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Paul states “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…” There is a lot to unpack in that statement. Paul lays out a pathway for believers to follow, reminding us that “the just live by faith” and salvation is availed to all, Jew or Gentile.

Paul states “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…” There is a lot to unpack in that statement. Paul lays out a pathway for believers to follow, reminding us that “the just live by faith” and salvation is availed to all, Jew or Gentile.

Paul states “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…” There is a lot to unpack in that statement. Paul lays out a pathway for believers to follow, reminding us that “the just live by faith” and salvation is availed to all, Jew or Gentile.

Paul discusses the "Day," aka the Judgment Seat of Christ: There are two types of people, the foundation layer and the builder Christ is the only real foundation People can build on the foundation using good or bad materials Bad materials will be burned in the fire, but good ones will stand Is purgatory real? What is the Judgment Seat of Christ? What is the "fire" we will experience?   Hey! Look at this other P40 content!  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries  Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries  Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com  Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/c-6493869  Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk  Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop  YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle    Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee  https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40   This ministry is only made possible due to your generous support https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries

The Importance of Baptism  (audio) David Eells (8/11/24)  There is a great disconnect in the church today concerning baptism and it is so important! If a person just looked at the Scriptures and read all the verses, you'd know this. When I first became born-again the first thing that the Lord began to impress us to look at was baptism. So we looked up every verse concerning baptism and printed them out. With them all written out on pages before us, we just knew, “Yep, we have to do it. There is no choice. We have to do this.” So we looked for a church to do it.  Well, a lot of Christians today don't read their Bible, so they just wouldn't know unless the preacher emphasized what the scripture emphasizes. We noticed in the Bible, that as soon as someone believed, the next emphasis was to be filled with the Spirit. Once in a while, being filled with the Spirit got ahead of the baptism, but baptism was right there always when someone first believed. And there's a reason for that. It's because it's important. Some churches do not even mention it, as though it's not important.   So, I thought we'd look at a few scriptures and study what the importance of baptism is. Remember, it's not just what they say about baptism, it's the emphasis they put on it and that should be our emphasis too. I mean, if it's that important to Jesus and the apostles, we don't care that others don't think it's important. It should be just as important to us as it was to Jesus and the apostles.  I'd like to start in Acts 22. Well, you remember how Paul was converted and then got himself in trouble with the religious folks and he was recounting to them about his conversion in Act 22:12-14 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there, 13 came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.  As important as Paul was to the Lord and to God's plan, he still needed to be baptized. 15 For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? (I.e., What are you waiting for?) arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name. (Amen. Do you hear that? He is saying, What are you waiting for? Get baptized and wash away your sins. That sounds very important, doesn't it?)  So baptism has a key work in doing this. People argue about what is that work. But I think we can cover that a little bit today. So yes, baptism is important in washing away thy sins. It is an act of faith that God recognizes and it's our obedience to our Lord. You know, faith without works is dead. Some people say they have faith, but they don't have works. So, obedience is important in the Kingdom.   Well, it says in 1Pe 3:19-21 in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, (Speaking of Jesus.) 20 that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water: 21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, (That sounds very important, doesn't it?) not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (In other words, it's not the water washing your skin, that makes you clean), but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; It is through the resurrection gift of Jesus Christ given to us and it is given to us through baptism, as we'll see in Romans chapter 6. When we come up out of the water, we claim His resurrection life.   So you see, baptism is very important. You know, tell your children; tell your lost loved ones, “Yeah, believing in Jesus is important, and so is baptism.” It's a command from God and any command from God is important. Sad to say, but some people don't read their Bible to find out these things and the poor preachers don't know enough either.  Another great example is in Act 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened: and every one's bands were loosed. 27 And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?   31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. 32 And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, (And that's just how important it was. Most people today would make excuses; they would say, “Well, wait till the preacher preaches on baptism. Next month I think we're going to have a baptism…”, and so on. Well, they thought it was so important that in the middle of the night, they were going to go and baptize this person because you have to start your Christian walk with baptism as an act of faith. It's an act of faith that gives you the good confession that you make before Satan and before the world that now you don't live, Christ lives in you.) and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. This shows how important baptism is. I've done the same thing in the middle of the night. When people believed, we started looking for a pool in the middle of the night. And it's just that important to God. Our emphasis needs to be God's emphasis in this regard. Jesus said in Mar.16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. Now it says in 1Co 10:1 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; Look at that, “all of them” It must have been important to do that right? God wants to show us through this type and shadow that it's also important to us. So what can we say? We're warned not to add to or take away from the words of the Book, or He'll take away our part in the tree of life. We're warned to obey, just as they did.  So it's important because it says in 1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. (We are a many membered body of Christ.) 13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, (Baptized into the body! My goodness, that makes baptism very, very important. We're talking about one body, and we're supposed to be a member of it. Some people say this is “spirit baptism”. Folks, the overwhelming majority of Christianity out there have never been spirit baptized, so none of them would be in the body. No, this is talking about being baptized into Christ, which is what the baptism verses say. It never says that about spirit baptism.   Now we all need spirit baptism too, because as we just read, Moses and the children of Israel were baptized in the cloud and in the sea. And that represents our spirit baptism and water baptism. We're just saying what the Bible says. Now some people say, “Oh, David, you're preaching baptismal regeneration.” I don't care what you call it, I'm just saying what the Bible says. It doesn't matter what you call it. Regeneration is not something you do when you step over a line somewhere. Regeneration is something that's carried out in your life as you repent and believe.)  It goes on to say, 13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. Wow, sounds kind of important, doesn't it! Many people are missing God on this regard here. There's a lot of people I've run into that have been Christians for a long time and yet they haven't been baptized. And God's even brought it to their attention, but they just hardened their conscience against it because nobody else around them thought to be baptized. We're not following the people around us, folks. We're following the living Word of God. We dare not follow men. They have been so foolish over the years and they've forgotten baptism and you can see how very important it is! We need to tremble before the Lord.   It sounds pretty important in Mark 16:15-16, the Great Commission. Well, if He sent them out to do this, we have to go do the same thing. If we talked to somebody about salvation, baptism is supposed to be a part of it, every time; immediately as we just read. If a person gets saved and they don't want to get baptized, well, we'll find out what the Bible has to say about that.   Here's the good word in Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. Notice, He said two things here. “He that believeth and is baptized”, So it's not just believing, it's actions that go with that believing. Baptism is the New Testament sign of the Covenant. The sealing of the Covenant. Just as circumcision was the sealing of the Covenant in the Old Testament, according to the apostle Paul. And so, He said, preach the Good News to them. And then those that believe it and are baptized shall be saved.  Well, now I'm just going to say a few words about this before we go on. I know a lot of you out there may have been sprinkled and they call it baptism. But really, not anywhere in the scriptures is there sprinkling when dealing with baptism. There is a word, rhantizō, which means sprinkling, like sprinkling of the blood. However, the word baptism is the only one that's used for baptism, and we're told in Vines, it says it's a process of immersion, which means submersion and emergence. And submersion is going under and emergence is coming up. And it comes from the word baptō, which means to dip or plunge beneath, which is exactly true. Strong's, for instance, says that to make overwhelmed. In other words, he says, fully wet. And it's from the word baptō which means to cover completely with fluid, Strong's says.   So, it's a pretty strong emphasis on being plunged beneath, the waters. There is no such thing as “sprinkling” in baptism. And there's no such thing as sprinkling babies in the scriptures, because the Bible says, repent and believe and repent and be baptized. We'll look at that in just a minute. So babies don't repent and they haven't done much that they're held guilty for. Basically, if you've only been sprinkled, you need to get baptized. Who can baptize you? Well, our examples in scripture are men who baptize. Can women baptize? The scripture doesn't say.  It has to be done. I would say in most cases people say, “Well, go find a preacher.” Well, that's a possibility to go to a church to get somebody to baptize you, but most preachers don't believe it is necessary and may put you off until they have more people who want to be baptized. Baptism is very important concerning your faith. It's an act of faith.   People think it's just joining a church. Well, it's joining the Church. It's being baptized into the body of Christ. But it's not talking about joining a local assembly. And it's not just a thing of naught, you know, it actually has an effect upon you. I've seen people that couldn't overcome certain sins until they got baptized because they just weren't obeying; they weren't washing away their sins. I mean, it's an act of faith for you, that you believe your sins are washed away when you get baptized, and we will study this.  No, there's no such thing as infant baptism or sprinkling. Because obviously sprinkling is dead wrong and even the dead church used to teach that. And if I remember correctly, it was Constantine who ordained sprinkling as baptism because on his death bed he just wanted to be baptized. He thought if he was baptized just before he died he would be okay, which was totally false. So, he got sprinkled over and over until he died. Silly stuff that people want; they want some kind of magic to make sure they can get into the Kingdom of heaven. But without repentance and faith you just get wet when you get baptized. Notice this progression: Act 2:38  And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Just obey the scriptures and you will be safe. Trust in men and you will not. Now let's look at Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name (Now listen to this. You're not baptizing someone in a name, you're baptizing them into the name. You know, when you get married, you wives out there, you took on the name, right? And thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. When you take His name, you need have faith to live up to it.  God's given principles whereby you can do that if you believe the gospel. Baptizing them literally, it says into the name, so it's not talking about using a name over someone. It's talking about baptizing you into the name of someone. Who is that? Well, this is the only place in the Bible that uses this term, so you need to understand it in regards to the other places in the Bible where it says being baptized into the name of Jesus. Because some people think these are formulas. And then they pick and choose which formula they think is the right one. But that's phony, and it's wrong. There is no scripture that contends with other scriptures. It all fits together. So therefore we need to understand how “this and that” go together.   Well, it says you baptize them into the name, that is, …baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Notice that if you understand your English here, there's only one name here. It's baptizing them into the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and notice also that Father is not “a name” and Son is not “a name” either, and neither is Holy Spirit “a name”. Those aren't names. He's telling you to baptize them into the Name. So what is this name?  Let me read the next verse first in Mat. 28:20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Notice that we not only baptize, we tell them to obey everything Scripture says. But when they baptize into the name, what is the name? Some people nowadays are very confused about what the name is. I just want to point out to you one thing that's very important to you Judaizer out there. That is, you folks who want to go back and be Jews. Now the Lord was so fed up with the Jews that He wrote the New Testament in Greek, and we have absolute proof of that. The Old Testament Hebrew has a numeric pattern that won't let you add a letter or take a letter in the original Hebrew without ruining the Hebrew pattern in the text. And we've written about that, if you'd like to go and read it. This book is available on our website, The Numeric English New Testament. Here's a link: NGNT  And here's why God put His signature in all of the scriptures. So in the Old Testament He used the Hebrew and in the New Testament, He used the Greek. That's a fact, because the New Testament Hebrew texts that are out there don't have a numeric pattern in them. And I'm talking about not just the pattern here and there, like you can find in War and Peace, which have little bits and pieces of things that accidentally come up to have a little bit of a numeric pattern with just a few letters. I'm talking about every letter of every word being a part of a numeric pattern and that's in both the Old Testament Hebrew and the New Testament Greek. So when you talk about “name” in the New Testament, you're talking about the word, onoma and it means character, authority, and nature. In the Old Testament, it's the word Shem, it was the chosen lineage back after Noah, because he took the name. He was the name. So in the New Testament, when you're baptized into the Name, you're baptized into the nature, character and authority of Jesus. We'll see that even more as we go on. So, it's into the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit which is spoken here. These three agree it's only one name, Jesus.  Act 4:12  And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.    Also, I want to point this out to you that are caught up in the Judaizer thing. I'm going to read Jer 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah; and all the nations (Gentiles) shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Jehovah, (Notice that the name of the Lord is synonymous here with gathering unto Jerusalem, and the apostle Paul said that “you have come unto the Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem”, meaning those Christians then who were baptized and filled with the spirit, and believe what the Word of God said. This is talking about Gentiles coming to it. Now, so this is not the Old Testament Jerusalem, but the New Testament, born-again Heavenly Jerusalem that he said we had come to. And all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord. Now we know the name of the Lord in the New Testament. That is my own new name.) We'll talk more about that in just a minute.   So going on here, … shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. (Now, so this is a born-again experience because they were certainly stubborn!) Jer 3:18 In those days the house of Judah (You know, by the way, folks, I got to tell you that just as there were 12 tribes back then, there's 12 today. Many have received that revelation from the Word. And there is a Judah; Judah was first. Judah means praise, and Judah represents the spirit-filled people.) … the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your fathers.   19 But I said, How I will put thee among the children (This is the true children of God here), and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of the nations! and I said, Ye shall call me My Father, and shall not turn away from following me. Now, these Gentiles that came to the Jerusalem, he said, “you shall call me my Father.” And Jesus taught in the New Testament for us to call Him, My Father! All you need do is get out your concordance and look up the word. It'll be two pages. Father. Father. Father. Father.  This is the relationship the Lord wants us to have with Him in the New Testament. Not an Old Testament name that is not in the New Testament or covenant. The only thing you can see Jesus calling Him is, Father. Amen. He said it again in Jer 3:4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth? So forget all these Jewish names. You're not Jews, at least most of you aren't. And even if you were, you've got a New Covenant and the anointing is in the Greek. The New Testament Greek has the numeric pattern, which is God's signature. So, the name of the Lord; what is the name of the Lord? Jesus. Why does He say of the Father? Because it's the same nature, character and authority in the whole family; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is the same name. You understand? We're not talking about a title, here. We're talking about the nature, character and authority that's passed on from generation to generation. Now in the natural you inherited a name from your parents and in the spiritual you inherited a name from your spiritual parent, so we have to pay attention to that. We inherited the blood of Jesus. He is called “Everlasting Father” in Isa 9:6. Neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit have blood. So if you want to see this, for instance, you look in Gen 3:22 And Jehovah, or Yahweh, as some people say, or other names they put in here. But the truth is, that was what was in the Tetragrammaton, which is YH, or VH if you hold to the Jewish, or WH if you hold to the English translation YHWH, and YHVH. Now how can you baptize somebody in the name of YHWH when you can't even pronounce it? Because that's not what it's telling you to do. It's telling you the name, the nature, character and authority. And Jehovah God, Yahweh Elohim, it is translated in this Bible. Yahweh or YHWH, Elohim; and did you know Elohim is plural, never singular?   And so He says, Behold, the man is become as one of us (So we're talking about why YHWH is plural here. Who is he talking about? “…has become as one of us.” The Lord and the Angels know, in fact all through Genesis, He uses this terminology. I'll just point this out to you. So YHWH or YHVH, if you prefer, that's plural. Yes, it is in Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, (Oh my goodness. Now you know He's talking about God, right?) after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish… so on and so forth. And we see in Genesis, by the way, we see that Jehovah God translated from YHWH, Elohim is used quite often. For instance, Gen 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Jehovah God (YHWH Elohim, so He's plural, the family name.) made earth and heaven.   And here's another example. Gen 2:7 And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground,… So there's the name. However, not in the New Testament, because now it was written in the New Testament as Greek, you understand? For instance, in the Greek it's something like, Iésous, and Spanish it's Jesús “hay-SOOS”. Some Jews use Yeshua, but that doesn't come from the Greek, it comes from the Hebrew. There's no numeric pattern in the Hebrew NT. It's in the Greek. Some people say, “Oh, you can't use ‘Jesus'.” Well, why not? I've been using the name of Jesus to cast out demons and see miracles for over 50 years now. And you know what? He works. He doesn't care if I use the name Jesus. So they're just trying to drag you back under the Law and into the Old Covenant, which the Bible says passed away in Christ. Now, not one jot or tittle will pass away until all is fulfilled, because the Law is the letter that has to be made spirit, and that's the fulfillment. The New Testament is a fulfillment of the Old Testament. But God didn't make the Old Testament with you, He only made it with the Jews. Psa 147:19-20  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 Jehovah. So the Lord turned away from their covenant and language. All but a remnant rebelled up unto the end. We know they even crucified the Christ, and they crucified the prophets and the apostles. So does that mean they can't be saved? Nope, we're supposed to be believing for a remnant of them to come into the New Covenant and of course, the Lord will do that. Oh, praise be to God!  So we understand that the Lord accepts these names in the New Testament, the transliteration of Iésous is Jesus into English, and He certainly answers to that. And if you go to Spanish and use Jesús, He will answer to that, and if any other translation He will answer that. Because it's not the word that you're speaking over someone. Notice you're not baptizing them in a bucket of Jesus. You are baptizing them into the Name and the Name is His nature, character and authority. Praise God!  So we see that we are also to do all in the name as it says in Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. It's not that you have to “say” the name to do it in the name. You do it in the nature, character and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the scripture says. Because the Lord Jesus Christ is a name. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not a name. They have a name, they have a nature, character and authority, and it's always the same. But it's not that you speak, “the Father, Son, Holy Spirit” over someone and there's something magical about that or a particular formula of doing it. It's that they're baptized into the Name.  Now Jesus is a name and everywhere else in the Bible it uses the name Jesus because you're baptized into His death, burial, and resurrection. That's what baptism is. So if you want to say the name of Jesus, that's fine. It's still not a formula to say over someone. I hope you understand that because we are ambassadors for Christ, as it says in 2 Co 5:20. It means we are sent forth to do and to speak with authority in His name. Do you have to “say” His name every time you do anything? No, but you have to be in His name. The scripture says you “do all in the name.” In the name means, in the nature, character and authority. That's what it means. It doesn't mean, “say” the name. Now, can you say the name of Jesus? Yes, I do it all the time because I want everybody to know who Jesus is. And it's His authority, it's His power! Praise be to God. But I'm an ambassador on behalf of Christ to this world from His Kingdom and I'm coming to the Kingdom of this world. And so everything that I do in His name has authority you see. I hope you understand that.   And I'll point out something else to you in Acts chapter 2. We see here that Peter is preaching the Gospel to these Jews, and they were convicted of their sin, so we read Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? 38 And Peter said unto them, (This is a very important answer here. Thousands were converted here you see) Repent ye, and be baptized (Babies can't do that. Now just understand babies don't need to be baptized. Those that need to repent need to be baptized.) …Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you (Did he say, “some of you”, or “if you want to?” No. Did he say, “you need to and another doesn't?” No, every one of you.) in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.   Maybe that's why some people don't get the Holy Spirit, because they're not even being obedient unto baptism. Well, that's clear. Notice, he said “every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” And can you say the name of Jesus Christ? Definitely you can, you know, because it is a name; Father, Son and Holy Spirit is not a name. There's just one name there, you understand one nature, one character and one authority. And we're baptized into Jesus Christ. So if you're going to say the name, you need to say the proper name here. It is the name. It's Jesus. It means “Jehovah is salvation,” or “YHWH is salvation.”  So who was in Jesus? The Father! The Father was in Jesus. In fact, let me just read to you, Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, (Oh, praise the Lord! So, what did that mean? Was the Father's name, Jesus? That's kind of the oneness doctrine. Generally it's the oneness doctrine or Trinity doctrine and neither one of them are quite right. Because if you just read the scriptures, you don't have to make up formulas that don't quite fit anything, and neither one of them do, actually.) But notice, He said, I am come in my Father's name and you received me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. Now, what did He mean by this? He came in His Father's, nature, character and authority. Another person can come in their own nature, character and authority, and they will listen to them, but they won't listen to somebody who is an ambassador of Christ. That's what He was saying. 44 How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?   Let's look at Act 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, (The Jewish were calling the apostles on the carpet. The Sanhedrin really didn't have any authority from God. They had failed and gone their own way.) they inquired, By what power, or in what name, (Not by what name, it's in what name. We have to do all in the name, in the nature, character, and authority of Jesus. You can say things using the name or “by the name” and nothing will happen. Have you ever noticed? But if you do something in the name, well then the authority of heaven is behind you because you're an ambassador for the Kingdom.) By what power, or in what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders, (We have the same problem today.) 9 if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole; 10 be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ (In the name, not by the name) in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole.   11 He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, (And this is still happening today.) which was made the head of the corner. 12 And in none other is there salvation: (Can you “say” the name of Jesus and still not have salvation? Of course, and a lot of other things you won't have if the only thing you're doing is “saying in the name of Jesus,” you'll be without a lot. But you can't do anything in the name and not see results. You're in the nature character and authority of Jesus Christ.) for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein (not “whereby”) we must be saved. (That's what it says in the original, “wherein.” Salvation is in Him.” And to have salvation, you must abide in Him. If you don't abide in Him, you're cast forth as a branch and picked up and thrown into the fire.)  Another example is in Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ (There it is again. We're baptized into the body. Doesn't that make it very, very important? Absolutely. So why aren't people doing this? Well, because they don't mind just filling churches up with people that tithe, then they come and listen and they become “cookie cutter Christians.) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. (So when you're being baptized into the nature, character and authority of Jesus, you are putting on His acts. What you put on represents your actions, or works. Is the fruit of the Spirit those actions? Yes, of course it is. The fruit of the Spirit is the manifestation of being in Christ. We are first in Christ by faith. You accept everything that Christ gave you, and your faith is accounted as righteousness. But while you walk in that faith, God's going to be manifesting it. And if you don't see any of it manifesting, guess what? It's not faith in what the scripture has to say. Because there's definitely always going to be fruit of faith in what the scripture has to say.)   28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man (man was added in there) in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise. Baptism is very, very important. You see that? Glory be to God! It's the truth.  Let's read another one. Let's go to Col 2:11 in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; (How were we circumcised? We as Gentiles don't' get circumcised as Paul said in Galatians chapter 5. If you trust in circumcision, you are separated from Christ. You're not, naturally speaking, but if you do it in order to be justified, you're separated from Christ. Circumcision has a different meaning in the New Testament.) 12 having been buried with him in baptism,… (We see here that circumcision in the New Testament is baptism. How do you fulfill Old Testament circumcision? “Having been buried with him in baptism.” Cutting off the flesh from sowing our seed has the same meaning as cutting off the flesh man in baptism.     He tells you very plainly in Galatians that seeking to be justified by the works of the Law, Christ won't profit you anything. In Gal 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (You're not to go back under the Law. You're supposed to be obeying what it points to.) 4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.   And all the rest of the Law is the same way. It's all a type and shadow of something in the New Testament, and all you need to do is start reading the New Testament and you'll find out what it is. In this case, circumcision equates to baptism. Now, if you were in the Old Testament and you didn't get circumcised, you were cut off. Now, if you're in the New Testament, you don't have to get circumcised because you have a New Covenant, but there is also a baptism that equates to circumcision, which is the sign of the Covenant. Let me explain that to you. Let's go back and read Genesis 17 and we'll see the type and the shadow of what baptism was, and we'll see how important it is!   Gen 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised. (So, that's the sign of that Covenant. And what is the sign of the New Testament covenant? Baptism.) 11 And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner that is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.   So some people say, “Oh it's everlasting!” Well, yeah but except for one thing, it's being interpreted when you come into the New Testament. You're still keeping it, but you're keeping it because you're keeping the Spirit, not the letter. You're actually fulfilling it with baptism. If you get circumcised in the New Testament and you're not fulfilling it, you're going back to keeping the Law. But if you understand that it's being translated from letter understanding to spiritual understanding, you get the real understanding. The letter kills but the spirit gives life, according to what the apostle Paul said.  Every jot and tittle of the Old Testament must be fulfilled in the New. Now continuing 14 And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. So that was true about circumcision if you are under the Old Covenant. Now that you're under the New Covenant, this shows the importance of baptism! So let's look at Romans now. Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin. 9 Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness. 10 How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: (Because he was reckoned righteous by his faith before he got circumcised. Is it same truth for baptism? Yes. He was reckoned righteous, not righteous, but reckoned righteous.  We are also reckoned as righteous when we obey the commandments on baptism. Now, I want to also say this regarding, opportunity. See, some people say, “Oh, the thief on the cross, he wasn't baptized, so we don't have to be.” No, wait a minute, the thief on the cross had no opportunity to be baptized. The Bible says also, you need to pay attention to this. Speaking of baptism Paul said, We become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall also be of his resurrection. (Rom 6:5) Now the thief was united with him in the likeness of his death. So he fulfilled what baptism and Romans 6 says, because if he “died with Christ, we shall also be raised with him”. He died with Christ, so he fulfilled it in that way. So now, you are not like the thief on the cross. You have opportunity to obey this word. If you have faith without works, how can that faith save you? You say, “Do we have to do this? Do we have to do that?” If you're just trying to get your toe in the door, you've got nothing. You have not yet become a disciple of Jesus Christ. What do I have to do? You have to do everything He tells you. Because He bought you with a price. You are not your own. You have the privilege to do everything He and His apostles told you to do in this New Covenant.   And the proof as we read on here is in verse Rom 4:11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: (So faith came and works came and those works of obedience sealed what he received by faith.) that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them; (So when you believe, righteousness is reckoned unto you, but if you don't obey, you're not getting sealed. If you believe without obedience, that's faith without works. James said, Can that faith save him? No. Why do you become a disciple of Christ and don't do what He says? “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” How can you call him Lord if you don't do what He says? It just can't be.   So their argument about the thief doesn't count for them because they have opportunity, and he didn't. Of course, if a person dies after becoming a believer, and they had no knowledge of a need for baptism and there was no opportunity, I believe their faith would be “accounted as righteousness”. But when you have opportunity, you need to do it. Notice that all through the Book of Acts, when they baptized people, they did it immediately. Why? Because it was important! It was an act of faith that washed away sin. Wow! You see, it's important!  So let's go on to look at the baptism chapter, Romans 6. It's so good, so full of power! Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Well, there's a lot of people that believe that. A lot of dead religion out there that believes that. The “Once saved, always saved” love that. They don't understand what grace is, grace also brings obedience.) 2 God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? (That should be our attitude towards sin. We've been made free from sin. Why should we serve it anymore?) 3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Yes, many people get baptized and they are ignorant. They don't even know what it's for. They just think it's a ceremony so they can join a church. It's a ceremony, all right. But it's one that acts by faith and causes you to enter the church. The church, not a local building.)   …we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (So therefore if you were baptized into Jesus, you're dead. You're dead to sin. How shall you any longer live therein, he says. Do you believe that you're dead to sin? Or do you believe you're always going to be a sinner, like most preachers say? They're like the spies with the bad report. By the way, if you listen to them you won't enter the promised land. It says this very plainly. You were baptized into his death, you're dead by faith when you get baptized, you're dead to sin. You don't have to serve it anymore.)  4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: (Now if you're not being buried, it's not baptism. If you're being splashed in the face, that's not baptism. It says buried and that's what baptism is. The only difference here is, he's using water instead of dirt. When a person dies they're buried in dirt. But we die when we are buried in water, representing the washing of the Word of God, which puts to death the fleshly life. Every day that you walk in the water of the Word, it washes you clean. The water of the Word is to put to death your old man. When you obey the word, the old man who wants his own way dies. This is a type of being buried in the Word of God. Being overwhelmed as we studied what Strong's says about baptism. When you're overwhelmed by the washing of the water with the word, it's washing you clean. If you're ignoring God's word, don't bother getting baptized. Don't waste God's time and yours. You're committing to the death of self when you go down into the waters of baptism and you reckon it to be done. We're told how to do this. 4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. (Now why do we get baptized into death? So that we get resurrected to walk in newness of life. You can see here that it's not just a ceremony. Notice the condition.) 5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, (baptism) we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; (Notice the condition to have His resurrection life is going down in baptism by faith. Well, have you noticed there's good promises that come with baptism? Why are you tarrying? What are you waiting for? Get baptized and claim Jesus' new life and you will have it. That's why I'm sharing this with you today. What's the benefit of baptism through faith? The benefit of entering into the body of Christ. The benefit of washing away thy sins. People will try to pick this apart but I am just saying what the Bible says here. If they emphasized this and thought it was so important that they would bring people down in the middle of the night and dunk them, then you ought to do the same thing. You ought to not go on in your Christian life and not be baptized. You're taking a chance, aren't you? Yes, and you have opportunity. You're not thief on the cross.)   Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, (So you see the purpose of baptism? That the body of sin is done away since the old man was crucified with Him. This is just awesome! Praise be to God!) …that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; (The purpose of baptism is so we are no longer in bondage to sin! What about the preachers out there that say you're always going to be in bondage to sin. Well, they're separating the people from the benefits of the Kingdom! They don't know what the Bible says, and they have no faith.) 7 for he that hath died is justified from sin. (When you go down and you come up, and you believe that your old man was crucified with Christ and buried, you're justified from sin, which means accounted righteous from sin. Is there an advantage here to baptism? I'd say so. Would you like to be justified or accounted righteous from sin?)  8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; 9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; (So that's part of eternal life. It's part of the obedience you do with your faith to receive eternal life.) death no more hath dominion over him. (So now think about this, baptism is an act of faith which is fulfilled the rest of your Christian life. It can be just getting wet if you are not holding to faith in the purposes we have looked at. See when the Lord tells you in His Word to do something, what He's telling you is for your own good that you may prosper in the fruit of His Kingdom. Rom 8:11-13  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  12  So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:  13  for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Your spiritual man must be obeying this word, and disobeying the flesh-man. The flesh says, “No, I don't want to do that.” And the Spirit-man says, “It doesn't matter; I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ and I will walk in His steps. I have the authority to do it because you are dead. Therefore, I can do this.”   I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It says who strengthens me in all things. When God gives you a command to “resist not him that is evil”, for instance, and “love your enemy”, for instance and so on, and you ignore it because you think nobody else does it? Or you ignore it because you don't want to do it? Then the water of the Word is not putting to death your old man. Don't waste God's time. Don't take His name in vain. Your baptism means nothing. Do people get baptized for nothing? Yes, they do because they're not planning on walking in it. In fact, quite often “they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies”, speaking the lies of the Pharisees and dead religion.)   So going on to Rom 6:10 For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Amen. When you went down in those waters, friend, you died. When you came up, that's Jesus, that's not you anymore! When you go down in the water, the “old you” died under those waters. It's the same thing with the Word of God. You read this Word in order to be a disciple of Jesus, which is a learner and a follower. And it puts to death your own life in the water of the Word. You have the ability to do it because you received this by an act of faith at baptism. You're “calling the things that be not as though they were.” Jesus said, “all things whatsoever you pray and ask for believe that you received them and you shall have them”. So what happened at baptism? You believe you received it, God gives you the power to walk it out. You're walking out your baptism as you read this Word daily.   It should be the most important thing in your life, to read this Word. Do you love Jesus? Well, it'll be proven if you do. If you love Him, He said you would keep His commandments. There's no salvation if you don't love Him. The Bible says if you don't love Him, the Father won't love you. There's no salvation if you don't love Him.  Verse says 11 Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, (Which means, consider it done. This is faith. This is totally contrary to what's being taught in most churches. They're taking away your faith. They teach you to walk by sight, and that you're always going to be a sinner saved by grace. No, grace saves; it really saves so they're liars.) 11 Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (Oh, praise God! You're alive unto God. You are now alive in Jesus! Now you can follow Him. You're baptized and your old flesh is dead. But the flesh is going to say, “No I'm not.” And the devil's going to say, “No, you're not.” But you say by faith, “Yes, I am.” When the devil tempts you, you tell him, “You can't tempt me because the one you can tempt was the one who died back there in those waters of baptism”. Jesus did that against the devil. He used the Word. He slapped the devil right in the face every time he tried tempting Him, He said, “It is written.” He was using the water of the Word. You got to fight the good fight of faith here. You need to see the “new man” Who is Christ in you, in the mirror and you will be changed into His image from glory to glory. Amen.)   Rom 6:11 Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (What power will this faith give you?) 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: (So how do you not let sin reign? You use verse 11, you are dead to sin and alive unto God. You use your faith in this verse and you can do verse 12. Now can you see why baptism is so important and it needs to be at the beginning of your Christian walk?) 13 neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; (Now you don't want to go and foolishly tempt yourself either. You don't want to hang around with drug users or sit and watch T.V. and all that garbage available these days in the Media.   Don't put yourself into a position so that you're presenting your members to sin.) but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (You say, God, here I am! I'm alive from the dead and Jesus lives in me. How do you do this? Don't put yourself in a position to be tempted. When you're tempted, the first thing you feel is the old man's power. Now, if you're not doing it on purpose, you might receive grace from God, but if you're purposely going because you desire these things, you're presenting your members as instruments of unrighteousness.   Be not deceived, evil companionships corrupt good morals. (1Co.15:33) That's why when there's a little leaven in the church, you cast it out because a little leaven, leavens the whole lump. You don't want to fellowship somebody that's going to feed your soul through the devil. Ministers, you are commanded in 1Co. 5 to cast them out. You have to obey the Word of God if you want a holy church!) 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace. (So, if you are truly under grace through faith sin has no power over you. Grace is not permission to sin; its power over sin.  See if you're under the Law, you're going to a place where you won't receive any help from God. Remember the Old Covenant was a type and a shadow of the new. The Law was the letter, and “the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life”. The spirit is given to those who receive grace through faith.)  So he goes on to say, Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. (We know that sin no longer has power over us and we don't have to sin. That wasn't true under the Law, because the Law could not make perfect. That's why God saw need for a New Covenant based on better promises. You believe and reckon yourself to be dead to sin and that He will rise up in you and He will do the work. That's what grace is, it's the unmerited favor of God.) 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (You can obey the flesh if you want, you're free! You never were free before you came into faith. You can still go back and serve your flesh if you want to. Or you can obey Jesus Christ calling upon the Lord to give you grace and His help. He wants to help you. He wants you to overcome.)  Going on in verse 17 But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, (Notice: You're no longer a sinner.) ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; (So we need to be overcome by the truth that sets free! There's no power under the Law. Faith gives power. People always want to do something so that they can feel justified. But that's self-righteousness, and that's not going to work and the Lord won't permit it.) 18 and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. (Do you believe it? Because you have to believe it before you can receive it. We no longer live in sin. We need to see it put on Jesus on the cross. Like the serpent on the pole in the wilderness. Everyone who got their eyes on the serpent on the pole were healed of the snake bite, which is sin. Now anything under the curse is the snake bite. But when we see the curse put on Jesus we can be free of it. It already happened back there at the cross.   You apply what you received at the cross at your baptism. If you haven't been baptized, you need this act of faith. There's something about humans that we're able to apply things when we do things. In other words, your faith becomes effectual when you act it out. Faith without works is dead. Now one of our works is baptism. Is that a work that saves you? It's a work of God. He saves you, His work saves you. By grace have you been saved through faith, and that's not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works; (that's your works), lest any man should boast, for in Christ Jesus, were we created for good works. (Eph 2:8-10) Oh, praise God!   Back to Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification. 20 For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness. (So when you were a servant of sin, you had no ability to be righteous.) 21 What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (You know, if you're not ashamed, the end of those things is death; remember that.) 22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification,   (I will say it again, the reason you get baptized first is so you can look back at that and say, “It was done.” And every time you're tempted, you tell the devil it was done. Every time your flesh tempts you, you tell it, “It's done, you're dead. You have no authority over me anymore.”) and the end eternal life. (Notice and the end eternal life. So you're claiming eternal life by faith. How do you get manifestly eternal life? Well, he's telling you to walk in faith and because of that faith, God empowers you to walk in righteousness, and that is eternal life.) 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (It's freely given to you, accept it by faith, stand on the Word of God. Speak faith. Don't let the devil talk you out of it, and don't walk by sight.)  Let's read next 1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith, (Obviously you can't do verse 11 unless you do verse 12. Fight the good fight of the faith; these things are yours! They've been given to you in Jesus Christ. You were baptized into His nature, character and authority. Fight the good fight of the faith.   Faith is believing you've received something that you can't yet see. He says to Christians;) lay hold on the life eternal, (Notice that you manifestly lay hold of the life eternal by fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on these attributes. You're laying hold on Jesus Christ.) whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. (Confess means “to speak the same as.” Speak what Jesus Christ says. He said, if you confess me before men, I will confess you before the Father. He says your old man is dead and the new man lives and you've been made free from sin.) 13 I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; 14 that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:   He says if you love Me you will keep My commandments. Now you understand that you can keep His commandments by faith. You can't keep them as long as you don't understand. You live in Christ and the old man has passed away. You're a new creature in Christ. Remember your baptism, the one that went down under the water was you and the One that came up out of that water was Jesus Christ. When you devour this Word, it overwhelms your old man and puts him to death. The Word is Jesus Christ. Ask Him to give you a hunger for His Word. So fight the good fight of the faith and lay hold on life eternal!   You're saved from the old man. You're saved from the devil, saved from the world, saved from the curse. That's what the Bible says. It doesn't say you're saved so you can continue on in your sins. We just read Romans 6, right? Oh, this is Good News! It's the Good News that makes you holy; it separates you from this wicked world. It delivers you from the power of Satan and the power of the flesh and the power of circumstances around you. Glory be to God! So lay hold on life eternal. Lay hold on the attributes of Jesus Christ! He set you free!   Okay, let's go to 2Pe 1:2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; (We looked at some knowledge today that empowers people to overcome sin.) 3 seeing that his divine power (Your baptism helps you to be able to apply this.) hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life (Life here is Zoē' It's God's life.) and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; (When you read the Bible, it gives you knowledge of what is yours. God knows if you think it's valuable to read the Bible and get the knowledge that gives you the power of God, godliness, and holiness.)   4 whereby he hath granted unto us (You have to see that He's already given all this to you by faith.) his precious and exceeding great promises (These will give you faith. Are they precious to you? If they are then you're going to spend time with them because they're valuable and because you like to spend time with Jesus.); that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature (The divine nature is Jesus. Faith in your baptism just gave you His divine nature!), having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. (The apostate preachers do not offer escape from lusts.) 5 Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence in your faith, (I put the coma after faith here and not behind diligence because you really don't have any power to be diligent without faith.) supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; (I've shared before that each one of these attributes of Christ are inside the previous one, and it's inside of faith.)   6 and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience (If you have patience in your faith, you'll lack nothing James 1:4 says.  When the answer doesn't come immediately, you have to be patient in your faith. He wants your faith to grow so He's going to try you.); and in your patience godliness; 7 and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love. (That's really the end result because God is love.) 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Notice this, it starts with knowledge and it ends with knowledge too, because you accept the knowledge you walk by faith.   God gives you the gifts of what you read there, and it enables you to gain more knowledge. Why is that? Because we walk in the light as He is in the light. And thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. See it tells you where you're walking and where you should go. So if you will walk in the light that you have, God will put more light in front of you. The more knowledge you get, the more holiness you can have.)  9 For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. (Remember, that old man is dead. He has no power anymore. You don't have those sins anymore. People forget that and they can't bear this fruit that we just talked about.) 10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, 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.  (Notice that you should be leaving the kingdom of this world and entering the eternal Kingdom of God where he rules.  Oh Hallelujah! Believe in your baptism, Saints! Glory to God! Thank you, Father! 

Reigning with Christ- There are several resurrections. Those in the first are blessed and sit on thrones judging. Those who did not worship the beast come to life and reign with Christ a thousand years. Do we want to be priests of God?

Blessings Follow Sanctification (2) (audio) David Eells 6/2/24   I'd like to continue talking about how God's going to provide these awesome blessings in His Word to a sanctified corporate body of His people. Let's look again in (Isa.61:2) To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (3) to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness... The corporate body of the Man-child is who this appointing “unto them that mourn in Zion” is referring to and we can see the same thing spoken in Ezekiel.   (Eze.9:2) And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lieth toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen... That linen is the same thing as the bridal garments worn by those who are invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, which represents the righteousness of the saints, their righteous acts. But who is this man in linen who was in the midst of the six men with their slaughter weapons? We know the six men represent the Beast because, if you go back to the previous chapter, you see, (Eze.8:1) And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month.... And then you read on down and you find this is the third “6,” which makes “666.” This is the Beast that's going to destroy the Harlot and in the midst of them is this man in linen, Who is Jesus the Man-child, both in His day and is in the Man-child in our day.   (Eze.9:2) And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lieth toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. And they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. (3) And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer's inkhorn by his side. (4) And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem.   (This is both the people of unregenerate Jerusalem and regenerate Jerusalem and we will see the difference between the two people here.), and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof. There it is! Those who recognize the abominations that are being done in the midst of God's people, and are grieved over it are truly God's people. So who marks God's people? We can see the mark of the Beast is in the hand and the forehead.   (Rev.13:16) And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; (17) and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six. And Exodus 13 talks about the mark of the Lord in the hand and the forehead. (Exo.13:9) And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.   But then it's explained even better here: (Deu.11:18) Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul; and ye shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes (meaning on your forehead). The Israelites did this in the letter, literally. They wrote certain verses from the Word of God on parchment (Exodus 13:1-10, 11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21), which they put in little boxes called phylacteries. Then they tied them on their forehead and upon their hand. In type, it represents the Word of God manifested in your works and in your thoughts.   (Rom.12:2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (This is the Word of God in your mind.), that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. And so, who does this? Jesus does this! Jesus is the One Who marks His people with the Word. He's the Sower Who goes forth to sow the seed. He's the One Who marks His people and He's the One Who sanctifies them.   (Heb.1:3) Who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance.... Jesus is the image of God and the Greek word there for “image” is charakter, which is a tool for recreating itself. The character creates an eikon, or “likeness,” “representation,” “image.” And, of course, God uses Jesus to recreate Himself in our mind and works. Jesus is the One who marks His people with the mark of God. He does that by putting the Word of God in your forehead and in your hand. So Jesus went forth to mark those men who sighed and cried over the abominations that were done among the people, and then what did God do to the wicked? (Eze.9:5) And to the others he said in my hearing, Go ye through the city after him, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity;  (This is so clearly what the beast has done to those who have the mind and works of flesh that we know as the faction.) (6) slay utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark (that's of God): and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the old men that were before the house. (7) And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and smote in the city. And this was among the people who were called the “people of God”! The Beast destroyed the Harlot who was among God's people and the only ones who were spared were the ones whom the man in linen with the ink horn had marked as righteous.   Once again, this is about to happen. The Man-child reformers have this same ministry to put the mark of God upon God's people. (Rev.14:1) And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. “Name” is “nature, character and authority.” They have the image of Jesus! Praise God for His mark!  And the body is sanctified of the leaven. Now when Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and came out of His wilderness, He preached, (Luk.4:18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, (19) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (20) And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.   You'll recognize that as the first part of the Isaiah 61 anointing. (Isa.61:1) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (2) to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor  (And that's where Jesus stopped, but the verse continues.), and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn (Who are these people who mourn?); (Isa.61:3) to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion (So Zion, who is the Bride, is mourning.), to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Amen! Remember Isaiah 61 was fulfilled in Jesus' day when He was the Man-child and it will be fulfilled again in our day with the corporate Man-child of Revelation 12, which is the first-fruits corporate body in whom Jesus lives.   We know Zion is the Bride, the most beautiful of all the fair virgins of the Kingdom, because John saw the city of Zion, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven. (Rev.21:9) And there came one of the seven angels …, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. (10) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.   Now we noticed in Ezekiel those people who mourned were the ones who escaped the Beast. (Eze.9:1) Then he cried in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause ye them that have charge over the city to draw near, every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. (2) And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lieth toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand (representing the Beast); and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen (representing Jesus in the Man-child of our day), with a writer's inkhorn by his side. And they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. (3) And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer's inkhorn by his side.   (4) And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry (This is the Bride whom we saw are mourning.) over all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof. (5) And to the others he said in my hearing, Go ye through the city after him, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity; (6) slay utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark: and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the old men that were before the house. (Who should have known better.) He marked the forehead of those righteous people who mourned over the sins that they saw done among God's people and, of course, they were the ones who escaped. He marked them with that writer's inkhorn on their forehead to identify them and it represents having the renewed mind of Christ by the Word of God. God uses the written Word to write upon our minds and upon our hearts. His very nature, character and authority. So we see once again that the Man-child's ministry is to raise up Zion, the Bride, as Jesus did.   Going back now to (Isa.61:4) And they (Zion, the Bride) shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations.... What is this talking about, the “old wastes”? Well, when God's people were taken into captivity, their Promised Land was destroyed; their cities, their houses and their crops were all destroyed. But the Bride has come out of Babylonish captivity and Babylonish religion. They have returned to their Promised Land and they have a job to do, just like Jesus, Who led the disciples in His day. When John the Baptist saw Jesus leading His disciples, he said, (Joh.3:29) He that hath the bride is the bridegroom.... The Bride that Jesus was raising up was the foundation of His new Kingdom. They went forth to bring God's people into all that God had for them and now that's going to happen in our day.   (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes (In other words, the Bride is going to restore that which the Beast has devoured and destroyed.), they shall raise up the former desolations (They're going to restore that which was taken away from them, taken away from their Promised Land.), and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. So this Bride is going to have a job to do for the rest of God's people, like Esther. Her job was to preserve and restore God's people. The Shulammite, the “perfect one” in the Song of Solomon, worked to prepare her little sister. The bride in Psalm 45 worked to bring the virgins before the king and we see the same parallel through the rest of the Scriptures.   The first of the waste cities they began to restore was Zion, which in type and shadow represents the Bride, the “heavenly Jerusalem” as Paul called it. (Heb.12:22) but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem… And the rest of the cities of Israel had to also be restored because not everybody is going to live in Zion! But notice that the rest of those cities are not as close to God as Zion, the Bride, who sits right next to the King. For example, when God's people came out of bondage to Babylon or Assyria, many of those people didn't go all the way back to Jerusalem. And today, spiritually speaking, not all of those who come out of bondage to the world, worldly religions, and so on, will go all the way to Zion. They are not going to come all the way to the Bride because many of them are content with less of God.   Zion had the Lord right in their midst. Their temple was in the midst of the city and they were very close to God. That's why Zion represented salvation and safety, because the presence of the Lord was there. You remember how the Israelites took the Ark of the Covenant with them and their enemies were conquered, and awesome miracles happened when they went through the wilderness or when they were protecting their cities, and so on. Well, it was the same with Zion because it was a place of protection, provision, safety, blessing and of holiness. Being inside the walls of Zion represented salvation from whatever difficulty you had, but some people were content to dwell in these other cities and so they restored them, too.   In the end times, there are people who are going to bear fruit 30-, 60- and 100-fold, and the Bride ultimately will represent the 100-fold as does their King David, a type of the Man-child. These are the people who are going to restore the cities that have been laid waste. Do you know that Christianity is the same way? Christianity is “the desolations of many generations.” What we had back there, 2000 years ago, we haven't had since. It was destroyed and God's people were taken into captivity to Babylonish religion, but that's all about to change. The Lord through the Man-child is going to raise up the Bride and She is going to begin to lay this foundation and restore their Promised Land. The benefits and blessings of our Land of Promise, and the way Christians are supposed to walk in the steps of Jesus, all these things are going to be restored.   (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. We have another text that's so similar to this, it's almost a quote: (Isa.58:12) And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations.... The foundations have been destroyed for many generations. We're climbing up out of the Dark Ages now and what God gave to us was something He always wanted us to have and yet the wolves of Babylonish religion came in and divided the flock. The Church has been plundered for many generations.   (Isa.58:12) … and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach.... The breach, of course, is the breach in the wall that allowed the enemy to come in and conquer. They will restore the wall which represents sanctification! It represents separation, not only your separation from the world, but separation from your enemy, from the Beast who is of the world. They will repair the breach so the enemy cannot come through to destroy you. (Isa.58:12) … and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. Praise God! They are going to restore the highway of holiness, the right “paths to dwell in.”   Back in (Isa.35:8) And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for [the redeemed]: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err [therein]. (9) No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up thereon; they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]: (10) and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.   You know, the “judgment seat,” or “bema seat judgment,” is literally the “footprint tribunal.” The Greek word there is bema and it means “a step, a pace.” And that's exactly what the judgment is: Do you walk in the steps of Jesus? (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. Keep that in mind as we read on. (Isa.58:13) If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.... Wow! If we keep the Sabbath, we will be those who restore the old waste places and raise up the foundations of many generations, etc.   Are we talking about the Old Testament Sabbath? No! Colossians 2 tells us plainly that the Sabbath is “... a shadow of things to come....” It's not the very image; it's the shadow; it's a parable. And this parable points to walking by faith and ceasing from our own works. Read this part again: (Isa.58:13) If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.... In other words, the Sabbath represents ceasing from your own works. It represents ceasing from the works of the flesh, works of self-justification and all those things. God paid the price for us to keep the Sabbath and, if we don't keep the Sabbath, what happens? We come under judgment!   “Sanctification” is “keeping the Sabbath.” Through sanctification, we will be able, by the grace of God, to restore everything that has been taken from us. (Heb.4:2) For indeed we have had good tidings (the Gospel) preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. So if you don't believe the Gospel, the good news of what the Lord has done for you, then you're not mixing faith with it and it's going to be useless. Remember, the Lord has already healed you, already delivered you from sin, already delivered you from the curse, already delivered you from demons! The Bible says it's already been done, finished, accomplished.   So when you believe, when you mix faith with the Gospel, the first thing you do is cease from your works. You stop trying to do it because God's already done it. (Heb.4:3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest (The “rest” is ceasing from your works.); even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. God's already done the work, and that's why we can rest! He doesn't need our help; He wants our faith. He wants us to believe we have received. Jesus said, (Mar.11:24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive (The literal translation there is past tense, “received.”) them, and ye shall have them. By faith we enter into this rest from our own works in order to see God's works.   (Heb.4:9) There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. This Sabbath rest is not speaking about a Saturday rest. This is the only place in the Bible that this particular Greek word translated as “sabbath” is used. The word is sabbatismos and it means “a continual rest.” The “rest” is ceasing from our works! It's ceasing from doing our own pleasure on God's holy day. When is God's holy day? Every day is God's holy day; this is a continual Sabbath. (Heb.4:9) There remaineth therefore a [sabbatismos] rest for the people of God. (10) For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.   The Lord wants us to rest from our works and that includes our religious works, too. In order to keep the Sabbath, we have to cease from any kind of work that comes through self. And, as we just read, those who keep the Sabbath are the people who will be restoring everything that has been taken away from God's people.   Continuing on in (Isa.58:14) Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the earth; and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father (In other words, you will have the heritage that your great forefathers had!): for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isa.59:1) Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear. What's the cure? It's keeping the sabbatismos! The cure is ceasing from our works! Our works are what God is calling “sin.” Doing your own will on His holy day is what God is calling “sin.”  We now must do His works as we are led by Him. Going back to (Isa.58:9) Then shalt thou call, and the Lord will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly. Do you know those who are judging other people, who are critical-minded, unforgiving and speaking about others behind their back? These people are “pointing the finger” and they don't have the authority of the Lord to do so. He said you have to take this “away from the midst of thee,” then He will answer you when you call upon Him.   (Isa.58:10) And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the noonday; (11) and the Lord will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in dry places, and make strong thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Wow! All this is for the person who keeps the sabbatismos. They will be those who repair the breach and restore the paths to dwell in, etc.   This is the text that is very similar to what we just read: (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. Joel's prophecy speaks of God's empowerment and discernment to do the works of God. (Joe.2:23) Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first [month] (or “in the beginning” or “at the first”). There is no word for “month” in the original text; that was added-in. At the very beginning of the move of God in our day, God is going to restore both the former rain and the latter rain anointings.   Three-and-a-half years into Jesus' ministry, Jesus took the “mantle” that was upon Him and in (Joh.20:21) Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (22) And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit. They received the former rain, or the first anointing, at the beginning of their solo ministry. And the power that's coming in our day is going to be far beyond what it was last time. (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.   (Joe.2:24) And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. This great blessing is going to be poured out because of the power of God's Holy Spirit. He enables people to walk a holy walk; He empowers people. The Lord said, (Act.1:8) But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you.... This is the power to do the works of the Lord and power to live a holy life. And because of that comes: (Joe.2:24) …and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. (25) And I will restore to you the years (There it is! The “desolations of many generations” are going to be restored. A revival!) that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.   (Joe.2:26) And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied (During the tribulation and with great lack all over the world, God's Bride will have His provision! That's exactly what we've been reading.), and shall praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame. Praise the Lord! You know, we need tribulation, persecution, and chastening to cause us to walk in the path. But if a people are walking holy before the Lord, by His grace and by His power, they don't need that, and God knows it. He knows how to make that separation and how to get people behind the broad walls of Zion.   Going back again to (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. We have our own Book of Acts coming! God is going to restore many “generations. We're told of the generation of Jesus Christ: (Mat.1:1) The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. The word “generation” there is singular and it's actually the same word used further down for “birth.” (Mat.1:18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise.... Now most people don't read the genealogy leading up to Jesus' birth. They might possibly read the names once or twice and after that they skip over them. But back when I was young in the Lord, we were reading this one day in our Bible study and we decided to start counting the names in the three paragraphs because verse 17 sparked our imagination.   It reads, (Mat.1:17) So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations. I thought, “Well, that's very interesting.” So we just started counting them and we thought we counted incorrectly, since we found 14, 14, and then only 13 generations. So we counted them again and we tried to be more careful because you can make a mistake counting some names twice.   Anyway, when you count each generation, you come up with 14, 14 and 13 every time, yet it states, (Mat.1:17) So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations. So we each scratched our head until we got the revelation, “Aha! He's talking about 14 generations unto the body of Christ! Praise God!” Notice it states, “the generation of Jesus Christ.” It couldn't have been unto Jesus Christ, physically, because that would have been only 13 generations “from the carrying away to Babylon.” But when you count His seed, about which the Bible speaks over and over, you come up to a total of 42 generations.   We are the body of Christ! We are a corporate body in whom the regenerated, born-again Spirit of Christ lives! This corporate body in whom, ultimately, the soul of Christ lives, in whom the nature, character, mind, will and emotions of Christ will be manifested. Also, “Christ” is the Greek word Christos which means “anointed.” Scripture speaks about us also being “Christed” or “anointed.” “Jesus Christ” means “Savior anointed” or “Christ Jesus” means “anointed Savior.” “Christ” was not His name; “Christ” was what He was. He was God's anointed King and God's anointed Savior.   And Scripture says the same thing about us: (2Co.1:20) For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us. (21) Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ (Christos), and anointed us.... That's the word, chrio, which is the verb of Christos. This is the same word translated “anointed” where Jesus said, (Luk.4:18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me.... When the Spirit of the Lord came upon Christ, that's what made Him the anointed. The Hebrew word mashiyach is translated “Messiah” and it means “anointed one,” so “Christ” and “Messiah” have the same meaning. It says, “He that establisheth us with you in Christ.”   We are all in this body called “Christ” and when you receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit, you truly do reflect what Jesus was because of the same Spirit God put upon Him. Then not only do you have the Spirit of Christ, but you have the Spirit of God. The Spirit of Christ, of course, is your born-again spirit and the Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit that He puts upon you. Those are two different manifestations of God upon you. (1Co.1:21) Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; (22) who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. This anointing is what makes you truly the body of Christos.   As a body, we should all be anointed. (Act.19:1) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: (2) and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given. (3) And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. (4) And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. (5) And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. (6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.   I don't care what the religions say, they deny the Word of the Lord. When you get the Holy Spirit, you get the gifts of the Spirit, you get the power of God! Jesus said, (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. Jesus didn't do one miracle until He was baptized in the Holy Spirit and, if you want to do what He did, and do what the disciples did, then you have to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, too. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and He will do it. To receive the Holy Spirit is to be “sealed.” (2Co.1:22) who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. The Greek word there for “sealed” is sphragizo, which means “to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation.”   When Christos lives in you, that makes you the body of Christ. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ (Christos); and it is no longer I that live, but Christ (Christos) 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. And Paul also said, (Gal.4:19) ... I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you. So you see, you can be a Christian and have a born-again Spirit, but not have Christos being formed in you, if you're not walking by faith. In this particular example, the Galatians were seeking to be justified by going back under the Law and Paul was rebuking them for that. Christos can't be formed in you unless you walk by faith.   Another Scripture about the body of Christ is (Eph.1:10) Unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up (The word translated there as “sum up” is anakephalaiomai and it means “to gather together in one” or “to present as a whole.”) all things in Christ (There is no Greek word “things” in the original manuscript, so it should read “to sum up all in Christ.” And “all” is “all of God's people”: “to sum up all of God's people in Christ.”), in the heavens, and upon the earth.... Whether God's people are in the heavens or upon the earth, they all need to be summed-up in Christ. Nobody gets the credit but God. Christ is the One Who does the works because we have to cease from our works in order to keep the Sabbath.  (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. You're just the body of Christ. He's the One doing the works and He gets all the credit. If they are the works of God and not the works of man, then Christ is doing the work through you and we can't take any credit for that. Can Christ in you walk a holy walk? Yes, He can! Can He cast out demons or raise the dead? Yes, He can! He can do all those things. The whole point is that we be a willing and yielded vessel through whom the Lord will, by His anointing, deal with this world. His plan from the very beginning was to do this.   So God wants (Eph.1:10 Numeric) ... to sum up all in Christ, those upon the heavens, and those upon the earth; in him, (11) in whom also we were made a heritage (In other words, your heritage, your inheritance, is only when you abide in Christ.), foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all after the counsel of his will; (12) that we be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in the Christ: (13) in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise. Wow! There it is again, another confirmation: you “were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise.” You were already in Him when you heard because (Eph.1:4) ... he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love.   You were “in Him” when you heard, you were “in Him” when you decided to accept it and it was His gift of faith that caused you to repent, turn to Him and accept His salvation. That was His work. And also, (Gal.3:28) There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ (Christos) Jesus. (29) And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise. We are one in Christ; the word “man” was added-in. We are one in Christos, we are the anointed body. This is the generation that we're talking about here. This is the 42nd generation!   As a matter of fact, let me show you that in another place: (Isa.53:8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation (Again, that's one generation.), who [among them] considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke [was due]? We were the ones who incurred the debt because of our sin; He's the One Who paid it and bore our curse. (Isa.53:9) And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.   (10) Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief (Actually, the Hebrew there is “made Him sick.” God put our sickness upon Him.): when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.... “Soul” and “life” are the same Hebrew word: nephesh. (Lev.17:11) For the life (or “soul”) of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life. He poured out His soul, His life, unto death, and notice what happened when He died, when He made His soul an offering for sin:  (Isa.53:10) Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed (The “seed” are those who are the seed of Abraham, those who are one in Christ.), he shall prolong his days (He prolonged His days in His seed. The Christos, the “anointed One” is in His people.), and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.   If you remember, Jesus was not the “hand”; Jesus was the “arm” of the Lord. (Isa.53:1) Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? So Jesus is the “arm,” but who's the “hand” here? The “hand” is His “seed” and the “seed” is His people. We are the hand of the Lord in the earth. He is the arm Who gives strength to the hand to do the work. (Isa.53:11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.   And also, (Psa.22:30) A seed shall serve him; It shall be told of the Lord unto the next generation. But the actual wording is “counted unto the Lord for His generation” or “generations”; it's correct either way. “A seed shall serve Him; It shall be counted unto the Lord for His generations.” They are the generation of the Lord; they are the 42nd generation. (Psa.22:31) They shall come and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done it. Notice that. They're going to share the Gospel “that He hath done it!” That's not an Old Testament message. That's a New Testament message “that He hath done it.” The 42nd generation is going to preach the Gospel! We can keep the Sabbath now because He's already done it. And it says in, (Psa.24:6) This is the generation of them that seek after him, That seek thy face, even Jacob. Oh, praise the Lord!   Here's another one: (Psa.102:12) But thou, O Lord, wilt abide forever; And thy memorial name unto all generations. (13) Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion.... We're just going into that time right now. God is about to arise and show His mercy upon Zion. You know, He's basically left the Church to go its own way for 2000 years. (Hos.6:1) Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. (2) After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. (3) And let us know, let us follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.  In what way has He left? In the mighty power of God, in the things that we have lost, in the things that we've been robbed of for 2000 years, He has left us, but now He is about to return. He has always had a small witness but the anointing is coming and He is going to stand up and fight for His bride, His Zion! (Psa.102:13) Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; For it is time to have pity upon her, Yea, the set time is come. Praise God! I believe this is a Word for us today, “the set time is come.” God is going to have mercy on His Bride and His Bride is going to bring His mercy and His grace to the Church. The Bride is going to bring His restoration of all the old waste places and the “paths to dwell in” to the Church.   (Psa.102:14) For thy servants take pleasure in her stones (The stones represent salvation; they represent separation. The stones of Zion's wall separated the saints from the beastly world.),And have pity upon her dust. We mourn the fact that we are so weak, so unable, so incapable. Yet in our weakness, God is made strong and God is about to prove that. He wants to show His glory and the way He can do that is with weak vessels.   (Psa.102:15) So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord, And all the kings of the earth thy glory. (16) For the Lord hath built up Zion; He hath appeared in his glory. Notice that! God is coming in His Zion! (17) He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, And hath not despised their prayer. God's people are crying out to Him as never before, but not like they're going to, either. (18) This shall be written for the generation to come (This is for our generation, the 42nd generation.); And a people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. (19) For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; (20) To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death....   Do you suppose that some people are going to escape death? I believe the Bride is going to escape death in Zion because the Beast cannot touch them, as Paul said. Let this sink in: (Heb.12:18) For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, (19) and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them;  (i.e. Don't let us hear the voice of God lest we die. You go talk to Him, Moses, and let us know.) (20) for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; (21) and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: (22) but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels, (23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel.   (Psa.102:21) That men may declare the name of the Lord in Zion.... And, literally, the name or nature of the Lord is “Zion.” (Jer.3:17) At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. Jeremiah called God's people out of bondage in the north to repent and return to Zion. (Jer.3:14) Return, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am a husband unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.   And Jeremiah said that returning to Zion was returning to the name of the Lord, that is the nature, character and authority of the Lord. (Psa.102:21) That men may declare the name of the Lord in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem; (22) When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. Yes, God is gathering a people out of all nations to serve Him.   Now the Bible says that Christ is, (1Pe.2:8) ... A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. So notice that whoever Peter is talking to is not a people who stumbled at the Word by being disobedient. (1Pe.2:9) But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.... “Holy” or hagios means “separate,” “sanctified.” A “saint” is “a holy one.” And “elect” here is eklektos, meaning “chosen.” It's translated “chosen” many times in the Scriptures. And the word “race” here is genos, or “generation.” Well, who is this “chosen generation” he's talking about? Peter is talking to all generations of Christians since the crucifixion of Christ and he says they are “a holy nation,” “a chosen generation.”   So this 42nd generation speaks of a body of Christ in whom Christ lives and this I think helps us understand Isaiah a little better when he speaks of this chosen people. (Isa.61:8) For I, the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery with iniquity; and I will give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. (9) And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. (They are the separated seed that the Lord has blessed.) (10) I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation.   Jesus was God's great reformer. He came to raise up in the New Testament a spiritual fulfillment of what the Old Testament was in the parable of the letter. Jacob's 12 sons, the patriarchs, were the forefathers of His Old Testament people. Jesus raised up the 12 apostles, who were the forefathers of His New Covenant people. Those men came out of the Babylonish religion of their day and followed Jesus. And Jesus said that He was coming again, in a repetition of history, as a little baby born to a woman.   (Joh.16:21) A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world. (22) And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you.   We see this woman with man-child again in (Rev.12:5) And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. Speaking about a company of first-fruits in our day when, once again, reformers are going to be raised up to restore the Church.   Jesus spoke of His reformer ministry then and now in (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes.... In other words, that which had been destroyed of Christianity in Jesus' day and that which has been lost to us for 2000 years is now going to be restored again through the Man-child ministry of our day, just like it was when Jesus came and restored all things. (Isa.61:4) … they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. (5) And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks....   Now He's speaking here of Zion, the Bride who is that holy people whom Jesus raised up and whom the Man-child in our day is going to raise up. And he says of them, (5) And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers. Well, that's very interesting! Who are these strangers and foreigners? You're looking at the letter here in the Old Testament, but the translation in the New Testament is spiritual because it's for a spiritual people.   God has hidden things in a parable so that He can hide them from the wise and prudent. So who are these strangers and foreigners who do the physical work of labor for the elect? If we want to answer that question, we need to first find out who are the elect, the chosen people for the Kingdom of God in the New Testament. We know in the Old Testament the elect were a literal, physical people. But in the New Testament, Jesus came to raise up a spiritual people. Adam came to raise up a physical people, but the last Adam, Jesus was the spiritual Father of the born-again man.   So again, once we know who these elect are, we should be able to find out who it is that serves the elect. Let's start in (Gal.5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. The old man of flesh is totally contrary to the spirit man and is constantly making war on the spirit man, but who's the elect? The elect is the one who's going into God's Kingdom and we know, (1Co.15:50) … brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Flesh and blood is not the elect in the New Testament; the spiritual man is the elect in the New Testament. As a parable, the Israelite represented the spiritual man in the Old Testament. As a parable, the Canaanite or the Egyptian both represented the old man, but the Israelite represented the new man.   In the Old Testament, the Israelite was the one who was saved and was God's elect, according to the letter and according to the flesh, not according to the spirit man. (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: (8) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. The “mind of the flesh” rules the flesh. It's not part of God's Kingdom; it will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We've now identified who the elect are in the New Testament.   The born-again man, the spiritual man, is the elect and the carnal man is his mortal enemy. The Israelite had to put to death the carnal man who lived in the land in order to take over his house and, of course, we are the house and our carnal man, that Canaanite, that giant Goliath, needs to be put to death because he's the enemy of God.   What we're seeing in Isaiah 61 is another parable of sanctification. Sanctification is what happens when the born-again man is no longer in bondage to the old carnal man. While the Israelites were in Egypt, they were in bondage to the Egyptians, but at the Red Sea, the Egyptian was the old man who went down in the water and the Israelite was the new man who came up. Paul called the Red Sea experience a “baptism.” (1Co.10:1) For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) and did all eat the same spiritual food; (4) and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.   Baptism symbolizes the death of the old man, so now you know to whom the Israelites were in bondage. They were slaves to the carnal man and their Red Sea experience is a type and shadow of our salvation in the New Testament when we're baptized. When we come up out of the water, the old man is dead. (Rom.6:11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. And the new man is (Col.1:27) ... Christ in you, the hope of glory, because (Gal.2:20) 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.   (Isa.61:5) And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers. What if you reversed this? Who is the “stranger” and the “foreigner”? It's the old man! It's the man who has no right to the Kingdom of God, the man who is not an Israelite, the man who is not a Christian. He's a member of the body of the Beast. “And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers” is talking about the old man serving you! The old man, who is dead to his former dominion over you, is now serving you! This life, this physical life, now serves you!   All the blessings that follow sanctification are because this happened. This is the restoration of the days of the apostles when they served God with a fervor and were holy, when they didn't give in to the flesh, but instead, like Paul, ruled over the flesh.   Paul said, (1Co.9:27) 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. He buffeted his body; he brought it into subjection, lest he himself would be adokimos, or “reprobated.” He made his body serve him; he put it in bondage. Paul called himself “a bondservant of Jesus Christ”. So now it's no longer the spiritual man who's in bondage in Egypt; it's the carnal man who is in bondage in the Promised Land. This is the work of sanctification! We desire earnestly that this flesh would have no ability nor power of its own, but would simply be a vessel to carry the spiritual man and do the physical things to serve the spiritual man. In our Testament, in our Covenant, that's what this is talking about. (Joh.6:63) It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.   Back to (Isa.61:6) But ye shall be named the priests of the Lord; men shall call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. Notice that they will be the priests! And the priests offered sacrifices. They offered burnt-offerings, for instance, and God promised Moses that we would be a kingdom of priests, if we would keep His laws. (Exo.19:5) Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine: (6) and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.   In other words, God promised we would all be priests, we would all have sacrifices, we would all be offering burnt-offerings before the Lord. And those burnt offerings would be the Flesh! But who is the priest? The spiritual man is the priest. The carnal man is the offering; he's the beast that is burned up in the fiery trial. You see, in overcoming that old man, in crucifying the old man, we're all priests, and so the “strangers” will serve God's elect.   We can see this more clearly if we go back a few chapters in Isaiah 13. There we see that God's people are in bondage to Babylon and, you know, Babylon falls twice. The Lord showed me it falls spiritually and then it falls physically. (Rev.18:1) After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory. (2) And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons (Notice, he's not talking about the destruction; now he's talking about a spiritual fall of Babylon. The physical fall of Babylon comes a little later in this chapter.),and a hold (or a “prison”) of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird.   (Rev.18:4) And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. So now this is talking about the coming physical destruction of Babylon. Babylon can symbolize fallen DS America because Babylon was the “great eagle.” It can also be a spiritual revelation of apostate religion, which is called the “Harlot,” because it's receiving the seed of the world. Apostate religions are committing fornication with the world, instead of receiving the seed of their Husband, Who is the Lord. (Rev.18:5) For her sins have reached even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. He's saying to come out so that you won't be destroyed with her. There is first the spiritual fall of Babylon into debauchery, into demon possession, into her churches being filled with demons instead of righteous people.   And then God says, “Now you come out of her so you don't partake of her destruction,” which is a physical fall. (Isa.13:19) And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. So there is a Babylon spiritually fallen and we have to spiritually come out of her. In our spirit man, in our spiritual life, we have to come out of her. You really can't leave worldwide Babylon physically because the whole world came from Babel. That's where the tongues were confounded and the people were spread out, and then God broke the continents up and separated the peoples by their languages. So you really can't leave larger Babylon, which is the whole world, but the day will come when Babylon will physically fall and by that time you need to be spiritually separated from her.   You're spiritually coming out of Babylon now, but there's coming a day when we are going to physically leave Babylon when the “ark” is going to lift off, so keep that in mind as we read this. (Isa.13:20) It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall shepherds make their flocks to lie down there. (21) But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there (In other words, the true shepherds and their flocks are no longer there.); and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and ostriches (An ostrich represents a very big bird in the world, but it can't overcome the world. It's earthbound, just like some very big “birds” who are in this world today. They can't overcome the world and they are unclean.) shall dwell there, and wild goats shall dance there. Goats are another symbol of apostate Christianity.   (Isa.13:22) And wolves (one more symbol) shall cry in their castles, and jackals in the pleasant palaces (Those castles and palaces are the apostate churches.): and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. Here comes the physical fall and you better get out! (Isa.14:1) For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land.... When we come out of Babylon, we are to go to Zion. We are to go to our spiritual Promised Land where we can live as Christians, where we can live by what God told Joshua: (Jos.1:3) Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses. And then God gave the boundaries of the Promised Land.   The Word of God is our land. The Word of God is where we dwell and how we walk. God is going to give you every place you put underneath the soles of your feet. In other words, every promise in the Word of God on which you stand is your Promised Land that God is going to give to you. He raised up Jacob and the 12 patriarchs of the Old Testament, just as He raised up Jesus and the 12 patriarchs of the New Testament, and He's about to do the same thing again. He's about to raise up the Man-child and the 12 multiplied patriarchs, too, and set them in their own land. God's people are leaving Babylon and going back to their own land. God is going to restore the waste places, restore the cities, etc.   (Isa.14:1) For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the sojourner shall join himself with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. (2) And the peoples shall take them, and bring them to their place (What “peoples” took God's people to their Promised Land?); and the house of Israel shall possess them (That is, the house of Jacob shall possess the peoples that brought them to their place.) in the land of the Lord for servants and for handmaids.... Wow! You know, it is this physical man who brings us to our Promised Land, but then that man becomes the servant of the spiritual man.   When we are living upon our Promised Land, the Egyptian, or old man, is the servant and not the Israelite. The old man is simply a “vessel” for the spiritual man. The old man brings that spiritual man everywhere he goes, but the old man is no longer ruling. He's no longer the master; he's now the servant. When you go to your Promised Land, it means that old man is no longer ruling over you. You are ruling over him.   (Isa.14:2) … and they shall take them captive whose captives they were.... In Egypt, the Egyptian made captives of the Israelites, which means the man of flesh ruled over the spiritual man, and when that happens, we call it “sin.” (Rom.8:13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. If you walk after the flesh, you must die! Multitudes of people who call themselves Christians walk after the flesh; they are in bondage in Egypt. Serving the flesh is what caused the destruction of the Adamic race altogether. (Isa.14:2) … and they shall take them captive whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. That's sanctification! There is a great blessing for this because now you can live in the Promised Land.   Now you can stand on the promises and the old man won't talk you out of them or cause you to walk in the flesh and lose your benefits. (Isa.14:3) And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow.... So you enter into the “rest”! Remember, the “rest” is ceasing from your own works. You keep the New Testament spiritual sabbatismos, which means “a continual rest.” (Isa.14:3) And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy trouble (There's no lack of trouble and persecution to sinners, but a person who is walking a holy walk is finally free.), and from the hard service wherein thou wast made to serve.   We've all been in bondage to sin and to the old man, and we've reaped the bad fruit of that, which is the curse! The curse is the fruit of serving the old man. What's the benefit of the old man serving the new man? It's just the opposite; it's the blessings and great benefits that the Lord spoke about in Deuteronomy 28 and that we're reading in Isaiah 60 and 61. It's been about 2000 years since God's people actually walked that way, but now the Lord is going to raise up a Man-child to walk in the steps of Jesus and bring about restoration.   Jesus raised up apostolic forefathers to go forth and raise up the Church, and the Man-child is going to do the same thing, except this time both the Man-child and those forefathers are going to be multiplied. Glory to God! (Isa.14:4) That thou shalt take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! (5) The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers; (6) that smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke (He's broken the power of the rulers to rule over their slaves. He's broken the power of the old man over the spiritual man.), that ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained.  Glory to God! 

Today on the podcast, we are continuing a series called the ABCs of community. Today we are reminding ourselves that there is a space for us. I need you to hear this. There is a space for YOU! God created it and no one else can fill it. You belong to the body of Christ and God has gifted you in a unique way that add value to the Body. Embrace who you are today and know that you belong. #liveloveleadcommunity Key Highlights of the Episode: — Belonging is a part of experience community — God created a space for you — People think it's "safe" to put up walls instead of letting people in — You are important to God and an important part of the body of Christ — There is a place for you — You belong to the Kingdom of God and you are valuable —The more we are connected, the more the Kingdom of God advances — The body of Christ should be a united force — Renew our minds around community — You AND your business belong because God put you there! — Know who you are and speak to the potential of others Don't miss this episode and let me know if this inspired you in any way. I always love hearing from you and connecting with you. Send me an email: aprilnicole@liveloveleadmedia.com or DM me on Instagram @aprilnicolescip  Let's further connect. Join my FB Group, the Live Love Lead Community. We are a group of women building authentic friendships centered around God's Word. If you want weekly inspiration coming to your inbox each week, make sure you SUBSCRIBE. If you are ready to join a mentorship for Christian women, check out "The More Academy". This mentorship will help you grow a closer relationship with God, create a healthy mindset, and align with your purpose. All because God has MORE for your life. You can enroll today by visiting https://www.aprilnicolescipio.com/themoreacademy For additional resources and coaching services available, visit: https://www.aprilnicolescipio.com My latest book, "There's More", is a 52-week Devotional Journal is an invitation to slow down and enjoy God's Presence. Each week, you will focus on ONE scripture and choose a worship song to listen to and reflect on during the week. You will have an opportunity to ask God two guided questions each week. There is space to write down your prayers to God and what His response is to you. This devotional journal was designed to remind you that God always has more to say. We just need to lean-in and listen..  GRAB A COPY OF THE BOOK HERE Interested in the Live Love Lead Planner and The More in Your Morning Journal? Click here for more info. I would love to connect on social media. Find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter: @aprilnicolescip Thank you for listening. It would mean so much for you to rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast.

  ————   TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com    WellBuiltBody.com    Wake the faith up   In the movie the Sixth Sense, a line from that move became famous in and of itself. It was in fact… you know it -say it with me “I see dead people”.  what if I told you I see dead people… no really, I am being 100% serious. Every day I see dead people.   A Parent tells you what you love hear A Teacher tells you what you have to hear A politician tells you what you want to hear. A Leader tells you what you need to hear A Christ follower Tells everyone what God wants them to hear in and through the power of Christ   When you talk to someone what is your motivation?  Look we all remember being younger and taking to that cute guy or girl… there was a hidden motivation. Talking nicely to the teacher hoping to influence our grade… talking sweetly to our Father hoping to get a nod that we can go to that party, use the car or go on that trip.  How about when you don't know someone… and you choose to talk to them… what is your motivation? I saw a TV show that played a practical joke on people coming out of a supermarket… a Mom would be carrying her baby in a baby seat and walking out to her car with a grocery cart, talking on the phone distracted. She would pretend to be frazzled and load up her groceries and get in her car leaving her child in the carrier on roof of her car… then she would start the car and start to pull out of the parking lot… people would run, yell, scream and literally jump in front of this car… They had to get this woman's attention… they had to tell her something… what was the motivation? To save a life. They didn't know her, they didn't know the baby. They didn't care if it was a nice car or a piece of crap. They didn't care if she was white, black, tan, blue or green. They didn't care if she was trans, bi, try or tree… not sure what tree is- They didn't care if she was the same religion or a cult or a an atheist…  They just wanted to save a life.  Look there are multiple motivations to share Christ… We get a reward We are obedient We see others in heaven We give them eternal life  But ultimately the person running to the car is thinking only one thing… Save a LIFE!  1 Cor. 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.   Perishing.. GK those that are being destroyed. i.e. death is certain… you are dying, you will die.   hey are are all wondering what it takes to have the courage to tell people about Christ… There are people we see and wonder why they aren't embarrassed to share Christ, why they would share to someone who is so obviously anti Jesus… Why? why share? What is the motivation… yeah I think we know. They see a person ready to die.  Listen to Pauls heart here in Romans 9:1-4  9 With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. 2 My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief 3 for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.  What a powerful voice Paul puts to the gospel. I gotta ask myself… am I willing to die so that others may know Jesus… that is my prayer. But it goes beyond just a martyr's death… it means dying daily to my fears, wants, desires, excuses… it means being willing to see dead people - and knowing its my job to bring them back to life. thats my prayer for you today… and thats my prayer for me today. Keep slaying giants. 

Man-child Reformers Deliver the Chosen (Audio) David Eells - 5/3/23 Felling the Idolatry of the Harlot Isaac Payne - 4/24/23 (David's notes in red) (Isaac in this dream is representing the promised seed of Jesus in the Man-child reformers who will come to set His elect free from apostate Christianity.) In this dream it was night outside and I was surrounded by wilderness. (Representing the darkness of Tribulation.)  I was standing in a house on top of a mound near the embankment. (Representing the hill of Zion, the Bride.) There was a muddy pit below that was surrounded on all sides by this embankment and it looked like an empty lakebed. (The muddy pit represents the muddy waters and doctrines of the false shepherds in apostate religious system.) I heard a commotion and saw two women that were arguing. (As we will see, those who are elect of God in the religious apostate system will fall out of agreement with the Harlot.) One of the women was my aunt Stacy and the other was a woman from my school days that had a bad reputation. (In this dream she represents the Harlot apostate Church. The name Stacy means resurrection and fruitful. I believe Stacy represents those who will be truly resurrected through repentance into the true image of Christ as they come out of apostasy.)  The Harlot and my Aunt Stacy were arguing outside the house on top of the mound. (Those in apostasy are outside of the house on Mt. Zion, the Bride.) My Aunt Stacy was mad and complaining to me about the harlot not being a team player and trying to keep the church in the pit as we will see. (I believe they were arguing about people being stuck in the bottom of this lake and not getting to the top of embankment [which is Mt. Zion, the Bride].) At this point, the harlot jumped into the lake pit. The pit was muddy, filthy and slippery. While looking below, I saw many people who seemed that they were camped out and living in this pit. One was my uncle who is married to my Aunt Stacy. His name is Virgil. (Virgil means flourishing or staff bearer. I think he represents those who will learn after the first fruits to manifest the 100-fold fruit of Christ in them.) Eze. 34:17-24 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, the rams and the he-goats. 18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have fed upon the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture? and to have drunk of the clear waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?  19 And as for my sheep, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet, and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. 20 Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; 22 therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.  23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I, Jehovah, will be their God, and my servant David prince among them; I, Jehovah, have spoken it. (David was king over and on Mt. Zion.) It seemed that these people were looking for a way out of the pit. However, the harlot was dancing around, being obnoxious, and distracting everyone from climbing out. The harlot was preventing the people living in this pit from coming together in unity to find a way out. (Psa 40:1-2 … A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And he set my feet upon a rock and established my goings.) (Eph. 4:11-13 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers (This is the opposite of the Nicolaitan error in the churches.); for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up (coming UP out of the pit) of the body of Christ: till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:) There was much commotion, confusion, distraction, and desperation in the pit and the culprit was the Harlot's distractions and her dancing around the masses in the pit. (The Harlot's witchcraft keeps her victims in confusion. They have to do a lot of “dancing around” to keep their doctrine appear plausible.) While standing on the embankment I looked to the left and noticed a large fir tree standing on the west side of the embankment. (The fir tree represents idolatry. This represents the idolatry of the Harlot and the masses that have been deceived.) (God told Gideon that he would save Israel by his hand and his first order included cutting down the Asherah which was a fir tree. Jud. 6:25 And it came to pass the same night, that Jehovah said unto him, Take thy father's bullock, even the second bullock seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal (or the false Jesus) that thy father hath, and cut down the Asherah that is by it.  And Jer. 10:2-8 thus saith Jehovah, Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.  4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are like a palm-tree, of turned work, and speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good. 6 There is none like unto thee, O Jehovah; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. 7 Who should not fear thee, O King of the nations? for to thee doth it appertain; forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like unto thee. 8 But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock.) It seemed like the tree was growing on the west side on top of a dam. (The west side represents the Left. The sun/Son sets in the West; thus, the tree of Idolatry was preventing the light of the sun/Son from resting on the people in the pit. I believe the dam is a play on the word damn(ed) and also, those in the pit when the dam is broken will be flooded with God's judgments upon the world.) This tree cast quite a bit of shade on the people that were in the pit. (Representing blocking the sun/Son shine. Also, the shade represents the spiritual darkness of idolatry.)  (John 1:1-13 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (He is the Light of the Word. “The sum of thy word is truth.”) 5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness (of the Harlot) apprehended it not. … 9 There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world (The conscience was given to every man but was defiled.). 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.) Suddenly, the tree just fell over on top of the people. However, the tree was in everyone's way and blocking out even more sunlight. (Idolatry blocks us from seeing the Light and hearing clearly from the Lord. When we have idols in our hearts it blocks true relationship with the Lord.) The tree was resting on a utility all-terrain vehicle. (Representing their journey through the wilderness tribulation.) There was still much commotion and desperation in the pit. (I believe the utility all-terrain vehicle represents the people's idolatry with their own works of self-justification (through the doctrines of men) thus preventing them from having the grace of God. Gal.5:1-4 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. [This includes the laws of men.])  At this point I noticed my Dad was standing next to me. (Representing the Heavenly Father.) My Dad was wearing a red hat that he always wore while I was growing up. (In real life my dad passed away in 2005. However, for years and years he wore a red hat that said, "Jesus saves." In the dream I didn't see the words, but I remember the red hat and I actually saved that hat and still have it to this day. I believe my dad in this dream represents my heavenly Father.) My Dad told me we could cut that fir tree up with the chain saw that he had. At first, I was reluctant, not because I didn't want to use the chainsaw and cut up the tree, but it was because I didn't want all the attention and everyone watching me but, I knew I was given the tool to do the job. (Gideon cut down the fir tree at nighttime.) I was in agreement with my Dad and said, "Bring me the Stihl chainsaw." My dad handed me a T-handle Stihl MS 379. (The t-handle means top handle in the physical for the chain saw. However, spiritually it represents the cross that we lay hold on and bare. Luke 14:27 Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. My Dad's occupation was a tree trimmer. He owned his own business for many years cutting down trees. (John 15:1-2 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. And Luke 13:7 And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground?) Stihl is a play on words for steel and I think it represents Pro. 27:17 Iron sharpenenth iron; So, a man (or the Son of Man, Jesus) sharpenenth the countenance (or the Image of Christ) of his friend. (This is saying that our friend Jesus, the Word made flesh, sharpens us!) (The chainsaw represents the sword of the Word that we use to fell idolatrous doctrines that keep people in apostasy.) John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; (referring to Pro. 27:17 above.) for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known unto you.  All Stihl brand chainsaw have a model number, for example MS and numbers afterward. The numbers that correspond after the MS are indicative of the output Horsepower. To calculate the output HP, you would divide the model number by 100. I believe the 100 represents the 100-fold output Power of Christ in you.  However, the model number of this chainsaw that my heavenly Father gave me was 379. Marianna told me that this might represent chapter 37 and verse 9. She said this without even looking into it. I believe the Lord was speaking through her. Psalms 37:9 For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit the land. What a perfectly constructed verse that Father put together. All of Psalm 37 is an awesome promise of preservation of his people from idolatry of the enemy and the judgment that is coming upon the world. Psa. 37:1-40 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, Neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness. 4 Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart.  5 Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass. 6 And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, And thy justice as the noon-day. 7 Rest in Jehovah and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing. 9 For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit the land. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.  12 The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord will laugh at him; For he seeth that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, And their bows shall be broken. 16 Better is a little that the righteous hath Than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; But Jehovah upholdeth the righteous. 18 Jehovah knoweth the days of the perfect; And their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil; And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of Jehovah shall be as the fat of lambs: They shall consume; In smoke shall they consume away.  21 The wicked borroweth (and often stealeth), and payeth not again; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth. 22 For such as are blessed of him shall inherit the land; And they that are cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 A man's goings are established of Jehovah; And he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For Jehovah upholdeth him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread. 26 All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth; And his seed is blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell for evermore. 28 For Jehovah loveth justice, And forsaketh not his saints; They are preserved for ever: But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell therein for ever.  30 The mouth of the righteous talketh of wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him. 33 Jehovah will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait for Jehovah, and keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. 36 But one passed by, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect man and behold the upright; For there is a happy end to the man of peace. 38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together; The end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of Jehovah; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 And Jehovah helpeth them, and rescueth them; He rescueth them from the wicked, and saveth them, Because they have taken refuge in him.) Back to the Dream: I took the chainsaw with me and began to walk down into the pit to cut this tree into pieces that was overshadowing the people. I pulled on the crankshaft of the chainsaw, and it started right up. The people were watching me. I remember thinking that this chainsaw didn't sound too aggressive, and I was a bit worried about the power of it to cut through a thick log. Granted, it's a fir tree which is usually soft wood, however, this tree did not look soft. It wasn't a massive chainsaw and the bar I think was around 14 inches. (The number 14 has meaning for deliverance and salvation. Also, In Matthew there are 14 generations mentioned three times. Mat. 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations. We are the seed of Christ of the third, fourteenth generation.)  The crowd was watching me and at this point I wasn't shy. I began to cut the log and the chainsaw just chewed the tree in pieces. Within in a second or two the chainsaw was slicing right through the large fir tree trunk. The chainsaw was so powerful that while I was slicing through the tree, I ended up slicing through the utility all-terrain vehicle's frame that the people had in the pit. (This represents destroying the works of self-justification.)(Their self-justification of idolatry will not make it through the wilderness tribulation. represented by the all-terrain vehicle because it got “cut off”.) The Stihl MS 379 sliced right through the metal frame of the utility terrain vehicle. I was very impressed with its performance and then I woke up. (Father is going to use His modern-day Josiah Man-child reformers to tear down the idolatry in the modern religious apostate system.)   Don't let the Apostates Distract You from Your Race  Claire Pienaar - 4/24/23 (David's notes in red) During the day before this dream, I was being attacked on every front. The enemy seemed to walk with me throughout the day, and I, by the grace of God, chose to walk with Jesus instead. Some tell-tale things were happening: scenarios of impatience, frustration, poor behavior from my children due to self-righteousness and pride, and some interactions with people who have caused me great angst in the past… And I got through the gauntlet that the Lord had set before me.  As Job was protected, so was I, and I had this dream to confirm it. The Lord will continue to send trials, even when we've had huge deliverances in areas, or we've overcome a specific thing for years. He does it to test us, refine us and to keep us humble lest we glory in ourselves and make void the sacrifice of Jesus.  I dreamed I was at an international running race in a city like Washington DC, but it was at night. (An international running race represents the corporate body of Christ all around the world who are in a race to get out of the darkness of Washington DC which represents apostate leadership. Heb. 12:1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.) Many of us were gathered together in very small hotel rooms and we were waiting to be called [out]. (Isa. 5:8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no room, and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land!) There were two events going on. In one event we were waiting for David and Michael to fetch us. (The man-child ministry is going to bring the church out of apostate leadership.) Another event was partaking in the worldly events of running around the city on a running track in different age groups. (Everyone in the apostate church system is running around in circles and will not arrive at the destination, which is Christlikeness.)  David knocked on the door and when I opened for him, he was wearing a red shirt and Michael was behind him wearing a white shirt. (Riaan: Representing the anointing blood of Christ on the man-child ministry and God's perfect works of faith and sanctification of the white shirt). They were encouraging some to wait it out, but they took me, put their hands on my shoulders, and said, “You are coming with us now”. (Representing the elect of God.) I was so grateful. (Riaan: Each of God's elect will be called out at the right time by the Father).  But apparently there was one final race to run, and I had to run with Sarah-Marie. (Riaan: Meaning “princess of darkness”.) (Mat. 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.) She was wearing a black 1950's dress with white polka dots on it (This makes me think of the mind control colors of black and white from MK-Ultra, etc.). (Many who are stuck in apostasy are under the deception of false doctrines.) We started the race, and she kept on going off the track. (This disqualifies you when you get off the narrow road.) She was distracted, uninterested, lazy and had a bad attitude. I on the other hand was chipper, vibrant and smiley, ready to get this race behind me and move on...   I spent so much time trying to get Sarah-Marie back on track, that I seemed to miss my race entirely. (Mat. 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.) I started running on my own, without her. I knew more or less where the finish line was, and I just ran in that direction. I passed so many people, but I knew I was still coming in last. (Riaan: The distractions cause us to lose focus of the race set before us and also make us trust in our own strength) Other races were already being run, and the current race was with young men who were almost pro athletes. I did not want to cross the finish line at the same time as them, because I wanted everyone to see them and not me lagging behind. I waited until I knew I could do the last leg of the race without interrupting their race, and I sprinted. It was so hard. Sarah-Marie appeared and told me to walk. I got so irritated with her and just ran past her then. (Riaan: Praise God, run past those distractions! 1Co. 9: 24-27 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 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..)  I ran through a tunnel that had bars or pubs on either side with people drinking. The people watched me and made fun of me, but I didn't care. I finally finished and received a medal. Now I could go with David and Michael. (Riaan: 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble) Then I woke up.   I received by faith at random Isa. 22:17, (in context 22:15-25) “Thus saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, who is over the house, and say, What doest thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out here a sepulchre? hewing him out a sepulchre on high, graving a habitation for himself in the rock! (The apostate leadership of the house is not qualified.) Behold, Jehovah, like a strong man, will hurl thee away violently; yea, he will wrap thee up closely. He will surely wind thee round and round and toss thee like a ball into a large country; there shalt thou die, and there shall be the chariots of thy glory, thou shame of thy Lord's house. And I will thrust thee from thine office; and from thy station shalt thou be pulled down. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim (Meaning God will establish or God rises. This is a type of the reformer leadership of the Man-child ministry.) the son of Hilkiah (Meaning Yah's portion): and I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem (The Bride), and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a throne of glory to his father's house. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, every small vessel, from the cups even to all the flagons. In that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, shall the nail that was fastened in a sure place give way; and it shall be hewn down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off; for Jehovah hath spoken it.” (Like Christ he was cut off through crucifixion with nails.)   SERVICES Ubbs Outreach Friday Night Worship CONTACT Share Your Testimony Request Prayer Technical Support Questions   SUPPORT US We are a non-profit organisation based in United States. Our goal is to empower and equip people to discover more about Christianity and point them to a life of happiness, peace and purpose. Donate

Jake and Dr. Bob get practical about the healing process and provide examples of what it looks like to allow Christ to be the Healer.    Note to listeners: there was an issue with Jake's audio in this episode and we are working to fix this for future recordings. Thanks for your patience. Key Points: Examples of inner healing happen throughout Scripture The pattern of healing through Christ looks like this: Always begins with an encounter with Jesus, Him seeing the person and their true dignity Jesus speaks the truth with hope and love Jesus offers himself as a remedy The Raising of Lazarus is a great analogy of our woundedness and healing through Christ There has to be awareness and desire for healing to take place. This takes humility. We have to understand what what it means to be human in order to enter into healing Begin the process of healing by deepening self-awareness and identifying where you are currently struggling Let Jesus be the Healer, rather than worshiping the process Some insights and specific examples modeling prayer ministry as part of the healing process Examples of internal barriers to healing Practical Application: Begin your healing journey by praying about questions that Dr. Bob posed:  Where am I struggling in my relationships?  Where are the areas of habitual sin?  Where are the desires that are disordered in my life, even if I'm not acting on them?  Where am I struggling emotionally in situations? Resources:  Episode 55: Security, Maturity, Purity (Part 3) Connect with Restore the Glory: Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks! Editing by Forte Catholic

Ecclesiastes can be described as a book of contrasting perspectives, with Solomon moving between an earthly perspective and a heavenly perspective. Christians should be mindful of both Solomon's perspective and our own, viewing the struggles of life "under the sun" in light of Who Christ is and what He's done. What's missing in the world, is supplied in Christ, and What's found in the world, is corrected or counteracted or completed by Christ. Here are some ways in which that is true: • There is unrighteousness in the world, but Christ is righteousness • There is futility in the world, but there is purpose in Christ • There is futile wisdom in the world, but true wisdom is found in Christ • The world offers false riches, but true riches are found in Christ • There is death in the world, but Christ is Life

Ecclesiastes can be described as a book of contrasting perspectives, with Solomon moving between an earthly perspective and a heavenly perspective. Christians should be mindful of both Solomon's perspective and our own, viewing the struggles of life "under the sun" in light of Who Christ is and what He's done. What's missing in the world, is supplied in Christ, and What's found in the world, is corrected or counteracted or completed by Christ. Here are some ways in which that is true: • There is unrighteousness in the world, but Christ is righteousness • There is futility in the world, but there is purpose in Christ • There is futile wisdom in the world, but true wisdom is found in Christ • The world offers false riches, but true riches are found in Christ • There is death in the world, but Christ is Life

Summary:How is it we can share what we do?This is a conversation that discusses what we do with each other.Never feel as if anyone is lesser nor greater than another, we are all a part of God's family.Show Notes:• We are a family that comes together to speak what God has put on our hearts• There is a love, respect, and trust we have for one another recognizing Christ in “our brother (sister)”• A friendship that transcends a general relationship• We are being created into gold and silver vessels for the Lord's useReferences:Jeremiah 31:34 ISVNo longer will a person teach his neighbor or his relative: ‘Know the Lord.' Instead, they'll all know me, from the least to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord. “Indeed, I'll forgive their iniquity, and I'll remember their sin no more.”Hebrews 8:11 ISVNever again will everyone teach his neighbor or his brother by saying, ‘Know the Lord,' because all of them will know me, from the least important to the most important.Colossians 1:27 NASB 1977To whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.John 17:21 NIVThat all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me, and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent meEphesians 4:13-15 KJV13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;15. But speaking the truth in love, may row up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ;Romans 12: 10 NLTLove each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.Matthew 6:10 ESVYour kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Hebrews 10:30,31 ISV30. For we know the one who said, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will pay them back,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”31. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!Hebrews 12:28, 29 NASB 199528. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;29. for our God is a consuming fire.Zechariah 13:6 NIVIf someone asks, ‘What are these wounds on your body?' they will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.'John 15:12, 13 ESV12. This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.13. Greater love has no one that this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.John 14:2a NASB and KJVNASB: “In My Father's house are many dwelling places;”KJV: In my Father's house are many mansions;Quotes:• We are just sharing the love of the Lord that we have with one another• All about men and women that come together, and they just speak what is on their heart• My experience is going to be different than your experience with Christ• When we relate, we are glorifying Christ• There are different levels of walking with God• You choose where you want to dwellTake Away:We, as a family, are exposing our hearts to all that hear our podcasts, We've become very close and our trust in each other is beyond a natural trust. We believe that others will come to know the love and trust we are expressing here.

Message 37 in the series "The Lineage of Christ" There are always consequences for sin. However, God never leaves us without hope. God is in control. HE was able to change Jehoiachin's prison garments to the robes of a king. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc Download Uplift prayer app https://www.upliftprayer.com/getupapp

Message 37 in the series "The Lineage of Christ" There are always consequences for sin. However, God never leaves us without hope. God is in control. HE was able to change Jehoiachin's prison garments to the robes of a king. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc Download Uplift prayer app https://www.upliftprayer.com/getupapp

Message 8 in the series "The Lineage of Christ" There are two requirements to be a friend. One is to spend time with the person and the second requirement is trust. God is looking for friends: He is looking for someone to spend time with Him and someone He can trust. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc

Message 8 in the series "The Lineage of Christ" There are two requirements to be a friend. One is to spend time with the person and the second requirement is trust. God is looking for friends: He is looking for someone to spend time with Him and someone He can trust. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc

On August 15, Pastor Ken continues his summer teaching series on overcoming discouragement with this message, Live in Christ, 2 Corinthians 4:10-12. Discovering the “what”, “how”, and “why” of living in Christ.  The "WHAT" – (an explanation, v. 10) – The issue of identity (‘in Christ”) Person Practice Purpose Promise The "HOW" – (an application, v. 11) – The issue of certainty (‘in Christ”) There will be sufferings There will be opportunities for the life of Christ to be seen The "WHY" – (a manifestation, v. 12) – The issue of ministry death in us life in you

Paul wrote in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” If we were left with just the first 7 chapters of Romans, we would be of all men most miserable — condemned by the law, unrighteous before God, dead to any spiritual life, separated from a life with Christ, hopelessly lost. But when we come to Romans 8:1, it's a breath of fresh air. Paul is saying, you're not hopelessly lost in Christ, you're not separated from God in Christ, you're not under the judgment of the law in Christ — “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Visit the Walking Worthy website:walkingworthypodcast.com

A new year begins a new series. What does it mean to be alive in Christ-- There's no end to how we can answer that faithfully with the Scriptures. We start at the beginning, however---You must enjoy God, living in him, with him, and for him as the Greatest Joy and Good. --Anselm said, -He is that One greater than which no other can be thought.- If this is true, how can we possibly find our greatest delight in another-- --Would the Son of God die so our greatest joy can be in something or someone else-- Certainly not.--To be really alive in Jesus means having a delight in the Father the same way Jesus did. Let God be your delight and happiness. Then you will be really happy in all things.

A new year begins a new series. What does it mean to be alive in Christ- There's no end to how we can answer that faithfully with the Scriptures. We start at the beginning, however---You must enjoy God, living in him, with him, and for him as the Greatest Joy and Good. --Anselm said, -He is that One greater than which no other can be thought.- If this is true, how can we possibly find our greatest delight in another- --Would the Son of God die so our greatest joy can be in something or someone else- Certainly not.--To be really alive in Jesus means having a delight in the Father the same way Jesus did. Let God be your delight and happiness. Then you will be really happy in all things.

Dr. Joan Boney, Jesus Ministries ... Both Peter and Jude warned us there would be false teachers among the churches in the end times.  (II Peter 2 & Jude) Jesus also warned us about the people who come to us in the last days, saying,  "Jesus is Lord."  Because they say HE is Christ, they will deceive many.  (Mt. 24:1-4) In November, 2020, a man sent me an email identifying himself to me as being a pastor.   He told me how much he liked my book, Preparing for the Return of Jesus.  (Amazon) He asked me to send him more books for his church and for his pastors. I explained that Amazon does not give me books and that he would have to get my books directly from Amazon. I also explained that Amazon allows us to give free e-books which he would need to order from Amazon. In his next letter, he signed his name "Reverend". I responded by telling him no man should call himself "Reverend". Jesus called HIS ministers as follows: Ephesians 4:11-12  And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;   For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: There is only one time the word "Reverend" is used in the Bible. Psalm 111:9 HE (God) sent redemption unto HIS people: HE hath commanded HIS covenant for ever: holy and reverend is HIS (God's) name. This man responded immediately saying he agreed and he would remove the name "Reverend" and tell his pastors to remove the name "Reverend" and he was sorry he had done this.   But he twisted everything and said we should not use the name "Pastor" either.   I told him immediately that it is proper to use the name "Pastor" for Jesus HIMSELF called HIS ministers by the names:  apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher  (Eph. 4:11)   But not "Reverend".   ( Click here for podcast and to see scriptures )

The Power of Intimacy with Christ | “There is Comfort in God to Survive Difficult Times” In this episode, I share the comfort available in God to survive and overcome difficult times. Have you ever questioned if you were going to get through this difficult trial or surviving the pain of the fallout of what happened? This episode delineates how to hide in God and find comfort through intimate relationship with him to not only survive, but thrive. Discovering spiritual safety is not only possible, but essential to your faith surviving the different terrains in life. You will take away information for surviving difficult times.

What is YOUR foundation? What do you fall back on in times of trouble? Guest speaker, Emmanuel Adeyeye, shares a sharpening word about the importance of building your foundation on the rock that is the Word of God. He talks about the significance of walking in obedience to the voice of God. Notes: Matthew 7: 24-27 (NLT)    * In order to build a house, you have to start with the, the strength of the house is it’s foundation.  * In life we all fall back on our foundation we fall back on what we know, how we learn things, we fall back on the things we learn, how we learn thing. 
 WHAT DOES YOUR FOUNDATION LOOK LIKE?
 * What you build your foundation on will determine the course of your life…..Determines how you see life, how you see others, how you see and feel about yourself. 
 * It is the word of God that’s going to keep you standing, the principles, the teaching, the leading of Holy Spirit that’s going to keep you. 
 * Sand represents; disunity, lack of order, unstable, go with the flow lifestyle and mentality 
 What happens when sand gets struck by lightning? What happens when sand gets wet?  The consistency of sand is inconsistency and God doesn’t want you to have an inconsistent foundation. * The word of God is a solid foundation 
 * the word of God doesn’t get struck by the power of lighting the word brings power like lighting .. * The word of God doesn’t get wet and muddy like sand, the living Word walked on water 
 * Sandy foundations don’t need much to collapse 
 Your foundation isn’t always shifted by a massive trail and tribulation  * A small offense can destroy your foundation 
 * A little delay can leave you panicking with a sandy foundation  * Any tiny little not so forceful situation can hit you, and you’ll start sinking to a level God never intended you to be at. 
 How do you know what’s in our foundation?   • Your reflex your muscle memory shows me a lot about your foundation. • When Esther was fell back on fasting for her entire nation of people * Three Hebrew boys  3 things to know about foundations 1. Every foundation is taught (Matt 7:24) * Who’s teaching you ? What classes are you signed up for? 
 * Add/drop into your foundation 
 * We are to be daily working on our foundation
 * Your foundation is your responsibility; your spirit is your responsibility 
 * There are things you need to add into your life but there are somethings you need to take out. 
 2. Every foundation is tested (Matt 7: 27) * This is such a subtle warning from Jesus. When, not if… Life ain’t easy - storm’s coming.
 * Jesus said “I have the answers focus on me; focus on my spirit and everything I tell you”
 3. Solid foundations are built on the word of God (Matt 7:26)    * Sad reality of this verse He isn’t talking about unbelievers, he talking to the body of Christ 
 * There are people sinking thinking they are standing on something solid.  
 * Sandy foundations lack faith… you need to increase your faith 
 Romans 10:17 - faith comes from hearing and hearing the word of God  * Jesus told us hearing the word isn’t enough 
 * Faith comes when you hear the word of God; faith stays when you live the word of God 
 * Don’t be hearers but also doers of the Word 
 * Faith without works is dead
 * Faith and obedience are the active ingredients that solidifies your foundation in God 
 * Active your faith, you need a faith that is active 
 * “We are all microscopic cogs in God’s plan and our obedience is important”  * Obedience looks like being at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing, with the right people, getting the right results, for the right reasons.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò in his recent interview states that the premises of Vatican 2 opened the way for a Globalist Revolution against God and His will for humanity in Christ: There can be no doubt about this. If this were not the case, the substantial funding that globalist organizations, such as Soros's Open Society, have allocated to the activities of the Society of Jesus, and presumably to other Catholic organizations, would be inexplicable.All the premises that were laid down in a nutshell with Vatican II and the student revolution are now consistently proposed by Vatican leaders on the ecclesial front, and by government leaders on the globalist political front. Therefore, it should come as no surprise if the priorities of Bergoglio's political program coincide with Joe Biden's priorities. Migration, environmentalism, Malthusian ecologism, gender ideology, the dissolution of the family and globalism are common to the deep state and deep church agenda. Bergoglio's formal opposition to abortion and the LGBT indoctrination of children is disavowed in practice, both by the Bishops' support for those who promote it politically, and for those who theorize about the use of birth control and the recognition of the rights of sodomites. The case of Father James Martin, S.J. is emblematic, because it confirms an idem sentire [being of the same mind] between the exponents of globalism and the progressive Catholic intelligentsia. The mark that unites these movements is lying and deception, division and destruction, hatred for Tradition and Christian civilization. And ultimately, the theological aversion to Christ, typical of Lucifer and his followers. Taylor Marshall’s book: Infiltration: The Plot to Destroy the Church from Within: https://amzn.to/35fGp6k Watch this new podcast episode by clicking here: Taylor Marshall’s book: Infiltration: The Plot to Destroy the Church from Within: https://amzn.to/35fGp6k Or listen to the audio mp3 here: If you’d like to order a copy of Taylor’s new book Infiltration: The Plot to Destroy the Church from Within, you can order it in Hardback, Kindle, or Audiobook. Check out Patreon Patron Benefits for Donating to Dr Taylor Marshall’s Show! All these video discussions are free. Do you want to recommend a show, get signed books, and show support? Here's how: click on Patreon Patron link: Become a Patron of this Podcast: I am hoping to produce more free weekly podcast Videos. Please help me launch these videos by working with me on Patreon to produce more free content. In gratitude, I'll send you some signed books or even stream a theology event for you and your friends. Please become one of my patrons and check out the various tier benefits at: https://www.patreon.com/drtaylormarshall If the audio player does not show up in your email or browser, please click here to listen. If you find this podcast episode helpful,

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò in his recent interview states that the premises of Vatican 2 opened the way for a Globalist Revolution against God and His will for humanity in Christ: There can be no doubt about this. If this were not the case, the substantial funding that globalist organizations, such as Soros’s Open Society, […] The post 503: VIGANÒ: VATICAN II opened way for Globalist Revolution and Attack on FAMILY [Podcast] appeared first on Taylor Marshall.

The church is left with a daunting task - to persuade a world that hates God and loves their sin to leave their sin and love God. How are we to persuade the world to give up what they love and embrace that which they despise? What logic, what reasons, what beauty can we portray to the wide world that might lead them to Christ? There is none, really. No mixture of words, no special music, no stirring of the heart, can effect the change that the world needs. But we have good news, there is a helper sent to us: the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world and leads them to the repentance and faith that Jesus requires.

St. Hierotheos On the 21st day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Hierotheos.Hierotheos, which in Greek means one who is protected by God, was one of the learned men in the city of Athens. He met the Apostle St. Paul, and many discussions took place between them which led to his belief on the Apostle's hand. St Paul baptized him, taught him the Ordinances and Law of the church, and then ordained him a priest for this city. He frequently visited St. Dionysius the Areopagite, who was also one of the learned men in Athens.This Saint was present at the time of the departure of the St Mary the Holy Theotokos, and he stood in the midst of the apostles, comforting them with spiritual songs and hymns which he sang accompanied with musical instruments.He converted many Jews and Gentiles to the knowledge of the Lord Christ. When the people wished to ordain him a bishop, he refused saying: "I just wish to be able to perform the duties of a priest." Having finished his good strife, he went to the Lord Whom he loved.Lessons from this storyThere is a great gift God gives to all of us, a talent, an ability, that is essential in God’s economy. In this passage we hear that at the time of Mother Mary’s passing, the surrounding apostles needed consoling. St Hierotheos used his gift for song, given to him by the Lord Jesus Christ, to help console his brothers in Christ.A church is nothing without the men and women that do so much unseen work of cleaning, cooking, and tending to the church. Just as St Paul talks about the one body of Christ “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). At the time of St Mary’s departure, we did not need a sermon from St Peter, doubts from St Thomas or tender homily from the beloved St John - what the Lord knew they needed was soothing music to calm their hearts.Never underestimate the importance you provide to church and to the Lord Jesus Christ.PrayerHelp us Lord to find our purpose in Your Will and to find a use for the gifts You give us so freely. May the prayers of St Hierotheos be with us all, amen.

The previous three chapters of the Book of Ephesians are all about truth, and now Paul switches over to teaching us how we are to live in light of this truth. Unity is key to success in a marriage, and it is just as important within Christ's Church! In these first six verses of chapter 3, we find three fruits that will come as a result of our union with Christ. The first of these is humility -- thinking less of ourselves (contrary to what worldly self-help material promotes), and more highly of Christ. The second fruit is gentleness or mildness -- an imitation of Jesus, the Meek and Lowly One. And the third is longsuffering, or patiently bearing and forbearing with one another in love -- even if they are not someone whom we particularly like. After all, we are one Body of Christ!The Lord wants us to zealously protect our unity with one another! This does not mean that we throw away doctrine or overlook sin, just for the sake of getting along without any issues coming up. The glorification of Christ and the faithful teaching of His Word are essentials that we must agree upon. And if there are cases where conflict arises over a trivial matter or even a sin being committed, He gives us clear principles for peacemaking. In verses 4-6, Paul shows us seven grounds for our unity in Christ: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." We are one congregation of redeemed rebels; and since we are one family together, we can bear with one another in love -- through Christ! Church unity is obtained by looking to Him alone; for when He is within our hearts, we will bring forth these fruits of unity. And when we walk in this manner, Jesus is glorified and He builds up His Church!

What does it mean to follow Christ? There's a phrase Jesus used often; he said, "Follow me."  What does he mean by that? How is it possible if he's not here? The whole idea of the following implies we are going somewhere. Where is that somewhere? The text is John 1:29-42 Podcast 77

Create Your Own Online Notes HERE Who Needs Christmas? Part:1 The Girl Who Got Ahead - The Story of Tamar   Opening:  A couple of weeks ago- I was researching my family name, and specifically a man by the name of Henry Rathbone. I was under the impression that because of his dereliction of duty he had been a contributing factor in the death of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. You can imagine my relief as I quickly uncovered, that he in fact was not a contributing factor to that great tragedy at all, the opposite was true. Not long after “The Late Unpleasantness” (a folk term for the Civil War) had ended, President Lincoln invited his Friend Major Henry Rathbone, and his fiancée Clara Harris to join him and his wife at Ford’s theater for the evening. You can imagine my familial pride swell as I read of his heroism that night as John Wilkes Booth slipped into their unguarded box and shot President Lincoln at point blank range. In trying to stop and apprehend the criminal, Major Rathbone was slashed from his shoulder to his elbow severely and deeply but fought to keep Booth from escaping. As Booth jumped over the balcony to the stage below, Major Rathbone grabbed his coat, causing Booth to fall and land awkwardly, injuring himself and ultimately making it possible for him to be apprehended days later. A heroic man indeed, and a Rathbone at that. A Friend of the President. Unfortunately, I kept reading. After that tragedy, Henry Rathbone was promoted to Colonel, but that night’s events haunted him. After resigning from the Army in 1870, his mental health continued to decline. In 1882, He, his wife and their children moved to Germany, but he was not able to shake the anguish. In December of 1883, in a fit of madness he attacked his children and when Clara tried to protect them, he murdered her then tried to commit suicide. He was committed to a hospital for the criminally insane where he lived the last 27 years of his life, dying there in 1911 then buried in the city cemetery. In 1952, because his grave was never visited, and there was no family interest, the cemetery management had his remains exhumed and disposed of to make room for new occupants. A life so full of plans and promise ended in horrible shame and tragedy and rejection, even in death. Fortunately, (and you can trust me on this) Henry Rathbone is from a different line of Rathbones. I am sure of it because I closed my browser, deleted my history, cancelled my subscription to Ancestry.com, and after today, have no plans to mention this man again nor do any deep research into my family history. Perhaps you have been in a similar place, researching your lineage and finding not only surprising heroes but maybe even a despicable villain or two. Perhaps your family tree is full of honorable men and women who have left a legacy to be proud of. Perhaps you are convinced no good can come from looking so you are just moving on. Whatever the case, we think that the next 4 weeks will be not only useful in your understanding, but perhaps even eternity altering, as we look at the lineage off Jesus of Nazareth, The Son of God. This December, by God’s Grace we will answer the Question – “Who Needs Christmas?” When we say, “Who Needs Christmas?” we aren’t talking about the glitter, the lights, the materialism or the busyness that is sure to be on us, but the Message of Christmas, which is Jesus.  As we look at the lineage of Jesus over the next four weeks, we will understand that when God doesn’t just include notorious names in His family tree, but the Holy Spirit HIGHLIGHTS them, something important is happening. This December we unpack the surprising truth, that the message of Christmas is not for the holy & the whole, but for schemers, sinners, outcasts, and the broken. In Other Words, the message of Christmas is for people just like me and you.   Virtually every ancient or Biblical genealogy is an exclusive list of males. Simply because it was through the father’s that Prestige, Power, Titles and Inheritance passed. But in the lineage of Christ presented in Matthew’s Gospel, 4 women stand out for less than prestigious reasons.  Today we will look at the first woman mentioned in the lineage of Jesus, Tamar , a lady often castigated and reviled, a woman who was a brilliant schemer. Tamar was the girl who got ahead. The message of Christmas is for schemers like Tamar, and for you and me. vv. Matthew 1:3 Matthew 1:3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,   Often whenever we think of the various characters highlighted in Scripture, our first thoughts are of their exploits- as in the case of Moses, or perhaps their evil as in Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus. But often when we do that we are observing scripture from a very narrow perspective – our lens is focused on the moment, not the purpose or the plan. This morning we are going to zoom out for a bit and examine God’s Redemptive Plan and purpose to understand ·                  Why Tamar is named in the lineage of Christ ·                  Why Tamar matters for me, and for you ·                  Why the message of Christmas will never fail   After all, without a Redemptive plan, without an eternal purpose, what we are left with when we look at the characters in the lineage of Jesus is another set of far distant relatives, that would make us want to delete our search history and close our browser. 1.   Why is Tamar named in the lineage of Christ? Lets begin with a brief summary of the history of God’s plan to the days of Tamar.   ·        When we talk about God’s Plan of Redemption remember it is a plan that has existed before the world was created. To see that we have to go to the LAST book of Scripture, Revelation. Writing about those who will be deceived and worship a false God, exerience the full wrath of a Holy God and spend an eternity in torment John records that they will be :   Rev 13:8(b)  …. everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Four Truths – God Created the Plan, God controls the plan, The Plan has always been in place, The Plan is For His Glory & our Good.   ·        Mankind was first given the promise by God that there was a plan in place shortly after Adam & Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. God cursed the serpent who deceived Eve and said this     I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15)   ·        The promise of God was simple, that one day a descendant of Adam & Eve would crush the serpent. That promise was the Hope for man to cling to, that one day sin would be defeated, and the relationship between God & man restored. It is still today a Secured Hope for all who repent and believe.   ·        As we move through early history we find that God called a man named Abraham to himself, established a covenant with Abraham and told him that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars. God told Abraham that not only would he have a son when it was naturally impossible for Sarah to have a son, God even named him! His name would be Isaac.   ·        Abraham faced a great test after Isaac was older when God asked him to take Isaac to Mountains of Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. On that day, God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead of his son, a foreshadowing of the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world. Abraham spoke of that place in Genesis 22:   So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." (Genesis 22:14)   Hundreds of Years later, on those same mountains, Solomon would build the Temple, and then ultimately nearby, the Lamb of God would bear our shame and the wrath of God on a criminal’s cross.   ·        The blessing of God- the promise that through Isaac the nations of the earth would be blessed would continue through the descendants of Isaac and when Rebekah became pregnant, she felt a great battle raging inside her womb. God told her that two mighty nations were in her womb but the older would serve the younger- signifying Jacob- Later to be named Israel - would be the path of blessing.   ·        Jacob had his own encounters with God, one of which was a dream where he was told   … in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 28:14)     ·        So now we are focused on the family of Jacob who would have 12 sons. Where would God Sovereignly place the lineage of Jesus – the one who would bless all the nations of the earth?   ·        Simeon & Levi, the 2nd and 3rd sons – they deceitfully made a treaty with a people group in the land iso they could murder & plunder the city in revenge for an assault on their sister Dinah. Because of their reckless actions, in fear the family had to move, but God protected them in a miraculous way- showing the inhabitants of the land this was God’s Chosen people and then God changed Jacob’s name to Israel.   ·        Reuben- the firstborn- committed sin with Israel’s wife, Israel found out. He said nothing at the time, but we find out later Israel will revoke his position and inheritance because of this.   ·        One of the sons – Joseph- was an exceptionally Godly man- so much so that he is regarded as an Old Testament “Picture” or “Type” of who the Christ would be. His brothers hated him, hated him so much they conspired to kill him, threw him in a pit to die, but then Judah- the 4th son of Jacob, convinced his other brothers that if they sold him to the Egyptians, not only would they make a profit, but somehow his blood would not be on their hands. So, Joseph is out of the picture for now, thought to be dead. Judah the brother with a plan and able to make a buck to boot.   Does this sound like a family that needs the message of Christmas? You see, the message of Christmas is for sinners like Reuben, people with anger issues like Simeon & Levi, people with a Godly example who really need rescuing like Joseph, people who try to make a buck and cover their sins like Judah. Unremarkable people who escape the notice of scandal, just trying to get along and get by like the other 7 sons of Israel. People like you, people like me. We need the message of Christmas.   ·        After Judah orchestrates Josephs being sold into slavery, He heads “Down” (geographically and Spiritually) to the flatlands. Genesis 38 contains the rest of the account of Tamar.   ·        One prohibition and two Cultural notes we make in looking through the lens of God’s redemptive plan. These are critical - 1. Abraham specifically prohibits Isaac’s wife from being a Canaanite woman due to their hardened idolatrous lifestyle. That prohibition was repeated from Isaac to Jacob- no Canaanite wife. That prohibition was still in place for the sons of Jacob and would be codified in the Law hundreds of years later.   2. The Father was to choose a wife for the son and ensure the family thrived. Today we fear the mother in law, then the father in law was in charge.   3. The second cultural custom already in place which would also be codified in the Law given to Moses was a levirate marriage. A levirate worked like this: In order to protect and preserve the ability for a line of descendants to exist once a father chose a wife for his son the father remained responsible to ensure the family line continued. If the husband died before a son was born, the father was to appoint either his next son or if there were none, his duty was to find the closest relative able to marry the widow. The son of that union would be the son of the dead husband, carrying on that family’s name, retaining all rights of inheritance, preserving the lineage, and also ensuring the widowed wife would have someone to care for her in her old age.   ·        So, Judah – goes Down, and He picks his own wife out, a Canaanite woman. Notice Genesis 38:2  There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her, (Genesis 38:2)   Her name is not even mentioned in Scripture. (some say the daughters name is Shua – vv 12 disproves that) (1 Chronicles 2:3 says Bath-Shua – Hyphenated meaning = Daughter of Shua)   ·        Judah has 3 sons by this woman, Er, Onan, and Shelah. He picks a wife for Er named Tamar- The Scriptures say Er was wicked in the sight of God, and God put him to death. Friend if you don’t think God is involved in the everyday affairs of mankind, think about that. God saw him, he was evil, God ended his life. Judah, being the good father, mindful of the importance of lineage, tells Onan to marry Tamar, which he does.   Onan though was obedient only on the surface. He knew there was a cost to full obedience … If Onan fulfills the levirate duty and has a child with Tamar it will be very costly – as it stood, there are two sons of Judah left- Onan now the oldest, in line to receive a double portion -or 2/3 of Judah’s inheritance. If there is a child- It would be considered Er’s son – The double portion of the blessing would go to him (50% of Judah’s wealth) leaving Onan at 25% and being the middle son- well, it is said the oldest and youngest get the most attention.. Onan repeatedly refuses to fulfill the duty of having a child with Tamar, God strikes him dead.   Now Judah has but one child left- Shelah. Judah senses a pattern here- son marries Tamar- son dies. With one son left Judah decides he needs a plan.   ·        His plan? Send Tamar back to her dads house to wait on Shelah to grow up, never send for her, cast her aside.   He was trying to use a loophole in the levirate custom – which said if there was no son or close relative to marry a widow, she may return to her father’s house and eat of his bread- and remain a widow until she died. Great Plan. Judah’s plan was really disobedience, not a loophole. Because he did not trust in the goodness of God, he was willing to cast aside Tamar as easily as he tossed away his brother, Joseph. Oh, how Tamar needed the message of Christmas, a message that even for schemers, for sinners, for Tamar, for you and me, there is Rescue & Redemption in the promised One- Jesus.   Remember however, it is God who is Sovereign over His redemptive plan, it is God who decrees where the lineage of Christ will be, it is God who utilizes the failed schemes and plans of man for His purpose and His Glory and it is God alone who can save.   ·        Tamar is a woman that the Scriptures are silent on regarding her lineage – it just doesn’t say. Some commentators label Tamar as a Canaanite, but I don’t think so. One, Scripture doesn’t label her that way- alerting us something is amiss, and two, even though the Canaanite people were predominant in that land, there were other people groups residing in clusters in the area. Three, unlike Judah’s wife whose name is intentionally left out, God wants us to know Tamar. She is there according to the will & purpose of God. Tamar needs the message of Christmas, just as you and I need the message of Christmas. God will use Tamar to bring the 4th son of Israel to a place of admitting his sin, a place where repentance and faith can take hold.   Tamar demonstrates three characteristics that infer God was working in her life for His purpose. - submission to the authority of Judah, obedience to his requests, and humility, not vengeance to bring him to a place where he saw and confessed his sin. Perhaps Tamar just desperately wanted a son who would care for her in her old age. God uses us and our schemes and our plans despite our short sightedness, despite our blindness to His presence. Perhaps we have missed that before thinking of Tamar by looking through the lens focused on her sin, not on the Savior who can save anyone, even Tamar, even me, even you.   ·        Tamar had time to wait and see – but I am sure she was thinking- how can this be made right. How can this be made fair? How can Judah be put in a position where he MUST fulfill his responsibility to ensure the line didn’t end there. She conceived a scheme – and it is unsavory, disgusting for us to think about, but Tamar- The schemer Tamar – the girl who got ahead - was filled with the bravery that comes from a scorned but resilient soul, and she acted on her plan.   ·        Once she was convinced that Judah had no intention of sending for her and giving her Shelah as husband, knowing that Judah’s idolatrous wife had died, Tamar set her scheme in place for the spirit, if not the letter of the levirate to be fulfilled through Judah’s lust. She had friends who were watching the movements of Judah, and she knew that after his grieving he would be going up to shear the flock – and that was always a time for festival’s and debauchery and fun on the road so to speak.   ·        She removes her “widows garments” (Maybe a Baggy sweatshirt with I am A Widow?) dresses herself as a lady who entertained men who were on the road - making sure to cover her face so Judah would not know it was her and sat by the roadside. Sure enough, Judah shows up- approaches and propositions her- and she asks what he has to offer?   ·        He offers her a goat from the flock – but Tamar insists on something of value to ensure he will return. She asks for the very things that will unmistakably identify him - His signet ring- His cord, and his staff. In today’s culture she would have said I need your American Express Platinum Card, your driver’s license and let’s take a selfie together. Judah says sure thing. By now, you must be convinced Judah needs the message of Christmas.   ·        Later he sends his servant back with a goat to exchange for his belongings, but the woman by the side of the road cannot be found. Judah desirous to not make it a news item that he was looking for his valuables back, decides the best thing to do is forget about it and chalk it up to a bad experience.   ·        3 months later word comes to Judah that his daughter in law the widow Tamar is with child – an offence so immoral death is the sentence that could be imposed. So Tamar is brought before Judah to be sentenced to death and she humbly passes the valuables to Judah and says “please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff”   ·        Judah is immediately overcome with guilt and confesses his sin and says “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah."   ·        She goes on to have twins, Perez and Zerah. Notice what has happened- because of this levirate union- Tamar replaces the Canaanite daughter, and in doing so since Perez is the first born of the first born, He is now the new firstborn- Got that? There is now no Canaanite blood in the line of Judah   ·        After Genesis 38, Tamar only mentioned twice more in the Old Testament (Ruth & 1 Chronicles – both times as the mother of Perez) and once in the New Testament Matthew 1:3 that we read earlier). But Tamar is present in these genealogies because she was placed there by God for His purpose to continue His plan of redemption. She brought Judah to a moment of recognizing his sin and confessing that sin.   ·        A remarkable thing happens roughly 30 years later though. Israel is about to die after being reunited with Joseph in the land of Egypt. Israel’s sons were gathered for their blessing, and it would be this prophetic blessing that would reveal the next step in the lineage of Christ.   ·        Israel says this: "Judah, your brothers shall praise youThe scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. (Gen 49:8-10)   ·        If man was writing the lineage of Jesus- he would certainly sanitize this sordid affair. God has Tamar included in the lineage of Christ to show A. God is in control of all things B. God relates to all of us, even in our sin C. Grace is available to all         2.   Why does Tamar’s story matter? She is so different than me.   Tamar’s was not only a schemer who out schemed another schemer, Judah, but Tamar was willing to violate her dignity and every moral norm to achieve her end. So, in that regard, we may say I would never do that.   But I know what it is like to have a close family member who abused and violated trust. When I was a young Christian, in a different era early 1970’s it was a time when children were to be seen but not heard, especially in church. It was a time, when, often, victims were examined sometimes more harshly than the victimizers. Because of that and having a rebellious spirit, I allowed distrust and resentment to guide my life for more than 20 years. I was determined to control every situation, every relationship, everything that was forbidden I wanted to find out why. I found out the hard way. I even schemed how to bring what I considered justice to the situation. I never acted on it, but I schemed. It wasn’t until I was in my mid 30’s that I gave it all back at the foot of a blood-stained tree called Calvary and experienced that Grace is for schemers like Tamar, Grace is for schemers like me. Grace is for schemers, perhaps you are familiar with one? Chances are, if you are not a schemer yourself, you have experienced the damage one can cause. Maybe you are carrying today baggage that can be laid down for the last time today  Here is the truth- We all will be judged guilty of not being perfect if by our actions we are judged by a Sinless Perfect God on judgment day. It doesn’t have to end that way. Don’t let your soul be rejected, even in death, like Henry Reed Rathbone’s remains were. After the Civil war ended, that bloody horrible conflict that took over 500,00 lives into eternity, the term Late Unpleasantness became vogue- it sounded so much cleaner and innocent than War. We do the same thing with our sin. It becomes a “Late Unpleasantness” rather than admit that we too are a people in need of Mercy – not getting what we deserve, and Grace, being given what we have not earned. There is only One Place that Mercy & Grace flow together- that is the message of Christmas.   The message of Christmas is the message of Hope eternal, Redemption complete, Relationships restored. Justice for the vulnerable, Mercy for the sinner. Grace for the undeserving. That is a message that was needed in every person associated with the lineage of Jesus, for Tamar and for you and for me.   Perhaps today, you came to see if there was a message of hope for you in this place. There may be relationships that have been shattered, health that has declined, perhaps you have circumstances that on the outside appear ok, but inside you know the opposite is true. The message of Christmas is for you.     You may be here today thinking, there may have been a chance long ago, but you don’t know the depths of what I have done. There is no hope. I am too far gone. Dear friend, the message of Christmas is for you.   You may be here thinking I am already fine. There was a time I said a prayer, walked an aisle, filled out a card and punched my ticket to heaven. I try to come to church at least once or twice a year, but really, who needs to hang around a bunch of church people. Once saved, always saved, while I am living, I can do my own thing. The message of Christmas is for you.   You may be here today and say God is well pleased with me. I am here when the doors open, I serve, I give, I sing, I even take communion - I check all the boxes. Dear church member, Heaven is not filled with church members, but sinners Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. The message of Christmas is for you.   3.   Why the message of Christmas will never Fail   The message of Christmas will never fail because it is a completed story. We no longer must wait for a Savior, we no longer must wonder if the promise of a deliverer will stand, we no longer must wait to see if the serpent will be crushed, Jesus Has come.   The story is complete, but it is far from over. The Good news that Jesus has completed the work of Redemption is still vibrant, relevant and needed today for all of us. Salvation is available to all who come in repentance and faith. That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the message of Christmas.     We believe that God created all things by His power. He created man in His image, meaning every human has value and dignity because of that. But our ancestors, Adam & Eve, willfully disobeyed God our creator, and by their sin, broke relationship with a Holy and sinless God. Every human born since that day has inherited a sinful nature, and willfully chooses to sin   But God, had an eternal plan before the world was created. That plan is that God would send His Son, Jesus, to be born of a virgin, lead a sinless life- willingly die a criminal’s death at Calvary’s Cross taking upon himself the punishment for our sin, my sin, Tamar’s sin, Judah’s sin – the sins of all would repent and believe in Him. His death satisfied the wrath of God and three days after He died, He bodily rose from the grave, ascended after 40 days to heaven where He rules and reigns today. We believe that one Day Jesus will again physically return and even the last enemy, death, will be eternally defeated. The message of Christmas is that all who turn from their sin and place their trust in Him are saved and adopted into His family. Never again to be abandoned, never again to be cast aside, never again to be separated from the Love of God.   This is God’s plan, orchestrated by God, controlled by God, for God’s Glory and our good. HE is the one who pursues us, we do not pursue him. Just as Tamar was sovereignly placed in the life of Judah, to continue the lineage of Christ and bring Judah to a place of recognition and confession of His sin, God has placed the Gospel in front of you today. How will you respond?   If you are here today and have never responded to God’s offer of hope, I believe that He is calling you to himself today, that as your hear the Gospel, the Holy Spirit is doing His work, convicting of sin and pointing to Jesus Christ, our Righteousness. Will you confess your sin to him, your need for a savior, repent and believe? There is Hope in only one place, the finished work of Jesus. Right where you are today you can be saved.   Ephesians 2:8-9 says For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2:8-9)   What are you trusting in today? Your goodness or the sinless perfection of Jesus? It is His Plan, His Son, His Righteousness, His blood. Come today to Christ.   Titus 3:5 says he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  (Titus 3:5)   If you are here today trusting in a fading memory of a decision of your mind or emotion to say a prayer or sign a card and you think you are safe from hell but other than that nothing has really changed - you are still doing your own thing be reminded of this from the Apostle Paul.   Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2Co 5:17)   Ask yourself- Has there been a real change in my life? It is a question with eternal consequences. Don’t be like Judah and think that guilt will disappear. Repent and believe.   The Gospel of John records But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (Joh 1:12-13)   If you are here and say I love Jesus, but I hate the church, I just don’t like being around people. Believers are brought into a family, not a perfect family, but a redeemed family. We are no longer of a different Lineage. There is no closing your browser and clearing your search history. It is a struggle- but realize just as Rebekah had a war raging in her womb- there is a struggle that happens every day in the life of a Christian- the struggle of the old nature vs. the new nature in Christ. Today, may the Gospel continue to bring you to a place of submission and obedience to His will.   We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. (1Jn 3:14)   Are you fully in on Christ? There is a cost to obedience- there is – but don’t be like Onan and only obey on the surface. What is loss of this world will be rewarded a hundredfold in eternity.   Have you really responded to the Message of Christmas. Please don’t leave here today if you have any questions about what it means to be a Christian, what it means to have the message of Christmas written on your heart. Don’t leave thinking your name is in the Book of Life, when it may not be there at all.  Repent & Believe.   Let us pray

If the evidence is so good for Christianity, why don’t more people follow Christ? There are three possible factors for it and Frank discuss each one of them in this episode of the Cross Examined Official Podcast. We’ll see what motivates people to come to conclusions that are completely opposite to the facts. Keep us […] The post Collusion against the Truth appeared first on Cross Examined - Christian Apologetic Ministry | Frank Turek | Christian Apologetics | Christian Apologetics Speakers.

Why do I believe in God? Why do I believe in Christ? There are plenty of historical prophecies in the Bible, but something has to make you pick it up in the first place. The truth is, the initial steps to belief are always an invitation from the Holy Spirit. Let me testify about how the Holy Spirit invited me to bow before God. Show Notes: http://www.psalmstogod.com/howifoundgod Instagram: shiree.hughes

The concept of rewards in the coming kingdom of heaven can be found on almost every other page in the New Testament. However, there are many who do not value this doctrine as an essential segment of their theological understanding. That is to say, this doctrine is considered insignificant in the grand scheme of God’s plan for the ages. But a careful reading of the New Testament will prove this notion to be false, and almost embarrassing that it would be discarded or discredited as nominal in any way. The doctrine of rewards finds great significance in one’s theological understanding because it allows for grace to remain grace without any inclusion of works. One of the greatest arguments against those who promote a “grace gospel” is that this “grace” is too free because it requires nothing of the individual needing salvation except that they believe the Gospel. These opponents would state that unless an expected result is required, such as a submission of one’s life, the repentance of all of their sins, or the desire to give up all that they have is present, they are not truly saved. The tension that is created between grace and works often manifests itself in contradictions. For example, A.W. Pink writes, “If it be true that no attempt to imitate Christ can obtain a sinner’s acceptance with God, it is equally true that the emulating of Him is imperatively necessary and absolutely essential in order to the saints’ preservation and final salvation.”[1] This could be understood as saying “you can’t do anything to be saved, but in order to be truly saved you must do something.” The Gospel is not about what the sinner does, but what the sinner needs.A sinner is saved by the grace of God alone, who was not obligated to supply a solution to our sin problem. From out of His profound love, the Creator God sent His only Son to die as a substitute for our sin, which paid the enormous penalty that we had incurred as sinners and made the perfect righteousness of God available to all who believe (have faith) in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. It is by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone that one is saved, receiving all that he or she was lacking. This includes the complete forgiveness of all sin, a wholly new Life, relief of all guilt and shame, reconciliation and full acceptance with his or her Creator, the perfect righteousness of God credited to them, and eternal life that is guaranteed beyond this present existence which can never be lost.The doctrine of rewards extinguishes the tension between faith and works. While one is saved by faith alone, there are consequences for how the believer lives in light of what he or she understands from the Scriptures. Every child of God is responsible for conducting their lives according to the truth of God’s Word. When they are faithful in what the Lord has asked of them, they receive a reward (1 Cor 3:14). But if they are unfaithful, whatever “good works” that they may have thought that they had will be burned up and the believer will suffer loss (1 Cor 3:15). Thus, there is a very real and serious consequence for believers who live unfaithfully to the Lord, but it does not infringe upon or impugn His unconditional acceptance of them in Christ Jesus.The opportunity to earn rewards is something that is wholeheartedly condoned by the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 6:1, 17-18, 20; Mark 9:41; Luke 6:35). But the doctrine of rewards is not a personal “padding of the wallet” in the kingdom, for self-servitude will not be rewarded (Matt 6:2, 5). Rewards are to be done in service to the Lord Jesus Christ with “His name’s sake” as the heart’s motivator. The Christian Life is a responsibility to be stewarded, not a stage to be applauded. Many have believed that receiving a reward is only possible by an extreme act of obedience, but Jesus tells us that “whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward” (Mark 9:41). Simply caring for those who are serving Christ earns one a reward.We can clearly see that the Christian Life is one of faithful stewardship in light of the teachings of Scripture. Thankfully, Jesus taught on this subject in order to reorient much of the wrong thinking that may have been present among the Jewish people, and even His disciples, in the first century. While Luke 19:11-27 is similar to the parable taught in Matthew 25:14-30, the surrounding context of Luke 19 calls for this teaching to stand on its own merit. Luke 19:11-27. The parable that Jesus taught in Luke 19:11-27 follows His interactions with Zaccheus in 19:1-10. However, this parable may be slightly connected with Zaccheus’ situation in that he may have been present when this parable was taught, and Jesus’ use of the “mina” would have been something that he could have directly related to considering his background as a tax collector. Whether these connections are legitimate or not, Luke supplies us with a two-fold reasoning for why Jesus was teaching this parable. First, Jesus was “near Jerusalem” (19:11b) which is a detail that finds its significance later in the chapter when His “triumphal entry” takes place (19:28-40). This first point must be pondered because of the events that surround it. Jesus’ entry into the city was anything but “triumphal.” For Jesus, this was a time of great grief and sorrow. While His disciples were rejoicing and shouting as the Son of Man passed by the Mount of Olives just outside of the city (19:37-38), Jesus began weeping at the sight of Jerusalem (19:41). The message of the disciples was “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest” (19:38), Jesus’ words capture the rejection of the Jewish people, the postponement of the kingdom of heaven on Earth, and the judgment that awaited the Jews because of their rebellion (19:42-44). Jesus knew what could have been had Israel accepted her Promised Messiah, but the leaders had spoken for the people (Matt 12:24), and though His miracles testified that the kingdom of God had come upon them (Matt 12:28), they rejected their Christ, which plunged the Jewish people into a “partial hardening” (Rom 11:25b), having the truth hidden from their eyes because of their unbelief (Luke 19:42b; Matt 13:10-17).The second reason given for Jesus teaching this parable was that “they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately” (19:11c). This would explain the joyful celebration of the disciples in 19:37-38. As one reads through this parable, it becomes very clear that the kingdom will come at a later time, and that the “nobleman” must go away to receive this kingdom and then come again, now having possession of it, in order to establish it in the country from which he left. This justifies Jesus’ sorrow in Luke 19:41b-44, seeing that the Jews did not “recognize the time of your visitation” by the Messiah (19:44). Unbelief has postponed the kingdom. Instead, the Jewish people will be disciplined for their unbelief (19:44b). Thus, Jesus’ parable will serve to dispel the notion that the kingdom was to appear at His entry into the city of Jerusalem.Starting in 19:12, Jesus speaks of a nobleman who travels to a “distant country” for the purpose of receiving a kingdom “for himself.” After receiving this kingdom, the nobleman would then return. The details here must be carefully noted, especially in light of the current-day belief that the kingdom of heaven is “already” here in a spiritual form, but “not yet” here in a physical form. Theissen notes, “Consistency of interpretation demands that we hold, not only that the nobleman must return in person, but also that he will set up his kingdom in the country from which he departed. In other words, we must insist that Christ is not now sitting on the throne of David in heaven and ruling over his people on earth from that sphere, but that He receives the kingdom in heaven, returns to earth, and then sets up the kingdom on the earth.”[2] Having a general understanding of what Scripture tells us about the Messiah and the promise of His future return to establish His Kingdom, it is not hard to connect the dots and see that Jesus is this nobleman, the “distant country” would be during the interadvent age between His ascension and return when Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33; 5:31; 7:55-56), preparing a place for all believers (John 14:2-3) while making intercession for the saints (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). Before Jesus Christ returns to the Earth, He will have received the kingdom of heaven and His return will mark the establishment of that kingdom on Earth. What is interesting about this parable is that its contents were not hard to relate to by those in the audience, considering that the successor to Herod had done the same thing. Robertson explains, “Apparently this parable has the historical basis of Archelaus who actually went from Jerusalem to Rome on this very errand to get a kingdom in Palestine and to come back to it. This happened while Jesus was a boy in Nazareth and it was a matter of common knowledge.”[3] As we will see in 19:14, the “citizens” did not want the nobleman to rule over them, just as it was with the Jews and their response to Archelaus assuming command. While Jesus is not speaking of Archelaus, the concept would be familiar to those living in the first century.Luke 19:13 shows the nobleman calling ten of his slaves (“servants”) together before he leaves with each one being entrusted with a must “mina.” A mina is “a Greek monetary unit worth one hundred denarii.”[4] A “denarii” (also known in some cases as a “drachma”) is the equivalent of 100 days wages. With this, he gives them specific instructions: “Do business with this until I come back” (19:13b). Hodges explains, “Here lay the central point of the parable. The interadvent period which the parable proclaimed could be used to advantage. It was a time for investment. More than that, it was a time for investment directly related to the coming kingdom of God. Therefore, Zacchaeus needed to hear the parable at this crucial moment in his life. But so did everyone else in the audience as well.”[5] This speaks to the stewardship of the nobleman’s resources, which he entrusted to his slaves with the expectation that they would be faithful with what was entrusted to them.This “principled story-telling” has a vital application for us today. While our Master is away receiving the kingdom, we His servants are to be engaged in His business with His resources while He is away. We are to be faithful and wise with what He has entrusted to us, keeping in mind that it is ultimately His and that there will be a day in which He will return and settle accounts with His servants, receiving unto Himself the return that was earned while He was away.In Luke 19:14 we have the introduction of a group of people whom Jesus has not mentioned yet, the “citizens.” This group is said to have hated the nobleman, raising a protest against His rulership over them through a “delegation.” No doubt the citizens are the Jewish people and the “delegation” would be the Pharisees who were leading the charge against their Messiah in verbalizing the nation’s anti-belief (Matt 12:24). For the time being, the citizens are placed in the background of the parable while Jesus explains the events surrounding the nobleman’s return (Luke 19:15). The timing of this event is precise, with Jesus noting that the man had received the kingdom. This comment places this moment after Jesus has assumed the right to reign, but before He has brought His servants to account at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 19:6-10). The nobleman is ready to inquire of his servants regarding the business that they conducted while he was away and the return that they had received with the money that he had entrusted to them. While there are ten slaves that were given one mina each (19:13), we have only three that are brought to account, with each demonstrating a different level of return with what they were entrusted. With the first slave, we find that he was able to make an investment that gave a 1,000% return! The nobleman commends this servant, saying “Well done, good slave” (19:17a). This slave’s faithfulness over the small amount that he had been given was then greatly rewarded by the nobleman who set the slave over ten cities in his kingdom (19:17b).The second slave comes before the nobleman and presents a 500% return (19:18) to which the master replies by granting this servant rulership over five cities (19:19). One cannot help but to notice that the public commendation of “Well done, good slave” is absent from this scenario. This slave, who earned half the return that the first slave earned, does not get the privilege of hearing these words from the nobleman’s mouth.At this point, it should be clear that those who are faithful in this life, being about his Master’s business until He comes to bring us all to Himself (John 14:2-3) will receive rewards and reigning responsibilities that are much greater in magnitude than what we were entrusted with while on Earth. Thiessen cites Godet in explaining this: “In Luke the one point in question is to settle the position of the servants in the economy of glory which is opening, and consequently to determine the proportion of faithfulness displayed during the time of labor and probation which has just closed.”[6] Christ desires to share the regal responsibilities of His kingdom with His companions, but they must be faithful stewards who have proven themselves. One would not in clear conscience entrust their estate to a slothful and wayward child, for the outcome of such unbridled wealth in the hands of an irresponsible soul would be guaranteed devastation. Though related by blood, and though greatly loved, they would not be worthy of possessing such an opportunity. Their life’s record has shown them to be unworthy. What is the “mina” in the life of the one who is a disciple of Christ? There are many who have considered the “sharing of the Gospel” as the focus of what has been entrusted to the slave and that “doing business” (19:13b) would be evangelism, but we must conclude that this is not the only way that one can be faithful to that which God has entrusted to us. Believers have a responsibility to love one another (John 13:34-35), forgive one another (Eph 4:32), build up one another in love (Eph 4:15-16) and encourage one another daily (Heb 3:13). While there is so much more that would be considered in the realm of Christian faithfulness, the point is clear that the believer in Christ is not just a missionary to the world, but is also a minister to the Body of Christ. The first two accounts show that diligence and faithfulness should be the attitudes of all who would hope to reign alongside Jesus Christ in His coming kingdom. In Luke 19:20, a third servant approaches the nobleman but his response is entirely different than that of the first two slaves. Coming before the master, the third slave returns the exact same mina that was entrusted to him before the nobleman left to receive his kingdom. The slave reveals that he had hid it away in a handkerchief. The third slave then divulges the reason for his negligence in not “doing business” with the nobleman’s mina, citing “fear” of the nobleman “because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow” (Luke 19:21b). The word “exacting” is the Greek word austēros meaning “harsh, rough, rigid,”[7] which has led to the transliteration of “austere” in the KJV. The charge is that the third slave did not want to risk losing what he had been given because he understood the nobleman to be harsh and rigid, taking those things which are not his and plundering the goods of others others for personal gain. Having returned the same mina that he had been given, the thought may have been “Well, at least I didn’t lose it!”At this point, a few questions need to be answered. First, has there been anything in the telling of this parable that would lead one to believe that the nobleman was a short-tempered tyrant who plundered the goods of others? No.Second, throughout this parable have we not seen that the nobleman’s actions are in direct relation to that which the Lord Jesus will do in leaving to receive a kingdom for Himself and then returning again to establish it at the place from whence He left? Yes.Would we conclude that the Lord Jesus Christ is a short-tempered tyrant who plundered the goods of others? I don’t think so either.In fact, what we see is that the third slave’s description of the nobleman is completely off base from who he really was. What we find out when listening to the third slave’s explanation is that he did not know his master very well at all and proceeded to live his life on a false presumption of his master that kept him from experiencing great things when his master returned. This is a tragic result! Being ignorant of his master’s character, the slave lived in fear, complacency, and slothfulness. Had he known his master more intimately, he would have served him with joy knowing that “He who promised is faithful” (Heb 10:23). Again, Godet (as quoted by Thiessen) has captured the third slave’s situation with clarity noting that he is a “believer who has not found the state of grace offered by Jesus so brilliant as he hoped,—a legal Christian, who has not tasted grace, and knows nothing of the Gospel but its severe morality.”[8]The nobleman responds to this excuse by calling the man a “worthless slave” (19:22a), which is probably better translated as a “wicked” or “evil slave.” While one may be quick to conclude that the declaration that this slave is “worthless/evil/wicked” would communicate that he was obviously “unsaved,” our attention must be drawn to the fact that this slave was as much a part of the nobleman’s house as the other two who were brought to account for the business that they had done. Not only that, but this third slave was also entrusted with the same amount as the other two. This remark against the slave is the conclusion that the nobleman makes due to his inactivity and unfounded excuses for slothfulness. Simply put, he did not know his master intimately, and because of this his assumed misrepresentation of his master’ character caused him to do nothing with what he was given.That the third slave’s description is a solid misrepresentation of the nobleman’s character can be seen in the master’s response in Luke 19:22b, which is posed in the form of a question: “Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow?” It is as if the nobleman is responding by saying, “is this who you really think that I am?” He then reasons with the third slave that if this was the presumption by which he was operating, “why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest” (Luke 19:23)? The least that this man could have done was invest it at the lowest level possible so that even the smallest amount of interest would have been gained. However, he did not. This tells us that either the man was lying in his reasonings with the nobleman and was actually lethargic and slothful, not caring about the responsibility entrusted to him, nor in serving his master, or that his unfounded mischaracterization of his master had paralyzed him from making the least of wise decisions that would secure gain for the nobleman.Regardless of the reason, his mina was confiscated and given to the most profitable slave (19:24). The “bystanders” (19:24a) are astonished at this act, seeing that the first slave already has ten minas. The nobleman explains that those who “have” will be given more, and those that have not will lose even those things that they have (19:26). The failure of the third slave to be diligent in his responsibilities has led him to a moment of shame before his master. One cannot help but to reflect on Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:15 which state, “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Finishing this parable, the nobleman speaks of his “enemies” (Luke 19:27) and clarifies their identity as those “who did not want me to reign over them,” speaking of the “citizens” in Luke 19:14. As identified earlier, this is (by and large) the nation of Israel who had rejected their Messiah, leading to a postponement of the kingdom of heaven. These enemies are brought before the nobleman and slaughtered for their rejection of him. This should not be surprising, considering that much is said in the Old Testament regarding the judgment that will befall the Jews because of their rejection of God and which occurs right before the establishment of the kingdom on Earth (Jer 30:4-9; Ezek 20:33-38). On a broader scale, Jesus’ return will bring about the slaughter of all who have rejected Him as can be clearly seen in Revelation 19:15-21. We are told that Jesus will “strike down the nations” (Rev 19:15), that the birds will gorge themselves on the flesh of kings and mighty men who had rebelled against Messiah (Rev 19:17-19), and that the rest “were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him” (Rev 19:21). All who reject Christ and are rebellious of His reign over them will be put to death. These are unbelievers who will be judged at the Great White Throne judgment (Rev 20:11-15). However, the servants/slaves are wholly different than the “citizens/enemies” in this parable, with Jesus drawing the necessary distinctions. This is most notable in that the servants are judged first (representative of the Judgment Seat of Christ) and the “citizens/enemies” are judged later (representative of the Great White Throne judgment). To sum up the eternal destinies of the parties involved in this parable, Wilkin writes, “Good servants will rule with Christ fully. Half-hearted servants will rule with Him in a more limited way. Wicked servants won’t rule with Christ at all, though they will be with Him forever. Unbelievers will experience the second death and will spend eternity in the lake of fire.”[9] With the third slave’s misunderstanding of his master, we could conclude that the more that you are intimately acquainted with Jesus, the more that you will faithfully serve Him with joy, knowing that He desires to reward you richly for the service that you have rendered (Rev 22:12). This third servant, having full rights and equal responsibility within the house of the master, was declared “wicked” because of his sloth and negligence. Therefore, he suffered loss, for even what he thought he had was taken away.The application is clear.The Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted His work to His people. While He is away receiving the kingdom for Himself, we are to be doing business: loving one another, praying, studying His holy Word, living His holy Word, forgiving one another, encouraging one another, structuring our lives to be led in holiness and faithfulness to wherever He may lead us, and making disciples of all nations. Thiessen commissions us writing, “Let us also ‘carry on business’ till He come, in order that we may hear His ‘well done,’ and receive a reward when He comes!”[10] How will your conversation with the Master go when He returns and settles accounts? [1] Arthur Walkington Pink, Eternal Security (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2005), p. 75.[2] Henry Clarence Thiessen, “The Parable of the Nobleman and the Earthly Kingdom (Luke 19:11-27),” Bibliotheca Sacra, vol 91 (1934): 184.[3] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Lk 19:12.[4] Louw and Nida, p. 62.[5] Zane C. Hodges, A Free Grace Primer: The Hungry Inherit, The Gospel Under Siege, Grace in Eclipse, ed. Robert N. Wilkin (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2011), p. 335.[6] Thiessen, “The Parable of the Nobleman”: 188.[7] Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon, p. 84.[8] Thiessen, “The Parable of the Nobleman”: 190.[9] Robert N. Wilkin, “Two Judgments and Four Types of People (Luke 19:11–27),” Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society 25, no. 48 (2012): 20.[10] Ibid.

The Christmas story involves a miracle—something that is of Divine origin and of a supernatural cause rather than from human ingenuity or natural causes. Christmas is when God made His grand entrance into the human race to be like us to die for us. But what do we know about the conception of Christ? There are many myths and falsehoods about the miracle of Christ’s conception. Pastor Gary walks us through the Bible account of the miracle of Christ’s conception in today’s study from Isaiah 7.

The Christmas story involves a miracle—something that is of Divine origin and of a supernatural cause rather than from human ingenuity or natural causes. Christmas is when God made His grand entrance into the human race to be like us to die for us. But what do we know about the conception of Christ? There are many myths and falsehoods about the miracle of Christ’s conception. Pastor Gary walks us through the Bible account of the miracle of Christ’s conception in today’s study from Isaiah 7.

Are you ready? Are you ready for the return of Christ? There's no problem that you're facing today that won't be drastically and wonderfully changed when Jesus returns for His own.

Are you ready? Are you ready for the return of Christ? There's no problem that you're facing today that won't be drastically and wonderfully changed when Jesus returns for His own.

"He was moved with compassion." This is said of Christ Jesus several times in the New Testament. It is expressive of the deepest emotion; a yearning of the innermost nature with pity. Theologian Benjamin Warfield’s book is called “The Person and Work of Christ” There is a chapter in that book entitled, “The Emotional Life of Our Lord.” He tried to synthesize the biblical passages that spoke of the emotions of our Lord Jesus. He stated, “His whole life was a mission of mercy...His entire ministry is summed up as going around the land and ‘doing good.’” The word that best summarizes Jesus our Lord is no doubt the word “compassion.”  It is the emotion most frequently attributed to Him. Do you ever think of God as having feelings for you? If not, why not? If so, which feelings do you tend to attribute to God? Do you believe that God is “filled with love and compassion” for you? If you really believed this, how might it impact your relationship with God? How might it impact your relationships with others? The scriptures give us example of how God feels love and compassion for each and every one of you. Mentioned on the Show: Luke 7:11-17 Greek word for compaasion: splagchnizomai The Person and Work of Christ by Benjamin Warfield 2 Kings 4:8-37 Reach Out on Social Media: Facebook Twitter Instagram If you enjoyed this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and or Stitcher kindly leave a 5-star rating, a review and subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Unfolding Words Click to subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click to subscribe via Google Play Click to subscribe via Spotify Click to subscribe via Stitcher Click to subscribe via RSS Help Spread the Word: We’d love it if you could please share #Unfolding Words with your Twitter followers. Click Here To Post A Tweet

Four Characteristics of Couples Who Thrive   Christ: There is a renewed spiritual vitality.                      John 15: 1–17, 1 Corinthians 10:312.        2. Circle: They see themselves as their biggest marriage problem.                     Matthew 7: 3-5        3. Committed: They are ruthlessly committed to their marriage.              Matthew 19:6        4. Community: They are fully known by others.              Hebrews: 10:24, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

1 - My Heart was made to Burn  Luke 24:13-32  32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"  Question: Does my heart Burn?  1.  It’s personal? What is the ____________________________ of my heart? 2 Tim. 1:6-7 (NIV) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. There is always the need to Fan. Stir. Rekindle. To Burn. Burn defined:  2. Your ____________________________________ matters. Col. 3:1-2 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds/affection on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Today there is no shortage of _________________________ in our land.  Col. 2:8 (BBE) Take care that no one takes you away by force, through man's wisdom and deceit, going after the beliefs of men and the theories of the world, and not after Christ: There is a __________________________ for Truth. John 14:6 / John 17:17 / John 8:31-32 The Church in Sardis. Rev. 3:1-6 3. I’m gonna stay near the _______________________.  There are many _______________________ but no substitutes.  _____________ is enough. Psalm 18:28-36 28 For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Rev. 3:2 Wake up and strengthen whatever you have left…. Isa. 40:28-3128 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 12.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 8.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 8.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 9.0px} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Explore 1 Timothy 3:1-2, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife . . .” What is the difference between ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos) and πρεσβύτερος (presbuteros)? A πρεσβύτερος (presbuteros) is a shepherd overseer but the task reveals maturity. Why is a plurality of elders important in the body of Christ? There is wisdom and accountability in a plurality of elders. Homer Kent asserts that his conduct should be of such a nature that no handle is given to anyone by which to injure his reputation. What does a husband of one wife look like? Does this mean a man who was divorced and remarried could never be an elder? A one-woman man must be someone clearly committed to his wife. How can a man prove he is a one-woman man?

What about people who die without ever hearing the gospel? What about someone in the middle of India, or deep in the Amazon? Does God really send those people to Hell? It's a good question, but it turns out there is an even better question for most of us. Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46 John 14:6 Acts 4:12 John 3:16 1 Timothy 2:3-4 2 Peter 3:8-9 Romans 2:14-16 Romans 10:14-15 References: “No one chooses in the abstract to go to hell or even to be the kind of person who belongs there. But their orientation toward self leads them to become the kind of person for whom away-from-God is the only place for which they are suited. It is a place they would, in the end, choose for themselves, rather than come to humble themselves before God and accept who he is.” --Dallas Willard, “Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ” “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.” ― C.S. Lewis, “The Great Divorce” Penn Jillette on receiving a Bible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6md638smQd8

What about people who die without ever hearing the gospel? What about someone in the middle of India, or deep in the Amazon? Does God really send those people to Hell? It’s a good question, but it turns out there is an even better question for most of us. Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46 John 14:6 Acts 4:12 John 3:16 1 Timothy 2:3-4 2 Peter 3:8-9 Romans 2:14-16 Romans 10:14-15 References: “No one chooses in the abstract to go to hell or even to be the kind of person who belongs there. But their orientation toward self leads them to become the kind of person for whom away-from-God is the only place for which they are suited. It is a place they would, in the end, choose for themselves, rather than come to humble themselves before God and accept who he is.” --Dallas Willard, “Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ” “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.” ― C.S. Lewis, “The Great Divorce” Penn Jillette on receiving a Bible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6md638smQd8

How many people really know who they are in Christ? There are people of all ages walking around as Christians not knowing how they can approach God, not knowing their position before the God of the universe

2009-05-17-0830 Pastor Loran Livingston is the speaker this morning May 17th, 2009 in the 8:30 service. Scripture: II Corinthians 4:16-18 Topic: : Obedience Notes:- Gasoline engine designed to run on gasoline; you are designed to obtain life from God- Happy only if you serve Christ- People confess with mouth but deny in deed- Nothing more important than praying/reading- Salvation based on His Word, not a "touch"- Pentecost mutated into Pentecostalism: rely on feeling, touch, a word... promotes screaming, prosperity ($), impartation of gifts- True Pentecost comes from the pure Word of God preached...- No human ever out of control in the Spirit- True prosperity is to know and live for Christ- There is power in the Spirit to see Jesus in adversity, to rejoice and be renewed- Suffering now not comparable to coming glory

2009-05-17-1030 Pastor Loran Livingston is the speaker this morning May 17th, 2009 in the 10:30 service. Scripture: II Corinthians 4:16-18 Topic: : Obedience Notes:- Gasoline engine designed to run on gasoline; you are designed to obtain life from God- Happy only if you serve Christ- People confess with mouth but deny in deed- Nothing more important than praying/reading- Salvation based on His Word, not a "touch"- Pentecost mutated into Pentecostalism: rely on feeling, touch, a word... promotes screaming, prosperity ($), impartation of gifts- True Pentecost comes from the pure Word of God preached...- No human ever out of control in the Spirit- True prosperity is to know and live for Christ- There is power in the Spirit to see Jesus in adversity, to rejoice and be renewed- Suffering now not comparable to coming glory