Trusting God’s Plan

Raptured Into the Throne Room of God

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Vision of God’s Throne

Book of Revelation Chapter 4 Verses 1 through 11

It should be very clear John is speaking the words given to Him by the Holy Spirit!

It is after the Words spoken by our Lord to the Church that the Lord will reveal the “Rapture of the Church” in this passage.

John’s job remained the same! He was to write down the things he heard and the things that he saw.

John is now writing of the things that happen immediately after the Church Age comes to an end.

Remember the purpose of our Lord Jesus in the Book of Revelation, is to reveal the truth. Our Lord Jesus will never hide things from us!

Not many places in the Scriptures have given us the privilege to see into the Throne Room of God and none have been given us the view that John saw!

John saw a door opened into Heaven while the Church was still located upon this earth.

The golden candle sticks were still upon earth.

The seven stars were still upon earth in the hand of Jesus.

Now we get a realistic view of the things in Heaven.

*****Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

It is like John was saying, “I have been looking up toward Heaven all these years and all of a sudden a door was opened, and I could see inside”.

As believers we pray, we feel, we know, that we have a Heavenly Father and one day “we will see Him face to face”!

Not that we will see through some door, but we will see “because we will be at home”.

In this passage the Apostle John is in fact, a type of the Church.

The Church will see what happens immediately after the Church Age ends, with the end of the Laodicean Church Age which is the one we are in now!

We all have a tendency to say, “I know who sits on the throne”, well on this day, we will meet Him.

John did not imagine these things for John saw these things!

The Lord Jesus had been standing in the midst of the seven candlesticks holding the seven stars.

We must also remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is that “Door”, that is now opened to the Church after the end of the Church Age.

Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The truth is at the end of the Church Age, Heaven will be laid open to receive the Saints of God.

Those that are alive and remaining, and those in the graves whose souls are already with the Lord.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

How do we know?

John says: “the first voice which I heard, as it were a trumpet talking to me; which said Come up hither”

That word “Come” was a command!

When the Lord says “Come”, He has already made the pathway to Him or we could say, the Lord has already built the bridge for safe passage!

The Lord said by the Holy Spirit “Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which “must” be hereafter”.

These will be all the things that take place after the Church is in Heaven with the Lord!

Now we know that no man (or woman) can meet the Lord in the flesh as we have upon this earth, which is sinful, so the Scripture does not fail to mention, that John was in the spirit. John was not in the flesh!

*****Rev 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Immediately, as in the twinkle of the eye, as in a split second, John found himself in the throne room of God.

We know from the Scriptures that even after our salvation, we will face the Lord at His “Judgment Seat”.

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Php 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

This not a “Judgment” for salvation, because once we had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, that cannot be taken away from us.

It is a “Judgment” for what we have done after becoming a child of God, while still upon this earth.

2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2Co 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

What we should know is at the same time we are at the “Judgment Seat of the Lamb”, the earth and those who remain have been given over to the Antichrist for seven long years of “Tribulation”!

2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

The Holy Spirit returned to Heaven with the Church, and is no longer a hindrance to that Wicked One, we know is Satan the Devil and his demons!

But, lets save that for later and have a look at our Savior.

Now how is the appearance of our Savior?

*****Rev 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

The Jasper stone is a stone that glitters and is a stone of various colors which causes it to glitter and it is the stone most precious and it clear as crystal, as a diamond.

Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

But that is not all. Another color as described by John as he looked upon our Savior was as the sardine stone.

As the Lord glittered crystal clear, He would also have that “red color” to remind us that we had been washed in the pure red “Blood of the Lamb”.

As we see a rainbow upon this earth, we can only see a half circle, but at the Judgment Seat of Christ we will get to see the whole circle of the rainbow. The glow of the Lord as Jasper and as Sardine with the glow of an emerald.

You cannot miss this “emerald glow” if you look close at a rainbow today.

Emerald is known as the glowing stone! The Greek word used here describes this glow as a live coal drawn from a furnace. Glittering and shimmering and announcing the absolute “Grace” of God which is the theme of the “Judgment Seat of the Lord Jesus Christ”.

What a site to behold! Not enough words to give us the full picture, but just enough words to show us the “Glory” of God the Son.

Round about that throne we see the Church.

*****Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

We all know that numbers are used in the Scriptures for specific reasons. So then is the number 24.

The number 24 is a multiple of the number 12.

The number 12 can be found in 187 places in the Word of God. The Book of Revelation alone has 22 occurrences of the number 12.

The meaning of 12, which is considered a perfect number, is that it symbolizes God’s power and authority.

The number 12 also serves as a perfect foundation of the Church!
The number 12 also symbolizes completeness!

Completeness in the Church because the Church is built upon the Apostle’s Doctrine! The Lord Jesus chose 12 Apostles when we count the Apostle Paul.

Completeness in the true Israel as Israel had 12 sons!

The number 24 is then associated with the priesthood of the believer!

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

The number 24 being a multiple of 12 is then the complete Church!

Since the number 24 it is composed of a multiple of 12, it takes on some of 12’s meaning (which is God’s power and authority, as well as perfect foundation) except in a higher form.

Twenty-four, therefore, is also connected with the worship of God, especially at the Temple.

It was King David who divided those responsible for the music in the Temple services, those who served as priests, and the Levites who aided the priests, into 24 courses (1Chronicles 23 – 24).

These 24 persons are called elders. The number 24 here represents the enlargement of the Church through all the Church Age.

Jehovah is not just the God of Israel, not just the God of the Church by His Son Jesus, but He is God of this entire earth and God of all His creation!

Though saints usually stand upon earth. In Heaven these elders are a symbol of the “dignity and rest” and “Holy happiness”, having overcome the wickedness of Satan and “Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb”.

They now possess the rewards for their work upon this earth, represented by the crowns upon their head.

Remember there are 5 crowns subject to the work of believers after our Salvation. There are no works before our salvation that account for anything to our God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The first crown mentioned is the “incorruptible” crown. This means it is a crown that will never be destroyed; it will never turn to dust. We will be immortal, and so will this crown.

The “crown of rejoicing” is one example of when we, as Christian believers, will be expected to loudly rejoice or exalt. When Christ comes back and we will all be together, we can let everyone else know about it. Our brothers and sisters in Christ will make up the “crown of rejoicing”.

The “crown of righteousness”. Paul says he has fought a good fight — he did not give up, lie down, or quit. He finished his race — he kept believing. Because of this, a crown of righteousness has been reserved for him, and for others who look forward to the appearing of Jesus Christ.

‘Righteousness’ means that something is just and right! How many times have we read a news story, or seen something on television that made us say, “It just isn’t right”? That will not happen even onetime once Christ returns! Paul wrote this to the church in order to exhort them (us) to stand for God in light of the hope of the return of Jesus Christ. If we look forward to our “crown of righteousness”, we can stand firm and sure right now.

Today as this Corona Virus spreads around the world, we as Christians, must stand firm on our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the promises He has made to us. Remember Jesus said there would be days like this!

Happy is the person that endures (remains behind after others have left) trials, tribulations, and temptations. For when he is proved, he will receive (manifest) “the crown of life” (life in all its fullness, complete). This life will be our Heavenly Life!

Peter writes these lines to the elders of the church, so we see “the crown of glory” will be available to leaders in the Word of God.

They are supposed to feed the “flock” the undiluted and perfect Word of God, not for money or any personal gain, but willingly and out of love.

They are not to be “overlords” of the other believers, but should lead by example! If they do this, Peter says, when Christ (the chief Shepherd) returns, they will receive a “crown of glory” that will never fade away. It is everlasting, and the color and brilliance will abide forever.

The five crowns will be part of our reward we receive after the return of Christ. The Word of God tells us some things about the crowns, but not everything.

A big part of the reward will be the surprise of finding out everything about our new life, and the privileges and responsibilities that go with it. For now, we can do the best we can for God, and look forward to the Hope, the return of Jesus Christ.

As John writes in the Book of Revelation, these elders of the Church are wearing those crowns!

That is not all they are wearing. They are wearing “robes of pure white”!

These White robes are glorious.
These White robes are beautiful. They are white and shining.
These White robes are Heavens loveliest garments!

Then the things of the throne again catch John’s eye!

*****Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

This is the throne of our Creator!

Many people say that the Book of Revelation is the most mysterious book in the Bible, but we must consider that John the Apostle saw things he had never seen and many he did not know how to describe. You cannot take a man from the first century and drop him into the twenty first century and expect him to explain what he sees. It is the same for John in Heaven!

He was led by the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and if we are filled with the Holy Spirit and understand these things of John and realize that God does not hide things from us, we can accept the Book of Revelation just as it is written!

If we picture in our own mind the words that John says about many things, we can see the many things that resemble what John is saying.

We must also know that the throne he is witnessing here is point blank exactly what John saw!

When God speaks, He will command your attention!

Psa_103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

There is not one thing upon this earth that God is not in command of!

If God wanted to stop this virus, this plague, He could do so in the blink of an eye, so we know there is a purpose to what is happening now, and we need to seek that purpose and be busy about it.

One purpose is to realize that what the Lord says is the perfect truth and the world does not ever have perfect truth!

If we stand on the Word of God with the faith that He demands, we will see what the Lord wants us to see!

Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psa 91:6 Nor “for the pestilence that walketh in darkness”; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Luk_21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

The Lord is serious about the things He says and when we do not pay attention, then He has to show us!

There is an awesomeness to the Word of God and there is an awesomeness in the throne of God!

The throne of God is a throne of “glory” and a throne of “blessedness” but also a throne of “judgment”.

Those that sat before this throne were there for rewards as every saint of God is judged and pardoned before they reach this throne in Heaven.

There were lightnings.
There were thunderings.
There were voices.

The voice of God will be an awesome thing to hear when He speaks to us and says, “have no fear”, “you are home now”.

We should also understand while the Lord welcomes His saints, His voice is also commanding the events to begin in the seven years of tribulation.

The Lord God of this world is always doing things according to His own will!

The will of God is wise, is pure and is just, and is guided by His great love for all those who have trusted Him with their souls!

This throne is a throne of Holiness!

Weak people see this place as terrible, but to the saints of God, this is a place of joy. A place of pleasure. A place to reverence our Divine Majesty.

The seven lamps of fire denoted the fulness and the perfection of the Holy Spirit. The light from those lamps show He is sufficient in His work with the Church, who He has now returned home with those saints of God.

2Th_2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

John was standing some distance from the throne and after observing the throne, John took a look at the throne room.

*****Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Rev 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

Many things could be said about this Sea of Glass, which in reality reads “a Glass Sea like crystal”.

This could be a Sea that is clear and calm and prepared as the Lord Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee.

We know that the Seas upon this earth are never calm as they are driven by winds and storms.

The Scriptures tell us that wicked are like the troubled sea.

Isa_57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

There is no wickedness in Heaven nor around the throne of God!

The sea before God was clear, deep, and pure!

Now we know the Seven lamps of fire and this Sea of glass and we know that the Holy Ghost, whose powers, and operations, are many times mentioned as fire and water.

Mat_3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire”:

1Co_6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, “and by the Spirit of our God”.

We know that it is those who are washed and mingled with fire that have gotten victory over the beast!

Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: “and them that had gotten the victory over the beast”, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Then in the end that pure, crystal clean river of life with flow out of the New Heaven into the New Earth.

Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Then there were four beasts.

These beasts are the closest things to God in Heaven in distance.

They are Angelic beings who are posted in the middle of each side of God’s throne.

They are the guardians of God’s throne!
They are the guardians of God’s Holy Presence!

Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

They are always found near the throne.
They have six wings (3 pair) and are full of eyes.
Their function has to do with the Holiness or the Wrath of God!

Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

Rev 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

They never cease to declare the holiness of Jehovah God!

They never leave God’s presence!

The Holy Spirit decided we did not need any more information about these four beings than what we have here in this Scripture. They belong to God for His specific purpose.

We will all have a purpose in Heaven, just as we have a purpose here upon this earth, though it will be far different then.

They are living creations of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Act_17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Heb_1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

What do we know as humans?

1)The lion denotes majesty and power among the animal world.

Pro 30:30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

2) The calf whether be calf or ox denote humility and patience.

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
1Co 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

3) The third beast with the face of a man is the highest of all God’s creation, denoting wisdom, reason, and intelligence.

1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

4) The fourth beast with the face of an eagle. The eagle is the wisest of all birds. He flies the highest. His eyes the keenest. He is swift to take action when it is time to take action. He does so then without hesitation.

Job 39:27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
Job 39:28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
Job 39:29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
Job 39:30 Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

Brother Oliver Green writes that it is these characteristics combined, that express the character of God’s Throne in relation to earth.

We can ask these things of the Lord when we meet Him for, He made them!

For what is their main purpose?

They give glory and honor to Him who sits upon the throne in the Throne Room of God!

*****Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

As those beast give glory to the Lord, those elders, who represent the redeemed children of God, who have received the rewards for the works they did after salvation and realize they are still unworthy of any rewards, fall down on their faces having casts those crowns at the feet of Jesus.

Yes, we can still come under conviction even in Heaven!

If we do not understand today that no matter what has happened in our lives, the fact that we are saved from the wrath of the Father by the actions of His Son Jesus then, we need to verify our salvation!

Our salvation is all about the actions and the love of our Lord and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

There certainly is no other way to reach the gates of Heaven and enter into the City of God!

The world is foolish to think anything different!

We must always be ready to acknowledge our obligation to the work of the Gospel no matter our circumstances!

If we are given anything at the “Judgment Seat of Christ” we are still unworthy to receive it!

So the object remains not to earn rewards for our own self, but to earn rewards to cast at the feet of Jesus.

It will be bad enough not to earn a reward after becoming a Christian, but it will be far worse not to have even something small to give back to the Lord for all He has done for me!

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who created all things and it is the Lord Jesus Christ who has done all these things for His own pleasure.

God did not have to save anyone!

He is God, He does not need us!

He saved us just because He wanted to!

He saved us because He loves us!

Amen

Let’s Pray!

Praying With Confidence

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Confidence in Prayer

Book of 1 John Chapter 5 Verses 13-21

What is confidence? Confidence is the assurance planted in our minds of the truth.

Confidence is a firm belief you have the truth.

Confidence is trusting in the integrity of someone or something you have placed your faith!

What must we understand?

Pro 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

If we just did this one thing, “trust in the Lord”, we cannot imagine how much better our lives would be and that we have such a future ahead of us that it goes far beyond our imaginations!

Where did we end last week?

1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

The biggest problem in the Church is that our faith, “our trust” in the truth of Jehovah God is speculative and experimental and therefore there is no change or very little change in our lives!

Our faith must become certain!

We must know that it is the spiritual world that is the real world and not this physical!

We must know for sure, “we have a Heavenly Father” who wants to be involved in every part of our lives!

We must also understand that though we may not take every commandment God gives us to be serious, God does!

Every commandment we have from God, “rightly divided” has its own intended purpose for our lives!

We must understand that this world we live in lies in wickedness, and God teaches us how to survive with some peace of mind in this evil world, until He calls us home.

God has a purpose for us after He has saved us from ourselves!

There are many that ask, why would a sovereign God care about each individual in His creation.

God answers that question along with any other question that can be asked!

Let’s begin at Chapter 5 and verse 13.

*1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

You have to get the feeling that Jehovah cares for all His children. Not just as a group but each and every individual.

God wants to get up close and personal with each of His children!

According to the Apostle John, his epistle is written to believers.

It should also be obvious that the Bible is written to the Church, each and every Believer!

We should also understand that even today, there are those who believe but still are not assured of their salvation.

The Church has become opinionated, and there are many things we voice our opinions on, when we should just shut up and let God talk.

God says if you believe upon the works of His Son Jesus, then you have eternal life and not eternal death.

We don’t have to take a vote to see who is right.
We don’t have to gather the elders of the Church to get their opinion.

All we must do is trust the Word of God and believe on Jesus Christ!

There is a great blessing that comes from assurance.
There is great peace that comes with assurance.
There is great joy that comes with assurance.

We can be perfectly sure we have eternal life.

We can experience eternal life right now while we live in these bodies of flesh.
We can live as if we will never die as long as we live by the Word of God and in faith in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We can know beyond a shadow of doubt that we will live with our Savior for ever when He takes us home!

The one thing that must take place is, that we believe on the name of God’s Son and believe, and believe, and believe, and believe, and keep on believing!

Joh 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Since we will take on the subject of prayer let’s listen as Jesus prays:

Joh 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Notice how Jesus addresses His Father

Since we know how our Savior prays, then we should have more confidence in our own prayers.

Another of the great gifts of God is the fact that His ears are always open to hearing our prayers!

*1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing “according to his will”, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, “we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him”.

We immediately see the key to answered prayer is praying for things that are in the will of God for your life!

We next see that this prayer must be a prayer of faith!

When we have that confidence in life eternal in God’s Heaven, then we can also have that same confidence in answered prayer!

God hears the prayers of His children!
God does not hear the prayers of anyone else!

The only prayer of the lost that is heard is that prayer of salvation!

No one, not anyone, can approach Jehovah God without the Lord Jesus Christ!

You can pray five times a day or twenty five times a day, but without Jesus Christ that prayer is meaning less!

Every prayer that goes unheard is a plea for an action that will never take place.

As Christians, we should never fear the prayers of false religion, because they pray to a false god who is powerless to cause any harm to Christians.

When a Christian believer prays, God hears and if that prayer is in the will of God for your life, then that prayer will then be answered!

But don’t be praying for the destruction of someone. We must never pray for God to destroy our enemies because God has already condemned them.

Don’t be praying to win the lottery God has already said He would provide for us and we are to try to be good stewards of the things God lets us use.

Use prayer for the reasons God gave, and first prayer is intended for us to have a conversation with our Creator!

God hears our prayers if we ask according to His will, and this passage gives us God’s will for answered prayer!

God has promised to answer our prayers if these conditions are met, but He did not say He would always make His answer obvious to us or in the time frame we have placed in our own mind!

Remember God is still the all-knowing God, and there are things we pray for that we do not need in our lives at any time!

For answered prayer we must have that total trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
For answered prayer we must possess the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

We can pray for many things, but we need to spend more time talking to our Heavenly Father than asking for any need!

Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Our Father in Heaven is not a deadbeat dad!

It is the will of God that we be delivered from the trials of this life!

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1Co 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

If God is first in your life because of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, then we should actually have no worries at all!

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isa 41:11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
Isa 41:12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

We must pray to God by the Lord by Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit and He will answer our prayers!

We let our own selves down when we do not follow God’s rules and I hate to use the word “rules”.

You see by being obedient children, then we will be delivered from all evil!

2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The God of all comfort will hear His children when we pray according to His will, but it is foolish to ask God for anything, if we do not have enough faith to believe He can provide us that answer.

Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Jesus would not have said this if it were not true!

We should not forget John is writing to believers and we believers are all in this thing together and therefore we need to help one another.

*1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
1Jn 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

What are the facts? First, we are to pray for all our brothers and sister in Christ. If we see that they are in sin, then we are to pray even more for them!

We must always be concerned about sin and especially sin in the Church. Many lessons can be learned from a study of the Church in Corinth.

I will present a few things for us to consider.

It is clear that if we live in sin, then we do not love our Savior. To live acceptable to God, we must live holy and righteous lives!

By praying for our brothers and sisters who are in sin that can be seen, shows the Lord that we are aware of sin!

There is but one time that we should not pray for our brothers and sisters in sin and this is when they have committed a sin unto death!

There is also sin not unto death!

The Word of God says all sin is unto Spiritual death!

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Then the only sin that is not unto Spiritual death, is that sin that is under the blood of Jesus.

This is sin that is pardoned by our Heavenly Father by His free gift of “Grace”!

Rev_1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

We must also mention the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit which is a great lesson in itself.

Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

What was the truth of the Messiah from the Old Testament?

Mat 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Mat 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: “I will put my spirit upon him”, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

What is the sin unto death?

Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God “giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him”.
Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: “and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”.

What we know is that the day when Jesus healed a man who was demon possessed the Pharisees and other religious leaders said these things.

Mat 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Mat 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils”.

This is the “blaspheming” the work of God the Holy Spirit who God the Father had placed on God the Son.

In reality since Jesus has returned to Heaven so blaspheming the Holy Spirit cannot take place as it did this when Jesus was upon the earth.

Now the instance of “Spiritual Death” still comes on all those who have rejected the “work” that Jesus Christ has done for our salvation, and are not a home for the Holy Spirit, but these are two separate things.

Getting back to our lesson there two more things that we can consider.

We do not judge our brothers and sisters, but we do see them get caught up in sin and we need to pray from them just as the Scripture says.

There are somethings in our world of sin that can bring capitol, punishment from the local governments, which would be a sin unto physical death and when those charges are in fact true, then maybe we should not pray that God deliver them from this death because God endorses capitol, punishment for certain crimes.

It does stop us for praying for their soul which remains in the hands of God and no man can take away.

We are also reminded of those who leave the Church:

1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest “that they were not all of us”.
1Jn 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

These who have left the Church and go out of the Church, blaspheming all the truth of the Church, were probably never saved to begin with!

They were just spies, for the Devil and people trying to cause confusion in the church!

They had heard the truth and decided against that truth!

We still need to pray for their souls, even if we have a tendency not to do so.

They will suffer eternal death just as all those who reject our Lord Jesus Christ!

Now if this does not answer that question of “sin unto death”, then as individuals we need to pray for God’s wisdom in these matters and just make sure we remain in prayer for all our brothers and sisters.

We are all sinners saved only by the “Grace” of God!

The one other thing we should point out is the Lord’s Supper!

1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

By the Holy Spirit, written by the Apostle Paul, those that take of the Lord’s Supper unworthily, could also see sickness and even death and we may not even notice when these things have happened.

The Lord’s Supper is a simple ceremony of reverence to the Body of Christ and should be observed in that fashion!

Maybe those who are not the children of God, should not partake of the Lord’s Supper since they know these things!

Trying to impersonate a Christian for evil reasons can bring death to your body and your soul which could couse your death when you are completely healthy.

This is dying when there is no physical reason for your death!

If we are true “Born Again” children of God, doing the best we can to live holy and righteous lives, praying daily for the forgiveness of our sins, we will never get caught up in any of these things!

*1Jn 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, “and that wicked one toucheth him not”.

If we have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, then all our sin is under the “Blood of Jesus” and our sin cannot ever be counted against us!

It is a fact, that we must live righteous lives as best we can, while still in these bodies of flesh and righteous means according to the Word of God.

When God says it is wrong, then it is sin!

We must not give in to temptation and remember that “He that is within us” is much stronger than “he that is in the world”!

1Jn_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.

All unrighteousness is sin! The only sin unto death is rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ!

There are no little sins and no big sins, they are all sin.

We must repent and forsake all sin, while we are still living!

And remember these are those who have been born of God!

Those who do not know the Lord as their Savior, must first invite Jesus into their hearts and be washed in His Blood!

Because we have accepted the fact that Jesus took all our sin upon Himself, we are freed from sin and are now acceptable to God, but we will never have a free license to sin!

Because of Jesus, that “Wicked one” (Satan, the Devil, the Deceiver) cannot touch us!

Though we may feel like it at times, “the Devil cannot ever get on our back”, because we belong to Jehovah God!

*1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

When we know, that we know, that we belong to Jehovah, then we also know that we live in a wicked world.

Think about Noah when he was building the ark. He knew He was right with God and He believed when God said it was going rain and the earth would be flooded.

Heb 11:7 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.

At the same time, Noah knew the world would be flooded because of sin and therefore he knew he lived in a wicked world.

Noah was not bothered because he provided good jobs, and everyone thought he was a fool.

Things have not changed so much today, the Christian is still looked upon as a fool, but now this wicked world wants all Christians to be eradicated from this world and God will come get His people one day soon.

The world we live in is not the same world God, created back in the Book of Genesis.

The world we live in is not the same world that was left after the flood in Noah’s day.

Everything in this world has been corrupted by the Devil and those who follow him!

Everything in this world is aging, deteriorating, and passing away, and this is easily seen if we just open our eyes.

We must do our best to separate ourselves from this world.

We must do our best to pray for all our brothers and sisters to do the same, and we must give ourselves to the Lord for safe keeping.

Rom 12:1 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.
Rom 12:2 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.

2Th 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

While this wicked world looks to the coming of the Messiah, we know He has already come.

*1Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1Jn 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

The Old Testament told us of the coming of the Messiah.
The New Testament tells us that He has come and who He is.

If you are a child of God, then you are aware of the Spirit world, while we live in the physical world.

We know the truth!

Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Jesus the Messiah came to us to teach us the truth!

Jesus the Messiah came to restore our fellowship with Jehovah.

It is this restored fellowship that protects us from the wrath of God upon this sinful world.

We know these things because our fellowship with Jehovah is restored and this fellowship extends to every brother and sister in Christ throughout this world.

Joh 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
Joh 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

If we reject the proof of the Messiah and the person of the Messiah, then we have placed this world above our Holy Father, and we are idolaters.

As the little children of God this is the first thing we must get right!

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Anything that takes first place in our lives becomes our little god or if it is our Savior then we have made the right choice!

There is only one answer to all our problems:

Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

We have only one God and His name is Jehovah!

Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isa 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

The Lord has taken the time to make sure we know all these things surely we can take the time to praise Him for the truth.

Any other thing we lack, God will certainly explain them to us, if we go to Him in prayer.

God wants us to know that He is not hiding anything from us!

When we know all these things are true, we can also believe our prayers will never go unanswered!

Amen

Let’s Pray!

God’s Covenant

/ Bobby Mayfield / 1 Comment

Obeying God’s Covenant

Book of Nehemiah Chapter 12

A “covenant” is an agreement between two parties.

A covenant is used in many ways in the Scriptures, but we must know that God has made a covenant with all mankind.

God has not only has made a covenant with all mankind, He is also the true witness to all covenants that we make with each other.

Even the marriage between one man and one woman is a covenant witnessed by God!

What was a part of God’s covenant with Abraham?

Lev 26:42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
Lev 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
Lev 26:44 And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God.
Lev 26:45 But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.

God will never forget the covenants He has made!!!!

Deu 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

The covenant that effects the church the most is, the Covenant of God’s Son the Lord Jesus Christ!

Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

So let’s continue in the Book of Nehemiah:

*****Neh 12:27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

These Levites were not in Jerusalem nor were they in Persia, they had returned to their cities that had been assigned to them from the time of Joshua.

We must know that God has intended all along for Jerusalem to be the most holy city in all the world, but that will not take place until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even so, the wall was built according to the plan of God, and it should be dedicated to Jehovah God who had blessed its reconstruction!

When we see the things that only God could have accomplished, we are foolish to not praise Him for those things, also knowing, there are many things that we do not recognize that God has accomplished, according to His plan, that moves ahead every day.

The Levites had been set apart for the priestly duties, including the work of the Temple, including the handling of sacrifices, but also arranging for the things of worship.

Remember the Nethinins were responsible for the care of the Temple.

It was also the Levites job to purify all the instruments of worship, including the musical instruments and by singing praises to the Lord.

The Levites were a gift of God to the Hebrew people and they still are today!

We must always understand that the city of Jerusalem is a special place set aside for the use of God!

The world could help to make this happen now instead of rejecting the plan of God or God has already said He will solve this problem Himself!

All those who claim the Lord Jesus Christ, should know all these things!

We as Christians must be dedicated to the Lord. This is the act of consecration, setting apart ourselves for the Lord.

*****Neh 12:28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;
Neh 12:29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.

Netophathi was the home city set aside for the Levites, but these particular Levites were singers.

Most of the singers for the worship in the Temple lived there, but some did also live in what is called the plain country, round and about Jerusalem.

That word plain is where the term Palestine comes from!

Although the Temple, the City of Jerusalem and homes were already dedicated to the Lord, this may be the first time that the walls of Jerusalem were dedicated to the Lord God Jehovah.

We might understand by this act of dedication, that the walls of Jerusalem were useless without the strength of God to protect them from His and our enemies.

The wall we build around ourselves, is the wall of salvation, and this wall is protected by the Divine Will of God, if we have dedicated ourselves to the will of God!

We need this wall of salvation, because within our house (our soul) dwells the Holy Spirit (Ghost) of God!

How did these Levites purify themselves?

Num 8:7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

*****Neh 12:30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

Notice that all these things were meaningless, unless they were purified!

We must understand to be purified, is to put away all false gods and the idols of this world, and give ourselves to the Lord.

We must repent of our evil ways and walk in the ways of the Lord!

We cannot do this unless we have accepted the work of Jesus Christ to save us and the truth of our Creator!

We cannot be used of God to reach others, until we our saved and separated from this world of sin, pure in mind, (the mind of Christ), and sincere in the work the Lord has given us to do!

Why was the wall purified, because it was in fact a “type” of the power of God to defend Israel.

We must remember Solomon’s Temple, the city of Jerusalem, and these walls would never have been broken down had the previous generation been obedient to Jehovah.

It was disobedience to the Word of God that had caused all the problems of the nation buy God will never forsake the nation of Israel.

2Ch 36:14 Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
2Ch 36:15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
2Ch 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
2Ch 36:17 Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.

With all these things now in the past, it was now time to look forward.

The Temple was rebuilt, the City of Jerusalem was rebuilt, the Walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, and it was time to rededicate these things to the God who had allowed these things to happen.

*****Neh 12:31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:
Neh 12:32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
Neh 12:33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,
Neh 12:34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,

Nehemiah brought the princes up on the wall because they were the descendants of the royal family of King David, but they were not the government at this time because Nehemiah was the governor assigned by King Artaxerses.

It was important that all the people see that the royal family were in agreement with these things Nehemiah had set his heart to accomplish.

The one thing the people needed to see, was that this wall that had been built so quickly was a sound wall and able to protect them and it was truly a work of God.

The walls of Jerusalem were wide enough for many people to walk upon.

We should remember, that the Dung Gate would show all of them the place where the filth of the city could be seen.

One half of these groups of princes would be led by Hoshaiah which means (Jah has saved), who we know nothing more about.

Azariah could possibly be the leading prince of the tribe of Benjamin.

We already know that Ezra was a descendant of the High Priestly family and a scribe of the Word of God.

This Meshullam, was also one of the chief men of the tribe of Benjamin.

Judah was a man who Nehemiah had made to be over one half of the city of Jerusalem.

This Benjamin was one who had to give up his Gentile wife, and a high-ranking man of the tribe of Benjamin.

This Shemaiah was one who was the head over certain of the priests.

This Jeremiah was also over certain of the priests.

This group on the wall had the princes from the royal line of King David, the two men assigned by Nehemiah to be in charge, each over one half of Jerusalem, the princes of the tribe of Judah, the princes of the tribe of Benjamin. and the heads of all the Levites and the priests.

If these people were convinced that the walls were safe and part of the dedication ceremony, then they could encourage all the other Jews, who we can be sure were watching as these men made their trip around the Walls of Jerusalem.

Since this was a joyous occasion, then there was a need for music.

*****Neh 12:35 And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:
Neh 12:36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.

We know that Asaph had been appointed by King David, to be over all the music of the worship services and even in the time of Nehemiah, this family still provided the music for worship and at this dedication of the walls of Jerusalem.

We should understand that in typology, these walls represented the Divine protection of God.

Psa_5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

This Zechariah was the descendant of Asaph, and all these others were part of that family.

Those musical instruments would include:

The harp or better known as the lyre.

The psaltry another type of harp.

The sackbut another type of harp that had only 4 strings.

The lute which was a type of guitar.

The gittith another type of string instrument.

The timbrel a form of tamborine.

The toph which is a drum.

There would be bells.

There would be cymbals.

And of course there would be trumpets of different types, possibly including bagpipes.

We can see that it was an orchestra that was upon that wall this day of dedication.

Music should always be a part of our own dedication to the Lord!

It was Ezra, the Priest and Scribe, who led this group of musicians.

This group climb onto the wall at the house of David.

*****Neh 12:37 And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.

We know that Jerusalem is built upon a hill with the Temple upon a hill of Mount Moriah, so certainly there would be many steps in the city.

By dedicating the walls of Jerusalem in such a manner, Nehemiah was hoping that the people would be encouraged to complete the reconstruction of the City of Jerusalem.

The city of Jerusalem was under the control of Persia for more than 200 years and then about another 150 years, a part of the Greek empire.

Then came Herod and the Roman Empire.

It will be the Lord, when He returns, who will build the city of Jerusalem to His specifications, and then about 1000 years later or a bit more we that love the Lord will see the New Jerusalem.

In this world it seems all we see is destruction and rebuilding then rebuilding walls for protection.

It amazes me, that many of the well to do, will build walls around their own homes, but deny that we need walls to secure our nation.

They will have armed guards, but try to deny all other the right to defend their homes and families.

They will confine others to limited health care, while they legislate themselves a total free healthcare system.

They will confine many to small wages, while they insist on grand monies while they work and a grand retirement.

We do not live free as our forefathers planned, we are ruled by reprobates who reject the Word of God, and seek only power and prestige.

Shame on us for allowing this to happen in our nation!

The other half of this company after giving thanks to the Lord God Jehovah, went in the opposite direction.

*****Neh 12:38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;
Neh 12:39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.

We have Nehemiah who represented the Government of Israel, and Ezra representing God’s people, speaking in one voice this day in Israel.

These people realized what could happen when they all worked together and according to the Word of God.

When we have been thru the valley of contention and made it to the crest of truth again, we should take a moment to look back where we came from and how the power of God had brought us again to the hill top.

We need to remove all negativity from our minds, and just trust the Lord to lead us.

Look back and see how history could have been changed, had the tiny nation of Israel remained true to the Word of God.

We could also say the same thing for our own nation!

One day we will live in a world where no one will be against the Word of God, and it will be a perfect world!

There will be no fish gate, and certainly no prison gate, no sheep gate and no old gate.

They will all be gates of pearl!

Rev 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

In the New Jerusalem there be 12 foundations and each name had inscribed with the names of the 12 Apostles.

Those 12 men who obeyed the Lord Jesus Christ, and did cause the Gospel to begin its trip to all the world!

*****Neh 12:40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:
Neh 12:41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;
Neh 12:42 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.

What do we know? We know that the work that God has given us to do is not druggery. It is a very satisfying thing to lead someone to the Lord.

It is a joyous thing to spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that God wants all things done decently and in order.

What do all evolutionist miss along with most people of this world? They miss the fact that every living creature, every landscape, and every plant, every solar system and every process in God’s Creation are done decently and in order.

The truth of our universe is that it is orderly going about what God intended it to do.

The only thing where problems come is mankind!

These two groups in one voice gave thanks to God, not because they had returned to the Promised Land, but because they knew the Word of God was true and it will always be true!

God will fulfill every promise He has ever made to the Church and to the nation of Israel and its people.

We can open the Word of God and see a loving God who will do exactly what He says He will do.

Some will say that a loving God would never send anyone to Hell, but they have not understood the Word of God which teaches us how to avoid Hell, so if we end up in Hell then the blame is entirely on ourselves!

To be a Christian is a serious thing, because our goal is to be like Jesus Christ. He is our example and He teaches us, we cannot be perfect while we remain on this earth. This is still or goal and it is a happy and peaceful thing to accomplish.

There is still time for all the things concerning mankind to be accomplished!

Ecc_3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

This time grows shorter each day and God does not do things on our schedule but only on His schedule and His schedule will never change.

We can rejoice in the Lord and in our salvation, or we can give up on the Lord and be failures as Christians.

We see the failures of Christians in our nation every day. There are enough Christian in our nation to put good and righteous people in our government, but we sit at home and refuse to vote!

Either way, God’s plan moves along at His pace and we know the Lord will return when we lease expect it, and He will still be right on time no matter what is going on in this world.

Are we in a severe climate change? The Lord promised we would have the four seasons until He returns.

Will this world end drastically? The Church will be in Heaven well before this thing could ever take place!

God says to quit worrying about these things, and get busy serving the Lord.

Then stand upon your own personal wall, and give God the praise and worship that we should give Him every day!

Amen

Let’s Pray!

Jesus Christ Promised Peace

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Jesus Promised Peace

Book of John 16:16-33

If we remember all the wonderful things of last week’s lesson, then we will continue knowing those this week.

We know that having “faith” in the work that the Lord Jesus did to provide our salvation then we know we will not get to Heaven without this knowledge.

Act 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Act 4:9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Act 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Act 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

It is now Thursday where at 6 PM Friday will begin.

Here we are less than a day before Jesus was to be crucified and Jesus was talking about having the peace of God by making peace with God!

Jesus takes this time to proclaim His resurrection and the effect His resurrection will have upon this world.

*****Joh 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

In this lesson we will get to see the humanity of these 11 men. As Apostles they were mighty warriors for the Gospel and began the early church.

This day they were humans who did not understand what the Lord is saying, like many of us when we try to understand what God is saying.

If we hold on and pray, the same Scripture that caused confusion will be explained in another Scripture.

The Lord never tries to leave us with doubts!

Jesus Christ just revealed to these men that it was just a day before He would be taken away from them and He would die upon a cross.

Jesus had talked of these things but now they were about to become a reality.

Joh 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
Joh 7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

Before these words even settle in, Jesus says and a little while after His death, they would see Him again.

This would be the three days He had taught them earlier!

Mat_12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

We know that these 3 days were from Friday to Sunday, the way that the Jews counted their days.

Then Jesus goes on to say that because they will see Him after His resurrection, our best information says for about 40 days, then He will go home to His Father who sent Him!

Obviously, this was a lot of information for them to digest at this point in their relationship with the Lord.

Many of us had these same thoughts when the truth of Christ Jesus was revealed to us!

These 11 men confessed that these were things that they could not understand.

*****Joh 16:17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
Joh 16:18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

Notice they were first too embarrassed to confront Jesus, so they talked among themselves. As we know, nothing can be hidden from the Lord!

We need to understand what puzzled these men.

In a little while, really just a few hours, the Lord Jesus Christ would take on all the sin of the world, past, present and future and He would take this sin to Hell where it belonged.

In another little while, 3 days by Jewish time, Jesus would raise from the dead, and these men would see Him and be with Him for about 40 days.

In fact there were more than 500 witnesses that saw Jesus after His death and His resurrection.

The theme of this passage may be that we all understand, that it is only a little while by Heavens time that the Lord will return, and we should be looking for His return!

Jesus not only triumphed over sin and Satan, but He also triumphed over death!

You see, we need to concentrate on our future and not our sinful past!

When we go to sleep at night, we can rest knowing our future is bright.

When did we know these things? Just like these 11 men, not until we received the Holy Spirit to live within us.

The main thing we need to understand is Jesus Christ did resurrect from the dead. His tomb is empty just like He said it would be!

If there was no resurrection, there would be no church!

The Holy Ghost has taken some time in the “Gospels” not only to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, but also to show us the skepticism of these 11 men.

When we compare them before the resurrection to what we see after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit has awakened them to the truth, we see much difference.

They were fishers of fish who became fishers of men! The Gospels allow us to see this transition. They were “Born Again” just as we must be to understand the Word of God!

Mar 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men

Of course Jesus knew their thoughts.

*****Joh 16:19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

What we see next is that Jesus would not wait until they had enough courage to ask Jesus to clarify Himself.

Jesus never wants us to be confused in the Scriptures, so if will study we will see that best commentary of the Bible is the Bible itself!

Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Then Jesus explains Himself:

***** Joh 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

We must also not miss the patience of the Lord.

Jesus knows the only question that is not answered is the question that is not asked!

Besides these 11 men who would be the Apostles there were about 500 more who would weep for the Lord Jesus during His passion and His death.

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

The rest of the world rejoiced that Jesus had been murdered!

At this point in all their lives they had accepted Satan!

In the death of Jesus, these men lost their most dear, and most trusted friend!

They had still not realized what the Lord had taught them, and they were most disappointed in their own hopes.

They had looked forward to the Messianic Kingdom but when the time is right, they will not realize so much time has passed.

Just like when we meet our own loved ones already in Heaven, they will not realize that so much time has passed because they live in the land of no time.

When the resurrection of the Lord takes places joy will return to these men. At the ascension of the Lord they will begin to understand what the Lord was saying. When the Holy Spirit comes upon them at Pentecost, they will know why the Lord did all the things that He did!

The Lord Jesus gives us an example:

*****Joh 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

There is a great contrast between sorrow over death and the joy of the resurrection.

Because of the curse placed on women, because of the disobedience of Eve, a woman suffers greatly for the biggest part of 9 months.

Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Eve had been disobedient to the Word of God given to her husband Adam and Adam had allowed her to do it!

At child birth she suffers the most and there is great pain but when that child appears all that sorrow and pain disappears!

The joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ can only be poorly compared to the joy at the birth of a child!

Now Jesus did not say that the mother’s sorrow and pain was replaced by joy but that it was transformed into joy.

The same baby that caused the pain also was the same baby that was the cause of joy!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the one greatest event in world history!

1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

How is all this sorrow overcome, the Lord Jesus Christ did rise from His death, The Lord Jesus Christ did rise in His ascension and though world says no, the Lord Jesus Christ will return, first to get His Church and next to bring judgment on those who have rejected Him!

*****Joh 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

We go through a lot of things upon this earth, some good but much bad, but the day we meet Jesus in the air will be a day of great joy knowing our earthly life is over and we will be going home.

In fact, we must never think we will see the sorrow of these 11 men and some others. In fact we should never lose our peace, or love, know that we are the children of God.

Even now since Jesus went back to Heaven, He is our High Priest, but He is also our Mediator between us and God.

In fact Jesus is so confident that we are the Father’s children that He says, Just ask your Father in the name of Jesus, and He will provide.

These things must be in the will of God for us, but to be in God’s will is to be obedient to the Word of God and the Words of His Dear Son!

When we think we have not heard from God we must first see if we have been obedient children!

Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

You see at the death of Christ Jesus, the veil was ripped into in the Jewish Temple signifying that only the High Priest could go beyond, the veil.

When Jesus ascended back to Heaven, He became our own High Priest and assumed the duties of the Jewish High Priests, not just for the Jews but for the Church.

1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
1Jn 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
1Jn 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

I particularly like that part about; that wicked one(Satan) cannot touch us!

What else did Jesus say to these 11?

*****Joh 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

We just do not realize how much we have gained since Jesus Christ went back to Heaven!

There is an open door into the throne room of God that has been given to us!

1) The death of Christ has told us things that Jesus could not tell the Apostles.
2) The resurrection of Christ has cast His light upon all the dark places in this world.
3) The ascension of Christ has opened the door to Heaven for all God’s children.

Jesus has already said that we know where He went, and we know how to get there!

These Apostles had been going directly to Jesus because He was with them, now they needed to go directly to the Father but through the name of Jesus Christ.

This is not so hard to understand, yet so many refuse to do it!

You cannot get to the Father in any way, form, or fashion, without going through the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****Joh 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

A proverb was an eastern method of teaching by similitudes and figures and parables because the people could connect to what was said.

A similitude is speaking of one thing that will awaken in you the meaning of a far greater thing.

Jesus used this method a lot to teach these disciples.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Mar_4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

You see there is coming a time when we will not need parables and proverbs to teach us because we will get to see the real thing.

We should know the importance of what Jesus is saying!

*****Joh 16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
Joh 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
Joh 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

Maybe the greatest gift Jesus has given to us, while we are yet upon this earth is “Prayer”.

We can walk boldly into the throne of God and make our request be known of Him!

God wants us to pray because a prayer means we trust our Father.

Without faith we will never please our Father in Heaven and it is certain we will never get a prayer answered.

In its simplest fashion, prayer is having a conversation with our Creator!

The truth is that prayer can change the way God acts!

We can never change the plan of God in any way, but things that have no effect on the plan of God, He is willing to change!

Jas 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Besides “faith” that God can do as we ask, if we ask right, it is still out of reach if we do not end our prayer by saying in Jesus name!

We should also understand that God knows everything about us and everything we may need. We cannot hide anything from God and we are fools to try to. We need to describe our sin, so our Father will know that we understand what sin is.

The main thing to understand is, that our Heavenly Father loves us much more than we will ever understand while we live upon this earth!

Again Jesus emphasizes that all these things begin when we accept the fact the Jesus Christ is the God-man. Jesus Christ is God come down from Heaven to provide a plan of salvation so great that it could not have been conceived by man!

What does the world believe?

The world believes that God is an angry God and Jesus has to beg Him to save us.
The world believes that God is just moving around in outer space and really does not care for us.
The world believes that maybe God exist or maybe not, but it is good to pray anyhow.

We can see why most of the prayers of the world go unanswered.

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

How did the disciples react to these words? They knew what Jesus was saying!

*****Joh 16:29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
Joh 16:30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that Jesus was the true Messiah!

Jesus came from our Heavenly Father and Jesus returned to our Heavenly Father!

Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

We can look back on History and see that these disciples did not really understand what Jesus was saying at this time.

These disciples may have had great faith that Jesus did come from the Father, as the Messiah, but they had not grasp all of what Jesus had said!

They were still lacking “faith” in His Words!

It is like the wise man said: “no one is interested with the life boats until the ship is sinking!

The truth is you cannot keep the mouth shut in a true believer!

Christians are quiet when they do not have the faith, they say they do!

And Jesus said: You do not really know what your faith says!

*****Joh 16:31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
Joh 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

It is easy to see that even when the Lord was surrounded by those who said they were believers, He was still standing alone!

It also can be said that down deep in our own souls we know we will die alone just as the Lord did!

It is sad that so many say they believe, and they do not know why!

We should also remember that it is getting late on Thursday and at 6 o’clock Friday would begin.

Jesus shook their beliefs when He said to them they would turn and run and Jesus would have to defend Himself alone.

Jesus was not questioning their “faith”, but He was questioning the intensity of their “faith”.

This is where we get in trouble especially in our prayer life.

We can say we have faith and we do, but just how great a faith do we have?

Jesus said just a little faith could move mountains!

Mat_17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

You see it is the existence of faith that we all must have.

Those who have great “faith” must help those who have little “faith”!

Jesus would die on the cross the very next day, so the time was very short, and Jesus knew they would scatter but He also knew that they would come together to change this world.

It would be at the cross where Jesus would find Himself totally alone because, He took upon Himself the sin of the entire world, that day and everyday future.

Mar_15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

You see this is what sin does it separates us from our loving God!

With sin removed we can be at peace with God.

*****Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Six times Jesus uses this phrase.

It is in the death of Jesus Christ that we receive the atonement!

This is the work of Christ that we must believe to be saved and at peace with God.

It is the love of God that brought this about by God the Son (Jesus).

Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

God could not have saved us in any manner and we should consider that God did not have to save us at all, which is another proof of His love.

This death had to take place for there to be a resurrection.

Luk 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Luk 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

The resurrection had to take place before there could ever be a glorification.

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

We already know by now that we indeed see the tribulation of this world against Christians and we must know that these things will get worse.

But it is that peace of God, without understanding that allows us to feel the joy of the Lord that will carry us through till the time to go home.

Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Amen

Let’s Pray!

Being Faithful is Loving the Lord Jesus Christ

/ Bobby Mayfield / 2 Comments

Counted Faithful

Book of 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Paul, the ambassador for Jesus Christ our King, is writing to his dear son in the “Gospel”, Timothy.

The most important job of the Church is share the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ and to make disciples just as Paul has made a disciple of Timothy and then went further in his teaching when God called Timothy to be a Pastor.

Anything else is secondary to this function.

1) The disciple must first believe the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
2) The disciple must rest on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all our sins.
3) The disciple must be absorbed with the Holy Spirit.
4) The disciple must imitate the example of Jesus Christ so close, that he resembles Him. (This is what Christ-Like means, a Christian)

Timothy became such a disciple and later he was called of God to become a Pastor.

*****1Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

The authority to call anyone into the service of God must come from God Himself! We cannot call ourselves to be a Pastor!

We can rest assured that Paul, then named Saul, was truly an apostle specifically called by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Also notice that Paul knew that it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is God and Savior, one person of the Holy Trinity!

Paul also new that all our hope lies in the truth of the “Gospel” and in all the Word of God!

So, we must clearly understand that Jesus Christ is our only hope for salvation!

Jesus Christ is the love of God shown to us in His Son!

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus Christ is the author of our hope.
Jesus Christ is the object of our hope.
Jesus Christ is the foundation of our hope!

God has provided the only means of salvation to every person since the resurrection of His Dear Son.

If God had not loved us and have a plan of salvation from the beginning, then no one could be saved!

Paul spoke with such authority because these epistles to Timothy and Titus will be considered the Pastoral Epistles and this is a specific calling of God.

Paul expected young Timothy to share these epistles with all the church.

All the epistles of Paul were passed from church to church!

The question comes up many times by those who are full of pride, why should the church make disciples?

The answer lies in the truth that all the world is enslaved by sin!

These people are gripped by spiritual death and are too blind to see it.

These people are doomed to face the judgment of God and they need someone to tell them the truth!

1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Timothy needed to hear these things from Paul the Apostle of Jesus Christ, who was also the same messenger of God who had led him to the Lord.

*****1Ti 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Why is it so important that our children be taught the Word of God? Because on occasion you get a Timothy!

His mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois had prepared this young man in the Old Testament Word of God at a very young age as it was written in the laws of Moses. They had also been converted on Paul’s first trip to Lystra.

2Ti 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Timothy was just a child when Paul had first come to Lystra. He was probably no mare that 10 to 12 years old when Paul led him to the Lord. He was no more than 18 when Paul returned on his second missionary trip and had grown so much in the Scriptures that Paul took Timothy with him and treated him as his son.

1Co 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

Timothy became so likeminded in the Scriptures as Paul, that Paul said his mind was at one with Timothy.

Php 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
Php 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

From this point on, Timothy would travel with Paul or would be sent by Paul to other locations.

Timothy may not have reached the age 30 years old, when Paul left him at Ephesus to correct the errors in doctrine that had made their way into this church.

The problems in Ephesus was not only from the Judaizers but many of the Greeks tried to bring parts of their pagan worship into the Church

**Timothy had been saved by the “Grace” of God just like every Christian is saved.

The “Grace” of God is revealed in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ died, to redeem us from all our sin.
Jesus Christ died, to raise up a peculiar people a people set apart for His use.
Jesus Christ died, to stir us into good works like the works that He did.

All these came because of the ‘”Mercy” of God.

The “mercy” of God came to us because of His compassion for us, His love for us, and His pity for us!

God has mercy for us because He truly cares about all His creation, especially we of human race..

God sees our needs and provide our needs and the greatest need we had, was to be in harmony with our God!

Because of God’s “mercy” He has withheld His judgement of us, even though we deserve His wrath.

All those who do not know the mercy of God do not know God at all!

The peace of God means, we are bound together with the Lord Jesus Christ and secure in the love of God!

If we know the peace of God, we can then be at peace with God!

Timothy knew all these things and was a willing young Pastor to serve God, wherever he was sent!

*****1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

What was Timothy’s job at Ephesus? Timothy was charged to defend the truth of the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ.

This must be the charge of every Pastor, Missionary, and Evangelist!

This must be the same charge to every “Born Again” child of God!

It is a fact, that all false teachers teach a false doctrine because, they cannot know God. Only those filled with the Holy Spirit who will only come by acknowledging the truth of Jesus Christ that can have such knowledge

Paul had gotten the Macedonian call at this time and the Holy Spirit was at work in Paul, yet he felt Ephesus could not be abandoned at this time, so it was Timothy who had to stay there to lead this church back to the truth.

Paul had warned this church that false teachers would come, and it is also a fact that we need to understand, false teachers will make an attempt to cause problems in every church!

We simply must guard against all those who attempt to corrupt the Word of God!

We must demand that our teachers and preachers teach the truth of the Word of God and the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ!

We can see that Timothy even at this young age, was strong enough in the Word of God, that Paul trusted him to work that truth into this church.

There is also no one on the face of this earth who has the authority to change the Word of God!

In the day of Timothy there were many of the Jewish faith who made attempts to stop Christianity.

There were also many from the pagan Greeks who wanted to incorporate Christianity into their own beliefs.

Some say this was the beginning of the Catholic church.

Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

There were many who taught fables rather than the truth of God.

Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

There were those that wanted the Christians to abide by the Laws of Moses.

Tit 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

The true Word of God, does not contain fables as some say! Fables are any fictional teaching of the Scriptures.

The Lord Jesus taught using with parables, but He never taught using fables and neither should any man of God!

There is nothing contained in the Hebrew or Greek Scriptures that suggest the use of fables!

2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

That word “genealogies” is the teaching of those who take comfort in their godly heritage.

As Christians we can look back to the faith of Abraham because the Scriptures point us to him.

The truth is, we cannot be saved just because Abraham had such a great faith.
We cannot be saved just because we have godly parents or godly grandparents.

We must accept the Lord Jesus Christ ourselves in a faith such as Abraham had in trusting God, as our personal Savior and there is no other means of salvation period! *****End of discussion!

What did Jesus say?

Luk 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

It is only because of the love of God, that we get this opportunity to be saved!

*****1Ti 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1Ti 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

Those false teachers had put empty discussions of the Law ahead of the “Love of God”!

The church is to teach love for one another, just as God loves each of us!

What had Jesus said?

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

When there is no love in a church, then there can be no church!

It is also a terrible sin to compromise the Word of God, just to get more members or to keep the ones you already have!

*****1Ti 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

The teacher or preacher must not allow ambition to cloud their understanding of the truth!

To make disciples as preachers and teachers, the church must focus on learning as well as teaching!

When those who do not know the Lord ask why we love the Scriptures, we should just say, “because we have a personal relationship with the Author”.

Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Tit 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

We must also understand that the Laws of Moses had their purpose in the day of Paul, just as they do today!
Those laws point out that we are all sinners who cannot measure up to our Savior!

*****1Ti 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1Ti 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

The Scriptures were not written for those who already think they know it all. Nobody can teach these people!
The Scriptures were not written for those who want to do it their own way. This what Elvis said and the theme of humanism!
The Scriptures were not written for those so full of pride, who think they are much better than all others. Pride was the downfall of Lucifer (Satan).

The Scriptures were written for those who know they are sinners in need of a Savior!

False teachers will always put pride and self-righteousness above the Word of God!

False teachers would say, to be saved required you to give yourselves to Christ, but also you needed to add to this the obedience of Judaism to be truly saved!

False teachers will always reject that salvation can come only by the free gift of the “Grace” of God alone!

False teachers will confuse everyone on the gifts of God!

The law is good if it is used properly! The law teaches us what God considers to be sin. There are 613 Jewish laws and not just those 10 commandments.

Those laws can only teach us how far short we come when compared to the goodness of God which was in the Lord Jesus Christ!

False teachers will also teach that God had a set of scales to weigh our goodness against the things we do that are bad and whichever one came out on top would determine if you went to Heaven or to Hell.

But God says we have no goodness, “which is righteousness” to put on our good side.

Isa_64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

There is nothing wrong with being good, but no amount of goodness will get you saved!

God is a perfect God and we cannot come face to face with God until we are also perfect!

God gave all those laws to show all of us, that we had a great need of a Savior!

The Law was given to all those who are lawless and disobedient.
The law was given to the ungodly and sinners.
The law was given to those who are unholy and profane.
The law was given to those murderers who are so low that they would kill their own families.
The law was given to all those who commit fornication, and adultery, and homosexuals and all immoral people.
The law was given to all those who trade in slavery, and kidnappers.
The law was given to all liars and those who commit perjury.
The law was given to anything else that goes against the truth of the Word of God.

There is no one left out of this list because we are all sinners!

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

False teachers just do not understand the truth of God or they will reject the truth of God!

God has made a way for every human being upon this earth to join Him in Heaven and that way is by the “Gospel” of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We must never be deceived. It is the truth of the “Gospel” that is the only way to become perfect enough to join God in Heaven!

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Gospel is described as “glorious”.
The Gospel is described as “everlasting”.
The “gospel” is the unchanging, perfect, Word of God!

All those who come to know the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal relationship, will tell you how great it is to know the truth of Jehovah, the saving God!

*****1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

There are no true ministers of the “Gospel” unless they are called by Christ Himself!
There are no true ministers unless they came by “faith”, trusting the Lord!

It was Jesus Christ who enabled Paul to teach the truth of the “Gospel”.

Enabled means to strengthen and give power to.

The power of Paul’s ministry came from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The power of every minister of the “Gospel” comes by the Lord Jesus Christ!
The power to continue in the ministry of the “Gospel” comes by the Holy Spirit who is the only path to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Joh 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

There can be no self-made ministers of the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ!

Those that call themselves, can only serve to a humanistic false religion who will lead people into a false sense of security!

It is Jesus Christ who found Paul to be trustworthy, to teach the wonderful Word of God.

It is Jesus Christ who finds any of us to be trustworthy, to teach the truth of the Word of God!

If you preach or teach the truth of the Word of God, God knows those who are faithful to Him!

*****1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Paul had spent some time trying to destroy the Church but by the “Grace”, he had been forgiven.

Paul had committed blasphemy, hating even the name of Jesus Christ.
Paul was the persecutor who first set out to wipe the name of Jesus off the face of this earth.
Paul was injurious to destroy the rights of others who sought the Lord Jesus to be saved.

By God’s “Grace”, Paul was forgiven of all these things but all these things continue by others of the world today and yes, they can also be forgiven.

Paul thought he knew God and that Judaism was the true path to glorify God, but he had been wrong.

Judaism is not the way.
Islam is not the way.
Jehovah’s Witness is not the way.
Mormanism is not the way.
Religion means death.

Christianity is life and leads to eternal life because Jesus Christ is the God of the Bible and has all the authority of God because He is God!

The Lord Jesus poured out His “Grace” onto the Apostle Paul and Paul was gloriously forgiven of all his sin!

None of us are worthy of the “Grace” of God and we can thank God for giving us the Apostle Paul who remained faithful all his days.

God’s “Grace” is sufficient to cover any sin but one and that is the sin of not believeing that The Lord Jesus Christ is the God of the Bible!

We must remain faithful to the Gospel all our days to be of any use to Him!

In fact, when we remain faithful to the Lord, this is when He will pour out blessing after blessing to us all our days!

*****1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Why did the Lord Jesus come to this world? Jesus Christ left Heaven to come to this world to save sinners!

**The Apostle Paul is the greatest of examples of just how far God will go to save a worthless sinner!

It is an indisputable fact, that even the worst of sinners can be saved!

Jesus Christ would save the entire human race if they would only believe that His able to do it!

It is still “faith”, not just any faith, but “faith” in the “Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ”!

Luk 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

**The Apostle Paul is also the greatest example of God’s “mercy”!

Paul was also chosen to be the pattern of mercy to all those in sin!

It was not easy in that day to bring the “Gospel” to the gentile nations.

The truth of Paul was that if God could save Paul, then God could save anyone!

Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

**The Apostle Paul is our greatest proof of God’s “mercy”!

*****1Ti 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

When we know of the glorious salvation that Jesus Christ has given us, we to should break forth into praise!

**Our Savior is the unchanging King of all the ages.

Psa 145:13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

**Our Savior is Immortal, which means He is incorruptible, He cannot age, He cannot deteriorate, He cannot decay within His being. He absolutely cannot die! He is immortal!

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

**Our Savior is invisible! He cannot be seen by people with physical eyes in this physical dimension!

He came, He took all our sin to the lower part of the earth, and He ascended back to His throne!

Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

**Our Savior is the only wise God. “Yes Jesus Christ is the God of the Bible” the stumbling block of this world!

Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

**Our Savior is the only living and true God who can interact with this world!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Timothy probably had not reached the age of 30 at this time and he needed to be encouraged to become the pastor at Ephesus.

*****1Ti 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
1Ti 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1Ti 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Each and every believer is called to be in the army of God, but the calling of the Pastor is to do more!

Many a believer fail to realize, that as Christians we are in a great battle, in fact a war and our job is to fight a good fight.

Paul would have had Timothy to be like himself while he was also like Jesus.

2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Timothy was sure he was called of God into the ministry and it was now time for him to begin his ministry.

Every Pastor must be called of God. To be a Pastor is not just another profession as many see it today. It is never another place just to make a living.

Just like every new Pastor, Timothy would find himself right in the middle of spiritual warfare. He had witnessed these many times already, but the Apostle Paul and other Elders had taken charge, but now he would be on his own but not forsaken by the Lord.

The truth is when a person is called into the ministry by the Holy Spirit, he or she must not reject the call. They must jump right into the battle and fight a good warfare.

To reject the call of God is to live in misery!

Sometimes we must be stirred up to get into the battle and Paul was doing this to Timothy here in this passage.

Each ministry is a sacred trust, a sacred commitment to the Lord!

The war we fight, is for the minds and the souls of the lost, some even being of our own family. We must jump right into this conflict if we are called of God.

The Pastor, the highest calling, is God’s instrument to not only be a fisherman of men but, also God’s instrument to teach and make other disciples.

Each Pastor must be faithful to fight a good warfare!

The greatest weapon of defense is the shield of “faith”.

Good conscience is that conviction that our course of conduct is right, and it is accompanied by an obligation to the truth of God.

Conscience is our sense of right and wrong!

Conscience does not come by training, because each of us are born with a sense of right and wrong.

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Though conscience does not come by training or education, it must still be developed and matured!

A good and healthy conscience comes by living a godly and righteous life before our Savior!

It is Holy Ghost conviction, that works with our conscience for us to discern right and wrong!

It is that same conscience, under conviction of the Holy Spirit, that convicts us of sin.

Rom 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Rom 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

The word conscience is used 31 times in the New Testament.

There is the good conscience.
There is the conscience void of offense.
There is the weak conscience.
There is the pure conscience.
There is the seared conscience of which we see more of today.
There is the defiled conscience which has been around since the sin of Adam.
There is the evil conscience.

And the most frightening thing we can do with our conscience, is to put it away.

If we put away our conscience concerning our faith, we will be shipwrecked.

Shipwrecked means our faith is destroyed!

Hymenaeus put away his conscience by denying the true doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Alexander the coppersmith also rejected the truth of God.

Paul delivered them to Satan which means:

1) They were excommunicated from the Church and left out in the world with the hope that they would come to the truth of the “Gospel” of the Lord Jesus Christ. (We never read where they made a change)

2) The were given back to the world, which is under the power of Satan.

The church would then pray that some circumstance would happen to them out in the world that they might repent and return to the church and accept the truth of the “Gospel” of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The truth is, it is impossible to commit sin and escape the chastisement of the Lord!

The Lord says we will reap what we sow!

There remains also the Spiritual power that inflicts punishment for sin.

Even modern medicine agrees that misbehavior causes physical, emotional and mental punishment.

And we must always remember that church discipline is put in place, in order that those who receive the discipline may return to Jesus Christ for forgiveness.

1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
1Jn 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

The Lord always knows what is best for His Church!

Amen

Understanding the Plan of God

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Understanding God’s Plan

Book of Ephesians 1:13-23

We could ask ourselves what is God’s plan for humanity? God’s plan first starts with salvation.

1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We must first know who God is.

Isa 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

We can understand from this passage that our God is Jehovah and He is also Elohim, the One True God!

The Jews considered God’s name so Holy they would pronounce His name Adonai meaning the unchanging, eternal, self-existing God.

The “I Am”, the covenant keeping God.

It is a shame we do not have that kind of reverence for our Savior today! “Praise His Holy Name”

Let’s begin:

We finished last week with verse 12 but let’s include it again today.

*****Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom “ye” (you) also trusted, after that “ye” (you) heard the word of truth, the gospel of “your” salvation: in whom also after that “ye” (you) believed, “ye” (you) were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Remember God wants this entire world to know His truth!

The Word of Truth, it is the “Gospel” of our salvation!

Once we believe the “Gospel”, then and only then can we be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise!

What is the “Gospel”?

Let’s look at the short version by the Apostle Paul:

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, “how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures”;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

It is very important that we hear the truth of our existence!

Without hearing the truth of our existence, we will never understand the salvation plan of God.

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

God’s plan revolves around someone (The Preacher, The Missionary) presenting the “Gospel” to someone who has not heard it (the Lost).

It is not just the job of the preacher but “the job of every believer” to tell others about the truth of the “Gospel” and the truth of God’s plan!

There is a great importance in hearing the Word of God.

The reading of the Scriptures was a great part of worship in the Jewish synagogues and still is.

Many so-called churches today make very little reference to the Scriptures but teach man-made lessons.

But the hearing must be constant, it must be attentive, it must be with reverence, it must be in faith, and we must try our best to retain what we hear and apply it to our daily lifestyle.

What we do not understand can be learned through much prayer, also in faith.

One advantage of hearing the Word of God is that it brings Holy Ghost conviction.

The Holy Ghost will work in each and every individual who hears the Word of God until they make a choice, so He can also choose to stay or leave.

The Holy Ghost will also work on individuals before they have heard the Word of God as God prepares a place to send His missionaries!

Therefore, the world is trying to silence the Word of God today.

Holy Spirit conviction that can also bring conversion!

Conversion brings commitment and commitment brings the sealing of the Holy Spirit of promise. (sealed in Jesus Christ)

2Co 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

The Holy Spirit sealed within us, is just a down payment for our redemption!

*****Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Earnest means a pledge between us and our God. A down payment with a promise, (a guarantee) of full payment.

In the day of Jesus Christ, it was used as the bridegroom’s betrothal gift to the bride.

Some would say it was the money used to strike a bargain which is false.

In this Scripture it means the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to the saints of God as a part payment of our future glory!

By accepting the gifts of God, we are rescued from condemnation and adopted in the family of God and knowing what our future holds.

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

As Christians we have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ and we belong to God.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

That word “peculiar” means that we are God’s “personal property”, being set aside for God’s purpose!

Without hearing the truth of the Gospel and believing, (having “faith in its truth”), we can be gloriously saved and adopted into the household of God, by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

*****Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

As Christians we must grow in the Lord and God gives us this opportunity by getting up close and personal with all His adopted children.

Faith and love are the first signs of the “Babe in Christ” and it should be obvious to others.

No one will know about our faith until we have persevered by the “Grace” of God and actually increased our faith!

No one will know about our love until they have seen it in action. “Love is an action word, not a passive word and certainly not lust”.

That word “wherefore” is another word that teaches us how to study the Bible.

Wherefore means, because of what we have learned from the previous Scriptures (verses 3-14), because as believers, we abide in Christ and we are sealed by His Holy Spirit.

This Church had a strong testimony and the evidence of this truth had reached the apostle Paul.

Being in Christ means we accept all the Doctrine of the “Gospel” of the Lord Jesus Christ and that salvation, being restored in harmony with God, can come only Him.

Our faith must be based upon the Word of God and the truth of His promises, “taking God at His literal Word”!

When we understand what faith is, then we can understand what God says about love.

Luk_10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

God’s love toward us must produce a corresponding love toward Him and all others!

We are members of the same family, redeemed by the same blood and filled with the same Holy Spirit!

As Christians we have the same friends but also the same enemies!

We have the same hope and the same fears.

We also have the same promises of the precious things to come! Amen

We will all go to the same New Heaven!

The one thing we all must do is to grow. Standing still is the same as going backwards.

Paul had just explained the blessings of God and these Ephesians were encouraged to grow in the Lord.

2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Sometimes we fail as Christians when we see the bad things of each other before we see the good things we all have as Christians.

Our faith in Christ Jesus is not only to know Him and worship Him, and we can certainly rely on Him!

Faith in Jesus Christ justifies and saves but it is also by His hand we receive God’s pardon and God’s “Amazing Grace”.

It is these things that should bring us to our knees in prayer and it should be obvious that we should first offer thanksgivings to the God of our salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ!

If we never ask of God, then how will we ever receive!

Mat_21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

We get foolish most times when we pray for we ask of material things when we should first ask for wisdom.

We should remember the prayer of Solomon.

1Ki 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
1Ki 3:10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

Solomon prayed for wisdom and it pleased the Lord.

So, what did Paul teach these Ephesians?

*****Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

We must understand as young believers, these things are much more important than any other thing.

We need a clearer and deeper knowledge of the things that brought us to salvation. We need to grow in the knowledge of God, so we will not be misled by those who would cause us to fall from God’s favor.

Faith grows by using faith to reach out to the things of God!

The God we know is the same God that the Lord Jesus Christ worshiped when He walked upon this earth.

Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

We have this access to Divine knowledge, why would we not take advantage of it. The unbeliever will never get this opportunity!

God wants us to know Him in a very personal way if not He would never fill us with His Holy Spirit!

As unperfect as we are, we have something perfect living within us!

We serve a God so loving and so wonderful that He wants to hold our hand as we go through this life, so we can be free!

We can never know too much about Jehovah God and He will teach us all that we can handle for there are many things far beyond our comprehension as long as we live in these bodies of flesh.

We can be nothing without God’s wisdom in us!

*****Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

The eye might be the most elegant organ in our human bodies.

If we will undertake to know the wisdom of God, we will begin to see His image in our own eyes!

In reality the eye has direct contact with the soul and it is the soul that needs to be enlightened to the wisdom and understanding of God.

God our Creator is calling out to that eternal soul to take control of that body of flesh.

The eyes of our understanding must first be opened and then God will enlighten them.

Enlighten is to illuminate. God wants us to have a clear picture, to be able to understand the truth of salvation.

That light is the glorious love of Jesus Christ.

1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

God has called each believer to stand before Him in righteousness, but that righteousness can only be in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the perfect Son of God and God expects that same perfection which we will never reach without knowing His Son.

The day is coming when we will be perfect. This is the hope of His returning that then we will be made perfect and acceptable to our Holy God.

Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

As Christians we are God’s inheritance provided to Him by His Son. We are God’s very own possession!

And as Christians we will share in the inheritance of His Dear Son!

We have a very big God who is also a most powerful God!

*****Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

If we think that there is anything out of the reach of Jehovah God, then we are simply fools.

God cannot sin because He would be less than perfect, and our God is not only powerful, but He is Perfect!

Powerful and Perfect are two of His many names!

It is a fool who rejects the power of God in their lives every day!

To be a Christian is to know and understand the power of God, at least as much as we can understand.

God’s power is far exceeding any power of humanity.
God’s power is far greater than any power of humanity.

That enormous, exceeding, great power is extended to each believer, through the Lord Jesus Christ. This thing we will realize when we join our Lord in Heaven, but we also have part of that power while we yet live on this earth.

Because of what Jehovah God did for Jesus Christ, by raising Him from death, He will through Jesus Christ do the same for each believer!

Yes, by faith we are saved, and our soul will never see death but in the coming of the Lord, He will then raise that old body of flesh to a new body such as He did to the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

This is the power of God that comes only through and by the Lord Jesus Christ!

We can see that God will extend His power to each and every believer.

1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

God intends for us to know life, not death!

What do we give up? Nothing but our death!

**When Jehovah God raised Jesus from the dead, He demonstrated that it is He who holds the power of life!
As God held the power of our old life, God holds the power of our New Life!

Rom 6:4 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.

**When God raised the Lord Jesus into Heaven, He demonstrates that He holds the power to raise us up into Heaven.

Mar 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

**God has transferred that same power to His Dear Son who will raise all believers into Heaven!

Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Where the Lord is at, this is the same place we will be one day soon!

*****Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

It is only by the power of God that these things can happen.

Php_3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Heb_7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

God has given The Lord Jesus Christ the power to rule over all the things in creation old and new.

The truth is, God will give the believer the power to rule with Him!

The truth is, all the kingdom of God has He given to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

As believers we first experience the power of God at salvation.

We then become members of the “Body of Christ”, the Church.

The Lord Jesus Christ paid the supreme price in order for the Church to have life. Therefore, the Church cannot die!

The Head cannot function without the body and the body cannot survive without the Head!

The Church needs Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ needs the Church to deliver them to His Father.

If God has the power to create the church and it is through creation that God makes a new life, then God certainly has the power to work in our lives!

It is God that has opened our eyes to the gross sin of this world and has given us the tools to combat evil, and witness for the good of Christ, the Good News, the Gospel!

The Church is the Body on this earth that God uses to combat evil!

We fail when we do not use the power God has given us to take His Word to the world, every way we can possibly do this.

Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church gives guidance, life, influence on every member.

To make things right He adopts us into His own family, so we can draw our strength from Him.

It is the family where the strength comes for each single individual to go out in faith with the Sword of the Lord (the Word of God).

We must remember we are at war with evil and God provides the things we need!

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We are no good to Christ until we get into this war with evil.

God has a plan and every Christian is a major part of that plan!

Amen

God’s Plan is to Bless His Children

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

God’s Plan for Blessing His Children

Book of Ephesians Chapter 1:1-12

The Apostle Paul always reminds us that he was living and acting under the control of a power from on high. The Divine will of God!
In fact, to share Paul’s beliefs is the means of a strong and effective Christian life!

We will notice also that by the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul knew, these letters, these epistles, were not just intended for these Churches of his day but, to all Christians everywhere and in all the ages until the return of Jesus Christ.

In fact, the Apostle Paul was part of God’s plan for blessing His children!

Paul was writing to the faithful in Christ Jesus, all the Saints of God in all ages!

This will not change in this epistle to the Ephesians.

The Book of Ephesians reveals to us a deeper knowledge into the “grace” of God!

The Book of Ephesians will also give us another look at God’s plan for this world.

Let’s begin:

*****Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Eph 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are not only to be “saints”, which is clearly misunderstood in our world, but also the “faithful”. We are to be faithful saints!

To be faithful is to obey the truth of Jehovah God. This means all the Word of God and not bits and pieces that we choose to obey!

Isa 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Who then are the faithful?

First there is Jehovah God.

Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deu 7:10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

God is faithful in His love and He will be just as faithful in His wrath.

Next there is the Lord.

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

So, then we as the saints of God are also to be faithful.

1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

We cannot be in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, without being faithful to the things of our Father in Heaven!

No one can live in God without being a channel for God, by Jesus Christ!

The Lord Jesus Christ is God’s “Grace” poured out onto this world we live in!

2Co 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2Co 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2Co 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2Co 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

If you need a blessing from God, then you better know His Son in a personal way! Amen and Amen!

*****Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

What is God’s greatest blessing? It is when God can bestow His blessings upon His children!

God will allow some earthly blessings to those who know His Son, but God’s greatest blessings are spiritual and heavenly and not of this world!

Before we go any further we need to know the word “Grace”.

What is “Grace” in the Word of God?

1) The “Gospel” is the “Grace of God.

Act_20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

2) The application of the “Gospel” and it’s saving power to our lives is also the “Grace” of God.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

3) Everything that comes by Jesus Christ is the “Grace” of God!

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

4) Grace then is certainly the unmerited favor of God!

Eph 3:8 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;

“God’s Riches at Christ Expense”.

Before Jesus Christ came into this world, God did bless His people with material things. Abraham received land, wealth, and fame.

These are still the same things all the world seeks after today!

We know that as Israel first grew it misused and hoarded up these things refusing to share even amongst themselves and certainly not with any other nations.

These things always go against the will of God and Israel was warned many times and then punished many times.

The great change when the Lord Jesus Christ came, is that God deals with mankind in spiritual things with spiritual blessings.

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

It should be obvious that spiritual blessings can only come by the Holy Spirit!

It is the Holy Spirit who is the major force in our world against evil!

It is also the Holy Spirit who brings forth the act of salvation to the believer! (We call this Holy Ghost conviction)

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

So, let’s look at this word “chosen”.

*****Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

We can only come to one conclusion as we read this Scripture. God chooses only those who are in Jesus Christ!

Without Jesus Christ you cannot be the “chosen” of God! (let this sink in)

Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Joh 14:20 “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you”.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

God wants us to be with Him. God has wanted us to be with Him since before He laid the foundations of this universe!

Why did God create mankind, the answer is right here in His words?

We can only be holy and without blame, by embracing the righteousness of Christ, because we have no righteousness of our ourselves and then we must be endowed with the Holy Spirit.

This is our only means of being blameless! Amen

Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

When God first created all things, we should notice though things were good and some even very good, not one of them was perfect.

In the end, when the Lord returns to claim His church, when we meet Him in the clouds, we will have finally reached perfection!

Our perfection can come only by the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen

Because we are chosen to be made perfect through Jesus Christ we are hated by this imperfect world!

Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

So, let’s look at that word “predestinate”.

*****Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

According to Calvinism, God calls only those He has predestined to eternal life ( our own choice is not involved). He renews their spirit (Not the Holy Spirit moves into, not sealed with the Holy Spirit) and then draws only those to Jesus Christ, so in this way salvation is entirely by “grace”.
A free gift to only those God has selected Himself as He created them. This is a false belief and therefore a false doctrine!

They believe, God then justifies just these believers, declares them righteous (not the righteousness of the Lord Jesus) and adopts them into His family and sanctifies them. (this is a false belief)

They believe, saving faith, is a gift of Christ Jesus. Repentance is a doctrine to preached along with faith. Good works are the fruit of true faith. (this is a false belief)

What then is the truth?

The truth is, God has not determined that just certain ones will be saved and the remaining will abandoned to the Lake of Fire!

God has determined that only those who have(chosen) and (accepted), “by faith”, in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation will be saved and all those who reject the work of the Lord Jesus Christ will be destroyed!

God would not be God if He specifically chose certain ones for salvation and certain ones for damnation!

God has given this choice to us to make freely only after knowing the truth!

The truth is, God calls, and we are the ones who must make the choice!

Therefore, the church is the “Elect”, those who have elected to place their faith in the work and the promises of Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures say, we are predestined but only by Jesus Christ to Himself!

The Scriptures say, we have no righteousness of our own,(our righteousness is as filthy rags) we must be seen as having the righteousness of Jesus Christ by accepting Him as our Savior!

It is Jesus Christ who will present His “bride” to His Father in Heaven.

It was not God who prearranged this marriage contract with those that He chose!

Jesus Christ did not just die for the few believers, Jesus Christ died for all the sin in all the world, past, present and future!

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

None of these Scriptures in this passage of John point toward Calvinism, in fact these Scriptures destroy Calvinism!

God has only chosen those who have accepted “His” Son and are filled with “His” Spirit!

It is only these who are adopted in the family of God, having been removed from the family of Satan, that are the “Bride of Christ”.

Being adopted, we then have direct access to the throne room of God.

It is only the believer who will become an adopted brother or sister to Jesus Christ with freedom to enter in the Heavenly Mansion of God!

God is so full of “Grace” that it is over flowing, but it is only by Jesus Christ that this “Grace” can be applied to the believer!

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

God’s “Grace” is in fact His glorious free love for His Son and those of His Son.
God has accepted each believer who is washed in the blood of His Dear Son, He loves so much!

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

*****Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Those that cringe when they hear the word blood, should not forget that it is through the death of Jesus Christ, who shed all His blood, just so we who believe could be saved. It is the beloved who are saved!

We were slaves in bondage to Satan who directed us according to his will.

We were unable to redeem ourselves to buy our freedom from him because it would lead to eternal separation from God, our Creator.

In the time of the Scriptures, a kinsman could redeem a member of his family if he was able to pay the debt that was owed.

We know the wages of sin is death. The Lord Jesus Christ claimed the right of the kinsman redeemer and paid the debt, which was His own death that we all can be free from the bondage of Satan.

Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

We are redeemed from the guilt and the power of sin through the blood of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

We have been forgiven all the sin we have ever had in our lives and forgiven from all future sin until the day God calls us home!

Psa 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

We can see that the only thing that may exceed or at least match the “Grace” of God is the “Mercy” of God!

*****Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

We must understand that we cannot be saved unless we are called. (Holy Ghost conviction)

This the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then freely gives us enough wisdom and prudence to understand God’s process of salvation.

It is only at this time when we have enough knowledge to make a right choice!

Prudence is the ability of judging what is the best choice.
Prudence is conforming to the rules of reason, truth and morality.
Prudence says, being blessed of God can come only by faith in the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ.

Those who have Spiritual wisdom are in the habit of being prudent!
Those who have worldly wisdom will usually make the wrong choice.

Therefore, it is so important to openly show or teach the word of the “Gospel” to those under Holy Ghost conviction!

God will give us enough understanding to know what to do.

Rom_12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

If not for this measure of faith we would never understand the mystery of God’s will!

What is God’s will? (It is certainly not what the Calvinist teach)

1Ti_2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

God will make this little mystery known before we make our choice.

*****Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

We should understand when we see the word mystery in the Scriptures, it will not be something mysterious and difficult to understand.

A mystery in the Scriptures is just something God did not show to the Old Testament Saints.

1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

We already know that God is always on time, when the time came to unlock the truth that He was ready to reveal to humanity.

We know that Israel had rejected the idea that Jehovah would also be the God of Gentiles, so God put Israel aside until the fulness of the Gentiles would come to Him in what we call the “Church Age”.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

After the rapture of the Church God will return to deal with the salvation of Israel.

Israel had missed the first opportunity to know the redemption of Christ and we should be aware, that the cause of this was the false ministry of the leaders of Judaism of that day.

It is God’s will that everyone will be saved! This has not been the case of the past and will not be the case in the future.

There will always be those who reject the truth of God!

Jehovah God has an eternal purpose and plan for this world and it is His good pleasure to bring it about.

Why do we have so many that teach the Scriptures by dispensation? Verse 10

*****Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Some say the method according to which God carries out His purpose towards man is called a dispensation.

Others say God’s method of carrying His purpose is by His covenants.

The key to dispensation is maintaining a consistency in literal interpretation and maintaining a distinction between Israel and the Church.

The truth is, God has set seasons in which He will accomplish His will and His purpose!

Ecc 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecc 3:17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

God has certainly appointed seasons of His will and purpose, just as He has appointed the Summer, the Winter, the Fall, and the Spring of each year.

God has an eternal purpose and plan for this world and He moves at His own pleasure and His own time.

God designs time as He sees fit to fulfill His purpose!

We are foolish to believe that God waits too long for certain things to take place!

We may totally understand the Word of God, but we will never know the seasons which He chooses to keep to Himself!

We must learn to be patient!

The truth is, there is coming a day when God will gather in one, all things in Christ Jesus!

Though “the rapture of the church” is a small part of this gathering, this is not speaking of the “Rapture” which will have already taken place.

Through the ”Gospel” we are first gathered individually and united with God through His Son.
God next gathers those individuals at His own pleasure, whether it be by age, or illness, or other means.
At the Rapture, God will gather all the “Body of Christ” that remain at His coming.
In the Millennial Kingdom, Christ will gather those who remain after the 7 years of Tribulation upon this earth.
At the end of this 1000 years, the fulness of time upon this earth, God will gather all things in Heaven and on this earth and place them in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

There will certainly be a climax to this world we live upon now!

Rev_21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

All these things will be gathered in Jesus Christ!

This world simply refuses to believe that world history lies in the hands of our Righteous God!

In this Scripture that word “dispensation” means stewardship, or better understood “house-management”.

We must realize that God has placed into the hands of Jesus Christ, the management of God’s Spiritual Household!

1Pe_2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Our entire Cosmos, God’s creation, is as a house under the management of God and God has placed all these things into the hands of Jesus Christ!

When death and Hell have been removed and evil will be no more, a new and perfect world will be established for the Lord Jesus Christ and all His followers!

It is the Lords “spiritual house”, the Holy Ghost filled children of God who will join with the angels who elected to stay with Christ who will move on into an entirely new creation!

Until this time we are to go about the work God has given us to do through Christ!

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

We are all missionaries, if not one of these, for the work of the ministry!

*****Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

God lives in the eternal world, which we call Heaven and even Heaven will be made new.

God took only 6 days to create the heavens and the earth that now exist but what did Jesus say?

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

How wonderful will this new place be?

1Co_2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

We know that only God knows what we need for a life in eternity, so God foreordained what He would do, for those who had the faith to believe in His Son.

God has made each believer to be His own son or His own daughter and His own most cherished possession, (His jewels).

So, we must also realize that our everlasting joy is a free gift of God.

Certainly, God will always be God, but the New Heaven and the New Earth will be created for the pleasure of each believer.

Just as a father should for their own children, God has implied that He will protect, care for, improve and enjoy His inheritance as much as we will enjoy being with Him throughout eternity! Amen

The New Heaven and the New Earth will be perfect because a perfect God will have made all things perfect even the believer!

God does things as He pleases, and it has pleased God to do these things!

Who can we obtain such an inheritance?

Mar_12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Those who can love the Lord in this manner!

It’s called “faith”!

It is only by “faith” that we can believe!

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Amen!

God Blesses Those Who Give

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Blessing Of Giving

Book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 9

Why does God call on us to give?

We can give God nothing that we did not first get from Him!

God can just have a thought and it will materialize.

Let’s think of it this way at first:

We already know that the love of money is behind all the evil in this world with Satan pushing this thought.

1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

So the root of evil is selfishness, God expects us to be the opposite of that, the secret to defeating selfishness is giving!

Let’s look at nature:

The Sun exists to give light, and heat, and even life itself.

The Seas give life along with many other things.

The Earth gives life and is always giving.

Why should we defy what God has created?

God has given us a purpose in life and God measures us according to that purpose!

2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

This is the theme of our lesson today.

We must never forget “receiving” is truly a blessing when we have a need for sure, but the “giver” gets an even greater blessing!

Act 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. 

Jesus would not have said this so many times if it were no true!

When we hate to give then we can see our own selfishness, which goes back to the root of all evil!

Let’s begin:

*****2Co 9:1  For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 
2Co 9:2  For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
2Co 9:3  Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 
2Co 9:4  Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 
2Co 9:5  Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.  

It should be very plain, God expects His people to be givers!

At my place of worship, we call these things love offerings. These Scriptures are not referring to the “tithe” which God expects from every child of God who has an income.

We must always to willing to give to needy saints but by no means exclusively to them we are to still help the lost and needy too if we are able!

If the church only helped Christians we would not be following in the will of God!

If we helped only the lost we would not be showing love for our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Give it to Jesus and let Him put it where He knows it needs to go!

**After all God “gave” His Son in payment for “our” sin for He had none Himself!

**Christ came to this earth to “give” of Himself!

**Those who give to please God should never be caught unprepared “to give”!

These people of Corinth understood these things but it was now time to show proof of their love and to make the collections.

“Being unprepared to give” to a giver can be embarrassing to him and cause him shame!

In today’s world almost no one carries much money on them at all for many reasons and we need to be aware of the time of collection so we can be prepared.

Paul had plans to return to Corinth when the Macedonians arrived at his location.

We can be sure that none of those who traveled with Titus where of Macedonia!

And we should understand from these words of Paul that he had never had negative things to say about this church at Corinth and had in fact boasted of their zeal to do right by the Word of God, including the zeal to give to those who had great needs.

Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 

Jesus Christ gave everything He had, including His life that we could be saved if we only believed. The name of Christ and the name Christian then means “sacrificial giving”!

So being prepared shows the love of Christ and does not show covetousness.

Sadly we if we are honest, most of us “including myself” rarely give all that we are able to give!

But in reverse we many times spend more than we are able “including myself” for things that we really do not even need!

As long as people are homeless and people starving in this world we need to consider ways to help, if possible.

As long as there are diseases that could wipe out an entire population we need to consider ways to help, if possible.

As long as there are disasters in this world such as tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, and any the many other such things, we need to consider ways we can help, if possible.

When the Church shows covetousness we are showing cold-hearted worldliness!

We sometimes forget this basic rule of thumb in the Word of God.

*****2Co 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 
2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

God gives us the example to two different Christians:

1) One who sows sparingly.

2) The other who sows bountifully.

First: the seed that is sown, has been selected and stored from a previous bounty that God had already provided, just for the purpose of sowing. All his needs had been met and he is prepared to sow again when the proper time comes.

Second: Not many farmers cast seed one at a time or “sparingly” but usually with an open handful “bountifully”. They are hopeful for a fruitful harvest every time they sow!

Third: the seed is sown on an empty field, a bare field in want of growth. (Those in want, especially those of faith)

Fourth: then the seed is covered where the sower has faith, hope, and patience that the harvest will be bountiful. (He sows these things in private and his good deeds may not be noticed till some time passes.

What does God say to each individual?

Pro 3:9  Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 

And why should we do this?

Pro 3:10  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. 

We must first give “the tithe” which are the first fruits of what God has already provided. God will then bless this giving and our barns will be full and our vineyards blessed. “By the way new wine, is the freshest of fresh grape juice”, which relates to continuously providing, even though our barns are already full.

It is from this plenty, that is far above our needs, that giving to others in need comes from but God also says to give till it hurts a little from time to time and what does God say about these things?

God loves a cheerful giver!

We can see these are two different things!

The giver who pleases God deliberately is a reflection of God’s love.

The Lord Jesus Christ hated the shame of the cross but He cheerfully gave Himself for our sin, because He has no sin.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross”, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

To be a Christian says “I want to be like Christ”. Jesus Christ was a “Cheerful Giver” of all He had.

God does not give us a fixed sum to give for charity.
God does look at the quality or the nature of our giving.

1) Is it of our own free will.
2) Does it cause an uneasiness in our mind.(grudgingly)(out of sorrow)(reluctance)
3) Did we give out of necessity. (Were we coaxed into giving by outside means)
4) God must actually see a “Cheerful giver” for God to be pleased!

And what is God reward?

*****2Co 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 
2Co 9:9  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

There is no greater blessing than this in the days we have on this earth before our physical death!

Salvation is the free “grace” of God. It cannot be bought, earned, or won!
When we are not “cheerful givers” we are out of the order of God’s “system of grace” which revolves around the Cross of Jesus Christ!
God loves what makes people happy and the spirit of love shown to others is one the sources of His happiness.

Those who live just for themselves first become wretched and then they become poor in many things of this life.

If we do not believe that God is able then we are saying the God is no longer the Creator who spoke and all things became reality!

After we have shown “faith”, God shows us His grace.
After we know “hope” God shows us His peace.
After we know “charity” God makes all His “grace” abound towards us!

All three are required but which is the greatest after salvation?

1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

Any other thoughts of the “Hope” of God are just childish reactions!

1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

So who provides that seed for the sower to begin with?

*****2Co 9:10  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 
2Co 9:11  Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Isaiah said it this way:

Isa 55:10  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 

It is the Lord provides the seed for the sower!
It is the Lord who blesses the seed from the sower!
It is the Lord who provides all our needs!

So the first motive for being a “cheerful giver” is to obtain the “grace” and the “blessings of God”, not out of duty, but out of love.

We should understand that word “ministereth” as a “promise” of God.
God will provide bread for our own food!
God will multiply our own seed so we can sow!
God will increase the fruit of our own righteousness!
And these things will be continuous!

Notice, these are not only spiritual blessings(that will last forever) but also material blessings(to use in this life).

God encourages us all to be “cheerful givers” with these promises!
God will more than return what the giver gives!

The truth is that each believer will receive so that he can give so leaves no excuse for hoarding the gifts of God!
The truth is each and every believer becomes “a channel” through which God sends His blessings!

Again this is God’s plan and He only asks us all to be a part of His plan and not make our own plans!

Isa 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 
Isa 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Simply put, “we cannot out-give God”!

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 
Eph 3:21  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

What is the truth of the “Gospel”?

*****2Co 9:12  For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 

Being a”cheerful giver” not only makes up the deficiencies of those in need, it relieves their needs and furnishes them with hope under sorrowful circumstances!

But that is not all:

**It means that we all can enter into the throne room of God to give thanks to God for His “Grace”!
**It also means we are fools to think God will not look harshly upon selfishness!

In fact Jesus said these words to a rich young man one day:

Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 

The point being, Jesus was perfect because He gave every thing He had, including His life for each and everyone of us!

None of us can be perfect in this life but this rich young man was foolish and it led to his many sorrows:

Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, “he went away sorrowful”: for he had great possessions. 

We should all clearly understand God knows we are nothing but dirt and He had great pity upon us all but a “cheerful giver” will still receive the “praise of God”!

There are still other reasons for being a “cheerful giver”.

*****2Co 9:13  Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 

What is the truth of salvation?

The salvation of the Lord is then:
1) Full
2) Finished
3) Free
4) Cannot Fail
5) And is Forever

We will never understand the “Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ” until we become subjected to the “Gospel”!

We must willingly submit ourselves to the entire “Gospel” and not in bits and pieces!

***So then a “cheerful giver” proves his loyalty to the “Gospel”!

A “cheerful giver” will give and give and keep on giving until the Lord returns!

***And yet another object of “giving” is for the world to “glorify God”!

The “Gospel” is the truth and comes with a binding authority higher than any of this earth.
The “Gospel” reveals the only method of salvation, one which man could never even have conceived.
The “Gospel” prescribes the only rule for practical living.
The “Gospel” is God’s love letter to His greatest creation, mankind!
The “Gospel” makes us aware that the gifts of God, our resources, are to be used to carry this “Gospel” throughout this world!

***This includes our time, our influence, and our money!

But there is still more:

*****2Co 9:14  And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 

**Being a “cheerful giver” will enhance our prayer life!

Giving stirs up great prayers, great love, and great fellowship among all God’s people!

No other results can be greater than these as we all serve the Lord

Eph 1:15  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 
Eph 1:16  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 

In fact how can we not be “cheerful givers’?

*****2Co 9:15  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 

***The greatest gift ever given to this world is the gift of God’s only begotten Son!

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 
Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

How can we not give back things “that are not required” but things that we can “cheerfully give” to make sure that this world has the opportunity to hear this wonderful message of God?

I assure you that these Scriptures are as much for me as they are for anyone else!

I have felt ashamed in my own selfishness!

Questions?

Let’s Pray that we all can become “cheerful givers” for the cause of Christ!

The Gospel Promises

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Gospel Promises

Book of Galatians 3:10-18

What does God ask of us?

God simply ask us to believe!

This has always been what God has asked since the beginning of time!

If we will only believe what God says, God has made some special promises to us all.

2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises”: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What is the truth?

It is by the promises of God that we can partake of God’s divine nature.

It is by the promises of God that we can escape the corruption that is in this world we live in.

These promises of God are unconditional except for the one thing, that we believe what God says.

God promised that He would be our God.

God promised that mankind, His creation, would be His people.

God promised that He would one day dwell amongst His people.

God promised that He had a plan to make all these things happen!

God has made available to us all, His plan in His Written Word, and God’s plan cannot fail!

God has asked us all to teach those we come in contact with, the Word of God, but God made a promise that one day even this would no longer be necessary.

Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: “for they shall all know me”, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

God’s promises are being fulfilled before our eyes and He will soon be with us and we with Him!

God’s plan requires us only to believe, “to have Faith” because there is no other means by which we can be a part of God’s plan!

There never was, there is not now, and there never will be another way to spend eternity with Our God!

All those that think they can work their way into God’s Heaven will remain under the “Curse of Sin”!

Let’s pickup where we left off last week.

*****Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

We must not be confused, to be “Cursed” is to be condemned and doomed to the wrath of God!

We must also not be confused about sin, Sin Has Consequences!

What God told Adam?

Gen 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

What were the results of Adam’s sin?

Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

1) All mankind was sentenced to earn a livelihood from a cursed ground. This would mean toil and sweat.

2) The women are sentenced to suffering in childbirth and we know that this is still true.

3) The women are sentenced to be subjects of their husbands.

4) Then at the end of life, all mankind would return to the dust that we are all made of.

It is not work that is the curse because God will always expect some sort work from us.

It is the fact that work will not be a pleasant thing. There will always be sorrow, toil, frustration, sweat, and weariness that are connected with work here on this Earth.

Even though this curse fell on Adam because he had allowed the words of his wife to take precedence over the Word of God.

On this Earth we live on, the dust, the elements from which all life has been made are included in this curse.

Under this curse, all God’s creation would begin to die and decay and return to that dust from which all life on this Earth came.

It should be obvious that any failure to obey the Word of God brings a curse!

Then if the Law carries a curse, then it could not then bring salvation for it is impossible to keep all the Word of God, all the time, because we can never eliminate, that desire, or that lust that is in us all.

A person either keeps all the Law or that person is cursed!

Cursed then means we will stand before our Righteous Creator and bear the punishment for our sin!

It is that same Word of God that presents that punishment for sin, which is “Death”!

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

But by God’s Grace, He has provided a means to escape this “Death”.

This death is not just the death of the body as we all will one day die.

This death is the eternal separation from the Living God!

For those that think they have lived free of sin and are still able to do so, are just deceiving themselves.

Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Rom 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
Rom 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

The same Word of God that contains the Law that some people brag that they can keep all their lives, also says that no one can be justified by that Law.

*****Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

All those that think they can approach God by keeping some laws or doing some works will fall under the curse because these are impossible things to do!

God has said from the beginning, if you want to depend on obedience of all the law for salvation then that’s fine, but you must live all your life by that law knowing there is no room for failure!

Lev 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: “which if a man do, he shall live in them”: I am the LORD.

The Word of God says that there is a righteousness that can come by the Law.

Rom 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Note the Jews had 613 laws, not including the laws of government, and not one individual was able to keep all those laws all the days of their lives.

Every honest human being knows that they cannot keep even the Law of God in every single detail.

Every honest human being knows that they cannot even keep all the laws of man in every single detail.

Trying to obey some laws is seeking to be justified by works.

Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

God says that it is only by “Faith” that we can be justified!

If we trust the Word of God then we would be fools to ignore God’s chosen way to approach Him!

No man can be justified by any law in the sight of God!

Only God is perfect!

Only God can be perfectly righteous!

There is no man that can achieve perfection on his own!

Therefore no man can become righteous on his own!

The Law carries with it a curse!

Faith carries with it life!

SO, why is this such a hard choice?

*****Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

It is a fact that the law requires no faith.

The law only requires total and absolute obedience!

This does not mean that a legalist cannot have faith but it does mean that the law requires no faith!

When you decide to trust in the law for your salvation, then God says you must be perfect in your obedience to the law.

There is no room for error!

God gives us the laws that are required to meet justification, in written form. We call it the Bible. Some people just say The Book!

God also says there is a curse attached to those laws.

God says those that trust in their own obedience to those laws must be perfect in that obedience!

This is the stumbling block of the law!

Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

What is the greatest commandment in the Bible?

Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

The Law then had only one purpose!

The law was given to show all mankind their sin and to cause within them, a personal guilt for being disobedient to God and to God’s Law!

Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

The law then is inferior to the “Grace of God”!

When we study the Bible we will see that the law was given to Moses by angels and from Moses to mankind and Moses was the mediator of the law as long as he lived.

But is was God Himself who gave the promise of “Grace” and “Righteousness” to Abraham!

The Law comes with certain conditions that must be met.

The “Grace” of God is unconditional requiring only “Faith”.

That’s why Jesus said He did not come to destroy the law!

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

The Lord Jesus Christ, The Messiah, came to reveal the full depth of the law.

The Messiah came to this Earth to redeem us all from the terrible curse of the law!

*****Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

What are the facts of Scripture?

Christ Jesus has bought us all back and paid the ransom to free us all from the “Curse” of the law with His own blood!

Jesus Christ took our condemnation, our doom, our death, and our punishment upon His own self by becoming a curse for us and He took our place.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The Apostle Paul illustrates these things for us by quoting from the Old Testament:

Deu 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
Deu 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

This “does not” mean that a man is cursed because he is executed on a tree or as we know a cross.

This “does” mean that any man who is executed upon a tree, a cross, is there because he fell under the curse of the law!

The cross portrays the death of the lawbreaker and not true life that can only be obtained by ‘Faith” and God’s law of Grace”!

It is “Grace” that fulfills the Law of God!

Jesus Christ bore the curse of the law in order to open the door of blessing to all mankind!

Jesus Christ bore the curse of the law in order to fulfill the promises made to Abraham and to be a blessing to “all nations”!

*****Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Every human being that believes upon Jesus Christ, that Christ Jesus bore our own curse, is accepted by God and are all given the blessings of the true “Promised Land”.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

1) There is the promise of a divine nature:

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: “that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature”, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2) There is the promise of a new birth:

Joh 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.
Joh 3:4 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?
Joh 3:5 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.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

3) There is the promise of becoming a new creation:

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

4) There is the promise of becoming a new man:

Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

It is the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit that causes all these promises to be fulfilled.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

It is the fulfillment of these promises that allow us into God’s New Heaven!

These promises cannot be broken!

*****Gal 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

We should not ever forget that the Bible teaches us that true life is a life in the presence of God. In this teaching the Bible teaches that though this body of flesh, ages with time and will one day die, true life can only begin at that time.

In the O.T.

Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

In the N.T.

Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Notice there is a place of everlasting shame but also a place of everlasting life.

It is during this life we now live that we can make a choice of our eternal destination!

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Paul says, let’s look at this and just take God and eternal salvation out of the picture for a moment.

1Co 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, “if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die”.

This is living in the world of the Atheist!

It is estimated that less than 3% of the population of this world say they are Atheists and most of those will call on a god before their death.

This means that 97% of the world’s population believe in some sort of supernatural being.

97% of our world of over 7 billion people believe in an after life and this many people cannot be wrong, it is just that the Atheist make the most noise!

97% of the world believe that the basis for eternal security does not rest with man, but with God!

The Bible teaches us that the eternal security of each believer is based on the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

It is the Father who has the power to keep us secure in our salvation.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

And the Father will not lose any of those to eternal death, that trust Him!

Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Now knowing all these things, do we really believe that God will keep His promises or not?

As we have seen God took full responsibility for Abraham’s destiny, because Abraham believed God!

The Apostle Paul says that even when men make a covenant with themselves, that covenant is expected to stand!

In the old days, a covenant was sealed with a hand shake.

In our day covenants are seal by legal binding documents.

By law, the promises of a covenant are sealed and both parties are bound by the words of that covenant!

No one outside the existing parties of that covenant can add to or change the wording of that covenant!

And now Paul describes the covenant made with Abraham.

*****Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

First, we see that the covenant made to Abraham also included his “seed”.

Second, the important question is “Who” is meant by the seed of Abraham?

Since the word “Seed” is singular and not plural then we can expect this “Seed” to be only one person.

The same Bible that teaches us all the wonderful things of God says that this “Seed” was Jesus Christ.

The entire Old Testament leads us to this “Seed” of Abraham!

What this means is, that the promises made to Abraham have been passed down to Jesus Christ.

Now if we just think like a man, then this is what the Word of God teaches!

**It is Jesus Christ who will inherit all the promised land, which includes the land of Canaan, the entire world, and the new world that is to come!

**It is all those that “believe” that shall inherit the world of Jesus Christ and reign with Christ throughout all eternity.

Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

**It means that only by “Faith” can the believer become justified and acceptable to God!

Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Abraham’s part in the covenant with God, was to believe!

Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

God’s part in this same covenant, was to keep and to fulfill all His promises!

The Apostle Paul says, that if you just think according to the way most men think of man-made laws you would still come to this same conclusion, when you look at the details of the covenant God made with Abraham.

And the pure fact is, that God made this covenant with Abraham some 430 years before the Laws of Moses were even written.

*****Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

When the Law was given to Moses, the covenant given to Abraham had not yet been fulfilled!

Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

And Jesus said not only had He come to fulfill the covenant given to Abraham, but He had also come to fulfill the Laws of Moses which had a totally different purpose.

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Jesus was not just speaking of the Laws of Moses but all the Word of God.

When we come face to face with God, we will be judged by the Word of God!

The point of this sermon by the Apostle Paul remains that no man is justified by the law and neither can they be!

God’s covenant, God’s inheritance, and God’s eternal security come by “Promise” and “Not By Law”!

*****Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

What did Abraham inherit?

The most important thing that Abraham inherited was his own righteousness!

Gen 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

And Abraham’s righteousness came by “Faith” and not by any law!

It was only after being accepted before God that Abraham was given the privilege, by Grace, of living forever in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

What did Jesus promise to all those that have Faith?

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Thank God, He is more about His promise than He is about some Law.

God has never changed from the promises He has made and He never will!

Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not;

What was the highest priority of the Apostles?

Luk 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

We should also pray to God to increase our “Faith”!

This should also be our priority as we grow in the Grace and Knowledge of the Lord!

Questions?

Let’s Pray!

Trusting God’s Plan Of Salvation—Rahab

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Trusting God’s Salvation

Rahab

Text: Book of Joshua Chapter 2

Our Focus 2:1-15, 18

Trusting in God’s Salvation.

That word “trusting” spiritually speaking means “to rely on”. We must rely on God for our “salvation”. The only thing we provide to Him is a sinner in need of salvation.

That word “trusting” is used only 1 time in the Bible:

Psa 112:7  He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, [trusting in the LORD].

When our hearts are fixed and we trust in the Lord(Jehovah) we can be saved!

The Hebrew word “batach” that was translated to the word “trusting” in this verse of Psalms, is used 120 times in the Bible, but not again as the word “trusting”.

“Batach” means we must have “confidence” in the Word of God.

We have just finished a study in the Book of Hebrews and we saw this same Rahab in Chapter 11 in what is called the Wall of Faith.

Heb 11:31  By faith the harlot Rahab [perished not with them that believed not], when she had received the spies with peace.

Rahab had faith in the Word of God. Rahab trusted in the Word of God!

There were only two women that were mentioned in Hebrews 11.

Sarah, who was a godly woman.

And, Rahab who had been an ungodly woman.

The fact remains that we are all sinners saved by the “Grace of God”!

Rahab had worshipped pagan gods and sold her own body for money.

Rahab had absolutely nothing in common with Sarah except her “faith”.

James,  when he was inspired to write by the Holy Ghost, even compares the “faith” of the Harlot Rahab, to that of Abraham:

Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
 
Jas 2:21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Jas 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
 
Jas 2:25  [Likewise] also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, [so faith without works is dead also].

These are the works that follow the “faith” of the believer!

A true saving “faith” always proves itself by good works!

[Rahab was saved by her faith and not by her works] but she also made it into the ancestry of the Messiah, the Son of God in the flesh, Jesus!

Mat 1:5  [And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab]; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

This same Boaz married Ruth in another chapter in God’s Word.

So we see that God can use anyone and from any walk in life.
 
Jehovah God is truly no respecter of persons!

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. [But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:]
Rom 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, [even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.]
 
The Bible proves to us that God will choose the most unlikely people to have a part in His Work by His “Grace”!

So let’s begin:

*****Jos 2:1  And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. [And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there].

Moses had sent out 12 spies and they were unfaithful at least all but two. This same Joshua, and Caleb.

Jericho was about 7 or 8 miles from the river of Jordan.

There is no telling what goes through the minds of the reader when they see this passage and read where these two men went straight to the house of a harlot.

But we should consider, if these two spies had gone to a regular inn they would have been more noticeable as strangers in the land, and they were trying to avoid this at all cost.

But what we should concentrate on is the fact that God had already prepared this Rahab to receive His people!

We will see that she received, lodged, sheltered, and protected the messengers of God.

What did Jesus tell his disciples that He sent out  as messengers to the people?

Mat 10:11  And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
Mat 10:12  And when ye come into an house, salute it.

God prepares the hearts of those that will receive His messengers!

We need to realize that not one Missionary would accomplish anything unless God has prepared some to receive them.

This is the very reason no one can have their own plan for missions but “we must be obedient to God’s call” and to the place God has called.

These spies may have been led to this house because it was situated on the wall itself but there can be no doubt that they had been directed there by God Himself!

*****Jos 2:2  And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

Even though these two spies had entered Jericho in the evening just before the gates were closed they had not gone unnoticed.

As this passage unfolds we will see that these men of Jericho have themselves been watching Israel for all the 40 years that they were in the wilderness.

They were very aware of their presence near the river Jordan!

They were also very aware that Israel had been promised this land known as Canaan Land.

*****Jos 2:3  And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

Rahab had to take her life into her own hands when she had welcomed God’s people into her home.

Since these two men represented God’s people, and she was not afraid to offer her help, she was not about to give them to this king.

If the king discovered her deception it could have meant her death.

*****Jos 2:4  And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, [There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: ]

When is a lie a real lie?

When situations arise that go against the teachings of God, which is this case,  what would the words of Jesus be?

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

We must obey the Word of God even over those of our own governments at times!

Rahab had demonstrated her “faith” by being obedient to the Word of God. How could she now just give up those she had taken in?

It is never OK to go against the Word of God even if it means we have to go against the laws of man!

“We never have the right to cause the death of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, just to protect ourselves”!

We must remember who we serve!

Rahab’s “faith” was not hidden. She took her stand for the Lord God Almighty. Those two spies could readily tell she was a “believer”.
 
*****Jos 2:5  And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

We can see the Rahab willingly took part in the work and the safety of the spies. We can also see that Rahab was well known to these men sent of the king because he had no problem in believing what she had said.

The question is always asked, Did God sanction Rahab’s lie? I believe He did.
 
We might also ask, Did God sanction those who hid the Jews during World War II? I believe He did.

We support a missionary who smuggles Bibles into China.

Does God sanction the deceit of Bible smugglers who are lying to the Chinese government officials in order to get the Word of God into the hands of Chinese Christians? I believe He does.

The Apostle Peter and the Apostle John broke the law of the land.

Did God sanction the breaking of those laws?

Act 4:18  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Act 4:20  [For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.]
 
Does God sanction the telling of lies? NO

Does God place His Word above all manmade law? That answer is YES!

This called taking a stand on the Word of God!

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, [to stand.]
 
*****Jos 2:6  But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
 
Flax is the plant that is processed to make linen.

The Canaanites were familiar with the use of linen, as evidenced in our scripture. BUT, We can see that this Rahab also worked to make a living in an honest way by making linen cloth.

The ancient method of processing flax into linen included soaking the flax and then laying it out to dry.

The flat roofs of these homes made it the ideal place dry this flax and Rahab had a large stack of these plants drying on her roof.

It also made it the ideal place to hide these spies at this time.

*****Jos 2:7  And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.

Rahab had been so convincing that these men of the king left in hot pursuit of the spies. But we can see they shut the gate of the city and probably posted guards to make sure they could not return.

We can also see that these men of Jericho searched all the way back to the river Jordan to a place (the fords) where they knew it was the easiest place to cross the river especially during the flooding season. (The time of the barley harvest).

We should know that the harvest of the barley and the flax happened at the same time!

*****Jos 2:8  And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
Jos 2:9  And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

Before these two spies had a chance to sleep Rahab came and explained her faith to them.

We should immediately notice that Rahab showed more faith in the Lord than the ten of the spies that were sent out by Moses.

We have just spent some time in the Book of Hebrews but it said of Rahab:

Heb 11:31  “By faith” [the harlot Rahab] perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

We can see the truth of that scripture as we read the Book of Joshua!

Her “faith” was based on facts!

To the church God says:

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So what had Rahab heard about Israel?

*****Jos 2:10  For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.

It had been 40 years since God had parted the Red Sea for the escape of Israel but it was still believed as a fact in Jericho.

The defeat of the two kings, Sihon and Og were things that had happened more recently and Jericho was well aware of army of God.

We should also notice that God had allowed 40 more years for the Canaanites to change their ways but they had not.

Remember what God had told Abraham:

Gen 15:16  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

God had revealed Himself, not only to Israel but also to the known world and given them time to repent AND,  It did not happen!

God has made it very clear to all the world, in the New Testament:

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

How long will God wait before He comes in judgment?

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

*****Jos 2:11  And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

What is the power of conviction that brings “faith”?

Rahab was living in a pagan culture and had never heard the Word of God.

Rahab had not seen the first miracle.

Rahab had “only heard” how the mightiest nation on Earth at that time Egypt, had been humbled by Jehovah God, the I Am, of the Bible.

Rahab had “only heard” how Egypt had been humbled because Pharaoh refused the demands of Jehovah.

Rahab had “only heard” how Jehovah had redeemed poor, slaves from bondage.

Rahab had “only heard” how Jehovah had parted the Red Sea.

Rahab had “only heard” how the most mighty army in the world of that time had been destroyed.

Rahab had “only heard” how these slaves had wandered in the wilderness until they also were humbled by this Jehovah.

Rahab had “only heard” how these redeemed slaves had somehow conquered Sihon and Og of the Amorites.

Now Rahab could see that this bunch of redeemed people were camped near the river Jordan and were poised to conquer Canaan Land.

Rahab knew that she had never witnessed any things like these of her pagan gods!

SO, Rahab believed the things she had heard and Rahab stood alone against all her countrymen!

Do we wonder why Rahab was mentioned in the New Testament?

Those words the LORD your God mean “Jehovah the Holy Trinity”.

He is the God of Heaven above and also the God of the Earth beneath that Heaven!

This is why it is called “faith”!

What did the Apostle Paul write to the Romans?

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, [Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed].

How could we ever question the salvation of Rahab?

You know it is past time that Christians should stand against our own government!

Maybe not in the act of war but surely in the truth of the Word of God!

*****Jos 2:12  Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, [since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house,] and give me a true token:

Rahab prayed to be a part of God’s chosen people!

Rahab had realized the “Grace and Mercy” of this Holy God and she wanted to be a part of Him and also her family.

Once we know the Lord as our Savior, we need to do all we can to help our families know the same.

Rahab realized that Jehovah had a personal relationship with Israel and He was no respecter of persons for He cared even for the poor and for slaves.

Rahab realized that God also loved the stranger!

*****Jos 2:13  And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Jos 2:14  And the men answered her, Our life for yours, [if ye utter not this our business]. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
 
Rahab wanted a guarantee.

These two men of Israel:

1.) They pledged their word.

2.) They pledged their lives that they would not break their word.

This was being like Christ before Christ came into the world.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has pledged Himself as the “guarantor of a better covenant”.

Heb 7:22  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Jesus Christ died for us all and that included Rahab and her family but more important “He lives”, so our salvation is secure!

Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Rahab also had to make a promise.

Rahab had to promise not to tell of their agreement.

All of Jericho already knew why the spies were sent. Rahab would have jeopardized her own safety if she told anyone else what had happened and also that of her family if she did not bring them into her house.

*****Jos 2:15  Then she let them down by a cord through the window: [for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall].

We can be sure that it was not that cord that is our lesson here but it is the color of that cord which is a “type” of the “Blood” of Jesus.

Jos 2:16  And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
Jos 2:17  And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
Jos 2:18  Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.

Rahab made sure that these two men of Israel understood the directions she had given to their pursuers and gave them different instructions.

Jas 2:24  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Jas 2:25  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James gives us this example of good works “after faith”, which brought salvation.

BUT, This thin scarlet line was Rahab’s only hope of deliverance for her and her family.

We can be sure that the color of this line is given to us of the New Testament to remind us of the blood of Jesus.

To Israel it would be a reminder of the blood sprinkled post of their homes in Egypt the day of the passover, when the death angel was to pass over.

We need to be clear. Rahab and her family would be saved by her “faith in God” to deliver her and not faith in some red rope.

The fact that she hung the rope was a sign of her “faith”!

Rahab was a woman of great courage. She would have to tell her family of the coming destruction and the promised salvation.

Jehovah God had put His fear all over Canaan Land.

This was good news and a great assurance for Joshua!

*****Jos 2:24  And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

Rahab found her place in Israel. She was married to Salmon and their son was Boaz, whom we will study when we get to the Book of Ruth.

Their son was Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David the most loved king of Israel.

It is the line of David that leads us the Mary and Joseph the God selected parents of the Holy Ghost delivered Son of God who we call the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rahab’s name will live forever as an ancestor of Jesus Christ!

Questions?

Let’s Pray!