Word of Life Study Series: Recent Episodes
Brice C. Craig
If you’ve been looking for comprehensive Bible school curriculum that explores redemptive realities in Jesus Christ, grounded in the Word of God- look no further. The goal of this podcast is to spread the life transforming Word of God throughout the world: for the equipping of the saints to do the work of the ministry, and to build up the Body of Christ in what Jesus has accomplished for us through His death, burial, resurrection and seating at the right hand of God the Father. There's such an untapped potential for Christians to enter into their glorious inheritance in Jesus Christ. Together we will discover what Jesus had done for us by providing such a great salvation and how to appropriate the promises of God in our lives. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." So let’s explore these Biblical truths and principles together that will absolutely transform our lives. Each podcast season will cover one of the books that I have compiled over the years, you can find a complete listing of my Christian education material on my web site at www.wordinspire.com. You’re welcome to down load these e-books for free in PDF format for your own personal or ministry use- God bless!
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Miracle: “The Raising of Lazarus ”
Reference: John 11:1-54
Theme: The glory of God is revealed to those who believe God and take Him at His Word
Context: News came to Jesus that His dear friend Lazarus was sick
John 11:1-4
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
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Miracle: “The Man Born Blind Healed”
Reference: John Chapter 9
Theme: The obvious truth that God the Father sent His Son to save us, as demonstrated by the miracles
Context: As Jesus was going along, He came upon a man born blind
John 9:1-7 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
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Miracle: “Healing of the 10 Lepers”
Reference: Luke 17:11-19
Theme: They were “Healed as they went” is a powerful faith principle- be willing and obedient
Context: As they were travelling along, Jesus and His disciples were greeted by 10 lepers
Luke 17:11-19
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
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Miracle: “The Deliverance of the Demoniac Son”
Reference: Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43
Theme: It takes faith to operate in the principles of God’s Word- that’s when all things are possible
Context: Another crowd had formed and a man brought his son, possessed by a deaf and dumb spirit
Mark 9:14-29 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
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Miracle: “Many More Miracles Performed ”
Reference: Matthew 15:29-31
Theme: Jesus was always going around doing good and healing people – healing is a good gift
Context: The region of the Sea of Galilee was frequented by Jesus; mountain side like an open theatre
Matthew 15:29-31 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
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Miracle: “A Blind Man at Bethsaida Healed”
Reference: Matthew 15:32-38; Mark 8:1-10
Theme: Sometimes people don’t get healed the first time, so lay hands on them again
Context: When Jesus and His disciples arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought to Jesus a blind man
Mark 8:22-26 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village.”
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Miracle: “The 4,000 Fed”
Reference: Matthew 15:32-38; Mark 8:1-10
Theme: Again Jesus moved with compassion meets the needs of His people: spirit, soul and body
Context: After a three day camp meeting, the people were hungry- many came from far away distances
Matthew 8:1-10 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
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Miracle: “Deaf and Dumb Man Healed ”
Reference: Mark 7:31-37
Theme: Healing can be administered through a variety of means- mostly through a point of contact
Context: When Jesus and His disciples arrived in the region of Decapolis
Mark 7:31-37 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
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Miracle: “The Daughter of the Canaanite Woman”
Reference: Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30
Theme: Bottom line, God honors faith and responds to people who don’t give up and keep believing
Context: Jesus and His disciples were in northern Israel; in the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon
Matthew 15:21-28 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
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Miracle: “Many Miracles Performed”
Reference: Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56
Theme: Our expectations, esteem and recognizing Jesus are fully met and exceeded
Context: Upon arriving at Gennesaret and recognizing Jesus, a crowd quickly formed to be healed
Mark 6:53-56 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went — into villages, towns or countryside — they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
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Miracle: “The Blind and a Dumb Man Healed ”
Reference: Matthew 9:27-33
Theme: Hold fast to God’s Word, the report of the Lord; regardless of negative circumstances
Context: Again as Jesus was going about His business, opportunities came to heal and deliver folks
Matthew 9:27-33 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
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Miracle: “Jesus Walks on Water”
Reference: Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21
Theme: Faith in God will allow us to walk on water in the midst of the storms in life- fear will sink us
Context: Jesus had just fed the 5,000, and the disciples headed for Capernaum in a boat
Matthew 14:22-33 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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Miracle: “The 5,000 Fed”
Reference: Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:5-14
Theme: In His compassion, God is in the multiplication business to meet the needs of His people
Context: Jesus had taught all day long until evening and it was late- the people were hungry
Mark 6:32-44 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five — and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
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Miracle: “The Sick Woman Healed ”
Reference: Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:24-34; Luke 8:42-48
Theme: God’s power is not respecter of persons; reaching out in faith, releases the power of God
Context: Jesus was on His way to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter; a crowd of people thronged Him
Matthew 9:20-22 A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’“ But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
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Miracle: “Jairus’s Daughter Healed ”
Reference: Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26; Mark 5:22-24, 35-43; Luke 8:41-42, 49-56
Theme: Hold fast to God’s Word, the report of the Lord; regardless of negative circumstances
Context: Jesus was on His way to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter; ended up being raised
Mark 5:22-24, 35-43 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around. While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
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Miracle: “The Gadarene Demoniac Delivered”
Reference: Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39
Theme: In exploring this encounter, Jesus revealed much about demon activity and operations
Context: Jesus had crossed the Sea of Galilee and arrived at the region of the Gerasenes
Mark 5:1-20 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man — and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
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Miracle: “The Storm Calmed”
Reference: Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:23-25
Theme: Fear will sink you on the sea of life. Faith takes command of circumstances and rests in God
Context: Having ministered to a crowd, Jesus and His disciples set out to cross the Sea of Galilee
Mark 4:35-41 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
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Miracle: “The Widow’s Son Raised to Life ”
Reference: Luke 7:11-17
Theme: God on the scene performing miracles, touches the heart of humanity like nothing else on earth
Context: As usual, Jesus comes across an impossible situation for mankind in Nain- spoiling a funeral
Luke 7:11-17 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out — the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
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Miracle: “The Blind, Mute & Demoniac Delivered”
Reference: Matthew 12:22-28; Luke 11:14-20
Theme: Setting the record straight concerning who is the author of life and who is the author of death
Context: As was the custom, wherever Jesus went, people brought the problems they could not solve
Matthew 12:22-28 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
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Miracle: “The Centurion’s Servant Healed”
Reference: Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
Theme: Authority is released through words and is a guiding principle to the operation of Bible faith
Context: When Jesus was in Capernaum, He came across a Roman Centurion whose servant was sick
Matthew 8:5-13 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.
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Miracle: “Many Healed Near Galilee ”
Reference: Mark 3:7-12
Theme: When God is manifesting His power, word gets around and people will come from all over
Context: While in the region of the Sea of Galilee, a large crowd came to Jesus to be healed
Mark 3:7-12 “Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.”
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Miracle: “The Man at the Pool Healed ”
Reference: John 5:1-15
Theme: Spiritual handouts/freebies are seldom retained- by faith what gets you healed keeps you healed
Context: As Jesus was at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, He happened by an invalid
John 5:1-15
“Sometime later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.”
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Miracle: “Healing the Shriveled Hand ”
Reference: Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11
Theme: Religion is so illogical, it would rather see people suffer in order to observe its traditions
Context: While in a Synagogue, Jesus was being scrutinized by the religious leaders on the Sabbath
Mark 3:1-6
Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
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Miracle: “The Paralytic Healed ”
Reference: Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26
Theme: Forgiveness of sins and physical healing go hand in hand; real faith is visibly demonstrated
Context: As was Jesus’ custom, He was teaching to a large crowd, when it was wonderfully interrupted
Luke 5:17-26 One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . .” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
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Miracle: “The Leper Healed ”
Reference: Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16
Theme: Not only is God able to heal, but He is willing and moved with compassion to do so
Context: Jesus was travelling throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons
Mark 1:40-45 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
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Miracle: “The Demoniac Delivered”
Reference: Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37
Theme: No need to look for demons, when they raise their ugly heads cast them out and continue on
Context: Jesus was at Capernaum teaching in the synagogue
Mark 1:21-28
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching — and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
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Miracle: “Peter’s Mother-In-Law Healed ”
Reference: Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:30-31; Luke 4:38-39
Theme: Jesus is the fulfillment of OT prophecy, Isaiah 53:4 – who took away our sickness and pains
Context: Jesus went into Simon Peter’s house and healed his mother-in-law of a fever
Luke 4:38-39 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
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Miracle: “The Catch of Fish”
Reference: Luke 5:1-11
Theme: When it comes time to reap your harvest, it’s not always going to be convenient- trust and obey
Context: Peter and his companions had fished all night and had caught nothing
Luke 5:1-11
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
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Miracle: “Healing of the Official’s Son”
Reference: John 4:46-54
Theme: Recognizing who to go to for help, even if it’s your last option- go to Jesus, for He is the answer
Context: Back in Cana of Galilee, Jesus performed His second miraculous sign
John 4:46-54
Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.” Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his household believed. This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.
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Miracle: “Water made into Wine”
Reference: John 2:1-11
Theme: God is willing to perform a miracle for the little things in our lives, because He is so good
Context: Jesus was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee with Mary and His disciples
John 2:1-11
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
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Discourse: “The Work of the Holy Spirit”
Reference: John 16:7-15
Theme: It is better that Jesus Returned to Heaven so we could have the Holy Spirit within every Believer
Context: The Lord was Eating the Last Supper with His Disciples in Jerusalem
John 16:7-15
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
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Discourse: “Jesus’ Prayer for Us”
Reference: John 17:1-26
Theme: Jesus Prayed for His Church to be Protected, Sanctified and Unified in Love
Context: The Lord was Eating the Last Supper with His Disciples in Jerusalem
John 17:15-21
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
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Discourse: “After the Resurrection”
Reference: John 16:17-33
Theme: The Resurrection of Jesus has Opened the Door to the Father, Heaven and Eternal Life
Context: The Lord was Eating the Last Supper with His Disciples in Jerusalem
John 16:17-22
Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
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Discourse: “The World will Hate You”
Reference: John 15:18-25; 16:1-4
Theme: As Disciples of Jesus Christ, we will Suffer Persecution, so Don’t be Surprised
Context: The Lord was Eating the Last Supper with His Disciples in Jerusalem
John 15:18-25
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’”
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Discourse: “The Vine and the Branches”
Reference: John 15:1-17
Theme: To Abide in the Lord we Must Abide in His Word by Meditating and Putting it into Practice
Context: The Lord was Eating the Last Supper with His Disciples in Jerusalem
John 15:1-4
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
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Discourse: “Jesus Prepares a Place for Us”
Reference: John 14:1-5
Theme: Jesus has Already Gone Ahead of us and is Preparing a Place for us to Spend Eternity with Him
Context: The Lord was Eating the Last Supper with His Disciples in Jerusalem
John 14:1-5
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
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Discourse: “Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit”
Reference: John 14:15-20, 26
Theme: Jesus and God the Father live Within us through the Person of the Holy Spirit Forever
Context: The Lord was Eating the Last Supper with His Disciples in Jerusalem
John 14:15-20
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
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Discourse: “Jesus is the Only Way to the Father”
Reference: John 14:6
Theme: Jesus is the Only Way to the Father and Heaven
Context: The Lord was Eating the Last Supper with His Disciples in Jerusalem
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
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Discourse: “The Shepherd of His Sheep”
Reference: John 10:1-18
Theme: Jesus is our Good Shepherd who has Come to Give us Abundant Life
Context: Jesus had just Healed a Man Born Blind from Birth on the Sabbath
John 10:1-6
“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
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Discourse: “The Claims of Jesus about Himself”
Reference: John 8:48-59
Theme: Jesus was not of this world, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob came to Save His Creation
Context: Jesus was Teaching the People in the Temple Area where the Offerings were put
John 8:48-59
The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” At this the Jews exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
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Discourse: “The Children of Abraham and the Devil”
Reference: John 8:31-47
Theme: Our True Spiritual Identity is based on What we do with Jesus- Accept or Reject Him
Context: Jesus was Teaching the People in the Temple Area where the Offerings were put
John 8:31-40
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you do what you have heard from your father.” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.
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Discourse: “The Validity of Jesus’ Testimony”
Reference: John 8:12-30
Theme: The Father has Testified of Jesus being the Messiah- Miracles and Fulfillment of Scripture
Context: Jesus was Teaching the People in the Temple Courts
John 8:12-30
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
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Discourse: “Jews Continue in Unbelief”
Reference: John 7:46-53; 12:37-43
Theme: The Religious Leaders were a Great Example of Unbelief, Denying the Undeniable
Context: At the End of the Feast of Tabernacles, The Pharisees were trying to Arrest Jesus
John 7:46-52“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards declared. “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. “Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law — there is a curse on them.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”
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Discourse: “Is Jesus the Christ?”
Reference: John 7:25-32
Theme: Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, Savior and Christ that the World was looking for
Context: Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles Teaching in the Temple Courts
John 7:25-32
At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ? But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.” At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, “When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?” The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.
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Discourse: “Streams of Living Water will Flow”
Reference: John 7:37-39
Theme: Being Baptized with the Holy Spirit, Rivers of Living Water to Flow through us to Others
Context: On the Last Day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus made a Wonderful Declaration
John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
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Discourse: “Jesus’ Teaching Ministry Questioned”
Reference: John 7:14-24
Theme: Jesus was not Representing Himself, but God the Father as Savior of the World
Context: Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles
John 6:25-27
Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having studied?” Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?” “You are demon-possessed,” the crowd answered. “Who is trying to kill you?” Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all astonished. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath. Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”
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Discourse: “Jesus The Bread of Life”
Reference: John 6:25-59
Theme: Jesus is the Bread of Life who gave His Life so we could receive Eternal Life
Context: Jesus was Teaching in a Synagogue in Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee
John 6:25-27
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
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Discourse: “Jesus’ Testimony about Himself”
Reference: John 5:31-47
Theme: The Testimony Surrounding Jesus are Irrefutable Proofs that He is God and Savior of the World
Context: Jesus had Healed a Crippled Man on the Sabbath
John 5:31-32
“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.”
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Discourse: “Life through the Son”
Reference: John 5:16-30
Theme: Jesus is the Source of Eternal Life for all who put their Trust in Him
Context: Jesus had Healed a Crippled Man on the Sabbath
John 5:16-18
So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
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Discourse: “The New Birth”
Reference: John 3:3-10
Theme: A Human Being must be Born Again in order to Enter Heaven
Context: Nicodemus comes to see Jesus at night and in secret
John 3:3-10
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?”
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Discourse: “Jesus the Lamb of God”
Reference: John 1:29
Theme: In His First Advent He came as the Lamb of God to Take Away our Sins; to Redeem Mankind
Context: John the Baptist was Bearing Witness to who Jesus was as the Lord walked to John
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
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Discourse: “The Word Became Flesh”
Reference: John 1:1-18
Theme: Jesus, the Word of God is God and has Come to give us Grace and Truth
Context: The very Beginning of the Gospel of John
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
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Discourse: “Sheep and the Goats”
Reference: Matthew 25:31-46
Theme: How we Treat the Lord’s People is how we are Treating Him
Context: Jesus was still Speaking to His Disciples about End Time Events
Matthew 25:31-33
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”
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Discourse: “The Day and the Hour Unknown”
Reference: Matthew 24:36-51; Mark 13:32-37; Luke 17:2-37
Theme: Not Knowing the Day or Hour Means we must Always be Ready at any Moment for His Return
Context: Jesus is Concluding His Discourse of the End of the World on the Mount of Olives
Matthew 24:1-3
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
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Discourse: “Signs of the End of the Age”
Reference: Matthew 24:1-35; Mark 13:1-31; Luke 21:5-36
Theme: God’s Sovereign Plan will Come to Pass Exactly as Jesus Predicted it to be
Context: Jesus was leaving the Temple and the Disciples Commented about its Buildings
Matthew 24:1-3
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
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Discourse: “The Widow’s Offering”
Reference: Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4
Theme: Giving from the Heart by Giving Ourselves First to the Lord and Trusting in Him
Context: Jesus was in the Temple watching as People Gave into the Treasury
Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on.”
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Discourse: “Repent or Perish”
Reference: Luke 13:1-5
Theme: The Wages of Sin is Death, so the only way to Escape Death is to Repent of Sin
Context: Jesus was brought up to Speed on Some Current Events in Jerusalem
Luke 13:1-5
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
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Discourse: “Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem”
Reference: Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 13:31-35
Theme: Jesus was Grieved over all that was going to befall Jerusalem and the Jewish People
Context: Jesus had just finished Speaking to Large Crowds and Rebuking the Religious Leaders
Matthew 23:37-39
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
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Discourse: “The Seven Woes”
Reference: Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44
Theme: Jesus is the Promised Messiah, as God with Us
Context: Jesus was in Jerusalem being Tested and Scrutinized by the Religious Leaders
Matthew 23:1-12
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
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Discourse: “Whose Son is the Christ?”
Reference: Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44
Theme: Jesus is the Promised Messiah, as God with Us
Context: Jesus was in Jerusalem being Tested and Scrutinized by the Religious Leaders
Matthew 22:41-46
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” ‘ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
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Discourse: “Marriage and the Resurrection”
Reference: Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-39
Theme: A Wonderful Expectation at the Resurrection to be United with the Godhead Forever
Context: Jesus was in Jerusalem being Tested and Scrutinized by the Religious Leaders
Luke 20:27-39
Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!”
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Discourse: “Paying Taxes to Caesar”
Reference: Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26
Theme: Since God is the Originator of Authority, we are to Respect those in Authority
Context: Jesus was in Jerusalem and The Pharisees and Herodians were trying to Trap Him
Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
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Discourse: “The Greatest Commandment”
Reference: Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34
Theme: Whether it’s the Old or New Covenants- Loving God and People is the Greatest Commandment
Context: Jesus was in Jerusalem being Tested and Scrutinized by the Religious Leaders
Luke 20:27-39
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
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Discourse: “The Fig Tree Withers”
Reference: Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-26
Theme: Moving the Mountains of Problems out of the Way takes Faith as a Seed- Speak to it
Context: Jesus and His Disciples were leaving Bethany and Travelling to Jerusalem
Mark 11:12-14, 20-25
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
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Discourse: “The Rich Young Man”
Reference: Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30
Theme: The Perceived Sacrifice for Following Jesus is Far Outweighed by the Rewards
Context: Jesus was ministering in Judea and Crowds came to Him, Along with a Rich Young Man
Mark 10:17-31
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’“ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
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Discourse: “A Mother’s Request”
Reference: Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45
Theme: The Greatest in God’s Kingdom is Measured by our Service of Love to Others
Context: The Mother of James and John came to Jesus with a Request to Promote her Sons
Matthew 20:20-28
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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Discourse: “The Little Children and Jesus”
Reference: Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17
Theme: Do not look down on anyone for any Reason, they are all Spirit Beings – Priceless!
Context: Jesus had crossed the Jordan into Judea and Crowds came to Him, so He taught them
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
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Discourse: “A Brother who Sins Against You”
Reference: Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:1-10
Theme: Reconciliation amongst the Brethren and Church Discipline
Context: The Disciples were asking Jesus who the Greatest in the Kingdom was
Matthew 18:15-17
“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
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Discourse: “The Richman and Lazarus”
Reference: Luke 16:19-31
Theme: Hell is a Real Place with Real People there in Torment- Even Now at this very Moment
Context: Tax Collectors, Sinners and the Pharisees were all gathered around Him
Luke 16:19-31
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
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Discourse: “Counting the Cost”
Reference: Luke 14:25-33
Theme: Before Committing to be a Disciple of Jesus, One must Count the Cost
Context: Large Crowds were Following Jesus
Luke 14:25-33
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
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Discourse: “On the Number of Saved”
Reference: Luke 13:23-30
Theme: Relatively Speaking, Only a Few People will be Saved; so don’t Dilly Dally Around
Context: Jesus was Making His way through the Towns and Villages on His way to Jerusalem
Luke 13:23-30
Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
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Discourse: “Causing to Sin”
Reference: Matthew 18:5-9; Mark 9:42-50
Theme: The Awful Seriousness of Sin and a Warning not to be a Stumbling Block to Anyone
Context: Jesus had a Little Child stand among them; concerning who is the Greatest in the Kingdom
Matthew 18:5-9
And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
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Discourse: “Whoever is not Against Us is for Us”
Reference: Mark 9:38-41; Luke 9:49-50
Theme: Either we are for Jesus or Against Him
Context: Jesus was Instructing His Disciples at a House in Capernaum
Mark 9:38-41
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
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Discourse: “The Greatest in the Kingdom”
Reference: Matthew 18:1-4; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48; 22:24-27
Theme: If you want to be Considered Greatest in the Kingdom of God – Be Servant of All
Context: As the Disciples were Partaking of the Last Supper with Jesus a Dispute Broke Out
Luke 22:24-27
Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
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Discourse: “The Temple Tax”
Reference: Matthew 17:24-27
Theme: God is our Source and the Lord is not limited to meet all of our needs – Easy for Him
Context: Shortly after arriving at Capernaum, Peter is asked about Jesus paying the Temple Tax
Mathew 17:24-27
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes — from their own sons or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
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Discourse: “Cost of Following Jesus”
Reference: Matthew 16:24-28; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-27
Theme: Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ is a Total Commitment just as He is Totally Committed to us
Context: Jesus was explaining to His Disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and be Crucified
Mark 8:34-38
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
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Discourse: “The Yeast of the Pharisees”
Reference: Matthew 16:5-12; Mark 8:14-21; Luke 12:1-3
Theme: Sober Warning to be on Guard against the Error of False Teaching and Subtleties of Legalism
Context: Jesus and the Disciples just had an Encounter with the Pharisees and Sadducees
Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
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Discourse: “The Signs of the Times”
Reference: Matthew 16:1-4; Luke 12:54-56
Theme: It was Already Self-Evident that Jesus was the Messiah by His Ministry
Context: The Religious Leaders looked for Jesus to Test Him as the Messiah with a Demonstration
Luke 12:54-56
He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”
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Discourse: “Clean and Unclean”
Reference: Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23
Theme: Obeying God’s Word and having a New Heart through Regeneration Makes a Man Clean
Context: Pharisees came from Jerusalem to Scrutinize Jesus in the Vicinity of Capernaum
Mark 7:1-5
The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?”
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Discourse: “A Prophet without Honor”
Reference: Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6
Theme: We Limit God with our Lack of Faith from Performing His Perfect Will in our Lives
Context: Jesus Returned to Minister to His Hometown of Nazareth
Mark 6:1-6
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
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Discourse: “The Sign of Jonah”
Reference: Matthew 12:38-42; Luke 11:29-32
Theme: The Greatest Sign for Mankind is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead
Context: Jesus was at a Synagogue on the Sabbath Teaching the People
Matthew 12:38-42
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.”
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Discourse: “On Relationships”
Reference: Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21
Theme: Looking beyond the Natural Point of View to Eternal Realities
Context: While Jesus was Still Talking to the Crowd, Mary and her Sons wanted to see Him
Matthew 12:46-40
While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
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Discourse: “Jesus and Beelzebub”
Reference: Matthew 12:22-37; Mark 3:20-30; Luke 11:14-28
Theme: It was the Holy Spirit Manifesting through Jesus in Power as He does through us Today
Context: Jesus Cast a demon out of a Man that had made him both Blind and Mute
Mark 3:22-30
And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.” He said this because they were saying, “He has an evil spirit.”
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Discourse: “Lord of the Sabbath”
Reference: Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-11; 14:1-6
Theme: The Value of a Person Supersedes Religious Traditions
Context: Jesus and His Disciples were going through some Grain Fields and Eating as they went
Mark 2:23-28
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
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Discourse: “Rest for the Weary”
Reference: Matthew 11:28-30
Theme: The Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus Obtained what we could not by ourselves - Life
Context: Jesus was Teaching and Preaching in the Towns of Galilee
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
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Discourse: “Revelation Revealed to the Humble”
Reference: Matthew 11:25-27; Luke 10:21
Theme: Coming Humbly before God Opens the Way for Revelation from Heaven
Context: Jesus was Teaching and Preaching in the Towns of Galilee
Matthew 11:25-27
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
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Discourse: “Woe to Unrepentant Cities”
Reference: Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 10:10-16
Theme: Greater Knowledge of Truth Brings Greater Expectation to Heed and Obey it
Context: Jesus was Teaching and Preaching in the Towns of Galilee
Matthew 11:20-24
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
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Discourse: “Jesus and John the Baptist”
Reference: Matthew 11:1-19; Luke 7:18-35; 16:16
Theme: John the Baptist was a Crucial Element for Jesus Fulfilling His Mission on the Earth
Context: While His Disciples were sent two-by-two Ahead of Him John’s Disciples ask Him a Question
Matthew 11:1-3
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
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Discourse: “Disowning the Lord”
Reference: Matthew 10:32-42; Luke 12:8-12, 49-53
Theme: Remaining Faithful to the Lord, without Yielding to the Fear of Man- Especially from Family
Context: His Disciples are sent two-by-two Ahead of Him and Prepared to meet Persecution
Matthew 10:32-42
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
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Discourse: “Jesus Sends out the Disciples”
Reference: Matthew 10:1-31; Luke 9:1-6
Theme: Jesus Sends out His Disciples two by two to Prepare those Places for His Coming
Context: The Lord is Giving His Disciples Instructions Concerning Ministry
Luke 9:1-6
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey — no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
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Discourse: “The Cost of Following Jesus”
Reference: Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 9:57-62
Theme: The Concerns of this Life must not Interfere and Distract us from the Call of God
Context: Jesus was Performing Many Miracles and was becoming Popular, Attracting a lot of Attention
Luke 9:57-62
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
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Discourse: “A Tree is Known by its Fruit”
Reference: Matthew 7:15-23; 12:33-35; Luke 6:43-45
Theme: Cutting through all the Smoke Screens to Real and Authentic Christianity
Context: Jesus Getting Near to the End of His Sermon on the Mount to all the People
Matthew 7:15-23
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
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Discourse: “Wise and Foolish Builders”
Reference: Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49
Theme: We are Deceiving ourselves if we don’t put God’s Word into Practice - Destruction
Context: Jesus Closes His Sermon on the Mount with a Beautiful Illustration to Obey His Words
Luke 6:46-49
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
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Discourse: “Narrow and Wide Gates”
Reference: Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:22-30
Theme: There is only One Way to Heaven – through Faith in Jesus Christ
Context: For the Benefit of Religious People who Trust in their own Righteousness
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
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Discourse: “Ask, Seek and Knock”
Reference: Matthew 7:7-12; Luke 11:9-13
Theme: Jesus Revealing the Father’s Goodness and Principles of the Coming Kingdom
Context: A Continuation of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Addressing a Multitude of People
Matthew 7:7-12
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
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Discourse: “Do Not Worry”
Reference: Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-34
Theme: Maintain the Rhythm of Life by Keeping our Priorities on God’s Kingdom as Number One
Context: A Continuation of His Sermon on the Mount Concerning the Kingdom of God
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
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Discourse: “Judging Others”
Reference: Matthew 7:1-6; Luke 6:37-42
Theme: We Reap what we Sow, so let’s Treat Others in the Manner we want to be Treated
Context: A Continuation of His Sermon on the Mount, Addressing the Hypocrisy of Human Nature
Matthew 7:1-6
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”
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Discourse: “Fasting unto the Lord”
Reference: Matthew 6:16-18
Theme: Whatever we do Unto the Lord is meant to be done Discreetly and in Secret
Context: Humility and Devotion versus Religious Exhibitions of Hypocritical Pride
Matthew 6:5-15“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
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Discourse: “Storing Treasures in Heaven”
Reference: Matthew 6:19-24
Theme: The Smart thing to do is to invest our Whole Lives into God’s Kingdom
Context: True Authentic and Transparent Consecration to the Plan and Purposes of God in our Lives
Matthew 6:19-24
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
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Discourse: “Give to the Needy”
Reference: Matthew 6:1-4
Theme: We need to be Discreet when Ministering to the Needs of Others
Context: Keeping the Law Lends itself Towards Pride, the Grace of God is a Gift- God gets the Glory
Matthew 6:1-4“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
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Discourse: “Prayer unto the Lord”
Reference: Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13
Theme: Prayer Offered to God Must be from the Heart as a Private and Intimate Offering to Him
Context: Jesus was refuting the abuses of the Religious Elite who used the things of God for show
Matthew 6:5-15“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
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Discourse: “Eye for an Eye”
Reference: Matthew 5:38-42; Luke 6:27-31
Theme: The Law was about Sin and Consequence, Grace is about Love and Mercy
Context: Going Beyond the Minimum of Obeying the Letter of the Law, Time to go the Extra Mile
Matthew 5:38-42
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
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Discourse: “Oaths”
Reference: Matthew 5:33-37
Theme: Setting the Record Straight on the Proper Use of Validating One’s Word to Others
Context: Jesus was Clarifying the Application of Old Commands under a New Covenant
Matthew 5:33-37
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
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Discourse: “Love your Enemies”
Reference: Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:32-36
Theme: Unlike the World, God Expects More From Us because of God’s Grace
Context: The Law of the New Covenant of Love Versus the Law of Moses and Outward Conformity
Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
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Discourse: “Divorce”
Reference: Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-12 Mark 10:2-12
Theme: Marriage is for a Lifetime and Divorce was Never God’s Idea
Context: The Jews were Looking for Validation to Divorce as an Acceptable Instrument
Matthew 5:31-32
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”
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Discourse: “Adultery”
Reference: Matthew 5:27-30; Luke 6:18
Theme: It’s not just the Actions but also the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart that are Important
Context: Jesus Continues to Expands upon the Law of Moses in Light of the Kingdom of God
Matthew 5:27-30
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
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Discourse: “Murder and Reconciliation”
Reference: Matthew 5:21-26; Luke 12:57-59
Theme: Walking in Love Towards others will Keep us out of Big Trouble
Context: Jesus Builds, Extends, and Expands upon the Law of Moses for the New Covenant
Matthew 5:21-26
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
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Discourse: “The Fulfillment of the Law”
Reference: Matthew 5:17-20; Luke 16:17
Theme: The integrity of the Scriptures can never be Compromised or Fail, they are Eternal
Context: Jesus was teaching a Large Group of people on a Mountain side in the Galilee Region
Matthew 5:17-20
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
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Discourse: “Salt and Light”
Reference: Matthew 5:13-16; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35
Theme: Make a Difference in this World by letting what’s on the inside Come on the Outside
Context: Jesus was teaching a Large Group of people on a Mountain side in the Galilee Region
Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
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Discourse: “The Beatitudes”
Reference: Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 6:20-26
Theme: The Realities of being a Follower of Jesus. Character and Promises of being a Disciple of Jesus
Context: An introduction to His Sermon on the Mount in the Galilee Region
**Luke 5:1-12
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”**
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Welcome to the Gospel Series- The Discourses of Jesus. We are going to explore the Lord’s sermons and discover their rich significance for us today. A discourse is teaching in various styles designed to communicate spiritual truths, religious principles, or moral lessons; it can be a short dissertation or lengthy complex series of interwoven nuggets of spiritual understanding. Jesus purposefully brought forth an abundant impartation of rich treasure- revelation truth of the Kingdom of God. Of which He is both Lord and Master forever!
**Mark 1:21-22
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Mark 10:1
Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.
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Welcome to the Gospel Series- The Parables of Jesus: www.wordinspire.org
Parable: “The Ten Talents and Ten Minas”
Reference: Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27
Theme: There is a Judgment or Accounting we Must all Face, the Criteria is Based on Faithful Service
Context: Folks were Thinking that the Kingdom of God or Millennium would come Immediately
Luke 19:12-27
He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.’ Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them — bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”
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Parable: “The Ten Virgins”
Reference: Matthew 25:1-13
Theme: Keep Watch and Stay Alert, Because we don’t know when Jesus will Return
Context: Jesus was Discoursing on End Times Events and What to Expect will Happen
Matthew 25:1-13
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
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Parable: “The Great Banquet”
Reference: Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24
Theme: Esteeming the Gospel Above Everything Else and Receiving His Righteousness
Context: A Continuation of the Religious Leaders Being Condemned and the Cost of Following Jesus
Matthew 21:33-41
Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ “But they paid no attention and went off — one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
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Parable: “The Wicked Tenants”
Reference: Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-9; Luke 20:9-16
Theme: Produce the Fruit of Obedience or God will Find Someone Else to Get the Job Done
Context: Jesus was in Jerusalem Leading up to Calvary Addressing the Chief Priests and Elders
Matthew 21:33-41
“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”
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Parable: “The Two Sons”
Reference: Matthew 21:28-32
Theme: Obedience and Repentance is the Proper Response to Hearing the Gospel
Context: Chief Priests and Elders Question Jesus’ Authority, having Driven out the Money Changers
Matthew 21:28-32
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”
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Parable: “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector”
Reference: Luke 18:9-14
Theme: Whoever Exalts Himself will be Humbled, and Whoever Humbles Himself will be Exalted
Context: Jesus was confronting the Religious Elite Concerning Self-Righteousness
Luke 18:9-14
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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Parable: “The Workers in the Vineyard”
Reference: Matthew 20:1-16
Theme: Many who are First will be Last, and Many who are Last will be First
Context: Jesus contrasted the Established Religious Elite (Pharisees) with His Disciples, Newcomers
Matthew 20:1-16
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. “About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. “He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’”
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Parable: “The Persistent Widow”
Reference: Luke 18:1-8
Theme: Unlike the World System God is quick to Provide Justice and Protection for His People
Context: Justice in Bible times was Often Times Subject to Corruption and Bribes
Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
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Parable: “The Shrewd Manager”
Reference: Luke 16:1-15
Theme: The Measure of Faithfulness is Consistent in Small and Large Areas in Life
Context: In the Beginning of Luke Chapter 15, Jesus had an Audience of Tax Collectors, Sinners and Pharisees who all dealt with and understood the Dynamics of Money
Luke 16:1-7
Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ “‘Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.’ “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’”
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Parable: “The Prodigal Son”
Reference: Luke 15:8-10
Theme: When we have Committed Grievous Sins and Fallen Away, Forgiveness and Restoration Awaits
Context: Jesus Continues to Illustrate the Heart of God in Reconciling the Fallen to Himself
**Luke 15:11-32
Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"**
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Parable: “The Lost Coin”
Reference: Luke 15:8-10
Theme: The Passion of God to Seek and Save the Lost
Context: Jesus was Ministering to Tax Collectors and Sinners and the Pharisees Murmured about it
Luke 15:8-10
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
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Parable: “The Lost Sheep”
Reference: Matthew 18:10-14; Luke 15:1-7
Theme: The Eternal Value of Human Beings is Sacred to God
Context: Jesus using Little Children as an Example of Humility to Enter into the Kingdom of God
Matthew 18:12-14
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”
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Parable: “The Wedding Feast Invitation”
Reference: Luke 14:7-14
Theme: Whoever Exalts Himself will be Humbled and he Whoever Humbles Himself will be Exalted
Context: On a Particular Sabbath, Jesus went to Eat at the House of a Prominent Pharisee
Luke 14:7-14
When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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Parable: “The Barren Fig Tree”
Reference: Luke 13:6-9
Theme: True Repentance will show forth Visible Fruit, without it comes Judgment
Context: Jesus Expounding on Luke 13:5, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:6-9
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
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Parable: “The Wedding Banquet”
Reference: Luke 12:35-40
Theme: Stay Awake, be Ready and Watching for the Lord’s Return at Any Moment
Context: Knowing the “Signs of the Times” and having an Eternal Perspective
Luke 12:35-40
Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
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Parable: “The Wise Manage”
Reference: Luke 12:42-48
Theme: Stewardship and Accountability that Comes with Responsibility and Knowledge
Context: Thousands of People Assemble and Jesus Teaches them- Warnings and Encouragements
Luke 12:42-48
The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
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Parable: “The Rich Fool”
Reference: Luke 12:13-21
Theme: Be on your Guard Against All Kinds of Greed – Life is More Important than Material Things
Context: A dispute Arose Between Brothers Concerning their Father’s Estate
Luke 12:13-21
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
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Parable: “The Friend at Midnight”
Reference: Luke 10:25-37
Theme: Don’t be Shy or Timid about Seeking God in Prayer – Faith is Bold
Context: Jesus is Teaching on the Subject of Prayer
Luke 11:5-13
Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.”
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Parable: “The Good Samaritan”
Reference: Luke 10:25-37
Theme: Jesus reveals what True Religion is all about
Context: An Expert in the Law Asks Jesus what he must do to Inherit Eternal Life
**Luke 10:25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”**
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Parable: “The Unmerciful Servant”
Reference: Matthew 18:23-35
Theme: Forgiveness in God’s Kingdom is Unlimited or it’s nothing at All
Context: Peter Asks the Lord How Many Times he should forgive his Brother in verses 21-22
Matthew 18:23-35
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
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Parable: “The Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price”
Reference: Matthew 13:44-46
Theme: Discovering the Kingdom of God; all in for Jesus is the only Acceptable Response
Context: Jesus Teaching on the Word of God as the Secret to the Kingdom of God
Matthew 13:44-46
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
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Parable: “The Yeast”
Reference: Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21
Theme: The Power of God’s Word to Grow and Prevail in the Lives of People
Context: Jesus’ Teachings on the Seed of God’s Word and its Power to Produce and Multiply
Luke 13:20-21
“Again he asked, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.’”
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Parable: “The Net”
Reference: Matthew 13:47-51
Theme: Like the Parable of the “Wheat and the Weeds” we see a Clear Depiction of the End Times
Context: The Final Parable in this series of Jesus’ Teaching on the Word and the Kingdom of God
Matthew 13:47-51
“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
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Parable: “The Wheat and Weeds”
Reference: Mathew 13:24-30; 36-43
Theme: A Clear Depiction of the End of the Age; the Second Advent of Jesus Christ
Context: Jesus Continues His teaching on the Kingdom of God; had just discussed the Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
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Parable: “The Growing Seed”
Reference: Mark 4:26-29
Theme: The Process and Stages that the Growing Seed goes through unto Harvest
Context: Jesus having just taught on the Parable of the Sower further illustrates how the Kingdom of God operates
Mark 4:26-29
“He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain — first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.’”
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Parable: “The Mustard Seed”
Reference: Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19
Theme: Faith as a Seed Starts Small but Accomplishes Great Things- Multiplication of Power
Context: Jesus’ Teachings Concerning the Kingdom of God; Works as a Seed- Words
Mark 4:30-32
“Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.’”
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Parable: “The Parable of the Sower”
Reference: Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:3-20; Luke 8:4-15
Theme: Seedtime and Harvest
Context: Jesus was teaching a Large Group of People by the Lake
1 Corinthians 3:5-8
"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. "
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Welcome to the Gospel Series- The Parables of Jesus: www.wordinspire.org
Parable: “The Lamp on a Stand”
Reference: Matthew 5:14-16; 6:22-23; Mark 4:21-25; Luke 8:16-18; 11:33-36
Theme: The impact of God’s Word in our lives to influence others
Context: Used in Different Settings:
Matthew 5:15-16: Sermon on the Mount- behavior and conduct
Mark 4:21-25; Luke 8:16-18: The Word as Spiritual Seed
Luke 6:33-36: Jesus Teaching the People
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
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Welcome to the Gospel Series- The Parables of Jesus: www.wordinspire.org
Parable: “The Two Debtors”
Reference: Luke 7:41-43
Theme: Comparison- A Heart of Gratitude between a Prostitute (Inferred) and a Pharisee
Context: Jesus was invited to Dinner at a Pharisee’s House to be scrutinized
Luke 7:36-38
“Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”
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Welcome to the Gospel Series- The Parables of Jesus: www.wordinspire.org
Parable: “The Cloth and New Wine Skins”
Reference: Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39
Theme: Reality over Religion
Context: Jesus is asked why His Disciples are not Fasting and Praying
**Luke 5:33-39
They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.” Jesus answered, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” He told them this parable: “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’”
ATTENTION: Please check out my new website: www.wordinspire.org**
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Welcome to the Gospel Series- The Parables of Jesus. We are going to explore the Lord’s parables and discover their rich significance to us today. A parable is a short, simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth, religious principle, or moral lesson; a figure of speech in which truth is illustrated by a comparison or example drawn from everyday experiences. They are not just simple folk stories or fables of fiction- revelation truth of the Kingdom.
Matthew 13:34-35
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”
ATTENTION: Please check out my new website: www.wordinspire.org
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Welcome to the Gospel Series. There are three seasons in this series: The Parables of Jesus, The Discourses of Jesus and the Miracles of Jesus. These podcasts are dedicated to the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus Christ as foreshadowed in the Old Testament, presented in the Gospels and explained in the Epistles- letters to the churches in the books of Romans - Revelation.
The Parables of Jesus
A parable is a short, simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth, religious principle, or moral lesson; a figure of speech in which truth is illustrated by a comparison or example drawn from everyday experiences. They are not just simple folk stories or fables of fiction- revelation truth of the Kingdom.
The Discourses of Jesus
There are various forms or styles that discourses can come in; from Latin discursus, meaning “running to and from.” Jesus had invoked all of these styles throughout His teaching and preaching ministry as an effective means of communication. The purpose was to express and impart grace and revelation truth to the hearers. These were not empty words, but contained power to transform and save those who believed.
The Miracles of Jesus
When reason takes the place of the miraculous, Christianity loses its vitality, fascination and fruitfulness. Christianity is not a religion, it is the very life of God in mankind. There could not be a religion that would appeal to humanity that was not founded upon miracles and propagated by miracles. People crave a miracle working God today; they want a living God, craving a miracle working God. The deep seated hunger in the human heart for God is the reason for all religions. If we take the supernatural out of Christianity, we have left is an empty shell of a religion.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- In Him. There are literally thousands of promises from God in His Word for us to receive and enjoy in our lives. However, there are also conditions of obedience associated with them. At a minimum, the requirements of faith, hope and love must be observed for them to manifest in our lives. God gave us an inheritance, redemption and precious promises through the Lord Jesus Christ for a reason. It pleases the Father when His will in heaven becomes a reality in our lives on earth.
2 Corinthians 1:18-21
But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
The promises of God are not sometimes “Yes” and sometimes “No”, but in reality they belong to all of God’s children all of the time. Let us not be guilty to have fallen short of the Grace of God and allow these exceedingly great and precious promises go in vain in our lives because of ignorance, disobedience or a lack of faith.
Episode Chapters:
- Precious Promises
- The New Birth
- Glorious Redemption
- Holy Spirit in the Believer
- More than a Conqueror
- Christ the Healer
- Prosperity
- Protection
- Peace and Joy
- The World to Come
Note: This episode is a compilation of Scriptures only to meditate on- enjoy!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Sanctification. Some folks have made the case to explain their moral failures that it was the devil that made them do it. No doubt the enemy will seek to energize our body of sin against us, but ultimately we yield to sin through an act of our will. No greater challenge faces the disciple of Christ than to learn to offer their body unto God as a living sacrifice.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
What robs the believer of their joy and peace more than anything, is condemnation, guilt and shame when we fall into sin. Until Jesus returns, we have to sanctify (set apart as holy unto God) our minds and our bodies. The Grace of God found in His Word gives us the power to bring our natural appetites under control in order to live a life pleasing to the Lord.
Episode Chapters:
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Dead to Sin
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The Blood of Jesus
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A Living Sacrifice
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The Mind of Christ
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Works of the Flesh
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Evil Associations
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False Teachers
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Judgment in the House of God
Note: This episode is a compilation of Scriptures only to meditate on- enjoy!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Words of Wisdom. It is said that wisdom is the application of knowledge. It is true that wisdom like love is supernatural, of God. One thing that we need desperately in this day and age is the wisdom of God, because we know from the Scriptures the consequences of folly. God’s Word from our spirit, emits spiritual light that illuminates our minds with understanding according to Psalms 119:130, “The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Ephesians 1:17-19
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
As children of God, we have in Scriptures, the embodiment of knowledge and truth. Why should we look to the world for answers that only God has. Jesus has given us the “Great Counselor,” the mighty Holy Spirit and He uses the Word of God to lead us into all truth for every area of our lives if we will just listen to Him.
Episode Chapters:
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Wisdom Calls Forth
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Discernment & Judgment
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Honesty & Integrity
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The Tongue
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Hard Work
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Material Goods
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Discipline & Correction
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Wise vs The Fool
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Pride vs Humility
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Guidance
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Health & Longevity
Note: This episode is a compilation of Scriptures only to meditate on- enjoy!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Qualifications of the Ministry. Please don’t let the title of this section fool you, it is not just for those who are called to the five-fold vocational ministry of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher position. If you are a Christian, then according to the Bible, you are an ambassador of Christ and a minister of reconciliation. We are all called to fulfill the “Great Commission” on this earth. Therefore, it is our responsibility to prepare ourselves to be people of excellence, integrity and to be equipped.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
It is required that those who have been given a trust, must prove faithful. There is so much that we have in Christ, freely you have received, freely give. One day we will all have to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and give an account for what we did on earth with what He gave us. My prayer is that we all hear from Jesus, “Well done, good and faithful servant…”
Episode Chapters:
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Gifts and the Call
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Ethics and Excellence
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Stumbling Block
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Qualifications
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Fear of Man
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Exhortations
Note: This episode is a compilation of Scriptures only to meditate on- enjoy!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Praise, Worship & Thanksgiving. Praise is known as the highest form of prayer; since prayer in essence is communing and fellowshipping with God. The deepest cry of our heart is to know God, the true and Living God, as Moses said to the Lord in Exodus 33:18, “Now, show me your glory!” Consider the vision that Daniel had of the Most High:
Daniel 7:9-10
As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
Jesus said in John 4:24, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” God created us for His glory and that His glory would be revealed in us. Let us go into the Holy of Holies, before His throne of grace and have sweet, intimate communion with our Lord. He may be God to the world, but He is Father to us. Better is one day in His courts than a thousand outside.
Episode Chapters:
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Praise
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Worship
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Thanksgiving
Note: This episode is a compilation of Scriptures only to meditate on- enjoy!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Walking in Love. The Bible declares that God is love, not that He has it or resembles it, but He is the very expression and definition of love. That love nature is ours through the New Birth which is a rebirth of the human spirit into the image and likeness of God. Not to sound like a 60’s hippie, but we are love children of a love God. The love of God is supernatural and works by faith; it’s an act of our will apart from feelings. In reality, love for God and for people is simply expressed through a strict obedience and adherence to the commands of God.
1 John 5:2-4
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.
Spiritual maturity is measured by our love walk, the more we walk in love as defined by obeying the commands of God, the more we walk in the footsteps of Jesus- 1 John 2:6, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” To walk or live like Jesus is to walk in love. The essence of sin is selfishness, the essence of love is to give- “For God so loved the world that He gave…”
So let’s love like God does, it’s our new spiritual nature to do so- through faith in God’s Word.
Episode Chapters:
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The Nature of Love
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The Beauty of Humility
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The Heart of a Servant
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An Aroma of Christ
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Moved with Compassion
Note: This episode is a compilation of Scriptures only to meditate on- enjoy!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Word of Life. If we fully appreciated what God’s Word stands for and what it can do in us and for us, we would be reading it like there was no tomorrow. That is how we must approach the Bread of Life, with a ravenous appetite. God’s Word is our final authority for all matters that pertain to life and conduct and God’s Word is God’s will. Therefore, faith begins, where the will of God is known. As the psalmist has said in Psalms 138:2, “For You have magnified your word above all your name.” God’s Word is above all things, the most important representation of the revelation of God to humanity on this earth.
Acts 20:32
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
So let’s approach the Holy Bible with a new found reverence, awe and hunger to grow in the grace and knowledge of God. Let’s not be satisfied with placing the family Bible on the mantel to collect dust. Rather let’s dig into it, write in it, highlight it and study it through and though so we can know it, act on it and glorify God by walking in the truth!
Episode Chapters:
- Inspiration of the Scriptures
- Jesus the Word of God
- The Bread of Life
- Unlocking God’s Promises
- Hero’s of Faith
- Principles of Faith
- Lessons on Faith
- Signs and Wonders
Note: This episode is a compilation of Scriptures only to meditate on- enjoy!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Prayers from the Word. Prayer is such an important topic for the believer and it's important to understand that there are many kinds of prayers with unique principles that govern their operation. Sporting events make a good analogy to illustrate this point. Just as football, hockey and basketball all have specific rules, what would happen if folks were to apply football rules to basketball? In the area of prayer there is the “Prayer of Petition,” “Prayer of Consecration” and “Prayer of Agreement” just to name a few. The Bible is our prayer manual in order to understand how these prayers operate.
Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
One thing is for certain, for any form of prayer to be effective, it must be based on the Word of God. There is no higher form of prayer than to pray God’s Word. Since God’s Word is God’s will, we can always be confident to pray the Scriptures and know that God will always honor His own Word.
Episode Chapters:
- The Epistle Prayers
- The Lord’s Prayers
- Praying for Believers
- Praying for Ministers
- Admonitions and Exhortations
- Greetings and Farewells
Note: This episode is a compilation of Scriptures only to meditate on- enjoy!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series. Deeper in God’s Word, a devotional workbook designed to lead the believer into a deeper walk with God through His Word. The project had taken me a few years to compile and assemble numerous Scriptures into eight separate subjects. I believe that you will find a beautiful and powerful blend and harmony of God’s Word knitted into a tapestry of wisdom and revelation. Primarily I have used the New International Version of the Bible, along with the King James Version and Amplified Bible. Occasionally I have interjected a few words of my own to help with transitions or to elaborate on a few key Scriptures. The overall format has been designed to allow the Holy Scriptures to speak for themselves.
1. Bible Devotions
The Bible translates the word, “Meditation” to mutter, murmur, ponder, speak, study, talk and utter. In other words, it’s a spiritual exercise that involves speaking God’s Word out loud so you can hear yourself. Take the time to slowly ponder and feed on God’s Word and expect the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you into all truth. He will impart rich revelation and insight concerning God and His Kingdom. In Matthew 4:4 Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.’” As natural food is to our physical body, so the Word of God is to our spirit- John 6:63 states, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”
2. The Word of His Grace
God’s Grace is found in God’s Word. If we want more of God’s grace in our lives, then look no further than the Bible. That is where this devotional material becomes a powerful tool in the life of the believer- to hide God’s Word in our heart- Acts 20:32. Now that we have established the source of God’s Grace, the next obvious question is what is God’s Grace? A common definition for Grace goes as follows, “God’s unmerited favor.” I believe this definition would be better suited to describe God’s Mercy. Therefore, I believe that “God’s Grace is God’s power at work in us who believe.”
3. The Word of Faith
Faith is not a Charismatic cliché, rather it is an eternal spiritual principle that has its origins in God and creation. This principle is first mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy and addressed the matter of obeying God’s commands. Notice in this short passage that the phrase “So we may obey it” is used three times. The secret to obeying God’s commands is found in the “Word of Faith” principle. The alternative would be for us to obey God through our own works and our own strength which is religion. The Bible pronounces that those who try to please God in their own strength and devices are under a curse- Galatians 3:1-5, 10-11
4. The Spirit of Faith
Where the “Word of Faith” ends, the “Spirit of Faith” begins. There is a deceptive counterfeit to having faith in the heart, called “Mental Accent” which is really a façade. It is a mental acquiesce to the truth without a conviction of the heart on the matter. For example, many people subscribe to a historical Jesus, but they do not accept Him in their heart as Lord and Savior. So how do we know that we believe the promise of God in our heart? Like Abraham, after hearing the Promise of God over a course of time, we come to place where the seed produces a harvest in our spirit- Hebrews 11:1, faith being the substance of what we hope for. We possess a supernatural revelation, an unshakable knowing, being fully persuaded that I believe that I have received. According to Jesus, before we receive the promise of God, we must first believe in our heart that we already have it by faith- Ro. 4:16-22; Mk. 11:22-24.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series – Faith Begins where the Will of God is known and God’s Word is God’s will. If God says it in His Word, that settles it; truth and will not change, regardless of our experiences or what we see happen to others. The Bible is God’s Will and Testament, it’s a legal instrument, sealed by blood covenants- old and new. God’s Word is spiritual laws that are absolute and cannot fail; otherwise I believe that God would cease to be God. What Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” is an eternal statement.
1. The Mystery Revealed
Both teaching and preaching the Word of God are modes of communication that brings the Word to light. There is something so powerful when the Word of God is spoken from the heart. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God; without hearing the gospel, the good news concerning the redemptive work of Jesus, it is impossible to be saved. Upon hearing the Word, faith comes; believing that Word in our heart and confessing it out of our mouth brings the manifestation of the promises of God.
2. God’s Word is God’s Will
If you are wondering what God’s will is for your life, look no further, the Bible is God’s will and New Testament.
Ephesians 5:17- Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
This Scripture goes without saying, but what is God’s will for my life? How and where can I find it out? This age old question has been asked more times than we can count, but the answer is right at our finger tips. The Bible contains God’s will and plan of redemption for our lives on earth, and for all eternity. What about specific direction like, “Is it God’s will for me to buy this car or take this job or go into the ministry?” The answer to this is Romans 8:14, “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Learning how to be led by the Holy Spirit in the decision process for the specifics in life is another subject, but an important one to find out! For our purposes here, we will discover that for most questions in life concerning God’s will for humanity, it is expressly covered and discussed throughout the pages of the Bible.
3. Praying According to God’s Will
Prayers that avail much are Bible based in nature.
Matthew 6: 9-11
“This is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.’”
Through the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us that our prayers should be based on God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven. What is God’s will in heaven? That is what we should be praying for in our lives here on the earth. If our behavior on earth should be the same as though we were in heaven, then the reality of life should be the same on earth as it is in heaven also.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series – The Entrance of His Word Gives Light. It is important to distinguish between revelation, inspiration, and illumination. Revelation, which may be oral or written, may be defined as an operation of God communicating to humanity truth that otherwise people could not know. Since mankind was created in God’s image and endowed with a capacity to know God, it is rational to expect that God would communicate Himself and His mind to humanity. Inspiration has to do with the communication of the truth. A supernatural influence exerted on the sacred writers by the Spirit of God, by virtue of which their writings are given Divine trustworthiness. In other words, Revelation discovers new truth, while Inspiration administers the communication of that truth. The Word of God imparts wisdom, giving light (Spiritual illumination and understanding) to the eyes of our heart. God’s Word makes wise the simple. The Bible is full of light, giving light to the eyes, revealing truth, and bringing forth understanding.
1. The Word of Light and Revelation
The Bible acts as our spiritual eyes into the unseen realm that is more real than this natural world. The Bible is the truth that reveals things as they really are! So revelation knowledge is spiritual understanding revealed to the spirit of a person. This spiritual light of God’s revelation knowledge is a key ingredient to our development, growth and spiritual maturity. It is the creative and life changing power of God that is at work in us who believe.
2. Our Inheritance in God’s Word
The Word of God is our blueprint for everything that pertains to life and godliness through His Precious Promises. Jesus paid an eternal price for our redemption, His own blood. He gave His life to redeem us from the penalty of death- Romans 6:23. His death, burial and resurrection provided for us eternal salvation. Eternal life is more than the regeneration of the human spirit, and having our names written in the Lamb’s Book of life- Praise God for it! Once ZOE (the life of God) is in our hearts, it begins to affect every arena of our existence- spirit, soul and body.
3. The Fullness of our Inheritance
The fullness of our inheritance does not begin until we are absent from the body and present with the Lord. The Scriptures reveal that much is awaiting for us when we pass through this life into the eternal realm of God. Our new glorified bodies, heaven, and all that is in store for us in the endless age; this is our blessed hope. As Paul mentioned in Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
4. Our only Source of Truth
The Word of God is our only source for revelation and understanding of God and His kingdom! God’s light shines through His Word and drives the darkness of ignorance, confusion and hopelessness out of our lives. This light produces life (Salvation) and freedom that translates us from the authority of darkness into the kingdom of light of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:12-14)- “The entrance of your words gives light...”Psalms119:130. Knowledge of God through His Word produces LIGHT!What a wonderful treasure to have; storing up the knowledge of God in our hearts, that we may be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ- Colossians 3:10.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series – Jesus the Word of God. The Word of God is not just words as we know them, but is actually referring to a person- the second person of the God Head. Before his incarnation and the name “Jesus”was given to Him, He was known only as the “Word of God.” He is still referred to this name as we will see in the book of Revelation. The Bible is more than a book, but represents God himself in the flesh on paper for us to receive. We hear His voice, see His power, and experience His Spirit through the sacred Scriptures. As we partake of the Bible as a living experience, we encounter the “Word of God” Himself by the Holy Spirit. Revelation knowledge bursts in our heart and becomes alive as we become introduced to our living savior, the Father and the Holy Spirit. The light of His Word floods our inner being to impart grace and truth and we are changed forever.
1. The Life of God
When we talk about the life of God, we are referring to the Greek word “ZOE” eternal life. This life is packed into God’s Word, the Bible. Here we see where that life comes from- Jesus Christ. This life produces light which produces revelation knowledge and understanding of who God is, and His plan of redemption for our lives. Jesus is the Word of God. If we want more of Jesus in our life, we must continue to receive His living words into our hearts and minds in order to conform us into His image and likeness to ever increasing glory.
2. The Bread of Life
The Bible is the bread of life for our spiritual growth and the development in the Christian faith. Our daily bread consists of the Word of God. Jesus is the incarnated Word from the Father. Eternal life is released through His Word. Breaking open the daily bread of the Bible, gives us the spiritual strength to walk out our Christian faith. The Holy Spirit if faithful to serve us the bread from heaven (Revealing Jesus) as we partake of the Scriptures. The Word of God is to our Spirit as natural food is to our physical body.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series - The truth makes us free. My encouragement is that as you listen to this material, be open in your thinking. There may be some unbiblical traditions and mentalities that will be challenged along the way, please don’t turn me off. Of course you are not obligated to accept anything in this podcast if you can’t see it plainly in the Word of God and bears witness with your spirit. However, if you begin to see things in the Word of God that may be a little different from what you have been accustomed to, we need to stay with the truth of God’s Word and not what we thought the Bible said, or what another person said they thought the Bible said. I don’t know about you, but if I am wrong in my thinking, I want to know about it and change so I can receive God’s blessing in my life.
1. Grace Filled Words
The Bible is saturated, permeated, impregnated, infused and full of His GRACE & POWER. I would like to offer an alternative to the traditional definition of grace, “God’s unmerited favor” with one that is in keeping with Scripture. “Grace is God’s power at work in those who believe to do what they don’t have the power in themselves to do.” The grace of God speaks of God’s power and ability, while “unmerited favor” actually speaks of God’s mercy and disposition towards humanity. God’s Words are containers for a spirit and life substance called grace; placing God’s Word in a class all by itself.
2. God’s Word is Living and Active
The Bible is a living spiritual book, pulsating with the life of God. All Scripture is God-breathed. Another Greek rendering for living is “Quick and Alive” and for active, “Operative, Effectual, and Powerfully Working”. In other words the Bible is not another dead book. The pages of the Bible record living words that DO SOMETHING!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series. The Foundation for our Faith- The Inspiration of the Scriptures. God’s Word is our final authority for all matters that pertain to life and conduct. The Bible is our source for all direct revelation from God concerning Himself, mankind, redemption and a glimpse into the endless ages of eternity. In this day when it seems the whole world doubts that there is an absolute truth, this topic is more appropriate than ever. The basic question is this: Can we trust the Scriptures? To what extent is it trustworthy? Is it authoritative only in matters of faith, or are its historical and scientific declarations also to be trusted? Is the Bible just the human testimony of divine revelation, and therefore subject to error? Is the Bible really the Word of God, or is it just the method that God uses to deal with us through His Spirit? The answers to these questions depend on the definition of inspiration.
1. No Contradictions
The Bible was written by 40 different men over a 1,500 year period, in different parts of the world, time, environment, personalities and culture. Yet they were consistent in what they wrote and did not contradict one another. The only solution is a divine author spoke through them. The Bible is the Word of God, preserved by God, and inspired by God. The Bible is not a mythological book of old wives tales and fables that man made up! Most of the authors were eyewitnesses of the things they wrote about and simply bore witness to what they saw and heard.
2. Inspired by the Holy Spirit
The Bible is the inspired, God-breathed Word of God. The Bible is an inherent, infallible book. It contains words, phrases, and sentences as it was originally written. The Word of God contains no errors. Doctrinally there is no error. The essence of the Word is still intact even when it is translated into other languages. God is more than able to preserve the integrity of His Word and to protect His eternal truths for all generations.
3. Must put it into Practice
The Word of God will only benefit us when we actually put it into practice consistently in our lives as a lifestyle of faith and obedience. Otherwise, we are simply deceiving ourselves; living unchanged lives. The Bible was not meant to be read like a magazine or newspaper. Just pick it up at our leisure and flip through the pages and read the articles we only like and say, “Oh that’s nice, hey John come look at the pretty pictures in the back of my Bible,” and then the next minute forget what we just read (like the Sunday morning message we heard last week). At least that is better then what happens to some Bibles, they become beautiful ornaments on the coffee table to display our piety, yet the pages are still stuck together because they are never opened. God is calling us to a vibrant living faith that starts by getting back to the Bible and seriously reading it with the intention of putting it into practice in every area of life.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Why some have a small harvest. Here is an important point to consider, the people of God are reaping a harvest, but they are much smaller than they need to be. They are reaping a small harvest, when they should be reaping a large harvest instead. Let’s look at some reasons why people reap only a small harvest.
1. They Sowed Sparingly
When folks get a revelation of this, they will start liquidating their assets so they can get a lot of seed in the ground, because they realize that is the secret to big harvests is big giving. It’s more up to us than it is up to the Lord. Unless the Lord leads us with a specific amount, we will make the decision of how much we are going to sow. In making that determination, we are determining the size of our harvest.
2. They did not Sow in Good Ground
The seed sowed into the hard, stony and thorny soil did not produce a harvest at all and so was wasted. We can have good seed and sow a lot of it, but if the ground is not good, we are not going to get a very good harvest. However, if we put the very same seed into very good ground, we would have a much larger yield or harvest from that seed, because the ground is going to produce of itself accordingly.
3. They Forfeit the Blessing of God
In the natural, when a developing crop does not have the proper balance between rain or sunshine, those factors will affect the outcome of the harvest; these are conditions that are outside of our control. This is God’s part, when He blesses our seed by providing the right elements to cause it to grow.
4. Allowing the thief to come in
Yielding to our flesh and treating people wrong, opens the door to the devil to devour our harvest. It matters how we live and how we treat other people; walking in love will always keep us on the side of God’s blessings for our lives.
5. Did not discern their harvest
People do not even realize that they need to discern the harvest in order to reap it. I am talking about discerning the timing of the harvest. People may think that the harvest is at a different time than it really is. It is like baking something in the oven, if you pull your apple pie out too early- gooey.
6. Need to discern amount of the harvest
Here is an important question that needs to be answered, do we know how much our giving has been in the past year? Are we keeping track of what and where our seed has been sown? We need to journal that information. Also, did we first check to see if that ground we sowed in, was it good ground? Next, ask yourself what a thirty, sixty or one hundred fold return on that investment into God’s Kingdom would be.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Rules of Reaping. Here is a provocative question, “can Christians sleep through their harvest?” We have to sow before we can reap and our lack of giving often finds its roots in a lack of faith. If we were to give as the Lord has asked us to, there would be no problem in reaping a harvest today. However, for most of us, when prompted by the Lord to give, we have doubts that He is able to get it back to us in time in order to meet our other obligations that are coming up. “Well Lord, if I give that $500 to so-in-so, that I have set aside for this bill that is due in 15 days, can You really get it back to me in time?”
1. Why Some People Don’t Have Harvests
There are many in charismatic circles today who think that all there is to prosperity is making confessions and turning in prayer requests and calling hotlines. But that is not enough, we have to sow, give and plant financial seed to reap a financial harvest. We will see in the teachings of Jesus and the apostle Paul, they both compared natural sowing and reaping with spiritual sowing and reaping. It’s a mistake for us to separate spiritual things from natural things- thinking that they have nothing in common. In reality, God patterned the natural world after the spiritual realm by design, so we would make the connection.
2. They Got Tired, Waiting for the Harvest
Don’t ever put a time limit on when the harvest is ready. Stay in a state of eager expectation and don’t quit until it comes to pass in your life. What if it took 5 years for something to come to pass? Abraham had to wait 25 years for Isaac to be born- Genesis 12:4; 21:5. You will reap a harvest if you do not quit; it’s through faith and patience that we receive the manifestation of the promises of God. If there are things you believed for and you gave up, go back and pick it back up and keep believing, keep expecting.
3. Many Think Reaping is Automatic
The parable of the growing seed is talking about the spiritual counterpart to the natural process of seed growing in the soil. So in this parable, who sowed the seed? The man did. Who caused the seed to grow and develop? The soil or God does. Who reaped the harvest, God or man? The man did. Many are of the opinion that they have nothing to do with the reaping aspect of the harvest, that it just automatically happens whether they know the harvest has come or not. Reaping the harvest is no more automatic than sowing the seed is.
4. How to Reap
So the next obvious question is this, “having sown material seed, how do we reap a material harvest?” We can be walking by faith in one area of our life, and not walking by faith in another. We can be living in divine health, but be struggling financially. Faith in one area of the promises of God does not automatically make all the promises of God manifest in our lives. We know when it comes to receiving healing that we simply have to claim it by faith based on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and receive. We need to stop praying for money and about money the way we have been up until now. The money we need is in this world, God does not have it in heaven. If we are a giver in line with the Scriptures, we are sowing material seed, then according to the Bible the provision is already there and available. Therefore, what we need to do in order to reap our financial harvest is to claim what we need out of this world system. Be specific and name the dollar amount that is needed to meet those needs. Believe that you receive it and claim it in Jesus’ Name.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Biblical Laws of Increase Part 2. Our God is the God of blessing . The Lord wants all areas of our life, spirit, soul and body to prosper and increase and be blessed. God has established laws that govern these areas of increase. It is more up to us how blessed and prosperous we are than it is the Lord. We need to cooperate with Biblical principles in order for us to receive His highest and best for our lives. The Lord is not impressed with large offerings. What He looks at first are the motives of the heart, faith and joy in our giving.
1. The Laws of Sowing and Reaping
If we sow, we will reap, if we give, it will be given to us. That is a spiritual law, it does not just sometimes work, it works all the time the same way for everybody! If we really believed in this spiritual law, we would be living our lives so much differently today. Even in the natural, the world knows about making good investments in order to gain wealth- real estate, stocks, commodities. The reality is, we will never get a better return than investing in the work of God than anything else on this planet. But most believers don’t see giving as an investment. But everything we give into God’s Kingdom and God’s people, should be seen as seed sown for an expectant return.
2. The Law of Stewardship
If we are going to prosper, we have to follow this law of stewardship. If we are faithful in a little, He will add more to us. This principle applies to all aspects of our life: money, anointing, revelation etc. We could be sowing big and still not be prosperous and get in debt. Having more come in does not necessarily denote prosperity, this is where stewardship comes in and having the wisdom of God in dealing with finances. God wants us to have the best and plenty of it, but He is big on stewardship! We must learn to have wisdom with things, to know when, who, where and how much to give. Unless we are led by the Spirit, we are not going to be prosperous. Our priorities need to be right, in our heart and in our faith.
3. The Laws of Diligence, Obedience and Faith
There are two extremes to hard work and diligence with people. There are those who we would call “workaholics” and think it’s all up to them if they prosper or not, and they work night and day- burning the candle at both ends. They do not know how to rest and let God move on their behalf. They need to come into the middle of the road and do less and believe more. Then there are those who all they want to do is lay around on the sofa and make confessions and not do anything. The Bible states that whatever we put our hands to will prosper. If we will first wait on the Lord, and get His plan, purpose and pursuit, than with that vision in hand, go out and do it with all diligence. But don’t go until you know!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Biblical Laws of Increase Part 1. Our God is the God of blessing and increase and He has given the earth to us to enjoy, develop and utilize for His glory. He wants us to increase in all areas of our life, spirit, soul and body. This also includes financially and materially. He wants us to have more so we can be a blessing and do more for His Kingdom and to increase our own enjoyment level. We find in the Scriptures that just because it is God’s will does not mean that it just automatically happens. There are conditions of obedience and faith associated to working the principles of God’s Word.
1. The Law of Honoring God
The key to Exercising faith for finances is to sow seed according to 2 Corinthians 9:6 and Luke 6:38. If a person will just obey the Bible, they will reap many wonderful results. Spiritual laws, like natural laws always work the same for whomever works them, no matter who the person is. Just as gravity works the same for each person so do spiritual laws in the Bible. Like the concept of cause and effect, when we act on the Word in faith, the results are forth coming. Therefore, we have a part to play in our prosperity- it’s not all up to God. It’s not what we know alone that sets us free, but what we know and put into practice that makes us free.
2. Honoring the Local Church
A modern application of this would be if a Christian was taking an old beat-up piece of furniture to the city dump, but then half way there, decides to dump it on his/her pastor instead- that is a contemptible offering and dishonors God by dishonoring His servant. Until people see the value of the local church, world missions and humanity in general, and see it through God’s eyes, they will not honor it- this is where having a revelation from God is so necessary.
3. How to Honor God
It is important for us to know that we are always on the Lord’s mind and that His abiding presence is a meant to be a continual comfort for us to enjoy. With that being said, let’s also take note that the Lord is called El-Shadi; the God who is more than enough, not El-Cheapo or the God that lets us barely get by. The Bible talks a lot about money and finances, sad that so many are embarrassed and feel uncomfortable about that subject, because of wrong thinking. We have been talking about the Biblical use of honor in regards to blessing others financially. Now we are going to look at the practical application of this principle. It is impossible to say that we honor God, and not be actively giving generously into His works on the earth.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Your Heavenly Account. Question, do you know what the balance is in your checking and savings accounts? What about in your investment accounts or 401K, RRSP or TFSA? So what about your heavenly account? If you are a born again Christian, you have an account in the First Bank of Heaven! Paul was concerned in that he wanted the accounts of the Philippian Christians to increase and abound. Isn’t it interesting that the money and material gifts that Paul received were referred to in the Scriptures as a “fragrant offering” and an “acceptable sacrifice” that was pleasing to God. It was sweet smelling money my brother and sister, not filthy lucre or evil money, but fruit that was pleasing to God.
1. Giving Dynamics
So often we think so small and so we receive in proportion to the revelation we have in this matter. We may be satisfied and get by with a little, but the greater question is this, is God satisfied and pleased with us just getting by in life? If He is not, then there is a problem. We have already established that it is His will for all His children to be rich, to have a full supply, and have no room to receive all His blessings. So are we going to obey the will of God in this matter? God needs channels for His provision to flow through; it’s not all for us. God has plans, big plans for His Kingdom and it requires money. Imagine all of the Body of Christ, being in positions to give into the Lord’s projects. It takes time to develop in the area of finances, so we need to get on it now.
2. Is Borrowing Okay?
Remember, it’s not material things that is the problem, but the preoccupation of them- to be more interested in them, than in the Lord. God does not have a problem with His children being rich, but how we acquire this wealth is what we need to look at next.
1- We can steal it from someone
2- We can wish and wait for it- like an inheritance or gambling like the lottery
3- We can work extra jobs and save up for it
4- We can borrow and get into debt
5- The Best way is to sow and believe it in from the Lord
3. Different Levels of Faith for Prosperity
God’s plan is that we plant financial seed through giving and believe Him for a multiplied harvest. We did not save, borrow or strain for it- this is entering into the rest of God. So when we receive through God’s plan for increase, He gave it to us and so it’s a blessing. This is the highest level of prosperity, to believe it in. Now remember that we don’t start out in this highest form of faith for prosperity. People want to jump a level or two. No we start out with “Payment Faith” and then go onto “Payoff Faith” before we get to “Believe it in Faith!”
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- God is our Source. When it comes to sharing the Word of God with people, only give to them what they have a capacity to appreciate and receive. The Bible talks about having ears to hear. The more we treasure, esteem, and value the Word of God, the more revelation we will get from the Holy Spirit. If folks do not value what you are saying or they are just not yet spiritually developed to receive it, then hold onto it. Don’t just throw out all you know, and let the chips fall as they may, like a hit and run. If they do not want to hear it, than we need to be quiet. Don’t give precious things to people who have no appreciation for them, isn’t that what Jesus said in Matthew 7:6- it can have a negative effect. It’s not what they need or what you know, it’s what they will receive and the Holy Spirit knows that.
1. Abundance Mentality
Just because people have stuff does not automatically mean that God gave it to them. Folks can get things through debt, by stealing and fraud. It is time to look up to higher levels of what we have known and been accustomed to in the world. The Lord is not satisfied with where we are at in the financial arena. Sure, He is pleased that we are making progress, but there is so much more to God’s economics that we have not tapped into. Until we can get our eyes off of what we are used to on this earth, we are limiting Him.
2. Jehovah Jireh Our Provider
Abraham went to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering, but just before he went to slay his only son, the Angel of the Lord stopped him. In verse fourteen we see that Abraham called that place “The Lord Will Provide” which in the Hebrew is one of God’s redemptive Names- Jehovah Jireh.
3. Faith Rests on more than mere Ability
I want you to notice that according to the Bible, when the Lord fills our cup, it’s not just half full in order to keep us humble. No, the Scripture does not say that- not even filling it up to the brim. What does Psalms 23:5 say, “my cup overflows” well that just sounds wasteful, extravagant and excessive! He must not care if it runs over the top and onto the table and all over the floor and out the door. When you have as much as God has got, you don’t care about spilling it over!
4. The God of Abundance
If we are not excited and expectant about God’s provision, than we are not in faith. Our biggest challenge (a good thing) concerning giving, is when we hear about needs that we ask the Lord, “do you want us to pay all of it or half of it?” It is not God’s will that we be so strapped in debt that we are not in a position to be a blessing, because we are struggling to pay our electric bill. However, before God can turn our situation around, we have to change on the inside in our heart and mind. Miracles start on the inside, before it happens on the outside. We have to get excited about God as our provider so we can become a big giver, sower and blessing.
5. More where that Came From
It’s a lot easier to give things away to people when we have the mentality that it’s not ours in the first place, and that there is a lot more where that came from; knowing that God is an excessive God and He will give us five more. The reason people have trouble turning loose of things, whether it is God dealing with them to give or even being defrauded by others is because they don’t have faith in an abundant God who will restore back to them even more than what they gave or lost.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Beware of the Love of Money. With any blessing from God there is a real and present danger that abuses can take place for selfish gain. Material blessings are no less susceptible to be abused. The Bible provides us with many admonitions to guard against things like, greed, covetousness and idolatry. My goal with this podcast is to be fair and balanced on the subject of prosperity. Too often we overemphasize one side of Biblical truth at the expense of the other. I am of the belief that spiritual maturity is accomplished through balanced Biblical teaching.
Show Notes:
Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Beware of the love of money. With any blessing from God there is a real and present danger that abuses can take place for selfish gain. Material blessings are no less susceptible to be abused. The Bible provides us with many admonitions to guard against things like, greed, covetousness and idolatry. My goal with this episode is to be fair and balanced on the subject of prosperity. Too often we overemphasize one side of Biblical truth at the expense of the other. I am of the belief that spiritual maturity is accomplished through balanced Biblical teaching.
1. Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain
Godly contentment is such a wonderful virtue that stems from the peace of God; resting in the Father’s provision and care to provide for His beloved children- consider Psalms 23. God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness according to 2 Peter 1:2. All that is left for us to do now is to come and dine at the Master’s table. We don’t need to be desperate, living in survival mode to scratch out a living; consumed with where our next meal is coming from. When we taste and see that the Lord is good, we can rest assured that we will be well provided for.
2. Beware of Greed and Covetousness
A simple definition of greed is: “The excessive desire to acquire or possess more (especially more material wealth) than one needs.” Unless of course the motive for acquiring more than what one needs is for the purpose of sowing it into others for God’s glory. At the root of greed is selfishness and pride. In order to elevate oneself above others to a position of power, influence, prestige and self-indulgence.
3. The Prosperous Soul
So when the Bible states that our “Soul” must prosper it is specifically talking about our spirit and soul first prospering before our physical body prospers, and also our checking account. Clearly the Lord wants us healthy and wealthy by this and many other Scriptures; sad that some Christians make fun of this prosperity message and mock us as the, “health and wealth gospel club.” But who are they making fun of (God), and what are they making fun of- God’s Word-Mark 11:22-24.
4. Sense Knowledge vs Heart Faith
Sense knowledge is based upon physical evidence. One believes in what they can see, hear or feel. Baby Christians who are untaught in the Word are seeking for someone who can pray the prayer of faith for them. The prayer of faith may deliver temporarily relief, but unbelief will annul the effect of their prayer eventually. Simple confidence in the Word is never sensible to the natural person who lives in the realm of the senses, for they only believe what they can see, hear or understand. Faith is giving substance to things that sense knowledge cannot understand or see. It lifts one out of the realm of the senses and into the realm of the recreated human spirit. The Thomas kind of faith is a religion of the senses.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Prosperity under the New Covenant. Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a new and living way has been opened up for us by which we can now draw near unto God into a New Covenant. New meaning better, better in every respect including in the area of finances and prosperity. If you thought the promises of God in this area were great under the Old Covenant, we now have way better promises under the New.
1. The Grace of Giving
As Christians, when we give, the Scriptures declare that act of giving of sowing financial and material seed as an act of God’s Grace. Since the subject of God’s Grace is such a central theme in the New Testament, we should take special note of it. Therefore, since God’s Grace is associated with our giving, the subject of giving and receiving is then elevated to a place of prominence. Thus we are obligated to both understand and practice these all important Biblical principles in our lives.
2. God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Our heavenly Father delights to see His children live out His nature of love and live to give, and lay their lives down for others. The word “cheerful” in 2 Corinthians 9:7 is translated in other versions as a “joyous or prompt to do it” kind of giver. I love it in the Greek; the original meaning for “cheerful” is being a “hilarious” giver. So when the collection is being passed around, we should be doing cart-wheels and jumping up and down in excitement for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints!
3. God’s Plan for Stewardship
The subject of stewardship is significant all throughout the Bible; since the charge God gave Adam in the Garden of Eden. How we use the gifts God has given us will be revealed at the Judgment Seat of Christ, when we give an account to God of the deposits we have made in the lives of others. One thing is certain about our God, He entrusts us with His resources, commissions us to do His work, holds us accountable and rewards us for our faithfulness.
4. Investing in Others
The sooner we accept the fact that everything we have, we have received for a purpose the sooner we can start living for eternity, with others in mind. I came across a statement that was used as a slogan at a church years ago that has always stuck with me, “People Matter to God.” The point seems quite obvious, but it seems that we need to be continually reminding about what is close to the heart of God. We get so busy with our natural lives that we can revert back to a worldly mentality of, “us four and no more.”
5. Taking Care of the Poor
Folks who think that we are insensitive or brash for sharing the prosperity message to the poor in this country or around the world are suffering from case of spiritual political correctness. God’s Word works no matter where it’s appropriated by faith. During the earthly ministry of Jesus, He majored on teaching the people who were harassed, oppressed and helpless, knowing that only the truth will make them free. The Bible has a lot to say about taking care of the poor, but there is a right and wrong way about it. Jesus was not so heavenly minded that He was no earthly good. Jesus provided for people in many tangible ways in the Gospel accounts.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Redeemed from the curse of the law. Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law according to Galatians 3:13. I think it is common knowledge that anything that has a “Curse” attached to it is a bad thing. So what is the curse of the law you may ask? The only way to answer that is to look in the book of Deuteronomy where God had revealed to Moses and the children of Israel the consequences of breaking God’s law which is sin.
1. The Purpose of the Law
God’s revelation to humanity concerning the Law of God or the Ten Commandments was significant for many reasons. So let’s provide a little background so we can fully appreciate what the “Curse of the Law” represents. First of all, the law reveals the holiness of God and His righteous standard of conduct to make all mankind accountable. Secondly, the law defines clearly right from wrong. There is nothing obscure or relative about God’s law- it is what it is. God’s righteous standard of holiness is eternal, it represents who He is and what He requires of us in order to have fellowship with Him. Thirdly and most importantly, the purpose of the law is to frustrate man. That may sound strange, but the sheer genius of it is remarkable. We can’t live the perfect life required by the Law so we need a Savior! The ultimate purpose of the Law is to lead us to Jesus.
2. Poverty is a Curse
Death is more of a “who” rather than a what, and I am not talking about the grim reaper either. As far as the Bible is concerned, who is the father of sin or who committed the first sin? That’s right, it was Satan himself. Everything that results in death is a product or the handiwork of Satan. In John 10:10, Jesus stated that Satan’s mode of operation is three-fold; to kill, steal and destroy everything he gets hold of.
3. Requirements for Prosperity
I wish that prosperity was as automatic as breathing, but it is not. When we look at the promises of God in the Bible, we readily see that there are conditions associated with them. It is not about deserving or earning the blessing of God, but it boils down to simple obedience and faith.
4. Our Authority in the Area of Finances
Isn’t it wonderful to know that it was God who created wealth, gold, silver and abundance? When we consider the extravagance of heaven, streets made out of gold (Revelation 21:18), why should we think that the Christian life is meant to be a “barely get along” affair. It was the Lord who had instructed His disciples to pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven- Matthew 6:10. Make no mistake about it, money denotes power and influence in the earth. Christian piety alone is not going to get the Gospel proclaimed throughout the earth- it takes money. Fortunately for us, we have an awesome God who gives us the ability to produce wealth and who transfers the wealth of the wicked to the children of God.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Prosperity is God’s Idea! Since the Bible talks more about money than any other subject, it must be important. This season is devoted to this all important area of the Bible, which has such a profound effect on us. Thank God for the Word, it provides us with revelation truth concerning God’s view on money. There is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding concerning what the Christian perspective on finances should be. The goal of this season is to provide a framework of practical principles and applications to live by. Ignorance in this all important area of our life is costly. So let’s go for the gold, God’s highest and best for our lives, and for the furtherance of the Gospel throughout the world- blessed to be a blessing.
1. Beware of a Poverty spirit
There has been a scourge to the Body of Christ over that last few centuries concerning religious traditions of men that poverty and godliness go hand in hand. In other words, God purposely holds His children back from becoming rich in order to keep them humble. The notion espouses that to be Christ like and financially secure, are at odds with each other. Just like Paul’s thorn in the flesh, religious folks read into this Scripture things that are not there. Money itself is not evil, it’s the love of it that gets folks into trouble- 1 Timothy 6:10. The big danger of having a poverty attitude is that it makes us beggars and whiners. It also causes us to shrink back from God and faith because of an inferiority complex, condemnation and fear. So beware of this poverty spirit of religious piety to stay humble. It’s just the devil trying to steal from God’s children and keep finances out of God’s Kingdom. Yet on the other hand watch out for the spirit of materialism and consumerism that is pervasive in our society that detracts from God’s Kingdom priorities- the Bible condemns greed.
2. Examples of Old Covenant Prosperity
This generation of Job and Abraham did not know anything other than God blessing them financially. You can’t sell that old lie of the devil that God brings poverty on all of us to keep us humble to the Jewish folks, their Bible does not say that, neither does ours. The source of that kind of teaching apparently came from Zen Buddhism, through the study of Eastern religion by European people at the turn of the 19th century. That philosophy worked its way from there and started a trend of poverty vows and poverty oaths which are neither in the Bible nor a part of the New Covenant, but is actually in violation of the Covenant. Then it came over into North America.
3. Good Gifts from a Good God
It saddens me to say that the goodness of God is not fully settled in Christian’s minds. There seems to be some lingering doubts that our Lord withholds and afflicts us for our ultimate good. Religious ideology has done much to tarnish and obscure the accurate Biblical view that God is a good God- all the time! Certainly there are many aspects to God’s nature and character. He is a holy God who does execute judgment and punishment on the wicked. He also disciplines His children according to Hebrews chapter twelve. However, the manner in which discipline is carried out is primarily through His Word and the lessons we learn when we fail to repent. Thus reaping the consequences of our own actions when we open the door to the devil. I make this little clarification in order to avoid be generalized and branded into a narrow view of God; that He is a feel-good, candy man like deity who is only interested in giving His children goodies.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Studying the Bible! For many, the Bible remains an enigma capable of many different interpretations. Some people have become discouraged about their own ability to make sense of it. To others, the Bible has a nose of wax capable of being shaped into anything the reader wants.
"He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. " 2 Peter 3:16
There are some principles of Bible interpretation that will serve as a check and balance for our all-too-common tendency to interpret the Bible according to our own prejudices. The Bible itself instructs us to be a student of God’s Word so we can correctly handle the word of truth.
1. Why Study the Bible?
If we can read the newspaper, we can read the Bible. In fact, I would venture to guess that more difficult words and concepts are expressed on the front page of a newspaper than on most pages of the Bible. God has kept it simple that even a child can understand God’s Holy Written Word! Martin Luther, the sixteenth century Reformer was convinced that what was obscure and difficult in one part of Scripture was stated more clearly and simply in other parts of Scripture. Some parts of the Bible are so clear and simple that they are offensive to those suffering from intellectual arrogance.
2. How to Study the Bible
Fundamental to the spiritual growth of a believer is the ability to feed himself/herself with the Word of God. We will explore two ways of “eating” the Word; the first way is indirect Bible study and the second is direct Bible study. The two are equally valid to supply the nutritional needs of a follower of Christ. As a student of the Word of God, there are three Bible study tools that would be worthwhile for you to obtain for your personal library: a concordance, a Bible dictionary, and a commentary. Bible study software is a tremendous blessing to the serious Bible student and worth every penny.
3. Bible Interpretation
Two of the great legacies of the Reformation were the principle of private interpretation and the translation of the Bible into the vernacular. The two principles go hand in hand and were accomplished only after great controversy and persecution. Scores of persons paid with their lives by being burned at the stake (particularly in England) for daring to translate the Bible into the vernacular. The greatest danger of private interpretation is the clear and present danger of subjectivism in biblical interpretation. Which simply means, placing a personal bias on explaining the meaning of what the Bible is saying. When people read into the Bible what they want, project their personal view or put words into God’s mouth, error occurs. Which is a place where none of us wants to be.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Symbols of God’s Word! Many times the Bible uses symbolic language in order to teach. Jesus Himself often referred to common everyday things to illustrate spiritual truths- taking concrete examples to explain abstract concepts- metaphors. Since the natural world we know was created out of the spiritual world, it is no wonder that God can use natural creation to teach us about spiritual principles- 2 Peter 1:2-4
For the purpose of analysis, I have broken down some symbols into three categories. The first group emphasizes the “Power” of God’s Word in our lives. The second group describes God’s Word as a creating, sustaining, and nurturing source of God’s grace. And finally, the last group looks at the Bible as a source of illumination and revelation for our spiritual growth.
1. God’s Word- Power
Our primary spiritual offensive weapon is the Word of God. It is the key to winning successfully. The objective is to get the Word of God into our heart and out of our mouth. Waving the Bible in the air is not wielding the sword of our spirit. Only when we speak that Word out of our mouth in faith, does it become the ultimate weapon in the universe.
2. God’s Word- Sustenance
We have been saying all along that the Bible is no ordinary book to the believer. Unlike a magazine, newspaper or history book, the Bible is a living force of God’s spirit life- John 6:63. The Bible requires one ingredient that will release the power of God in our life. Without this vital element, the Bible would appear to be just any other religious book- dead and lifeless. That key component is FAITH- it is the catalyst! Faith is the key that unlocks God’s power that is stored in His Word. It releases the treasures of God’s wisdom and ability to move any mountain, meet any need and defeat any demon. Until faith is introduced and mixed with the Word of God, it remains dormant. When the believer mixes God’s word with faith- look out! God’s will is coming on earth as it is in heaven!
3. God’s Word- Revelation
Just as natural light reveals this natural world, the Word of God reveals the kingdom of God to us. God’s will for our lives is to walk in the truth of His Word and not stumble around in ignorance. The measure of God’s Word that we are walking in and living from day to day is the measure of spiritual light we are walking in. Without the Bible, God is extremely limited in revealing Himself and His kingdom to us. God’s Word enables us to see clearly as things really are, not as they appear to be to our physical senses.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Inspiration of the Scriptures! In this day when it seems the whole world doubts that there is an absolute truth, this topic is more appropriate than ever. The basic question is this: Can we trust the Scriptures? To what extent is it trustworthy? Is it authoritative only in matters of faith, or are its historical and scientific declarations also to be trusted? Is the Bible just the human testimony of divine revelation, and therefore subject to error? Is the Bible really the Word of God, or is it just the method that God uses to deal with us through His Spirit? The answers to these questions depend on the definition of inspiration.
1. Inspiration Explained
Inspiration is the process through which God, by means of the Holy Spirit, assured the existence of an exact and true record of the redeeming work of Christ, and the corresponding interpretation of the redemption story, produced in written form by holy men of God. It’s the supernatural action of the Holy Spirit on the mind of the sacred writers whereby the Scriptures were not merely their own, but the Word of God. Scripture not merely contains but is the Word of God.
2. God’s Final Authority
Evangelical Christians agree that the primary purpose of the Bible is to lead people to a personal relationship with God through Jesus as Savior. But everything taught by the Bible on any subject is helpful and instructive for the complete Christian life (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Because Christianity does relate to the real world, the Bible’s declarations about the earth and history are completely trustworthy.
3. Revelation Knowledge
It is important to distinguish between revelation, inspiration, and illumination. Revelation, which may be oral or written, may be defined as an operation of God communicating to humanity truth that otherwise man could not know. Since mankind was created in God’s image and endowed with a capacity to know God, it is rational to expect that God would communicate Himself and His mind to people. If unfallen mankind, being a finite creature, needed divine revelation and instruction (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:8), how much more is fallen mankind completely incapacitated by sin.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Word of God! The foundation of our Christian faith is found only in one book: the Bible. In it we discover who we are, where we came from and where we are going; it explains the “why” of the human condition, and the existence of evil in the world. Through its pages we become acquainted with the God of the universe, the all-powerful, loving, holy, just, Redeemer and Savior. The Word of God speaks to us about a personal relationship with God and with the community of saints, which is the Church.
Our attitude toward the Bible will determine our willingness to put into practice its principles. If we consider it to be the Word of God, it will be the measure by which we judge all human thought and systems of truth, whether social, scientific, historical or religious. It will rule our conduct and personal relationships. If we believe that the Bible is the divine Word of God, it will mold our values, attitudes, judgments and actions.
1. How the Bible came to us
The English word “Bible” comes from the Greek word biblos, meaning “a book”. The word biblos comes from the word given to the inner pulp of the papyrus reed on which ancient books were written. The Bible didn’t fall miraculously from heaven; it came to us through a historical process which was guided by the Holy Spirit. Only by the grace of God is it possible for these sacred books to be preserved and copied throughout the centuries.
The Holy Spirit used between, 35 to 40 writers over a time period of around 1500 years to write the Bible, in different parts of the world, time, environment, personalities and culture. Among them were priests, prophets, kings, a tax collector, a doctor, a soldier, a scribe, a poet and a theologian. Yet they were consistent in what they wrote and did not contradict one another. The only solution is a divine author spoke through them. The Bible is the Word of God, preserved by God, and inspired by God.
2. The Canon of the Bible
The word “canon” comes from the Greek kanon, meaning “a measuring rod or reed,” and signifies a rule, a standard. Hence, the Canon of the Bible consists of those books considered worthy to be included in the Holy Scriptures. The New Bible Dictionary puts it this way: “The various books possessed and exercised divine authority long before men ever made pronouncements to that effect. Ecclesiastical councils did not give the books their divine authority, but merely recognized that they both had it and exercised it.”
3. Bible Translations
The Bible was originally written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. These languages are still spoken in some parts of the world today. The word “manuscript,” as it is used today, is restricted to those copies of the Bible which were made in the same language in which it was originally written. At the time the Bible came to be printed (1455 A.D.), there were over 2,000 manuscripts in possession of certain scholars. At present, there are some 4,500 manuscripts of the New Testament. This number is significant when it is considered that scholars are willing to accept ten or twenty manuscripts of classical writings to consider a work genuine. Contrast ten or twenty with thousands of manuscripts of the Bible. The manuscripts, of course, were written by hand.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Priesthood! So far we have learned that when God gave the law, He also established a Tabernacle, a sacrifice system and a priesthood. The Tabernacle was a physical representation showing the people how to approach God. Tabernacle worship centered around the offerings; each offering uniquely revealed something about the nature of the final sacrifice when God would give Himself on man’s behalf. According to Exodus 28:1; 29:9, God chose Aaron and his sons to serve Him as priests. The priesthood was to be exclusively theirs. No one else could function in the priestly office. Aaron was the first High Priest. At his death, he would be succeeded by his oldest son. This way the priesthood could be passed down from generation to generation.
1. Old Covenant High Priestly Garments
The Central figure in the Old Covenant system was the High Priest- Exodus 28. He was the most important person in the entire nation, because he represented the nation before God. The High Priest stood out above everyone else. This was not only because of his office, but also because of his dress- he wore seven different pieces of clothing. In the Bible, the number seven represents perfection.
2. The Day of Atonement
The High Priest had many duties and responsibilities, but his most important duty was to minister on the Day of Atonement- Leviticus 16; 23:26-32. This corresponds to the Gentile months September-October. The Day of Atonement is also known as the Day of Forgiveness. The Jews call it “Yom Kipper.” The Day of Atonement is the most solemn of all days. This is the day for making atonement or covering for the sins of the entire nation of Israel.
3. New Covenant High Priestly Garments
Now a perfect High Priest has come to fulfill what the Old Covenant High Priest could not do. Philippians 2:5-11 gives us some details. It says that Christ, being God, having the same nature and attributes of God laid aside all of His divine abilities in order to become a man and identify with His creation. Other scriptures describe His pre-existing glory; the prophet Isaiah saw Him high and lifted up on His throne, and His glory filled the heavenly Temple- Isaiah 6:1-5.
4. The Sin Offering for the World
The High Priest after the seed of Aaron was a sinner just like everybody else; however, Jesus was a High Priest, being in nature God. He came from God the Father, He was God but also very man. He was perfectly righteous from within and knew no sin. He did not have to make a sacrifice for Himself. Instead He sacrificed Himself for us, He who knew no sin became sin for us according to 2 Corinthians 5:21. He became that once and for all perfect sacrifice. He got up on the altar by His own free will- that altar was the cross.
5. The Perfect Priest
For unlike the Old Covenant High Priest, Jesus lives forever. Since He lives forever, He is always there to remind God the Father that He has paid for our sins with His own blood. Therefore, He is exactly the kind of High Priest we need. He is not going to have a heart attack, He’s not going to die and have to be replaced. For God the Father has given Him the place of glory and honor in heaven.
6. The High Priest on the Throne
When Jesus sprinkled His blood on the Mercy Seat, He did something that the Old Covenant High Priest could not do. He sat down on the throne- Ephesians 1:20; Revelation 3:21; 21:5; Acts 2:30. This High Priest is on the throne, because His work is complete- Zechariah 6:13.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Sacrifices! We had just discussed in the previous podcast, how God had established a Tabernacle, a sacrifice system and a priesthood as the way for the Hebrew to approach Him. We saw how the Tabernacle was a physical representation showing us the way to God. We now want to learn about the sacrifices which are so strange to our western minds- doesn’t seem logical to our culture do they?
1. Background
In the beginning, God created a perfect universe that was orderly and harmoniously, operated within His will. But humanity chose to rebel against God’s will. Man’s rebellion brought chaos and destruction on himself and everything around him. We only need to look around to realize this truth. God calls man’s rebellion- SIN. He says we all do it because it’s our nature- it is within us. A lot of people try to blame the devil for their actions. But God says sin is an inside job.
2. The Sacrifice System
Now God is going to make things even clearer by establishing an elaborate sacrificial system. The system would have five types of sacrifices. Each sacrifice would uniquely reveal something about the nature of the final sacrifice when God would give Himself on humanity’s behalf. Taken as a whole, they would form a complete picture of the perfect sacrifice. That way everybody would recognize Him when He came on the scene.
3. The Sin Offering
Let’s begin with the Sin Offering- Leviticus 4:1-5, 13; 6:24-30. You present the Sin offering to God because you are a sinner. The Ten Commandments made that very clear. Oh, you tried hard enough to keep them, but you couldn’t. There was something within you that caused you to fall short of their demands. You see before knowing Jesus, you were not a sinner because you had sinned; but you sinned because you were a sinner. That’s who you were, it was your nature. You inherited it from Adam. So as an Old Covenant Hebrew, in order to approach a Holy God, you must have a Sin Offering.
4. The Trespass Offering
Whereas the Sin Offering deals with your position before God, the Trespass Offering addresses your walk with God- Leviticus 5:14-19; 7:1-10. You offer it for the sins you have committed, rather than for sin itself. Old Covenant Saints were not born again as we are. Indeed they had a covenant with God as Abraham’s descendants, but they were still sinners by nature. When they sinned, they needed to bring a Trespass Offering.
5. The Burnt Offering
Now that you have expressed a desire for communion with God, you want to offer yourself to Him. You indicate this through the Burnt Offering. The Burnt Offering expresses your readiness for communion with God. It is a voluntary offering of yourself. God doesn’t force you to make this offering. You present yourself of your own free will- Leviticus 1:3-17; 6:8-13.
6. The Meal Offering
You now come to the Meal or Grain Offering. Now that you have expressed a desire and readiness to commune with God, you want to walk with Him and serve Him. The Meal Offering symbolizes your walk in communion with God- Leviticus 2; 6:14-23.
7. The Peace Offering
You have expressed a desire for communion with God through the Sin Offering and Trespass Offering. You have expressed a readiness for communion through the Burnt Offering and Meal Offering. You are now going to celebrate that communion through the Peace Offering- Leviticus 3; 7:11-36. This is the one you have been looking forward to presenting.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Tabernacle! Along with giving the Ten Commandments, God gave some additional directions. He gave special instructions for building a Tabernacle, for establishing an elaborate system of sacrifices, and for ordaining a priesthood. After receiving these instructions, Moses built an altar and offered a sacrifice to God. He took the blood of the sacrificed animals and splashed it against the altar. Then after publicly reading the Ten Commandments and other laws before the nation, he applied blood to the people themselves. In the same manner, he sprinkled blood over the Book of the Covenant containing the Ten Commandments and all the laws. Later he would sprinkle blood over the Tabernacle and all its furnishings used in worship as well as those who would minister as priests- Hebrews 9:18-22.
1. The Old Order
As we see, God never intended for the Hebrews to approach Him by trying to keep the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments can’t offer the blood evidence of a life given. God intended the Hebrews to approach Him the way He had always intended, through a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. That’s His provision. That’s His only provision.
2. The Campsite
The tribes of Israel were camped around the Tabernacle in specific locations which God assigned to each of them. Also, each tribe flew its own flag. Speaking to Moses and Aaron, God says in Numbers 2:2, “Each tribe will have its own tent area, with its flag pole and tribal banner; and at the center of these tribal compounds will be the Tabernacle.” Then God assigns the tribal locations as recorded in the rest of Numbers chapters 2 & 3.
3. The Brazen Altar
The first object staring you in the face as you enter the courtyard is the BRAZEN ALTAR (brazen means brass)- Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7. It is seven and a half feet square and four and a half feet high. The Altar is the place where you make your sacrifice. It is called the “Altar of Burnt Offering” in Exodus 30:28. Leviticus 1:9 describes the burnt offering as, “an aroma pleasing to the Lord”- it is the smell of atonement for sin.
4. The Brazen Laver
The next object you encounter is the BRAZEN LAVER. The Laver is a wash basin, perhaps “four or five feet high, filled with water. It is made of polished brass. When Aaron and his sons were consecrated, or set apart as priests, they washed their entire body in the Laver (Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 8:6). This was a ceremonial cleansing. Thereafter, they only had to wash their hands and feet. God required them to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle and before ministering at the Altar. Exodus 30:17-21; 38:8.
5. The Holy Place
You now approach the door of the Tabernacle. It is a linen veil of blue, purple and scarlet. Behind it are hidden the truths of God. Once inside, you see another veil that divides the Tabernacle into two rooms; the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The first outer room is called the Holy Place- Exodus 25:30-40; 37:10-28. There are three pieces of furnishings in the Holy Place; the Golden Candlestick, the Table of Shewbread, and the Incense Altar.
6. The Holy of Holies
The second veil separates the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This veil was so woven together that two pairs of oxen attached to either side and driven in opposite directions could not tear it apart. Behind this veil is the throne room of God. Only the High Priest can enter God’s presence and only on the Day of Atonement once a year.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Wilderness Part 2! There are many types and shadows for us to learn from the people of Israel on their journey to the Promise Land. Since we too face our Promise Land, a spiritual kingdom flowing with life, and that more abundantly. Yes there are giants of doubt, fear, cancer, lack and the like, but we have God’s Word that cannot fail. The Word of God will always work when we mix it with faith. If it did not work, it’s because we did not work it according to the principles in the Bible. Ask God for wisdom and go after it again, because God rewards those who diligently seek Him and do not take “No” for an answer- Hebrews 11:6. It’s all about God’s glory and seeing His Kingdom advance!
1. Korah’s Rebellion
As you can imagine, the Hebrews were very upset about missing their Promise Land. All they had to look forward to was to spend the rest of their lives in the desert- the only hope was for their children to enter in on their behalf. I would imagine that a number of them allowed themselves to become very bitter, but it was their own fault- don’t blame God.
2. Water from the Rock
As the Hebrews moved back into the desert, there was no water for them to drink; you know the drill already- they complained about it. There is something very significant about this event as it pertains to Moses. The Lord tells Moses to speak to the rock this second time instead of striking it like he did before in Exodus 17:1-7. This was prophetic since the rock speaks symbolically of Jesus that accompanied them. Jesus was struck once speaking of the crucifixion which was to be done once for all men, that is why Moses struck the rock the first time. However, this second time the Lord instructs Moses to speak to the rock and living water would flow- now all we have to do is ask in Jesus’ Name to receive from God.
3. Balak and Balaam
Balaam was a magician or soothsayer who was summoned by the Moabite king Balak to curse the Israelites before they entered Canaan in Numbers 22:5-24:25. Balaam lived in ARAM in the town of Pethor on the Euphrates River. A curious mixture of good and evil, Balaam wavered when he was asked by Balak to curse the Israelites.
4. Joshua Succeeds Moses
When the Lord was preparing Moses for his death, He reminded him that he had disqualified himself from entering in due to striking the rock instead of speaking to it as instructed. Yet Moses was not bitter from what we can tell, as a matter of fact the first thing that was on his mind was to ask the Lord to find a replacement for him to continue to watch over the people as a shepherd.
5. Don’t Forget the Lord
There is a key to understanding why God led them through the desert and provided for them as He did. The Lord was trying to instill in them a lifestyle of obedience to God’s Word, to seek God first in everything as their source. To never put confidence in man, but to honor the Lord by obeying His Word always. God speaks prophetically concerning the future, in regards to the Promise Land; God’s awesome provision for their lives, God’s Covenant promise to Abraham. However, God warns them about the trap of self-sufficiency, becoming arrogant, forgetting about God who graciously had given them all this. Being so presumptuous as to think, by their own skill and wisdom they became wealthy, taking the credit; but it was God who gave them this ability, because He honors His Covenant of Love- so it is for us today, please don’t forget this principle!
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Wilderness Part 1! The teaching on the “Wilderness” experience of the children of Israel will address the highlights and major events over a 40 year period. I will try to cover the material in sequential order as much as possible. The primary objective of this teaching series is to accomplish what is so eloquently stated in 1 Corinthians 10, “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” God records these events for our benefit as warnings and illustrations for us not to make the mistakes they made. So let’s learn from these historical events as New Covenant believers in Jesus!
1. The Waters of Marah
Their first test in the desert came after three days of being in the desert they came to a place called Marah (which means bitter) and found the water was bitter. Israel’s response was that they grumbled against Moses, an unfortunate and habitual pattern that would be repeated many times to their own demise. Yet in the New Covenant we are instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We don’t give thanks for the circumstance, but in the circumstance we give God the glory!
2. Manna and Quail
For the 40 years the people of Israel were in the desert, God provided for their every need. God was revealing to them that He was their source; the provider, the supplier, their all in all. Just think, every day God was faithful to give them their daily bread until in Joshua 5:11, the manna stopped the day after they first ate the produce of the Promise Land.
3. Water from the Rock
Water is essential to sustain life, God knows this, and one could reason that if God delivered them from Egypt, surely He will not let them die from thirst. Unfortunately, they complained and quarreled with Moses again. Notice the response Moses gave in Exodus 17:2, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” Interesting, so complaining and grumbling about things is a lack of faith, a lack of trusting in God, giving into fear, worrying about the bad things that could happen- doubting God’s ability to take care of us!
4. The Golden Calf
This event is probably one of the most famous in the Old Covenant. It represents supreme betrayal and rebellion. God had delivered the nation from hundreds of years of bondage, parted the red sea, supernaturally fed them and led them by a pillar of fire by night and a cloud of smoke by day. Just prior to Moses ascending Mount Sinai, God appeared to the people in a cloud of glory and spoke to them- the Covenant confirmed and the fear of God was put into them not to sin and break the Covenant.
5. Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses
The following historical event is significant because it deals with the age old issue of submission and authority and humanity’s continual challenge with authority. It also speaks of jealousy that takes place and the consequences of it.
6. Exploring Canaan
The place is Kadesh Barnea on the outskirts of the Promise Land; at last the people of Israel are on the verge of entering into their land flowing with milk and honey. This is the same land that God had promised Abraham for his decedents to inherit. After all this time, God’s promise is about to be manifest. This is one of the great Old Covenant stories, for it teaches volumes on the principles of faith.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Red Sea and the Law! With the death of Egyptian firstborns, the people of Israel began their exodus from Rameses to Succoth that memorable night in the month of Abib, or April, about 1450 B.C. There were about 600,000 men on foot besides women and children- so around 2 million, Exodus 12:37. The length of time the Israelites had been in Egypt according to Exodus 12:40 was 430 years to the day.
1. Pharaoh takes the Bait
What is incredible at this point is that God is not done with Pharaoh yet. The king of Egypt gets lured into a trap by God Himself! Pharaoh’s army according to Josephus was 50,000 horsemen and 200,000 footmen. Now the Lord was going to finish them off once and for all- Exodus 14:1-4.
2. Mount Sinai
Next Moses led the Israelites through the towering mountains into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped on an extensive plain at the base of the “mount of God.” This was the birthplace of the Hebrew nation. The peninsula is shaped like a triangle, and is an area of great contrasts. It appears to hang from the southeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea with its base serving as the land bridge between Egypt and Israel. The peninsula is bounded on the west by the Gulf of Suez and on the east by the Gulf of Aqaba.
3. The 10 Commandments
The Decalogue (from the Greek, “10 words” or “10 sayings”) given to Moses at Mt. Sinai was a moral code of 10 commandments written on two tables of stone. In Hebrew the name is “Ten Commandments” (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; 10:4). It is also called “the moral law,” “the two tablets of the testimony” (Exodus 34:29), “the tablets of the covenant” (Deuteronomy 9:9), and “His covenant” (Deuteronomy 4:13). In the New Covenant it is called “the commandments”, (Matthew 19:17; Romans 13:9) and “the Law” (1 Timothy 1:7-10).
4. The Mosaic Law
The Ten Commandments are a statement of the terms of the covenant God made with His chosen people; and in this respect they are to be distinguished from the elaborate system of law known as the Mosaic. The vast legal system of Israel’s civil, criminal, judicial, and ecclesiastical systems were framed after the covenant law- not with a view of expanding it, but to enforce it.
5. The Purpose of the Law
The purpose of the Law was to frustrate us, God’s perfect standard was unattainable in our own strength, devices or pursuits. We simply cannot live the perfect life in motive, thought and action that God requires. The Law reveals our awful dilemma, doomed to destruction as the devil and his crowd is, but in the midst of this despair, God revealed His answer, a Savior- Galatians 4:21-29; Acts 28:23-24.
6. The Covenant Confirmed
When Moses had conferred upon the people all the Lord’s words and laws they responded with one voice, “Everything the LORD has said we will do.” Moses wrote down everything the Lord had said and build an altar at the foot of the mountain- Exodus 24:1-4. Something extremely important was now to take place- sealing God’s covenant with the People of Israel through blood. According to Hebrews 9:18, the first covenant was put into effect through blood.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Passover! The word ‘Passover’ in the Hebrew means: “To Pass” or “Spring Over” or “To Spare”. Exodus Chapter 12 begins with the creation of the Jewish calendar- Exodus 12:1-2, “The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, ‘This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.’”
1. Why a Lamb?
The Lord went on to instruct them that on the tenth day of the new month they are to take a lamb for his family, one for each household- they must be year old males without defect or blemish. They are to keep the lamb with the family for the next four days so they become familiar and attached to it- making the sacrifice that much more personal. Why a lamb and not an adult sheep or goat, perhaps the lamb symbolizes innocence, being only a year old.
2. A Lamb Defeats a Serpent
This was the Lord’s Passover, and we see that He used the blood of the lamb as the means for bringing His people out of bondage to Egypt. Now the symbol of Egypt was the serpent. In the Bible, the serpent represents Satan- Genesis 3:15; Revelation 12:9. What God is saying with this exodus is that in His own appointed time, He will use the blood of the lamb to destroy Satan’s power and set people free from bondage to him.
3. Jesus Partook of Passover
Let’s look at how Jesus partook of the Passover under the Old Covenant on that night when Jesus and His disciples met together to eat the Passover- Matthew 26:19; Mark 14:16; Luke 22:13. The manner in which the Passover feast was kept by the Jews of that period differed in many details from that originally prescribed by the rules of Exodus 12. The multitudes that came up to Jerusalem met as they could find accommodation.
4. The Lamb on the Cross
Jesus went out and had a personal confrontation with Satan. At 9 o’clock that morning as the lambs were being prepared for sacrifice, Jesus was nailed to the cross in Mark 15:25. The third hour was 9 o’clock in the morning, Jewish time. There He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The Lord laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted. Yet He opened not His mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter. His strength was poured out like water. His bones were out of joint and His heart melted like wax. His strength dried up like sun-baked clay. His tongue stuck to His mouth. His bones protruded out of His body. He was sheared like a lamb at the slaughter house. His heel was bruised- See Isaiah 53; Psalms 22:14-17. These are prophecies describing Jesus’ crucifixion.
5. The Lamb on the Throne
In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, John stood before the One on the throne who had a scroll with writing on the inside and the back. It was sealed with seven seals. John heard a mighty angel with a loud voice saying. “Who is worthy to open the book and loose the seals?” No one in heaven, nor in earth, nor under the earth was able to open the book. No one could even look upon it. Then John wept, for no one was found worthy to open and read the book, neither to look upon it. One of the elders before the throne said unto John, “Weep not! Look, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book.” As John turned to see this lion, he saw standing in the center of the Throne. A Lamb as it had been slain. The Greek word John chose to refer to this lamb is arnios. It means a little, “pet lamb.” Just like back in Egypt.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The birth of a nation! God made an incredible statement in regards to His purpose for Israel, their destiny as a nation for generations to come in Exodus 19:5, as a “Treasured Possession.” In the original Hebrew language, ‘treasured possession’ means a rare jewel, peculiar and special! The nation of Israel were to be unique above all other nations, as God's representatives to the nations. A kingdom of priests infers the unique role as mediators, intercessors and stewards of God’s Holy Covenant. When God spoke of this covenant with Abraham, his descendants were meant to be a blessing to all nations by preaching the gospel message of their time throughout the world; to be a salt and a light as the Church of Jesus Christ is destined for in this dispensation.
1. Israel in Egypt
A period spanning approximately from 1525 BC to 1400 BC. The closing verses of Genesis leave the Israelites enjoying the favor and bounties of Egypt. The opening chapter of Exodus reveals a very different situation. During the long years the descendants of Jacob had lived in Egypt, the original small group had increased in number and in wealth until “the land was filled with them.” Then “there arose up a new king ... which knew not Joseph” (Exodus 1: 8), and who chose to forget Joseph’s past benefits to the nation of Egypt. From a position of royal favor, Joseph’s people were reduced to servant hood.
2. Moses the Deliverer
According to Stephen’s speech recorded in the seventh chapter of Acts, the life of Moses was divided into three periods of 40 years each: (l) 40 years in Egypt as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, Exodus 2: 1-15; Acts 7: 23; (2) 40 years in Midian, Exodus 2: 15-4: 19; Acts 7: 30; and (3) 40 years from Egypt to the crossing of the Jordan, Exodus 4: 20-Deuteronomy 34; Acts 7: 36. Moses was the son of Amram and Jochebed, both of the tribe of Levi, who had two older children, Aaron and Miriam. At the time of Moses’ birth in about 1525 B.C., the Egyptians were attempting to destroy all Hebrew male children as soon as they were born.
3. The Exodus
God predicts that Pharaoh will harden his heart against God and will not let the Hebrew people go. Looks like a show down between God Almighty and the gods of Egypt; supernatural workings will allow all kinds of plagues to descend upon the Egyptians. Yet God’s people were not going to leave Egypt empty handed- let’s say over 400 years of back wages, payback time- Exodus 3:18-22. The next step was to confront Pharaoh. Moses and Aaron made the request that Pharaoh allow the Hebrew people to make a three days’ journey into the wilderness in order to sacrifice to the Lord their God. This first attempt not only failed, but Pharaoh increased the amount of work required of the Israelites- now they had to find their own straw, but still meet the same quota of bricks.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Patriarchs! The word patriarch means the head of a father’s house. The founder or ruler of a tribe, family, or clan; the forefathers of the Israelite nation. The phrase, “The Patriarchs” usually refers to the tribal leaders of Israel who lived before the time of Moses. Specifically, it is used of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the 12 sons of Jacob. Therefore, the patriarchs were the ancestors of the Israelites from Abraham to Joseph. The name Abraham was given him by God meaning, “Father of a multitude” was the first and great patriarch in the Bible of ancient Israel and a primary model of faithfulness for Christianity.
1. The Call of Abraham
Abraham was a native of Chaldea, and descendant in the ninth generation from Shem, the son of Noah. His father’s name was Terah, and he was born in the land of Ur (present day Iraq) his home, is the modern Mugheir, the primeval capital of Chaldaea in ancient southern Babylonia. Prior to age 70 when Abram was called to leave his homeland, we do not have much record. When Abram was about seventy years of age he, with his father, Terah, his nephew Lot and his wife Sarai, went to live in Haran.
2. The Covenant is Confirmed
Thirteen more years passed, and Abram reached his ninety-ninth year. God appeared to him and favored him with still more explicit declarations of His purpose. He changed his name from Abram to Abraham, renewed his covenant and in token of it commanded that he and the males of his company should receive circumcision. In verse 15, Sarai’s names was changed to Sarah. God took the “h” out of Jehovah, and added it to Abraham’s and Sarah’s names as a result of the covenant.
3. Isaac
I’SAAC (i’zak; Heb. yishaq, “laughter,” i.e., “mockery”). The only son of Abraham by Sarah. The name Isaac was fitly chosen by Jehovah in commemoration of the child’s miraculous birth in Genesis 17:19, and of the obvious laughter and joy as a result. The birth of Isaac occurred around 2061 BC when Abraham was a hundred years old and Sarah ninety-Genesis 21:5. He was circumcised when he was eight days old and his mother’s skeptical laughter was turned into exultation and joy.
4. Jacob
JA’COB (ja’kob; “heel-catcher, supplanter”; by popular etymology, but perhaps “he whom God protects,” from Arab. and Ethiopic `akaba, “guard, keep”).
The second born of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, their conception being supernatural in answer to Isaac’s prayer. Jacob was born when his father was sixty years old, probably at Beer-lahai-roi in Genesis 25:21-26, about 2001 BC. The fact Jacob as a new born baby was grasping his brother’s heel would be significant in later life.
5. Jacob Serves Laban
Arriving at Haran, Jacob met Rachel, Laban’s daughter, by whom Jacob’s coming was made known to her father. After a month, Laban inquired what wages Jacob desired for his services and he asked for Rachel on the condition of seven years’ service. After which Jacob begins reaping all the deception he had sown previously.
6. Joseph
JOSEPH (jo’zef; “may he,” i.e., Jehovah, “add”). The eldest son of Jacob and Rachel, born while his father was still serving Laban in Genesis 30:22-25, about 1910 BC. After his birth Joseph is mentioned in connection with his father’s flight from Laban in Genesis 33:2,7 and then no more until he was seventeen years of age.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Covenant Part 2! In the previous episode we had laid a foundation concerning blood covenant. There are many benefits to entering into an earthly blood covenant: Protection, Provision, Posterity and Relationship. The generation of Job and Abraham did not know anything other than God protecting and blessing them financially. You can’t sell that old lie of the devil that God brings poverty on all of us to keep us humble to the Jewish folks, their Bible does not say that, neither does ours. Nor that God makes us sick or a victim of trials, tests and temptations.
1. God’s Covenant with Job
Job had a covenant with God, a life keeping Covenant. The reason I say that he had a life keeping Covenant is because in Job 2:6 the Lord forbids Satan from taking his life. If you read Job 1:1-11 we see some insights, God does not put a hedge of protection and bless everything that an individual has for no reason. Job had to have a covenant with God in order for God to legally intervene in Job’s life on his behalf. Moreover, we see in verse one that Job kept the requirements of the covenant and in verse 5 he sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord on a regular basis- we see these things are not automatic.
2. God’s Covenant with Abraham
Adam, Job, Noah and others could have served as God’s choice to create a nation through which the promised Seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent. However, none of them were suitable for what God needed until He found Abram in Ur of the Chaldeans. So what was so special about Abraham that made him acceptable in God’s sight? Genesis 18:18-19 provides the reason why. Certainly Abraham had chosen to walk by faith and live a life of obedience in regards to God’s directives. However, more importantly, he would pass the legacy of his covenant with God onto his children- that was God’s main requirement!
3. Abraham’s Test of Faith
Do you recall that Abraham slept through the covenant? God did it all. Abraham had nothing to do with it. God is proving Himself faithful so now it’s time to test Abraham’s faithfulness to the covenant. Did he really believe in his heart? Was it just mental assent, an empty ritual he was going through? Remember, when a covenant is cut, each part completely surrenders himself in loving trust to the other party. He must be willing to give his total being, his total life, his total heart to the one he is in covenant with. It is a dying to one’s self and a surrender of yourself to the one you are in covenant with. The blood covenant is not a mere intellectual understanding between Abraham and God, or you and God. There is only one way to find out Abraham’s commitment to the covenant. That way is to test Abraham with that which is most dear to him- his only son Isaac.
4. The New Covenant Parallel
Jesus, speaking to the Jewish leaders said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad” in John 8:56 RSV. The apostle Paul writes that the gospel was preached to Abraham (Galatians 3:8). In Romans 9:8 in the Living Bible Paul writes, “not all of Abraham’s children are the children of God, but only those who believe the promise of salvation He made to Abraham.” God asks us to believe the same thing He asked Abraham to believe. He asks us to believe that Jesus, the Son of God, has entered into a covenant with God the Father on our behalf.
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Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The Covenant Part 1! Let’s lay a foundation concerning blood covenant. The basis by which God and the ancient civilizations entered into agreement with one another. If we go to certain parts of the world today, the practice of covenants in blood are still as active as they were thousands of years ago. To our western mindset, the subject of blood covenant may conjure up images of barbaric primitives or aboriginal practices of ignorant peoples. Yet the whole concept of covenant was established by God Himself as a solemn legal contract or agreement. Even today we practice many forms of covenant in our society and do not even realize it. I am absolutely convinced that the subject of blood covenant is one of the most important and misunderstood subjects in the Bible. When the child of God fully grasps in his/her spirit the ramifications of these powerful truths, all things truly become possible to them who believe as Jesus said in Mark 9:23.
1. Covenant Dynamics
The first covenant recorded in the Bible was between God and Adam and Eve when an animal was slain and its skin used as a covering for them in Genesis 3:21. Job had a covenant with God, a life keeping Covenant, when he finally got his mind on his Covenant instead of his problems. We can’t get anything from God with self-pity which is selfishness in manifestation. God cut the Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. The subject of blood covenant is huge in the Bible, without it there would be no salvation for mankind- PERIOD!
2. The Hebrew Ritual
The Hebrews had a blood covenant ritual that was similar to the other nations around them. All nations practiced blood covenant because man instinctively sought this relationship. So this practice was not unique to the Hebrews. Something very important to note right now. Any blood covenant that involves the drinking of blood is not of God, but is a perversion of the real thing.
3. David and Jonathan Cut Covenant
The covenant that was made between these two men is significant in that it illustrates the far reaching power that covenant has on the lives of those it affects- the story begins in 1 Samuel 18:1-9.
4. The New Covenant and You
Our New Covenant does not have a curse associated with it, since Jesus fulfilled God’s terms of the covenant perfectly. However, we must still exercise faith in the provisions of the covenant and uphold the royal law of the New Covenant and walk in love. God says, “And here are the terms of the covenant. I’ll take all your liabilities, all your sins, on Myself and become sin for you. I’ll forgive your iniquities and remember them no more- Hebrews 8:7-13. I’ll take all your self-righteousness and give you My own righteousness which is pure and holy and acceptable to Me”- 2 Corinthians 5:21.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Pentateuch! The time of Noah and the flood is a bit of a mystery in the Scriptures. However, in the book of Genesis we do get a glimpse of what had transpired for approximately 1,656 years from Adam to Noah. Due to the long life spans leading up to Noah’s flood, it is speculated that as many as five billion people or more could have been alive at the time God sealed the door to Noah’s ark and the deluge came upon the earth. The life span of people was greatly reduced when capped to 120 years due to the effects of sinful human nature living so long on the earth.
1. The world before the Flood
So what was life like on the earth before Noah’s flood. What kind of people were they? When God had created Adam and Eve, he told them in Genesis 1:28, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” The depravity was widespread. And it was inward, continual and habitual. God was forgotten or openly defied according to the Scriptures. It is generally believed that there were only two branches of the race of man. One, a godly line through Seth (third son of Adam and Eve), and the other, an ungodly line through Cain.
2. The Profile of a Giant
It was the purpose of Satan and his fallen angels to corrupt the human race and thereby do away with pure Adamite stock through whom the seed of the woman should come- Genesis 3:15. This would avert their own doom and make it possible for Satan and his kingdom to keep control of the planet earth indefinitely. This, he tried to accomplish by sending some of his fallen angels to marry the daughters of men in (Genesis 6:1-4), and produce a nation of giants through them.
3. The Ark and Deluge
Up to 1850 A.D. there was no ship in the history of the world as large as the ark. The capacity of the ark was equivalent in tonnage to more than 600 freight cars, which would form a train about 4 miles long capable of handling over 90,000,000 pounds. When the catastrophe came, the physical means employed were twofold, namely the breaking up of the “springs of the great deep” and the opening of “the flood gates of heaven” in Genesis 7:11.
4. God’s Covenant with Noah
God makes an everlasting covenant with all life on the earth to last throughout all generations; He will never again destroy all life on the earth by a flood. As a sign of this covenant, the presence of a rainbow appears for the first time and becomes a perpetual reminder for us and God that even though mankind is wicked and deserves to be wiped out, God will honor His covenant with humanity and will not destroy the earth with another flood.
5. Table of Nations
It is interesting to note that all races, colors, and distinct physical characteristics of men came into being after the flood. Since Noah and his three sons and their wives were the only survivors of the great deluge. Even though today we have many distinct ethnic groups, we must remember we all came from the same family tree!
6. Tower of Babel & Division of the Earth
In the 100 years after the flood, mankind traveled from Mt. Ararat in Armenia to the east of the Euphrates where they settled. The whole world at that time had one language. Humanity were not divided as to tongues and nations until after the event of Genesis 11:1-9. Hence, Genesis 10 gives the earliest division of mankind after the confusion of tongues and before the division of the earth into continents and islands which took place in the days of Peleg- Genesis 10:25.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Pentateuch! The Garden of Eden was not a place of idleness. Adam was not only a zoologist, he was also a horticulturist. The beauty and productivity of Eden were not the result of God’s creative work only; Adam kept and tended the garden, giving it touches of human handiwork. Creative occupation is positively essential for fulfillment. Work became “toil” only when sin entered the scene.
Genesis 2:15
"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."
1. Adam and Eve
Just think, Adam named all the animals, but none of them was suitable to be a helper or companion for Adam- Genesis 2:19-20. A dog may be man’s best friend, but it is nothing compared to the woman God had created for him! Human beings are social creatures, they were made for companionship. In the garden, Adam had daily communion with the Lord. When Eve was created, he had constant companionship with a being of his own kind.
2. The Fall of Mankind
In Genesis 2:15, God told Adam to “take care of it or to keep it.” Which implies to guard and protect it from intruders. This is the first reference of an enemy to God and man. Why put that tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden in the first place anyway? What good is it to have a free will if we do not have an opportunity to make a choice to obey or disobey God’s command? Adam was created with the potential of immorality. Death would occur only if Adam disobeyed the command of God relative to eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
3. The Penalty of Death
The most disastrous consequence of the Fall was the introduction of death into the world. God had warned in Genesis 2:17 “…but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Sin entered into the world through Adam and Eve’s high treason; their rebellious act of aligning themselves with Satan. As a result, death came into the world, reigning and dominating mankind. The fall of man has brought him to the depths of baseness, at times man acts like an animal. That does not mean that we are animals. Saved and unsaved, we will all have to give an account to God one day, but the Bible makes no reference to this for animals.
4. The Promise of a Savior
In the midst of God pronouncing judgment in the Garden after Adam and Eve’s transgression, a promise was made that would change the destiny of mankind and undo what Satan had just done in the Garden.
Genesis 3:15
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The seed of the woman, meaning a man born of woman would crush Satan’s authority and release mankind from the slavery of sin and death. In other words, it would bring about the eventual doom of Satan.
5. Cain and Abel
The account of Cain and Abel is very significant because it points out a very important principle in regards to the means by which fallen man can be reconciled back to God. In other words, how to deal with the sin problem, in order for our relationship with God to be restored – Genesis 4:1-7.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Pentateuch! As we had concluded in the last episode on creation, the material universe was created and re-fashioned more than once. The world we live in and the life upon it was created and not evolved. There is a master architect and wonderful purpose behind God’s creation. The crowning creation on planet earth was the formation of the human race. Understanding our origins allows us to explain the present and look forward to enjoying an eternity with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
1. Created as Eternal Spirit Beings
First of all, mankind was created in the image of God; we are not some cosmic accident or creative matter floating through space. Through the act of pro-creation our bodies are formed in the womb, but it is God who creates the human spirit. At conception, God places the human spirit within that tiny body. The real you and the conceived life at conception are united by God Almighty!
Acts 17:26, “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.”
2. We are a Trichotomy
Man was created a tri-cotomy just as the glorious Godhead is referred to as the Divine Trinity. We are not just a physical body just as the Godhead is not the Father God only. I am a spirit, I have a soul, and I live in a body. The Godhead is comprised of God the Father, God the Son, And God the Holy Spirit. The three parts to our identity are: spirit, soul & body.
1 Thessalonians 5:23, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
3. Adam, the First Human Being
Adam’s name means in the Hebrew- Ruddy, to flush or turn rosy- red. Adam’s body was formed from the dust of the earth, or red clay- so were animals and birds. Scientists say that the 16 compound ingredients found in clay make up 16 primary elements of the human body. The earth supports and transfers vitamins and minerals into plant and animal life which we consume in order to nourish our physical bodies that originated from the ground.
Genesis 2:7, 19, “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air.”
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Pentateuch! As we explore the creation story together, there will be some insights that perhaps you have never known before concerning Genesis 1:1. The time before Adam and Eve ever came on the scene and the fact that the earth had to be re-created once again according to 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:5. The book of “Genesis” in the Bible means “Beginning”, but God has no beginning and is from the dateless past, so really the book of Genesis is really talking about humanity’s beginning or start on the earth.
1. Dateless Past
According to Christian doctrine, God alone is eternal. With the exception of God, the material universe, and everything else in all creation had a beginning. They were absolutely created, made “out of nothing,” by the power of Almighty God. Many of the pagan nations of the ancient world had their own creation stories. But in these stories, their gods evolved out of natural processes connected with the world itself. They believed the material universe was eternal, and it brought their gods into being. But Genesis declares that God existed before creation and is in full control of the physical universe. He called the physical world into existence out of nothing but by His own spoken Word. His power is absolute. He does not have to conform to nature and cannot be threatened by it- in this God is absolutely Sovereign.
2. The First Creation
Genesis 1:1- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. So what happened between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2? When God looked at the dark empty expanse of the universe, He did not say what He saw, but what He wanted- Psalms 33:6, 9. Genesis chapter one verse one, depicts the creation of angels and the inhabitants of this planet in that age before Adam and Eve. This original creation is referred to as the Pre-Adamite world for reference; or simply the world before Adam and Eve.We cannot say exactly how old the earth is because we do not know when the beginning was. God’s creation of the heavens and the earth in the beginning as stated in Genesis 1:1 could have been millions and billions of years ago. If geologists can prove the age of the earth to be what they claim, we have no scriptural authority to disagree. They cannot contradict the Bible, for it does not reveal any time element in connection with the earth’s original creation. This much is certain, according to Scripture, the earth is more than 6,000 years old, and there were inhabitants on the earth before the days of Adam.
3. Our Present Creation
Earth’s second perfect state and second habitation, began with the restoration of day and night. Notice what is being said in Genesis, “God Said,” He established the heavens and the earth with faith filled words. It is important to note that originally, God had created a canopy that was saturated with water, high above the earth- separated by an expanse of sky or air. This created a greenhouse effect that kept out harmful rays from the sun and allowed for conditions that would be lush and green on the whole surface of the earth. Before Noah’s flood, the earth never experienced rain, but a mist (KJV) and streams came up from the earth to water the whole surface of the ground- Genesis 2:4-6.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Pentateuch! Here we are starting a new season and I am really excited about this comprehensive study. I believe that it will provide an excellent foundation to your Christian faith. As we study the Pentateuch together (first 5 books of the Bible), we see the origin and fall of mankind, blood covenant, the birth, deliverance and journey of a nation to their Promise Land- rich in typology! What makes this study particularly exciting, is seeing how much Jesus was being foretold and revealed throughout the Old Covenant, announcing the Gospel to us in advance. Throughout this season as we dive into the dynamics of blood covenant and the Levitical Priesthood I have made many references in these episodes from one of my favorite Bible School textbooks, “The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread” by Richard Booker. I highly recommend this book for a greater look into this all important subject.
1. The Structure of the Bible
The 66 books of the Bible are of course, divided into two great sections, known familiarly as the Old and New Testaments. The term testament here carries the sense of “covenant” or “agreement.” Until well into the Christian era, what we now know as the Old Testament was referred to as “the Scriptures,” or “the Law and the Prophets.” When the books of our New Testament were written and recognized, the title “Old Covenant” was applied to the Scriptures of that day; “New Covenant” to the works of the apostles and their companions.
2. The Order of the Books
The arrangement of the books of the Bible as we have them now is in part chronological and in part logical. That is, the order is largely historical, in time sequence; and at the same time an arrangement by type of material is provided. The first books of the Old Testament are in the main historical, and carry the thread of narrative from creation to the return of Israel from captivity in Babylon. Following the historical books, whose record will provide the outline for most of this text, are placed the five books of wisdom and poetry. The last 17 books of the Old Testament are known as the prophetical books: the major and minor prophets. A similar pattern of arrangement is found in the New Testament. The first five books give the historical narrative and basis of fact upon which the remainder is built. Following the books of historical emphasis comes the Epistles or letters to the Churches. The New Testament closes, as does the Old, with a book of which the primary emphasis is on prophecy, directed toward the future, the book of Revelation.
3. Parallelism of the Old and New Testaments
It will be noticed that there is an interesting parallel in the arrangement of the books as they stand in our Old and New Testaments. It should also be noted that the relationship between the structures of the Old and New Testaments is progressive as well as parallel. The New Testament builds upon the Old Testament. The prophecies of the Old Testament, fulfilled in Christ, become the histories of the New Testament. We have, then, a grand ascent through the ages from creation to the Cross to the crown in another great “Pentateuch” or fivefold outline. The nexus or point of contact is the redemptive life, teachings, and atoning death of Jesus Christ.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Our glorious inheritance! The subject of the “Kingdom of God” or the “Kingdom of Heaven,” is referenced eighty five times in the Gospels as recorded in the New International Version of the Bible. It was a central theme that Jesus preached and taught all throughout His earthly ministry. What is the difference between the terminology “Kingdom of God” and the “Kingdom of Heaven”- using the New International Version? Well, neither of these terms are ever found in the Old Testament and the majority of the references are made by Jesus Himself in the Gospels. Interesting that all the references to the “Kingdom of Heaven” are made in the Gospel of Matthew. Bottom line I believe that both references “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Kingdom of God” mean the same thing.
1. An Invisible Kingdom Made Visible
Through faith in Jesus Christ we have become citizens of a heavenly kingdom, the Kingdom of God. As a result, we are entitled to unalienable rights, promises, benefits and blessings by God’s grace and through our faith in the Word of God. God has made abundant provision to supply, equip and endow us with all things that pertain to life and godliness while we are here on earth, and for all eternity.
2. The Manifestation of God’s Kingdom
Although the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John focus on the present aspect of the Kingdom of God, it is also clear that the Kingdom will be realized perfectly only at the SECOND COMING of Jesus. The Kingdom that came through the life and ministry of Jesus dawned in the form of a spiritual Kingdom. Although it was physically present in the deeds and words of Jesus, it did not overwhelm the world like it will at the Second Advent- Habakkuk 2:14.
3. What the Kingdom of God is Like
We need to relate the parable to Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God and to His miracles. This means that parables are more than simple folk stories; they are expressions of Jesus’ view of God, humanity, salvation, and the Kingdom of God He was ushering in through His ministry. A major theme in Jesus’ parables is the demand of following Him in authentic discipleship. Jesus has conferred upon us a Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit according to Romans 14:17. So let’s allow that Kingdom within us to have full expression in our lives; that those around us would see His light shine through us, and take note that we have been with Jesus!
4. Forget Not All His Benefits
It may be self-explanatory why the Scriptures in Psalms 103:1-12 would make the admonition to, “forget not all his benefits.” it seems to be human nature to have a short memory span, so the Bible is great about putting us into remembrance of essential truths. Knowing God’s precious promises should be a priority for every believer. If the Lord had went to all the trouble to provide a benefit, it would be rude on our part to ignore it- take the general area of salvation for example in Hebrews 2:1-4.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Our glorious inheritance! As born again Christians, we are already anointed. What does “anointing” mean? Well this term has its use from Genesis to Revelation. In the Old Testament, olive oil was poured upon the head of the prophet, priest and the king to be commissioned for service. It represented the Holy Spirit upon their lives, to empower them to carry out God’s work in the earth.
1. Old Testament Examples
The events written in the four Gospels was still considered under the Old Testament era, with the Old Covenant in effect. Yet the Holy Spirit was active upon the lives of the Old Testament saints even until the beginning of the Age of Grace. The few Old Testament saints that had the anointing upon them is now within every born again Christian! Jesus had said in Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for them who believes.”
2. The Anointing is a Person
It is easy to misunderstand the anointing as some esoteric cosmic force (Like “Use the Force Luke” in Star Wars), impersonal and generic like the forces of nature, such as electricity or gravity- invisible yet very real. Certainly the anointing is a powerful energy that produces tremendous results- parting of the Red Sea, raising the dead, the blind receive their sight, the lame walk and any other miracle that you can think of. The anointing is the result of a Person, the Person of the Holy Spirit. The anointing is the grace of God, the power of God, the creative force of God manifested through the Person of the Holy Spirit.
3. How the Anointing is Increased
There is an anointing on us, whether we recognize itor not; we are all called to stand in an office or ministry. And no matter which office we stand in, or what we are called to do, we can have something to do with determining the degree of our anointing. We can prepare ourselves for this anointing. If it doesn’t come on us, it’s because we didn’t prepare ourselves. Furthermore, the anointing can be increased. We can increase the anointing by studying the Word, by being prayerful and consecrated.
4. The Transference of the Anointing
Remember the story about the woman with the issue of blood. Medical science had given up on her, her condition was growing worse, her only option was to receive a healing form God. One day Jesus had showed up in her home town, and she said to herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” She heard of reports like in Luke 6:19, “and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.” Through faith this woman pressed through the crowd in order to touch the edge of His garment. It was the touch of faith that released the anointing into her body to be healed- faith is always the key to receiving and ministering in the anointing of the Holy Spirit!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Our glorious inheritance! So what is the purpose of the nine manifestations of the Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12:7 says, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” They are given by God to bless the entire Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and serves as confirmation to the lost when they hear the Gospel. We are told to ask God to manifest Himself along these lines for His glory and bless humanity- 1 Corinthians 14:1.
1. The Word of Knowledge
The Word of Knowledge is the supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit of certain facts in the mind of God. This has nothing to do with academics, someone’s IQ, experience or studying the Bible a lot. This is divine revelation of things not known to the individual concerning past and present things.
2. The Word of Wisdom
The Word of Wisdom is a supernatural revelation by the Spirit of God concerning the divine purpose in the mind and will of God; not be confused with natural wisdom that an individual acquires by experience. The Word of Wisdom always deals with future events that have not occurred yet.
3. Discerning of Spirits
The Discerning of Spirits gives us insight into the spirit world; limited to a single class of objects- spirits. It is important to realize that the manifestation of Discerning of Spirits is not just the, “discerning of devils or evil spirits” only. It is supernatural insight into the realm of spirits both good and bad.
4. The Gift of Faith
When the Holy Spirit manifests the Gift of Faith, the recipient is enabled to believe God in such a way that He honors their word as His own, and miraculously brings it to pass. The Gift of Faith is a supernatural endowment by the Spirit whereby that which is uttered or desired by God’s people, or spoken by God, shall eventually come to pass.
5. The Gift of Working of Miracles
A miracle from a Biblical perspective is a supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature; a temporary suspension of the accustomed order through the Spirit of God.
6. The Gifts of Healings
The manifestation of the Gifts of Healings are given by God for the supernatural healing of disease without natural means from any source. When a person is afflicted with a disease or suffered damaged tissue from an accident, and the natural healing process is sped up or instantly attained, that person received a healing from God.
7. The Gift of Prophecy
Prophecy is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit upon a believer in the form of supernatural utterance in a known tongue. The Hebrew word that is translated “to prophesy” means “to flow forth; to bubble forth like a fountain.”
8. The Gift of Tongues
The manifestation of the Spirit of God which gives the Spirit filled believer the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues in 1 Corinthians 12:10. Not to be confused with the devotional gift of speaking in other tongues for personal edification; which is the initial sign of being Baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire according to Acts chapter 2 and verse four.
9. The Interpretation of Tongues
The Interpretation of Tongues is the supernatural showing forth by the Spirit the meaning of an utterance in other tongues. It is not translation of the tongues (word for word); it is the interpretation of tongues. It does not operate unless the Gift of Tongues has been in operation.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Our glorious inheritance! So if the Holy Spirit is received through the new birth as stated in John 20:22. Why would Jesus tell the apostles who were presently born again at the time of Acts 1:3, to wait in the city of Jerusalem for the “gift my Father promised.” I thought they had already received the Holy Spirit in John 20:22? Is this another Holy Spirit? Obviously, there is only one Holy Spirit according to Ephesians 4:4. Jesus was talking about another experience with the same Holy Spirit. Being baptized with the Holy Spirit is today as it was then, essential, necessary and vital to the success of fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus commanded them not to begin this quest until they received this additional power from the Holy Spirit.
1. The Spirit Upon
There has been a lot of confusion in the body of Christ over this issue of a second distinct experience that a Christian is commanded to receive after the new birth. If this experience was automatically incorporated in the New Birth, then Jesus would not have needed to make it a command. One may say, “Well do I have to go to the upper room in Jerusalem to receive this power of the Spirit?” Fortunately for us the answer is no! The rest of the book of Acts records other people receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit outside of Jerusalem.
2. The Initial Sign
So how does one know whether or not they have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? We’ll examine the famous event that ushered in the Church Age- The Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4. We don’t speak in tongues to be filled with the Spirit, we get filled with the Spirit first and as a result we are enabled to speak with other tongues, with the Spirit giving us the utterance. The initial sign of one receiving the “Spirit Upon,” is the ability is speak in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives the individual utterance.
3. Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
There is definitely a Biblical pattern that was followed in the Book of Acts. Even though the 120 believers waited in the upper room for the day of Pentecost to come, before they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, we do not have to wait for the Holy Spirit today. Jesus had gone to the Father as He had promised and has poured out the Holy Spirit. Now it is only up to the individual to receive.
4. The Holy Spirit and Intercession
One of the most vital aspects of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in our lives is to aid us in our prayer lives. Along with being our teacher, He guides us in our prayers to the Father. Thank God we are not limited to our finite minds, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead is all knowing and can set things in motion that will protect and provide for us. All the believer has to do is yield themselves to the Spirit’s promptings.
5. Gifts vs Manifestations
If the Spirit of God through Paul, said He did not want the Church at Corinth to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts, it goes without saying that He does not want the Church of today to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts either. Unfortunately, some Christians know nothing at all about them- not even that such gifts exist. They think these gifts have been done away with. Paul may have addressed this subject with the Church at Corinth, but the message is for the Church Universal, and for the entire Church Age. As the Body of Christ, we are to eagerly desire that the gifts of the Spirit be made manifest among us and then leave it up to the Holy Spirit to use those whom He wills.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Our glorious inheritance! God has given us a portion of heaven in our lives today to enjoy and benefit from. This is just a deposit of the indescribable things yet to come. Thank God for the Holy Spirit, He is our comforter, advocate, counselor and helper! We are going to establish through God’s Word that there is more to Christianity than just going to heaven. Praise God, the Holy Spirit is everything that Jesus said He would be in our lives and so much more. Finally we will provide a Biblical foundation concerning understanding the anointing, speaking of the Holy Spirit Himself- Ephesians 1:13-14.
1. The Spirit Within
The Holy Spirit is the dynamic element in the believers life that makes us function as a supernaturally motivated, directed and empowered ambassador of Christ upon the earth. Without the Spirit of God in our lives, we would be in reality helpless, pathetic and miserable individuals. Yet why are there so many of God’s children following Him in their own limited strength and resources? The Father and Jesus knew how shallow and empty we would be on our own, so He sent us another comforter! It is the precious Holy Spirit who facilitates the very act of spiritual regeneration through the New Birth experience; as a result, His very presence is tabernacled within us- Titus 3:5-7.
2. You are God’s Temple
Now God dwells in each of us individually, no longer do we have to make some pilgrimage to some sacred shrine- we are that sacred temple in which God lives by His Spirit! We don’t have to face in a certain direction when we pray, to the east or up into the sky- God lives inside of us individually, and in the Body of Christ corporately- Ephesians 2:19-22.
3. A Well of Salvation Flowing Within Us
Within every human being, there is a longing for an intimate relationship, and fellowship with their creator God- whether they realize or admit it or not. Unlike the animal world, we are spirit beings, made in the image of God to live forever with or without Him. However, when sin entered the picture, we were separated and alienated from the One who loves us with an eternal love.
4. Led by the Spirit of God
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a personal guide in your life who could warn you of future events- good or bad. This personal guide would be 100% accurate all the time. He would always have your best interest at heart, leading you into the perfect will of God. This indescribable Person already lives inside you, the precious Holy Spirit.
5. A Resident Mentor Within Us
I personal believe that the greatest impact that the ministry of the Holy Spirit has upon the life of the believer, is as our personal mentor, coach and trainer. Of course He has our best interest at heart and is committed to make us the best for God’s glory. He is always with us in our high and low points of our lives, urging, prompting and encouraging us forward. The Holy Spirit’s main objective is to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Our glorious inheritance! According to the Scriptures Jesus is not just passively sitting around in heaven marking the days as they go by, just waiting for the Father to send Him back for the Church- NO! Now the ministry of Jesus encompasses the whole Church Universal throughout the earth. He is busier now than He was two thousand years ago when He had walked upon the earth. In fact His entire earthly ministry for us would not have been complete if He were not carrying on a ministry now on our behalf at the right hand of the Father.
1. Jesus our Great High Priest
Jesus had made the ultimate sacrifice for endless ages, the sacrifice of Himself for the remission of our sins. Just after His resurrection from the dead, Jesus entered the Holy of Holies in heaven with His own blood as our new High Priest of the New Covenant, in order to purchase our eternal redemption. When His blood was accepted by God the Father, it was then made possible for God on legal grounds to remit the sins of every person who would accept Christ as Savior and confess Him as their Lord.
2. Jesus our Intercessor
The moment a person puts their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are immediately placed under the protective care of the Great High Priest of the Universe. Jesus is our personal high priestly Intercessor! Jesus never takes a vacation, a nap, or is ever unaware of our situation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Because He is God, He is omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), omnipotent (all powerful), and omniscient (all knowing). There is nothing He can’t take care of for us! Jesus is always up close and personal, so let’s cast all our cares upon Him- 1 Peter 5:7.
3. Jesus our Mediator
Another office He fills today is that of Mediator. He mediates on our behalf as High Priest between God and man. Akin to intercessor, a mediator is a person midway between two parties who establishes an agreement or relationship between the parties and may act as a guarantor of that relationship. Mankind having been in a hopeless position of eternal separation from God, needed a mediator, one to represent their cause before God.
4. Jesus our Advocate
The word “Advocate” is the translation often given to the Greek word “parakletos” in 1 John 2:1. A word found elsewhere only in John’s Gospel as a title referring to the Holy Spirit; translated “Helper,” “Comforter,” “Counselor,” or “Advocate”- John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7. Ancient Greeks used the term for one called in to assist or speak for another, frequently in a court setting. Rabbis transliterated the word into Hebrew, using it to denote an advocate before God.
5. Jesus our Shepherd
One of the most endearing and yet practical offices that Jesus holds for us today is that of our Great Shepherd! The Bible mentions shepherds and shepherding over 200 times. However, the Hebrew word for shepherding is often translated, “feeding.” Shepherds led sheep to pasture and water (Psalms 23) and protected them from wild animals (1 Samuel 17:34-35). Shepherds guarded their flocks at night whether in the open (Luke 2:8) or in sheepfolds (Zephaniah 2:6) where they counted the sheep as they entered (Jeremiah 33:13). They took care of the sheep and even carried weak lambs in their arms (Isaiah 40:11).
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Our glorious inheritance! What Jesus accomplished for all mankind through His death, burial and resurrection was planned in the heart of God since the creation of the world. God’s plan of redemption was spoken about thousands of years before Jesus even came to earth in order to consummate God’s plan upon the earth. In fact, the entire Bible is a written record of God’s glorious blue print to redeem humanity from Satan, Sin and the Fall through Jesus Christ- the Father devised it, the Son fulfilled it, and the Holy Spirit enforces it today when we act upon God’s Holy Written Word- 1 Corinthians 8:6.
1. Justified Before God
God’s act of remitting the sins of guilty people, and accounting them as righteous. As a free gift, by His grace and through our faith in Christ. Not on the grounds of our own works, but on the basis of the law-keeping and redemptive blood-shedding of our Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf. Justification confers a legal status upon the believer by canceling all legal liability for past, present and future sins. Thus an open door is provided by which Gentiles and Jews alike stand on equal footing, as adopted children of God; heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ- Romans 8:17;Titus 3:7.
2. The Resurrection of Jesus
We know according to Scripture that Jesus bore our sins upon the cross, but He also suffered in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights- Matthew 12:40. Jesus bore the punishment of our sin, having been subjected to the horrors of hell on the behalf of all humanity. In other words, our sins sent Jesus to hell, and in hell He paid for our eternal punishment in three concentrated days and nights. Through Jesus Christ there is absolutely no reason for anyone to go to hell, since Jesus went there for us as our substitute.
3. The Blood of Jesus
Blood sacrifice to our western thinking is a foreign concept for sure. However, from the beginning of time, it was God’s method of choice in dealing with the sin problem. The best definition for sin is, “to miss the mark;” in other words, it means anything less than perfection. Sin has a horrible consequence called death as mentioned in Romans 6:23. The blood of a living creature is a powerful thing according to the Bible, the blood of a human being is even more powerful, but the blood of Jesus is the ultimate statement. According to the Bible, the blood has a deep spiritual meaning.
4. The Gift of Righteousness
Righteousness is all God, it is nothing we have earned! In biblical usage, righteousness is rooted in covenants and relationships. For biblical authors, righteousness is the fulfillment of the terms of a covenant between God and humanity through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Hebrew mind did not understand righteousness to be an attribute of the divine that is a characteristic of God’s nature. Rather, God’s righteousness is what God does in fulfillment of the terms of the covenant that God established with the chosen people, Israel.
5. The Force of Righteousness
When God becomes our righteousness, we become so righteous that Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” belongs to us. And who can forget Romans 8:33-34. Satan is a liar, when he comes to falsely accuse (even if it was true at one time, but now has been put under the blood of Jesus, so it becomes non-existent), we can overcome him by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony- Revelation 12:10-11.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Our glorious inheritance! It is God’s will that we know what Jesus has accomplished for us in His death, burial, resurrection and seating at the right hand of the Father; where He ever lives to make intercession for us. Words fail to describe the unimaginable riches of this glorious redemption that Jesus paid for on our behalf with His precious blood. This season is dedicated to “His glorious inheritance in the saints” that we may know and enter into the provision and plan of God for our lives here on this earth. Revelation knowledge from God’s Word is the key that unlocks Heaven’s bounty in our lives today; that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven- Matthew 6:10.
1. Spiritual Death
To fully appreciate what we are and have now in Christ through the new birth, we must come to the understanding of our former position when we were without hope and without God in the world- Ephesians 2:12. Do you remember what life was like for you before you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Certainly, from a natural perspective, life was empty and meaningless. The kind of life we had experienced was a result of our spiritual condition. The root problem was not physical things such as money, health, popularity, education etc. it was our spiritual affiliation- Ephesians 2:1-2.
2. The Power of the Cross
It was at the cross that God the Father nailed not only our sin, but our former sinful spiritual nature. When Christ died on the cross so did we; in the mind of God, we were identified with Christ. As a result, we are as dead to sin today as Jesus is. Sin has as much power and dominion over our lives as it does Jesus, which is none! What does it mean to be dead to sin? Simply read Romans 6:1-11.
3. A Spiritual New Birth
The greatest of all God’s miracles is the transformation, re-creation and metamorphosis of the human spirit from Satan’s nature to God’s nature; from Death to Life, from Darkness to Light. Another translation for “New Creation” is a “New Species,” something totally brand new, something that never existed before, a brand new start, a new beginning, starting all over again- with no past charged against us! With a new creation there is no spiritual past of wrong doing. Hence the phrase Jesus used, “Born Again” in John 3:3.
4. The Fruit of the Human Spirit
We need to understand that the love nature in our spirit must be fed a daily diet of the Word and prayer, and be exercised in our daily encounters with others, in order to be developed. The Bible calls the characteristics of our love nature “Fruit,” because fruit grows. It is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit either, but the fruit of our re-created human spirit with the life and love nature of God. Certainly, the Holy Spirit abides in our spirit through the new birth. Notice that love is the first fruit in Galatians 5:22-23.
5. Reconciliation
Oh such love, while we were shaking our fists at God in defiance, He still loved us and sent His own Son to die for our sins as our substitute. God could have very well have written off the human race and started over, but thank God He didn’t. He would have rather died on the cross than to live without us, so He provided a plan of redemption whereby He would reconcile estranged mankind back to Himself through Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus alone is the only way back to the Father God- John 14:6.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Faith that moves mountains! Here’s a simple definition for the word “Principle.” It’s a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviors. In the context of this episode, we are talking about Biblical principles that compliment, direct and govern the law of faith. Operating in faith by itself will fail, unless we also embrace and appropriate the accompanying principles of Love, Hope and Grace that serve as guard rails to keep us from getting into excess.
1. Faith Works by Love
Without the love of God operating in my life, I would not have a prayer to operate in the Law of Faith. Love is so essential and critical for the successful operation of faith according to Biblical principles. God’s laws always work in conjunction to the whole counsel of God’s Word. If I am trying to operate in faith, and yet am violating other Biblical laws, my faith will be undermined and short-circuited from working. When I put the principles of the Love of God first place in my life, then I can rest assured that my faith will flow without a hitch.
2. Hope, the Anchor for the Soul
Hope provides the vision, goals and objectives- target values and mission statement. It’s the purpose for what we do, the plans, and blueprints for God’s dreams. Faith brings to reality what hope imagines, while being supervised by love. Faith is the worker, laborer, producer of things hoped for. Faith makes things happen, the production or manufacturing department. Hope is called the helmet of our salvation, because the spiritual force of hope guards our minds from doubts. Hope, keeps us from losing our heads, and going off into the deep end- Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8.
3. By Grace Through Faith
There is a God-ward side and man-ward side to every spiritual transaction or encounter that we will ever have with God. God’s side or responsibility is to supply His grace- Grace: God’s power and ability in us to perform on our behalf, that which we are unable to do for ourselves. Our side or responsibility is to respond to God’s provision of Grace by releasing faith in God- Faith: Acting on what we believe in our heart in regards to God’s promises, and provisions of grace. Grace is God’s gift to us, but it is through faith, that one receives the gift- God’s grace gives, and our faith in God receives these gifts from His hand.
4. According to Your Faith
It is totally conceivable for a Christian who loves God and is dearly loved by God, to go through life never experiencing the first fruits of his/her inheritance. Tragically, this situation is quite common in the body of Christ. The reasons for this distressing state that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ find themselves in are many. I would like to suggest three general categories that we all find ourselves in that may be hindering us from receiving God’s best for our lives: Lack of Knowledge, Disobedience, or a Lack of Faith.
That may sound harsh and insensitive; however, I do not discount acts of mercy that God will spontaneously grant on occasion, but when we study the life and ministry of Jesus, if people received their need met it was because of their faith in the Son of God, and not the severity of their need. Some people believe if they can just get pitiful enough, God will be benevolent, and feel sorry for them. Yes, on occasion God will do that, but remember Hebrews 11:6, states that faith pleases God, not whining, pleading, and begging.
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The MOUNTAIN HAS NO CHOICE when we operate in the Spirit of Faith! We are calling it the way we want it; not the way it appears. Notice in the ministry of Jesus, that He talked to trees, to the wind, sea, dead people, and demons- they all obeyed Him. Jesus always operated in the Spirit of Faith. He did not have to meditate on the Scriptures through the Word of Faith principles in order to get the Word in His heart like we do. That is why many Christians get confused when nothing happens when they speak to the mountain, they have overlooked the precondition to faith; to believe in their heart that what they say will come to pass.
2. Three Kinds of Confession
The lordship of Jesus Christ- Romans 10:9
The Believer’s confession of his/her sins- 1 John 1:9
Faith in the promises of God in His Word- 2 Peter 1:2-4
So what is a confession you may ask. It’s affirming something that we believe, it’s testifying to something that we know and it’s witnessing to a truth that we’ve embraced.
3. Spiritual Dynamics of Confession
The confession of the believer does several things: First it locates us, where we stand on the matter. Second it fixes the landmarks of our life. Thirdly, it determines what we receive in life and for eternity. The reason the majority of Christians are weak even though they are earnest, is that they have never dared to make a confession of who they are in Jesus.
4. Contradictory Evidence- What Next?
There are many facts about our lives that are not in agreement with God’s Word. It may be a fact that we have a particular problem, like fear let’s say. These may be facts that are evident in our life, but it is not the final authority. What God’s Word says, is how He sees us, and truth always trumps facts.
5. Calling Those Things
Faith in the heart is a spiritual force inside the human spirit which comes from the Word God. Faith in the heart gives the human spirit the ability to conceive what God has promised, then after conception, eventually there will be a manifestation. The promises in the Bible are God’s will for you and me. But they will not come to us just because they are in the Bible. We must call them into our life.
6. Bible Confession is not Lying
We are not lying when we speak the truth of God’s Word over the circumstances of life: like calling ourselves healed when symptoms plague our body. God and Abraham were calling those things that were not as though they were. The Bible does not say, they were calling those things that were as though they were not. Abraham did not go around saying, “I’m not old, I’m not old.” If he had said that, he would have been lying. Some have never understood the difference between a lie and a confession. A confession is based on the Word of God. It may seem to the world as a lie, but if God said it, how could we be lying by saying what God has already said in His Word?
7. Believe You Receive
This principle, “Believe that you have received it” is such a crucial facet to the whole area of operating in the, “Spirit of Faith.” Once we have released the Spirit of Faith through the confession of God’s Word out of our mouth, the vital process of standing in faith until the manifestation of the promise begins. This is where the real fight of faith begins. Mark 11:24, Jesus said “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Faith that moves mountains! There are enemies in this hostile world that are bent on destroying our faith. We could take an entire season on this subject alone. For time sake, we will focus our study on three main ones: fear, doubt and unbelief. These are Satan’s main weapons that are designed to undermine, and destroy our faith in God. Let us now disclose these enemies, and discover some Biblical strategies in order to overcome them. 2 Corinthians 2:11,"In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."
1. Three kinds of Fear
Fear is a paralyzing force that holds people in a helpless grip of torment. It is of the devil, and is part of his arsenal to destroy mankind- fear is simply faith in the devil. When I looked up the Greek meaning of fear in my Vines Expository Dictionary, I discovered that there are many renderings, and applications in the Bible concerning the subject of fear. Everything ranging from a good kind of fear that speaks of a reverential, respect, and awe of God to a diabolical type that comes straight from the pit of hell.
2. Doubt, the Double Minded
In our study concerning the enemies of faith, we come to our next adversary- doubt. This subtle enemy plants itself into the minds of believers in order to hinder the flow of faith from their hearts. Doubt creates an instability in our lives, to waver and hesitate in putting faith in God and His Word. Until we are rooted and grounded in the Word, and established in our heart concerning God’s will, doubts will consciously or unconsciously, continue to hinder us in our faith walk.
3. Unbelief, the Sin of Disobedience
We have been saying that doubt is a condition that affects the soul area (mind, will and emotions), producing a double-minded wavering between believing God or the circumstances. Unbelief, is quite different in nature. It is a condition of the heart. It is a rebellious, disobedient, hardened, and callused heart that knows the will of God be stubbornly chooses to disobey it. This condition is much more serious than doubt. Doubts are the result of a lack of knowledge, and God’s Word in our heart, but unbelief knows the will of God, but still deliberately disobeys it- that person will never enter into God’s rest according to the Scriptures- Hebrews 3:7-13.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Faith that moves mountains! Before we begin examining the principles of “The Word of Faith” in light of the Bible, let’s clarify a few things right now. “The Word of Faith” message is not some charismatic fad that is here today and gone tomorrow, nor is it a label for a Christian denomination or representative of some religious group. These Biblical principles were first mentioned in the Bible by Moses in Deuteronomy 30:11-14.
1. Faith vs Works
We will explore the differences between the law of works under the Old Covenant, and the law of faith under the New Covenant. The purpose of the law was to reveal humanity’s inability to save themselves, but many have used the law to fabricate a law of religious works in order to save themselves, instead of relying on God’s grace. The good news of the Gospel is that reconciliation back to the Father God, is received through faith in Jesus Christ alone- Acts 4:12.
2. Two Word of Faith Principles
The spiritual law of “The Word of Faith” has two primary principles that govern its operation. The first one is the, “Word in your Mouth” and the second is the, “Word in your Heart.” The message of the “Word of Faith” is very simple. Simply, put God’s Word in your mouth until it gets into your heart. In time, faith will produces the substance of the promise in your life- the things hoped for.
3. Write and Wrong Thinking
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do I think this way concerning this area in my life?” It is probably because you heard it from someone else at some point in time. In most cases, the environment around us has influenced us with experiences that have affected our thinking. In other cases the Lord revealed things to you by His Spirit- 1 Corinthians 2:10-13.
4. Mental Assent
This subject alone has confused and defeated many Christians throughout the ages concerning the Biblical operation of faith. Mental assent has been called the, “devil’s counterfeit” to true Bible believing faith. A simple definition of faith is: To act on what we believe. The purpose of this particular study is to differentiate between acting out of head knowledge or heart faith. Mental assent can be simply defined as pre-mature faith in the form of head knowledge, accented by doubts in the mind. Contrast that with Bible faith of the heart that is fully persuaded- Romans 4:21.
5. Believing with your Heart
What does heart faith produce within a person? Bible believing faith operating within the heart of a believer, produces a sense of being fully persuaded, having reliance, assurance and confidence in what God says in His Word; regardless of what the five senses, and reasoning faculties may say about it. This is not some phony acting or pretense made out of emotion, and superficial sensationalism. This is not arrogance, conceit or presumption, but a supernatural grace that is released through faith to make us victorious in life for His glory!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Faith that moves mountains! This episode will bring forth revelation from God’s Word that will equip us with the keys of the kingdom. These keys of faith will unlock God’s possibilities in any impossible situation. Here are just a few objectives:
a) Layout the essential Biblical background and principles concerning Faith.
b) Build excitement in God’s possibilities for His children to enter into their Promise Land!
c) Point out areas of excess, pitfalls and misnomers that have lead Christians into ditches.
Romans 3:27 (KJV) “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No: but by the law of faith.”
1. What if Faith
Faith Is: Sure, Substance, Assurance, Confirmation, Title Deed, Certainty, Proof of Things, Conviction of their Reality, Perceiving as Real Fact. Faith in its very core is an action. This word is basically used in every book of the New Testament. For our purposes, in this episode we will be studying this particular use of the word; the Biblical operation of the law of faith. The simple implementation of the spiritual laws, and principles of faith.
2. Faith is the Substance
Faith as a “Substance” does not make sense to a lot of people. When most Christians here the word “faith,” they are only thinking of the one side of faith- the noun usage, “the Faith.” In other words, they are thinking of, “the tenants of the faith” represented in a creed- a belief system in statement form. However, the flip side of understanding faith is through Scripture as spiritual laws. I am talking about a faith in God that manifests the Kingdom of God on the earth, something that is real and tangible.
3. Faith is the Evidence
Now the word, “Evidence” is a legal term that denotes words like, “Proof or Title-Deed.” Faith is not some practice that weird religious nuts exercise. Some ridiculous notions of presumption and supposition. This, “Faith Business” as some ridicule, is really “God’s business of doing things.” It is very real from a spiritual standpoint. The word assurance (KJV) or proof (NIV) in Acts 17:31 is the same Greek word as faith.
4. Three Kinds of Faith
Natural Human Faith: Everyone has natural human faith, saint or sinner alike. It is simply believing with the five physical senses. What we feel, taste, touch, smell and hear.
Bible Believing Faith: not everyone can operate in the spiritual side of faith according to 1 Thessalonians 3:2. The unsaved are not born again, they do not have the Word of God in their heart. They have no legal standing to claim the promises of God without coming to Jesus first. Bible faith works out of the heart of the believer who has been born again.
Special Faith: Special faith is a temporary deposit of faith from God in our heart. Usually it is given in conjunction with the working of miracles. Special faith is a manifestation of the Spirit of God in a particular instance. This deposit of faith is beyond our capacity to believe.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Faith that moves mountains! We see in Scripture an amazing pattern with God that is repeated many times. It appears that God does not do anything without saying it first. His creative all powerful words framed this present universe; established natural and spiritual laws and boundaries. Since humanity was created in God’s image, we speak words as well. As children of God our goal is to learn to speak after what our Heavenly Father has already said- that is a simple definition of Biblical confession- speaking the Word of God, Heb. 3:1.
1. Spiritual Laws
Just as there are natural laws that govern the course, and operation of the natural world, there are spiritual laws that govern the course, and operation of the spiritual world. The spiritual world has always been in existence, because God is a spirit being, and always pre-existed. The spirit realm is more real than the natural realm. The more we meditate on, and learn to operate in the spiritual world of God’s Kingdom, the more real those laws will become to us.
2. Words – A Creative Force
God’s Word that is conceived in our heart, then formed by the tongue, and spoken out of our own mouth, becomes a spiritual force releasing the ability of God within us. The spoken Word of God is creative power. The kingdom of God responds to faith filled words. God never did anything that He didn’t say first. He said it, then He did it. The power to do it was in the spoken Word. One translation of the Bible (concordant literal NT) puts Luke 1:37 this way, “It will not be impossible with God to fulfill his every declaration.”
3. Not Made out of what was Visible
Words are unseen to the five senses but they are real. We cannot see electricity, but it has power to bless or destroy. We cannot see atoms but they are the building blocks of the universe. As human beings we get so hung up on seeing it first before we believe it. But there are a lot of things we cannot see, but we see the affect they have on us, and the world we live in. Heb. 11:3, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
4. The Law of Genesis
The law of Genesis was established by God as a fixed law from the very beginning of creation. This law operates in the spiritual realm as well as the natural. The law of Genesis is this, “Everything produces after its own kind, and the seed is in itself.” It works this way all the time; it’s an absolute law. If we take vegetables for example, the seed to produce more vegetables is found in the vegetable itself. In the act of creation, God made the vegetable first with seed in it in order to perpetuate it from then on. Therefore the age old question of , “which came first, the chicken or the egg” is already answered by the Bible- the chicken, carrot, flower, tree, animal, fish, and the man came first. Within God’s creation was the seed to re-produce itself from then on, and forever.
5. The Dynamic Kernels
I would like to share an incredible illustration that I found from “Believe It Or Not” by Ripley. It will illustrate the law of increase for us. This principle has been so powerful for humanity when we worked it in the natural, just imagine how powerful it is going to be for us when we use the Word of God as our incorruptible seed. The harvest will just blow us away. Instead of just reaping wheat and cotton, we will start reaping new births, healings, prosperity, peace and love!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Faith that moves mountains! In John 6:63, Jesus said, “The words I have spoken unto you are spirit and they are life.” God’s Word that is conceived in your heart, then formed by the tongue, and spoken out of your own mouth, becomes a spiritual force releasing the ability of God within you. When God’s creative Word is spoken from your heart in faith- all things are possible to those who believe!
1. Created in the Image of God
Man is a spirit being, created in the image of God. This principle is absolutely essential to understanding faith, and its biblical operations in our lives. God made mankind in His class, not that we are God, but we are His offspring as stated in Acts17:28. Since faith operates out of the heart of God’s people, our introduction to faith begins here, understanding the human spirit.
2. Created as a 3-Part Being
People was created a tri-cotomy just as the glorious Godhead is referred to as the Divine Trinity. We are not just a physical body, just as the Godhead is not the Father God alone. I am a spirit, I have a soul, and I live in a body. The Godhead is comprised of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The three parts to our identity is Spirit, Soul & Body. It is essential for us to grasp this reality in order to understand how faith works.
3. It Matters what we Say
Those that say they can, and those that say they can’t are both right. Words are the most powerful thing in the universe. The words we speak will either put us over or hold us in bondage. Unfortunately, when it comes to prayer, many of us pray the problem instead of the answer. We bind God’s hands from working on our behalf because of our unbelief. Praying and speaking the problem only makes it bigger, and releases the devil to enforce it more in our lives. We need to train ourselves to agree with, and only speak God’s Word out of our mouths.
4. What Words do for us
They locate us spiritually, set the landmarks of our life and the words we speak will affect our spirit. So many Christians have never dared to confess who they are in Christ. Since we have been talking about the awesome affect words have, why not start finding Scriptures that reveals what Christ has provided for us, and start speaking it in first person.
5. Me and My Big Mouth
Beware of Talking Too Much- Learning the Value of Silence: I don’t mean to be vulgar but have you ever met someone with diarrhea of the mouth. They are always talking about something or someone. The tongue has the potential to be a destructive or life giving force. Just based on the law of averages, a person who talks a lot has a greater chance of putting their foot in their mouth than someone who uses words with restraint- “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak” James 1:19.
6. Sanctify our Mouths
You may be wondering, what does all this have to do with faith? The principles of faith are wrapped up in the use of words; particularly speaking in line with God’s Word. We must sanctify our mouth to speak only the truth otherwise we are just fooling ourselves if we think that we will be successful in operating in faith. Either we talk like a Christian or we talk like the world. We can’t expect to be walking in faith if we are still talking junk all the time. I’m not just talking about eliminating profanity from our vocabulary, but speaking doubt, unbelief, defeat and failure is just as toxic if not more damaging than curse words.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Faith that moves mountains! Faith is the key that unlocks God’s power that is stored in His Word. It releases the treasures of God’s wisdom, and ability to move any mountain, meet any need, and defeat any demon. Until faith is introduced, and mixed with the Word of God, it remains dormant. When the believer applies these principles of the law of faith to the Bible, heaven comes to earth!
1. The Sword of the Spirit
Our primary spiritual offensive weapon is the Word of God. It is the key to winning successfully. Our objective is to get the Word of God in our heart, and out of our mouth. Waving the Bible in the air is not wielding the sword of our spirit. Only when we speak that Word out of our mouth in faith, does it become the ultimate weapon in the universe.
2. God’s Word is a Fire
Fire in the Bible is referred to as an act of judgment and purification. Just think of it, as the Word of God is being spoken, the fire of God consumes the enemies of God, and purges our life.
3. God’s Word is like a Hammer
When it comes to cracking some hard nuts, God’s Word is more than able to do the job.
4. The Water of God’s Word
The key to sanctification is God’s Word. Water is a type of the Word, because it purifies, refreshes, and sustains life.
5. The Rod of God’s Word
God uses His Word to correct His children, not trials, tests, and temptations.Some people have the notion that God, and the devil work together to perfect the believer through crisis and tragedy. Good God, bad devil! Simple theology, but if we get them confused, we will find ourselves in a heap of trouble.
6. God’s Word is Medicine
I believe that doctors, hospitals, and medicine are a tremendous help to suffering humanity.I believe in these natural means to receive help for my physical body, but I trust in God most of all. Thank God for His healing Word, it is medicine to all our flesh!
7. God’s Word is Incorruptible Seed
Just as the potential for life is within a natural seed, so the Word of God is waiting to germinate, and produce life in the heart of the believer.
8. The Bread of Life
As natural food is to our body, so the Word of God is to our spirit. A minister once said, “People wonder why they don’t have any faith to receive from God. They feed their body three hot meals a day, but their spirit one cold snack a week.” God’s Word is our primary source of spiritual nourishment. The Word of God is our bread of life.
9. God’s Word is Spiritual Light
Just as natural light reveals this natural world, so the Word of God reveals the Kingdom of God to us. We can walk with God and not stumble around in ignorance. The measure of God’s Word that we are walking in and living in from day to day, is the measure of spiritual light we are currently walking in.
10. A Spiritual Mirror
This true image of who we are in Christ Jesus can only be seen through the eyes of God’s Word. This is the way God sees us and reveals our true standing and position before Him through Jesus.
11. A Solid Rock on which to Stand
All decisions and behavior are based on some kind of belief system. Unless our cornerstone is Jesus, life will be off base. God’s Word is our final authority for all matters that pertain to life and conduct. The Bible is the rock on which we build our lives.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Faith that moves mountains! This is the first episode of a new season that specializes on the subject of Bible faith. Through faith God created the universe by His spoken Word and through faith in Jesus Christ we are born again into God’s Kingdom and receive the gift of eternal life. So yes, Bible faith is really important for us to know as God’s children. Because of its vital importance to God’s people, the enemy has attempted to discredit, distort and basically turn people off on this vital subject. God’s Word is the most powerful force in the universe. This truth is serves as the foundation of our faith in God.
1. The Word of His Grace
Bible Definition of Grace- The power of God at work in us who believe; to do in and for us what we are unable to accomplish ourselves- the power and ability of God! The Grace of God is released in our lives through our faith in God’s Word. The Lord works in our lives by His Grace, but it also requires our cooperation and faith for it to have its way in us. Grace is also God’s provision for us concerning salvation, and all things that pertain to life and godliness. Every need, spirit, soul and body has been so abundantly provided for us by God through the redemptive work of His Grace that was accomplished on our behalf by Jesus Christ.
2. The Truth and the Anointing
I have had other believers ask me, “What is the anointing?” For Christians the term implies the supernatural presence of God, manifesting His power and ability, yet some are still confused, “but is the anointing a thing or a person?” We are not talking about “Star Wars” and “using the force,” as some mystical essence or an impersonal cosmic power. The anointing is a person, the precious Holy Spirit. Remember what Jesus said in John 6:63,“The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” The Word of God is anointed by the Holy Spirit, smeared with His presence and full of power. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” according to Romans 1:16.
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We finish this season with the subject of ‘Eschatology’ which deals with the doctrine of last things. Thankfully this present world system will come to an end. Sin in this world as we know it is a temporary state. Understanding this and how God is going to wrap up this age is vital for the believer. This is the Hope that we have as Christians, finality to this chapter of human history and the misery that has plagued this earth for far too long. For the redeemed we emerge completely victorious while the unbelieving are eternally condemned. How fitting it is for our last episode for this season to cover the Biblical truths that describe the manner in which God brings closure to the fall of Mankind in the Garden of Eden.
1. A Sign of the Times
Have you noticed how the world mocks those whom they call ‘Doomsday Prophets’ with signs depicting God’s impending judgment? Well, what the world has subconsciously dreaded will come upon them and in a manner and intensity beyond their wildest dreams. For Christians, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but rather a matter of ‘when’ the end will come. We don’t know when the Tribulation Period begins. The main prerequisite to Jesus’ return is the preaching of the gospel to the whole world.
2. The Tribulation Period
In Mathew Chapter 24, Jesus is asked by His disciples concerning the end of this age. It is important to note that Jesus at that moment of time was living under the Old Testament Period. His description of the end times was in relation to what the Jewish nation was going to experience during the Tribulation Period.
3. The Second Advent
If the importance of a Bible subject can be judged by the frequency of references to it, then the Second Coming of Christ is indeed a subject of primary importance. Christ’s coming is mentioned more than 300 times in the New Testament; that means that it is mentioned on the average of once in every twenty-five verses. We don’t know the day or hour when Jesus will come to rapture His Church from the earth, so it is with the Second Advent- but we must be ready!
4. Judgements
All people, whether saint or sinner will stand in judgment for a life lived on this earth before God, the big difference between the two judgments is the end results. God’s holiness requires that all sin be punished and every soul be held accountable. The first judgment occurred at the Cross where all the sins of the world were laid upon Jesus who took the wrath of God as our substitute for sin- John 1:29.
5. The Endless Age
Words cannot describe even now how wonderful it will be when the ‘Old Order’ of things pass away, no more crying and no more pain. What has happened during our time will become a distant memory in the eons of time. Interesting that there will be no more oceans or seas. Planet earth becomes the new throne of God, the new heaven if you will, the capital of God’s universe.
6. Seals, Trumpets & Bowls
We will cover the scriptures of the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls of God’s judgment upon this present evil world system that Satan is the god over; along with the purpose for them.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Foundations for Christian Living! What we don’t know can have an adverse effect upon our lives. Fortunately, the Bible has much to say about the spirit realm and its operation. So now we turn our attention to those spirits that function in this world other than the Holy Spirit. There is no reason for us to be afraid of Satan and his host, since Jesus has already defeated him 2,000 years ago. In order to enforce his defeat in our lives and in those around us we need to learn about the authority God has given to believers. We’ll also talk about God’s elect angels that are His servants in this earth that listen to and obey God’s Word.
1. A Profile on Satan
There was an Arch-Angel at one time named Lucifer- an Arch-Angel is a high ranking angel. Isaiah 14:12-17 (KJV), “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” He had authority given to him upon this earth, a throne over the nations of that time- Ezekiel 28:15,17. Lucifer was originally created a perfect angelic being, but unfortunately it all went to his head and was lifted up in pride. He led a rebellion that resulted in a catastrophic flood, Genesis 1:2- this occurred before Adam and Eve.
2. The Kingdom of Darkness
Our goal out of this episode is for the believer to be made aware of Satan’s nature, schemes and operations so he can’t take advantage of our ignorance of him. Satan prefers anonymity, if he can deceive people into thinking he does not exist, than no one will oppose him, he can operate in this world with impunity. Through the light of God’s Word we are going to expose a number of his dark secrets so we can put him in his place, under our FEET in a place of defeat.
3. Elect Angels
Concerning the role of God’s elect angels during this age of mankind on the earth, according to Scripture their primary function is ministering to us among other things. The Bible from Genesis to Revelation has recorded frequent occurrences of angels operating in the earth, carrying out God’s will. Like us, they live to serve God’s purpose. According to Job 38:4-7, the angels were present when God created the earth, they are created beings like us- Psalms 148:2,5; Colossians 1:16.
4. The Believer’s Authority
We know Jesus is the Lord and that He is seated at the right hand of God the Father. But what about us on earth, did Jesus leave us powerless to fend for ourselves, to live in some kind of survival mode until we die or He returns, whichever comes first. Not at all, He did not leave us as orphans, John 14:15-18 states that we have the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead sent to live inside of us! So what is authority you may ask; simply put, it is delegated power! We receive this authority when we are born again, we inherit the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we can use it in the prayer of authority against the enemy.
5. Nephilim Giants in the Bible
There were giants on the earth before the flood of Noah, and also afterward, when fallen angels cohabitated with the daughters of men, and they bore children to them and produced a race of giants. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. These ancient heroes or giants became the gods of the heathen neighbors of Israel and Greek mythology. The fact that giants were partly of supernatural origin made it easy for men to regard them as demigods. These guys were twisted, wicked evil tyrants who were huge in stature.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Foundations for Christian Living! I am really excited about this episode; it represents many of the wonderful life transforming realities that we have received through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1. Spiritual Adoption & Inheritance
During the earthly ministry of Jesus, His teaching and preaching to the people encompassed the subject of His Kingdom coming into the earth. However, Jesus was ushering in a spiritual kingdom first and then in the future that spiritual kingdom will take on physical form. The Kingdom of God is a revelation of the spiritual realities of God’s eternal realm, spiritual laws and provisions. Jesus Christ is the door into this new life- John 10:9.
2. Redemption
To ‘Redeem’ something means to buy back, as something that was once originally yours. It speaks of a purchase that God made when He sent His only begotten Son in John 3:16. We were held captive by sin, in slavery to the law of sin and death (Romans 6:19; 8:2), mankind was kidnapped by the devil. The life and blood of Jesus was the ransom price that set us free from Satan’s authority over our lives-1 Timothy 2:5-6; Mark 10:45.
3. The Doctrine of Baptisms
In the book of Hebrews chapter 6 verse 2 there is a reference to the ‘instruction about baptisms’ in the plural. We are going to look briefly into four ‘Baptisms’ according to the Scriptures. The word ‘Baptized’ comes from the Greek word ‘baptizo’; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed.
4. The Church
A local assembly of believers as well as the redeemed of all the ages who follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Church began on the day of Pentecost, this word is used 115 times in the New Testament. It is not a man-made institution but is a spiritual assembly of all believers in Jesus Christ, regardless of denomination or religious affiliation. If you are born again by faith in Jesus Christ, you are my brother or sister in Christ, we are part of the same Body and Church of Jesus Christ.
5. Baptized with the Holy Spirit
When it comes to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes it very clear that it was a prerequisite to fulfilling the Great Commission and living a Spirit filled victorious Christian life- Acts 1:4-5, 8. Clearly, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance according Acts 2:4, is the initial evidence to being baptized with the Holy Spirit. Notice, that speaking in tongues is listed among those signs that follow believing ones in Jesus Christ- Mark 16:15-18.
6. Now Concerning Spiritual Gifts
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit opens the door for a great manifestation of the Holy Spirit to operate through our lives and ministry. The Scriptures have much to say on the subject, so with this limited time we will hit the main points. To be certain God does not want us to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts- 1 Corinthians 12:1.
7. Once Saved Always Saved?
A fundamental principle in Calvinism is called “Unconditional Election.” It states that God not only knew what choice every person would make in his/her life, God had actually decided what choices everyone would make. Therefore God had decided that certain people would live a Christian Life and be saved- supporting the concept of eternal security for the believer, also known as once saved always saved. We’ll also explore two unpardonable sins as explained in the New Testament and how not to be a stumbling block to others.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Foundations for Christian Living! The subject of prayer is so vital to the disciple of Jesus Christ that we have dedicated an entire episode to this area. I would venture to say that for most people, the concept of prayer will be different than the material presented in this episode. With that being said, I would encourage the listeners to have an open mind and pay close attention to the Scriptures that will be covered. The purpose here is broaden our scope concerning the toolbox of prayer; we have the rest of our lives to further discover the wonderful world of prayer.
1. What is Prayer?
Through Jesus Christ we can have fellowship, talk and commune with God the Father. In the very beginning when man was created, God would come and fellowship with Adam and Eve. All relationships have a foundation in communication. The God of the universe has honored us with the privilege to have precious conversation and communion with Him. I believe there is a personal and business side to prayer. We just talked about the personal side of communion and fellowship. The business side is working with God to establish His will upon the earth; preparing the way through prayer, empowering believers, and supporting the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
2. Claiming the Precious Promises
The Bible teaches that all the promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ Jesus. Many of God’s promises are conditional in that we have to believe God and act in faith. Learning to receive from God is not rocket science, but it does take time to learn how the principles work. Often times, the only limitation is our faith- Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
3. Effective Prayer
Just as in sports there are different kinds of rules that govern the play of each sport, so it is with the different kinds or forms of prayer in the Bible. Just as chaos would ensue if I tried to play Basketball with Hockey rules or Golf with Football rules, so it is with prayer. For our prayers to be effective we need to follow the principles of God’s Word as it instructs us how to pray in relation to the different ‘kinds’ of prayers. When it comes to prayer we want to avoid the ‘Traditions of Men’ as it pertains to prayer. I’m not a big fan of doing anything in vain, especially when it comes to prayer.
4. The Prayer Toolbox
Now we turn our attention to another side of prayer that addresses getting things done or accomplishing things in this life through the power of prayer. We are going to be looking at nine different ‘Kinds’ of prayers in the Bible. So how effective would a carpenter be if he/she only had one tool in their toolbox? Let’s say that one tool is a hammer; which works great with nails. Unfortunately a hammer is not the right tool for sawing wood. As Christians, approaching prayer by one method or trying to lump all the principles of prayer into one kind of prayer, is also like using the hammer of prayer to address every need in life; as a result our prayer life will be limited and less effective.
5. Final Prayer Tips
Let’s wrap this episode by exploring together seven prayer tips or rules that govern the overall operation of prayer for the Christian. Even if we recognize the nine different kinds of prayers as mentioned in our prayer ‘toolbox’, we can’t ignore the wisdom and understanding required in their successful operation. This is where the difference is found between a novice and a journeyman- experience and skill in the trade of prayer.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Foundations for Christian Living! God in One expressed in three persons- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The word Theology means the study of God (theo=God, ology=study). By definition, theology is the study of the works or truths related to God presented in a logical and orderly format. Our goal is to learn more about the person, characteristics and nature of the glorious Godhead. We are also going to examine Satan’s attempt to confuse mankind with false religions and cults.
1. The Attributes of God
Nowhere does the Bible argue for God’s existence, everywhere the Scriptures assume His existence as an accepted fact- Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”. So belief in God is fundamentally an act of faith. However, God reveals Himself through three primary ways: Nature, Conscience and Revelation.
2. God the Father
The will of God has its origin in God the Father. From Scripture we see that He exerts leadership amongst the Godhead. That does not take away from the significance of God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. For the Trinity is at all times and in all ways in perfect agreement.
3. God the Son
Nothing has been under such attack by Satan than the deity of Jesus Christ. The incarnation of the Word of God, the Second person of the Godhead is a mystery and miracle beyond description. Before taking on human flesh, Jesus was pre-existent with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit and His name is the Word of God.
4. God the Holy Spirit
Who is the Holy Spirit? The Bible teaches us that He is more than an influence or impersonal power; the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, worthy of our adoration, love and faith. He is not a ‘thing’ or an ‘it’ but just as real and distinct as Jesus.
5. Cults and False Religions
From the beginning of the Church in the book of Acts, Satan has until this day spared no expense to pervert, twist and distort the truth. The enemy wants to rob people of the truth by offering counterfeit religions or raising up cults to keep people from getting saved.
6. Jehovah Witnesses
Officially known as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are a product of the life work of Charles Taze Russell, born Feb. 16, 1852, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although the Watchtower contends that the Scriptures are their final authority, we find them constantly misuse the Scriptures to establish their own peculiar beliefs.
7. Mormonism
The Mormons claim they are the restoration of the true church established by Jesus Christ. It is not Protestant or Catholic, but claims, rather, to be the only true church. “If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints”
8. Islam
Islam is indeed a major part of Middle Eastern culture, but it is much more. The Muslim faith is a major driving force in the lives of many of the nations in the Middle East, West Asia and North Africa. The vast majority of Muslims, are not of the militant variety.
9. Secular Humanism
One of the most organized, most challenging and most clearly non-Christian philosophies today is secular humanism. It is ably represented and defended by a core of prominent scientists and philosophers at the forefront of new scientific and philosophical thought.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Foundations for Christian Living! Having laid a foundation of God’s Word, our next episode in this season will provide a reference to our beginning and origin. I believe that one of the greatest of human needs is to possess a sense of purpose and meaning in life. The questions of who am I, why am I here and where am I going will be addressed in this episode according to the Holy Scriptures. As church leaders, we do not presume to have all the answers, rather our job is to point people to The Answer, Jesus Christ. Jesus, being the Word of God has all the answers to life’s questions and pursuits. God’s Word is our final authority for all matters that pertain to life and conduct! I believe that this episode will be a lot of fun as it opens our eyes to some of the mysteries of life.
1. Who Am I?
When conception takes place in a mother’s womb, God creates a spirit being, the real person to abide in that little physical body as it is being formed. This spiritual attribute of humanity is what makes us unique to the animal creation! We are created in God’s image and in His likeness. Genesis 1:26- “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.’” The physical body is just a house, shell or a vessel that we inhabit; James 2:26 states, “The body without the spirit is dead.” We are a tri-cotomy, a three part being. We are a spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body- 1 Thessalonians 5:23. We are eternal beings and we spend it all depends on what we do with Jesus- accept or reject Him.
2. Why am I Here?
Why did God make me in the first place? One thing is for certain you are not some cosmic accident, chance or random event. First of all God wanted to have someone to share his creation with and allow us to know what it is like to live, to exist, to be. He honored us above all creation by making us in His image and in His likeness. God gave us dominion to rule and take care of the earth. To discover all of its mysteries and to replenish it with people, who will grow up to know God and have a relationship with Him- Genesis 1:26-27; Acts 17:24-31.
3. What in the World Happened?
Why would God have one tree that could not be eaten from in Genesis 2:16-17? God did not make mankind to be a race of robots. Animals function through instinct that drives them down pre-programmed behavior patterns. However, mankind is unique in that God has given every human being a free will to choose their eternal destiny. To be with God or without Him. The purpose of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was to test man’s allegiance. Was man going to stay true and faithful to the Lord or listen and follow Satan- it was a probationary period.
4. The Promise of a Redeemer
Having sinned, Adam and Eve condemned mankind to an eternal hell along with Satan and his crowd. But not so fast, God in his infinite mercy, made a declaration that a man would be born of a woman who would crush Satan’s dominion over mankind, but in the process Satan would make it painful. Approximately, four thousand years later, God the Son became a man and his name was Jesus. As the divine God/man, Jesus defeated the devil as a man but paid an incredible price in the process through His death, burial and resurrection- Genesis 3:15.
5. Creation not Evolution
The theory of evolution is just that, a theory, yet many educators act as though it is fact. True science rejects the notion that: Nothing working on nothing by nothing, through nothing, for nothing, begat everything.
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If you who have recently accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, welcome to the family of God! Your church family wants to see you grow and be equipped and empowered to function effectively in God’s Kingdom. You have just embarked on an adventure that will change your life forever! This program will provide you with vital information that will help ensure a successful Christian life in the days ahead! These episodes will introduce some fundamental Bible doctrines and initiate Christian disciplines that will set you on the right path. This class is also designed to help fill in the blanks for established believers by introducing fundamental doctrines to the Christian faith and by exploring a wide range of pertinent Bible topics.
1. The Inspiration of the Scriptures
The foundation of our Christian faith is found only in one book: the Bible. In it we discover who we are, where we came from and where we are going; it explains the “why” of the human condition, and the existence of evil in the world. Through its pages we become acquainted with the God of the universe, the all-powerful, loving, holy, just, Redeemer and Savior. The Word of God speaks to us about a personal relationship with God and with the community of saints, which is the Church. Our attitude toward the Bible will determine our willingness to put into practice its principles. If we consider it to be the Word of God, it will be the measure by which we judge all human thought and systems of truth, whether social, scientific, historical or religious. It will rule our conduct and personal relationships. If we believe that the Bible is the divine Word of God, it will mold our values, attitudes, judgments and actions.
2. The Origin and Canon of the Bible
The English word “Bible” comes from the Greek word biblos, meaning “a book”. The Bible didn’t fall miraculously from heaven; it came to us through a historical process which was guided by the Holy Spirit. Only by the grace of God is it possible for these sacred books to be preserved and copied throughout the centuries. The word “canon” comes from the Greek kanon, meaning “a measuring rod or reed,” and signifies a rule, a standard. Hence, the Canon of the Bible consists of those books considered worthy to be included in the Holy Scriptures.
3. Bible Devotions
Daily Bible reading is essential for spiritual growth and is a prerequisite to becoming a successful disciple of Jesus Christ. The Bible is God speaking to us, so as we read God’s Word, God speaks to us through the Scriptures. Since faith begins where the will of God is known and God’s Word is God’s Will; we discover God’s will for our life through the Bible!
4. The Word of Faith
The works that God requires from us is to mix our faith in God’s Word. So how do we do that? Through a spiritual law referred to in the Bible as the “Word of Faith.” The Word of Faith principle is appropriated by continually speaking God’s Word out of our mouths so we can hear it. At some point in time, that Word will become planted in our spirit. The Word of God conceived in the heart, formed by the tongue, and spoken out of our mouths is creative power. Those who say they can and those who say they can’t are both right. We will never rise above our confession of God’s Word.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! This will be our last episode for this season that has been dedicated to the subject of divine healing. These last three episodes have been discussing biblical ways to receive healing. There are many different methods listed in the Bible whereby we can receive healing. I encourage you to pull out your Bible and follow along.
1. The Manifestations of the Spirit
One way to receive healing is through the manifestation of one of the gifts of the Spirit. Any of the nine manifestations of the Spirit (1 Corinthians, 12:8-10) may be used for the purpose of healing. Particularly through the power gifts: the working of miracles, the gift of faith, and the gifts of healings. Often times, these “power” gifts will work together.
2. The Healing Anointing
The Anointing and the Power of God is all talking about the same person- the Mighty Holy Spirit. So when we lay hands on folks in faith according to God’s Word, our expectation is that the power of God that rests upon our lives will flow through us into others for their healing, deliverance and blessing. The anointing is also tangible, which means perceptible to the touch.
3. By Revelation Knowledge
The Bible acts as our spiritual eyes into the unseen realm that is more real than this natural world. Revelation knowledge is spiritual understanding revealed to the human spirit. This spiritual light of God’s revelation knowledge is a key ingredient to our development, growth and spiritual maturity.
4. The Healing Power of God
A good analogy for understanding the anointing or the power of God was made by the late Rev. John G. Lake when he said, “Electricity is God’s Power in the natural realm; Holy Spirit power is God’s power in the spirit realm.”
5. The Switch of Faith
In the natural, when we turn a light switch on, electricity flows right into the lighting fixtures and lights up the room. When we turn the switch off, the lights go out. So in the spiritual realm, the thing that turns on the heavenly power in our lives could well be called the switch of faith!
6. The Laying on of Hands
As Christians, we have the life and nature of God in us. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. It is that power within us that goes out through our hands in the Name of Jesus and heals the sick. The laying on of hands is a fundamental principle of the doctrine of Christ- Hebrews 6:1-2.
7. Impartation
All throughout the ministry of Jesus, He was regularly laying His hands on people. On one occasion, He released a blessing upon children through the laying on of hands. The Bible reveals that another purpose for which the laying on of hands was used was to equip men and women to serve God. Another use of the laying on of hands in the New Testament was for helping believers receive the Holy Spirit- Acts 8:17. There are more scripture references concerning healing in connection with the laying on of hands than concerning anything else.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! There are Biblical principles to prayer that we’ll discuss in this episode that will really help us to accurately appropriate God’s Healing provision for our lives. Good intentions, presumption and adherence to religious traditions that are not rooted in the Word will not produce results. We can be sloppy as baby Christians, but our Father God expects us to grow and mature and learn how to rightly handle the Word of truth.
1. All Kinds of Prayers
The Bible teaches that there are several kinds of prayer. However, I will not go into detail on all of them in this episode. Right now let’s concentrate on the prayer of faith and authority for healing. During the life and ministry of Jesus, He was living under the Old Covenant. The New Covenant did not go into force until after His resurrection. There are certain kinds of prayers in our prayer tool box that are designed to appropriate our redemptive rights to divine healing.
Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
2. Asking vs Claiming
When I tell people they don’t have to pray to be healed, they look at me in amazement. Many have failed to receive healing because they have based their faith on religious prayer instead of on God’s Word. They expected prayer to do for them what only God’s Word can do for them. This is where a lot of potential confusion can take place. Sometimes we find ourselves asking for things that we already have in Christ. We should be appropriating our inheritance through faith in God’s Word for things God has already given us through our redemption that Jesus had already obtained for us.
3. Prayer Tips
The Word of God and the spiritual laws within God’s Word define the parameters from which the principles of prayer operate. No one has access to the Father except through Jesus, so until a person is born again, there is no prayer life until he/she is born again. Once a person receives the new birth, they need to be taught and become acquainted with the Kingdom of God and the spiritual laws that govern it.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! The first unit was about establishing the will of God concerning healing; obtaining this revelation knowledge is the crucial first step in receiving healing. The second unit addressed all the obstacles and roadblocks to receiving healing, thrown up by the devil and the religious traditions of men. Questions and doubts in folk’s minds must first be dealt with before they can operate in faith and confidence in order to appropriate redemptive healing for themselves and others. Now, we have come to the third unit, in these final three episodes, we’ll get into the nuts and bolts of the practical application of God’s Word in order to apply the healing grace of God to our body and soul.
1. Healing Dynamics
We need to realize that there is more than one way for people to receive healing. In other words, a number of methods for receiving healing are recorded in the Word of God. The reason for this is simple, our Heavenly Father just wants us healed and He has provided many avenues by which we may receive our healing.
2. Our Faith plays a Role
The primary method that has been provided for all of God’s children is by simple faith in God’s Word. When we hear the Word of God ourselves, believe it as truth in our spirit and act on it, we receive. That is what it means to receive healing by faith in God’s Word. I believe this is God’s highest and best way to receive healing, because we are actively participating in hiding God’s Word down into our hearts. What gets us healed, keeps us healed.
3. Waiting for a Divine Intervention
Many Christians who desire healing are waiting for an intervention of divine sovereignty from God to initiate something on their behalf. Of course, God does occasionally move in a sovereign way, but that is not His primary way of healing His children. I’ll show you in the Bible what I mean by the intervention of divine sovereignty, when God initiates healing on His own out of mercy.
4. The Church United
Jesus planned to carry on His healing ministry during His absence by means of the whole Church, which is His Body, not through an obscure member of that Body. He said in Mark 16 that “These signs will follow THEM”- the Church, not “him” or “her”- the individual. It is not the faith of a lone or solitary evangelist but that of the Spirit-filled Church as a whole which brought healing to all the sick in the streets of Jerusalem. When God has His way, the multitudes will be healed right on the streets today as it was in the book of Acts.
5. Jesus opened not His mouth so we could
Jesus came as our substitute, to absorb in Himself the full wrath of God almighty on account of the sins of the whole world. Jesus had to be silent and not call out for help as the Lamb of God. He was innocent and bore the punishment for our sin- becoming a curse, taking on all of Satan’s death, sickness, poverty, oppression and misery on our behalf. The fact that Jesus could call on twelve legions of angels proves that He was innocent, they had no legal right to take Him- Jesus had done nothing wrong. He was sinless and spotless and could have appealed to the righteous Judge of the universe and would have been delivered, but mankind would have been lost. So Jesus opened not his mouth, did not ask for deliverance for the joy of seeing us saved and ransomed from the clutches of the enemy. So today, let the redeemed of the Lord open up their mouths and speak the Name of Jesus and the Word of God!
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! We’ll start out by discussing Paul’s thorn in the flesh and what the Bible really says about what Paul’s thorn was. We’ll refute the fatalistic view of having no control over the length and quality of life that we can expect to have on earth as Christians. The promises of God are very clear on the subject of longevity which we’ll explore together. So buckle up your seats for a thought provoking and investigative look as we conclude this segment on kicking over religious cow traditions.
1. Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
One of the most prevalent objections raised today against the ministry of healing is Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” One traditional idea has led to another. The widespread teaching that God is the Author of disease, and that some of the most devout of His children He has desired to remain sick, and glorify Him by exhibiting fortitude and patience. Scripture interprets scripture, we’ll see how the Bible uses the term of “thorn” elsewhere in the Bible. The expression “thorn in the flesh” is never used in the Bible to mean sickness.
2. Suffering According to the Will of God
A side point I would like to briefly explore with you is a sacred calf concerning misinformed folks who think succumbing to sickness is a means of suffering for Jesus. We need to ask ourselves- “Could we be suffering for the wrong reason?” The Bible clearly states that is a possibility for Christians- 1 Peter 4:19.
3. An Appointed Time to Die?
There are people who believe incorrectly concerning when and how they will die. They misquote Hebrews 9:27 and say, “Well you know everyone has their appointed time to die and they have no say so in the matter.” But that is not what this passage of scripture is saying, “Just as man is destined to die once.” The Bible is plainly stating that it is appointed unto mankind to die one time physically- this refutes the philosophy of reincarnation.
4. Keys to Living Long on the Earth
People in the world are looking for the magic diet and exercise or climate as the secret to long life. Certainly those things are important; we can’t be violating natural laws and expect it not to have an impact on our health. Unfortunately there are those who watch their diet and exercise and still die young, even Christians. Thankfully, there are many specific passages in the Bible that provide us with instructions and principles for entering into God’s provision for long life.
5. Spiritualizing Experiences in Life
Beware of forming spiritual interpretations solely on natural circumstances as a means of understanding the will of God. Since everything in this natural world is subject to change, and is subject to the influence of the devil. Deception can be readily had if we allow our beliefs to be based on what we see, feel and hear rather than on the Word of God. Personal experience by nature is very subjective and open to a wide range of interpretations, bias and cultural conditioning.
6. Beware of the Fleece
A huge distinction between Old Covenant believers and New Covenant saints is the way in which we serve, worship and know God. For the Old Covenant believer, God was understood by outward signs and physical symbols. Since they were not born again, their spirit was not alive to God, but was spiritually dead due to sin. This limited God in His dealings with those folks, to the natural or physical realm in order to get their attention.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! When it comes to understanding why bad things happening to God’s people, we need the Scriptures to discern the root causes. There are so many promises in the Bible that talk about protection and provision, so how is it that the devil at times is allowed to slip through and slap poverty, sickness and oppression upon us? Another controversial debate in the Church world is in regards to the manner in which God disciplines His children.
1. Did God Harden Pharaoh’s Heart?
Pharaoh in the beginning persistently hardened his own heart against God which brought on the retributive “hardening” by God, after much long-suffering. However, when the Bible says Pharaoh hardened his heart, it also says that this happened “just as the Lord had said” in Exodus 8:15.
2. God is a Holy and Righteous Judge
Sin left unchecked, like a cancer, would destroy the universe, so God judges sin and keeps it contained. The greatest act of love is for God to condemn and judge sin, otherwise it would destroy us all! When folks fail to repent and force God’s hand to judge them, God in time turns them over to the devil, who is waiting anxiously to have access to them.
3. New Testament Clarification
The ‘Analogy of Faith’ concerning Bible interpretation teaches us that Scripture interprets Scripture. One cannot come to an interpretation that contradicts explicit Scriptures elsewhere in the Bible, particularly in the NT. In Galatians 2:18-19 it states, “If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker.” If God made people sick just so He can heal them; that would make God a lawbreaker.
4. It’s Never God’s Fault
Let’s not accuse God of evil; He is not the author of it. As we have been saying all along, He only permits it as a last final act of judgment when folks have exhausted all of God’s appeals and opportunities for repentance. To insinuate that tornadoes, cancer and other calamities are an act of God is to fall right into the hands of the devil's lies.
5. Does God send Desert Experiences to keep us Humble?
The way some well-meaning Christians talk, you would think they lived from one desert experience to another. They will refer to the children of Israel in the desert as a pretext to support their beliefs that God in His sovereign plan puts people through dry places in their life to teach and purify them to be dependent on God.
6. Job’s Trial- Why do Bad things happen to Good People?
The book of Job has been gravely misunderstood by Christians and has been used as a pretext for God to sovereignly afflict His covenant people for all kinds of mysterious reasons. It’s amazing to me how the devil has perverted that story and how so many people are ignorant of it and confused by it and are convinced that they are just like poor ole Job.
7. The Chastening of the Lord?
We'll examine the notion that God hurts and afflicts us for our good, as a form of discipline. This is an important question, so in what manner does God discipline His children?
8. Trials, Tests and Temptations
Ultimately every test boils down to a test of obedience- to obey God’s Word or not- it’s a faith test! Do we really believe what we say? The NT makes it clear that trials are spiritual attacks with the express purpose to shipwreck/destroy our faith. A test or trial by nature is an enticement or temptation to turn from God and doubt His Word.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! We now begin an epic journey together to kick over sacred cow religious traditions that are man-made; holding people in bondage and robbing them of the truth of God’s Word that sets us free. These next three episodes will focus on specific errors that continue to be peddled in some Christian circles today. Through the sword of God’s Word, we’ll “Demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” 2 Cor. 10:5.
1. Permissive vs Causative Tense
There are many who oppose divine healing (God’s will for healing for all, all the time) in Christian circles and they will point out all kinds of scriptures to support their case. Note that the majority of them are found in the Old Testament. It is important to make that distinction because the Bible is progressive revelation in that an increase of light and revelation is given to mankind progressively from the oldest book, Job to the New Testament epistles or letters to the churches- Romans to Revelation. The KEY to understanding these different Old Testament passages of Scripture lies in knowing that the active verbs in Hebrew have been translated in the causative tense when they should have been translated in the permissive tense. So, Deuteronomy 28:27 should have been translated something like, “The Lord will allow/permit these plagues to be brought upon you...”
2. Guidelines for Bible Interpretation
When the Reformers broke with Rome and claimed the view that the Bible was to be the supreme authority of the church, they were very careful to define basic principles of interpretation. The primary rule of Bible interpretation was called “the analogy of faith.” The analogy of faith is the rule that Scripture is to interpret Scripture. In other words, Sacred Scripture is its own interpreter.
3. Calvinism at the Root
I will be introducing some theological beliefs that were first promoted by John Calvin (1509-1564), one of the leaders of the Protestant reformation. I believe that his teachings have cast a shadow on present day Christian theology and could be at the root of a number of misunderstandings that need to be clarified. So what’s wrong with most of Calvinism you may ask? To many, Calvinism goes against the whole flow of New Testament teaching. It substitutes a vengeful, capricious and merciless God, for the loving Father of Jesus’ teachings. It also substitutes God’s sovereignty for man’s free will to choose. Calvinism finds its root in the Old Testament where God is painted as the author of good and evil, without the clarification of the New Testament, that Satan is actually the author and agent of evil.
4. Does God show Favoritism?
No, God does not show favoritism or partiality. There are no favorites in God’s family; He loves us all the same. Every person, born into His family has the same Redemption. Everyone has the same rights in the Family; each one may have a different gift set, but the gift does not make him/her any dearer to the heart of the Father. Each one has the same right to use the Name of Jesus; to deliver people from the dominion of Satan, to heal the sick and to cast out demons. The Father has no favorites, and the closer our fellowship is with the Father, the sweeter and richer our life will be- Romans 2:11, “God does not show favoritism.”
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! There is always a reason why Christians fail to receive their healing or their healing is delayed. You will find out in this episode that the reasons are not too different as to why some people in the world are not getting born again. It’s not because God is selectively saving some and denying eternal life to others. Nor is our Heavenly Father choosing to heal some of His children and not others for some esoteric reason. Romans 2:11, “For God does not show favoritism.” The glorious promise for salvation is available to whosoever wills just as healing is available to all- 1 Peter 2:24 “...by whose stripes you were healed.”
1. Three Main Reasons
God’s Word settles the matter forever, divine healing is always His will- God’s Word is God’s will! Faith begins where the will of God is known. If God says it in His Word, that settles it, its truth and will not change, regardless of our experiences or what we see happen to others. Mark it down, there is always a reason why folks don’t receive from God- whether it’s a saint or sinner.
2. False Teaching
Jesus blasted the religious leaders for nullifying the Word of God for the sake of their traditions. In our day many ministers have done worse, for they have made void a part of the Gospel by their traditions. One such tradition is that, “it’s not always His will to heal, for God sovereignly chooses who to heal and who not to.” Some go so far that God purposely puts sickness on people in order to discipline them for their own good. It is a mystery to me how anyone can hold this view in the face of the Scriptures and the ministry of Jesus, who for three years healed all who came to Him for healing- Acts 10:38.
3. If it be Thy Will Concerning Healing
Other saints are not healed because they always ask with those fatal words “if it be thy will.” Some people just tack the phrase “If it be Thy will” on the end of their prayers out of tradition. They think they’re being humble, but they’re really robbing themselves of the blessings of God. Anything the Bible promises us or says belongs to us is ours- already God’s will. We don’t have to put an “if’ in our prayers when we pray according to God’s Word! That’s why praying, “Lord, if it be Thy will, please heal me” is unnecessary. God has plainly told us in His Word that it is His will to heal us. A sinner wouldn’t pray, “Lord, save me, if it be Thy will.” That kind of prayer would be ridiculous, because God’s Word declares that it is His will for them to be saved, the same goes for the area of healing.
4. Spiritualizing the Situation
When tragedy hits a Christian, the biggest mistake they can make is to spiritualize and reason out the cause for the calamity. Let’s not accuse God of evil; He is not the author of it. To insinuate that tornadoes, cancer and other calamities are an act of God is to fall right into the hands of Satan’s lies. People begin questioning the faithfulness of God. Why did He allow this to happen, why do bad things happen to seemingly good people. There is always a reason and we may not always know it, but I do know this according to 1 Corinthians 13: 8, “Love never fails!” God will never let us down, He is always faithful and true to His Word, He does not lie nor change His mind. If something went bad, God is not the one behind it or to blame. So when life becomes confusing, give God the benefit of the doubt; ask Him for wisdom according to James 1:5 instead of jumping to religious conclusions.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! Are you familiar with the saying, “You are what you eat?” That’s pertinent to the physical body, so let’s expand that concept- “You become what you think.” As stated in proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” The thoughts we meditate on and embrace in our minds in time will make their way into our spirit like seeds. The heart of a person is the production center for our life- will produce a harvest in our lives. The words we speak drive our thoughts and dreams; they’re the most powerful things in our lives. The tongue is the rudder of our life, what we keep saying will determine our destination in life- James 3:2-4.
1. Wrong Thinking about Healing
If our thinking is wrong, our believing will be wrong; and if our believing is wrong, then what we say will be wrong too. It all goes back to our thinking. We’ve got to get our thinking straightened out in order to open the way to our heart to receive the Word of God on Healing. Some Christians who need healing have said to me, “Maybe God put this sickness on me for some purpose.” Did Jesus ever put sickness on anyone? When people came to Him for healing, did He ever turn even one away saying, “No, it’s not My will, just suffer a little longer. You’re just not pious or humble enough?” No! Not once! If you find such a Scripture, where Jesus turned people away to be healed, please show me. It is imperative that we get our thinking straight on this matter.
2. Understanding the Fall of Mankind
So how and when did sickness and disease enter the earth? It certainly was not there in the Garden of Eden from the beginning. The answer to this question is the key to understanding divine healing. What makes heaven, heaven is God being there and the life and love of God that saturates everything in heaven with His glory.
God recreated the earth in Genesis 1:3 and throughout the first 6 days of creation there was this repeated refrain; for example, Gen 1:31, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good…” Multiple times God recognized His goodness throughout creation. After creating Adam and Eve something was introduced into the world that did not belong there. Our answer is found in Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.” Therefore, death and all that it produces contaminated and corrupted the goodness and beauty of God’s creation as the direct result of sin- disobedience to God- the world has been subject to death and decay every since.
3. So is God in Control of Everything on the Earth?
We need to get some of these things straight in our minds, because many in the church world are confused. People have all kinds of unscriptural ideas. Some think, Well, God’s got everything under control, He is sovereign, so whatever happens does so for a reason- so don’t question or resist it. But that may or may not be so, according to how you mean it. If you mean that God is ruling the earth right now – no, He isn’t! He’s going to rule it again one of these days, but He’s not right now.
Luke 4:5-7
“The devil led Jesus up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.’”
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! In this episode we are going to take the Old Covenant types of Passover and marry it with the fulfillment in Jesus’ great redemptive work that was accomplished after the Last Supper. We will also explore the gravity of such a Great Salvation that was bought and paid for by the blood of our Lord Jesus. Salvation from sin, yes but also from all the multi-faceted consequences and effects of death that has plagued humanity since the first fatal bite by Adam and Eve.
1. Passover in Egypt
The word “Passover” in the Hebrew means “to pass” or “spring over” or “to spare”. Exodus Chapter 12 begins with the creation of the Jewish calendar- Exodus 12:1-2, “The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, ‘This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.’” The Lord went on to instruct them that on the tenth day of the new month they are to take a lamb for each family, one for each household- this marked the beginning of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt.
2. Jesus and Passover
Let’s look at how Jesus partook of the Passover under the Old Covenant on that night when Jesus and His disciples met together to eat the Passover. The manner in which the Passover feast was kept by the Jews of that period differed in many details from that originally prescribed by the rules of Exodus 12. The narratives of the Gospels show how strongly the disciples were impressed by the Lord’s words which had given a new meaning to the old familiar acts.
3. Jesus the Lamb of God
When Jesus went to Golgotha’s hill to be crucified, He had a personal confrontation with Satan. At 9 o’clock that morning as the lambs were being prepared for sacrifice, Jesus was nailed to the cross in Mark 15:25. The third hour was 9 o’clock in the morning, Jewish time. There He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The Lord laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted. Yet He opened not His mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter.
4. Salvation: More than Forgiveness of Sins
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul made an outstanding statement in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation…” The Greek and Hebrew words translated salvation imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and health. Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes.
5. Why Jesus could Heal then and Now
Pre-resurrection, why could Jesus go around healing the sick? The answer is simple, the redemptive work of Jesus. Jesus could take away a person’s disease because He knew that He was going to bear it for him/her in His redemptive work. Likewise, post-resurrection, Jesus by His Spirit can heal undeserving people because of redemption. He bore all our sicknesses and diseases in His redemptive work. Now, understand that as far as God the Father is concerned, the redemptive work of Jesus stands outside of time.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! Most if not all Christians know that Jesus bore their sins on the cross. And because He did that, they know that forgiveness of sins has been purchased for them with His blood. But not many Christians know that Jesus also bore their sicknesses on the cross and purchased healing for them with His blood. In other words, they do not know that healing is in the atonement or redemptive work of Christ. They do not know that Christ has actually redeemed them from sickness.
Why is this point so important? For one important reason, redemptive equivalency. Most Christians have tremendous faith in the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus because it is taught so much in local churches- that is a good thing of course. Since the Bible puts healing on the same redemptive ground as forgiveness of sins, folks can also direct the same faith and confidence in receiving healing (1 Peter 2:24) as they do the forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9).
1. The Right Sacrifice
The account of Cain and Abel is very significant because it points out a very important principle in regards to the means by which fallen man can be reconciled back to God. In other words, how do we deal with the sin problem, in order for our relationship with God to be restored? This fact has tremendous application to healing. As the story goes, Cain put his trust in his own labor as an offering to be acceptable to God, but it was rejected. Cain is a type and shadow for religion today, mankind’s manufactured effort to come to God on their own terms. Abel on the other hand was a man of faith who obeyed God’s instructions to offer a sacrifice of blood.
2. A Sure Foundation
The foundation for believing in divine healing and health is the cross of Jesus- His perfect, finished work. There is no other foundation. We cannot say that we believe in divine healing because we saw or know of someone who was miraculously healed by God. Why? Because when we see or know of someone who was not healed after prayer, our faith will be shaken. So we must see healing provided for us in the atonement of Christ. We must see it in His redemptive work and Word. That is our sure and firm foundation.
3. Jesus our Substitute
Jesus took our place so that we could take His place. He traded places with us, so to speak. He became our divine substitute or scapegoat. As the old hymn goes, “He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed someone to wash my sins away.”
For example, Jesus took our sins so that we can take His righteousness. He was forsaken by God so that God will never leave us nor forsake us. He became poor so that we can be made rich, lacking in nothing. He wore the crown of thorns for the restoration of our soul- peace of mind and deliverance from all mental anguish. And, of course, He took our sicknesses so that we can receive His health. He was scourged so that we can be healed.
4. Redeemed from the Curse
Whenever the Bible makes reference to sickness it is always spoken of in terms of being a curse and not a blessing. Obviously a curse is always something bad, evil, hurtful, undesirable and destructive, and to be avoided. The curse as described in Deuteronomy chapter 28 is punishment in response to breaking God’s laws- punishing rebellion and disobedience. Jesus took our curse, was punished for our sin, and absorbed the full measure of pain and suffering as our substitute. As a result of the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection, we have been redeemed from everything that th
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! In this episode we will be examining how God’s provision for healing worked under the Old Covenant; which served as a type and shadow for better things to come under the New Covenant. Someone will ask, “What does healing under the Old Covenant that have to do with us today? That was back then and applied to Israel.” God is the same God now as He was then. The Bible says He does not change according to Malachi 3:6. God was against sin in the Old Testament and He is against sin in the New Testament. He was against sickness in the Old Testament, and He is against sickness in the New Testament. He made provision for healing in the Old Testament, and He made provision for healing in the New Testament.
1. God’s Healing Provision for Israel
God always has been opposed to sickness, not in favor of it. Even in the Old Testament, He always made provision for His covenant people to be healed. If sickness was His will, He wouldn’t have made that provision. When Israel crossed the Red Sea and started toward their homeland, the Lord said: In Exodus 15:26, the Lord declares Himself to be “I am the Lord that heals you.”
As long as Israel walked in the Covenant, there was no sickness among them. There is no record of a premature death- no babies, young people, or middle-aged people dying. With sickness taken away from among them, the children of Israel lived out their lives without disease- they just fell asleep at a ripe old age, full of years. When the time came for them to go, they would lay hands on their children and pronounce blessings upon them. Then they would gather their feet up into bed and their spirit would simply leave their body. This experience is referred to as the “Death of the Righteous,” no wasting disease eating away at them, no Alzheimer’s or mental debilitation. This is God’s best for His people.
2. God’s Covenant Names
The great poet William Shakespeare once posed this question: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell sweet.” Our modern society places little significance on the meaning of a name. Parents usually name their children after beloved relatives or well-known persons. Sometimes they pick a child’s name merely because it “sounds good.” But seldom would they give thought to the meaning of a name. Yet names do mean something. Ideally, they correspond directly to the one designated by the name.
This is certainly true of God. The Bible refers to God by many different names, and each one reveals some aspect of God’s character or His relationship with us. The translators who gave us the King James Version and other English versions of the Bible simply translate His name as “God” or “Lord”; but significantly, several Greek or Hebrew names are used in the original manuscripts. If we want to become a serious student of the Word of God, we should be familiar with those Greek and Hebrew names because they contain a wealth of truth about the wonderful God we serve.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- Healing is the Children’s Bread! The subject of divine healing is significant in the Scriptures and is woven throughout the entire Bible as part of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. In this season we’ll take a comprehensive look concerning God’s will concerning healing. I’m convinced that the essence of divine healing is found in God’s love and His compassion in action for suffering humanity; as a result of the curse of sin and death in the world. I named this series “Healing is the Children’s Bread” because the Word of God plainly makes it a major staple for the believers to receive, enjoy and share with others. In Acts 5:20 the angel told Peter who was delivered from jail, “…tell the people the full message of this new life.”
1. Healing Bread
Bread in ancient times has been the symbol of life and nourishment for our bodies. It always has been regarded as something wholesome and good; representing the basic necessity of life. Is it no wonder that God makes a divine connection between natural bread and the Word of God? As Jesus said in John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” As natural bread sustains physical life, Jesus Christ, the Word of God sustains us on all three dimensions of our being- spirit, soul and body. “For in him we live and move and have our being,” Acts 17:28.
2. Who has Believed the Report?
Isaiah 53:1, “Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
My encouragement to you as you read this material is to be open in your thinking. There may be some unbiblical traditions and mentalities that will be challenged along the way, please don’t turn me off. Of course you are not obligated to accept anything in this material if you can’t see it plainly in the Word of God and bears witness with your spirit- Acts 17:11. However, if you begin to see things in the Word of God that may be a little different from what you have been accustomed to, we need to stay with the truth of God’s Word and not what we thought the Bible said, or what another person said they thought the Bible said. I don’t know about you, but if I am wrong in my thinking, I want to know about it and change so I can receive God’s blessing in my life.
3. God at Work
Jesus had been healing on the Sabbath, which was a favorite thing for Him to do, and the religious leaders where upset with Him; for in their religious interpretations, Jesus was breaking the Sabbath day. In response Jesus said to them in John 5:17, “My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too, am working.” Jesus was emphatically stating that getting people healed, like getting people saved from sin, is considered the work of God- Healing people is God’s business! We see the same thing in Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” Thankfully, neither God the Father nor the Lord Jesus Christ has changed as they continue to work through believers, healing people today as part of the Great Commission- Mark 16:15-20.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Authority of the Believer! This will be our last episode for this season. Our Christian experience is grounded in the Word of God, so when it comes to the practical application of deliverance ministry- the Bible is our textbook. The Scriptures are full of teaching and examples of what deliverance ministry should look for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Is the Devil or just the Flesh
When I talk about the “Flesh” I am talking about the old sinful human nature that is still left in the bodies of every Christian alive on the earth today. This means, that believers is Jesus Christ are very capable of committing sin. We are perfect now through righteousness in our born again spiritual natures, just not perfectly walking it out in our daily lives. Some things that folks attribute to the devil are really nothing more than works of the flesh. Most of the time Christians just need to learn how to bring their flesh under the dominion of their recreated spirit- that's called sanctification.
2. The difference between Oppression, Obsession and Possession
To really understand how demons affect people, it’s also important to understand the difference between oppression, obsession, and possession. Many people use these terms interchangeably when they are actually referring to three separate degrees of demonic influence. The primary way Satan tries to gain access to people is through their mind and body. However, the enemy cannot possess a Christian in their spirit- Holy Spirit is already there!
3. Spiritual Warfare: Are we Wrestling or Resting
Spiritual warfare and demonology are subjects some Christians are overemphasizing today in a way that is not in line with the Word of God. Many believers become fearful if we talk about the devil, demons, and evil spirits and their activities. The other extreme is when people seem to think it would be better not to even mention the devil or evil spirits. We need to know our enemy. The Bible says we are not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices and schemes. One of Satan’s devices is to get people off into the extreme, even in the area of spiritual warfare.
4. Pulling down Strongholds
Evil spirits like to remain in the locality where they have established strongholds. The Bible gives us an example of this in Mark chapter 5 when Jesus delivered the madman of Gadara. When traveling, it can be easy to discern what kinds of spirits are in a given locality. The evil spirits that dominate a city will try to get into the local churches, if allowed to; the church of Corinth in the Bible is a good example- 1 Cor. 5.
5. Praying Scripturally
How can we pray so that our prayers will affect change in our cities/nations? Only the Word of God will prevail over every circumstance, demon or force of evil. A revivalist once said, “It is no more supernatural for believers to have a revival than it is for farmers to reap a crop.” The same principles for sowing/reaping a crop apply to both the natural & spiritual realms. We prepare the ground of people’s hearts through scriptural prayer. The Word has to be sown in people’s hearts through the preaching/teaching of the Word. The Word and Prayer working together results in signs and wonders – revival in the land!
6. Is Deliverance Ministry Scriptural?
If you are a Christian, healing and deliverance belongs to you. The word “deliverance” doesn’t just mean deliverance from demons- there’s a greater application. We’re talking about freedom from anything that would try to bind us is par
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Authority of the Believer! I trust that you’ve been enjoying this series. As we continue our journey through this vital subject, I can’t stress enough how vital it is for all Christians to obtain a solid grasp of these Biblical revelations in our spirits. In this episode we will go into the particulars of spiritual warfare, deliverance ministry and the operation of demons. As always, God's Word is our source of truth- Acts 17:11.
1. The Mandate Continues- Setting the Captives free
God never intended that there should ever be any change in the methods of ministry down through the ages. Only as nations developed, should these methods be broadened, but the miraculous element enfolded in the Name of Jesus should be the means of opening closed doors to the Church everywhere; the sick should be healed; the power of Satan broken over lives and captives set free.
2. The Name of Jesus- Still Controversial
Jesus knew the place His Name would hold among humanity. People would love it enough to die for it; others would hate it enough to commit murder on account of it. This Name that makes demons tremble and saints rejoice. It’s no wonder that sinners use that Name in vain when they curse God.
3. Enforcing Satan’s Defeat
Have you ever noticed how throughout the ministry of Jesus that He had regularly encountered the devil and evil spirits and put them in their place- casting them out of the lives and bodies of people! There are two extremes today- no devil or a devil behind every tree. The reality is that the Bible has a lot to say about demons, their habits, influence and power over people.
4. Our Place of Authority in Combat
Does the Church have authority that she has not recognized- yes, we have not even gotten into the edge of it. However, when Jesus returns, there will be a host of believers who will have raised up to this place. We as the Church have been given the authority that Jesus had obtained through conquest. His intent is that we exercise it on the earth today as His Body.
5. Another look at the Trichotomy
We are a three-fold being known as a Trichotomy- spirit, soul and body. I am a spirit being, I have a soul and I live in a body. Our development should encompass all three dimensions. To train only the physical is to make an athlete. To train only the mental is to make an intellectual academic. To train only the spiritual is to make a fanatic. God’s plan is for the development and training of the whole person.
6. What we need to know about demons
The theological subject of “demonology” is more relevant today in a western culture that ignores or denies the existence of the spirit realm. Satan prefers anonymity in order to afflict humanity without taking the blame. We will explore some basic concepts of how the demonic seek to influence people.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Authority of the Believer! In this third episode we will be diving right into the power and use of the Name of Jesus. Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” The Christian experience begins with calling on the person of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The reality of the power in the Name of Jesus continues to resonate throughout this life and for all eternity.
1. Mankind and Miracles
When reason takes the place of the miraculous, Christianity loses its vitality, fascination and fruitfulness. Christianity is not a religion, it is the very life of God in human beings. The religion of humanism and secularism leaves people empty, confused and hungry for God. The answer to the universal cravings of mankind for the supernatural is found only in the Lord. Specifically, found in the new birth, being baptized with the Holy Spirit and the Name of Jesus. We crave the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
2. How Jesus obtained a more excellent Name
I need to point out that names in the Bible are really significant because they are titles of authority that point to a particular office and represent great achievements or victories- they serve a function. A person’s name represents a person, names have meanings. They shed light as to their character and destiny. When we learn about the Name of Jesus we will come to understand the person of Jesus.
3. The Name of Jesus- what is behind it!
If one is planning to use the Name of Jesus in prayer, praise and power evangelism, one needs to know the power invested in that Name which God esteems above every other name. The Name of Jesus is just as wonderful as Jesus, all His conquests, power and victories are in the Name of Jesus and the Name of Jesus belongs to us, to use in every area of life today!
4. The Great Commission
This concept, “The Power of Attorney” is foundational in understanding the authority of the Believer. Jesus gave us the power of attorney, the legal right to use His Name. Value of the Name of Jesus is based on how much power is backing the Name that it represents. So how much power and authority does Jesus have? We will explore that question in depth together.
5. The Unqualified Use of the Name of Jesus
Authority is delegated power. God Himself is the power behind the authority that was given unto us through the Name of Jesus. Believers that are thoroughly convinced of the divine power that is behind them and of their own authority that has been delegated to them and exercises it, can face the enemy without fear or hesitancy.
6. The Place of Faith in the Use of the Name
Most Christians believe the Name of Jesus belongs to them, but having faith in the Name is not the same. That is why we are not performing the same miracles they had in the early church, because our faith in the Name is not the same. Does not matter what we feel, our strength comes from the Lord and the power of His might- let's get that revelation into our spirit.
7. The Use of the Name
It would behoove us to see in the Scriptures how the Name of Jesus was used as it pertains to the plan of salvation and its relation to the believer in his/her Christian life. Christianity would have a whole new element about it if we taught the people according to the Word what it meant to believe ON the Name as a sinner and then to believe IN the Name as a believer.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Authority of the Believer! Any authority is only as good as the power that backs it up. In this second episode we will explore the fundamentals of what backs our authority in Jesus Christ. What Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, resurrection paid the price for our glorious redemption from sin and death. Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, victorious and triumphant over the kingdom of darkness.
1. Blood Covenant
We need to briefly lay a foundation concerning blood covenant. The basis by which God and the ancient civilizations entered into agreement with one another. I am absolutely convinced that the subject of blood covenant is one of the most important and misunderstood subjects in the Bible. When the child of God fully grasps in his/her spirit the ramifications of these powerful truths, all things truly become possible to them who believe as Jesus said in Mark 9:23.
2. Authority Given to Human Beings on this Earth
Remember back in Genesis, it was to mankind that God had given dominion to rule over His creation. In order for God or the devil to exert influence upon the earth, it must be done through people.
3. Death, Burial & Resurrection
What Jesus did in His death, burial and resurrection was the fulfillment of this Promise of deliverance, freedom, restoration and reconciliation for mankind in Genesis 3:15. To fully appreciate and operate in the authority that we have in Christ Jesus, we must first have a firm foundation and understand the glorious redemption that was bought and paid for on our behalf by Jesus. The subject of redemption covers what we have been redeemed from and what we have been redeemed to.
4. Seated Together with Jesus at the Right Hand of the Father
We were raised together with Christ. He was raised up by the glory of the Father, when He had satisfied the claims of Justice for our sins, and had met our great enemy Satan and his army in the dark regions of hell and conquered them. He then was made alive in His spirit as the firstborn from among the dead.
5. Baptized Into the Name of Jesus
The Greek the word “Baptism” means to “Submerge, immerse; to make overwhelmed, fully wet.” We will cover four different kinds of baptisms, but will go into greater detail on the first baptism that Christians undertake- being baptized into Jesus Christ.
6. The Court Room of Heaven
I’m confident that this segment will really open our eyes to the intricacies and dynamics concerning the court room in heaven. Scripture not only points to a future judgment for all people, but we must realize that there is a spiritual court in session 24/7 today. What we do and say can and will be used for us or against us in this court of law.
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Welcome to Word of Life Study Series- The Authority of the Believer! In this first episode we will be laying a foundation, by examining the origins of the authority that God had given to mankind from the beginning.
1. The Origin of Mankind
Mankind was created in the image of God; the first man Adam was created as a physically mature adult. We did not evolve from comic goo. Nor are we an accident of nature, but were originally created as the crowning jewel of God’s re-creation of the earth- Acts 17:26.
2. Human Beings Consists of Three Parts
We are not just a physical body; we are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body- 1 Th. 5:23. With our spirit we contact the spirit realm; conscience is the voice of the human spirit. With our soul (mind, will and emotions) we contact the intellectual realm; reason is the voice of our soul. Finally with our physical body (5 physical senses) we make contact with the material world; feelings is the voice of the body. We are three dimensional beings.
3. God Gave Mankind Dominion
Yet as soon as He finished restoring the earth to a habitable state, He turned it over to Adam on a lease, to be a steward and caretaker of it- Genesis 1:26-28. God created us for His glory (Isaiah 43:7) to have a relationship with Him- what an amazing honor! As a result, God made us a little lower than Himself (Psalm 8:3-9), “You made mankind a little lower than God (Hebrew word “elohiym”- for God).” The most High God made humanity the “gods” of this earth- Psalms 82:6; John 10:34-35.
4. The Probation of Mankind
In Genesis 2:15, concerning the Garden of Eden, God told Adam to “take care of it or to keep it.” Obviously that implied to guard and protect it from intruders. This is the first reference to man’s adversary- the devil. Why put that tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden in the first place anyway? To have an opportunity to make a choice.
5. The Fall of Mankind
Just as Satan enticed 1/3 of the angels to rebel, here he is tempting Adam and Eve. The goal, was to usurp Adam’s God given authority by enticing them to commit high treason. If Satan could get Adam and Eve to obey his words and do what he says, they would then become his slave and Satan would gain Adam’s dominion by forfeit- Romans 6:16.
6. The Origin of Satan
There was an Arch-Angel at one time named Lucifer- an Arch-Angel is a high ranking angel. Isaiah 14:12-17 (KJV), “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” Before Adam and Eve were created, which we call the Pre-Adamite age, spanning millions of years- the time before Genesis 1:2. Lucifer had authority given to him upon this earth, a throne over the nations of that time- Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19.
7. The Kingdom of Darkness
The Lord does not want us ignorant, unaware or afraid of Satan’s devices- 2 Cor. 2:11. Being informed and equipped keeps us from being taken advantage of. Satan prefers anonymity, if people think he does not exist- no one will oppose him. It is vital that we understand that Satan incarnates all that is evil and wicked in this world.
8. Trials, Tests & Temptations
It is critical for the believer to know the source of Good and Evil. Jesus made it plain in John 10:10; Good God vs Bad devil, simple theology- please don’t mix this up. A person can have 10 miles of trials and not grow an inch unless they stand on God’s Word in the midst of those trials, otherwise they become another victim or statistic. Let’s not get ripped
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