“Taking A Step Forward” 8-7-11

Is there anything that happens in our life of any significance that doesn’t first require an action and a willingness to act on our part? Most of the greatest events in the Bible did not occur without someone first acting before God acted.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must first believe that He is, and believe that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.

Joshua 3:13 And it shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above shall stand in one heap."

James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Matthew 14:28-29 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Noah had to build the ark before God sent the flood. Abraham had to be willing to offer his son Isaac up before God blessed him. Moses had to first stretch forth his staff.

Necessary Steps to take
1 – Acknowledge God’s presence and His will in our life.
2 – Know the right thing to do.
3 – Be willing to act on and obey God’s Word in His timing.
Be looking for the signs along the way!
Begin to take baby steps!

So how do we know what is the right thing to do?

James 4:17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.
John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

Romans 8:14-16 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Sometimes God gives you a clear direction. Most times He wants us to step out and trust Him and He will begin to reveal His will as you step out. Sometimes, we even have to be forced and challenged to take a step in the right direction.

Doing the right thing is seldom easy. Most times we just want to stay in our comfort zone and do what is familiar and easier. That’s never what God calls us to do. We are always in-between doing what’s easier and popular and doing what’s right. It’s always easier going the direction the crowd is going, rather than blazing a new trail. The road is wide and easier that leads in the wrong direction, but narrow is the way that leads to God.

“We Believed A Lie!”
John 8:44, 45

The first sin humanity ever committed was believing a lie
(Genesis 3)
Adam and Eve were already like God, after all, they were made in God’s image.

Satan made them question God’s character and nature. We seem to have a tendency to not want to believe the truth about God or ourselves.

(Rom 1:25)
“For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie.”

How do you convince somebody that a lie is true?
By distorting the truth and presenting a lie enough times as if it is the truth.
By making enough noise and have someone with some kind of credibility support a lie.
By sprinkling a lie with a little of the truth.
By making a lie more appealing than the truth.
By making a lie easier to believe and adhere to than the truth.

(John 8:44-45)
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. 45 "But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me.

Why did Jesus come?
“To testify of the truth!”
(John 18:37)
For this reason I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.

If testifying of the truth was the reason Jesus came, maybe we should be doing the same thing. It seems as if the truth is hard to come by nowadays. Is it easier to believe the truth, or a lie?

(John 14:6) Jesus said… I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
(John 8:32) You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If believing the truth sets you free… then believing a lie must
bring bondage!

What lies have we been fed in our society?
Lie # 1 - That the divorce rate has increased to over 50% among Christians and that fewer people are getting married.
The truth - The fact is that the divorce rate has been “decreasing” since its largest increase in the 1970’s and marriage is increasing and fewer Christians are getting divorced than non-Christians. What is only being reported is that in certain socio-economic groups marriage is less common and having children out of wedlock has increased. This tends to be more common where poverty and poor education exists.

What lies have we been fed in our society?
Lie # 2. That marriage isn’t really necessary and all you only really need is a loving person to raise children and not a father and a mother in a committed marriage.
The truth - There seems to be an agenda to redefine marriage. The fact is, is that children grow up better equipped for life and healthier in every way where there is a father and a mother in a committed married relationship raising them. Even violence committed by boy’s decreases and teenage out of wedlock pregnancy is decreased. Distortion of the kind of marriage God intended from the beginning will lead to societal disintegration, as well as degrade and redefine the kind of relationship that Christ has with the church.

What lies have we been fed in our society?
Lie # 3. That today’s so-called gender identities are equally acceptable in the eyes of God.
The truth – To be made in God’s image is to be made male and female and to propagate. Any other representation other than a male and female and the proper biblical relationship between them is a case of gender confusion and a distortion of God’s intended design for humanity to continue and His very nature.

What lies have we been fed in our society?
Lie # 4. That America was NOT founded on Christianity being a part of the government.
The Truth – America was founded on Christianity and its values from its inception. In fact, the idea of separation of church and state had nothing to do with keeping the church out of the government, but rather keeping the government out of the church. Every major movement in the US that has led to greater freedom and justice was inspired by the church. Our constitution can only be maintained and observed if those who are in authority and in that society follow Christian principles. It assumes a moral self-governing society. Washington DC is one of the most religious cities in the US.

What lies have we been fed in our society?
Lie # 5 – That evolution is more than a theory and can be scientifically proven.
The Truth – Ever since Darwin’s theory of evolution was introduced in his book in 1859 titled, “The Origin of Species,” there has never been found a single transitional form in the fossil record. In fact, Darwin himself said that the fossil record may not support his theory.
The first public debate on the issue of evolution verses special creation or intelligent design was the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925. The science of the day presented “so-called” evidence that today has been proven to be false. Yet this was the trial that has formed the debate between teaching evolution in the public school system, rather than intelligent design.

What lies have we been fed in our society?
Lie # 6. That all religions are the same and we all believe in the same God.
The Truth – All religions do NOT teach the same thing about the nature of God and salvation. Some are trying to tell you for instance that the God of Islam and Christianity are the same. That Islam means peace and that it was Ishmael and not Isaac that was about to be sacrificed by Abraham. Cults distort the character or God and deity of Jesus.

What lies have we been fed in our society?
Lie # 7. That human life does not begin at conception and that we have the right to take a life based on ones personal preference and what seems most advantageous at the time.
The Truth – Human development it based on previous stages of growth from conception to birth. You don’t “become a human being” at birth. No one has the right to take a human life other than God, but we are however given the responsibility to speak up and defend the most defenseless among us, who are made in the image of God.

According to the CDC it claims that there have been more than 50 million abortions in the U.S. since Roe Vs. Wade in 1973 that averages to 1.3 million a year. The current US population is approx 310 million. That’s approx a 1/6 of our present pop. Approx 700 thousand have died in US wars. Approx 35 thousand are killed yearly from crime. A mother’s womb has become the most dangerous place on earth. All human life has the right of equal protection under our laws. We have redefined what human life is.
Making life decisions based on a lie leads to destruction! Believing a lie has its consequences, many times catastrophic. For Christians, knowing the truth is a great responsibility. Truth can bring freedom and life, but without Christ, truth can be distorted if we allow the enemy to deceive us. Even Christians can be deceived in our society. We must be about knowing the truth and spreading the truth of Christ.

 

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"A Rabbi Talks With Jesus Part 2"

Romans 9 - 11

Neusner questions Jesus’ view about the authority of the Torah and Jesus’ apparent use of the Torah. Jesus seems to imply that His interpretations are better or greater than others. Also, Jesus seems to present Himself as being more authoritative than the Torah.

He also takes issue with Jesus’ interpretations of some commandments like the Sabbath. He concludes with the following statement: “that only God can ask of me what Jesus is asking of me”. It is the fact that Jesus claims to be deity that Neusner first takes issue with. But he has not missed or misunderstood this point; Jesus is declaring Himself to be deity. It is the very issue of Jesus’ claim to deity that separates Christianity from all other religions and even from the cults of today.

Another issue Neusner has with Jesus is the way that Jesus does NOT speak “collectively” about the salvation of eternal Israel as a nation, as a result of the Messiah. Jesus tends to focus on individual salvation rather than the collective salvation of Israel as a nation.

Many 1st century Jews were looking for a political and religious leader that would restore Israel as a nation to its former glory days.
This was even on the minds of the apostles. (Acts 1:6) "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"
So in their eyes, when Jesus failed do that, as a result of His death through crucifixion, they did not believe He was the messiah.

But Jesus had another agenda in mind, (Acts 1:7-8) He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Rabbi Neusner doesn’t just need to have a talk with Jesus; he also needs to have a talk with another fellow Rabbi, the Apostle Paul, which many other Jews believe that Paul changed the teachings of Jesus.

This is why Paul always felt like he had to legitimize his Jewish heritage. (Acts 22:3) I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, just as you all are today.

In order to fully understand what the NT teaches about the Jews and their relationship to God, we must also know what the Apostle Paul teaches in (Romans chapters 9-11). Paul uses some strong language in chapter 9

(Romans 9:1-5) “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Messiah according to the flesh, who is over all”.

Pauls tells us in (Rom. 11:16-18) that Israel is the “root of the olive tree, and we are the “grafted in branches”.

The Great commission shifts the focus from National Israel and the Temple being the Jewish identity, to the whole world and all believers being the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

So what should be our attitude and relationship concerning the Jews of today? We are indebted to the nation of Israel. After all, it was through them that we received Jesus.

(Romans 11:18-22) “do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.

We can never fully understand our own salvation without first understanding the salvation of the Jews. The Gospel is in the context of Judaism. But we must also realize that God has begun a new work in this world through Christianity. God does not have a separate plan of salvation for Jews and Christians. All people and religions must come through Jesus to be saved.

(Galatians 3:28) In Christ… There is neither Jew nor Gentile, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

What I find ironic, is that the very thing that binds our two faiths, the scripture, divides us. The very Torah and Prophets that Jesus came to fulfill, now separates us.

2 Corinthians 3:15-18
But to this day whenever the Torah is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Rabbi Neusner does not address the issue of the resurrection of Jesus. For me, Jesus’ resurrection validated all that He said while on earth. Without it He just becomes another false Messiah that Israel has had over the centuries.

1 Corinthians 15:13-20 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

January 9th…
“A Rabbi Talks With Jesus” Part 1
Matthew Chapters 5-8

Why didn’t more of the Jews of Jesus’ day accept Jesus as being the messiah and why do many of today’s Jews still not accept Jesus as Messiah?

After all, Jesus was born a Jew in Israel and came to save the nation of Israel and the Apostle Paul said that the Gospel was “salvation for the Jew first and then the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).

With many of today’s Jews, they are not looking for a messiah, nor do they see one to be necessary.

For many Jews today, many of the laws, customs and holy days spoken about in the Torah, have become just secular customs that they may or may not observe and have lost their spiritual significance for many
modern Jews.

The point must be made that after the destruction of the temple in 70ad many of the 613 laws became unoberservable and the priesthood ceased to exist even to this very day.

Prof. Neusner, begins his book by saying, “that today, Judaism and Christianity do not intersect. When they both read the Bible they bring different questions and reach different conclusions and have no shared tradition. There has never been any dialogue between the two religions, and there has never been a desire on either side to have one.”

Neusner examines the sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew and compares what Judaism teaches with what Jesus taught. He begins with one particular verse (Mat. 5:17) "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill”.

The first topic that Neusner discusses is how Jesus approaches the Torah / Law. Neusner takes issue with that fact that Jesus presents himself as an authority who is “above the Torah” and speaks in His “own name” what the Torah speaks only in “God’s name.”

In the Sermon on the Mount recorded in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-8, Jesus says,
“you have heard it said, but I say.” Jesus seems to be implying that His interpretation is what is most important and that He is somehow greater than Moses and the Torah.

In fact, Jesus said that He was,
“greater than the Temple” (Mat.12:6),

“greater than Jonah” (Mat. 12:41),

“greater than Solomon” (Mat. 12:42),
“greater than Jacob” (Jh. 4:12),

and even “greater than Abraham”
(Jh. 8:53).
It also says in (Heb.3:3) that Jesus is due “greater honor than Moses.”

John presents Jesus as the “Word, or Torah,” which existed from the very beginning.”
(John 1:1, 2). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God”. (Jh. 1:14) And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.

Jesus is the walking and talking Torah!

Jesus was saying that in order to become His disciple, you had to follow Him, and not just take on the “yoke” the Torah.
(Mat. 11:28-30) "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 shall find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

Neusner also takes issue with what Jesus teaches about how to observe the commandments. One of the first commandments he takes issue with is the teachings on observing the Sabbath. In Judaism, in observing the Sabbath one becomes holy like God. But Jesus seems to be saying that He is “Lord of the Sabbath / rest” (Mat.12:8)!

The Rabbi concludes, “that only God can ask of me what Jesus is asking of me.” It is the fact that Jesus claims to be deity that Neusner first takes issue with. But he has not missed or misunderstood this point; Jesus is declaring Himself to be deity. It is the very issue of Jesus’ claim to deity that separates Christianity from all other religions and even from the
cults of today.

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"Who Was Jesus?"

(Matthew 16:13-16)

Matthew 16:13-16
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He began asking His disciples, saying, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, “some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Why is it so important to know who Jesus was?
Isn’t it enough just to believe in God and that
Jesus existed?

(James 2:19)
Even the demons believe that God exists!

What you believe about Jesus shapes how you will live your life and ultimately determines your destiny.

There are many out there who are more than willing to tell you who they think Jesus was.
Historians and theologians have tried to answer the question of who Jesus was. Almost everyone you ask has some opinion on who they think Jesus was.

W.W.J.D.
But how do we know what
Jesus would do or say?

Philip Yancey
“The Jesus I Never knew”

Josh McDowell
“More Than A Carpenter”
“was Jesus Lord,
Liar,
or Lunatic?”

“The Jesus Seminar”

So why is it so important to know who Jesus really was? Have we been given free license to believe in or create a Jesus of our own choosing?

Unless we know how Jesus lived we will never really know what He would do,
or who He was! We will be creating a Jesus in our own image, instead of how the Bible presents him to be.

We may even find ourselves believing and imagining a Jesus that never existed and putting words into His mouth that He would have never said.

Is it even possible to know the real historical Jesus?

Thank God we have the choice to choose to believe the Bible and what the Church has taught about Jesus, rather than
so-called theologians with an agenda.

To get a clear picture of Jesus, you must place Him within the context of His times and culture.

To accomplish this we must study the “fifth Gospel”: the land of the Bible and its culture in the 1st cent.

The NT gives us information and clues as to what was the context of Jesus’ life, but we must also study the land and culture of the 1st century, because the NT assumes that the reader is acquainted with the land and culture of Jesus’ day.

So who was Jesus?

To accomplish this you too must take on a life long study of the scripture.

The question is…
D o you really want to know who Jesus was and is?

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“Is Faith Reasonable?”
(Hebrews 11:1)

How many
of the decisions
that you make daily
are based on
reason or faith?

Can reason
be applied
to decisions
about God?
Didn’t God create reason?

So isn’t it reasonable that creation reflects the
mind of its creator?
Do we apply one rule of laws to everything else except faith?
Is faith the suspension of reality and the laws of God’s creation?

Does God work with
and through
the laws of His creation,
or are miracles
“supernatural?”

Faith and reason are like
two wings on which the
human person soars unto the contemplation of the truth.
If you only depend on only one wing you get into difficulty.

If we use only the wing of reason it will lead you to a dead end.
If you use only the wing of faith you run the risk of mindless faith or Fideism or fundamentalism and say; “don’t think just believe”.

Does using reason
lead us away
from faith in God
and into
the arms of science?

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance / confidence / assurance / support / conviction of things hoped for, and the evidence / proof / test of things not seen.”

To me, the biblical definition of faith seems similar to the
definition of reason.
Were people of the Bible being asked to trust in things that were “unreasonable,” or just things they may not be able to understand?
They were being asked to suspend their limited understanding.

Faith
Holding fast to God as He reveals Himself to us through the teaching and preaching of the Word
and the Church.
Faith is a free choice in response
to God’s grace.

Modern definition of Reason
Reason is science, if it is not scientifically justifiable it is not reasonable to believe it.
Scientism = unless something can be varied by a scientific method or justified by science it isn’t real.

They are only looking inside a small box only willing to work with a
few set of facts.

What is the difference between “apprehending and comprehending?”
There are so many things in this world that we can see that we don’t understand, so why is it so hard to believe in things that
we cannot see?

Biblical Definition of Reason
is receptivity to all of reality, tangible and intangible, personal and impersonal.
All areas of truth are open
to investigate.

Reason is tied into the
idea of purpose.
Design defines the purpose and the reason of something.
We believe in an
intelligent designer.

So why is the idea of faith
so unpalatable to
many scientists?
Because it’s more than just believing in a set of facts, it deals with morality and life choices.

Isaiah 55:8-9
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Are the doctrines of Christianity “unreasonable?”
Is Faith unreasonable?
You can exercise both
faith and reason together.

Faith does NOT
come in after
you exhaust all
facts and reason,
or science
to fill in the gaps.

Reason is to faith
what the naked eye
is to a telescope.
It magnifies the truth.

1 John 1:1
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled,
concerning the Word of Life.

Most people don’t die for that which they know to be a lie. Are you willing to
die for your faith?
Do you have reasonable faith
in your faith?

We Walk by Faith and not by sight!

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Historical Faith!”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

What do you base your faith and moral decisions upon?

How well do you know the Bible?

The Bible contains the history of the church and what others believed and were willing to die for.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequately equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20-21
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

1 Peter 3:15
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and reverence.

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

What about other church teachings
and traditions?
2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

It is the church that is the source and pillar of truth!

1 Timothy 3:15 I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

So what’s the answer
to today’s ambiguous and directionless morality?

If we are not willing to submit to the authority of the church as the pillar of truth, we will not know the truth!
It’s the church that is supposed to guide the family and the world!
When the church does not live out its calling and responsibility the whole world suffers!

We are failing to make a lasting impact on our world and we are slowly losing our grip on
our culture.

We are called to replicate Christ in others.
Instead we are leaving it to other sources to define truth.
We are afraid to take a united stand on anything!
So the world will not
believe in Jesus.

John 17:21
that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us; so that the world may believe
that You sent Me.

So do you
have
Historical Faith?

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“Looking for Our Likeness”
Genesis 1:26-28

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, Let Us make Man in Our Image, according to Our Likeness.

To be made in God’s Image and Likeness is to be…
Governmental
(Gen. 1:26) Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

God has placed mankind in charge and responsible for how things are managed here on earth in the physical and political realm. He has never relinquished that responsibility to us. The rise and fall of a government is solely dependant on if that government recognizes God as their source of justice.

To be made in God’s Image and Likeness is to be…
2. Sexual
(Gen.1:27) God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Today there seems to be so much confusion as far as gender identity. It is clear that God’s image is male and female. The first marriage was between and man and a woman. The relationship that Christ has with the church is that of Bridegroom and Bride, or male and female. We are the ones that refuse to accept this fact thus causing all the confusion.
If we continue to distort that image we will destroy the very family and thus our future.

To be made in God’s Image and Likeness is to be…
3. Fruitful
(Gen.1:28) And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”

Without a male and female relationship there would be no creation. Unlike any other relationship we can have, the marriage relationship between a man and a woman comes with a “blessing.” It can also be the most challenging of relationships. But it is meant to model the kind of relationship Christ has with the Church. The Church supports Christian families and relationships and reproduces spiritual children. If we are not producing more children of God we are not being fruitful.

God cannot bless or sanction any other kind of marital relationship other than which is between a man and a woman, because it goes against His very nature and image.

To be made in God’s Image and Likeness is to be…
4. Spiritual

(Genesis 2:7) And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Humanity is the only creature that has the very breath of God in them. We have a living soul given to us by God and will return to Him after physical death where upon God will judge every soul according to what we have done for good or bad.

To be made in God’s Image and Likeness is to be…
5. Relational
(Genesis 2:18) And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
(Genesis 2:24) For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

If human beings are anything they are meant to be relational. There is even a relationship between the persons of the Trinity. God was never alone.
“Let US make man in our image.”
“The Lord our God is ONE.” (Deut.6:4)

The type of ONENESS the Bible speaks of concerning the man and wife and also of God’s nature is that of a “composite unity.”
Like that of a rope made of many strands. It doesn’t mean single or alone.

To be made in God’s Image and Likeness is to be…
6. Moral

(Genesis 2:16-17) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you may not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die.

We were not made with a blank slate. God established within us the ability to judge right from wrong and therefore the responsibility of making correct moral choices.

We tend to look in others and in other things for our likeness. When we have ONLY to look into God’s face to find out true likeness!

Evolution is an atheistic search to find our likeness in creation alone.

Jesus came to restore an image that was marred by sin!

Colossians 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form.

Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 1:18-25
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has revealed it to them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 1:18-25
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Colossians 1:12-19
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,

Colossians 1:12-19
whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.

We are called to reflect God’s image! When God looks at humanity, does He see and recognize His image, reflection and likeness in us?

If we continue to try to create things in our own image and distort the image that God has established for us from the foundation of the world, we will inevitably fall short of what God has for us and end up destroying ourselves
in the process.

 

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July 4th…
“Liberty!”
(Luke 4:18)

We remember the Declaration of Independence when it states:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and
the pursuit of Happiness.

We remember the famous quote by Patrick Henry
“give me liberty,
or
give me death!”

The Preamble to our Constitution states we are
“To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."

The first amendment to our constitution speaks of freedom:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.”

Freedom is not doing anything you want to do, that’s anarchy, because we are also governed by the rule of law.
But you cannot legislate morality.
But with freedom comes the responsibility of maintaining that freedom within a moral society.

The framers of the constitution stated that “moral self governance” was the underpinning of maintaining the constitution and our republic.
Not just any kind of self governance or morality, but based on Christian principles.

Without Christian principles, the Constitution and its amendments are just suggestions and an unenforceable waste of paper.

Christianity is the only hope of a real and sustaining freedom and America is poised as the only country to promote true Christian liberty.
“If we lose freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the last
stand on earth.”

But what are we willing
to sacrifice
to maintain
our liberties?

Have we been willing to give up our liberties for so-called security?
If so, it’s a false sense of security.
More government is not the answer, only the problem, nor is government able to grant freedoms, which are
only given to us by God.

The Bible talks a great deal about personal liberty, or freedom. Jesus came during a time in the history of the nation of Israel where they were struggling with personal, political and
religious freedoms.

Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are downtrodden.

John 8:31, 32 "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free."

John 8:36 "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall
be free indeed.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Galatians 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

It wasn’t bondage to a political
or religious authority, which were only symptoms of a greater bondage.
It was a freedom from
one’s own bondage to sin.

If we do not follow Christian principles we will inevitably find ourselves in bondage
to government
and ourselves.

The oppression that the world has experienced and is experiencing whether it is personal, or political, or religious, is at its core moral and spiritual. They and we are replacing God with ourselves as the answer.

True liberty
only comes
through
following Jesus.

 

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Remember!
Revelation 3:2, 3

Sometimes we get so caught up in the everyday things of life that we forget to stop and take time to remember things that really matter. We tend to forget the things we should remember and remember the things we should forget. God asks us to remember what He remembers and to forget what He forgets.

What does God ask us to Remember?
God

Deuteronomy 8:18-19 But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. "And it shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God, and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you shall surely perish.

What does God ask us to Remember?
God’s Word and Covenant

1 Chronicles 16:15 Remember His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations.

What does God ask us to Remember?
God’s Commandments

Numbers 15:40 Remember, and do all my commandments, and
be holy unto your God.

What does God ask us to Remember?
God’s promises

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What does God ask us to Remember?
God’s Holy Days

Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Jesus said in (Lk.22:19) that by taking communion you bring to remembrance his death.
What does it mean that The Sabbath was made for man?

“Holy Day of Obligation”

It means that if that day is NOT observed you have committed a sin.
Weekly worship is considered by God to be a commandment and therefore a “holy day of obligation.”

What does God ask us to Remember?
God’s work in our life as believers and the lessons He has taught us.

There are too many verses that encourage us to recall and do not forget all that the Lord has done for us to quote just one reference.

What does God ask us to Remember?
God’s work in this world for those in need.

Galatians 2:10 We should remember the poor and the afflicted. One of the reasons that Israel was judged was that they had forgotten the poor in their land.

What does God ask us to forget?

There is only one thing the Bible says God will forget…

God forgets all repented forgiven sins through Christ for all who are a part of the New Covenant.

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.

Does God expect us to forget the things He forgets?

Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

What happens when we do NOT remember what God has asked us to remember?

Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lamp stand out of its place-- unless you repent.

One of the greatest gifts God has given humanity is the ability to repent. While you are still breathing it is never too late to return and remember.

Revelation 3:2-3

'Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent (turn back).

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"What is Your Destiny?

Pastor BrianHinduism – Teaches the Law of Karma (deeds) says Karma is your teacher, which is the law of moral causation. Through karma, your thoughts, emotions and deeds-whether good, bad or mixed-return to you. Karma of every individual will decide your rebirth and what form. Reincarnation: Through past works you shall return once more to birth, entering whatever form your heart is set on. The soul unborn grows not old, nor dies, for the soul is immortal, absolute and is a super conscious essence identical with god. After so many Reincarnations your soul will realize that life is an illusion and all is one. After resolving all residual karmas, your soul will no longer incarnate into human form. The soul continues its evolution in its inner world until it becomes “enlightened” and “one”with Brahman.

Buddhism - The goal of life is to remove yourself from suffering through detachment and to achieve Nirvana, or the perfect state of nothingness (to be blown out like a flame) through following the 4 noble truths and the 8 fold path. This can only be achieved through great mental and physical discipline. Buddhism is basically atheistic, or at best agnostic; it is NOT a search for God.

Judaism – teaches of a resurrection of the dead, afterlife, and judgment of all humanity according to their actions that are written down in a book. A greeting during the Day of Atonement is; “may your name be written in the book of life.” Two places exist; paradise, or the garden of Eden, and Gehinnom. There was much debate during Jesus’ day about the resurrection. Many taught that you had to be buried in Jerusalem because that’s where the resurrection of the dead occurs. Today, many modern Jews believe that the body and soul cease to exist upon death and really don’t focus on an afterlife.

Islam - Muslims are judged according to the “scales.” There are various levels of sins and righteousness is arbitrarily determined by Allah. Your good works must be more than your sins (51%) in order to enter paradise; martyrdom is the surest way of going to Paradise. You are assigned 2 angels who record the good and bad works and salvation in never assured. Muslim men are said to be given several virgins in paradise and not much is said or promised to Muslim women concerning paradise. They believe in the resurrection of the dead. You are judged by Mohammed and infidels are sent to hell fire after final judgment. You never truly know Allah in the afterlife.

Jehovah witness - Those who have received their “heavenly calling” all before 1938 (Rev.14) 144,000 already chosen “spirit begotten” to reign with Christ in heaven as spirit beings, others to live forever as “friends of God” in "paradise" on a new earth and perpetuate. Upon death there is no Hell for unbelievers, just soul annihilation, along with Satan.

Mormonism - 3 levels of heaven; Celestial, Terrestrial and Telestial. Only devout Mormons are in the Celestial kingdom with heavenly father and have servants. There are also 3 levels of the Celestial kingdom. Christians are in the Terrestrial, heathen in the Telestial awaiting judgment. Devout Mormon men are promised godhood and multiple wives on a planet to populate, just like Elohim or heavenly father did. Devout Mormon women are promised to be eternally married to their husband. Offer “baptism for the dead” for all non-Mormons in order to become Mormon. Believe in a type of hell or "outer darkness" reserved for those who are truly evil and reject Mormonism.

Seventh Day Adventist – Upon death all people experience Soul Sleep. The soul is immaterial and not eternal. God gave the soul, but Adam and Eve gave the sinful body. Upon Christ’s return the righteous will only be resurrected bodily and made immortal and all others will experience the Second Death, there is no Hell only non-existence.

Christian Science - There is no real hell or final judgment, sin makes its own hell and goodness is its own heaven. Death and evil is an illusion; the lie of life is matter. The body cannot die because matter has no life. If a person does not progress after death, but remains in error, he would inevitable self-annihilate. Has a similar view of death as Buddhism that we are absorbed into nothingness.

Christianity – The soul is eternal. All people upon death are judged according to their deeds, all those who have placed their faith in Jesus’ redemption and atonement receive forgiveness. Upon death a person is judged and either goes to be with the Lord in Heaven with others who are in heaven, or to Hell. At the return of Jesus the First Resurrection of the body of all believers occurs. At the close of all creation there is a final Great White Throne Room judgment of all humanity. Satan along with all those who do not trust in Christ will be thrown into a lake of fire called the Second Death. Hell is not a place where God tortures anyone. Separation from God creates suffering. There will be a total redemption of all creation, both physical and spiritual. Believers will live in a transformed and glorified body like the resurrected body of Jesus, and live eternally. All believers will live eternally in a new order or state of existence and creation and live upon a new earth. Relationships will be on a different level than what we had on this earth.

1 Corinthians 15:41-55 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

2 Corinthians 5:1-4 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. 2 Corinthians 5:4 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

Romans 8:18-23 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

What we see on earth today is just a type, pattern and shadow of what we will see. God called creation good at the beginning and He hasn’t changed His mind. So what will be your destiny?

 

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Up the Mountain!
Part 4
(Matthew 28:19, 20)

7 mountains:
Economics
Government
Media / Arts and Entertainment
Science
Education
Family
Religion

Science

We speak of science in terms that have been reserved for speaking only of God. Just using the word “science” is supposed to mean almost all knowing, all truth, all-powerful, infallible, or unquestionable, because it’s a scientific fact! Christianity and its tenants are made to seem like it is superstition and anti-science.

During the 1800’s with the affect of the so-called “Enlightenment” and also Darwin’s atheistic explanation of the origin of the species, God was taken out the picture as creator and people wanted to attribute creation to purely naturalistic origins.

We are made to believe that only by taking the role of religion out of the scientific process that only then will we be allowed to truly progress scientifically. Religion has been made to be seen as an impediment to scientific discoveries.

Scientific endeavors left unchecked by moral and religious beliefs will lead to human beings serving science, rather than science serving humanity and God. Pure science and technology has no soul!

We rely more on our science and technology solving our problems than on God. God is made to be seen as more of a last ditch effort to solve our problems.

So what will be the future of science in our world? If we allow it to go unquestioned and unchecked it will end up making human beings its servant. Just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should! God is in charge of the future of humanity, not science.

Education

Much of the school system that we have today is as a result of Christianity leading the way with the founding of many key educational institutions. We have forgotten that the founding of many of the most well known and influential colleges were as a result of Christianity’s role in education.

Those who lead in education control the future of any society. It has been said that Democracy cannot exist without its citizens being educated. It seems today that text books are written and taught more with a social, political, or scientific agenda, rather than with the goal of disseminating unbiased truth.

There are so many believers that are teachers in so many different educational institutions that if they were to make their voices heard it would change how and what we teach today.
When God is left out of our educational system it opens itself up to atheistic curriculum and influences.

Family

God created the human family. As its creator only He can define how it is supposed to be, not the government, or the state.
We do not have the right and authority to redefine it according to how we see fit. Are we more enlightened than God?

It has been said, that whatever happens to the family shapes the society. There is an outright assault on marriage and the family today and an attempt to “redefine” what a marriage and a family is.

Why is there such an attack? Marriage and the family represent the very persons of the Godhead and reflect the relationship that Christ has with the Church (Eph.5:22-33). The enemy finds no greater joy than to mar and destroy that image and relationship. It’s not just a matter of ones preference.

We have to fully understand our responsibility to God in our society. As the church goes, so goes society! Have we resigned ourselves that we can’t make a difference?

Religion

Do you know enough about the teachings of the Bible and about the various major religions to defend Christianity?

We do NOT need to be ashamed of our faith in Jesus!
(Romans 1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
We also need to be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within us
(I Peter 3:15).

Other religions and philosophies need to be confronted with the truth of the Gospel, as well as the teachings of what their belief system claims for itself that is not true. No other religion is as scrutinized as Christianity.

So what happens if we fail to take these 7 mountains?
You really don’t want to experience what it will be like being in a country that is without the presence of God.

How can you take back a mountain once it is occupied?
Stand up where God has placed you.
We have to take it on in a unified manner. We have to take a stand together!
United we stand, divided we fall!
If we are ONE the world will believe! (John 17:20, 21).

We need to offer the world and alternative to the way they are living!
All it takes for evil to prosper is for good people to do nothing.
It always takes a ground offensive to take any mountain.

 

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Up the Mountain!
Part 3
(Matthew 28:19, 20)

7 mountains:
Economics
Government
Media / Arts and Entertainment
Science
Education
Family
Religion

Mountains can be used as strategically positioned outposts used to see what is coming over the horizon,
in order to be better prepared.

God has placed every believer in a strategic place in order to be able to
affect the world.
Jesus said that we were to be like “cities set on a mountain”
(Mat.5:14).

Some get so caught up with the agenda of the day that they forget,
or don’t even know, what God’s agenda is!
Can you answer the question: “what does God want to do in our world today?”
Is it the same as what our religious leaders, government leaders, law makers and culture want?

What do you do when God’s agenda is in conflict with the culture’s agenda?

We are going to look at what the teachings of Christianity are and what role or involvement should the church and believers take in these areas?
I will be going over the first 3 mountains today: Economics, Government, and
Media / Arts & Entertainment.

Economics
Money represents people’s interests, desires, priorities, and areas of influence.
Money is meant to be a means to an end, not the end.

Jesus said, “where your treasure lies, so too is your heart.”
He also said that, “we cannot serve both money and God”.
The Bible has always given guidance on how money should be used.

Money is NOT the root of all evil; it is the “love of money.”
(I Tim.6:10).
What makes money evil is what you do, or do not do, with it.
The Bible talks a great deal about the use and misuse of money.

Christianity has always been a religion that looked out for those who were in need. In fact, it is a mandate! We have established more organizations to help those in need than any other religion in the world today.

Unfortunately, we see the decline of the emphasis of the role of Christianity in the social good through economics. Many believe that it is the role of government that should be the one that provides for those in need. That is a real shift from what the scripture teaches and the role that Christianity has played in our nation and world.

We have bought into the lie that a person’s worth is measured by how much money they make and have. We seem to respect more those who have money, then those who do not. We want to be like those people who have a lot of money because we believe that money brings happiness.

Christianity teaches, that the true source of happiness is God, not money and materialism. We cannot take it with us when we go. It is only what we have done for good with what God has given us that will truly last into eternity.

Christians could change the direction and priority of our country through our spending. We’ve already seen that if it weren’t for the celebration of our Christian holy days that our economy would bust! We need to recognize that collectively we are a powerful force for good economically!

Government

How involved should Christians be in government? From Christianity’s inception, it has been a belief system that affected the role of government in people’s lives. Christianity became worldwide as a result of the Apostles Paul and Peter going to Rome to present the Gospel, which lead to the whole known world being presented the Gospel.

Christianity has had more of a positive affect on world governments and civilizations than any other religion! The fact that we are here today in this country and in this building is testimony of Christianity’s positive and pervasive affect on
government and society

Government is NOT the answer to the struggles of the human condition. The government is meant to “serve the people,” not the people serving it. God establishes governments in order to bring about justice. God also destroys governments when they fail to carry out justice.

What does it mean to have a
“separation of Church and state”?
Originally, the idea of the separation of church and state meant that government cannot and should not promote a state religion and infringe on the individuals right to practice their religion.

Today, it has come to mean that God is not even acknowledged, welcome, or considered, in the decision making process of our government, or in education, nor is the display of Christian related monuments or verses.

When Christianity ceases to be a major influence in our government and society, all of the God given freedoms we hold so dear will cease. Human beings cannot separate themselves from their religious beliefs, even if it IS legislated,

So should believers be involved in government?
You bet!
As representatives of God and as agents of change.

Media / Arts & Entertainment

God gave us an imagination and the incredible ability for expression through various forms of art.
We have forgotten that many of the most talented artists and musicians that created some of the best works ever created can be attributed to the influence of Christianity.

So how much should Christians be involved in the arts and entertainment industry?

I believe we should lead the way!
We should be the trend setters!
We have allowed ungodly influences to affect and distort what God has created for good.

 

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Up the Mountain!
Part 2
(Matthew 28:19, 20)

In the Bible, mountains represent many things. Many historical and life changing events happened on mountains in and around Israel. God used mountains to represent key battlegrounds and places of influence. Sacrifices were made on or near mountains where many battles took place where the people of God took a stand against their enemies and an ungodly culture. Mountains were also symbols of blessings and curses, obedience and disobedience. The people of God were told by God to “possess” certain mountains, or “strongholds,” otherwise; they would be overtaken by their enemies and overtaken by the surrounding pagan culture, which happened many times in Israel’s history. As the people of God today, what are the mountains in our world that we must possess for Christ and His Kingdom?

Seven Key Mountains and Events in the Bible

1. Moriah (Genesis 22:2) Where Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice Isaac. It is also the place where the Temple was built. It was also the place where Jesus was offered up as a sacrifice.
2. Horeb / Sinai (Ex.3:1, 19:2) This is where Moses first met God and also where the commandments where given to Moses.
3. Gerizim (Deut.11:29) It represented a place of blessing for obedience for the Children of Israel.
4. Ebal. It represented a place of curses for disobedience for the Children of Israel.
5. Hermon (Joshua 11:3, 4) Where Joshua fought and prevailed against the pagan armies in order to take the land of Canaan.
6. Mount of Olives (II Sam.15:30) Was a place of weeping and prayer for David as well as for Jesus.
7. Carmel (I Kings 18:19) Where Elijah took a stand against Jezebel and the prophets of Baal and prevailed.

7 mountains:
Economics
Government
Media / Arts and Entertainment
Science
Education
Family
Religion

Mountains can be used as strategically positioned outposts used to see what is coming over the horizon,
in order to be better prepared.

God has placed every believer in a strategic place in order to be able to
affect the world.
Jesus said that we were to be like “cities set on a mountain”
(Mat.5:14).

Has the Church lost its moral
high ground?
If we continue to stay in the valley and just wait to defend ourselves we will
be overtaken. We have to take and maintain the high ground.

What caused the fall of Jerusalem in
586 BC and 70 AD?

They became like the culture around them and their worship was more pagan and political than it was spiritual. God warned them that if they became pagan He would remove and disperse them from the land and
destroy the temple.

Whenever we talk about a nation repenting we often quote:

2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

But that’s not the whole story!

We need to read 2 Chronicles 7:19-20 But, if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you and shall go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot you from My land which I have given you, and this house which I have consecrated for My Name and I will cast you out of My sight.

Judgment first begins with the household of God.

1 Peter 4:17-18 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous are saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?

Is the USA in a covenant relationship with God?

No, but the people of God in America are. Can God bless America, or the church, if it is not doing what God wants
us to do? That would be contrary to how God has acted throughout the Bible.

Some get so caught up with the agenda of the day that they forget, or don’t even know, what God’s agenda is!
Can you answer the question: “what does God want to do in our world today?”
Is it the same as what our religious leaders, government leaders, law makers and culture want?

What do you do
when
God’s agenda
is in conflict
with the
culture’s agenda?

A believers citizenship is in Heaven
(Philippians 3:20).
We take our marching orders
from God,
not from our government
and our culture.

Should the church try to look and sound more like its surrounding culture,
or challenge the culture to look more like the church?

What happens when the church and the culture it is in is going the wrong direction?
God raises up a standard and prophets!

 

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Up the Mountain!
Part 1
(Matthew 28:19, 20)

(Matthew 28:19, 20)
The Great commission; “preach the Gospel to the whole world, make disciples, teach my commandments, baptize those that believe.”

7 mountains:
Economics
Government
Media / Arts and Entertainment
Science
Education
Family
Religion.

Just how involved should a believer be?
In our society, we can’t help but be involved in all these areas.
We cannot afford to take a wait and see attitude.

God has placed every believer in a strategic place in order to be able to affect the world.
Jesus said that we were to be like “cities set on a mountain.”
(Matthew 5:14).

Mountains can be used as strategically positioned outposts used to see what is coming over the horizon, in order to be better prepared. All major cities in the Bible were built on strategically positioned mountains century after century.
In fact, most of the major cities in the Middle East have one city built upon another.

Jerusalem is literally built on a mountain, Mt. Moriah. That’s why it was said that from surrounding cities in Israel that they were going “up to Jerusalem.” Not too far from Jerusalem is the lowest point on the earth, the Dead Sea.

God said that He would place His name on Jerusalem (I Kgs. 11:36, II Kgs. 21:4, ) and geographically it forms what looks like the first letter of the Name of God / Sheen.
Three valleys surround Jerusalem, the Kidron Valley on the east, The Refaiim Valley, just east of the City of Zion, and the Hinom Valley south and west of the City of Zion.  Together with the Temple Mount and Jerusalem in their midst, they form the Hebrew letter Shin (high-lighted in red). 

We are to be like “watchmen on a tower,” able to warn others of what is coming in order for them to
be prepared.
You could hold off an enemy if you were on the top of the mountain much easier than in the valley.
Have we lost, or abdicated, our position?

Christianity used to lead the way in every area of society and culture, but today it seems as if we are made to feel like we have to apologize for our past influences in the world and even separate our self from our society.

Do we have an “uphill battle” on our hands?
Once you have lost your position of the high ground from the top of a mountain, it is VERY difficult to take it back again.

Mount Moriah
(Genesis 22:2) Where Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice Isaac.
It is also the place where the Temple was built.
It was also the place where Jesus was offered up as a sacrifice.

Horeb / Sinai
(Ex.3:1, 19:2) This is where Moses first met God and also where the commandments where given to Moses.

Gerizim
(Deut.11:29) It represented a place of blessing for obedience for the Children of Israel.

Ebal.
It represented a place of curses for disobedience for the Children of Israel.

Hermon
(Joshua 11:3, 4) Where Joshua fought and prevailed against the pagan armies in order to take the land of Canaan.

Mount of Olives
(II Sam.15:30) Was a place of weeping and prayer for David as well as for Jesus.

Carmel
(I Kings 18:19) Where Elijah took a stand against Jezebel and the prophets of Baal and prevailed.

Shepherds and sheep know a lot about mountains. (Psalm 23) is written from the perspective of a sheep; “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Thy rod and staff comfort me”.
For a sheep and shepherd, the valleys were places of danger where you could get killed by any number of things; by thieves and animals, falling rocks and downpours. But you have to go through the valley to get to the mountain top.

Has the Church lost its moral high ground?
If we continue to stay in the valley and just wait to defend ourselves we will
be overtaken.
We have to take and maintain the high ground.

 

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“What’s In A Name?”

Exodus 20:7
One of the 10 commandments is “not use the
Name of the Lord in vain”
What exactly does “in vain” mean?
It means to not refer to and use the name of God in a base, inappropriate and unholy manner and context.

We should only use “Sacred Language”
in a
“Sacred Context!”

According to the Bible, the name of God was the holiest name above all names called the “indescribable and unutterable, or Ineffable name!”

God’s name was not even supposed to be written or uttered, except by the High Priest once a year in the Holy of Holies during the Day of Atonement.

The “Tetragrammaton” is composed of 4 letters without vowels, so no one could pronounce it. Some have put in vowels to make it spell Yahweh, or erroneously Jehovah.
To refer to God, the name “Lord,” or just the term, “the Name” (ha Shem) is used instead, so as to not even come close to defiling the name of God.
Even today, when many Jews write the word God the middle letter is left out G-D.

When Moses asked God His name He just said, “I am,” Exodus 3:14, 15, meaning just tell them I exist.
“I am the God of their forefathers.”

Israel had been in a covenant relationship with the God of their forefathers and as a result of 400 years of being in Egypt they had forgotten Him.

Jesus was given His name based on its meaning, “Salvation” Matthew 1:21.

Wherever the word salvation is mentioned in the Bible it is Jesus’ name!

It was “in the Name of Jesus” that people were healed and demons cast out.

Acts 19:15
“Jesus and Paul we know…
but who are you?”
John 14:13
It is in the name of Jesus that our prayers are prayed and heard.

A name isn’t worth much
if it has no authority or power.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore, also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him The Name which is above every name, 10 that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

People would “call upon the Name of the Lord” in times of need and during key life changing events in their life.

Romans 10:13
"Whoever will call upon the name of the LORD will be saved."

To “invoke” the Name of God is to remember His works and bring Him into a situation.

Israel was said to have had the “name of God invoked or placed on them”
Numbers 6:27.

Revelation 2:17 To him who overcomes… I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'

Revelation 3:12 'He who overcomes… I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.

Revelation 22:4 4 and they shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads.

God is named by what He does and who He is in covenant with.
The people of God are named by what they do and who they are in covenant with.

As Christians we take on a name change. Sort of like the name change when you get married. You become in Covenant relationship with your spouse! The Church is espoused to God through Jesus the bridegroom.

“Blessed be the
Name of the Lord!”
Baruch haShem Adonai.

 

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Condition, Contradiction, or Confidence?

1 John 1:6-10 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; -contradiction-
7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. –condition-confidence
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. –contradiction-
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. –condition-confidence-
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. –contradiction-

1 John 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
-condition-
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. –condition-confidence-
1 John 4:12 No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. –condition-confidence-
1 John 5:14, 15 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. –confidence-condition-
1 John 4:16-18 And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. –confidence-

Hebrews 3:6, 14 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; -confidence-condition-
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. –confidence-

2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; 12 -confidence-
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; -condition-
If we deny Him, He also will deny us; -condition-
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself. –confidence-

Galatians 6:9 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. –condition-

Romans 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
-confidence-
Romans 6:5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, -confidence-

While it is true that we cannot earn God’s grace and love, we still must respond to it. And as free as God’s gift of salvation is, we still must receive it. “For all who call upon the name of the Lord, will be saved.”

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“Upside Down!”
Matthew 10:34-37

We all seem to have an agenda when it comes to our personally held beliefs. We have a tendency to be confused when it comes to what our Christian beliefs should be compared to our lifestyle, or even our politics.

For some, Jesus seems to be more of an accessory onto whatever we believe. We even make Jesus say things that would legitimize our opinions, or lifestyle.

Are you living a Gospel according to you, or the Bible?

Matthew 10:34-37
Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 "For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother; 36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his. 37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Jesus came to set things right and turn an upside down world right side up! But in order to do that, he had to turn of few things upside down.
Jesus turned the tables upside down!

Jesus wants to turn your life upside down!!
He doesn’t want to validate it. He wants to change it!

Acts 17:6
"These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.”

After we have been a believer for a number of years, we have a tendency to give up and just conform and become complacent. We loose the zeal we once had to change the world. We allow the cares of the world and life’s pressures to beat us down.

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed (take on form) of this world, but be transformed (metamorphosis) by the renewing (restructuring ) of your mind, so that you may prove (test/approve) what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable (pleasing) and perfect ( complete/mature).

Being a believer is more than just having Christ rearrange a few things in our life. Think of it as an ongoing total renovation!

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature (freshly created); the old things (long standing) are passed away (disregarded); behold, new things have come (are appearing), behold, new things have come.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

How has being a Christian impacted your life and lifestyle?
Is Christ being allowed to turn your life upside down?
Are you turning your world upside down for the Gospel?

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“The Covenant!”
Hebrews 9:15

What made the children of Israel distinctive was that they were in a Covenant Relationship with God.

What is a Covenant?

A Covenant is more than a “contract.” It is a sacred family bond. A Covenant cannot be revoked unless one of those in the covenant dies; whereas a contract can. A covenant involves more than just a transfer of property; it is a transfer of people.

The Bible talks about 6 major Covenants:
1. The Adamic Covenant,
2. Noah’s Covenant,
3. Abrahamic Covenant,
4. Mosaic Covenant,
5. Davidic Covenant
6. New Covenant
through Jesus.

Each Covenant has
Mediator,
Offering,
and
Worship

1. Adam (mediator / priest / king) – Marriage covenant – animal sacrifice as a foreshadowing - the Earth is God’s temple and the Garden of Eden as the Holy of Holies.

2. Noah (mediator / priest) – Household covenant – animal sacrifices - the Ark is a type of Temple.

3. Abrahamic (mediator) – Tribal covenant – circumcision – no earthly Temple, just altars.

4. Mosaic – (Priests as mediator) – National covenant – sacrificial system - the portable Tabernacle is the Temple.

5. Davidic – (King as mediator) Kingdom covenant – the Temple is built.

6. Jesus – (Mediator / Priest / King)
New Covenant a Universal Covenant – Substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus - we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. We are the “Temple of the Holy Spirit.”

We can only approach God as a result of being in a Covenant relationship with Him through Jesus. There is no back door, side door, window, or our own works, to come through to get to God.

Even in the OT, Jesus was still the only Mediator. The OT sacrificial system was a type and shadow that would be fully revealed “in the fullness of time” and lead them to Christ.
Jesus wasn’t God’s back-up plan, or second choice, nor did He become the way, He has always been the only way to the Father!

Judaism teaches that the messiah was present at creation before the foundation of the world.
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

As the bride of Christ, the church is considered to be in a type of marriage covenant with the bridegroom, Jesus. For me, this is why redefining marriage is Biblically wrong. It distorts the kind of relationship marriage is intended to represent!

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

According to (Romans 7:1-4), the reason Christ died, was to free us from the Old Covenant and our relationship to its requirements, so that we could enter into a New Covenant relationship with God. The one who made the covenant, namely God, had to die! We were powerless in ourselves to make and fulfill the covenant.

2 Corinthians 5:19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them.

Hebrews 9:15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The only way that we can have confidence that God even hears us, is as a result of The Covenant. The reason we pray “in Jesus’ name,” is because our relationship to God is through Christ, not on our own. Jesus is our mediator of the new Covenant.
John 14:13 "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

When the Bible talks about needing to be in a relationship with God, it is saying that you need to be in a Covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. One of the Biblical signs, or rights of passage, that you are in a covenant relationship with God
is “Baptism.”

"I Am In The Covenant!"

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“Darkness and Light!”
Ephesians 5:8

Pastor Brian

Genesis 1:2-5

Now the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night.

The first place that the word light is mentioned in the NT
Mat 4:16
The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, And to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do men light a lamp, and hide it, but they place it were it can be seen by all, where it is able to give light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 6:22-23
The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

The Apostle John mentions the word light more than any other biblical writer 32 times.

John 1:4-5
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 3:19-21
19 And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

John 8:12
Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world;
he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."

1 John 1:5-7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6
In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

We usually define people as being good or bad, but the Bible uses the terms as people either following darkness or light. We can either be children of light, or darkness

Ephesians 5:8-9
For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord;
walk as children of light
(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth).

Truth is called light because it displaces ignorance which is darkness.
When we are exposed to the truth, our mind is challenged to exchange a lie for the truth.

Romans 1:25
For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Ephesians 5:13
13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has
light with darkness?

 

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July 5th

“The Pursuit of Happiness?”
(I Timothy 6:6)

A Christian Declaration

As believers, we hold to biblical truths received through special revelation through the Holy Spirit: that all of humanity are created in the Image of God and therefore given certain moral rights and responsibilities by God; among these are eternal life, liberty in Christ and the pursuit of holiness.

We hold these truths to be self-evident

We hold to biblical truths received through special revelation through the Holy Spirit.

Our source of truth is the scripture that is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit.

That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights;

That all of humanity are created in the Image of God and therefore given certain moral rights and responsibilities by God.

Believing that we are made in the Image of God totally changes what we think we are capable of and who we are accountable to. We can be holy because God is holy.

That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

That among these are eternal life, liberty in Christ and the pursuit of holiness.

We live in a culture where everyone is encouraged to do whatever “makes them happy,” even if it ends up hurting ourselves, or others, just as long as I am happy at the time. Words like commitment and sacrifice are seldom used.

Free Will
may give us the ability to do what is wrong,
but not the right.

The Bible doesn’t define or use the word happy the way we do today.
In fact, it uses the words “good, blessed, or joyful.”

The goal of the Christian life is do what will make us holy, not happy.
God is more concerned about our personal holiness than our personal happiness.
God’s more concerned about what will lead to a holy eternal existence, than to an unholy and selfish, earthly existence.

(I Timothy 6:6)
But godliness actually is a means of great gain,
when accompanied by contentment.

If the true measure for a Christian is doing things that make us holy, I wonder what we would continue to do, or change in our lives.

It’s when we lose focus and perspective and start looking to the things here to make us happy, instead of looking to God who is the source of true happiness.

(Colossians 3:1-3)
If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

True Godliness and holiness is being engaged against the issues of this world that are ungodly and unjust.

All the apostles and prophets died at the hands of their governments and religious institutions as a result of them speaking out against ungodliness and injustice.

Today, there are many things happening in our world that are ungodly and unjust that we as believers must take a stand against, even if it costs us our personal comforts and happiness. May we be as resolute as those who have gone before us.

 

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“Jesus, the Master Gardener”
(Matthew 13:18-23)

When we read the Bible we see from the very beginning that God was the first one to plant a garden for humanity to live in and to care for (Gen.2:8).
In fact, humanity was made from the soil of the earth (Gen.2:7).

Jesus was raised in an agricultural society, so He knew a lot about growing plants and raising animals. This is why many times when he taught He referred to plants and animals.

In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus is actually giving a series of 8 small parables, all relating to each other about the Kingdom of God.
1. The sower and the seed, 2. the wheat and the tares, 3. the mustard seed, 4. leaven, 5. buried treasure, 6. the pearl of great price, 7. a fishing net cast into the sea, 8. and an owner of a house.

when Jesus first told the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, that he only gave the interpretation of the parable later in a different setting to the disciples (13:10-18).
Parables were used by Jesus to the masses in order to fulfill a prophecy that represented Israel’s inability to hear because their hearts were hardened.

Jesus was making a spiritual commentary
on their inability
to hear and
obey God.

Matthew 13:3-9
"Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 "And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 "And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 "And others fell on the good soil, and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 "He who has ears, let him hear."

Matthew 13:18-23
"Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

Beside the Road
hears the word, but due to lack of understanding and deception the seed never takes root and produces.

Matthew 13:18-23
20 "And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.

2. Rocky Place
first receives the word with joy, but because the seed never becomes firmly rooted it dies when hard times come and never produces.

Matthew 13:18-23
22 "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

3. Thorns
hears the word, but the worries and deceits of the world choke it out and it never takes root and produces.

Matthew 13:18-23
23 "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."

4. Good Soil
this is the one who hears the word and understands it and acts on it and it bears fruit.

The world represents a garden and the people who are in it the produce. Jesus put it this way:

Matthew 9:37-38
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

What will you do today with the Word of God that has been sown into your soul by the Holy Spirit?

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“Misquoting Jesus”
Part 4
(2 Peter 1:20-21)

2 Peter 1:20-21

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

CONTEXT
IS
EVERYTHING!

How should we approach the Bible?

Prophetic literature has always been used to correct and warn those whom it was written to in order to prepare them.

1. Futurist or dispensational. Christians will be taken out of the earth prior to
“The Great Tribulation.”

2. Preterist or Past. Sees most of the events in Revelation as having been fulfilled by 70 AD with the destruction of the temple.

3. Historicist divides human history into 7 parts.

4. Allegorical sees the symbols and events as reoccurring themes throughout history

The problem is, is that we go first to our own interpretation before allowing the Bible to speak within its context first!

Misquotes
and
Misinterpretations
in Prophecy

Literalism vs Symbolism.

Should we take Symbolism, Literally?

How many times is the word “antichrist” mentioned in the
Book of Revelation?

NEVER!

It is mentioned however in John’s epistles,
but it is plural and they were already in the world.
(I John 2:18, 22, 4:3, II John 1:7).

Where in the Book of Revelation does it talk about a secret catching away of believers called the “Rapture” prior to The Great Tribulation?

No where!

What is the “Rapture of the church?”

It is defined today as a “secret and invisible catching away of believers before
The Great Tribulation.” People use (Mat.24:37-44 or I Thes.4:13-18).

What about the term:
“come as a thief in the night”

(Mat.24:43, I Thes.5:2.
II Pet.3:10, Rev.3:3, 16:15)

It is a term meaning judgment on those
who are unprepared.

“Day of the Lord”
It is used 19 times in the O.T. and
5 times in the N.T.

The Day of the Lord refers to
“a day of judgment”
and not just the return of Jesus.
Other synonyms are
“End of Days or End Times”

Where does it say that the Battle of Armageddon is the final battle that ends all world governments as we now know it?

It is only mentioned 1 time in the NT
in (Rev.16:16).
The word literally means hill or city of Megiddo.
It was historically a common place in the O.T. for battles in Israel.

Where does it say in the Book of Revelation that the Catholic Church is the “whore of Babylon,” as Martin Luther and most futurists say it is?

No where!

What is the “Mark of the Beast” (Rev.13:16-18)?
It clearly states that it is a “name of a man.”

The number 666 is what would have been called “gematria.” The number 6 is symbolic of man who was created on the “6th day.” Hebrew and Greek letters also had corresponding numbers.

Where does it say in the Book of Revelation that the Jews would return to Israel to form a state and a new temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, where the previous temples stood, and sacrifices reinstituted?

No where!

Where does it say in the Book of Revelation that the time following the Rapture of the Church would be called “The Great Tribulation?”

No where!

It does say 2 times (Mat.24:21, Rev.7:14) that there would be great tribulation, but not an event called “The Great Tribulation.”

According to the Bible, tribulation happens to believers and non-believers
(I Thes.3:4, Rev.1:9, 2:9, 10 )

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“Misquoting Jesus”
Part 3
(2 Timothy 3:16,17)

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for
every good work.

2 Peter 1:20-21

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

CONTEXT
IS
EVERYTHING!

How should we approach the Bible?

Like eating a Strawberry!

In order to properly interpret the Bible we have to consider the full counsel of scripture and Church tradition, and not just proof text.

We should ask the question: would the teachings of Jesus and the other biblical writers as a whole support the interpretation, as well as how the church has interpreted it down through the centuries?

What about various translations of the Bible?

Misquotes
and
Misinterpretations
in the
Gospels

(Matthew 11:29, 30)
“Come unto me...
take my Yoke upon you.”

(Matthew 18:15-20)
Verse 18 - Binding
(not allow)
and loosening
(allow).

(Matthew 18:15-20)

Verse 19 - Where two of you agree “touching” anything I will do it.

Verse 20 - Where 2 or 3 come together I am there.

(Matthew 24:36)
Only the Father
knows the
day and hour.

(Matthew 27:46)
“My God my God
why have you
forsaken me?”

Do we take more seriously
what Jesus has said
over what the
other writers
of the NT have said?

Misquotes
and
Misinterpretations
in the
Epistles

We are
saved
through Faith
“Alone?”

(Galatians 2:16)

nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.

(James 2:24)
You see that a man
is justified by works,
and NOT by faith
alone.

The definition of “works”
must be clarified.
You cannot earn your salvation through
good works, but as a result of your salvation you will do
Good works.

Breaking one of the commandments is like breaking all of them?

It is a misquote and misinterpretation of
(James 2:10).
James is talking about
hypocrisy and partiality.

Jesus died for all sins without distinction, but that doesn’t mean that breaking one is no different then breaking many

Clean Vs. Unclean
(Romans 14:14)

The dietary laws in Judaism were given to the Jews to make them separate from the pagan culture and their eating practices. There was a struggle in the early church when Gentiles converted to Christianity because Gentiles were eating meat that was offered to idols.

---

“Misquoting Jesus”
Part 2
(2 Timothy 3:16,17)

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20-21

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

CONTEXT
IS
EVERYTHING!

How should we approach the Bible?

Cherry

Orange

Apple

or

Strawberry

We may not like or even understand certain parts of the Bible, but we have to see it as a whole, not in pieces.

It really doesn’t matter what I think
the Bible is saying,
but rather
what is being said
in its context.

In order to properly interpret the Bible we have to consider the full counsel of scripture and Church tradition, and not just proof text.

We should ask the question: would the teachings of Jesus and the other biblical writers as a whole support the interpretation, as well as how the church has interpreted it down through the centuries?

What
is a
Protestant?

Do we believe
that “scripture alone”
is the only guide?

So what
does the Bible
say is the
“pillar and foundation
of truth?”

(I Timothy 3:15)
The Church.

What voice are we to listen to?
We have to consider the full counsel of scripture and Christian tradition.

The Church is God’s voice on this earth today.

Three Perspectives

Catholicism uses a three fold approach: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium

Methodists say they use a four fold approach called the Quadrilateral: scripture, tradition, reason and experience

Third perspective

Scripture is written
from a Hebrew perspective.
Not Greek and
certainly not
from a Western
21st century perspective.

We have to try
not to mix
what our personal
Interpretation is,
or what others
have said.

Misquotes and Misinterpretations in the Gospels

Jesus came
to abolish
the Law
(Mat.5:17).

If your eye, or hand,
offend you remove it!
(Mat. 5:29, 30)

Judge not
lest you
be judged!
(Matthew 7:1-5)

1 Corinthians 6:2-3

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more,
matters of this life?

God never leaves us where He finds us!

 

---

“Misquoting Jesus”
(2 Timothy 3:16,17)

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20-21

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

 

CONTEXT
IS
EVERYTHING!

It really doesn’t matter what I think the Bible is saying, but rather what is being said in its context.

What’s your image of Jesus?

We all want to paint a picture of Jesus according to our own image and make Him say what we want Him to say, because we may have an agenda. We have to let Jesus speak for Himself within His context.

In order to properly interpret the Bible we have to consider the full counsel of scripture and Church tradition, and not just proof text.

We should ask the question: would the teachings of Jesus and the other biblical writers as a whole support the interpretation, as well as how the church has interpreted it down through the centuries?

II Timothy 4:3

Many are unwilling to submit themselves to sound doctrines!

 

---

“How Goes It With Your Soul?”
(Matthew 16:24)

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone would come after me to be my disciple, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

1. Deny yourself
It’s not about you, or getting your way, it’s about the mission of God in this world!
The mission of God should be more important than my individual preferences.

2. Take up your cross
Your cross is NOT your personal burden, struggles, or illness.
Your cross is your ministry that God has called you to for the sake of the mission that takes you outside your comfort zone.

Purpose centered NOT Preference centered.
It’s all about the mission of God through the church not our personal preferences, or
comfort zone.

3. Follow me
It’s about the mission.

What was Jesus’ mission? Jesus came to serve and not to be served. (Mat.20:28) It’s not about finding the right model, program and strategies, but about training up disciples!

The Methodist Church was the largest denomination in the US. They were starting a congregation per day until the early 1900’s.

So what changed?

Many believe that it was the direct result of a decision that was made in 1904 when the requirement that every member had to be a part of a “class meeting” was removed from the Book of Discipline.

What happened
in the Class Meetings?

1. Accountability / faith sharing
(How Goes It With Your Soul?)
What is your recent experience with God in your life?
Sharing your faith “inside” the church helps you to be able to share your faith “outside”
the church.

2. Bible study
In order to understand the mission of God… making disciples.

3. Prayer
Not just for individual needs,
but praying for their mission.
(Acts 4:24-31)

This is not just something John Wesley invented,
it had been a NT model in the early church shown in (Acts 2:42)
Koinonia.

Many times we form or join groups in the church based on common interest, and as helpful as that can be, if we forget why we are meeting, which is to further the mission and the kingdom of God, then our group is more of a social club.

Groups need to focus on the common mission of the church, not of just their group. Groups need to have in-reach and outreach. They need to have prayer, Bible study and accountability.

How goes it with
your soul?

 

---

"A New Identity"

II Corinthians 5:16, 17

One of the biggest impacts that Christianity had on the culture of its day was how it challenged how members in society viewed each other. In first century Rome people were placed in certain classes and the classes didn’t mix.

According to the Gospel, there was to be no distinction between slave or free, rich or poor. Once a person became a Christian they were not to be looked upon according to their social or economic status. Only in Christianity could a slave ever imagine that they could be free.

Galatians 3:26-28
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

II Corinthians 5:16, 17
Therefore, from now on we recognize no one according to their past or present position, or how they are viewed in society. Therefore, if any one is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.

God looks on the inside, not on the outside of people. God is not easily impressed, and neither should we be. We shouldn’t treat people any better than someone else based on social status. In today’s society we gauge a person’s worth according to how much they make, or what they do.

As believers, no matter what our status is or was in this life we are all “royalty and
holy priests.”

I Peter 2:5
You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through
Jesus Christ.

I Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

James 2:1-5
My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if someone comes into your assembly with expensive jewelry and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,"

James 2:1-5
have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

All people are on a level playing field with God. No one gets ahead of the line because of status or reputation. God is no respecter of persons, so neither should we be.
Those who think that they should be first may be last
(Mat.19:30).

I Corinthians 1:26-31
but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised. God has chosen those of lesser reputation over the popular.

Matthew 23:11, 12
But the greatest among you shall be the servant.
And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

---

Talking With God
(I Samuel 3:1-10)

(I Samuel 3:1-10)

“Speak, Lord, for Your Servant is Listening.”

How has God Spoken to humanity?

(Hebrews 1:1, 2) God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers through the prophets in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us through and in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the world.

If God is speaking are we taking the time to listen?

We must learn HOW to
listen to God.

Do we honestly want to hear what God is saying to us?

Who are you talking to when you pray?

Jesus said when you pray,
pray in His name

(John 14:13)
"And when you pray in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Jesus is seated at the right hand side of the Father interceding on our behalf as our High Priest and all who come to the Father must come through Jesus.

(Hebrews 3:1)
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus,
who is our intercessor and the High Priest of our prayers.

(Romans 8:26, 27)
in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

On many issues God has already spoken. How does God
speak today?
The Methodist Church uses what is called the Quadrilateral: Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience.

The Catholic Church follows: Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the living Magisterium.

God speaks through
His Son,
the Holy Spirit,
His Word,
Church Leadership,
Prayer,
Church History,
and the Body of Christ.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth

(John 16:13)
"But when the Holy Spirit,
the Spirit of truth, comes,
He will guide you into
all truth.”

To hear from God in prayer
you have to:
1. Believe that God exists
(Hebrews 11:6) without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.

2. Believe that God loves you.

3. Believe that God knows all things and knows what is best for you.

4. NOT be double minded.

(James 1:6-8)
“Ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that person expect that they will receive anything from the Lord, being double-minded, and unstable in all their ways.”

(Hebrews 4:7)
"Today if you hear God’s voice, do not harden
your hearts."

What is God saying to you today?

Are you open to hear
His voice?

Are you willing to say
“Speak, Lord, for Your Servant is Listening?”

 

---

Intimacy With God

Adam and Eve had the kind of intimacy with God where they would walk with God and converse with Him.
After they sinned and broke communion with God, they experienced a separation or lack of intimacy with God and each other.

In fact, they felt like they had to hide from God and cover themselves because they felt exposed (Gen.3:7-10).
As children of Adam and Eve our ability to be totally intimate and honest with God and each other has been affected.

Throughout the Bible, those who are in a covenant relationship with God are said to be “married” to God.
When Israel would worship other gods, God would accuse them of being unfaithful and committing adultery.

(Ephesians 5:23-32)
Jesus is called the bridegroom of the Church Marriage is to reflect the kind of relationship Christ has with the Church.

(Deuteronomy 6:5)
“Love the Lord your God with all of our heart, soul and might.”
It is a totally committed relationship.

What does it mean to know the heart of God?
King David was a
“man after God’s own heart”.
At the core of his being he wanted to do the will of God and please Him. You could see his heart in the Psalms he wrote.

We are able to please God much more than David was able to do because of Jesus and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Intimacy is based on truth.
It exposes us to the truth.
You cannot have true intimacy
without being honest and open.

You will never truly have intimacy with God without first knowing what the Bible says about God; otherwise you will have a relationship based on misinformation,
or half truths.

You will always be hindered if you are unaware of the truths of the Bible.
You cannot have true intimacy with God without rules and guidelines,
but rules without a relationship lead to rebellion.

It may seem obvious, but you cannot have intimacy without a relationship.
Some are under the misconception that having an intimate relationship with God is somehow to be developed “outside of the institutional Church.”

There is no true intimacy outside of a relationship with the Body of Christ.

Having a personal relationship with Jesus is more than just saying the sinner’s prayer.

Intimacy develops out of interaction with fellow believers.
We must be able to speak the truth in love (Eph.4:15).

The word fellowship in the Bible can also be defined as intimacy.
The Greek word for fellowship in the N.T. is the word “Koinonia.”

(Acts 2:42)
And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship/intimacy, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

(1 John 1:7)
But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship/intimacy with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

(2 Corinthians 6:14)
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship/intimacy has light with darkness?

You can’t have intimacy with God without talking to Him every day and not just when you’re in trouble.

So how can we experience God’s presence and have
intimacy with God?
Through studying
and meditating on God’s word,
prayer,
worship,
service,
and fellowship.

Sometimes familiarity breeds contempt.
(Rev.2:4)
“You have left your first love.”

For believers, the Bible is a love letter from God to us.
Have you ever felt like you were reading someone else’s mail?

Many people are looking to experience and fill a kind of intimacy that can only be filled by having a relationship with Jesus.

Success,
materialism and money,
drugs,
pornography,
sex,
or other people,
cannot replace the kind of intimacy that only
God can satisfy.

---

July 6th
“Connected!”
Hebrews 12:1

The act of prayer is much more than just reciting words of a prayer, mentioning a need, or someone’s name, it connects us to those we are interceding for and to. It connects us to God and the hosts of heaven! While we are meditating in prayer we are getting into a “flow” or connecting to a “stream of consciousness” greater than ourselves.

With God, time and space are meaningless. Distance and time do not exist in God’s presence. When we pray we are literally standing before the throne of God where Jesus is seated at the right hand side of the Father and is interceding as our High Priest.
He is the High Priest of our intercessions. One of the main themes of the Book of Hebrews is the topic of Jesus as our
Heavenly High Priest.

(Hebrews 12:1)
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

When someone dies we call them “separated loved ones.” But God is a God of the living not the dead. We are never truly separated from those who die.

The term “communion of saints”
is defined as not just fellowshipping with members here on earth. It’s the idea that we are always a part of all the saints both here and in heaven. You are never truly alone.

We intercede on behalf of people here, so why wouldn’t that intercession continue in heaven? We see in the Book of Revelation the hosts of heaven in an act of worship and interceding before the throne of God on behalf of believers.

(I Cor.12:12-26)
Paul said that we are interconnected like a human body and when one part hurts the whole body is affected.
Does that end when we go to be with the Lord?

Memories are powerful.
They are more than just a recording of events or ideas,
they connect us. All you need to do is picture and imagine an event or someone and it’s as if you are connected.

What about memories of when God answered a prayer?
God uses our memories to connect us to Him.

So how can we experience God’s presence and stay connected?

Studying and meditating on God’s Word,
prayer,
worship,
acts of sacrifice,
Christian fellowship.

Today we define love as some passing emotion that we fall in and out of, or a feeling, or even a physical act.
But if what the scripture says is true in (1 John 4:16) God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. Then love is much more! It connects us to God!

It says in (Rom. 8:38, 39)
“nothing can disconnect us from the love of God… not even death!”
Love is much more than an emotion, true love is
God’s love.

The love of God that we share with others keeps us connected to those whom we love and nothing can separate us from them.
The love of God is the glue that connects us and
binds us all together.

If God is eternal,
then God’s love is eternal
and we as believers
are eternally connected.

God is the cure for our loneliness.
Jesus said that He through the Holy Spirit would be with us always, even until the ends of the earth.
We are NEVER truly alone!

 

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May 25th

OUCH!
Hebrews 12:5-11

While God does forgive our sin, it would be unloving for Him to not have us work on that sin.

Hebrews 12:5-11
5 Have you forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as children? "My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose heart when you are corrected by Him; 6 for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He disciplines every child whom He receives." 7 It is for the sake of discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with children; for what child is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children.
9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline at the time does not seem to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

We think that real love is that we should be free to do whatever whenever we want, that produces spoiled and undisciplined children.

We have falsely interpreted God’s love and patience as permissiveness, or lack of judgment, and since God is love we have falsely interpreted who God is!

The Church has been given the responsibility of raising children.
Is the church in danger of raising immature spoiled kids who never reach full maturity?

The church is a place of love revealed through instruction and correction, as well as grace and mercy.

We all have to learn how to deal with correction and disappointments in life, but we seem to think that the church and our relationship with God should be without conflicts.

Do we imagine heaven as being like some kind of eternal playground, or a place where we get to do what we want without restraint? The lessons of earth continue in heaven.

When it is said that sin is sin, we are not saying that all sins have the same consequences, or for instance murder is the same as lying. We are not throwing up our hands and resigning ourselves and saying my sin is the same as yours and we shouldn’t make distinctions. Otherwise, we will find ourselves condoning, excusing, or minimizing various sins.

Jesus said
to repent
of all sin
and be reconciled!

When Jesus forgives us of our sins, He is not saying that our sin was okay.

One of the ways that a good shepherd will teach a sheep not to wander is to break one of its legs, set and bind the leg and carry the sheep on its shoulder until it is healed.

Jesus is our good shepherd.
He will allow our spiritual leg to be broken in order for us to learn how to follow Him.
The real issue is whether or not we will learn from it.

We are a divine work of art that God is not finished with yet, like the potter and the clay, but the clay must still be pounded, shaped and heated in order to be conformed to the image of what the potter had intended.

Many today want to give up on the image God has created for humanity, or try to redefine and reshape the intended design.

Many times we fight the trials and tribulations in our life, only to discover that God has placed them there to shape us into His image.

1 Peter 1:6, 7
Greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 know that the proof of your faith, is more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, you may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the appearance of Jesus.

God’s love never gives up on His creation.
God never gave up on the Children of Israel even though at times they were not faithful to Him. God allowed them to go through intense trials.

It is not the absence of conflict in our lives that reveals God’s presence, but rather the presence of it.
If God leaves us to ourselves it would be an unloving act.

Are you working to be conformed to God’s image, or have you given up and resigned yourself?
God never leaves us
where He finds us!

Many times I’m sure we wish that God would just leave us alone and have us stay as we are, but that would not be love.
God so loved the world that He will not leave it to itself and its own design.

It is correct to say that God loves sinners, but it is the love of God that corrects sinners.
To leave a sinner a sinner is an unloving act. If we are God’s children He will never abandon us.

---

 

April 6th

“Responses To Suffering”
(Colossians 1:24)

Some Responses

Charles Templeton
“Farewell to God”

Bart Ehrman
“God’s Problem”

The Bible’s Response
The Bible gives no excuses, or apologies, for suffering in the world,
even though God exists. It gives many different answers.

Jesus did not come to address the issue of suffering, or to take it away, but to pay for the penalty of sin.

The fact remains, that Jesus, being God, even suffered!
Bad things do happen to good people!

The miracles of Jesus did not eliminate that person’s suffering forever, but allowed them to be in right relationship with God.

(2 Timothy 3:12)
All who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer.

(Colossians 1:24)
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions.

Our response

What do you believe? We have the unspoken expectation that if we believe in God that somehow we will be spared suffering in this life. We have absolutely no biblical support for that idea, yet we continue to look in the Bible for references that will emancipate us.

We always seem surprised and even offended when the innocent suffer, or when someone dies, or if we experience personal suffering, because we want to be able to control the events of life.

When God made humanity and gave us free will, He never took away our responsibility for the suffering in this world, or said that we would be spared.

We should not be asking the question why does God allow suffering, but rather why do we, and what are we doing about it.

But not all suffering is the result of free will. When natural disasters occur we call them “acts of God.” Why? Because they are unexplainable, unpredictable, uncontrollable and only God knows when and why they happen.

Natural disasters will come regardless, because according to the Bible the earth along with ourselves are going through birth pains (Romans 8:22).

The acts of God are what follow the natural disaster
when God’s people become “God’s language.”

When people become agnostics they are saying that the Bible, God, and His ways don’t seem to make sense to them. The irony is they are right!

We assume that we will understand and agree with, or like the answer. So instead of turning to God and trusting Him, even though we don’t understand, some turn away from God, or look to other belief systems that makes more sense to them, such as atheism and agnosticism.

God is very concerned about the human condition and participated in it through Jesus, but suffering is a part of the human condition that cannot be removed to its fullest extent while on this earth for reasons that God only knows.

Our goal should be to seek and to do God’s will even if it requires our own suffering.
Suffering can be redemptive for the human condition.

It’s not as simple as good things come from God and bad things from the devil. God is God because He is able to use even suffering, not just take it away.

There are many reasons why people suffer and we are all able to learn from suffering. If this is all there is then going through suffering holds no hope.

What will be your response to suffering?

We can either allow those that suffer to be used as examples we can learn from and honor their sacrifice, or let their suffering be in vain.

It is not a question of where does suffering come from and why God allows it, but rather where does it lead. It’s all in how we respond to it.

March 9th…
“You Are A Letter!”
(II Corinthians 3:2,3)

Pastor Brian

1. Living Letters
(II Cor.3:2, 3)

You are our living letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3:3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.

We are the “living testimony”
of God’s Word. We must actually live out the Gospel. We must embody the Gospel.

We are the continuation of the Bible.
The Book of Acts is still being written
through our lives.

(Hebrews 4:12)
“The Word of God
is living.”
It’s not some book
you put on a shelf
that collects dust!

So what is being written
in your book?
Maybe you need to
dust yourself off
and get back in the game?

2. Living Sacrifice
(Rom.12:1)

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Israel was reminded many times by God that He took no pleasure in the sacrifice of animals, but that it was a “symbol” of their own life that was to be offered up as a pleasing sacrifice.

3. Living Temple
(I Cor.3:16, 17)

Do you not know that you are a living temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

(I Cor.6:19, 20)

Do you not know that your body is a living temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

(II Cor.6:16)

For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

(II Cor.5:1)
We are a spiritual house not made with human hands, but heavenly.

4. Living Stones
(I Pet.2:5)

You are living stones, and are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Whenever God would do something special in a certain place, a stone was erected to commemorate that event, so when people would look upon it they would be reminded of what God had done in memorial.

We are not to be just some stones planted in a spot, but we are to be living stones that continue to give testimony of what God has done in our lives and in the lives of others.

I’ve heard it said…

that if we don’t have a testimony about what God has done in our lives recently, that maybe we are in need of a confession.

The Bible is a
“living testimony”
of what God has done, but you also are to be a
“living testimony”
of what God has done.
We are to live our lives
as an open book.

---

February 17th…
“What Do You Believe?”

(James 1:2-8)

Is the definition of a belief and faith mean that we trust in something that
doesn’t exist?

What do we believe Jesus
was like?

Many times we
distort that picture
and create a Jesus
that does not exist.

What do we believe
about ourselves?

What we believe about ourselves and what we can and should do
as believers must be grounded in scripture.

The Bible is a
“mirror of the soul,”
(II Cor.3:18).

Are you willing to look into the mirror of scripture and test what you believe in?

The apostles were willing to die for what they believed in.

(James 1:2-4)
says to rejoice in times of “testing of your faith” because of what it is able to reveal.

There are a lot of
“theoretical Christians.”

Unless your belief is
“testable and verifiable”
it isn’t faith at all,
it’s just a theory.

To say that we believe in Christ is just the beginning; it’s what we do with that belief and how we act on it that distinguishes us as Jesus’ disciples.

An action tests
a theory
and brings a belief
into reality!
That action is
powered by faith!

Are we so confident
in the fact that
we “believe” in Jesus?

Even demons
believe in God
(James.2:19).

(James 2:20)
Faith
without action
is useless!

What is faith?
(Hebrews 11:1)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things
not seen.

It is saying that what
we are hoping for
does exist,
but is just
not seen now.

If you can have faith to believe that Jesus saved you and you’re going to heaven,
why can’t you have faith to believe God for other things?

Faith is NOT a blind step in the dark!
It is based on reality and testing!
It is verifiable!
Faith doesn’t cease being faith if it is seen.

Our faith in Christ and what the Bible says is true is not a blind faith in something that doesn’t exist, or is a matter of one’s own opinion, but it is a verifiable faith.

The apostles testified of that which they had
“seen and touched,”
(I John 1:1)
and they had great faith.

Peter was being asked by Jesus to test and see if what he believed in was true when He asked him to come walking on the water to Him.

A disciple
is always
expected to do
what His
Rabbi does.

All of us go though faith lessons to test and see what we are made of,
but if we never step out of the boat we will never know, grow, and learn.

We are not
“testing or tempting God” when we step out in faith
and do what Jesus said we could and should already be doing through the
power and guidance of the
Holy Spirit.

(James 1:5-8)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
1:6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
1:7 For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 1:8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The Bible assumes
that you will be doing
what Jesus did.

What do you believe
is possible?

Seeing is not believing,
believing is seeing!
Faith and action
go hand in hand!

(Mark 9:23)
“All things
are possible
to him
who believes.”

Go show
the world
what you
believe!

 

---

February 10th

“Doing What Jesus Did!”
(I John 2:6)

What did Jesus do?
1. healed the sick
in body and mind
2. fed the hungry
3. taught scripture
4. made disciples
5. confronted injustice
and corruption

6. called people to repentance
7. came to serve
8. spoke the truth
9. suffered persecution
10. baptized

What did Jesus do
that only He could do?

Died for our sins

What did Jesus do that He expected His disciples
to do?

People knew that the disciples had been with Jesus,
because they did and said the things Jesus did and said.

“People will know you are my disciples, when you have love for each other.”

(Mat. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18)
The Great commission
“Go into all the world and
preach the Gospel.”

“These signs shall follow
those who believe.”

What did Jesus
and the disciples do
that we are expected
to do today?

(John 14:12)
"Truly, truly, I say to you,
he who believes in Me,
the works that I do
shall he do also;
and greater works than these shall he do;
because I go to the Father”.

Was there anything
that the disciples did
that we are not
expected to do today?

Write scripture.

Doing the things that Jesus did
is dangerous and involves risk!

Part of the reason we have the particular challenges to Christianity that we have today is because we were ashamed of the Gospel and didn’t do the things
Jesus did.

Are you willing to do
whatever it takes,
to do the things
Jesus did?

How can we do the things
Jesus and His disciples did,
after all, He was God?

Where God leads
He empowers.
Only through the
power and guidance
of the Holy Spirit.

Paul gave lists of various gifts
of the Spirit that would
be at our disposal
for the purpose of
equipping the saints
for the work of the ministry
(I Cor.12, Eph.4: 11-13).

If all you’re going to do
is keep the car parked
in the driveway
you don’t need to fill
the gas tank.

Are you being
Faithful,
Available
Teachable?

What are you willing
to step out and trust God for?
When was the last time
you did what Jesus did?

When you do the things
Jesus did miracles can happen!

Being a disciple is defined
as being a “follower of Jesus,”
and as a “walk.”

(I John 2:6)
“Whoever is in Christ
must walk as Jesus walked.”

Being a Christian
is to do what Jesus did.

(Romans 1:16)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
for it is the power of God for salvation
to everyone who believes!”

D o
W hat
J esus
D id

 

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Today’s Message January 20th…
“Follow Me!”
Matthew 16:24

How did someone become a disciple?

In the time of Jesus, a disciple, or student, would follow and learn from the Rabbi of a local synagogue. If they showed talent the Rabbi would allow them to follow him in order to be like him. They would take upon themselves the “yoke of the Rabbi.” To be a disciple of a Rabbi means to be like the Rabbi and to do the things the Rabbi did and to walk like him.

How did Jesus choose disciples?
Jesus chose His disciples, they didn’t choose Him.
(Mat 4:18-20) “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

(Mat.16:24) “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

Jesus didn’t choose the
cream of the crop.

If they really wanted to be a disciple they dropped everything!

In the early church you had to go through classes for a year to become a Christian and then be baptized on Easter.

What does it mean to be a disciple today?
(I John 2:6)
“Whoever is in Christ
must walk as Jesus walked.”

We must do the things
that the Rabbi did.

(Matthew 20:28)
Following Jesus means
becoming a servant.
“I did not come to be served, but to serve.”

Are we to suffer
like Jesus?

(Romans 8:17)
“We are to endure hardships as He did.”

(Colossians 1:24)

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions.

What does that mean?
We may not be suffering individually, but when one of our fellow believers in the body of Christ suffers, we all suffer.
Are we willing to be persecuted as others have been?

Will we be hated and persecuted like Jesus was?

Jesus epitomized God’s love
and He was hated.

Being a disciple of Jesus is Dangerous!

Are we just dabbling
in discipleship?

Have we confused church membership and attendance with discipleship?

People knew when someone had been with Rabbi Jesus.
They did and said the things Jesus did and said.

God uses people who are passionate about following Him.
Passion isn’t taught
it’s caught!

The disciples sat under Jesus’ tutelage.
Where are you being taught?

(Matthew 28:19)
“Go and make disciples of Jesus!”
Be replicated and
go replicate!
Go do what Jesus did!

What’s stopping you?
What are you afraid of?
What do you have to drop
to be a disciple?
Are you too tangled up?

Jesus chose us and believes in us!

(Matthew 11:29)
"Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest
for your souls.”

In order to
meet the challenges
we face today
you must be a disciple,
there is no substitute!

What are the requirements
in order to be a disciple?
Be Faithful,
Available,
and Teachable,
not perfect.

(I John 2:6)
“Whoever is in Christ
must walk
as Jesus walked.”

You Are Dangerous!

---

January 13th…
“The End of Christianity?”

Pastor Brian

(II Timothy 4:3, 4)

For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth.

What are some of the challenges
to today’s Christianity?

Challenges
1. Ongoing legal battles to remove any reference to the Judeo / Christian faith from public display

2. Atheism and Revisionism in America

3. Scientific community

4. Apathy

5. Lack of Education

6. Secularization

7. Marginalization

8. Lack of Outreach

9. Institutionalization

10. Islam

Is today’s Christianity the changing force and presence in our world
as it started out as, or is it changing?

(1 Peter 4:17)
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

The Church will never come to an end
because Jesus said that the “gates of hell
would NOT prevail against it.”

 

---

 

December 30th

"What Child Is This?"

(Isaiah 9:6, 7)

For to us a child will be born and a son will be given; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government, or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.

There seems to be a secular, atheistic, and revisionist movement in America that is trying to take Christianity and any reference to God out of our society, culture and politics?

Christianity has always struggled
with being secularized.

5 Challenges
1. Ongoing legal battles to take God out of the pledge of allegiance and off the currency.

2. Various attempts to remove displays of the Christmas nativity and the Ten Commandments from public display.

3. Atheism and Revisionism.

4. Atheistic curriculum in our schools.

5. Political pressure.

So what does all this have to do with a child
that was born 2,000 years ago?

Does Christianity continue to create political, cultural, and religious change, or are we changing our theology so as to not make waves in our attempt to just get along?

What does it mean to have a
personal, or private relationship
with God?

Matthew 10:34
He did not come to bring peace,
but a sword.

The Apostles
were not ashamed
of the Gospel,
are we?

 

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November 25th

“Is Anything Sacred?”

( Romans 12:1, 2)

The Bible defines the word “sacred” as the same word for “holy and sanctified.”
It means to be set apart, and separated for
a single purpose.

God defines
what is holy,
because
God is holy.

The Bible gives examples of what is to be holy:
God’s Name
People
Relationships
Actions
God’s Temple

(2 Corinthians 6:17)
"Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,
says the Lord.”
(I Pet.1:15, 16)
“Be holy as I am holy.”

(Genesis 1:26, 27)
We are made in the Image of God.
(Which is “holy.”)

(I Cor.3:16, 17, 6:19, 20)
“You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.”
You have been purchased; therefore, you are not to “desecrate the temple.”

To commit “sacrilege” means to make common, secularize, defile, disrespect, profane, blaspheme, be irreverent and desecrate.

Marriage, the family, and the body, become empty and cheapened of its design when they are taken out of the context of the sacred.

God’s love and design is not correctly expressed in other forms, or expressions, of sexuality, other than that which is expressed in Godly love and marriage between a man and a woman.

(Hebrews 13:4)
Let marriage be held in sacred trust among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

(Ephesians 5:23-32)
Marriage is supposed to reflect the kind of relationship Christ has with the Church, His bride.

Human relationships are supposed to be sacred.
Society has cheapened them and made them
secular instead of sacred
recreational instead of reverential.

Sex outside of marriage is not God’s design. Everything we do with this body is considered to be sacred and an “act of worship.”

(Romans 12:1)
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Human beings are created by God, therefore, God defines what constitutes a marriage and the family, not the government, or the state.

We have interpreted free will, free choice, and free speech, as a license to do and say what we please and redefine as we please.

Should we tolerate the redefining of what God calls sacred, or take a stand and reclaim it?

So if the family, marriage, and the human body, are not considered sacred in our society, are we called to be “counter cultural,”
or to reflect our society’s norms and mores?

(I Peter 2:9)
As Christians we are a called out people!

(James 4:4)
“Friendship with the world’s values is to be an enemy of God.”

(I Jh.2:15)
“We are not to love the world.”

Will you recommit yourself to be sacred?

---

September 2nd...

What Would it Take?
(Philippians 1:21)

Do you remember the last time you made a promise you later didn’t keep?

The things we do in life have various consequences.
It’s one of the reasons we place worth and value
on something.

What are
you willing
to sacrifice
your life for?

What we value the most forms our priorities.
What would it take for you to change your priorities?

Is what you are doing
have eternal worth?
Are you storing up heavenly treasure?

How seriously
do we take
our faith?

Ever heard the term “cheap grace”?
It’s the idea that the grace and forgiveness of God carries with it little cost, responsibility and gratitude on the part of the believer.

There is nothing cheap
or free
about the grace of God,
it costs dearly.

(Phil.1:21)
“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

(Gal.2:20)
“It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.”

Have we forgotten that our “citizenship is in heaven” right now?
(Phil.3:20)

What would it take…?
1. To make a change in your relationship with God?
2. To make a change in your relationship with your loved ones?
3. To make a change in your attitude about worship and learning more of God’s word?

The Bible declares that in order to be fit for the Kingdom of God that
we “must change.”

---

August 19th…
“Dealing With Disappointments”

James 1:2-8

Some areas of disappointment
relationships
physical
financial
occupation
the church
or God?

Should we just lower our expectations so we are not disappointed?
Are our expectations realistic?

How does the Bible use the word disappointment?
“to be put to shame,
or humiliated”.
It states that we need
not be disappointed,
or let down,
if we have hope.

(Rom.5:5, 9:33, 10:11)
hope is not disappointed.

(Psalm 22:5).
Trusting in God never leads to disappointment.

James 1:2-8
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

1 Peter 1:7
the result of the testing of your faith, is more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Is it possible to
“consider it all joy”
when disappointed?
Is it even possible to have a positive attitude when you are disappointed?

How did people
in the Bible
deal with
dis-appointments?

(Acts 16:25)
Paul sang hymns to God
in the midst of trials.
Paul never became
a victim of his circumstances.

Is there a personal and eternal purpose, or lesson to learn, even if there seems to be no benefit?

It is only beneficial if we see things through God’s eyes.
We fail to see the bigger picture.

If this is all there is, then no, things don’t make sense and life is filled with random and purposeless disappointing events.

When I think about those who have gone before me that are waiting for me and cheering me on, life has purpose.
When I think about those here on earth that depend on me,
life has purpose.
When I think about all that Christ went through for me,
life has purpose

Do we need an attitude adjustment today?
Do we truly trust that God is looking out for our welfare?

Nothing takes God by surprise,
with Him there are no dis-appointments,
only
“Godly appointments.”

Repeat after me:
I will not be a victim of my circumstances.
I will not allow disappointments in my life to rule me.
I will trust in God’s faithfulness, no matter what comes my way.

---

 

July 29th...

"A House of Cards!"

The scripture compares us to a House and a Temple
(1 Peter 2:5) you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

(1 Corinthians 3:16) Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Jesus is over our house
(Hebrews 3:6)
but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

What is your house built upon?
Is the foundation that you are building on stable, or just a house of cards?

Are you one card away from collapse?

Is Christ your foundation, or just an accessory?

What is your faith built upon?
What would it take for your faith in God and the Church to collapse?
A moral failure?
A tragedy?
Disappointments?

Important Foundations

1. Prayer
2. Study
3. Worship
4. Service

What are your relationships
and family structure built upon?

Important Foundations

1. Communication
2. Honesty
3. Love
4. Commitment

How do I stop building a house of cards and start building a house that will stand?

Building a house that will stand and endure the storms of life.
(Matthew 7:24-27)
"Everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. 25 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. 26 "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."

(Matthew 12:25)
a house divided
against itself
shall not stand.

What are you doing to make and keep your house unshakeable and impenetrable?

Maybe it’s time for some spiritual spring cleaning in order to get our house in order.

(Joshua 24:15)
As for me
and my house,
we will serve
the LORD.

---

July 15th…

“Incendiary Mary”
(Luke 1:28)

What are Catholicism’s
5 teachings
on Mary?

To learn more click on this link Mary

We must understand "Typology"

1. Mother of God / God bearer.
“Theotokos”

While Mary was pregnant she was greeted by Elizabeth in (Lk.1:43)
“the mother of my Lord.”

“new Ark of the Covenant,” (II Sam.6:9, 11)
housing the Word of God
(2 tablets)
bread of life
(manna)
and the new high priesthood
(Aaron’s rod).

2. The Perpetual Virginity of Mary
remained a virgin
before,
during, and
after
the birth of Jesus.

“Spouse of the Holy Spirit”
“the Woman and New Eve”
of (Gen.3:15).
She is also called the
“Mother of the Church.”
Jesus being the bridegroom

3. The Immaculate Conception
Mary was conceived
without the stain
of original sin
“Full of Prevenient Grace”
(Lk.1:28, Eph.1:6) means to be
perfected in grace.

This does NOT mean that she never sinned, or that she was not in need of salvation.

4. The Assumption of Mary
did not “ascend” into heaven
like Jesus did.
She is considered to be a type or foreshadowing of an “assumption” or “catching up” that all believers will experience (I Thes.4:17). Similiar to that of Enoch and Elijah.

5. Mediatrix / Co-advocate / Co-redemptrix
since Christ is our Mediator and Advocate, Mary as His mother, and as a Christian, participates in these aspects.

Mary as co-redemptrix does not mean she is also our redeemer, but as a result of her birthing the redeemer, she participated in humanity’s redemption

Do Catholics “pray to” Mary for her intercession rather than Jesus?

They believe in the
“communion of saints,”
and that all believers in heaven are in constant intercession for believers here on earth.

Mary is NOT supposed
to be worshipped,
Only revered.

Mary is the
“Queen of Heaven”
Givarah
(I Kings 2:13-19)

Since Jesus is still King, Mary as his mother would still be Queen

What did the
Reformers believe?
Luther
Calvin
Wesley

They believed in the first 3 dogmas

To honor the mother of Jesus is to honor Jesus, there isn’t a competition.

The doctrines of Christ
are supported by the doctrines of Mary

 

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July 1st…
“The Inconvenient Truth”
(John 8:32)

Are we living out the truths of the Gospel, or what is convenient?
How many things do we believe and actually do out of convenience, rather than out of conviction, commitment and study?

An unexamined life
is not
worth living.”

Do we measure
our success in life
by how
convenient things
are?

Is telling
the truth
ever
convenient?

It’s easy for us
to believe a lie
as truth
through our own rationalizations and denial; it’s convenient.

There are things
that we believe and do
that are not totally honest,
many times as a result
of fear of what others
may think about us.

I wonder how many
of the bad things that have happened throughout history are based upon believing a lie, or dishonesty.

Sometimes telling the truth won’t bring about the result we want in others, but maybe it’s meant to bring about the right result in us.
Give God a chance to do a work in you.

Are you living a lie?
How about in
your relationships?

We tend to hide the truth
and hide from the truth.

Sometimes knowing the truth is painful,
but isn’t believing and living a lie
more destructive?

Truth brings about change,
and change makes our lives “inconvenient,”
thus truth makes our lives “inconvenient.”

Jesus said that He was the Truth
(John 14:6).

Jesus also said that the truth
would set us free
(John 8:32).

Speaking and living the truth
can be risky, but yet we are still
called to live lives of integrity.

Telling the truth is not easy, but we are still called to “speak the Truth in love,” (Eph.4:15).

We are to confront
and be confronted
with the truth,
no matter how it inconveniences us.

Truth is eternal and the goal of eternal life is the search and discovery of the truth.

Heaven will be the most truthful place, so let’s start being truthful now, even though it may be inconvenient.

---

 

“I Stand at the Door!”
Revelation 3:20

In the Bible, a “door” is a metaphor for a way or opening to the soul and it was a place where decisions were made.

James 5:9 The judge stands at the door
John 10:1, 2, 7, 9 “I am the door / gate,”
Rev. 3:20 “Behold I stand at the door
and knock.”
Rev.3:8 “Behold I open a door that no one can shut”.
Luke 13:24, 25 A closed door represents lost opportunity.

What doors of your life
are open
or closed
to God?

Doors of your life
Financial
Relationships
Thoughts
Temptations

(Genesis 4:7)

Sin is knocking
at your door…
but you must
“master it.”

What sin
knocks
at your door?

(Hebrews 12:1)

“lay aside the sin
that so easily
entangles you.”

What you feed
grows
and what you starve
dies.
What are you feeding?

Job said
that he had
“made a covenant
with his eyes,”
so that he might
not sin
against God”.

Are you striving
against sin,
or submitting
and in slavery
to it?

Open the door
to Christ and
close the door
to sin.

Admit you need help,
confess your sins,
become accountable
and renew the covenant
with God
to help you watch the
doors of your life.

---

 

March 4th…

“The American Dream?”

What is the American dream?

Is America truly
one nation
under God?

Is America in a
Covenant relationship
with God and a
“Christian Nation?”

Are we living up
to our dream,
or has it become a
nightmare?

The separation of church and state does not mean infringing on the free expression of religious speech, thought, worship and dialogue in our society.

As Christians, we believe that human beings have the freedom “to” worship God, not the freedom “from” the worship of God.

Many in the Bible were guided by God through their dreams and visions:
Jacob and his son Joseph,
ungodly rulers,
Gideon, Solomon, Daniel,
Joseph and the Magi,
Peter and Paul.

(Joel 2:28)
“your old men will dream dreams and your young
men will see visions.”

(Prov.29:18)
Without a vision or dream the people will perish

What are your dreams?

What are your nightmares?

Does God still use dreams today?

---

February 18th

God’s Message to the Church
Part 4

Revelation 3:14

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent. 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Laodicea: the Luke warm church Was a very rich area known for its wealth (gold), medicinal eye salve and healing waters. Cold and hot springs were near the area, but by the time it got there it was lukewarm water.

What is God saying to the Church?

Being “lukewarm” means to be apathetic, or neutral. Be either cold, or hot, and good for something. Being lukewarm is good for nothing.

Being “gold refined by fire” means focusing on things that really matter and are of eternal worth, not just financial. It follows in line with the phrase “those whom God loves as children He disciplines” (Heb.12:5-11). In order for God to get the impurities out of our live we have to go through the refining fire.

“I will dine with them”. In the Middle East, to sit down and eat with someone was a sign of friendship and acceptance. You would never refuse to accommodate someone who knocks on your door, even at night, even to this day.

“Sit down with Me on My Father’s throne”. The place of authority was represented by the king’s throne. To be able to sit with the king was a great honor that very few if any shared.

Revelation 4:1

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."

Is the Church here after chapter 3?

What is the Rapture?

A secret and invisable catching away of the church to meet the Lord in the clouds either before, during or after the Tribulation.

What is the second coming of Christ?

A physical return of Jesus with the saints to the earth after the Tribulation which ushers in the Millennium.

So what have we learned about the messages to the 7 churches?

Ephesus – knowledge of Christ does not necessarily lead to a relationship with Christ. We must not leave our first love.

Smyrna – we must be willing to give up our comfort zones for Christ. True riches are stored in heaven.

Pergamum and Thyatira – do not tolerate false doctrine and immorality in yourself and in the Church.

Sardis – do not rely on past experiences with God and become complacent in well doing.

Philadelphia – God will open up doors that no one can shut if we are obedient.

Laodicea – God will not tolerate neutrality, or lukewarmness.

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January 21st…

God’s Message to the Church
Part II.
Revelation chapter 2

Revelation 2:12
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'

There were many fertility cults. Where Satan dwells – there was a temple dedicated to the god Asclepius the healing god and son of Apollo whose symbol was the serpent. The serpent has always been a symbol of fertility.

Doctrine of Balaam 2:14 He tried to curse the people of God and allure them away from God.

Doctrine of Nicolaitans 2:15 a false teaching that promoted sensuality.
White stone and a name on it was given as a pass or acquittal as opposed to a black stone.

Revelation 2:18
"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: 'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.

'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 'And I gave her time to repent; and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 'Behold, I will cast her upon a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation,

unless they repent of her deeds. 'And I will kill her children with pestilence; and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 'But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them-- I place no other burden on you. 'Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.

'And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

Tolerate Jezebel symbolically refers to what the OT false prophetess Jezebel did to the nation of Israel and led them into idolatry and eventually exile.

What is God saying to the Church?
Both Churches were tolerating immoral behavior;
“I have this against you;
you tolerate Balaam,
Jezebel
and the
Nicolaitans.”

What are we tolerating in ourselves that we shouldn’t? What are we participating in that we shouldn’t? The cure is always repentance!

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January 14th…

“God’s Message to the Church”
Part 1

Revelation chapters 1-3

What is the Apocalypse?
The word Apocalypse is a Greek word that simply means “to Reveal.”

Jesus is revealing what He wants these churches to know.

How are we to interpret the Book of Revelation?
4 Views

Historicist
Futurist
Spiritual
Preterist

Is the picture of Jesus that is painted in the Gospels different then in the Book of Revelation?

The Churches are represented by the menorah, a 7 branched oil / candle stand, which was in Solomon’s temple in the Holy Place and what is before the throne of heaven

Revelation 2:1

"To the angel of the Church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lamp stands, says this: “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 'Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lamp stand out of its place-- unless you repent. Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise of my God.”

What is God saying to the Church?

Sometimes you can get so caught up with pursuing knowledge of Christ, that you miss the point of a relationship with Christ. Knowledge does not necessarily lead to a relationship.

Revelation 2:8

"And to the angel of the Church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.'

What is God saying to the Church?

They were willing to give up their comfort of financial riches through imprisonment in order to gain eternal riches. They were storing up their treasure in heaven by their willingness to suffer for the Faith.

What does it mean today?

What Jesus was saying to these Churches that existed in the first century still holds true for us today. We can forget that one of major things in life is our relationship with Christ. Rules without a relationship leads to rebellion. We can get all the points right, but still miss the bigger point. We must be willing to give up everything for Christ, even our comforts.

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December 31st

“It’s a Wonderful Life!”

A movie clip from the movie "It's A Wonderful Life."

How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?

1. If we remove the birth of Christ, we also must remove all reference to a coming of a Messiah throughout the Bible.

2. We then have to remove the very idea of a messiah, or savior, in Judaism throughout the prophetic books.
How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?
3. We must remove the parts in Genesis about a savior coming after the fall of man to redeem mankind from sin.

4. Judaism as a religion would have to drastically change.

5. We then must remove the entire New Testament and the influences that Jesus’ birth had on the Nation of Israel and the lives it touched.
How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?
6. There would be no Gospel, or apostles, to spread the Gospel to the known world.

7. There would be no influence of Christianity on Europe as we know it today.

8. The judicial system would drastically be affected because much of it was based on the Judeo-Christian influence.
How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?
9. There would be no churches throughout the world, or Christian organizations to help those in need; from schools, to helping the poor and feeding the hungry.

10. All of our ancestors whose lives were changed as a result of the Church would be affected.
How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?
11. America would not have been discovered by Columbus because it was financed by the Church.

12. If you were born in the U.S. you would not have been born because the U.S. would not have existed.

13. Even the very building you are sitting in and the relationships that you have would not exist.

So do we really need Christ in Christmas and in our lives?

The Bible says that all things came into being through Christ, and that Jesus was the incarnate Word before the foundations of the world (Jh.1:1-3).

So, in the final analysis, the world would not even exist.
So, how do you like a world without Christ?

Is Christ
just a
preference?
Do we owe anything to Christ?
Our very
Existence!

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“Are You Peculiar?”

(I Peter 2:9)
(Deuteronomy 14:2)
For you are a
holy people unto the LORD your God,
and the LORD has chosen you
to be a peculiar people unto Himself,
above all the nations
that are upon the earth.

(Exodus 19:6)
and you will be to Me a kingdom of priests
and a holy nation.

(1 Peter 2:9)
But ye are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a peculiar (purchased) people;
that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness
into his marvelous light.

(II Cor.6:17)
Church / Ecclesia =
called out
“Come out from
among them.”

Our morality
and conduct
should reflect
our distinctiveness
as believers.

Does peculiar
mean
weird?

Can we
be effective
without
being affected,
or infected?

So how
can we
make a
difference?

One person,
One church,
One family
and
One community
at a time

“all it takes for evil to prosper, is for good people to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

(John 17:21)
… May they all be one;
even as You, Father, are one with Me, and I am one with You,
may they also may be in one in Us; so that the world
may believe that You have sent Me.

We are called
to bring a light
into the darkness!

Christians are called to be peculiar and distinctive and not allow social pressure to shape our doctrines and morality.

So go out there and be Peculiar!

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"What Did You Expect?"

What’s the difference between having
realistic expectations
and
lowered expectations?

Are there such things
as
Godly
expectations?

You can expect to have
times of success
and times of failure,
times of joy and
times of sorrow,
times of new birth
and times of passing.

(Phil.4:11-13)
For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

How long
do you expect
to live?

Do you view life
from the viewpoint
of eternity?

God does not promise long life, but he does promise eternal life in His Kingdom for all those who believe in His Son.

God does not promise that you will not be sick, or to heal every sickness, but He does promise to strengthen us and give us a new body in the resurrection.

God does not promise financial wealth, but He does promise that He will supply all of your needs as you supply the needs of others.

God does not promise that evil will never touch us, but He does promise that He will judge those who are evil and ultimately justice will prevail.

What do you expect
from
the Church?

Do you expect
people
in the church
to be perfect?

What Does the Church Expect From You?
Your
Time,
Spiritual Gifts,
Sacrificial Giving,
Presence in Worship

What does God expect from us?
(Micah 6:8)
God has told you, O man,
what is good;
and what does the LORD
expect (Ask / Require) of you?
But to do justice, to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.

---

“The Hardest Thing To Change!”

“You can have change without growth,
but you can’t have growth
without change.”

Does the Bible record people who have changed for the good?
Jacob

Peter

Paul

What will it take to change you?

A tragedy or crisis of some sort?
or
A realization, illumination
or revelation?

(II Cor.5:17)
“if anyone is In Christ, they are a new creation; the old has passed away and the new has come.”

The believer is in a state of constant change.

(I Cor.15:51)
even our mortal bodies will be “changed”.

So how do we stay open to change?

1. Realize and resign yourself to the fact that life is all about change.

2. Be open to the Holy Spirit.

We all have a tendency
to get set in our ways,
but God cannot bring us to the next level of spiritual maturity
if we will not be open to change.

God never
leaves you
where He
finds you.

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July 23rd…

“What is Eternal?”

1. God
(Rom.16:26)
The Bible refers to God
as being eternal.

2. Humans (soul / body)
(Gen.1:26-28, 2:7)
God breathed into them life and they became a living soul, who were also made in God’s likeness

(I Cor.15:51-55)
The body will be resurrected
and changed
for eternity.

3. Life
(Jh.3:15, 16)
The term “eternal life” is mentioned 42 times in the NT. The Gospel of John speaks of eternal life the most out of all the Gospels; 15 times

4. Love
(Rom.8:38, 39)
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus… not even death

5. Truth / Word of God
(Mat.24:35)
“Heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s word is eternal”

6. Worship / Prayer
The Book of Revelation presents the idea that out role
as worshipper and intercessor
goes beyond our life
here on earth.

7. Relationships
The Church is called the body of Christ and therefore we will be with each other for all of eternity.

8. Kingdom of God
(Rev.11:15)
Christ’s reign and kingdom will never come to an end

9. Covenant
God made an everlasting covenant with the earth, Abraham, Israel, David and through the New Covenant.

10. Judgment
(II Cor.5:10)
God has record of our actions while on
this earth of
both good and bad
deeds

(Rev.20:11-15)
The Bible teaches that God’s final judgment
is eternal

All life returns to God
as its source of being!

 

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Today’s Message July 2nd…
Heaven is talking about You!
(Rev. 4:2-6)

We must remember that everything that is on earth
is a type, pattern or shadow of what exists in heaven.

(Heb.8:5, 9:23)
Moses’ tabernacle and worship was based on
what he was shown by God that exists in heaven,
but it was merely a type, pattern or shadow.

When God did away with the earthly Temple, Jerusalem and worship, the heavenly Temple, Jerusalem and worship remained.

What does the place where God is
(the temple)
look like?

Unfortunately, we think that
Revelation is just a book about the future,
but it is actually a book
about what is going on in heaven right now.

Revelation 4:2-6
Reveals a worship service before the throne of God.
Who is before the throne right now?
The 24 Elders,
the 4 living creatures,
and a myriad of
saints and angels

(Rev.4:4-6, 5:11, 7:9, 15).

(Rev. 21, 22)
describes the heavenly Temple, Jerusalem and garden.

(Phil.3:20, Heb.11:16, 12:22)
Heaven is a city
and a
kingdom
with citizens

(Jh.18:36)
Jesus said that
“His Kingdom was not
of this world.”

Jesus is our High Priest (Heb. 2:17, 3:1, 4:14, 5:10, 6:20, 7:26, 8:1, 9:11)

Mediator and Advocate (I Tim.2:5, Heb. 8:6, 9:15, 12:24).

(I Peter 2:9, Rev.5:10)
There is only One Mediator or High Priest of the New Covenant, but there are many intercessors.

We are all called to be “priests” or intercessors.
(Rev.5:8, 8:4)
When we pray,
our prayers
are stored in heaven
and offered
before God.

The menorah in the Temple represents the Church (Rev.1:12, 13).
The Ark of the Covenant is also before the throne (Rev.11:19)

(I Cor.15:49, II Cor.5:1-10)
Even our bodies
will have a
heavenly form.

(Mat.22:32)
God is a God
of the living
not the dead!

(Heb.12:1)
So what is the
Communion of Saints?
A living community of all believers past, present
and future.

How often does heaven pray?
Priests offered prayers
at least 3 times a day
and during certain
holy days.

Is heaven
detached
from
human history?

Our worship should be patterned after what is going on in heaven
right now.

Prayer is more than speaking…
it’s also listening.
Heaven is speaking…
Are you listening?

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"Being Like God"

Genesis 1:27, 2:7
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

While it is true that we are measured against God’s holiness, it is also true that we are able to share in God’s holiness.

(Gal.2:20)

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”

“I am the Temple of the Holy Spirit”
(I Cor.3:16).

(I Cor.12:27)

We are called the “Body of Christ”

If God didn’t expect us to be like Him; why or how could He judge us for not living up to His standards?
(I Pet.1:16)

“be holy as God is holy”
(Mat.5:48)

Jesus coming to this earth as a man showed the possibilities of a human being who is made in the image of God.

Jesus came to restore the image of God that was marred through original sin.

If we see ourselves as sinners and define ourselves as sinners;
then what will we act like?

We need to start seeing ourselves as God sees us; as those who have been made in His image and redeemed by His Son!

What is your reflection, or image, you are seeing and reflecting?
Who is it of?
God, or yourself?

To be like God is to be

Godly

and to not be like God is to be

ungodly

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“Know Your Enemy”

James 1:13, 14
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

James 4:7, 8
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Realize that Satan is a liar, a deceiver, a false accuser and co-conspirator and a defeated foe who has no power over you. He only creeps through the door we open; it’s our own sinful desires that make us take steps over the threshold.

Luke 10:19
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

1 Peter 5:8, 9
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 4:27
don’t allow opportunities
and footholds!

“All it takes for evil to triumph
is for good people
to do nothing!”

Genesis 4:7
“sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

1 Timothy 5:14
do not give the enemy an occasion for the potential for sin or accusation.

How can we be liberated from our enemy?
Know the “tactics” of the enemy.

“Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.”

Remember this…
1. Sin does things in secret and in the dark where there is no accountability.

2. Know your limitations and don’t place yourself in possible compromising situations (footholds).

3. Work on making your weaknesses your strengths and pray for God’s wisdom.

4. Stop making excuses or blaming and realize that sin no longer has power over us because of Jesus.

5. Submit yourself to God and stop believing the lies. Learn the truth and immerse yourself in it.

Hebrews 12:1, 2
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the author and perfector of our faith.

 

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"Things you need to know" Part 4

Things you need to know Part IV.

The Holy Spirit and End Times

I. Who is the Holy Spirit?

1. The 3rd “person” of the Trinity who proceeds from the Father and the Son and is worshipped and glorified (Jh.4:24). He can be Blasphemed, Lied to, Tested, Resisted and Quenched (Mark 3:29, Acts 5:3, 9, 7:51, I Thes.5:19).

2. The Ruach of the OT (Gen.1:2, Ex.31:3, Judges 3:10, Ezek.37:1).

3. The Paracletos or Comforter of the NT (John 4:24, 7:38, 39, 14:16, 17, 26, 16:7-11, 13, Rom.8:26, 27, II Cor.3:17).

What is the work of the Holy Spirit?

1. Applies the work of Christ (II Cor.1:20, 5:18-21, Eph.1:4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13).

2. Convict / Repentance / Teach / Guide into all truth (John 14:26, 16:7-11, Rom.2:4, I John 2:27).

3. Renew / Regenerate / Transform (Titus 3:5, II Cor.4:16, Eph.4:23, Col.3:10, Rom.12:2).

4. Seal / Earnest (II Cor.1:22, 5:5, Eph.1:13, 14, 4:30).

5. Spirit of holiness / Sanctification (I Cor.1:30, Rom.1:4, 8:11).

6. Spirit of Adoption (Rom.8:15, 23, Gal.4:5-7, Eph.1:5).

7. Intercedes for us according to the will of God (Rom.8:26, 27).

8. Fills and Baptizes (Acts 1:5, 8, 2:4, 4:31, Eph.5:18).

9. Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal.5:22, 23, I Cor.13).

10. Gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Cor.12, Eph.4:10-13, Rom.12:6-8) given by God in order to “equip” the Church and lead it into “spiritual maturity.”

11. We are the "Temple of the Holy Spirit" (I Cor.3:16, 6:19).

II. End Times / Where is it all heading?

1. Total redemption / Birth Pains / Tribulation / Distress (Mat.24:8, Rom. 8:18-23, II Cor.5:1, 2, 4, I Cor.15:53, 54, I Thes.5:3) “birth pains of the Messiah.”

2. The Parousia / The Return of Jesus to the Earth / "Caught Up," Rapture (II Cor.12:2, 4, I Thes. 4:17, Rev. 12:5). Parousia = A Greek term that means “arrival” or “coming.” Referred to as the time of Christ’s return (II Thes.2:1).

What is the "Apocalypse"? A Greek word for the word "Revelation."
What is the "Day of the Lord"? It is a day of God's wrath or Great Tribulation (Isa.13:6, Joel 1:15, Mat.24:3, 36, Acts 2:20, I Thes.5:2, II Pet. 3:10).

What are the Four Views of end time events:

1. Futurist / Dispensational 2. Preterist 3. Historicist 4. Allegorical

3. The Resurrection / Glorification of the Body / Eternal Life (I Cor.15:51, 52).

4. The “Millennium” “New Jerusalem” “New Heavens and Earth” (Rev.20,21, 22).

5. Christ returns all things to the Father (I Cor.15:24).

6. Believers are judged (I Cor.3:12-16, II Cor.5:6-10, Rom.14:10-12).

7. Final Judgment / Great White Throne Room (Rev.20:11-13).
a. Armageddon / Final battle between good and evil / Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev.16:16, Chapters 19, 20).

b. Heaven / Paradise (Lk.23:43, II Cor.12:4, Rev.2:7, 22).
c. Hell / Hades / Gehenna (Rev.20:14). The Lake of Fire / Second Death (Rev.20:14). Angels Judged (Rev.20:10).

Who or what is Satan? (Rev.12:10, Gen.3:14, 15). Anti-Christ (I John 2:18, 22, 4:3, II John 1:7). False Prophet (Rev. 16:13, 19:20, 20:10). Beast (Dan. 7:6, 11, Rev. 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20). Mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:16, 17).

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Things You Need To Know - Pt. III.

Jesus, Salvation and the Church

I.

What is a Messiah or Christ? The word “Messiah” is Hebrew for “anointed one.” The Greek word equivalence is the word “Christ,” mentioned 532 times in the NT.

What did the Messiah represent and why did we need one? It represented a person who would reign as king and bring about God’s rule on the earth. Israel was promised and longed for someone who would bring them to prominence and restore God’s rule among the nations through the Nation of Israel.

Was the Messiah to be a man or God? The messiah was to be a man from the tribe of Judah as well as from the kingly line of David. He also represented a “Suffering Servant,”(Isa.53). But throughout the OT, the prophecies seem to indicate and symbolize that this man would be much more than just a man. His birth would be miraculous and represent God’s very presence among His people, and He would be called the “Son of God;” representing God Himself (Isa.7:14, 9:6, 7).

How would this be accomplished? The means and purpose of His birth was announced from the very beginning in (Gen.3:15) “Protoevangelium”. This was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ birth through his mother Mary. The process of God becoming a man is called the “Incarnation,” (Phil.2:7, Col.2:9), also called the “hypostatic union.” “The fullness of the deity dwells in bodily form.”

Why do we say that Jesus was the Messiah? Jesus’ name means “salvation;” used almost 1000 times in the NT. His birth and life fulfilled every biblical prophecy about who the Messiah would be and what He would accomplish.

What was the Messiah going to do? Literally, He would “save His people from their sin,” (Mat.1:21).

How would God accomplish this? Many had preconceived ideas on how God would accomplish this. So the NT clearly states that salvation and a “New Covenant” would be accomplished through the birth, death, resurrection and exaltation of the Messiah.

What does it mean to be saved? It means to be reconciled and redeemed by God, through the substitutionary death of God’s Son for all of humanity (II Cor.5:21, Rom.3:25, 5:11). By accepting this atonement, or propitiation; one can be forgiven, justified, declared righteous before God and adopted as sons of God.

II.

What is the “Church?” The word “church” is a Celtic word based on the Greek word Ecclesia; which means; a “called out assembly of people.” It is mentioned 115 times in the NT. The word “church” also represents the “universal / catholic and mystical Body of Christ.”

What does it mean to be called the “Body of Christ?” Mentioned in (Rom.12:5, I Cor.12:12, 27, Eph.4:4-13). The Church represents the presence of Jesus on this Earth. It also represents the fact that “In Christ” we have become a “new creation” (II Cor.5:17). Jesus is the “second Adam and the last man,” (I Cor.15:45-49) and so through Him we have a new identity.

What does it mean to be called the “Bride of Christ?” Mentioned in (Eph.5:23-33, II Cor.11:2). In the Gospels Jesus was called the “bridegroom,” (Mat.9:15). This represents the OT idea that God and the Nation of Israel were considered to be in a type of “marriage” with God. So too, the Church as the “Bride” are in a type of marriage relationship with God through His Son.

What are the Church’s responsibilities? (I Tim.3:15) The Church, as the “pillar and ground of truth,” is to carry out the “ministry of reconciliation” (II Cor.5:18) on this Earth. The Church is the sole authority on this Earth that is capable and commissioned to; proclaim and teach the Gospel to all nations, commission ministers and administer the sacraments.

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Things You Need To Know Part II.

Ourselves and Sin

1. We have an Adamic nature. We all have a common heritage from the same original parents Adam and Eve (Gen.1:26, 27). Therefore we have a shared nature. The woman proceeded from the man (Gen.2:21, 22). The Hebrew word for Man and Woman are ish = man / isha = woman. The word for Woman means “bride.” This is to be a type or foreshadowing of the Godhead's relationship with humanity, one of bride and groom (Eph.5:23-32).

2. We are made in the “Image of God” (Imago Dei) (Gen.1:26, 27, I Cor.3:16, 6:19). What does it mean to have been created in the image of God? We share with God certain moral attributes, but not non-moral attributes. We also share a physical bond with God, we are able to create new life. Our body is a living theology.

3. We are Moral and have a Conscience (Rom.2:15). It is universal that humanity is able to make “moral choices.” The Bible speaks of the idea that each person has a conscience and that ones conscience can be severed or darkened. Therefore, the conscience is something innate in a human that must be educated.

4. We are body and spirit - Trichotomy. The Scriptures teach that (Gen.2:7) God formed the body of man of the dust of the earth, and breathed into him the breath of life and he became a living soul. According to this account, man consists of two distinct principles, a body and a soul / spirit: the one material, the other immaterial; the one corporeal, the other spiritual

5. We have a Sinful nature (Rom.3:23, I Cor.15:22, 45). “For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” We are in a fallen condition as a result of our parents Adam and Eve and so we are in need of salvation. We have a great capacity for doing good and evil, but our tendency is to choose evil. We suffer the effects of what is called “original Sin.”

6. We are Accountable because of our Free Will (Rom.14:11,12, II Cor.5:10). The Bible presents the idea that humans are “judged” based on “their choices.” If we are born sinners, can we not help from sinning? Are we Morally Depraved, Distorted, or Wounded? Calvinism teaches the “total depravity” of humanity as a result of original sin as part of the 5 tenants (TULIP). Other theologies teach that humanity has become distorted or wounded as a result of sin and that we are in need of being “spiritually healed” (Isa.53:3-5). Each of us must struggle against our sinful nature, not excuse it.

7. Because of sin we can feel Condemnation and Guilt. (Rom. 8:1-2) "in Christ there is therefore now no condemnation. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death”. We are in need of reconciliation (Rom. 5:6-11).

8. We also can be Tempted and Tested because of our carnal nature (James 1:13-15, I Pet. 1:7). But the Lord is capable of delivering us (2 Pet. 2:9, I Cor.10:13).

9. The Heart of Man is considered to be the seat of decision making (Gen.6:5, Romans 10:9, 10, I Cor.2:9). It also can be deceitful and hardened.

10. God Convicts us through the work of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26, 16:7-13). Conviction of the Holy Spirit brings an awareness of sin and results in confession and cleansing the conscience. Conviction of our sins brings us to the cross and shows us our need for forgiveness and salvation.

11. We have an Eternal Soul. The Church has always taught that the Bible teaches that humans are eternal beings and that they can NOT be annihilated, but live eternally in or out of God’s presence (Rev. 20:11-15).

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Things You Need To Know Part I.

God and the Bible

The Bible assumes God’s existence, it does not defend it; (Gen.1:1) “In the beginning, God…” Even concerning the existence of God and the existence of suffering, which is called “Theodicy.”

So what are some of the arguments for the existence of God?

1. Ontological God is a being of which no greater exists or can be thought of. Therefore, since we can conceive of God as the greatest of all beings, or things that exist, then God must exist.

2. Cosmological appealing to the principle that all things have causes. There cannot be an infinite regress of causes; therefore, there must be an uncaused cause: God. God is the prime mover.

3. Teleological based upon the premise that the universe is designed and therefore needs a designer: God.

4. Intelligent Design the universe and things in it exhibit attributes of design. A design must have a designer. Since the Universe appears designed, it had to have someone who designed it. A watch needs a watchmaker.

5. Moral / Anthropological since we are made in God’s own image; everyone has within themselves the same irresistible evidence that God is a personal Being; that He is intelligent, voluntary, and moral; that He knows; that He has the right to command; and that He can punish and can save.
(Others: Aesthetic, Historical, Probability, Religious, Rational / Intuition)

Why should we believe what the Bible says about God?

The Bible was written by over 40 different authors over a period of 1,500 years of human history, all in agreement when speaking about the same God. It is not a collection of opposing or contradictory views. The Bible claims to record the very words of God within real human history. It claims “inspiration and infallibility” (II Tim.3:16, II Pet.1:20, 21) concerning who God is and it is not just the opinion of a single person. How is it different from other religious records? The Bible is actual history, not mythology, and written within the lifetime of the author. It is placed within an historical and culturally verifiable context. Most religions and their texts cannot be confirmed through archaeology. Even the many prophecies and miracles of the Bible were confirmed by witnesses.

What does the Bible say about what God is like?

God is...

1. Spirit (Jh.4:24). 2. One (Deut.6:4) (“composite unity”) yet exists in a Trinity (Father / Son / H.S.) 3. Eternal (Ex.3:14, Ps.90:2) 4. Holy (I Pet.1:16) “Be holy for I am holy.” 5. Unchanging (Mal.3:6, Hb.13:8) 6. Omnipotent (Deut.32:39) 7. Omnipresent (Prov.15:3) 8. Omniscience (I Jh.3:20) 9. Sovereign & Providential (Luke 12:7) 10. Transcendent yet Immanent (Isa.55:8) 11. Righteous & Just (Ps.111:3) 12. Merciful (Lk.6:36) 13. Longsuffering (Ex.34:6) 14. Jealous (Ex.20:5) 15. Divine / Perfect (II Pet.1:3, Mat.5:48) 16. Trustworthy / Truthful (Jh.14:6, Titus 1:2) 17. Good (Rom.2:4) 18. Love (1 John 4:19. Rom.8:39).

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"Children of God"

The absence of correction
is the absence of love.

Hebrews 12:5-11
you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives." It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not (then) submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness, eternally. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

What does it mean to be a child of God?
You cannot be a child of God if you do not have the
“Spirit of Adoption.”
(Rom.8:14-17).

(John 14:16-18).
Jesus said that He would not leave us as orphans.

It is the role of the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of Adoption, to convict and correct us and it is His presence in our lives that reminds us that we are God’s children.

We can resist, and even quench the Holy Spirit’s work in our life as the great teacher and disciplinarian.

What are some signs that we are in need of Godly correction?
1. A guilty conscience, conviction rather than condemnation.
2. Prayers hindered. The lines of communication will be affected.
3. Reoccurring issues or opportunities (lost opportunities for growth).
4. Trials, tests and temptations.
5. Spiritual stagnation
(slow or no growth).

We are being developed for eternity!

Hebrews 12:2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Whom the Lord loves, He corrects”.

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“Birth Pains!”

Romans 8:18-23

Genesis 3:16
To the “woman” God said,
"I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, In pain you shall bring forth children.”

Revelation 12:2
There is another “woman” that gives birth and the pains of childbirth are a “sign” of good things to come, namely salvation.

“Why do we have
to go through suffering
in life?”

The Bible speaks of Godly change as
“birth pains.”
Matthew 24:8
“Birth pains
of the
Messiah”

Godly change
is always preceded by some form of suffering, but it always leads to something great.

“Coming of the Lord”
&
“Day of the Lord”

Romans 8:18-21
For I consider that the sufferings of this present age are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Romans 8:22,23
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together.
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:26
And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

II Corinthians. 5:1, 2, 4
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our body or house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we suffer the pains of child birth, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened:

I Corinthians 15:53, 54
For this corruptible nature must put on incorruption, and this mortal nature must put on immortality. So when this has occurred…, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

What will be birthed, or the final product?

A new child!
“The revelation of the
sons God”
(Rom. 8:19).

Romans 8:18
“the suffering of today
is nothing compared
with the glory later.”

Romans 8:28
“all things work together for the good to them that love God, for those who are called according to God’s purpose.”

Romans 8:35-39
Nothing can separate from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus”. Neither tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword. neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature.

What are some of the birth pains we experience?

1. Sickness, pain and suffering

2. Natural disasters

3. Death

4. Political / Religious unrest

Christianity at its very core is about childbirth.
We celebrate the birth
of the Son of God
and as believers
we experience
new birth.

Who and what we are
and what creation will be
is yet to be seen.

Jesus is the foreshadowing of what occurs to us as Christians
Because He is the
Second Adam and
Last Man, and we are
in Him.”

Through Christ…
a whole new generation is getting ready to be birthed.
“He is bringing
many sons to glory.”
Hebrews 2:10

God has NOT given us everything now.
We have only received a portion or “earnest”
of the Spirit, more is yet to come.

What will we think the next time you or others experience suffering, death, or natural disasters?
Will you blame
or bless God?

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“Everyone Loves A Hero!”

A Hero is someone who Saves,
or one who is a
Savior

Our desire for a hero is a God given desire.

Isaiah 53:3-5
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

2 Corinthians 5:21
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God
in Him.

These scriptures speak of a hero who was to come who through his suffering would save his people; the suffering servant.

The struggle between good and evil is as old as humanity itself

Many times the hero shows up when things are at their worst, just in the nick of time !

When Christ returns, He will not return as a lamb, but as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come at just the right time, or in the fullness of time, we cannot usher in or force his intervention.

Revelation 19:11
Even Jesus is portrayed as a rider on a white horse who comes to save the day!

Our heroes still experience death, but Christ has overcome death and the grave, never to die again!

We all have a desire to be Invincible,
Incorruptible,
and
Immortal

1 Corinthians 15:42- 54
We too will experience incorruptibility! There will come a time when this corruptible and mortal body will take on incorruptibility and immortality

Do you want to be saved and rescued? Do you want to know the Savior?

The path to salvation is paved with suffering.
It is not a detachment from suffering or the human condition, but an embrace of it.

What is a definition
of what is a
true hero?

One who is touched with our frailties, yet who is able to
save us.

There is only one true hero,
His name is
Jesus!

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“A Message about Nothing!”

God created everything from nothing.
(Genesis 1:1)

(John 1:3)
states that all things were made through Christ,
(as the Word / Logos)
and apart from Christ nothing came into being that has come into being.

Ecclesiastes 1:9
that which has been, is that which will be, and that which has been done, is that which will be done.
So, there is
nothing new under the sun.

Matthew 5:13
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again?
It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do
nothing.

Mark 7:15
there is nothing outside of a man which going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of a man are what defile the man.

Luke 1:37
With God nothing is impossible.

What did the disciples find when they came to the tomb on the third day? Nothing!

Matthew 25:42
for I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink.

1 Timothy 6:7
For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

I Corinthians 13:2, 3
If I have not love, I have nothing.

Romans 8:35-39
Nothing can separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determined to know nothing among you, except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

After being forgiven of sin by God, what does He remember?
“Nothing”
Hebrews 10:17
Psalm 103:12

James 1:4
And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Nothing can lead to something.
In fact,
nothing
is something.

God specializes in taking nothings
and making them into something’s.

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“Touching God”

Through...

1. His Son
(John 14:9)
“if you have seen me
you have seen the Father”

(Col.2:9, Heb.1:3)
“Jesus is the exact representation of God in bodily form”

2. Scripture
(II Tim.3:16, II Pet.1:21)
It is the very
“words of God”

3. Suffering
(Phil.3:10, Col.1:24)
We are co-participants in
suffering with Christ
(James 1:2, 3, 12)
“Count it all joy when you encounter trials”

4. Giving
(Mat.25:40)
“When you have done it unto the least… you’ve done it
to / for me”

5. Loving
(I John 4:8)
“For God is Love”

6. Marriage
(Eph.5:31, 32)
The two becoming one flesh represents
Christ and the Church

7. Communion & Prayer
(Mat.26:26).
“This is my body…”

(Heb.4:16).
Through prayer we enter the very throne room and
Mercy seat of God

8. Worship
(John 4:24)
“God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth”

(Ps.22:3)
“God inhabits the praises of His people”

9. Body of Christ / Church
(I Cor.12:27, Eph.1:23).
“We are His body”….

(Mat.18:20).
“Where two or more are gathered in my name… I am there”

(I Tim.3:15).
The Church is…
“the pillar and ground of Truth”

10. Holy Spirit
(John 14:16, 16:7).
is our “advocate” and
is always with us

10. Holy Spirit
(I Cor.2:12)
“God has given us the earnest of His Spirit,
so that we might know
what has been freely
given to us”

II Peter 1:3
“God has given to us all things pertaining to life and Godliness”

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“Speak the Truth in Love”Audio

Genesis 3:10
At the very root of
Sin is dishonesty
and believing lies

Death through the First Adam came as a result of believing a Lie;
Life through the Second Adam / Jesus came as a result of believing the Truth. (Rom.5:12-, I Cor.15:45, 47)

“You Can’t Handle
The Truth!”

Our society promotes falsehood through our desire to be
“Tolerant,” “Inclusive”
and “PC”

We withhold the truth because we are afraid of being rejected.
James 5:16
Honesty Precedes
Healing.

How Does the Church Resolve Conflict?

Fear of conflict
leads you away
from the presence
of God.

The Church is in danger of loosing its credibility in the areas of
Trust and Truth!

Sin
Is believing a lie
and acting on it.

Sin
It is an attempt to hide something;
namely the Truth.

Ephesians 4:27
“Do not give the Devil
a Foothold!”

Hebrew
Truth = Amat
Death = Mat
Remove any part of the Truth and it leads to Death!

Repentance
It is the ongoing process of allowing God’s Truth to confront us about ourselves and learning.

John 8:32
“The Truth will set you Free”

John 14:6
“I Am the Way, the Truth and
the Life”

Jesus Personifies Truth
He is NOT
a Way,
a Truth
and a Lifestyle

I John 5:12
To have the Son is to
Know the Way,
Know the Truth,
and to
Have Life!

I John 4:18
“Perfect Love
Casts Out
All Fear”

The Church is…
A Place where ungodly
and imperfect people
come to work on
becoming Godly,
and thus
becoming Perfect.

The Enemy wants to
Hide the Truth,
not Confront it.

John 8:44
From the very beginning Satan was a liar and the father of lies.

What’s the Solution?
Ephesians 4:15
“Speak the Truth in Love”
Confront without Condemning or Condoning.

We are all
“Wounded Healers”

Our Final Goal in Life…
Is the Search for the
Truth,
and His Name is
Jesus

Heaven will be
the most
Honest place!

In the mean time…
Keep a short list of;
Lies,
Regrets,
and
Resentments.

Proverbs 10:12
“Love Covers a Multitude of Wrongs”

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What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Matthew 22:37- 39
You shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 3:18
Let us not love in word alone, but also with our actions.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:20
If a person says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for if he cannot love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

So What is Love?

Greek
Philios – brotherly love
Eros – physical love
Agape – Godly love

Hebrew
Love = AHAV
Action = HAV
Love is an action! The word love means to Give!

The word for sacrifice is Hav Hav. It's more than just giving!

There is only one kind of love;
Godly love

If we distort what true love is we mar the very image of God.

Love is the very reflection of God!
Love is a person;
God.

I Cor.13:4-7, 13
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not boast it is not arrogant, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered,

I Cor.13:4-7, 13
it does not brood over injury, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But now abide in faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

What is True Love?
Our search for true love must ultimately lead us to Christ!

Every loving act must truly reflect and mirror Godly love which is;
Free - unreserved with no strings attached,
Full - not 50 / 50 but 100%, not selfish,
Faithful – committed,
Fruitful – open to self replicating and new life.

Life and Love outside of Christ is just mere Existence and Emotion.

What is the opposite of Love?
Lust!
Where does it lead?

Love Lust
Gives Takes
Honest Hides
Builds Up Tears Down
Selfless Selfish
Obedient Sinful

Love Lust
Humble Arrogant
Truthful Lies (distorts)
Patient Impetuous
Committed Indifferent
Faithful Fickle

Love Lust
Brings Freedom Brings Bondage
Eternal Life Spiritual Death
Leads to God Leads to the Enemy

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world.

John 10:10
The thief comes to steal, kill, lie and destroy. Jesus came that you might have abundant life and love.

Are you looking for love in all the wrong places and faces?

Why is there an epidemic of STD’s, immorality and adultery, even among Christians?

Because we have bought into how our society defines love, it encourages sexual immorality by distorting what true love is.

God is not keeping any good thing from us!
He’s not a kill-joy!
He is keeping us from harm!

Truth is love.
John 14:6
Jesus is the way the truth and the life that leads to true love.

I John 4:16
God is love,
NOT God is loving,
but God IS Love!

John 8:32
You shall know the truth about life and love and the truth will set you free!

I John 4:18
Perfect love
casts out all fear!

James 1:13-15
lust leads to spiritual death because it isn’t the truth and it is does not lead to love, or God!

James 4:7
Submit yourself to God, resist the Devil and he will flee!

God is the only one that defines WHAT is love and truth and what is good and bad, we decide what we will do.

Jesus expressed his love by acting on his love and giving his life for us.
We are all called to do the same.

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“The Five Faces Of Death”audio

The end of our exploration known as death

is not peace or comfort but Truth.

Death is the “Undiscovered Country.”

Death as…

“Enemy”

1 Corinthians 15:26
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death”

Ecclesiastes 3:11
God has placed “eternity in our hearts”

Death as…

“Stranger”

Christianity without the Resurrection
treats death as a Stranger

Death as…

“Friend”

Psalm 90:12
“Teach us to
number our days”

Death as…

“Mother”

The function of death as a mother is to wean us from this life

and to birth us into a whole other world.

Death as…

“Lover”

I Corinthians 13:8
“Love Never Ends”

“Love is Stronger
than Death”

“Death Ushers Us into the Arms of God Who is the
Lover of our Soul”

“So Why Not Just Wish to have this Life End?”

Death is Not Good
in itself but is an Enemy

God Uses Death by Nature as our Friend

By Resurrection as our Mother

By Meeting as our
Lover

Prayer is a Rehearsal
For Death.
“No One Can See
God’s Face and Live”

“Who is it that Wears These Faces?”

God!

The Last Face of Death
(Lover)
Is the First Face of God

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Theology of the Body”

Our body can only truly be understood in a Theological way.

In the beginning when God created man and woman who together were to be a
“reflection of God.”

The purpose of our body leads us to Christ!
Jesus came to restore and redeem the image that was distorted through sin and to give us abundant Life!

The Scripture states…
We are made in the “Image of God” (Gen.1:27).
We are called the “Temple of the Holy Spirit”
(I Cor.3:16).
We are “Partakers of the divine nature”
(II Peter 1:4).
As the Church we are called…
the “Body of Christ” (I Cor.12:27) and the
“Bride of Christ” (Eph.5:32).

So how are we to view marriage and the family?
The human body makes no sense outside of union between a man and a woman.
The Family is defined as those who together have the potential of procreation between themselves.

God defines what marriage and family is to be, not society.

If we are co-creators together with God, then Abortion is more than just a choice; it is a sin against the body. God is a creator not a destroyer!

The passion that we experience in marriage ultimately is a desire and attempt to be united with God and only fully understood and experienced in a committed marital / nuptial covenant relationship.

This is why Marriage ceases in heaven, because it will be truly fully realized when we are united together with God.

All forms of immorality are a…
“Sin against the Body”.
Read (I Cor.3:16, 17, 6:18-20). Because it ultimately devalues and distorts the Image of God and humanity and hinders us from becoming who we were meant to become.

1 Corinthians 3:16,17
Do you not know that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee immorality and fornication. Every sin that a person does is outside of the body; but he that commits fornication “sins against his own body”.
What? Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

What is the “nuptial meaning of the body”?
It is the kind of union that Christ as the bridegroom has with the Church his bride which is only exhibited in Christian marriage.
Read (Eph.5:21-33).

Ephesians 5:21- 33
Submit one to the other out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be subject to their own husbands in every thing.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for her; That he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, That he might present her to himself as a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that she should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.

He that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

The husband and wife union “Reflects” the kind of relationship

that Christ has with the Church. It will be a ...
“Mystery Revealed” in eternity!

Redefining what marriage is and was intended to be by God will distort and devalue everything! As marriage and the family goes, so goes our society!

Marriage is presented today as just another institution that is meant to make me happy, when it was originally designed by God to make us more like God; Holy.

Marriage also reflects the very persons and relationship of the Godhead, ONE.
“The two shall become ONE flesh.”

Human sexuality has been promoted in our society as forms of “entertainment, recreation and experimentation.” It has become distorted, exploited and devalued!

Rights without

Responsibility

leads to Ruin!

We are NOT called to curse the darkness, but to turn on a light!

We are NOT called to just take away the garbage can, but to feed the hunger with the truth!

God’s love is a “Nuptial Gift” that can only be truly understood, realized and cherished within the covenant of marriage!
Every loving act must truly reflect and mirror God’s love which is;
Free,
Full,
Faithful,
Fruitful.

This is why when expressed within marriage it is called good (moral) and outside of marriage is it called a sin (immoral).

What will you choose to believe?
God is NOT keeping any good thing from us!
We must begin to reclaim that which the enemy has stolen.

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