Friday, February 28, 2003
Abraham grew up in Ur of the Chaldeans worshiping the various pagan gods of that culture. But the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to Abraham and said,
Gen 12:1-2
1 . . . "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (NIV)
So Abraham left and the Lord was with Abraham as he traveled to the promised land. One day Abraham mentioned to the Lord that he did not have any children in spite of the promise of Gen 12:2. The Lord Jesus said to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of heaven. Then one of the great events of human history occurred.
Gen 15:6
6 And (Abraham) believed in the LORD, and (the LORD) accounted it to him for righteousness. (NKJ)
Years later the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3 that God can not give salvation to those who do good works because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Then in Romans 4 Paul quoted Gen 15:6 and gave the good news that God will save any one who has faith like that of Abraham. When people simply believe what God says, God counts that for righteousness.
What has God been saying since Jesus died on the cross of Calvary? During the dispensation of the offer of the New Covenant Kingdom, Paul wrote:
1 Cor 15:3-4
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (KJV)
Then Paul wrote these words for those of us in the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ.
Eph 1:7
7 In (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (KJV)
Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
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Thursday, February 27, 2003
Nicodemus was a pharisee who came to Jesus by night presumably because he was afraid of what the other Pharisees would think if they knew he was with Jesus. He told Jesus that he and all of the Pharisees knew that there was something special about Him. He said that the miracles Jesus did showed clearly that God was with Him.
Jesus did not enter into that debate with Nicodemus for He could see that Nicodemus did not need intellectual clarification concerning the identity of Jesus. Jesus saw immediately that Nicodemus needed to be born again.
John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Nicodemus was dumbfounded. He thought this was the strangest thing he had ever heard, and he challenged the Lord Jesus.
John 3:4
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (KJV)
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Certainly one has to be born as a human being before they can enter the kingdom, but Jesus told Nicodemus that one must experience another, spiritual birth before they qualify for the kingdom. That Jesus is contrasting spiritual rebirth with physical birth is born out in verse 6 where Jesus said,
John 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
(KJV)
When a person believes that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, the Holy Spirit brings that person into spiritual union with Jesus Christ, and they are forever changed.
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
The Holy Spirit seals the believer in Christ and becomes the life force within the believer. He reveals the Word of God. He gives guidance. He convicts of sin. He gives the joy of the Lord in all circumstances. Therefore, Paul gives the following instruction.
Eph 4:30-32
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (KJV)
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Jesus did not enter into that debate with Nicodemus for He could see that Nicodemus did not need intellectual clarification concerning the identity of Jesus. Jesus saw immediately that Nicodemus needed to be born again.
John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Nicodemus was dumbfounded. He thought this was the strangest thing he had ever heard, and he challenged the Lord Jesus.
John 3:4
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (KJV)
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Certainly one has to be born as a human being before they can enter the kingdom, but Jesus told Nicodemus that one must experience another, spiritual birth before they qualify for the kingdom. That Jesus is contrasting spiritual rebirth with physical birth is born out in verse 6 where Jesus said,
John 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
(KJV)
When a person believes that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, the Holy Spirit brings that person into spiritual union with Jesus Christ, and they are forever changed.
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
The Holy Spirit seals the believer in Christ and becomes the life force within the believer. He reveals the Word of God. He gives guidance. He convicts of sin. He gives the joy of the Lord in all circumstances. Therefore, Paul gives the following instruction.
Eph 4:30-32
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (KJV)
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Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
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James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
In Genesis 6, we read that the Lord Jesus Christ looked upon the earth and saw the wickedness of men, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah, by faith believed that great judgement was coming upon the earth. By faith, Noah built an ark according to the instructions of the Lord. God told Noah,
Gen 6:14
14 "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. (NKJ)
Noah sealed the ark with the pitch so that the ark would be waterproof and none of the judgement waters would touch those who were sealed inside the ark. Before the rains came, the Lord brought Noah and his family into the ark, and He shut the door.
Gen 7:16
16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. (KJV)
As we saw yesterday, the ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus in that those who by faith are spiritually baptized or immersed into the Lord Jesus are protected from the fiery judgement which is to come in the next life. The pitch is symbolic of the Holy Spirit for it is the Holy Spirit of God Who seals us inside Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:13
13 . . . ye also trusted (in Christ), after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(KJV)
Eph 4:30
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(KJV)
The day of redemption is the day when we stand before the Lord Jesus and plead the shed blood of Christ as our atonement or payment for sin. The seal of the Holy Spirit will protect not only in that day of judgement but it seals and protects us in Christ until that day. From the day we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, we are protected in Christ by the Holy Spirit of God.
John 3:36 says,
36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJ)
Notice that it does not say that he who believes will have everlasting life. The believer has everlasting life the moment they believe. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God unto the day of redemption.
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Gen 6:14
14 "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. (NKJ)
Noah sealed the ark with the pitch so that the ark would be waterproof and none of the judgement waters would touch those who were sealed inside the ark. Before the rains came, the Lord brought Noah and his family into the ark, and He shut the door.
Gen 7:16
16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. (KJV)
As we saw yesterday, the ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus in that those who by faith are spiritually baptized or immersed into the Lord Jesus are protected from the fiery judgement which is to come in the next life. The pitch is symbolic of the Holy Spirit for it is the Holy Spirit of God Who seals us inside Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:13
13 . . . ye also trusted (in Christ), after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(KJV)
Eph 4:30
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(KJV)
The day of redemption is the day when we stand before the Lord Jesus and plead the shed blood of Christ as our atonement or payment for sin. The seal of the Holy Spirit will protect not only in that day of judgement but it seals and protects us in Christ until that day. From the day we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, we are protected in Christ by the Holy Spirit of God.
John 3:36 says,
36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJ)
Notice that it does not say that he who believes will have everlasting life. The believer has everlasting life the moment they believe. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God unto the day of redemption.
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http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
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Tuesday, February 25, 2003
As the population of human beings increased upon the earth, man became more and more sinful. The people on the earth were very much like Cain in that they had no respect for the desire of God. They wanted what they wanted, when they wanted it. God had been very merciful in that He had not brought great judgement upon them as their wickedness increased. But Genesis 6 says:
Gen 6:3
3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." (NKJ)
God decided to destroy all of mankind accept for a man named Noah and his family. He instructed Noah to build a huge boat. When the boat was finished, God brought Noah and his family into the boat, and, again we point out that this was the Lord Jesus Christ who was talking to Noah.
Gen 7:1
1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (KJV)
The righteousness of Noah was not based on his own human perfection but was based on the grace of God. We read in Chapter 6.
Gen 6:8
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (KJV)
Grace is getting something that is not deserved. Therefore, Noah did not deserve to be saved from the flood, but Noah found grace because he was a man of faith. God told Noah that a great flood of water was coming which would destroy all the people on the face of the earth. Noah believed God and did what God told him to do. Noah told this same message to his neighbors but not one of them believed his warning.
The writer of the book of Hebrews made the following observation.
Heb 11:7
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV)
Even though Noah had never seen rain, he still believed that what God had said was true.
People can be accepted by God if they are sinlessly perfect. The problem is that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. God in His mercy decided to offer Jesus Christ as the full payment for all sin so that faith could be the determining factor in salvation.
The ark that Noah built was a picture of Jesus Christ. Those who were in the ark were saved from the judgement. When we accept Christ by faith and believe that He died for our sins, we are baptized or spiritually immersed into Christ. Those who enter into Christ by faith find salvation from the judgement to come. It is important to remember that one must accept Christ before they die. There will be no second chance in the after life.
Heb 9:27
27 . . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (KJV)
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Gen 6:3
3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." (NKJ)
God decided to destroy all of mankind accept for a man named Noah and his family. He instructed Noah to build a huge boat. When the boat was finished, God brought Noah and his family into the boat, and, again we point out that this was the Lord Jesus Christ who was talking to Noah.
Gen 7:1
1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (KJV)
The righteousness of Noah was not based on his own human perfection but was based on the grace of God. We read in Chapter 6.
Gen 6:8
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (KJV)
Grace is getting something that is not deserved. Therefore, Noah did not deserve to be saved from the flood, but Noah found grace because he was a man of faith. God told Noah that a great flood of water was coming which would destroy all the people on the face of the earth. Noah believed God and did what God told him to do. Noah told this same message to his neighbors but not one of them believed his warning.
The writer of the book of Hebrews made the following observation.
Heb 11:7
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV)
Even though Noah had never seen rain, he still believed that what God had said was true.
People can be accepted by God if they are sinlessly perfect. The problem is that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. God in His mercy decided to offer Jesus Christ as the full payment for all sin so that faith could be the determining factor in salvation.
The ark that Noah built was a picture of Jesus Christ. Those who were in the ark were saved from the judgement. When we accept Christ by faith and believe that He died for our sins, we are baptized or spiritually immersed into Christ. Those who enter into Christ by faith find salvation from the judgement to come. It is important to remember that one must accept Christ before they die. There will be no second chance in the after life.
Heb 9:27
27 . . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (KJV)
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Other church links:
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Monday, February 24, 2003
In Genesis 4 we read that Cain and Able both brought sacrifices to the Lord Jesus Christ. Able brought an animal sacrifice while Cain brought a sacrifice of things he had grown in the ground such as fruits and vegetables. Jesus Christ accepted Cain’s offering, but He did not accept Cain’s sacrifice. However, He did give Cain some advice along with a warning.
Gen 4:7
7 "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (NKJ)
Anyone in a position of authority should learn from the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this passage we see that God is a believer in due process for those who have committed a sin. First, He tells them that they need to change their behavior and secondly, he warned them that consequences will follow for continued disobedience.
The offering that Cain brought actually was simply an expression of what was in his heart. The fruit of the ground symbolize the works of the flesh. The Apostle Paul describes the works of the flesh in his letter to the Galatian believers.
Gal 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Cain’s heart was full of envy, strife, and murder. His offering was rejected, and his response was to kill his brother. Able’s sacrifice was accepted because his animal sacrifice was an acceptable picture of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make upon the cross of Calvary.
We today are called upon the bring an offering to Jesus Christ.
Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
As we experience spiritual union with Jesus Christ in His death, our bodies will become a living sacrifice. Our responsibility is to offer that sacrifice to God so that God can fill our hearts with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. At that point, our hearts are filled with the fruit of the Spirit. In this way, we become an offering which is holy and acceptable unto God.
Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)
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Gen 4:7
7 "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (NKJ)
Anyone in a position of authority should learn from the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this passage we see that God is a believer in due process for those who have committed a sin. First, He tells them that they need to change their behavior and secondly, he warned them that consequences will follow for continued disobedience.
The offering that Cain brought actually was simply an expression of what was in his heart. The fruit of the ground symbolize the works of the flesh. The Apostle Paul describes the works of the flesh in his letter to the Galatian believers.
Gal 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Cain’s heart was full of envy, strife, and murder. His offering was rejected, and his response was to kill his brother. Able’s sacrifice was accepted because his animal sacrifice was an acceptable picture of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make upon the cross of Calvary.
We today are called upon the bring an offering to Jesus Christ.
Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
As we experience spiritual union with Jesus Christ in His death, our bodies will become a living sacrifice. Our responsibility is to offer that sacrifice to God so that God can fill our hearts with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. At that point, our hearts are filled with the fruit of the Spirit. In this way, we become an offering which is holy and acceptable unto God.
Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)
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Other church links:
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Friday, February 21, 2003
We have seen that the person we know as the Lord Jesus Christ was Jehovah God of the Old Testament. Therefore, it was Jesus Christ who formed Adam out of the dust of the ground, and it was Jesus Christ who created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. Adam and Eve enjoyed constant fellowship with Jesus Christ in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had only one rule to live by. They were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The devil was determined to destroy Adam and Eve for he was jealous of their position of prominence within the garden of God for they had been given dominion over all things. The devil was very cunning and full of deceit and with his power of persuasion he convinced Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Immediately, Adam and Eve knew what sin was, and they knew their own sinfulness. They made clothes of fig leaves for themselves to cover their nakedness.
As Jesus Christ came walking through the garden, they hid from Him. Jesus Christ confronted them with their sin and pronounced a curse upon them, upon the earth, and upon the devil. The sentence of death came upon Adam and Eve, for God had said that in the day they ate of the fruit they would surely die.
However, Jesus Christ had mercy on them, and He made animal skin coats for Adam and Eve.
Gen 3:21
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (KJV)
This is one of the earliest events of human history and in it we find that the shedding of blood was required to cover sin. This animal sacrifice is the earliest picture in the Bible of the sacrifice Jesus Christ would make on the cross of Calvary to save human beings from the consequence of sin.
The covering of animal skins was only partially effective in dealing with sin. Adam and Eve did eventually die as a result of their sin, and all of the descendants of Adam and Eve inherited the death that came upon them. However, when Jesus Christ gave His blood for the sins of the world, it provided a permanent solution. John said that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.
When Christ was resurrected from the grave, He took the spirits of Old Testament believers such as Adam and Eve with him into heaven.
Eph 4:8
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (KJV)
Since that day, when believers die, their spirits enter directly into heaven to dwell in the presence of the Lord. The spirits of all believers who have faced death from Adam and Eve to the present are waiting in heaven for the resurrection of their bodies. This will be a great day of rejoicing for all believers, and it will be a great victory over the devil who has wanted death for all humans since the beginning.
1 Cor 15:54
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (KJV)
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The devil was determined to destroy Adam and Eve for he was jealous of their position of prominence within the garden of God for they had been given dominion over all things. The devil was very cunning and full of deceit and with his power of persuasion he convinced Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Immediately, Adam and Eve knew what sin was, and they knew their own sinfulness. They made clothes of fig leaves for themselves to cover their nakedness.
As Jesus Christ came walking through the garden, they hid from Him. Jesus Christ confronted them with their sin and pronounced a curse upon them, upon the earth, and upon the devil. The sentence of death came upon Adam and Eve, for God had said that in the day they ate of the fruit they would surely die.
However, Jesus Christ had mercy on them, and He made animal skin coats for Adam and Eve.
Gen 3:21
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (KJV)
This is one of the earliest events of human history and in it we find that the shedding of blood was required to cover sin. This animal sacrifice is the earliest picture in the Bible of the sacrifice Jesus Christ would make on the cross of Calvary to save human beings from the consequence of sin.
The covering of animal skins was only partially effective in dealing with sin. Adam and Eve did eventually die as a result of their sin, and all of the descendants of Adam and Eve inherited the death that came upon them. However, when Jesus Christ gave His blood for the sins of the world, it provided a permanent solution. John said that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.
When Christ was resurrected from the grave, He took the spirits of Old Testament believers such as Adam and Eve with him into heaven.
Eph 4:8
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (KJV)
Since that day, when believers die, their spirits enter directly into heaven to dwell in the presence of the Lord. The spirits of all believers who have faced death from Adam and Eve to the present are waiting in heaven for the resurrection of their bodies. This will be a great day of rejoicing for all believers, and it will be a great victory over the devil who has wanted death for all humans since the beginning.
1 Cor 15:54
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (KJV)
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Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
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James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Jerusalem had been charged with excitement ever since the news broke that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, and then a spontaneous parade erupted as Jesus enter Jerusalem for the passover. In that parade the people yelled, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” But the Apostle John declared the spiritual reality concerning the hearts of the Jewish people.
John 12:37-41
37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn-- and I would heal them."
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him. (NIV)
Verses 40 and 41 refer back to the events of Isaiah chapter 6 when Isaiah saw Jehovah God sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. Isaiah confessed his sinfulness as he saw the righteousness of the Lord.
Isa 6:5
5 Then said (Isaiah), Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (KJV)
The Lord called Isaiah to preach but warned him that no one would listen.
Isa 6:9-10
9 And (the Lord said to Isaiah), Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (KJV)
John said that Isaiah said these things when he saw the glory of Jesus Christ and prophesied of His future ministry.
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.
Just imagine, it was Jesus Christ that Isaiah saw that day on the throne, Isaiah knew that someday God would come to earth in the person of Jesus Christ and preach to the nation of Israel. Jesus Christ was God manifest in the flesh
As John said in John chapter 1,
John 1:14
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (KJV)
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Other church links:
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John 12:37-41
37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn-- and I would heal them."
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him. (NIV)
Verses 40 and 41 refer back to the events of Isaiah chapter 6 when Isaiah saw Jehovah God sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. Isaiah confessed his sinfulness as he saw the righteousness of the Lord.
Isa 6:5
5 Then said (Isaiah), Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (KJV)
The Lord called Isaiah to preach but warned him that no one would listen.
Isa 6:9-10
9 And (the Lord said to Isaiah), Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (KJV)
John said that Isaiah said these things when he saw the glory of Jesus Christ and prophesied of His future ministry.
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.
Just imagine, it was Jesus Christ that Isaiah saw that day on the throne, Isaiah knew that someday God would come to earth in the person of Jesus Christ and preach to the nation of Israel. Jesus Christ was God manifest in the flesh
As John said in John chapter 1,
John 1:14
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (KJV)
Write me a note at the bottom of this website if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
The creation was a team project of the three persons of the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
In Gen 2:26 we read:
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (KJV)
The Apostle Paul revealed in Colossians that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God and the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Col 1:15, Col 2:9). Therefore, man was created in the image of Jesus Christ.
Paul also revealed that it was the Lord Jesus who was the active participant in the events of creation.
Col 1:16-17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (KJV)
This was confirmed by the Apostle John.
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.(KJV)
The Old Testament prophets proclaimed that Jehovah was the creator of heaven and earth.
Isa 45:18
18 For thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD (Jehovah); and there is none else. (KJV)
The scriptures conclude that Jesus Christ is Jehovah. Jehovah accepted a body of flesh and was born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world that those who believe could have eternal life. Every person will someday stand before Jesus Christ at the day of judgement. At that time it will be very clear to everyone that Jesus Christ is actually the Lord, Jehovah.
Phil 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV)
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Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
In Gen 2:26 we read:
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (KJV)
The Apostle Paul revealed in Colossians that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God and the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Col 1:15, Col 2:9). Therefore, man was created in the image of Jesus Christ.
Paul also revealed that it was the Lord Jesus who was the active participant in the events of creation.
Col 1:16-17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (KJV)
This was confirmed by the Apostle John.
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.(KJV)
The Old Testament prophets proclaimed that Jehovah was the creator of heaven and earth.
Isa 45:18
18 For thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD (Jehovah); and there is none else. (KJV)
The scriptures conclude that Jesus Christ is Jehovah. Jehovah accepted a body of flesh and was born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world that those who believe could have eternal life. Every person will someday stand before Jesus Christ at the day of judgement. At that time it will be very clear to everyone that Jesus Christ is actually the Lord, Jehovah.
Phil 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV)
Write me a note at the bottom of this website if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1). Truly, we serve an awesome God. He created all things out of nothing. As the creator, God has full authority over the creation. He has the right to require whatever He wants from His creation. Some wonder how there could be a God when there is so much evil in the world. C.S. Lewis rightly pointed out that if there was no God, there would be no standard by which to judge good and evil. God, Himself, is the standard. The presence of good and evil actually confirm the reality of God. God gave the Bible to reveal Himself to the humans He created.
As we read the account of creation in Genesis we find that God refers to Himself as Elohim and as Jehovah.
Elohim created heaven and earth.
Gen 1:1
1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth. (KJV)
Jehovah created the earth and the heavens.
Gen 2:4
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God (Jehovah) made the earth and the heavens, (KJV)
Elohim created man.
Gen 1:26-27
26 And God (Elohim) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God (Elohim) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV)
Jehovah formed man.
Gen 2:7
7 And the LORD God (Jehovah) formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)
This illustrates that there is no name which can fully declare the glory of God. God is infinite and there is no word which can fully describe Him.
God spoke to Moses from the burning bush when He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver the Israelites. Moses asked Who he should say had sent him.
Exod 3:13-14
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (KJV)
God’s glory is beyond our human comprehension. All that we know of God is what we see in Jesus Christ.
John 14:8-9
8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (NKJ)
Write me a note at the bottom of this website if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
As we read the account of creation in Genesis we find that God refers to Himself as Elohim and as Jehovah.
Elohim created heaven and earth.
Gen 1:1
1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth. (KJV)
Jehovah created the earth and the heavens.
Gen 2:4
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God (Jehovah) made the earth and the heavens, (KJV)
Elohim created man.
Gen 1:26-27
26 And God (Elohim) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God (Elohim) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV)
Jehovah formed man.
Gen 2:7
7 And the LORD God (Jehovah) formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)
This illustrates that there is no name which can fully declare the glory of God. God is infinite and there is no word which can fully describe Him.
God spoke to Moses from the burning bush when He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver the Israelites. Moses asked Who he should say had sent him.
Exod 3:13-14
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (KJV)
God’s glory is beyond our human comprehension. All that we know of God is what we see in Jesus Christ.
John 14:8-9
8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (NKJ)
Write me a note at the bottom of this website if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Monday, February 17, 2003
In Gen 12:1-3 we read:
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (KJV)
The blessing which God pronounced upon Abraham and his descendants was passed down to Isaac but not Ishmael, and it was passed down to Jacob but not Esau. It was passed down only to those who had faith in the God of Abraham. Only those who had faith in God left Egypt with Moses for the promised land, and as Moses and the nation of Israel approached the promised land only 2 of the twelve spies had faith that God would give them victory over their enemies in the land. Only those two spies were allowed to enter the land.
However, because most of the nation of Israel refused to enter the land, God pronounced that their punishment would be forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The people then became terrified at that prospect and some of the Jews decided that they would enter the land after all. Moses warned them not to try it because the power of God would not be with them. They entered the land and were slaughtered by the Canaanites.
When Jesus came to earth, He offered the nation of Israel the New Covenant kingdom which was to be the ultimate fulfillment of God’s blessing to Abraham. Again the nation of Israel refused to enter the promised land of the New Covenant kingdom because of their unbelief. As a result, God has set aside His promises to Abraham for this present age in which we live. However, God has not forsaken His promise to Abraham. God will someday bring the nation of Israel back to the promised land, and they will enter the land through faith and will receive the kingdom from God.
Today, there are some Jews who want to take the promised land by force, thinking that God’ plan for them to do so. They need to be warned that God is not with them in this effort. They will fail miserably. In fact their efforts will result in the ultimate reign of the antichrist who will slaughter those who try to take the land in their own might.
Daniel prophesied in Dan 11:13-14:
13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. (KJV)
It is not wrong for Israel to have a nation today, but it would be wrong for the nation of Israel to try to take the promise of God by force. When Jesus Christ returns, He will defeat the antichrist and give the promised land to a small group of Jewish believers who have faithfully waited upon the Lord. These faithful Jews will be protected in the wilderness during the holocaust of the antichrist.
Today, it is most important that believers teach the nation of Israel about the truth of Jesus Christ and warn the nation of Israel of the dangers of trying to take the promised land by force. I think it is still true that God will bless those who bless Israel, but believers need to do some serious thinking about the best way to bless Israel.
Write me a note at the bottom of this website if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (KJV)
The blessing which God pronounced upon Abraham and his descendants was passed down to Isaac but not Ishmael, and it was passed down to Jacob but not Esau. It was passed down only to those who had faith in the God of Abraham. Only those who had faith in God left Egypt with Moses for the promised land, and as Moses and the nation of Israel approached the promised land only 2 of the twelve spies had faith that God would give them victory over their enemies in the land. Only those two spies were allowed to enter the land.
However, because most of the nation of Israel refused to enter the land, God pronounced that their punishment would be forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The people then became terrified at that prospect and some of the Jews decided that they would enter the land after all. Moses warned them not to try it because the power of God would not be with them. They entered the land and were slaughtered by the Canaanites.
When Jesus came to earth, He offered the nation of Israel the New Covenant kingdom which was to be the ultimate fulfillment of God’s blessing to Abraham. Again the nation of Israel refused to enter the promised land of the New Covenant kingdom because of their unbelief. As a result, God has set aside His promises to Abraham for this present age in which we live. However, God has not forsaken His promise to Abraham. God will someday bring the nation of Israel back to the promised land, and they will enter the land through faith and will receive the kingdom from God.
Today, there are some Jews who want to take the promised land by force, thinking that God’ plan for them to do so. They need to be warned that God is not with them in this effort. They will fail miserably. In fact their efforts will result in the ultimate reign of the antichrist who will slaughter those who try to take the land in their own might.
Daniel prophesied in Dan 11:13-14:
13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. (KJV)
It is not wrong for Israel to have a nation today, but it would be wrong for the nation of Israel to try to take the promise of God by force. When Jesus Christ returns, He will defeat the antichrist and give the promised land to a small group of Jewish believers who have faithfully waited upon the Lord. These faithful Jews will be protected in the wilderness during the holocaust of the antichrist.
Today, it is most important that believers teach the nation of Israel about the truth of Jesus Christ and warn the nation of Israel of the dangers of trying to take the promised land by force. I think it is still true that God will bless those who bless Israel, but believers need to do some serious thinking about the best way to bless Israel.
Write me a note at the bottom of this website if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Friday, February 14, 2003
Since believers today have the power of the Holy Spirit within them, why can’t we establish the spiritual kingdom of God on the earth? That is a question which theologians have debated for nearly 2 thousand years. Some say that we can and that we are. Others say that it can not happen until Christ returns to personally rule on the earth. As you may have guessed, I hold the latter view. The reason is this. Today, God has ordained in His perfect wisdom to allow the devil to have great power and authority within the world system. In fact, the Apostle Paul said that the devil is the “god of this world”.
2 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)
The devil has very little power over believers today who are yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit.
I Jn 4:4
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)
However, the devil has used his power and authority to ensure that success within our present world system depends upon playing the devil’s game. For Christians to rule the world today, they would have to gain power by means of deceit and manipulation. Then to maintain power, they would have to abuse human rights and severely limit individual liberties. These methods will never establish a spiritual kingdom.
Reportedly, D.L. Moody said that our world is a sinking ship, and it is not our job to save the ship. It is our job to rescue as many people as we can before the ship goes down.
Some see it as pessimistic to say that we can not reform this world. To some this appears to limit the power of God. However, accepting the truth of God’s word as the blueprint for our goals and activities will prevent us from wasting time going in the wrong direction. Today believers should focus on sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those who are under Satan’s spell. This can be done in any job including politically oriented jobs. We simply have to focus on our true mission. Jesus said there are many who are waiting to hear the gospel.
John 4:35
35 . . . behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (KJV)
Now is not the time to be plowing empty fields. Now is the time to reap the harvest.
When the Lord Jesus returns to set up the New Covenant kingdom, not only will the world have the personal presence of the Lord Jesus, but the devil will be stripped of all of his power.
Rev 20:1-3
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled . . . (KJV)
During the kingdom, human hearts will be filled with the Spirit of God, the curse will be lifted from the earth, and the world system will operate on the basis of liberty and justice for all.
Micah 4:3
3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (NIV)
Write me a note at the bottom of this website if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
2 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)
The devil has very little power over believers today who are yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit.
I Jn 4:4
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)
However, the devil has used his power and authority to ensure that success within our present world system depends upon playing the devil’s game. For Christians to rule the world today, they would have to gain power by means of deceit and manipulation. Then to maintain power, they would have to abuse human rights and severely limit individual liberties. These methods will never establish a spiritual kingdom.
Reportedly, D.L. Moody said that our world is a sinking ship, and it is not our job to save the ship. It is our job to rescue as many people as we can before the ship goes down.
Some see it as pessimistic to say that we can not reform this world. To some this appears to limit the power of God. However, accepting the truth of God’s word as the blueprint for our goals and activities will prevent us from wasting time going in the wrong direction. Today believers should focus on sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those who are under Satan’s spell. This can be done in any job including politically oriented jobs. We simply have to focus on our true mission. Jesus said there are many who are waiting to hear the gospel.
John 4:35
35 . . . behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (KJV)
Now is not the time to be plowing empty fields. Now is the time to reap the harvest.
When the Lord Jesus returns to set up the New Covenant kingdom, not only will the world have the personal presence of the Lord Jesus, but the devil will be stripped of all of his power.
Rev 20:1-3
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled . . . (KJV)
During the kingdom, human hearts will be filled with the Spirit of God, the curse will be lifted from the earth, and the world system will operate on the basis of liberty and justice for all.
Micah 4:3
3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (NIV)
Write me a note at the bottom of this website if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 13, 2003
God's dispensation regarding the covenants of Israel was characterized by its association with the physical world. In the Old Covenant, Israel had a physical kingdom in which they offered physical tithes by means of physical sacrifices to physical priests. They observed the physical sabbath day and numerous feast days. They also had various ceremonial washings with physical water.
During the time that the New Covenant kingdom was being offered to the nation of Israel by the Lord Jesus and the apostles, there were many physical miracles, wonders, and signs that God gave to the Jews to demonstrate the validity of the offer.
When Jesus Christ returns to establish the New Covenant, Israel will again have a physical kingdom in which physical tithes are offered. The Bible says that the entire nation of Israel will serve as a nation of priests who will administer the various physical ceremonies and who will serve as judges for the nations of the world.
However, our present dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ is characterized by its association with the spiritual realm. We have spiritual immersion (baptism) into the Body of Christ. We enjoy the spiritual rest (sabbath) that we find in the Lord Jesus. We are spiritually translated into a heavenly kingdom. We enjoy spiritual miracles such as the gift of a heart that is characterized by love, joy, peace, longsuffering and all of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul said that believers today enjoy every spiritual blessing as a result of our spiritual union with Christ. He said:
Col 2:10-12
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
The physical realm is but an empty shell without the spiritual reality just as the physical human body is dead without the spirit. Physical water baptism was only a picture of the spiritual immersion of the believer into Christ. Physical circumcision was merely a picture of the believer's identification with Christ in His death and the cutting away of the lusts of the flesh. This physical world has only a secondary significance for believers today because we are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3: 20), and we set our affections on things above (Col. 3:2).
When Christ returns to establish the New Covenant, this world will experience both the physical presence of the Lord Jesus and the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit. The world will witness a physical kingdom which is established in the power of the spiritual kingdom. Israel will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will bless the world with a government based in the truth and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. In our dispensation of the Church, we experience the spiritual blessings of Christ within our hearts. In the New Covenant dispensation, the spiritual blessings of Christ will take root in the hearts of the believers and will bring forth fruit in the political and social structures of the world. Tomorrow we will look at the reason that can not happen today.
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Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III's link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
We have seen that Paul taught that each believer is in Christ and that the Spirit of Christ is in each believer. He also taught that this union resulted in believers becoming part of the body of Christ in a spiritual sense. Paul’s description of the body of Christ in his early epistles was very informal. Paul’s later epistles include Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and in these epistles, Paul appears to be referring to a formal institution called the Church which is the Body of Christ.
Eph 1:22-23
22 (God) put all things under (Christ’s) feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (KJV)
Not only does this verse show the body as an institution, it shows an institutional structure in which Christ is the head of the Body. This is emphasized again in Colossians.
Col 1:18
18 And (Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV)
In I Corinthians 11:3, Paul said that Christ is the head of every man but made no mention of Christ being the head of the body. In I Corinthians 12:21, Paul made a general reference to the head of the body of Christ, but he said nothing about Christ being the head of that body. During the Acts period, God was working within the framework of the dispensation of His covenants with Israel, and it is only logical that God would not reveal his dispensation regarding the institution of the Church which is the Body of Christ until after His institutional relationship with Israel was set aside.
After Israel’s covenant program was set aside at the end of the book of Acts, God called Paul to tell the world about the institution of the Church which required a new dispensation from God. In II Corinthians 3:6, Paul said that he was a minister of the new covenant which was given to Israel, but in the later epistles Paul was emphatic about the fact that he was the minister of a new dispensation in which God was calling believers into a spiritual, institutional Church in the heavenlies. It was a Church whose members were chosen by God based on His knowledge of their faith in Christ. God revealed to Paul the details of this new dispensation which Paul called “the mystery” because it had never been revealed to any other prophet. Paul sensed the urgency of letting people know about the changes that had taken place.
Eph 3:8-9
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (KJV)
As magnificent as this new institution is, Paul never lost sight of the fact that the whole thing hinges on the faith of the individual believer and upon the spiritual union that exists between Christ and the believer. The following passage in Colossians reveals the continuing significance of this doctrine in Paul’s life and ministry.
Col 1:24-27
24 (I) now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and . . . the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (KJV)
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Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Eph 1:22-23
22 (God) put all things under (Christ’s) feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (KJV)
Not only does this verse show the body as an institution, it shows an institutional structure in which Christ is the head of the Body. This is emphasized again in Colossians.
Col 1:18
18 And (Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV)
In I Corinthians 11:3, Paul said that Christ is the head of every man but made no mention of Christ being the head of the body. In I Corinthians 12:21, Paul made a general reference to the head of the body of Christ, but he said nothing about Christ being the head of that body. During the Acts period, God was working within the framework of the dispensation of His covenants with Israel, and it is only logical that God would not reveal his dispensation regarding the institution of the Church which is the Body of Christ until after His institutional relationship with Israel was set aside.
After Israel’s covenant program was set aside at the end of the book of Acts, God called Paul to tell the world about the institution of the Church which required a new dispensation from God. In II Corinthians 3:6, Paul said that he was a minister of the new covenant which was given to Israel, but in the later epistles Paul was emphatic about the fact that he was the minister of a new dispensation in which God was calling believers into a spiritual, institutional Church in the heavenlies. It was a Church whose members were chosen by God based on His knowledge of their faith in Christ. God revealed to Paul the details of this new dispensation which Paul called “the mystery” because it had never been revealed to any other prophet. Paul sensed the urgency of letting people know about the changes that had taken place.
Eph 3:8-9
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (KJV)
As magnificent as this new institution is, Paul never lost sight of the fact that the whole thing hinges on the faith of the individual believer and upon the spiritual union that exists between Christ and the believer. The following passage in Colossians reveals the continuing significance of this doctrine in Paul’s life and ministry.
Col 1:24-27
24 (I) now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and . . . the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (KJV)
Write me a note at the bottom of this website if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
The spiritual union that exists between Christ and the believer is the central concept of all of Paul’s doctrine. Paul teaches that believers are in Christ, and that Christ is in every believer.
Rom 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus . . . (KJV)
Rom 8:9
9 . . . Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (KJV)
Furthermore, Paul says that as believers become part of Christ, they become part of his body.
1 Cor 12:12-14
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all (immersed) into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many. (KJV)
1 Cor 12:27
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (KJV)
Rom 12:4-6
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us . . . (KJV)
Paul penned these thoughts around 58 A.D., and Paul’s description of believers as the body of Christ in very informal. In fact, it is so informal that it almost appears to be just an analogy. What it was in Paul’s mind at this time we do not know, but what it would become as a result of further revelation we do know because of what Paul wrote in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
Paul was imprisoned in Rome about 62 A.D. It was there that Paul made the final pronouncement that God had set aside His wife, the nation of Israel, for her infidelity. God had taken Israel as His wife as a part of the Old Covenant. Christ and the apostles had offered Israel the restoration of the marriage through the New Covenant. Israel rejected Christ and the message of the apostles even though they came with miracles, wonders, and signs.
The letters Paul wrote after 62 A.D. include Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and in these epistles we find no mention of the New Covenant hope. In fact, in Ephesians, Paul said that God had revealed to him a mystery concerning a new administration of God in which Israel had no place of prominence and that this mystery had been kept secret since before the creation. Paul wrote:
Eph 3:3-7
3 . . . by revelation (God) made known unto me the mystery . . .
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men . . .
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (KJV)
This new revelation had a profound effect on Paul’s understanding of the body of Christ, which is readily seen throughout Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. We will look at that tomorrow.
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Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Rom 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus . . . (KJV)
Rom 8:9
9 . . . Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (KJV)
Furthermore, Paul says that as believers become part of Christ, they become part of his body.
1 Cor 12:12-14
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all (immersed) into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many. (KJV)
1 Cor 12:27
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (KJV)
Rom 12:4-6
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us . . . (KJV)
Paul penned these thoughts around 58 A.D., and Paul’s description of believers as the body of Christ in very informal. In fact, it is so informal that it almost appears to be just an analogy. What it was in Paul’s mind at this time we do not know, but what it would become as a result of further revelation we do know because of what Paul wrote in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
Paul was imprisoned in Rome about 62 A.D. It was there that Paul made the final pronouncement that God had set aside His wife, the nation of Israel, for her infidelity. God had taken Israel as His wife as a part of the Old Covenant. Christ and the apostles had offered Israel the restoration of the marriage through the New Covenant. Israel rejected Christ and the message of the apostles even though they came with miracles, wonders, and signs.
The letters Paul wrote after 62 A.D. include Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and in these epistles we find no mention of the New Covenant hope. In fact, in Ephesians, Paul said that God had revealed to him a mystery concerning a new administration of God in which Israel had no place of prominence and that this mystery had been kept secret since before the creation. Paul wrote:
Eph 3:3-7
3 . . . by revelation (God) made known unto me the mystery . . .
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men . . .
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (KJV)
This new revelation had a profound effect on Paul’s understanding of the body of Christ, which is readily seen throughout Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. We will look at that tomorrow.
Write me a note below if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag. The world is waiting for your comments.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Monday, February 10, 2003
On Saturday, we examined the roots of the gospel as we know it today. The Lord revealed to the Apostle Paul that those who put their trust in Jesus Christ and believe that Christ died for their sins are given the gift of eternal life. Today we will look at Paul’s revelation concerning the intimate spiritual experience of those who believe in Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote to the believers in Galatia. He confirmed the fact that the Old Testament law was unable to make anyone righteous in the sight of God.
Gal 2:16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (KJV)
He emphatically states that no one can be saved by doing good works. Regardless of how many good deeds a person does or how many bad deeds a person avoids, good works will not count at the day of judgment. On that day, God will be looking for one thing in those who stand before Him. Only faith in Jesus Christ will bring justification for those who seek eternal life.
Then Paul says something mysterious in verse 20.
Gal 2:20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV)
Paul clearly teaches that he had experienced a spiritual unity with Christ to the extent that his spirit died with Christ on the cross of calvary and that this resulted in the Spirit of Christ living within him to guide him and direct him in all things. In Romans 6, Paul says that this spiritual unity exists between Christ and every believer.
Rom 6:3-4
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (KJV)
The word baptize means to immerse. Therefore, Paul says that those who are spiritually immersed into Jesus Christ are spiritually immersed into His death, and not only His death, but also His resurrection. The physical body of every believer, therefore, becomes an instrument of the Spirit of Christ. This results in a tremendous change in the believer’s life.
2 Cor 5:17 says:
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
May we yield to His Spirit that His glory may be made manifest.
Write me a note below if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag. The world is waiting for your comments.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Paul wrote to the believers in Galatia. He confirmed the fact that the Old Testament law was unable to make anyone righteous in the sight of God.
Gal 2:16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (KJV)
He emphatically states that no one can be saved by doing good works. Regardless of how many good deeds a person does or how many bad deeds a person avoids, good works will not count at the day of judgment. On that day, God will be looking for one thing in those who stand before Him. Only faith in Jesus Christ will bring justification for those who seek eternal life.
Then Paul says something mysterious in verse 20.
Gal 2:20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV)
Paul clearly teaches that he had experienced a spiritual unity with Christ to the extent that his spirit died with Christ on the cross of calvary and that this resulted in the Spirit of Christ living within him to guide him and direct him in all things. In Romans 6, Paul says that this spiritual unity exists between Christ and every believer.
Rom 6:3-4
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (KJV)
The word baptize means to immerse. Therefore, Paul says that those who are spiritually immersed into Jesus Christ are spiritually immersed into His death, and not only His death, but also His resurrection. The physical body of every believer, therefore, becomes an instrument of the Spirit of Christ. This results in a tremendous change in the believer’s life.
2 Cor 5:17 says:
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
May we yield to His Spirit that His glory may be made manifest.
Write me a note below if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag. The world is waiting for your comments.
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Saturday, February 08, 2003
In Matt 28 we find what is commonly called the “great commission”. It reads:
Matt 28:19
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(KJV)
This passage is often referred to as if the Lord Jesus was telling his disciples to go and teach all people that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world and that those who believe will receive eternal life. It seems clear that the disciples did not understand His words in that way. The disciples would most certainly have understood Jesus as saying that they should go everywhere and teach people about the fact that Jesus Christ is the promised messiah of the Jewish religion. This message would have been delivered for the most part to the Jews who had been scattered into all nations. This is obvious from the fact that Peter was so reluctant even in Acts 10 to go and talk to Cornelius the gentile.
Furthermore, when Peter spoke on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, he specifically addressed the “men of Israel”, and he spoke to them about the fact that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead and that if they would believe, Jesus Christ would return from heaven to set up His kingdom on the earth. This certainly is not the message we preach today.
Today, we preach that when Jesus Christ died on the cross of calvary, His blood paid for the sins of the whole world and that those who believe are given eternal life. This concept was not really articulated until Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica. In 1Thes 5:9-10 Paul said,
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
(KJV)
Paul was more specific in 1 Cor 15:3 where he said,
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
(KJV)
But Paul really spelled out the details in Rom 3:24-25 where he said,
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood . . .
(KJV)
Therefore, the concepts of the gospel as we know it were kept secret until God revealed them to the Apostle Paul, and it was he who taught us in word and in deed that all who believe that Christ died for their sins will receive eternal life regardless of their race or religious background.
Write me a note below if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag. The world is waiting for your comments.
Other church links: http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Matt 28:19
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(KJV)
This passage is often referred to as if the Lord Jesus was telling his disciples to go and teach all people that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world and that those who believe will receive eternal life. It seems clear that the disciples did not understand His words in that way. The disciples would most certainly have understood Jesus as saying that they should go everywhere and teach people about the fact that Jesus Christ is the promised messiah of the Jewish religion. This message would have been delivered for the most part to the Jews who had been scattered into all nations. This is obvious from the fact that Peter was so reluctant even in Acts 10 to go and talk to Cornelius the gentile.
Furthermore, when Peter spoke on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, he specifically addressed the “men of Israel”, and he spoke to them about the fact that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead and that if they would believe, Jesus Christ would return from heaven to set up His kingdom on the earth. This certainly is not the message we preach today.
Today, we preach that when Jesus Christ died on the cross of calvary, His blood paid for the sins of the whole world and that those who believe are given eternal life. This concept was not really articulated until Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica. In 1Thes 5:9-10 Paul said,
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
(KJV)
Paul was more specific in 1 Cor 15:3 where he said,
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
(KJV)
But Paul really spelled out the details in Rom 3:24-25 where he said,
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood . . .
(KJV)
Therefore, the concepts of the gospel as we know it were kept secret until God revealed them to the Apostle Paul, and it was he who taught us in word and in deed that all who believe that Christ died for their sins will receive eternal life regardless of their race or religious background.
Write me a note below if you would like to. Your message will be posted in the top space of the message center for a while. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag. The world is waiting for your comments.
Other church links: http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
Friday, February 07, 2003
It is so good to be able to share the word of God by means of the internet. The Bible has some good news for humans on planet earth, and it brings joy to share that good news with others. To really understand the good news of the Bible, one needs to have a general understanding of the different ways that God has worked with people from the beginning. In the beginning, God created all things including the first man and woman. They lived in innocence until they disobeyed God, and from there it has been all down hill for mankind in general.
About 4000 years ago, God chose Abraham out from among all people because Abraham had faith in God. God told Abraham that from him a great nation would come forth. That nation was and is the nation of Israel. Israel was even more special to God that Joseph was to Jacob. The Bible says that God considered the nation of Israel His wife. God made a marriage contract or covenant with Israel in which He promised to provide for her and protect her as long as she was faithful and loyal to God. God also promised that in the final chapters of the history of mankind, Israel would rule the world in the spiritual power of God’s love and mercy. God promised that a deliverer or messiah would come from the nation of Israel, and this messiah would lead the Jews into this world wide political kingdom.
This marriage between God and Israel was a very rocky marriage from the beginning for on the wedding night as Moses was on the mountain top receiving the conditions of the marriage covenant, Israel was already showing her rebellious heart by worshiping a golden calf. Through the years Israel would repeatedly wander from God only to be punished and brought back to God in repentance.
Jesus Christ came as the promised messiah about 2000 years ago, but Israel as a whole refused to believe that this lowly Jesus could possibly be the messiah. As a result, God set aside His special relationship with Israel. Today, Israel is no longer God’s wife. Today, God has a special relationship with the people who do believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God who gave his life to pay for the sins of all mankind. These people today are called the Church.
Some people make the mistake of thinking that the Church took the place of Israel and that God has established the New Covenant with the Church even as He established the Old Covenant with Israel. This would make the Church the wife of God, and it would imply that God has promised Christians today that they will rule the world through the power of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many Christians today are trying to rule the world for God.
The Bible teaches that our present age will end with a great apostasy and the ultimate rule of the antichrist. To rule the world today, Christians would have to completely ignore human rights and all basic human freedoms in order to eliminate all evil. This is exactly the means by which the antichrist will gain power and force the world into subjugation to the devil himself. The book of the Revelation teaches that Jesus Christ will return to the earth to defeat the antichrist and remarry Israel. This new marriage with Israel will be the New Covenant, and this marriage will bring great blessing to all the world through a great kingdom of righteousness. Jesus Christ will not have to ignore human rights and individual liberty because the Holy Spirit of God will dwell within the hearts of the people and God’s law will be written on their hearts.
Today, our goal is not to rule the world. Our goal is to share the good news of Jesus Christ so that those who believe can experience the righteous liberty of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ did not call us to oppress the wicked but to set at liberty those who are in bondage to sin. Those of us who believe in Christ will live forever in the presence of our loving God because Jesus Christ paid for all of our sins on the cross of Calvary.
Write me a note below if you would like to. Your message will be posted on the web site for a certain period of time. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag. The world is waiting for your comments.
Other church links: http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
About 4000 years ago, God chose Abraham out from among all people because Abraham had faith in God. God told Abraham that from him a great nation would come forth. That nation was and is the nation of Israel. Israel was even more special to God that Joseph was to Jacob. The Bible says that God considered the nation of Israel His wife. God made a marriage contract or covenant with Israel in which He promised to provide for her and protect her as long as she was faithful and loyal to God. God also promised that in the final chapters of the history of mankind, Israel would rule the world in the spiritual power of God’s love and mercy. God promised that a deliverer or messiah would come from the nation of Israel, and this messiah would lead the Jews into this world wide political kingdom.
This marriage between God and Israel was a very rocky marriage from the beginning for on the wedding night as Moses was on the mountain top receiving the conditions of the marriage covenant, Israel was already showing her rebellious heart by worshiping a golden calf. Through the years Israel would repeatedly wander from God only to be punished and brought back to God in repentance.
Jesus Christ came as the promised messiah about 2000 years ago, but Israel as a whole refused to believe that this lowly Jesus could possibly be the messiah. As a result, God set aside His special relationship with Israel. Today, Israel is no longer God’s wife. Today, God has a special relationship with the people who do believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God who gave his life to pay for the sins of all mankind. These people today are called the Church.
Some people make the mistake of thinking that the Church took the place of Israel and that God has established the New Covenant with the Church even as He established the Old Covenant with Israel. This would make the Church the wife of God, and it would imply that God has promised Christians today that they will rule the world through the power of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many Christians today are trying to rule the world for God.
The Bible teaches that our present age will end with a great apostasy and the ultimate rule of the antichrist. To rule the world today, Christians would have to completely ignore human rights and all basic human freedoms in order to eliminate all evil. This is exactly the means by which the antichrist will gain power and force the world into subjugation to the devil himself. The book of the Revelation teaches that Jesus Christ will return to the earth to defeat the antichrist and remarry Israel. This new marriage with Israel will be the New Covenant, and this marriage will bring great blessing to all the world through a great kingdom of righteousness. Jesus Christ will not have to ignore human rights and individual liberty because the Holy Spirit of God will dwell within the hearts of the people and God’s law will be written on their hearts.
Today, our goal is not to rule the world. Our goal is to share the good news of Jesus Christ so that those who believe can experience the righteous liberty of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ did not call us to oppress the wicked but to set at liberty those who are in bondage to sin. Those of us who believe in Christ will live forever in the presence of our loving God because Jesus Christ paid for all of our sins on the cross of Calvary.
Write me a note below if you would like to. Your message will be posted on the web site for a certain period of time. Just enter your name and e-mail address (optional), write in the message area and press tag. The world is waiting for your comments.
Other church links: http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
James III’s link: http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com
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