lee,W., The Experience of Life, ch. 3<br>
Nee,W., Consecration, New Believer's Series
Fellowship - Dealing with the World
Dealing with the World
Dealing with the world is very important in our experience of the Christian life. According to the light in the scriptures, we will see the difference between sin and the world, how the world was formed, its definition, and its process of development. Finally, we will see how God delivers us from the world. Precise knowledge of these truths enables us to have precise experiences in dealing with and overcoming the world.
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27).
"These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).
- The difference between sin and the world.
- "Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever determines to be a friend of the world is constituted an enemy of God." (James 4:4).
- "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15).
- Both sin and the world are defiling in our lives and must be dealt with and purged. Yet, the damage caused by sin and the world upon man differ greatly: sin contaminates man, whereas the world both contaminates and possesses man. Generally, people feel only the damage of sin, but not that of the world, because sin is against morality, whereas the world is against God Himself. Sin refers to all matters that are immoral and in opposition to the moral law of God, whereas the world includes all men, activities and things which are outside of God. For example, a drunkard - licentious, wanton and lustful, fearing neither God nor man - is considered immoral and condemned by men. But if someone is daily occupied with poetry and recitation and steeped in literature, completely indifferent to the things of God and unwilling to be gained by Him, men will praise him, having no feeling the he is usurped by literature.
- The formation of the world
- "Now You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground, and from Your face I will be hidden…" (Genesis 4:14a).
- "And Cain went forth from the presence of Jehovah and dwelt in the land of Nod, east of Eden" (Genesis 4:16).
- The world did not exist when man was created, but developed gradually after the fall of man. The world was formed after the fall, when man became independent of God and forfeited His care. The Bible divides man's needs into three categories: provision, protection and pleasure. Prior to the fall, God was responsible for providing for these three needs of man. When man lost God and God's provision, protection and pleasure, man used his own strength and devised his own means to meet the necessities of life and survival. From this time, man created a godless civilization.
- Genesis 4:16-24 reveals that out of Cain's descendants were produced the founders of man's own supply for these three great needs of life, thus producing a culture without God. These were the sons of Lamech. For provision, Jabal was the father of tent-dwellers and cattleman. For pleasure, Jubal was the father of all those who play the lyre and the pipe. For protection, Tubal-cain was the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron instruments, formed for the purpose of defense. In the beginning, these various forms of occupations involving man's livelihood seemed rather trivial, scattered and unsystematized. Later, Satan organized these into a more tangible and systematized world, thus entangling mankind in a tighter web. Gradually, man has become heavily bound and thoroughly possessed by these systems and can find no way of escape. The entire human life is completely usurped by these requirements and needs of human life and the accompanying systems to obtain them, and man totally disregards God and His will.
- The definition of the world
- "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. Because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and its lust, but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17).
- "And do not be fashioned according to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and well pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2). (Note the direct opposition and contradiction of the world to God, and the things of the world and the will of God!)
- Originally, man belonged to God, lived by God and relied entirely upon God. Now Satan has systematized the world to replace God in providing for man's need. Therefore, the world consists of everything that replaces God and all that usurps man. When people, activities, or things - whether good or bad, beautiful or ugly - enslave man, they comprise the world. Anything that causes man to disregard God, be removed from Him, or independent of Him is the world.
- The Greek word for "world" is kosmos, which means system or organization. Satan not only employs the necessities of life, such as people, activities, and things, to preoccupy man; he furthermore organizes them into numerous individual systems in order to intensify his grip on man. Therefore, the world denotes the enemy's scheme, system, and organization to usurp the place of God in man and finally to gain full possession of man.
- The objects of dealing with the world
- "And do not be fashioned according to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and well pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2).
- The world in our daily living consists of people, activities, and things, which usurp the place of God in us. How do we know which objects are usurping us, and what is the standard of measurement?
- First, we need to see whether these objects exceed the necessities of our life. We can say that anything that goes beyond our daily necessities is taking the place of God and possessing us; thus, it needs to be dealt with. Our existence depends upon certain people, activities, and things, such as parents, husband, wife, family, clothes, food, housing, transportation, occupation, education, etc. These are the necessities for our existence. If these necessities contribute to our purpose of living for God, they are not our world.
- Second, what is the standard that regulates our daily necessities in regard to people, activities and things? In the Bible there is no uniform or specific standard governing these matters. God has ordained us to be born in different families, to receive different educational training, to have different professions, and to contact different social environments. In this way God permits us to have diverse concepts and standards relative to our living. Therefore, all living necessities vary with each person.
- Third, from the viewpoint of God, the measuring rule regarding the world is God Himself. As we measure sin by the law of God, so we measure the world by God Himself. By taking God as the standard, we can define the world as those people, activities and things incompatible with God, replacing God in us, hindering the will of God being done through us, or preventing God's full control over us. All these that usurp us are classified as "unholy." Therefore, to deal with the world is to deal with these "unholy" objects.
- The basis of dealing with the world
- The basis of our dealing with the world is the same as dealing with sin. It is based upon the sense of life obtained during fellowship. God never asked an individual to separate himself in a moment's time from all unholiness and all things which usurp him. Practically speaking, there may be one hundred unholy things in us, but during our fellowship we become conscious of only ten. God only holds us responsible for only these ten. Not until we have attained to a greater degree of fellowship in life do we become conscious of the remaining objects and deal with them. We should pay attention to the following three principles:
- We should deal with the world upon the basis of the inner feeling gained through fellowship. The dealing should not exceed our inner feeling.
- We should gradually broaden the area of our fellowship so that our inner feeling touches all aspects of our life. Thus we will have dealings with the world in all aspects.
- We should gradually deepen our fellowship so that our inner feeling concerning the world deepens; thus, we may deal more thoroughly.
- Besides these three principles, there are two factors, which greatly influence our inner feeling toward the world: our love for God and our spiritual growth in life. God is the standard for dealing with the world. If we are far from God, we are not conscious of our worldliness. But once we draw near to God, we discover many worldly matters in us. Only those who love God desire to draw near unto God. Therefore, if we desire to deal with the world, we should first love God. The more we love God, the more we become sensitive toward the world, and the more the world is exposed in us. When our love for God causes us to meet God, who is light, He enlightens and exposes the world.
- Our inner feeling towards the world also depends upon our spiritual growth. The more we advance in the spiritual life and knowledge of God, the deeper we will be in knowing the world. This knowledge of the world is the inner feeling we have toward the world and forms the basis of dealing with the world.
- In each of us, the world is very strong, but our measure of dealing with it depends upon our inner feeling toward it, upon our knowledge of God, and upon the degree of our spiritual growth. Although dealing with the world will cause us to grow spiritually, yet if we wish to deal to the end that God may have a complete place within us, we should ask Him to draw us so that we may love Him more and pursue more for our spiritual growth, so that we may become more mature in life.
- The extent of dealing with the world
- "The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6).
- The extent to which we deal with the world is "life and peace." (Rom. 8:6). Whenever we deal with the world, which we are conscious of, we should deal with it until we have peace and life within. Since these dealings are based upon the feelings of life, which are derived from fellowship, they are experiences of life. Dealing with the world causes us to experience life and sense the freshness, brightness, satisfaction, strength, joy, and peace of life. In other words, we should deal with the world to the extent that we have life and peace.
Fellowship - Dealing with Self
Dealing with Self
Now we come to see the matter of dealing with self. This experience is very closely related to dealing with the flesh. This is an important experience in the stage of the cross.
- SELF IS THE SOUL LIFE WITH THE EMPHASIS ON HUMAN THOUGHTS AND HUMAN OPINIONS.
- Read Matthew 16:21-25
- In verse 22 Peter had an opinion, and he voiced it to the Lord.
- Therefore, the Lord in verse 23 rebuked him, saying that he minded not the things of God, but those of men. The things of God are the will of God, or the cross. The things of men are to pity one's self and to not receive the cross. What the Lord desired was the will of God, but what Peter cared about was the human thought. Therefore in verse 24 the Lord asked the disciples to deny themselves, take up the cross and follow Him.
- When the Lord asked the disciples to receive the cross, this meant that they should receive the mind of God or the will of God. Therefore, the Lord was asking the disciples here to put aside their own thought and receive the cross, which is the will of God.
- From this we see that self has much to do with human thought. Yet self is not human thought, and human thought is not self itself. Therefore in verse 25 the Lord goes on to say that whoever would save his life shall lose it, and whoever shall lose his life for the Lord's sake shall find it. This indicates that the soul life is self itself.
- In this passage the word of the Lord follows step by step. In verse 22 Peter admonished the Lord to pity Himself; in verse 23 the Lord pointed out that this is human thought or human opinion; in verse 24 the Lord traced this to the root by saying that this opinion is self. Therefore we need to forsake and deny it. Then in verse 25 the Lord goes to the root of self by showing us that the very self is the soul life. If the soul life is being put to death, which means that self is being denied, there will be no more human opinion. In this passage, verse 23 speaks about the opinion, verse 24 about self, and verse 25 about the soul life. Each verse mentions one matter, step by step, very clearly.
- In John 5:30 the Lord Jesus said, "I can do nothing from Myself; as I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will but the will of Him who sent Me."
- Here "Myself" and "My own will" equal the same thing.
- The Lord's judgment here indicates that what He thinks and evaluates do not come from Himself or His own will. This equates to His denying His own human thoughts and opinions.
- In Job 38:2 Jehovah says to Job, "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?
- Job responds in 42:3, 6 "You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge? Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know… Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."
- The book of Job from chapters 3 through 37 are mostly records of human words and opinions. Once Job realizes this himself, even though he believed himself to be righteous, he repents.
- Today, just as in Job's day, many difficulties have come into the church not due to sinfulness and worldliness, but because of the Self which is full of ideas, opinions, viewpoints, and methods. This tends to be the root cause of so many divisions.
- Martin Luther said that within him there is a greater pope then the one in Rome---himself. In the church, if Self is not broken, every person is a pope, and everyone will become a division.
- In the New Testament, there is still another person who represents Self. It is Martha. Each time she is mentioned in the Gospels, she is always talking and giving her opinion. (See John 11:5-40)
- Martha firstly accuses the Lord of not coming soon enough to save Lazarus.
- When Jesus tells Martha her brother will rise again, she responds, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection in the last day."
- When Jesus asks Martha to believe that He is the resurrection and the life and that whoever believes into Him will live, Martha responds by saying, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, He who comes into the world."
- Then she goes to her sister, Mary, and says, "The Teacher is here and is calling you."
- When Jesus requested that the stone of the tomb be removed, Martha responded, "Lord, by now he smells, for it is the fourth day that he is there." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?"
- THE DIFFERENTIATION OF SEVEN ITEMS: THE OLD MAN, THE 'I', THE FLESH, THE TEMPER, THE SELF, AND THE NATURAL CONSTITUTION
- The Old Man refers to the created, fallen man.
- The 'I' is the title of the Old Man.
- The Soul-life is the life of the Old Man
- The Flesh is the living out of the Old Man.
- The Temper is man's natural disposition, especially one's irritability, anger and bad temperament.
- The Self is the Soul-life expressed in human ideas and opinions.
- The Natural Constitution is our natural ability, capability and wit.
- DEALING WITH THE SELF - The objective fact in dealing with Self, just as in dealing with the Flesh, rests in Christ; that is, our Old Man has been crucified with Him. This is because Self is part of the expression of the Old Man.
- Seeing that the Old Man has been crucified with Christ is a revelation from God. (Romans 6:6)
- The first step in our dealing with Self subjectively is to see that our opinions are one of the expressions of the Old Man.
- We next must apply the crucifixion of Christ through the Holy Spirit to our opinions. This is how we subjectively deal with the Self. This is what the Lord meant in Matthew 16 to deny the Self and bear the cross.
- The bearing of the cross is not a matter of suffering, but of being put to death, not of standing on the ground of suffering, but of standing in the place of death.
- To bear the cross means to bear the death of Christ on us and allow the death of Christ to work on us continually in order to put our self to death.
- DEALING WITH SELF IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
- Although we understand that our Old Man has been crucified, and that our opinions are the expression of the Self, we must live in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit for this to be real to us.
- If we do not live in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and yet try to deal with Self, our strenuous efforts will be like those of the Buddhists, Hindus, and Chinese moralists. It will not be a genuine spiritual experience of God in Christ. Only the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of reality.
- Only as we live in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit do we get the real seeing and the real dealing.
- SATAN'S CONNECTION TO THE BODY, THE SELF AND ITS OPINIONS
- Hidden in the self of man is Satan. Not only is Satan directly involved with the sin in our body (Romans 7:14-24), He gives good opinions to the Self contrary to God's will (Matt. 16:21-25).
- On the one hand, Satan stirs up the lust of the members of the body, and on the other hand arouses the opinions in our mind. He works on both parts at the same time. When Satan comes to tempt us, He first causes man to have an opinion in his soul; then he causes the body to sin. (Gen 3:1-1-7, 13-14)
- Ephesians 2:2-3 shows us that Satan has a two-fold operation. He works in man so that he would live in the lusts of his flesh, doing the desires of the flesh, but also according to what is in man's mind. When Satan works in our flesh, it results in the lust of our flesh, which is sin; when he works in our mind, the result is our opinion, or Self.
- We need to put to death all our opinions through the cross. Thus, we deny ourselves in a practical way. We can deny thoroughly the place of Satan in us, overthrowing every stronghold he may have within our thoughts. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
- DEALING WITH THE SELF IS NOT A MATTER OF MAGNANIMITY
- The definition of magnanimous in the dictionary is (1) showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit; (2) showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind.
- The magnanimous person, when associating with others, never causes trouble by expressing his or her opinions. They endeavor to maintain peace with others; thus, in everything they seem to be very courteous and never quarrelsome. In all mattes, however, they have their own opinions and ideas. To their feeling, the opinion of others is never as good as theirs. However, if others do not accept their opinion, they can restrain themselves from expressing it; they would never force others to accept it. They would even go to the extent, outwardly, of going along with the opinion of others and following others' way of doing things. In this way there is no disharmony with others.
- A magnanimous person develops his magnanimity by human effort; therefore, the more magnanimous he is, the stronger and grosser is the Self. A magnanimous person does not abandon the Self; rather, he accumulates the Self, until one day when this one opens his mouth many pent up opinions spring forth. Such a person is like Job. He feels that he is the father of the orphans, the eyes of the blind, the feet of the lame, always helping others and bearing with others. This proves that this one's Self is wholly sealed and that such a person has never decreased the Self at all.
- The attitude of being tolerant will afford more growth to our opinion. We must see that we have already been crucified with the Lord on the cross; then whenever opinion and self are being expressed, we should apply the killing of the cross through the power of the Holy Spirit to put to death this opinion and self. It is only when we repeatedly apply this death that our self gradually decreases and the life of Christ gradually grows within us.
- Quarreling exposes the corruption of man; thus when the Holy Spirit enlightens man, he will fall before God. It is difficult for those magnanimous people who never quarrel to be enlightened. It is hard for the Holy Sprit to touch them or shine upon them. Those who always swallow their opinion are those who always seek the Lord's light for others. Actually they themselves need light the most.
- In dealing with the Self, we must see that as long as we live and grow in ourselves, Christ will have no way to live or grow. It is not that you bear the cross when you have an opinion during the meeting, and then after the meeting you throw off the cross. We should always be crucified on the cross and always bear the cross. The meaning of bearing the cross is simply to not depart from the cross.
Uganda Updates
God's Move in Africa - October 2008
Uganda Update by Kizito - June 22, 2008
Uganda Updates - February 10, 2008
Uganda Updates - May 15, 2007
