Podcasts about law matthew

Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Culture Jesus Fulfills the Law Matthew 5:17-20 Christ Church Kingwood April 27, 2025 Preacher: John Mark Ratliff

Pastor/Elder Anthony Valentine preaches from Matthew 5:17-20

The Heart of the Law (Matthew 5:17-48) | Philip Van Steenburgh

This sermon is from our Sunday series through Matthew preached by Pastor Chase Woodhouse. Sojourn Galleria Church is an Acts29 church in Houston, Tx that exists to enjoy Jesus and join Him in the renewal of all things. To learn more, visit our website: www.sojourngalleria.org

To Be Like Him | He Fulfilled the Law | Matthew 5:1-20This year, we're studying the gospels as one harmonious story in order to see the glory of God as revealed through them with the clearest picture of God in the person of Jesus painted for us and “To Be Like Him.”In today's sermon, Discipleship Pastor Joanne DiLeo discusses the life of Jesus as a rabbi who's life was set to fulfill the law of God.

March 30, 2025Noe Garcia

Jesus commanded that God's people must be perfect and that their righteousness must exceed even that of the Pharisees. How can this be, since all people sin? As we study the life of Christ in preparation for Easter, join us and see why the entire counsel of Scripture points to the necessity of Jesus' fulfillment of the Law as the basis of salvation for all who believe.  

Jesus Is The Way - Humility To Glory (audio) David Eells – 3/2/25 Today, I'd like to focus on our Example of humility, Who, of course, is the Lord Jesus. He said He could do nothing of Himself. (Joh.5:19) … The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. Now, obviously, if Jesus could do nothing of Himself, we can do nothing of ourselves. Nothing of any importance in the Kingdom can we do of ourselves because self has no power to do the work of God. Self cannot walk in the Spirit. Self does not have the renewed mind of Christ with the renewed sight and hearing (Ephesians 4:23), having been washed with the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26). Self has no power to walk in the Spirit or to do the works of God. When men take over Christianity, they bring God and His gifts down on their level and everything about that is just dead religion. It's worthless to God. Look at the huge religious organizations that do not turn out anything that looks like Jesus. There's no reward for it whatsoever, but many people waste their lives in another kingdom rather than the Kingdom of God. Jesus was both a son of man and the Son of God. He was talking about self here. He wasn't talking about the spiritual man that dwelt in that body; He was talking about self. And He said in (Joh.5:30) I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. Jesus sought the Will of the Father. (Jas.4:7) Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. He was humble to the Will of the Father. He did not have His Own religious “agenda.” When we're driven by our own desires, our own agendas of ego, pride, and competition, we're not trustworthy, we're not humble, and we can expect problems. We can expect not to have the salvation that we need because we're self-willed and stubborn, and seeking our own kingdom. Jesus said that He could of Himself do nothing. That tells us that we certainly can't expect to do this on our own either. So, let's look to Jesus, Who is our Example of true humility. (Isa.66:1) Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? (2) For all these things hath my hand made, and [so] all these things came to be, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word. Notice, the Lord is talking about building Himself a house, and He is saying that He doesn't dwell in houses made with men's hands (Acts 7:48,17:24). This is the “house” that God is building, as verse 2 speaks of, but then He says, “to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.” That's the “house” of the Lord. He is speaking about the house that He has chosen, and that house is “a man who is of a contrite spirit, that trembleth at his word.” Oh, praise God! Another verse says, (Psa.138:6) For though the Lord is high, yet hath he respect (That's the Hebrew raah, also translated as “to see, become aware, give attention, regard, consider,” etc.) unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar. The bible school graduates of Jesus' day, as in our day, could not do the works of Jesus. Even though God is great and He rules over all and He is to be revered and bowed down to, He respects the lowly. Now we have learned that grace is God's method to give us faith and power. (Jas.4:6) … Wherefore [the scripture] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. We also need to understand that the blessings of God are poured out upon the people who will humble themselves. (Jas.4:10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you. So our Lord Jesus Christ is our Example. He not only came to be our Savior, to deliver us from ourselves, from the devil, from the curse, but He's our Example of what is true “humility.” (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. We are commanded to walk in the Steps of Jesus because what Jesus gave us was an example of life. I agree we haven't all come into that yet, but the more we study Him, the more we see what it is to be walking humbly before our God. (Mic.6:8) He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God? We are to be transformed into that same Image. (2Co.3:8) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. Therefore Jesus' walk should be our walk, and we're coming to the time when God is going to fulfill that, when God is going to restore everything that's been taken away from His people (Joel 2:23-29). God is going to bring us back to walking in the Power of the Spirit of God! It will be awesome! So, also, it says in (Php.2:5) Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (So we are supposed to be thinking the same way He does, with the same ambitions, the same desires, the same humility.): (6) who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (8) and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. (And we are also to humble ourselves, becoming a servant, taking-up our cross, and following Jesus.) (9) Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name. In baptism, which represents death, burial, and resurrection, He gave us His Name, and as we enter into the manifestation of that death, burial, and resurrection, the Name of Jesus Christ is manifested in us. As we've studied before, the word “name” means “nature, character, and authority.” As we “have this mind...which was also in Christ,” and we take up our cross to follow Him, and we humble ourselves to become servants in this world, that Name is manifested in us. That's the fruit that Jesus is asking for in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9,18-23; Mark 4:1-9,13-20; Luke 8:4-15). That's the 30-, 60-, and 100-fold fruit of the manifestation of His Name in us, His Nature, His Character, His Authority. We behold “in the mirror the glory of the Lord,” and are transformed into that same Image, “from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the spirit.” God Himself chose humble circumstances for His Son. Obviously Jesus could have come in all of His Glory and manifested Himself as the King that He is, but God wanted Him to come in humble circumstances. Let's read in (Luk.2:4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; (5) to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. (6) And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. God sent His only begotten Son to earth to be the Savior of mankind. He was the most important Person Who has ever been on this earth, and yet God sent Him in these circumstances. Could God have supplied better circumstances to honor the great King? Of course, He could, but it wasn't His plan, because Jesus not only represents the Savior, He represents the body of Christ. He came here to give up His carnal life, His physical, fleshly life, in order to take up His spiritual, heavenly Life, and He came to show us the Way. He was called the Way in (Joh.14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. He said, “I am the way,” and so far what we're seeing is that He came in very humble circumstances, and throughout Jesus' earthly work, He continued in very humble circumstances. He took on no titles or letters behind His name. He took up no collections for himself. He is the way! And it says in (Luk.2:42) And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; (43) and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; (44) but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: (45) and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. (46) And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: (47) and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. No doubt, even at twelve years old, He had a lot to teach them, although Jesus was still subject to the moral laws at that time. He was subject to His parents and He was subject to people who were set in authority over Him, just as we are also commanded to be in subjection to those who have been given authority over us. We are in subjection unto the kings and unto the governments. (Rom.13:1) Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the [powers] that be are ordained of God. (2) Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. (3) For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: (4) for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. (5) Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. (6) For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing. (7) Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. And, if we are servants, we are also in subjection to our masters as we are told in (1Pe.2:18) Servants, [be] in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (19) For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. (20) For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted [for it], ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. And so was Jesus. Even the mighty Son of God had to humble Himself to be submissive because of the body that He was dwelling in. Many people think we have special privileges because we are sons of God, but it is because of this body that we dwell in, we've been given these rules and regulations. Now let's return to our text in (Luk.2:48) And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. (49) And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house? (50) And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. (51) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all [these] sayings in her heart. (52) And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. “Favor” is the Greek xáris meaning “grace, as a gift or blessing.” You see, because Jesus was humble, He received grace. He showed us how to overcome. Jesus was truly an overcomer. People think, “Of course, Jesus overcame since He's the Son of God.” But Jesus laid aside His omnipotence and omniscience to come down as a Spirit-filled man, the Son of God dwelling in Him just as the Son of God dwells in us. He came down and left that God privilege and ability to be an example unto us and demonstrated to us all that humility is the Way. He was humble, and God blessed Him, and He “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” You would expect that Jesus, being the great King that He was, would have had an awesome palace full of luxuries, with many servants and so on. Some preachers do preach that kind of a Jesus, a Jesus Who was rich, but it's very hard for us to see that anywhere in the Scriptures. It's because of their apostate doctrines and their own selfish desires that they preach that kind of a Jesus, because the Bible tells us why Jesus chose to be poor. (Jas.2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? Jesus wasn't forced into poverty; He chose it. Poverty is not a curse when everywhere you go, God supplies your need. He had a need for an ass's colt to fulfil scripture so He borrowed one instead of raising one, which would be a burden. It's a contentment. Paul said, (1Ti.6:6) But godliness with contentment is great gain: (7) for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; (8) but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.  God translated Jesus because He didn't have airplanes. (Mat 6: 33) But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. God will give you what you need to do His will but we don't need the burden of idols. However, just “food and covering” aren't enough for most people. (Luk.9:57) And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. (Well, it's easy to say that, but when you find out the conditions, you might not want to go with Him, and so Jesus began to explain the conditions of His lifestyle.) (58) And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Did this potential disciple know what he was getting into? The Lord wanted to make sure that he did before he went, and do we know what we're getting into when we claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ? That's the important thing because God expects and wants us to follow the Lord no matter what, with no excuses, with no looking back at our former life, as the rest of the text says. And yet these are the people who live by miracles. (Luk.9:59) And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. (Notice “me first”.) (60) But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God. “Publish” is diaggéllō, which properly means to “thoroughly declare (publicly herald); fully announce {throughout the world}, ‘declaring far and wide,' i.e. widely (profusely) proclaiming.” (Luk.9:61) And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house. (62) But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Jesus wanted them to go and spread the Good Tidings, but they had very human excuses, which Jesus was not accepting in the least. He told them, “There's something more important than your family or your houses or anything you can think of.” Of course, most of society, and even religious people, will tell us, “Oh, no, these things are very, very important.” We need to have our mind renewed to deliver us from many such traditions that get in the way of our doing what is truly important, because as the Lord Jesus teaches us in, (Mat.6:33) … seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Jesus wasn't sorry that He chose poverty. He was happy for the joy that He was able to bring others through deliverance, healing, provision, and so on. He chose this lifestyle, and, for those who have in their heart the same mind as was in Christ (Philippians 2:5-8), it's their desire, too. The most important thing to them is not the things of the world, but to humble themselves to the Will of God. The rich are distracted by their toys. We're told in, (2Co.8:9) For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich. Some rather near-sighted people read that and say, “Oh, boy! The Lord became poor so we could become rich!” But, read very carefully, “that, though He was rich.” Now, where was He rich? (Php.2:5) Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (8) and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself (Jesus had to humble Himself, and we have to humble ourselves.), becoming obedient even unto death (Humility is denying ourselves to take up our cross and follow Jesus.), yea, the death of the cross. (9) Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name. We can see plainly where He was rich. He was rich in the Kingdom of Heaven with His Father before He laid it all aside and came down here to be a Servant, and to humble Himself unto the death of the Cross in order to bear that Name. While He was down here, He wasn't rich. So notice, “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.” Jesus became poor in order to meet our needs. He sacrificed His whole Life, not just when going to the Cross, but His whole Life, in order to make sure that the Good News of God's all-encompassing provisions was proclaimed far and wide. “That ye through his poverty might become rich.” The “rich” this is talking about is the same kind of “rich” that Jesus laid aside in order to come down here. He's bringing us to His heavenly Kingdom. (1Jn.4:17) … As he (Jesus) is, even so are we in this world. He's not talking about riches down here and none of His disciples understood this to be riches on earth. There is no promise for the rich of the world who are not rich in the provision of the heavenly Kingdom of God. Jesus pointed that out in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, where the rich man didn't see to Lazarus' need (Luke 16:19-31). (1Ti.6:6) But godliness with contentment is great gain. In the New Testament, we are called to be rich in spirit, rich in the gifts of the Kingdom, rich in the “gold and silver” of the Nature of Jesus Christ and, yes, have all material provision that we need to build the Kingdom. This was clearly seen in the lives of Jesus and His first disciples. They were unencumbered by the distracting things of this world. (1Jn2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The promises are for the poor. He preached the Gospel to the poor. (Jas.2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? (2Co.8:10) And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you (So this needs to be fulfilled in us if we are to have the Mind of Christ, Who laid everything aside to become a servant of God and do the work of the Kingdom for our sakes.), who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. (“God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure,” will put this in our hearts as in Philippians 2:13.) (11) But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. In other words, “Hey, let's not be just hearers of the Word, but let's be doers of the Word in providing the needs of the brethren.” Then as we read on down, Paul speaks about how the Lord wanted equality in His people regarding material possessions. (2Co.8:12) For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not. (13) For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed; (14) but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality: (15) as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack. That's referring to the Israelites gathering manna in the wilderness, and it's the principle Paul was using about there being equality among the people. (Exo.16:18) And when they measured it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. When they gathered the manna, they would measure out an omer-full. Then they would put any excess into the container of somebody else who hadn't gathered quite enough, and that way everybody got their needs met. In the Parable of the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30), who couldn't give-up his riches to enter the Kingdom, Jesus said (Mat.19:24) … It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (25) And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved? (Meaning, of course, that they knew this was impossible.) (26) And Jesus looking upon [them] said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Jesus knew God could put the generosity in the heart of the rich to share their riches, as it should be done. (Ecc.5:11) When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes? … (13) There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt. However, to their shame, the rich then made one of the Temple gates the “eye of the needle” because, of course, they wanted to get all the rich people through the Door of the Kingdom more easily.    Jesus was a humble person. Earthly riches were not something that Jesus preached anywhere in His ministry and He rejected it for His Own Life. He raised His disciples to be humble people with a simple lifestyle in order to focus on building the Kingdom. Everything else physical was just a means to an end, but like the Pharisees of that day, the Pharisees of our day are still trying to make Jesus rich. (Joh.19:23) The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. I'm sure you've heard some of the prosperity preachers who say Jesus was rich because of this garment that was completely woven without a seam. That's interesting, though I don't know how anybody could say that made Him rich.  I guess they think He had something that nobody else had, but I submit to you that there's also another reason God describes Jesus' garment in this way. In Revelation, the Bride is clothed with a lampros garment. (Rev.19:8) And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright (That's lampros and it means “shining, magnificent, bright, splendid.”) and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. A seamless garment represents not having mans works involved.. A garment also represents covering-up nakedness, which God likened unto sinfulness (Genesis 3:7,10-11). And also the Scripture teaches, (Isa.59:4) None sueth in righteousness, and none pleadeth in truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. (5) They hatch adders eggs (In other words, that's their fruit.), and weave the spider's web (A spider's web is very porous, and notice it is woven but you can see nakedness or sin.): he that eateth of their eggs dieth; and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. (6) Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. So notice in Revelation that the righteous works or righteous acts of the saints are what the lampros bridal garment represented, but here, these people whose works are wicked, don't have enough works to cover themselves. They are exposed for what they are. We, too, are weaving a garment by our works, and it has to be one that covers our nakedness. The Lord Jesus had this wonderful coat that was woven throughout with no seam of man in it, and it doesn't represent riches at all; it represents righteousness, One Who is walking in truth and righteousness and purity. The wisdom and righteousness Jesus had was not from man, but from God. As a matter of fact, we can see as we read on in our text, that Jesus had no riches. (Joh.19:24) They said therefore one to another, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my garments among them, And upon my vesture did they cast lots. (25) These things therefore the soldiers did. (They were casting lots for probably the only thing of any value that Jesus had.) But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (26) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved (That suggests this is John the apostle, himself.), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (27) Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. What did Jesus provide for His mother during His ministry? He didn't seem to be making a living, and some people would say He was not really successful. We know He was totally successful because, as He told the Father, (Joh.17:4) I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. He raised up a worldwide church but He didn't seem to worry about providing for His mother. When He was leaving, He hadn't arranged for her to have a home or any of the things that a successful preacher would obviously give to his mother. Instead, He passed on His responsibility for taking care of her to one of His other disciples, and that disciple didn't seem to be any better off than He was. Of course, Jesus had taught His disciples that God would supply their every need. (Luk.9:2) And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (3) And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. … (Luk.22:35) And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. That's because everywhere they went, God supplied their need. They freely gave, and they didn't charge a tithe, as some people say. There's not one place in the Scriptures where they ever did that. Jesus said tithing was of the Law (Matthew 23:23). They went by faith and God supplied. It's good to live by faith. (Mat.6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. It's good to walk and to trust in God, but of course, you can't do that if you're materialistic and you want to live on a higher level than God wants you to live. We see plainly in the life of Jesus that the Father did not desire for Him to walk in the way of riches, nor is that healthy for anybody to do. God has called us to walk in the steps of Jesus, in His humility to the Father, and His humility to not try to impress the people around Him. He didn't care anything about being what the world called “successful,” and I think this proves that Jesus wasn't a rich person and wasn't interested in those things, nor was His mother. The physical things, the food, the covering, all these things are necessary but they're just a means to an end, not a love of our life. We're told in (1Jn.2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Jesus' love was God's saints. He was interested in raising up the saints to be able to walk in obedience to the Will of God and to be sanctified and to be pleasing unto the Lord. And we're told that if we have His wisdom, we won't have the wisdom of man. (1Co.1:30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: (31) that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Now let's go to (Mat.13:54) And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? (That's the Greek dýnamis meaning “power, might, strength,” and it's where the word “dynamite” comes from. This is more accurately read, “Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty powers?) (Mat.13:55) Is not this the carpenter's son? In other words, “We know who his father is, so where did He come up with this wisdom and mighty powers? It doesn't make any sense because He's just the son of a carpenter.” Well, it doesn't make any sense only if you were used to nepotism, which they were. All those rich Pharisees and Sadducees and Scribes passed on the “family business” to their sons, just like a lot of the churches do nowadays. When the old man's gone, the son takes over. He's now chosen to be the pastor, but why is it that God always seems to choose the son to be assistant pastor, and then the pastor? Is this not nepotism? Isn't there somebody more qualified who's available? Well, you'd never find it out because of that spirit. Nepotism is the story of the High Priest Eli. (1Sa.2:12) Now the sons of Eli were base men; they knew not the Lord. … (17) And the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord; for the men despised the offering of the Lord. … (22) Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did unto all Israel, and how that they lay with the women that did service at the door of the tent of meeting. (23) And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people. (24) Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress. (25) If one man sin against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord was minded to slay them. Obviously, raising up his sons to take his place didn't work, because they didn't walk in the ways of the Lord and they grabbed for the physical as much as they could, and we're seeing the same thing today. We're seeing Eli ministries everywhere that walk in nepotism and in lust for the things of the world. And God destroyed Eli's sons, which are a type of far too many ministries today. And so, people were questioning how Jesus was teaching and healing and working miracles. They were implying, “Hey, this is not a son of a Pharisee. He's not a son of one of our scribes. He's not a son of a Sadducee. How does the son of a carpenter get all this wisdom and power?” Those Pharisees and Sadducees and Scribes had rich parents, so they went to their Bible schools and entered into the family business, because that's what it really was. Yet, here's somebody that didn't have the same “opportunity” their preachers did. Well, to Jesus, and to the Father, that wasn't an opportunity and that wasn't a blessing. Jesus was in a position of weakness because He was raised up in a family that wasn't well-to-do and didn't have connections, but it made no difference because He wasn't after what those people were after. (Mat.13:55) Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? (56) And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? (They knew His humble family and wondered, “How did this man get this wisdom?” because the only way they knew you could get it was to go to Bible School.) (57) And they were offended in him. (You have heard that familiarity breeds contempt. In other words, “Poor Jesus! He is just a commoner and has no credentials. He has no ‘pedigree.' And His father has no important connections.”) But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. (58) And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. How foolish that people would question the gift because of the way that it came! Even today, that happens. People want to know if you have any “letters” behind your name. They ask, “Are you important?” and “Where did you get this wisdom?” Cannot God just give it to you by studying the Bible on your own? Cannot God lead you by the hand and make you a disciple? We read in (Heb.13:8) Jesus [is] the same yesterday and to-day, [yea] and for ever. He still takes people by the hand and makes disciples of them when they have a personal relationship with Him through the Word of God. Jesus had a personal relationship with the Father. He didn't need any go-betweens. He didn't need any Nicolaitan preachers that were between Him and the Father. He had a personal relationship with the Father and that's where He got His great wisdom and power. It came from the Father. So because Jesus had no credentials, it offended the Eli ministries of His time. Unlike the common people, they wouldn't just sit and listen and accept the gift of God that was coming through Him; they expected something more. Well, God is justified of His awesome works. Glory to God! If you want God's Will, you don't need to be raised up in a mausoleum. (Joh.7:14) But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. (15) The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? (By that, they meant He didn't go to their seminaries.) (16) Jesus therefore answered them and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. (17) If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself. He didn't say they had to go to a seminary of man to get it like the Pharisees did. He said if a person desired God's Will, they would know of the teaching. God will raise you up as a disciple of Jesus Christ. He will take you by the hand. He will lead you. Of course, this is a humbling way, because the world and the worldly church don't recognize you, but the Lord does. He opens doors to the humble people and He will bring it to pass. Amen! Jesus was made known to the righteous because God opened their eyes to see Him, but we know He was rejected of the proud and the religious leaders and the rich people. They just wanted to walk in materialism and so He wasn't recognized of them. (Mar.12:35) And Jesus answered and said, as he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Christ is the son of David? (36) David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. (37) David himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he his son? And the common people heard him gladly. You know, it takes a lot of effort to get a worldly education and you want to believe it's valuable. All those religious leaders had gone through a lot of trouble to get to that place. They didn't want to be humbled; they wanted to be seen as the great people that they thought they were. But the humble people, the common people, they loved to listen to Jesus. Even though He wasn't raised up in their seminary, that made no difference to them. Humility is not an outward show. We read in (Mar.12:38) And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces… Oh, they love to dress “snazzy,” don't they? You have to have a nice suit and stand behind a pulpit but Jesus didn't hold to their traditions of men. That's important to some people, but God said, (1Sa.16:7) … Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. God's not interested in the riches and the finery that a lot of the religious world is interested in. None of that makes you righteous, or smart, or a good teacher. Again in (Mar.12:38) And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces (39) and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts. In the Parable of the Guests (Luke 14:7-11), didn't Jesus teach us to be content in a lowly place, and not to go up higher unless you are called? He said to beware of putting yourself in too high a position because somebody more honorable may come to take your seat, but these people chose for themselves the chief places in the feasts. Well, Jesus wanted to share His gift with people. That was the most important thing to Him. Promoting Himself above people was something He considered totally fleshly. Continuing with (Mar.12:40) They that devour widows houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation. (41) And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. (42) And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites (At current valuation, one mite is approximately 1/16th of a penny.), which make a farthing. (43) And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury: (44) for they all did cast in of their superfluity (That's perisseúō meaning “overflowing abundance, excess, lavishness, prosperity.”); but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Glory to God! We tend to judge in the flesh what humility is, and what submitting to the Will of God is. Jesus complained that all of these people who put in their over-abundance were not sacrificing anything because they still had all of their needs met, but this poor widow gave more than all of them because of what she had left. She knew that God would meet her needs and this is the kind of faith that impressed Jesus. Can you imagine, this poor widow, who humbly gave two mites to the Kingdom, is more famous throughout all of history than any of those unmentioned rich show-offs, who gave to the Kingdom in a display of pride. You know, it is truly what you have left that proves your sacrifice, not how much you give. This lady gave more than all of them according to God's accounting and that was true humility on her part. This impressed Jesus more than the Pharisees and the Sadducees and their ways of dealing with God. You know, Jesus didn't seek the honor that comes from man. He didn't even seek for God to honor Him, but when He didn't seek the honor for Himself, God sought it for Him. (Mat.21:4) Now this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, (5) Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek (The text that's being quoted here is from Zechariah 9:9 where “meek” is translated as “lowly.”), and riding upon an ass,  (Mat.21:5) Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, And riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass. And notice, He even had to borrow this foal of an ass, so we can't say He was rich in the way of the world. However, when Jesus does come back in Revelation 19, we see that He's on a big white horse. Now, I would say, if somebody was rich, and wanted to impress the multitudes, He'd certainly be riding on a big white horse, not the foal of an ass. What was the point He was making? He was making the point that, even though He was King, to be King does not mean materialism in God's Kingdom, and it doesn't mean pride, boastfulness, or being lifted up above anybody in God's Kingdom on earth. He came “lowly...riding upon an ass,” and if our Lord King would do this, what does God expect of us? Does He expect humility of us? I guarantee it. (Mat.21:6) And the disciples went, and did even as Jesus appointed them, (7) and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their garments; and he sat thereon. (8) And the most part of the multitude spread their garments in the way; and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the way. Jesus said, (Joh.14:6) … I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. He is the Way, and He showed us the Way. His method is humility. He expects it of everybody. He doesn't care what the preachers nowadays think. Many are high and lifted up, but in the Kingdom, if they make it, they will be the least because they've disobeyed the principles that Jesus has laid down, the Nature and Character that He's passed on to us, and this humility that He carried throughout His earthly ministry. (Mat.21:9) And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David… Even though He was King, Jesus wasn't seeking any worldly kingdom, but here the Lord honored Him from the simple people. “Hōsanná is a transliteration of the Hebrew hôsî-âh-nā meaning ‘Oh, save now!' or ‘Please save!' It comes from two words, Yahsha, which means ‘O save, deliver,' and nah, which means ‘I pray.'” In both Aramaic and Hebrew, it was originally a cry for help, but then also became used as a cry of happiness. (Mat.21:9) And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. (Mat.21:10) And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, Who is this? (11) And the multitudes said, This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee. So Jesus continued on to Jerusalem and entered the Temple. (Joh.2:14) And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (15) and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers money, and overthrew their tables; (16) and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise. (Jesus complained that the priests and scribes had made the Father's House a “house of merchandise” to profit for themselves.) (17) His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for thy house shall eat me up. He defended the Father's House. He wanted it to be a humble place, a place of prayer for all nations, but they had made it a den of thieves. These days, what is loosely called “Father's House” is once again a den of thieves. It's a place for materialism and for worshipping men who don't share the humility that Jesus has and don't see the importance in it. All worship goes to God; all praise goes to God. He is the supplier of every thing. It doesn't do our flesh any good to be lifted up because, as the Bible says, (Mat.23:12) … whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted. Also, (1Pe.5:5) … all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. And so we have a whole generation of ministry that knows nothing of these principles that Jesus is laying down for us. He said, (Mat.10:9) Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses. And, (Mat.10:8) … freely ye received, freely give. But they know nothing of this and they're not following the Master. They're not disciples of Jesus Christ. A true disciple is a “learner and a follower.” He is somebody who studies the Master in order to walk in His Steps and to do what He did. Notice that when we study the Master, we don't see the mansions that the leaders of Christianity have raised up unto themselves. And sometimes one mansion is not enough for them, neither is one jet plane enough for them, or one Rolls Royce enough for them. (Isa.56:11) Yea, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds (He's calling the leadership of the church “greedy dogs.”) that cannot understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter. What about the equality that Jesus desired to have on this earth? What about the desire for His disciples to share and share alike so that everybody's needs would be met?    Jesus did not want people to profit or to be lifted up in the Father's House. He didn't want people to be esteemed for their physical attributes. Even the Body that God gave unto Jesus was not to be admired. (Isa.53:2) For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. (Jesus was not good looking because He did not want to be followed for that reason.) (3) He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not. God didn't want anybody to follow Jesus for the wrong reason. The apostle Paul, one of the greatest writers of the New Testament, wrote things “hard to be understood” (2 Peter 3:16). He wasn't evidently, even a good speaker (2 Corinthians 10:10), but it didn't make any difference. God wanted people to listen to Paul for the value of those words that he got across to them. God wants His ministers to be humbled. It's the reason Jesus sent His disciples forth without all the provision of the world. Jesus was a King; He had authority. He could multiply the fishes, the loaves, the gold. He could have filled churches. He could have made Himself a Name in the earth. The people wanted to make Him a King, but He refused. (Joh.6:14) When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world. (15) Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone. It was something that the devil had offered unto Him, and Jesus had refused him, too (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). But, you know, there are many people today, even leaders of Christianity or members of the body of Christ, who would take that in a minute. They would be kings and lords over God's heritage. They don't know the principles of God's Word and the principles that Jesus was trying to get across to us in order to humble this old flesh. We have to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. It doesn't do us any good to let this flesh come down off the cross and have its own will. We deny it. We fast. We refuse it to be fed and to live. Thank You, Father, that You give us the ability, Lord, to deny the old man a right to live, a right to speak, a right to lift himself up, a right to pride. We deny it, in Jesus' Name, Lord. Amen! Now, I'd like to share a few revelations with you.     Jesus Is Again Coming in Humility June Johnson - 07/29/2008 (David's notes in red) In a very vivid dream, I saw a donkey in the middle of a road with a baby on its back. It is Jesus birthed in the end-time corporate man-child, whose beastly flesh is in servitude and humility by God's grace. Mat.21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass. Jesus is coming as the latter rain on this morning of the third thousand year day. Hos.6:2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. 6:3 And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: 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. He will anoint the first-fruits man-child first, as it was with Jesus. Just as the Jews expected Him to come as a reigning king over their enemies, the Christians do today. “The things that have been are the things that will be”. Instead, He will come once again in the form of humble servants before coming personally. Next, I heard a car coming and thought to myself, “I had to get the baby out of the road before the car came closer.” The dragon will seek to destroy the corporate man-child, as with Jesus and Moses, but he will be anointed with authority to rule from the throne, as they were. Rev.12:4 And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. 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. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days. The donkey then knelt down and I grabbed the baby and ran. End of dream Jesus will come wherever the beastly flesh is in submission. Others will partake of the Spirit of Christ in them. The fruit of Christ will be served to God's people through a humble body.   Sad State of the Church Michael Boldea I had a dream where I was in a hospital room; it was very clean, and freshly painted. In the room there was a bed with a woman in it. I approached the bed and took a closer look at the woman. She was dressed in a gray robe, and she had a ring on every finger of her hand. From time to time, she would raise her hand, look at her fingers, and smile. For some reason, that smile was the saddest thing I've ever seen. It was crooked, and it exhibited no real joy. As I looked at her the sadness in my heart grew to such intensity that it woke me up. Even awake I could still feel the sadness, and as much as I tried I couldn't get back to sleep. For six days in a row I had the same exact dream; I would see the woman lying in bed, I would be overwhelmed by sadness, then I would wake up. I was so frustrated, not knowing what this meant, that on the seventh day I decided to fast. That night as I went to sleep the dream started again, the same as before. I looked at the woman, she smiled, and the sadness overwhelmed me, but I didn't wake up. The door to the room opened and a man dressed in a white smock walked in holding a clipboard. Before he could say anything, I began asking a barrage of questions. “Who are you? Why am I here? Who is she? Why have I been dreaming this for almost a week?” “Because you waited almost a week to fast”, he said. He must have noticed the stunned expression on my face, because his eyebrows arched upward. “I am a friend”, he continued, “I was sent with a message, be at peace servant, all will be revealed in due time”. “How do I know you're a friend”, I asked. “Because, Jesus is Lord”, he answered. Then he smiled, and I recognized him. I had seen that smile before. Suddenly I was eight years old again, sleeping in the top bunk of the bed I shared with my grandparents, on a cold winter night in Romania. I will remember that night for as long as I live. I had woken up to go to the restroom, but before I could get out of bed, I heard talking below me. My grandfather was talking to someone. I went to peer over the edge to see who it was, and found myself face to face with this same man. He'd smiled at me, and I'd instantly gone back to sleep. “I know you, don't I?” “Yes, we've met once before, but I see you often”, he answered. “Why am I here?” I asked. “Because you murmur, because you have said in your heart that you are on a fool's quest, because you think no one hears, that the message is falling on deaf ears. It is not for you to judge the success the message has in the hearts of others; you were called to be a servant; serve. I was sent to rekindle the fire of compassion in your heart. Compassion for the wayward and the lost, compassion for her”, he said, pointing to the woman in the bed. “Who is she?” I asked. “She is the church”, he answered me. “Content only with the things of this earth, absent of spiritual strength. She is the reason you and others like you were called to forfeit your lives. The sadness you feel when you behold her is nothing compared to the sadness the Father feels for her condition. If she is to stand in the fire, if she is to be victorious, she must be strengthened. She has been in this condition of spiritual paralysis for so long, she believes this is her natural state. If only she knew the power she has access to, if only she knew obedience. The wolves have gathered unhindered, and soon they will strike at her with violence. What will she do if she is unable to defend herself? What will become of the house of God?” “Be faithful, for faithfulness is rewarded. Why do you say in your heart that God should make it easier, that He should ease your trials? Would you rather that pride find its way into your heart when the Father endows you with the gift He has promised? Keep humility as your constant companion, for the humble receive an abundance of grace. Remember if just one soul is spared from the eternal flame, if just one soul is reached and brought to salvation, it is worth a lifetime's labor and sacrifice. One day you will know the number, receive your reward, and be astonished. I must leave now, but whether in the waking hours, or a dream, we will meet again”. The man walked to the bed, looked down at the woman, smiled a sad smile and walked out. As soon as he walked out of the room, and I was alone with her, the sadness began to invade my heart, and I woke up. The reason I share this with you is to ask for your prayers. It is a difficult thing to go to church after church, night after night, and speak a message of repentance that to the hearts of many, has become a foreign concept. The knowledge that if just one heart is reached, if one returns to the narrow path of faith, it is worth it and gives us purpose and new strength. May the light of God shine brightly in your hearts, and may you exhibit Christ wherever you are. Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent”.

The Two Greatest Commands: Christ Came to Fulfill the Law( Matthew 5:17-20 )

You're listening to the Two Rivers PCA church podcast. We are a family of faith gathering around God's redeeming love, growing in the grace of Jesus Christ, and going to serve our neighbors.For more information, visit us at tworiverspca.org.

You're listening to the Two Rivers PCA church podcast. We are a family of faith gathering around God's redeeming love, growing in the grace of Jesus Christ, and going to serve our neighbors.For more information, visit us at tworiverspca.org.

You're listening to the Two Rivers PCA church podcast. We are a family of faith gathering around God's redeeming love, growing in the grace of Jesus Christ, and going to serve our neighbors.For more information, visit us at tworiverspca.org.

A Fake Christianity (4) (Audio) David Eells – 1/12/25 Ask for the Old Paths A.F.- 08/21/2007 (David's notes in red) This dream was so strong and memorable that I knew I needed to pay attention. I dreamed my husband and I bought a new house. It was actually a very old house (the house the Lord raised up 2000 years ago). It had been converted to a restaurant (to feed the true Word). We intended to convert it back to a house. (getting back to what was ordained of God: 1Jn.2:24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father.). It was awful. The decor was old and rotten. Full of heavy, dusty drapes and old furniture made from rare exotic wood but now out of date and unappealing (because of a falling away the original house has fallen into disrepair). As we took possession of the house, we started exploring all the rooms. Many rooms had been added on over the years. (Rev.22:18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book.) The front porch had been converted to a trinket shop full of tacky crafts and dusty Christmas junk (Since man-made religious systems are not supported by God through the faith of the leaders, they resort to Babylonish merchandising.). When I was examining the porch I pulled back the nasty, rotten carpet and found a good clean wood deck underneath (the old foundation). I made a mental note to rip up the carpet, dump the trinkets and merchandise and restore the porch to a place where you could sit and rest (a place to rest from man's works on God's Sabbath). From the porch, there was a stairway that led to another part of the house that had been added on and I was shocked to see how big the house had gotten (Again adding to the Word brings a curse. It was big but not good or effective, like the mega-churches). This particular wing was like a whole house in itself but it obviously had been used for commercial business offices (the merchants of Babylon). There was one narrow blue (heavenly) tiled staircase in this part of the house that had been closed off (men have closed off Jacob's Ladder [Hebrew: staircase] which represented the true path to heaven [Gen.28:12]. Luk.11:52 Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.). In the dream I knew it had once led to a pool or water source of some kind (to the true source of the living Waters of the Spirit Word). Even though it was roped off I tried to look up the staircase and was startled to see what appeared to be an angel at the top (The ministering spirit angels ascended and descended between Jacob and God. Jesus, the Word, said that He was this staircase, the way to heaven and God's way to us [Jn.1:51].). Then the angel began walking down the stairs, saying the area was closed, and then disappeared (It won't be closed much longer; Jesus is coming in His firstfruits to lead the church back to the water of life.). As I toured the house, making notes about what I would do to renovate it, I had a baby boy with me. Sometimes I carried him; sometimes he toddled beside me holding my hand tightly. I knew he was not my natural child but one that I was caring for and I wanted to keep him close to me (The fruit of Christ in the spirit man coming to those who seek the old house with the “old paths.”). I think the house definitely represents apostate religion. It has been used for business for too long and is now rotten and meaningless. I assume the baby boy is the man-child ministry. (The man-child will lead the true called-out ones back to the “old paths.”). Jer.6:16 Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk [therein]. 17 And I set watchmen over you, [saying], Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken. 18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. 19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it. Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in privily, [even] they who were of old written of beforehand unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for self-will), and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Apostate leaders have denied Jesus the Lordship of His Church.   God Reveals the Apostate Leadership B.A. - 06/21/2015 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was inside a two-story house (which represents Heaven and Earth) with a family of seven children who were all boys. (The leadership of the seven churches of Revelation, six of whom represent the apostate leadership of the six church types that were corrected by the Lord in revelation. One is the Man-child leadership of the Philadelphia Church of brotherly love that was praised by the Lord and promised to escape the hour of trial. Rev.3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth: 8 I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name. 9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. 12 He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.) I was standing in the living room on the first floor (which represents the earth; things that are earthly and not from above or Heavenly). (Col.3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. Mat.16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men. And Php.3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. 20 whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. 21 who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.) Immediately, I was sent to the basement level (a place of darkness and deceit) of this home where six of the boys had their bedrooms, along with their mother. (Representing the corporate body of the earthly Church.) The father was not home but in the dream; I knew that “the father” was at work. (The Father is at work to reform the six churches and their leaders through judgment.) Joh.1:5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. Mat.5:15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. I was allowed to enter into each of the children's bedrooms to inspect the condition of their rooms. (As the Lord did to the six churches in Revelations.) Upon entering each of their rooms, I immediately detected a foul, uninviting odor. (This is the smell of rebellion) Amo.4:10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have carried away your horses; and I have made the stench of your camp to come up even into your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah. Their rooms were filthy with dust and dirt everywhere. (Uncleanness represents a lack of sanctification, “without which no man shall see the Lord” [Heb12.14].) I could tell that their rooms had not been cleaned in a very long time. I also opened each of their closet doors and inspected their garments. I wasn't surprised to find filthy, dirty, stinky clothes lying all over the floor. (Garments represent our works.) There were vulgar posters and other disgusting things hanging all over their walls as well. (That which they admire is sin.) I went into their mother's bedroom and it wasn't any better! (The mother reflects the children because they are born from her and are a part of her body.) Also, I was led to go into the basement bathroom that they all shared and it was covered in filth and had a very foul odor as well. I began to pray, as an evil spirit of darkness, like a thick black cloud, was all around me. (The church today reflects nothing we see in the example of the Church in the word.) After this, I was led back up to the first level and found myself in the kitchen, where the mother (apostate church) was preparing food (doctrine of demons) for six of her children. 1Ti.4:1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron. I watched as she placed the food she had prepared onto each of their plates. I couldn't help but notice that the food looked and smelled spoiled and inedible to me, and it was amazing to me how none of them could detect the foul odor or see the spoiled condition of this food. (They have even been known to appreciate the terrible spiritual food fed in the churches. Their leadership has eaten it but they also feed it to the children.) (No spiritual discernment whatsoever! 2Th.2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.) What will happen to the false leadership and their followers is history repeated. They are going into captivity to be devoured by the curse, in hope of their repentance. In Ezekiel 17, there were two great eagles, representing two portions of the great eagle of America; i.e., a civil war. One great eagle was D.S. Babylon which was conquering the eagle of Egypt. Representing God's people who were trusting in Egypt, their arm of flesh, to save them from D.S.Babylon that brought them into captivity. The morning I received this dream I also received Zechariah 5, the story of the apostate woman going into Babylonish captivity. This is an answer to what will happen to the woman and her offspring. At the same time, we received Jeremiah 46:19-28, which is Egypt conquered by Babylon. Many people of God had fled to Egypt to escape the Babylonish captivity, which means they trusted in the arm of flesh and were not in right standing with God to escape. In this text, a remnant learned their lesson and returned to their land, as also in Jeremiah 44:11-14. Then we received the same story again in Hosea 7:7-8:7. Some look around and think that the Satanists, communists, homosexuals, leftists, etc. are tearing down the country and they say it's because we have a bad president. No, he was sent by God. God's Word says that because we have bad Christians, “He” has been tearing down the country with bad leadership. The answer is not to fight or run; the answer is to repent. God took credit in the Bible for sending many kingdoms to conquer His people when they were apostates. Why is it they don't see this? It is because of their lack of love for the truth that they are happily fed garbage by the preachers.  God's people forgot how to read.) Then I found myself standing inside the room of the seventh son. (The place of the Philadelphia Church of brotherly love. The seventh is the place of rest; of abiding in Christ, of Jesus, our dwelling place and refuge.) Psa.91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust.) Upon entering his room, it had the smell of a room that had just been wiped clean. A fresh and inviting aroma permeated the entire room. 2Co.2:15 For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; 16 to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ. I noticed that his bed (resting in the Lord) had been meticulously made. I could see that much care had gone into the making of his bed. (The rest in faith in the Lord's promises is what sanctifies and saves. Those who ran down to Egypt in their own works of the flesh to be saved are in Isa.30:1-3 Woe to the rebellious children, saith Jehovah, that take counsel, but not of me; and that make a league, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin, 2 that set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt! 3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. He said to them in Isa.30:15 For thus said the Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. And ye would not: 16 but ye said, No, for we will flee upon horses (trusting in their flesh of the Beast); therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. 17 One thousand shall flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on a hill. i.e., a remnant.) I listened as he was praying for his family below in the kitchen. And as he was praying, I saw food come down out of Heaven and enter into his body. End of dream. Psa.78:24 And he rained down manna upon them to eat, And gave them food from heaven. Joh.6:31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat. 32 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (The Philadelphia Church is also typed as the Bride, the Church of the Man-child.) Also read confirmations: Church of Brotherly Love Man-child: Born of Philadelphia Church   Vision of Two Rivers Josh Fontaine - 09/01/2015 (David's notes in red) This is a good exhortation. As I looked at this vision, I saw that it was not speaking of two rivers, one good and one bad, but one river which started out clean but was polluted more and more as it passed through man's hands and went downstream. We were all given the Bible from the mountain of God's Kingdom. It is truth, it is pure, but many self-ordained, man-ordained shepherds have perverted it to divide the flock unto themselves. Their walk will not permit them to see the truth and purity. Their idols have deceived them, as in Ezekiel 14. The story of this vision is in Ezekiel 34 and you will notice they had the clear waters in their hand but decided to tweak it to confirm their own evil walk or lifestyles. Eze.34:18 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 (or walk), and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. This is saying, don't trust second-hand and third-hand, etc. word; go straight to the head of the river and read the Bible and listen to the Spirit for yourself. Php.2:12 So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Dirty water will not clean the church. Eph.5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; 26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, 27 that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. In July, I received a vision from the Lord concerning polluted waters and bad fruit. Before I share that vision, I would like to say that I love the church! I'm passionate about the church and I'm more convinced than ever that the church is God's answer for the world. Having said that, it is also important to recognize that we aren't where we should be and the Lord is answering with a pure move of His Spirit in our day. I will attempt to share this vision just as I received it and not add any of my own opinions to it. In the vision, the Lord and I were together in a great valley that stretched several miles in each direction from where we were standing. The Lord led me to the banks of this river and it was a relatively wide river with rapidly-moving water. As we approached the banks, I began to notice a horrible smell coming from the water. Once we reached the edge of the bank, the smell was overpowering me and it reeked like severely stagnant water and when I looked down into it, there was no life in this water, other than tadpoles and leeches, but no vegetation or fish. What I was seeing didn't make sense to me because this was an active, rapidly moving river and should have been full of life. I asked the Lord how this water could be stagnant yet moving so rapidly. The Lord spoke to me and said that this water wasn't stagnant; it was polluted. He then took me up the river to the mouth of it. The river was flowing out of the side of a mountain. Located at the corner of the valley and the mountain there was a very large factory. It was surrounded by a very high fence with razor wire across the top. The large door had a sign written across the top of the door that read “The Modern Church”. At all four corners were high watchtowers with armed guards on each of them. The Lord spoke to me and said that these watchmen were looking for an enemy, but I thought it wasn't the enemy. I asked the Lord whom they considered their enemy and He said that they were watching for any man or woman who would dare challenge the practices of the modern church. He then told me that they were highly trained character assassins and they would stop at nothing to silence the voices of those who would speak out and challenge carnal practices of the modern church system. We went behind the factory where the river ran beside it and there was a concrete ramp leading down into the water. There were people dumping barrels of substances into this water. Each barrel was labeled. I saw labels like: humanism, universalism, carnality, lust, sexual immorality, compromise, greed, and fear of man. He then led me down the river and we came upon a large fruit field. We crossed a bridge and approached the trees. These trees were some of the greenest trees I've ever seen, but when I approached them they were either void of any fruit, or the fruit was molded, rotten and infested by insects. The Lord told me that these trees were meant to bear good fruit, but the roots were tapped into contaminated and polluted water. We then moved farther down the river to a village. I saw people walking around this village. The people were very trendy and modern in their style and dress. I walked up to a man with his back to me and touched his shoulder. He turned around and I stepped back because his eyes were whited out and he was zombified. Death was in his face. I began to declare to him that he was dead, but that I could lead him to life. He began to defend his position with all sorts of philosophies and nothing I said was impacting him. I asked the Lord why the man wouldn't hear me and He said because “He wouldn't endure sound doctrine”. The Lord then told me that this man was the product of people eating rotten fruit and drinking from polluted waters. The part that stood out the most about this encounter with this man was the fact that he was utterly convinced he was alive. He couldn't be convinced of his condition. From here, the Lord then took me into the mountain where the river began. He took me past the factory and into a cave where the water was coming out. He took me up into the mountain and the water flowing through this mountain was the clearest, most beautiful water I've ever seen. (The polluted river had one beginning, one mouth, and it was clean. Its beginning is the Word of the Lord in the mountain that represents the Kingdom of God.) This water was living and vibrant. The Lord spoke to me that this river was the pure movement of His Spirit. He told me that this river was where His power and anointing was found. He said that many people are looking for Him in the “valley of man”, but He wasn't found there. He was found in the hill of the Lord. (This reminds me of Ezekiel 34 where the shepherds partook from the pure waters of the Word but fouled it by their own walk. It was their own factory to turn out duplicates of themselves, so God's solution was to depart from them and take His sheep and minister to them the pure water through his end-time David Man-children.) He told me that He was issuing an invitation to His people to come and flow in this river. He said that even though the invitation was to all of His ministers, many wouldn't tap into it because of what was going to be required to flow there. (They would have to take up their cross to lose their old life but their love of the world won't permit it.) He then gave me the following requirements to stay in the pure river: Only say what He says with no fear of man Honor Him and love Him more than the praise of man Abstain from sexual immorality Never prostitute the gift He has given me for money Stay humble Always be a good husband to my wife and a good father to my children He said if I would maintain these things in my life and ministry, He would allow me to flow in His pure river. He then said if I violate any of these things then I would no longer be able to stay in the mountain of God. He then quoted Psa.24:3 Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He will receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. He said that many ministers begin their ministries in the clean river, but after time, find themselves in the valley. He warned me strongly that once you go down to the valley, though it's possible to make your way back to the mountain, it is almost impossible because many times it will require public repentance and public humility. Many have trouble dealing with their pride in doing that. My prayer in this hour is that the true church of Jesus Christ would rise up with clean hands and pure hearts. There are two rivers flowing. Let's decide to flow where He is flowing.   Satan's Latter Rain Valerie Gleaton - 08/25/2009 (David's notes in red) I wanted to share with you a dream I had in 1996. I told my friend about it the next day because it was a little frightening to me. A few days later, we were at Blockbuster and I ended up renting a film on Nostradamus. (Nostradamus was a false prophet who used occult practices, witchcraft and divination.) I must tell you, I never had an interest in him, nor could I understand why I was compelled to rent this film. I went home and we began to watch the film. I was working on my laptop at the time and really wasn't paying attention to the movie and all of a sudden, I looked up at the TV and witnessed my exact dream unfolding. My friend looked at me and clearly exclaimed, “That's your dream!” I've never shared it with any of my former pastors because I believed they would not be able to help me understand it. It would be great if you could provide me with an understanding of it. This dream is still as vivid to me today as if I had it last night. The setting was an Old English-type. I had exited from this old, stone building leading out to a cobblestone street. (The stone building is God's true Church of old times, for we are the stones of His Church when we “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints”. The stone street is walking on the Word of God.) There was a black full-size car parked across the street next to a two-foot, stacked, stone wall. Just as I reached the rear of the car, I looked up and saw the clouds turn dark gray and they began to roll like storm clouds. (Coming tribulations.) Then they rolled back and black rain began to come down on my children and me. (This is Satan's latter rain of false anointings and doctrines coming to attack the church. Nostradamus was used to symbolize these. He not only was into divination, a false prophecy anointing but was also devoted to Catholicism and its false doctrines. “Catholic Church” means “Universal Church” because it was a unifying of false religions, including apostate Christianity, into a one-world order religion, a type for our day. This black rain is like the Dragon/Serpent of Rev.12:15-16 spewing a river of lies out of his mouth to catch the woman and her children, but the earth swallowed these lies.) Crying with panic, I ushered my children into the car and told the driver to get them out of there. They were crying and did not want to leave me. As they drove off, they were up in the rear window, crying and reaching out for me. (The immature will have to be carried out of this deception to the secret place of the Most High by the mature - Rev.12:14; Psa.91.) I picked up a bicycle and prepared to ride it, as I stood and watched them go down the hill. (Children have to be carried on four wheels but riding a bicycle represents balance, without which one falls, and forward motion, without which one falls.) End of dream. In the film, it was exactly the same, except it was a Caucasian man and his two children, a boy and a girl, whereas I had three children, a girl and two boys.   False Knowledge and the Great Falling Away G.W. - 05/21/2008 (David's notes in red) I had a dream of walking into this beautiful glass building. As I looked into the room, I noticed that there were stacks and stacks of books everywhere in this room. I then looked up into the air of this building and I noticed people falling out of the air on top of these books. They would land on the stacks of books and fall down dead. I then looked up again to where they were falling from and instantly I was on the top balcony of where these people were falling from. I then saw a guy that was about to jump off the balcony onto the books below. I noticed in his hand was the first chapter of Ephesians. I then began to warn him, “Do not jump! You have to look at the Bible that is in your hand!” Without any hesitation, he said, “Oh, no. I'm going to jump.” He then turned around and jumped to his death without any hesitation. I then turned around and I saw this large wooden room that was empty. Immediately I sensed demonic presence all around the room. I began to cast out the presence in Jesus' Name. Immediately I awoke in the fear of God to meditate on the dream and 2 Thessalonians 2:3 came to mind: “let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition”. The very evil heart of the glass house of apostate religion is not hidden from God or man. These people are relying on false perceptions of the sure salvation mentioned in Ephesians 1. They are trusting in all the false knowledge of the books that religious men have written to give them a false justification and eternal security. Their false hope is that this will cushion their fall from grace to spiritual death(?)   Resting in the Midst of Chaos K. H. - 05/20/2011 (David's notes in red) At the beginning of the dream, I was with two other young women in the living room of a one-story white house. (Curt Bryan had a dream that we were all in a white house and I was warning people to stay inside; a fire was outside and it burned everything a foot deep but it stopped at the property line.) Shortly after I realized I was there in the room, I felt in my spirit that we needed to hide because someone was coming to look for us. So, we all crouched down under the windowsill. Then I saw a man dressed in all black with a button-down shirt and nice pants. It looked like a uniform but it had no identifying marks on it. He ran up to the window and looked in the house to see us but he couldn't see us. Psa.91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I noticed that the window was open slightly and there was a screen blocking him from being able to stick his hand in the house but he pulled a long sewing needle out of his pocket and stuck it through one of the holes and tapped the windowsill with the needle. He quickly removed the needle and ran away from the house. As soon as he ran away, I looked outside the house and saw there was chaos like I had never seen in the street. People were running all over the place and there were burning homes and lots of destruction all over the area. I was unsure of what had happened to cause this chaos but I knew it was a judgment from the Lord. As I was looking at what was happening, I noticed a sister from our local fellowship. She was standing outside of her house and looking at what was going on. It struck me because, just like me, she was at peace. (In these times ahead, we will see many things that will be troubling and will cause unrest amongst many people around the world but His children who abide in Him will have peace. Praise God! Joh.14:26 But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. Then, I saw a group of between 10-20 dark-skinned men running up the street. (Those walking in darkness.) I was surprised to see that their heads were on fire; they had been burning for so long that their brains were exposed. (When I told my mom about their heads being on fire, my mom said, “Coals of fire.” (These are the enemies who have persecuted God's people and are under His wrath for it. Rom.12:20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.) This led me to look up Psalm 18 which is about judgment and preservation.) The men ran to a house a few houses away from the house I was at and stopped. One man ran up to the front door and knocked. Reverend Jesse Jackson answered the door. The man asked him, “Why is this happening to us?” He said, “You're toxic!” (And you are in bad shape if Jesse is looking down on you and considers you toxic.) I then was back in the house with the other two women and I had a feeling in my spirit that I needed to go because the uniformed man from the beginning of the dream was coming back with more men to lay siege to the house I was in. I immediately was translated from where I was. (There is no place that God cannot save you. Translations will be very common in the days ahead.) The next thing I knew, I was on a very green mountain top and the sun was shining very brightly. On the right, in the corner of my eye, I saw a large shadow coming and as I looked up I saw that it was huge wings overhead, covering me. (I was reminded of Psa.36:7 How precious is thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge under the shadow of thy wings.) Then I woke up. (It is the Psalm 91 Passover.) Shortly after I woke up, the Lord spoke this scripture to me: Isa.63:8 For he said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not deal falsely: so he was their Saviour. I then read the verses above and below that verse that He spoke to, which says: 7 I will make mention of the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah, and the praises of Jehovah, according to all that Jehovah hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. 8 For he said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not deal falsely: so he was their Saviour. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. The understanding that the Lord gave me about this dream was that there was nothing to worry about in the times to come, just to stay close to Him and trust Him to protect and watch over me and the rest of His children. Thank you, Lord!   Why BUY Strong Delusion? B.A. - 04/20/2012 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was in some kind of strange church building with no name. (It did not have the name, which means the true nature, character and authority of God, and it was strange because I didn't recognize their Jesus.) 2Pe.2:1 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. I saw a long line of people going down to an altar to look into a small bowl (the golden calf). Exo.32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. 2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. 3 And all the people brake off the golden rings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. 4 And he received it at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it a molten calf: and they said, These are thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. On their way to the bowl, there was a large coffer and people would walk by and throw their money into the coffer, then they would proceed on for their opportunity to look inside this bowl. (This is the way that leads to death -- laying up an earthly treasure in an earthly box, trying to buy their way into God's gifts.) Mat.6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. I watched this for a while and was curious as to what was in that bowl and why some people were giving large amounts of money just to get the privilege of looking into this bowl. Pro.14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death. I watched as a man in a nice business suit (trying to make the flesh look good) went up to the coffer and put in a large check. I thought to myself, Wow, there must be something really special in that bowl. I decided to go have a look inside this bowl for myself. I didn't have any money with me to put into this coffer, but no one was paying attention to me anyway. (I wasn't trying to buy my way into God's kingdom. Also, I didn't look like them, so they weren't interested in me.) As I approached the bowl (idol), I could detect a foul odor. (Worshipping idols and walking in unholiness is a stench in the nostrils of God. We can be a sweet aroma to God in repentance and cleansing from sin.) (Num.15:3) And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savior unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock. It didn't seem to bother anyone else, but as I got closer to the bowl the smell became almost unbearable, like fire and brimstone. I quickly looked down into the bowl and, to my surprise, all I saw was the bottom of the bowl. I thought to myself, What are these people paying for? I don't see anything. (People are pouring money into churches that offer no spirituality in return whereas the Lord gives freely. Isa 55:1-3 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.  3  Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Jesus commanded His disciples in Mat.10:8, “freely you have received, freely give.”) The smell of the bowl was so overwhelming that I had to go outside and get some fresh air (a fresh breath of the Holy Spirit outside the camp where a legitimate sacrifice of flesh should be). I saw a couple of people standing around, so I went up to them and asked them, “What did you see in the bowl?” A woman who was standing in the group with a lot of makeup on her face (apostate church [faking spiritual beauty] and hiding behind their false doctrine), spoke up and asked me, “What did you mean by asking that question?” I said, “Well, I went and looked into the bowl and I didn't see anything but the bottom of the bowl”. She said to me, “If you had spiritual eyes like we do, you wouldn't have any trouble seeing what was in the bowl”. (Having self-delusion and pride will keep anyone from God's gift of true spiritual sight.) Joh.3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Rom.8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 2Co.4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Rom.1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And Rom.11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. Her words troubled me, as I believe that I do have spiritual eyes to see. There was a bench nearby, so I decided to go over and sit down to think about this bowl and what this woman said to me. As I was sitting there, an elderly man came up to me and asked if he could share the bench with me (a messenger from God). I said, “Sure, there's plenty of room for the both of us”. He said, “I couldn't help but notice your troubled face. I'd like to listen if you would like to share what's troubling you”. So I told this nice man about the bowl and what the woman had said to me. I told him I was concerned because I thought I did have spiritual eyes and didn't know why I couldn't see what they saw. (Those of us who come to the true knowledge of God will not have any problems seeing through the lies with our spiritual eyes.) This kind, elderly man said to me, “Daughter (Jesus?), you do have spiritual eyes and there is nothing wrong with your spiritual eyes”. I said, “Then why couldn't I see what was in that bowl like the other people?” He said to me, “It's their eyes that can't see”. They have hardened their hearts to the truth, therefore, God sent them a strong delusion to believe a lie. 2Th.2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. I said, “I don't understand what you mean. Can you please explain what you mean to me?” He said, “Did you notice that they all had to pay and some had to pay dearly for the privilege of looking into that bowl? That's not acceptable to God”. (The Lord means charging people a tithe by putting them under the law in the New Testament for their bowl of spiritual food is an abomination. If you have to buy it, then it's not true food. God wants a freewill offering from the heart -- 2 Corinthians 9:7. Jesus said tithing was of the Law -- Matthew 23:23-24. Ministers must freely give what they freely received and walk by faith -- [Read Greed and the Tithe.] Because of Jesus' commands they learned to walk by faith. Mat 10:8-10  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.  9  Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;  10  no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. He said, “When they looked into that bowl, each one of them saw what they wanted to see or what they paid to see. The truth of the matter is, there was nothing in the bowl, as you saw for yourself; and because you did not pay to look into the bowl, the Lord allowed you to see the truth.” Mat.6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. If your eye is totally focused on Jesus Christ, who is “the light of the world”, then everything that enters into you will be Him and you will be full of Him. When you are full of Him, you are like Him. PTL!   Beware the Flood of the Serpent G.C. - 09/11/2008 (David's notes in red) The living waters that Jesus said would flow out of believers are thoughts, words and ways of the kingdom, which bring life. The waters that the serpent casts out of his mouth in Revelation 12 to destroy the woman are the thoughts, words and ways of the devil sent to pervert and destroy God's people. The strong have been able to use the media of the world in relative safety but it is becoming more and more dangerous as porn is common on TV and even religious TV and radio are imparting demons to Christians. The time will soon come when we should use none of their media and is here already in most cases. The wilderness will become more and more separation from the things of the World. UBM intends by God's grace to create a Christian channel that will be Unleavened Bread to feed God's people. God's people were warned in Exodus 12 that during the last seven days, as types of years, if leaven was found in the people's houses they would be cut off from His people. If a little leaven leavens the whole lump, what will a lot of leaven do from the world? There can be no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness even now. Fellowship is giving and receiving. When we go to the world it should be only giving and not receiving of their thoughts, words and ways. In any relationship with the lost we are not to be yoked to unbelievers. Permission is only given in marriage when the believer is already married to one so that they may be saved through your faith and example. In a dream, I was living a simple existence in the deep woods. Anytime I needed to travel somewhere, I would swim through a deep creek that would take me anywhere I needed to go. This creek was my lifeline to the outside world. I did not have a car or any means of transportation, so the creek was my bridge to the outside. I enjoyed the creek and was pleased to be able to use it. At some point in the dream, I was standing on the bank of the creek with my brother in the Lord, CJ. We looked over to our left and saw a massive wall of floodwater rushing toward us from upstream. The floodwater swept through the area and swelled the creek. After the floodwaters came through, the creek was polluted. The floodwaters had brought massive amounts of large snakes and fish into the creek. CJ and I could see all types of large snakes on the shores of the creek and hanging from the trees, as well as swimming through the water, all of which were brought in from the floodwaters. The creek no longer appeared safe and useful like it had once been. CJ said that he would never get in the creek again because of all the snakes. I told him that I was not afraid of the snakes, and they could not hurt me. I don't know if this was false bravado or confidence in the Lord, but nonetheless I was not about to let these snakes scare me off from using the creek. I told CJ I was going to swim in the creek like I had always done. I got in the creek and began to swim through it. I could feel all the fish and snakes in the water; my feet would brush against them and it would feel strange but I continued swimming. I noticed a lot of snakes but I was not scared, even though many of them seemed dangerous. Then after a few minutes of swimming, I glanced backwards and saw a very large, hideous snake coming toward me. For the first time I began to realize this was not a good idea, and I realized the creek was no longer a safe place. The snake swam up to me and he was two feet around and had rows of razor-sharp teeth like a shark's. He was going to bite me for sure! I straddled him, put my hands inside his mouth, and grabbed onto his jaws to keep him from biting me. To my surprise he could not or would not bite me; he could have easily bitten my hands off but somehow his jaws were frozen. I managed to swim back to shore and vowed never to use the creek again. It was no longer the same useful tool that it had once been; now it was totally overtaken by vile creatures. Over and over I keep seeing the verse, even in the dream this came to mind. The floodwaters that rushed through the area reminded me of it: Rev.12:14 And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. I strongly feel that the creek is our connection to the world; it is our comfort zone. It represents habit, ease and easy access to modern society. I was living in the wilderness but I still had this way to the world if I wanted, like a bridge. As Christians, we live in the world but we are not supposed to be like the world. In the past, it has been possible for Christians to do who live amongst society, all the while remaining spotless. But I feel that there is coming a time that if we do not completely and utterly abandon everyday modern habits of interacting carelessly in secular society, we ourselves will become demon-infested. For a long time, God has had grace on many in the kingdom because of the fact that it's almost impossible to completely separate yourself from society and the world. But I feel there is coming a time, and now is, that the world and its members will be so full of evil and demonic oppression that we will have to completely separate ourselves from them, except to give the message of the Gospel. Our whole being will be solely for the Gospel -- nothing else. I feel that once the Serpent's flood comes at the beginning of the wilderness God will totally cut off and curse our bridges to the world. He is doing this because he is cutting off Egypt and He does not want us to swallow the polluted rivers of water that the whole earth is about to drink. There is about to be a great demonic outbreak and God is going to spiritually quarantine us by destroying all those old paths and bridges to the world. God is warning us that He is about to curse Egypt and make a separation between them and His people, to keep us from receiving their plagues. The things that God has had grace on for years are about to expire and He will no longer allow safe passage back and forth from Egypt to the wilderness. If we seek to continue traveling to and fro, from the two worlds like an open border we may very well lose our life.   God Said, “Go! Gather the People!” B.A. - 05/26/2013 (David's notes in red) In a vision, I saw an angel of the Lord come down out of Heaven and give David Eells a scroll-like piece of paper. (David represents the Man-Child company of Davids.) I walked over to David and I was allowed to read the wording on the top of the page and it read, Greater UBM in bold letters and under that on the second line, in slightly smaller letters, it read Member List. (Meaning members of Jesus' body in greater UBM.) The angel of the Lord spoke this message to David: “Go! Gather the people on this list.” I discerned that this was a command from the Lord to His Davids, that very soon they will be gathering His people to go to the feast! (God is going to send the Man-child Davids to gather the Woman company out of Babylon and take them into the wilderness where they will be nourished.) Rev.12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days. (The overcomers will walk on the highway of holiness and be sanctified.) Isa.35:8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness (separation from the world); the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein. (They will be feasting on the unleavened bread, the true word of God for the seven years.) Exo.23:15 The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep: seven days (the seven years of tribulation) thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it thou camest out from Egypt); and none shall appear before me empty: (They had to bear fruit.) Exo 12:15 Seven days (the seven years of tribulation) shall ye eat unleavened bread (pure truth); even the first day ye shall put away leaven (pollution) out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. This command to the Man-child ministers to “Go! Gather the people” will be a repeat of history, as the Lord said it would be. Ecc.3:15 That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away. Exo.3:2 And the angel of Jehovah appeared unto him [Moses] in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. ... 10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt (the world). Moses was incapable, according to his own witness, to lead God's people out of Egypt and through the wilderness tribulation. Father chose him to prove that His power is made perfect through man's weakness. This is a type for the Man-child ministers who will do the same thing. The wilderness represents a lack of dependency on man and instead learning of our supernatural supply from Heaven. It was a place of testing to weed out the unbelieving mixed multitudes, meaning part Christian and part world. The flesh of Israel died in the wilderness. Their children, representing the fruit of the spiritual man, went into the Promised Land. The faithful Joshuas and Calebs were alive and remained to enter the spiritual land of milk and honey in their body. Eze.20:33 As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I be king over you: (as it was in Egypt before the people went into the wilderness tribulation) 34 and I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out; 35 and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face. 36 Like as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you, saith the Lord Jehovah. History will repeat. 37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; 38 and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am Jehovah. 39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Go ye, serve every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me; but my holy name shall ye no more profane with your gifts, and with your idols. No more denominations or demonizations among them to distract their allegiance. 40 For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord Jehovah, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them, serve me in the land: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first-fruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. 41 As a sweet savor will I accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations. 42 And ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I sware to give unto your fathers.

2024 - 11 - 17 - A Right Understanding Of The Law - Matthew 5v20 - 26 - Allan Dagleish.Edited by Weekly Sermon from Whanganui East Baptist Church

“Christ, the Christian, and the Law”Matthew 5:17-20I. CHRIST'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE LAWII. A CHRISTIAN'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE LAW AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

Principle 9 – Matthew, Fulfilling the Law    Matthew 5:13-19As Christ-followers, we are to reflect the law's requirements by loving one another. Support the show

Date: September 15, 2024 | Preacher: Rev. Shawn Slate | Series: The Sermon on the Mount

Kevin Anderson speaks from Matthew 5 on how Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets.

Good morning and welcome to Life Church! Join us this morning as Pastor Drew Tucker continues our study of the Sermon on the Mount in the Book of Matthew. For more news and updates or to sign up for our weekly emails, please visit our website: https://www.lifechurchclt.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechurchclt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechurchclt --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lifechurch/support

Sermon Notes:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xfmTHgxyfSmwtqsok0aeptYaRoFv-Nhk/view?usp=drive_linkSubscribe to our channel:https://www.youtube.com/shepherdshouseazFor more information about Shepherd's House Bible Church or to help support this ministry, please visit us at www.shepherdsaz.orgWebsite: shepherdsaz.orgInstagram: @shepherdshouseazFacebook: /shepherdshouseazTiktok: @shepherdshouseazYoutube: /shepherdshouseaz

Lead pastor, Joseph Rahm, speaks through Matthew 5:17-20 on Jesus and the Law.

Welcome to Episode #155 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our third of eight episodes in our Twentieth mini-series entitled, Sermon on the Mount. On today's episode we'll be looking at very short teaching of Jesus' found in Matthew 5:17-20. While short, this teaching is perhaps the pinnacle teaching of Jesus in his humanity. Jesus came to fulfill the LAW.We're just getting started in the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus counsels his disciples on the moral and ethical behavior of believers in the kingdom of Heaven. A kingdom that Jesus brought to earth following his death, resurrection, and ascension. Entrance into the kingdom begins at rebirth in the Holy Spirit and is permanent. Colossians 1:13-14 – He [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.I encourage you to listen to our last episode (#154) where I go deep into that topic to address our being Salt and Light. Which was the lesson Jesus taught after beginning his sermon with the Beatitudes. Believers are Salt and Light while we live in the world but are not of the world. Remember, we are living in the kingdom of Heaven, not in the dominion of darkness.Let me make a brief detour and cover this before moving on. Hopefully this will either affirm what you already know and be an encouragement or get you a little antsy as you do not yet conform to what the text says. I was very antsy once myself; so take heart if that is you. Listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling you as you hear this and then do what He says. I really don't think he'd tell you to turn off this podcast; but that may just be me saying that – full disclosure.Now about not being of the world. While Jesus was speaking this sermon to his disciples' crowds of people “of the world” were gathering on the mountain side below them. Would Jesus have described his disciples as people of “the world?” Think again…

Bob Campanella teaches from these verses to show Jesus was not coming to abolish the Law but to preserve it, by fulfilling it.  Jesus defends the relevancy and permanency of the Law in these verses.

June 30, 2024 | Pastor Michael Apraku continues the sermon on the mount series "Kingdom Living in a Chaotic World."

In episode 46 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Matthew Rogers about Kayden's Law. Kayden's Law was signed in as a new law by Gov. Josh Shapiro on April 15, 2024. This law, drafted and passed in the aftermath of the murder of Kayden Mancuso, is intended to create greater safeguards for children by placing a greater emphasis on considering a party's history of abuse or convictions of certain crimes. This law creates a rebuttable presumption where a history of abuse exists, and introduces a greater reliance on supervised custody arrangements and supervised custody providers. Rogers and Weems discuss the broader changes Kayden's Law brings to the custody code, and what we should expect as it becomes integrated into custody cases. Matthew Rogers is a partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel and is located in the firm's Pittsburgh office. He concentrates his practice on all aspects of family law and estate planning and administration. Rogers is experienced in navigating the complexities of family law, ensuring that emotions are appropriately addressed while focusing on achieving favorable outcomes. The Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa. *audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges what it truly means to follow God's law. Looking at the Law according to Jesus, we see that it goes deeper than what we initially expect. In this episode, Pastor Christian Kemp dives into Matthew 5 and looks at what Jesus has to say about the condition of our heart. Get Connected! https://linktr.ee/reachtulsa

The Law calls to attention humanities need for a savior. Jesus is our savior, the fulfillment of the Law, who invites us to know the heart behind it all...LOVE.

This is a continued verse-by-verse study of the book of Matthew. 5/19/24 Series: That's What He Said Matthew 5:17-20 Speaker: Phillip Santillan Clarity Church gathers every Sunday at 10:00am at Edinbrook Elementary School in Brooklyn Park, MN

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Matthew 5:17-20

Join Pastor Cameron as he reminds us that Christ came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. And as we follow Christ, we fulfill the Law too, not as an external mandate but as a inward reality. 

Q. 135. What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?A. The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavours, to preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting all thoughts and purposes, subduing all passions, and avoiding all occasions, temptations, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; by just defence thereof against violence, patient bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit; a sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep, labor, and recreation; by charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, kindness; peaceable, mild, and courteous speeches and behavior: forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil; comforting and succoring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent. — Westminster Larger Catechism Matthew 5:21-26

“[Jesus] is saying that our attitude to the law of God is an index of our attitude to God himself. If we treat the law lightly and encourage others to do so, we show that we are strangers to the promise of the new covenant in Christ. But if we love and keep even the least of the Lord's commandments, and we encourage others to do so as well, that is a sure mark that we love Christ and belong to his kingdom.”— Sinclair Ferguson Matthew 5:17-20

Jesus explains that he does not intend to render the Old Testament Scriptures null and void, but to fulfill them through his life and teaching. Therefore, we need to highly value the Old Testament by reading it and developing righteous patterns from the heart.

Principle 9 – Matthew, Fulfilling the Law    Matthew 5:13-19As Christ-followers, we are to reflect the law's requirements by loving one another. Support the show

Reading Matthew 8:14-22 where Jesus heals Peter's Mother-in-law and responds to two disciples who say that they want to follow Him but don't have the heart for it. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Today we are continuing our conversation about mental health and faith and caring for our hearts with identity coach Ray Leight. Ray and his wife Kathryn lead Faith by Grace, a coaching practice and ministry designed to equip people to do deep inner work to live lives of freedom and joy. Ray shares with me today how the Lord led him into ministry and a passion for identity coaching through his own journey of coping with trauma as well as living with undiagnosed neurodivergence and bipolar two until he was well into adulthood. Ray brings some really fascinating insights into this conversation that brings to the surface some of the points of contention that can confuse Christians about spiritual healing, maturing in faith, and neurological and biological roadblocks that occur genetically or as a result of trauma and life experience. Have you ever had a breakthrough in a struggle and then after time you feel like you go backward? Have you ever questioned God's healing in your life? Do you lack clarity with terms like ‘codependency' or ‘boundaries', but find it confusing about how that might actually apply practically? I'd love to invite you to give this conversation a listen with Holy Spirit-led discernment for your healing journey. His discernment is always available to those who call on Him! And I ALWAYS want to encourage you to pursue His leading in any conversation we have! But I think some of the things we discuss today touch on places we can get tripped up in the church, so I just want to remind us all to have ears to hear and hearts tuned to the One who made us and will bring us to the day of completion.  We are professionals with our  tools we fashion for survival, aren't we? But friends, we have to hand over those tools to the Carpenter who made us by hand and have Him give us new tools, new skills, and new ways of living life. The Lord can and will recalibrate and reset what you have always known and how you have coped.  God's goodness and mercy and hope are always there and are always enough as we walk out this journey. As Ray shared,  “It is not selfish to care for yourself.” In fact, it honors God and makes space for Him to continue doing a work in you. You matter, my friend. Your story matters. Connecting with Ray: Book: Maturing into Yourself  (Other books) Facebook Instagram Twitter Website (and Coaching information) Sponsor for this Episode: Hopefuel Use the code 'SIMPLY15' for 15% off Instagram Website Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you feel you cannot financially commit at this time, would you please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts? My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story. References:  Bipolar 2 ADHD CRU (Campus Crusade)  Life Builders Leanne Payne's Pastoral care model  Bethel Church (Just a quick word of using the Holy Spirit-led discernment here)  Sozo and shabar work (same here) We're all just spiritual beings walking around in earth suits - Well I royally screwed this one up. I merged multiple quotes together and CS Lewis didn't say one of them. Good times. But this was insightful.  On-Site Podcast on Treating Trauma, and the other about Living Centered- (this is the episode I was listening to) - On-site is a REALLY sound resource at the intersection of faith and mental health.  codependency Finding a New Normal The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Bod in the Healing of Trauma- Bessel van der Kolk (this is an incredible resource for understanding how trauma and experiences stored in the body and affects us over time) An example of a study of people believe that they are actually saved or not Also studies of what do people mean when they say they're Christian and how Americans and faith have shifted since the pandemic Example of some stories we've heard on the podcast of spiritual things we may or may not understand Tessa Afshar, Michael Heiser, and Todd Nettleton. “Beloved is where we begin.” Scripture References:  Genesis 3 - Adam and Eve believed the lie and ate the fruit  John 8:42-47- We have an enemy that lies to us  Romans 5, Romans 14:16-19, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6,  2 Timothy 1:7- Kingdom of the world is fear, shame, and guilt. Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit   Deuteronomy 6:4-7,Matthew 22:37-40,Mark 12:30-31,Luke 10:27-We are called to love the Lord our God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength Philippians 1:6- Jesus is working on you until the day of completion  Psalm 51:10-19- Create in me a clean heart oh God John 16:33- In this world you will have trouble  John 10:10- He is the One who gives us life and to the full  Galatians 5:22-23- Fruits of the Spirit  1 Corinthians 12- Gifts of the Spirit  2 Corinthians 5:17- You are a new creation  Jeremiah 17:9- The heart is deceitful above all else Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10- We are given a heart of flesh for our heart of stone Hebrews 10:16, Jeremiah 31:33- Jesus wrote the Law on our hearts Hebrews 10- Jesus fulfilled the Law Matthew 28:19-20- We are called to go and share the Gospel  The Holy Spiri has the power to save  John 17- Jesus talking to God about bringing Him glory in the garden  Ephesians 1, Romans 8:31-39- Your identity is who you are in Christ Matthew 13:31-32-Faith of a mustard seed parable Matthew 7:5-Take the log out of your own eye  Mark 12:30-31- Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself 1 John 4:19- We love because He first loved us Ephesians 3:14-21- How vast God's love is for us Romans 5:8- While we were still sinners (us and all our issues) Christ died for us Colossians 1:24-27-Christ in You the hope of glory Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

The Sermon of the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, is Jesus' first public sermon and longest recorded in the gospels. Jesus' main focuses in these chapters is what we belong to (the Kingdom), who we belong to (the Father), and how we interact with both (love and obedience). It is the constitution of the “upside-down Kingdom”. Here, losing is winning, suffering is joy, and enemies are loved. When people persecute us they get blessed. When there is division and strife, we stand as peacemakers. When we are struck with insults, we refuse to retaliate but instead manifest a crucified lamb. It is a kingdom where our time is not devoted to how much money we can make but how obedient we can be to the Father. It is where the meek inherit the earth not the strong and the politically savvy. In this kingdom, we give, pray and fast in secret and there is no need for anxiety concerning tomorrow. This is the only way of life for the Church and what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus.

Context: This is King Jesus' Inaugural address. He starts with who belongs in the kingdom of God and builds on that to describe what those people are like on the outside (salt and light) and on the inside. Now, Jesus turns up the temperature – this is some of the hardest ethical teachings in world history. WHAT DOES IT SAY? “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” – Jesus means not only everything already spoken in the OT law, but also what he is about to discuss. Cf Galatians 3:24-26 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith… “Until everything is accomplished” – cf Matthew 24:34: 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? What's the role of the OT in the lives of Jesus' followers? We read ALL of Scripture through Jesus. He is the hermeneutical key – he is the one through whom we interpret the Bible through. God is consistent. What God desires for flourishing in the OT is the same in the NT. Jesus is fully interpreting the law, not changing it. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? Read the OT! You will understand Jesus and your faith in new ways through it! Jesus raises the bar on how precious humanity is. ABOUT RACHEL: Rev. Rachel Toone joined Montreat College in July 2018 as the Dean of Spiritual Formation. She holds a B.A. in Theology from Whitworth University, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and she is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity School for Ministry. Rev. Toone is an ordained teaching elder by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. When she is not working, Rev. Toone enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading old books. RESOURCES: Nicole's Book: Help My Bible Is Alive! Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com FOLLOW NICOLE: Website: https://nicoleunice.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is having a church culture bad? Nope!   But the Pharisees can teach us a lot about what kind of culture we DON'T want to create.    Get our 365-day New Testament daily devotional book: https://amzn.to/3BTEQfA (affiliate link)   Get your free copy of the simplified New Testament outline here: https://kristenwalkersmith.com/new-testament-simplified/    And grab Cali's scripture study guide here: https://comefollowmestudy.com/shop/ Discount code: OMSS Or for a physical copy:  https://amzn.to/40CF5pW (affiliate link)