Podcasts about that israel

“To be a Jew is to know that because of who we are, because of our historical experience, we care for the other. This is really one of the great tensions of our moment. Of how to be eyes wide open to Israel's need for self-defense, and at the same time recognize the real suffering that's going on in Gaza and to know that we need to find a way to hold both of those together.” Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, spiritual leader of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, explores the complexities of Jewish identity in a post-October 7th world in his new book, For Such a Time As This: On Being Jewish Today. In this conversation, he unpacks the tension between Israel's need for self-defense and the suffering experienced by Gazans and Israelis and the challenge of balancing empathy with vigilance. He also shares his personal journey to the rabbinate and what it means to live as a Jew in this pivotal moment. *The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC.  Sign up for AJC Global Forum: Register at AJC.org/GlobalForum2025 for the premier global Jewish advocacy conference of the year, in New York City, April 27-29 2025 Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: with Hen Mazzig, Einat Admony, and more. People of the Pod:  The Oldest Holocaust Survivor Siblings: A Tale of Family, Survival, and Hope Israeli Hostages Freed: Inside the Emotional Reunions, High-Stakes Negotiations, and What's Next Bring Them Home: Understanding the Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal and Its Impact Pack One Bag: Stanley Tucci and David Modigliani Uncover His Jewish Family's Escape from Fascism and Antisemitism in 1930s Italy Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. __ Transcript of Conversation with Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove:  Josh Kramer: AJC Global Forum is returning to New York City, April 27 to 29th 2025. I'm Josh Kramer. AJC New York Regional Director, and I hope to see you there. You won't want to miss this opportunity to join with more than 2000 other activists and engage in thought provoking discussions on the future of the Jewish people, Israel, America, and the world.  Our program will feature large plenary sessions with headline speakers, smaller breakout sessions designed to explore the key political, strategic and social concerns affecting the global Jewish community, and exclusive opportunities to engage with diplomats, decision makers, interfaith partners, community leaders and more.  Will you be in the room? Register today at AJC.org/GlobalForum2025 to take part in the premier global Jewish advocacy conference of the year. Now is the time to join AJC in shaping a new future. Head to AJC.org/GlobalForum2025. Manya Brachear Pashman:   I've done quite a bit of soul searching in the 15 months since October 7. How do I grapple with the tragedy in Israel and Gaza and the hatred Jews face on American soil without scaring my children away from Judaism?  Then came our Temple's Purim spiel last spring. That story of Queen Esther's bravery, in some ways, helped. It was about that same time that Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, the spiritual leader at Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, picked up his pen and began to write his latest book, named for a line in Queen Esther's tale – For Such a Time As This: On Being Jewish Today. Rabbi Cosgrove is with us now. Rabbi, welcome to People of the Pod. Elliot Cosgrove:   Thank you. It's great to be here.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   So I have to tell you, rehearsals began for this year's Purim spiel as I was reading this book, which made it all the more powerful. What inspired you to write this? Elliot Cosgrove:   Well, for me, I draw wisdom from text, and I was trying to think of what would be an analogous moment for what we were going through as American Jews from the ancient text.  And for me, as you say, this is now on the cusp of Purim 2025, it was the story of Esther that we read. And in many of our synagogues, we have Purim spiels, where we act out the story, which is basically the story of a Jewish community of ancient Shushan who believed themselves to have it good, that they were comfortable in the diaspora. And the wicked decree of Haman came down and Esther, whose name actually means to hide, she hid herself, her Jewish identity in the king's palace, and believed that she was comfortable there.  When the decree came down, Mordechai, her uncle, by way of an emissary, sent a message to her. “Don't think yourself to be safe from Haman's decree. Who knows, if it was not for such a time as this that you've arrived at your station.” And I saw this as really the calling card of our moment that we all felt ourselves in the wake of October 7, Esther-like called to action. The trauma of October 7, but also the call to action, to step up to the moment, the needs of our people. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Tell us about your writing process. Elliot Cosgrove:   I buried myself in my writing from before dawn until mid-morning, and then I would hit a wall. And I didn't take a sabbatical. I actually went into my day job as a congregational rabbi. It was a very intense writing process and then in the course of about three to four months sent the manuscript off to the publisher. Manya, the thing about the book is it was very disorienting to write as the events were playing out, both in Israel and in the States. And one of the worries that I had that I spoke to the publisher about was, well, what if this becomes dated? You know, it was not journalism, but I was writing as the news was happening, and the good news and the bad news is that the themes that I pick up on: the trauma of Israel, the blurred line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, how we balance empathy and vigilance, the question of the hostages, of thinking about a day after for Israel and the Palestinians, these questions are not only still relevant, but they're actually more pressing than ever. So unfortunately, the themes that I hit on in the book, very much present right now. Manya Brachear Pashman:   How did that writing process help you personally process what you were witnessing and experiencing as a Jew in America? Elliot Cosgrove:   I'll say this, that as a rabbi, I often see my job–someone calls, they've just gotten bad news in the hospital, a loved one has passed away. Or a happy thing, that their child has just gotten engaged, or they themselves have just become new parents. And people turn to clergy to get the first line of constructing the narrative of what it is they are experiencing.  And for me, there is something deeply personal and deeply pastoral about this book, because I feel like it's seeking, hopefully, to give the language to American Jews as to how to construct this new reality of a post October 7 existence, the jumble of emotions, of trauma, but also the emergence of Jewish identity, the likes of which we've never seen before, the argument for continued defense of Israel's right to self determination, as well as an assurance that the traumas of October 7 never happen again. And in the same breath to think actively about what does the day after look like. I think we're all searching for language for these and other tensions of our moment, and I'm hoping that the book is sort of a vocabulary builder for our time. Manya Brachear Pashman:   One word that you used many times in the book, and it stuck with me, just because maybe it's one of my favorite words, and that is empathy. And you used it in different chapters, different contexts. And I'm curious if you could share with the audience the role of empathy and how it is a guiding force, how it has been a guiding force since October 7. Elliot Cosgrove:   Empathy, both its presence and its absence, has been a subplot of this moment, because I think empathy is ingrained into the Jewish DNA. You open up the Passover Haggadah, and on the one hand, we know that we are vigilant against every generation a pharaoh arises to destroy us. We are guards up. We are a people who knows the importance of ancient hatreds, of being vigilant against them, and also the ring of fire that Israel sits in by way of Iran and its proxies.  I mean, Israel's in a very tight spot, and American Jewry is in a very tight spot. And at the same time, empathy is who we are. You were once a stranger in a strange land. Therefore you should know the heart of a stranger. To be a Jew is to know that because of who we are, because of our historical experience, we care for the other. And I think that this is really one of the great tensions of our moment of how to, you know, be eyes wide open to Israel's need to self defense, and at the same time recognize the real suffering that's going on in Gaza and and to know that we need to find a way to hold both of those together. That Israel needs to fight this war as if there's no tomorrow, and Israel has to fight this war with an eye to tomorrow, with the same ferocity that it prosecutes this war, it has to pursue a day after plan. And I think that somewhere along the way, it's the voices on the extremes who are speaking with the loudest megaphones. And the goal of this moment is to realize that we need to find a way to embrace both.  I think it was Fitzgerald who said the test of a great mind is the ability to hold two opposing ideas and retain the ability to function. I think the test of the Jewish community right now is the ability to hold both vigilance and empathy at the same time and retain the ability to move forward with hope. Manya Brachear Pashman:   And how can empathy help here on American soil, where we're facing protesters, we're facing all kinds of opposition and questions and hatred because of what's happening overseas. How do we use empathy here on American soil? Elliot Cosgrove:   First of all, it's hard. It's hard. When you are under attack, the last thing anyone wants to do is feel someone else's pain. When someone is calling me a colonialist oppressor, when someone is calling for the destruction of the Jewish state, something which is part and parcel to my identity, core to my very being – my initial instinct is not to inquire into how they feel and have empathy. My initial instinct is to have shields of self-defense, prioritize the needs of my people over anyone else's. I think that's a human thing to do.  And as long as the hostages are hostages, as long as Israel stands in a vulnerable position, I think we need to be eyes wide open to that, and then we need to breathe, and we need to remember what it means to be a Jew.  And we need to remember that it takes two to tango, and that if we are going to create a future whereby Jews and Palestinians can live side by side in safety and self determination, then we need to realize that there are two peoples worthy of realizing that dream, and that requires empathy, Manya. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You were not always that religious or observant of your religious tradition. Can you tell our audience how you became a rabbi? Elliot Cosgrove:   How long do we have? This is a big question, but, look as with any way we construct our realities and tell our origin stories, there are a million ways to tell it. The truth of the matter is, I am the grandson of a congregational rabbi, an orthodox rabbi. So to say that I had somehow strayed from the path is a little bit of an overstatement. But I will say that I grew up in a traditional Jewish background. I'm very proud of the home I grew up in, but when I went off to college, it was very much something I did, Judaism was something I did at home. And I can't say that my first few years at my alma mater at University of Michigan were known by way of my religious affiliations and commitments. And then I got a phone call my junior year of college, that a figure from my youth, a grandfather figure I never really knew. My grandparents had passed away, and he was a guy who used to sit next to us in synagogue and slip me up peppermint candy as the rabbi was about to start the sermon or come over for Passover Seders or Shabbat dinner, Mr. Gendun, and he had passed away. And I got the phone call. I said, What would Mr. Gendun want me to do? And I thought, maybe I'll say Kaddish.  So I called one of my Jewishy friends. I had never been inside the Hillel building up until that moment. And I called up one of my Jewishy friends and I said, What's, where's the Hillel? And they said, you're an idiot, Elliot. It's this huge building right on campus at Michigan. And I went in and I said my Kaddish, and I was getting up like it was the end of an airplane ride just to run back out to whatever my evening plans were.  And a man stood between me and the door, boxing me out, and I was trying to shimmy one way and the other. And he said, I notice you've never been here before. And he said, Well, I'm wondering if you'd like to come to Shabbat dinner. And I lied, truth be told, because I figure he didn't want to know about dollar pitcher night. And I said, I already have Shabbat plans. And he said, Well, do you have Shabbat plans next week? And I was caught in my tracks, and I said, No, and before I could say another word, he said, Good, then you'll come over for Shabbat dinner.  And that man was Michael Brooks, who was the Hillel Director of the Michigan Hillel. I went over to Shabbat dinner. I got involved in the Israel group. I was an editor of the student journal. I sat on the Hillel governing board. One thing led to the other, and I became a rabbi. But important [as] that story is obviously in my own religious formation and choice of vocation, is how it informs my own life and my own rabbinate. It's that ability to look around the room when you're in a class, a Jewish event, a service, and who's the person who looks a little out of place like they might have been there for the very first time, and just do that small human act of reaching out to them, and whether you're going to invite them to Shabbat dinner or not, but just to acknowledge their humanity, that has been the north star of my rabbinate ever since. We're all just human beings looking for a place to hang our hats. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You talk about empathy. I think empathy caught my attention every time you mentioned it in the book, because I think it's so key to journalism. It's such an important component of it. And then I think hospitality is such an important component to Judaism and to congregational life, Elliot Cosgrove:   Absolutely. Hospitality is something that is key to our text at the beginning of the Passover Seder. But hospitality is also a spiritual demeanor that we welcome people into our souls, into our presence, into our life. Hachnasat Orchim in Hebrew, this idea that there's always space within our souls, within our hearts.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   Having had such an important turning point on a university campus, how did you interact with, council, university students during this time, as they were facing such pressures and such opposition, crushing opposition during this past year and a half? Elliot Cosgrove:   So there's a chapter about that in the book. It's really the part of the book that I think has struck a nerve, and appropriately so, because I'm the father of four college age or thereabouts children.  And that story I tell about Maya, and Maya is a young woman who, I joke, shares half a brain with my own college age daughter. She's grown up in my household, and she is what you or I might identify as a non Zionist Gen zer, and she approached me and perhaps reproached me for having a Israeli flag on the pulpit, for doing the prayer for the State of Israel in the midst of the service, and said, you know, and she grew up in the Jewish Day School. She grew up going to Jewish summer camp. She did gap year programs in Israel.  Not a small amount of money has been invested in the Mayas of the world, and she herself is asking whether or not her liberal, American Jewish self can be simpatico with the policies of this or that Israeli government, because they don't speak for her sensibility. And to this question of empathy, I think the first move one makes in any such situation is to try to understand where the other person is coming from.  And I think a 21, 22, 23 year old is coming of age in a moment of time where the only Prime Minister they know of is Bibi Netanyahu, who either is or is beholden to the most right-wing elements of Israeli society. The only policies they know of the Israeli government are an expansionist policy in the West Bank, which has precluded the possibility of a two state solution. The only paradigm they have is an Israel which is a Goliath to the Palestinian David, this is their reality.  You can't blame someone for the time into which they are born. I can pick apart and engage in a dialog on what's true and what's not true. But to tell someone that their reality is not, their reality is is not, you know, a move that one can make. And by the way, if they're during the time of the judicial reform, and to this day, there are 1000s of Israelis marching on the streets on a Saturday night protesting the Israeli government as an expression of their love of country.  To tell the Mayas of the world, a college age student today, that they are treif, they are beyond the bounds of Jewish discourse, for doing the exact same thing is just an argument that doesn't hold water anymore. And so the the the goal here, Manya, is to engage with their questions, to listen intently, to prompt that young mind to come up with their own answers for the defense and the well being of the Jewish people, given the harsh realities that Israel faces, and also to make room for their very real question. So I look long on the Maya generation. It's actually a controversial moment within the organized Jewish community –do we write them off, do we not write them off? I think they're our future, and I think we do terrible damage to ourselves if we write them off. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Because it is such a time as this. We have to pay attention to the context, right, and to where we are in history, without losing sight of history. Elliot Cosgrove:   Look, it's very easy to take pot shots from the left and from the right. You know where this brave space is. The brave space is standing in the middle and dignifying the claims and counterclaims of both sides, and knowing that real leadership is trying to keep our people together. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Your book does such a beautiful job of inspiring that sense, sparking those, those right emotions in my head. So thank you so much for writing it. And I encourage all of our listeners to pick up a copy of Rabbi Cosgrove's book–For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today. It is full of challenges, and I think that the challenge is worth facing and taking on. Thank you. Elliot Cosgrove:   Thank you so much, Manya.

Ps 81 (NKJV) 1 SING aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. 2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. 3 Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day. 4 For this is a statute for Israel, A law of the God of Jacob. 5 This He established in Joseph as a testimony, When He went throughout the land of Egypt, Where I heard a language I did not understand. 6 “I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the baskets. 7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. ​Selah 8 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! 9 There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. 10 I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 “But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. 12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. 13 “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries. 15 The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever. 16 He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maranatha-ministries/support

How many times have you heard claims that Israel is an imperialist country? That Israelis are settlers on Arab land? That Israel is an apartheid state? As a black, gay Jewish man, Dmitri Shufutinsky has heard it all. He spent years on American campuses before flying to the Middle East and joining the Israel Defense Forces, giving him a full view of what the common anti-Israel arguments are. Too much time and energy, he felt, was being spent focusing on right-wing antisemitism. He wanted to look at the left. After the conflict that erupted between Israel and Hamas in May 2021, Shufutinsky decided to start writing a book to counter the common talking points. He finished the entire manuscript before Oct. 7, 2023—and now, one year after the Hamas attack that saw 1,200 Israelis killed or kidnapped, he's finally publishing it under the title of Jew Jitsu: Turning Our Enemies' Arguments Against Them. Shufutinsky joins to discuss his book and some of the themes behind it on Rivkush, The CJN's podcast spotlighting notable Jews of colour. Credits Host: Rivka Campbell Producer: Michael Fraiman Music: Westside Gravy Support The CJN Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to Rivkush (Not sure how? Click here)

Endure to Manifest Salvation (8) (audio)   David Eells (7/28/24) I'm going to continue with how we endure in our faith to manifest salvation.  The Bible says you can write the Word on your own heart with your tongue. We can speak these things down into our hearts so that they come out of us naturally. Let's look at this in (Psa.45:1) My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter; I speak the things which I have made touching the king: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. “My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” And, just think about this, if you bridle the tongue, you turn the whole body as it says in (Jas.3:3) Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also. (4) Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth. (5) So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!   (6) And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. Have you ever seen a bridle? It goes through the horse's mouth and it has what's called a “bit” on it. The bit presses on the tongue and applies pressure to a horse's sensitive mouth. That allows the rider to control the horse by means of the reins, which are attached to the bridle. A tongue is so tiny compared to the body, but if you bridle the tongue, it allows you to control the whole body, just like the small rudder of a ship turns the whole ship around. It all starts with the tongue! (Rom.10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.   I tell you, if you confess with your mouth, you will start believing in your heart because you'll be writing something upon your own heart with your own words. According to many studies over the years, if you really want to remember something, speak it as you read it and you'll get a much higher percentage of recall because you're forming auditory links in the memory pathways. Well, it's a spiritual principle! Back in Louisiana, there was a local brother who couldn't read, so we gave him an audio Bible. He would follow along in his Bible while he listened to the audio and I was amazed at how quickly he learned to read. He was so happy because the thing he wanted the most was to be able to read the Bible and God really honored that!     We should always speak in agreement with the Scriptures because “sweet” and “bitter waters” shouldn't come out of the same fountain. Going back to (Jas.3:8) But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] a restless evil, [it is] full of deadly poison. (9) Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: (10) out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (11) Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet [water] and bitter? (12) Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither [can] salt water yield sweet.  (So your own mouth can curse you and others. Speaking scripture or even agreeing with scripture blesses your soul.)   Do you remember what happened when the Israelites camped beside the bitter waters? It says in (Exo.15:23) And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. (24) And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? (25) And he cried unto the Lord; And the Lord showed him a tree, and he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. I believe the “tree” is the cross and that we are able to speak the “sweet waters” because of what Jesus did. The “waters” were bitter but God made them sweet. Thank You, Lord!   We're taught to think of leaven only in a negative way. And from the time we come out of “Egypt,” until the end of seven days when we come to the “rest,” we're to partake of only the unleavened bread (Exodus 12:15-20). Let's read what the Lord said in (Mat.16:6) And Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (11) How is it that ye do not perceive that I spake not to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (12) Then understood they that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. That means we are not to take any teaching into our lives, other than this teaching. As we can see here this teaching is the Unleavened Bread.     But there is a teaching that is supposed to leaven us: (Mat.13:33) Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened. The teaching that is supposed to “leaven” us is God's Word because those three measures of meal in this parable represent the spirit, the soul and the body. God's purpose is to completely regenerate our whole being, spirit, soul and body, through His Word. (1Th.5:23) And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are some groups that teach these promises are just spiritual and not physical, but they're both as it says in (Psa.107:20) He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions. Obviously, healing can be both spiritual and physical, and our healing has been given to us from God, according to His Word. Only His Word is able to completely sanctify us in spirit, soul and body. Praise the Lord!   You know, the first sign that Jesus did was turning water into wine in Cana of Galilee. This is in (Joh.2:1) And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: (2) and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage. (3) And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. (4) And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. (5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (6) Now there were six waterpots of stone (Six is the number of man and the stone is hardened clay, which is what man is made out of.) set there after the Jews manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece.    (Joh.2:7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. (The water is the Word of God.) And they filled them up to the brim. (8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it. (9) And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, (10) and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now. (11) This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.   What was the wine? It's says in (Mat.26:27) And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; (28) for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins. The wine was His blood and it says in (Lev.17:11) For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life. “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” This is showing us that if we fill our vessels with the Word of God, then God will turn that “water” into “wine,” or the “blood,” which is the nature of Jesus Christ! God is saying, “You fill your vessel with the Word and I'll turn it into the nature of Jesus Christ” because a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Praise be to God!    If you keep being faithful to put the Word in your heart, the Word will be faithful to bring forth the fruit. The Word is the “seed” of the sower, as Jesus taught. (Mat.13:3) And he spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow; (4) and as he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them: (5) and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth: (6) and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. (7) And others fell upon the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked them: (8) and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.   Many people don't know why they're just stagnating and not growing in the Lord, but this is the reason. It's because they're not being diligent to keep putting the Word in their heart. Did you know that as wheat goes through the process of bearing seed, which is its fruit, the plant progressively dies to itself and the same thing is true for us? Jesus said, (Mat.16:25) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. So you have to lose your life, but that's not something you can do; it's something that the Lord has already accomplished! Through faith, we accept the death of the old man as a gift.    And we need to know that, (2Co.4:11) ... we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. The life of Christ will be manifested in our mortal flesh. Well, what about those people who say, “The life of Christ comes after you die and go to Heaven.” That's not what the Scripture says! It's in our mortal flesh! We are always going to be delivered over to death, so that this can come to pass.   You go through trials, troubles and tribulations, as Paul said: (2Co.4:8) We are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; (9) pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; (10) always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. But you can go through trials and go through trials and you will go through them for nothing, if you don't exercise faith in the midst of the trial. Every trial, every trouble that you go through, is an opportunity to bring forth spiritual seed as you manifest more of Christ. And Paul tells us we have to, (1Ti.6:12) Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. Fight the good fight of the faith! Continue to agree with what the Word says and not with what your carnal senses are telling you.   If you don't fight, you lose! Automatically. If you do not fight, you will lose, but the fight is the “good fight of the faith.” In the midst of your trial, you take out the Word of God, which is the “sword of the Spirit.” We are commanded in (Eph.6:10) Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. (It's too easy in the trial to forget to fight with the demons behind it and not with the people they are using.) (13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,     (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Some people's spirits are totally defenseless because they don't ever study the Word. We need to give a sword to our spirit! If you know what you can believe in the midst of a trial, then you can use that like a sword and you'll win! You'll win because nothing can stand up against God's Word -- not the devil, not the world, not the flesh, nothing! And let this encourage you to know, (2Co.4:16) Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory. God is going to use all these things that we go through so the Glory of God will be manifested in us. Praise be to God!   How is the glory of God manifested in us? It's manifested as we behold the Lord in the mirror, as we've said. You continue to behold the Lord in the mirror! As you do that, you are going to be transformed into His image, from glory to glory, but this process he's talking about in verses 16 and 17 won't come to pass, unless you pay close attention to verse 18. (2Co.4:18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. In other words, you must not pay attention to the things that you see with your natural eyes, if you want to bear fruit, because with your natural eyes you can look only upon yourself. Your natural eyes see where you are, but God wants you to look at the face of Christ in the mirror and see where you are by faith!    That's what He wants you to see and He wants you to accept that as a gift!  At the end, everybody is going to throw their crowns at the Lord's feet as it says in (Rev.4:10) The four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (11) Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created. Everybody is going to know that it wasn't ever through our works and it wasn't through our efforts; it was totally by His grace! (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.   And by grace are you still saved through faith and that's not of yourself; it's a gift of God! It's not of your works, lest any man should boast, for in Christ Jesus were we created for good works. It's all faith! While you're not exercising faith, this process is not going on! But while we look at the things which are not seen with the natural eye, while we look at the things that are our gift, which are the promises of the Word, this process will be going on. The putting to death of the old man, in order to bring to life the new man, will be happening automatically, like a seed growing up out of the earth. Study the promises of God. They are the power of God! (Rom.1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth....   And we read in (Col.3:3) For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4) When Christ, [who is] our life.... When you manifest sonship, what have you manifested? You've manifested (Col.1:27) ... Christ in you, the hope of glory. When you go astray from the Word, as the Galatians did, do you know what you're going astray from? You are going astray from the manifestation of Christ! Paul told the Galatians, (Gal.4:19) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you. In other words, they weren't sons; they were children. They had gone astray from faith. They had withdrawn from grace and they were getting back into legalism. In this place, there was no hope of them ever manifesting Christ. We just received this dream of a person who fell away because of faction but it fits all falling away.   Marie Kelton -7/26/24 During the meeting, I had asked the father where a certain fallen person was with him. And then had an open vision, of a beautiful tree with leaves on it on a hill. I then saw a hand come from heaven, and shake the tree until there were no leaves on it. (It no longer could take in the light.) And then snap the tree from the trunk. And pull it up. The roots were still in the ground though.  Luke 13:6-9 And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down. I wasn't sure if I was seeing clearly so the lord gave me another vision of the same tree with a rope being tied around it, being pulled up with the roots this time. I still wanted to be sure so the lord gave me a vision of him standing next to me with a little potted plant in his hand and he pulled the plant up from the pot showing the roots. And yet still I wasn't sure if I was seeing clearly. So the Lord gave me another vision of me sitting in my house sitting on my couch, having an open vision of the tree with the rope around the trunk being pulled from the ground with the roots showing.  Jude 1:12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds (Not numeric) that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. The Lord then gave me another open vision during the meeting of 3 pieces of silver hitting the floor. I immediately, thought of the 30 pieces of silver that Judas betrayed Jesus for. (Those who betray the body of Christ to follow their lusts will be condemned) Matthew 27:3-5 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it. And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. Concerning those who cannot manifest Christ through law, he gave them the parable about the handmaid and the free woman: (Gal.4:21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. (23) Howbeit the [son] by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the [son] by the freewoman [is born] through promise. (24) Which things contain an allegory: for these [women] are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage (through the law), which is Hagar. (25) Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. (26) But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. (So, in other words, he told them, “If you're going to be children of the free woman, it's going to be by faith; it's going to be by grace. It won't be through your own works and it won't be through your own efforts because it can't be by the Law.”)  We are commanded in (Col.3:5) Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; (6) for which things' sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: (7) wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; (8) but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: (9) lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings (You're not going to be able to obey verses 5 through 8, unless you can see that you have put off the old man with his doings in verse 9.), (Col.3:10) and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him. Can you see that you've put on the new man? Can you see that all of your sin and your sinful nature has been put off and that it's all dead?     Can you see by faith that you have put off the old man and you have put on the new man, Who is Jesus. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. “It's no longer I that live, it's Christ Who lives in me.” Paul made a bold confession of faith and we need to be able to do the same thing. In order to become sons, we need to be able to see as he saw. God's purpose in Christ was to make Him a seed Who would bring forth many, many sons through belief in that seed. That was His purpose! In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-13; Mark 4:1-30; Luke 8:4-15), the word there for “seed” is actually the Greek word sperma. He sowed that seed in this old, dirty earth, and the fruit it's bringing forth is Christ.   Now, religion can really puff you up, can't it? It can make you so proud that you won't be able to receive the things of God, for He resists the proud (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Let's go to (Col.2:16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: (17) which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. (18) Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen (This speaks of seeing with your natural eyes and not in the spirit.), vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. When your only understanding is letter and not spirit, all it does is puff up your natural, fleshly mind. It doesn't give you the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ does not come from seeing only the letter because the letter kills the meaning of the Spirit that edifies your soul.     If we understand this, we won't be puffed up by our natural man. We won't be proud or self-righteous because of things we have seen or done in the flesh. Otherwise, our natural mind is going to take over and look at what God says is the penalty for doing this: (Col.2:19) and not holding fast the Head.... See, if you walk after natural sight, puffed up in your fleshly mind, you can't “hold fast” the head. This can only be done through faith and not through our works, for God empowers faith. There is no fruit in not agreeing with God as it says in (Amo.3:3) Shall two walk together, except they have agreed? We can't walk hand-in-hand with Christ, unless we agree with the Spirit of His Word. If you only see with natural eyes, you will not agree with Christ; you will not walk with Him. You cannot walk in the Spirit and you cannot be a son of God. (Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.    What you see with your natural eyes will lead you away from Christ so quickly. It will cause you to be anxious and worried, it will cause you to be fearful and it will keep you from walking by faith. The most important thing to us in all the world should not be “going to church”. The most important thing to us in all the world is getting the Word into our heart because the Word is the seed of God with which God creates Jesus Christ in us. The Word is what brings forth the fruit of Christ in us. Put the Word in your heart! Study the Word! You might say, “Well, David, I tried, but I got distracted”. Folks, this is not salvation by works! You can't struggle to make yourself study the Word the way you are supposed to do it. You have to ask God for that gift. “For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”.     From the very foundation of faith, it starts with God; it doesn't start with you. Notice what it says in (Joh.15:16) Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. “Ye did not choose me, but I chose you”. God chose us! We didn't come to Christ because we chose Him. We came to Christ because He drew us and then we chose Him! You don't come to Christ unless He draws you as Jesus says in (Joh.6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him.... We need to pray that God will put in us the desire, a hunger and thirst, for the truth of the Word of God. Everybody who hungers and thirsts after the truth will not have to worry about being deceived. That's not possible, if you truly hunger and thirst after the truth!    Without motivation to seek the truth, you have no hope because we are just what we are and that's what we will always be, without the influence of God. God showed me the example of a dog. You can try to teach a dog how to do human things, but he has no hope of being anything but what he is. He can only do what he is. God would have to put another heart in that dog for him to be anything other than what he is. And that's why there's no use in condemning lost people because they can only be what they are and they will never be anything but what they are, unless something from the outside comes in and changes them. The faith that brings this to pass comes from God, so go to God.   Take time to pray, “Lord, help me! I am not digging into Your Word the way I see I should. I ask You to put it in my heart to do this and I thank You for it.” (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. When you pray with thanksgiving, that's faith because you are thanking God for something you haven't seen yet. Don't be anxious; don't worry about a thing! (Php.4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.   We progressively grow as it says in (Eph.4:13) Till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; (15) but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ. Paul is talking about how we are learning to follow the Head! We are not our own head; Christ is our Head and we're the Bride if we submit to Him. Christ is the Head of the Church! He's our Head and we have no right anymore to go our own way, do our own thing, think our own thoughts, or see what we want to see because Christ is the Head!   And did you know that the Lord is searching throughout the earth for a place where He can set His Head? It says in (Luk.9:57) And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. Just like Peter, he was speaking out of self-confidence, and we've all thought that way, too, haven't we? (Luk.9:58) And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven [have] nests (The Greek word here is actually “abodes” or “abiding places.”); but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. What does He mean? Well, you're probably thinking, “He's looking for a house to lay His head down in.” No, the Bible teaches that He's looking for a place, a “house,” to lay His Head on. He is not your Head, unless you follow Him. (Luk.9:59) And he said unto another, Follow me....    Notice that Jesus said, “If you do this, you are My disciple; if you don't do this, you cannot be My disciple.” He always related in terms of discipleship (See, Matthew 10:37- 38,42; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23, 14:26-27, 33; John 1:43, 12:26; etc.). Today, we relate in terms of who is and who is not a “Christian,” but we really ought to go back to calling people “believers.” Remember, it was the pagans who first called the Christians, “Christians,” because they walked and talked like Christ, which is no longer true. Now it's become just a pagan term because it's so loosely applied that nobody knows what a true “Christian” is! “Believers” is a little different because “believers” says that you believe what the Word says. The Greek word for “disciple” is mathetes and it means “learner and follower.” So if you are a “learner and a follower” of Christ, then Christ is your Head.     If you're going your own way, He's not your Head! Jesus is looking for an abode, an “abiding place,” for His Head. Let me show you another place where “abode” is used. It says in (Joh.14:23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (This is the same word that is translated “nests” in Luke 9:58: “the birds of the heavens have nests.”) See, the Lord isn't looking for a physical house to be His abode, but He is looking for a “house” on which to put His Head!     By the way, God is making His “abode” with you. Did you know that? (Joh.14:2) In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. The word there for “mansions” is just a different Greek word for “abodes.” You see, in the Father's House there are many nice “abodes”; there are many “abiding places” for the Father, not for you. It's the Father's House, not your house. God's House is made up of many buildings and they are all put together into a Holy Temple in the Lord as it says in (Eph.2:21) In whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; (22) in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. We are those nice buildings that He dwells in!  And we will have a nice abode to dwell in. Some will be closer to the throne than others. And we read in (Rev.21:9) And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. (10) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, (11) having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal: (12) having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: (13) on the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. (14) And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. That New Jerusalem building and all the symbolism in it reflects the Bride.     Let me show you this again in (1Pe.2:4) Unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious, (5) ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (6) Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. The only type of building that has a “chief corner stone” is a pyramid. The head stone is the very top stone, but it's also the chief corner stone because it's where all four corners of the pyramid meet. (1Pe.2:7) For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected....   Did you know that the Great Pyramid was built by Enoch and his sons as a prophecy from God? Inside it, there is a timetable of history and for coming events. It also has many measurements encoded, such as the earth's circumference and the distances between the earth and the moon. But the chief cornerstone was never laid! It was rejected by the builders. It was a prophecy of our Chief Corner Stone, Jesus! The Great Pyramid: Prophecy In Stone, by Noah W. Hutchings, is a book about the prophecies of the Great Pyramid. You see, the Great Pyramid wasn't built when the other pyramids were built; it was built before the Flood. The other pyramids were built later by the Egyptians because they saw the properties that were in the Great Pyramid and they copied it. The Bible talks about the Great Pyramid in several places because it's a prophecy about the Church and the “Chief Corner Stone.” According to archeologists, the Great Pyramid went through the flood and didn't settle one 1/100th of an inch anywhere. It's built on and socketed down into a solid rock. It's amazing! Engineers are doubtful it could be built today, even with all our modern machinery.     Going on in (1Pe.2:7) For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; (Notice: He is both head and corner.) (8) and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient.... By the way, this word “disobedient” is the word apeitheia and it means both “unbelieving” and “disobedient.” The Greeks had the same word for “unbelieving” and “disobedient” because, if you are unbelieving, you will be disobedient and, if you're disobedient, it's because you are unbelieving. (1Pe.2:8) And, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (9) But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.   Jesus can only put His Head on a “house” that makes Him Head. Paul says in (Eph.5:23) For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the church, [being] himself the Saviour of the body. When you submit to the Word, then He becomes your Head, like a wife is to make her husband the head in everything. (Eph.2:18) For through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. (19) So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Keep in mind it's God's House.), (20) being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone.... Jesus is the Chief Corner Stone of the Household of God and, if you won't submit to Him, you can't be in the House of God!    Submitting to Him is seeing the way He's commanded you to see and hearing the way He's commanded you to hear. (Eph.2:20) Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; (21) in whom each several building.... The Greek says, “every building.” In other words, (21) in whom every building fitly framed together (So we see that the Household of God is made up of many buildings; or, “In my Father's House, there are many mansions.”), groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; (22) in whom you also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. Who is the building? It's you! The Household of God is you! These mansions He's putting into His House symbolize all those who will submit to the Head. Remember, Jesus said, “Follow Me.” If you follow Him, He has a place to put His Head.     Somebody who's “not holding fast the head” is somebody who's puffed up by their natural mind and the things they see with their natural eyes. You won't have the Head of Christ, if you walk after your natural eyes and, if you don't have the Head of Christ, you're not one of the “buildings” being fitted into the building beneath Him. Now let's read in (Luk.9:59) And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Here's someone who says, “Me first,” so the Lord is not finding a “house” here upon which to put His Head. (60) But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God. (61) And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first (“But first! But first!” Nothing else can be 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.    When you say, “Me first,” you're looking back from the plow and when you look back at where you were, instead of where you're going, you will walk a crooked walk. If you are starting to plow or disc a field you set your eyes straight ahead at a target on the other side.  If you look back you will swerve off the path. Reckon yourself to be dead! Dead men don't say, “Me first!” Dead men don't talk back! If you're dead, the only right you have is to obey your Master, the Lord. You don't have any personal rights anymore. Anyone who wants personal rights doesn't want Jesus as their Head. It says in (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. We need to pray and ask the Lord to put this desire in us: “Lord, let me serve You,” because if we allow anything of the world to take priority over that, Jesus will not be our Head! It's the same as when a woman doesn't submit to her husband; she doesn't have a head as it says in (1Co.11:3) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. If we want to have our Head, then we have to submit to the chain of command, according to God's order of government.   Now, as we've talked about earlier, we each have a “Promised Land” to conquer and, if we come into agreement with what God says, as Joshua and Caleb did, we will conquer our promised land. God has shown me several parallels about the Promised Land. For one, He's shown me that the Promised Land is the natural life of the born again man. Let's go to (Heb.6:4) For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, (5) and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, (6) and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (7) For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: (8) but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.     The Israelite is to rule in this land that's been promised to him and the Canaanite is the old man, the man who must die. And in another way, God has shown me that the Promised Land is also all the promises of the Word. God told Joshua, (Jos.1:3) Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses. Every place where you stand on this Word, God will give it to you. (Jos.1:5) There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  Nobody will be able to stand before you! If you stand on this Word, the old man, that carnal man, the Canaanite, will not be able to stand before you! He will not be able to resist you! Joshua and Caleb stood on the Word when they spoke in agreement with God. They didn't say what they saw, what they felt and what they heard with their natural senses. They each conquered their Promised Land.   Those other spies brought the bad report when they said what they saw, what they felt and what they heard. They did not agree with God when they did that (Numbers 13 and 14). The only way you can take the Promised Land is to see what God says to see, hear what God says to hear and feel what God says to feel. This is walking by the Spirit. That's why we have to renew our minds with the Word.   It's quite natural to have the old mind and you are going against the ways of the whole world when you change your mind and repent, and say what the Bible says to say. But it says in (Isa.8:20) To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. There will be no new light, no new day for anybody who doesn't speak according to this Word. And (2Co.4:4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them]. Our only hope is to agree with God!   You cannot come out from under the curse, if you don't agree with God. (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: (19) and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. In circumstances and situations, we're always tempted to add to and take away from the Word. But when you disagree with the Word and you say what comes through your natural senses, you stay underneath the curse. But remember, Jesus gave us authority! (Mat.18:18) Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.    When we agree with the Word, we're going to bind the carnal man, the flesh! When we disagree with the Word, we loose him and we don't carry on the process of death to the old man. So, look again here in (2Co.4:16) Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; (18) while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. The process is only carried on by seeing that we've been delivered, we've been set free! The old man's dead!  Let's go to (Num.21:4) And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. Do you know how to become discouraged, anxious or troubled? You pay attention to the things that are and you don't pay attention to what God has given you, which are the many promises in the Word. And it doesn't ever stop with just discouragement, but next you begin to speak against the Lord. (Num.21:5) And the people spake against God.... And when you speak against God, the next step is God's judgment. We sometimes live continually under the judgment and the chastenings of the Lord because we speak against God. We add to or take away from the Word and, in so doing, we don't come out from under the curse.   Now, not everybody believes this but the Bible says that God sent the curse. We've been told the devil is behind it all, but if you read Deuteronomy 28, God says over and over, “Cursed shalt thou be....” (Deu.28:15) But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. And then He details the curse from verse 16 all the way down through verse 68. But even though God sent the curse, He also sent Jesus to deliver us from the curse. So, here we are under the curse because of our sins and our rebellion against God, but Jesus came to deliver us from the curse through our faith in Him and subsequent submission to Him.   We came under the curse because we submitted to self and the devil, and God sent the curse to motivate us to repent. Jesus offers us the ability to turn around and go the other way because Jesus has already delivered us from the curse and His salvation is total. (Num.21:5) And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. (The manna from heaven; the Word.) (6) And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. (7) And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord.... Well, they were walking only by the sight of their natural eyes and that caused them to speak against the Lord.    Why didn't they see and hear the Word? God told them He was their “Jehovah-Jireh.” (Gen.22:14) And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh. As it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided. If that would have been foremost in their mind, they never would have become discouraged. And the quicker you see and hear that, the quicker the end result comes, which is God's provision. God told Joshua, (Jos.1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. He would have “good success” in doing what? Joshua would have good success in conquering the Promised Land. We'll have good success conquering this Promised Land, if we don't let anything but the Word of God come out of our mouth.  The sooner we submit the sooner the answer comes. Psa 81:13-14 Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways!  14  I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn my hand against their adversaries.   The serpent bite just symbolizes any manifestation of the curse, such as a sickness, or oppressing spirits, or lack of any kind. The curse of sin and of death has bitten all of those who have disagreed with God. And, to the extent that we are disagreeing with God now, we live under the curse of sin and of death. Our hope of coming out from under the curse of sin and of death is to get our eyes on the promises we have in the Word and agree with God. And, of course, that's exactly what God did here. What was His cure? What's an antidote for a snakebite? The antidote is to have a little bit of the poison in you, until your system builds up an immunity to it. You know, we didn't choose to be sinners, did we? (Rom. 8:20) For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope (21) that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. The Lord subjected this creation to vanity. We all have a little bit of snakebite.    Nobody can get further away from sin than somebody who's been in it. The elect angels desire to look into God's grace and salvation. They're curious about it because, since they've never been sinners, they've never needed it. We need it! We will be the creation that God wants after being delivered from sin. If God only wanted angels, He would have made us all angels! God didn't want only angels; He wanted people who were sinners and who were redeemed by His grace through faith. He wants sons who are saved through faith because then they appreciate God and they understand grace! Jesus taught this in (Luk.7:40) And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. (41) A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. (42) When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?     (43) Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. (44) And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. (45) Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. (46) My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. (47) Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. (48) And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. (49) And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins? (50) And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.   You know, we can love God more than the angels can because we've been forgiven of much. We understand grace. God sent Jesus to give us this grace and all we have to do is get our eyes on what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross. (Num.21:8) And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live. (9) And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived. We have to get our eyes on the serpent on the pole. Don't be tempted to look at the world! Don't be tempted to look at the “snakebite”! Don't be tempted to look at the sin or the sickness or whatever the trial is that you're going through.   It's not introspection that's going to save you. Popular psychology teaches “inner healing,” but it's all straight from the devil because it's introspection. God doesn't tell you to inspect your sin! He doesn't tell you to inspect your sickness! He doesn't tell you to inspect the “snakebite”! He tells you to get your eyes on what He's done for you; everything else causes unbelief. (2Co.5:21) Him who knew no sin he made [to be] sin on our be half; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Jesus became sin for us. Everything that we were that was degenerate was put upon Him. The exchange has been made. Can you see your sin, your corruption, your sickness all put upon Him? This is what you are supposed to see and spiritual senses are the only way we can see according to the Word.   Praise be to God! Keep your eyes on Jesus, saints! Keep praising and thanking God for all that He's accomplished for us! Hallelujah!     I Want To Capture You  Debbie Fenske 7/12/24  This worship night was a very special time of worship. Michael encouraged us to just give Jesus our all, to just give everything up. Nothing, and no one is more important than our closeness with Jesus, and our complete giving up of ourselves in love unto Him in worship, feeling His presence and His love holding us.  So, as I was worshiping Jesus with one of the worship songs, there was such a strong sense of His Spirit there, right up there in the midst of me and Sue, where Chuc and Matthew were. I could see Jesus looking out over all of us, so touched by our hearts in worship of Him, and so full of love for us.  Then Jesus said, “Will you let Me capture you? I want to capture you this night.”  After we finished the last song, Chuc kept strumming beautiful music on his guitar, and letting us know that he was receiving from the Lord that someone had a prophetic song to give. He spoke that out a few times. I finally felt that I should just begin singing out what I knew the Lord was wanting to say, with the worshipful tune Chuc was playing on His guitar. But only part of the word was sung.    “I want to capture you. Will you let Me capture you this night? You are mine and I want all of you. Let Me capture you. Let everything go and let Me capture you. This is My heart tonight.    Look only at Me. You must not let your weaknesses, and the thought that you are not yet good enough, hold you back any longer. For I see within you deeper than you see within yourself. I am not seeing your weaknesses. I see your heart. And I know the depth of your love. And I see and know your desire and heart of love towards Me, I see you allowing Me to have My way in you.  So this is a time of freedom as you let Me capture you. So I say again, let Me capture you this night. This is the night of My Capture.”    Then Winnie shared, as confirmation, this scripture that the Lord had put on her heart earlier before the meeting.   2Co 12:9-10 And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  The Lord also put this scripture in her mind today:  2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;  Praise you Father for Your great love and mercy towards us. And that You love us with such a great love, and that You want all of us. Thank You that You, God, see in us the finished product. And by faith we see that too, Lord. Your glory in us. We want all of You, Jesus, and we want You to have all of us. So, yes, Lord. Capture us!      Do Diligence  Debbie Fenske – 6/21/24  I would like to give out this word that the Lord began speaking to me about 5:30 this evening. I felt some things I heard shared tonight by Chuc in his prayers during worship time, and I think also in some things David was saying, too, went along with this word.  “My people, do diligence. Diligence, diligence, My people. Allow every aspect of your life to be operated with diligence. Diligently listen for Me. Diligently listen to Me. Diligently know Me in My word and your times of worshiping Me. I long for the hearts that diligently worship Me, in praying to Me, and diligently doing warfare, letting go of every form of self-effort, trusting Me completely in every area of your life. Your life must be a sacrificial diligence in doing all that you know to do, by My grace. Ask Me. I will grace you with a diligent spirit and a diligent mind.  I see much effort. Add diligence in your efforts in walking with Me in every area of living and abiding in Me, My people, called to be in My Bride. Yes, this must needs go out to all those called to be, and desiring to be in My Bride. How close at hand is the time. Be My diligent Shulamite. I am calling for you. I am calling for more of you.” 

That Israel is committing one of the great crimes of our age can no longer be denied.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-owen-jones-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michoel Weichbrod has been living a Torah-oriented life ever since he was a small child. And he spent that childhood learning Torah regularly. But it took moving to a community where people were focused a bit too much on "things," for Michoel to see what he had known about his entire life: That Israel is the manifest destiny for all Jews. He's passionate about this, and has launched a pretty incredible YouTube channel - Homebound to support that passion and hopefully influence many other Haredim to make the big move, too. YouTube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/@homebound-to-eretz-yisroel/videos

One quick announcement. We are in the middle of a building campaign and we're trying to raise $5 million for space that the Lord has sent to us. We've signed a purchase and sale agreement on half of it, and we're trying to raise funds for the rest. So I say that because we need prayer. The church of God, if we ask you to pray for the Lord to send us a miracle, it's a miracle that we got here. We're praying for the second iteration of the miracle is like the blind man. If you remember, he got the first touch from Jesus and Jesus says, "Do you see?" And he says, "I see people walking like trees." And he needed a second miracle.So that's what we need. Our first miracle is the space is located, we know where it is. Down Kent Street, you take a left on Longwood, three towers, it's right there. So pray. And then also if the Lord brings anyone to mind, perhaps a rich uncle or something like that, and then connect us with them. With that said, would you please pray with us for the preaching of God's Holy word.Heavenly Father, we come to your word with fear and trepidation, knowing that you are holy and your commandments are holy. And we recognize that we are sinful, we are commandment breakers, we are covenant breakers, unfaithful. Lord, but we thank you for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior who out of his great love for you and out of his great love for us went to a cross to shed blood for the covenant. The covenant that welcomes us in for whoever would repent of sin, of transgression, everyone can be forgiven, purified, sanctified, and filled with the spirit to live lives of obedience. Lord, as we consider the topics before us in the text on marriage and divorce and children, someone of the most intimate spheres of life, Lord, we ask that you send us the Holy Spirit that you minister to us, to our hearts. If there's hardness of heart, remove it. If there's brokenness, mend it and heal it. If there's a lack of zeal for your word, I pray, Lord, fire up our hearts and bless us in the Holy Word in our time together, amen.We are continuing our sermon series through the Gospel of Mark called Kingdom Come. And the idea is that Jesus has come, the king has inaugurated His kingdom, but then He teaches us to pray. Our Father who in heaven hallowed be your name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So the more God's will is done in our lives, the more of His kingdom we usher into the world. The title of the sermon today is Covenantal Love. I will never leave you nor forsake you. These are some of the most powerful words that you can hear and they're some of the most powerful words that you can speak. These are words of eternal love, a love that will never end.And who's the only one who can make that promise and we can completely trust Him to keep it always? Well, that's God of course, because God alone is eternal. God alone is perfectly faithful. And this love, this faithful love is a costly love. And that's why the conversation about marriage happens right after Jesus informed his disciples that there's a cost to following him. There's a cost to loving like Jesus loved. There's a cost to faithful love and that's denying self daily, dying to self daily, taking up the cross daily. The way of Christ is the way of love and that's how most of people in the world view Christ and God. God is love and we all know that. It's love for God and love for neighbor. But if you look at the way of Christ, how Christ lived, the way of Christ is the way of the cross, the way of self-sacrifice and service.Therefore, the way to love and the way of love is self-sacrifice. All of me for all of you. And that's what covenantal love is. You say, "I love you so much that I will die to self to serve you." And how was the greatest covenant ratified? The greatest promise of love? Well, with the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us, "Drink of it all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." What was Jesus saying on the cross? On the cross, He opened up his arms and He said, "I love you this much and I love you so much that I am willing to bleed for you." That's what covenantal love costs. And receiving God's covenantal love, well, it's transformative. It changes your very essence. It melts your heart, it melts the hardness and his love fills your heart with a supernatural love to love the way He loved you with blood, sweat, and tears.And when you realize that He loved you with that kind of love and promises to love you like that for all of eternity, despite your sin, despite your unfaithfulness, despite your idolatry, despite your adultery, it stretches your heart expanding it and then your heart's filled with his love, ready to fill the hearts of the closest people in your life, your closest neighbors, your family, your wife, your husband, your children. Today we're in Mark 10:1-16, would you look at the text with me? And He left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan and crowds gathered to Him again. Again as was His custom he taught them.And Pharisees came up and in order to test Him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He answered them. "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away." Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart He wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."And in the house the disciples asked Him again about this matter and He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." And they were bringing children to him that He might touch them and the disciples rebuked them. And when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them.This is the reading of God's holy, inherent, and fallible authoritative word. May He write these eternal truths upon our hearts. Three points to frame up our time. First marriage is being joined together by God. Second, adultery is breaching of the marital covenant. And third, God loves humanity, therefore Jesus loves children. First of all, marriage is being joined together by God. Before Jesus Christ embarks on His journey to Jerusalem, embarks on the way of the cross, the Via Dolorosa, He tells us and the disciples how to follow Him in some of the most important areas of life. The next part of the chapter is about money and wealth and how do we interact with how Jesus wants us to be faithful with finances? And later He'll talk about a relationship to work and faithfulness there.But here He says, "I'm going to teach you how to follow me in the relationship between a husband and a wife and the relationship between parents and children." Jesus wants to follow Him needs to impact every single area of life, specifically the most important areas of our lives. He's Lord of all. And today Jesus concentrates His teaching of what it means to be a disciple in the most fundamental areas of life, one's marriage, one's children. In verse one of chapter 10, it says, "He left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan and crowds gathered to Him again. And again as was His custom, He taught them." So Jesus has finished the private discourse with the 12 disciples and what it means to follow Him. And probably that took place in Peter's house in Capernaum.Now Jesus is leaving everything familiar and He's beginning His fateful journey toward Jerusalem. And one of the fascinating things is Jesus here in His final journey toward Jerusalem, passes directly through the same area where John the Baptist conducted his work in preparing the way for the one who is to come after him. So the crowds gather and the Pharisees seeing another opportunity to test Jesus Christ. And the phrase here for test Jesus, shows that the inquiry is hostile. They're seeking to trap Him, therefore they ask a question about divorce. They come to Him in verse two and they say, "Pharisees came up in order to test Him and asked, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?'" They try to trip Jesus up with a loaded question designed to expose Jesus Christ as a lawbreaker. They had heard Jesus teaching on family, on marriage, on children.And Jesus has been emphasizing the fact that it's one man, one woman, one covenant, one lifetime, and there wasn't any talk about divorce. And they believe virtually everyone in the first century, Palestine, was in agreement that you could get a divorce. Husbands could be granted divorces for trivial things if the wife didn't please them, since the law of Moses allowed for divorce. If Jesus here says, "Moses allowed for it, but I go against Moses," then Jesus can be charged with being a lawbreaker. So that's the trick behind what they're doing. And Matthew 9:3, it's more explicit, the parallel passage, "The Pharisees came up to Him and they tested Him by asking, 'Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?'" So they saw that Moses allowed for divorce and we'll get into that text in just a little bit, but then they reinterpreted in their schools of thought as for any cause.And the question is about marriage. So we're not dealing with a ceremonial ordinance, but with the moral law. And Jesus already warned not to think that He had come to destroy the law or nullify it. He has come to teach it and fulfill it. Verse three, "He answered them, 'What did Moses command you?'" They ask a question, Jesus answers with a counter question. And some early Christian commentators interpret this question as Jesus way of playing Moses commandments off against God's. Moses commanded this, but God did not. And that's clearly an unsustainable path exegesis, because in Mark 7, Jesus clearly identifies the 10 commandments as God's law. He's going to do the same with the conversation about the rich young ruler. And Jesus affirmed the binding character of the 10 commandments, the decalogue, as the central part of the mosaic teaching. If you remember, He revealed himself on the Mount of Transfiguration.He went up there with Peter, James, and John and He met with Elijah and Moses. And one of the reasons why He met with Moses was because the law was given by Moses. Therefore, Jesus is affirming the law that was given by Moses. And Elijah was given the job to then go tell the people of Israel that they need to repent and turn back to the 10 commandments. Moses wrote the whole Pentateuch concluding the Genesis narrative that Jesus will quote. So verse four, "They said, 'Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.'" And some exegesis have found a key to the passage in the contrast between Jesus' question, which asked about what Moses commanded and the Pharisees that reply, which only talks about what he allowed, as if in Jesus' opinion God permits divorce as a concession, but He never commanded it.And again, this exegesis is unsustainable and the Pharisees here are merely using common terminology of what may or may not be done. And this question in reference to divorce comes from Deuteronomy 24. If you know about Jesus and the way He quotes scripture, go back and see how often He quotes the book of Deuteronomy. When He meets with Satan, when Satan comes to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, when He's fasting for 40 days, three times Jesus' response to Satan and all three times they're verses from Deuteronomy.Deuteronomy 24:1, "When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found some indecency in her and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of the house and she departs out of his house, and if she goes and becomes another man's wife and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter man dies who took her to be his wife, then her former husband who sent her away may not take her again to be his wife after she has been defiled. For that is an abomination before the Lord and you shall not bring sin upon the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance."So Deuteronomy 24 is a classic example of the Torah's casuistic or case law. The case law that interpreted the 10 commandments and occasions that would arise in real life. Here in this text there's no denunciation of the divorce. In fact, it's not the divorce that's being denunciation by taking a divorce wife back after she has subsequently married and divorced another man. In verse one it says, "If he finds some kind of indecency in her," another translation says, "Nakedness." Leviticus 18 uses this phrase 18 to 20 times. It has to do with illicit sexual activity. So when Deuteronomy 4:4 says that the woman has been defiled by her second marriage, it's because there was still the option of reconciliation before she actually had sexual relations with her second husband.On the one hand, the divorce of the wife was legitimate though not mandatory. On the other hand, her second marriage is categorized as defilement, which in this case must of necessity refer to adultery. And the second marriage is simultaneously categorized as both permissible and adultery at the same time. And you say how? Well the explanation is that the second marriage permanently and irrevocably severs the first one flesh marital union with her first husband, there can be no more reconciliation.It is in this sense an aspect of the second marriage constitutes adultery. And though this constitutes adultery and though the woman is set to be defiled, her defilement is in regard to her first husband. It's not defilement in regard to the second husband. It says he is to write her a certificate of divorce and send her away to make it official. So they quote Moses, Moses permitted, Moses allowed. In verse five it says, "Because of your hardness of heart," Jesus says, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment." In the parallel passage in Matthew 19:8, "He said to them, 'Because of your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.'" And some people look at this text and they say, "Well, because God foresaw hardness of heart or sinfulness, He wrote into the law a concession to sin."And this of course cannot be the right interpretation, because God never writes into the law concession to sin, though He does write into the law consequences of sin. So the divorce writing in Deuteronomy 24 is not a concession to sin, but it's consequences of sin. If adultery is to happen in a marriage, there are consequences that can be taken. Consequence number one for adultery in marriage was execution. But the husband sometimes, because of grace toward his wife, didn't pursue the execution. Like Joseph, if you remember Joseph, when his wife Mary was found to be with child, Joseph didn't hear from the Holy Spirit yet, he didn't hear from the angel yet, and he quietly wanted to divorce her and then the Lord stopped that. So divorce sometimes was a lesser consequence that was pursued instead of execution.So what then does Jesus mean, "From the beginning it was not." What does he mean, "Because of your hardness of heart?" Well, quite simply that from the beginning when there was no sin, there was no provision for divorce, but man fell into sin and subsequently hardhearted men and women commit adultery. Divorce comes in on the heels of sin, because it is necessary to punish sin, which is what divorce is. It's a punishment or a sanction for sin. So divorce legislation is authorized or permitted in order to deal with this hard heartedness. Divorce is not presented as an inherent or absolute right, but as a remedy for sin and a right only ensuing upon sin.Verse six, "But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female." He goes to the very beginning. So in a sense, in the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Eden was ruled under God's will perfectly. And in a sense Jesus Christ comes in order to save us from our sins and He points to the 10 commandments, this is how we are to govern ourselves if we are to live a life that creates a semblance, a taste, a foretaste of heaven on earth. So He goes from the beginning, He goes to the very beginning and He says, "God made them male and female." The first service I almost passed out. I know what was happening. 15 years I've been doing this long enough and I know there are topics where you are just over the target. You put yourself over the target and in the spiritual realm there is war. And whoever was in the first service, you know exactly what was happening. My wife almost called 911. She said, "I had my phone ready," because I know where we're standing.We're standing in the demonic epicenter of ideologies, demonic ideologies that seek to pervert the design of God from the very beginning. We stand, this synagogue celebrated the fact that they had one of the first same sex marriages ever officiated in this country right here, right here in a place where the 10 commandments are right there. So people standing right with the 10 commandments, the law of God over them as they make a mockery of it. I also understand this moment in time that we're in. We are in a synagogue with the 10 commandments in back of me and the latest iteration of the pride flag outside, that's not our flag. And what is that flag? The new iteration is confusion on gender. Alistair Begg recently, he was a faithful expository for years, but he was asked recently, "Hey, my grandchild is having a same sex wedding, can I go to the wedding?" And his response was, "Not only should you go, but you should bring a present. In effect with your presence you're celebrating or you're partaking in the ceremony of the covenant that's being made."And I was blown away by that, because those are conversations that we were having a decade ago here. The conversations we're having now aren't about that. The conversations we're having now with people here, real people, we're asking can my child be friends with a trans child? Our kids go to school with parents that dress boys in girls clothing. That's where we are in this moment in time. So even to get up and say, "No, there's two genders, male and female, He created them. And He designed sexuality for the flourishing of humanity." Why is this topic so important to God? Because this is the topic that explains how we got here. We're talking about the act of creation itself.And what does Satan want to do above all else? He wants to murky the waters of the design of God so people say, "Is there a designer? Look at us." So Jesus goes and He says, "From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female." And the emphasis here is on the complimentary sexual equipment of the first couple designed for each other whose result in sexual union is part of an indelible marital bond created by God. The presupposition of this argument seems to be that sexual union creates a permanent ontological fusion of the individuals involved. That on a spiritual level something is happening that you can't even explain, a unifying experience. When one body enters or is entered by another, a transaction of eternal significance has taken place. One that in its merging of opposites and resolutions of contradictions. And in a culture in which sex is often trivialized and used merely as just fun, private gratification, we have to heed the words of Christ.Verse seven, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So they have no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Jesus doesn't use the word marriage here. He uses it later in the private discussion with the disciples, but clearly that's the subject at hand. And what is marriage? Marriage is a man and a woman becoming one in recognition that God has joined them together for life, therefore they vow not to separate. I remember as a young pastor freshly ordained out of seminary, I was really excited to move to Boston, plant a church 15 years ago. And I remember being asked to do my first wedding and people always say, "Pastor Jan, will you marry us?" And I always say, "No, I'm already married. Thank you."And what they mean is, "Will you officiate our ceremony?" And I remember sitting down and saying, "I just spent three years in seminary, which is like law school and not once was there not even one class on how to lead a wedding ceremony." I had to write some pastors, "What do you do?" And they're like, "Well, I cobbled this together from some other pastors. And you go back into history." And so you put in some kind of formula that looks like it works. You greet everybody, the bride comes down the aisle and you say, "Who gives this bride to marry this groom?" And the father says, "Her mother and I do." And then you get up and you say, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God, in the face of this matrimony," you do that whole spiel.And we got that from the book of Common Prayer from England. I don't know why we use that. Then you read a little homily. And I realized that with a lot of weddings, you ask people, "How's the wedding?" And if they say it was good, it's only for two reasons. They're like, "Yeah, the wedding was great. Number one, the bride looked great. And then number two, the food. Oh, the food, the food was..." And what I tell people in the ceremony, I was like, "That's all good and well, that's not the most important part of the ceremony. The most important part of the ceremony is that this couple, this man, this woman are making a covenant, speaking with their eyes, with their mouth, sorry." And in the same way that Jesus Christ says, "You need to confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that He rose from the dead."The speaking in some sense makes it a reality. And where do we get that idea, is because God spoke and His word has creative effect. So when the groom and the bride, they say I do, they make the vows. What are they doing? They're not just confessing past love and they're not professing current love, they're promising future love. That's the covenant. That's the most important part. But regarding engagements and wedding ceremonies, there's very little detail in the Bible. There are no prescriptive commands in the Bible whatsoever concerning ceremonial procedures, rituals, civil and ecclesiastical requirements, public oaths. And you say why? Why is the Bible silent on this issue? Oaths and vows and rituals and ceremonies are numerous in the Bible, but marriage oaths and ceremonies are conspicuous by their absence. Well, why?Because what is Jesus saying marriage is? He's saying the man shall leave his father and mother, leaving a household. I'm going to start my own family. And then you hold fast to your wife and two shall become one. So in a sense, sexual union is marriage properly defined. Betrothal or spousal is actually an agreement or covenant pertaining to the marriage, not marriage itself. Such agreements, however, are presented in the Bible in covenantal terms. So the sexual union to becoming one is the consummation of the covenant made with God and one another, what God has joined together. You're recognizing we are under the eyes of God. God before the foundation of the world has predestined us to come together. We're recognizing, we're making a covenant to God and we're making a covenant with one another before the eyes of God. The reason why we hold marriage ceremony in the church is for the church to come alongside of the couple and hold them accountable to the covenant made.Because why make the covenant? Because you are anticipating moments where you will be tempted to break the covenant, that's why you make it. And you need the church to come alongside you and say, "We were there, we were witnesses, we heard the vows. You are one and you are one for life." In Genesis 1:26-28, we find God creating man and woman and blessing them with the words, be fruitful and multiply. And this was in essence the betrothal of Adam and Eve by their father. And there was no question here of any ceremony or ritual to solemnized or authorize their union, only the authoritative command of God that you have been joined together. Moreover, the Apostle Paul in the New Testament explicitly interprets the phrase one flesh as sexual relations. And while many have rightly pointed out that the phrase is not restricted to sexual relations, but includes the whole personal relationship of man and wife, it's a very great error not to see that this is its core meaning and central focus.Look at 1 Corinthians 6:16, "Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, 'The two will become one flesh.'" So Paul uses Genesis 2:24 to argue for the permanence of the union created by sexual intercourse even with prostitutes. So meaning the commencement of sexual relations begins a marriage, because sex is a covenant making ceremony and covenant making and covenant renewal. And we live in a day and age where people just want to make the covenant, just act out the covenant and then never... I mean, not for the beginning. Think about what are we agreeing to? One regarding the building that we are purchasing, there's going to be a building plug in every sermon from now on until we raise $5 million or move into the building, and/or.I get the purchase and sale agreement from our lawyer and Adobe DocuSign, very tremendous. I get on my phone, I was actually at the gym getting into my truck right after working out and I was like, "Oh sweet, I get to sign a contract." I open it up, not reading a thing, not a thing. I mean, I kind of knew what was... The small letters I was not reading. And then it says, "Okay, there was a blue arrow, initial here, click and then you write the JV. And then sign here, I did the thing. And then you just go through a whole document and that part was so fun, it's so gratifying, so incredible. I'm just signing stuff. What am I signing? What am I signing? What am I agreeing to? There's a cost, obviously. I signed a contract. There's terms, there's an agreement, I know exactly the cost involved in this... And that's a contract. A contract is so much less important than a covenant. A covenant is before the watchful eyes of God.So when people are just going around doing it, what are you doing? What are you promising to the other person? And there is something happening on a spiritual level that you can't even make sense of. So if you are going to consummate the covenant, you just got to be really, really clear on what it is. So therefore sex is sacred and should be not treated as profane. And if we have not made a covenant with God that He has joined us together, then we must not join together.And in biblical scripture this is how they viewed marriage. If you think about Jacob and Leah, the story of Jacob and Leah. He married Rachel, worked a long time for her and then goes to sleep. And then there's that fateful verse and he wakes up in the morning and it wasn't Rachel, it was Leah. And does he go to Laban and say, "No, we didn't have a ceremony, therefore we're not married. You tricked me." No, he realized what happened. We're married, I'm married to her. And this is how scripture presents a marriage. A marriage is a covenant. Virtually every reference in the Bible to covenant shows them to be a weighty matter and that the evidence is overwhelming.In Genesis 2:24, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast his wife and they shall become one flesh." So this verse imputes a legal covenantal significance to their coming together physically. And this is actually how scripture talks about God's relationship with His people. Ezekiel 16:8, for example, God says, "When I pass by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I made my vow to you and entered into covenant with you, declares the Lord God and you became mine." So man shall leave his father and mother, he's leaving one family to start his own. And then with the wife, they're joined together and he says, "What therefore God joined together, let no man separate."For the idea that God brings man and wife together, it's an idea. The phrase here is yoke me. That God in a sense yokes mates together, puts a yoke on them and says, "You together now are going in this direction." And it displays the idea of mates predestined for each other from the beginning of the world. Someone recently asked me, "Do you believe that God predestined people to get married?" I say, "Yeah, of course, of course." If God predestined people to salvation before the foundation of the world, then he certainly predestines how they are created and by whom and through what means.When I met my wife, I met her in Philadelphia at church and I tell everyone was love at first sight. And that's the romantic way to look at it. The theological way is I knew she's the one that I was predestined to marry before the foundation of the world. How did I know? I knew. And so that's part of choosing a mate. You pray and you say, "God, whom have you predestined for me?" And what God has joined together we are not to separate. And so Christ is refuting divorce on demand. He's also refuting making covenants on demand without thinking about it.Point two, and this brings us to adultery. Adultery is breaching of the marital covenant. In the house, the disciples ask for clarification in verse 10, in the house of the disciples asked him again about this matter, meaning they were puzzled like the teaching of Jesus was so radical, it's almost like they've never heard it before. It's like how did you not hear this clear teaching of scripture? Because the teaching was presented by Pharisees who wanted the loophole of divorce on demand. So the teachings of scripture, which are normative, this is how things should be, weren't normal. They weren't normal at that time. And this was the pattern in all of Israel. When people would move away from the law, they moved away from what's normative. And then what was normal was just sin and consequences of a debased mind.So verse 11, "And he said to them, 'Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.'" And what word best describes the violation of the marital bond than adultery? And that's why Jesus uses the word for adultery to explain the breaking of that covenant. And Matthew 5, Jesus gives us more comments on this. Verse 31, "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." Note what Jesus asserts, that such a man causes his wife to commit adultery. If he divorces her for non-biblical grounds for anything other than adultery, he causes her to commit adultery.Now note first what Jesus simply presupposes. He presupposes that the woman in question will remarry. Else there would be no adultery to speak of. And secondly, Jesus clearly places the guilt of the adultery upon the man who divorces his wife without valid grounds. And though the woman and her new husband commit the act, the guilt of the adultery, the violation of the one flesh bond is imputed to the divorcing husband. He, the divorcing husband, is declared to be the cause of adultery. And the wife who remarries in such a situation and the man who marries her are not imputed with the guilt of adultery. And the law of God always distinguishes between a perpetrator of sin and a victim of sin. A wife who is unjustly divorced by an unrepentant husband is a victim and would be permanently victimized and consigned to a life of singleness if she were required to remain unmarried. So Jesus clearly imputes to the divorcing husband as the causative agent of the adultery guilt thereof.In Matthew 19:9, in the parallel passage it says, "And I say to, whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery." And the word for sexual immorality in the Greek is pornea. And what's happening here is this exception, this clause, sexual immorality, is the parallel to the indecency language in Deuteronomy 24. That for adultery, if a married woman commits adultery, that act of adultery, that word is used to describe the severing of the one covenant with her first husband.Adultery is the transgression of the seventh commandment and it is punishable by death. But sometimes divorce was the chosen path. If you remember like with Joseph, and this is how God speaks of his relationship with even Israel. That Israel deserved execution, capital punishment. God should have wiped them off the face of the earth, but God had mercy on them. So instead of execution for their spiritual adultery, idolatry, he gave Israel a certificate of divorce in Isaiah 50, "Thus says the Lord, 'Where is your mother's certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold for your iniquities, you were sold and for your transgression your mother was sent away.'" And the conquest and exile of the northern kingdom of Israel by Assyria is allegorically characterized by God as a bill of divorcement. For what? For adultery.In Jeremiah 3:8 he makes that explicit, "She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she went and played the whore." So divorce in God's law is not just permitted, but sometimes it is a manifestation of God's holiness and wrath against sin. And since divorce is a manifestation of God's holiness and God calls his people to be holy for I am holy, it follows by good and necessary consequence from this that God's example of divorcing his wife for the cause of adultery was normative and the lawful basis and redress on a human level. And that was His grace. It was His grace. They deserved execution, He didn't give them that. Execution was not the only lawful means of dealing with adultery.So adultery is a breach of the marriage covenant and divorce is confirmation of that breach. It was allowed for God by God not as a concession but as a consequence for sin. Verse 12, "And she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." In Exodus it says that the failure to provide for the wife on the part of the man constitutes a breach of the one flesh covenant as well and by implication that includes extreme offenses such as physical abuse. But groundless divorce itself constitutes adultery, because adultery is the breaking of the covenant."Pastor Jan, we are seeking a divorce. What do you think?" I had this conversation recently. I said, "Why? What are the biblical grounds?" "Well, I think God wants us to be happy and we'll be happier apart from each other." God's primary will is not your happiness. It's not my happiness. God's primary will for you is your obedience and your obedience of faith. And with that obedience, God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to be obedient and fills your heart with joy. Now the fact that we made the covenant husband and wife, made the covenant, your covenant together that no matter the season, no matter what happened, we're going to stay together, because it's God's will. This is God's will. We confirmed it's God's will and we made that vow.And then point three is, God loves humanity, therefore Jesus loves children. So marriage and heterosexual sex are inextricably linked with the divine gift of children. And indeed in Genesis 1:28, God's first blessing on humanity after he created the male and female is be fruitful and multiply. And it's no accident that our passage in which Jesus traces the institution of marriage back to the beginning of creation is immediately followed by His blessing of children. So having proclaimed the permanence of marriage, Jesus now turns to the related theme of children on natural progression.And this is partially why God has designed marriage the way He has and sex the way He has so that there's never any question on who's the father. One of the greatest epidemics in our culture and in the world in general is the epidemic of fatherlessness. Where children growing up not knowing who their father is or not having a father in the house. The reason why God designed it is so that children would not be brought up that way with so much pain. And Mark 10:13, "And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God, like a child shall not enter it.'"The main Old Testament background to the saying of entering the dominion of God is the image of the Israelites as they were poised on the brink of entering the Promised Land, but they didn't believe God. And then God tells them, "Your children who today do not know right from wrong, they shall enter there." And Jesus makes it an emphasis that the only way to enter the kingdom of God is to receive it. And in scripture, people frequently enter into action that was prepared for them by another. Others have labored and you have entered into their kingdom. So when He says enter the dominion of God, he's saying enter into the work of God. He's prepared the kingdom. And little children are the model of how people enter the kingdom.That God bestows the kingdom upon the low, upon the helpless, upon those who can do nothing to gain entrance. And entrance into the kingdom of God is not something which can be earned or gained, because of the basis of human merit. As one commentator aptly put it, to receive the kingdom is to allow oneself to be given it. We see Jesus revealing his heart. And that's the heart of a father, because he knows God the Father, he knows God the Father's heart. He welcomes the children, He takes them in His arms, He blesses them, He hugs them, and He loves them. In Malachi 2:13-16, all these themes are summarized by the following and the Lord God says, "And this second thing you do, you cover the Lord's altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.""But you say, 'Why does he not?' Because the Lord was witnessed between you and the wife of your youth to whom you have been faithless. Though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did He not make them one with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 'For the man who does not love his wife, but divorces her,' says the Lord God of Israel, 'covers his garment with violence,' says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless." The Lord Jesus Christ knew what his teaching was doing as He was explicating the commandments of God. He knows exactly what was happening. That the straight edge of the sword of God's commandments was piercing the hearts of the listeners.And that's exactly what regeneration is. Regeneration is when you hear the word of God, when you hear the law of God and you feel in your heart how much you have transgressed the holy, pure law of God. It's like the commandment goes down into your heart, pierces it, and that's exactly what it's supposed to do. The more precise, the sharper the edge of the sword, the more clean the incision. And then what does God do? He gives us a heart transplant. He takes the hard heart of stone and He removes it and replaces it with a heart that's tender toward God, tender toward the people He calls us to love.Ezekiel 11:19, "And I will give them one heart and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them and they shall be my people and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God." So today, however you're feeling about this message or the subject matter, if you are feeling condemnation or shame or guilt, or if you are feeling the stirring of the Holy Spirit, calling you to repentance, calling you to ever greater levels of holiness, just know that's the Lord working in you.Here I want to read 1 Corinthians 6, and as Paul deals with this subject matter, I want to put the emphasis on the fact that he's speaking to Christians. He's speaking to people who were saved out of this worldly idea of what it means to be a man, a woman, sexuality, et cetera. And he says, "Such were some of you," were. Such were some of you.So 1 Corinthians 6:9, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything. Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy both one and the other.""The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your are bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never. Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For as it is written, the two will become one flesh. But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we're part of the church, the bride of Christ. That's why the new building is a ballroom. And I like that idea, because we're the bride of Christ and Jesus is going to... We're going to dance with Jesus following His lead. He's going to lead us. How did Jesus choose His bride? Did He choose His bride for her beauty? Did He choose us because of our purity and holiness? Did He choose us because we were lovely? Did He choose us for our godliness? No. God chose His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. And we, the bride of Christ, we've all been unfaithful to the Lord.Therefore, in the covenant we make with Christ, it's now we who spill the blood of virginity, it's He who spills the blood to redeem us. And Jesus Christ loved the church, not because she was lovely, but because He is loving and He gave himself up for her to save her and to make her lovely. He forgives us and redeems us and makes a covenant with us. And then what does He do? He begins to sanctify the church.And in Ephesians 5 says that He does so by cleansing the church, cleansing His bride by the washing of water with the word. I love that picture. That's how I view my job. I view my job as I am here to wash you with the water of the word. And some texts feel like I've got a power washer. Have you ever seen those videos on power washing? They're very satisfying. I can watch those things for a long time. Power washing videos, all the mildew coming off the house. And I used to do that as a kid. I used to paint with my dad, he's got a painting business, and my job was the power washing, because it takes a lot of work. And I remember as a 13-year-old kid, I'm on the 40-foot ladder at the very top trying to hold the power wash. But it's so strong that it's blowing you off.That's what we need sometimes. That there's sin, that there's cobwebs, that there's mildew of sin in us. And the Lord has given us His word and He cleanses us by the washing of water with the word. Why? So that he might present the church to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she might be holy and without blemish.So today, if you have felt the sharp edge of the commandment of God coming down upon you, because of commandment number seven or whatever commandment, and we've broken commandment seven, because we broke commandment number one. What's commandment number one? Thou shall have no other gods before me. If we have other gods before God, either ourselves or someone else, well of course we're going to shirk the other commandments. So if you felt the commandments of God coming down on you, revealing sin, revealing that we're all transgressors today, look to the cross of Christ.Look and see the covenantal love of Christ as His blood is pouring down in order to redeem us and save us. And as you repent of your sin, receive the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe that you have been forgiven, purified, sanctified, as pure as snow. And then receive this promise from the Lord Jesus Christ that He is speaking to you. And this promise will satisfy your soul with a love that you will never experience from another human being. Receive this promise. I will never leave you nor forsake you. He proved it on the cross. That's true. He's faithful. Then He calls us to follow him.Let us pray. Lord God, we thank you for this word and we thank you for this time together. We thank you Holy Spirit, that you are with us and you are ministering to us. Lord, if our hearts are broken, mend them. If our hearts are hardened, soften them. If our hearts have grown tepid toward you and toward your word today, Lord, set our hearts on fire so that we will be people of God seeking holiness in absolutely every area of life, including the most intimate ones. We pray all this in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

One quick announcement. We are in the middle of a building campaign and we're trying to raise $5 million for space that the Lord has sent to us. We've signed a purchase and sale agreement on half of it, and we're trying to raise funds for the rest. So I say that because we need prayer. The church of God, if we ask you to pray for the Lord to send us a miracle, it's a miracle that we got here. We're praying for the second iteration of the miracle is like the blind man. If you remember, he got the first touch from Jesus and Jesus says, "Do you see?" And he says, "I see people walking like trees." And he needed a second miracle.So that's what we need. Our first miracle is the space is located, we know where it is. Down Kent Street, you take a left on Longwood, three towers, it's right there. So pray. And then also if the Lord brings anyone to mind, perhaps a rich uncle or something like that, and then connect us with them. With that said, would you please pray with us for the preaching of God's Holy word.Heavenly Father, we come to your word with fear and trepidation, knowing that you are holy and your commandments are holy. And we recognize that we are sinful, we are commandment breakers, we are covenant breakers, unfaithful. Lord, but we thank you for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior who out of his great love for you and out of his great love for us went to a cross to shed blood for the covenant. The covenant that welcomes us in for whoever would repent of sin, of transgression, everyone can be forgiven, purified, sanctified, and filled with the spirit to live lives of obedience. Lord, as we consider the topics before us in the text on marriage and divorce and children, someone of the most intimate spheres of life, Lord, we ask that you send us the Holy Spirit that you minister to us, to our hearts. If there's hardness of heart, remove it. If there's brokenness, mend it and heal it. If there's a lack of zeal for your word, I pray, Lord, fire up our hearts and bless us in the Holy Word in our time together, amen.We are continuing our sermon series through the Gospel of Mark called Kingdom Come. And the idea is that Jesus has come, the king has inaugurated His kingdom, but then He teaches us to pray. Our Father who in heaven hallowed be your name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So the more God's will is done in our lives, the more of His kingdom we usher into the world. The title of the sermon today is Covenantal Love. I will never leave you nor forsake you. These are some of the most powerful words that you can hear and they're some of the most powerful words that you can speak. These are words of eternal love, a love that will never end.And who's the only one who can make that promise and we can completely trust Him to keep it always? Well, that's God of course, because God alone is eternal. God alone is perfectly faithful. And this love, this faithful love is a costly love. And that's why the conversation about marriage happens right after Jesus informed his disciples that there's a cost to following him. There's a cost to loving like Jesus loved. There's a cost to faithful love and that's denying self daily, dying to self daily, taking up the cross daily. The way of Christ is the way of love and that's how most of people in the world view Christ and God. God is love and we all know that. It's love for God and love for neighbor. But if you look at the way of Christ, how Christ lived, the way of Christ is the way of the cross, the way of self-sacrifice and service.Therefore, the way to love and the way of love is self-sacrifice. All of me for all of you. And that's what covenantal love is. You say, "I love you so much that I will die to self to serve you." And how was the greatest covenant ratified? The greatest promise of love? Well, with the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us, "Drink of it all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." What was Jesus saying on the cross? On the cross, He opened up his arms and He said, "I love you this much and I love you so much that I am willing to bleed for you." That's what covenantal love costs. And receiving God's covenantal love, well, it's transformative. It changes your very essence. It melts your heart, it melts the hardness and his love fills your heart with a supernatural love to love the way He loved you with blood, sweat, and tears.And when you realize that He loved you with that kind of love and promises to love you like that for all of eternity, despite your sin, despite your unfaithfulness, despite your idolatry, despite your adultery, it stretches your heart expanding it and then your heart's filled with his love, ready to fill the hearts of the closest people in your life, your closest neighbors, your family, your wife, your husband, your children. Today we're in Mark 10:1-16, would you look at the text with me? And He left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan and crowds gathered to Him again. Again as was His custom he taught them.And Pharisees came up and in order to test Him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He answered them. "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away." Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart He wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."And in the house the disciples asked Him again about this matter and He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." And they were bringing children to him that He might touch them and the disciples rebuked them. And when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them.This is the reading of God's holy, inherent, and fallible authoritative word. May He write these eternal truths upon our hearts. Three points to frame up our time. First marriage is being joined together by God. Second, adultery is breaching of the marital covenant. And third, God loves humanity, therefore Jesus loves children. First of all, marriage is being joined together by God. Before Jesus Christ embarks on His journey to Jerusalem, embarks on the way of the cross, the Via Dolorosa, He tells us and the disciples how to follow Him in some of the most important areas of life. The next part of the chapter is about money and wealth and how do we interact with how Jesus wants us to be faithful with finances? And later He'll talk about a relationship to work and faithfulness there.But here He says, "I'm going to teach you how to follow me in the relationship between a husband and a wife and the relationship between parents and children." Jesus wants to follow Him needs to impact every single area of life, specifically the most important areas of our lives. He's Lord of all. And today Jesus concentrates His teaching of what it means to be a disciple in the most fundamental areas of life, one's marriage, one's children. In verse one of chapter 10, it says, "He left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan and crowds gathered to Him again. And again as was His custom, He taught them." So Jesus has finished the private discourse with the 12 disciples and what it means to follow Him. And probably that took place in Peter's house in Capernaum.Now Jesus is leaving everything familiar and He's beginning His fateful journey toward Jerusalem. And one of the fascinating things is Jesus here in His final journey toward Jerusalem, passes directly through the same area where John the Baptist conducted his work in preparing the way for the one who is to come after him. So the crowds gather and the Pharisees seeing another opportunity to test Jesus Christ. And the phrase here for test Jesus, shows that the inquiry is hostile. They're seeking to trap Him, therefore they ask a question about divorce. They come to Him in verse two and they say, "Pharisees came up in order to test Him and asked, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?'" They try to trip Jesus up with a loaded question designed to expose Jesus Christ as a lawbreaker. They had heard Jesus teaching on family, on marriage, on children.And Jesus has been emphasizing the fact that it's one man, one woman, one covenant, one lifetime, and there wasn't any talk about divorce. And they believe virtually everyone in the first century, Palestine, was in agreement that you could get a divorce. Husbands could be granted divorces for trivial things if the wife didn't please them, since the law of Moses allowed for divorce. If Jesus here says, "Moses allowed for it, but I go against Moses," then Jesus can be charged with being a lawbreaker. So that's the trick behind what they're doing. And Matthew 9:3, it's more explicit, the parallel passage, "The Pharisees came up to Him and they tested Him by asking, 'Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?'" So they saw that Moses allowed for divorce and we'll get into that text in just a little bit, but then they reinterpreted in their schools of thought as for any cause.And the question is about marriage. So we're not dealing with a ceremonial ordinance, but with the moral law. And Jesus already warned not to think that He had come to destroy the law or nullify it. He has come to teach it and fulfill it. Verse three, "He answered them, 'What did Moses command you?'" They ask a question, Jesus answers with a counter question. And some early Christian commentators interpret this question as Jesus way of playing Moses commandments off against God's. Moses commanded this, but God did not. And that's clearly an unsustainable path exegesis, because in Mark 7, Jesus clearly identifies the 10 commandments as God's law. He's going to do the same with the conversation about the rich young ruler. And Jesus affirmed the binding character of the 10 commandments, the decalogue, as the central part of the mosaic teaching. If you remember, He revealed himself on the Mount of Transfiguration.He went up there with Peter, James, and John and He met with Elijah and Moses. And one of the reasons why He met with Moses was because the law was given by Moses. Therefore, Jesus is affirming the law that was given by Moses. And Elijah was given the job to then go tell the people of Israel that they need to repent and turn back to the 10 commandments. Moses wrote the whole Pentateuch concluding the Genesis narrative that Jesus will quote. So verse four, "They said, 'Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.'" And some exegesis have found a key to the passage in the contrast between Jesus' question, which asked about what Moses commanded and the Pharisees that reply, which only talks about what he allowed, as if in Jesus' opinion God permits divorce as a concession, but He never commanded it.And again, this exegesis is unsustainable and the Pharisees here are merely using common terminology of what may or may not be done. And this question in reference to divorce comes from Deuteronomy 24. If you know about Jesus and the way He quotes scripture, go back and see how often He quotes the book of Deuteronomy. When He meets with Satan, when Satan comes to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, when He's fasting for 40 days, three times Jesus' response to Satan and all three times they're verses from Deuteronomy.Deuteronomy 24:1, "When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found some indecency in her and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of the house and she departs out of his house, and if she goes and becomes another man's wife and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter man dies who took her to be his wife, then her former husband who sent her away may not take her again to be his wife after she has been defiled. For that is an abomination before the Lord and you shall not bring sin upon the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance."So Deuteronomy 24 is a classic example of the Torah's casuistic or case law. The case law that interpreted the 10 commandments and occasions that would arise in real life. Here in this text there's no denunciation of the divorce. In fact, it's not the divorce that's being denunciation by taking a divorce wife back after she has subsequently married and divorced another man. In verse one it says, "If he finds some kind of indecency in her," another translation says, "Nakedness." Leviticus 18 uses this phrase 18 to 20 times. It has to do with illicit sexual activity. So when Deuteronomy 4:4 says that the woman has been defiled by her second marriage, it's because there was still the option of reconciliation before she actually had sexual relations with her second husband.On the one hand, the divorce of the wife was legitimate though not mandatory. On the other hand, her second marriage is categorized as defilement, which in this case must of necessity refer to adultery. And the second marriage is simultaneously categorized as both permissible and adultery at the same time. And you say how? Well the explanation is that the second marriage permanently and irrevocably severs the first one flesh marital union with her first husband, there can be no more reconciliation.It is in this sense an aspect of the second marriage constitutes adultery. And though this constitutes adultery and though the woman is set to be defiled, her defilement is in regard to her first husband. It's not defilement in regard to the second husband. It says he is to write her a certificate of divorce and send her away to make it official. So they quote Moses, Moses permitted, Moses allowed. In verse five it says, "Because of your hardness of heart," Jesus says, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment." In the parallel passage in Matthew 19:8, "He said to them, 'Because of your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.'" And some people look at this text and they say, "Well, because God foresaw hardness of heart or sinfulness, He wrote into the law a concession to sin."And this of course cannot be the right interpretation, because God never writes into the law concession to sin, though He does write into the law consequences of sin. So the divorce writing in Deuteronomy 24 is not a concession to sin, but it's consequences of sin. If adultery is to happen in a marriage, there are consequences that can be taken. Consequence number one for adultery in marriage was execution. But the husband sometimes, because of grace toward his wife, didn't pursue the execution. Like Joseph, if you remember Joseph, when his wife Mary was found to be with child, Joseph didn't hear from the Holy Spirit yet, he didn't hear from the angel yet, and he quietly wanted to divorce her and then the Lord stopped that. So divorce sometimes was a lesser consequence that was pursued instead of execution.So what then does Jesus mean, "From the beginning it was not." What does he mean, "Because of your hardness of heart?" Well, quite simply that from the beginning when there was no sin, there was no provision for divorce, but man fell into sin and subsequently hardhearted men and women commit adultery. Divorce comes in on the heels of sin, because it is necessary to punish sin, which is what divorce is. It's a punishment or a sanction for sin. So divorce legislation is authorized or permitted in order to deal with this hard heartedness. Divorce is not presented as an inherent or absolute right, but as a remedy for sin and a right only ensuing upon sin.Verse six, "But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female." He goes to the very beginning. So in a sense, in the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Eden was ruled under God's will perfectly. And in a sense Jesus Christ comes in order to save us from our sins and He points to the 10 commandments, this is how we are to govern ourselves if we are to live a life that creates a semblance, a taste, a foretaste of heaven on earth. So He goes from the beginning, He goes to the very beginning and He says, "God made them male and female." The first service I almost passed out. I know what was happening. 15 years I've been doing this long enough and I know there are topics where you are just over the target. You put yourself over the target and in the spiritual realm there is war. And whoever was in the first service, you know exactly what was happening. My wife almost called 911. She said, "I had my phone ready," because I know where we're standing.We're standing in the demonic epicenter of ideologies, demonic ideologies that seek to pervert the design of God from the very beginning. We stand, this synagogue celebrated the fact that they had one of the first same sex marriages ever officiated in this country right here, right here in a place where the 10 commandments are right there. So people standing right with the 10 commandments, the law of God over them as they make a mockery of it. I also understand this moment in time that we're in. We are in a synagogue with the 10 commandments in back of me and the latest iteration of the pride flag outside, that's not our flag. And what is that flag? The new iteration is confusion on gender. Alistair Begg recently, he was a faithful expository for years, but he was asked recently, "Hey, my grandchild is having a same sex wedding, can I go to the wedding?" And his response was, "Not only should you go, but you should bring a present. In effect with your presence you're celebrating or you're partaking in the ceremony of the covenant that's being made."And I was blown away by that, because those are conversations that we were having a decade ago here. The conversations we're having now aren't about that. The conversations we're having now with people here, real people, we're asking can my child be friends with a trans child? Our kids go to school with parents that dress boys in girls clothing. That's where we are in this moment in time. So even to get up and say, "No, there's two genders, male and female, He created them. And He designed sexuality for the flourishing of humanity." Why is this topic so important to God? Because this is the topic that explains how we got here. We're talking about the act of creation itself.And what does Satan want to do above all else? He wants to murky the waters of the design of God so people say, "Is there a designer? Look at us." So Jesus goes and He says, "From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female." And the emphasis here is on the complimentary sexual equipment of the first couple designed for each other whose result in sexual union is part of an indelible marital bond created by God. The presupposition of this argument seems to be that sexual union creates a permanent ontological fusion of the individuals involved. That on a spiritual level something is happening that you can't even explain, a unifying experience. When one body enters or is entered by another, a transaction of eternal significance has taken place. One that in its merging of opposites and resolutions of contradictions. And in a culture in which sex is often trivialized and used merely as just fun, private gratification, we have to heed the words of Christ.Verse seven, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So they have no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Jesus doesn't use the word marriage here. He uses it later in the private discussion with the disciples, but clearly that's the subject at hand. And what is marriage? Marriage is a man and a woman becoming one in recognition that God has joined them together for life, therefore they vow not to separate. I remember as a young pastor freshly ordained out of seminary, I was really excited to move to Boston, plant a church 15 years ago. And I remember being asked to do my first wedding and people always say, "Pastor Jan, will you marry us?" And I always say, "No, I'm already married. Thank you."And what they mean is, "Will you officiate our ceremony?" And I remember sitting down and saying, "I just spent three years in seminary, which is like law school and not once was there not even one class on how to lead a wedding ceremony." I had to write some pastors, "What do you do?" And they're like, "Well, I cobbled this together from some other pastors. And you go back into history." And so you put in some kind of formula that looks like it works. You greet everybody, the bride comes down the aisle and you say, "Who gives this bride to marry this groom?" And the father says, "Her mother and I do." And then you get up and you say, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God, in the face of this matrimony," you do that whole spiel.And we got that from the book of Common Prayer from England. I don't know why we use that. Then you read a little homily. And I realized that with a lot of weddings, you ask people, "How's the wedding?" And if they say it was good, it's only for two reasons. They're like, "Yeah, the wedding was great. Number one, the bride looked great. And then number two, the food. Oh, the food, the food was..." And what I tell people in the ceremony, I was like, "That's all good and well, that's not the most important part of the ceremony. The most important part of the ceremony is that this couple, this man, this woman are making a covenant, speaking with their eyes, with their mouth, sorry." And in the same way that Jesus Christ says, "You need to confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that He rose from the dead."The speaking in some sense makes it a reality. And where do we get that idea, is because God spoke and His word has creative effect. So when the groom and the bride, they say I do, they make the vows. What are they doing? They're not just confessing past love and they're not professing current love, they're promising future love. That's the covenant. That's the most important part. But regarding engagements and wedding ceremonies, there's very little detail in the Bible. There are no prescriptive commands in the Bible whatsoever concerning ceremonial procedures, rituals, civil and ecclesiastical requirements, public oaths. And you say why? Why is the Bible silent on this issue? Oaths and vows and rituals and ceremonies are numerous in the Bible, but marriage oaths and ceremonies are conspicuous by their absence. Well, why?Because what is Jesus saying marriage is? He's saying the man shall leave his father and mother, leaving a household. I'm going to start my own family. And then you hold fast to your wife and two shall become one. So in a sense, sexual union is marriage properly defined. Betrothal or spousal is actually an agreement or covenant pertaining to the marriage, not marriage itself. Such agreements, however, are presented in the Bible in covenantal terms. So the sexual union to becoming one is the consummation of the covenant made with God and one another, what God has joined together. You're recognizing we are under the eyes of God. God before the foundation of the world has predestined us to come together. We're recognizing, we're making a covenant to God and we're making a covenant with one another before the eyes of God. The reason why we hold marriage ceremony in the church is for the church to come alongside of the couple and hold them accountable to the covenant made.Because why make the covenant? Because you are anticipating moments where you will be tempted to break the covenant, that's why you make it. And you need the church to come alongside you and say, "We were there, we were witnesses, we heard the vows. You are one and you are one for life." In Genesis 1:26-28, we find God creating man and woman and blessing them with the words, be fruitful and multiply. And this was in essence the betrothal of Adam and Eve by their father. And there was no question here of any ceremony or ritual to solemnized or authorize their union, only the authoritative command of God that you have been joined together. Moreover, the Apostle Paul in the New Testament explicitly interprets the phrase one flesh as sexual relations. And while many have rightly pointed out that the phrase is not restricted to sexual relations, but includes the whole personal relationship of man and wife, it's a very great error not to see that this is its core meaning and central focus.Look at 1 Corinthians 6:16, "Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, 'The two will become one flesh.'" So Paul uses Genesis 2:24 to argue for the permanence of the union created by sexual intercourse even with prostitutes. So meaning the commencement of sexual relations begins a marriage, because sex is a covenant making ceremony and covenant making and covenant renewal. And we live in a day and age where people just want to make the covenant, just act out the covenant and then never... I mean, not for the beginning. Think about what are we agreeing to? One regarding the building that we are purchasing, there's going to be a building plug in every sermon from now on until we raise $5 million or move into the building, and/or.I get the purchase and sale agreement from our lawyer and Adobe DocuSign, very tremendous. I get on my phone, I was actually at the gym getting into my truck right after working out and I was like, "Oh sweet, I get to sign a contract." I open it up, not reading a thing, not a thing. I mean, I kind of knew what was... The small letters I was not reading. And then it says, "Okay, there was a blue arrow, initial here, click and then you write the JV. And then sign here, I did the thing. And then you just go through a whole document and that part was so fun, it's so gratifying, so incredible. I'm just signing stuff. What am I signing? What am I signing? What am I agreeing to? There's a cost, obviously. I signed a contract. There's terms, there's an agreement, I know exactly the cost involved in this... And that's a contract. A contract is so much less important than a covenant. A covenant is before the watchful eyes of God.So when people are just going around doing it, what are you doing? What are you promising to the other person? And there is something happening on a spiritual level that you can't even make sense of. So if you are going to consummate the covenant, you just got to be really, really clear on what it is. So therefore sex is sacred and should be not treated as profane. And if we have not made a covenant with God that He has joined us together, then we must not join together.And in biblical scripture this is how they viewed marriage. If you think about Jacob and Leah, the story of Jacob and Leah. He married Rachel, worked a long time for her and then goes to sleep. And then there's that fateful verse and he wakes up in the morning and it wasn't Rachel, it was Leah. And does he go to Laban and say, "No, we didn't have a ceremony, therefore we're not married. You tricked me." No, he realized what happened. We're married, I'm married to her. And this is how scripture presents a marriage. A marriage is a covenant. Virtually every reference in the Bible to covenant shows them to be a weighty matter and that the evidence is overwhelming.In Genesis 2:24, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast his wife and they shall become one flesh." So this verse imputes a legal covenantal significance to their coming together physically. And this is actually how scripture talks about God's relationship with His people. Ezekiel 16:8, for example, God says, "When I pass by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I made my vow to you and entered into covenant with you, declares the Lord God and you became mine." So man shall leave his father and mother, he's leaving one family to start his own. And then with the wife, they're joined together and he says, "What therefore God joined together, let no man separate."For the idea that God brings man and wife together, it's an idea. The phrase here is yoke me. That God in a sense yokes mates together, puts a yoke on them and says, "You together now are going in this direction." And it displays the idea of mates predestined for each other from the beginning of the world. Someone recently asked me, "Do you believe that God predestined people to get married?" I say, "Yeah, of course, of course." If God predestined people to salvation before the foundation of the world, then he certainly predestines how they are created and by whom and through what means.When I met my wife, I met her in Philadelphia at church and I tell everyone was love at first sight. And that's the romantic way to look at it. The theological way is I knew she's the one that I was predestined to marry before the foundation of the world. How did I know? I knew. And so that's part of choosing a mate. You pray and you say, "God, whom have you predestined for me?" And what God has joined together we are not to separate. And so Christ is refuting divorce on demand. He's also refuting making covenants on demand without thinking about it.Point two, and this brings us to adultery. Adultery is breaching of the marital covenant. In the house, the disciples ask for clarification in verse 10, in the house of the disciples asked him again about this matter, meaning they were puzzled like the teaching of Jesus was so radical, it's almost like they've never heard it before. It's like how did you not hear this clear teaching of scripture? Because the teaching was presented by Pharisees who wanted the loophole of divorce on demand. So the teachings of scripture, which are normative, this is how things should be, weren't normal. They weren't normal at that time. And this was the pattern in all of Israel. When people would move away from the law, they moved away from what's normative. And then what was normal was just sin and consequences of a debased mind.So verse 11, "And he said to them, 'Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.'" And what word best describes the violation of the marital bond than adultery? And that's why Jesus uses the word for adultery to explain the breaking of that covenant. And Matthew 5, Jesus gives us more comments on this. Verse 31, "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." Note what Jesus asserts, that such a man causes his wife to commit adultery. If he divorces her for non-biblical grounds for anything other than adultery, he causes her to commit adultery.Now note first what Jesus simply presupposes. He presupposes that the woman in question will remarry. Else there would be no adultery to speak of. And secondly, Jesus clearly places the guilt of the adultery upon the man who divorces his wife without valid grounds. And though the woman and her new husband commit the act, the guilt of the adultery, the violation of the one flesh bond is imputed to the divorcing husband. He, the divorcing husband, is declared to be the cause of adultery. And the wife who remarries in such a situation and the man who marries her are not imputed with the guilt of adultery. And the law of God always distinguishes between a perpetrator of sin and a victim of sin. A wife who is unjustly divorced by an unrepentant husband is a victim and would be permanently victimized and consigned to a life of singleness if she were required to remain unmarried. So Jesus clearly imputes to the divorcing husband as the causative agent of the adultery guilt thereof.In Matthew 19:9, in the parallel passage it says, "And I say to, whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery." And the word for sexual immorality in the Greek is pornea. And what's happening here is this exception, this clause, sexual immorality, is the parallel to the indecency language in Deuteronomy 24. That for adultery, if a married woman commits adultery, that act of adultery, that word is used to describe the severing of the one covenant with her first husband.Adultery is the transgression of the seventh commandment and it is punishable by death. But sometimes divorce was the chosen path. If you remember like with Joseph, and this is how God speaks of his relationship with even Israel. That Israel deserved execution, capital punishment. God should have wiped them off the face of the earth, but God had mercy on them. So instead of execution for their spiritual adultery, idolatry, he gave Israel a certificate of divorce in Isaiah 50, "Thus says the Lord, 'Where is your mother's certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold for your iniquities, you were sold and for your transgression your mother was sent away.'" And the conquest and exile of the northern kingdom of Israel by Assyria is allegorically characterized by God as a bill of divorcement. For what? For adultery.In Jeremiah 3:8 he makes that explicit, "She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she went and played the whore." So divorce in God's law is not just permitted, but sometimes it is a manifestation of God's holiness and wrath against sin. And since divorce is a manifestation of God's holiness and God calls his people to be holy for I am holy, it follows by good and necessary consequence from this that God's example of divorcing his wife for the cause of adultery was normative and the lawful basis and redress on a human level. And that was His grace. It was His grace. They deserved execution, He didn't give them that. Execution was not the only lawful means of dealing with adultery.So adultery is a breach of the marriage covenant and divorce is confirmation of that breach. It was allowed for God by God not as a concession but as a consequence for sin. Verse 12, "And she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." In Exodus it says that the failure to provide for the wife on the part of the man constitutes a breach of the one flesh covenant as well and by implication that includes extreme offenses such as physical abuse. But groundless divorce itself constitutes adultery, because adultery is the breaking of the covenant."Pastor Jan, we are seeking a divorce. What do you think?" I had this conversation recently. I said, "Why? What are the biblical grounds?" "Well, I think God wants us to be happy and we'll be happier apart from each other." God's primary will is not your happiness. It's not my happiness. God's primary will for you is your obedience and your obedience of faith. And with that obedience, God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to be obedient and fills your heart with joy. Now the fact that we made the covenant husband and wife, made the covenant, your covenant together that no matter the season, no matter what happened, we're going to stay together, because it's God's will. This is God's will. We confirmed it's God's will and we made that vow.And then point three is, God loves humanity, therefore Jesus loves children. So marriage and heterosexual sex are inextricably linked with the divine gift of children. And indeed in Genesis 1:28, God's first blessing on humanity after he created the male and female is be fruitful and multiply. And it's no accident that our passage in which Jesus traces the institution of marriage back to the beginning of creation is immediately followed by His blessing of children. So having proclaimed the permanence of marriage, Jesus now turns to the related theme of children on natural progression.And this is partially why God has designed marriage the way He has and sex the way He has so that there's never any question on who's the father. One of the greatest epidemics in our culture and in the world in general is the epidemic of fatherlessness. Where children growing up not knowing who their father is or not having a father in the house. The reason why God designed it is so that children would not be brought up that way with so much pain. And Mark 10:13, "And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God, like a child shall not enter it.'"The main Old Testament background to the saying of entering the dominion of God is the image of the Israelites as they were poised on the brink of entering the Promised Land, but they didn't believe God. And then God tells them, "Your children who today do not know right from wrong, they shall enter there." And Jesus makes it an emphasis that the only way to enter the kingdom of God is to receive it. And in scripture, people frequently enter into action that was prepared for them by another. Others have labored and you have entered into their kingdom. So when He says enter the dominion of God, he's saying enter into the work of God. He's prepared the kingdom. And little children are the model of how people enter the kingdom.That God bestows the kingdom upon the low, upon the helpless, upon those who can do nothing to gain entrance. And entrance into the kingdom of God is not something which can be earned or gained, because of the basis of human merit. As one commentator aptly put it, to receive the kingdom is to allow oneself to be given it. We see Jesus revealing his heart. And that's the heart of a father, because he knows God the Father, he knows God the Father's heart. He welcomes the children, He takes them in His arms, He blesses them, He hugs them, and He loves them. In Malachi 2:13-16, all these themes are summarized by the following and the Lord God says, "And this second thing you do, you cover the Lord's altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.""But you say, 'Why does he not?' Because the Lord was witnessed between you and the wife of your youth to whom you have been faithless. Though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did He not make them one with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 'For the man who does not love his wife, but divorces her,' says the Lord God of Israel, 'covers his garment with violence,' says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless." The Lord Jesus Christ knew what his teaching was doing as He was explicating the commandments of God. He knows exactly what was happening. That the straight edge of the sword of God's commandments was piercing the hearts of the listeners.And that's exactly what regeneration is. Regeneration is when you hear the word of God, when you hear the law of God and you feel in your heart how much you have transgressed the holy, pure law of God. It's like the commandment goes down into your heart, pierces it, and that's exactly what it's supposed to do. The more precise, the sharper the edge of the sword, the more clean the incision. And then what does God do? He gives us a heart transplant. He takes the hard heart of stone and He removes it and replaces it with a heart that's tender toward God, tender toward the people He calls us to love.Ezekiel 11:19, "And I will give them one heart and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them and they shall be my people and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God." So today, however you're feeling about this message or the subject matter, if you are feeling condemnation or shame or guilt, or if you are feeling the stirring of the Holy Spirit, calling you to repentance, calling you to ever greater levels of holiness, just know that's the Lord working in you.Here I want to read 1 Corinthians 6, and as Paul deals with this subject matter, I want to put the emphasis on the fact that he's speaking to Christians. He's speaking to people who were saved out of this worldly idea of what it means to be a man, a woman, sexuality, et cetera. And he says, "Such were some of you," were. Such were some of you.So 1 Corinthians 6:9, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything. Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy both one and the other.""The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your are bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never. Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For as it is written, the two will become one flesh. But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we're part of the church, the bride of Christ. That's why the new building is a ballroom. And I like that idea, because we're the bride of Christ and Jesus is going to... We're going to dance with Jesus following His lead. He's going to lead us. How did Jesus choose His bride? Did He choose His bride for her beauty? Did He choose us because of our purity and holiness? Did He choose us because we were lovely? Did He choose us for our godliness? No. God chose His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. And we, the bride of Christ, we've all been unfaithful to the Lord.Therefore, in the covenant we make with Christ, it's now we who spill the blood of virginity, it's He who spills the blood to redeem us. And Jesus Christ loved the church, not because she was lovely, but because He is loving and He gave himself up for her to save her and to make her lovely. He forgives us and redeems us and makes a covenant with us. And then what does He do? He begins to sanctify the church.And in Ephesians 5 says that He does so by cleansing the church, cleansing His bride by the washing of water with the word. I love that picture. That's how I view my job. I view my job as I am here to wash you with the water of the word. And some texts feel like I've got a power washer. Have you ever seen those videos on power washing? They're very satisfying. I can watch those things for a long time. Power washing videos, all the mildew coming off the house. And I used to do that as a kid. I used to paint with my dad, he's got a painting business, and my job was the power washing, because it takes a lot of work. And I remember as a 13-year-old kid, I'm on the 40-foot ladder at the very top trying to hold the power wash. But it's so strong that it's blowing you off.That's what we need sometimes. That there's sin, that there's cobwebs, that there's mildew of sin in us. And the Lord has given us His word and He cleanses us by the washing of water with the word. Why? So that he might present the church to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she might be holy and without blemish.So today, if you have felt the sharp edge of the commandment of God coming down upon you, because of commandment number seven or whatever commandment, and we've broken commandment seven, because we broke commandment number one. What's commandment number one? Thou shall have no other gods before me. If we have other gods before God, either ourselves or someone else, well of course we're going to shirk the other commandments. So if you felt the commandments of God coming down on you, revealing sin, revealing that we're all transgressors today, look to the cross of Christ.Look and see the covenantal love of Christ as His blood is pouring down in order to redeem us and save us. And as you repent of your sin, receive the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe that you have been forgiven, purified, sanctified, as pure as snow. And then receive this promise from the Lord Jesus Christ that He is speaking to you. And this promise will satisfy your soul with a love that you will never experience from another human being. Receive this promise. I will never leave you nor forsake you. He proved it on the cross. That's true. He's faithful. Then He calls us to follow him.Let us pray. Lord God, we thank you for this word and we thank you for this time together. We thank you Holy Spirit, that you are with us and you are ministering to us. Lord, if our hearts are broken, mend them. If our hearts are hardened, soften them. If our hearts have grown tepid toward you and toward your word today, Lord, set our hearts on fire so that we will be people of God seeking holiness in absolutely every area of life, including the most intimate ones. We pray all this in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Saturday, 2 December 2023   “Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. Acts 22:14   The Greek reads, “And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has before-handed you to know His will, and to see the Just, and to hear the voice from His mouth.” (CG).   Paul's sight was just restored at the word of the Lord through Ananias. Now, Ananias will speak again in order to explain to Paul his commission. That begins with a statement concerning his calling. This is detailed to the crowd, beginning with, “And he said.”   He is referring to Ananias. Paul makes note of the divine appointment given through this Jew who was in good standing in regard to the law. The exact words of Ananias begin with “The God of our fathers.”   The meaning of “the God of our fathers" is obvious. He is Yehovah, the one true God. Paul has been selected to know His will. Understanding that in verse 3, he said, “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today,” this statement by Ananias is all the more astonishing.   How could someone, brought up in the strictness of “our father's law” not “know His will?” Wasn't it written down for all to know? How much more this man! And yet, he obviously was completely clueless as to what the will of God was.   This is an obvious conclusion because of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, his blindness, and now his forthcoming instruction. As for this will, Ananias is next noted to have said that their God “has before-handed you.”   The word is procheirizó. It was first used in Acts 3:20 and it will be seen one more time in Acts 26:16. It comes from pro, before, and cheir, hand. Thus, it is literally before-handed, meaning divinely handpicked in advance. The Pulpit Commentary notes, “In classical Greek it means mostly ‘to get anything ready beforehand.'” The words bring to mind the calling of Jeremiah –   “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 5 ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.'” Jeremiah 1:4, 5   What was said to Jeremiah is summed up in this word, translated as before-handed. Paul's calling was “to know His will.” Paul's preselection was to know the will of the Lord. Again, it obviously meant that he did not know this will. Therefore, his persecution of believers was not in accord with the will of the Lord. Ananias was sent first to begin to set this straight.   Eventually, Paul would personally receive revelation from the Lord (Galatians 1:2), but this was a necessary first step in preparing him for that. This explains why Paul quite often opened his letters stating that he was an apostle according to the will of God. He does this in 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; and Colossians 1:1. Ephesians 1:1-11 actually gives an entire commentary on this. Next, Ananias says, “and to see the Just.”   This term, “the Just,” comes from an adjective, dikaios. It means correct, righteous, innocent, etc. Being prefixed by an article, and without any other words to further qualify it, the meaning is a single individual who embodies what the adjective signifies. It is a term that any Jew would have understood as referring to the Messiah. Many Old Testament passages would have immediately flooded their minds, such as Psalm 2, Isaiah 11:1-5, Isaiah 53:11, etc.   The words of Ananias continue, saying, “and to hear the voice from His mouth.” It is a phrase that carries great weight. To hear the voice from His mouth meant that Paul was being granted a prophetic office.   If his words to the crowd were true, and they could be verified by Ananias if he was still alive, Paul was being given a commission that raised him to the level of any true prophet of Israel. His words would carry the same weight and effect as those of their own Scriptures.   Paul was not being called to do another thing than the other selected apostles, but to carry the same word of the Lord to another group of people, making understandable to them what God was doing in and through Israel. That will be seen in the next verses.   Life application: There is one prophetic plan that is being worked out in redemptive history. It is being developed in various steps. The Mosaic Covenant was one step. That was replaced by the New Covenant. Gentile inclusion in the New Covenant was to be a part of that plan, not something separate from it.   Israel's rejection of Jesus was known by God before it happened. During their time of rejection, God has been working out His New Covenant through a Gentile-led church, but it is still the same covenant that will be continued through the Jews at a future point. This is completely certain because Paul, writing to the Gentiles, appeals to the New Covenant in 1 Corinthians 11 –   “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'” 1 Corinthians 11:23-25   Watch out for heretical doctrines that attempt to separate what God is doing for the Jews and for the Gentiles. There is one New Covenant. The nation of Israel has temporarily rejected the offer. But because of His faithfulness to His covenant promises, they too will be brought into the New Covenant someday.   In the meantime, any Jew or Gentile can come into the New Covenant in exactly the same way. That Israel, the nation, will be given this opportunity is explicitly stated in Hebrews 9:15 –   “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”   Hold fast to what is sound and proper. The New Covenant is one thing. It was given to the House of Israel and the House of Judah, as noted in Jeremiah 31:31 and Hebrews 8:8. They will be brought into it in due time. Until then, the one and only gospel is currently going forth to any individual who will receive it.   O God, Your faithfulness is everlasting. What concern should we have that You would ever not fulfill every word You have spoken forth? Rather, we can read Your word and know, with absolute surety, that You will perform as You have spoken. Praises be to You, our great and faithful Lord! Amen.

Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (11/14/23). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth is, or claiming they have the answer, is likely leading you astray, for one reason or another. Stay Vigilant. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v3t6jps","div":"rumble_v3t6jps"});   Video Source Links (In Chronological Order): (2) LastAmericanVagabond on X: "The lengths some are going to in order to hack, spy on, or otherwise manipulate members of TLAV. Many have gotten this, including myself, from someone pretending to be "HR Dept. Of TLAV", even though that doesn't exist. (Feel free to ask them why: wiza@honganht.cfd) https://t.co/ET94wIrTcP" / X New Tab (4) The Cradle on X: "In a video taken during her captivity, Israeli Elizabeth Tsurkov, kidnapped in Iraq 7 months ago, says she was a Mossad operative tasked to establish ties with the SDF in Syria, and to sow intra-Shia strife in Iraq. https://t.co/HDo9MxVYkx" / X (3) 60 Minutes on X: "Iran has vowed to kill former U.S. government officials. One assassination attempt was busted when an Iranian officer hired an assassin who was actually an FBI informant, according to an arrest warrant. https://t.co/0GdJQntflC https://t.co/QkUPPYseFg" / X Iranian dissidents say they face abductions, assassination attempts | 60 Minutes - CBS News (3) We Are All Gaza. on X: "@EmporiumFred @tlavagabond" / X New Tab If Gaza was in your city, how much would be destroyed? | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera (4) Caitlin Johnstone on X: "The ten dumbest things we're being asked to believe about Gaza: 1. That Israel had no idea what Hamas was up to prior to October 7, but ever since October 7 has known about every hospital, mosque, school, refugee camp and water tower that Hamas is hiding in. 2. That the blame…" / X (4) Dan Cohen on X: "Reuters' front page shows a picture of dead and dying newborn babies in Gaza with a headline about Israeli tanks surrounding al-Shifa hospital. Israel is LOSING the information war, even in the mainstream media. https://t.co/m94BO0uVUV" / X Israeli False Flag Possibility, Baptist Hospital Massacre & Israel Already Lost The Information War (7) Dan Cohen on X: "@Isaac_Herzog @bbclaurak Fixed it https://t.co/041HmMkAUB" / X (7) Glenn Greenwald on X: "This Polish Govt-funded account, @visegrad24, is a propaganda page. It was one of the worst spreaders of falsehoods to fuel the West's role in Ukraine. They fraudulently edited an interview I did last week that went viral. Amazing how many fall for it now that it's pro-Israel. https://t.co/hQveqDlrLa" / X Copy of 'Mein Kampf' found in children's bedroom in north Gaza - Isaac Herzog - The Jerusalem Post Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' Found In Hamas Base In Gaza - Israeli President Herzog - I24NEWS Herzog: Arabic copy of 'Mein Kampf' found on Hamas terrorist shows what war is about | The Times of Israel Arabic copy of Hitler's ‘Mein Kampf' found in children's room used by Hamas: Israeli officials | Fox News (7) thomas punchon on X: "@cogatonline Wow those certainly are two photos" / X (7) Wyatt Reed on X: "@IsraelinUSA @IsraelArabic The Israeli military @IDF deleted its false claim that Israel is "facilitating the supply of humanitarian aid to Gazan civilians."" / X

1. That Israel had no idea what Hamas was up to prior to October 7, but ever since October 7 has known about every hospital, mosque, school, refugee camp and water tower that Hamas is hiding in. 2. That the blame for all of the deaths caused by Israeli weapons launched by Israel rests solely on Hamas. 3. That Hamas is using "human shields" - meaning Hamas bases are hidden amidst civilian populations - yet Israel is managing to kill thousands of civilians without doing any meaningful damage to Hamas.

Israel was attacked by Hamas. Many are petitioning this could stir WWIII or even bring us to End Times. The modern political State of Israel has the reputation as God's Chosen because many interpret it as the necessary revised nation prophesied in scripture.First off I must say I am not an eschatological genius or even a great scholar. But what I can say is that I used to teach the Pretribulation Theory enough to know the narrative and now see things that used to be mandatory as prerequsites no longer valid, What changed?The Dispensation doctrine is basically subjected by the modern church scholars. Their influence primarily came from Scofield as the Bibles used contained footnotes of his stringing scriptures to make the case for a Zionist Israel and justify Christians putting their emphasis on it as God's timepiece for End Time prophecy, But all it did was give justification for supporting the political policies of the Zionist nation and yield to its growth as a nation that God intended, thus protected and financed.Most believe it only based on observation that Israel became a nation in 1948, therefore now the narrative seems to fit. Modern observation made the case layed out by modern scholars as possible. Observation could also reveal that the criteria necessary for the interpretation is passed. When Israel became a natio in 1948 it set off a biblical countdown of THIS GENERATION as Jesus said these things would occur. The generation is assumed to be a future generation WHEN these things occur, and that when Israel again revised. However, when the measure of a biblical generation passed, it disqualified the timepiece as the measure. Scholars just reset their interprertation.We must look at who is Israel and what is it referring to. The Bible says ALL OF ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED. However, scripture also says NOT ALL IN ISRAEL ARE OF ISRAEL. We may be looking at two different things to determine the Israel we are talking. The Israel of God are those who believe in Jesus and are saved. So is THAT Israel the one that all are saved?What I present is my speculative account, so in my opinion I present these points. You can make your own decision.

The Overcoming Path (Audio) David Eells - 4/23/23 Chose the Unleavened Path Samuel Fire - 4/9/23 (David's notes in red) I saw a cliff face and there were many ropes to help one climb up it. Each rope had its own way to the top, but only one rope would last and not break. (The one that won't break is the Unleavened Bread of Christ).  Each of the ropes was a teaching on the paths up to God (Representing apostate Church doctrines), but these could not be completely relied on all the way to God.   All the ropes except one had breaks in them and defects somewhere up the course and either someone would fall or they would see the error and climb back down to get on another path. There was only one path that fully made it to the top safely. (Representing the true Gospel that Jesus is the only way to heaven. John 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. The way is a path not a line that we step over. The path and steps are already laid down. It is Jesus' steps. 1Jo. 2:5-6 but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: 6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.)   Carrying Away Distraction and Idolatry Claire Pienaar - 4/18/23 (David's notes in red)  I dreamed I was going somewhere. I kept forgetting where my red bag was. I knew I needed my wallet and my cellphone that were both in the red bag. I found my red bag near Sarah-Marie's room so, I picked it up and carried it with me. (Sarah-Marie means Princess of darkness.) It seemed to be a hindrance in some way. It wasn't heavy or big, and it only had my cellphone and wallet inside. (Jesus told His disciples not to bring a wallet so they would trust in God and not be self-reliant. Also, a cell phone is often an idol and distracts us from the things of God.) I could have gone on without it. (Riaan: The bag is red representing the sacrifice of Christ. His blood was shed to deliver us from these fleshly things.)  I seemed to hold up a process due to going to fetch this bag, and my friend named Sarah-Marie really liked the bag, and she said something like, “You can't go without this lovely red handbag.” (We cannot listen to the “Princess of darkness” or rebellion because it will hold up our process of sanctification.) My husband Riaan kept on calling me while holding a transparent door open for me. (Riaan represents our Heavenly Husband, Jesus, who is the “Door to the sheepfold”. The Door is transparent because Jesus is pure.) It looked like we were entering into a ship or a large conference hall, or an airplane. (The Ark as well as an airplane are lifted off of the earth.) All I saw was the thick glass door and the side of a structure that made me think of all 3 of these structures at once. (Riaan: People are running after money and distractions of the world and missing the calling of the Man-child, Jesus.) (We must make it through the Door and into the Ark.) I asked the Lord for a verse by faith at random for this dream and received Eze. 6:13 And ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the places where they offered sweet savor to all their idols. (Riaan: This verse Claire received speaks of idols – the modern altars represent wallets or self-provision and cellphones represent worldly reliance's or addictions and distractions.) I asked the Lord if this is for me, and I received “they return” and “their heart” in this text below by faith at random. (All who repent from the heart and come out from among them will be restored.) 2Ch 6:38, (in context 36-42) If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto a land far off or near; yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done perversely, and have dealt wickedly; if they return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers (i.e., what was given us by the early Church fathers we return to.), and the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou from heaven, even from thy dwelling-place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people who have sinned against thee. Now, O my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent, unto the prayer that is made in this place. Now therefore arise, O Jehovah God, into thy resting-place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Jehovah God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. O Jehovah God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember thy lovingkindnesses to David thy servant. (Riaan: The bag is used to “carry away” something, like in this second verse. The blood of Jesus carries away captive these worldly idols.)   Overcoming Rejection to Achieve Unity Samuel Fire - 4/1/23 (David's notes in red) I saw all these children and I on an American school bus, the yellow with black stripe type and with the stop signs flaps. Everybody in the bus were from UBM. They were all young, like children under 10yrs of age. We then arrived at the school and got together in a classroom, and we each sat at our own desk. We participated in a mixture of subjects. The learning was interactive, and we were all given tests and participated in the learning. (As we will see, people with rejection are not comfortable with what they feel is competition.) Some of the children didn't feel to go to school, but once they arrived at school and sat in the classroom, they were happy and appreciated the lesson. I saw myself and others having struggles and difficulty in understanding the subjects and felt left out as we weren't making as much progress as the others. (This is when rejection spirits lie to their victims that correction equals rejection, and this brings frustration and offense.) I saw how other children were favored and always top in the class and that made it harder for me and others to team up and interact with them. I also saw how that many in the class were having to repeat many subjects, but not able to comprehend the materials. (Many times, this is inherited through the blood and can be treated with love and deliverance.) But the whole time, I felt and saw and heard the calm, peaceful and kind teaching of Jesus and His constant dedication and willingness to not give up on any of us. I was feeling the love and each time we went home on the bus we grew closer and wanted to see each other again. (Recognizing the spirits behind this is the first step to deliverance. Learning to cast down illegal thoughts about others, unforgiveness, and vain imaginations will help too. If this is not repented of it can end in faction, anger, and a great delusion and sin.)   Remnant Overcomers Tiannah Fire - 2/25/23 (David's notes in red) I dreamt that David Eells and the UBM brethren were all living together on top of a large hill that was like a national park. The hill had an open grass area where the brethren had simple huts as their houses. (This represents basic living and needs met, like the original church in Acts). The huts were all in this open area and close together. There was a large campfire with rocks around and log seats where the brethren would gather around together especially at night for prayer. Here they would praise, worship, and fellowship with the brethren and here David would teach. (In the natural we've actually done this, but Tiannah doesn't know that.) David felt like a fatherly figure in the dream, acting and treating the brethren as a father would. In the dream my relationship with David felt as a father daughter relationship and he had that with the other brethren too. In the dream the brethren seemed like children with child-like faith. They were eager to learn and humble to let go of their own way and to learn the Father's way. It also felt like David was like an elder of a tribe and I believe he is representing the Father in the dream. On 2 sides of the hill was a cliff that was overlooking water. On the other 2 sides were more forests, nature, and land that went much further. There was a giant dam and river that was on one of the sides and you could only walk across the top of the dam by foot. It was very dangerous because you could slip so easily and fall far down. (Three out of four fell away in the parable of the sower in Mat. 13:18-23. One of the four went on to bear fruit 30, 60 and 100 fold.) In the dream I was going to the other side of the land to where I thought I was to wait until the hut for me was completed and then I would return to the UBM camp. (The hut could represent our temporary tabernacle in the wilderness, which represents a personal relationship with the Lord as in the Feast of Tabernacles.) So, I went to go walk across the top of the dam and it was super slippery, and it was a long walk to get across to the other side of the land. I looked over to the other side and in the water, there were around 50 giant, white seals that were really large. (These creatures are white and large representing maturity and purity. They are at home in the water representing those who are mature in the Water of the Word and they mentor others through the slippery places along their walk.) They all turned and stared at me. Some of them ran over to me and stayed on either side of me maybe 10 on my left and 10 on my right and a few in front and behind me. They all watched me the whole time as they guided me and walked me across the dam so that I wouldn't slip or fall. (Many disciple the younger along the path in hope that they will bear fruit.) I felt they were all protecting me and wanted to keep me safe. They stayed in the dam and water area as I continued walking through the nature park. There were no maps or roads, so I had to just walk straight ahead by Faith. I came to a building that was sort of like a security building. There were some people waiting at this building that weren't allowed to go across the dam yet or go to the UBM camp until they had passed all these checks and tests. The people working in this building were like security guards and anyone that wanted to go live with or be with the UBM brethren had to go through background checks and answer many questions. They had to spend a period of time in this holding facility; maybe weeks, months, or years until they passed everything required. (30, 60, and 100 is a progression of fruit in maturity. It comes by overcoming tests.) If they passed, they were allowed to try to cross over the dam and if they survived, they could go be with the brethren. (We have seen many people going through tests to see if they belong here and some failing the test of Love necessary for unity in holiness.) I felt that no one was physically able to get past this building or the dam unless they successfully passed the security. It was as if there was an invisible wall or line that prevented anyone from crossing. If they didn't pass, they either stayed in this facility until they passed or they just gave up and left. There were a couple of people that had been at this facility for many, many years waiting to be approved, but most people just left to back to normal life after a short period of time. It seemed that only a tiny amount of people was approved, let alone, approved in a quick or short period of time. (Only the remnant of overcomers will be approved [to belong to the corporate Bride Body.]) I remember seeing a big line up of women waiting to get checked into the facility to go through the security process but most of the women got denied so they weren't even qualified to go through the checking process. (This represents the “house of the women in Esther who were being prepared to be tested by the King of kings. God loved Esther above all the women and made her the Bride.) I spoke to a few of them and tried to encourage them to press on toward Jesus, but they weren't interested. It felt like they weren't there for Jesus. (This represents apostacy and selfish desires. They were Jezebels, so they weren't approved [like Vashti].) The people who worked at the security holding facility knew who I was, and I told them I am here until my hut is ready for me. They told me that the hut was almost built, and I should start walking back and when I get there it will be complete. I was surprised because I had only just come from that UBM area, and I thought it would take much longer to build my hut and I thought I was going to have to stay at the security facility for a while. (Psa. 81:13-14 Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their adversaries. And Est. 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with her portions, and the seven maidens who were meet to be given her out of the king's house: and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women. ) They gave me some supplies and they walked me over to a stable and showed me all these different horses and told me to choose one. I said, “I am not sure if I am allowed a pet in the UBM camp area that I was about to move into. They told me that the horse is more than a pet and they have been working there for much longer than I have been on earth and that the horse will be valuable to all the brethren. They encouraged me to pick a horse. I said, “I don't know anything about horses so please pick the best one for me.” And they gave me a nice horse and I got on and started riding back to the dam to go back to the UBM camp. (Horses represent the strength of the flesh but Tiannah was subduing it by riding on its back to make it to the UBM camp. This represents overcoming the flesh to be in the Bride.)   Separate the Sheep from the Goats  Claire Pienaar - 3/21/23 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was in a 12-story, white building. I lived either on level 9 or level 11 (The number 12 represents completeness. We are living stones, making up the Bride of Christ). (This reminds me of the tower of white stones representing the Church that was shown to Hermas in the “Shepherd of Hermas.”) I was very happy there but wanted to see my dad more. (Claire's dad represents the Father in the dream.) I had to go down to the ground level (Representing the threshing floor). I found Him busy sorting out young sheep and goats. A little lamb followed me all the way up to my level, but he had a blood stain on his belly. (Riaan: To go where the Bride goes requires death to self [which, spiritually speaking, requires the shedding of blood through the cutting off of the “belly”.]). Some baby goats tried to come through different doors that were open, but my dad said, “Keep the doors shut”. (Representing that we must keep our spiritual doors shut so that we won't become as the rebellious goats.) I shoo'd the kids away. He was training someone young to take part in a very elite running race. He said, “I've timed him, and he's almost ready”. (We don't have much time to run our race. We must overcome and endure till the end to hear the Lord say, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…”) Then I woke up.   I received by faith at random Isa. 38:12 My dwelling is removed and is carried away from me as a shepherd's tent, as well as Hosea 13:13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for it is time he should not tarry in the place of the breaking forth of children. (Riaan: It's time to mature).  Later that morning I opened one of the books I'm using with my children that gives meaningful explanations about sanctification and holiness, written for children. The portion of scripture for that day's discussion was Mat. 25:31-46, which is EXACTLY what my dream was about. I did not know this portion of scripture would be discussed, as I only open this book at lesson time, and I don't generally prep these lessons beforehand. God knows! Thank you, Lord.  Mat. 25:31-46  But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: 32 and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; 33 and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; 36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink? 38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me. 46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.   Death to Self Leads to Resurrection Life Gaynold Mozer - 1/16/23 (David's notes in red) It was a bright sunny day, and I was walking with someone on a sidewalk. (representing that the sun/Son shines upon us when we walk the narrow road.) It seemed to be on a college campus somewhere. (A college campus represents a place of higher learning.) There were quite a few other people gathered in small groups here and there along the way. It was a beautiful day, and everyone was happy and joyful. At the end of the sidewalk there were a couple glass doors going into what I thought to be a building, but once inside I felt that I was in a cave as it was so dark. (I do not know who was walking with me, but felt it was someone I knew.) (Jesus is walking with us as we walk the straight and narrow unto the death of our flesh nature represented by the cave. Jesus was buried in a cave after His death by the cross and so must we. There is a parallel between what happened to Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection and what is happening with the Man-child/Bride bodies.) This was not a large cave but seemed to be 30-40 feet long. (The Number 30 is considered the number of maturity and the number 40 represents a period of testing or trial.)  The darkness was so dense and overwhelming. The idea of it being a cave never entered my mind before we entered through the glass doors. (We must all lose our fleshly life which is against God that our spiritual life would rule. Mic 7:7-9 But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light unto me. 9 I will bear the indignation of Jehovah, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.) Once inside the doors (As in Claire's dream above, Jesus is the transparent Door. We enter the Kingdom only through Him and His resurrection life.) I got separated from the person that had been walking with me. (This reminds me of what Jesus cried out on His cross in Mat. 27:45-46 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Jesus felt separated too during His death experience.)  It was very dark, so it was hard to recognize people as they just looked like shadows moving about. (When we are going through our death to self process we become hard to recognize because we are shadows of our former selves.) I didn't want to stand in the path, so I moved up to the highest row of seating available which was the third row.) (Jesus said after 3 days I will rise again. The three rows could also represents bearing the 30-, 60-, and 100-fold fruit of Christ.)  There were planks set into the steep bank of a hill that was very hard dirt. The ceiling of this area was barely above the highest seating space. I sat quietly waiting to hear the voice of the person that walked in with me so that I could locate them and sit with them, but I awakened not knowing what had happened to the person that walked in with me. (He is still there in spirit with us even in our darkest moments.) … There were people scattered about sitting on the rows of planks, but the area was far from full. (The first fruits harvest is small. Few are taught the crucified life or Jesus' message of death to self.) I received by faith at random Jeremiah 4:6 for this dream.  My finger was on the words, "flee for safety". This chapter is very fitting for these days. Jeremiah 4:6 Set up a standard toward Zion (the Bride):  flee for safety, stay not; for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. (Those who are dead to self, like the first fruits Bride, are safe from judgment.) The Lord brought to my attention the parable of the sower in Matthew 13.  Thank you, Father, for the seed sown upon good ground, for those who hear the word and understand it; that they may bear much fruit and bring glory and honor to Your Name. In Jesus Name, Amen.   A Study on Ephesians David Eells - 3/24/23 Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: (Notice that every spiritual blessing, including grace and peace are available to them who abide IN heavenly places, which are IN Jesus.) 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (Notice that He chose us to be holy and without blemish and the `doing of it is IN Him? How do we access this? Primarily by Faith, which is "believing we have received" as Jesus commanded in Mark 11:24. - 2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.  Secondarily by manifestation.  1Jo 1:4-6 and these things we write that our joy may be made full. 5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: … 1Jo 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.)  Eph 1:5 having foreordained us (the faithful saints are addresses in verse 1) unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (First we are sons by faith - Gal 3:26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.  As we walk with Jesus we manifest Him - Pro 29:21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing (or manifestation) of the sons of God. Rom 8:23 And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  We first manifest sonship in spirit and soul. When we are first changed, it is our spirit that is born again. The soul, which is the mind, will, and emotions, is born again as we obey that spirit and walk in obedience to truth as Peter said.  1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: 23 having been begotten again (in soul), not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. (Notice the incorruptible seed that births our soul is obedience to the Word. This born-again soul is Jesus' mind, will, and emotions.) But the born-again body is still to be redeemed and it will be different according to each persons works. 1Co 15:35 But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come? ... 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. We are creating this new body now by our works. 2Co 5:1-4 For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2 For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven: (We notice here that our new house is our new body, and it is also described as a garment and they are different. The Bride has a lampros or radiant garment while those invited to the marriage have only a leukos or white garment in Rev 19. And we are to hate the garment spotted by the flesh, meaning fleshly works in Jude 1:23.  Eph 1:3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (I.e., without righteous works only our sinful flesh is seen.) 4 For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed (I.e. The body dies), but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life…. 10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat (Literally “footprint tribunal” I.e., did you walk as he walked; meaning bearing your cross?) of Christ; that each one may receive the (new) body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Again - 10 For we must all be made manifest before the “footprint tribunal” of Christ; that each one may receive through the body (Other versions say, “the things done in the body” but the Numeric has “through the body”.), according to what he hath done, whether good or bad. (So, we will receive a body according to how much we abide in Him in our works.) Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: (Notice: All grace for everything is given as we abide “in” Jesus. So how do we receive power from Him to abide in Him? By Faith we see and speak of ourselves as the finished product because Jesus made reconciliation, which word means, an exchange of His life for ours at the cross.) Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith, which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.  2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. So, it is a necessity to abide IN Jesus to bear His fruit. Joh 15:1-8 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (This is the 3 of 4 that fall away) 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples.  People who do their own thing and make up their own rules are not abiding IN Him and do not enter into His grace.  How do we abide IN Him? 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. 1Jn 2:6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. (That walk is as a disciple; a learner and follower.) 2Jn 1:9-11 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: 11 for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works. (This Ephesians text continues to speak of what is given to us as we abide IN Jesus.) 7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (Notice the fullness of our redemption and forgiveness of our sins is ours as we abide IN Him through faith in His Blood. We get a spiritual transfusion and exchange of our old sinful blood to His righteous blood.)   Eph 1:8 which he made to abound toward us IN all wisdom and prudence, (As we prudently seek His wisdom, redemption will manifest in us.) 9 making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him (His purposes will be established in us as we know His will.) 10 unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say, (If we walk by faith, when our time is up we will be completely IN Christ.) 11 in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will; (As we abide in Him we become His heritage as He purposed.) 12 to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: (As our hope is in Him and not the world, He will receive praise and glory.) 13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation (We were chosen in Him to have ears to hear.) , --in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Look at those who do not receive the Holy Spirit as commanded and demonstrated in Acts. They are blind to truth and power which the Holy Spirit is to lead us in.)  14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory. (The Holy Spirit is our down payment to lead us in all that God has for us so we may bring glory to Him.)  15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints, (Will others hear of our faith and Love? I hope so.) 16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; (If Paul can pray for the saints to have this most powerful of gifts, we can pray for it too. Give this to us Lord!)  18 having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ("Calling" here means an invitation. Faith will come to us when we know that we are invited to partake of all that is Christ and all that He has, just as we see Him in the mirror.) 19 and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might (His power to bring to pass what we believe is exceedingly greater than we know. We must become as a child in trusting our Father.)  20 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, (His exceeding power raised the bodies of the saints from dust to show themselves to the people. And He still raises the dead today.) (Jesus is:) 21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (And here we see that this dominion over all has been put under the very lowest member of His body, His feet, while He remains the brains of the outfit. This is why we need a revelation of His exceeding great power to us who believe.) Eph 2:1 And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, (Now that we are alive from the dead and a member of His Body, He can do all things through us. Let us not doubt.) 2 wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; (The sons of disobedience are the ones who are disobedient. They may even make excuses for this like once saved always saved or that they are just sinners saved by grace But they dont want to accept that grace saves from sin because they love it.) 3 among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:— (But many so called “Christians” are still in this corrupt state and they want to think it's normal. What a shock they will receive when they meet their maker to find out he isn't God.  Pray for them to wake up saints.) 4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), (1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. We are now dead to sin but alive with His life for we are His body and He lives in His body.)  6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, IN Christ Jesus: (Our heavenly place is to abide in Him. We are told of a great falling away of the stars of heaven who lose their position to sit next to him. Why? Because they were given everything they needed to overcome, and they refused it.  The promises are given to the overcomers only.)  Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.  …11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.  …17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.  …26 And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: … 3:21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.  Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: (All was freely given and should be freely received and freely shared as Jesus taught us.)  8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works (of man), that no man should glory. (All of the called have "been saved" from every curse as is said in Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree. The curse of sin and death has been dealt with and is no longer the problem, which is unbelief.  Some say they have believed but it is "in vain" for their faith is in the traditions of men.  1Co 15:1 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. (This means believed for nothing and got nothing.) 2Co 6:1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (Meaning grace was given but not acted on.) Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. (These are obviously not man's works but God's work through man who believes Him.) 11 Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; And Rom 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.) Eph 2:12 that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now IN Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. And Rom 9:8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. … 26 And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God.  27 And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved.  Rom 11:25-26 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; 26 and so all Israel shall be saved (Notice that “all Israel" here is both Jew and Gentile joined in one new covenant.): even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:   Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, 15 having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; (Notice there is only one covenant, and it makes us both one. The Law brought enmity and division but grace through faith makes one of all ethnicities) 16 and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: …  20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; 21 in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. ... Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (If Paul can pray for this strengthening of God's Spirit so that Christ would live in us, so can we.); to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.  4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. … 7 But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ... 11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (The Man-child reformers are about to do what Jesus did; Send Apostles to raise up the 5 fold ministries.)  12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: 13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Jesus will walk the earth again in His fullness in His body.) 14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;  ... 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,(And also the non Spirit filled apostate Churches)  18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; ... 22 that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (With the mind of Christ which is the Word.) 24 and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. 25 Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.  26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 neither give place to the devil. ...29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: (We know that this leads to faction especially in these days when God is separating the tares from the wheat.) 32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. 5:1 Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.  3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator (A broad term for different forms of sexual sin), nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them; ... 11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; 12 for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.  ...18 And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. 22 Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.  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...... 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), 3 that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.  ... 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, ... 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The Overcoming Path (Audio) David Eells - 4/23/23 Chose the Unleavened Path Samuel Fire - 4/9/23 (David's notes in red) I saw a cliff face and there were many ropes to help one climb up it. Each rope had its own way to the top, but only one rope would last and not break. (The one that won't break is the Unleavened Bread of Christ).  Each of the ropes was a teaching on the paths up to God (Representing apostate Church doctrines), but these could not be completely relied on all the way to God.   All the ropes except one had breaks in them and defects somewhere up the course and either someone would fall or they would see the error and climb back down to get on another path. There was only one path that fully made it to the top safely. (Representing the true Gospel that Jesus is the only way to heaven. John 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. The way is a path not a line that we step over. The path and steps are already laid down. It is Jesus' steps. 1Jo. 2:5-6 but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: 6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.)   Carrying Away Distraction and Idolatry Claire Pienaar - 4/18/23 (David's notes in red)  I dreamed I was going somewhere. I kept forgetting where my red bag was. I knew I needed my wallet and my cellphone that were both in the red bag. I found my red bag near Sarah-Marie's room so, I picked it up and carried it with me. (Sarah-Marie means Princess of darkness.) It seemed to be a hindrance in some way. It wasn't heavy or big, and it only had my cellphone and wallet inside. (Jesus told His disciples not to bring a wallet so they would trust in God and not be self-reliant. Also, a cell phone is often an idol and distracts us from the things of God.) I could have gone on without it. (Riaan: The bag is red representing the sacrifice of Christ. His blood was shed to deliver us from these fleshly things.)  I seemed to hold up a process due to going to fetch this bag, and my friend named Sarah-Marie really liked the bag, and she said something like, “You can't go without this lovely red handbag.” (We cannot listen to the “Princess of darkness” or rebellion because it will hold up our process of sanctification.) My husband Riaan kept on calling me while holding a transparent door open for me. (Riaan represents our Heavenly Husband, Jesus, who is the “Door to the sheepfold”. The Door is transparent because Jesus is pure.) It looked like we were entering into a ship or a large conference hall, or an airplane. (The Ark as well as an airplane are lifted off of the earth.) All I saw was the thick glass door and the side of a structure that made me think of all 3 of these structures at once. (Riaan: People are running after money and distractions of the world and missing the calling of the Man-child, Jesus.) (We must make it through the Door and into the Ark.) I asked the Lord for a verse by faith at random for this dream and received Eze. 6:13 And ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the places where they offered sweet savor to all their idols. (Riaan: This verse Claire received speaks of idols – the modern altars represent wallets or self-provision and cellphones represent worldly reliance's or addictions and distractions.) I asked the Lord if this is for me, and I received “they return” and “their heart” in this text below by faith at random. (All who repent from the heart and come out from among them will be restored.) 2Ch 6:38, (in context 36-42) If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto a land far off or near; yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done perversely, and have dealt wickedly; if they return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers (i.e., what was given us by the early Church fathers we return to.), and the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou from heaven, even from thy dwelling-place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people who have sinned against thee. Now, O my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent, unto the prayer that is made in this place. Now therefore arise, O Jehovah God, into thy resting-place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Jehovah God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. O Jehovah God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember thy lovingkindnesses to David thy servant. (Riaan: The bag is used to “carry away” something, like in this second verse. The blood of Jesus carries away captive these worldly idols.)   Overcoming Rejection to Achieve Unity Samuel Fire - 4/1/23 (David's notes in red) I saw all these children and I on an American school bus, the yellow with black stripe type and with the stop signs flaps. Everybody in the bus were from UBM. They were all young, like children under 10yrs of age. We then arrived at the school and got together in a classroom, and we each sat at our own desk. We participated in a mixture of subjects. The learning was interactive, and we were all given tests and participated in the learning. (As we will see, people with rejection are not comfortable with what they feel is competition.) Some of the children didn't feel to go to school, but once they arrived at school and sat in the classroom, they were happy and appreciated the lesson. I saw myself and others having struggles and difficulty in understanding the subjects and felt left out as we weren't making as much progress as the others. (This is when rejection spirits lie to their victims that correction equals rejection, and this brings frustration and offense.) I saw how other children were favored and always top in the class and that made it harder for me and others to team up and interact with them. I also saw how that many in the class were having to repeat many subjects, but not able to comprehend the materials. (Many times, this is inherited through the blood and can be treated with love and deliverance.) But the whole time, I felt and saw and heard the calm, peaceful and kind teaching of Jesus and His constant dedication and willingness to not give up on any of us. I was feeling the love and each time we went home on the bus we grew closer and wanted to see each other again. (Recognizing the spirits behind this is the first step to deliverance. Learning to cast down illegal thoughts about others, unforgiveness, and vain imaginations will help too. If this is not repented of it can end in faction, anger, and a great delusion and sin.)   Remnant Overcomers Tiannah Fire - 2/25/23 (David's notes in red) I dreamt that David Eells and the UBM brethren were all living together on top of a large hill that was like a national park. The hill had an open grass area where the brethren had simple huts as their houses. (This represents basic living and needs met, like the original church in Acts). The huts were all in this open area and close together. There was a large campfire with rocks around and log seats where the brethren would gather around together especially at night for prayer. Here they would praise, worship, and fellowship with the brethren and here David would teach. (In the natural we've actually done this, but Tiannah doesn't know that.) David felt like a fatherly figure in the dream, acting and treating the brethren as a father would. In the dream my relationship with David felt as a father daughter relationship and he had that with the other brethren too. In the dream the brethren seemed like children with child-like faith. They were eager to learn and humble to let go of their own way and to learn the Father's way. It also felt like David was like an elder of a tribe and I believe he is representing the Father in the dream. On 2 sides of the hill was a cliff that was overlooking water. On the other 2 sides were more forests, nature, and land that went much further. There was a giant dam and river that was on one of the sides and you could only walk across the top of the dam by foot. It was very dangerous because you could slip so easily and fall far down. (Three out of four fell away in the parable of the sower in Mat. 13:18-23. One of the four went on to bear fruit 30, 60 and 100 fold.) In the dream I was going to the other side of the land to where I thought I was to wait until the hut for me was completed and then I would return to the UBM camp. (The hut could represent our temporary tabernacle in the wilderness, which represents a personal relationship with the Lord as in the Feast of Tabernacles.) So, I went to go walk across the top of the dam and it was super slippery, and it was a long walk to get across to the other side of the land. I looked over to the other side and in the water, there were around 50 giant, white seals that were really large. (These creatures are white and large representing maturity and purity. They are at home in the water representing those who are mature in the Water of the Word and they mentor others through the slippery places along their walk.) They all turned and stared at me. Some of them ran over to me and stayed on either side of me maybe 10 on my left and 10 on my right and a few in front and behind me. They all watched me the whole time as they guided me and walked me across the dam so that I wouldn't slip or fall. (Many disciple the younger along the path in hope that they will bear fruit.) I felt they were all protecting me and wanted to keep me safe. They stayed in the dam and water area as I continued walking through the nature park. There were no maps or roads, so I had to just walk straight ahead by Faith. I came to a building that was sort of like a security building. There were some people waiting at this building that weren't allowed to go across the dam yet or go to the UBM camp until they had passed all these checks and tests. The people working in this building were like security guards and anyone that wanted to go live with or be with the UBM brethren had to go through background checks and answer many questions. They had to spend a period of time in this holding facility; maybe weeks, months, or years until they passed everything required. (30, 60, and 100 is a progression of fruit in maturity. It comes by overcoming tests.) If they passed, they were allowed to try to cross over the dam and if they survived, they could go be with the brethren. (We have seen many people going through tests to see if they belong here and some failing the test of Love necessary for unity in holiness.) I felt that no one was physically able to get past this building or the dam unless they successfully passed the security. It was as if there was an invisible wall or line that prevented anyone from crossing. If they didn't pass, they either stayed in this facility until they passed or they just gave up and left. There were a couple of people that had been at this facility for many, many years waiting to be approved, but most people just left to back to normal life after a short period of time. It seemed that only a tiny amount of people was approved, let alone, approved in a quick or short period of time. (Only the remnant of overcomers will be approved [to belong to the corporate Bride Body.]) I remember seeing a big line up of women waiting to get checked into the facility to go through the security process but most of the women got denied so they weren't even qualified to go through the checking process. (This represents the “house of the women in Esther who were being prepared to be tested by the King of kings. God loved Esther above all the women and made her the Bride.) I spoke to a few of them and tried to encourage them to press on toward Jesus, but they weren't interested. It felt like they weren't there for Jesus. (This represents apostacy and selfish desires. They were Jezebels, so they weren't approved [like Vashti].) The people who worked at the security holding facility knew who I was, and I told them I am here until my hut is ready for me. They told me that the hut was almost built, and I should start walking back and when I get there it will be complete. I was surprised because I had only just come from that UBM area, and I thought it would take much longer to build my hut and I thought I was going to have to stay at the security facility for a while. (Psa. 81:13-14 Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their adversaries. And Est. 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with her portions, and the seven maidens who were meet to be given her out of the king's house: and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women. ) They gave me some supplies and they walked me over to a stable and showed me all these different horses and told me to choose one. I said, “I am not sure if I am allowed a pet in the UBM camp area that I was about to move into. They told me that the horse is more than a pet and they have been working there for much longer than I have been on earth and that the horse will be valuable to all the brethren. They encouraged me to pick a horse. I said, “I don't know anything about horses so please pick the best one for me.” And they gave me a nice horse and I got on and started riding back to the dam to go back to the UBM camp. (Horses represent the strength of the flesh but Tiannah was subduing it by riding on its back to make it to the UBM camp. This represents overcoming the flesh to be in the Bride.)   Separate the Sheep from the Goats  Claire Pienaar - 3/21/23 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was in a 12-story, white building. I lived either on level 9 or level 11 (The number 12 represents completeness. We are living stones, making up the Bride of Christ). (This reminds me of the tower of white stones representing the Church that was shown to Hermas in the “Shepherd of Hermas.”) I was very happy there but wanted to see my dad more. (Claire's dad represents the Father in the dream.) I had to go down to the ground level (Representing the threshing floor). I found Him busy sorting out young sheep and goats. A little lamb followed me all the way up to my level, but he had a blood stain on his belly. (Riaan: To go where the Bride goes requires death to self [which, spiritually speaking, requires the shedding of blood through the cutting off of the “belly”.]). Some baby goats tried to come through different doors that were open, but my dad said, “Keep the doors shut”. (Representing that we must keep our spiritual doors shut so that we won't become as the rebellious goats.) I shoo'd the kids away. He was training someone young to take part in a very elite running race. He said, “I've timed him, and he's almost ready”. (We don't have much time to run our race. We must overcome and endure till the end to hear the Lord say, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…”) Then I woke up.   I received by faith at random Isa. 38:12 My dwelling is removed and is carried away from me as a shepherd's tent, as well as Hosea 13:13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for it is time he should not tarry in the place of the breaking forth of children. (Riaan: It's time to mature).  Later that morning I opened one of the books I'm using with my children that gives meaningful explanations about sanctification and holiness, written for children. The portion of scripture for that day's discussion was Mat. 25:31-46, which is EXACTLY what my dream was about. I did not know this portion of scripture would be discussed, as I only open this book at lesson time, and I don't generally prep these lessons beforehand. God knows! Thank you, Lord.  Mat. 25:31-46  But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: 32 and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; 33 and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; 36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink? 38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me. 46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.   Death to Self Leads to Resurrection Life Gaynold Mozer - 1/16/23 (David's notes in red) It was a bright sunny day, and I was walking with someone on a sidewalk. (representing that the sun/Son shines upon us when we walk the narrow road.) It seemed to be on a college campus somewhere. (A college campus represents a place of higher learning.) There were quite a few other people gathered in small groups here and there along the way. It was a beautiful day, and everyone was happy and joyful. At the end of the sidewalk there were a couple glass doors going into what I thought to be a building, but once inside I felt that I was in a cave as it was so dark. (I do not know who was walking with me, but felt it was someone I knew.) (Jesus is walking with us as we walk the straight and narrow unto the death of our flesh nature represented by the cave. Jesus was buried in a cave after His death by the cross and so must we. There is a parallel between what happened to Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection and what is happening with the Man-child/Bride bodies.) This was not a large cave but seemed to be 30-40 feet long. (The Number 30 is considered the number of maturity and the number 40 represents a period of testing or trial.)  The darkness was so dense and overwhelming. The idea of it being a cave never entered my mind before we entered through the glass doors. (We must all lose our fleshly life which is against God that our spiritual life would rule. Mic 7:7-9 But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light unto me. 9 I will bear the indignation of Jehovah, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.) Once inside the doors (As in Claire's dream above, Jesus is the transparent Door. We enter the Kingdom only through Him and His resurrection life.) I got separated from the person that had been walking with me. (This reminds me of what Jesus cried out on His cross in Mat. 27:45-46 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Jesus felt separated too during His death experience.)  It was very dark, so it was hard to recognize people as they just looked like shadows moving about. (When we are going through our death to self process we become hard to recognize because we are shadows of our former selves.) I didn't want to stand in the path, so I moved up to the highest row of seating available which was the third row.) (Jesus said after 3 days I will rise again. The three rows could also represents bearing the 30-, 60-, and 100-fold fruit of Christ.)  There were planks set into the steep bank of a hill that was very hard dirt. The ceiling of this area was barely above the highest seating space. I sat quietly waiting to hear the voice of the person that walked in with me so that I could locate them and sit with them, but I awakened not knowing what had happened to the person that walked in with me. (He is still there in spirit with us even in our darkest moments.) … There were people scattered about sitting on the rows of planks, but the area was far from full. (The first fruits harvest is small. Few are taught the crucified life or Jesus' message of death to self.) I received by faith at random Jeremiah 4:6 for this dream.  My finger was on the words, "flee for safety". This chapter is very fitting for these days. Jeremiah 4:6 Set up a standard toward Zion (the Bride):  flee for safety, stay not; for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. (Those who are dead to self, like the first fruits Bride, are safe from judgment.) The Lord brought to my attention the parable of the sower in Matthew 13.  Thank you, Father, for the seed sown upon good ground, for those who hear the word and understand it; that they may bear much fruit and bring glory and honor to Your Name. In Jesus Name, Amen.   A Study on Ephesians David Eells - 3/24/23 Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: (Notice that every spiritual blessing, including grace and peace are available to them who abide IN heavenly places, which are IN Jesus.) 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (Notice that He chose us to be holy and without blemish and the `doing of it is IN Him? How do we access this? Primarily by Faith, which is "believing we have received" as Jesus commanded in Mark 11:24. - 2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.  Secondarily by manifestation.  1Jo 1:4-6 and these things we write that our joy may be made full. 5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: … 1Jo 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.)  Eph 1:5 having foreordained us (the faithful saints are addresses in verse 1) unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (First we are sons by faith - Gal 3:26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.  As we walk with Jesus we manifest Him - Pro 29:21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing (or manifestation) of the sons of God. Rom 8:23 And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  We first manifest sonship in spirit and soul. When we are first changed, it is our spirit that is born again. The soul, which is the mind, will, and emotions, is born again as we obey that spirit and walk in obedience to truth as Peter said.  1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: 23 having been begotten again (in soul), not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. (Notice the incorruptible seed that births our soul is obedience to the Word. This born-again soul is Jesus' mind, will, and emotions.) But the born-again body is still to be redeemed and it will be different according to each persons works. 1Co 15:35 But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come? ... 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. We are creating this new body now by our works. 2Co 5:1-4 For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2 For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven: (We notice here that our new house is our new body, and it is also described as a garment and they are different. The Bride has a lampros or radiant garment while those invited to the marriage have only a leukos or white garment in Rev 19. And we are to hate the garment spotted by the flesh, meaning fleshly works in Jude 1:23.  Eph 1:3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (I.e., without righteous works only our sinful flesh is seen.) 4 For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed (I.e. The body dies), but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life…. 10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat (Literally “footprint tribunal” I.e., did you walk as he walked; meaning bearing your cross?) of Christ; that each one may receive the (new) body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Again - 10 For we must all be made manifest before the “footprint tribunal” of Christ; that each one may receive through the body (Other versions say, “the things done in the body” but the Numeric has “through the body”.), according to what he hath done, whether good or bad. (So, we will receive a body according to how much we abide in Him in our works.) Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: (Notice: All grace for everything is given as we abide “in” Jesus. So how do we receive power from Him to abide in Him? By Faith we see and speak of ourselves as the finished product because Jesus made reconciliation, which word means, an exchange of His life for ours at the cross.) Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith, which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.  2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. So, it is a necessity to abide IN Jesus to bear His fruit. Joh 15:1-8 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (This is the 3 of 4 that fall away) 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples.  People who do their own thing and make up their own rules are not abiding IN Him and do not enter into His grace.  How do we abide IN Him? 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. 1Jn 2:6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. (That walk is as a disciple; a learner and follower.) 2Jn 1:9-11 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: 11 for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works. (This Ephesians text continues to speak of what is given to us as we abide IN Jesus.) 7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (Notice the fullness of our redemption and forgiveness of our sins is ours as we abide IN Him through faith in His Blood. We get a spiritual transfusion and exchange of our old sinful blood to His righteous blood.)   Eph 1:8 which he made to abound toward us IN all wisdom and prudence, (As we prudently seek His wisdom, redemption will manifest in us.) 9 making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him (His purposes will be established in us as we know His will.) 10 unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say, (If we walk by faith, when our time is up we will be completely IN Christ.) 11 in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will; (As we abide in Him we become His heritage as He purposed.) 12 to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: (As our hope is in Him and not the world, He will receive praise and glory.) 13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation (We were chosen in Him to have ears to hear.) , --in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Look at those who do not receive the Holy Spirit as commanded and demonstrated in Acts. They are blind to truth and power which the Holy Spirit is to lead us in.)  14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory. (The Holy Spirit is our down payment to lead us in all that God has for us so we may bring glory to Him.)  15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints, (Will others hear of our faith and Love? I hope so.) 16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; (If Paul can pray for the saints to have this most powerful of gifts, we can pray for it too. Give this to us Lord!)  18 having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ("Calling" here means an invitation. Faith will come to us when we know that we are invited to partake of all that is Christ and all that He has, just as we see Him in the mirror.) 19 and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might (His power to bring to pass what we believe is exceedingly greater than we know. We must become as a child in trusting our Father.)  20 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, (His exceeding power raised the bodies of the saints from dust to show themselves to the people. And He still raises the dead today.) (Jesus is:) 21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (And here we see that this dominion over all has been put under the very lowest member of His body, His feet, while He remains the brains of the outfit. This is why we need a revelation of His exceeding great power to us who believe.) Eph 2:1 And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, (Now that we are alive from the dead and a member of His Body, He can do all things through us. Let us not doubt.) 2 wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; (The sons of disobedience are the ones who are disobedient. They may even make excuses for this like once saved always saved or that they are just sinners saved by grace But they dont want to accept that grace saves from sin because they love it.) 3 among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:— (But many so called “Christians” are still in this corrupt state and they want to think it's normal. What a shock they will receive when they meet their maker to find out he isn't God.  Pray for them to wake up saints.) 4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), (1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. We are now dead to sin but alive with His life for we are His body and He lives in His body.)  6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, IN Christ Jesus: (Our heavenly place is to abide in Him. We are told of a great falling away of the stars of heaven who lose their position to sit next to him. Why? Because they were given everything they needed to overcome, and they refused it.  The promises are given to the overcomers only.)  Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.  …11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.  …17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.  …26 And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: … 3:21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.  Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: (All was freely given and should be freely received and freely shared as Jesus taught us.)  8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works (of man), that no man should glory. (All of the called have "been saved" from every curse as is said in Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree. The curse of sin and death has been dealt with and is no longer the problem, which is unbelief.  Some say they have believed but it is "in vain" for their faith is in the traditions of men.  1Co 15:1 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. (This means believed for nothing and got nothing.) 2Co 6:1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (Meaning grace was given but not acted on.) Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. (These are obviously not man's works but God's work through man who believes Him.) 11 Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; And Rom 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.) Eph 2:12 that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now IN Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. And Rom 9:8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. … 26 And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God.  27 And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved.  Rom 11:25-26 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; 26 and so all Israel shall be saved (Notice that “all Israel" here is both Jew and Gentile joined in one new covenant.): even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:   Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, 15 having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; (Notice there is only one covenant, and it makes us both one. The Law brought enmity and division but grace through faith makes one of all ethnicities) 16 and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: …  20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; 21 in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. ... Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (If Paul can pray for this strengthening of God's Spirit so that Christ would live in us, so can we.); to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.  4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. … 7 But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ... 11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (The Man-child reformers are about to do what Jesus did; Send Apostles to raise up the 5 fold ministries.)  12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: 13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Jesus will walk the earth again in His fullness in His body.) 14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;  ... 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,(And also the non Spirit filled apostate Churches)  18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; ... 22 that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (With the mind of Christ which is the Word.) 24 and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. 25 Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.  26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 neither give place to the devil. ...29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: (We know that this leads to faction especially in these days when God is separating the tares from the wheat.) 32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. 5:1 Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.  3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator (A broad term for different forms of sexual sin), nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them; ... 11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; 12 for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.  ...18 And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. 22 Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.  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...... 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), 3 that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.  ... 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, ... 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When the United States entered the Second World War, it needed to fight against both the Nazis in Europe and the Middle East and the Japanese in the Pacific. To manage that gargantuan task, American military planners divided the regions of the earth into different areas of responsibility, within which a single authority would unify and command forces from every military branch and service. That structure has lasted through today, so that the United States now has eleven combatant commands. Due to longstanding tension between Israel and its Arab neighbors, it had been included in the US military's European Command, even though much of the rest of the Middle East was organized as a part of its Central Command, known as CENTCOM. That Israel was included in European Command for all those decades had some benefits, like greater interaction with NATO. But in recent years its presence there limited America and Israel's ability to work together; as the cold war drew down, and the war on terror ramped up, European Command was no longer at the cutting edge of military strategy, attention, or resources. The Abraham Accords surfaced a new public friendliness between Israel and many of the Arab neighbors. In recognition of this fact, Israel was officially transferred to CENTCOM in January 2021, making possible enhanced coordination among the US military, the IDF, and regional Arab forces. This week, Richard Goldberg, a veteran Middle East observer and foreign-policy analyst, joins Mosaic editor Jonathan silver to look at the consequences and import of Israel's move to CENTCOM. They use the recent joint exercises undertaken by the US military and the Israel Defense Forces, known as Juniper Oak 23. Operating together on sea, land, and air, the joint exercises were widely thought to have been designed to convey a signal to Iran. Musical selections in this podcast are drawn from the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, op. 31a, composed by Paul Ben-Haim and performed by the ARC Ensemble.

The Bride's Submission is Beautiful (Audio) David Eells - 1/25/23   The Bride's Transformation to Heavenly Submission Marie Kelton - 4/1/22 (David's notes in red)   (In this dream, Shay represents the Bride of Christ who is submitted to her heavenly Husband through obedience to His Word.)   I dreamed I was in Chicago. (Chicago represents Babylon. Jesus said that we are in the world but not of it.) I was in the bathroom and I was dying my hair blue with a white cream. (Spiritually speaking, the bathroom is where we rid ourselves, through repentance, of spiritual waste. A woman's hair is a sign of submission to her husband. This text also explains the other dreams below that we will share.    1Co. 11:3-15  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. 5 But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven. 6 For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. 7 For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man:    9 for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man: 10 for this cause ought the woman to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, so is the man also by the woman; but all things are of God. 13 Judge ye in yourselves: is it seemly that a woman pray unto God unveiled? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.   Dying the hair blue represents acquiring a heavenly submission to Jesus by being seated with Christ in heavenly places. The white cream represents purity, which we need to be in submission to Jesus and His Word.    Eph. 2:1-10 And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, 2 wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; 3 among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:— 4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,    5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places , in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: 8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, that no man should glory. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.)    The color only took to the back of my hair which was a bright blue, but it didn't take to the rest of my hair. I knew, in the dream, that I was going to dye it again to get the rest of my hair that bright blue color. (Salvation in our spirit is instant when we first come to the Lord in repentance. This is represented by the blue coloring only taking to the back of the hair which represents all our past sins up to the point of our salvation. But the salvation of our souls is a progressive process as long as we are alive on this earth. This is represented by the recoloring of the front part (or forward looking) part of the hair representing working out the rest of our salvation in the future with fear and trembling.)   My adoptive mom and adoptive grandmother didn't like me dying my hair that color. (They represent the Mother of Harlots and her daughters.) They were really mad at me for it.    (The Babylonish apostates hate the true disciples of Jesus. Throughout the history of the Bible it was those recognized as God's people who persecuted the righteous. John 15:18-21 If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.)   The Submitted Bride is Exceedingly Beautiful Claire Pianaar - 11/23/22 (David's notes in red)   …I dreamed I saw two pregnant women at a hairdresser. I recognized the slightly younger one was my friend Glenda (Glenda means holy and good). Both women were gorgeous and had gorgeous, long, blonde hair, and both were very pregnant. They were fit and had running clothes on. They had just come back from a run. …(These women represent the members of the corporate Bride body. They are fit from exercising their faith and overcoming trials [in running their race]. They are completely submissive to the sun/Son, as indicated by the blonde hair. Riaan: And about to give birth to the Man-child reformers.)    A well-dressed, male, hair stylist came and spoke to them. He loved their long hair and beauty. He told them to wait. (This male hair stylist represents the Holy Spirit who gives those who are in submission to the King of kings everything they will need to be pleasing to Jesus as Hegai did in the book of Esther 2:8-9 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him (The Holy Spirit), and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with her portions, and the seven maidens who were meet to be given her out of the king's house: and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women. Notice that The Holy Spirit can do a quick work if we please Him.)   Time is Running Out  Merlene Laughlin - 1/21/23   In a dream I saw a very large white wall. (Representing the white wall of purity and sanctification.) On the wall was the largest, circular clock I have ever seen. It had a narrow black rim all the way around it.    As I looked up at the 12 o'clock area of the clock, … the number 12 started slowly running down the face of the clock like wet ink. (The number 12 represents the number of the elect.) The numbers 11 and 1 then started to run down like the 12 had done. (111 is the gematria for the birth of the Man-child.) Then I woke up with the realization that time was running out for Christians [for Christians to be a part of the Man-child and Bride bodies. Obey the voice of the Spirit and cast down distractions to be ready.]   (Back to Claires dream.)  Then, my perspective in the dream changed, and I was in another portion of the salon where I saw the main, male stylist, trying to “make do” with his clients. (This main stylist represents Jesus, the King of kings just like Ahasuerus in the book of Esther.) They were all very overweight, with scraggly black hair, and none of them were pretty. (They are not pleasing to the Lord.) (In the spiritual, these black-haired women represent the corporate body of the apostate Church who are full of flesh and submitted to darkness.)     The male stylist (the Holy Spirit) who had seen the blonde, pregnant women called the main stylist (Jesus) on a red telephone, from a distance and said, “You have to see these two. They are beautiful. They are exactly what you're looking for! I'm calling you so the others don't hear me. They might be jealous or offended”. (The red telephone likely represents a “state of emergency” [in the Church today]).     The main stylist (Jesus) excused himself from the [less than desirable] clients he had in front of him and came out to look at these blonde, pregnant women. He was thrilled to see them! He touched their hair, looked at their strong, lean, tanned legs and he was smiling from ear to ear. (Their strong, lean, tanned legs represent a walk of strength while being exposed to the sun/Son and have overcome many trials. Exposed to the sun is like the Shulamite bride in Song of Solomon 1 who was scorched by the sun.) He did not want to cut their hair, as it was so healthy and thick and lovely. He just wanted to photograph them and be with them. (Jesus admires the beauty and submission of the Bride.)   These women then morphed into one, (Because they represent a corporate body called the Bride of Christ.) and this “super woman” was all smiles and gentle and unassuming; not prideful or boastful about her appearance or physical abilities at all. I so badly wanted to be like that! I wanted to be perfect and pregnant like they were. (Riaan: 1Co. 12:20 But now they are many members, but one body)    Then I woke up. I received Isa. 44:28 by faith at random for this dream, with my finger on “She shall be built” in verse 28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying of Jerusalem (John in Revelation was told that Jerusalem is the Bride), She shall be built; and of the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.   A Warning to Contenders for the Bride Body  Claire Pienaar - 12/8/22 (David's notes in red)   ...We ...found ourselves in the foyer of a large, modern church. (This modern Church represents the modern apostate Church system.) … We did not want to be there in this church. There was a slightly older lady there with short, blonde hair, and she was very welcoming. (As we will see, this woman represents the deceptive and rebellious Jezebel spirit that rules the apostate Church.)    It was a lovely looking church with modern posters of families in the sun etc. (2Ti. 3:2-6  For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. 6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.)   The lady was keeping us busy chatting. While we were distracted in conversation, she led us to a row of seats right in front of the stage. The lights dimmed and my stomach wretched. I looked at Riaan and I could not believe what was happening: We were sitting in an apostate church service. (Riaan: Beware of the deception of those who appear to be of the light on the outside, represented by the blonde hair, but are, in reality, rebellious, represented by the short hair.)    The older, blonde woman was telling us that her and her husband would only speak again in October of the next year as they have so many pastors and they all take turns preaching. (The whole month of October, according to John Ramirez, is a month of witchcraft and preparation of the satanists for their celebration of Halloween and the day of the dead.) (Riaan: James 3:1 Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.)    I was now sweating. Riaan stood up and led us out of the church, in the opposite direction to the throng of people streaming in. It was embarrassing, but we could not stay; we had to leave. But, our children had gotten so comfortable in the short time that we were there, that they ran away from us to play on the playgrounds. (The apostates try to entertain the spiritually immature. Spiritual grown-ups can lose their fruit being carnally entertained in this way.)   My son, who is older, was only a toddler in the dream, and he was wandering around, crying and whining. (Because of him being in an apostate church he lost maturity.) It was so hard to watch Riaan, too, as he had lost his authority over our children. (Riaan: 1Ti. 3:2 The bishop therefore must be without reproach… 4 one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity) (If we don't do this we are losing our submission to the Lord and causing our children to do the same as we can see in the next scene.)   I then stood in front of a mirror, and took some scissors and cut my hair way shorter than what is generally comfortable or acceptable for me. Riaan came in and helped me cut it off. (The influence of apostasy causes us to lose submission to the Lord symbolized here by cutting off hair which is a sign of submission.) It was horrible as I blinked back tears.   When we finally rallied our kids, we walked out of the front of the church. (Riaan: There's grace when we fail but, we must keep overcoming in our trials). As we were leaving, we walked past many camper vans and trailers with people watching their own TV shows and drinking beers and wine and cooking on their BBQ grills. We were shocked. I said to Riaan, “Why…?” And he replied, “The church has given them permission to be here just as they are…”.     …I woke up and a feeling of remorse and sorrow and warning washed over me. “I cut my hair” was all I could think about. I was  remorseful, because I know long, straight hair represents submission to our Lord.     I received by faith at random Jer 31:23, (in context 18-25) 18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a calf unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art Jehovah my God. 19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.    20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a darling child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearneth for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah. 21 Set thee up way marks, make thee guide-posts; set thy heart toward the highway, even the way by which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities. 22 How long wilt thou go hither and thither, O thou backsliding daughter? for Jehovah hath created a new thing in the earth: A woman shall encompass a man.    23 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Yet again shall they use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity: Jehovah bless thee, O habitation of righteousness, O mountain of holiness. 24 And Judah and all the cities thereof shall dwell therein together, the husbandmen, and they that go about with flocks. 25 For I have satiated the weary soul, and every sorrowful soul have I replenished.    I asked the Lord if this is a testing for those who are in the running to be in Bride, to be mindful of the distractions of religion (or pharisaical spirits). I received John 6:6 by faith at random, on the phrase, “and this he said to prove him”. 6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.   Surrendering Brings Swift Victory Tiannah Fire - 1/14/23 (David's notes in red)  Suddenly, I felt the Lord's presence so strong in the spiritual realm. I then saw, at that very moment that, in an instant, God could remove all the filth in my flesh and soul 100%, quicker than I could think, and He could manifest His presence 100% in my body and soul. I saw that it had already been done, and the manifestation could be done instantaneously. (The manifestation is progressive but it can be finished quickly. Php. 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. Psa 81:13  Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways! 14  I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn my hand against their adversaries. 15  The haters of Jehovah should submit themselves unto him: But their time should endure for ever.) I know many other brethren pray for God to manifest Himself in us fully (Eph. 3:19 to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.) We all want to be 100% dead to self and my soul desires it so much for all of us. We know that, by faith, it has already happened and we will see it manifest in the physical realm.   But, in that moment, when I saw He could do it all right then, my flesh got so terrified because it couldn't handle the presence of God that strong and that intense so quickly. I desire it and I know it will happen. But there is so much that I still have to let go of that isn't Christ, that God hasn't even revealed to me yet; so many hidden things. But, God will reveal those things in His perfect timing and I desire to let go of EVERYTHING that isn't Holy.  The complete removal of self in an instance would hurt because it is all I have ever known and His holiness replacing it would hurt if it happened without me being fully prepared.   I felt that it has to be a gradual thing. I must let go of things bit by bit, and then the Lord can come and fill those spots, until there is nothing left but Jesus. I must keep letting go of my own carnal thinking, reasoning, and understanding and filling it with the Word and His Holy Spirit. (This is why God told the Israelites that every place that they set their foot in the Promised land, He would give them. Because if He had wiped out their enemies all at once the land would have been over run with wild beasts. So He ordained that they conquer it a little at a time. Deu. 7:22 And Jehovah thy God will cast out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.)  I have felt and experienced what I would describe as my flesh surrendering bit by bit to the Spirit and the Word but, there are parts that still haven't surrendered completely and if it happened instantaneously my mind and body couldn't handle it.  God's timing is perfect and we need to be prepared every day for an increasing of Him in each of us in our soul and physical body. When we surrender to His Spirit willingly and surrender our whole heart to Him, it is so much easier for our body to submit. (1Co. 9:27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.) Yes, I want the complete manifestation and deliverance from all evil in my soul and body but, I realized that it is a progressive thing so that my physical body can handle it. God doesn't give us more than we can handle.   Gods wants His Son to completely manifest in each of us. I can see Jesus growing and increasing in the brethren more and more and it is so beautiful to witness.  After experiencing this I have felt so much closer to God and that every day we are getting closer and closer to Him manifesting in us to the full. Every day, whether we see it or not, we are dying to self in some areas and He is coming into us more and more than the previous day.   Everything is His grace and can only be done by His grace. It is all because of Jesus. ALL Glory and praise to Our Father and Lord Jesus forever and ever!   Lord let us all willingly surrender to Your Spirit, in all areas of our existence. Allow us to love You more and to rest in You accepting Your grace and allowing You to flow through us. Thank You Lord that Your grace is beyond anything we can comprehend. Thank You that we can do nothing without You, but we can do everything through You. Thank You that it's not us living, but Christ living in us. Thank You that we are dead to self and alive unto You God in Christ Jesus. Thank You that Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death! Thank You God that it is all You for all eternity!   (Samuel prayed and saw a young fruit tree - ambitious to bear hundreds of fruits, but not yet mature to do so. As the branches grew, buds formed all over and flowered. In time the tree was able to bear the amount it could handle.)   The Pearls of Great Price Marie Kelton - 1/6/23 (David's notes in red)   In this dream I was in Chicago, I was walking away from my old house on a side walk. (Leaving the house of our mother Church is a sign of growing in spiritual maturity.) I met Thaddeus (God's gift) and Greg (watchful or vigilant) two people I went to school with. (God gives us helpers along the way, like the fruits of the Spirit and wisdom; we must listen to them.) Thaddeus was to my left and Greg was to my right. As we were walking I asked Thaddeus what happened to him because I saw that he had a cut on his finger. Thaddeus said that he had a paper cut. I said, to him, "Those are the worst.” (Our gifts can suffer when we go contrary to the Word which is written on paper and is a sharp two edged sword.)      We were going across the street and there was a tan van waiting for us to cross so that it could turn right. A red truck was behind the van waiting also. As we were crossing I felt an evil spirit grab the back of my shirt to keep me from continuing to cross the street. Thaddeus and Greg continued walking across the street. (We shouldn't get separated from our spiritual gifts by any demon or fleshly influence.)    The person in the tan van was getting impatient, and turned and hit me with their car. (The demons will try to hold us back so that we fall under judgment.) In the dream I told the Judge (representing the Father) about the car that hit me. The license plate on the front of the van had 333 in it. (Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.) (This is on the front or before the van hits so, to stop this we must seek the Lord for wisdom!)   The scene changed and I was in a car. I don't know if I was driving or not. I realized I had on an old necklace and I heard a voice say, “Pearls.” (If our treasures have become tarnished and we must sanctify them with pure treasures from heaven; I.e. a revival.) In the dream I thought of the parable of the pearl of great price.    While in the car, the Lord was supernaturally changing the radio stations to speak to me through the songs. Every time He would change the song, one of the old pearls from the necklace I wore would burst and break and a new pearl would be in it's place. (As we seek His wisdom, He will give us new beauty and values.)  I was so excited and asked the Lord to keep speaking to me through songs on the radio. (The Lord's Words are melodious, pleasing Words to our spirit man.)   Mat. 13:45-46, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and  having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.   Am I Your Everything? Debbie Fenske - 1/23/23 In our Monday night fellowship gathering, our praise and worship time was wonderful. We sang several songs to Jesus. Our spirits were united as one, in one accord, giving praise, honor, and glory to God, just as Michael had prayed.  As we sang the Revelation Song, I know we all could feel our praise and worship going up to the Lord from our hearts. It was high praise, and high worship. And it seemed we were truly touching God's heart. Yet, I felt something else, too, in my spirit from the Lord.  In the midst of that high worship to Jesus, something else was on His heart. I felt this from Him the first time when we sang the words, “You are my everything, and I will adore you.” I asked Him, “Jesus, what is on your heart?” And He asked me, “Am I your everything?” I thought this question was only for me. But as He repeated that question two more times, as we continued singing that song to Him, I felt it rising up in me. And when He repeated it a third time, I knew it was for others in our midst besides me, because I felt His words welling up in me.  “My people, am I your everything? You say that I am. I say to you, My people, check your hearts. Search your hearts. You must diligently examine your hearts. Look deep, and see those things that fill you. And ask yourselves if I am your everything. I am looking at your hearts. I see what is there. You must give those things over to Me so that I will fill you, and I will truly be your everything, your only desire. There is much to give up. You can do this. For, as you desire to do this, My people, I will help you. You will not be on your own. I will help you, My people. For I desire to be your everything, your all in all”. After that, Chuc prayed, mentioning specific areas the Lord would help us let go of, and give over to Him, and that the Lord would strengthen us. Chuc thanked Him for His great mercy towards us, asking Him to continue extending His mercy to us. Others prayed also. As they were praying, I heard the the Lord repeating to me, “This is not just a tonight thing.” So then, the Lord had one more word to say.  “My people, this is not just a tonight thing I am asking of you.This is an every day thing you must do, always examining your hearts. For it is My desire to be completely, and totally, yours.”   SERVICES Ubbs Outreach Friday Night Worship CONTACT Share Your Testimony Request Prayer Technical Support Questions   SUPPORT US We are a non-profit organisation based in United States. Our goal is to empower and equip people to discover more about Christianity and point them to a life of happiness, peace and purpose. Donate

The Bride's Submission is Beautiful (Audio) David Eells - 1/25/23   The Bride's Transformation to Heavenly Submission Marie Kelton - 4/1/22 (David's notes in red)   (In this dream, Shay represents the Bride of Christ who is submitted to her heavenly Husband through obedience to His Word.)   I dreamed I was in Chicago. (Chicago represents Babylon. Jesus said that we are in the world but not of it.) I was in the bathroom and I was dying my hair blue with a white cream. (Spiritually speaking, the bathroom is where we rid ourselves, through repentance, of spiritual waste. A woman's hair is a sign of submission to her husband. This text also explains the other dreams below that we will share.    1Co. 11:3-15  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. 5 But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven. 6 For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. 7 For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man:    9 for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man: 10 for this cause ought the woman to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, so is the man also by the woman; but all things are of God. 13 Judge ye in yourselves: is it seemly that a woman pray unto God unveiled? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.   Dying the hair blue represents acquiring a heavenly submission to Jesus by being seated with Christ in heavenly places. The white cream represents purity, which we need to be in submission to Jesus and His Word.    Eph. 2:1-10 And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, 2 wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; 3 among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:— 4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,    5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places , in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: 8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, that no man should glory. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.)    The color only took to the back of my hair which was a bright blue, but it didn't take to the rest of my hair. I knew, in the dream, that I was going to dye it again to get the rest of my hair that bright blue color. (Salvation in our spirit is instant when we first come to the Lord in repentance. This is represented by the blue coloring only taking to the back of the hair which represents all our past sins up to the point of our salvation. But the salvation of our souls is a progressive process as long as we are alive on this earth. This is represented by the recoloring of the front part (or forward looking) part of the hair representing working out the rest of our salvation in the future with fear and trembling.)   My adoptive mom and adoptive grandmother didn't like me dying my hair that color. (They represent the Mother of Harlots and her daughters.) They were really mad at me for it.    (The Babylonish apostates hate the true disciples of Jesus. Throughout the history of the Bible it was those recognized as God's people who persecuted the righteous. John 15:18-21 If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.)   The Submitted Bride is Exceedingly Beautiful Claire Pianaar - 11/23/22 (David's notes in red)   …I dreamed I saw two pregnant women at a hairdresser. I recognized the slightly younger one was my friend Glenda (Glenda means holy and good). Both women were gorgeous and had gorgeous, long, blonde hair, and both were very pregnant. They were fit and had running clothes on. They had just come back from a run. …(These women represent the members of the corporate Bride body. They are fit from exercising their faith and overcoming trials [in running their race]. They are completely submissive to the sun/Son, as indicated by the blonde hair. Riaan: And about to give birth to the Man-child reformers.)    A well-dressed, male, hair stylist came and spoke to them. He loved their long hair and beauty. He told them to wait. (This male hair stylist represents the Holy Spirit who gives those who are in submission to the King of kings everything they will need to be pleasing to Jesus as Hegai did in the book of Esther 2:8-9 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him (The Holy Spirit), and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with her portions, and the seven maidens who were meet to be given her out of the king's house: and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women. Notice that The Holy Spirit can do a quick work if we please Him.)   Time is Running Out  Merlene Laughlin - 1/21/23   In a dream I saw a very large white wall. (Representing the white wall of purity and sanctification.) On the wall was the largest, circular clock I have ever seen. It had a narrow black rim all the way around it.    As I looked up at the 12 o'clock area of the clock, … the number 12 started slowly running down the face of the clock like wet ink. (The number 12 represents the number of the elect.) The numbers 11 and 1 then started to run down like the 12 had done. (111 is the gematria for the birth of the Man-child.) Then I woke up with the realization that time was running out for Christians [for Christians to be a part of the Man-child and Bride bodies. Obey the voice of the Spirit and cast down distractions to be ready.]   (Back to Claires dream.)  Then, my perspective in the dream changed, and I was in another portion of the salon where I saw the main, male stylist, trying to “make do” with his clients. (This main stylist represents Jesus, the King of kings just like Ahasuerus in the book of Esther.) They were all very overweight, with scraggly black hair, and none of them were pretty. (They are not pleasing to the Lord.) (In the spiritual, these black-haired women represent the corporate body of the apostate Church who are full of flesh and submitted to darkness.)     The male stylist (the Holy Spirit) who had seen the blonde, pregnant women called the main stylist (Jesus) on a red telephone, from a distance and said, “You have to see these two. They are beautiful. They are exactly what you're looking for! I'm calling you so the others don't hear me. They might be jealous or offended”. (The red telephone likely represents a “state of emergency” [in the Church today]).     The main stylist (Jesus) excused himself from the [less than desirable] clients he had in front of him and came out to look at these blonde, pregnant women. He was thrilled to see them! He touched their hair, looked at their strong, lean, tanned legs and he was smiling from ear to ear. (Their strong, lean, tanned legs represent a walk of strength while being exposed to the sun/Son and have overcome many trials. Exposed to the sun is like the Shulamite bride in Song of Solomon 1 who was scorched by the sun.) He did not want to cut their hair, as it was so healthy and thick and lovely. He just wanted to photograph them and be with them. (Jesus admires the beauty and submission of the Bride.)   These women then morphed into one, (Because they represent a corporate body called the Bride of Christ.) and this “super woman” was all smiles and gentle and unassuming; not prideful or boastful about her appearance or physical abilities at all. I so badly wanted to be like that! I wanted to be perfect and pregnant like they were. (Riaan: 1Co. 12:20 But now they are many members, but one body)    Then I woke up. I received Isa. 44:28 by faith at random for this dream, with my finger on “She shall be built” in verse 28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying of Jerusalem (John in Revelation was told that Jerusalem is the Bride), She shall be built; and of the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.   A Warning to Contenders for the Bride Body  Claire Pienaar - 12/8/22 (David's notes in red)   ...We ...found ourselves in the foyer of a large, modern church. (This modern Church represents the modern apostate Church system.) … We did not want to be there in this church. There was a slightly older lady there with short, blonde hair, and she was very welcoming. (As we will see, this woman represents the deceptive and rebellious Jezebel spirit that rules the apostate Church.)    It was a lovely looking church with modern posters of families in the sun etc. (2Ti. 3:2-6  For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. 6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.)   The lady was keeping us busy chatting. While we were distracted in conversation, she led us to a row of seats right in front of the stage. The lights dimmed and my stomach wretched. I looked at Riaan and I could not believe what was happening: We were sitting in an apostate church service. (Riaan: Beware of the deception of those who appear to be of the light on the outside, represented by the blonde hair, but are, in reality, rebellious, represented by the short hair.)    The older, blonde woman was telling us that her and her husband would only speak again in October of the next year as they have so many pastors and they all take turns preaching. (The whole month of October, according to John Ramirez, is a month of witchcraft and preparation of the satanists for their celebration of Halloween and the day of the dead.) (Riaan: James 3:1 Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.)    I was now sweating. Riaan stood up and led us out of the church, in the opposite direction to the throng of people streaming in. It was embarrassing, but we could not stay; we had to leave. But, our children had gotten so comfortable in the short time that we were there, that they ran away from us to play on the playgrounds. (The apostates try to entertain the spiritually immature. Spiritual grown-ups can lose their fruit being carnally entertained in this way.)   My son, who is older, was only a toddler in the dream, and he was wandering around, crying and whining. (Because of him being in an apostate church he lost maturity.) It was so hard to watch Riaan, too, as he had lost his authority over our children. (Riaan: 1Ti. 3:2 The bishop therefore must be without reproach… 4 one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity) (If we don't do this we are losing our submission to the Lord and causing our children to do the same as we can see in the next scene.)   I then stood in front of a mirror, and took some scissors and cut my hair way shorter than what is generally comfortable or acceptable for me. Riaan came in and helped me cut it off. (The influence of apostasy causes us to lose submission to the Lord symbolized here by cutting off hair which is a sign of submission.) It was horrible as I blinked back tears.   When we finally rallied our kids, we walked out of the front of the church. (Riaan: There's grace when we fail but, we must keep overcoming in our trials). As we were leaving, we walked past many camper vans and trailers with people watching their own TV shows and drinking beers and wine and cooking on their BBQ grills. We were shocked. I said to Riaan, “Why…?” And he replied, “The church has given them permission to be here just as they are…”.     …I woke up and a feeling of remorse and sorrow and warning washed over me. “I cut my hair” was all I could think about. I was  remorseful, because I know long, straight hair represents submission to our Lord.     I received by faith at random Jer 31:23, (in context 18-25) 18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a calf unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art Jehovah my God. 19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.    20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a darling child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearneth for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah. 21 Set thee up way marks, make thee guide-posts; set thy heart toward the highway, even the way by which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities. 22 How long wilt thou go hither and thither, O thou backsliding daughter? for Jehovah hath created a new thing in the earth: A woman shall encompass a man.    23 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Yet again shall they use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity: Jehovah bless thee, O habitation of righteousness, O mountain of holiness. 24 And Judah and all the cities thereof shall dwell therein together, the husbandmen, and they that go about with flocks. 25 For I have satiated the weary soul, and every sorrowful soul have I replenished.    I asked the Lord if this is a testing for those who are in the running to be in Bride, to be mindful of the distractions of religion (or pharisaical spirits). I received John 6:6 by faith at random, on the phrase, “and this he said to prove him”. 6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.   Surrendering Brings Swift Victory Tiannah Fire - 1/14/23 (David's notes in red)  Suddenly, I felt the Lord's presence so strong in the spiritual realm. I then saw, at that very moment that, in an instant, God could remove all the filth in my flesh and soul 100%, quicker than I could think, and He could manifest His presence 100% in my body and soul. I saw that it had already been done, and the manifestation could be done instantaneously. (The manifestation is progressive but it can be finished quickly. Php. 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. Psa 81:13  Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways! 14  I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn my hand against their adversaries. 15  The haters of Jehovah should submit themselves unto him: But their time should endure for ever.) I know many other brethren pray for God to manifest Himself in us fully (Eph. 3:19 to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.) We all want to be 100% dead to self and my soul desires it so much for all of us. We know that, by faith, it has already happened and we will see it manifest in the physical realm.   But, in that moment, when I saw He could do it all right then, my flesh got so terrified because it couldn't handle the presence of God that strong and that intense so quickly. I desire it and I know it will happen. But there is so much that I still have to let go of that isn't Christ, that God hasn't even revealed to me yet; so many hidden things. But, God will reveal those things in His perfect timing and I desire to let go of EVERYTHING that isn't Holy.  The complete removal of self in an instance would hurt because it is all I have ever known and His holiness replacing it would hurt if it happened without me being fully prepared.   I felt that it has to be a gradual thing. I must let go of things bit by bit, and then the Lord can come and fill those spots, until there is nothing left but Jesus. I must keep letting go of my own carnal thinking, reasoning, and understanding and filling it with the Word and His Holy Spirit. (This is why God told the Israelites that every place that they set their foot in the Promised land, He would give them. Because if He had wiped out their enemies all at once the land would have been over run with wild beasts. So He ordained that they conquer it a little at a time. Deu. 7:22 And Jehovah thy God will cast out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.)  I have felt and experienced what I would describe as my flesh surrendering bit by bit to the Spirit and the Word but, there are parts that still haven't surrendered completely and if it happened instantaneously my mind and body couldn't handle it.  God's timing is perfect and we need to be prepared every day for an increasing of Him in each of us in our soul and physical body. When we surrender to His Spirit willingly and surrender our whole heart to Him, it is so much easier for our body to submit. (1Co. 9:27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.) Yes, I want the complete manifestation and deliverance from all evil in my soul and body but, I realized that it is a progressive thing so that my physical body can handle it. God doesn't give us more than we can handle.   Gods wants His Son to completely manifest in each of us. I can see Jesus growing and increasing in the brethren more and more and it is so beautiful to witness.  After experiencing this I have felt so much closer to God and that every day we are getting closer and closer to Him manifesting in us to the full. Every day, whether we see it or not, we are dying to self in some areas and He is coming into us more and more than the previous day.   Everything is His grace and can only be done by His grace. It is all because of Jesus. ALL Glory and praise to Our Father and Lord Jesus forever and ever!   Lord let us all willingly surrender to Your Spirit, in all areas of our existence. Allow us to love You more and to rest in You accepting Your grace and allowing You to flow through us. Thank You Lord that Your grace is beyond anything we can comprehend. Thank You that we can do nothing without You, but we can do everything through You. Thank You that it's not us living, but Christ living in us. Thank You that we are dead to self and alive unto You God in Christ Jesus. Thank You that Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death! Thank You God that it is all You for all eternity!   (Samuel prayed and saw a young fruit tree - ambitious to bear hundreds of fruits, but not yet mature to do so. As the branches grew, buds formed all over and flowered. In time the tree was able to bear the amount it could handle.)   The Pearls of Great Price Marie Kelton - 1/6/23 (David's notes in red)   In this dream I was in Chicago, I was walking away from my old house on a side walk. (Leaving the house of our mother Church is a sign of growing in spiritual maturity.) I met Thaddeus (God's gift) and Greg (watchful or vigilant) two people I went to school with. (God gives us helpers along the way, like the fruits of the Spirit and wisdom; we must listen to them.) Thaddeus was to my left and Greg was to my right. As we were walking I asked Thaddeus what happened to him because I saw that he had a cut on his finger. Thaddeus said that he had a paper cut. I said, to him, "Those are the worst.” (Our gifts can suffer when we go contrary to the Word which is written on paper and is a sharp two edged sword.)      We were going across the street and there was a tan van waiting for us to cross so that it could turn right. A red truck was behind the van waiting also. As we were crossing I felt an evil spirit grab the back of my shirt to keep me from continuing to cross the street. Thaddeus and Greg continued walking across the street. (We shouldn't get separated from our spiritual gifts by any demon or fleshly influence.)    The person in the tan van was getting impatient, and turned and hit me with their car. (The demons will try to hold us back so that we fall under judgment.) In the dream I told the Judge (representing the Father) about the car that hit me. The license plate on the front of the van had 333 in it. (Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.) (This is on the front or before the van hits so, to stop this we must seek the Lord for wisdom!)   The scene changed and I was in a car. I don't know if I was driving or not. I realized I had on an old necklace and I heard a voice say, “Pearls.” (If our treasures have become tarnished and we must sanctify them with pure treasures from heaven; I.e. a revival.) In the dream I thought of the parable of the pearl of great price.    While in the car, the Lord was supernaturally changing the radio stations to speak to me through the songs. Every time He would change the song, one of the old pearls from the necklace I wore would burst and break and a new pearl would be in it's place. (As we seek His wisdom, He will give us new beauty and values.)  I was so excited and asked the Lord to keep speaking to me through songs on the radio. (The Lord's Words are melodious, pleasing Words to our spirit man.)   Mat. 13:45-46, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and  having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.   Am I Your Everything? Debbie Fenske - 1/23/23 In our Monday night fellowship gathering, our praise and worship time was wonderful. We sang several songs to Jesus. Our spirits were united as one, in one accord, giving praise, honor, and glory to God, just as Michael had prayed.  As we sang the Revelation Song, I know we all could feel our praise and worship going up to the Lord from our hearts. It was high praise, and high worship. And it seemed we were truly touching God's heart. Yet, I felt something else, too, in my spirit from the Lord.  In the midst of that high worship to Jesus, something else was on His heart. I felt this from Him the first time when we sang the words, “You are my everything, and I will adore you.” I asked Him, “Jesus, what is on your heart?” And He asked me, “Am I your everything?” I thought this question was only for me. But as He repeated that question two more times, as we continued singing that song to Him, I felt it rising up in me. And when He repeated it a third time, I knew it was for others in our midst besides me, because I felt His words welling up in me.  “My people, am I your everything? You say that I am. I say to you, My people, check your hearts. Search your hearts. You must diligently examine your hearts. Look deep, and see those things that fill you. And ask yourselves if I am your everything. I am looking at your hearts. I see what is there. You must give those things over to Me so that I will fill you, and I will truly be your everything, your only desire. There is much to give up. You can do this. For, as you desire to do this, My people, I will help you. You will not be on your own. I will help you, My people. For I desire to be your everything, your all in all”. After that, Chuc prayed, mentioning specific areas the Lord would help us let go of, and give over to Him, and that the Lord would strengthen us. Chuc thanked Him for His great mercy towards us, asking Him to continue extending His mercy to us. Others prayed also. As they were praying, I heard the the Lord repeating to me, “This is not just a tonight thing.” So then, the Lord had one more word to say.  “My people, this is not just a tonight thing I am asking of you.This is an every day thing you must do, always examining your hearts. For it is My desire to be completely, and totally, yours.”   SERVICES Ubbs Outreach Friday Night Worship CONTACT Share Your Testimony Request Prayer Technical Support Questions   SUPPORT US We are a non-profit organisation based in United States. Our goal is to empower and equip people to discover more about Christianity and point them to a life of happiness, peace and purpose. Donate

In this episode we take some of the lessons about the meaning of Passover from the previous episode and look at how John recounts the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3 in highly suggestive ways. For example, the Passover for Israelites was kind of like July 4th for Americans - it was a national holiday that celebrated the nations independence from tyrannical rule by an oppressive regime. In short, it was a birthday celebration. The reason Jesus talks with Nicodemus about being "born again" is that the feast of Passover was when Israel was "born" as a nation and liberated from the enslaving power of Pharoah. Jesus is essentially telling Nicodemus that his status as an Israelite does not guarantee his freedom from enslaving powers. Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus during Passover is filled with irony when we recognize that one of the ways John presents Jesus in his Gospel is as the Passover lamb. For example, Israelites were supposed to kill the Passover lamb at 3 in the afternoon - in broad daylight - to identify themselves with God in his battle against Egypt and Amun-Ra, its chief god. But notice Nicodemus, even though he believes Jesus has come from God, goes to Jesus at night so that he can avoid being identified with Jesus. Key Passages: John 2:23-3:10 Exodus 12:1-2 - That Israel was essentially "born" at Passover is evidenced by Israel's calendar starting over with the month of Passover. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/onelifenash/support

Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. (Psalm 113:5-8)   There is something unique about Israel's God that sets him apart from any other human or deity.  Not only is he high above the highest heights—a great God on the throne who reigns over the whole of the universe—but he is also a God who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth, even taking an interest in the plight of the poor and needy—the lowliest of the low.  There was no other deity of the ancient world like that.  Sure there were gods that sat in highest heights, but they didn't care about any human problems.  And sure there were great heroes among men, but even they were not terribly concerned about the lowest of the low.  That Israel's God could and did span and draw together such a mindbending spectrum as that between the utterly transcendent throne room of heaven and the utterly mundane and imminent ash heap of the needy made this God simply incomparable.  So, the psalm asks: “who is like the Lord our God?”  Answer there?  No one.  Nothing.  Our God is utterly unique.  And in his Son Jesus Christ, we get an even better look at him.  This one who did not consider equality with God as something to be used to his own advantage but instead became nothing.  The highest of the high, the utterly transcendent, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God was born into this world as the lowest of the low: the baby out-of-wedlock of a poor peasant couple from the Podunk frontier town of Nazareth. Why did our God take such a lowly path?  To raise us up to the highest heights with him, that's why.  It was Israel who was first brought up from their poverty and need in Egypt: they were set free and made into a people.  And with Jesus, we too have been raised up.  We have not been given an earthly place, but a heavenly place next to the prince of peace who has become our brother.  Of course, God still does this work of justice and of salvation in a thousand other ways too.  He really does rescue the poor and lifts them up.  He really does still rescue the needy of our world from the ash heaps.  Sometimes he even invites us into that work—to join him, our prince, into the places where he is still today, spanning the gap between the highest heights and the lowest lows.  Our God still sees, he still acts. He still hears the cries of those who have long been oppressed, and he still moves in justice and salvation on their behalf.  We are never to think that we are too high not to stoop down low.  Nor are we to ever think we are too low not to be lifted back up high.  Our God is in both places, and meets us in each.  Rescuing us, and also inviting us to join him in his work of bringing justice, grace, and mercy to others, too.  Praise the Lord for his great work that continues even today!  Praise the Lord, for there is no one else like him!  

Audio Transcript:This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston and our neighborhood churches, or donate to this ministry, please visit mosaicboston.com.Heavenly Father, we are so thankful to you for this morning, for this life you've given us. Another opportunity today is to worship you, to glorify you with everything we have. Everything we have is yours, everything, absolutely everything. The only thing we can take responsibility for is our own sin and our own folly. Everything else, Lord is from you, so we thank you for life and we thank you for the opportunity to be redeemed, reconciled, restored, for the opportunity to be welcomed into your family, adopted as sons and daughters regenerated by the power of the Spirit. Holy Spirit, we pray for a special anointing upon each one of us today. I pray if there's anyone who's not yet a believer, I pray, speak to them in a very, very clear way so they know that it's your voice, it's not a man's voice. In the same way that Elijah heard from you in the whisper, I pray, whisper, whisper words of salvation.And we pray, Holy Spirit of blessed our time in the word for those who are elect. And in this general vicinity, I pray that you draw them to gospel proclaiming churches. I pray that they not be dormant in their faith, in particular as the days are growing darker. Lord Jesus, bless our time in the holy scriptures of praises in Jesus name, Amen. We're continuing our sermon series through Romans, which has been incredible. And the title of the sermon today is Awakened Oh You Dormant Remnant. As you watch the news and you see everything's going on and questions arise, are we living in the end times? Well, it's a question that's always been asked by Christians in all ages, and many answers to this question may be found locked in our text today in Romans 11 and then in the next couple weeks. But when people ask questions like, Are we on the brink of World War3? Only Lord knows.But it's the natural state of the fallen heart to say, Jesus, everything's falling apart. Everything around us right about now would be a tremendous time to come back. Can you please come back and fix everything? And I understand this heart cry of lament, but we as the people of God, we can't stay there. We can't sit on our hands waiting for Jesus to come back and fix everything. When Jesus is like, "Hey, I've literally given you the game plan. I've given you the strategy of how to fix everything." And then once you start implementing the game plan, then Jesus comes back. He said, "Preach the gospel of the kingdom in the whole world." This is Matthew 24:14. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come." The gospel will be preached in the whole world.So our job, when we start thinking, "Oh my, this might be the end times." Our job as Christians to say, "Hey, am I preaching the gospel?" In particular in a place like Boston? I remember and when God called me the seminary and called me at the vocational ministry, I was like, "Lord, you know what? I'll do it as long as you come back during my lifetime. Just so I'm alive, just so I see Jesus Christ with the flaming sword. I want to be around for that." Just to be like, Ah, I told everyone. We were right.But in seminary they said, You got to preach the gospel to the whole world. And I said, "What? How can I do that? I can't do that." But I know a place where people from all over the world come, and that's Boston, Massachusetts. We're here and we are called to preach the gospel even when everything else is falling apart. And the gospel is very simple. The gospel is, God created you to worship him, we're to worship the king, King Jesus. We are to follow his world and build up his kingdom by following his word. And this is what St. Paul is doing as he's giving us a blueprint in the book of Romans of how to rebuild society. That's what Christianity is. Christianity is how can we recreate humanity? How can we have a humanity within the humanity, a city within the city, a people within a people who live life completely differently, live life in submission to God?And Romans nine, Paul establishes the fact, well, it's God's grace, we need God's grace. If anything's going to change, if we're going to do any kingdom work, if the church is going to grow, we need God's grace. And he establishes the principle of salvation is based only upon God's grace. Election isn't foresee on works or good faith, it's just that God chooses people, that's what grace is. Can you ever earn more grace? That's not a trick question. Can you ever earn more grace? No, we can't. We can never earn more grace. That's what he says, it's all grace. So God pours out grace. And the question is in Romans 10, what about the Jewish people? What about the remnant? And Paul says, it's still grace. They get saved, Jewish people in the same way the Gentiles get saved, it's all grace. Israel's problem says Paul is not a lack of zeal but a lack of knowledge.And as a result, Israel sought to establish a righteousness of their own through works and not through grace. And this was part of the divine purpose so that as Gentiles come to faith in Israel's God, this Jewish people are like, "We're are the chosen people." And then gentiles are come into faith and they're like, "Actually, we're the chosen people because we follow Jesus. He made us the chosen people and you're saved by grace through faith." And then the Jews are like, "Hey, that's not fair." And they're provoked, and Pastor Andy and the sermon last week had this incredible illustration about his two daughters, Clara and Audrey. Clara, he said, "Hey, come in for a hug." And she's like, Eh. Because she's taken her father's love for granted, not the fresh baby, not Audrey. She's like, oh, and then Clara is provoked. That's what's going on with Gentiles.This pendulum of grace that Israel had the gospel, they had grace and then they lost it. And then the pendulum of grace goes to the Gentiles. And then St. Paul says in chapter 11 that this pendulum of grace is going to swing to the Jews again. Romans 1:1 through 15. Sorry, I'm speaking really fast, there's a lot in this text and I want to cover all of it, that's my ambition. So would you pay attention with me? Romans chapter 11:1 through 15, "I asked then has God rejected his people? By no means for myself am and Israelite a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 'Lord, they've killed your prophets, they've demolished your altars, and I alone and left and they seek my life.'""But what is God's reply to him? 'I've kept for myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal. So to at the present time, there is a remnant chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking, the elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened. As it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear down to this very day.' And David says, 'Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see and bend their backs forever.' So I asked, did they stumble in order that they might fall by no means? Rather though through their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentile so as to make Israel jealous.""Now, if they're trespassed means riches for the world and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean? Now I'm speaking to you gentiles, in as much then as I am and apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous and thus save some of them. But if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean? But life from the dead?" This is the reading of God's holy inherent infallible authoritative word may write these eternal truths upon our hearts. We'll just walk through the text today given that this is a text about eschatology. So when speaking about eschatology, eschatology is the knowledge or the science of the eschaton, which is the end times.Whenever speaking on things like this, it's very important to be precise. And the text has to do with future prophecies found in the Bible, both old and new testaments. And it has to do with the end times. One biblical scholar said that two thirds of the doctrinal matter in the New Testament focuses one way or another on eschatology. Now if you're aware of Christianity, if you spent time in churches, you're probably familiar that there are many camps when it comes to the end times. There's the post-millennialism, the pre-millennialism, the amillennialism, the preterism, partial-preterismism, dispensationalism, et cetera. And how we understand eschatology to a large degree is connected to how we understand Romans 11. And this is what the chapter's about. Much of the dispute about his eschatology is, hey, what happens to Jewish people in the end? What happens to the people of God?That's really the question that he is wrestling with here in the end times. Romans 11:1, "I ask then, has God rejected is people?" It's a rhetorical question. In the old Testament times, Israel was called out of paganism and they were set apart to be the people of God. That God says, "You are now mine. Your lives will be patterned according to my character. You will live in a way that is going to bring peace, shalom, not just to your own life, but to life of your marriage and life of your family and the life of your community." And that was the people of God. There was a theocratic nation with God as its ultimate king. And Israel was given a mandate and a destiny and Paul earlier lamented, "Hey, did God reject his people completely?" Well he says, "No." Verse one, "I ask then, has God rejected his people? By no means, for I, myself am an Israel, a descendant of Israel, a member of the tribe of Benjamin." He's saying God is not categorically rejected the Jewish people. And here he argues from the lesser to the greater.He said, if God had rejected all the Jews, then he would've rejected Paul. But Paul was a Jew so, he's living, breathing, writing proof that God hasn't rejected the Jews just because of their ethnicity. Paul cites his pedigree, including a brief recounting of his background, traces a roots to the tribe of Benjamin all the way to Abraham. Verse two, "God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew." That's really the issue. He says, "Who are the chosen people?" It's not people who are born into a Jewish family. It's not people who identify as being Jewish. It's not people who identify as being Christian. That's not what saves anybody. What saves a person is repentance of faith. King Jesus, I have sinned against your law, have violated it, I have broken your code, your moral commandments. I have not loved God with all my heart, soul, strength and might. I have not loved neighbor as myself.When you repent of sin and you're drawn to God by the power of the Holy Spirit, sometimes it happens immediately and dramatically and you're a brand new person within five seconds. I haven't seen that happen often in Boston. Mostly in Boston, it's very progressive. It's you come, you listen, you read scripture, you meditate, you think, you ask God, you have conversation, you wrestle. And then after a while you don't know when you became a believer, but you say, "You know what I think I believe in Jesus Christ. I have repented my sin, I've accepted grace." You are part of these people that God has foreknew. That's what he's saying, that God is incapable of rejecting people whom he foreknew from the foundation of the world. Here he brings the concept of election to the Jewish people.Earlier he wrote in Romans 9:6, "It is not as though God's word had failed, for not all who are descended from Israel are Israel." That circumcision doesn't save a person, going to mass doesn't save a person, going to religious building doesn't save anybody, it doesn't save you from the wrath of God that we have earned. We have incurred through our law breaking. So what we need is grace. That's what he is talking about. And it's a grace that is completely under the sovereign will of God. So God hasn't finally rejected the Jews, Paul's living proof of that. So was the early church. The early church were mostly Jewish people. Jesus was Jewish, the disciples are Jewish. Most of the 500 eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ upon the resurrection were Jewish. And I don't mean like Jewish, I mean like religious Jews.And the fact that, and I marvel at this, the fact that Mosaic Boston meets in a synagogue every Sunday is weekly proof for the veracity of the historical bodily resurrection of Christ. And here's what I mean. Jewish people worship their Lord on what day? On Saturday. Well, they're not using the building on Sundays. So that's how we got in. Well, why are we worshiping God on a Sunday? Because the early Jews were told by Jesus Christ when he came back from the dead, "Hi, I am the Messiah and I came back from the dead. So that proves that everything I said is true. I am God, and now you'll worship me on the resurrection, day on Sundays."And this is how Paul did ministry, he would go to synagogues one day would meet and preach the gospel. So Romans 11:2 B, he continues, "Do not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel. Lord, they've killed your prophets, they've demolished your altars. And I alone him left and they seek my life." As is his custom, Paul often appeals to the Old Testament, to bolster the point. He's saying, "I'm not making this up. It's all in the Bible. Just read it. Read scripture, you'll understand God." In one of Israel's darkest hours, God preserved a believing remnant. There were people who were followers of God only because God preserved them. That's what he said. So this cry from the prophet of Elijah comes perhaps during the worst time of Apostacy in all of Old Testament Israel. So Elijah makes a plea, this plea while Ahab was the king. Ahab was married to Jezebel who was not a Christian.Jezebel was a priestess of the cult of Baal. So Ahab was to marry someone who worship Yahweh, who worshiped God, no, he married someone who worshiped Baal. And then little by little she had influence over the king and she invited pagan idolators into the royal house and persuaded Ahab to sanction all kinds of idolatrous religion. And under Ahab and Jebel, there was a massive persecution of the true believers of God. And a lot of the Jewish places of worship were destroyed. So Elijah had enough. Elijah gets to this point where he is like, I'd rather die than see the people of God hiding. I'd rather die than see the name of God defamed. It's kind of what happens when David, Young David, like David, Goliath, David. When he comes in and he goes to visit his brothers and he sees the army of Israel and then he sees the army of the Philistines, then he sees Goliath come out and for 40 days and 40 nights he came out and he cursed the name of God.Well there was a zeal kindled in the heart of David and he's like, "Hey, I love God and these people are cursing, God, I would rather die. I don't know... and I'm going to toss these stones with everything I've got at Goliath and if I die, I die." That's kind of the mindset of the zeal of God and the heart of Elijah where he's like, "You know what? I'm done with these priests of Baal. Hey, let's have a challenge. Let's have a prayer off. Let's see, God is real. So he challenges the prophets of Baal to this fair off in 1King's 18:27 through 29. The prophets of Baal. They build their little altar and then they're going around, and at noon, Elijah began to taunt them.They've been shouting for hours, "Shout louder. He said, Surely he is a God. Perhaps he's deep in thought or busy." That's a nice way in the English of translating that he's relieving himself or traveling maybe he's sleeping and must be awakened. "So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with sword and spears as was their custom until their blood flowed. Midday passed and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention." And then Elijah orders that the altar be doused with water. And then he saturates it with prayer and he begs God to send fire from heaven. The Lord God omnipotent sends fire from heaven that consumes the whole altar. And in the midst of Israel's hellish reversion to paganism, Elijah leads this revival because he got exhausted with seeing the name of God defamed.That's what happened in 1King's 18, huge win, huge win. Fire from heaven, huge win Elijah, you should go celebrate. Like this is the time you take a cruise or something, whatever prophets do. He doesn't. He falls into some kind of spiritual lament. He's exhausted with living, he's in this midst he cries out to God in first King's 19, "Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, 'Made the god's deal with me, be ever so severely if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.'" So this same guy who just saw fire come from heaven gets a death threat from Jezebel and says verse three, "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life when he came to Beersheba and Judah, he left his servant there. And while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness.""He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I've had enough Lord, he said, Take my life. I am no better than my ancestors.' Then he laid down under the bush and fell asleep." Have you ever been there? We all have been there. We've all been on our side in a fetal position on the floor in a small room. We have been "God, I've had enough. Please nothing. Please take me, take me, I'm ready to go." And then says, "All at once an angel touched him and said, 'Get up and eat.'" Oh, he was just hungry. He was just, oh, he just needed some carbs. "So an angel comes, he looks around and thereby his head was some bread baked over hot coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then laid down. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, 'Get up and eat for the journey is too much for you.'""So he got up and ate and drank, strengthened by that food, he's traveled 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' He replied, 'I've been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelis have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left and now they are trying to kill me too.' The Lord said, 'Go and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord. For the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart. And shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper, Elijah heard it. He pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then the voice said to him, 'What are you doing here Elijah?' And he replied, Same thing. 'I been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty, the Israelites have rejected your covenant, tore down the author, put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left and now they're trying to kill me. They're trying to kill me too.' The Lord said to him, 'Go back the way you came and go to the desert of Damascus. When you get there, Anoint Hazael King over Iram, also annoyed Jehu the son of Nimshi king of over Israel. Anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escaped the sword of Hazael and Elisha will put to death any who escaped the sword of Jehu.Who yet I reserve 7,000 in Israel. All whose needs have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.'" The whole chapter Elijah is like, "Where is everybody? Where is every? I'm by myself." And God's like, I've got a remnant, they just haven't been awakened yet. That's kind of what's going on. There's a remnant but they haven't shown up yet. And God uses Elijah here to awaken these people out of apostasy, and that's what St. Paul is really talking about. We pray for revival, we pray for revival at this church, we pray for revival in Boston. Partially because historically speaking, this is a battleground, spiritually speaking in many ways. We pray for revival, but revival must always first come from the house of God. It must come first from our own hearts. And that's what the Old Testament is about, over and over and over.But not just paganism, but apostasy and they're different. An Apostate is one who at some point professed faith in God. Pagan just don't believe in God and the God of scripture, apostasy is at some point you believe, at some point your church believed that scripture, the Bible was the living word of God. At some point your church renounced it, your denomination renounced it and becomes apostate. That's what's going on here. Romans 11:4, but what is God's reply to him? "I've kept for myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 7,000 within that godless nation. They had not kept themselves for God, but God had kept them. When you look back at your life, do you view God's movement in your life like this? That it's God keeping you, that it's God protecting you. This is what Jesus Christ taught us to pray."Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil. Lord, protect me. Protect me from sin. Lord, protect me from myself. Protect me from my spiritual lethargy. Lord, protect me." I do believe in the perseverance of the saints, but it's because I believe in the preservation of the saints. That whomever God does save, which is a miracle, he will continue that miracle all the way to heaven. Because whoever is truly a Christian is a walking miracle. Anyone, Every Christian is a walking miracle. It's the Holy Spirit did a miracle. And you recreated, you gave you a new heart. Verse five, "So too, at the present time there was a remnant chosen by grace." What does the word remnant mean? You ever think about that remnant? Well, it means fragment. It means scrap. Scripture has a lot of metaphors to explain Christians, seed left after the field has been plowed, drag's found to the bottom of a cup, loose ends that are only fit for a trash barrel. A stump left from a fell tree, drag's reserved by God in election.God doesn't choose the very best, no, he chooses the very worst. He's preserved his remnant, which he determined to redeem from the foundation of the world. This is why I do believe that the true faith of the church of Jesus Christ will continue until the end. We will never be erased, not the true chosen people of God. And Paul himself here is very hopeful for the people of God. He himself was disobedient and God saved him. If God could save someone as stubborn at St. Paul, God could save absolutely anybody. St. Paul was miraculously transformed from a ferocious wolf to a tamed sheep. He was the arch persecutor of the church and now becomes the apostle to the Gentiles. He knew God's mercy. And he's like, "If I got it, anyone can get it."And by the way, do you believe this? Do you view Christianity like this? Do you believe the gospel like the, salvation like this? "I can't believe I'm saved. And if God can save me, he can save absolutely everybody." Question, who are the least likely people on the planet to follow Jesus Christ? What group of people are the least likely to follow Jesus Christ? Well right up there I think, well whoever that is, that list, whatever your top five, your top 10, that's usually how God saves people. That's exactly who God is going to save. For me, I think that the least likely are Jewish people in New England. Jewish people in Brookline, Massachusetts. I think the least likely to become Christians, followers of God, I think the least likely. That's why I think God in his great humor has sent us here, just to see if this election stuff is true.I dare to test it. You know how? Share the gospel to Jewish people, share it. By the way, we as a church, we're positioned the best of anybody to share the gospel with Jewish people and share the good news with Jewish people. Because we literally tell, I do this all the time, I do this all the time. Because hey, "What do you do?" And I was like, "I'm a pastor." And they were like, "Where?" I was like, "Right here on Beacon Street, that massive building." He's like, "I've always wanted to go." "You should come, you should come. Sunday, 9:15, 11, you should come." God is doing a work, invite Jewish people to hear the gospel. And what is the gospel? What is the gospel? If you're Jewish, when you're like, all right, what's the gospel? Let's get the point. I'll tell you, the gospel is good news, Good news.Think of the best good news you've ever gotten, the best good news you've ever gotten. The first time, the best good news I can remember, the most tremendous news was when I made enough money to buy a car and I drove home in the Audi 80. That was tremendous news that I got to share with my friends. "Hey guys, I got a car, you don't." And that was tremendous news. Getting into college, that's always tremendous news, that's great. Getting engaged and you're like, "Hey, come to my wedding." That's great news. "We have a baby." That's tremendous news, tremendous news you... And usually the best news, it always has to do with people. It always has to do with relationships. Because look at the end of your life, you're going to be 95. You're going to be looking very, we all know this is so cliche, but you in the world, wind of life, you kind of forget.You're not going to be like, "I wish I worked hard at work. I wish I had made more money, I wish I'd bought more stuff, I wish I was more stylish, I wish I my percent body fat was lower, I wish I was." No, no one cares about. It's, "Who are the people I loved? And whom did I love?" It's all relationships. Well, scripture teaches us that the greatest relationship that is offered to us, the relationship with the God of the universe, has been severed by our own stubbornness. We're all stubborn. The fact that you don't think you are sinner proves the fact that you are a great sinner. Because when's the last time you have even considered the law of the living God? We don't. No one in our culture considers the law of God. That's how indifferent we are, that's how much we hate God. So obviously we're sinners, but God in this great love did not leave us in our sin.Sends his son Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who lives a perfect life, fulfills every single one of God's laws. Fulfills God's will even when he didn't want to, at that moment, when it matters most. The moment of garden of Gethsemane. "Lord, if there's any other way, let this cup pass from me, but not my will. Your will be done. That moment, every single one of us, we have crossed. "Lord, let this cup fast from me." And Lord says, "No." And you're saying, "See you." That sin turning your back on God, running away from God, carrying nothing for the things of God. And then Jesus Christ comes, he goes to the cross after Gethsemane, he pours out his blood, he's crucified, nails through his hands, through his feet. He's crucified by his very own Jewish people whom he loved. He was Jewish, they're Jewish.And then he's buried and he comes back from the dead and he promises whoever repent of sin, that's all you have to... All repentance is turning your heart from being away from God to God. That's all Elijah was doing. His whole job was to turn the hearts of the people of God back to God. Stop saying you love God with your words, but your whole life, when no one sees you, you're not a believer. So share the gospel. And this one of the thing I do hear from people. They say, "Well, Paul had a cool testimony. Other people have cool testimonies. Like if you're a drug addict or you killed someone and then you met Jesus and then you knew person, that's awesome, that's cool. But me, my testimony's so boring."My testimony like this is the way I used to think. I grew up in a Christian family, we went to church, we tried to read the Bible here and there, things like that. And I'm like, But yeah, I met God a few points in my life where it's clear God exists, got into his word, you get saved. Your testimony only is boring if you're not honest about how wicked you are. And it's hard to say how wicked you are out loud to people. It's hard to say, "I was up and then that thing, but Jesus delivered me from." It's hard to say, it's even harder to hear that personal. So I say you just use biblical words. Just use, "I was lost as a sheep and then Jesus went and he found," use biblical words, but share your story. At what moments in life that God really showed up really ministered to you. So that's my encouragement to do, share the gospel, preach the gospel, proclaim the gospel, use words to people, explain what the gospel is, and then lead them to scripture.Romans 11:6 through seven, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking the elect obtain it, but the rest were hardened." Here he says that the due concepts grace and works, they're mutually exclusive as we have seen through this Epistle. Grace by definition is unmerited, you can't earn it. It's unearned, undeserved. And Paul makes it simple, it's one or the other. Our relationship with God is one or the other. It's based on one or the other. And our only hope is grace. And Paul is writing about the Jewish people as a whole, his kinsman, that they too can only be saved by grace. So the fact that you are ethnically Jewish does not necessarily put you in better terms relationship with God. No, it's only through race. It's only through Jesus Christ.Romans 11:8, "As it's written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear down to this very day." People of Israel were blinded because God made them blind, that's what he's saying. But their blindness is punishment for their sin. They didn't want to see God. God had given them his word and they rejected it. If you don't want to hear God's word and there are parts of God's word that is hard to hear, friends. You never graduate from that. If you get to a point where you don't want to hear the word of God, well be careful because God does make people deaf. If you keep pushing, you keep pushing, you keep resisting, you keep being stubborn and stiff neck, there will come a time where you just become deaf to the word of God. You want nothing to do with it, I've seen it. If you don't want to see the kingdom of God, whatever you see vaguely will be taken away.If you're not alive and energetic to the things of God, when the spirit of God whispers, when the spirit of God blows, be careful that God does not visit you with the spirit of lethargy, taking away from you whatever zeal was already given. And Paul hear cites David, who's speaking about the enemies of God and God's kingdom in Romans 11:9, And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap. And a stumbling block and a retribution for them. Let their eyes be dark and so that they cannot see and bend their backs forever." What's he talking about here? Well, it's the imagery of a table. Elsewhere in Psalm 23, David says, "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies." What is this table? It's a banquet feast that God has prepared and it's visible to the enemies of the kingdom. So in a sense, at the banquet where God is over this banquet, the enemies of God can see in. And concerning this imagery, Luther said that ultimately the table is imagery of God's word. God's word is the feast at the table. That's the spread.The banquet feast is the oracles of God's word. They were given, not to the Assyrians or the Babylonians and the Acadians, but to the people of Israel. And they had the Oracles of God and David saw how's enemies hated the word of God. That's where he wrote. And Psalm 69:22, "May the table set before them become a snare and may it become retribution and a trap." Once God's enemies come to the table and they hear God's word and they see the sumptuous food, because of pride in their heart, rebellion against the God who has given this feast, that same food becomes a trap for them. A trap that pounces like a hammer on their heads. Luther looking at Psalm 69:22 said, "It's like the flower in the field whose nectar is used to make honey for the bee, but the nectar is poison to the spider."You're saying to those who are being saved, the word of God is sweetness and honey. But for those who are perishing, it is poison. And this is one of the challenges of preaching the gospel. This is one of the challenges of not just my job, but your job, our job as collectively as the people of God. We are to make disciples proclaiming the word of God. For some people, they receive it and it is sweet, it's so sweet. It's so sweet to see a new Christian. One of the sweetest things where you just see the scales fall off, the eyes becoming tendered to the word of God. Hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry questions just, it's one of the sweetest, sweetest things to see. And for some people that same exact message makes them want to fight. They want to fight. And usually... They don't want to really fight. They don't want to really fight.They want to fight on Google and Google reviews and things like that. But in a place like Boston, the odds are stacked against you. This is what Pastor Randy was talking about last week. You got to develop this tough skin of being able to take L's. Yeah, you share the gospel L, you share the gospel L. It's like nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing. And then like statistically speaking, very few people of those to whom you're going to tell the word of God in the gospel, statistically very few are going to become Christians around you. Very few. But they're going to start paying attention. For now, they're going to start paying attention. And it takes years, sometimes takes decades. And the seeds you sew now, God's word does not return void. Romans 11:11, "So I asked, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means, rather through their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles, so has to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their inclusion mean?"He's saying Israel's present bareness was brought with a blessing to the Gentiles. That Israel stumbled for that purpose. It's a clear pattern in these verses that there is this pendulum, as I was saying, of God's grace and it climaxes in history, in salvation history immediately before the return of Christ. That's what he's talking about. This time, Israel's sin is described as bringing blessings to the Gentiles. That's our age. While Israel's loss becomes Gentiles gain, but as redemptive historical, this pendulum swings back the other way. Israel's fullness will in turn serve to bring greater riches to the Gentiles. So Israel, people of God, chosen, Jesus comes, they rejected. Pendulum, swings to the gentiles, swinging to the Gentiles.And toward the end times, this is what he's saying, the pendulum comes back, comes back, comes back. And those Jewish people, ethically Jewish religiously at that time, God is going to bring a great revival amongst them. This is verse 13, "Now I'm speaking to you Gentiles, in as much then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world." So they've been rejected so that we gentiles can be reconciled. "How much more so, that's what you say, what will their acceptance mean? But life from the dead." How can Paul equate Israel's future acceptance with the resurrection? What's the connection between Israel's future acception and the resurrection life from the dead?Well, the phrase life from the dead is, in a figurative expression, meaning that it's the reception of Israel that will bring this blessing, this new life. Israel's acceptance does not mark the beginning of a golden age, according to this text. So this, a lot of post-millennial people point to this text and they're like, Oh, this is where a thousand year reign of Christ that begins here. No, he's saying when the Jews, when there is this revival amongst the Jewish people, it marks the end. Israel's conversions assigned that this present evil age is about to come to an end with the resurrection.Israel's acceptance is in some way connected to the general resurrection at the end of the age. But this is all happening so Israel's fullness and acceptance will trigger that climactic end of salvation history. So he's saying the acceptance of Israel and the resurrection, they're interconnected. And when Israel is converted, the end of the age is at hand. So when you do start hearing about Jewish people getting saved on mass, you should start getting worried if you're not a Christian and you should get saved. But I'm telling you, I'm already hearing about it, I'm already seeing it. So if you're not yet a Christian, I'm telling you the end is near. It's very near. And also we don't know how much we have left the end for any one of us might be today. So repent for today is the day of salvation. Will there be a role for Israel in the future? Likely, yes.Immediately before the end of the age, huge numbers of ethnic Jews will come to faith in Jesus Christ and then become members of Christ's church. Their conversion will herald the coming of Jesus Christ in the end of the age. And until then, what is our job? Until then, we joined with Paul in his impassioned prayer in Romans 10:1, "Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israel is that, they may be saved." That's our heart's desire, that's our heart's desire for every single person to be saved.First Corinthians 15:20, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. The first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through man. For as in Adam all dies, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn Christ the first fruits, then when he comes, those who belong to him, then the end will come. When he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. Pretty much reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet, the last enemy to be destroyed is death for he has put everything under his feet."In conclusion, Romans 10:11 tells us that there is a remnant, who's chosen by grace. And this was what Elijah was wrestling with. He's like, "Lord, I'm the only one, I'm the only one. They've killed everyone else." And then God's like, "I've got 7,000, relax." But the thing with Elijah is, the 7,000 weren't really helpful. And I wonder how many Christians like that are in Boston. I wonder because a friend text me, he is like, "Do you have any demographics of recently in churches?" And I was like, "Look man, every pastor I talk to looks like they've been like band of brothers, they just got back from World War II. COVID just diminished every church, just everyone's like barely hanging out." I was like, I don't care about demographics, I don't care about people who identify as Christians. I don't care about any of that. I care about the fruit. What's the fruit? The fruit I want to see is how many faithfully committed Christians are there in attendance today in churches in Greater Boston? How many?If you go around in every single church in Boston, Greater Boston, how many? Can we get 7,000? Can we get 7,000 men? Well, I believe that there is a remnant. But there's just a call to the remnant that is dormant. And I say this because, let me just connect this to football real quick. You know how in Texas football is amazing, Texas, Florida all down to Alabama, they've got third graders that could probably be in the NFL. I don't know what they're... So like huge stadiums, they got professional coaches and I'm from Rhode Island I played football in a school where no one played football. It's like whoever shows up, that's the team. And we never had enough people to play. So whoever signed up played every single position. So since freshman year, I played every single position. On offense, I was a lineman, on defense, I was a middle linebacker. On punt return, I was the returner kick. And I was the kicker on top of all that.And then when I got to senior year and our team stunk, and I remember my coach pulling me aside and he said, "Jan, I'm so sorry." I said, "What for coach? For you being an alcoholic?" And he said, "No, not for that." I said, "What you?" He said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry you didn't go to high school in Texas." Tremendous, a lot of support, a lot of infrastructure. That's kind of what the church situation is. Boston compared to other parts of the country. If you come from here, if you come and you're like, "Yeah, I'm only here for a year, I'm only here for two years, you know what? Boston's not really home." And then home is always back there. And you come here and you come to church here and you take, and you take and you take, everyone else who lives here is like, "You know what? I'm tired. I'm like Elijah, I'm like, Lord, kill me, kill me, please." Not me. Elijah.But that's the general. So this is my appeal to you, dormant remnant. If you are a Christian, you're like, "I am a believer, but I think I've been to sleep. I haven't read my Bible, I don't have ears to hear, I have a spirit of stupor. When I pray it seems like I'm just speaking to the ceiling." I guess the spirit of stupor, it is demonic. If there is a remnant and you're hearing my voice, I am calling you, I'm summoning the elect. I'm summoning the elect to you be faithful where you are. Be faithful to the Lord. If you really are elect, understand what that means, what kind of great gift that, and it comes with responsibilities to share the gospel with those who don't yet know the Lord. So I'll ask you the question of Elijah. If you're like, "I'm not sure, am I elect? Am I dormant? Am I not a Christian?"Well, I'll ask you the question, Elijah, how long will you waiver between two opinions? The Lord is God, follow him. If Baal is God, follow him. Is God the primary orienter of your life? Is he the true north star of your life? That everything is aligned according to God and his word. If not, then you're following something else. If God is Lord, follow him. Romans 10:9 through 13, "Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says, Everyone who believes in him will not be put the shame for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls in the name of the Lord will be saved."Everyone, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. So today, friends call on the name of the Lord and as we transition to holy communion, call on the name of Jesus Christ, we're remembering him today. He said, Do to this in remembrance of me, of his person, of who he was, of his character, of who he is, of his word, of what he taught, of his sacrifice on the cross for us. For whom is holy communion. It's for repentant Christians, it's for this remnants, for the elect who repent of sin and follow Jesus faithfully. And when you stumble, you repent, you get up and you ask for grace. So if you're not a Christian, if you today do not respond to the gospel call. If you do not repent of sin and trust in Jesus, we ask that you refrain from this part of the service, this is for believers in Christ.And if you are a Christian living in sin, known sin that you have not repented of, we call you to repentance and leave that sin and then you're welcome partake. And if you don't repent and leave that sin, don't partake in this, it won't be helpful. It might actually cause physical harm according to first Corinthians 11. "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also, he took the cup after supper saying, 'The cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself then, so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly we would not be judged, but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So then my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another if anyone's hungry, let them eat at home so that when you come together, it will be not be for judgment about the other things that will give directions when I come."If you would like to participate in holy community, you haven't received the elements, please raise your hand when the ushers will hand you one. I actually need one too. I forgot mine. Thanks. Actually I'll take two, I'll take two, I'll take two. One for a second service. Perfect. Would you please pray with me over Holy communion. Heavenly Father, as we today meditate on the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, we don't meditate on it just to feel bad for the physical anguish that you went through. And we meditate on it because Jesus, you won. You conquered Satan sin and death on the cross. We worship a God who conquered evil. We thank you Jesus that you today, the resurrected Christ, that you're seated at the right hand of God, the Father, and that we can commune with you, we can bow our hearts at the altar right before you're throne. We can get on our knees, we can ask for forgiveness and you grant it to us.Because of your victory on the cross, because of your victorious sacrifice. Lord, I pray today by the power of the Spirit that you increase our zeal, every single one of us. Make us the people who, like, Elijah are willing to suffer anything so that your name will not be defamed. Jesus, we thank you for dying on the cross for our sins, bearing our penalty and shame, and we worship you now. We thank you for your body, we thank you for your blood and we thank you for the spirit of God that is amongst us. And we pray this in Jesus name. Amen.On the night that Jesus Christ was betrayed, he took the bread and after breaking he said, This is my body broken for you. Take eat and do this in remembrance of me. Then proceed to take the cup. He said, "This cup is the cup of the new covenant in my blood, which poured out for the sins of many. Take drink and do this in remembrance of me. If today is the first time you've received the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, would love to pray with you after the service. Pastor Andy will be right up here, or if you just want to talk more about the faith, we'd love to answer any questions. With that said, would you please pray with me as we continue our service?Lord, we worship you. We worship you for the God that you are the greatness of your glory, your blazing holiness, your totally otherness transcendence, and yet you bow down and you came down to us. We thank you Jesus for that. And I pray Jesus, that you make us people who want to share the good news just because we're thrilled about it. What incredible deal it really is, because of the work of Christ we can bring you our sin and you forgive us and we become yours. And now you reorder our lives, reorder the chaos of our lives by your word. And I pray you continue to do that, and I pray that you receive our worship now with heartfelt gratitude. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Audio Transcript: This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston and our neighborhood churches, or donate to this ministry, please visit mosaicboston.com. Heavenly Father, we are so thankful to you for this morning, for this life you've given us. Another opportunity today is to worship you, to glorify you with everything we have. Everything we have is yours, everything, absolutely everything. The only thing we can take responsibility for is our own sin and our own folly. Everything else, Lord is from you, so we thank you for life and we thank you for the opportunity to be redeemed, reconciled, restored, for the opportunity to be welcomed into your family, adopted as sons and daughters regenerated by the power of the Spirit. Holy Spirit, we pray for a special anointing upon each one of us today. I pray if there's anyone who's not yet a believer, I pray, speak to them in a very, very clear way so they know that it's your voice, it's not a man's voice. In the same way that Elijah heard from you in the whisper, I pray, whisper, whisper words of salvation. And we pray, Holy Spirit of blessed our time in the word for those who are elect. And in this general vicinity, I pray that you draw them to gospel proclaiming churches. I pray that they not be dormant in their faith, in particular as the days are growing darker. Lord Jesus, bless our time in the holy scriptures of praises in Jesus name, Amen. We're continuing our sermon series through Romans, which has been incredible. And the title of the sermon today is Awakened Oh You Dormant Remnant. As you watch the news and you see everything's going on and questions arise, are we living in the end times? Well, it's a question that's always been asked by Christians in all ages, and many answers to this question may be found locked in our text today in Romans 11 and then in the next couple weeks. But when people ask questions like, Are we on the brink of World War3? Only Lord knows. But it's the natural state of the fallen heart to say, Jesus, everything's falling apart. Everything around us right about now would be a tremendous time to come back. Can you please come back and fix everything? And I understand this heart cry of lament, but we as the people of God, we can't stay there. We can't sit on our hands waiting for Jesus to come back and fix everything. When Jesus is like, "Hey, I've literally given you the game plan. I've given you the strategy of how to fix everything." And then once you start implementing the game plan, then Jesus comes back. He said, "Preach the gospel of the kingdom in the whole world." This is Matthew 24:14. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come." The gospel will be preached in the whole world. So our job, when we start thinking, "Oh my, this might be the end times." Our job as Christians to say, "Hey, am I preaching the gospel?" In particular in a place like Boston? I remember and when God called me the seminary and called me at the vocational ministry, I was like, "Lord, you know what? I'll do it as long as you come back during my lifetime. Just so I'm alive, just so I see Jesus Christ with the flaming sword. I want to be around for that." Just to be like, Ah, I told everyone. We were right. But in seminary they said, You got to preach the gospel to the whole world. And I said, "What? How can I do that? I can't do that." But I know a place where people from all over the world come, and that's Boston, Massachusetts. We're here and we are called to preach the gospel even when everything else is falling apart. And the gospel is very simple. The gospel is, God created you to worship him, we're to worship the king, King Jesus. We are to follow his world and build up his kingdom by following his word. And this is what St. Paul is doing as he's giving us a blueprint in the book of Romans of how to rebuild society. That's what Christianity is. Christianity is how can we recreate humanity? How can we have a humanity within the humanity, a city within the city, a people within a people who live life completely differently, live life in submission to God? And Romans nine, Paul establishes the fact, well, it's God's grace, we need God's grace. If anything's going to change, if we're going to do any kingdom work, if the church is going to grow, we need God's grace. And he establishes the principle of salvation is based only upon God's grace. Election isn't foresee on works or good faith, it's just that God chooses people, that's what grace is. Can you ever earn more grace? That's not a trick question. Can you ever earn more grace? No, we can't. We can never earn more grace. That's what he says, it's all grace. So God pours out grace. And the question is in Romans 10, what about the Jewish people? What about the remnant? And Paul says, it's still grace. They get saved, Jewish people in the same way the Gentiles get saved, it's all grace. Israel's problem says Paul is not a lack of zeal but a lack of knowledge. And as a result, Israel sought to establish a righteousness of their own through works and not through grace. And this was part of the divine purpose so that as Gentiles come to faith in Israel's God, this Jewish people are like, "We're are the chosen people." And then gentiles are come into faith and they're like, "Actually, we're the chosen people because we follow Jesus. He made us the chosen people and you're saved by grace through faith." And then the Jews are like, "Hey, that's not fair." And they're provoked, and Pastor Andy and the sermon last week had this incredible illustration about his two daughters, Clara and Audrey. Clara, he said, "Hey, come in for a hug." And she's like, Eh. Because she's taken her father's love for granted, not the fresh baby, not Audrey. She's like, oh, and then Clara is provoked. That's what's going on with Gentiles. This pendulum of grace that Israel had the gospel, they had grace and then they lost it. And then the pendulum of grace goes to the Gentiles. And then St. Paul says in chapter 11 that this pendulum of grace is going to swing to the Jews again. Romans 1:1 through 15. Sorry, I'm speaking really fast, there's a lot in this text and I want to cover all of it, that's my ambition. So would you pay attention with me? Romans chapter 11:1 through 15, "I asked then has God rejected his people? By no means for myself am and Israelite a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 'Lord, they've killed your prophets, they've demolished your altars, and I alone and left and they seek my life.'" "But what is God's reply to him? 'I've kept for myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal. So to at the present time, there is a remnant chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking, the elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened. As it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear down to this very day.' And David says, 'Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see and bend their backs forever.' So I asked, did they stumble in order that they might fall by no means? Rather though through their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentile so as to make Israel jealous." "Now, if they're trespassed means riches for the world and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean? Now I'm speaking to you gentiles, in as much then as I am and apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous and thus save some of them. But if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean? But life from the dead?" This is the reading of God's holy inherent infallible authoritative word may write these eternal truths upon our hearts. We'll just walk through the text today given that this is a text about eschatology. So when speaking about eschatology, eschatology is the knowledge or the science of the eschaton, which is the end times. Whenever speaking on things like this, it's very important to be precise. And the text has to do with future prophecies found in the Bible, both old and new testaments. And it has to do with the end times. One biblical scholar said that two thirds of the doctrinal matter in the New Testament focuses one way or another on eschatology. Now if you're aware of Christianity, if you spent time in churches, you're probably familiar that there are many camps when it comes to the end times. There's the post-millennialism, the pre-millennialism, the amillennialism, the preterism, partial-preterismism, dispensationalism, et cetera. And how we understand eschatology to a large degree is connected to how we understand Romans 11. And this is what the chapter's about. Much of the dispute about his eschatology is, hey, what happens to Jewish people in the end? What happens to the people of God? That's really the question that he is wrestling with here in the end times. Romans 11:1, "I ask then, has God rejected is people?" It's a rhetorical question. In the old Testament times, Israel was called out of paganism and they were set apart to be the people of God. That God says, "You are now mine. Your lives will be patterned according to my character. You will live in a way that is going to bring peace, shalom, not just to your own life, but to life of your marriage and life of your family and the life of your community." And that was the people of God. There was a theocratic nation with God as its ultimate king. And Israel was given a mandate and a destiny and Paul earlier lamented, "Hey, did God reject his people completely?" Well he says, "No." Verse one, "I ask then, has God rejected his people? By no means, for I, myself am an Israel, a descendant of Israel, a member of the tribe of Benjamin." He's saying God is not categorically rejected the Jewish people. And here he argues from the lesser to the greater. He said, if God had rejected all the Jews, then he would've rejected Paul. But Paul was a Jew so, he's living, breathing, writing proof that God hasn't rejected the Jews just because of their ethnicity. Paul cites his pedigree, including a brief recounting of his background, traces a roots to the tribe of Benjamin all the way to Abraham. Verse two, "God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew." That's really the issue. He says, "Who are the chosen people?" It's not people who are born into a Jewish family. It's not people who identify as being Jewish. It's not people who identify as being Christian. That's not what saves anybody. What saves a person is repentance of faith. King Jesus, I have sinned against your law, have violated it, I have broken your code, your moral commandments. I have not loved God with all my heart, soul, strength and might. I have not loved neighbor as myself. When you repent of sin and you're drawn to God by the power of the Holy Spirit, sometimes it happens immediately and dramatically and you're a brand new person within five seconds. I haven't seen that happen often in Boston. Mostly in Boston, it's very progressive. It's you come, you listen, you read scripture, you meditate, you think, you ask God, you have conversation, you wrestle. And then after a while you don't know when you became a believer, but you say, "You know what I think I believe in Jesus Christ. I have repented my sin, I've accepted grace." You are part of these people that God has foreknew. That's what he's saying, that God is incapable of rejecting people whom he foreknew from the foundation of the world. Here he brings the concept of election to the Jewish people. Earlier he wrote in Romans 9:6, "It is not as though God's word had failed, for not all who are descended from Israel are Israel." That circumcision doesn't save a person, going to mass doesn't save a person, going to religious building doesn't save anybody, it doesn't save you from the wrath of God that we have earned. We have incurred through our law breaking. So what we need is grace. That's what he is talking about. And it's a grace that is completely under the sovereign will of God. So God hasn't finally rejected the Jews, Paul's living proof of that. So was the early church. The early church were mostly Jewish people. Jesus was Jewish, the disciples are Jewish. Most of the 500 eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ upon the resurrection were Jewish. And I don't mean like Jewish, I mean like religious Jews. And the fact that, and I marvel at this, the fact that Mosaic Boston meets in a synagogue every Sunday is weekly proof for the veracity of the historical bodily resurrection of Christ. And here's what I mean. Jewish people worship their Lord on what day? On Saturday. Well, they're not using the building on Sundays. So that's how we got in. Well, why are we worshiping God on a Sunday? Because the early Jews were told by Jesus Christ when he came back from the dead, "Hi, I am the Messiah and I came back from the dead. So that proves that everything I said is true. I am God, and now you'll worship me on the resurrection, day on Sundays." And this is how Paul did ministry, he would go to synagogues one day would meet and preach the gospel. So Romans 11:2 B, he continues, "Do not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel. Lord, they've killed your prophets, they've demolished your altars. And I alone him left and they seek my life." As is his custom, Paul often appeals to the Old Testament, to bolster the point. He's saying, "I'm not making this up. It's all in the Bible. Just read it. Read scripture, you'll understand God." In one of Israel's darkest hours, God preserved a believing remnant. There were people who were followers of God only because God preserved them. That's what he said. So this cry from the prophet of Elijah comes perhaps during the worst time of Apostacy in all of Old Testament Israel. So Elijah makes a plea, this plea while Ahab was the king. Ahab was married to Jezebel who was not a Christian. Jezebel was a priestess of the cult of Baal. So Ahab was to marry someone who worship Yahweh, who worshiped God, no, he married someone who worshiped Baal. And then little by little she had influence over the king and she invited pagan idolators into the royal house and persuaded Ahab to sanction all kinds of idolatrous religion. And under Ahab and Jebel, there was a massive persecution of the true believers of God. And a lot of the Jewish places of worship were destroyed. So Elijah had enough. Elijah gets to this point where he is like, I'd rather die than see the people of God hiding. I'd rather die than see the name of God defamed. It's kind of what happens when David, Young David, like David, Goliath, David. When he comes in and he goes to visit his brothers and he sees the army of Israel and then he sees the army of the Philistines, then he sees Goliath come out and for 40 days and 40 nights he came out and he cursed the name of God. Well there was a zeal kindled in the heart of David and he's like, "Hey, I love God and these people are cursing, God, I would rather die. I don't know... and I'm going to toss these stones with everything I've got at Goliath and if I die, I die." That's kind of the mindset of the zeal of God and the heart of Elijah where he's like, "You know what? I'm done with these priests of Baal. Hey, let's have a challenge. Let's have a prayer off. Let's see, God is real. So he challenges the prophets of Baal to this fair off in 1King's 18:27 through 29. The prophets of Baal. They build their little altar and then they're going around, and at noon, Elijah began to taunt them. They've been shouting for hours, "Shout louder. He said, Surely he is a God. Perhaps he's deep in thought or busy." That's a nice way in the English of translating that he's relieving himself or traveling maybe he's sleeping and must be awakened. "So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with sword and spears as was their custom until their blood flowed. Midday passed and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention." And then Elijah orders that the altar be doused with water. And then he saturates it with prayer and he begs God to send fire from heaven. The Lord God omnipotent sends fire from heaven that consumes the whole altar. And in the midst of Israel's hellish reversion to paganism, Elijah leads this revival because he got exhausted with seeing the name of God defamed. That's what happened in 1King's 18, huge win, huge win. Fire from heaven, huge win Elijah, you should go celebrate. Like this is the time you take a cruise or something, whatever prophets do. He doesn't. He falls into some kind of spiritual lament. He's exhausted with living, he's in this midst he cries out to God in first King's 19, "Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, 'Made the god's deal with me, be ever so severely if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.'" So this same guy who just saw fire come from heaven gets a death threat from Jezebel and says verse three, "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life when he came to Beersheba and Judah, he left his servant there. And while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness." "He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I've had enough Lord, he said, Take my life. I am no better than my ancestors.' Then he laid down under the bush and fell asleep." Have you ever been there? We all have been there. We've all been on our side in a fetal position on the floor in a small room. We have been "God, I've had enough. Please nothing. Please take me, take me, I'm ready to go." And then says, "All at once an angel touched him and said, 'Get up and eat.'" Oh, he was just hungry. He was just, oh, he just needed some carbs. "So an angel comes, he looks around and thereby his head was some bread baked over hot coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then laid down. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, 'Get up and eat for the journey is too much for you.'" "So he got up and ate and drank, strengthened by that food, he's traveled 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' He replied, 'I've been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelis have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left and now they are trying to kill me too.' The Lord said, 'Go and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord. For the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart. And shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper, Elijah heard it. He pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then the voice said to him, 'What are you doing here Elijah?' And he replied, Same thing. 'I been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty, the Israelites have rejected your covenant, tore down the author, put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left and now they're trying to kill me. They're trying to kill me too.' The Lord said to him, 'Go back the way you came and go to the desert of Damascus. When you get there, Anoint Hazael King over Iram, also annoyed Jehu the son of Nimshi king of over Israel. Anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escaped the sword of Hazael and Elisha will put to death any who escaped the sword of Jehu. Who yet I reserve 7,000 in Israel. All whose needs have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.'" The whole chapter Elijah is like, "Where is everybody? Where is every? I'm by myself." And God's like, I've got a remnant, they just haven't been awakened yet. That's kind of what's going on. There's a remnant but they haven't shown up yet. And God uses Elijah here to awaken these people out of apostasy, and that's what St. Paul is really talking about. We pray for revival, we pray for revival at this church, we pray for revival in Boston. Partially because historically speaking, this is a battleground, spiritually speaking in many ways. We pray for revival, but revival must always first come from the house of God. It must come first from our own hearts. And that's what the Old Testament is about, over and over and over. But not just paganism, but apostasy and they're different. An Apostate is one who at some point professed faith in God. Pagan just don't believe in God and the God of scripture, apostasy is at some point you believe, at some point your church believed that scripture, the Bible was the living word of God. At some point your church renounced it, your denomination renounced it and becomes apostate. That's what's going on here. Romans 11:4, but what is God's reply to him? "I've kept for myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 7,000 within that godless nation. They had not kept themselves for God, but God had kept them. When you look back at your life, do you view God's movement in your life like this? That it's God keeping you, that it's God protecting you. This is what Jesus Christ taught us to pray. "Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil. Lord, protect me. Protect me from sin. Lord, protect me from myself. Protect me from my spiritual lethargy. Lord, protect me." I do believe in the perseverance of the saints, but it's because I believe in the preservation of the saints. That whomever God does save, which is a miracle, he will continue that miracle all the way to heaven. Because whoever is truly a Christian is a walking miracle. Anyone, Every Christian is a walking miracle. It's the Holy Spirit did a miracle. And you recreated, you gave you a new heart. Verse five, "So too, at the present time there was a remnant chosen by grace." What does the word remnant mean? You ever think about that remnant? Well, it means fragment. It means scrap. Scripture has a lot of metaphors to explain Christians, seed left after the field has been plowed, drag's found to the bottom of a cup, loose ends that are only fit for a trash barrel. A stump left from a fell tree, drag's reserved by God in election. God doesn't choose the very best, no, he chooses the very worst. He's preserved his remnant, which he determined to redeem from the foundation of the world. This is why I do believe that the true faith of the church of Jesus Christ will continue until the end. We will never be erased, not the true chosen people of God. And Paul himself here is very hopeful for the people of God. He himself was disobedient and God saved him. If God could save someone as stubborn at St. Paul, God could save absolutely anybody. St. Paul was miraculously transformed from a ferocious wolf to a tamed sheep. He was the arch persecutor of the church and now becomes the apostle to the Gentiles. He knew God's mercy. And he's like, "If I got it, anyone can get it." And by the way, do you believe this? Do you view Christianity like this? Do you believe the gospel like the, salvation like this? "I can't believe I'm saved. And if God can save me, he can save absolutely everybody." Question, who are the least likely people on the planet to follow Jesus Christ? What group of people are the least likely to follow Jesus Christ? Well right up there I think, well whoever that is, that list, whatever your top five, your top 10, that's usually how God saves people. That's exactly who God is going to save. For me, I think that the least likely are Jewish people in New England. Jewish people in Brookline, Massachusetts. I think the least likely to become Christians, followers of God, I think the least likely. That's why I think God in his great humor has sent us here, just to see if this election stuff is true. I dare to test it. You know how? Share the gospel to Jewish people, share it. By the way, we as a church, we're positioned the best of anybody to share the gospel with Jewish people and share the good news with Jewish people. Because we literally tell, I do this all the time, I do this all the time. Because hey, "What do you do?" And I was like, "I'm a pastor." And they were like, "Where?" I was like, "Right here on Beacon Street, that massive building." He's like, "I've always wanted to go." "You should come, you should come. Sunday, 9:15, 11, you should come." God is doing a work, invite Jewish people to hear the gospel. And what is the gospel? What is the gospel? If you're Jewish, when you're like, all right, what's the gospel? Let's get the point. I'll tell you, the gospel is good news, Good news. Think of the best good news you've ever gotten, the best good news you've ever gotten. The first time, the best good news I can remember, the most tremendous news was when I made enough money to buy a car and I drove home in the Audi 80. That was tremendous news that I got to share with my friends. "Hey guys, I got a car, you don't." And that was tremendous news. Getting into college, that's always tremendous news, that's great. Getting engaged and you're like, "Hey, come to my wedding." That's great news. "We have a baby." That's tremendous news, tremendous news you... And usually the best news, it always has to do with people. It always has to do with relationships. Because look at the end of your life, you're going to be 95. You're going to be looking very, we all know this is so cliche, but you in the world, wind of life, you kind of forget. You're not going to be like, "I wish I worked hard at work. I wish I had made more money, I wish I'd bought more stuff, I wish I was more stylish, I wish I my percent body fat was lower, I wish I was." No, no one cares about. It's, "Who are the people I loved? And whom did I love?" It's all relationships. Well, scripture teaches us that the greatest relationship that is offered to us, the relationship with the God of the universe, has been severed by our own stubbornness. We're all stubborn. The fact that you don't think you are sinner proves the fact that you are a great sinner. Because when's the last time you have even considered the law of the living God? We don't. No one in our culture considers the law of God. That's how indifferent we are, that's how much we hate God. So obviously we're sinners, but God in this great love did not leave us in our sin. Sends his son Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who lives a perfect life, fulfills every single one of God's laws. Fulfills God's will even when he didn't want to, at that moment, when it matters most. The moment of garden of Gethsemane. "Lord, if there's any other way, let this cup pass from me, but not my will. Your will be done. That moment, every single one of us, we have crossed. "Lord, let this cup fast from me." And Lord says, "No." And you're saying, "See you." That sin turning your back on God, running away from God, carrying nothing for the things of God. And then Jesus Christ comes, he goes to the cross after Gethsemane, he pours out his blood, he's crucified, nails through his hands, through his feet. He's crucified by his very own Jewish people whom he loved. He was Jewish, they're Jewish. And then he's buried and he comes back from the dead and he promises whoever repent of sin, that's all you have to... All repentance is turning your heart from being away from God to God. That's all Elijah was doing. His whole job was to turn the hearts of the people of God back to God. Stop saying you love God with your words, but your whole life, when no one sees you, you're not a believer. So share the gospel. And this one of the thing I do hear from people. They say, "Well, Paul had a cool testimony. Other people have cool testimonies. Like if you're a drug addict or you killed someone and then you met Jesus and then you knew person, that's awesome, that's cool. But me, my testimony's so boring." My testimony like this is the way I used to think. I grew up in a Christian family, we went to church, we tried to read the Bible here and there, things like that. And I'm like, But yeah, I met God a few points in my life where it's clear God exists, got into his word, you get saved. Your testimony only is boring if you're not honest about how wicked you are. And it's hard to say how wicked you are out loud to people. It's hard to say, "I was up and then that thing, but Jesus delivered me from." It's hard to say, it's even harder to hear that personal. So I say you just use biblical words. Just use, "I was lost as a sheep and then Jesus went and he found," use biblical words, but share your story. At what moments in life that God really showed up really ministered to you. So that's my encouragement to do, share the gospel, preach the gospel, proclaim the gospel, use words to people, explain what the gospel is, and then lead them to scripture. Romans 11:6 through seven, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking the elect obtain it, but the rest were hardened." Here he says that the due concepts grace and works, they're mutually exclusive as we have seen through this Epistle. Grace by definition is unmerited, you can't earn it. It's unearned, undeserved. And Paul makes it simple, it's one or the other. Our relationship with God is one or the other. It's based on one or the other. And our only hope is grace. And Paul is writing about the Jewish people as a whole, his kinsman, that they too can only be saved by grace. So the fact that you are ethnically Jewish does not necessarily put you in better terms relationship with God. No, it's only through race. It's only through Jesus Christ. Romans 11:8, "As it's written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear down to this very day." People of Israel were blinded because God made them blind, that's what he's saying. But their blindness is punishment for their sin. They didn't want to see God. God had given them his word and they rejected it. If you don't want to hear God's word and there are parts of God's word that is hard to hear, friends. You never graduate from that. If you get to a point where you don't want to hear the word of God, well be careful because God does make people deaf. If you keep pushing, you keep pushing, you keep resisting, you keep being stubborn and stiff neck, there will come a time where you just become deaf to the word of God. You want nothing to do with it, I've seen it. If you don't want to see the kingdom of God, whatever you see vaguely will be taken away. If you're not alive and energetic to the things of God, when the spirit of God whispers, when the spirit of God blows, be careful that God does not visit you with the spirit of lethargy, taking away from you whatever zeal was already given. And Paul hear cites David, who's speaking about the enemies of God and God's kingdom in Romans 11:9, And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap. And a stumbling block and a retribution for them. Let their eyes be dark and so that they cannot see and bend their backs forever." What's he talking about here? Well, it's the imagery of a table. Elsewhere in Psalm 23, David says, "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies." What is this table? It's a banquet feast that God has prepared and it's visible to the enemies of the kingdom. So in a sense, at the banquet where God is over this banquet, the enemies of God can see in. And concerning this imagery, Luther said that ultimately the table is imagery of God's word. God's word is the feast at the table. That's the spread. The banquet feast is the oracles of God's word. They were given, not to the Assyrians or the Babylonians and the Acadians, but to the people of Israel. And they had the Oracles of God and David saw how's enemies hated the word of God. That's where he wrote. And Psalm 69:22, "May the table set before them become a snare and may it become retribution and a trap." Once God's enemies come to the table and they hear God's word and they see the sumptuous food, because of pride in their heart, rebellion against the God who has given this feast, that same food becomes a trap for them. A trap that pounces like a hammer on their heads. Luther looking at Psalm 69:22 said, "It's like the flower in the field whose nectar is used to make honey for the bee, but the nectar is poison to the spider." You're saying to those who are being saved, the word of God is sweetness and honey. But for those who are perishing, it is poison. And this is one of the challenges of preaching the gospel. This is one of the challenges of not just my job, but your job, our job as collectively as the people of God. We are to make disciples proclaiming the word of God. For some people, they receive it and it is sweet, it's so sweet. It's so sweet to see a new Christian. One of the sweetest things where you just see the scales fall off, the eyes becoming tendered to the word of God. Hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry questions just, it's one of the sweetest, sweetest things to see. And for some people that same exact message makes them want to fight. They want to fight. And usually... They don't want to really fight. They don't want to really fight. They want to fight on Google and Google reviews and things like that. But in a place like Boston, the odds are stacked against you. This is what Pastor Randy was talking about last week. You got to develop this tough skin of being able to take L's. Yeah, you share the gospel L, you share the gospel L. It's like nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing. And then like statistically speaking, very few people of those to whom you're going to tell the word of God in the gospel, statistically very few are going to become Christians around you. Very few. But they're going to start paying attention. For now, they're going to start paying attention. And it takes years, sometimes takes decades. And the seeds you sew now, God's word does not return void. Romans 11:11, "So I asked, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means, rather through their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles, so has to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their inclusion mean?" He's saying Israel's present bareness was brought with a blessing to the Gentiles. That Israel stumbled for that purpose. It's a clear pattern in these verses that there is this pendulum, as I was saying, of God's grace and it climaxes in history, in salvation history immediately before the return of Christ. That's what he's talking about. This time, Israel's sin is described as bringing blessings to the Gentiles. That's our age. While Israel's loss becomes Gentiles gain, but as redemptive historical, this pendulum swings back the other way. Israel's fullness will in turn serve to bring greater riches to the Gentiles. So Israel, people of God, chosen, Jesus comes, they rejected. Pendulum, swings to the gentiles, swinging to the Gentiles. And toward the end times, this is what he's saying, the pendulum comes back, comes back, comes back. And those Jewish people, ethically Jewish religiously at that time, God is going to bring a great revival amongst them. This is verse 13, "Now I'm speaking to you Gentiles, in as much then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world." So they've been rejected so that we gentiles can be reconciled. "How much more so, that's what you say, what will their acceptance mean? But life from the dead." How can Paul equate Israel's future acceptance with the resurrection? What's the connection between Israel's future acception and the resurrection life from the dead? Well, the phrase life from the dead is, in a figurative expression, meaning that it's the reception of Israel that will bring this blessing, this new life. Israel's acceptance does not mark the beginning of a golden age, according to this text. So this, a lot of post-millennial people point to this text and they're like, Oh, this is where a thousand year reign of Christ that begins here. No, he's saying when the Jews, when there is this revival amongst the Jewish people, it marks the end. Israel's conversions assigned that this present evil age is about to come to an end with the resurrection. Israel's acceptance is in some way connected to the general resurrection at the end of the age. But this is all happening so Israel's fullness and acceptance will trigger that climactic end of salvation history. So he's saying the acceptance of Israel and the resurrection, they're interconnected. And when Israel is converted, the end of the age is at hand. So when you do start hearing about Jewish people getting saved on mass, you should start getting worried if you're not a Christian and you should get saved. But I'm telling you, I'm already hearing about it, I'm already seeing it. So if you're not yet a Christian, I'm telling you the end is near. It's very near. And also we don't know how much we have left the end for any one of us might be today. So repent for today is the day of salvation. Will there be a role for Israel in the future? Likely, yes. Immediately before the end of the age, huge numbers of ethnic Jews will come to faith in Jesus Christ and then become members of Christ's church. Their conversion will herald the coming of Jesus Christ in the end of the age. And until then, what is our job? Until then, we joined with Paul in his impassioned prayer in Romans 10:1, "Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israel is that, they may be saved." That's our heart's desire, that's our heart's desire for every single person to be saved. First Corinthians 15:20, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. The first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through man. For as in Adam all dies, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn Christ the first fruits, then when he comes, those who belong to him, then the end will come. When he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. Pretty much reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet, the last enemy to be destroyed is death for he has put everything under his feet." In conclusion, Romans 10:11 tells us that there is a remnant, who's chosen by grace. And this was what Elijah was wrestling with. He's like, "Lord, I'm the only one, I'm the only one. They've killed everyone else." And then God's like, "I've got 7,000, relax." But the thing with Elijah is, the 7,000 weren't really helpful. And I wonder how many Christians like that are in Boston. I wonder because a friend text me, he is like, "Do you have any demographics of recently in churches?" And I was like, "Look man, every pastor I talk to looks like they've been like band of brothers, they just got back from World War II. COVID just diminished every church, just everyone's like barely hanging out." I was like, I don't care about demographics, I don't care about people who identify as Christians. I don't care about any of that. I care about the fruit. What's the fruit? The fruit I want to see is how many faithfully committed Christians are there in attendance today in churches in Greater Boston? How many? If you go around in every single church in Boston, Greater Boston, how many? Can we get 7,000? Can we get 7,000 men? Well, I believe that there is a remnant. But there's just a call to the remnant that is dormant. And I say this because, let me just connect this to football real quick. You know how in Texas football is amazing, Texas, Florida all down to Alabama, they've got third graders that could probably be in the NFL. I don't know what they're... So like huge stadiums, they got professional coaches and I'm from Rhode Island I played football in a school where no one played football. It's like whoever shows up, that's the team. And we never had enough people to play. So whoever signed up played every single position. So since freshman year, I played every single position. On offense, I was a lineman, on defense, I was a middle linebacker. On punt return, I was the returner kick. And I was the kicker on top of all that. And then when I got to senior year and our team stunk, and I remember my coach pulling me aside and he said, "Jan, I'm so sorry." I said, "What for coach? For you being an alcoholic?" And he said, "No, not for that." I said, "What you?" He said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry you didn't go to high school in Texas." Tremendous, a lot of support, a lot of infrastructure. That's kind of what the church situation is. Boston compared to other parts of the country. If you come from here, if you come and you're like, "Yeah, I'm only here for a year, I'm only here for two years, you know what? Boston's not really home." And then home is always back there. And you come here and you come to church here and you take, and you take and you take, everyone else who lives here is like, "You know what? I'm tired. I'm like Elijah, I'm like, Lord, kill me, kill me, please." Not me. Elijah. But that's the general. So this is my appeal to you, dormant remnant. If you are a Christian, you're like, "I am a believer, but I think I've been to sleep. I haven't read my Bible, I don't have ears to hear, I have a spirit of stupor. When I pray it seems like I'm just speaking to the ceiling." I guess the spirit of stupor, it is demonic. If there is a remnant and you're hearing my voice, I am calling you, I'm summoning the elect. I'm summoning the elect to you be faithful where you are. Be faithful to the Lord. If you really are elect, understand what that means, what kind of great gift that, and it comes with responsibilities to share the gospel with those who don't yet know the Lord. So I'll ask you the question of Elijah. If you're like, "I'm not sure, am I elect? Am I dormant? Am I not a Christian?" Well, I'll ask you the question, Elijah, how long will you waiver between two opinions? The Lord is God, follow him. If Baal is God, follow him. Is God the primary orienter of your life? Is he the true north star of your life? That everything is aligned according to God and his word. If not, then you're following something else. If God is Lord, follow him. Romans 10:9 through 13, "Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says, Everyone who believes in him will not be put the shame for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls in the name of the Lord will be saved." Everyone, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. So today, friends call on the name of the Lord and as we transition to holy communion, call on the name of Jesus Christ, we're remembering him today. He said, Do to this in remembrance of me, of his person, of who he was, of his character, of who he is, of his word, of what he taught, of his sacrifice on the cross for us. For whom is holy communion. It's for repentant Christians, it's for this remnants, for the elect who repent of sin and follow Jesus faithfully. And when you stumble, you repent, you get up and you ask for grace. So if you're not a Christian, if you today do not respond to the gospel call. If you do not repent of sin and trust in Jesus, we ask that you refrain from this part of the service, this is for believers in Christ. And if you are a Christian living in sin, known sin that you have not repented of, we call you to repentance and leave that sin and then you're welcome partake. And if you don't repent and leave that sin, don't partake in this, it won't be helpful. It might actually cause physical harm according to first Corinthians 11. "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also, he took the cup after supper saying, 'The cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself then, so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly we would not be judged, but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So then my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another if anyone's hungry, let them eat at home so that when you come together, it will be not be for judgment about the other things that will give directions when I come." If you would like to participate in holy community, you haven't received the elements, please raise your hand when the ushers will hand you one. I actually need one too. I forgot mine. Thanks. Actually I'll take two, I'll take two, I'll take two. One for a second service. Perfect. Would you please pray with me over Holy communion. Heavenly Father, as we today meditate on the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, we don't meditate on it just to feel bad for the physical anguish that you went through. And we meditate on it because Jesus, you won. You conquered Satan sin and death on the cross. We worship a God who conquered evil. We thank you Jesus that you today, the resurrected Christ, that you're seated at the right hand of God, the Father, and that we can commune with you, we can bow our hearts at the altar right before you're throne. We can get on our knees, we can ask for forgiveness and you grant it to us. Because of your victory on the cross, because of your victorious sacrifice. Lord, I pray today by the power of the Spirit that you increase our zeal, every single one of us. Make us the people who, like, Elijah are willing to suffer anything so that your name will not be defamed. Jesus, we thank you for dying on the cross for our sins, bearing our penalty and shame, and we worship you now. We thank you for your body, we thank you for your blood and we thank you for the spirit of God that is amongst us. And we pray this in Jesus name. Amen. On the night that Jesus Christ was betrayed, he took the bread and after breaking he said, This is my body broken for you. Take eat and do this in remembrance of me. Then proceed to take the cup. He said, "This cup is the cup of the new covenant in my blood, which poured out for the sins of many. Take drink and do this in remembrance of me. If today is the first time you've received the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, would love to pray with you after the service. Pastor Andy will be right up here, or if you just want to talk more about the faith, we'd love to answer any questions. With that said, would you please pray with me as we continue our service? Lord, we worship you. We worship you for the God that you are the greatness of your glory, your blazing holiness, your totally otherness transcendence, and yet you bow down and you came down to us. We thank you Jesus for that. And I pray Jesus, that you make us people who want to share the good news just because we're thrilled about it. What incredible deal it really is, because of the work of Christ we can bring you our sin and you forgive us and we become yours. And now you reorder our lives, reorder the chaos of our lives by your word. And I pray you continue to do that, and I pray that you receive our worship now with heartfelt gratitude. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Audio Transcript: This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston and our neighborhood, churches, or donate to this ministry, please visit mosaicboston.com.Heavenly Father, we You thank You for the privilege, the blessing it is to gather as Your people, to hear from You, hear from Your Holy Scriptures. We pray, Holy Spirit, come down, and fill our being, our hearts, our souls, fill it with Your Spirit. We come to You, and with the words of Jesus Christ, who promised us, "Blessed are those who are poor in Spirit." Lord, we want that blessing. And we come to You, recognizing our poverty of Spirit. So we ask for the riches of Your Holy Spirit. We ask for more of You, Holy Spirit, come with the fullness of Your presence and power, and teach us. And Lord, teach us what it means to be Your bride. What it means to be Your Body, that You call each one of us to serve, to fulfill the job that You have called us to do.And I pray that You fill our hearts with zeal, to continue to serve You. And we thank You for the reminders from Holy Scripture, that You do adopt us into Your family. It's Your decision on whom to pour out Your Love. And for those of us who are believers today, Lord, we thank You for the great blessing it is, the great Truth it is that You call us beloved sons of the Living God, that we are Your beloved, that You pour out Your Love on us, that we are Your sons, we're Your daughters, that we are Your children, and that You are a Living God, You're Holy God and a Loving God. Bless our time in the Holy Scriptures today. And we pray this in Jesus's Name. Amen.We're continuing our sermon series through the book of Romans, and the title of the sermon today is Beloved Sons Of The Living God. Last Sunday, if you weren't with us, we looked at the life of the early church, and we saw their devotion to worship, community, and service. Those were the main rhythms of their spiritual life, and God blessed their devotion, by sending them a harvest of thousands of souls. And we talked about the fact, why is devotion important? Because devotion is what keeps you faithful. When motivation wanes, when the Christian walk gets hard, we need devotion. And we challenged everyone last week to be more devoted to the Lord, and to the church, by worshiping the Lord, by getting into community here at Mosaic, and by serving the Lord. And if you're new, and you're like, "There's service opportunities at this church?" Yes, there are.We need, if you're church shopping, I'm telling you, this is the church for you. We need you. You could be very helpful here. You could be very useful. We have, as the church is growing, we have more opportunities to serve. Just to give you a glimpse, we need 20 greeting team members. So if smiling comes easy to you, if smiling does not hurt your face, we would love to have you join the greeting team. We need six welcome center team members, 10 special operations team members. Well, what's special operations? Well, there's only one way to find out.Four coffee team members. That's very important. We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of caffeine. Three slides team members, three sound team members, three video team members. And then Mini Mosaic needs a ton of volunteers. We love our children here at Mosaic. We believe in investing in the next generation of the church, and that's our children. And we'd love to have you apply to help there as well. You can just fill out a connection card, or just let them know at the welcome center you'd like to serve, or you can get all the info online as well.Back to Romans nine, and Romans nine, one of the things that we've been learning and experiencing, and this is things I'm hearing, and in my community group and other community groups. We're learning that this chapter is expanding our vision of God. And what Romans nine reminds us, is that you can't box God. You can't box God, in the sense that you can't fight God, your arms are too short. And then also you can't box God in. And a lot of Christianity tries to box God in. And what Romans nine does, is destroys any theological categories that keep God safe, easy to understand, predictable, comfortable, Romans nine kicks down the sides of these manmade boxes, and tells us that God is God.He's the only one who has truly free will. A word of caution about the doctrine of election. Don't let the doctrine of election chill your heart. That is one of the temptations of the evil one, and to take a truth and to produce a fruit with that truth that was never intended by God. So how can we make sure that the doctrine of election warms our hearts instead of chilling our hearts? Well, we have to land where St. Paul wants to bring us. Yes, he's making a polemical argument. Yes, he's rejecting false thinking about God and salvation.But he's chiefly interested in getting us to the point where we see the greatness of the glory of God, and the riches of His mercy, on us, Christians, people that He's poured out this gift of love on. So we are to let the doctrine of God's Grace flame the fire of love in our heart, a love for God, a love for his people and a love for his mission. Today we're in Romans 9:24-33, would you look at the text with me.Romans 9:24, "Even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles. As indeed he says in Hosea, 'Those who are not My people, I will call My people, and her who is not beloved, I will call beloved. And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there, you will be called Sons Of The Living God.' And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, 'Though, the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, for the Lord will carry out a sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.' And as Isaiah predicted, 'If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would've become like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.'.What shall we say then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it. That is, a righteousness that is by faith. That Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as it were based on works, they have stumbled over the stumbling stone as is written, 'Behold, I'm laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. And whoever believes in Him will not be put the shame.'"This is the reading of God's Holy, inerrant, infallible, authoritative Word. May He write these eternal truths upon our hearts. Three points to frame up our time, "Beloved Sons Of The Living God." Second, "Only a remnant will be saved." And third, "Don't stumble over Saving Grace." First beloved Sons of the Living God, just to help you get the flow of the argument, he begins it in verse 19 of chapter nine, "You will say to me then why does He," that's God, "Why does God still find fault, for who can resist His will? But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its Molder, 'Why have you made me like this?' Has the Potter no right over the clay to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for dishonorable use?What if God, desiring to show His wrath, and to make known His power has endured with patience, vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory. Even us whom He has called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles, as indeed, He says in Hosea, 'Those who are not my people, I will call My people, and her who is not beloved, I will call beloved. And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people," there they will be called Sons Of The Living God.'"And Paul's logic here is razor sharp, and it's very simple. If we are creatures created by God the Creator, does not God have the right to do with us what He wishes? Cannot the Creator do what He wants with what he makes? Of course. Dr. Gordon Clark, a defender of God's high sovereignty in the salvation of sinners, he was accused one time of making people into mere puppets, says that doesn't this turn us into just puppets? And his response is, "No, it doesn't turn us into puppets. It turns us into lumps of clay." That's who we are. That's what this text says. That is to humble us completely, just flatten us with the ground. We are absolutely nothing. And then Paul says, "But God, in the riches of His glory and His Grace, and His Mercy, He chooses to make out of some of the lump that he creates, His own people, His own children, His beloved, He calls it.This is the point of this whole doctrine, it's to land us in this place where we just revel in the fact that God is merciful. So He doesn't give us the doctrine in the abstract. I remember when I heard this doctrine for the first time, I remember wrestling with this in college, and then after college. And I didn't grow up in a church that preached through books of the Bible, or verse by verse expository, expositional preaching. And so when I heard it for the first time, I was shocked. I was like, "No, who is this God? I don't think I like this God. A God that is this sovereign, that is this powerful." But the doctrine is given to us for a reason, as believers. Instead, get us to enjoy the sweetness of the unfathomable Grace and Mercy of God. And that's why at the end of Roman's 11, Paul ends with doxology.He ends with worship, and true theology is to get us to a point of doxology, "Oh the depth of the riches and the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are His judgments, and how inscrutable His ways? For who has known the Mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor, or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to Him be glory forever. Amen." So for Paul, there is no inconsistency between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Just like in Scripture, the two are taught side by side, and Scripture doesn't even attempt to give us a resolution. Is God sovereign? Or are we responsible? The answer is, yes. It's a spiritual tension. It's not a contradiction. It's a tension. And we are to live in that tension in this worshipful reveling, that God is kind enough to pour out His mercy on us.Two examples immediately that come to mind where God's sovereignty and human responsibility interplay, is the first one is Joseph, who just spent 13 years in, basically, prison. And then God raises him up. He's number two in the kingdom of Egypt. And then his brothers come to him, his brothers who sold him into captivity a long time ago. And they come asking for mercy, and this is Genesis 50:18, "His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, 'Behold, we are your servants.' But Joseph said to them, 'Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today. So do not fear. I will provide for you, and your little ones.' Thus he comforted them, and spoke kindly to them." Their human will was to sell him, their brother, into captivity, "You meant it for evil. You wanted to harm me, but God took your evil, your will, and God superimposed His, and by His Grace turned the evil into good."Just like with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Who crucified Jesus, was it the Pharisees? Was it the Sadducees? Was it Pilate who crucified Jesus? Well, yes, it was all them. And it was also God, there was both. This is acts 2:22 and 24, "Men of Israel, hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth, the man attested to you by God, with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This Jesus delivered up, according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men, God raised Him up, losing the pangs of death until it was not possible for Him to be held by it."It's both. They are to blame. But yeah, this was part of God's plan as well. God is sovereign. So Paul beginning with Romans 9:6, he's been dealing with the objections to election. He knows people have problems with it. He deals with the objections, but then he does want to take the Christians to this place where they realize that God has poured out His mercy on them. Romans 9:6, "But it's not as though the Word of God has failed, for not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel." So that's what he's been doing in Romans nine. Why isn't all of Israel saved? Aren't they the chosen people? And what he's saying is, "Even from the chosen people, there's chosen people." That God's election isn't just based on the fact that Israel genetically, they're somehow part of the Family of God.No, God chooses people from Israel, from the Jews. God chooses people from the Gentiles as well. And ultimately the answer is, of why someone gets saved and another doesn't, is because that's what God decided. The lesson of Mercy and Grace that God taught in the Old Testament wasn't just that the Jews are going to get saved. From the very beginning, God told Abraham, "And from you, through you, a seed is coming, and you, through that seed, will be a blessing to all nations." This was to everybody. So Israel's Prophets, from the very beginning, they knew it was Jews and Gentiles that were going to be brought in, especially after the Messianic age was inaugurated by Jesus Christ.And here Paul quotes Hosea, he goes to the book of Hosea, to talk about the Mercy of God upon the Gentiles, and the lesson of Mercy and Grace that God taught Israel through the prophet Hosea, came at a great expense to himself, to Hosea the prophet. God goes to Hosea the prophet and says, "I have a ministry for you. I have a mission for you. And through this mission, you are going to show Israel what My Mercy is like, and what My Severity is like." The Mercy in accepting Gentiles, who did not deserve to be my People, and the severity of God in that there were Jewish people who rejected God through their spiritual idolatry. That's the promiscuity that he is talking about.So God goes to Hosea, and says, "You're going to marry a prostitute, and she's going to cheat on you. Her life, your marriage is going to be marked by her infidelity and promiscuity. You're going to have children. And those children are going to be object lessons of what is going to happen to Israel." So for example, in Hosea 1:8 and 9, it says, "When she," that was Hosea's wife, "Had weaned No Mercy," God told him, one of the children, call him No Mercy, "She conceived and bore a son. And the Lord said, 'Call his name, Not My People, for you are not my people, and I'm not your God." This was an object lesson in divine rejection, that God told Israel, because of their sinfulness," they did get to a point where God says, "You're not Mine anymore. You're not Mine." And God says, "I'm going to choose another."And that's in, and he goes on later in Romans 10 and 11, talking about the fact that, we, the Gentiles, are grafted into the Vine that is Jesus. We are a wild olive branch grafted into the root of the tree. We bring nothing to the table, nothing in us could move God to include us into His kingdom. Our only hope is the riches of His glory and mercy. That's what election's all about. And that's where the emphasis is on verse 25. As he quotes Hosea, "As indeed, He says to Hosea, 'Those who are not my people,'" that's the Gentiles, that's us. "He will call, 'My people,'" and the emphasis on the word, "My." God says, "These are people that are not Mine, and I'm going to make them Mine."And then He says, "And her who was not beloved," not beloved because she did not deserve to be beloved. That was the whole lesson with Hosea and his wife. She got to a point where she, there was nothing in her that made her loving to Hosea. And God says, "Still love her, still redeem her, still pursue her." And God says, "There are people that have not been loved. There was nothing loving in them, but God, because of His loving kindness, pours out His Love and he calls us, 'Beloved.'"And then he quotes another place, "In the very place where it was said, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called sons of the Living God." So he's mixing all the metaphors together. "You weren't a people, now you're My people. You were not beloved," talking about spousal Love. Now God is going to pour out a spousal love on you. You are now beloved. And then he brings in the metaphor of children, "That you are sons of the Living God." And he quotes from Hosea 2:23 and 1:10. And all he is doing is saying, "This was only made possible because of Jesus Christ. How can we be sons of the Living God, when we've rejected God, we've run from God?" We're rebels. We're reprobate. We're degenerates.Only because of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ, the only true living Son of God comes lives the perfect life in a human body, fulfills all the moral law, is obedient to God, to absolutely every single one of the commandments. And then He goes to a cross bearing the wrath that He did not deserve. He didn't break any commandments. He took the wrath that we deserve for our law-breaking, and by Grace through faith, we can be adopted into the family of God. This is our identity. We are beloved sons of the living God. Every child longs to see the twinkle of the eye of their dad in delight over them. Every child does this. Every child, there's a hunger inside of Dad looking at the child and saying, "You are My beloved. I love you. I delight in you." Every single one of us. We long for that. That's exactly what God is doing. God is telling us here, "I have given you a brand new identity." And we just need to sit under this truth.We need someone to speak this truth over us. Who are you? Who are you? How do you answer that question? Well, you don't know who you are unless you know whose you are. Who are you? As a dear Christian, I belong to God. I am a child of the Living God, I am son of the Living God. And not just, I'm a beloved son of the Living God. Not based on anything I've done. Not based on my performance. You are not your job. You are not your education. You are not your GPA. You are not your looks. You are not your gender. You are not your height. You are not your weight. You are not your race. You are not any of this, none of the external stuff. You, dear Christian, if you are a child of, if you have repented of sin and trust in Jesus Christ, you're a beloved son of God.And I say that, because we live in a culture where, when people hear that God loves them. You just assume, "Well, of course He does. That's His job." And we just assume that God loves everybody the same. And behind that assumption is the idea that we deserve God's Love. That somehow we have a claim to the Love of God. But no, Love of God is not a birthright. It's a privilege. It's not a right. It's a privilege. And not everybody gets the Love of God. It's offered to everybody. Not everyone gets it. So if you have received the Love of God, you need to be reminded that there's nothing in us that would make God Love us. It was God and His Mercy. So He gets all the praise.And we are not to take it for granted, because this is true. Only a remnant will be saved. Only a remnant will be saved. Not everyone will be saved. This is Romans 9:27 through 29. And Paul goes from Hosea, talking about the Gentiles being grafted in, to Israel. He says, "Not all of Israel will be saved, but some will. The remnant will." And he quotes Isaiah in verse 27, "Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, 'Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved. For the Lord will carry out His sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.' And as Isaiah predicted, 'If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would've become like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.'" What he is saying, is there will always be a believing remnant. And it's because of the Grace of God, God chooses to save a remnant.And in this context, Isaiah is talking about the fact that had God not chosen to pour out his mercy on a remnant of Israel, that all of Israel would've become like Sodom and Gomorrah. So we finished where we began. There was an election even within the election of Israel. And it's the election of Grace and Salvation. And the answer of who gets saved? It's because of God. If it were not for this teaching, and this teaching, by the way, the doctrine of election, it does change the way you do ministry. And I remember in seminary, wrestling with this text, and also wrestling with my call, "Lord, where do you want us? Lord, where do you want?"And the Lord said, "You got to go to Boston." And one of the reasons why we had peace in our heart about this, is because I believed in the sovereignty of God's Grace, that sometimes it does feel like we live in Sodom and Gomorrah. And sometimes it feels like Mosaic is this remnant that God is protecting, and God's calling and drawing people. But God is. And this is church is a testimony to the sovereignty of God.Theologians in the 18th century debated whether in the final analysis, the majority of humans would be redeemed, and their consensus was based on Scripture that a vast majority of people will not enter the Kingdom Of Heaven. We hope for the remnant, but clearly even the language of the remnant means that not everyone is going to be saved. This is a hard truth of Holy Scripture. There's only one way to salvation, and that's by faith in Jesus Christ. And if you reject Jesus Christ, there's no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. Even from among the Household of God, we ask for a remnant of all those who God redeemed from Egypt, how many of them made it into the promised land?God brings out millions from Egypt, and only a couple were permitted to enter the promised land. But whenever we get into this question of how many people get saved, Jesus never wanted to deal with it. He would never answer the question directly. He put all the emphasis on, "Don't worry about that. Worry about your own soul." Matthew 7:13, "Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the ways easy that leads to destruction. But those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it, are few."Luke 13:22 through 30, a little more explicitly. "He," Jesus, "Went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to Him, 'Lord, well, those who are saved, be few?' And He said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate. For many I tell you will seek to enter, will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then He will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and You taught in our streets.' But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil.' In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.When you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you yourselves cast out. And the people will come from east and west, from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.'" So how do we make sure we're in the remnant? Receive the Grace of Jesus Christ.And this is where he says, moving forward, verse 30, 33, this is point three, "Don't stumble over Saving Grace." And that's what happened with Israel. Verse 30, he says, "What shall we say then? 'That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained it. That is a righteousness that is attained by faith. But that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness, did not succeed in reaching that law.' Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works, they have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, 'Behold, I'm laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. And whoever believes in Him, will be put to shame."So Paul now is dealing with Israel. What happened with Israel? Why didn't all of Israel, accept the Messiah, Jesus Christ, He came to them. He was their own. Why didn't they receive Him? And here Paul puts all of the emphasis on their responsibility. They chose, the Jewish people chose not to receive their own Messiah. It was on them as it was their responsibility. And Paul has made it plain, that we're saved by Grace through faith. This is chapter two, chapter three, chapter four of Romans, that we need a righteousness, an alien righteousness, that is not our own it's given to us only by Grace, through faith. Ironically, the Godless Gentiles were the first to embrace the gospel. Why? Because the Gentiles knew, they lived in Rome. They knew debauchery, and they knew that they were far from God.So then someone shows up in Rome, and says, "Let me tell you the greatest news ever. It doesn't matter if you've been living your whole life in Godlessness and immorality, in sin, your whole life as if God didn't exist. If you repent of your sin and trust in Jesus Christ, all of your sins are forgiven. And God gives you a righteousness that is not your own." This is a double substitution. You trust in Jesus Christ, your sin goes to him. His righteousness gets counted to you. The Gentiles Love this. They're like, "This is awesome. I didn't grow up in a Jewish family. I don't know the Torah. I don't know any of the ceremonial laws. I don't know the morals, but you're telling me if I trust in this Jesus Christ, all my sins forgiven, I spent eternity with God? That's all it takes to be accepted. That's all it takes to be adopted?"And Paul says, "Yes." So the Gentiles loved it. And the Jewish people are like, "Oh, hold on. You're telling us that the Gentiles did not keep any Kosher laws? They had all the pepperoni pizza. They didn't keep any, we went all in. We did circumcision. We did all in. We went all in, and you're telling us the Gentiles have the same access to God that we do?" Well, that was terribly offensive to them. So hold on. By the time Jesus shows up, Judaism had developed into a religion of self-salvation, where they didn't have room for a Redeemer. They didn't have a room for a Savior that would die for the sins of the world. Because they were taught that you save yourself through your own righteous living. You make yourself good enough for God. That's what they taught salvation by works, salvation by your own morality.And Jesus Christ shows up and says, "No, do you know what the standard is to be accepted by God? The standard is perfection. Be perfect as thou Father is perfect. No one's perfect. Except for the son of God. There's only one way." This is why this cornerstone, Jesus, the cornerstone of the Kingdom of God became a stumbling block for them. They tripped over Grace. They could not imagine that God gives Grace, that God gives Mercy even to Gentiles, and that the Jewish people needed as much Grace as the Gentiles. This is important for us to hear, because especially if you come from a multi-generational Christian family, or if you've been in the faith for a while, there is a temptation to start trusting in your own righteousness instead of trusting in the Grace of God. Where you get to a point where there is discipline in your life, there is character in your life, and you start trusting in yourself, trusting in your works.And this is a word for us, that apart from faith, we can do nothing to please God. Church membership, or receiving baptism, it's important, but doesn't guarantee redemption. A true Christian is a Christian internally, not just externally. Going through the outward works does not necessarily guarantee salvation. You have to have a regeneration of the heart, a transformation of the heart. Augustine was the one who Fathered the distinction between the visible church and the invisible church. And he made this distinction because he said, "Look at Jesus. He taught that there will be growing along with the wheat. And some people can honor Jesus with their lips, but their hearts are far from him."And Augustine said, "It's easy to count people in the visible church. You can't count the invisible church, because we can't see a person's soul. Only God can. God sees the heart." But Jesus does warn us to make sure that you are in, that you are the family of God. That you aren't just part of the visible church, but part of the invisible church. And the Matthew 7:21 through 23, Jesus gives a most dreadful warning. He says the following, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom Of Heaven. But the one who does the will of my Father, who is in Heaven. On that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, do we not prophesy in Your name, or cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you, depart for Me, you workers of lawlessness.'"And then when Augustine was asked, "How do we know where the invisible church is?" And he said, "Most of the invisible church is in the visible church. And yes, it's remotely possible that a true Christian is not part of the visible church, but I would submit to you that won't last long." If you are a true Christian, and you have the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will prompt you to join a church, to lock arms with like-minded believers.If our hearts are truly in tune with God, we will sooner or later, in most cases, unite with the visible church. I've heard often, "I don't have to go to church to be a Christian." Well, that's true. We're saved by Grace through faith, but if you're saved by Grace, through faith, you'll long to be with the people of God. Saying, "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian," is like saying, "I can be married without living with my spouse." Yeah, you can be, but it's not going to go well, it'll go downhill quickly. So this is the point where he's saying, "If God saves you, God welcomes you into this family, where God does call us beloved sons of the Living God.I imagine St. Paul, when he went to Heaven. And I imagine that for multiple reasons. The first is I'd like to see his theology in practice. When he gets up there, and then one of the angels says, "Paul, why should we let you into Heaven?" As if they were testing him. What do you think his answer was? What would your answer be when you die, and you stand before God, or you stand before one of the angels, and, "Why should we let you into heaven?" What's your answer? Well, the Jewish people thought God wanted to hear, "Well, here's all my good works. Here's all the commandments. Here's all the money I gave. Here's my church attendance. I was part ..." Well, that's how they miss Grace. The only thing that we can say is, "Lord, there's no reason at all why you should let me in. Absolutely not. All my righteousness is like filthy rags," the Word says. "The only reason why you should let me in, is because your son, Jesus Christ, that you promised, 'Whoever calls up on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'"That's the only answer. That's how you know, you're saved by Grace through faith. If you're not sure that you are a believer today, we appeal to you, we plead with you. We urge you call upon the name of the Lord, close your eyes, and just call out to Jesus Christ, "Lord, forgive me, have Mercy on me a great sinner. And Lord, I renounce not just my sins, but also my righteousness. You are the only grounds of my salvation. Trust in Jesus Christ." And we'd like to help you take the next steps in your faith. Let us know if you prayed today to receive Christ. If you committed your life to Him, or recommitted to Him, Pastor Andy will be up here after the service. He would love to pray with you.And one of the most shocking parts about the gospel. And this is why I like imagining St. Paul. All right, the angel lets him in. Now he's in, I think one of the very first people to welcome Paul in, I think Steven was one of the first ones. Remember Steven? The first martyr. And Paul was there, Paul hated Christians. This is why Paul really understands the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and of election, because Paul hated Christians. He hated the idea of Grace, to the point that he terrorized Christians. And then God stops him on the road to Damascus. And says, "Saul, why you persecuting Me?" Saves him, that's election. And then Paul realized, "My righteousness was nothing. I need a righteousness that is not my own." Receives the righteousness of Christ. And then in Heaven, Paul's there with people that he killed. That's the marvel of Grace.John 1:9-18, "The true Light, which gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." God does the birthing, but it's given to all who receive. So you see both here. But it's not of the will of man. It's the Will of God. God's sovereign. It's both, but you do have to receive it. You have to receive that gift. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we have seen in His Glory. Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of Grace and Truth.John bore witness about him and cried out, 'This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me, ranks before me, because He was before me. For from his fullness, we have all received Grace upon Grace. For the law was given through Moses, Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only God who was at the Father's side, He has made Him known. And I'll close it with Second Peter, 1:5-11, which is so important in putting the emphasis on, "Hey, you got to confirm your election. You got to make sure that you are elect from the foundation of the world. And you do that by abiding in Christ, and bearing good fruit today." Second Peter 1:5-11, "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with Godliness, and Godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective, or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so near-sighted that he is blind. Having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore brothers be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. For if you practice these qualities, you will never fall. For in this way, there will be richly provided for you, and entrance into the Eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."Let us pray. Lord, we thank You for the richness of this text. We thank You for the richness of the doctrine of election, but most important, we thank you for the richness of Your mercy on us sinners. Lord, we didn't deserve Your Mercy. We don't deserve Your Love. We don't have a claim to it, and yet Lord, You give it to us. So we receive it.And we thank You for that. Lord, I pray today, ground us in the foundation of this Gospel, that we're saved by Grace through faith. And that we're given a righteousness that is not our own, a righteousness of Christ. And we hold onto that righteousness. We grow into that righteousness, and remind us today that we are beloved by You, that we are sons and daughters of the Living God. Lord, make that the root and the heart of our identity, put that the core of our being, make us a people who live in a manner worthy of the name of God, and the image of God, and the very Holy Spirit of God that You've given us. Holy Spirit, minister to us as we worship You. Holy God, we pray this in Jesus's name. Amen.

Things That Hinder the Bride's Maturity(Audio)David Eells - 7/10/22Satan Reads Minds & Inserts Thoughts David Eells I was asked this question: Can you substantiate in Scripture where it is written that Satan can put thoughts into our minds? My answer was: In order for Satan to put thoughts into our mind he would also have to be able to read our minds. I will try to explain this in a moment but first you might want to entertain another question: Can anyone substantiate with Scripture that Satan cannot put thoughts into our mind or read our mind? Since we can't do this then we shouldn't believe it because it is not Scriptural. (1Ch.28:9)... The Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts... In the spirit realm thoughts are audible to the mind of God and demons. God and demons can in turn impart the gift to read minds. I have read the thoughts of men by the Holy Spirit. A man once asked me if I knew what he was thinking. At that moment the Holy Spirit gave it to me and for several minutes the man was awed at the power of God.  Also when I first went to a full gospel Church I witnessed Christians exorcising a demon-possessed man who thought he was a woman. He also demonstrated the ability to read minds when the unbelieving Christians asked for a demonstration. He did say that it was easier to read the mind of one person there and pointed to the only person there who was not filled with the Spirit even though he did not know anyone there. Familiar spirits or spirits of divination in magicians, wizards, mediums, etc. have demonstrated the power to read minds in front of audiences of people. We wrestle with principalities and powers in the mind. {Eph.6:11} Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].... {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We see here that with the renewed mind of the Word our thoughts are guarded as with a helmet because we wont accept foreign thoughts. We are then able to take back our thoughts and cast the enemy's thoughts down. {2Co.10:3} For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh {4} (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), (The principalities and powers hold the strongholds in the thoughts of the mind.) {5} casting down imaginations (thoughts), and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. We win the battle by rejecting the enemy's thoughts and replacing them with God's thoughts. We are at peace with God when we are full of His thoughts and our minds are guarded from the demonic attacks that cause outward actions of sin. {Php.4:6,7} In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Satan is able to insert thoughts within our thoughts. {Act.5:3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?  {1Ch.21:1} And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. Now here we can use a little Holy Spirit reasoning. How could Satan insert thoughts unless he knows the context of your thought? If you went into your computer to edit a program, how could you insert the right codes unless you could read the context of the computer's program? If you just inserted a code anywhere without knowing the program you would make a nonsensical statement and anyone would know that someone inserted something that was out of place. So it is with us. If Satan or demons inserted something nonsensical into our thoughts then everyone would know that they are at work. They do their best work undercover and they know it. How would Satan be able to tempt us if he was so dysfunctional? We would know it was him immediately. How then would it be temptation? Now here is the really important thing. Our battle does not depend on whether the enemy can read our mind or not. It depends on what he can do about what we know. When we read Job we clearly see that God has put restrictions on the Satan's ambitions for Job. Satan has to obey God's rules of engagement even when he knows what we think. Satan admits he did not have the power to get at Job because of God's hedge and the same is true of us. (Job.1:9) Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught? (10) Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.  It is not important for our thoughts to be hidden from the enemy when he can do nothing about them. And he can do nothing about our thoughts unless by them we give him permission for we have authority over him. {Luk.10:19} Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. {20} Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. It doesn't matter what the demons know that we know for as sons of God we are their lords just as it was with Jesus. {Joh.20:21} Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. {Mat.18:18} Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind (forbid) on earth shall be bound (forbidden) in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose (permit) on earth shall be loosed (permitted) in heaven. Faith permits the sovereignty of God to be manifest through the body of Christ and forbids Satan no matter what he knows of our thoughts. Jesus' condition for receiving His benefits are plain: "As thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee" and "According to your faith be it done unto you" and "Thy faith hath made thee whole". As we believe, God's benefits will be given. Unbelieving thoughts and actions forbid God's benefits to us because He has made a condition and He cannot lie.  Unbelief permits Satan to continue administering the curse. (Mk.6:5) And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. (6) And he marvelled because of their unbelief. Even Jesus was forbidden to do mighty works for those who would not believe. Whether we know it or not, we are constantly forbidding or permitting Satan, demons, and God's angels by our thoughts, words and actions. Since all authority in heaven and earth was given to Jesus and He in turn delegated it to disciples, where does Satan get his authority? He gets it from our unbelief, words and disobedience. Adding to or taking from God's Word in thought and deed permits the curse by Satan and forbids God's blessings for us or through us. This is by God's design to motivate us to come into agreement with Him. (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 (19) and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. So in coming into agreement with God we forbid Satan to administer the curse to us. So to win this battle we have to cast down the thoughts of Satan that are sent to get us to give him permission to destroy us. 2Co 10:3-5  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh  4  (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds),  5  casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Many think that the reason God gives the gift of tongues is so that Satan cannot understand what we say to God and his purposes will be thwarted. This is false. Satan and his fallen angels are much smarter than Christians give them credit. They certainly know the "tongues of men and of angels" or they couldn't communicate with one another and put thoughts in our heads. {1Co.13:1} If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.  When prophecy is uttered in one's own language the mind, doctrine and desires are permitted to be involved in what is said and the Word is polluted as 1 Cor. 13 says, "for we know in part, and we prophesy in part". In other words, the Prophecy can be part God and part man. However, the reason we speak with tongues is so that WE will not know what we are saying and will have no carnal reason to change it. In this way it will be a pure Word of the Spirit. {Rom.8:26} And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for [us] with groanings which cannot be uttered (by man); {27} and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. Satan finds it easier to conquer us when we are distracted by vain things that have no eternal value.   The Immature and Distracted Will Miss the Bride Joe Brits - 6/26/22 (David's notes in red) Just after the meeting this morning, Father gave me this dream: (Joe is being represented as the Man-child in this dream because of his name, Joseph, which means, “Jehovah has added”. Joseph was a very clear type of Jesus, the Man-child, in the Old Testament.) I was sitting in a bus with a bunch of people who were with me. (I believe that this bus represents the larger UBM bus that we have seen in many dreams.)  A very pretty lady, who's name means, “Wished-for child” in her early 20's was sitting to my left. (She represents the Bride body who wishes and longs for the fruit of Jesus to be born in her.) I knew a brother whose name means, “Noble" was there too, but I could not see him. (Representing the Spirit of Jesus in the Man-child reformers. Jesus said to His disciples, “You are my brethren…")  The bus pulled away and the very pretty lady said to me, “Our sister is still outside”. I looked and saw that the sister, whose name means, “Youthful”, was busy on her cell phone. (This youthful sister represents the “little sister” of the Bride spoken of in Song 8:8-9. Like in Esther, The immature are not ready to be with the Bride and will miss the corporate bus because of distractions.)   I could not see her face because she was looking in another direction. (They are not focused on sanctification and the more important things of the Kingdom, hence they are looking in another direction.) I said to the very pretty lady, "We will see her again”, and I put my left arm around her to reassure her. She put both her arms around me while we drove away. (Representing the Agape Love of the Bride and Man-child.) End of dream. (The Bride will cling to the Man-child as they enter the wilderness tribulation together.) I asked the Lord for a verse by faith at random for the "very pretty lady”   and I got: Mar 9:13  But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him. (This verse is speaking of John the Baptist who preceded and prepared the way for the Man-child, Jesus, in the Spirit of Elijah. Since the Man-child is born out of the Bride, then, in a type, the First Fruits Elijahs of the Bride Body will make way for the coming of Jesus in Man-child reformers in our day.) I asked the Lord for a verse by faith at random for: the “youthful" cell phone lady and I got:  Zec 1:6  But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? and they turned and said, Like as Jehovah of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. (The more we pay attention to God and His Word the sooner we will mature and come out of trouble. Psa 81:13-14  Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways!  14  I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn my hand against their adversaries.)    Bondages Make Victims Anonymous - 6/27/22 (David's notes in red) The dream started with me walking past a birdcage that looked like the one I have in real life. (The cage represents bondage that would keep us from escaping.) In the birdcage I saw a large black snake about 2 inches thick with something in its mouth. (The snake in the birdcage with the bird in its mouth is a warning of the enemy trying to swallow us up in their witchcraft prayers against us. Me must pray and intercede against their schemes and attacks.  Psa. 56:1-6 Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: All the day long he fighting oppresseth me. 2 Mine enemies would swallow me up all the day long; For they are many that fight proudly against me. 3 What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee. 4 In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me? 5 All the day long they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, Even as they have waited for my soul.)  Then, next to the birdcage, out of the bushes, came a second yellow snake with a few thin gray stripes about the same size as the black snake. (The color yellow represents fear and cowardice and the grey stripes represent death. The faction are cowards who back bite and attack behind our backs in darkness. Psa 11:2 For, lo, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. And Psa. 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Through Satan's accusers comes much distraction and temptations such as Jesus, Joseph and David had to endure.) The snake came moving towards me. The next moment it turned around and then turned back in my direction and struck at me. (These deceivers feign and manipulate but cannot be trusted.) I tried to defend the strike with my hands. Then I woke up. I started praying in tongues, and got peace after a while. (The second snake part of the dream is explaining the first part. We are the bird. But we are delivered out of the power of darkness so we should bind these demons and pray it down.) I received a word by faith at random for this dream: Jer 30:20  Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me; and I will punish all that oppress them. (God is going to punish these snakes who are continually persecuting and oppressing the righteous.)   Spirit of Legalism Trying to Kill the Body Winnie Osegueda - 6/30/22 (David's notes in red) I dreamt that I was at my mother's apartment on the second floor of the apartment building. (The Mother Church that we are born out of.) While I was there, I had a vision of a man in a black hoodie with a knife attempting to enter and come after me to kill me. (As we will see, this man in black represents a spirit of Legalism which is often in the apostate mother Church and tries to steal our liberty in Christ to kill us spiritually. Gal. 5:4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.)  Because I had this vision, I was aware he was coming. I opened the door and could see down the steps that the man was coming into the entrance of the apartment building on the first floor. (The first floor represents our flesh nature which is closest to the earth. This is where the spirit of Legalism gains entrance. 1 Co 15:46-49 Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.) I quickly ran out and left my phone behind. (Fear and legalism will sever our communications with the Holy Spirit represented by the cell phone.)  I ran up the stairs to the neighbor Wanda's house on the top third floor of the building. (Wanda means, "shepherdess; wanderer”. Jud 1:10-13 But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed. 11 Woe unto them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. 12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved forever.) I began to knock on Wanda's door to let me in; telling her that there was a man in the building with a knife coming after me. The knife the man had was straight, but curved downward at the tip with two very sharp points, shaped like an upside down letter U. It looked almost like a gutting knife. Wanda finally opened the door. We closed the door and I told her about the man with the black hoodie in the building. I told her to keep it down because she was making a lot of noise, kind of stomping and jumping a little bit, freaking out, and I didn't want the man to hear us.  All of a sudden I realized that on the left side of Wanda's apartment, where the kitchen is supposed to be was a large glass wall and sliding door. The man was right outside the sliding doors entering into the apartment. (Job 3:25 For the thing which I fear cometh upon me, And that which I am afraid of cometh unto me. ) Even though I had left my phone in my mom's apartment on the second floor, I somehow had a phone in my hand, and I attempted to dial 911. (Psa 118:5-6 Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah: Jehovah answered me and set me in a large place. 6 Jehovah is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?)  Wanda told me that she didn't think it was a good idea for me to call the police because her friend Don didn't agree with calling the police, but I called anyway. (Donald means, “World ruler”. Satan is the god of this world and doesn't want us calling on Jesus to save us out of our situations. He wants to trick us into relying on legalism and self justification for our salvation.) I saw the man bring up the knife towards Wanda and he forced her to get into his car. (If we don't fight the spirit of Legalism he will destroy us and take us away from our Savior.) I now looked over to the right of the apartment building, and the wall was gone and there was now a large opening. So I left the apartment as I was dialing 911. (We must leave the unsanctified apartment by staying in touch with the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us.) I told the police the street that I was on so that they would find me. In the meantime, I decided to hide inside a restaurant that was kind of like a diner which was on the other side of the street. (This restaurant represents the safety we have when we abide in Christ who is the Bread of Life.)  I went inside the restaurant and entered the women's restroom. (The restroom represents the process of sanctification where we rid ourselves of the spiritual waste of the flesh nature.) There were a lot of different women in there and I told them about this man in the black hoodie. All of a sudden, the women pulled out their own knives similar to the knife that the man with the hoodie had, except the handle was white, and they stepped outside to confront this man and fight him. (A multi gifted Church body is a great help to defend us from our enemies. We must fight off legalism with the sword of the Word so that he will not separate us from Christ or one another. Psa. 118:7-8  Jehovah is on my side among them that help me: Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah than to put confidence in man.) As they marched out of the diner, they marched towards the right and they began to sing very loudly. (Like the praisers in Jehoshaphat's Army that defeated Israel's enemies.) Then I woke up very suddenly. I don't remember what the women were singing, but when I woke up, the song that was playing loudly in my spirit was a song that we sing sometimes at our meetings: Ah, Lord God, Thou has made the heavensAnd the earth by thy great powerAh, Lord God, Thou has made the heavensAnd the earth by Thine out - stretched armNothing is too difficult for TheeNothing is too difficult for TheeGreat and mighty GodGreat in counsel and mighty in deed Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothingNothing is too difficult for Thee  I asked the Lord for a few verses by faith at random and received:   Psalm 118:14 (14-19 for context) The Lord is my strength and song; And he is become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. 16 The right hand of Jehovah is exalted: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly. 17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord. 18 The Lord hath chastened me sore; But he hath not given me over unto death.  19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto the Lord.Isaiah 26:4 (2-7 in context) Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth faith may enter in. 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord, even the Lord, is an everlasting rock. 5 For he hath brought down them that dwell on high, the lofty city: he layeth it low, he layeth it low even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. 6 The foot shall tread it down; even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. 7 The way of the just is uprightness: thou that art upright dost direct the path of the just.Romans 4:21 (19-25 for context) And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb; 20 yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him; 24 but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.   Strive to be Free Debbie Fenske - 6/27/22 (David's notes in red) Just before the evening meeting I felt I just needed to lay down and shut my eyes for a while. I did, and I began praying for our meeting. As I paused, I heard the Lord speak the word, “Liberated.” I prayed in the Spirit for only a couple moments, and then I heard the Lord say, “Strive to be liberated from all of this world's hold on you. I desire liberation for you. How I desire that all of My people desire liberation from this world. But so many hearts are not set on Me. They are bound to this world, and everything that they allow it to offer them. This world which is only a ball of matter that offers to My people nothing that matters, will soon be going down, and they will go down with it.”It was hard to hear the Lord say that. I heard a cry in His heart for His people who are so deceived and so captured by the strength of this world and all the false securities it offers them. I felt a strong sob coming up from deep in my belly, and I had to sit up on the edge of my bed and let out these great sobs, with tears.  I told Him that we so often read about His strong wrath but His mercy, peace, consolation, and Joy should also be remembered. He allowed me to feel just a tiny part of His grieving heart for His children because He knows that His grief will turn to strong wrath. He knows He will have to pour this out on those who have desired their own way; bondage to this world rather than receiving His liberation from it. (This is like the bird in the cage who was swallowed by the snake in the dream above.)   We Must Lay Down Our Idols Marie Kelton - 3/26/22 (David's notes in red) I was asking the Lord one day to send me a husband, but only when I was ready for one. Today, while I was at work, I heard the Lord say, “Why don't you lay it down?" Then the Lord gave me an open vision of Him sitting on a throne. He was wearing all white and was really huge. All I could see was his legs and His sandals. I saw myself place a little black idol, that was like a small statue of a person at His feet. I knew that the Lord was going to smash it. Then the vision ended. (The only way is, Mat 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”)    Idolatry and Distractions Keep the Church Imature Joe Dobrozsi - 6/27/22 (David's notes in red) I wanted to contact you because I saw this sign again in the parking lot at work today. Last year, about three times, I saw what looked like another planet or something that seemed to cover the moon to where there was just a sliver of the moon visible. (The moon or Woman Church, cannot reflect the light of the Son/sun because the earth has come between them. i.e. The Church is looking at the earth or the worldly instead of the Son. This represents worldly idolatry or distractions keeping the Church from maturing. We have to behold the Son to reflect Him and come into His image - 2 Co 3:18) (I don't know if it's a vision or real), but every time I have seen this sign, the sun is getting ready to rise and that is something that really stands out to me the whole time. (We haven't had this many eclipses so this is a spiritual vision. We just received a dream of the immature missing the Man-child/Bride bus because of distractions. This is a good exhortation to run after Jesus because time is short to be chosen.)    Distractions Cause the Bride to Miss the Man-child  Claire Pienaar -  6/23/22 (David's notes in red) I was in a steak grill house, and I was with a group of people (This restaurant represents the fiery trials of the flesh.). The group of people were celebrating me, but I don't know why. I was given the best seats, goodie bags, and so much food and praise. I could not understand it. (These represent worldly distractions and flatteries which, as we will see, can cause the Bride to miss her appointment with the Man-child.) All I wanted was Richard, my first love (Richard was my first boyfriend, and in this dream, he and Riaan, my husband, were morphed into one character. Richard means “mighty ruler” and Riaan means “little king” so I think these men represent a corporate body of Jesus, or the Man-Child reformers.). (This is what makes her the Bride . She is always desiring to run after Jesus, her first love despite all the distractions of the world and the enemy.)  I went looking for Richard. I went to a shop where Riaan and I had once bought blue jeans and I waited there for him. (The Bride is only interested in running after Christ and walking in heavenly places, as represented by the blue jeans).    I went to find a toilet in the dream. (Riaan: The Bride is the one constantly looking to cleanse herself of all defilement, to be perfect and blemish-less for her Husband, Christ). I walked through a very hi-tech call-center to get to the bathroom. (The hi-tech call center represents a constant communication with the Holy Spirit in order to receive the convictions we need in order to repent.) (Riaan: Yes, it is the high calling of God, to be made separate, pure and holy for Him)  The toilet stalls were elevated, about one story higher than the call-center. The stalls were made from completely transparent glass, and the doors only covered my middle section… (This transparency of nakedness represents repentance and the confession of sin. 1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What disqualifies the wicked, is they cannot repent and confess their sins in order to be righteous. Narcissism, rejection, faction spirits put fear in people to Confess and Be delivered. And even then, some do not hold fast to the Gospel believing that Jesus took away their sins and gave them his life and so they do not mature because of double mindedness.) I walked back to the restaurant and when I realized Richard/Riaan wasn't coming, I was sad. I had missed his birthday. In the dream, the date that I had missed was the 23rd of March. (Son 5:4-6  My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, And my heart was moved for him.  5  I rose up to open to my beloved; And my hands dropped with myrrh, And my fingers with liquid myrrh, Upon the handles of the bolt.  6  I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. My soul had failed me when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.) (It seems the bride receives gifts on the Man-child's birthday. (The birthing of the Man-child ministry is when the Lord returns "as a mighty one" in the Man-child by Word and Spirit to reward the Bride but there was a delay. Isa 40:10  Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. And Isa 62:11  Behold, Jehovah hath proclaimed unto the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, (the Bride) Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.)  I've just recently been reading in Esther (by faith at random), and I saw that in Esther 8:9 the same day and month in their calendar was used as the date I received in this dream of March 23rd.  Est 8:7-11  Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.  8  Write ye also to the Jews, as it pleaseth you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring; for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.  9  Then were the king's scribes called at that time, in the third month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews... 10  And he wrote in the name of king Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by post on horseback... 11  wherein the king granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.) Back to Claire's dream: I made a way to leave the busy restaurant that was in a shopping mall, and got up onto the roof where a friend called Suzan was with me. (The Bride keeps looking for her Beloved.) She was so loving and kind and emotionally expressive and demonstrative with much hugging and squeezing my arm in reassurance (Riaan: Suzan means lily, she represents the reassuring love of Christ the Bride experiences when she leaves the world behind and strives for the heavenly. Song 2:2  As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters).  On the roof I saw a helicopter that looked like an ambulance mixed with an ice-cream truck. I was waiting to go with it when it lifted up. (What the Bride needs now is lifting up and spiritual health so as not to miss our sweet appointment. We have already received in dreams that the coming of the Lord in His Man-child is awaiting the maturity of the Bride.) The scene changed and I walked through terraced paddocks, where I saw many black little calves. I came back to my bedroom in the dream and spoke to Riaan, who was on his knees praying at the foot of the bed when I arrived in our room. He said, “it sounds like Psalm 91 protection” and he started quoting the psalm to me. (Riaan: Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.) (So when the helicopter/ambulance arises with the Bride she will have the Psalm 91 protection through the tribulation.)  Then I went back to the paddocks in the dream, and as I walked I knew I was getting closer to Richard/Riaan and the blue jeans.   I asked the Lord what the restaurant part of the dream represents, and received 2 Ch 6:29, (in context 29-31) what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, who shall know every man his own plague and his own sorrow, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house: then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of the children of men); that they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.  I asked the Lord about the terraced paddocks and received by faith at random the word, “Mount Gilead” from Song 4:1 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thine eyes are as doves behind thy veil. Thy hair is as a flock of goats, That lie along the side of mount Gilead. (Terracing on the side of a mountain where flocks graze makes it possible for them to rest and to feed.) I asked for another verse at random about who Richard/Riaan represents and I received Song 4:4, Thy neck is like the tower of David Builded for an armory, Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, All the shields of the mighty men. I thought it was too close to the previous verse I received, so I asked for another verse by faith at random and received the word “Gilead” again, this time from Jer 50:19  And I will bring Israel again to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead. Besides distractions ego in the form of competitiveness holds the Bride back from maturity.    Competition Divides the Church Claire Pienaar - 12/17/21 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was in a really dark church in a very dark city, late at night. (This represents the Babylonish apostate church system that is at the end of the Gentile Church dispensation.) The church had so many things wrong with it. It had a golden altar (Representing Idolatry) and separate places for new believers, old believers, women, children, men, and elders. (This represents the denominalizations and divisions, sects or heresies that the Bible warns about in 2 Pe 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, (Heresies are a self-willed opinion that causes division) denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.) It was eery due to the darkness that was coming in from the outside. (The apostate Church has let the darkness of the world and its ways inside.) (Riaan: Before the coming of the Man-Child Jesus, the people of God were in darkness for hundreds of years). Some young people came in, and I thought they were going to add some life to the gathering, but they were just there to wait out the storm that was raging outside. (Many who are young in the Lord start out in apostate churches because they believe there is an escape from the world and its curses there. They either stay and die a slow spiritual death or they come out and begin seeking the Lord and truth for themselves.) I tried to get to the “main” part of the church, but the older women of the church continuously tried to get me to come with them to their “women's fellowship”. I did not want to be taught by a woman and kept on looking for a way to exit without anyone noticing, so as not to offend. (Note: In Titus it tells the older women to teach the younger women Tit 2:4-5  that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,  5  to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. But they are not to teach doctrines which a lot of Women's fellowships do.) I noticed they took the children out of the main church and put them in a separate room away from their mothers. (We saw in Titus that the mothers are the ones who are supposed to teach their children.) There was much fussiness and fussing between the mothers, the “caregivers” and the children and I could not understand any of it. I finally found a little red umbrella and decided to go outside. I didn't care if I was going to get wet or drenched or blown away in the storm, but I had to leave. Then I woke up. (I don't think this dream is for me personally as I've not been part of any institution for a long time, and I don't really subscribe to mainline denominational stuff... but it's a good warning for others, and a call to pray for those who still need to come out. I also think the Lord showed me this dream to confirm the darkness that is befalling the current institutionalized church, as is evident from the verses I received concerning it.).  I asked the Lord for a verse by faith at random. (She received a text that speaks of the coming David Man-child reformers to bring the Church back into Biblical order.)   Psa 89:25  I will set his hand also on the sea, And his right hand on the rivers. (In context 20-29)  I have found David my servant; With my holy oil have I anointed him: 21 With whom my hand shall be established; Mine arm also shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not exact from him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. 23 And I will beat down his adversaries before him, And smite them that hate him.  24 But my faithfulness and my lovingkindness shall be with him; And in my name shall his horn be exalted. 25 I will set his hand also on the sea, And his right hand on the rivers. 26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation. 27 I also will make him my first-born, The highest of the kings of the earth. 28 My lovingkindness will I keep for him for evermore; And my covenant shall stand fast with him. 29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, And his throne as the days of heaven. I asked the Lord for one more word by faith at random, and received Hos 13:2: And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves. (This may represent the religious institutions who follow another Jesus.)   Warning of the Competitive Prophetic Spirit Garrett Crawford - 5/29/22 (David's notes in red) ...I began to tell my wife yesterday that none of the false prophets are speaking about this Nuclear event that the Lord showed me. None of them are warning of something so specific as this. They speak in vague loose language so after an event or calamity happens they can go back and say "See! I saw that! I warned of that!" But they only deceive themselves and their followers. (I want to be very clear I am not a prophet in any sense of the word) A true prophet is given specific details of events to come. Sometimes they know where and when and why.  I was telling my wife the false prophets in the church with the large audiences will be totally caught off guard by this event. It will shock them to their core, but afterwards they will surely take credit for seeing it in advance. They will scramble amongst themselves through their endless pages of vague prophetic nonsense and revisit hours of recorded speaking engagements to see what 2 or 3 lines can be strewn together to prove this was warned of. God's true prophets do not need to go to such desperate lengths. God's true prophet's words are few, prophecies are few but are etched in stone and are amazingly accurate. (Yet Many warnings in these days come from simple people with simple dreams, not from those who even promote themselves as a “prophet".) This weighed on my heart. Yes, I knew the tendencies of the false prophets but I also looked within myself with the utmost scrutiny. I cried out to Jesus saying, "Lord, search my heart. If there is any vain glory or self seeking spirit within me, reveal it and drive it from me." Revelations are not for boasting or receiving the praise of men. They are dangerous for many because the flesh loves to glory in itself and take credit for being set apart and special.  I did not want to be like the false prophets that travel from conference to conference, church to church stealing words from one another and slapping each other on the back. Yet even in this prayer my own self righteousness and pride was well at work within me. Sometimes we feel pretty good about seeing the flaws of others yet miss so much about ourselves. Many have made whole ministries of pointing out the heresies of the false church and it's leaders. All the while being completely self seeking and prideful themselves, but I digress. When I got home I was still thinking about how "no one" in the prophetic mainstream is specifically talking about this soon coming judgment. I felt like I was the only one with this understanding. I felt like a man on an island and although I knew not to go to the "false patriot prophets" as I call them. I did start to do some searching on youtube about a nuclear strike on New York City. To my surprise I did see quite a few dreams seeing pretty much the same things I saw. These weren't any of the who's who of the charismatic realm, they were nobodies like me. Just everyday people like myself with no title or authority just sharing dreams of judgment.  Some were quite amazing and detailed. I was not completely shocked as I know God always confirms things in the mouths of two or three witnesses, but I have to be honest after I watched these I felt a little unsettled within myself. I still felt something amiss in my heart. Almost like dare I say "a competitive spirit." I knew these people were not in the false prophet crowd, there was absolutely no worry there. But I felt a tinge of pride within me, I still wanted to feel like I was the only one.  I recall Elijah telling those on Mt. Carmel: I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. (Elijah failed to acknowledge what Obadiah had just told him earlier, "Hey there's still a bunch of prophets left in a cave, I have them hidden from Jezebel”) 1 Ki 18:3-4 Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD, 4 for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.   (Elijah got scared of Jezebel like everyone else and hid in a cave later.) 1 Ki 19:9  There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”  (Even there Elijah still maintained he was the only one doing God's will.) Everything he just said was true, except for the fact he was the only one still following God in such a horrible time of apostasy. God let him in on a little secret: "Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” I think we need to realize the fact we are all nobodies, none is more special than the other. In this time in history spiritual gifts are working in us all. It's just not rare to see the Holy Spirit giving dreams and visions to people anymore. We need to get off our self-imposed isolated high horse and just be like little children: humble, happy and content. Comparison is the thief of all joy, I don't know who said that but I see it around alot and it's fitting for this exhortation. But I also want to examine something else. I feel like the prophetic has become a sport. We are just tallying points to see who got it right more times, and in the end we can add up our stats and let everyone know we hear God better than others. The most important thing we must remember is that God does not want anyone to perish. He takes no joy in the death of the wicked. He gives us these warnings to share with others so that men may repent. Death is not something to celebrate, "getting it right" is not something to relish in. Having a dream or vision come to pass means nothing if we don't have humility and a longing for men to be saved. Are we all Jonahs? Do we want to merely operate in the spiritual gifts but are far more concerned with our track record?  Ask yourself are you willing to be called a false prophet in order that men will be saved from the very judgments you have so clearly seen? If you knew that the judgment you saw and were made to proclaim would be delayed or even stopped completely would you still proclaim it? If you knew you would be called "false prophet, lying spirit or deceiver" would you still speak? Until you are ready to be hated of men God can not use you. It's his mercy that he has not ordained many of us with prophetic giftings into the office of prophet. We could simply not take the heat.  Many of us (including myself) have no idea what it means to be a prophet or apostle. They are despised by the world, hated among the majority of the Church, and often find themselves alone in a cave. They are public spectacles and objects of wrath, humiliation and scorn. Forget everything you see in the mainstream Church,You-tube, or in movies. I can assure you Satan has deceived the minds of the lost and lukewarm Christians concerning this. One thing God told me long ago, "Garrett if you see someone that has prophet or apostle before their name, they usually aren't."  I can't take credit for the understanding laid out above though. It was only after having this dream last night that God gave me some insight about what exactly was going on in my own heart:   Satan Pits Brother Against Brother Garrett Crawford - 5/29/22 (David's notes in red) In this short dream, I was dressed in purple and gold. (The uniforms are the righteous garments of the saints. The purple represents royalty, the gold represents being refined in the fire. All of God's children should be wearing purple and gold.) (Representing being dressed in royalty. God promised Abraham that out of him kings would come. We are Abraham's seed if we hold to the faith of Abraham. Gen 17:5-7 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.  And Gal. 3:6-9 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. 7 Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. 9 So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.)  I was in the uniform of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team in an NBA arena. We were playing a game against another team. But oddly enough the other team was dressed in purple and gold too. They were also the Los Angeles Lakers. It seemed the same team was playing against themselves. (This represents a competitive, and in some cases, denominational spirit among God's elect that brings disrepute to the Name of Jesus.) I was a starter and the star on my team and I was scoring most of the points. I noticed Kobe Bryant was the only coach on the floor and it seemed he was coaching both teams. (Kobe in Hebrew is a form of Jacob which means supplanter or cunning.) Kobe Bryant's nickname was the "Black Mamba". (Representing Satan, the accuser of the brethren.) Kobe saw that I was scoring a lot of points so he substituted someone into the game. He substituted a man I went to school with named Adam Brotherton. I knew Adam was not as skilled as I was, he wasn't even a starter. (Adam Brotherton represents all our brethren in Christ who was the second Adam.)  As he came off the bench, I was not threatened by him, but then Adam began to match me point for point. Every time I scored, Adam scored. This went back and forth for sometime. I was pretty irritated and quite threatened by his ability to score just like me. When I watched Adam I saw no guile in him, jealousy or a competitive spirit. He was humble and just enjoying the game. I seemed to be playing against Adam, but Adam was simply playing the game as the game was meant to be played. He was smiling and having a good time. Then I woke up. (Scoring points is not bad, and it's not bad to be gifted. But Satan or the "Black Mamba" will use brother against brother to become competitive and often make one lose sight of just enjoying the game, that is when we start watching others too closely and insecurity sets in. Gifted Christians that know more then others will start to look down on less gifted brothers and think they are not as spiritual as them, therefore can't do the same things God has allowed them to do.  But God will humble older and more spiritual brothers by substitutes and allow these younger brothers to do things they themselves think only they can do. In the end we have to remember we are all brothers, we are all wearing purple and gold and we all play for the same team. We don't need to be competitive and threatened when God uses someone else. Satan wants us competing with each other and keeping score. There is plenty of time in the game and we all get a chance to shoot the ball at different times.)   The Bride Seeks the Prize of “High Calling of God in Christ Jesus” David Eells I've discovered that when it's really hard to turn the other cheek or to resist not him that is evil, it's usually because there is some competitive spirit, some pride, some judgment in our heart concerning the people who are coming against us. Our old man rises up, our pride rises up, that competition rises up and we want to retaliate. We don't want to bear that fiery trial; we don't want to bear that cross. But the Lord is teaching us that, when we submit to what the Word of God has to say concerning other people, our mind doesn't get stirred up emotionally against them.  Being emotionally stirred up makes it almost impossible to be obedient. The Bible tells us what we are to do concerning the “weak” brother: (Rom.14:1) But him that is weak in faith receive ye, [yet] not for decision of scruples (or “to doubtful disputations”). There are people who are weak in the faith, whose doctrine is not what ours is concerning the faith, concerning salvation, concerning the Holy Spirit and many other things.  Many times in our church life, we've been taught to judge these people, rather than do what God says, which is to receive them. (2) One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs. (3) Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (4) Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand. So Paul tells us that there are people who are weak in the Christian faith and that we're not to judge them. We're to give them the time to grow up. (10) But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. I had experiences where the Lord taught me this.  The prize itself is to be chosen as the Bride as we will see. It is important to note that the Church is not the Bride as some simplistically say, but she is chosen out of the Church. Esther, the Bride, was chosen out of all the fair virgins of the kingdom to be the Bride of one who was at that time the ”King of kings” and this after Vashti was rejected because she did not obey the King. Also in SoS, the Shulammite, meaning "perfected one", was chosen out of all the women of the kingdom. Son 6:8-9  There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number. 9 My dove, my undefiled, is but one; She is the only one of her mother; She is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and called her blessed; Yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. Also in Psa 45 the Bride raised up the virgins to know the Lord. Jesus always taught in His parables the Jewish Marriage ceremony in which everyone was accounted for in the Church. There was the Bride, the virgins who escort her to the grooms home after the marriage feast, the friend of the Bridegroom, and those receiving the invitations. In Revelation 19, the Bride had on a glorious lampros garment, meaning not only white but glowing. There we see that those invited had on a simple leukos garment meaning white. Of course the Bride does not receive an invitation to her own marriage. What are the advantages of Being in the Bride?   They sit next to the King forever in the highest Holy of Holies like the Bride in Psalm 45. In Joel 2, as righteous Jerusalem, they escaped the beast who captured the rest of God's people in a tribulation. They conquered the Assyrian beast to save God's people. In Esther she had the Love, respect and ear of the King and brought down the beast Haman and his people to save the people of God. In SoS she raised up her little sister, the rest of the people of God, to enter the presence of the King.  In the Gospels they raised up the Church and ordained the 5 fold ministries. In Rev. 3, as the Philadelphia Church of brotherly love, they escaped the hour of trial that came on the rest of the Church and the whole world. This is not a rapture, she is supernaturally spared for she is not under the curse as we have seen. They were given the name of the New Jerusalem. She is born from heaven and God's new name was written upon them.   Select Language Afrikaans Albanian Amharic Arabic Armenian Azerbaijani Basque Belarusian Bengali Bosnian Bulgarian Catalan Cebuano Chichewa Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Corsican Croatian Czech Danish Dutch Esperanto Estonian Filipino Finnish French Frisian Galician Georgian German Greek Gujarati Haitian Creole Hausa Hawaiian Hebrew Hindi Hmong Hungarian Icelandic Igbo Indonesian Irish Italian Japanese Javanese Kannada Kazakh Khmer Kinyarwanda Korean Kurdish (Kurmanji) Kyrgyz Lao Latin Latvian Lithuanian Luxembourgish Macedonian Malagasy Malay Malayalam Maltese Maori Marathi Mongolian Myanmar (Burmese) Nepali Norwegian Odia (Oriya) Pashto Persian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Romanian Russian Samoan Scots Gaelic Serbian Sesotho Shona Sindhi Sinhala Slovak Slovenian Somali Spanish Sundanese Swahili Swedish Tajik Tamil Tatar Telugu Thai Turkish Turkmen Ukrainian Urdu Uyghur Uzbek Vietnamese Welsh Xhosa Yiddish Yoruba Zulu Powered by Translate Printer-friendly version

Perhaps you've noticed, in his earthly life, Jesus did not live to be one hundred years old. He didn't even live to be fifty years old. He lived to the age of thirty-three, or thereabouts. Thirty-three is a nice, medium, mature age, and he chose to die. At the age of thirty, be began this journey toward the cross. Now, I am about to go off the orthodox trail here, but I feel like there is a signal to us, a message calling from the silence of his years between being found in the temple at age twelve and his public baptism around the age of thirty. The fact that Jesus began his ministry at thirty is curious, because he talks often about spiritual rebirth. He talks about returning to the faith of a child. After the infancy narratives of Jesus are completed, the only glimpse we see of Jesus is when he is in the temple in Jerusalem among the elders. This is one of my favorite parts of all the Gospels:“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.” (Luke 2:46)Jesus was twelve years old at the time, so to read this in 21st century American terms, he would have been a middle-schooler. As many parents know, and many of us may remember, middle school is roughly when the “age of reason” begins, not to mention puberty. A litany of questions and doubts enters the mind of a middle-schooler. Around age twelve, the tooth fairy and Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are all deceased. The myths begin to be seen as scandalous lies used as a carrot-on-a-stick to lure kids into good behavior. And do you know what else can easily become a suspected fraud when a child attends the funeral of Peter Cottontail? Yes, the answer is God. The “age of reason” is when we enter into a greater understanding of the world around us and begin to grow toward adulthood, which means that is when we start ‘asking questions.' For the Church, the age of reason is when we are said to be morally responsible for our actions, since we can no longer play the ignorance card regarding knowing what is right and wrong. Interestingly, the Age of Reason is also the name of a book attacking Christian doctrine and the idea of miracles, written by one of America's founding fathers, Thomas Paine, who argued for Deism, not atheism. What Thomas Paine questioned in his book is many of the same topics any middle-schooler with a curious mind will come across, as the mind, body, and soul go searching together for meaning in this world. Paine didn't come up with anything new, he just articulated the doubts about miracles and his discomfort with difficult sayings in the Bible, and he wrote the book in his fifties, meaning he could organize his doubts much better than a twelve year old. Paine spent a life of rebellion, gaining fame in America for his pamphlets titled “Common Sense” which called for revolution, and then he went revolution shopping in France and thought it might be nice if they, too, overthrew the government and all Church involvement in society. From his own words, he said that churches and religions “…appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.” Furthermore, he hated the Bible, calling it demonic: “Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel.” This is a perfect definition of the two-fold set of doubts that those coming into the age of reason and adulthood will be tempted by and want to investigate. First, the imposition of authority irritates, especially when the rules seem arbitrary. As teenagers grow and learn, they see adults that do not live up to the rules set forth, as hypocrites abound in all spheres, whether in work, church, or family life. The idea that authority is invented solely for purposes of control becomes an easy leap to make. If the models for authority are bad, or you have been repeatedly told are bad, then the association of authority as an evil oppressor can be enticing because it turns the doubter into a victim and a freedom fighter. In the years of doubt and questioning, the urge rises in all of us a stepson feels to scream at his stepfather, “You're not my dad!” when it comes to any institution or any person that holds authority over us that constrains our behavior and thought. The second onslaught of doubt comes from, yes, that same Old Testament that Marcion and millions of others throughout history have disliked. Every child reads the happy stories of the Old Testament. Children's Bibles go from creation (wow!), to Adam and Eve and the cute serpent (they're naked, lol!), to Noah's saving ark (happy animals!) to David killing Goliath (the underdog wins!). And that's about it. That's the summary of the forty-six books of the Old Testament. I think both parents and children are ready to move right on over to the New Testament, to the non-judgemental, loving God, manifested in the person of Jesus. The child has faith in these primary stories about Adam and Noah and David. Children believe them. This is the “faith of a child” that Jesus talks about returning to, where there is wonder and willingness to believe. Parents and children can have amazing discussions and talk through life lessons solely from these top-ten greatest hits, through these highlights of the Old Testament. Kids learn these stories because they aren't yet ready to tackle confusing lines like, “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.” (Ex 23:19) A child that hears a line like this may have some concern about what is for dinner, but will not likely care or even pretend to understand, even if you explained it. That this line has more to do with protecting Israelite identity so that they avoid becoming like neighboring tribes, in this particular case the Canaanites, who boiled a goat in its mother's milk as part of a magic fertility rite, would not even enter their developing brains. Actually, it's not that the child will be unable to understand it. No, the problem is that we adults don't understand it. We can't make sense of it ourselves, so we dumb it down and shove it to the back of the bookshelf. Few adults can interpret or explain the backstory of the goat. It raises questions. Let me just consider a few of those questions that I can think of off the top of my head. Why would anyone boil a goat in the first place? Who boils a goat at all? This is America. Beef won long ago, we don't eat goat, so let's go back further: why a goat? And who boils meat? I mean, boiling hot dogs and bratwurst makes sense, but no one would boil a steak unless they were mentally ill, and they certainly wouldn't admit it. Have they considered a grill or a smoker? The taste would be much better. Where is this strange culinary event taking place? Is this in France? Why would you boil milk? What's with the goat being “young”? Seems kind of cruel. I could see PETA being all over this. Was the goat alive before it was thrown into the pot? Is the goat boiled with hair? Are the hooves still on, or do those get lopped off? If so, what happens to the hooves? If it's alive, does the goat bleat while boiling? I imagine it would make a really sad sound. At least you can't hear a lobster bleat as it dies in boiling water. Then there's the context of where this line appears in the book of Exodus. The chapter is talking about harvest parties and bringing in “first fruits” from the fields and pastures to honor God, so that's all fine and dandy. Makes sense: bring in offering to honor God, got it. But then it jumps right into a line about boiling goats! This line feels like some addendum or amendment to address a one-time event, like a version of the curse of the goat on the Chicago Cubs, where a man showed up with a pet goat showed up and said, “Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more,” which caused them to suck for decades, but in this case the man showed up, boiled a goat, and said, “That Israel, they ain't gonna be Chosen no more.” How would the average parent talk about this boiling goat verse with a child? Parents just want children to go to bed, not partake in Biblical interpretation by nightlight. The load of laundry, the permission slip for the school field trip, the dental bill, the property tax, the summer vacation plan, tomorrow's meetings, the need for personal hygiene - all of these questions and issues outrank the problem that a boiled goat represented to the Israelites and the sacred writer of Exodus. We just can't go into the details, so we stick to the easy things, the big things. There is a reason why the “main” stories are simple ones and it has to do with the same reason that fairy tales and fables are short and sweet with lots of imagery. It's so we can remember them, while the details and the layers of these stories go far deeper, into places that a parent and child cannot easily venture into, but over the course of a lifetime, we encounter versions of these stories and takes in our very real world and experiences. But I'll get to that later, because first we have to deal with the boiling of this baby goat. These confusing lines are actually important, however, because every line has a purpose in the Bible. So for the record, now that I've expanded on this long enough that the goat could have finished boiling, what is the purpose of this line about boiling goats? The reason Israel does not boil goats in it's mothers milk is actually quite simple. The fertility rite of the Canaanites goes against their worship of the one God. So this line, bizarre as it is, directly supports the Ten Commandments that Moses received just a few chapters earlier in the text. This interjection about the goat is about the first commandment: you shall have no gods before me. This prohibition of boiling is literally called out because these are the types of rules that keep God's chosen people set apart from the pagans. Israel worships the one God, not the Canaanite or Egyptian or Persian gods. So not only do they outlaw boiling goats, but this line can be read as outlawing any pagan ritual or magic or sorcery. But no child or middle-schooler will likely dig into the underlying meaning of strange verses like this. Most adults will never even consider looking (unless they enjoy it like I do), because it takes too long, the information is hard to find, and there is a game on TV or fingernails to polish. There's not enough time! Isn't there a fountain of youth we could drink from? We lack the time and energy, so we abandon the strangeness of this cultural quirkiness. After all the goat was boiled some three to five thousand years ago, if not long before that. We feel that this goat has no relevance to us today. The Children's Bibles present a kind of God that Disney could have come up with. In fact, the cartoon Bibles of today are likely the result of desperate Christians attempting to hold back the flood of Disney's secular religion, as it aggressively evangelizes the world and steamrolls actual cultures and traditions, much like the Roman empire and Spanish conquistadores did, but without the sword. In fact, were Exodus being written now, I suspect it would have lines like, “Don't worship your smartphone” or “Discard all Disney movies,” because the point is not about the specific ritual with the goat, it's about any ritual (magic or otherwise) that tears apart the fabric of the Israelite community. Anything that diverts focus from the one true God is prohibited, therefore using magic to try to conjure up fertility is not allowed. So that's the first set of questions the budding doubter has to deal with, but the main hangup about the Old Testament is the violence, and by hangup I mean, we just disconnect the call. Click. Bye! After we have passed through the dumbed-down gauntlet of tickly feathers in our modern Children's Bible, we are in for a shock if we go searching in the actual Bible. If we ever go to the actual text (and most of us won't, especially Catholics) we'll find the snake in the garden of Eden, but he won't be cute. The animal rescue story of Noah's no-kill shelter ark becomes something much darker. And the peaceful and loving Jesus who passes from this world to the next requires massive pain and suffering to fulfill the new covenant. The reaction for the light reader is to retreat or ignore the Old Testament because of the bloodshed and violence. This might be a wise move to preserve your faith, because many non-believers dive into the horrors and read deeply, only to determine that they cannot resolve a loving God with violence and suffering. The top objection to God is the existence of suffering in this world, since this seems converse to any argument against a loving God. Not diving into the pit and studying the Old Testament is sometimes a shield for people who put their complete trust in God. They know the truth, they have fully turned to God, and nothing you can say or tell or show them will disrupt that trust in God. This may seem like an ostrich, with its head-in-the-sand, but there is a reason for people who have been reborn to do this. Why would someone appear to choose ignorance? Because they have received the gift of faith and will automatically tune out any reading of the Bible that does not enrich that faith. They will reject any reading that does not celebrate the “encounter with God” that the word represents to them. Many atheists have more Biblical knowledge than believers because they dig in and look closely, they have more education, and they are truth seekers. Truth seekers read deeply and believe that the only way to read is objectively. Formerly, in my days of disbelief, I was fully on the side of calling out these ostriches. How could anyone not inspect the Bible and see the problems within it? Even when I wanted to give a reading the benefit of the doubt, it was felt too glaringly ignorant and foolish to believe, and after a few of those experiences I stopped reading the actual book at all and looked for authors like Thomas Paine, or writings from the Jesus Seminar, or John Dominic Crossan - authors who would confirm my suspicions. I recently spoke with someone whose faith was waning, and he told me he wanted to go find books that would cut through the apologetics and defenses. He wanted to find historical analysis and books that delved into the likelihood of the Gospel realities. He wanted a kind of “Bible as literature” approach and scientific approach to the Bible. I told him that his faith will go into hibernation or die if that's the approach he takes, because he's already decided. What he wanted was total confirmation for his faith, like Thomas the Apostle, and the entire prospect of having and keeping faith rests on the idea that you will never have that certainty. This is the great contradiction of faith and what makes people so crazy. Once you accept and adopt the mysteries of faith, or the grace of God gives you the gift of faith, then the leap is taken and people will defend and guard that faith with their lives, literally. This is why the faithful seem so dense and dumb to non-believers. Now, having come back, I completely understand why the ostriches act obtuse in defense of their faith. Not everyone has time or ability to do deep readings, but they know the faith is real, that the book is the truth, and even if they can't understand everything they have total trust and will not allow anyone, especially someone that aims to destroy their faith, to even allow the words of doubt to enter their ears. Most of the re-born believers have already been down the road of doubt, so they know where it ends, and no argument or persuasion will trick them into falling again. Yes, they will fall into sin again, but they will not doubt God again. This seemed crazy to me. I never understood it, until after I returned to believing and started reading a book that I could feel undermining my belief. I stopped reading that book, immediately, only finishing it later once I felt able to return. I actually recall feeling something urging me to stop reading the book. Then I knew I had crossed the leap into land of the ostriches. Since that experience, I recognize when the need to stop or to pray is near, when it must be done. I didn't realize it at the time, but this one of the signals that the saints refer to when they talk about Spiritual Combat. Yes, it sounds crazy, but perhaps you know about this combat already, as you may have tried to quit doing something that you would like to remove from your life, only to find that you cannot, so you justify it as a cost of life, that every one must have a vice or two. After all, no one is perfect, right? The truth is that the devil never bothers you while you are carrying out his will, but he will aggravate you terribly once you attempt to stop. For me, this has a real life illustration in tobacco usage and addiction, as I could not stop with my own willpower. In fact, tobacco was way ahead on inventing the self-driving car than Tesla or General Motors. What do I mean by that? Well, whenever I had decided to quit using tobacco, I would have built-up my resolve to quit and would even be telling myself in the car that I would not drive to a gas station to buy any tobacco. But to my utter surprise, soon I would be standing in line paying for tobacco products of one form or another. My car seemed to drive itself to the store. These almost felt like out-of-body experiences except I was clearly turning the wheel and signaling to turn into the gas station or grocery store. No matter how firmly I resolved to quit, I could not. No matter how fully dedicated to stopping this practice I proclaimed myself to be, the addiction took over. In the end, the only way I managed to stop using tobacco was the same method I learned and applied to stop drinking, which was prayer. Asking daily for strength and direction from a Higher Power is how it started, and it works, and still works. My car no longer drives itself. This power to change through prayer made no sense. Nothing made sense, after all of the extended efforts and books and nicotine gum and pills and therapies - none of that worked. The one thing I never thought would work not only worked for one type of vice, but works for all types of vice. If this experience happens and you begin to believe in that Higher Power as having real, inexplicable power, you may make the leap from generic Higher Power to believing in God and soon the entire Apostles' Creed. And then you're in trouble. You know you can never go back, nor do you want to go back, nor will anything, come hell or high water, separate you again from the loving God who came looking for you, reached out, and scooped you up. This is why believers may not read as deeply as educated doubters. They never want to lose the gift of faith again. No Old Testament story can dissuade them. Take Samson, the maniac from the book of Judges. Even if Samson slaughtered 1,000 Philistines with a donkey's jawbone and acted like a total jerk before and afterward - even that will not deter the faithful, because they may not know exactly why it's important, but they know that story is important. Once you start asking for the Holy Spirit to help you read the book, and you read the book seeking faith, thinking “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” I have to repeat this often, but faith is a gift. Those that don't have faith literally cannot read it as an “encounter with God.” This is not to irritate or mock either side of this question, it's just a fact that the gift of faith changes your entire approach to how you read the word of God. If you are coming in to find doubt, you will find more reasons to doubt. If you are reading to boost faith, you will boost your faith. It's like the saying, “Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right.”Various anti-Christian websites have done the work of extracting the most cruel scenes of the Old Testament so that we don't have to do any scrounging around. These lists are posted online for even the most casual doubter, from middle-schooler to full-blown Thomas Paine, so that he or she can confirm their suspicions, that yes - the Old Testament violence is in there. If you are looking for the angry God who tortured Job, or the Judges who slayed the enemies of Israel, it's all there, and if you want to decide that God was an invention propped up to keep us in line, then you can pat yourself on the back for locating the cherries you want to pick to support that theory. This is the lazy person's kind of Biblical reading. What we fail to realize is that the stories may tell of a violent event to make a point. I often think that is the whole point of many of them. They show us the errors of humanity, within and without the circle of the Chosen people. St. Augustine, who seemed to have been sent from the future to help us all learn to read, said, “Narrata, non laudata.” This means, “It is narrated, not praised.” An account of an event in the Bible is not automatically a celebration of the event. This is a key point that the armchair doubter misses completely. The presence of a story does not make it good or holy solely by its membership in the pages of the Bible. God's judgement is not always explicitly stated, so we must read for the religious truth of the book, the scene, or the sentence. This is difficult, but worth the effort for those that take the time, if you can find time. The book of Judges is so littered with violence and morally confusing events that any reader who was looking for direct practical life guidance would probably end up in jail. Many of the characters, such as Samson in Judges, is not so much a model to imitate as a way of life to be avoided. When Samson uses a donkey's jawbone to slaughter the Philistines and then brags about it, he goes even further and demands that God give him a drink. That is not advice on how to behave. Samson's gift of strength, however, does become his curse. There is religious truth hiding amid the jawbone story if you read the rest of the story of Samson, because he is purified by his vice. His strength becomes his weakness, and this is exactly how sin works. But the average reader isn't going to find that if the only part of the story plucked out is the slaughter and war. Samson dies due to his violence and arrogance. Reading with the eyes of faith and knowledge of what sin does to a human being will tease out the religious truth. Moreover, a Christian reader should always be looking for how everything relates to the coming redemption of Jesus. The account of Samson in no way suggests his behavior is admirable. In fact, when we read the Bible in the light of Christ, we can see that all of this jawbone slinging behavior of Samson is exactly the opposite of how Jesus lives his life. So the message is practically a flashing red light telling us, “Don't be like Samson! He's a violent, arrogant brute who lacks humility.” St. Augustine has also said that any reading of the Bible that pushes us away from faith, hope, and charity is almost certainly incorrect, since that is what Christ came to tell us while he simultaneously came to fulfill the prophecies and uphold the law of the Old Testament. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.whydidpetersink.com

Audio Transcript: This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston and our neighborhood churches or donate to this ministry, please visit Mosaicboston.com.God, we thank you for these words that we just sang. Not just that we can sing them but that we can know that they are true. We see death and decay all around us. We need resurrection in our world, in our country, in our church, in our hearts, Lord. Jesus Christ, you are our living hope, you are the resurrection and the life. We just marvel at what a great and awesome and merciful God that you are. So Lord, we pray for those who are suffering. And we pray for those who are lost, that we are reminded then for many of us, this is the closest to hell that we will ever be. And yet, for some, this is the closest to heaven they could ever hope for. But you Lord have made a way to change that through your Son, through the gospel.So we just cry out for peace but we also out for revival, Lord. That we want to see you raise the dead, bring new life to those who are lost and dead in their sins, Lord. And we know that you can do it, you've done it and we praise you for that. God, right now I just ask for grace as we preach your word this morning, we pray that you would speak to us through this amazing text written by the Apostle Paul and we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.All right. So if you are just joining us, we have been working our way through the Book of Romans. We're in chapter 2 and I'm going to be just looking at a small passage today. It's a small passage but it has a really big idea and that's one of those ideas you just kind of have to chew on. And it's a simple idea, it's simple but the implications of it are massive, they're huge. And the big idea is just simply this, that things are not as they ought to be. Now that statement isn't very shocking or profound, most of us would say, "Yeah, obviously things are not as they ought to be." I mean, how many of us, when we turn on the news, we think, "Wow. Things are so great, I can't even imagine them getting any better." Where you turn on the news and you think, "Wow, ..." I'm moving my mic pack. So cringe, this is worse than that episode of the Ringer... What's going on here? I'm going to move this down. There we go.Obviously, things are not as they ought to be. And Paul's big idea, the case that he's been trying to make for these first couple of chapters is just simply that, that creation is not blessed, it is cursed, that people are under God's wrath, that the world is not filled with the glory of God as it ought to be, it is filled with sin and death and decay. And it's not just that, that is it's that we all know it intuitively, we just know. We know this is true and yet we deny it, we suppress it and at the same time we don't want to face the truth so we suppress the truth because as much as we know that things are not as they ought to be, we also know that we ourselves are not as we ought to be and that scares us.And so we ignore it, we deny it, we rationalize it away and just try to pretend that this is normal. Quick example from this week, Thursday morning, I was having one of those days where I just couldn't wake up, right? You get out of bed and you're not fully awake, you're not really asleep, eyes are just kind of halfway open. Groggy, that's the word for it. I was groggy. And I get up, every morning we make the kids breakfast, I don't eat breakfast, I'm one of those intermittent fasting type people. So I make breakfast, we sit down and Kelly and the kids, they eat breakfast and as they're eating, I read scripture, we read through books of the Bible together. So they eat, I read and then we pray together.And then it's time to like, "Okay, hurry up. You've got to go get dressed, we've got to get ready for school." And so the kids run off, they get ready, go to get dressed and as they're getting dressed, I usually pack their bags. So every day they take a lunch, they take a water bottle and they take a snack to school with them. I pack them up a little snack in one of those Ziploc bags. And so I did that. I packed their bags, we walk them to school, we both work from home so we walk back home and go about our day. Later that day, I go into the kitchen, I open the pantry and I see laying there on the shelf is our son Owen's snack in his Ziploc bag. I was so out of it, I packed it up and then I just set it down and left it there and didn't put it in his bag.And I felt terrible, he's probably hangry, we're going to get a call from the principal, he's going to get in trouble and I felt terrible. But there's nothing really I could do about it so I just went back to work, forgot about it, put it out of my mind. Anyways, later that night we're sitting at dinner, we're talking, we're eating and all of a sudden Owen pipes up and he says, "Oh, hey dad, I wanted to say thank you so much for that boatload of Oreos you gave me and my snack today." I was like, "Wait, back that boat up. What are you talking about?" Here's the backstory. Tuesday night, we had community group, my wife and our daughter, Nora baked a cake and they crumbled Oreos all over the top and they took the rest of them, and there was a lot of them, and they put him in one of those big oversize Ziploc bags... You know where this is going?So that day 20, 25 of them, I don't know, it was this big and it was packed full. He opens up his backpack at snack time and he eats them all. Actually he said he saved a couple for lunch because he started to get a stomach ache, he couldn't quite power through those last few. And I'm sitting there and I'm like, "What were you thinking?" We don't do sugar in our house very much and I was like, "What would make you think that I would intentionally give you a massive bag of Oreos for your snack?" He's like, "I know, right? It didn't seem right but I jus ate them anyway." And the point is, things are not as they ought to be, we just go with it. This is us. That truth is obvious but it's also inconvenient. And so we know things are wrong, we do them anyway, we just go with it, we go with the flow and that's the problem.But the bigger problem is that the consequences of our wrongness and of the wrongness around us is a lot bigger than the consequences of a 10 year old eating 25 Oreos in one sitting. That had some pretty big consequences as well, I'm sure. But as truly as there are laws of gravity and physics governing the tangible things around us, there are laws of truth and justice and morality governing our hearts and souls and we all know it intuitively. We also know that we are in violation of those laws. We don't want to face the reality of those laws, we don't want to face the reality that we know that what goes up must come down. So instead of facing the truth, we suppress the truth because deep down we're terrified of the truth. We know what's gone up, our sin, our iniquity, our rebellion and we know what is coming down is judgment.If you have your Bibles open up to Romans, Chapter Two, we're going to be looking at verses 11 through 16 today. And the three points that we're going to be talking about during the sermon is number one, we need to face the reality of the law and its giver. Number two, we need to face the reality of our guilt and shame. And then three, we need to face the reality of our judge and our defender. So if you have your Bibles, Romans Chapter Two, starting in Verse 11, the words are also going to be up here on the screen.The Apostle Paul writes this, "For God shows no partiality. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law by nature do with the requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.This is the reading of God's word for us this morning. Point number one is that we need to face the reality of the law and its givers. So real quick, Paul's train of thought here is that number one, there is a divine and impartial judge. Number two, everyone knows what is right. Number three, no one has done what is right. And number four, therefore we are all going to stand justly condemned and without excuse, that's his basic argument. But within this argument lies the proof that this argument is true. The Jews knew it was true and even he says the Gentiles who did not have the law, that's everyone else, they know it is true as well.And so first of all, Paul was writing to Jews in Rome. And the Jews knew the reality of the law and its giver personally, right? Because their entire history as a people had been wrapped up in this God who had clearly and miraculously revealed him self to them. Now you see that all throughout all the Old Testament, that Israel's God revealed himself as the God of truth and grace, law and order, justice and mercy. That Israel's God is the one who had delivered them out of slavery in Egypt with undeniable signs and wonders. He gave them his word, he gave them his law, he had written it on tablets of stone and brought them into the Promised Land. The Jews knew the law and the Jews knew the giver of the law personally.And the problem was they didn't keep the law or obey the giver, they didn't love the Lord, their God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength, they didn't love their neighbor as their self. And so Paul says in the second half of Verse 12 that, "All who have sinned under the law," that's the Jewish people, "Will be judged by the law. For it is not just the hearers of the law who are righteous before God but the doers of the law who will be justified." That the Jews, they knew the reality of the law, they knew God the giver of the law, the problem was that, that law couldn't save them because they couldn't keep it. All they could do was reveal how guilty they were, reveal how desperately they needed mercy from God.And so Paul was writing to Jews but at the same time, Paul was writing to Gentiles in Rome. And the Gentiles, they did not have the law, they didn't have the history, the culture, they didn't have the miracles, they didn't have the personal relationship, the first hand encounters with God that the Jewish people had. And so the question that some might wonder then is, "Okay, on account of their ignorance, is God just going to let them off the hook? How can God judge them according to a law that they don't have, that they don't know?"And this is where things get really trippy and deep. The Gentiles did not have the advantage of having the law written in tablets of stone but Paul says, "Hold on. That's true. But their actions prove that they'll along with every other human being on the planet actually have the work of that law written on their hearts." That everyone, even if a person never reads the Hebrew scriptures, never hears the 10 Commandments, is never told of Israel's God, they still have the work of that law written on their hearts, their actions, their consciences, they bear witness to what the law requires, that deep down they all know how they ought to live but they don't. And so Paul says of the Gentiles in Verse 14, "For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they don't have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears a witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them."If you've never read CS Lewis, Mere Christianity, read it. Get it, read it, that's your homework, chew on it, it's a dense book, you've got to take the time to process through what he's writing. But Lewis takes the theology of Romans 2:15, this idea that the law is written on every human heart. He takes that theology and he presents a case, a full fledged, philosophical apologetic for why this is just undeniably true. I was trying to think of a good illustration to give here and I couldn't think of anything better than just say what he says in his book. And so I'm just going to read a couple paragraphs, you can go read the rest of it on your own. But the premise is just this, God's moral law is written on our hearts, everyone intuitively knows it and we prove this every time we instinctively appeal to it.And so this is what Lewis writes in his first chapter of Mere Christianity he says, "Everyone has heard people quarreling. Sometimes it sounds funny and sometimes it sounds merely unpleasant but however it sounds, I believe we can learn something very important from listening to the kind of things they say because they say things like this. 'Well, how would you like it if anyone did the same to you?' 'That's my seat, I was there first.' 'Leave him alone, he isn't doing you any harm.' 'Why should you shove in first?' 'Hey, give me a bit of your orange, I gave you a bit of mine.' 'Come on, you promised.' People say things like that every day, educated people as well as uneducated and children as well as grownups.""Now what interests me about all of these remarks is that the man who makes diem is not merely saying that the other man's behavior does not happen to please him. He is appealing to some kind of standard of behavior which he expects the other man to know about. And the other man very seldom replies, 'Well, to hell with your standard.' Nearly always he tries to make out that what has been doing does not really go against the standard or that if it does there's some special excuse. He pretends there's some special reason in this particular case why the person who took the seat for should not keep it or that things were quite different when he was given the bit of orange or that something has turned up which lets him off keeping his promise.""It looks, in fact, very much as if both parties had in mind some kind of law or rule of fair play or decent behavior or morality or whatever you want to call it, about which they really agreed. And they have. If they had not, they might, of course, fight like animals but they cannot quarrel in the human sense of the word. Quarreling means trying to show that the other man is in the wrong. And there would be no sense in trying to do that unless you had some sort of agreement as to what right and wrong are just as there would be no sense in saying that a footballer has committed to foul unless there was some agreement about the rules of football."And so the big idea is that there is this law, we all know it, we all appeal to it but more than that, we didn't make it, this is not something we came up with ourselves, it transcends us. It's a law that transcends individuals and cultures and time, that it's not just true for you or true for me, it's just simply true, transcendently true. And if this is true, we get to ask if there's this transcendent truth, where did that come from? If there's a transcendent moral law, there has to be a transcendent moral law giver. This is why Psalm 14 Verse One, the Psalmist writes that, "It is the fool who says in his heart that there is no God." That it is irrational to deny the reality of a moral God if we just sit down and think about it. If we're afraid to face that reality, if we're afraid to face the of the law and its giver, it's not because the idea is untrue, it's because the idea is uncomfortable. That facing the reality of God, that forces us to face the uncomfortable reality of our own guilt and shame.And that brings us to point number two, that we're all guilty. Verse 12, he says, "For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law and those who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. But it's not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God but the doers of the law who will be justified." And there's none who have done, who have perfectly upheld the law. People in general, they don't object to the idea of a good and just God, we understand that without that existence would be hell. We want justice, we want God to be good and bring justice to stop evil, we want those things and we instinctively cry out for justice every time we are personally wronged.See the problem people have is not with that so much as we want God to be just, we just don't want him to be just towards us. We want justice for others but deep down we know that we're deserving of judgment ourselves. Lewis mentioned this briefly in the passage but have you ever noticed, then you get caught in moral violation, violation of this law that we're talking about, that the impulse is not to deny the law, the impulse is to pass the blame. And this began at the very beginning with Adam and Eve in the garden, right? God comes to Adam and calls Adam to give an account and Adam didn't say, "Well, yeah. But God your rules weren't fair." No, he says, "Yeah, but it wasn't my fault. It was that woman that you gave me, it was her fault and you gave her to me so it's kind of your fault. But it's definitely not my fault."And we do this, right? "Yeah, I lied but everybody lies." "Yeah, I stole but not as much as that person over there." "Yeah, I'm bad but you're no better." "Yeah, I did X, Y and Z but I'm only human." I see how foolish that is, in what human courtroom would that defense stand up? "Okay judge, let me just say, I totally murdered that guy. Yep. My bad. I'm only human. Also, it's just one guy, he was kind of annoying, it's not like I'm Hitler." Why do we always go there? Where do we get this idea that the best standard for judgment should be comparing ourselves to the worst person in history, right? The measuring stick of morality is not Hitler's wickedness, the measuring stick of morality is God's holiness.And we acknowledge that. We see that no one even comes close to measuring up. We all fall short. Take a moment here to brag about some glory days, remember Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite? "Back in '82, I could throw a pig skin a quarter of a mile. I bet I could throw a football over the mountains." That's where we're going to go right now. Back in '82, I was born in '82, but back in '98, believe this or don't, I could dunk a volleyball. On a good day, with no one guarding me, at the right angle, give me a few tries, I could even dunk a girl's basketball. I could never quite dunk a men's basketball. The reason this is a big deal, I'm five foot seven and a half. That was a big deal for me for those couple years that I could accomplish it.I was always living in the shadow of Spud Webb, remember him? He was five foot seven and not a half and he won the '86 NBA Dunk Competition, that was always looming over my head. And then you had Muggsy Bogues, he was five foot three in the NBA and he could dunk. But at least for me, small town, Midwest Dutch boy, that was a big deal. I could dunk a girl's basketball, I could dunk a volleyball, I could jump. We're all jumping and some of us can jump higher than others. And we're looking this way and we're looking that way and we're thinking, "Hey, as long as I can jump higher than some of these other chumps around me, then I'm must be doing okay." We measure ourself against the standard of our peers and then we feel justified so long as we're at least somewhat average.And I know some of you and I know that you can jump and from a human perspective, your vertical is impressive but from God's perspective, looking down on earth, he's not impressed with any of our attempts to jump up to the heavens. I'm not talking about adding a few inches or even a few feet to our vertical jump, even the best of us, even those of us who can dunk a girl's basketball at five foot seven and a half, it's like, "Yeah, you've got light years to go before you hit the mark." Romans 3:23 says, "For there's no distinction for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." See the standard is not to see who can just do the least amount of evil, the goal is not even to see who can do the most amount of good, the goal is perfection, the goal is holiness, the goal is the glory of God. This is what we were created for and anything less falls short.And now I know what some of you might be thinking, you might be thinking like, "I can't believe that, that standard is just too high." And I get that. And so for the sake of the argument, then I would just ask you to ask yourself, if that is not the standard, then what is the standard? We know there's a standard. If you're going to be a law to yourself, as Paul talks about the Gentiles being a law to themself, are you even able to measure up to your own expectations of yourself or to the people around you for that matter? If you believe that honesty is better than deception, have you ever told a lie? If you believe that fidelity is better than betrayal, have you ever broken a promise? Have you ever let down your friends, your family, your spouse? If you believe that love is better than hate, have you ever been angry with a person in your heart? Can you really say that you are as you believe that you ought to be, without guilt and without shame? There's none of us who can.Just to put it into perspective, what if I told you... I sent this meme out in the newsletter yesterday? What if I told you that Morpheus never actually says the words, "What if I told you," in The Matrix? That's not the point but the point is this, what if I told you that all of your life you've been hooked up to The Matrix or the metaverse? How about that? And what if I told you that our good old friend Mark Zuckerberg, he has been secretly recording every moment of your life, your actions, what you do in private, your thoughts, your inner dialogue, all of it? I know this sermon's going to get shadowbanned under Facebook for this but whatever. And what if I told you that we've got your life on tape right now, up here on the screens, we're all going to pop some popcorn and we're going to just at least watch the highlight reel of all of the darkest moments of your life together?Could one confidently say, "Go ahead. I've got nothing to hide, I'm not ashamed, I am guiltless, I am fully as I ought to be." Or would you say, "Why on earth did I ever open a Facebook account?" We know. And we're not going to watch the tape of your life, don't worry, but Jesus has and he's seen it all. I'm going to hit pause and we're going to come back to that in just a moment because there's something else here that I want to deal with in this text. Because sometimes you maybe have heard, some people will use this text to suggest that Paul is teaching that people who have never heard the gospel can still be saved by their good deeds by keeping the law that is written on their hearts. And that might sound comforting at first, it's actually the opposite of what Paul is teaching here.What Paul is saying is that even those who never hear the gospel, never read the Bible, they have the law of God written on their hearts but instead of keeping it, they break it, none can keep it and so all of us, whether Jews Gentiles alike, we're all guilty, we're all without excuse. That's the big idea. Now, can a sovereign God intervene and save a person? Yeah. That happened with the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. He wasn't sitting in a church service, God just beamed him and said, "You're mine, I'm saving you, get up and go, I'm going to tell you what to do." And we've had, it's not common but we've had people come to Mosaic, they're like, "I grew up Muslim and Jesus came to me in a dream and said, you need to become a Christian and go to church." And they listened and they obeyed, they got baptized, they got saved.God can do that. Yeah. But scripture shows us that, that is the exception, that is not the rule. The rule, the application and where we're going to see Paul go with this train of thought as we move through the book is that the gospel is the power of God to salvation, that the name of Jesus Christ, there is no other name given under heaven by which men must be saved and so therefore there is an urgency to preach the gospel to anyone, to everyone who will listen and to take this message to the ends of the Earth. That's the application. Now, the reason that some might want to twist this text to say otherwise is because on the surface that doesn't seem fair, right? From a human perspective, it doesn't seem fair that some would never get the chance to hear the gospel.Now here's the problem. Where did we get this idea that the gospel was fair if the gospel is not fair? It is not fair that the holy, innocent, pure, spotless lamb of God, Jesus Christ would suffer and die for the wicked, depraved, sinful, rebellious enemies of God, that is not fair. So questioning the fairness of salvation is not where you want to start. Of course, it's not fair and praise God it's not fair, if it was fair that would mean that we all just go straight to hell right now, that would be fair. The question we should ask is not, why doesn't God just save everyone? The question we should ask is, why would God choose to save anyone at all and do so at such a tremendous cost to himself? He had to sacrifice everything that which he most loved and cherished in order to save us. And it wasn't because of anything good in us that deserved it, it was only because of him. It was because of his divine goodness, patience, kindness, mercy, compassion and love.And so this theme will probably come up some more as we work through Romans, we'll be it into it more detailed as we go. But for now we just see that the big idea is this, that everyone has the law written on their hearts and so therefore we are all guilty and without excuse because none of us have kept that law, none of us have measured up to that mark, none of us has lived up to that standard. Except for one person and that person was Jesus Christ, that God the law giver took on flesh, entered human history to become the law keeper so he could stand in the place of us who were the law breakers.And this brings us to the final point that we must face the reality of the law and its giver, we must face the reality of our guilt and our shame but the only way that we can do this with any sense of confidence and hope is by facing the reality of our judge and our defender and that's Jesus Christ. And so let me just start by saying Jesus is coming soon, maybe in our lifetime, but if not, I mean, the most any of us have is 70 years or so, soon we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. And this should either be our greatest source of hope and joy in this life or our greatest source of misery and terror because you will either stand before the judge alone and without defense or you will stand there with Jesus Christ, who is your defense.And Jesus will judge the world in righteousness and praise God for that because without that heaven would become hell. The promise of Christ's return is the promise that even though things are not as they ought to be right now, a day is coming when that will no longer be true. The promise of Christ's return is that a day is coming when everything that is done in secret will be brought into the light. And it doesn't matter who you are, man, woman, Jew, Gentile, rich, poor, slave, free, you will give an account and when the judge sits on his throne, he will show no partiality. That's where Paul began. That Jesus will judge the world in his righteousness but he will also defend the church with his righteousness as well. And now whether that is true for you personally, then it depends on what you do with Jesus Christ right now. And before we talk about what you need to do with Jesus right now, I want to remind you about what Jesus did for us back then.And Paul writing to the church in Ephesus in the first chapter of Ephesians. He says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."Before the creation of the world and God saw everything that would to ever be, not just the metaverse, the entire universe, all of human history, he saw it all. And Jesus watched the movie of your life, past, present, future, every word, every thought, every action he saw it all. He saw the avatar, the facade, the shell of your outer life, he saw beyond your attempts to cover your guilt and your shame and he peered deep into the darkness of your soul. He watched that movie and as the credits began to roll, he stood up and he said, "I still love you and I have chosen you and you are my beloved. And though you have not been faithful and you fully deserve to die, I will not leave you or forsake you. I will make you mine."And Jesus looked at his bride, the church and he said, "I will take the nails of her iniquity into my own hands and feet. I will carry her sorrows and wash away her tears. I will be raised up on her cross to publicly bear the nakedness of her shame. I will pay her debt with my blood. I will take her punishment with my body. I will go through hell to give her heaven. I will die and she will live. I will bear her sin so that she can wear my righteousness. I will be wrapped in the linens of her death and buried in her tomb so that she can be born anew of my spirit and wrapped in the love of my father. And I will rise from the grave and ascend to the hand of my father and prepare a place for her where she will never be separated from my love and where everything will always be exactly as it ought to be."That is the hope of the gospel and what have we done to deserve this? Absolutely nothing. What do we do to receive this? We simply repent, turn from our sin, our idolatry, from constantly trying to justify ourselves, surrender and believe. Find our justification in the Lord Jesus Christ, trust him with everything and know that he will be our judge but he can also be our defender. Cry out to God, put your faith in Christ and the promise of scripture is that you will be saved. I'm going to close by reading a couple passages from scripture and then we're going to respond and worship together.Hebrew 4:14 says this, "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. And let us confidence drawn near a throne of grace that we may receive the mercy and find grace to help in time of need."And Romans 5:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."If you would like to learn more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ or if you've made a decision to surrender your life to him today, we would love to talk with you and pray with you. Please come up, talk to us after the service. If you mark on your connection card, we'll follow up with you this week but we would love to follow up and just pray with you and just celebrate that decision. Right now, I'm going to pray and then we're going to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God and worship him together. Let's pray.Father I ask that you would just stir our hearts to be just speechless and amazed by your mercy. God, give us a vision of your glory, of your majesty that allows us to grasp the glimpse, the depth of our depravity, not to crush us but to open our eyes to the gravity of the sacrifice that you made, of the blessing that has been offered to us through your son, Jesus Christ. God, teach us to live in a manner worthy of this good news, humble, joyful, confident, bold and always grateful for who you are and for all that you have done for us. God, I pray that your gospel would not return void but that even now that if there are any here today who walked in as strangers and enemies of God, that they would walk out in a newness of life, adopted by your grace, regenerated by your holy spirit, united with your son and help them to find their place in the body of your church. We thank you for Jesus, we pray all of this in his beautiful and powerful name and we worship you now together. Amen.

Audio Transcript: This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston and our neighborhood churches or donate to this ministry, please visit Mosaicboston.com. God, we thank you for these words that we just sang. Not just that we can sing them but that we can know that they are true. We see death and decay all around us. We need resurrection in our world, in our country, in our church, in our hearts, Lord. Jesus Christ, you are our living hope, you are the resurrection and the life. We just marvel at what a great and awesome and merciful God that you are. So Lord, we pray for those who are suffering. And we pray for those who are lost, that we are reminded then for many of us, this is the closest to hell that we will ever be. And yet, for some, this is the closest to heaven they could ever hope for. But you Lord have made a way to change that through your Son, through the gospel. So we just cry out for peace but we also out for revival, Lord. That we want to see you raise the dead, bring new life to those who are lost and dead in their sins, Lord. And we know that you can do it, you've done it and we praise you for that. God, right now I just ask for grace as we preach your word this morning, we pray that you would speak to us through this amazing text written by the Apostle Paul and we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. All right. So if you are just joining us, we have been working our way through the Book of Romans. We're in chapter 2 and I'm going to be just looking at a small passage today. It's a small passage but it has a really big idea and that's one of those ideas you just kind of have to chew on. And it's a simple idea, it's simple but the implications of it are massive, they're huge. And the big idea is just simply this, that things are not as they ought to be. Now that statement isn't very shocking or profound, most of us would say, "Yeah, obviously things are not as they ought to be." I mean, how many of us, when we turn on the news, we think, "Wow. Things are so great, I can't even imagine them getting any better." Where you turn on the news and you think, "Wow, ..." I'm moving my mic pack. So cringe, this is worse than that episode of the Ringer... What's going on here? I'm going to move this down. There we go. Obviously, things are not as they ought to be. And Paul's big idea, the case that he's been trying to make for these first couple of chapters is just simply that, that creation is not blessed, it is cursed, that people are under God's wrath, that the world is not filled with the glory of God as it ought to be, it is filled with sin and death and decay. And it's not just that, that is it's that we all know it intuitively, we just know. We know this is true and yet we deny it, we suppress it and at the same time we don't want to face the truth so we suppress the truth because as much as we know that things are not as they ought to be, we also know that we ourselves are not as we ought to be and that scares us. And so we ignore it, we deny it, we rationalize it away and just try to pretend that this is normal. Quick example from this week, Thursday morning, I was having one of those days where I just couldn't wake up, right? You get out of bed and you're not fully awake, you're not really asleep, eyes are just kind of halfway open. Groggy, that's the word for it. I was groggy. And I get up, every morning we make the kids breakfast, I don't eat breakfast, I'm one of those intermittent fasting type people. So I make breakfast, we sit down and Kelly and the kids, they eat breakfast and as they're eating, I read scripture, we read through books of the Bible together. So they eat, I read and then we pray together. And then it's time to like, "Okay, hurry up. You've got to go get dressed, we've got to get ready for school." And so the kids run off, they get ready, go to get dressed and as they're getting dressed, I usually pack their bags. So every day they take a lunch, they take a water bottle and they take a snack to school with them. I pack them up a little snack in one of those Ziploc bags. And so I did that. I packed their bags, we walk them to school, we both work from home so we walk back home and go about our day. Later that day, I go into the kitchen, I open the pantry and I see laying there on the shelf is our son Owen's snack in his Ziploc bag. I was so out of it, I packed it up and then I just set it down and left it there and didn't put it in his bag. And I felt terrible, he's probably hangry, we're going to get a call from the principal, he's going to get in trouble and I felt terrible. But there's nothing really I could do about it so I just went back to work, forgot about it, put it out of my mind. Anyways, later that night we're sitting at dinner, we're talking, we're eating and all of a sudden Owen pipes up and he says, "Oh, hey dad, I wanted to say thank you so much for that boatload of Oreos you gave me and my snack today." I was like, "Wait, back that boat up. What are you talking about?" Here's the backstory. Tuesday night, we had community group, my wife and our daughter, Nora baked a cake and they crumbled Oreos all over the top and they took the rest of them, and there was a lot of them, and they put him in one of those big oversize Ziploc bags... You know where this is going? So that day 20, 25 of them, I don't know, it was this big and it was packed full. He opens up his backpack at snack time and he eats them all. Actually he said he saved a couple for lunch because he started to get a stomach ache, he couldn't quite power through those last few. And I'm sitting there and I'm like, "What were you thinking?" We don't do sugar in our house very much and I was like, "What would make you think that I would intentionally give you a massive bag of Oreos for your snack?" He's like, "I know, right? It didn't seem right but I jus ate them anyway." And the point is, things are not as they ought to be, we just go with it. This is us. That truth is obvious but it's also inconvenient. And so we know things are wrong, we do them anyway, we just go with it, we go with the flow and that's the problem. But the bigger problem is that the consequences of our wrongness and of the wrongness around us is a lot bigger than the consequences of a 10 year old eating 25 Oreos in one sitting. That had some pretty big consequences as well, I'm sure. But as truly as there are laws of gravity and physics governing the tangible things around us, there are laws of truth and justice and morality governing our hearts and souls and we all know it intuitively. We also know that we are in violation of those laws. We don't want to face the reality of those laws, we don't want to face the reality that we know that what goes up must come down. So instead of facing the truth, we suppress the truth because deep down we're terrified of the truth. We know what's gone up, our sin, our iniquity, our rebellion and we know what is coming down is judgment. If you have your Bibles open up to Romans, Chapter Two, we're going to be looking at verses 11 through 16 today. And the three points that we're going to be talking about during the sermon is number one, we need to face the reality of the law and its giver. Number two, we need to face the reality of our guilt and shame. And then three, we need to face the reality of our judge and our defender. So if you have your Bibles, Romans Chapter Two, starting in Verse 11, the words are also going to be up here on the screen. The Apostle Paul writes this, "For God shows no partiality. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law by nature do with the requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. This is the reading of God's word for us this morning. Point number one is that we need to face the reality of the law and its givers. So real quick, Paul's train of thought here is that number one, there is a divine and impartial judge. Number two, everyone knows what is right. Number three, no one has done what is right. And number four, therefore we are all going to stand justly condemned and without excuse, that's his basic argument. But within this argument lies the proof that this argument is true. The Jews knew it was true and even he says the Gentiles who did not have the law, that's everyone else, they know it is true as well. And so first of all, Paul was writing to Jews in Rome. And the Jews knew the reality of the law and its giver personally, right? Because their entire history as a people had been wrapped up in this God who had clearly and miraculously revealed him self to them. Now you see that all throughout all the Old Testament, that Israel's God revealed himself as the God of truth and grace, law and order, justice and mercy. That Israel's God is the one who had delivered them out of slavery in Egypt with undeniable signs and wonders. He gave them his word, he gave them his law, he had written it on tablets of stone and brought them into the Promised Land. The Jews knew the law and the Jews knew the giver of the law personally. And the problem was they didn't keep the law or obey the giver, they didn't love the Lord, their God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength, they didn't love their neighbor as their self. And so Paul says in the second half of Verse 12 that, "All who have sinned under the law," that's the Jewish people, "Will be judged by the law. For it is not just the hearers of the law who are righteous before God but the doers of the law who will be justified." That the Jews, they knew the reality of the law, they knew God the giver of the law, the problem was that, that law couldn't save them because they couldn't keep it. All they could do was reveal how guilty they were, reveal how desperately they needed mercy from God. And so Paul was writing to Jews but at the same time, Paul was writing to Gentiles in Rome. And the Gentiles, they did not have the law, they didn't have the history, the culture, they didn't have the miracles, they didn't have the personal relationship, the first hand encounters with God that the Jewish people had. And so the question that some might wonder then is, "Okay, on account of their ignorance, is God just going to let them off the hook? How can God judge them according to a law that they don't have, that they don't know?" And this is where things get really trippy and deep. The Gentiles did not have the advantage of having the law written in tablets of stone but Paul says, "Hold on. That's true. But their actions prove that they'll along with every other human being on the planet actually have the work of that law written on their hearts." That everyone, even if a person never reads the Hebrew scriptures, never hears the 10 Commandments, is never told of Israel's God, they still have the work of that law written on their hearts, their actions, their consciences, they bear witness to what the law requires, that deep down they all know how they ought to live but they don't. And so Paul says of the Gentiles in Verse 14, "For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they don't have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears a witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them." If you've never read CS Lewis, Mere Christianity, read it. Get it, read it, that's your homework, chew on it, it's a dense book, you've got to take the time to process through what he's writing. But Lewis takes the theology of Romans 2:15, this idea that the law is written on every human heart. He takes that theology and he presents a case, a full fledged, philosophical apologetic for why this is just undeniably true. I was trying to think of a good illustration to give here and I couldn't think of anything better than just say what he says in his book. And so I'm just going to read a couple paragraphs, you can go read the rest of it on your own. But the premise is just this, God's moral law is written on our hearts, everyone intuitively knows it and we prove this every time we instinctively appeal to it. And so this is what Lewis writes in his first chapter of Mere Christianity he says, "Everyone has heard people quarreling. Sometimes it sounds funny and sometimes it sounds merely unpleasant but however it sounds, I believe we can learn something very important from listening to the kind of things they say because they say things like this. 'Well, how would you like it if anyone did the same to you?' 'That's my seat, I was there first.' 'Leave him alone, he isn't doing you any harm.' 'Why should you shove in first?' 'Hey, give me a bit of your orange, I gave you a bit of mine.' 'Come on, you promised.' People say things like that every day, educated people as well as uneducated and children as well as grownups." "Now what interests me about all of these remarks is that the man who makes diem is not merely saying that the other man's behavior does not happen to please him. He is appealing to some kind of standard of behavior which he expects the other man to know about. And the other man very seldom replies, 'Well, to hell with your standard.' Nearly always he tries to make out that what has been doing does not really go against the standard or that if it does there's some special excuse. He pretends there's some special reason in this particular case why the person who took the seat for should not keep it or that things were quite different when he was given the bit of orange or that something has turned up which lets him off keeping his promise." "It looks, in fact, very much as if both parties had in mind some kind of law or rule of fair play or decent behavior or morality or whatever you want to call it, about which they really agreed. And they have. If they had not, they might, of course, fight like animals but they cannot quarrel in the human sense of the word. Quarreling means trying to show that the other man is in the wrong. And there would be no sense in trying to do that unless you had some sort of agreement as to what right and wrong are just as there would be no sense in saying that a footballer has committed to foul unless there was some agreement about the rules of football." And so the big idea is that there is this law, we all know it, we all appeal to it but more than that, we didn't make it, this is not something we came up with ourselves, it transcends us. It's a law that transcends individuals and cultures and time, that it's not just true for you or true for me, it's just simply true, transcendently true. And if this is true, we get to ask if there's this transcendent truth, where did that come from? If there's a transcendent moral law, there has to be a transcendent moral law giver. This is why Psalm 14 Verse One, the Psalmist writes that, "It is the fool who says in his heart that there is no God." That it is irrational to deny the reality of a moral God if we just sit down and think about it. If we're afraid to face that reality, if we're afraid to face the of the law and its giver, it's not because the idea is untrue, it's because the idea is uncomfortable. That facing the reality of God, that forces us to face the uncomfortable reality of our own guilt and shame. And that brings us to point number two, that we're all guilty. Verse 12, he says, "For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law and those who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. But it's not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God but the doers of the law who will be justified." And there's none who have done, who have perfectly upheld the law. People in general, they don't object to the idea of a good and just God, we understand that without that existence would be hell. We want justice, we want God to be good and bring justice to stop evil, we want those things and we instinctively cry out for justice every time we are personally wronged. See the problem people have is not with that so much as we want God to be just, we just don't want him to be just towards us. We want justice for others but deep down we know that we're deserving of judgment ourselves. Lewis mentioned this briefly in the passage but have you ever noticed, then you get caught in moral violation, violation of this law that we're talking about, that the impulse is not to deny the law, the impulse is to pass the blame. And this began at the very beginning with Adam and Eve in the garden, right? God comes to Adam and calls Adam to give an account and Adam didn't say, "Well, yeah. But God your rules weren't fair." No, he says, "Yeah, but it wasn't my fault. It was that woman that you gave me, it was her fault and you gave her to me so it's kind of your fault. But it's definitely not my fault." And we do this, right? "Yeah, I lied but everybody lies." "Yeah, I stole but not as much as that person over there." "Yeah, I'm bad but you're no better." "Yeah, I did X, Y and Z but I'm only human." I see how foolish that is, in what human courtroom would that defense stand up? "Okay judge, let me just say, I totally murdered that guy. Yep. My bad. I'm only human. Also, it's just one guy, he was kind of annoying, it's not like I'm Hitler." Why do we always go there? Where do we get this idea that the best standard for judgment should be comparing ourselves to the worst person in history, right? The measuring stick of morality is not Hitler's wickedness, the measuring stick of morality is God's holiness. And we acknowledge that. We see that no one even comes close to measuring up. We all fall short. Take a moment here to brag about some glory days, remember Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite? "Back in '82, I could throw a pig skin a quarter of a mile. I bet I could throw a football over the mountains." That's where we're going to go right now. Back in '82, I was born in '82, but back in '98, believe this or don't, I could dunk a volleyball. On a good day, with no one guarding me, at the right angle, give me a few tries, I could even dunk a girl's basketball. I could never quite dunk a men's basketball. The reason this is a big deal, I'm five foot seven and a half. That was a big deal for me for those couple years that I could accomplish it. I was always living in the shadow of Spud Webb, remember him? He was five foot seven and not a half and he won the '86 NBA Dunk Competition, that was always looming over my head. And then you had Muggsy Bogues, he was five foot three in the NBA and he could dunk. But at least for me, small town, Midwest Dutch boy, that was a big deal. I could dunk a girl's basketball, I could dunk a volleyball, I could jump. We're all jumping and some of us can jump higher than others. And we're looking this way and we're looking that way and we're thinking, "Hey, as long as I can jump higher than some of these other chumps around me, then I'm must be doing okay." We measure ourself against the standard of our peers and then we feel justified so long as we're at least somewhat average. And I know some of you and I know that you can jump and from a human perspective, your vertical is impressive but from God's perspective, looking down on earth, he's not impressed with any of our attempts to jump up to the heavens. I'm not talking about adding a few inches or even a few feet to our vertical jump, even the best of us, even those of us who can dunk a girl's basketball at five foot seven and a half, it's like, "Yeah, you've got light years to go before you hit the mark." Romans 3:23 says, "For there's no distinction for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." See the standard is not to see who can just do the least amount of evil, the goal is not even to see who can do the most amount of good, the goal is perfection, the goal is holiness, the goal is the glory of God. This is what we were created for and anything less falls short. And now I know what some of you might be thinking, you might be thinking like, "I can't believe that, that standard is just too high." And I get that. And so for the sake of the argument, then I would just ask you to ask yourself, if that is not the standard, then what is the standard? We know there's a standard. If you're going to be a law to yourself, as Paul talks about the Gentiles being a law to themself, are you even able to measure up to your own expectations of yourself or to the people around you for that matter? If you believe that honesty is better than deception, have you ever told a lie? If you believe that fidelity is better than betrayal, have you ever broken a promise? Have you ever let down your friends, your family, your spouse? If you believe that love is better than hate, have you ever been angry with a person in your heart? Can you really say that you are as you believe that you ought to be, without guilt and without shame? There's none of us who can. Just to put it into perspective, what if I told you... I sent this meme out in the newsletter yesterday? What if I told you that Morpheus never actually says the words, "What if I told you," in The Matrix? That's not the point but the point is this, what if I told you that all of your life you've been hooked up to The Matrix or the metaverse? How about that? And what if I told you that our good old friend Mark Zuckerberg, he has been secretly recording every moment of your life, your actions, what you do in private, your thoughts, your inner dialogue, all of it? I know this sermon's going to get shadowbanned under Facebook for this but whatever. And what if I told you that we've got your life on tape right now, up here on the screens, we're all going to pop some popcorn and we're going to just at least watch the highlight reel of all of the darkest moments of your life together? Could one confidently say, "Go ahead. I've got nothing to hide, I'm not ashamed, I am guiltless, I am fully as I ought to be." Or would you say, "Why on earth did I ever open a Facebook account?" We know. And we're not going to watch the tape of your life, don't worry, but Jesus has and he's seen it all. I'm going to hit pause and we're going to come back to that in just a moment because there's something else here that I want to deal with in this text. Because sometimes you maybe have heard, some people will use this text to suggest that Paul is teaching that people who have never heard the gospel can still be saved by their good deeds by keeping the law that is written on their hearts. And that might sound comforting at first, it's actually the opposite of what Paul is teaching here. What Paul is saying is that even those who never hear the gospel, never read the Bible, they have the law of God written on their hearts but instead of keeping it, they break it, none can keep it and so all of us, whether Jews Gentiles alike, we're all guilty, we're all without excuse. That's the big idea. Now, can a sovereign God intervene and save a person? Yeah. That happened with the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. He wasn't sitting in a church service, God just beamed him and said, "You're mine, I'm saving you, get up and go, I'm going to tell you what to do." And we've had, it's not common but we've had people come to Mosaic, they're like, "I grew up Muslim and Jesus came to me in a dream and said, you need to become a Christian and go to church." And they listened and they obeyed, they got baptized, they got saved. God can do that. Yeah. But scripture shows us that, that is the exception, that is not the rule. The rule, the application and where we're going to see Paul go with this train of thought as we move through the book is that the gospel is the power of God to salvation, that the name of Jesus Christ, there is no other name given under heaven by which men must be saved and so therefore there is an urgency to preach the gospel to anyone, to everyone who will listen and to take this message to the ends of the Earth. That's the application. Now, the reason that some might want to twist this text to say otherwise is because on the surface that doesn't seem fair, right? From a human perspective, it doesn't seem fair that some would never get the chance to hear the gospel. Now here's the problem. Where did we get this idea that the gospel was fair if the gospel is not fair? It is not fair that the holy, innocent, pure, spotless lamb of God, Jesus Christ would suffer and die for the wicked, depraved, sinful, rebellious enemies of God, that is not fair. So questioning the fairness of salvation is not where you want to start. Of course, it's not fair and praise God it's not fair, if it was fair that would mean that we all just go straight to hell right now, that would be fair. The question we should ask is not, why doesn't God just save everyone? The question we should ask is, why would God choose to save anyone at all and do so at such a tremendous cost to himself? He had to sacrifice everything that which he most loved and cherished in order to save us. And it wasn't because of anything good in us that deserved it, it was only because of him. It was because of his divine goodness, patience, kindness, mercy, compassion and love. And so this theme will probably come up some more as we work through Romans, we'll be it into it more detailed as we go. But for now we just see that the big idea is this, that everyone has the law written on their hearts and so therefore we are all guilty and without excuse because none of us have kept that law, none of us have measured up to that mark, none of us has lived up to that standard. Except for one person and that person was Jesus Christ, that God the law giver took on flesh, entered human history to become the law keeper so he could stand in the place of us who were the law breakers. And this brings us to the final point that we must face the reality of the law and its giver, we must face the reality of our guilt and our shame but the only way that we can do this with any sense of confidence and hope is by facing the reality of our judge and our defender and that's Jesus Christ. And so let me just start by saying Jesus is coming soon, maybe in our lifetime, but if not, I mean, the most any of us have is 70 years or so, soon we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. And this should either be our greatest source of hope and joy in this life or our greatest source of misery and terror because you will either stand before the judge alone and without defense or you will stand there with Jesus Christ, who is your defense. And Jesus will judge the world in righteousness and praise God for that because without that heaven would become hell. The promise of Christ's return is the promise that even though things are not as they ought to be right now, a day is coming when that will no longer be true. The promise of Christ's return is that a day is coming when everything that is done in secret will be brought into the light. And it doesn't matter who you are, man, woman, Jew, Gentile, rich, poor, slave, free, you will give an account and when the judge sits on his throne, he will show no partiality. That's where Paul began. That Jesus will judge the world in his righteousness but he will also defend the church with his righteousness as well. And now whether that is true for you personally, then it depends on what you do with Jesus Christ right now. And before we talk about what you need to do with Jesus right now, I want to remind you about what Jesus did for us back then. And Paul writing to the church in Ephesus in the first chapter of Ephesians. He says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." Before the creation of the world and God saw everything that would to ever be, not just the metaverse, the entire universe, all of human history, he saw it all. And Jesus watched the movie of your life, past, present, future, every word, every thought, every action he saw it all. He saw the avatar, the facade, the shell of your outer life, he saw beyond your attempts to cover your guilt and your shame and he peered deep into the darkness of your soul. He watched that movie and as the credits began to roll, he stood up and he said, "I still love you and I have chosen you and you are my beloved. And though you have not been faithful and you fully deserve to die, I will not leave you or forsake you. I will make you mine." And Jesus looked at his bride, the church and he said, "I will take the nails of her iniquity into my own hands and feet. I will carry her sorrows and wash away her tears. I will be raised up on her cross to publicly bear the nakedness of her shame. I will pay her debt with my blood. I will take her punishment with my body. I will go through hell to give her heaven. I will die and she will live. I will bear her sin so that she can wear my righteousness. I will be wrapped in the linens of her death and buried in her tomb so that she can be born anew of my spirit and wrapped in the love of my father. And I will rise from the grave and ascend to the hand of my father and prepare a place for her where she will never be separated from my love and where everything will always be exactly as it ought to be." That is the hope of the gospel and what have we done to deserve this? Absolutely nothing. What do we do to receive this? We simply repent, turn from our sin, our idolatry, from constantly trying to justify ourselves, surrender and believe. Find our justification in the Lord Jesus Christ, trust him with everything and know that he will be our judge but he can also be our defender. Cry out to God, put your faith in Christ and the promise of scripture is that you will be saved. I'm going to close by reading a couple passages from scripture and then we're going to respond and worship together. Hebrew 4:14 says this, "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. And let us confidence drawn near a throne of grace that we may receive the mercy and find grace to help in time of need." And Romans 5:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." If you would like to learn more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ or if you've made a decision to surrender your life to him today, we would love to talk with you and pray with you. Please come up, talk to us after the service. If you mark on your connection card, we'll follow up with you this week but we would love to follow up and just pray with you and just celebrate that decision. Right now, I'm going to pray and then we're going to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God and worship him together. Let's pray. Father I ask that you would just stir our hearts to be just speechless and amazed by your mercy. God, give us a vision of your glory, of your majesty that allows us to grasp the glimpse, the depth of our depravity, not to crush us but to open our eyes to the gravity of the sacrifice that you made, of the blessing that has been offered to us through your son, Jesus Christ. God, teach us to live in a manner worthy of this good news, humble, joyful, confident, bold and always grateful for who you are and for all that you have done for us. God, I pray that your gospel would not return void but that even now that if there are any here today who walked in as strangers and enemies of God, that they would walk out in a newness of life, adopted by your grace, regenerated by your holy spirit, united with your son and help them to find their place in the body of your church. We thank you for Jesus, we pray all of this in his beautiful and powerful name and we worship you now together. Amen.

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To see the importance of combining zeal with the right kind of knowledge 2) To understand that Israel had plenty of opportunity to heed the gospel of Christ, but for the most part they had rejected it SUMMARY As Paul continues to explain God's dealings with the nation of Israel, he repeats his expression of love towards them (1).  Though as a nation they had plenty of zeal, unfortunately their zeal was not according to the right kind of knowledge (2).  Thus they rejected the righteousness of God while trying to establish their own righteousness through the Law of Moses.  But Paul explains that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law and has brought it to an end (3-4). The righteousness God now offers is based upon faith in Christ, not keeping the Law.  It involves not the accomplishment of some great feat (like ascending to heaven or descending to hell), but such things as confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead (5-10).  As foretold by Scripture, it is offered to all, both Jew and Gentile (11-13).  And it is offered through the medium of preaching the Word (14-15). The problem with the nation of Israel, then, is that not all of them received the gospel message, even when they had ample opportunity (16-18).  But as Moses predicted, the day would come when God would provoke Israel to jealousy by another people, who Isaiah said did not seek God yet found Him, while Israel was constantly rebelling against Him (19-21). The theme of this chapter is Israel's present rejection. Paul moved from divine sovereignty (Rom. 9) to human responsibility. He continued the theme of righteousness introduced at the end of the previous chapter (Rom. 9:30–33) and explains three aspects of Israel's rejection You would think that Israel as a nation would have been eagerly expecting the arrival of their Messiah and been prepared to receive Him. For centuries they had known the Old Testament prophecies and had practiced the Law, which was “a schoolmaster” to lead them to Christ (Gal. 3:24). God had sought to prepare the nation, but when Jesus Christ came, they rejected Him. “He came unto His own [world] and His own [people] received Him not” (John 1:11). To be sure, there was a faithful remnant in the nation that looked for His arrival, such as Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25–38); but the majority of the people were not ready when He came. How do we explain this tragic event? Paul gives several reasons why Israel rejected their Messiah. PAUL'S EXPRESSION OF CONCERN FOR ISRAEL (1-4) That Israel be saved, for they have zeal but not real knowledge (1-2) Ro 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. They did not feel a need for salvation (v. 1). There was a time when Paul would have agreed with his people, for he himself opposed the Gospel and considered Jesus Christ an impostor. Israel considered the Gentiles in need of salvation, but certainly not the themselves. In several of His parables, Jesus pointed out this wrong attitude: the elder brother (Luke 15:11–32) and the Pharisee (Luke 18:9–14) are two examples. Israel would have been happy for political salvation from Rome, but she did not feel she needed spiritual salvation from her own sin. Ro 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. They were zealous for God (v. 2). Ever since Israel returned to their land from Babylonian Captivity, the nation had been cured of idolatry. In the temple and the local synagogues, only the true God was worshiped and served, and only the true Law was taught. So zealous were the Jews that they even “improved upon God's Law” and added their own traditions, making them equal to the Law. Paul himself had been zealous for the Law and the traditions (Acts 26:1–11; Gal. 1:13–14). Ac 22:3 "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. Ga 1:13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers                it was as if Paul had been considering himself a 100-watt light bulb, surrounded by people who were only 75-, 60-, and 25-watt light bulbs. But, when Jesus appeared to him, the righteousness of Jesus was like the brightness of the sun. When Paul realized that, he gave up trying to create his own righteousness and instead placed his faith in Jesus, which was the only sensible thing to do.[i]                But their zeal was not based on the right kind of knowledge; it was heat without light. Sad to say, many religious people today are making the same mistake. They think that their good works and religious deeds will save them, when actually these practices are keeping them from being saved. Certainly many of them are sincere and devout, but sincerity and devotion will never save the soul. “Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight” (Rom. 3:20). Through ignorance, they seek to save themselves by the Law, and do not submit to God's righteousness in Christ which brings an end to the Law (3-4) Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.                They were proud and self-righteous (v. 3). Israel was ignorant of God's righteousness, not because they had never been told, but because they refused to learn. There is an ignorance that comes from lack of opportunity, but Israel had had many opportunities to be saved. In their case, it was an ignorance that stemmed from willful, stubborn resistance to the truth. They would not submit to God. They were proud of their own good works and religious self-righteousness, and would not admit their sins and trust the Savior. Paul had made the same mistake before he met the Lord (Phil. 3:1–11). The godly Presbyterian preacher, Robert Murray McCheyne, was passing out tracts one day and handed one to a well-dressed lady. She gave him a haughty look and said, “Sir, you must not know who I am!” In his kind way, McCheyne replied, “Madam, there is coming a day of judgment, and on that day it will not make any difference who you are!”  4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. They misunderstood their own Law (vv. 4–13). Everything about the Jewish religion pointed to the coming Messiah—their sacrifices, priesthood, temple services, religious festivals, and covenants. Their Law told them they were sinners in need of a Saviour. But instead of letting the Law bring them to Christ They worshiped their Law and rejected their Saviour.  Ga 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.                The Law was a signpost, pointing the way. But it could never take them to their destination. The Law cannot give righteousness; it only leads the sinner to the Saviour who can give righteousness. Christ is “the end of the Law” in the sense that through His death and resurrection, He has terminated the ministry of the Law for those who believe. The Law is ended as far as Christians are concerned. The righteousness of the Law is being fulfilled in the life of the believer through the power of the Spirit (Rom. 8:4); but the reign of the Law has ended (see Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14). “For ye are not under the Law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14). Ga 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Mt 5:17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,  14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  -John 8:32 Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.  hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en Don't go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions

“Do not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him” (Deuteronomy 17:1). Let us stay with the theme of giving offerings to God which was already explored last week. In our church services, we take up offerings which are also called collections. This name change is rooted in the New Testament collections taken up for the poor. When Paul writes about these collections, his language echoes the themes of Jewish worship and sacrifice. But we before we go further to explore what ‘sacrifices' we might give to the Lord today, let us ponder the other part of our text. God stresses that any sacrifices made to him need to be perfect animals, as he defines perfect. That Israel did not take him seriously becomes evident in the end of the Old Testament. Several of the minor prophets deal with this including Malachi, who records these words of accusation from God against his people, “'You ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?' By offering defiled food on my altar. You ask, ‘How have we defiled you?' By saying that the Lord's table is contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?'” (Malachi 1:6-8). These sacrifices signify the covenant relationship between God and his people. God is holy and pure. God has done great things for his people. When they sacrificed their ‘leftover' animals to God, they were denying both God's holiness and purity and the value he had as their God. in other words, they were telling him that he was ‘not much of a God.” This invites us to think about our response to God. What does it say about the value we ascribe to Him? Is he worth much to us? So let me ask you again. Based on your contributions to the things of God: his church, other Christian organizations, the poor, how much do you value God? When you work out your budget (if you do), do you prioritize financial gifts to God? or does he get your leftovers? Enough about money. I think we need to go beyond money in this conversation. Let me return to Romans 12, where we read, “in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…” (1). We can hear the echoes of the Jewish sacrificial system here and the reminder that sacrifices need to be holy and pleasing to God. This calls for an essential change of question. The important question is not, “What shall I give to God?” but, “What does God want me to give?” It also changes what we bring: no longer animals but ourselves. We are invited to consider how our schedules can become an offering to God. When we decide what we are going to do each day, these things ought to be considered dedicated to God. For some of us, this may mean that we need to start planning our days, and not allow them to be planned for us. As we plan out our week, do we include time for rest and time for family, do we include time to simply be with God? A further thought, this text also asks us to consider HOW we do what we do? When we are at work, are we working well or only half heartedly? Are we treating people around us with respect? Do we view them as image bearers of God or as tools we can use for our own purposes? When we are with family or with church members are we truly present with them or just doing time? Paul ends his discourse on the collection for the poor with the well-known phrase, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). The grace of God in Christ is the melody that weaves the Christian life and the church together. Jesus is God's indescribable gift. How can we not give him what is holy and pleasing?

Heb. 10:36) that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. (37) For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry. Jesus will be manifest in those who hold to the Word. This is the promise spoken of here.   Some people say that "He that cometh” here is talking only about the coming of the Lord but I see here the coming of the Lord in us because when we endure the trial of our faith He is coming in us.  If I don't endure then I'm not being born of God and the seed is not being manifested in me.  (38) But my righteous one shall live by faith, and this is not speaking of Jesus by the way, I know some Bibles make you believe that it is talking about Jesus there and it is not, it is talking about anyone who walks by faith because Jesus wasn't thinking about shrinking back.  But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.  In other words, whatever we know about the Word of God we are held responsible to walk by faith in it and that's what pleases God.  If we shrink back, fall away, or don't have endurance or patience to see the end of our faith, that displeases God.    Like I was saying, when Abraham was a baby in the Lord, he wasn't judged the same way as he was when he was old.  The great man of faith that Hebrews talks about isn't the one that had Ishmael by his own works.  So we are all growing into that place and as long as we are growing and bearing fruit that is wonderful, that is the way God sees it. (39) But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul. The manifestation of the saving of the soul is when we are coming into the image of Jesus.  In the United States, as with most materialistic societies, people are really impatient and want things right now and they have created a convenient religion that professes to give them all they need like this but, the fact that we have to endure to the end makes it clear that we aren't going to see the completion of His promises immediately all the time.    I have thought about the people that go from place to place looking for an instantaneous healing from the Lord and don't see it.  Even some of the great faith healers, if you were to consider the percentage of instant miracles that would happen in their ministry, you would find out they were very low.  The overwhelming majority of the people that they prayed for, either never manifested a healing or manifested it after a period of time of enduring by faith. You don't manifest patience and grow in your faith when you get an instantaneous miracle which is why endurance is important.  I love to see the instantaneous miracles, it is wonderful and we will see many in the coming Man-child revival to confirm the words they speak. Sometimes we wish that answers would always come immediately but that's not God's wish. Consider carefully Jas 1:2-8  Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations;  3  knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience.  4  And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. (The promised seed did not come immediately because God had to stabilize the faith in Abraham.) 5  But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  6  But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.  7  For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord;  8  a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways. This fits with Mark 11:24, believe you have received nothing doubting until you see it.   In my life, I thank God things didn't happen always instantly, because I would have no patience and I would walk by sight.  The people that don't see a manifestation fall away from faith saying thinks like, “Why didn't I get healed?”  They are walking by sight and there is no faith in that, faith calleth the things that be not as though they were.  When you say that Jesus is living in me, that is what Paul did as he walked by faith and not by sight. Gal 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.   It is very important to have trials of faith in exterior things that we can eventually see so we can apply them to interior things that we can't see.  In my own life I have seen some miracles but those aren't the ones that I really consider the victory.  The ones that I really consider the victory are the ones that I have endured and had to hold on and fight that warfare against vain imaginations until I saw the manifestation.  For instance, we're saying, "he that endureth to the end shall be saved" in Mat. 10:22.  It has been my experience a lot of times, the Lord doesn't give you the salvation at the beginning that you ask for. It doesn't come until the end of trying of your faith and patience. ...    You say, how long does it have to be, how long do I have to wait to see something? In order to see something we must obey Jesus and see it as ours by faith now until we see it manifest. Mar 11:23-24  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.  24  Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive (Greek literally is received, past tense) them, and ye shall have them.   I always liked this verse in Psalm 81, it always blessed me and it stuck out to me to show there is a quicker way to the end of the trial; endureing without wavering. (Psalm 81:13) Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways! (14) I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn my hand against their adversaries.  What is our adversary?  First of all, we have to listen to God and not to anything or anyone else, not even our own understanding as in Pro 3:5. We need to listen to the Word of God and walk and talk as though we have received our answer. Walk as though it is an accomplished fact; as though it is in your hand.  (James 2:20) Faith without works is dead.  If you believe it and received it as Jesus commanded in Mark 11:24 then act and speak as though you have received your prayer.     He said in (Psa.81:14) I would soon subdue their enemies. Soon means quickly.  Our enemies are those who are fighting against us. In every trial that we go through, our enemy is there, the flesh, the demons and their minions, and the curse of the law. What we all are struggling against, is the curse of the law. Faith in Jesus and his promises deliver us from the curse. The devil and his children execute the curse if we don't walk in repentance and faith. He said, he would soon subdue our enemies and turn his hand against our adversaries. In other words, he would manifest the thing that we have asked for soon.    Abiding in faith until the end is the most important part. (Heb. 6:11) And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end: (12) that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. You know you can be sluggish because you just don't think that it makes any difference but it does to God. He said we have not because we ask not.  Every trial we go through means something to God, if you don't believe it go back and read the story from when they went through the wilderness, every individual trial meant something to God.  So it is important to God that we walk through them by faith and that "we imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”   Many people are claiming things and starting out by faith but there are lot fewer that come through the other end by faith to inherit the promises. The Christian life ought to be a miracle life, it was for the Jews, and we have a covenant based on better promises, the Bible says in (13) for when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself, (14) saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. (15) And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. And he had to endure for a while, against all the natural odds and all natural reasoning. He had to endure in his walk of faith and sometimes it is the same with us.  (16) For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.    Of course, we are commanded not to make oaths, take oaths, or make a promise because it is not in our power to fulfill them. We are commanded not to do that in the scripture by James and Jesus because we can't guarantee anybody anything in self confidence, can we? (17) Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; (18) that by two immutable (or unchangable) things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.    What are the two immutable or unchangeable things?  He said two immutable things but He made one promise.  God didn't have to make an oath or swear that what He already said was true. The two things were the promise that he originally made and the oath that he made on top of it. He is able to promise and make an oath for He has the power to fulfill it.  He said not only do I make these promises to you but I'm going to swear on top of that, that I'm going to do it. Two immutable things are He has given us these promises, He has made an oath and it is impossible for God to lie either time. We can walk that way, there are many reasons why people don't make it to the end of trials, the main one is that they think it is possible for God to lie. They wouldn't say that God is lying but their innermost thought is a fear that this verse is really not true for them. They wouldn't confess out loud that God's a liar but that's what they are saying by their actions and by their giving up in their faith.   He goes on to say, He gave us this anchor for our soul, this strong encouragement that He gave us in verse 18 of these two immutable things.  Sometimes He gives you more than two, like when I flipped the Bible open and it fell open to that verse, He will descend from heaven and save. Or He can give a dream, vision, or prophecy. giving us even more assurance and does other things to give us a stable foundation to believe Him.  He call this in (Heb. 6:19) which we have as an anchor of the soul, (something that will hold you steadfast in the waves of life and keep you from failing. The Word of God alone will do that if you keep your mind in it. He calls it here: a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil (meaning into the presence of God).  (20) whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.  If Jesus was a forerunner by going within that veil, what does he say that causes you to go within that veil?  It is enduring in your faith to see the promises manifested.    You can fellowship with God face to face in the holy of holies where He is.  We can come into full communication and fellowship with Him, we can know Him as He is. So we have need of patience, (Heb. 10:36) that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.  Whether you like it or not, the way to get patience is trials and we shouldn't think it "a strange thing" when it happens to us.  Why should we be so surprised when tribulation comes upon us when that's the only way to patience and patience is the only way to endure to receive the manifestation of the promise?  (James 5:10) Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord.  (11) Behold, we call them blessed that endured: ye have heard of the patience (endurance) of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful.  We will see the end of our trial and what the Lord had for Job there.    The patience of Job was what brought the good end that the Lord had for him. He finally got to manifest what God had been calling him to be, all along, by faith and that was perfection. He entered into the veil, spiritually speaking, because of his patience.  Sometimes Job didn't seem all that patient but considering what he was going through, he had tremendous patience.  His wife was going through the same things and what did she say? (Job 2:9) Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die.  She was a good example of those who don't endure patiently to the end and get angry instead.    Job endured through the trials of his faith to be pure and so will all who end up being chosen for the Bride.   Bride Trained in the School of the Impossible Vanessa Weeks - October 2020 (David's note in red)   I had this encouraging dream in Oct. 2020 and I believe it goes well with Eve's dream that was shared on the Sunday 7/25 Broadcast titled, “Tests Prove Who is the Bride (1)".   I dreamed some of us of UBM were participating in a school where we were learning to do things we thought were impossible. (Mat 19:26  And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.)   It was in a training area and there was an obstacle course outside that went straight and up a hill. (Representing the Highway of Holiness that leads up spiritual Mt. Zion, the Bride.)   We had to run up this paved road and leap over obstacles while still running. (The obstacles represent all of the tactics of the “old man of the flesh” and the devil to make us stumble and keep us from finishing the race.)   As I was running my course, a short peasant lady was walking on this road toward me, and I had to avoid knocking into her. (Walking opposite the kingdom of God, and poor in the ways of God.) (This represents our flesh nature that is contrary to our spirit man and tries to make us stumble and fail the trials or obstacles that the Lord allows during our race to the finish in order that we become stronger in faith and mature in the Lord.)   I realized while running and leaping over objects that I could do it! (As we humble ourselves to God's commandment in His Word, He gives us the power and the grace to overcome the obstacles. Our little successes along the way encourage us and our faith grows and becomes stronger.)   There was a man running to my right on his obstacle course. (Representing our spirit man who is Christ in us? He is right beside us every step of the way; helping us and encouraging us through His Word and His Spirit. He is submitted to our High Priest who is acquainted with our human frailties and infirmities or weaknesses.)    As I would come upon an obstacle, I realized that if I thought I could make it over the object, I could. (Our faith and our renewed imagination work together to help us realize our victory.)   In the dream I thought of the teaching by David Eells titled, "As you think , you are.” Link: https://ubm1.org/audio/studies/onehour/01137_As_You_Think_You_Are.mp3   Also I was hearing the song, "Here I am to Worship.” The Lyrics are:   Light of the world You stepped down into darkness Open my eyes, let me see (The Lord has opened our eyes to see our purpose and the race that is set before us.) Beauty that made this heart adore You Hope of a life spent with You (This hope is before us as long as we endure the trials to the end.) And here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You're my God (We are here to submit our lives into His guiding hands and endure the trials.) You're altogether lovely, Altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me King of all days Oh so highly exalted Glorious in Heaven above Humbly You came To the Earth You created All for love's sake became poor (Jesus sacrificed all and became poor for us that we might sacrifice our flesh as priests to become overcomers.) And here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You're my God You're altogether lovely, Altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me Oh I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross (Jesus paid the price so that we can win the race.) After this dream I thought of Php. 3:3  for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:   I asked the Lord for a word by faith at random about overcoming the obstacles when I thought I could, and received, Zep. 3:11 (In context 9-13)  9  For then will I turn to the peoples of a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve him with one consent. 10  From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. 11  In that day shalt thou not be put to shame for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of thee thy proudly exulting ones, and thou shalt no more be haughty in my holy mountain. (Faction kicked out by God)  12  But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall take refuge in the name of Jehovah. 13  The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth (no more faction); for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.   The Lord Says, “Turn Back!” Debbie Fenske - 7/25/21 (David's notes in red) “Where is this erring coming from? If you do not know, it is because you do not acknowledge erring. You were doing well. But the feet of some of you are slipping from the Rock. They are not holding fast to the Foundation. Am I your Rock? Am I your only Foundation? I see what your eyes are seeing. I hear what your ears are hearing. And I see the thoughts and the intents of your heart. My people, fear Me. These things, not of faith, are weakening the hope of your faith, they are weakening your full trust in Me. Do you think this cannot be? It is happening. It is happening to many here, and it is happening in My people everywhere! My lambs are wandering. Do you not see the hindrance this is to you and your fellowship with me? It is time for a decision to be made. For I do have plans for you. But I see choices in your life being made over choosing Me. As innocent and trivial as they may seem to you, they are not innocent. And they are not trivia, because they are chosen over Me. Today, I call to you, My lambs. Turn back. Turn back before you wander too far. You do not see what I see lying in wait for you. So turn back and get your feet planted solid again upon your Rock Who receives you. Let Me fulfill all my plans that concern you for good. The choice is yours to receive the utmost of joy, or the utmost of heaviness. I speak to you tenderly, yet I speak with a grieving heart. But I also speak from the joy that is set before me in what I have accomplished for you to partake of, if you will respond to me, and in faith set your eyes on those things that are above, and set your feet firmly on your Rock.  I will not strive forever.” I knew that, “I will not strive forever” is in the Bible, so I did a search, and the first reference that came up was Genesis 6:3  Then the Lord said, My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.  As our Father has already been saying through the Bible studies and teachings; it is time to respond because our days to get sanctified and holy are numbered and short. We must fear God. If we don't, there is a point that He will stop saying, “Turn back,” but He will say, “No more!” I thought of what Paul asked the Galatians. Galatians 3:1  Who has bewitched you, oh foolish Galatians, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?  It is our greatest enemy that is bewitching God's people, and bewitching some of us. It Is our own flesh.   Father I pray we receive your grace to come to a pure repentance, and to a total and right fear of you, oh God. And that we turn from our erring ways of the flesh and get off the wayward path, and set our feet firmly on the Rock, quickly before it is too late. Thank you Jesus that you are the Word and our saving, solid Rock. Amen.    No Grace to Escape or Be in the Bride Deb Horton - 03/02/2015 [ David's notes | Deb's notes ] Early this a.m., I had a very short dream. I saw a group of people standing before me, but there was no one whom I recognized. A male voice behind me said, "Flee for your lives". He was very, very clear and serious, and wasn't shouting or being dramatic. I knew in the dream that every single person heard him, but only a few, a handful, had their expression change slightly. It was like they were trying to process what they had heard because they couldn't really understand the words. NO ONE moved, not one person! No one tried to leave in the time I was looking at them. End of dream. (They did not act on the command of the Lord nor take the opportunity to escape, even to save their lives from the Beast persecution to come.) I asked for a Word and received, {Rom.11:6} But if it is by grace, it is not more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. (These are they who have no grace from God to fear Him and depart from evil and its resulting curse.) {Mat.24:44} Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh. {45} Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season? {46} Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. {47} Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath. {48} But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth; {49} and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; {50} the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, {51} and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Many were called to the King and refused like Vashti who was rejected in Esther. {Isa.65:12} I will destine you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter; because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but ye did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not. But outside of these people, the elect among the Bride will finish the course and bear the fruit and will soon be chosen.  Now we are hearing from the Lord that the series of coming events doesn't seem to make opportunity for them to return until after the Bride is chosen. When they later return through judgment and repentance, they will not come into the Bride but to be under the Bride and Man-child's authority. This means they will not escape the Beast in the King's house but will be under the chastening, along with those who were deceived by them. They will be under Haman's attack on the people of God before being saved by Esther, the Bride, and Mordecai, the Man-child. So then I asked for a Word for UBM and I received, {Son.5:6} I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, [and] was gone. My soul had failed me when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. (Job went through a persecution from his factious persecutors just like the Bride and part of his test was that while he was seeking the Lord to find out the purpose of this persecution the Lord had withdrawn himself.  He didn't hear from the Lord for quite a while which is quite a test when the devil is chewing on your ear with all kinds of bad thoughts and accusations that are coming at you. Aside from a little self righteousness he passed the test. God told his factious persecutors that they had not spoken the truth as His servant Job had.   This SoS text is too far from the end of this search for the Beloved for the Bride to apprehend him.  He is playing hard to get in order to keep her searching after Him through the trials yet to come. Others would tire and not endure to the end and give up easily and be culled from the Bride. In all of my Christian life I have hoped to see Him around the next corner but don't have time to be discouraged long for another test was before my face. The Bride is finally chosen from all the fair women who desire Him but not as much as the Shulamite, the perfect or completed one. Son 6:8-9  There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number.  9  My dove, my undefiled, is but one; She is the only one of her mother; She is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and called her blessed; Yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. And then she was taken into the Kings house and all the fair women wished to look on her again to see what are the qualities to be His chosen. Son 6:13  Return, return, O Shulammite; Return, return, that we may look upon thee. Why will ye look upon the Shulammite, As upon the dance of Mahanaim? And then the Beloved Groom  gives them a description of the beauty of the Bride and all of her qualities in Chapter seven. At the end of which is the consummation of the Marriage and they together go into the harvest of the little sister in the last half of chapter eight. And this is fulfilled as Jesus took His first-fruits disciples that John called the Bride into the harvest of the little sister. Humble Yourself and He Will Not Hurt You Vanessa Weeks - 09/11/2016 (David's notes in red) Great and terrible natural catastrophic events are prophesied to occur in the very near future. God's people must learn to abide in the secret place of the Most High. Please pay attention to this revelation and be honest with God and repent and put Him first in all you do. In a dream on 9/11/16, I saw a field like a green pasture with several rows of sheep standing together. I noticed that some of the sheep's wool was black and white. {Pro.2:13} Who forsake the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness.... {1Sa.2:9} He will keep the feet of his holy ones; But the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness.... {1Jn.1:6} If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.... {Jud.23} and some save, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.  These were running together toward a man who was standing in the pasture. He was very big and strong like a giant. I had a sense in this dream that this was a righteous man. (He is very big because he is a corporate body of reformers in whom Jesus lives by His spirit and Word.) As the sheep got close to him, he reached up with his right hand and drew out a silver spear as if from the sky (authority to judge and purify from heaven). When I saw this, I thought he was going to kill them. I thought, "Humble yourself, humble yourself and He will not hurt you”.  (Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.)  Then all the sheep stopped and bowed down with their front legs stretched out. Then I woke up.  (Judy just received by faith at random Ezekiel 7:5-10, which is exactly like Vanessa's word below. Judy's Word was spoken by God to Israel, a type of the Church. {Eze.7:5} Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: An evil, an only evil; behold, it cometh. {6} An end is come, the end is come; it awaketh against thee; behold, it cometh. {7} Thy doom is come unto thee, O inhabitant of the land: the time is come, the day is near, a day of tumult, and not of joyful shouting, upon the mountains. {8} Now will I shortly pour out my wrath upon thee, and accomplish mine anger against thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways; and I will bring upon thee all thine abominations. {9} And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will bring upon thee according to thy ways; and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I, Jehovah, do smite. {10} Behold, the day, behold, it cometh: thy doom is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded. Those in black will humble themselves or be judged. {1Co.11:31} But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged. {32} But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. {2Th.2:12} that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.) I asked the Lord what He wanted to say about this dream and received {Luk.16:10} One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (We can't afford to deny God's Word and justify ourselves in denial and dishonesty. {1Jn.1:7} but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. {8} If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) Also, I received by faith {Hos.9:7} The days of punishment have come; the days of recompense have come; Israel shall know it. The prophet is a fool; the man of the spirit is mad, because of your great iniquity and great hatred. When I woke up from this dream, I started praying about it and I fell asleep and woke up hearing the song "There's Power in the Blood". {Joh.19:34} Howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water. God has been dealing with me about being humble and submitting myself more to Him. And I am glad Jesus exchanged His life for mine when He shed His blood so that I can do this. Thank you, Father! (If the blood of the Lamb is spiritually on our doorposts and lintel by faith and we walk in and out under it, we will be safe because He bore the curse for us. {Gal.3:13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.... Put Away Childish Things and Choose Jesus Claire Pinaar - 7/14/21 (David's notes in red)   I had a few recurring visions. They were quick flashes and they looped a few times during the night.    The first vision was of a pale or dappled/grey horse. (This represents death. This could represent a “putting to death the old man” or a warning of actual death. (A sudden multiplying of the deaths associated with taking the va/cc/ine is being reported. A geometric climb in death count from this is happening.)  I think it may also represents a death of the old man when I considered the second recurring vision below. I had no fear during this vision because I agree with 1 Co. 15:55-57. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.)   Then I had a vision of the same sunny room from my dream on 7/14, but it was really glowing now and my children and I were packing away toddlers' toys. These verses came to me as I was typing this up: 1 Co. 13:11-13  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.)   Here is the dream I had on 7/14 of the sunny room and self justifications: I dreamed I was watching a blonde woman in a sunny room and she was talking to someone. I was on the other side of the room.  She was divorced and she made all kinds of self justifications for the divorce. Then she left. (Spirits of pride, lust, and self will paints divorce as okay and acceptable in God's sight. Many apostate churches allow divorce because of the hardness of their hearts and because of their false doctrines. What is worse is that people full of self justification for their sins embrace false doctrines to feel better about it.  These are the ones who are unfaithful to their husband who is God and he has a legal right to divorce them because of fornication with the seed of the world. Isa 50:1  Thus saith Jehovah, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, wherewith I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were ye sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away.  Mat. 19:3-9 And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?  4 And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? (We are called to be one with the Lord and to receive only His seed of the Word and not the seed of the worldly Church for self justification.)  6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.) Another woman then came into the room. She kept looking to me for affirmation or confirmation about something. I don't really know what it was but, I knew that I could not condone her actions. (As we'll see, this other woman represents the corporate body of apostates, meaning fallen away from God. Many times they do seek the approval of the Bride and when they don't receive it they persecute her.) This woman was discussing how she was just so busy and she could tell me so much of what was going on in the world. I had no idea about anything she was talking about. (Worldly Christians are worldly minded and don't spend any time studying the Word or drawing near to their husband, the Lord. They would rather study the evil than the good. Rom 16:18-20  For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.  19  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.  20  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.)   I saw my Heavenly Father, like a glowing white light, sitting in a chair. He was like a grandfather watching his grandchildren play on a carpet. He was invisible to the woman, but I was able to see Him. (Our Father becomes invisible when we busy ourselves with the cares and distractions of the world). (She has eyes only for the world and the flesh and not the Spirit.) Then I saw a silver necklace around her neck, and I asked her who gave it to her. She said, “My new husband”, and I replied, “That old guy? (She is joined to the old man of the flesh instead of the Spirit and seed of the Word that is God.)  Why did you marry him? You can't be equally yoked with someone like that”. She said, “It's true we're not equally yoked, but he's learning fast”. I replied, “But you tried this with your previous husband before and it didn't work. And now this new guy has children, right? (The old man has born fruit of sin.) That's really messy." She wanted to defend herself but she knew that I spoke the truth. (2 Co. 6:14 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? God's Kingdom cannot include darkness.) She couldn't stay long to chat with me because her new husband needed her at home. I was really surprised that she would make the same mistake twice. (This is what the lusts of the flesh do, separate or divorce us from God. Luke 14:16-24  ...A certain man made a great supper; and he bade many: 17 and he sent forth his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 And the servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and maimed and blind and lame. 22 And the servant said, Lord, what thou didst command is done, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and constrain them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, that none of those men that were bidden shall taste of my supper.) I kept on looking at my Heavenly Father. I just wanted to be in the sunny room with Him, and I did not want to be distracted by anyone or anything. I could feel empathy and love emanating from His chair, where He sat. But when I moved towards this woman, I felt a coldness. (1Jn 2:15-17  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.  16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.)  The dream ended. And then I heard this verse the whole night: 1 Cor 2:9-10  but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ‭‭I asked the Lord for a word by faith at random and received “your father” from John 8:38, in context John 8:36-51 36 If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you. (How worldly and hateful religious people can be who claim to know God.) 38 I speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and ye also do the things which ye heard from your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.  43 Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. 45 But because I say the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God. (Wicked so called “Christians" do not receive the seed of God but the world.) 48 The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon? 49 Jesus answered, I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me. 50 But I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death. Seek the Lord While it is Still Day Marie Kelton -  (David's notes in red)   On 7-18-21 I had a dream about the constellation of a man holding the severed head of Medusa. (Representing the harlot, and her beastly nature. I believe the Lord is telling us in this dream to sever the mind of the old man. (We are to sever the harlot church's serpent spirit doctrines from our body. The constellation of Perseus is one of the oldest Greek constellations, first listed by Ptolemy. The constellation is named after the legendary Greek hero Perseus, who beheaded the monster, Medusa. In Greek mythology, Perseus was sent by King Polydectes to bring the head of Medusa, the Gorgon, whose visage caused all who looked at her, to turn to stone. The mind of the old woman is full of serpent spirits that constantly speak lies to paralyze us and turn us cold against God and His word.)   On 7-5-21  I had a dream that I was in Chicago in my old backyard. It was sunny and I was sitting on the Lord's lap. We were sitting on a plastic bench that had been in my backyard next to the swimming pool when I was growing up. (A swimming pool represents being immersed in the clean and clear Word of God, which is Jesus.)   The Lord gave me a white rose. (Representing the red blood washes white for purity) Then, Debbie Fenske was on the patio and she said, “Seek the Lord while it is still day, because when it is dark then you won't be able seek Him.” Then I woke up. (Isa. 55:6-9  Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.)  

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: (Deuteronomy 28:15) 21 Now, we took this text out of Deuteronomy. It's a Greek word which has a compound meanings, or, it means, “two laws.” The Greek word, Deuteronomy, means “two different laws.” And that's just what God has, two different laws. And one of them is a law of death, and the other one is a law of Life. God has two laws. To follow Him, and serve Him and worship Him, is Life; to reject It is death. There is two laws in God. 22 Now, one of those laws was recog-…made recognized to the world, at Mount Sinai. God gave the law to Moses and Israel. Not that the law could help them, but the law only pointed out to them that they were sinners. Until that time, they didn't know what sin was, till they had a law. There cannot be a law without a penalty. A law is not a law, without penalty. So, therefore, “The transgression of the law is sin, and the wages of sin is death.” So therefore, until God made them a law, there was no transgression reckoned to them. If there's no law here that says you can't run over twenty miles an hour, then you could run over twenty miles an hour. But when there's a law says you can't do it, then there's a law and a penalty behind it. 23 Now, death, the law of death, was the commandments given on Mount Sinai, which told man that he was a sinner. And, to transgress God's law, he died. But there's no salvation in the law. The…It was only a policeman that could put you in jail; it had nothing to bring you out with. But then He gave another law, that was at Mount Calvary, where sin was reckoned in Jesus Christ, and there the penalty was paid. And not with…Without law, “but by grace you are saved,” by the grace of God, through predestination of God's foreknowledge of your being. 24 Now we see these two laws, Deuteronomy, speaking of two laws. There was two laws. One was the law of death, and the other one the law of Life. 25 There was also two covenants give to the people. We're going to speak of them in the morning. One of them was given to Adam on condition, “if you do this and don't do that,” but that law was broken. Adam, Eve broke that, in the garden of Eden. Then God made the second covenant, and give that to Abraham, and that law was unconditional. “It isn't what you've done or what you will do;” He said, “I have already done it.” That's grace. That's the law of Life. God did that for Abraham and his Seed after him, that's, all of Abraham's Seed. As the Bible said, “All Israel will be saved,” but that don't mean Jews. As Paul said, “That Israel which is inward, or Israel outward.” “Outward,” as we spoke of the other night, it was Isaac's children, by sex. But the law of God was through Christ, which was Abraham's Royal Seed, that, “by grace all Israel is saved.” That's, “All that's in Christ is saved,” all, God's second covenant. But all these things foreshadowed Christ. 65-0220 - "God's Chosen Place Of Worship" Rev. William Marrion Branham ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Order your own copy of the Family Altar at http://store.bibleway.org Appreciate what we do? Consider supporting us: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/support --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/support

As we celebrate Father's Day, my pair of guests this week is a dad and son, 2nd and 3rd generation pentecostal pastors in Georgia. We start with "Stuck in your Head," teaching you a song from my trip to Israel with these 2 men from a decade ago. (4:38) Pastors Dennis and Brad Lacy, leaders at North Highland Assembly of God Church in Columbus GA, told some serious and funny stories. We first dive into the dynamic of being a father and son on church staff together, including the former "punk preacher's kid." (15:23) That Israel trip gave us all a new perspective on Jesus. (21:29) Their passion for Missions has taken these gentlemen all around the world but also helping people in America. They told one story about babies crying on the streets of Romania, no one to hold them, so they went and rocked babies. (30:24) Teens and young adults often walk away from faith and the church, so how are they combatting that trend? (36:43) The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed the way church is done, possibly more minimalistic, Pastor Dennis never missing an Easter service in person before this. Attendance dropped, but now the focus is on how members can BE the church. (45:01) We also talked about gaining those pandemic pounds, how that's led to family walks. (49:12) Pastors Dennis and Brad also share what it was like becoming a dad, and the legacy of faith they're passing down. (58:52) They did the honors of a closing prayer. Our "parting gift" is about training adding fuel to the fire. Thanks for listening! Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Crucified Life Brings Purity (3)[Audio]David Eells - 3/24/21House of Idle = Idols Sandy Shaw - 08/29/2011 (David’s Notes in Red) Sandy Shaw called me on 3-14-21 and said the Lord told her that this dream is to share for the time we are in now. On 3/13/21 Sandy said, “I woke up at 3:33 am and was having trouble going back to sleep so I started praying and was able to go back to sleep. I then dreamed I was sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree on a really sunny day. I was looking across a field when, all of a sudden, I felt the presence of God behind and around me. I was terrified to turn around and look. He placed His hand on my right shoulder and said, “Sandra, remember your Idle/ Idol dream? That’s for now! Share it.” When I woke up the clock said 5:55 am. (God will give grace to overcome) So here is the dream below that the Lord was saying is for NOW: In a dream, I was standing in front of a house with Spanish-style stucco. (This represents the house of apostate Christianity. Jesus warned us that the house that was built on sand would not survive the storm of life and the three little pigs warned us that houses of inferior material wouldn't stand up to the big bad wolf. He warned that the house built on obedience to the Word will stand.  The stucco in this house is like untempered mortar. Eze 13:8-11  Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because ye have spoken falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord Jehovah.  9  And my hand shall be against the prophets that see false visions, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord Jehovah.  10  Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there is no peace; and when one buildeth up a wall, behold, they daub it with untempered mortar:  11  say unto them that daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. … 14  So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be uncovered; and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.  Eze 22:28  And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken.)  There was a patio to get to the front door of this house. I saw people on the patio talking on cell phones and playing games on the Internet. There were girls talking to their boyfriends, making idle chit-chat, etc. I noticed a man standing next to me and I didn't know who he is until he spoke and asked, "How does this edify Me?" Realizing that it was Jesus talking, I said, "Lord, forgive us; we don't realize”. (The house or tabernacle being covered with Spanish-style stucco represents our old nature that is foreign to the Lord and the self-delusion that is contrary to righteousness in serving a false Jesus of our own making. Eze. 22:24-30, Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof. 26 Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain. 28 And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered mortar , seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery; yea, they have vexed the poor and needy, and have oppressed the sojourner wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.) We walked through the patio and through the front door into the house. To the left was an area full of people watching TVs. All different types of TVs: old consoles, new flat screens, etc. -- all sizes. I saw old programs: Father Knows Best; The Patty Duke Show; The Andy Griffith Show; an old game show. I heard "Queen for a Day". There were soap operas on. The Lord asked, "How does this edify Me?" I said, "I'm sorry, Lord”. Rev. 18:2-8, ...Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: 5 for her sins have reached even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Render unto her even as she rendered, and double unto her the double according to her works: in the cup which she mingled, mingle unto her double. 7 How much soever she glorified herself, and waxed wanton, so much give her of torment and mourning: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall in no wise see mourning. 8 Therefore in one day shall her plagues come, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judged her.) To the right side of the room was an area full of computers: new, old, big, small, fancy, iPads, etc. Children were doing homework on Facebook, MySpace --social chat sites. People were playing games and doing work. I got closer to their faces and saw their eyes were big and round like silver dollars, staring at the screen. A big clock is seen with its hands spinning quickly, as if to say, 24-7 this is going on. The Lord asked, "How does this edify Me?" I said, "Lord, forgive me, for I myself am guilty of this”. (These things happening on the right represent God’s people justifying themselves and compromising. Saying, “It’s okay to spend extra time on these devices because they aren’t TVs and we must do our work on them as well. So the line in our conscience gets blurred. This can also represent justification by our own works and essentially is like worshipping a false Jesus that allows compromise contrary to His Word. 2 Co. 11:2-4, For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.) Standing in the middle of that room, I looked up and saw there were different levels to the house where the activity got worse, physically and spiritually. I saw and heard people speaking filthily. I didn't see it, but knew that it was pornography and scary movie sounds were also in the background. People were cursing and saying all kinds of bad things. People were laughing at it when it was not funny. The Lord asked, "How does that edify Me?” (The different levels of the tabernacle represent people’s spirit, soul and body. If these activities are occurring in the spirit and soul they bring a curse on the body of these people and death. Spiritual death is reprobation and it becomes impossible for them to be renewed again unto repentance. Their consciences are seared. They have become reprobate. Heb. 6:4-8, For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: 8 but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.) We went into another room on the left and I heard conversations going on. One person was trying to tell another something and he said, "I know", not letting the other finish because he already knew.  (Pro 18:13  He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.)  In the same crowd, educated people were having conversations with others but the educated person never heard anything anyone else said because they were puffed up and boasting that they had a degree in this or a doctorate in that. They knew it all and yet knew nothing. The Lord asked, "How does this edify Me?” (1 Tim. 6:3-5, If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth… 2 Tim. 3:1-9, But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. From these also turn away. 6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be evident unto all men…) To the right in that room were people bickering over trivial matters. A conversation that stands out is, "Who took my Kool-Aid?" I looked around and realized that all these people were carrying Bibles and I realized they were all 'Christians'. The whole house was people professing to be Christians. The Lord asked, "How does this edify Me?" I said, "Lord, forgive us”. (Many worldly people associate 'religious fanatics’ and cult members to Jim Jones. And they say things to Christians like, “Don’t drink the Kool-Aid!” In other words, don’t fall for the deceptions and traps of religion. James Warren Jones (May 13, 1931 – November 18, 1978) was an American cult leader, preacher and self-professed faith healer. He launched the Peoples Temple in Indiana during the 1950s. Jones and his inner circle orchestrated a mass murder-suicide of himself and his followers in his jungle commune at Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978. Jones ordered and likely coerced the mass suicide and mass murder of 918 commune members, 304 of them children, almost all by cyanide-poisoned Flavor Aid (or Kool-Aid) 1 Pe. 5:8, Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;) We went into another room and stood in the doorway. Small children were running around the room, jumping on chairs, sofas, pulling down curtains, being very mischievous. Their parents were in the middle of the room, oblivious to what the children were doing -- "running wild". They were so self-absorbed in what they were doing and their desires, that they were blind to what their children were doing. The Lord asked, "How does this edify Me?" I said, "Lord, I'm sorry”. (Many of God’s people are not self-disciplined to stay in God’s Word therefore the fruit that they bring forth is disorderly confusion and does not effectively edify the Body of Christ. Isa. 26:3, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee…) We went into another room and saw people holding their Bibles. They tried to step forward, saying, "Yes, the Lord has told me to do this". But before they stepped forward, they stepped right back and said, "No, no, He didn't tell me". I saw people holding their Bibles open, saying, "The Lord has shown me this", and then saying, "No, no, He didn't show me anything". Then I saw people holding phones, saying, "The Lord told me to say this", and then, "No, no, nevermind; He didn't say anything". They were never sure in anything they did and were procrastinating in the name of the Lord. The Lord asked, "How does this edify Me?” (Jas. 1:5-8, But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; 8 a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.) We then went through sliding glass doors and saw a man sitting in a chair and he was covering his face with his hands. He was being attacked by Christians who were standing around him and yelling, "How do you know that you know the Lord?" "Why did He tell you that and not me?" "Why do you think you are so privileged that you know and hear the Lord?" "Do you think you are somebody?" "You don't know your Word". "You don't know God". "Who do you think you are?" "How do you know you are not hearing demons?" The Lord asked, "How does this edify Me?” (Gal. 5:13-21, For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these : fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, 21 envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.) I felt such conviction during this dream for not praying, fasting or reading my Word. (These are Actions which would warn us away from dangers to come.)  I have been guilty of letting my time be idle = idol. A few days later, on 9/04/11, (911) I received Ephesians 5 as a reminder. (In Eve’s dream below she woke up at 9:11am. Another 911 warning of danger.) (We are living in a time of idolatry that is killing many and this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is such trust in the medical profession instead of God’s Word that a lesson is coming that few will forget. We are being warned by virologists and va-cc-ine makers that the C/19 va-cc-ine is a dangerous depopulation tool. The sold out media will hide this to the death of many. Look at the foundations: Operation Disclosure - Mod/erna Pha/rma/ceu/tical was in the 3rd and final stage of their C-V Vaxxne development. The first CEO of Moderna was A/nthony F/auci. F/auci was a roommate of B/ill G/ates at Cornell University. (And of course these men and their company is at the center of the D-e-ep St-ate S-at/an/ist De/po/pul/ation cult.) At Cornell B/ill G/ates developed the RFID (radio frequency identification) and patented it under US2006257852.  (So they could put it in their Va/cc/ine in preparation for the Mark of the Beast.)  Moderna was started in Germany under the name of IG Farben. IG Farben was infamous for mass production of Zytelon-B – the gas used to kill millions in the Holocaust. After the War IG Farben sold it’s assets to G/eorge S/oros, who rebranded the company as Moderna. The primary stockholder of Moderna was J/effrey E/pstein – who made a fortune off of and established his connections from Moderna. B/ill G/ates, A/nthony F/auci, G/eorge S/oros and the World Health Organization were the major funders for the Wuhan Lab that developed and released the C/19 Virus Pandemic on the world.  (So they could make a de-po-pu-la/tion Va-c-ci-ne and people would beg them for it. What is becoming known by reputable scientists is that the C/19 attacks diseased cells specifically, meaning they are only after one invader.  But they destroy the strength of the natural non-specific killer cells in our bodies which are our most important defense against ALL disease. So many will die of all kinds of disease but they will not know the real enemy. They will probably blame it on some Co-vid variant so they can sell another va-cc-ine.)  Former Gates Foundation Va-cc-ine Scientist Calls for Halt to Va-cc-ina-tions, Predicts “Wipe Out” of Populations - https://www.brighteon.com/257797f0-06fa-4596-be69-af71bb3adc21  Co/vid 19 Vaccines Are Weapons of Mass Destruction - and Could Wipe out the Human Race https://www.brighteon.com/0df28628-3b9b-42a3-a4c9-5bec480e8335 This idolotry with false va-cc-in-es will kill multitudes including 80% of left leaning people who never question government and the other 20% of those who are not believing God’s Word.  Jer 17:5  Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah. Learn of God’s Free Va-cc-in-e that has no side effects but good health. God’s Va-cc-ine - https://www.ubm1.org/books/pdf/GV.pdf )   Father Ordered: Clean-up Your House or be Evicted Eve Brast - 3/15/21 (David’s Notes in Red) I dreamed that Father had ordered the immediate clean-up of the left and right mobile homes located on the land in Texas that my dad (representing my Heavenly Father) had given me for an inheritance in real life. (The Lord has used these mobile homes to depict the corporate apostate factious house of goats on the left and the corporate house of the sanctified righteous sheep on the right.) These two mobile homes are connected by a very large, concrete patio that runs in between the entire length of the two mobile homes. In this dream, further down, it is where all the wicked were congregated. (The patio represents the outer court of the ’temple.’ (Where the apostates are spiritually until reprobated or regenerated or die by the plague.) Rev. 11:1-2, And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it hath been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.) (The beast will be given authority to trample the apostates in hope that they repent and be saved.) When the dream started, I was inspecting the living room of the left side mobile home. It was like a large warehouse inside. (That which apostates hold dear and valuable is junk and will bring God’s wrath on them. Rom 2:5-8  but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;  6  who will render to every man according to his works:  7  to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:  8  but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation.  I saw row after row of shelves of old junk that reached almost to the ceiling. (The waste and broken junk of their lives that should have been thrown out represents their spiritual sinful baggage.)  The place was poorly lit  (They live in darkness) and everything was dingy and dusty. (Representing spirits and works of uncleaness)  There were parts of old engines covered in old, dried up oil. (This is like the virgins whose oil ran out were not even able to escort the Bride and Groom to the Marriage Supper in heaven. This lack of good oil destroys engines that move our vessels forward.) They had old, dusty, cardboard boxes full of stuff. It looked like a hoarders old garage. (Not only has Father ordered the clean-out of the factious apostate tares from among His wheat in the right mobile home, but all of their pollution and remnants of their sinful lives are to be moved off of the Fathers Land just as the canaanites were forced to leave the Promised Land. 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. This is the junk and uncleaness of their lives: Rom 1:28-32  And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;  29  being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  30  backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31  without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful:  32  who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.) I heard Father’s voice above and behind me say, “Get all this cleaned out immediately! I won’t stand for it anymore!” (Last night it came to me that this is a threat of an eviction from God’s Land. For some it could be permanent and symbolize reprobation. Pro 2:21-22  For the upright shall dwell in the land, And the perfect shall remain in it.  22  But the wicked shall be cut off from the land, And the treacherous shall be rooted out of it.  When the Man-child Jesus came he was reprobating the apostates who refused to repent saying to His disciples, “To you its been given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom but to them it is not given.”  This history is being repeated through the Man-child in our day.) I knew in the dream He was addressing some of His angels, but at the same time I new that I had a responsibility to help and to do my part. He expected all of us to do our parts.  (We speak in agreement with the Word and the angels are given authority. Psa 103:20-21  Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word.  21  Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts, Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.)  I felt alone. I thought, “This is a very large task. It feels overwhelming. How will I get all of these years of accumulated junk cleaned out in time?” (Deu 32:30  How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight… Psa 81:13-14  Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways!  14  I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn my hand against their adversaries.)   Suddenly, all the local UBM brethren showed up; like they do on ‘moving days’ when we help someone move. I remember Greg, Brandy and Tim, among other brethren, quickly and efficiently taking everything down off the shelves and throwing it all into huge dumpster containers that Father had ordered for the massive clean-up effort.  (Draining the Swamp)  These containers had come down from heaven somehow and were placed inside the left mobile home living room. I knew, in the dream, that the angels had brought them down, even though I didn’t physically see them. My x-husband was there as well. He was pretending to look busy but wasn’t actually being helpful in the clean-up. (The x-husband represents the factious who are constantly working against us in our clean-up efforts. They pretend to look busy but in reality they love to talk trash, harbor unclean spirits, and cause the people to stumble by faction and witchcraft spirits.) Greg had a clipboard and he and Brandy were coordinating the clean-up and checking off the items as they were disposed of into the huge dumpster containers. All of the men were working very efficiently and things were getting cleaned out of the left mobile home at a record pace. I was so relieved to have all the help because I was too weak to do it all myself and would never have gotten it done in Father’s time limit that He had set. (This is why Father commands that we forsake not the assembling of ourselves together because we all need each other as a Body to stay strong and help one another. The devil is constantly trying to separate us from each other so that he can devour us and cause us to fail. (Like wolves separate a lamb from the flock in order to devour it.)   In this dream, I had my 3 boys, Noah, Elijah and Josiah around me and they were all younger; like grade school ages. (Their spiritual ages. The Lord will renew the spirits of our children and loved ones in the coming great revival.) They were all happy and excited for the clean-up of the mobile homes and because Father was moving us to my grandmother’s old house that I had grown up in.  It was a really nice house and I had always wanted to live there when I was young, and not with my parents, growing up.  In the dream, Father had purchased it for me to live out my last days on earth in. (Father is using my boys because of their names. They represent the first fruits who desire sanctification and righteousness. This is the fruit that the Bride bears among the people of God. Desiring to live at my grandmother’s house instead of my mother’s house, while growing up, also represents the drawing that Father puts into the hearts of the elect to come out from among babylonish apostasy and the things of the world. And walk in 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…) I thought to myself, “I don’t have much longer to live. I’m 50 years old. I’m glad He’s moving us to my grandmother’s house where everything is peaceful and I’ll have rest and peace during my final days together with my children.” (The first fruits don’t have much longer to live. They are crucified with Christ through their faith in His sacrifice and from daily taking up their cross to follow Jesus. Biblically, The number 50, is a symbol of freedom, release and new cycle. Every 50 years in the day of Atonement people needed to honor the Jubilee, a day when all the loans and debts were forgotten and forgiven to the one who took a debt, and all the slaves were released, and all the things taken were turned back to people they belonged to. It was a day when harmony was established.) Once everything was cleared off of the shelves and thrown into the dumpster containers, Jesus, who was always at my right hand side, ushered me out the door of the left mobile home. He took me on a tour throughout a carnival scene that was taking place on the patio in between the two mobile homes. (Meaning: Among the apostates) It was so dark outside except for the candles and dim strings of lights around each display booth. It all looked so evil, like Mardi grass. All the people were painted up with face and body paints. And they had strange costumes with goat heads and horns. Each booth was an alter to satan with all kinds of witchcraft paraphernalia and skulls. They had painted their propaganda and their colorful graffiti on the outer walls of each mobile home. (The patio represents the outer court of the ’temple.’ Their propaganda represents all the lies and deceptions of the faction and false prophets/ pastors in the apostate church and the main-stream media who are deceiving people with their witchcraft lies and slander. Rev. 11:1-2, And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it hath been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. [Those in the outer court are being trampled by the beast.]) As I was walking through this maze of satanists and their booths, the Lord was talking with me. I was asking Him questions about different things I saw and He was explaining everything to me. (The Lord will give truth and true discernment to those of His who love the truth rather than buying their lies. He will help His disciples navigate this time of confusion and great deception that is taking over so many currently and in the days to come.)  We finally made it over to the right side mobile home and He took me inside. I noticed it had been cleaned out except for three small items in the living room. They were old computer related products.  One was an old printer.  (Some spend too much time on computers and not enough with the Lord and His work which has eternal value.)  I don’t remember what the other two were but they were smaller than the printer. The Lord seemed pleased that there was hardly anything left as he ordered a couple of angels to remove the final three things from the right mobile home. (This represents achieving complete death to self and our spirit man’s final conquering over our flesh.) I remember Him showing me a beautiful sun/Son room that He had built off of the narrow hallway of the right side mobile home. It was well lit with golden lights all around and was a huge improvement that added a great deal of value to the property. It was full of lush green plants all around the edges near all the windows. There was also glass sky lights across the entire roof; like a green house. (Jesus is the Sun / Son room that is the only thing of value in our earthly tabernacles. He, of coarse, adds incalculable value to our being.) After this He took me outside on the other side of the right mobile home where the well house was. It was much bigger in the dream that it had been in real life. It was about the size of a large storage shed. The well had been broken down for many years. (A well house is where the fresh water of the Word should be flowing out of for the residents of the house. But in this case an evil sheriff was in charge of it.) (Those who are in charge of dispensing the pure Word are fallen away and cannot feed the people.) A man came out to greet us from the broken down well-house dressed in a sheriff’s uniform. He had oily black hair that hadn’t been washed in awhile and when he smiled at us he had a front tooth the looked like a black dragon or snake eye with a white slit for a pupil. (They are part of the dragon body of Rev 12 who try to devour the Man-child and Woman Church.) This sheriff had been appointed to keep the law and order on the property by the Lord but had fallen down on the job and become lazy and corrupt. The sheriff looked nervous when he came out to meet us and was wringing his hands together with a big grin on his face and that dragon eye tooth looking at us. (This sheriff represents not only the corrupt apostate pastors and leaders over God’s people but also the corrupt government officials that have taken bribes and oppressed the poor and have allowed the governments in the church and in the world to dismantle the laws of God and of man.) The Lord began to require an accounting of the sheriff’s job performance and questioned him about all the debauchery going on between the two mobile homes. The sheriff seemed very anxious and was trying to be all buddy buddy with the Lord. But the Lord wasn’t going for it and was about to punish the sheriff and kick him out of his position and off of the land. (The Lord will drain the swamp)  He ordered the sheriff to go around to the patio and begin doing his job of clearing out all of the wicked people from in-between the two mobile homes. After this I knew the sheriff would be out of a job. (Mat. 24:42-51, Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. 44 Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath. 48 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth; 49 and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; 50 the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, 51 and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.) Then I woke up and when I looked at my clock it was 9:11am. (911 represents warning, emergency and danger.) (The Lord is warning that its repentance now or judgment.)   Select Language Afrikaans Albanian Amharic Arabic Armenian Azerbaijani Basque Belarusian Bengali Bosnian Bulgarian Catalan Cebuano Chichewa Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Corsican Croatian Czech Danish Dutch Esperanto Estonian Filipino Finnish French Frisian Galician Georgian German Greek Gujarati Haitian Creole Hausa Hawaiian Hebrew Hindi Hmong Hungarian Icelandic Igbo Indonesian Irish Italian Japanese Javanese Kannada Kazakh Khmer Kinyarwanda Korean Kurdish (Kurmanji) Kyrgyz Lao Latin Latvian Lithuanian Luxembourgish Macedonian Malagasy Malay Malayalam Maltese Maori Marathi Mongolian Myanmar (Burmese) Nepali Norwegian Odia (Oriya) Pashto Persian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Romanian Russian Samoan Scots Gaelic Serbian Sesotho Shona Sindhi Sinhala Slovak Slovenian Somali Spanish Sundanese Swahili Swedish Tajik Tamil Tatar Telugu Thai Turkish Turkmen Ukrainian Urdu Uyghur Uzbek Vietnamese Welsh Xhosa Yiddish Yoruba Zulu Powered by Translate Printer-friendly version

Psalm 79-81 New King James Version   A Dirge and a Prayer for Israel, Destroyed by Enemies A Psalm of Asaph. 79 O God, the [a]nations have come into Your inheritance;Your holy temple they have defiled;They have laid Jerusalem [b]in heaps.2 The dead bodies of Your servantsThey have given as food for the birds of the heavens,The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.3 Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem,And there was no one to bury them.4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors,A scorn and derision to those who are around us. 5 How long, Lord?Will You be angry forever?Will Your jealousy burn like fire?6 Pour out Your wrath on the [c]nations that do not know You,And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.7 For they have devoured Jacob,And laid waste his dwelling place. 8 Oh, do not remember [d]former iniquities against us!Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us,For we have been brought very low.9 Help us, O God of our salvation,For the glory of Your name;And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins,For Your name’s sake!10 Why should the [e]nations say,“Where is their God?”Let there be known among the nations in our sightThe avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed. 11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You;According to the greatness of Your [f]powerPreserve those who are appointed to die;12 And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosomTheir reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord. 13 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,Will give You thanks forever;We will show forth Your praise to all generations. Prayer for Israel’s Restoration To the Chief Musician. Set to [g]“The Lilies.” A [h]Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. 80 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,You who lead Joseph like a flock;You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,Stir up Your strength,And come and save us! 3 Restore us, O God;Cause Your face to shine,And we shall be saved! 4 O Lord God of hosts,How long will You be angryAgainst the prayer of Your people?5 You have fed them with the bread of tears,And given them tears to drink in great measure.6 You have made us a strife to our neighbors,And our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts;Cause Your face to shine,And we shall be saved! 8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt;You have cast out the [i]nations, and planted it.9 You prepared room for it,And caused it to take deep root,And it filled the land.10 The hills were covered with its shadow,And the [j]mighty cedars with its boughs.11 She sent out her boughs to [k]the Sea,And her branches to [l]the River. 12 Why have You broken down her [m]hedges,So that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit?13 The boar out of the woods uproots it,And the wild beast of the field devours it. 14 Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts;Look down from heaven and see,And visit this vine15 And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted,And the branch that You made strong for Yourself.16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down;They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand,Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself.18 Then we will not turn back from You;Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. 19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;Cause Your face to shine,And we shall be saved! An Appeal for Israel’s Repentance To the Chief Musician. On[n] an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of Asaph. 81 Sing aloud to God our strength;Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel,The pleasant harp with the lute. 3 Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon,At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.4 For this is a statute for Israel,A law of the God of Jacob.5 This He established in Joseph as a testimony,When He went throughout the land of Egypt,Where I heard a language I did not understand. 6 “I removed his shoulder from the burden;His hands were freed from the baskets.7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you;I answered you in the secret place of thunder;I tested you at the waters of [o]Meribah. Selah 8 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you!O Israel, if you will listen to Me!9 There shall be no foreign god among you;Nor shall you worship any foreign god.10 I am the Lord your God,Who brought you out of the land of Egypt;Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 “But My people would not heed My voice,And Israel would have none of Me.12 So I gave them over to [p]their own stubborn heart,To walk in their own counsels. 13 “Oh, that My people would listen to Me,That Israel would walk in My ways!14 I would soon subdue their enemies,And turn My hand against their adversaries.15 The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him,But their [q]fate would endure forever.16 He would have fed them also with [r]the finest of wheat;And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”

Can You Hear Me Now? – 10 Ways That God Speaks To Us For several weeks I have been sharing on our Monday Mastery about Relating With God as Father. In our last episode, I shared with you on How To Hear and Follow His Voice. Why is this so important? Why is this such a focus of mine right now? How does this affect my life, business, marriage, family? These principles are currently in the process of changing HOW I do life I am making it my business not only to INCLUDE Him in my day to day life, but to make Him the managing partner in it! How do we do this?  ON today's program, I want to share with you ‘10 Ways That God Speaks to Us, and How It Can Make All The Difference in Your Life' BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: Psalm 81:13-14 13 “Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! 14 “I would quickly subdue their enemies And turn My hand against their adversaries. Proverbs 22:16-18 17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge; 18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be ready on your lips. Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.   10 Ways God Speaks To Us: His Word (The Bible) In Prayer and Meditation Through Nature / Creation Through Relationships (other people) Through Godly Counsel and Wisdom Through those in Spiritual Authority/Coverings Through Events and Circumstances Through Preaching, Exhortation, and Prophetic Expression Through Music Through our Conscience (the still small voice) WHAT ABOUT YOU? How has God been speaking to you? Are you listening?

Are you hearing voices? Well there's one voice you need to be listening for… We find ourselves in a season right now where God is inviting us to LEARN what it means to be LED by the Spirit; to follow hard after Him; to trust His leadership; and to HEAR His voice. One of the challenges we face as 21st century Christian's is that somewhere along the way, our reliance factor changed over from relying on HIM, and we have become more self-reliant. The truth is that APART from Him we can do nothing. So, more than ever before, it is imperative that we re-up our commitment and dedication to pursuing Him, learn how to hear His voice, and follow His leadership On todays program, I want to share with you 7 KEYS that will move you forward in mastering the Art of Hearing God's Voice and being led by Him. BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: Jeremiah 7:23-25 23 But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.' 24 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the  stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. 25 Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets, daily rising early and sending them. Psalm 81:13-14 13 “Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! 14 “I would quickly subdue their enemies And turn My hand against their adversaries.    BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Abraham Take now your son … Moses Go back to your homeland, and tell Pharaoh … David When leadership was lacking, David said, I will … Jonah God called and Jonah ran; had to get his attention Jeremiah God specified his calling and place, and Jeremiah argued   7 KEYS TO EFFECTIVE LISTENING: God is always speaking I must place VALUE on His Words and on hearing His voice It takes TIME to listen To hear His voice, I must eliminate all distractions and focus on hearing (Incline my ear) I must listen with my heart I must receive His love, His correction, and His instruction. Submitting to His Word and heart is in my best interest I must listen with a willingness and intent to obey

The re-emergence of Israel as a nation-state caught the world by surprise. That Israel matters geo-politically cannot be doubted, but does it matter theologically? Is there a place for Israel, as there is for Jews, in Christian eschatology? In this lecture, Douglas Farrow (McGill University) gives a theological perspective on these questions. This lecture was given to the DC Young Adults chapter of the Thomistic Institute on September 5, 2018. View upcoming Thomistic Institute events at: https://thomisticinstitute.org/events.

Psalms 81: 1 Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. 2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. 3 Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day. 4 For this is a statute for Israel, A law of the God of Jacob. 5 This He established in Joseph as a testimony, When He went throughout the land of Egypt, Where I heard a language I did not understand. 6 “I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the baskets. 7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of [b]Meribah. Selah 8 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! 9 There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. 10 I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 “But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. 12 So I gave them over to [c]their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. 13 “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries. 15 The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him, But their [d]fate would endure forever. 16 He would have fed them also with [e]the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”

Notes Intro the Sefer ha-Chinuch was published anonymously in 13th century Spain and was written by a father to his son, upon reaching the age of Bar Mitzvah. See כג  כִּי נֵר מִצְוָה, וְתוֹרָה אוֹר;    וְדֶרֶךְ חַיִּים, תּוֹכְחוֹת מוּסָר. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life; (Proverbs 6: 23) כז  נֵר ה’, נִשְׁמַת אָדָם 27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD (Proverbs 20: 27)  ----------- The only word that comes close to the netherworld is Shaol [Strongs H7585] which translates as “grave”, “pit”, or “abode of the dead”.  It first appears in with regard to Jacob in And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said: 'Nay, but I will go down to the grave to my son mourning.' And his father wept for him. Genesis 37: 35 וַיָּקֻמוּ כָל-בָּנָיו וְכָל-בְּנֹתָיו לְנַחֲמוֹ, וַיְמָאֵן לְהִתְנַחֵם, וַיֹּאמֶר, כִּי-אֵרֵד אֶל-בְּנִי אָבֵל שְׁאֹלָה; וַיֵּבְךְּ אֹתוֹ, אָבִיו And he said: 'My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left; if harm befall him by the way in which ye go, then will ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. (Genesis 42: 38) יֹּאמֶר, לֹא-יֵרֵד בְּנִי עִמָּכֶם:  כִּי-אָחִיו מֵת וְהוּא לְבַדּוֹ נִשְׁאָר, וּקְרָאָהוּ אָסוֹן בַּדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר תֵּלְכוּ-בָהּ, וְהוֹרַדְתֶּם אֶת-שֵׂיבָתִי בְּיָגוֹן, שְׁאוֹלָה   In the field of biblical studies, renowned for its deficit of basic agreement and the depth of its controversies, one cannot but be impressed by the longevity and breadth of the consensus about the early Israelite notion of life after death. The consensus, to be brief, is that there was none, that "everyone who dies goes to Sheol," as Johannes Pedersen put it about eighty years ago,     Genesis 49: 33 And Jacob concluded commanding his sons, and he drew his legs [up] into the bed, and expired and was brought in to his people.   וַיְכַ֤ל יַֽעֲקֹב֙ לְצַוֹּ֣ת אֶת־בָּנָ֔יו וַיֶּֽאֱסֹ֥ף רַגְלָ֖יו אֶל־הַמִּטָּ֑ה וַיִּגְוַ֖ע וַיֵּאָ֥סֶף אֶל־עַמָּֽיו: and he drew his legs: Heb. וַיֶאֱסֹף רַגְלָיו, he drew in his legs.   ויאסף רגליו: הכניס רגליו: and expired and was brought in: But no mention is made of death in his regard, and our Rabbis of blessed memory said: Our father Jacob did not die. — [From Ta’anith 5b]   ויגוע ויאסף: ומיתה לא נאמרה בו, ואמרו רבותינו ז"ל יעקב אבינו לא מת:   Our forefather Jacob did not die. He said to him: Was it for not that he was eulogized, embalmed and buried? He said to him: I expound a verse as it is written (Jeremiah 30:10) "Do not fear, my servant Jacob, said Adonai, and do not be dismayed O Israel. For I will save you from afar and your seed from the land of captivity.  The verse likens him (Jacob) to his seed (Israel); as his seed will then be alive so he too will be alive.   הכי אמר רבי יוחנן: יעקב אבינו לא מת. - אמר ליה: וכי בכדי ספדו ספדניא וחנטו חנטייא וקברו קברייא? - אמר  ליה: מקרא אני דורש, שנאמר (ירמיהו ל') ואתה אל תירא עבדי יעקב נאם ה' ואל תחת ישראל כי הנני מושיעך מרחוק ואת זרעך מארץ שבים, מקיש הוא לזרעו, מה זרעו בחיים - אף הוא בחיים..   A major focus of that favor - especially important, as we are about to see, in the case of Abraham and job - is family, particularly the continuation of one's lineage through descendants alive at one's death. Many expressions, some of them idiomatic, communicate this essential mode of divine favor. The idiom "He was gathered to his kin" or "to his fathers" (wayye'asep 'el-`ammayw / 'abotayw),   Professor Jon D. Levenson. Resurrection and the Restoration of Israel: The Ultimate Victory of the God of Life (Kindle Location 1198). Kindle Edition.   Professor Jon D. Levenson. Resurrection and the Restoration of Israel: The Ultimate Victory of the God of Life (Kindle Locations 1196-1198). Kindle Edition. Eternal Life – Immortality Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproaches and everlasting abhorrence.  וְרַבִּים, מִיְּשֵׁנֵי אַדְמַת-עָפָר יָקִיצוּ; אֵלֶּה לְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם, וְאֵלֶּה לַחֲרָפוֹת לְדִרְאוֹן עוֹלָם “One element that truly is novel in Dan 11z:11 -3 is, however, signaled by an expression that, for all its frequency in later Jewish literature, occurs nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible, hayye `olam, "eternal life"” Death, Children, draught There are three things that are never satisfied… The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water Proverbs 30: 15-16 שְׁאוֹל, וְעֹצֶר-רָחַם:    אֶרֶץ, לֹא-שָׂבְעָה מַּיִם Famine, miraculous birth, Heaven on earth … return to land Slavery To these must be added slavery, of course, which often appears in connection with them, especially with death. Thus, it is revealing, as we have observed,13 that Joseph's brothers, seething with resentment over their father's rank favoritism, resolve first to kill the boy and then, having given that nefarious plan up, sell him into slavery instead (Gen 37:118- z8). This parallels and adumbrates (in reverse order) Pharaoh's efforts to control the rapid growth of Israel's population, which begin with enslavement and graduate to genocide (Exod 11:8-22). It also parallels, and perhaps distantly reflects, the Canaanite tale of the god Baal, who miraculously overcomes comes the daunting challenges of enslavement to Yamm (Sea) and annihilation by Mot (Death).14 That Israel, fleeing Pharaoh's enslavement, escapes death by a miraculous passage through the sea (Exod 114:11-115:211) is thus no coincidence and anything but an arbitrary concatenation of unrelated items.15 It is, rather, a manifestation in narrative of the deep inner connection between slavery and death that we have been exploring in another genre, the poetic oracles of prophets.” Moses on the Mountain top – national redemption Could it be clearer that the Mosaic promises center on the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that is, the whole Israelite nation, and not on Moses' own progeny? Thus, when "the LORD showed him the whole land" (Dent 34:1) just before Moses died and the Israelites began to take possession of it, the scene is remarkably reminiscent of Jacob's, Joseph's, and job's viewing several generations of descendants just before their own deaths. In the Deuteronomic theology, the fulfillment of Moses' life continues and remains real, visible, and powerful after his death. It takes the form of Israel's dwelling in the promised land and living in deliberate obedience to the Torah book he bequeathed them, for all their generations (e.g., Dent 31:9-z3; Josh z:6-8). In Deuteronomy, all Israel has become, in a sense, the progeny of Moses. Untimely death Thus, Jacob, having (so far as he knows) lost to the jaws of a wild beast his beloved Joseph, the son of his old age, "refused to be comforted, saying, `No, I will go down mourning to my son in Sheol"' (Gen 3735)• It would be a capital error to interpret either Joseph's or Jacob's anticipated presence in Sheol as punitive. Joseph's is owing to his having died a violent and premature death that is not followed by a proper burial or mitigated by the continuation that comes from having children. Each of these conditions alone could bring him to Sheol.     transformation restoration of the people Israel itself, recovery from humiliation and defeat, a reconstitution   Professor Jon D. Levenson. Resurrection and the Restoration of Israel: The Ultimate Victory of the God of Life (Kindle Locations 3286-3287). Kindle Edition. Just as a person is commanded to honor his father and hold him in awe, so, too, is he obligated to honor his teacher and hold him in awe. [Indeed, the measure of honor and awe] due one's teacher exceeds that due one's father. His father brings him into the life of this world, while his teacher, who teaches him wisdom, brings him into the life of the world to come.  Mishnah Torah, Talmud Torah - Chapter Four: 1 כשם שאדם מצווה בכבוד אביו ויראתו כך הוא חייב בכבוד רבו ויראתו יתר מאביו שאביו מביאו לחיי העולם הזה ורבו שלמדו חכמה מביאו לחיי העולם הבא   See: Bava Metzia 33a Keritot 28a states a different reason: "He and his father are both obligated to honor his teacher." The Rambam quotes this in Sefer HaMitzvot (Positive Mitzvah 209).   When his teacher dies, he should rend all his garments until he reveals his heart. He should never mend them.  Mishnah Torah, Talmud Torah - Chapter Four: 9 וכשימות רבו קורע כל בגדיו עד שהוא מגלה את לבו ואינו מאחה לעולם When his teacher dies, he should rend all his garments until he reveals his heart. - With regard to the rending of one's garments until one's heart is revealed, see Hilchot Eivel 8:3, 9:2 and Mo'ed Katan 22a. He should never mend them. - Mo'ed Katan 26a equates garments torn over a teacher's passing with those torn over a father's passing, with regard to the latter law. On this basis, the Rambam concludes that the same principle applies regarding the extent one rends his garments. Kadish DeRabanan Magnified and sanctified — may God’s Great Name fill the world God created. May God’s splendor be seen in the world In your life, in your days, in the life of all Israel, quickly and soon. And let us say, Amen. Forever may the Great Name be blessed. Blessed and praised, splendid and supreme — May the holy Name, bless God, be praised beyond all the blessings and songs that can be uttered in this world. And let us say, Amen.   For Israel and for our teachers, our students, and generations of teachers and students to come, for all who study Torah here and everywhere, for them and for you, may there be fullness of peace, grace, kindness and compassion, long life, ample nourishment and salvation from our Source who is in heaven and on earth. And let us say, Amen. עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל רַבָּנָן. וְעַל תַּלְמִידֵיהוֹן וְעַל כָּל תַּלְמִידֵי תַלְמִידֵיהוֹן. וְעַל כָּל מַאן דְּעָסְקִין בְּאוֹרַיְתָא. דִּי בְאַתְרָא קַדִּישָׁא הָדֵין וְדִי בְכָל אֲתַר וַאֲתַר. יְהֵא לְהוֹן וּלְכוֹן שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא חִנָּא וְחִסְדָּא וְרַחֲמִין וְחַיִּין אֲרִיכִין וּמְזוֹנֵי רְוִיחֵי וּפֻרְקָנָא מִן קֳדָם אֲבוּהוֹן דְּבִשְׁמַיָּא וְאַרְעָא וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן   May there be great peace and good life from heaven above for us and all Israel. And let us say, Amen. May the One who makes peace in the high heavens compassionately bring peace upon us all and all Israel. And let us say, Amen.   יתגדל ויתקדש שמיה רבא דעתיר לחדתא עלמא ולאחייא מתייא ולמיפרק עמיה ולמיבני קרתא דירושלים ולשכללא היכלא קדישא ולמיעקר פולחנא נוכראה מן ארעא ולאתבא פולחנא דשמיא לאתריה בזיויה ויחודיה, וימליך מלכותיה... ונחמתא דאמירן בעלמא ואמרו אמן. על רבנן ועל תלמידיהון ועל תלמידי תלמידיהון דעסקין באורייתא די באתרא הדין ודי בכל אתר ואתר, יהא להון ולכון חינא וחסדא ורחמי וסייעתא ורווחא מקדם אבוהון דבשמיא ואמרו אמן. יהא שלמא... וכו' (רמב"ם הלכות תפילה)   בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָ-י אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָנוּ תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת וְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם נָטַע בְּתוֹכֵנוּ, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָ-י נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה

“Listen To Me” Have you ever said, “listen to me” to someone? Have you ever had someone say to you, “Listen to me!” I’m sure as children we all heard this from our parents. And now as parents and grandparents we say to our children, “You better listen to what I am telling you.” Jimbo Fisher is the head coach for the Florida State Seminoles. Deondre Francois is their new freshman quarterback. The Seminoles played against Ole Miss on Monday night. The announcers shared that Coach Fisher said he had to constantly remind his young quarterback to, “listen to what I am saying.” The Seminoles quarterback passed for 419 yards in Florida State's 45-34 comeback victory over Ole Miss. Apparently Deondre listened to what Coach Fisher was saying. God wants us to listen to what he is saying: Deuteronomy 4:1(NKJV) “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you. Psalm 81:12-14 (NKJV) 12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. 13 “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. John 8:43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. “We have become a nation of emotional listeners. We have little patience with clear announcements of fact or historical observations.” (Article by Dr. Mark Rutland)

Introduction If you would, turn in your Bibles to Romans chapter 11 and we continue for the second week to look at these verses, Romans 11:7-10. And what an incredible topic the Apostle Paul has taken up for here in Romans 9-11 as he deals with the condition of his countrymen, those of his own race, the people of Israel, the Jews. And he deals with the specific situation of why it is, in generation after generation, that the Jews are rejecting their Messiah, the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And we've seen how Paul has answered it at many levels. He answers in Romans 9 by dealing with God's sovereignty over individual people and their salvation. "It is not as though God's Word has failed for not all who are descended from Israel are Israel." Romans 9:6, and he deals with that doctrine of unconditional election as we saw. But then we saw also the more human side, toward the end of Romans 9:30-33 and then on into Romans 10, how Paul says that Israel sought to establish their own righteousness. They sought to establish their own righteousness through the law. And in that way, they stumbled over the stumbling stone, they stumbled over Jesus. They couldn't accept Christ, they couldn't accept a salvation simply by grace through faith but that salvation is offered to any who believe, Jew and Gentile alike. If they just hear the Gospel message because faith comes from hearing, Romans 10:17. If they just hear the Gospel message, faith springs up in the heart and they believe that Jesus is Lord, and that God raised him from the dead and they will be saved. A simple Gospel message, not a message of great religious achievements or good works done one after the other, but a gospel of grace. But they couldn't accept it because they were seeking to establish their own righteousness. He's been dealing in Romans, I believe, 9 and 10 with specific individuals, with the question of why individual Jews were dying and were being lost to eternity. And what a grief that is but I think he stepped back and takes a larger view in Chapter 11 about the whole nation, the Jewish people as a whole. Is God through with the Jews? That's question in Romans 11 as a whole. And Paul brings that question up in 11:1, he says, "I ask then did God reject His people? May it never be." that's his answer. No, he has not. He has not rejected his people and the first evidence he brings up in Romans is that he himself is a Jew and a believer in Christ and so it will be in every generation there will be what he calls a remnant. He likens it to the 7,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal in Elijah's day and he says that he's always going to have his remnant of Jews and that proves that God has not forsaken His people. Well, how does it prove that? Because none of them would be saved, except by the direct grace of God, and if God were done with the Jews, then he would be done with them entirely and none of them would be saved, but that simply is not true. So the fact that there is in every generation, a remnant of believing Jews proves that God is not through with the nation as a whole. But here 7-10 he says, "What then what Israel sought so earnestly, it did not obtain." Self-righteousness, righteousness by their own efforts. Israel was seeking that way. It didn't obtain it that way, but the elect did through Romans 10, righteousness through simply believing in Jesus. They got it the rest were hardened. And here in verses 8-10, it explains that hardening and we began to look at it last week, but it says here as it is written verse 8, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so they could not see and ears so that they could not hear to this very day." And then in verse 9, "David says, 'May their table become a snare and a trap a stumbling block and retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see and their backs be bent forever.'" And so last week, we saw that Israel has a blindness, a spiritual blindness. Paul's call right from the very beginning, Ananias was told "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." And a lot of that suffering came through this Jewish unbelief. It was external persecution and it was internal anguish as he said, "I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart for the Jews that are being lost." And so there's so much suffering. But externally he was being persecuted from one place to another. Right at the very beginning in Damascus and left city wall in a basket, through Jerusalem when the Grecian Jews tried to kill him. Right through place after place after place. Pisidian Antioch, in Lystra, Iconium and then the internal Antioch and then over in Nicaea in almost every place where the Jews had been scattered through the diaspora, the scattering that happened when the Assyrians and the Babylonians came in, and as a judgment from God the Jews were scattered from their Promised Land, they went and established synagogues and Paul went always to the Jew first and then to the Gentile and the Jews some of them would believe but many would not. I. Israel’s Stupor and Blindness So we saw this stupor and this blindness and the biggest problem as we saw last week, was that the Old Testament prophecies, the ones that pointed to Christ, ones that proved that Jesus is the Christ. That's what he brought with him into the synagogues, place after place, they didn't speak Jesus to the Jews. They didn't see Jesus in Isaiah 53, they didn't see Jesus in Daniel chapter 7, The Son of man passage. They didn't see Jesus inn Psalm 16, the resurrection Psalm. They didn't see Jesus in Psalm 22, the crucifixion Psalm where it says, "They have pierced my hands and feet." And you may be wondering how can they not? How can they not see Jesus in Psalm 22? "They have pierced my hands and feet?" How can they not see it in Isaiah 53, "All we like sheep have gone astray… and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." How can they not? But Paul says, It's a blindness. Israel has a spiritual stupor and a blindness. That was the first point last week. II. Israel’s Stupor and Blindness Caused by God The second point is that that stupor and that blindness is caused by God, by God himself. And we spent the rest of the time on that. Look what it says in verse 7-8, "What then what Israel sought so earnestly, it did not obtain but the elect did the others were hardened." so he's describing the hardening, "as it is written God gave them," those were the key words from last week. "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so they could not hear to this very day." This was the difficult part for us to accept and understand, why God would do this. We see that God is a God that says in one scripture that desires all men to be saved. And so we have a hard time understanding how that can be true, but there it is, it's right on the page. God gave them this spiritual blindness. But what I didn't describe last week as the passage continues is how God gave them that blindness and I believe that is answered in verses 9-10. III. Israel’s Stupor and Blindness Caused by God’s Blessings I believe that Israel's stupor and blindness spiritually were caused by God's blessings. That God had given them richly, had blessed them richly and so their table of blessings became a snare and a trap a stumbling block and a retribution for them. As it says in Verse 9, "May their table be a snare and a trap a retribution and a stumbling block for them." Now, here Paul is quoting one of David's many curse psalms. Sometimes they're called imprecatory psalms, these curse psalms are very striking to us as we read these psalms we think this seems a little strange, why David would be cursing his enemies. Now curse psalms are generally not personal. I find as I look at David and his personal life he's actually very gracious to his enemies, isn't it? When he had an opportunity twice to kill Saul, he didn't do it because Saul was the Lord's anointed, when his own son Absalom rose up against him, David wept and wept, when he heard that Absalom was dead. And so you might say there's kind of a disconnect here between a man who was so merciful and gracious to his own enemies personally, but then under the inspiration of the spirit, he writes these curse psalms that are difficult and that's exactly what this is. Psalm 69:22-23, "May their table be a snare and a trap." Now, this table I believe represents blessings. When you think of a table, you think of the place where you sit down and eat. For most of you I would think it's a positive feeling unless you're not a good cook or you don't have any good friends to sit with, but when you think of a meal, you think of joy and blessing, you think of happiness, you think of a place where your needs are met, a place of blessing, really. And so I believe this table represents God's blessings to Israel. First their physical blessings, the land flowing with milk and honey. We're going to talk more about that in a moment, but served on a laden table of blessings for Israel, I think about the shepherd Psalm, of course, Psalm 23, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord and I'll sit at his table forever." There's a sense of that table, the blessings of God physically, and then even more I think spiritual blessings God had laid in their table spiritually with spiritual richness and spiritual blessings. I think it brings us right to thinking about the table that was set up in the tabernacle in the tent of meeting, where the Jews met with God where they worshipped and there was a table and it was laid out with blessing in Numbers 4:7 it says, "Over the table of the bread of the presence, they shall spread a cloth of blue and put on it the plates, dishes for incense the bowls and the flagons for the drink offering, the regular show bread also shall be on it." also it says in Malachi 1:7 and 1:12 where the Jews there were tired of the sacrificial system and they sniffed at it and they said, "The Lord's table has become a burden." And so the table, the Lord's table then represents the sacrificial system and all of the spiritual blessings that God was laying on the Jews. How Does the Table Become a Snare and a Trap? Well, how then does the table become a snare and a trap as it says in verse 9? "David says, 'May their table become a snare and a trap a stumbling block and a retribution for them.'" Well, let's start with the spiritual blessings first. The sacrificial system of animal sacrifice of pouring out of the blood of sacrifices and the table, the show bread all of that was a shadow pointing ahead to a reality that was to come. The Jews were celebrating in the Old Covenant style as God had commanded a signifying truth that someday would be fulfilled. Now, we Christians know it was fulfilled in the death of Jesus and so when Jesus died on the cross, there was no longer any need for animal sacrifice, longer any need for all of those ceremonies that pointed ahead to Jesus. No longer any need for it at all. It reminds me of our relationship with my wife. Shortly after I met her I went on a mission trip and she gave me some pictures, of herself and I carried them around all summer long in Pakistan, they got destroyed pretty much because they were out in all the dusty roads and the places and I looked at them so much, and there I was looking at the pictures of her. I looked at her picture and I enjoy that and it reminded me of her, I couldn't wait to see her again. But once we got married, there was no need for me to be looking at that picture anymore. As a matter of fact, it would be a bit odd don't you think? Here I am I okay, we're married now, I appreciate that you like my picture but put it aside. It's time has passed. I'm here. The reality, I'm the real life. And so I think the Jews to hold on to the table, to hold on to the sacrificial system, when Jesus is the reality is the same thing. How could they hold on to that which was a shadow and not cling to that which was real namely Jesus. But they did, didn't they? And they would always have this tendency to hold on to the temple of the Lord as it says in Jeremiah 7:4, "Do not trust in deceptive words, saying the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord." They had a tendency to say, God has given us this temple, this sacrificial system, that means he will never judge us, he loves us, and that is it, the law of Moses. But when Jesus came and fulfilled it when John the Baptist pointed at Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." instead of embracing him, they rejected him and they held on to their own sacrificial system and when God sent a messenger, Stephen, who told them very plainly, the time for this is over, it's finished. Jesus has come to put an end to that and to bring you on into the new covenant. They rejected that message. They got false witnesses together in Acts 6:13-14 against Stephen and testified, "This fellow," Stephen, "never stopped speaking against this holy place and against the law for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." So they're clinging to that table of Old Testament spiritual blessings when they should have let it go and then ready for the next stage. When Jesus had come they should have embraced him but they refused. They trusted in their table and they missed the blessing. They also trusted in their physical blessings and they turned to other gods. What do I mean by that? Well, the table also represents God's blessing of Israel materially, physically. The fact that he gave them lavishly in the promised land. Now when Israel was led by God, out of Egypt, through the desert, they knew there was no other God, but the true God. He had showed himself through many signs and wonders through Moses, through all of the miracles that he did. But when they entered the Promised Land, and when they conquered all of their enemies, they settled into a life of comfort and ease, and at that point, all the difficulty started for them spiritually. They quickly forgot God and in their ease and comfort and affluence, they turned away from the true God and they experimented with exotic gods like food connoisseurs testing different flavors from different lands or like wine tasters who sought to mix together different vintages of wine. And they kind of mixed their own religion together. A little Chumash, a little Baal maybe even a lot Baal and Ashteroth, Baal's female consort. And then you've got all of these other tribal deities that surrounded them and some Yahweh too, the God who brought them out of Egypt. We'll give him a place at the table as well. They were arrogant and they forgot the God who gave them their blessings. God Warned Israel about Idolatry Now, God warned Israel about this very specifically in the book of Deuteronomy. These quotes are so important to my message that I have them printed in your bulletin, so that you wouldn't take the time to look there. But look what it says in Deuteronomy 8. Now, I'm going to read more of the quote from Deuteronomy 8 that is printed in your bulletin, but you'll see where I begin to pick up what is printed in your bulletin. Deuteronomy 8 beginning at verse 7, it says, "The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and pools of water with springs flowing in the valleys and hills, a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey, a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing, a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills and when you have eaten, and are satisfied praise the Lord your God for the good land, he has given you be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws, and his decrees that I'm giving you this day otherwise when you eat and are satisfied when you build fine houses and settle down, when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your hearts will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." That is a very serious warning concerning the danger of the material physical blessings that God was giving to Israel and how they might ultimately lead Israel astray from worshipping the true God. That Israel's table might become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them was exactly in Moses' mind in Deuteronomy 8. And so, he warned them that it might happen and they should be careful and beware not to let it happen. Then in Deuteronomy 32 he goes beyond that. In Deuteronomy 32, in the song of Moses he actually tells them in predictive prophecy that that is precisely what is going to happen. He doesn't just warn them as in Deuteronomy 8, he tells him it is going to happen. Now, the song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32, it's one of the most extraordinary chapters in all the Bible, it's the fifth book of Moses. Perhaps the fifth book, the scripture that was ever written and before anything had happened, before they had entered the Promised Land, God Gave in prophetic vision to Moses, the whole history of Israel and exactly what would happen. Song of Moses is extraordinary. As a matter of fact, before Moses gave the song of Moses God told them what the song was about and why he was giving them a song. In Deuteronomy 31:19-22 he says, "Now write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it. So that it may be a witness for me against them." In other words, people just tend to remember the words of songs. I know that we have a number of scripture memory tapes like from Steve Green, hide them in your heart and the kids listen and just by singing, they learn the memory verses. And I know that there's a number of hymns that just follow the lines of certain verses and you know them. I know him whom I believed and I'm convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him against that day. You learned the song and it you can remember it easily. And so God gave to Israel this song of Moses, and he said I want you to sing it, teach it to your children and teach it to their children after so that it will be a witness for me against them. Why against them? Well, he says in verse 20 of Deuteronomy 31, "'When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their forefathers, and when they eat their fill and when they thrive they will turn to other gods, and they will worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant. And when many disasters and difficulties come upon them this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.' And so Moses wrote down this song that day and taught it to the Israelites." I cannot stress for you strongly enough how important the song of Moses is in Romans 11, because here we have the theme of jealousy. God said the Israelites would make him jealous by gods that were not true gods therefore he would make them jealous by the Gentiles. It's exactly what we're going to see in Romans 11, but here he gives them a warning about the table becoming a snare and a trap and this is what he says, Deuteronomy 32:12-15, "The Lord alone guided him, no foreign God was with him." Speaking of Israel, "He made him ride on the high places of the land and he ate the produce of the field, and he suckled with him with honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock, curds from the herd and milk from the flock with fat of lambs, and rams of Bashan and goats, and with the very finest of the wheat and you drank foaming wine made from the blood of the grape. But Jeshurun, [that's Israel] grew fat and kicked, you grew fat and Stout and sleek. Then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the rock of His salvation." Verse 16, "They made him jealous with their foreign gods." That's a prediction and that is exactly what happened. Israel's material prosperity, their comfort, their ease, their affluence in the Promised Land hardened their own hearts against God and led them to experiment with false gods, they led them away from the true and living God. The prophets who came later warned them about this again and again perhaps one of the more famous of these warnings is in Amos 6:1-7 where it says, "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation to whom the people of Israel come. You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and you lounge on your couches, you dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments, you drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions to do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph and therefore you will be among the first to go into exile. You're feasting and your lounging will end." These kind of prophecies are repeated again and again in Isaiah and Jeremiah and in Amos 6. Ultimately the worst of all is that they did not see in all of his blessings the highest blessing that God intended to give and that is salvation through Jesus Christ. That Jesus is the table of blessing. Jesus is the ultimate feast, it is through Jesus that we will sit at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is the feast. They didn't see it, and they didn't realize that these good blessings were meant to lead them to Christ. Now, you may ask, "How can God's blessings actually bring about blindness and hardness?" I thought God's blessings were blessings. I thought they were meant to be good, how can it be that this thing, this beautiful Promised Land with all of the plentiful food and all of the gold and the silver, and all of the prosperity how can this which everyone sees to be a blessing actually become an avenue of curse. Well, it's interesting isn't it strange how sunshine when it hits and heats up wax, the wax melts but when it hits clay, the clay gets hardened. The same sunshine has a different effect, whether it's wax or whether it's clay. And here's how it works. Whether adversity or prosperity, whatever comes to you if it's not also met with a transformed heart by the grace of God it will harden you against God. If you go through a prosperity without the transformation of the grace of God, it will actually harden you against God though it is generally considered a blessing. And if you go through adversity, if the transforming grace of God isn't there inside your heart, it will harden you against God and you will curse him and you'll be angry at him for bringing the trouble into your life. But the whole thing changes when the grace of God is there. When the grace of God is in a heart, then the blessings that come the person mouths and says, "I don't deserve this, I don't deserve this prosperity, I don't deserve these good things. How can I use them to advance the Kingdom? How can I use them to be a blessing for others, for the poor and the needy, the widow and the orphan? How can I use these blessings for the glory of God?" That's what a transformed heart says to those blessings and along with it they give thanks to God and they enjoy the good things that God gave, but they're not stingy, they don't hold on, they don't become a backwater where pollutants then grow like bacteria instead they're just open handed and it flows when the grace of God is there. And also when the grace of God is in heart adversity comes and suffering, then they shine like the sun. They're so different from the unbelievers, they are trusting in God, they believe there's a purpose in the suffering. They are able to put on display the courage and the otherworldly mentality of a Christian. And they just shine, they flourish. Therefore, everything is the grace of God. Do you not see it? Everything. And if God gives the grace then it's a blessing, but if God gives the blessing without the transformed heart it becomes a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution. IV. Application What application can we take from this? Well, I had a number of applications. I think first of all, we just need to accept the things that are revealed, whether they're pleasant to us or not the scripture says, "God gave them." and we need to accept what it says. God hasn't told us everything about his infinitely deep plan. As a matter of fact Paul himself marveled at the end at the depth of the riches, the wisdom and the knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his ways, his paths are beyond tracing out. We can't know everything that God is doing with the Jews and everything he's doing with us but we should accept what he has revealed and say, it's true and I accept it, I don't fight against it, I rejoice in it. Secondly, I think we should be humbled by this sovereign plan of God. I believe the ultimate purpose in all of this is that God would be glorified in the salvation of a multitude greater than anyone can number from Jews and gentiles alike who all of them know they were saved by grace alone apart from their own merits. And so God gets the glory and we get eternal joy and we are deeply humbled by it, and I think that's a marvelous thing. And therefore, let's be humbled now, let's be humbled now, let's be deeply humbled by what God is doing with the Jews and let's be secure in God's salvation plan. He who began a good work in us he will carry it on to completion. Everything comes down to the grace of God and if God has given you his grace, he's going to keep giving you his grace until in the end you are perfect in Christ, fully saved. That's your security. Not because you may be wealthy or because things are going well in your life or because you can see all kinds of evidences of blessing around you. No, that could be a snare and a trap. The real question is, has God transformed your heart to love him and to trust him and to follow him? That is your security that God keeps his promises. But now I speak directly to you and to me as American Christians who live in a land flowing with milk and honey. This is very convicting for me. This is a warning to me. And friends if you read all of Romans 11, you'll realize it was intended to be a warning to Gentile Christians not to boast and not to be arrogant lest they also be stripped off the tree. A true Christian doesn't boast over the Jews in their state. And a true Christian doesn't look at this issue of material prosperity becoming a snare and a trap without trembling inside our hearts, especially not American Christians. Brothers and sisters, we live in a land of prosperity. Do we not? Depending on how you measure we may be among the most the wealthiest nations that have ever been on God's earth. All you need to do is travel overseas and see what passes for wealth in many other places and you realize how wealthy we are. And I do not say it by means of boasting you must know that. I say it by means of a warning that our material prosperity can actually harden our hearts against the Holy Spirit of God. That we through comfort and ease and affluence, we can lose the ability, the sensitivity to hear what God is saying to us. We've got something to protect and therefore we don't venture forth in missions. We have something to protect and therefore we're not willing to hear certain things from Scripture. May it never be. We have a veritable river of blessings flowing on to our groaning tables. We have food in abundance, we have money in abundance. I'll never forget coming back from my first mission trip going to supermarket, I think it was Kroger and I was just in the bread section. I mean, just the bread section. Do you know that I actually frequently do groceries these days and I once spent 15 minutes looking for Thomas's English muffins. And they were there. It's just that that wasn't the only thing that was there. You know how many different kinds of English muffins there are. They were raisin kinds and there were different brands of the same thing and then there was all kinds of different dietary breads and low sodium breads and there... Oh, it was almost... There was a whole row of breads. We are a blessed people, we have been lavished upon. We have been lavished upon. We have first rate hospitals, we have well paved roads, we have a stable government. Whatever you think about who's in charge of it, we have a stable situation, we are set up for prosperity. The land here is rich and fertile and produces well year after year after year and because of that we have a wealth of the nations people coming from all over the Earth some of the best, the brightest people all over the world coming here, we have been greatly enriched by that. We have constant entertainment available. You can literally amuse yourself to death as one author put it. We live in a bountiful, beautiful, secure, blessed and abundant land. We live in a land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, we are under the same warning as the Jews lest we forget God. Lest our hearts become hardened by our prosperity, lest we stop hearing Jesus speak to us when he says, "Give it up and follow me." I'm concerned about that. We must ask ourselves if our love of money and pleasure and ease has hardened our heart. Do you love Jesus now as much as you did when you first knew him? Do love his word as much? Do you spend as much time in prayer? Do you still weep when he speaks to you through the Spirit? Are you soft and yielded to him? When he speaks do you obey him? Are you following that internal prompting of the Spirit? And if not may I suggest that this may be a reason why. I'm not saying that it definitely is but it may be. Beware. Now, do I say that we should all go ascetic, strip ourselves of all material possessions, sell everything we have and become mendicant beggars? Some have done that in history. We're talking about that in our home fellowship in Randy Alcorn's book. No, I don't think that's the answer. The answer the Scripture gives to the wealthy again and again is be thankful, be humble and use the wealth for his glory. That's the answer. But all I'm saying is here spiritually guard your heart. Ask yourself, am I soft and yielded to Jesus? Am I willing to hear him speak? Ultimately friends, the table of blessing is Jesus. Don't let any of God's good lesser gifts take his place in your life. Come to Jesus, if you have never trusted in Christ, believe in him now. Come to him. He is the table of blessing. He will never fail you. If you have already trusted in Christ but you feel that some other idols have come and have taken his place in your heart throw them out. Throw them out and come to the table of Jesus again and feast on him. Close with me in prayer.

Pastor Andy Davis preaches an expository sermon on Romans 10:16-21. The main subject of the sermon is God's continued efforts to reach the Jewish people. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - I. A Different Picture of God... But Not Contradictory Few stories are as dramatic and tragic as the story of unrequited love. You think about how many operas and works of literature and popular songs and poems and odes are written on that theme of unrequited love. One individual loves another and the other either doesn't know they exist or doesn't share their same level of affection, wants to be just friends, perhaps, or perhaps it's a parent-child relationship in which the children are rebelling and do not love the parents the way that they should. It's a tragic story but I would say of all those stories, there's none as tragic as the story of God and the human race. Of God and the human race, and it's pictured very dramatically for us and unfolded in the history of God and Israel. But it would have been no different with any other tribe or language, or people or nation because, frankly, all of us are in here. When it says, "I was found by those who did not seek Me. I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me." And so, here is God extending His arms to rebellious and disobedient people. Not just the Jews, although that's what's being quoted here, but all of us, apart from Christ, not wanting Him, not loving Him. Though, He displays His love day after day, though He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous, though He loves His enemies in ways we can't even imagine, yet we spurn Him and turn away from Him and do not love Him. It's an unrequited love. But you know something, God won't stay that way forever. He won't be a jilted lover forever. Because His love is sovereign and powerful, and it creates what it loves, and that's my hope and yours, that God has the power to speak into a cold and dark and hard heart and transform it. Now, as we look at Romans 10:21, look at it again, the very last verse that Allan read. Concerning Israel, he says, "All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." What we have here is a very different picture of God than we have had in Romans 9. It's not contradictory, it's just different. In Romans 9, we have the picture of a sovereign emperor of the universe, one who sits on the throne and who is addressing the question: Why are so many Jews rejecting the Gospel? That's what's before us in Romans 9:10-11. Why are so many Jews turning away from their Messiah? And the immediate answer that Paul gives in Romans 9:6, "Not all who are descended from Israel are Israel," he gets into the depths of the doctrine of unconditional and sovereign election. That's his immediate answer to the problem. "God has the power to speak into a cold and dark and hard heart and transform it." And so we saw the sovereignty of God there as He calls Jacob and not Esau in Romans 9:11-12 "Before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God's purposes in election might stand, not by works but by Him who calls, she was told the older will serve the younger," but then later in Romans 9:15-16, it says of God, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion… It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort but on God who has mercy." And then again, in verse 18 of chapter nine, "Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden." Now, this is an incredible picture of God, it's a picture of God sitting on His throne ruling over all things, but specifically ruling over human salvation, ruling over human salvation, but in Romans 10, here in verse 21, we have a different picture. Look at it again. "All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." God here like the father of the prodigal son waiting for his son to return, after he's done with sin, waiting that he would come home. And we have a similar picture in Jesus when Jesus stands over the city of Jerusalem, and says, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you. How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you were not willing." The grief and the pain there. Now, I say to you that it is very difficult to reconcile these two. It's hard to get Romans 9 and Romans 10 to kind of coincide in our minds. How do you get the picture of this sovereign God who gets what He wants and nobody can stop Him in Romans 9, and then Romans 10:21, He's standing and holding out His hands to sinners wanting them to come back. There are many popular depictions of a waiting Savior. You've seen perhaps the picture of Jesus standing at a vine-covered door and knocking. Behind that has be Revelation 3:20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me," but there He is waiting, knocking, knocking, waiting. And I was troubled by that. I said, "That's not the picture of God I get. He's not passive in salvation." Someone said, "Actually, what He does is, goes around the back, crawls in the window and unlocks the door for Himself." And frankly if he doesn't do that he'll never get in because the human heart doesn't want Him in. I accept that, I think it's true, but I think there's a theme here. Perhaps you've also seen the hymn, The Savior is Waiting. I remember listening to that and after I started to understand God's sovereignty and salvation, I said, "I'm not likely to sing this hymn again," but now when I see Romans 10:21, I begin to wonder if maybe we should sing it. "The Savior is waiting, to enter your heart. Why don't you let Him come in? There's nothing in this world to keep you apart. What is your answer to Him? Time after time, He has waited before and now He is waiting again, to see if you're willing to open the door. Oh, how He wants to come in. If you'll take one step toward the Savior, my friend, you'll find His arms open wide. Receive Him, and all of your darkness will end; within your heart, He'll abide." Now, what I say to you this morning is I think it's a major tragedy for any church to deny one or the other, just 'cause we can't reconcile them. I think it's a major tragedy. It hurts evangelism, it hurts missions to deny one or the other. It's very difficult for us to reconcile these two pictures. People who want to emphasize the sovereignty of God over salvation, they say that God rules over all things, the human heart, they have a hard time with the Savior's waiting. Waiting for what? He moves when He wants, and no one can resist Him. And the Scripture says that. I was reading a reformed theologian named Dr. Van Buren and he had examples of... He's talking about the doctrine of irresistible grace, which I called sovereign grace rather than irresistible, but at any rate, that God gets who He wants, and He has that power over the human heart. At least, that's an example that he found about 100 years ago of a ballot concerning your salvation. Maybe you've seen it And there's three places to vote; two of them have been taken and there's two ways to vote, yes or no, concerning your salvation. God has voted yes, isn't that good news for you? The devil has voted no. Oh, what a shame. But no big surprise. The deciding vote is going to be cast by whom? Well, whoever gets a little tract, right? And you can get a pen and you can vote yes or you can vote no. Oh, there's all kinds of problems with that. Are the Devil and Satan really equal in the matter of human salvation? Do we live in that kind of a universe? But even more troubling is the idea that God is waiting for you to make the final determination. It doesn't seem to fit in Romans 9. The question I want to ask this morning is, can we still retain an understanding of God as sovereign over the human heart, able to break a heart of stone, to transform it and make it into a heart of flesh. He's got that kind of power and yet He can say, "All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." Is it possible to understand the sovereignty of God and a passionate appeal to sinners that they be converted? I think it is, I think it frankly must be. We've got to hold them together, we've got to keep both of them in front of us. People who have no problem with the Savior's waiting have a problem with the picture of God in Romans 9. They don't understand it, they don't see how it can be. We've got to keep both of them in front of us. Frankly, we declare our faith in the sovereignty of God over human salvation every time we drop to our knees and ask God to save someone. I mean, a husband, a wife, a parent, child, relative, coworker. What are you asking God to do? What are you asking Him to do when you get down on your knees? Are you not saying, "Oh God, change their heart, oh, God, give them a love for things they have not loved up 'til now. Oh God, work inside them." That's what you're asking them to do, therefore you're testifying that you believe God can do those kind of things. Or whenever we send out missionaries to seemingly impossible mission fields, unreached people groups, hostile Muslim groups, other groups that seem totally beyond our reach, frankly, any missionary endeavor, are we not stepping out confident in God, and not in ourselves, trusting in Him? But, friends, I think it is just as great a tragedy to deny that we should stand and make passionate, persistent appeals to sinners to be saved, passionate and persistent, that we need in effect to take this stance all day long. "I've held up my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." It's what God does here in Romans 10:21 with Israel. Remember the passion that the Apostle Peter showed on the day of Pentecost. After preaching all of that incredible Pentecost sermon, it says in Acts 2:40, "With many other words, he warned them and pleaded with them, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.'" We don't know what he said, Luke doesn't tell us. He said a lot of other things that are not recorded in the Book of Acts. But do you see His passion? Do you see His heart? Do you see His warnings, His pleadings, perhaps even His tears, though it's not recorded. Do you see Him yearning for His people to be saved? And I believe both of these are taught in the Scripture. We've got to hold them together. And probably the passage that teaches them the most plainly together is Matthew 11:25-30. These are the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and He says in Matthew 11:25, "I praise You, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Then He said this, "No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him." Strong statement of God's sovereignty. The very next thing He says, is, "Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Is some theological counselor going to sit Jesus down and say, "You seem to be theologically confused. You can't both have 'All things have been committed to Me by My Father,' and, 'Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened.'" Yes, you can. And I think this church needs both. We need a strong commitment to the sovereignty of God over human hearts, along with a passionate, tear-stained appeal to sinners to be converted. We need them both. II. Israel’s Stumbling Block: The Word of Faith vs. Works of the Law Now, Israel had a stumbling block in coming to Christ. And that's what we're dealing with here in Romans 10. Why didn't they come? Why were they not responding to this kind of appeal, all day long God holding out His hands. Why are they not coming? Well, we already learned there's a stumbling block. Look back in Romans 9:31-33. It says there, "That Israel who pursued a law of righteousness has not attained it, why not because they pursued it not by faith, but as if it were by works, they stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written, see I lay in Zion, a stone, that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." So Romans 10, is dealing with the human level. Its not the level of unconditional election, but at the human level as to why the Jews were rejecting Christ. And there it says at the end of Romans 9 that they are rejecting because they stumbled over Christ. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. Now, it says in 10:3-4 that Israel sought to establish their own righteousness. It says, "They did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own therefore did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the end of the law for everyone who believes, so there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." They stumbled over Christ, they stumbled over the idea that righteousness could be given simply as a gift, couldn't accept it, and so they refused it. In 10:5-7 that this righteousness is a simple gift, it's not some stunning religious achievement. You don't have to climb the highest mountain or travel to the far side of the sea or go down to the depths of the sea. No, all you have to do is hear this Word of faith and believe it. "The Word is near you, it's in your mouth and in your heart." It's a simple thing, that, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved, for it is with the heart that you believe and are justified and it is with the mouth that you confess and are saved," it's that simple. But the Jews couldn't accept it and neither could they accept verses 11-13, that this righteousness is available for everybody. It's wide open now. "Anyone who trusts in Him [in Christ] will never be put to shame." Look what it says in verse 12, "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile." Oh, how offensive that was to some Jews. What do you mean there's no difference between Jew and Gentile? We are God's people, we're descendants of Abraham and we're waiting for God to whip up on these Gentiles? Not save them. But what is this statement? "There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" They couldn't accept it. Now, the proclamation of the word of faith is essential to salvation. We talked about that last week versus 14-15: "How then can they call on the one they've not believed in, and how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them and how can they preach unless they are sent as it is written, 'how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news?'" That's the missionary endeavor. There are evangelists and missionaries, going out all over the world taking this word of faith, the gospel and simply preaching it. The Jews didn't want to preach to the Gentiles but Paul did it anyway, against some great opposition he continued to preach. And there he's defending as we talked about last time, he is preaching ministry, to both Jew and Gentile, he's reaching out with the Gospel. And the reason for that is that as we heard in verse 17, "Faith comes by hearing." Look at it, verse 17. I'm going to preach God willing, next time, a whole message on this, the final application in the sermon. I'm not going to get to it till next week. So we're going to talk more about the significance of this statement. "Faith comes by hearing." But just look at it for the first time now. "The proclamation of the word of faith is essential to salvation." Consequently it says, "Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ." And so what happens is, as the missionaries, as the evangelists, as the apostles go out and they just preach Christ and Him crucified, they just preach this simple message. What happens is, while the ear drum is vibrating with the sounds, while the concepts are going in the brain, all of a sudden faith comes up in the human heart. Ephesians 2 says it's a gift of God. 2 Corinthians 4 says that God speaks light into the heart and that light is focused on the glory of Christ. But as they're listening to the Gospel, faith comes and they are justified. What a beautiful thing. Faith comes by hearing, the problem is, the Jews hardened their hearts, they did not obey the Gospel. Look what it says in verse 16, "But they have not all obeyed the Gospel." That's the ESV. There's other translations, but I think this is a good one. They hadn't heeded it, they didn't obey it. Friends, the Gospel is a command to be obeyed. Jesus said in Mark 1:15, this is the beginning of His preaching, in Mark's Gospel, He says "The time has come, the Kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the good news," those are the twin commands of the Gospel, you must repent, you must turn away from sin, you must hate it, stop doing it, turn away from it as a principle, repent and believe the good news that Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. And even more, as it unfolds, that He died in our place, on the cross, He shed His blood, that we might have eternal life. Repent and believe, it's a command. We obey the Gospel we also believe it, but we obey it. Well, the Jews did not, they did not obey. Now, the question you may ask, and it's being asked here in Romans 9-11 is well, the Jews are God's people. Does the fact that they did not heed the Gospel and not obey does that mean that God's Word has failed, that God's Word perhaps is ineffective or God's covenants to His people, that His promises have been broken? Oh, absolutely not. It does not mean that. In fact Israel's unbelief, was predicted 700 years before the time of Christ. Isaiah the Prophet predicted it. Look what it says, again, in verse 16, "They have not all obeyed the Gospel for Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he heard from us.'" Now do you know where that's from? Well, that's the very beginning of Isaiah 53, that's Isaiah 53:1. What does Isaiah 53? Well, any of you who have studied the Old Testament, looking for Christ and find Him, you're going to find Him in Isaiah 53 more clearly than anywhere else in the Old Testament, you're going to find His bloody death on the cross, His substitutionary atonement His death on the cross more clearly depicted there in Isaiah than anywhere else in the Old Testament. This is what Isaiah says, "He grew up before Him. Like a tender shoot and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him, He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering, like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet, we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him and afflicted, but He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds, we are healed, we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." That's the Gospel, friends, that's Jesus suffering and dying for us. And Isaiah introduced this saying, in effect, they're not going to believe it Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? III. God Leaves Israel No Excuse (verses 16-21) Israel's rejection was predicted centuries before, and so in verses 16-21, I believe the Apostle Paul is basically removing any excuse from Israel concerning that rejection. He takes away the excuses. Excuse #1: “We’ve never heard” Excuse number one would be simply we never heard about this, we never heard about Jesus, we never heard the Gospel. The problem is, they had heard. It's interesting that the people who bring this up as a, in some way, proof that the exclusivity of Christ can't be true. Because there's so many people who haven't heard the Gospel are not in that category, they have heard about Christ, and they're raising up this question and I've actually said in witnessing opportunity, saying, "Well I am so grateful that at this early stage, you have such a compassion on the lost. I'm grateful that you are so concerned about those who've never heard but the fact is you've heard." And so whether they ever hear or not, you have to deal with this Gospel, you have heard, and that's in effect what Paul says here. He says, in verse 18, "But I asked, did they not hear, did they not hear? Of course they did. 'Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.'" And by the way, that's a remarkable citation of Psalm 19, it's incredible. Psalm 19 is a great Psalm talking about how the heavens are telling the Glory of God, The skies proclaim the work of His hands. It's an amazing thing because it's just talking about natural revelation, how the sun and the moon and the stars talk about, about God. The rising and setting of the sun every day, gives clear testimony to the existence of God, the creator. Now you say, "What does that have to do with the preaching of the Gospel?" Well, it just talks about God's commitment to communicate to the entire human race. He has a commitment to reveal Himself and in a similar way, He is revealing himself in the Gospel as these beautiful feet as the messengers, the evangelists, the apostles cross mountains and rivers and oceans, to bring this Gospel to the ends of the earth. Their testimony has gone out over all the world, God has sent out His messengers. And by the time Paul wrote Romans, progress, astonishing progress had already been made. At the end of Romans. You can look there or just listen, but in Romans 15:18-24, you could turn there, if you want or just listen. In Romans 15:18-24, Paul says this, "I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done by the power of signs and miracles through the power of the Spirit. Listen, So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ." Illyricum is Yugoslavia. It's right across from the Italian boot, it's right there. So basically, the entire Northern Region of the Mediterranean Paul says I have fully preached the Gospel everywhere, and he goes beyond that, he keeps going in verse 20, 15:20, he said, "It's always been my ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation, rather as it is written. "Those who were not told about him will see and those who have not heard will understand." That's Isaiah 52, right before 53, Paul knows these verses so that I want to preach Isaiah 53 everywhere I go, kings will hear about Him and rise up princes will see and they'll fall down on their faces. Paul says, "I want to see that happen. So it's my ambition to go where Christ has never been known. But I have a problem, there's no more place for me to work in this area. Everybody's heard of Jesus, and I am a trailblazing missionary, so I've got to go on and so I'll be passing through God willing, through Rome on my way to Spain. Because I just can't find any place to work anymore." That's incredible. The Gospel had super saturated that area. It wasn't just the apostles, it was the churches they planted, and so the Thessalonian Christians were witnessing. Their faith in God had been reported all over the world, it was multiplying and exploding, it was exciting. And so Paul can make this statement in Colossians 1:23, "This is the Gospel that you heard, and that has been proclaimed to every creature under Heaven every creature under Heaven." Well, we know now it's not literally every single solitary human being but he's saying that the Gospel had been so widely preached that it had made this kind of progress and now it's reached you, Colossians, it's gotten to you. This is the ultimate end of the gospel ministry. Jesus said, in Matthew 24:14, "This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come." So we're going all over the world, just like the sun from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, Jesus's name will be great. So again, I asked Have they not heard?" What's the first thing Paul did in every town he went to the Jewish synagogue, and preached. Oh, they have heard. They have heard of Jesus. There's no excuse. Excuse #2: “We Did Not Understand” Secondly, we did not understand, we didn't get it, they told us about Jesus, he told us about Jesus, but we didn't understand. Well how does he deal with this? Verse 19, he says, "Again I asked, did Israel not understand? At first, Moses says, 'I'll make you envious by those who are not a nation, I will make you angry, by a nation that has no understanding.' And Isaiah boldly says, 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.'" This is a very deep answer. In a nutshell. I think what he's saying here is the fact that the Gentiles are turning to Christ shows that not understanding the Gospel is no obstacle, and no excuse you know why, because God can overcome that in anybody. First of all at one level the Gospel is so simple, a child could understand it. God sent His son, He died in our place. Trust in Him and He'll save you. It's really quite straightforward. The depths as we'll see in Romans 11, at the end are so deep none of us can fathom them all. But on the issue of understanding, that was no obstacle for the Gentiles. Now, let's remember the Gentiles… Ephesians 4 describes them in verse 17, and following, Paul says there, "So I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord that you must no longer live as the gentiles do in the futility of their thinking, they're darkened in their understanding, and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that's in them, due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity they have given themselves over to sensuality, so as to indulge in every kind of impurity with a continual lust for more." Those are the Gentiles. They're not sounding too good. It didn't sound like they understand anything. And frankly, Paul says right here, quoting he says, "I was found by those who did not seek me. I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." And God is saving Gentiles by the thousands. Is that an obstacle I don't understand, I don't get it. Well, it is an obstacle that will damn your soul, if God doesn't save you from it, but He has that kind of power. To speak into a dark heart and into a dark mind He can do that. He can create light where there was darkness before. He can speak to a pagan people who have no interest in a Jewish Messiah, and suddenly they can turn. They woke up that morning a pagan idolater, they went to bed that night a Christian. Hallelujah. God has that kind of power and He can do it for Jews, too. He's going to get to that in chapter 11. God hasn't rejected His people, I'm [Paul] a Jew. He can do it in our hearts, too. And so God has the kind of power to reach out and to create inside the heart of somebody who's running from God, to create a yearning for God inside that heart, He has that power. "I was found by those who did not seek for me, I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." That is powerful. Excuse #3: “God Has Never Revealed Himself to Us” The final excuse is God has not revealed Himself to us, is that true? Has God not revealed Himself to Israel? Well, how many prophets did he need to send? How many prophecies about Christ was enough? As one of the Jews said, when watching Jesus, "when the Messiah comes, will He do more miracles than this man?" How much more revelation is needed? God has revealed Himself to the Jews powerfully but they have not turned. Romans 10:21, Israel has no excuse because God has constantly made an appeal to them all day long. I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people. Oh how powerful is this. Generation after generation, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has been reaching out to the Jewish people. One prophet after another. One messenger after another. Jesus told the parable of the tenant farmers in the vineyard, the landowner rents out his farm or his vineyard to these tenant farmers they are, the Jews. And then he sends messengers to collect a share of the harvest, but they kill them one after another, kill them one after another, killed them finally he says, "Well I'll send my Son. They wi'll respect my son." They say look, here's the heir, let's kill him and take the inheritance. And so, they kill him, too. What is the point of the parable? Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem you who killed the prophets and stoned those sent to you. I'm standing there, generation after generation. I'm holding out my hands to you. And Jesus in Matthew 23, says, "Therefore I'm sending you prophets and wise men, and teachers, I'm going to send you apostles and you will kill them and you will flog them, in your synagogues, and pursue them, from town to town. That's what you will do all day long I've held out my hands to a disobedient obstinate people. But you know something, even in the midst of this, Romans 10, Do you not see, God's still doing it? Do you not see Him still reaching out, even now, through, the Apostle Paul. Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, come, take my yoke upon you. Trust in me believe in me, I'm still holding out my hands to a rebellious and obstinate people, to a people who murmur against me argue against me who refute the scriptures and show how it can't be Jesus. I've held out my hands and I continue to do so. IV. Application: Imitating God in Our Evangelism and Missions What application can we take from this? Well, next week we'll talk about faith comes by hearing. But I just want to zero in on this one thing. I believe that we at First Baptist church, we Christians, we need to imitate God in this. Look at verse 21, Concerning Israel, He says, "All day long. I have held out my hands to a disobedient obstinate people." All day long, all day long, shows perseverance, long-suffering, putting up with the obstacles that have come your way when you try to lead someone to Christ. Putting up with the obstacles that come your way when you try to plant a church in an unreached people. The long suffering, putting up with the obstacles that come when you try to lead a spouse or a child or a friend to Christ, all the flak. The guy who led me to Christ, put up with so many things, I will not want to see a video tape of what I did to him for those 18 months. I was unkind, I was rude. And the Lord reminds me of it often. He says, "Have you done as much for this individual as Steve did for you over those 18 months in bringing you to Christ? "No Lord, I haven't." "Well, hang in there, persevere, be long-suffering, don't give up easily." So all day long I see that patience there I also see initiative. I have held out my hands. It starts with God and moves out and reaching out to you. There's an initiative. We don't wait for the sinners to come here, then they won't. Why would they come here? We go from here out. We take the initiative and find out where they are. In passion, I've held out My hands. This is tough for me. I can witness on an airplane in a kind of a cold "oh, by the way, this is an interesting thing" sort of way without risking much. But if they start to see some tears coming down my face, like "Whoa, you getting a little heavy on me here, this is too intense back off." And they don't want that. There's an intensity there, but then Acts 2:40, "With many other words, He warned them and pleaded with them. Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Where is that warning and pleading in our evangelism where is the holding out your hands to a disobedient obstinate people. Be willing to be counted a fool for Christ's sake. See the passion, and see the persuasion. I've held out my hands Come now, let us reason together. Let's talk about these scriptures let's talk about the predictions about Christ. Let's reason. And let's be willing to suffer. Look what He says to a disobedient and obstinate people. You know something, the more I go on in my Christian life, and as a pastor, the more I realize how overwhelmingly powerful, a force is sin. I mean it's just there, it's in my face all the time, not just my own sin, but the sins of others. It is tough to change a human heart, isn't it? This is a supernatural work of God, and if we are going to be fruitful, as a church, if we're going to see a lot of people baptized if we're going to see a lot of people discipled through our ministry, we will have to be willing to suffer their disobedience and obstinance while they wrestle with the Gospel. We go to be willing to put up with it. And I believe that our fruitfulness will be in direct proportion to our willingness to pay that price. The more we're willing to suffer what it takes to take the Gospel, the more fruitful it will be. And I think that's exactly what God's calling on us to do. Would you close with me in prayer?