Podcast appearances and mentions of christ rom

The Lord who “laid the foundation of the earth” (Job 38:4) is the Author and Giver of life who governs all things by His Word. His wisdom and power are beyond our understanding, except as He reveals Himself in the incarnate Word, Christ Jesus. He has “entered into the springs of the sea” and “walked in the recesses of the deep” (Job 38:16), and He draws near to us in mercy. We have been “a long way from the land, beaten by the waves” and tossed about by hostile winds (Matt. 14:24). In our mortality and sinful unbelief, we do not always recognize the Lord Jesus. But as we cry out in fear, He speaks tenderly to us, “Do not be afraid,” and He reaches out His hand to save us (Matt. 14:27, 31). “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13), and now we call upon Him in faith, because we have heard “through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Rom. 10:8).

Send us Fan MailIf you've ever wondered, “Why do I still battle sin if I belong to Christ,” we go straight to the heart of Romans 6 and refuse the shallow answers. We put weight on Paul's words that our “old man” was crucified with Christ, and we ask the hard, honest follow-up: if that's true, what exactly is happening when temptation still hits, habits still flare, and spiritual warfare still feels constant?We unpack the difference between sin being present and sin reigning. The body of sin is not your physical body, and “destroyed” does not mean you reach sinless perfection overnight. It means sin's dominion is legally broken, its authority is overthrown, and its power is progressively weakened through sanctification. We talk assurance of salvation, eternal security, and why justification by faith is a forensic verdict grounded in Christ's finished work, not your daily performance.We also confront a modern confusion point: the claim that asking God for forgiveness proves you were never saved. We argue the opposite. Christians confess because they now recognize sin as sin, hate what once felt normal, and run to Christ rather than hide. Repentance is not the mechanism that keeps you saved; it's the fruit of being saved.If this conversation helps you breathe again, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs steadier assurance, and leave a review so more people can find it. What part of Romans 6 gives you the most confidence when you struggle?Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailYour worst spiritual fear is usually the one you're too ashamed to say out loud: “What if I lose my salvation?” We go straight at that question by tracing how self-focused faith creates constant pressure, and why the gospel moves us from “I have to hold on” to “Christ lives in me.” When salvation feels like a tightrope, peace disappears. When salvation is anchored in Jesus, the heart can finally rest.We dig into Romans 6:10-11 and the logic of the cross: Christ died to sin once, a final and unrepeatable atoning work that needs no supplement. We also clarify a point that confuses many Christians: the wrath of God is endured on the cross, not later in a place of torment. If the debt is paid, it isn't paid twice. That's not abstract theology, it's the difference between daily anxiety and steady assurance.Then we unpack the practical command to “reckon” yourself dead to sin and alive to God. We talk about what reckoning is and isn't, how union with Christ changes your identity, and why sanctification becomes both realistic and hopeful when sin is no longer your master. The conversation closes with personal reflections on being hidden in Christ and a prayer for a friend facing medical treatment.If you've been stuck in fear-based obedience or constant self-checking, listen through and let us know what hit home. Subscribe for the next part, share this with someone who needs assurance, and leave a review so more people can find this study.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailIf you have ever wondered, “What if I fail and God lets me go?” we go straight to the text that refuses to let salvation hang on your grip. We work through Romans 6:8-9 and slow down on Paul's phrasing: since we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Him. That single connection forces a bigger question: if a Christian could be finally lost, what would that say about the cross, the resurrection, and the righteousness Christ gives to His people? We talk candidly about eternal security, union with Christ, and why the idea of “losing salvation” ends up accusing Jesus' work of being incomplete. We also bring in Jesus' words about His sheep hearing His voice, not as a sentimental quote, but as a claim of ownership and a promise of perseverance. And we make room for real-life clarity: sanctification is a process, but it is the Holy Spirit's work in those who are already secure, not a fragile probation period you must survive. We also tackle Romans 6:9 and the grounding truth behind assurance: Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more, so death has no dominion over Him or those united to Him. A lively exchange even takes on the “descended” question, while keeping the main point in focus: Jesus' resurrection is permanent, and that permanence is the believer's confidence now and hope for final glorification. If this strengthened your faith, share it with a friend who needs steadier ground, and please subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these Bible-centered conversations.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan Mail“For if we have been planted together…” sounds like a condition at first glance, but we argue Romans 6:5 is doing the opposite. Paul is saying since you've been planted into Christ, your story is now bound to His death and His resurrection. That shift from maybe to certainty changes everything, especially for Christians who live exhausted by fear, constantly watching their own performance and wondering if they will make it to the end.We slow down and trace the logic of union with Christ: planted together means an intimate, inseparable bond, like a branch grafted into a living tree. If that's true, then sin can still harass you, but it cannot rule you. We talk about what it means for the dominion of sin to be judicially broken, why assurance of salvation is not arrogance, and how the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead now works spiritual life and progressive holiness in His people.We also tackle common confusion around baptism in Romans 6, pushing back on the idea that Paul is primarily teaching water baptism as the means of being buried with Christ. Finally, we move into Romans 6:6 and the “old man” crucified with Christ, including a clarifying moment on the difference between the old man and the flesh that remains. If you want clearer gospel confidence and a steadier approach to sanctification, listen now, then subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review so more people can find it.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Come join us in worshiping the only true and living God, Father, Son, and Spirit! With singing and the reading of his word with Romans 7:4-6

Send us Fan Mail“If grace is free, why not keep sinning?” That question may sound modern, but Paul answers it directly in Romans 6 and his answer cuts through the noise. We pick up right where the letter pivots from justification by faith into sanctification, and we slow down to show how union with Christ reshapes the whole Christian life.We talk about holiness in a way that does not turn it into a pride project or a behavior scoreboard. Holiness means consecration, being set apart by God for his use, and it flows from what God has already done in salvation. When people accuse grace-centered Christians of promoting moral indifference, we explain why that charge misunderstands the gospel. The grace that justifies is the same grace that sanctifies, and it destroys sin's dominion rather than giving anyone a pass.Along the way, we discuss inside-out change, the law written on the heart, and why we keep preaching the truth of free grace even when it gets mocked. We also explore communicable attributes of God that believers grow into through sanctification, and non-communicable attributes that belong to God alone. If you want a clear, Bible-based answer to the “license to sin” accusation, this conversation will strengthen your footing.Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who wrestles with grace and holiness, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. What part of Romans 6 challenges you most right now?Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan Mail“Shall we keep sinning so grace can grow?” That question sounds modern, but Paul answers it with a blunt force refusal, and we slow down long enough to feel the weight of it. We talk through Romans 6 and the doctrine behind it, because what you believe about grace, sanctification, and union with Christ will shape how you fight sin on an ordinary Tuesday, not just how you talk about theology on Sunday. We start by clarifying God's communicable attributes versus non-communicable attributes. God calls us to real love, mercy, patience, and holiness, and he credits believers with righteousness through Christ, yet none of those qualities ever rise to God's infinite purity. At the same time, some attributes remain God's alone: omniscience, omnipresence, immutability, and absolute sinlessness. That framework keeps us from two ditches at once: despair that gives up on obedience, and pride that pretends we can become flawless. Then we press into the heart of Romans 6: the gospel never encourages sin. The grace that pardons is the same grace that sanctifies, and “dead to sin” means a decisive break in dominion. We still battle indwelling sin, but we no longer belong to it, and a true believer cannot live comfortably under sin's rule because we've been transferred into Christ's kingdom. We close by setting up Paul's next move about being baptized into Jesus Christ and into his death, tying identity, perseverance, and daily warfare together. If this helped you think clearly about justification by faith, sanctification, and the Christian fight against sin, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailThe question sounds reasonable until you follow it to the end: if grace is real and God forgives freely, why not keep sinning? We open Romans 6 and take Paul's answer seriously, because he does not respond with a motivational speech or a threat. He responds with identity and union: if we belong to Christ, we have died to sin, and that changes what “continuing in sin” even means.From there, we slow down on a phrase many of us have heard but not fully weighed: “baptized into Christ.” We talk about why Romans 6 cannot be reduced to water baptism as a saving act, even while still honoring baptism as a commanded and beautiful ordinance. We lay out the biblical distinction between the outward sign and the inward grace, point to examples like Simon Magus, and explain why Paul's argument depends on a real spiritual union with Christ by the Holy Spirit through faith. Along the way we connect “in Christ” language across the New Testament, from no condemnation to new creation.We also get practical about sanctification. Yes, believers struggle with sin, but the fight is not you trying to earn a win that Jesus has not secured. It is the lived out fruit of a victory already won at the cross and confirmed in the resurrection. Finally, we move into Romans 6:4 and the burial imagery that seals the point: the old life is consigned to the grave, and we are raised to walk in newness of life. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who wrestles with baptism and assurance, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailYou can feel the difference between religious pressure and real spiritual life, and Romans 6 puts words to it. We talk about union with Christ, the kind of union that changes how you wake up, how you handle guilt, and how you face suffering. If Jesus truly died and rose again, then believers are not stuck trying to “earn” freedom. We're brought into it, sharing in his death to sin and walking in the newness of life by resurrection power.We also zoom out to see how intentional God's plan is, from the law pointing to Christ to the perfect historical timing for the gospel to spread across the world. Then we get very practical: why legalism, fear, and self-reliance cannot defeat sin, and why a deeper grasp of justification and sanctification flows from the same place, our unbreakable union with the crucified and risen Savior.Along the way, our group shares honest testimonies about seasons that crushed them, and how something stronger kept pulling them up. We wrestle with big questions too, including what it would even mean to “lose salvation” if the resurrection power of Christ is at work in his people. We close with a praise report, prayer, and encouragement for anyone who needs comfort and clarity tonight.If this strengthened you, subscribe for more, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these Romans Bible study conversations.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailIf you've ever wondered whether God's grace can really cover the full weight of your sin, Romans 5 answers with a shockingly strong phrase: “much more.” We follow Paul's contrast between Adam and Christ and argue that Jesus doesn't merely repair what was broken in Eden, He surpasses it. That theme drives everything we talk about: assurance of salvation, the finished work of Christ, and why the gospel isn't God doing 90% while we scramble to supply the last 10%. We unpack why Christ first fulfills the law in perfect obedience, then dies as both expiation and propitiation. Those words matter because they clarify what the cross actually accomplishes: sin is removed, wrath is turned away, and our guilt is not left hanging in the air. When sin is imputed to Christ and carried into the grave, it stays buried. When Christ rises, His righteousness is credited to us, grounding justification and peace with God in what He has done, not in what we can maintain. That leads straight into the question people debate endlessly: can a true Christian lose salvation? We push the logic all the way through. If you must obey any part of God's law to earn or keep salvation, what did Christ fail to obey that you now have to complete? Along the way, we address the “license to sin” accusation, talk about gratitude-driven holiness, and end with a practical biblical anchor: being sealed with the Holy Spirit as a mark of God's ownership and protection, with a thought-provoking connection to Revelation's language about marks and allegiance. If this conversation steadies your faith or challenges your assumptions, subscribe, share it with a friend who wrestles with assurance, and leave a review so more people can find it. What line of reasoning hits you the hardest?Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailDeath shows up everywhere, long before Sinai, long before any “rulebook” gets handed down. That's where we start: Romans 5 says death reigned from Adam to Moses, and we slow down long enough to feel the force of it. If people died before the Mosaic Law, then the problem is bigger than breaking a posted command. We talk about conscience, creation, and why God is not fooled by technical loopholes, even when we try to excuse ourselves with “I didn't know.” From there we move into the hard but honest heart of Christian theology: Adam as a representative head, and what it means to inherit a condition you didn't personally choose. We use an inheritance and “courtroom” picture to make imputation and guilt feel concrete, then we turn the page to the better news. Christ is also a representative head, and his work is not a simple offset to Adam's damage. The free gift is greater, fuller, and overflowing with grace, righteousness, and life for those God saves. We also go straight at a question that creates constant anxiety for many believers: can salvation be lost? We argue that if Adam's sin brought a permanent reign of death that no one can undo by willpower, then Christ's superabounding grace is not fragile, temporary, or reversible. Along the way we touch sanctification, how real change shows up over time, and why Romans 5 equips us for stronger apologetics and a clearer gospel presentation. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs assurance, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway or question.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailOne sentence from Romans 5 can unravel a lot of confusion and it can also rebuild your confidence in the gospel. We slow down in Romans 5:12–14 and follow Paul's logic from the inside: sin enters through one man, death follows as the unavoidable consequence, and that death spreads because humanity is bound up with Adam as our representative head. That is not a side detail. It is the backdrop that makes the gift of grace, justification by faith, and reconciliation through Christ land with full weight.We talk plainly about what “death” includes in Paul's argument: physical death, spiritual death, and the shadow of eternal death apart from divine grace. Then we draw the comparison Paul is setting up between Adam and Christ. If Adam's single trespass carries real consequences for those in him, Christ's saving work carries real and lasting consequences for those in him. That is why assurance is not wishful thinking. It is tied to how representation works, and it challenges the idea that someone can be truly in Christ and still end up finally lost.We also address a frequently misused line: “sin is not imputed where there is no law.” Paul is not teaching that people were innocent before Moses. Death reigned from Adam to Moses, which shows sin was present even without the Mosaic law. The law exposes what is already true, and that clarity is one reason we preach rather than treat ignorance like safety.If this helped you think more clearly about original sin, federal headship, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailIf you've ever wondered whether you're truly safe with God or whether one missed step could undo everything, we go straight to the fault line: is salvation a free gift received by faith alone, or is it faith plus something you do. We talk candidly about the modern pressure to add requirements like water baptism, rule keeping, church attendance, or lifestyle markers and why that turns the gospel into a negotiation. For us, justification by faith alone is not a slogan. It's the only message that leaves Christ fully credited and the sinner fully comforted. We also slow down on what Jesus says about sin in the heart, where a single thought exposes how deep our need really goes. That realism sets up the beauty of the new covenant: God removes the heart of stone and gives a new heart, sealing believers by the Holy Spirit. Along the way we clear up a quick Bible reference mix-up, then expand into a bigger theme: God doesn't patch us up, he makes us new in Christ. From there we define justification as a gracious judicial act grounded in Christ's obedience and atoning work, and we explain penal substitutionary atonement in plain terms. We connect it to eternal security and the finished work of the cross, because if righteousness is provided by the Savior, there's nothing left for us to pay. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on May 3, 2026) In the sermon today, we are taking a little trip down a “rabbit trail” found in our series on the Book of Romans. In Romans 14:10, we read about the “judgment seat of Christ.” What is this “judgment seat”? Is it a place where the...

Zack tells the story of St. Patrick -- and how St. Patrick's life mission to the Irish exemplifies Jesus' teaching to love your enemies. Like Jesus on the cross, like our own calling, Patrick loved with God's love.

This powerful message challenges us to understand what it truly means to be a living sacrifice in light of Christ's resurrection. Drawing from Romans 12:1-2, we're reminded that our response to God's mercy isn't found in religious rituals alone, but in the daily crucifixion of our flesh. The sermon unpacks the three parts of our being—body, soul, and spirit—revealing that while our spirits are made alive in Christ, our bodies constantly war against God's purposes. The most profound truth presented is that every selfish decision leads to loneliness, while dying to ourselves leads to abundant life. We're called to remember that being a Christian means being a Christ-follower, and Christ's path led through death to resurrection. The challenge isn't just to celebrate Easter morning, but to live as those who understand that He is risen every single day, offering us new mercies and the power to overcome our flesh. This isn't about perfection, but about pressing forward, forgetting what lies behind, and straining toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.SERMON NOTES – Romans 12:1 (Resurrection Sunday)I. Big Idea  Because of God's great mercy shown in Christ's death and resurrection, believers are called to present their bodies as a **living sacrifice**—this is our reasonable, spiritual worship.II. The Basis: “By the mercies of God”  - Romans 1–11: God's mercies explained.   - We are all sinners; none righteous (Rom 3).   - God consigned all to disobedience (Rom 11:32).   - Jesus is the **propitiation** (payment) for our sin.   - In Christ we are **justified** – “just as if I'd never sinned.”    - Our record is wiped clean; sin cast as far as east from west.   - We are being **sanctified**, seated with Christ, more than conquerors (Rom 8).   - There is now **no condemnation** for those in Christ (Rom 8:1).  - Our response (Rom 12:1) is not to God's wrath, but to His mercy.III. Three Parts of the Person  1) **Spirit**  - Before Christ we are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1).  - When we're born again, God **quickens** our spirit—His Spirit now dwells in us (Rom 8:9–11).  - The same Spirit that raised Jesus now lives in believers and grants authority “in Jesus' name.”2) **Soul** (mind, will, emotions)  - Greatest command: Love God with all your **heart, soul, mind** (Matt 22:37).  - The Word of God divides **soul and spirit** and discerns thoughts and intentions (Heb 4:12).3) **Body** (flesh)  - The ongoing struggle: our body/flesh has been in control for a long time.  - Paul: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this **body of death**?” (Rom 7:24).  - We “leak” spiritually; our flesh constantly pulls us away.  - Command: **Crucify** the flesh (Gal 5:24; Rom 8:13; 1 Pet 2:11).   - Every selfish decision leads to loneliness.IV. Living Sacrifice  - OT image: costly, bloody bull offering reduced to ashes (Lev 1).  - Daily picture: we present ourselves to be “burned up” and swept away—our will, rights, and demands.  - This is “your reasonable service” / “spiritual worship” – not just singing, but **surrendered living**.V. Example: Marriage (Eph 5)  - Wives: submit to husbands as to the Lord.  - Husbands: love wives as Christ loved the church—**dying** for her.  - Marriage works when both give 100%; someone has to “die” to self.VI. Paul's Perspective (Phil 3:8–14)  - Counts all things as loss to gain Christ.  - Wants to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in death.  - One thing: **forget what lies behind**, strain forward, press toward the upward call in Christ.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS  1. Daily Surrender: Begin each day praying, “Lord, my body is yours today—eyes, mouth, hands, schedule.”  2. Crucify the Flesh: Identify one recurring sinful habit; actively “put it to death” by confession, accountability, and replacing it with obedience.  3. Relational Death to Self: In marriage, family, work—choose one concrete way today to die to preference and serve another.  4. Mind Renewal: Saturate your soul with Scripture so the Word, not culture, shapes your desires.  5. Forget and Press On: Stop rehearsing forgiven sins; receive Christ's finished work and move forward.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  1. Which aspect of God's mercy in Romans 1–11 impacts you most personally, and why?  2. Where do you most feel the tension between Spirit and body in your daily life?  3. What does being a “living sacrifice” practically look like in your current season?  4. How have you seen selfish decisions lead to loneliness in your own story?  5. What “past” do you need to forget so you can press on toward Christ?  6. What specific step will you take this week to present your body as a living sacrifice?

Do you know what kind of love God has placed on you — and are you living like someone who truly believes it? In this finale of the "Claim Your Blessings" series, Pastor Roderick Webster closes with two final blessings from Ephesians 6 and a breathtaking finish from Romans 8 and 1 John 3 that will remind you of exactly who you are in Christ.Blessing 26 — You are an ambassador for Christ — even in bonds (Eph. 6:20)Blessing 27 — You are called to pray always and for all people, with perseverance (Eph. 6:18–19)And the series closes where it must — with the love of the Father:You are more than a conqueror through Him that loved you (Rom. 8:37)You are a child of God — and an heir with Christ (Rom. 8:16–17)One day, when He appears, you shall be like Him (1 John 3:1–3)You are not just blessed with some spiritual blessings. You are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Claim them. Live like it.

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life – a time for you to relax your body and refocus your mind to experience the reality of God's presence. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can break through all the distractions and experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  Acts 17:28 NIV “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Jesus said this… Luke 11:13 ESV “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Sometimes the Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of Jesus” (Acts 16:7), or “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom. 8:9). It's by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is present in you and with you. Ephesians 3:16-17 NIV “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 11 NIV “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. …Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. …All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”  Galatians 5:22-23 ESV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”   This is what it actually means to be “holy.” When you look at all the verses about the Holy Spirit in the Bible, one way to think of who he is is not just the Holy Spirit, but the Healing Spirit. The more you become aware of God's healing Spirit in your inner being – the more you pay attention to his presence and his leading – the more YOU will be transformed into the REAL YOU that God intended when he created you (2 Cor. 3:18). Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life – a time for you to relax your body and refocus your mind to experience the reality of God's presence. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can break through all the distractions and experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  Acts 17:28 NIV “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Jesus said this… Luke 11:13 ESV “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Sometimes the Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of Jesus” (Acts 16:7), or “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom. 8:9). It's by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is present in you and with you. Ephesians 3:16-17 NIV “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 11 NIV “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. …Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. …All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”  Galatians 5:22-23 ESV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”   This is what it actually means to be “holy.” When you look at all the verses about the Holy Spirit in the Bible, one way to think of who he is is not just the Holy Spirit, but the Healing Spirit. The more you become aware of God's healing Spirit in your inner being – the more you pay attention to his presence and his leading – the more YOU will be transformed into the REAL YOU that God intended when he created you (2 Cor. 3:18). Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.

Wesley Wright Lighthouse Bible Church Sunday, January 4, 2026 2Co 2:12 - 2Co 3:6 A sweet-smelling aroma to God Paul moved from Troas (modern-day Turkey) west to Macedonia, he notes. Troas comes up several times in the NT. An example: Act 20:5-12 What is Christ's gospel? Joh 8:21-30 Act 10:34-41 1Co 15:1-9 After mentioning Titus, Paul makes a powerful point: God causes him (and us by extension) to triumph in Christ. Believers in all ages will triumph in Christ: Rom 8:29-39 Rev 12:7-11 Joh 16:24-33 (Christ triumphed already) The church as a body will triumph, too: Mat... for full notes: http://www.lbible.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=1770

Romans 15:14-21

We would like to avoid trials but this is how we grow. If we treat them right Jesus starts to show in our lives (Gal 4:19) and makes bad things good by conforming us to Christ (Rom 8:28-29)Anyone interested going deeper in the book of Romans - a great resource is Romans for you by Tim Keller (2 books)

We need to know our identity (Prov 23:7). It has 2 sources: our (1) CREATION in Adam (Gen 1:26-27) & (2) REDEMPTION in Christ. Since we're born in Adam, we share his identity as God's image, to reflect & express His glory. As part of our identity, He created us male or female. In Adam, we all sinned & are under divine judgment. Our nature, inherited from Adam, is prideful rebellion against God. Man's collective sin became so bad, God judged it at Noah's Flood, after which He told man to fill the earth (Gen 9:1). But man rebelled again at Babel (Gen 11:1-9). So, God scattered man over the earth, dividing us into nations. This is God's will, designed to restrain the spread of sin. It's God's idea to create national identities, with different characteristics, that are part of our identity & inheritance in Adam. We embrace & celebrate these aspects of our identity, as we should embrace our God-given sexual identity. As man separated into nations, they developed their own cultures & ways, so certain genes became dominant in populations, creating different abilities & appearances. Though we're divided into nations, we belong to one human family in Adam (Acts 17:26), and so share a common inheritance (good & bad), so we're all equal. Globalism tries to override the power of nation states to set up a one-world government. This was Nimrod's vision at Babel, so he could rule over all mankind. A rebel against God (Gen 10:9), running the world is a worst-case scenario. Satan is trying to rebuild Babel, putting his antichrist in charge of a one-world government (called Babylon). He'll succeed for a short time before Christ destroys it at His Return, and sets up His one world Government. Although many aspects of our natural inheritance & identity are God-given, the great problem is that we also inherit from Adam his identity & nature as a sinner. So, part of our natural identity is that by natural birth, we belong to a fallen race under Divine Judgment, whatever other natural positive qualities we might have. God has a solution for the Fall. Christ came as the 2nd Adam, to be the head of a new human race in Him, the source of a new identity. He came to bring forth a New Creation, a new family in Himself. In His death as the last Adam, He took on Himself all the fallen aspects of our Adamic inheritance of sin & death, and cancelled it, and by His resurrection He brought us into a new inheritance in the New Covenant, the firstborn from the dead of a New Creation, a new species of humanity, with His spiritual DNA. For those who receive Him as Saviour & Lord, He provides a New Birth of our spirit, making us a New Man in Christ. Thru our union with Him, we receive a new nature, identity & origin-history, for we've died & risen with Christ, and now belong to Him. As our 1st (physical) birth in Adam made us an inheritor of Adam, so our new (spiritual) birth in Christ makes us an inheritor of all that's Christ's (John 1:12-13, 3:3-7, Eph 4:23-24). We still have the God-given aspects of our natural identity & inheritance (gender, gifts, personality & nation), but our new identity & inheritance in Christ is far more important & dominant. By our union with Christ, all God's blessings of God are ours in Christ (Rom 8:32, 2Cor 1:20, Eph 1:3). Whoever we are in the natural, the most important truth about us is who we are in Christ (Col 3:9). In this New Creation reality, Christ is all important, and He is in us all. We're all equal in Him. National & natural distinctions still exist, but are overwhelmed by the greater truth of our identity in Christ – we belong to Him, created in His image, in God's family & Kingdom. National distinctions & natural differences count for nothing as far as our inheritance in Christ is concerned (Phil 3:4-7). We're all equal inheritors of salvation & eternal life (Rom 10:12-13). God has no favourites (2Cor 5:14-17). The new overrules and supersedes the old. We don't just have a new individual identity in Christ, but a new corporate identity. We're not just individuals; together we form one New Man in Christ (Eph 2:8-15), His New Creation, one People of God, one Body & Bride of Christ, one forever Family, living stones forming a single Temple of God. We're God's people, redeemed by His Blood (Rev 5:8-10). We have a common origin in His death & resurrection, a common identity in Christ, and a common purpose to live for (glorify) Him who loved us (Gal 3:26-28). We are all ONE (entity) in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28). As in Adam, we're all of one blood (Acts 17:26), so in Christ, we're of one blood (the Blood of Christ). Being in Christ & His family is our primary (core) identity. Our allegiance to Christ overwhelms all other loyalties, and His command is to love one another. We celebrate our natural & national diversity, but most of all we celebrate our identity & unity in Christ, where God has broken down all racial divisions.

     Scripture identifies two main forms of suffering that promote spiritual growth: corrective suffering, which restores the disobedient to fellowship, and perfective suffering, which refines the obedient toward greater maturity in Christ.      Corrective suffering arises from divine discipline when believers deviate from God's will and wander into disobedience. Such discipline is the measured response of a loving Father who seeks to restore His children to fellowship and fruitfulness. Israel's history provides a vivid backdrop to this principle. When the nation violated the Mosaic covenant, God responded with covenant curses designed to bring them back to Himself (Deut 28:15–68). Hosea depicts God hedging up Israel's path with thorns, frustrating her sinful pursuits so that she might return to Him (Hos 2:6–7). The author of Hebrews interprets such experiences as evidence of divine love: “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb 12:6). According to Warren Wiersbe: "Chastening is the evidence of the Father's love. Satan wants us to believe that the difficulties of life are proof that God does not love us, but just the opposite is true. Sometimes God's chastening is seen in His rebukes from the Word or from circumstances. At other times He shows His love by punishing us with some physical suffering. Whatever the experience, we can be sure that His chastening hand is controlled by His loving heart. The Father does not want us to be pampered babies; He wants us to become mature adult sons and daughters who can be trusted with the responsibilities of life."[1]      Divine correction is not rejection but affirmation of sonship. Paul also recognized this principle at work in the Corinthian church, where some believers suffered weakness, sickness, and even premature death because of their irreverence and selfishness at the Lord's Table (1 Cor 11:30–32). Even kings were not exempt, as seen in Solomon's later years when God raised up adversaries against him after his heart was turned away to idols (1 Kgs 11:14, 23–25). Corrective suffering, therefore, functions as God's gracious intervention to arrest further decline and restore obedience. It is the shepherd's rod that redirects the straying sheep. Yet this discipline, though loving in design, can be resisted if the believer hardens his heart. Still, the intention remains clear: corrective suffering seeks to break the power of rebellion, humble the soul, and lead God's child back into the blessing of fellowship with Him.      Perfective suffering, by contrast, is not punitive but refining. It does not arise from disobedience but from God's sovereign intention to deepen faith, expand endurance, and produce spiritual maturity. When a believer is walking faithfully with the Lord, obeying His Word, God may still permit suffering in order to shape character, purify motives, and equip His servant for greater usefulness. Job exemplifies this reality. Though declared blameless and upright, Job was permitted to endure severe affliction under Satan's hand, yet through the ordeal he came to a fuller appreciation of God's majesty, confessing at the end, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5). Job's knowledge of God had grown because of what he'd learned through his sufferings. Paul's thorn in the flesh illustrates this same category. Though he prayed repeatedly for its removal, God left it in place to keep him humble and dependent, declaring, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). Rather than crushing Paul, this suffering became the very platform by which God's strength was displayed through his weakness. Perfective suffering, then, is a divine gift, the furnace in which faith is purified and the believer is transformed into greater conformity to Christ.      While suffering in Scripture may be manifold, the categories of corrective and perfective suffering provide a helpful lens for understanding God's purposes. In both, His love and sovereignty are evident. Corrective suffering restores us when we stray, and perfective suffering strengthens us as we obey, with the unifying aim that we be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:28–29). The Integration of Blessings, Trials, and Sufferings      In God's perfect plan, blessings, trials, and sufferings are divinely orchestrated means for advancing the believer toward spiritual maturity. Blessing manifests the very essence of God's goodness and generosity, cultivating gratitude, humility, and faithful stewardship in the believer's life (Jam 1:17; 1 Tim 6:17–18; 1 Pet 4:10). Trials test faith under pressure, refining endurance and strengthening spiritual stability (Jam 1:2–4; 1 Pet 1:6–7). Sufferings train the soul to be dependent upon divine grace (1 Pet 5:10; 2 Cor 12:9). Each is a facet of divine pedagogy: blessing manifests God's grace and entrusts resources for service (2 Cor 9:8); trials expose and perfect faith (Gen 22:1; Heb 11:17; Jam 1:2–4); and suffering cultivates humility, patience, and deeper fellowship with Christ (2 Cor 12:7-10; Phil 3:10). Together, they form an important part of God's training program for His children, proving that prosperity and adversity alike are instruments of His unfailing love. As Job testified in the midst of both abundance and loss, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Regardless of the circumstance, God is always at work conforming His sons and daughters to the likeness of Christ (Rom 8:28–29). What follows are biblical examples of suffering that helped advance believers to spiritual maturity (Jesus being the unique example). Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 324.

Our Dominion in Christ (1) (audio) David Eells – 10/22/25 The sovereignty of God is manifested through those who believe the Gospel and let Jesus in them exercise dominion over this fallen creation. Some say that Jesus had dominion because He was the Son of God; therefore we cannot hope to do the same. That is not what Jesus said. It is true that Jesus was the Son of God (the spiritual man) dwelling in and empowering the son of man (the natural man, as in Rom.1:3). Jesus usually called Himself “the son of man.” They did not have the New Testament when Jesus was administering God's salvation; they had the Old Testament. Jesus always did things to fulfill the Old Testament so “the scripture might be fulfilled.” He called Himself “the son of man.” I am sure that the Jews caught on to what He was saying. They had heard that phrase, “the son of man,” in the Old Testament. Jesus said of Himself, and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man (Joh.5:27). Jesus did not have authority to execute judgment because He was the Son of God, but because He was a son of man. This authority was given to man. Adam and his children were given this authority, but he gave it up through sin. (Gen.1:26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) And God created man in his own image… (28)… God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it… Meaning to have dominion over it. Adam was created in the image of God, which included having dominion. Adam and his children were to have dominion over all the earth. Adam lost that dominion for himself and his children. He actually gave it away. (Rom.6:16) Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourself [as] servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey? Adam, through Eve, obeyed the devil and gave to him his own dominion. Adam obeyed and became the servant of sin and the devil. The devil ruled over him, the curse ruled over him, and the devil, through the curse, ruled over him. But the first Adam failed when tempted, and the last one did not. Speaking of Jesus, Paul said, The last Adam [became] a life-giving spirit (1Co.15:45). Jesus said, “The words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.” His words recreate His spirit in us who believe them. Jesus, Who is called the last Adam, is the spiritual father of the spiritual man creation. The last Adam did not fall when tempted of the devil and so took back dominion for Himself and His children. (Heb.2:5) For not unto angels did he subject the world to come (Greek: “inhabited earth”) … (6)…What is man, that thou art mindful of him? He did not put the inhabited earth under the authority of the angels, but man. Jesus came down here and took on the likeness of sinful flesh. Any angel had power and ability unlimited by flesh. Jesus was limited by flesh. The Bible says that He got tired, He hungered, and He thirsted. He was “in all points tempted like as [we]” but did not give in to sin. One reason that Jesus had to come in the likeness of sinful flesh and become a man is that God wanted Him to have this dominion and pass it on to His spiritual children. (Psa.115:16) The heavens are the heavens of the Lord; But the earth hath he given to the children of men. (1Co.15:22)… As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. When Adam died, all the seed of mankind was in his loins; and they died, too. When the last Adam died and was resurrected, all the seed of the sons of God were in Him because He is the Word of God, the seed (Greek: sperma) that the sower went forth and sowed. So the seed of all His children was in Him when He was resurrected. Everyone who abides in Christ, or the Word, is resurrected above sin and the curse. What we are finding out through tribulation is who among the many called were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. His children are His seed, the Word. They are the Word in flesh. (Rom.5:17) For if, by the trespass of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, [even] Jesus Christ (last Adam). Adam put us under the dominion of death and the curse, but Jesus restored us. Those who have the gift of grace and righteousness are to “reign in life” through Christ. (Heb.2:6) (Quoting Psalm 8) … one hath somewhere testified saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? When Jesus kept relating to the Jews that He was the son of man, a few of them had to catch on that He was applying Psalm 8 to Himself. This was spoken to both Adams and those who were in them. God gave authority to Adam and to his children. Man and the son of man are mentioned here. (Gen.1:26) … Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion… Adam lost it for himself and for his children when he fell under the dominion of the devil. The last Adam overcame and took back dominion. Jesus passed on His same authority to His disciples, who were sons of man and sons of God. They were not born sons of God; they had to be reborn sons of God through receiving the living Word. The Son of God was living in and empowering the sons of men. (Heb.2:7) (Quoting Psalm 8) Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands: (8) Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet… This clearly means that man was meant to be a prince on this earth and rule for God over His creation. This address is to the Hebrew Christians, children of the new creation Adam. The works of God's hands here mean the elements, not just things that occur in nature. Even the things that man makes are made of God's elements. By God's grace, I have commanded cars, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, microwaves, boat motors, lawnmowers, pumps, motors, and many other things to be repaired and seen it happen. Yet it was “not I, but Christ” (KJV) living in me through the Word. The reason that many do without this dominion is that they refuse to accept the Word. Proof, that the authority, that the last Adam had was passed on to His children is seen in such statements as the following: “As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you”; “what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”; “I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy”; “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive”; and “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart… he shall have it.” This is the kind of authority that Jesus passed on to all of His disciples until this day. (Heb.2:8) Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet. (Everything was put under the feet of Jesus and His body, for we are in Him.) For in that, he subjected all things unto him, he left nothing that is not subject to him… This statement puts all things under the dominion of “man” and “the son of man” in Hebrews 2:6. Compare this statement, that all is under His feet, with another witness given in Ephesians. Jesus was promoted in (Eph.1:21) Far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (22) and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Notice that Jesus is the head of the body, the Church; but God put all things under the feet of the body. We can see that even if we are the lowest members of the body, the feet, we have dominion over all things. This dominion is ours when we are abiding in the body, submitted to the head. (Joh.15:7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and [so] shall ye be my disciples. Disciples are those who bear fruit through answered prayer because the Word abides in them. Christians who do not abide in the body in this way, and the lost who have not yet come into the body of the resurrected Christ, lost their dominion when the first Adam lost his. We have this dominion only because we abide in Him and His Word lives in us. Again in (Eph.1:22) And he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Not only is everything put under the authority of the lowest member of the body, the feet, but also there is a historic view to this verse. In Daniel 2:31-45, we see a vision of the antichrist kingdom from the time of Daniel to today. This image was of a man whose head, breast and arms, belly, thighs, legs, and feet represented different world-ruling empires. The head was said to be the Babylonian Empire in (verses 37-38) of Daniel's day. The feet represent the last world empire of antichrist in our day. The feet of Christ or “historic view” also represent the end-time body of Christ. In other words, the feet of antichrist will do battle in these days with the feet of Christ. What Daniel knew, but most do not, is that we win! (Dan.2:34) Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon its feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them in pieces. (45) Forasmuch as thou sawest that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands…The mountain here is the kingdom of God. The stone made of it is Christ in His end time faithful remnant, which is not made with hands, meaning they are not the work of men or religion but God. This stone will smite the end-time antichrist body or feet and destroy it. Daniel declares this to be true in another vision of the end-time antichrist system. (Dan.7:26) But the judgment shall be set, and they (end-time saints) shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (27) And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High…The kingdom of antichrist was destroyed in Egypt in order to bring God's people out of that type of the world. Pharaoh was told, Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? (Exo.10:7) The same judgments are spoken in Revelation for the same reason. As always, these judgments are spoken through the saints. Returning to Hebrews: (Heb.2:8) Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he subjected all things unto him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him. All things have now been made subject, though we do not see this authority manifested except in small ways in a few who believe the Word in this regard. Soon, because of the latter rain and because their lives will depend upon it, saints will begin to stretch forth their faith for signs and wonders. Soon a wilderness experience is going to thrust many into a position of need where they are going to be fellowshipping with disciples with different revelations and experiences. God is going to destroy man-made religion by bringing His people into fellowship with others who have exercised their faith in these areas. Dominion will come forth because the need will be so great, God will pour out His Spirit. The saints (sanctified ones) are going to believe the Word. However, we do not have to wait because God said that He did not leave anything that was not subject to the lowest member of the body now. We can be among God's first fruits like Moses, Aaron, Joseph, Elijah, Jesus, or the man-child and saints of the end time in Revelation 12. (Joh.15:7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Many believe we cannot act in faith when we do not know the Will of God. If the Word is in us and we abide in Christ through faith, then “ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done.” God's Word is His Will. When the Word is in us, we know His Will and should act on it. God gave us this dominion to use it to glorify Him. (8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and [so] shall ye be my disciples. Answered prayer, signs and wonders, healings, deliverances, and provisions all glorify God; this is how we are disciples (Greek: “learners and followers”) of Jesus. Those who exercise this dominion over their flesh and the world are perfect by faith. We walk by faith in Jesus and are counted righteous. We are sons of God through Jesus and sons of man through Adam. We have no authority outside of God but through believing Jesus Christ. (Joh.14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. (13) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. True believers do the works of Jesus according to His Word. The condition to exercise dominion over everything is faith, not maturity. Baby Christians have simple yet powerful faith. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it (Mar.11:23). The word “whosoever” includes you and me. We are called to exercise dominion through the spoken word of faith. When we exercise dominion in ministry, it is by command as Jesus and His disciples did. Did you ever notice that when they ministered to others, they did not ask God to heal, deliver, or provide for them? They commanded these things because they knew that God already guaranteed them to His covenant people. (Php.4:19) And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. They saw these things as already accomplished at the cross and God's promises as our authority to minister them. (2Pe.1:3) Seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; (4) whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature… The Lord still reigns through those who have renewed their minds with the Word. (Rev.5:9)… Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood [men] of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, (10) and madest them [to be] unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth. Before the judgment seals of the Tribulation are opened, the saints of God are said to be reigning on earth. We have the authority to reign as Jesus reigned because He lives in us through the Word that we put in our hearts. The more of His Word we accept, the more He can live through us because He is the Word. He says, “They reign upon the earth.” Jesus gave us an example of the dominion that the Son of God could manifest through the son of man. He gave us an example of what man was sent to do with God's Word and Spirit in him. Then He equipped the early disciples with these and sent them out to repeat this process. (Mat.28:19) Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations… (20) teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. The apostles were to make disciples and give them the same authority and commands that they had received, and in turn, those disciples were to do the same right on down to us. We all should have received from our teachers the same authority, commands, and gifts given to the first disciples. What happened? The apostate religious traditions of men happened! Obedience to Jesus' command would have made a geometric progression from His day to our day that would have shaken the world. Jesus said that He would be with the disciples in this endeavor “unto the end of the world.” Since the first disciples were not around that long, He, obviously, was talking to us, also. Jesus commanded us to walk in His steps. (Joh.20:21)… As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (Mat.10:8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons, freely ye received, freely give. We have received the same authority as Jesus and the early disciples to do the same work. (Joh.14:12) He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. Those who believe will be vessels of God's sovereign dominion in the earth. We have to obey all these commands that Jesus gave them. The great commission has been passed on to us from the Lord. When we make disciples, we must also pass on the command to do these things. (Mar.16:15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Again, this could not have been spoken to only the first disciples because they neither went into the entire world nor preached to the whole creation. Disciples will finish this work in our day. Please notice that in the following verse Jesus is telling His apostles how to identify those who believed their Gospel. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. (17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe (believers have signs): in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. These signs were not spoken of the first disciples but of those who came after and believed their Gospel. So the doctrine that all these signs passed away with the apostles is clearly a lie that has made many of God's people powerless against the devil and the curse. (2Ti.3:1) But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. (2) For men shall be… (5) holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away. We are commanded to leave the powerless, unscriptural, religious institutions of men. Some think that these things only happen for people with gifts of healings or miracles, or faith. Jesus said in (Mar.11:23) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.  Whosoever commands without doubt shall have it. This obviously includes every believer in the true Gospel. The apostle Paul said that he preached in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ (Rom.15:19). Fully preaching the Gospel is demonstrating its power to deliver from the curse. The world is tired of hearing that Jesus saves. They want to see it. Some think that these things only happen for the super mature saints. Maturity is to become as a child, simply accepting the Word of our Father. Young faith is powerful. (Psa.8:2) Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. God uses the spoken words of babes to still His enemies and ours. Both spiritual and physical little children with a little knowledge will see signs and wonders and put the principalities and powers in their place. Jesus told His grown disciples, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mat.18:3-4). Only the childlike will enter and partake of the kingdom, but what is the kingdom? The kingdom is where God's will is perfectly done and there is no curse. (Mat.6:10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. He uses our prayers to bring the kingdom of heaven on earth. There is no curse in heaven. (Mat.10:7) And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand (Greek: “near”). (8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give. So we see that being near those who exercise dominion over the curse, we are near the kingdom. (Luk.11:20) But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. The Kingdom is where God rules, even through His people. Having been delivered from the curse, the kingdom has come upon us and we can partake of the kingdom, passing it on to others who believe. Once my wife complained to me that the washer had stopped working. I turned to my children and told them to go lay their hands on it and command it to run. They obeyed with childlike faith and immediately it started. Several times, while driving in a rainstorm, I told them to point their fingers at the sky and command the rain to stop. Children are not proud and do not mind looking foolish to others. They commanded, God honored their faith and the rain stopped, sometimes immediately. When we first moved to Florida, my children found a squirrel in the road with a broken back. They came to me wanting to keep it and take care of it. I told them that we were not going to mess with that squirrel; they should just go command it to be healed. They did, and it ran up a tree. A couple of years later, they did the same thing for another squirrel that had fallen from an oak tree in our yard. They prayed for Mary and me many times with power. One hot day, I got the mower out to cut the grass. I pulled and pulled trying to start it until I was sweating profusely. Then I checked the spark and found none. I did not feel up to looking for the problem, so I called my boys over to agree with me. We commanded the mower to run. I do not know if that mower ever got any spark, but it did run to cut the grass. Once, when I noticed a lone shoe on my front porch, I called the children together to scold them. I said, “I told you not to leave your shoes on the porch because a dog can pack one of them off and the other one won't be worth anything.” I realized later that I got exactly what I had loosed with my tongue. The children and I scoured the yard and the neighbor's yard with no success. I said, “Let's pray and agree that God will put it in that dog to bring the shoe back.” Children always have faith so easily. So we joined hands and agreed. The next day, we were looking out of the picture window, and what do you think we saw? A stray dog came across the yard with that shoe in his mouth and dropped it right in front of the porch. Hallelujah! Teach your children simple faith, and do not let any theologians around them. In spite of our own failures and weaknesses, we should receive this authority from our Lord like little children. Only by the grace of God, I have commanded eyes restored, bones mended, cancers gone, diseases gone, bleeding stopped, blood pressure normal, demons out, dead resurrected, those in comas to come out, water pumps to stop leaking, alternators to have new bearings, smoking engines to stop using oil, hurricanes to stop or change directions, property protected, storms to stop and back up, moles to get out of my yard, mole crickets to die, gas in my tank, engines to start, to name a few. None of the above was without witnesses. Yet it was “not I, but Christ” (KJV) living in me through the Word. God has not left us without help. We have left Him without help. He desires to use us as vessels to do His work. (Php.4:13) I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me. We need to know the effect imagination has on our faith. Real faith is acted upon by the whole man. (Rom.10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. It is fruitless for the heart to believe and the body to not react or for the body to act and the heart to not believe. The part of man that God designed to effectually connect the heart of man with his actions is the imagination. Our imagination should be renewed so that faith may have unhindered flow through us. Evil imaginations must be cast down if we want to win our battle with the flesh, and the devil, and to do the works of Jesus. (2Co.10:4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds, (5) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Cast down imaginations must be replaced with Biblical ones. For instance: (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory… Notice that this renewed imagination of seeing Jesus in the mirror completes our faith, enabling us to come into His image and to do His works. This is the same faithful imagination that Paul had. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me… We are to believe, imagine and confess that Jesus lives in us. Jesus said that if we believe, we will do His works and greater. (Joh.14:12)… He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. After teaching on imagination once, we were given the opportunity to put this to work. At the very next Bible study, Pauline asked for prayer for Jacqui, whom she said would not be coming because her whole face was swollen with an abscessed tooth. My suggestion was that we would see Jacqui's swollen face in our imagination. Then we would speak to it, commanding her tooth to be healed and the swelling to go down. Then we would imagine her face returning to normal with a smile. With everyone's agreement, we proceeded to act on this suggestion, and I vocalized our common command for her healing. This was a Biblical imagination because Jesus lives in Jacqui, and He is not abscessed or swollen. We are to accept the resurrected life of Christ. (1Jn.4:17)… As he is, even so are we in this world. The Lord taught us to pray thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth (Mat.6:10). There is no sickness in God's kingdom. Jacqui was healed by the stripes of Jesus 2,000 years ago. The next morning, Jacqui called me and gave me the good report. She said that the night before, at about the time when we normally pray, the swelling suddenly went out of her face and her tooth was healed. We rejoiced and thanked the Lord together. God quickly gave us several more opportunities to exercise our faith in this way. In a following Bible study, Bob Aicardi related that the water level in his swimming pool was dropping at about four to five inches a week. He inspected the liner and tested the plumbing for leaks and found none. The water bill was sizable. In frustration, Bob cried out to God, “Lord, there is no reason for this to be happening to this pool or to me. I belong to you, and I am not under the curse.” When Bob asked for the prayer of agreement. I told Bob to put a mark where the water was presently so he did. We then visualized the pool leaking and commanded it to stop. I said, “I command you pool not to leak one more drop in the name of Jesus.” We then visualized the pool as repaired. The next day Bob watched the water level, expecting God to act on his behalf, and noticed that the leak had completely stopped. Then a pool man came to look at Bob's pump and asked him, “Did you know there is a hole in your liner behind the pool ladder?” Sure enough there was about a one inch hole where the ladder brace pad had punched a hole in it and get this: It hadn't leaked for many days since we commanded it to stop! Isn't God awesome? Bob then brought another prayer request to the study. He related that when he first moved into his house, he walked around the property and asked God to put a hedge around it and his family. For 3½ years there had been no roaches, bugs, or rodents. Now he faced mole crickets marching across his front lawn, devouring the roots of his grass. You could see clearly where they were because the grass was dead and it was spongy when you walked on it. His neighbor was worried that they would get their lawn, too, so they suggested Bob use some poison. Bob wanted to exercise his faith instead, but he knew something had to happen quickly. When Bob asked for prayer, we visualized his lawn from his front porch with the mole crickets wiping it out. Bob prayed, “They would be turned into fertilizer.” I commanded them to die and not take one more inch of that property in Jesus' name. In our various ways, we then visualized the crickets as dead. I suggested to Bob that he get a point of reference on his porch so that he could tell where the mole crickets were. They were wiping it out from right to left and were about fifteen feet into the yard. Bob reported back later at a later study that he had done that, and not only had they not taken another inch, but not even a sign of a single living mole cricket remained. They were all fertilizer. Glory to God! He gives authority to believers, and He wants to use us to continue to destroy the curse for His glory. Bob's place turned into a great testimony. He later had a problem with red ant piles, and every time he commanded a pile to die, it did. We were all doing this. I suggest you think on these verses that show our dominion to get it down in your soul.

Bib-lit Class October 5, 2025 Mark begins the lesson by addressing a question or concern that we all may have had after giving our life to Christ.  We may be worried that we have done something wrong. Everything seems to be going wrong with my life. I am not living that Christian Victory. I am not that success story that says I gave my life to Jesus and now everything is rainbows. Mark dissects these feelings by traveling through the Book of Romans:                                    Step 3: Practical implications (Rom. 6:8-10)                 Step 2: The certainty of our new life (Rom. 6:8-10) Step 1: The certainty of our union with Christ (Rom. 6:5-7) Mark address how these passages and how the word of Paul effects our transition into our new life as a Christian.    He delves into Romans 6:8 and addresses the way Paul used the Past, Present and Future in one verse. From these verses we can conclude that, we have died with Christ, so from the past experience, the future is one of living with Christ. Romans 6:9 brings us to the realization and answer to many questions. “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him". So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11) Christ's death was terminal to sin's claims; his life is permanent in God's power...So logically where are we? So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.(Romans 6:11) Points for Home: Know the truth: “We know that our old self was co-crucified with him”(Rom.6:6) Process the implications: Live from your new nature, not your old habits! One who has died has been set free from sin(Rom. 6:7) Learn to use the tools: You're not fighting to become free–you're learning to live free! consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God (Rom. 6:11)

John 8:43-45, Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. One of the signs of the devil's children is that they hear but don't hear. In Matthew 13:13 Jesus said, “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” One of the most dangerous places to be is in a spiritual and Bible-rich environment. One may think they are one of God's children merely because they have heard and know Scriptures all of their lives. But if the word they heard didn't find a place in them, and they submit themselves to it and obey it, then they didn't really hear or understand it. We cannot hear Jesus' words until God overpowers the effects of sin and gives us hearts/ears to hear them. The devil blinds the mind and dulls the hearing. But hearing comes from the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). Our salvation is all grace. Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. If you have heard the word of truth, the gospel, and have believed, then you are, by God's doing, in Christ Jesus. Rejoice! Give thanks! Live to love with Him. It is the nature of the devil to murder and lie. It is the nature of God to love and speak truth. Father, deliver us from the evil one and his influence, and may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Love through us today for your glory. Where would we be if we didn't believe Jesus and the words of truth He spoke? We would be in darkness and living a lie. We would base our lives on our own "truth," which would be a lie. What is the truth? We were all born children of the devil with hostility toward God, unable to subject ourselves to God's law. Jesus alone is true, good, and righteous. He is God's son and our only hope for salvation and deliverance from sin's power and curse. When He saves us, we see the truth about our sin and the hope of the gospel revealed in Christ, so we repent of believing the lie that we are good, and we believe in, trust in, and submit to Jesus. To God be the glory! I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

Color: Green Old Testament: Isaiah 29:17–24 Psalm: Psalm 146; antiphon: v. 8 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 3:4–11 Epistle: Romans 10:9–17 Gospel: Mark 7:31–37 Introit: Psalm 70:2b, 4a, 5b; antiphon: vv. 1–2a Gradual: Psalm 34:1–2 Verse: Psalm 81:1 Faith Comes from Hearing   A man who was deaf and therefore also had an impediment in his speech was brought to Jesus (Mark 7:31–37). In the same way, all are by nature deaf toward God and therefore also unable to confess the faith rightly. For “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:9–17). Jesus put His fingers into the man's ears, and He spat and touched His tongue. Even so in Holy Baptism, water sanctified by the words of Jesus' mouth is applied to us; and the finger of God, that is, the life–giving Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:4–11) is put into our ears in the hearing of the baptismal Gospel. Jesus' sighing “Ephphatha” opened the man's ears, and his tongue was loosed to speak plainly as Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah, “In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book” (Is. 29:18–24) So also, He who sighed and breathed His last on the cross for us has given us to hear and believe in Him and has opened our lips that our mouths may declare His praise. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

Why Growth Never Stops | Glory to Greater Glory series pt 1 | Ep 369SummaryWhen you live and grow in Christ, nothing in your story is wasted—not your wins and not your flops. In this kickoff to Glory to Greater Glory, I'll show you why growth never stops, how every season (even your failures) builds the next, and why you are called higher in Christ. I'll walk you through scripture, David's story, and even some brain science—plus give you a simple 3-prompt journal to help you step into your next glory.TakeawaysLife in Christ = ongoing transformation (2 Cor 3:18).Father completes what He begins (Phil 1:6).Wins and failures both form you.David's seasons model “glory to greater glory.”Identity in Christ calms threat and fuels resilience.Neuroplasticity means resistance grows you.You are invited higher in Christ (Rom 8:29).Journal to anchor transformation.Quotes“You're not starting over—you're stepping further.”“Failure isn't wasted; it's fertilizer for future glory.”“Glory is about transformation, not arrival.”Courageous ActionJournal these three prompts:What season am I in right now?How has Father transformed me through wins and failures?How is Father inviting me to step further—what's my next glory?Chapters00:07 – Hook & “What if I told you…”02:21 – Series foundation: nothing wasted06:31 – Philippians 1:608:39 – David as anchor character10:54 – Truth #1: Transformation vs. arrival15:40 – Truth #2: Every glory builds on the last25:43 – Truth #3: All are called higher30:22 – Courageous Action + CTAWho Am I?Heather Bunch – The Courageous CoachCertified life & Enneagram coach, speaker, author of Hello Courageous. I help Christian women entrepreneurs grow themselves so they can grow their business and fulfill their God-given purpose. I also help coaches/speakers/authors get their ideas into signature systems & books.Links:

Big Idea: To live sent with our feet, we must first focus our eyes on Christ 1. Creation is focused on Christ (Col 1:15-16) 2. The Father's love is focused on Christ (Mk 1:9-11, Jn 3:35, 10:17, 17:22-26) 3. The Spirit's ministry is focused on Christ (Jn 14:26, 16:13-14) 4. The Bible's message is focused on Christ (Jn 5:39-40, Lk 24:26-27) 5. The founding and authority of the church is focused on Christ (Col 1:18, Eph 1:22-23, 2:19-21) 6. Our identity is focused on Christ (Rom 6:5-8, 2 Cor 5:16-17, Gal 2:20) 7. Our future is focused on Christ (Phil 3:20-21, Tit 2:11-13, 1 Th 4:15-18) 8. Our salvation is focused on Christ (Acts 4:11-12, Col 1:13-14, Rom 5:6-9)

Satan, whose name means “adversary,” is a created angelic being who once held an exalted position in God's heavenly order. In Ezekiel 28:12-15, under the figure of the king of Tyre, we are given insight into Satan's pre-fall splendor: he was “the anointed cherub who covers,” full of wisdom and perfect in beauty, created blameless until iniquity was found in him. Isaiah 14:12-15, speaking of the fall of “Lucifer, son of the morning” (KJV), reveals the inner ambition of this being who said in his heart, “I will ascend to heaven... I will make myself like the Most High.” These five self-centered declarations form the anatomy of the first sin—prideful rebellion against God's sovereign authority. Though the passage addresses the king of Babylon, the language transcends the human plane, revealing a supernatural reality behind the earthly ruler. Satan's fall was not due to ignorance or weakness, but the willful distortion of his privileged position and beauty, which corrupted his wisdom (Ezek 28:17). His rebellion marked the beginning of moral evil in the universe. When Adam, the original theocratic steward of the earth (Gen 1:26-28), sinned by submitting to Satan's temptation (Gen 3:1-6), dominion was effectively transferred from man to Satan (Luke 4:5-6), who then became “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4) and “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31). While God remains sovereign over all (Psa 103:19), Satan now exerts delegated influence over human systems, cultures, and ideologies through deception and darkness (Eph 2:2; 1 John 5:19). Following his fall, Satan became the chief adversary of God, His program, and His people. He is the “god of this world” who blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4), the “prince of the power of the air” who energizes the sons of disobedience (Eph 2:2), and the “deceiver of the whole world” (Rev 12:9). His access to heaven has not yet been fully revoked, for he presently accuses believers before God, day and night (Job 1:6-12; Rev 12:10). He is active in the affairs of nations (Dan 10:13), sows tares among the wheat (Matt 13:39), and promotes counterfeit signs, doctrines, and ministers (2 Cor 11:13-15; 1 Tim 4:1). Jesus called him a murderer and “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Yet even now, Satan operates only within divinely permitted boundaries—he is a defeated foe on a short leash. At the cross, Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities,” triumphing over them (Col 2:15), and though Satan remains active, his judgment is certain. His end has already been decreed. Satan's ultimate demise will unfold in stages. During the future Tribulation, he will be cast down from his heavenly access and confined to earth (Rev 12:7-9). Near the end of the Tribulation, he will empower the Beast and the False Prophet in their final global rebellion (Rev 13:2-7). At Christ's Second Coming, Satan will be bound and imprisoned in the abyss for a thousand years during the millennial reign (Rev 20:1-3). After the thousand years, he will be released for one final revolt, gathering the nations for battle against Christ's kingdom, only to be defeated in a moment and cast into the lake of fire, where he will be tormented forever (Rev 20:7-10). This is not annihilation, but conscious, eternal punishment. The irony is profound: the one who said, “I will ascend,” will be brought “down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit” (Isa 14:15). His story ends not with exaltation, but humiliation—forever crushed under the heel of the Sovereign God (Gen 3:15; Rom 16:20). Demons Fallen angels, often referred to as demons, are those angelic beings who chose to rebel against God. Revelation 12:4 suggests that one-third of the angels followed Satan in his rebellion and were cast down with him. These fallen angels became hostile spiritual entities, operating in opposition to God's purposes and in deceptive rebellion against divine truth. Some are active in the present age (Mark 1:32-34), while others are bound in chains awaiting future judgment (Jude 1:6; Rev 9:1-2, 14). Others are active in influencing world leaders, as seen when demonic spirits go out to deceive the kings of the earth and gather them for battle at Armageddon (Rev 16:13-16). Still others are employed by God as agents of discipline and judgment (Judg 9:23; 1 Sam 16:14-16). Demons are consistently depicted in Scripture as unclean spirits (Matt 10:1; Mark 6:7), deceitful and malevolent (1 Tim 4:1; Rev 16:14). They promote false doctrine (1 Tim 4:1), oppose the truth (2 Cor 4:4), and seek to destroy lives, both spiritually and physically (Mark 5:2-5; Luke 9:39). Their activity includes demon possession (Matt 8:16; Mark 9:17-29), where they exert direct control over human faculties, often producing self-harm, mental torment, and violent behavior. While possession is a reality in the Gospels and Acts, believers today are assured they cannot be possessed by demons, for they are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit (John 14:17; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Eph 1:13-14). Still, demons can tempt, oppress, and deceive (Eph 4:26-27; 2 Cor 2:11). Satan, as the leader of fallen angels, is called the “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4), “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), and the “accuser of our brethren” (Rev 12:10). He blinds unbelievers, tempts saints, and prowls like a roaring lion seeking to devour (1 Pet 5:8). He is cunning, having disguised himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14), and he works through systems of false religion, secular ideologies, and demonic doctrines to oppose the gospel (Rev 2:13-24; 1 John 4:1-3). His defeat is already secured through Christ's work on the cross (Col 2:15; Heb 2:14), and his final doom awaits in the lake of fire (Rev 20:10). Until then, believers are called to resist him by submitting to God and standing firm in the truth (Jam 4:7; Eph 6:10-18). Our victory is not in power encounters or mystical deliverance rites, but in the sufficiency of Christ, the authority of His Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Satan's Strategies to Deceive Satan's primary method of attack is deception. As “the father of lies” (John 8:44), he traffics in half-truths, distortions, and subtle misrepresentations of God's Word. His first recorded words in Scripture are an assault on divine truth: “Indeed, has God said…?” (Gen 3:1). He questioned God's goodness, denied His judgment, and promised a counterfeit enlightenment to Eve (Gen 3:4-5). This pattern persists. Satan's deception often appears religious and even virtuous. He disguises himself as “an angel of light,” and his agents as “servants of righteousness” (2 Cor 11:14-15). He promotes false doctrine that appeals to human pride and legalism (1 Tim 4:1-3), enticing people to trust in rituals, works, or mystical experiences rather than the sufficiency of Christ and the clarity of the gospel (Gal 1:6-9; Col 2:8). He twists Scripture, as he did when tempting Jesus in the wilderness (Matt 4:6), seeking to lead believers into disobedience through misapplied truth. One of his deadliest tools is religious systems that use biblical language but deny grace, subtly shifting trust away from Christ to human performance. Another key strategy Satan uses is infiltration into the thought life of believers. Paul warns of being “led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3), and commands believers to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). Satan sows seeds of fear, anxiety, envy, bitterness, and doubt—undermining the believer's confidence in God's character and promises. He exploits emotional instability, tempts toward discontentment, and entices with worldly lusts (1 John 2:15-17). He is the master of discouragement, often accusing believers and dredging up past failures to immobilize present faith (Rev 12:10). Moreover, Satan creates ideological strongholds—philosophies, political movements, and cultural trends—that oppose biblical truth and condition people to reject the gospel (Col 2:8). He builds systems of thought that appear noble or compassionate but are anchored in rebellion against God. His endgame is to blind minds (2 Cor 4:4), corrupt hearts, and neutralize the impact of God's people. Yet believers are not helpless. By walking in the Spirit, renewing our minds with Scripture, and putting on the full armor of God, we are equipped to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11-17). How to Be Rescued from Satan's Kingdom All people are born into Satan's domain of darkness, separated from God and spiritually dead in sin (Col 1:13; Eph 2:1-3). But in His grace, God rescues us through the finished work of Christ. At the moment of faith in Jesus—believing that He is the eternal Son of God who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Cor 15:3-4)—the believer is delivered from the authority of Satan and transferred into the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Col 1:13-14). This transfer is instantaneous, permanent, and entirely the work of God. Justification is by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9), through faith alone (Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16), in Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), and results in spiritual rebirth (1 Pet 1:3, 23) and a new identity in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). Though Satan can no longer possess or eternally condemn the believer, he still seeks to deceive, discourage, and derail. The Christian life, therefore, is a spiritual battleground—not for salvation, but for sanctification, fruitfulness, and eternal reward (2 Cor 10:3-5; 1 Cor 3:12-15). To live effectively for the Lord in this fallen world, believers must learn and live God's Word by faith. Scripture is our source of truth and stability in the face of Satan's lies (John 17:17). It nourishes spiritual growth (1 Pet 2:2), renews the mind (Rom 12:2), and equips us for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17). As we walk by faith and are filled with the Spirit (2 Cor 5:7; Eph 5:18), prayer becomes the posture of dependence—bringing our needs, confessions, thanksgiving, and intercessions before the throne of grace (Phil 4:6-7; Heb 4:16). Sharing the gospel is both our privilege and duty, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1:16), and through it, others can be rescued from darkness as we were. Doing good—as God defines it—is not about self-promotion or religious performance, but humble service empowered by the Spirit and aligned with divine truth (Gal 6:10; Tit 2:11-14). As we abide in Christ, our lives bear fruit—bringing glory to God and blessing to others (John 15:5-8). This is how we shine as lights in the world and stand firm against the darkness—not in fear, but in confident obedience to the One who saved us by grace and sustains us through truth (Phil 2:15-16; Eph 6:10-13). The Christian Armor Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesians with a powerful call to spiritual readiness: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Eph 6:10). The verb endunamoō (“be strong”) is in the passive voice, indicating that believers are to be strengthened by God, not by self-effort. This strength comes in the Lord (en kyriō), through dependence on His strength and might. The believer stands not in personal resolve, but in the resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead (Eph 1:18-20). To walk in that strength, we are commanded to “put on the full armor of God” (panoplia), a reference to the complete suit of Roman military equipment—every piece essential for defense and stability (Eph 6:11). The goal is not to attack, but “to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” The term methodeias refers to Satan's cunning strategies—his deceitful systems, twisted half-truths, and subversive ideologies designed to lead believers astray. Paul clarifies that our conflict is not “against flesh and blood” but against unseen forces of spiritual evil (Eph 6:12). The battle is not political or cultural at its root, but spiritual. Demonic powers are organized in ranks—rulers, authorities, world-rulers of this darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness—and they operate in the heavenly realms. For this reason, Paul repeats the command to take up the full armor of God so that we may resist in “the evil day” (Eph 6:13)—those seasons of intense spiritual assault. The goal, repeated throughout the passage, is to stand, firm and immovable. Victory is not flashy or mystical; it is doctrinal, daily, and practical. We are to gird our loins with truth (Eph 6:14)—that is, fasten ourselves with God's revealed Word, which brings stability and prepares us for action. The breastplate of righteousness refers not to justification but to sanctification—practical righteousness that guards the inner life and silences Satan's accusations (1 Pet 3:16). A holy life is one of the best defenses against spiritual attack. Paul next highlights the footwear of the believer: “having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15). This speaks of readiness and sure-footedness. Just as Roman soldiers wore sandals studded with nails for grip, the believer stands firm when grounded in the gospel. The peace we have with God through Christ (Rom 5:1) brings confidence and steadiness in battle. Then comes the shield of faith (Eph 6:16)—the thyreon, a large Roman shield used to block arrows. Faith is trust in God's person and promises, and it extinguishes the devil's flaming arrows—temptations, accusations, and lies. When doubts or fears are hurled at the soul, faith deflects them with the truth of God's character (1 John 5:4). The helmet of salvation (Eph 6:17) protects the mind, pointing not only to justification, but also to our future glorification—our hope in Christ's return and full deliverance (1 Th 5:8-9). Lastly, the believer takes up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” This is the machaira, a short sword for close combat, and the word rhēma refers to the spoken Word—specific Scriptures applied in real-time spiritual conflict. Just as Jesus used Scripture in the wilderness to deflect Satan's temptations (Matt 4:1-11), so must we. The Spirit empowers the believer not with mystical formulas, but with rightly understood and applied Scripture. Victory in spiritual warfare belongs to those who abide in Christ, walk by faith, think biblically, and live obediently—not in fear, but in confidence grounded in divine truth. Conclusion In the end, the study of angels, Satan, and demons grounds the believer in spiritual reality. It helps us interpret the chaos of our world through the lens of God's revealed truth, not mere human observation. We are reminded that unseen spiritual agents—both holy and hostile—operate within the bounds of God's sovereign rule, and that we are not spectators, but participants in an ongoing conflict between truth and deception, light and darkness. Our calling is not to speculate about the invisible, but to stand firm in what God has revealed. As we obey His commands, share His gospel, and endure in hope, we bring glory to the One who has already secured the final victory. And so, we press on—not with fear, but with clarity, confidence, and courage, knowing that the Lord of hosts is with us, and the battle is the Lord's (1 Sam 17:47; Rom 8:37-39). Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.        

John 6:40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” We have another encouragement today about the Father's will, which is another way of saying what pleases the Father. The Father desires to have a people for Himself, raised up on the last day of the history of the world. He isn't raising every single person who has existed in history. There are two distinctive characteristics about them: When they gaze upon Jesus, they believe in Him. These and these alone will have eternal life. How do we gaze upon Jesus today? We behold the Son in the Scriptures. This is the aim in the Live to Love Scripture Encouragement podcasts. When we read God's Word, we look at Christ and meditate on His person, His union with the Father, His purpose in coming into the world, His character, and His ministry. Meditation upon what we read in the Scriptures is a means of more grace, giving deeper understanding of who Jesus is, what He is doing, and the glorious hope of His promises. We may ask the Holy Spirit to teach us and reveal Christ to us so that we may know Him more intimately. As we behold Jesus in the Scriptures, those who have been given to Jesus hear and believe in Him. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). When we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, we entrust our lives entirely to Him. We have the hope of eternal life and being raised up with Christ on the last day when “He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). So all who believe in Christ are encouraged today that their hope is secure. God has willed that Jesus, Himself, raise us up with Him. Since nothing can separate us from His love, let us live with Him and walk in love for the glory of God on the last day. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

     Eternal salvation unfolds in three tenses. Phase one is justification—past tense. That's the moment you trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior. You were saved from the penalty of sin (John 3:16; Rom 5:1; 8:1). It's instantaneous, permanent, and entirely by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9). Eternal life is a free gift from God (Rom 6:23). You didn't earn it (Rom 4:5), you don't maintain it (Gal 2:16), and you can't lose it (John 10:28-29; Eph 1:13-14; 1 John 5:11-13). Phase two is sanctification—present tense. It's the daily battle: learning doctrine (1 Pet 2:2), renewing the mind (Rom 12:2), being filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18), walking by the Spirit (Gal 5:16), walking by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38), and saying “no” to the flesh (Rom 13:14). It's not about staying saved—you're already secure. It's about growing up spiritually and living like a child of God (1 Pet 2:2; Eph 4:1). Rewards are at stake (1 Cor 3:12-15). Fellowship is on the line (1 John 1:6). Phase three is glorification—future tense. It's the finish line. No more sin nature. No more death. You get a resurrection body, custom-fit for eternity (1 Cor 15:53; Phil 3:20-21). Face-to-face with Christ. No struggle, no failure—just perfect conformity to His image forever (1 John 3:2, 5). That's your guaranteed future. All three phases are part of God's gracious plan, but they must be kept distinct. Confuse them, and you'll either fall into legalism or question your salvation. Get them clear, and you'll live with confidence, freedom, and focus. Living the Sanctified Life – Phase Two      Eternal salvation is just the beginning. Phase one secures our position in Christ; phase two deals with our condition—how we live. That's sanctification. It kicks off the moment you're saved and continues until the Rapture or your last breath. This phase is about spiritual growth, transformation, and learning to think like Christ (Rom 12:2; 1 Cor 2:16; Phil 2:5; 2 Pet 3:18). God gives the assets: the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16; 1 Pet 2:2), a new nature (2 Cor 5:17), and spiritual gifts (1 Pet 4:10). But unlike phase one (where God does all the work), phase two is a team effort. It's synergistic. God supplies the knowledge and power; we bring the positive volition. We either walk by the Spirit—or we don't (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16).      Discipleship is the practical outworking of phase two. It's healthy Christian living. But don't confuse it with salvation. Salvation is free, but discipleship is costly. Faith alone in Christ alone saves (John 3:16; Rom 3:28; 4:5; Gal 2:16). But faithfulness? That's the road of the disciple. That road is paved with learning (1 Pet 2:2), obedience (Jam 1:22), denial of self (Luke 9:23), and fruit-bearing to the glory of God (John 15:8). It's not about earning salvation—it's about living like someone who already has it. It's about learning “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Eph 4:1). To follow Christ is to align your mind, values, priorities, and choices with His (Rom 12:1-2; Phil 2:5). It's a daily grind. It is repeatedly saying “yes” to the Lord and “no” to your flesh. And yes—it's going to cost you. Relationships may strain, comfort may vanish, opposition will come (Luke 14:26-33). But the payout? Eternal rewards (1 Cor 3:12-15; 2 Cor 4:17). Discipleship is no cakewalk—but it's worth every step.      Spiritual growth depends on spiritual nutrition. Feed the new nature or starve it. It's that simple. We grow through the Word (1 Pet 2:2), apply it by faith (Jam 1:22), and stay filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:25). Fail to do that, and you'll stay a spiritual baby—saved but stunted, secure but stuck (Heb 5:11-14). Discipleship is moment-by-moment decisions—choosing divine viewpoint over human viewpoint, maturity over mediocrity, truth over trends. It requires humility, commitment, courage, and discipline to stay the course.      Rewards? Those are tied to phase two, not phase one. Salvation is a free gift, but rewards are earned. At the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10-12), we won't be judged for our sins—they were judged at the Cross. We'll be evaluated for our service to the Lord. Did we build with gold, silver, and precious stones—or wood, hay, and straw? (1 Cor 3:12-15). Every believer stands on the unshakable foundation of Christ. But what you build on it determines reward, honor, and future rulership (Luke 19:17-19; Rev 2:26-27).      It's important to understand that failure in phase two doesn't cancel phase one. Carnal believers are still believers. Eternal security is a reality of grace. Lot was called righteous (2 Pet 2:7-8), yet his life was a moral disaster. The Corinthians were saints—positional saints—yet they were fleshly and divisive (1 Cor 1:2; 3:1-3). Demas bailed out, but that doesn't mean he burned out of salvation (2 Tim 4:10). Eternal life isn't fragile. But loss of fellowship, reward, and testimony? That's real. The Christian who fails to follow the Lord's directive to advance spiritually will face divine discipline in time (1 Cor 11:30-32; Heb 12:6), suffer the loss of testimony (1 Cor 3:1-3), reap the consequences of his own bad choices (Gal 6:7-8), forfeit eternal rewards (1 Cor 3:14-15), and be classified as least in the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:19).      Bottom line? Phase two is where the battle is fought. It's the grind, the test, the place where spiritual momentum is made—or missed. Phase one determines where you'll spend eternity. Phase two determines how. Some will receive greater rewards, honors, and possibly positions of responsibility in Christ's coming kingdom (Luke 19:17; Rev 2:26-27). And though the carnal Christian “will suffer loss [of reward]; he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Cor 3:15). Our present choices echo into eternity. And glorification? That's phase three—the final phase. It's guaranteed (John 3:16; Rom 8:1). God finishes what He starts (Rom 8:30; Phil 1:6). Every believer will be conformed to Christ, resurrected in glory, and ushered into a sinless, eternal state forever (1 Cor 15:53; 1 John 3:2). God's calling is high, holy, and worth it. So live worthy of it (Eph 4:1). Pursue maturity (Heb 6:1). Avoid legalism. Press on (Phil 3:14). You've been saved freely—now live powerfully. The Cross is your foundation. Discipleship is how you build. Dr. Steven R. Cook -  

     Christians are instructed, “do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness” (Rom 6:12-13a), “flee sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6:18), “he who steals must steal no longer” (Eph 4:28), “let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth” (Eph 4:29), “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph 4:30), “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Th 5:19), put aside “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth” (Col 3:8), “abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul” (1 Pet 2:11), “make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler” (1 Pet 4:15), “do not love the world nor the things in the world” (1 John 2:15), and “little children, guard yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). These commands would be pointless if it were not possible for Christians to commit all these sins. It is never the will of God that we sin (1 John 2:1), but if we sin, and “there is no man who does not sin” (1 Ki 8:46), it is God's will that we confess our sins (1 John 1:9), accept responsibility for our actions, and get back to learning God's Word (2 Tim 2:15; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18), living by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38), and pursuing holiness (1 Pet 1:15-16), and righteousness (1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22). Consequences for Sin      It is difficult for some to understand, but when Christians sin, we are not in danger of condemnation (Rom 8:1; 35-39), we do not forfeit the free gift of eternal life (John 10:28; Rom 3:24; 6:23), and we do not cease to possess the righteousness of God that was given to us at the moment of faith in Christ (Rom 5:17; Phil 3:9). When Christians sin, we are walking in darkness and have broken fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-6), and stifle the work of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (Eph 4:30; 1 Th 5:19). If we continue in sin, or leave our sin unconfessed, we are in real danger of divine discipline from God (Psa 32:3-5; Heb 12:6; 1 John 5:16-17; cf. Dan 4:37). Even though David was forgiven for his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:13), he still faced earthly consequences that impacted him and his family (2 Sam 12:10-14). Serious sin, and ongoing sin, can eventuate in divine discipline to the point of physical death (1 John 5:16; cf., Lev 10:1-2; Acts 5:3-5; 1 Cor 11:30), as well as the loss of eternal rewards (1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 John 1:8). These are serious punishments by the Lord which impact a  believer in time and eternity; however, the sinning saint is not in danger of losing salvation.[1] The Way of Righteousness      As Christians, God calls us to “pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Tim 2:22; cf. 1 Tim 6:11), to “present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom 6:13b), and to “present your members as slaves to righteousness” (Rom 6:19a). Addressing the Christians at Ephesus, Paul wrote, “you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light, for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph 5:8-10). Peter also wrote, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Pet 2:24a). Righteous living—that's what God desires from us. He wants our thoughts, words, and actions to align with His righteous character and written Word as it applies to us as Christians. But this requires positive volition and a commitment to the Lord (Rom 12:1-2), to learn His Word (2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:2) and live His Word by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38).      As Christians, God has done everything for us to live spiritually successful lives (i.e., giving a new nature, the Holy Spirit, and divine revelation). But God does not force us to live spiritually, as we must choose to live out the new life. And, like Solomon, we are always in danger of being corrupted by others (1 Cor 15:33), by Satan's world-system (1 John 2:15-16), and our fleshly natures within (Rom 13:14; Col 3:9; Gal 5:16-17; 1 John 1:8). To be faithful to the Lord to the end of our days (as God directs), one needs thinking that is properly calibrated according to Scripture (Rom 12:1-2). God has already blessed us with everything we need to live spiritually (Eph 1:3), but it's up to us to lay hold of what He's provided and to advance to spiritual maturity.      The successful Christian life starts with positive volition. Jesus said, “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17). The word “willing” translates the Greek verb thelō (θέλω), which means “to desire to have or experience something.”[2] To be “willing” to know and do God's will is the starting place for our advance to spiritual maturity. Our next step is to dig into God's Word and learn it. Jeremiah expressed positive volition when he said, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart” (Jer 15:16a). A psalmist wrote, “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psa 119:103), and “The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Psa 119:72). Peter wrote, “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet 2:2). Learning God's Word serves as the basis for right living (Rom 12:1-2). But once we learn it, we must walk in it, which means applying it to our life, and this by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6). Ezra is a good example of a believer who learned and lived God's Word, as it is written, “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). This is the proper order. When a Christian has a right will (orthothely), and operates with right thinking (orthodoxy), it establishes the basis for right behavior (orthopraxy). Positive volition, divine viewpoint thinking, and the walk of faith is what the Lord wants.      As God's people, let us constantly learn His Word (Psa 1:2-3; Ezra 7:10; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Pet 2:2), recalibrate our thinking to align with Scripture (Rom 12:1-2), discipline our minds (2 Cor 10:5), live by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6), confess our sins as needed (1 John 1:9), be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18), walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), submit ourselves to the Lord (Jam 4:7), do good (Gal 6:10), serve others (Phil 2:3-4), rejoice always (1 Th 5:16), pray without ceasing (1 Th 5:17), be thankful in everything (1 Th 5:18), maintain fellowship with other Christians (Heb 10:25), share our wealth to promote Christian ministry (1 Tim 6:17-19), and advance to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1). If we do this, we'll glorify the Lord, bless others, and live righteously as God's expects. Conclusion      In conclusion, we must be clear: eternal life is secured by grace through faith in Christ, not by perseverance in works or moral consistency. Though a true believer may tragically fall into grievous sin—like Solomon, David, or the Corinthian Christians—their eternal security remains anchored in the unchanging promises of God and the finished work of Christ (John 10:28; Rom 8:1). What is at stake is fellowship with God in time, our witness before others, spiritual fruitfulness, eternal rewards, and divine discipline that can range from loving correction to severe consequences (1 Cor 3:15; 11:30-32; Heb 12:6). We do not minimize the seriousness of sin, but neither should we confuse it with a loss of salvation. Instead of living in fear of condemnation, we should be motivated by love, gratitude, and reverence to walk in obedience and grow in grace (2 Pet 3:18). Let us pursue righteousness—not to keep what was never ours to earn—but to honor the One who saved us, and to reflect His character in this fallen world. Steven R. Cook, D.Min, M.Div., B.Sc.     [1] Even when the prodigal son lived in the world (Luke 15:11-13), and though he lived like an unbeliever, he never ceased to be a son (Luke 15:14-16), and when he came to his senses and returned home (Luke 15:17-19), his father recognized him as his son and welcomed him back (Luke 15:20-24). A child of God is always a child of God, even if we fall into worldly living. [2] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 287.

"A disciple is not above his teacher," said our master; "but everyone when he is fully trained will be LIKE his teacher" (Luke 6:40). In the past, we were predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). In the present, we are being changed into His likeness by the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18). In the future, we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him in a fullness we can only dream of (1 John 3:2). In this podcast, we ask what it means to be "formed" into His likeness.The sermon today is titled "Spiritual Formation." This sermon is the twelfth installment in our series "Follow Me," and is the first in the sub-series "More Like Jesus." The Scripture reading is from Luke 6:40 (ESV). Originally preached at West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 25, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.James K. A. Smith, You Are What You Love.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Romans 13:11-14

What should your attitude be about the local church? It should be to humbly acknowledge that you’re just one part of the body of Christ, and that you’re dependent on the other parts to function well. Consider the fact that there are 200 different types of cells in the human body—and all need each other, working together, for the body to thrive. So it is with the church. Even the weakest member is necessary. So rather than approach local church life causally, we should bring passion, purpose, and urgency to exercise our gifts to benefit the whole church body, remembering that we’re many members, but one body in Christ (Rom. 12:3-5). Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/6824321f981d11c30de4c400

     By promoting the gospel and biblical teaching, the church disrupts Satan's domain of darkness by calling out of it a people for God. By learning God's Word, Christians can identify worldly conversations and activities and either avoid them or seek to redirect them by interjecting biblical truth, which should never be done in hostility. When sharing God's Word with others it's proper to know that not everyone wants to hear God's truth, and even though we may not agree with them, their personal choices should be respected (Matt 10:14; Acts 13:50-51). We should never try to force the gospel or Bible teaching on anyone, but be willing to share when opportunity presents itself. At times this will bring peace, and other times cause disruption and may even offend. In this interaction, the growing Christian must be careful not to fall into the exclusion trap, in which the worldly person (whether saved or lost) controls the content of every conversation, demanding the Christian only talk about worldly issues, as Scripture threatens his pagan presuppositions. Having the biblical worldview, the Christian should insert himself into daily conversations with others, and in so doing, be a light in a dark place. He should always be respectful, conversational, and never have a fist-in-your-face attitude, as arrogance never helps advance biblical truth (2 Tim 2:24-26). The worldly-minded person may not want to hear what the Christian has to say, but he should never be under the false impression that he has the right to quiet the Christian and thereby exclude him from the conversation.      As we grow spiritually and walk with God, learning and living His Word (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17), we stand in opposition to Satan's world-system and sow the seeds of spiritual insurrection in the lives of those who live and walk in his kingdom of darkness. We disrupt Satan's kingdom when we share the gospel, “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). When anyone places their faith in Christ, trusting solely in Him as Savior, they are forgiven all their sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), gifted with eternal life (John 3:16; 10:28), and the righteousness of God (Rom 4:1-5; 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9). They are rescued from Satan's enslaving power, as God liberates them from the “domain of darkness” and transfers them into “the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col 1:13). The gospel is the only way a person can be delivered from spiritual slavery; “for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). Once saved, we seek to influence the thoughts and lives of other Christians through fellowship (Heb 10:23-25), prayer (Jam 5:16), edification (Eph 4:29), encouragement (1 Th 5:11), love (1 Th 4:9; cf. Eph 4:14-15), and words of grace (Col 4:6). The Sin Nature Within Us      If the devil were a broadcaster sending out his signal through the world, the sin nature in every person is that internal receiver that is always tuned to welcome his message. The sin nature, sometimes called “the flesh” (Gal 5:17, 19) or “old self” (Rom 6:6; Col 3:9), has a natural affinity for Satan's values and his world-system. More so, the sin nature is not eradicated from the believer during his time on earth, nor is it ever reformed, as though it can be made to love God.       Everyone knows what it's like to walk in the flesh, according to the sin nature, but only the Christian knows what it's like to walk in the Spirit, assuming he's growing in his walk with the Lord. Paul wrote, “For the flesh [sin nature] sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you [the Christian] may not do the things that you please”  (Gal 5:17). Concerning Galatians 5:17, MacDonald writes: "The Spirit and the flesh are in constant conflict. God could have removed the fleshly nature from believers at the time of their conversion, but He did not choose to do so. Why? He wanted to keep them continually reminded of their own weakness; to keep them continually dependent on Christ, their Priest and Advocate; and to cause them to praise unceasingly the One who saved such worms. Instead of removing the old nature, God gave us His own Holy Spirit to indwell us. God's Spirit and our flesh are perpetually at war, and will continue to be at war until we are taken home to heaven. The believer's part in the conflict is to yield to the Spirit."[1]      The sin nature is resident in every person; both saved and unsaved, and is the source of internal temptation. According to Wiersbe, “The flesh refers to that fallen nature that we were born with, that wants to control the body and the mind and make us disobey God.”[2] Since the fall of Adam, every person is born with a sin nature, and it is this nature that internally motivates men to rebel against all legitimate forms of authority, both human and divine. At the moment of salvation, God the Holy Spirit indwells us and gives us a new nature that, for the first time in our lives, has the capacity and desire to obey God. Because the sin nature is not removed from the believer after salvation, the believer begins to experience conflict within (Gal 5:17; Rom 7:14-23). Chafer states, “The presence of two opposing natures (not two personalities) in one individual results in conflict.”[3] Wiersbe adds: "The old nature (which has its origin in our physical birth) fights against the new nature which we receive when we are born again (Gal 5:16–26). No amount of self-discipline, no set of man-made rules and regulations, can control this old nature. Only the Holy Spirit of God can enable us to “put to death” the old nature (Rom 8:12–13) and produce the Spirit's fruit (Gal 5:22–23) in us through the new nature."[4] Lightner states: "Torn inside with desires to do that which we know is evil and new desires to please God, we experience the rage of the battle. The internal conflict manifests itself in everyday life as the believer is tempted to sin. The source of this conflict is the old sin nature, which is the root cause of the deeds of sin. In the conflict the believer is not passive. He has a vital role in determining to whom he will give allegiance—the old nature or the new nature. From the moment a sinner trusts Christ, there is a conflict in his very being between the powers of darkness and those of light. The one who has become a member of the family of God now faces conflicts and problems that he did not have before."[5]      As Christians, we are directed to “lay aside the old self…and put on the new self which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph 4:22, 24). Since we have been “born again” and given new life (1 Pet 1:3, 23), the sin nature no longer has domineering power over us, and we can choose a life of righteousness (Rom 6:5-13). As we grow spiritually, we will be transformed from the inside out and gradually become more and more righteous as we walk with God. Sinless perfection will not be attained until we leave this world, by death or by Rapture, and are “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom 8:29), who will “transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory” (Phil 3:21). Until then, we are commanded to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Rom 13:14). We do this by choosing to live according to the Spirit's guiding, and starving the monster that is our sin nature. To “make no provision for the flesh” means we stop exposing ourselves to the things of the world that excite the flesh and lead to sinful behavior. The positive action is to grow spiritually with biblical teaching (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18), Christian fellowship (Heb 10:23-25), selfless living (Phil 2:3-4), prayer (1 Th 5:17), worship (Heb 13:15), and doing good (Gal 6:10; Heb 13:16). It is only by spiritual growth and drawing closer to God that we learn to glorify the Lord and live in righteousness.      Though the Christian will struggle all his life with his two natures, he also knows the victory is already won. The sin nature has been defeated and its strength diminished because of the believer's union with Christ (Rom 6:6, 11). At his resurrection, the Christian is guaranteed a new body in heaven that is free from the sin nature as it will be just the like body of our Lord Jesus (Phil 3:20-21), for “We know that when He appears, we will be like Him” (1 John 3:2), and “in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5).      The believer's focus must be on daily—moment-by-moment—spiritual growth, allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in their life (Gal 5:22-23) while resisting the flesh by making no provision for it (Rom 13:14). This includes guarding against worldly influences that stimulate the sin nature and choosing instead to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Pet 3:18). While sinless perfection will not be attained until the believer is glorified, we are called to continually pursue righteousness (2 Tim 3:16-17; Tit 2:11-14), relying on the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16), who supplies the power to overcome the flesh. Ultimately, the Christian's victory is secured through ongoing dependence on the Holy Spirit, a willing heart, and a steady focus on spiritual growth.      In conclusion, though the battle with the flesh rages on, we do not fight alone or without hope. God has equipped us with everything necessary for life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). We have His indwelling Spirit (Eph 1:13), His inspired Word (2 Tim 2:16-17), the intercession of Christ (1 John 2:1), and the support of fellow believers to help us stand firm. Our sin nature, though still present, no longer reigns; we are no longer its slaves (Rom 6:6, 14). Each step of faith, each moment of obedience, each act of love, reflects the power of God at work within us. The war may be lifelong, but the outcome is certain. So we press on—not in fear or defeat—but in confident expectation of the day when the struggle will end and we shall see our Savior face to face, fully conformed to His image (1 John 3:2). Until then, let us walk by the Spirit (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16), live by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38), and abound in the good works prepared for us by our gracious God (Gal 6:10; Eph 2:10). Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] William MacDonald, Believer's Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1893. [2] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament, Vol. 2 (Colorado Springs, Col., Victor Publishing, 2001), 18. [3] Lewis S. Chafer, He that is Spiritual (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan Publishing, 1967), 112. [4] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, New Testament, Vol. 2, 480. [5] Robert P. Lightner, Handbook of Evangelical Theology (Grand Rapids, Mich., Kregel Publications, 1995), 206.

Texts:  Genesis 5:1-32; Romans 5:12-21   The Generations of Adam (Gen. 5:1-32) God made man and woman after His likeness for His glory. The refrain of each generation ends in universal death: “And he died.” Enoch walked with God by faith and did not face death due to God's grace (Hebrews 11:5-6).   The Regeneration in Christ (Rom. 5:12-21)  Through Adam's sin, death came to all generations. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we can be made alive and justified by His grace to live with Him forever.

Romans 6:1-14 (ESV) You are Dead to Sin and Alive in Christ 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been […] The post Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ (Rom 6:1-14) first appeared on Hope of Christ Church.

The Passion Prayers of Jesus“Our technologies permit us to manipulate time and space. They leave distance annihilated, cause things to grow and improve productivity.” - Michael KratsiosIf you are a born again believer, there are two ways that you have already experienced spiritual time travel.The first way is that the Bible teaches that if you are a believer, you were crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20), died with Christ (Rom. 6:8), buried with Christ (Col. 2:12), raised with Christ (Col. 2:12), made alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:5), raised up with Christ to heavenly places (Eph. 2:6), fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17), are one spirit with Christ (1 Cor. 6:17), will be with Christ after death (Phil. 1:21, 23), will return with Christ when He returns to earth (Rev. 17:14, 2 Tim. 2:12).The second way is that in the last 72 hours of Jesus' passion week, He prayed many specific prayer requests that still get answered today 2,000 years after He prayed them!The prayer of restoration for believers.“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” - Luke 22:31-32The prayer of thanks despite an impending ordeal (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)The prayer for basic discipleship commitments of followers (Jn. 17:1-26). -That Christians will grow in their relationship with God (v. 3, 5)-That Christians will be good stewards of God's words (v. 8) -That Christians will know their eternal security in Christ. (v. 9-10)_-That Christians will experience unity (v. 11, 22-23)-That Christians will experience the fulfilling joy of Jesus (v. 13)-That as Christians live in the world they will be protected from the Evil one (v. 15)-That Christians will ‘bathe' regularly by obeying the Bible's truths (v. 17)-That Christians will reproduce as they go out into the world (v. 18, 20).-That Christians will be with Jesus and behold His Heavenly glory (v. 24)-That Christians will be known for having the love of Jesus within (v. 26)The prayer of surrender despite personal anguish (Mark 14:36)He was pierced for our transgressions. - Isa. 53:5aWhen they look on Me, on Him whom they pierced. - Zech. 9:10bIt was the most unusual trial outcome ever – Jesus was proclaimed innocent, yet executed as if He was guilty.The prayer of forgiveness (Luke 23:34)The prayer that our sin caused (Matthew 27:46)The prayer of completion (Luke 23:46; John 19:30)The prayer of blessing over a meal (Luke 24:30-31, 35)The prayer of blessing (Luke 24:50-52)Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. - Heb. 7:25

Salvation of the Chosen (audio) David Eells, 2/16/25 I have declared the former things from old; yea, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they came to pass (Isa.48:3). Predict means to tell the future in advance. What the world calls predictions rarely come to pass. It seems they have a warped idea of what a prediction is. When God predicts the future, He declares it and then does it. Not only does God's Word show the future but also it brings it to pass. The worlds (Greek: “ages”) have been framed by the word of God (Heb.11:3). The word “framed” in this verse means “to make complete.” The history (or His-story) of all ages was completed before the beginning. (Isa.48:4) Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; (5) therefore I have declared it to thee from of old; before it came to pass I showed it thee; lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. He is a jealous God (Exo.20:5). He will not share His glory with the idol of self or an idol of man's creation (Isa.42:8). God receives glory from telling of His works hundreds or thousands of years beforehand. His works were finished from the foundation of the world (Heb.4:3). Because His works were finished from the foundation of the world, no one can say, “My might, my power, my god has done this.” It is important to God that we know He is sovereign. Our God has done something that no other “god” has done; He accurately tells the future long before it comes to pass. It is hard to live the Christian life without knowing that God is sovereign. Without this knowledge, we will not have the peace, rest, and the fear of God that we need in the midst of trials. We will always be wrestling with people and circumstances and trusting in our own strength, instead of seeing God's hand and trusting in His strength. (Hos.4:6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… (Isa.46:8) Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. (9) Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I [am] God, and there is none like me; (10) declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. God does all of His pleasure so that only His counsel comes to pass. The proof, that God is the only God, is that He declares the end from the beginning. All the prognosticators, psychics, seers, and stargazers of the devil have only come up with slightly better than random accuracy on the future because their lord is not sovereign. The devil does have an edge. He knows the prophetic Word better than we do, and he predicts what he plans to do, but God is sovereign and often overrules him. (Isa.46:11)… I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it. God is very self-willed. He has a right to be. His self is not corrupt, but ours is. He brings to pass what He desires because it is right. In the text, God is speaking of Cyrus, the pagan king of the Media-Persian Empire. God raised up Cyrus to destroy Babylon in order to set His people free from bondage. At that time, Cyrus had no idea that the Lord had put the desire in him to do exactly what He wanted. (Isa.44:28) That saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying of Jerusalem, She shall be built; and of the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. How can God be so sure that a man who has been a pagan all his life will do everything that will please Him? We see here that nothing or no one can resist God's good purpose for His people. God is sovereign over the future of the great empires of the world in order to deliver and prepare His people. (Isa.45:1) Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and I will loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut: (2) I will go before thee, and make the rough places smooth; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron; (3) and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that it is I, the Lord, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel. (4) For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. The Euphrates River passed through the city of Babylon. One of the gates spoken of here crossed in the Euphrates River to keep the enemy out. Cyrus by the help of God performed a monumental feat in diverting the Euphrates so that his army could enter the city beneath this gate. After they had entered the city, they discovered that the gates on either bank leading into the city had been left unlocked (by God, verses 1 and 2), which was strange, considering that the Babylonians were at war. After Cyrus conquered Babylon, the high priest showed him these prophecies and more that were written about him hundreds of years before he was born. The Jews say Cyrus was very impressed to see his name and works written in prophecy before the fact and became a believer in the God of Israel. God stated clearly that He was going to open those gates for Cyrus to do His Will. After hearing these revelations, Cyrus knew that God had empowered, planned, and made his way. Christian leaders have turned God into a mere prophet, claiming God sees into the future and then reveals it. Every type and shadow in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament to prove that God sits on the throne and One Mind rules over time and the future. One loose canon, would change everything. According to the law of geometric progression, one change at the beginning makes an immense change at the end. Chance or more than one in control could not possibly bring to pass what we see. The Armenian thinkers teach that God predestines and predicts by seeing into the future then tells us how the dice rolled. “Predestine” means “to determine destiny before it happens.” “Foreordain,” which is the same Greek word, means “to ordain an event before it takes place.” (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. You who are manifesting sonship by bearing fruit have been chosen and are being drawn by God. (Rom.8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained (predestined) [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. God foreknew and decreed all who come to the likeness of Jesus, but not the apostate. “Foreknew” here does not mean He looked into the future and saw what would be. “Foreknew” here means, “to know before” and is not connected with actions or events, but persons. God knew these people before the foundation of the world because He does not dwell in time. God knows what He creates before He speaks it into existence just as we conceive and design something first in our mind before we make it. “Knew” speaks of intimate knowledge, for instance, Adam knew Eve. Jesus will say to those who called Him Lord but do not do the Will of the Father, (Mat.7:23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you (meaning, from the foundation of the world): depart from me, ye that work iniquity. To the foolish virgins without the oil of the Spirit, Jesus said, “I know you not.” The ones that God intimately knew He “foreordained” before the creation to be conformed to the image of Jesus. God creates us through His gift of faith and the Word in us; His people who are on the narrow road. This is grace. (Rom.8:30) And whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. This says all who are foreordained will be called, justified, and glorified. They will not fall away but will bear the fruit of Christ. Are there others who are called but not foreordained? (2Ti.1:9) Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling… Notice that only the saved are called. Called is from the Greek word kaleo, which means, “to invite.” Called is an invitation given only to God's people (more proof: Heb.3:1; Hos.11:1; 1Ti.6:11-12; Mat.25:14; Rom.1:6-7) to partake of his heavenly benefits in Christ in order to bear fruit. Those who bear fruit 30, 60, or 100-fold will be proven to be the chosen or picked. If at harvest time you have no fruit, rotten fruit, or unripe fruit, you will not be picked. The called are the vineyard of God (Isa.5:7). The chosen are the smaller percentage who bear fruit (Isa.5:10). (Mat.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen (Greek: eklektos, “elect”). The called can fall, but the elect or chosen will not. (Hos.11:1) When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. (2) The more [the prophets] called them, the more they went from them…The Lord saved those that ate the lamb and were baptized in the Red Sea. He then tried them in the wilderness to see who would be a believer in the midst of trials, and only those entered the Promised Land. Jude warned the called of this very thing. (Jud.1:1) Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called… (5) Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. Notice that the called were saved, but some did not continue in faith and were destroyed. Friends, God is not looking for what we loosely call “Christians,” but believers or disciples, as they were called. Jesus gave us very clear examples of His servants who are called but do not come and partake in order to bear fruit. Jesus shared a parable in which a king made a marriage feast for His son. (Mat.22:3) And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden (Greek: “called”) to the marriage feast: and they would not come. They were full of excuses (a farm, merchandise, etc.). (Mat.22:8) Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy. Even one who appeared to come did not have on a wedding garment which implies putting on Christ (Rom.13:14) or putting on righteousness (Rev.19:8). (Mat.22:13) Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few chosen. A few of the called are chosen or elect because they bear fruit. (Mat.25:14) For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants (Greek: “bondservants”), and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. Obviously, the man who went away was the Lord, and His bondservants are His people. Two of these example servants brought forth fruit of the talent given them (Mat.25:20-22), but one buried his in the earth (used his talent for the earthly, Mat.25:24-25). When our Lord returns, He will say, And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth (Mat.25:30). The apostle Paul, who said of himself that he was called in Galatians 1:15, also said, But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected (Greek: “reprobated”) (1Co.9:27). There is much more proof that the saved and the called can fall (2Pe.1:9-11; 1Ti.6:11-12; Heb.3:1,6,12,14; Rom.11:1-7,19-23). Friend, you probably know if you are called, but are you chosen? You must be diligent in your walk of faith to prove this. (2Pe.1:10) Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election (choosing) sure: for if ye do these things (the attributes of Christ, verses 5-7), ye shall never stumble: (11) for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. God at the cross has already given us everything that we need to bear fruit through faith. (2Pe.1:3) seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue. Faith in the promises in the midst of trials will give us the fruit. (2Pe.1:4) Whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. The called have the power and the opportunity. The called and the chosen, or foreordained, use the power by faith and take the opportunity. The only ones who will ultimately be with the Lord are identified in this verse. (Rev.17:14) These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they [also shall overcome] that arewith him, called and chosen and faithful. Notice that the called that are chosen will be faithful. I did not make these verses up; they are the Word of God. Those who have eyes and ears will see and understand, but the rest will justify their religion and ignore the Scriptures. Before time and the future, God sovereignly spoke the end from the beginning, bringing these things into existence in time. Some would argue, “How could God make a promise to all of His called and then not keep it for those who do not bear fruit?” Every promise in the Bible is useless until someone walks by faith in it. Our part of the covenant is faith; God's part is power and salvation. We can break the covenant through unbelief. (Num.14:11) And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have wrought among them? (12) I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a nation greater and mightier than they. Notice that God is saying to His own people who did not believe that He would disinherit them. Lest any believe that God cannot make a promise and then take it back when they do not walk in faith, pay attention to this: (Num.14:23) Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that despised me see it. (30) surely ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. (34)… and ye shall know my alienation (Hebrew: “revoking of my promise”). Unless we mix faith with God's promises, they are void. (Heb.4:2) For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they (God's people): but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. The Israelites who walked in sin were disinherited and blotted out of God's book. (Exo.32:33) And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. The same is true of the Christians who do not overcome sin. Notice what the Lord said to the Church. (Rev.3:5) He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life…Those who do not overcome will be rejected from the body of Christ. (Rev.3:16) So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. God's people Israel were broken off because of unbelief, and Christians who were grafted in but do not walk by faith will be, too. (Rom.11:20) Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (21) for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. (22) Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Those who are still grafted in at the end are called “all Israel.” (Rom.11:26) and so all Israel shall be saved… Those who are still in the book of life, still grafted in, are the elect (Greek: “chosen”). (Rom.11:2) God did not cast off his people which he foreknew… (5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election (chosen) of grace. A remnant is those who are left. Notice they are foreknown and chosen. Sovereign God will have those who are truly His. Abiding in Christ is where salvation is. Some say God gave us the gift of eternal life so He cannot take it back. In Galatians 3:16, we are told, To Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. So the promises were given to Christ, not to us individually. The only way the promises are ours is if we abide in Christ. Abiding in Christ is bearing fruit (Joh.15:1-6), walking as He walked (1Jn.2:3-6), believing the same teachings given by Jesus and the apostles (1Jn.2:24; Jud.1:3; Mat.28:20), not adding to or subtracting from the Word (Rev.22:18-19), not walking in sin (1Jn.3:5-6), and keeping His commandments (1Jn.3:24). In Christ is the only place we can claim the gift of eternal life. (1Jn.5:11)… God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. God does not have to take His gift back; His people walk out of it. (1Co.6:18)… Every sin that a man doeth is without the body…When you walk in willful sin, you are not abiding in His body for in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: (1Jn.3:5-6). For instance, fornication, spiritual or physical, takes away the members of Christ and makes them members of a harlot (1Co.6:15,18). Only Christ and those abiding in Him are chosen. (Eph. 1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world… Only Christ and those abiding in Him are going to heaven. (Joh.3:13) And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven…The manna from heaven, the Word Jesus Christ, who takes up residence in those who love Him, is the fruit that God is coming to choose. By this time, I am sure some are thinking that they do not measure up. We must first abide in Christ by faith accepting the Gospel report that I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me (Gal.2:20). Those who walk by faith that they are dead to sin and Christ now lives in them are accounted as righteous until God uses that faith to manifest righteousness in them. (Gal. 3:6) Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. God does not dwell in time, but eternity. He sees the beginning and the end at the same time, therefore, He can answer a prayer before we pray. We do not have to worry that we have waited too late to pray because He can have the answer coming long before we ask. (Isa.65:24) And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. I had a friend, who went to the local trade school, offer to take my broken washer for the students to work on. It was only going to cost me for parts. By faith, I told him to go ahead. He called back in a couple of days to say that he would be bringing it back and the cost was $90. My wife and I accounted that we only had $40. In a moment of inspiration, I pointed my finger at the mailbox and said, “$50 is coming in that box today.” In the mail that day was a letter from a brother in Maryland. (I had absolutely no foreknowledge of this incident.) He wrote, “It is after midnight, and I just cannot get to sleep until I obey God and write this check for $50.” I looked at the post date on the letter and discovered it had been lost in the mail for a whole month! Obviously, God had it found at just the right moment. He had it coming a month before I spoke those words of faith. He merely used me to bring to pass what He had already planned. I asked God to do something that I believe He may have changed time to accomplish. Many years ago, this very young girl made a mistake and tested pregnant. As I prayed about her situation, a thought came into my head and right out of my mouth. I asked the Lord to make this girl as though she were never pregnant. I believe that this did not come from my mind, but God's Spirit. Because of the way this prayer came, I received it as a confirmation from the Lord that it was the Will of God. Later, tests proved that she was not pregnant. I do not know what God did with the baby, but I am sure He is taking better care of it than that girl would have. Nothing is beyond God's ability to help us, unless it is beyond our faith. How can God change His mind when He knows and speaks the end in the beginning? Then changing your mind makes you a liar. (Isa.46:10) Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. If He sees all from the beginning, why would He ever need to change His mind? God will not change what is written in His Word. (Psa.119:89) For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. His Word is likened unto a rock, immovable and unchangeable. However, God can change or delay what He speaks to you personally as a warning through prophets, dreams, visions, or His Spirit. When the Word ultimately comes to pass, it will be fulfilled as the Bible says it will. God gave us an example of this in the book of Jonah. Jonah cried and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown (Jon.3:4). God told Jonah to preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee (Jon.3:2), so he did. He was not a false prophet. God spared Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, because they repented. This angered Jonah because Assyria was the mortal enemy of Israel and the prophets had already been prophesying that Assyria would conquer rebellious Israel. He wanted them to be destroyed for what he perceived was Israel's sake. Jonah knew that if he preached to Nineveh and they repented, God would not destroy them, so he fled. (Jon.4:1) But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. (2) And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hasted to flee unto Tarshish; for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repentest thee of the evil. God spared Nineveh around 752 B.C. so that Assyria could conquer the northern ten tribes of Israel around 720 B.C. and then Judah around 701 B.C. Nineveh ultimately did fall around 612 B.C. God knew before He threatened Nineveh that He was going to spare them for the purpose of using them to chasten Israel. From Nineveh's perspective, they changed God's mind by repenting, but from God's perspective, He changed Nineveh's mind and fulfilled His plan from the beginning for them, which was to chasten Israel! Jonah's Hebrew word for “repentest” here is nacham meaning “to sigh” and by implication “to be sorry.” In itself, nacham does not admit evil doing, or even a change of mind, only sorrow. As Father, God must do many things that He sorrows over. When the Scriptures speak of God repenting, it is for our perspective because it appears to us that He changed His mind and did not do what He threatened. As a parent five times over, I have done this many times. The difference between God and us is, He plans and sees the delays and repentances from the beginning. (Num.23:19) God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent. (1Sa.15:29) And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent. Here is another thing that proves the sovereignty of God in time and the future, and that God plans delays or “repentances” beforehand. Israel and the United States share a unique identity. Each was entrusted with the Gospel in their respective time. From 887 B.C., Israel was at war every seventeen years for a period of fifteen cycles until 631 B.C. The United States also has been in a war every seventeen years for a period of fifteen cycles from the forming of the thirteen original states to Grenada in l983-l984. For both nations, in the sixth and tenth cycle there was no war. The only possible exceptions to the parallel are that Israel appears to have had a devastating famine in the forth cycle instead of a war and there seems to be no record for a war in their thirteenth cycle. The cycles could be more exact than our knowledge, but no sane person could think that this is chance. The repetitions of history clearly show that one mind is in control of past and future. Stay with me because I would like to encourage you about your family and loved ones who may be running after worldly desires and not yet saved. No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day (Joh.6:44). Some parents feel very guilty that, though they did the best they could, their children seem to be going the wrong way. The following teaching is not against those who have faithfully served the Lord from their youth but rather for those who feel that the Lord has passed them or their children by. Walk by faith for those wayward children, not sight. Believe in your prayers, expect miracles, but be patient. God has a plan that starts for them long before their salvation. Give some deep thought to this. It will free you from worry, strife, condemnation and self-effort to bring about God's will in them. They will have to be saved after tribulation and failure of their worldly expectations, as we were. Children who are raised knowing about the Lord are sometimes very self-righteous. They think they deserve what they have and do not understand grace. They will also have to see themselves as sinners in order to be the dirt that can receive the Word and bear the fruit of Jesus. God only saves sinners. We have all been one. This is a necessary revelation in order to appreciate the great value of salvation and to be saved by unmerited favor. I remember my oldest daughter when she was three years old going around our lost friends and relatives saying, “God does not like that.” She was quickly deflecting what we had taught her. We thought, “You little Pharisee.” Our heavenly Father has had many prodigal sons just as Jesus' parable shows, but that does not make Him a bad Father (Luk.15:11-32). In this parable, the “good” son who never left home was self-righteous, judgmental, and merciless. On the other hand, the younger son, who spent his inheritance on riotous living, realized his low estate and came to his father very humbly saying, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. (Luk.15:21). The once rebellious son now understood mercy and grace and was a much better man for it. Prophetically, the firstborn son who never left the Father was the righteous among Israel, but they did not understand grace. The younger, second son of the Father who fell away through the dark ages for 2,000 years is the Church, who is returning in these days to understand the grace of God. The Father said to these, Bring forth quickly the best robe (the robe of righteousness [Isa.61:10]), and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand (symbol of authority and of the Bride), and shoes on his feet (the walk of separation from the world) (Luk.15:22). The prodigal son will have more of everything than the first son. Those who have been sinners know their need of God, but many times, those who are raised as God's people do not. (Mat.21:28) But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in the vineyard. (29) And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented himself, and went. (30) And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I [go], sir: and went not. (31) Which of the two did the will of his father? They say, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. (32) For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye might believe him. Many times, it is not the son who says he will go to work in the Father's vineyard who actually goes, but the son whose first inclination is to rebel. This rebel who comes to see himself as a sinner goes while the other son who feigns righteousness does not. Many career Christians are bored with the work of God and are distracted by the allure of the world. The publicans and harlots are so appreciative of a place in the kingdom that they throw their whole heart into it, willing to be servants rather than be served. They understand the great value of the gift of grace that is given them and their own unworthiness. In the last days of the Gentiles, it will be the same as it was in the last days of the Jews. There are many self-righteous “Christians” today who are not the creation that the Father desires. Those who have been raised in the church should humble themselves to the Word of God and not religion so that no man takes their crown (Rev.3:11). It appears Jesus had this in mind when He shared this parable. (Luk.18:9) And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought: (10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. (11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. (12) I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. (13) But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner. (14) I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified (Greek: “accounted righteous”) rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. The self-righteous child who kept all the religious traditions was not accounted righteous while the poor sinner who was repenting of his unworthiness was. Jesus told the Pharisees that He had not come to call the righteous but the sinners. He was after those who knew they had been sinners to be His children. Look at the following verse carefully. (Rom.11:32) For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all. God has designed that forgiven sinners become His sons. Those who have been disobedient have a great appreciation for mercy and grace and do not offend God quickly. God has subjected us to this fallen creation for the purpose of a higher creation. (Rom.8:20) For the creation was subjected to vanity (the fall and corruption), not of its own will, but by reason of him (God) who subjected it, in hope (Greek: “firm expectation”) (21) that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. He wants those who have been corrupt, as good soil is, to be delivered to appreciate Him. The children of God can only be created from the fallen creation, and God is the one who subjected them to it to humble them. The Scriptures show us our unfaithfulness and unworthiness so that we might have a reason to truly repent. (Gal.3:22) But the scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. God chose us to be saved in Christ before Adam even fell. (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love. He knew we would need a savior before the world was made and Adam fell. He knew the fall would happen, and He went ahead with the creation anyway. From this you can see that the fall was in His plan. Children who are raised with Christ many times take Him for granted and do not really understand grace as unmerited favor. God has a plan for them that may involve the temporary lifting of His grace that has been taken for granted. Do not fear this, or walk by sight, but continue to believe God for them. Peter was Jesus' little one whom He raised up to be a disciple. He self-confidently declared to the Lord that he would never be offended and deny Him but would go with Him to death in (Mat.26:33-35). God hates self-confidence but loves God-confidence. So how does God deal with this sin? (1Co.10:12) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Failure is the best treatment for self-confidence. (Luk.22:31) Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: (32) but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren. (33) And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death. (34) And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Jesus prophesied failure for this proud man. Jesus, who had authority over Satan, did not forbid him from sifting Peter. Satan sifts to get what belongs to him. In this case, it was Peter's pride, self-righteousness, and self-confidence. What fell through the sieve was what God wanted, the humbled Peter. The sifted Peter who had “turned again” or been converted, could now establish the brethren. Before this failure, he would have been a good Pharisee. (Luk.7:40) And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon (the Pharisee, not Peter), I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. (41) A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. (42) When they had not [wherewith] to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most? (43) Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. (44) And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. (45) Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. (46) My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. (47) Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little. Big sinners make big saints, for they know the value of grace. According to the previous verses, God wants people who are forgiven of their many sins and saved by grace so that they love and appreciate Him much. This is the creation that He wants, not Adam before the fall. The creation that springs from the last Adam, Jesus Christ, is the ones who have fallen and then are saved by grace through faith. We need not worry about our children or loved ones becoming sinners, just “hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised.” We must gracefully sow seeds of truth, as we can, without frustrating them. They cannot be convinced without grace. God “worketh all things after the counsel of His will” and “a man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven,” and “no one comes unto the Son except the Father draw him.” God will do it when the time is right, and He will use our faith because “faith is the substance of things hoped for” (KJV). We can see why sometimes God does not save people until they are a little older and have tried the world and found it wanting. However, if you have faithfully served the Lord from your youth, you have a great reward. God can save anyone anytime He desires. It is important that we not try with our own works to save the lost but first honor God's sovereignty with our faith for Him to do it. (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me… (44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him… Father will draw everyone that He chooses to Christ. God chooses us and gives us a desire to come to Him and only then do we choose Him. (Psa.65:4) Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee], That he may dwell in thy courts… God sometimes chooses the worst in our estimation. If God can save Paul or Mary Magdalene, who had seven demons, he can save those we believe for. Do you remember the conversion of Saul who persecuted the saints with a vengeance? (Act.9:3)… And suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: (4) and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he [said], I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. A monkey would get saved with such an experience, which was totally at the discretion of God. This same omnipotent God says, All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Mat.21:22). God uses His gift of faith in us to manifest the salvation of those He has chosen from the foundation of the world. Pray and thank God for those salvations. I can hear someone say, “Goody, we will believe God to save the devil; that will solve a lot of problems.” I do not think such faith would endure to the end since faith is a gift from God (Eph.2:8), to give or to take, and there is no precedent in the Scriptures for such a request. Besides that, the devil is needed in his job for which he would be totally unfit if he got saved. There is precedent for household salvation though (Act.11:14; 18:8). Paul and Silas offered this to the jailer. (Act.16:31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. They believed and were saved. (34)… with all his house, having believed in God. Peter preached this, too. (Act.2:39) For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. In Exodus 12:3, the lamb was slain for a household. Unbelieving family members are sanctified by our faith. (1Co.7:14) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. Some object that God would be unrighteous to choose some and not others. We are too late for He has done just that. (Psa.147:19) He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his ordinances unto Israel. (20) He hath not dealt so with any nation; And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. God did not attempt to share His first covenant with any of the world but Israel. The New Testament He shares only with spiritual Israel. (Deu.7:6) For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God: The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. (7) The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples. God is not worried about multitudes, for He has chosen the least. He still only chooses little spiritual Israel on the narrow road. Abraham is the father of spiritual Israel, the Church: those who walk in the same gift of faith that Abraham walked in. (Gal.3:7) Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. Paul told the Gentile church at Rome that the people of all nations who believe the promise were Abraham's children in (Rom.4:16) For this cause [it is] of faith, that [it may be] according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law (natural Israel), but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (17) (as it is written, A father of many nations [the Gentiles] have I made thee)… True, spiritual Israel believes the promises even now. (Rom.9:6)… For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: (7) neither, because they are Abraham's seed (naturally or physically), are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8) That is, it is not the children of the flesh (natural Israel) that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. Those who believe the promises are born again children of the promises. These are Abraham's seed. A New Testament spiritual Jew is circumcised in heart, not flesh. (Rom.2:28) For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly (physical); neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: (29) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly (spiritual); and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter… Notice that a Jew now is not a physical Jew. A Jew now has the flesh cut off from his heart through the new birth. (Gal.6:15) For neither is circumcision (in the flesh) anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (16) And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace [be] upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. The Israel of God are they who walk as new creatures. The unregenerate physical Jews who worship in synagogues are not Jews until they are born again through the New Testament. (Rev.2:9) I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they art not, but are a synagogue of Satan (the same in Rev.3:9). We were not Jews but now are in Spirit. (Rom.9:25) As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved. (26) And it shall be, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God. We were not His people but are now beloved sons of God. (Rom.9:27) And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel (natural or physical), If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved. A remnant of natural Israel will be born again mostly after the elect Gentiles have been saved. (Rom.11:25)… A hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. “In part” here means that the line between Gentiles and Jews is not a sharp demarcation. Neither was it in the book of Acts. Jews are even now being saved more than ever. This is a sign that we are nearing the end of the times of the Gentiles. Most of the physical Jews will come in after the Gentiles. We who sought not after God were given the gift of faith to be spiritual New Testament Israel when natural Israel turned her back on God. (Rom.10:20) And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me. God revealed himself to the Church who on their own neither knew nor sought Him. (21) But as to Israel he saith, All the day long did I spread out my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. (Rom.11:7)…That which Israel (physical) seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election (chosen) obtained it, and the rest were hardened: (We see here that only the few chosen among the many called of Israel accepted Christ and the New Testament. The rest were reprobated.) (8) according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day. In that day and in this, those who walk by faith are chosen from among the called to be the eternal people of the living God. Paul said “all Israel” is the physical Jews and Gentiles who are part of the olive tree by faith, not those who are broken off by unbelief (Rom.11:19-25). All have sinned and deserve destruction. Is God wrong for giving some mercy and grace and others justice? All deserve justice instead of unmerited favor.   Letter to a Prodigal Son Anonymous My Son, The Lord has chosen you as part of 3% of this world's population to be His own. I saw this in a vision I would like to tell you about. You are probably wondering, how could this be since I have been through hell? Hell is the best place to learn that you really want to live in heaven. I've loved you since you were a baby and I've known the Lord has too. Even your stubborn rebellion didn't change my mind or His. He has known you from before the foundation of the world. He has a special plan for your life that I would like to tell you about. You think, why would God love me since I have been so sinful? Jesus said, "Who loves much, he that has been forgiven of much or he that has been forgiven of little? Simon said, 'He that has been forgiven of much'". Jesus said that this answer is correct. Since you will be forgiven of much you are now capable now of loving Him the way He wants you to. You might ask, "If He loves me then why has he been so hard on me?" It is the devil who has been hard on you. He hates you and when he is through with you then you are like him, destroyed. God said, "His servants you are whom you obey". It's a simple matter to change Masters and Fathers. It happened to me when I was younger than you. I guess I wasn't quite as stubborn as you. :o) Once when you were younger you asked God to save you. You think He ignored you or forgot about that but He didn't. He was very glad and He took you very seriously but He also knew you were stubborn and would have to know the consequences of serving the devil before you would fear Him as your Father and serve Him. You are almost there. When you get there understand this about Him. He is seeking you and listening to you and if you make one step towards Him, He will be very happy to make ten towards you. You have His Word for that. Luke 15:1 Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Jesus is now seeking you out where you are.) 3 And he spake unto them this parable, saying, 4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (He is after you to save you.) 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (He will be very happy to receive you.) 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, [more] than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance. (Your heavenly Father and all of heaven will be happy at your turning to Him.) 8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of [thy] substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. (What God gave you as a child you have now wasted.) 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (Now you are just feeding the flesh and the children of the god of this world, Satan.) 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. (Its a hard road and you are near total death.) 17 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! (You are starving for the bread of His kingdom, the Word of God.) 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: (Just tell Him that you have sinned and you are sorry) 19 I am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (Tell Him that you know you are not worthy of Him but you will serve Him with His help.) 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (You are far from Him but He sees you when you make a step towards Him and He will run to you in love.) 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (He will meet your needs for righteousness and authority.) 23 and bring the fatted calf, [and] kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: (He will feed you with the best.) 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. (He will give you His life.) And they began to be merry. (...And He will be very happy; more so than over those who are serving him now.) 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and [yet] thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine. 32 But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive [again]; and [was] lost, and is found. Please think about this, son. Love, Dad

Preacher: Sam Powers Romans 4:13–15 Romans 4:13–15 | Heir of the World from CrossPointe Coast on Vimeo. The Promise to Abraham And His Offspring That's you, believer! Heir of the world Co Heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:16-17 ; Gal. 3:29 ; Gal. 4:7 ; Eph. 3:6 ; Titus 3:7 ; 2 Tim. 2:12 ; Matt. 13:43) John MacArthur In the end, you will be a joint heir with Christ, and you will inherit everything that is Christ's. You, Christian, have a great eternal inheritance that is more glorious than you realize. * Not through the Law * But through the righteousness of faith * This is the Gospel You, Christian you have a great savior who is more glorious than you realize. Let us not be satisfied with a great inheritance, but let us be captivated with the one who purchased it on our behalf. Special Guest: Sam Powers.

In this parable that Jesus told in Luke 8, He makes it very clear that the proof of salvation is fruit and not merely hearing the Word or making a profession of faith in Christ. There might be many roads that “lead to Rome” but there is only one road that leads to heaven. Jesus claimed to be the only way. In John 14:6 He said, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me”. We are either saved, or we are lost. We are on our way to heaven, or we are on our way to hell. That is pretty blunt, but it is the truth. Jesus also instructs us in Matthew 7:13, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”   That is why this parable is so important! We should make sure that we have experienced a genuine salvation and not a false emotional experience that made us feel good at that time. Jesus tells us that the “seed in the Word of God”. In every case this “seed” was sowed or scattered on these four different conditions of soil that of course represent the four types of hearts that “hear” the Word. There can be no salvation experience without the “Word of God”.   Jesus said in John 3:5, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”  The “water” is the Word of God, and the “Spirit” is the Holy Spirit. The seed is planted in our hearts by someone as they share God's Word with us. Peter put it this way in 1 Peter 1:23, “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” Then the Holy Spirit germinates that seed to bring conviction of sin and open our eyes to who Jesus really is and we see Him taking our place on the cross and dying for us!  The first soil or heart that Jesus describes is the hard soil or the hard heart (vv. 5, 12). This soil represents the person who hears the Word but immediately allows the devil to snatch the seed away. The second soil or heart He describes is the “rock” or “shallow ground” (vv. 6, 13). These people hear the Word and receive it mentally or intellectually and emotionally with joy. But that is as far as it goes. These people appear to be saved for a short while, but because they have no spiritual root, as soon as a trial or temptation comes they fall away. Remember Judas!   The third soil that Jesus describes is the in the midst of thorns but never produces fruit or grows to maturity (vv. 7, 14). These people are hard to figure out. I think that they probably are the ones who truly or genuinely get saved but no one disciples them and they remain baby, carnal Christians. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). The “cares of life” which are legitimate things like food, clothing, shelter and a job, “choke the Word” (Matthew 8:22) and they never bear any fruit. They never experience the abundant life available to them in Christ. They are too busy trying to “make a living”, or get caught up making “more” money and having “more” things, and enjoying the pleasures of this world instead of the one to come!   The fourth soil is the “good ground” that bears fruit. It illustrates the individual who hears the Word, understands it, receives it within, is truly saved, and proves it by patiently producing fruit (see 1 Thes. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:22-25). Not everybody produces the same amount of fruit (Matt. 13:8), but all true believers will produce some fruit as evidence of spiritual life. That fruit may include winning others to Christ (Rom. 1:13), money given to God's work (Rom. 15:25-28), good works (Col. 1:10), Christian character (Gal. 5:22-23), and praise to the Lord (Heb. 13:15).   Today, how does your life match up to this parable? Are you sure you are saved?

November 3, 2024 - Navigating Differences in the Body of Christ | Rom 14 by Trinity Hinsdale

Big Idea: Worshiping Christ is an all-of-life endeavor Worship... 1. Begins with visualization (12:1a) 2. Leads to presentation (12:1b) 3. Results in transformation (12:2)

Signs and Wonders.     Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.  - John 4:48   Supernatural Signs: The Bible narrative also includes supernatural events following Jesus's death: Earthquakes: The ground shook, breaking open tombs (Matthew 27:51). Torn Veil: The veil in the temple tore from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying access to God through Jesus. Resurrection of Saints: Dead saints briefly returned to life, testifying further to Jesus's divine identity3. Presence of false christs and false prophets (Matt. 24:5, 11) War, (Matt. 24:6-7; Luke 21:10) Persecution of the faithful, (Matt. 24:9) Apostasy, (Matt. 24:10; 1 Tim. 4:1) Lawlessness increases and love grows cold, (Matt. 24:12) Earthquakes, famine, and plague, (Luke 21:11) Increase in selfishness, (2 Tim. 2:2) Lovers of self, money, and pleasure.  Arrogant, disobedient, ungrateful, and unholy. They will be haters of good, conceited, appearing godly but are not, (2 Tim. 3:2-5) Mocking of Jesus, (2 Peter 3:3-4; Jude 17-19) Increase in knowledge, (Daniel 12:4) Rise of spiritism, (1 Tim. 4:1) Decay of marriage, (1 Tim. 4:1) False teaching, (2 Tim. 4:3–4) The gospel will be preached to the whole world, (Matt. 24:14) Signs in the heavens, (Luke 21:11) Sun and Moon will be darkened, (Matt. 24:29) The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, (Matt. 24:30) Abuse and destruction of the earth and its resources, (Rev. 11:18) All the nations of the earth will gather against Israel, (Zech. 12:3) Rebuilding of the Temple, (2 Thess. 2:3–4) Arrival of the Antichrist, (2 Thess. 2:3–4; Rev. 13:14–17) Enforcement of the mark of the beast, (Rev. 13:17) Repentance of Israel and the Jews coming to faith in Christ (Rom. 11:25-26)   Thank you for listening.   Kenn   

Separation anxiety is when someone fears being apart from or losing a person or other attachment figure, a place, or even an animal. Adults can experience separation anxiety, although it is more common in children. Learning necessary, healthy detachment from parents, relatives, friends, and trauma bonds provokes "separation anxiety," does it not? Severe SA can manifest in physical symptoms, such as nausea and headaches. But separation anxiety is a normal part of both childhood development and adult relationship development. Although it can be unsettling, Jesus teaches separation is necessary for Christians - at least temporarily - in order to bring about the repentance and reconciliation of an offender. If the offender continues without repentance (changing direction), we must detach from ungodly "Christian" relationships, or else we fall into sin ourselves as enablers. Jesus shows us how.  Thank you with all my heart to my newest Friends of the Show, Jaylen M; Rose G; and Monica M, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content!  Our Monthly Meetup Bible study in John is epic! You coming? LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja's method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)   O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Tolerance is not patience, it is enabling sin, according to Jesus and interpreted by the Church Fathers. Has the Holy Spirit alerted you through this episode of a relationship with a fellow (professed) Christian in which you need to speak up and erect some boundaries? What do you want to say to Him about that?   V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (Rest in the Word.) Dearest Jesus, my love, in the words of little Therese, "For me to become great is impossible." Help me bear with myself and my many imperfections as I seek to follow her means of getting to heaven by a little way--very short and very straight, the little way. Amen + Love Heals. Learn More. Connect Join me (click here) in the Sacred Healing community for our Masterclass and Consultation Group coaching calls, healing prayer livestreams, monthly Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you find help, support, and experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 – the purification of our hearts has to do with paternal and maternal images (CCC 2779); Thérèse of Lisieux's trauma; mother wounds and female physical issues Minutes 12:01-24:00 – self- and interior-abuse; aggressive vs passive temperament; synopsis of Matthew 18; childlikeness, according to Jesus, means boundaries;  the difference between boundaries for Christians and non-Christians; Law as gift; guilt and shame; shame vs contrition; no condemnation for those in Christ (Rom 8:1 and Jn 3) Minutes 24:01-36:00 – the forehead as the seat of shame; Ex 28 HOLINESS TO THE LORD; 3 stages of boundaries; Holy Spirit is our wisdom and discernment as we "wrestle" with boundaries; overview of Matt 18; the Fathers on offenses against children and ourselves Minutes 36:01-48:00 – "cutting them off" or no-contact; eyes, hands, and feet; Jesus seeks out the one who has been separated or "lost" Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.