Word of Light Community Church - Sermons: Recent Episodes
Word of Light
Why would we talk about sex in church? Our sexuality—our natural desires and attractions—are a major part of who we are as humans. Sexual interest is being used as a major driving force in every aspect of our culture and daily lives today. But we seem to forget the fact in our “Christian Taboo” mentalities that God Himself masterfully, purposefully created every detail and facet of sexual intimacy. He created the equipment, the desire, the excitement, the unbelievable intimacy and bonding. It was one of His most amazing and powerful gifts ever given to mankind. Even the very act of union is designed to show Him becoming One with us. She gives herself to him, allowing him to be in her as one. He leaves a part of himself which creates new life together. If a chance for new life is missed, the loss is purified with blood. We have taken that priceless gift and corrupted it, abused it, twisted it, worshiped it, used it until we have removed it from its wonderfully designed function, until we have taken away everything that makes it awesome and turned it into a cheap way to use and be used; another way to be self-seeking, controlling, and rebellious until the greatest gift becomes the greatest curse. Because the more powerful and coveted an object becomes, the more devastating and hurtful it can become when misused, and our sexuality has become one of the single-most misused and destructive forces in our society today; robbing us of so many of the blessings God has for us and ruining minds, bodies, hearts and families. Satan loves to work in the darkness, in unopposed secrecy. God Works in the light, in truth: John 3:20-21. That is why this is the place which is most proper to discuss His gift, because He designed it. His Word speaks openly, directly and frequently about it and it’s misuse, even worship brings much pain and confusion. Unfortunately, there is another enormous need for us to discuss sexual intimacy sex in the Church. In a Pew Research Center study of 2020, 57% almost 6 out of 10 professing Christians say that sex is acceptable between unmarried adults in a relationship; and 50% say even casual sex between non-committed adults (not even in a relationship) is acceptable sometimes or always. Statistically speaking, what does this mean for those of us in this church?
We need to realize, we are not trusting God, but man. We need to remember if God designed sex, and He has powerful wisdom behind His plan, and we need to return to our God in everything that touches our lives. If you say, “Well, it’s too late for me,” think about this: If you missed your exit on an interstate to get home, would you keep going, and say, “Oh, well,” or turn? If you accidentally took a sip of something poisonous, would you say, “Too late now,” and chug it? It’s never too late to be covered by His Blood and start new trusting and healing yourself in His plan.
Some Christians will say, “Who are you to tell me how to live my life? It is my right, to live how I want; it’s none of your business.” To which I will respond in this way: 1) You are correct, no one can force you to do anything. God won’t even force you. You can also choose to drive sloppy drunk, at 100mph, does that mean you would be wise in doing so? You are free to quit your job and live homeless—many do. Are you dumb for not joining in? God’s ways are not just legalistic rules, they are for an incredible purpose and plan for happiness. 2) If you proclaim Christ, you have given Him every right: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; 1 Corinthians 6:13, 19-20.
Let’s start by seeing exactly what God says about how and where His wonderful gift is to be enjoyed: Genesis 2:24-25. From the earliest passages written, sexual intimacy was designed to be within the beautiful covenant of marriage, and between a man and a woman, which is a stunning and powerful illustration of Jesus, His Bride (the Church). Scriptures are not vague, or scarce in this plan: in marriage only: Hebrews 13:4: between a man and a woman only: Leviticus 18:22-23; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-28. Sexual intimacy was not just designed just for procreation, but as a way to intimately bond like no other; as a way to meet each other’s needs in the most powerful and unique way; as the most complete way of giving yourself to another possible: 1 Corinthians 7:2-5. Sex is designed as a way to enjoy and celebrate another, so privately, intimately, and powerfully, that there is no equal in relationships. Do the following verses sound stoic, legalistic and simply “procreation”? Song of Songs 2:16-17; Song of Songs 4:9-12. These are among the tamer verses which I could actually read in a mixed audience. God created sexuality to be enjoyed fully and beautifully. 3) This incredible gift is not only to be protected and treasured physically, but with our hearts and minds—the most important parts—given solely towards building and protecting that intimacy with one other body, soul and mind: Matthew 5:27-28.
Let’s be practical and look at very real reasoning behind Christians who still justify premarital sexual relationships. Improper thought: God is not against premarital sex between people who are in love and plan to get married anyway. Because in His eyes, they are joined in marriage at the moment of sexual union, and the earthly marriage just shows the world what happened. Here is the Biblical and secular reality of that thought process. 1) It is not Biblical. We are to obey the Laws of our society (Romans 13:1-7). Sexual union makes us intimately one in His eyes which is exactly why He says it is not proper until we have made a life covenant with them: 1 Corinthians 6:15-16; 1 Corinthians 7:9. Did it say if they cannot exercise control, they should go ahead and sleep together because they will get married? They should go ahead and do every other sexual act other than intercourse, until they are married? No, and no. God’s Word clearly does not say ‘sleeping with someone whom you plan to marry is ok.’ And He has awesome reasons for saying this. 2) Multiple, secular, long-term research clearly shows info from the National Library of Medicine (1) (2): Sex before getting married (trying out before buying/90%) (already have wrong idea of what makes sex great) and living together before getting married (70%) both produce: higher divorce rates after marriage, lower marital satisfaction, lower dedication, lower confidence, more negative communication—known as the “Cohabitation Effect.” [The researchers say they don’t understand why, yet!] Maybe because they went into the relationship without restraint or control and they sense they still have these tendencies. Practically, secularly, and biblically speaking, it is a lie that premarital sex and cohabitation do anything but bring more mistrust, dissatisfaction, and destruction. So, whether you marry them or leave then after sex, you have probably damaged their future happiness. Is that true, selfless love for them? If you truly love someone, you want the best for them, above self. That means you would safeguard them from these stats; that means you would protect them from the possibility that you may not get married; that means you treasure them enough to honor them and enjoy the anticipation of waiting for your beloved; that means you know great sex will be decided by your deep love for them when finally together, and not their performance or sexual ability. Every sexual partner you have before marriage, every moment you spend indulging in pornography increases your chance of lower marital fulfillment and increases your chance for dissatisfaction sexually in marriage. Why? Because that mental, emotional, physical and spiritual affection is given to another. Pornography takes away even the need or desire for a real partner, replacing the emotional and physical ability to even relate and bond. Any premarital sex or pornography will steal a part of you with it that cannot be taken back. Your affections, your desires, your thoughts, your body become damaged and confused: 1 Corinthians 6:18. You physically leave a part of you with that person for years to come.
Doctor Everett Koop, former U.S. Surgeon General, made the following statement about this fact: “When you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years.” The Department of Health & Human Resources breaks this eye-opening fact down in an informational chart for emphasis: If you have had 7 sex partners, each same number as you equals 127 contacts. If you have had 12 sex partners, each same number as you equals 4095. When God says that we are becoming "one flesh" in unity, this is proven physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. You mentally condition your mind to be attached and excited by something other than what is yours until your thoughts are programmed to want something different, something more, for satisfaction. This is why many say “They just don't get excited by their partner anymore.” Because you have programmed yourself to need something else. Emotionally, each time you join with another person in such intimacy—even have romantic or sexual thoughts about them—your body produces a hormone called oxytocin (the happy hormone). This hormone enhances your emotional connection to the object of your focus at release, producing increased trust, empathy, bonding, desire, memories, and a connection of belonging. You are literally, through chemical reactions, helping to create an emotionally joining of yourself with that person. You have given a part of yourself to them in a very real way. That is emotional intimacy which belongs to one person. And this emotional intimacy eventually gets so tainted, so cheaply spread thin, that it becomes weak and broken until there is nothing left to give. When attention, affection and intimate thoughts are all centered on one partner as God intended, the repeated mental programming of pleasure with one person—these repeated surges of emotionally charged oxytocin, the repeated sharing of physical intimacy with one sacred partner, the repeated proving of your desire, trust and devotion to one soul—will exponentially build your desire and excitement for that person alone, bond you physically, mentally and emotionally in a very real and awesome way. The secret, exclusive world you build together through this relationship as God designed will be the most desired, passionate and untouchable place you can go, that is something that free-sex in a cheap world can never equal. When something as powerful, personal, and special as sexual intimacy is cherished, protected, kept exclusively for one person who means that much to you; when true, tender love is shared only with your one, every time; when trust is built, memories are accumulated and happy hormones are all shared with one chosen lover—a thrill, a closeness, an experience like no other is enjoyed just as God intended before the world cheapened and robbed us. Even secular research shows through time and destruction that God’s Word, God’s Plan is beautiful and flawless.
Will you trust Him? Will you live for Him and His Ways? Or become another statistic? Proverbs 5:15-19.
Jesus taught over 30 clear Parables during His earthly Ministry. Today, we will look at just one of them: The Parable of the Ten Virgins which most of you have heard many times, and which has been interpreted in many different lights. But, have you ever Scripturally, contextually looked closely? Because all of Jesus’ parables are powerful and relevant, but this one speaks directly to those living at His Return. And when we discern the times in which we are living, we should pay extra careful attention to this warning. I understand that a number of sincere, saved Christians believe differently about when Jesus will come to take His own home. Some believing it will be at different points of the Great Time of Tribulation on earth, before His final return; some believing He will not come to take us home at all before His final return. But I sincerely believe Scriptures are very clear in showing two distinct appearances of Our King in the End of Times with a distinctly separate mission for each. Listen to these two passages closely: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. This appearing of Jesus is in the clouds. He is never seen as even touching down on this earth. This appearance of Jesus involves no one, but His elect saints. This appearance immediately takes us up to where He is. This appearance involves no judgment, no destruction—but a loving rescue of His beloved. Now, listen to this passage: Jude 1:14-15. This passage clearly speaks of a time when Jesus returns to the earth physically, with a different agenda: to bring judgment and conviction. Judgment to unfaithful, unsaved people left on earth, and this verse is careful to say, “all” left on earth. How, at His return can He Judge all on earth? Because His Bride are with Him at this coming. If He does not take them home before this event, how is this event even possible as described? Listen to other passages describing the same scene in the end: Revelation 17:13-14; Revelation 19:11-14. It is as clear as possible in these passages that He will be coming soon to receive His Bride into His Kingdom, unexpectedly. Shown again, even in this parable we are about to study: Matthew 25:10-11. After the True Bride of Jesus was safely returned home at the marriage feast and the doors were shut, others remained behind still searching to buy oil, only to come to His doors later knowing all that Scriptures say of events preceding His return, and knowing that Jesus said we can recognize the season that we are to look for Signs of His coming: be watching. He tells us in this Parable that many will still be caught unprepared. Let’s delve deeply into the reality of this Parable as it applies right now to all of us. Here is the setting of this Parable as understood in light of the Jewish culture. A man would be betrothed to his bride in this culture, then leave for a period of up to a year to prepare a place for her before consummating the marriage. As the Bride would stay ready and waiting, lighting a lamp to show that she was looking for his return. Then, when His Father says it is time, He returns for her to take her to be where He is to remove her from the rest of the world and He usually came blowing trumpets in a procession, often at night, where she came out (up) to meet Him and they left everyone else, together. The Bride would be anxiously watching for His return, and would go out to meet him with her lamp lit. The Bridegroom would take her back to their new home for a week-long celebration, leading to the wedding with this cultural mindset. Let’s read the Parable: Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus starts this Parable by saying the Kingdom of Heaven will be like this, describing the event and describing the True Bride. To clearly understand the Parable, the key is to understand what each aspect of the Parable represents. Obviously, Jesus is the Bridegroom returning from Heaven after sealing a Covenant of betrothal with His Bride; after going to prepare a place for Her; after the Father has said, “Go and get your Bride.” The Ten Virgins must represent those who have professed to be waiting for their Groom; those proclaiming Jesus Christ; those who have accepted Him publicly, in Betrothal. But here, some are obviously portrayed as divided at heart or uncommitted Brides; those who proclaim Him in Name only and do not live with a true desire and hope for their Groom. The Lamps, or Lanterns, or Torches represent their faith and devotion to Him as they burn bright in anticipation and declaration of their Beloved. And the Bride must carry this flame until they see Him again, or they will not be in the Wedding Procession. The Oil is controversial in meaning to many. Some say it represents the Spirit which lives in every believer. But in the ending of this Parable, Jesus Himself says, “He never knew them.” Therefore, in this instance, some might say the oil would not represent the Spirit of God. If He did not know us, did not dwell in us. Here, it seems obvious the Oil represents their level of true love in Him. Scriptures are clear that many start out with powerful faith in Who He is, but not in Him intimately. They may have a desire to follow that “belief” in Him, but still have conflicting motives and false commitment: Matthew 13:5-7.
With all of the pieces in place, let’s ponder the meaning. The fact that Jesus Himself, said His faithful believers would be at a time of slumber as He tarried tells us that He knew His return would not be for some time from that point because He had caused quite a stir and many anticipated His Kingdom immediately. Jesus is warning the many untrue followers who are mixed with true believers; those that know Who He truly is and profess to love Him. Yet, in their hearts they love self, more, and eventually they begin to love the world more, and in their time of watching and waiting for Him because they are not truly longing for Hiim, wanting Him. Their Oil, their faith and commitment runs out (they wither), and although they outwardly still proclaim His Name, their thoughts and lives have begun to show the truth—their lamp has run out. And when the realization of His return occurs, they are in a panic suddenly realizing they are not burning for Him anymore and they begin to “trim their wicks,”—begin to try and make their light look bright again, and they look to those around them who are still burning to help them be acceptable to the Groom. This is a very accurate description of many, many professing Christians today, looking and feeling like they are Betrothed Virgins to Our Lord, even deceiving themselves. But in reality, their hearts are empty for Christ and as time goes by, as trials come, as temptations call their light for Him grows ever dimmer, even though they sit with the other Brides in waiting; they do not Know Him, have no root to keep them, and they continue in their happy stupor of comfort until that day when they realize they are about to meet Him. They realize no one else can save them; no one else can give them oil for their lamp; no sermon can save them; no church attendance or good works can save them; no lies to others about how they love Him; growing up in a Christian home can’t save them; accepting that He exists or that He is even Coming Again can’t save them. Only a sincere heart that wants His Love, trusts His ways, and is willing to live for Him, long for Hiim to the end—has been bought by the Bridegroom with His Blood. Only those with lamps still burning bright will be able to join the Wedding Procession. Listen to these Passages describing exactly what Jesus is portraying here: Revelation 2:3-5; Revelation 3:1-3; Revelation 3:15-20. If this were not such a real and persistent issue in Jesus’ Church, would Jesus have devoted a Parable specifically to this? Would He have addressed it repeatedly to the churches in His Final Book of Scriptures? Would He have given such dire and fearful warnings to His own people? Our fruits do not save us. Only a real, true, lasting love for Him that wants to be covered under His Blood! that wants to belong to Him completely at the cost of anything else in their lives. Only they will be carried away by the Bridegroom. But Jesus clearly warns every professor of His Name that a healthy tree bears signs of good fruits. Otherwise, it means the tree is sick and diseased. The lamp is running out of oil, it has no root. Although it may look like all the others for a time; although their lamps may be burning for a while, at harvest time they will have no fruits; at the time for the Wedding, their lamps will be out.
In our final passage, listen to this serious warning given to churches just like us who have many sitting smug and secure in false security among other brides, yet having lives that are not truly given to Him: Matthew 7:16-23. If it was not possible to repent and turn from this fake faith; if it was not possible that the Spirit could help us see Truth and turn to Him in sincerity, why would Jesus give so many warnings? Why would He literally call us to repentance and restoration? Why would He show such heartbreak and passion?
Drop your pride; drop your own self-deceit; stop being a foolish virgin. Ask yourself, do you really love Him? Are you really living to please Him? Longing to be with Him? Or, are you living your own life playing the fool with false security, simply because you have claimed to be His Bride and you don’t even know Him, aren’t longing for Him, aren’t living for Him? You have to know that ignorance is not bliss but destruction. Don’t just trim your wicks (and look better), fill your flask with oil.
In my personal time with God He has revealed to me something that I needed to work on that is much bigger than I realized. And I decided to be transparent about it because it is obvious that we all struggle with this to some degree. Sometimes our biggest sins as Christians come in very innocent looking packages that don’t seem overtly sinful. But are strongly condemned in His Word when we stop to examine Scriptures honestly, because as natural or innocent as some things may seem, God knows they are very hurtful to our spirit and intimacy with Him. Let’s read a Passage from Paul to the Church of Corinth which was concerning the Israelites when Moses led them out of their slavery in Egypt. Paul reflects on this time with a message to Christians about things the Israelites did after their deliverance, which he warns they should be careful not to repeat because these things caused God such displeasure in them that they were all either punished immediately or ultimately, kept from the Promised Land: 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 (grumble). Numbers 11:1-3. Why would God put something as simple as complaining in a list with Idolatry, adultery, and rebellion? Today we will reveal this clearly!. Please do not think this message is saying we should just “suck it up, buttercup” and never have a complaint again. We all have legitimate things that make us feel dissatisfied; that give us reason to complain in this world. Almost every business and advertisement in existence actually tries to create dissatisfaction and complaining in our minds so we will turn to them for our relief. Almost all politicians will try to show reasons for complaining so they may become our answer as well. But because of these purposeful influences from many directions, and our tendency to focus on ourselves, it has become all-to-common for us to make complaining a constant reaction of thought and response even in the not-so-bad areas of life, even in the normal events of life, until it becomes a natural and regular response—it becomes a way of life.
Psychologists agree that complaining stems from a need to control things which we cannot control. So, complaining gives us a false sense of doing something about it. Or, fear to act when we actually can do something so we choose to complain as our response to guilty feelings. Or especially a need to validate ourselves and our tough situation so that we may get attention above others. “They tend to be focused on themselves and their own—presumably negative—experience. By showing their anger, frustration, or disappointment, they are soliciting attention from their confidantes. They can feel validated by receiving attention and sympathy. Venters are particularly likely to discount advice and proposed solutions to their problems. They aren’t looking to solve anything; they simply want validation.”
This has become a serious issue for many because much study of compulsive complaining has revealed that it can rewire the brain—so that this path of thinking becomes ingrained in our constant thought process. It becomes a part of how we constantly view life. This causes us to lose perspective of all of the good around us; causes us to miss so much happiness we could enjoy; causes us to miss many opportunities that may be present. All because we are too focused on the negatives to see and enjoy (Proverbs 15:15). Secondly, even though it may feel satisfying in the moment, to complain, God’s Word (and secular psychologists) emphatically say after complaining, the speaker and the listener usually feel worse—proving it is a fruitless and hurtful endeavor (Proverbs 16:24; Proverbs 18:14). Those who use complaining as a means to draw people to themselves actually end up making themselves and others more miserable—and in the process drive others away instead. Compulsive complaining is absolutely contagious. It sets the mood and expectation for all around you. It greatly reduces determination, hope, drive and actions, and it discourages others to feel and act the same. Have you ever been assigned to, or worked with, compulsive complainers? Usually the whole group echoes the same attitude. We as Christians are called to be Light, Salt, Hope, Faith (Proverbs 12:25; Isaiah 50:4; Ephesians 4:29
(sapros). Instead of doing this, we often become the ones to blow out the candle first!; to bring spoilage rather than preserving; to show the least faith and hope in our complaints; to show there is no joy in following Jesus Christ. Which brings us to our biggest issue with compulsive complaining and shows us just why God is so against it. Do you believe that God is completely Sovereign? That He is in control of our live and the world? Hopefully your answer would be, “Yes!” If so, you can understand this Passage of Scripture about the complaints of the Israelites: Exodus 16:8. Complaining about our circumstances all of the time flippantly and pitifully says to God: “I don’t accept what you are doing in my life and I want it done another way.” “I refuse to do what you want because I don’t like it!” (Psalms 106:24-25). It shows that we are not surrendered to God’s Will; that we are not trusting His Heart and Character; that we don’t really think He has a plan and purpose behind all He allows; that we feel He is out of control in our lives. It shows that we are not willing to walk through hard times in faith and courage for Him.
If you find yourself complaining often in life and you want to do something about it: 1) Realize that it is a sin against God (a big sin), and stop thinking it is trivial, natural or overlooked by Him. But, realize that it instead grieves His Heart as much as adultery and idolatry. Listen to these Passages of Scripture: Zechariah 13:9; Job 23:10. When gold and silver are refined or purified. They are placed under extreme heat (by fire in Biblical day), and the impurities become visible, floating to the top. And when they reach their purest state, they become very soft and moldable. When you and I are given to quick and constant complaining, God has turned up the heat enough to make all of the hidden impurities float to visibility for us. He has revealed the dross (worthless part) that even we did not see. That we really don’t trust how He is working in our lives or in the world; that we really aren’t willing to walk where He leads; we really aren’t moldable in the hands of Our Father. We should do this when we see the feel the urge to complain coming to surface. 2) Realize we have begun to trust our own way more than we trust God’s ways of working in our lives, and we are showing by our attitude that we want to depart from God’s Leading for our own (John 6:66-67). [A few years ago, I was forced to mid-shift due to injury at work and couldn’t counsel or teach Wednesday nights. I wanted to be anywhere but there, and questioned God nightly. [Randy helped me see the light)]]. 3) Know that you are hurting God and hurting His Name before others when you complain. [I did not show genuine love for others in my bitterness for a time, or faith that God was in control of my life. I was complaining to every manager and person I saw. (Matthew 5:14-16).] 4) Decide this: once and for all I truly know that God is in control and that He is working in all things. Therefore, I will surrender to His will and trust His heart over my own wisdom and wants. Let it be a time of real given worship, trust and intimacy rather than a fight and a rejection (Isaiah 55:8-9). [I truly determined that God had a plan on mid-shift, and I surrendered to finding His will and making the most of the situation. My attitude changed, and my love for others returned. My joy in everyday experiences came back; my desire to witness and help others returned (Colossians 4:5-6). I ended up being so blessed that I didn’t want to leave. God worked through me to help heal a life and lead back to Christ. I made a life-long bond that has grown to many over years. And then I was moved from there to QC, first shift (unheard of at work). I received a real and awesome peace after accepting God’s way of working (Colossians 3:14-15). 5) Be willing to endure whatever comes even if it does not change (Philippians 4:11-13; Job 13:15; Daniel 3:16-18; Philippians 1:29). Know this: if you have to endure for His sake, sometimes it’s as much a part of God’s Plan to go through the fire to the end as supernatural deliverance would be, because He gets even more Glory sometimes in the rock-solid faith shown by His beloved. 6) Talk it over with Him. Having reasons to complain will come, so rather than complain about Him, complain to Him. Openly, sincerely, intimately tell Him how you feel. Surrender to Him, telling Him it is even in your lack of understanding. Let Him be your comforter because He truly knows the pain you are carrying and He cares deeply (Psalms 142:1-3). He will give you strength and refreshing, and maybe even reveal some of His Reasons: 1 Peter 5:10. 7) Stop and realize all that you do have to be thankful for, to continue fighting for, to live for. Nick Vujicic, a faithful follower of Christ with no arms or legs said this: “I have the choice to be angry at God for what I don't have, or be thankful for what I do have.”) Philippians 4:6-8.) 8) In light of all we have just learned and considered, hold your tongue from sinning against God: Philippians 2:14-18. Will you join with me in recognizing, admitting and repenting of sinning against our God in our complaints? And working to show our faith and surrender to Him from this point forward?
Let’s open today simply by reading a couple of Passages of Scripture: Luke 18:9-14. This is one of the most well-known little Parables of the Bible. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most quickly disregarded parables of Scripture. Disregarded because to us the Pharisees, represent those people—the Bible-thumping, hard-nosed legalists. The mean, narcissistic fuddy-duddies who have long sleeves, proper hair, and no fun; those who preach fire and brimstone and judge everyone else by their standards. Most Christians today live their spiritual lives with a self-centered approach as the very basis for their faith, constantly driven by guilt, fear and performance to act better, do more, avoid the ways of the world—which are all good things in themselves but it is still obsessed with self over the desire for a real relationship with Christ. We are seeing our own worth and relationship with God in constant performance-based thinking, placing God’s love for us and our love for others on our current success in adhering to commandments. And just like the Pharisees, some commands are from God, some commands are from men’s traditions. This has made many of us miss the very heart of God’s desire for saving us. And unfortunately, for most of us, we unwittingly miss the very heart of God for others as well. And rather than seeing everything through His eyes of Jesus’ love, grace and mercy, we see everyone in comparison to our own goodness or failures. Yet, we still don’t think this Parable is ever about us because just like this Pharisee in the parable, most truly self-righteous people are completely oblivious to their own state. Sometimes it creeps into our hearts as a defense against our own low self-esteem to feel better about ourselves by seeing the faults in others. Sometimes it is because we have been hurt or abused and we obsess on the negatives of others in our mistrust now. Sometimes it’s because of our own guilt over sin and we alleviate that guilt by finding every fault in others. Sometimes, it’s just pride in how well we are doing compared to others.
Rather than debate yourself, or flat deny the possibility that you may be infected with this mindset, just surrender yourself to Christ and let your own heart be tested today: Psalms 139:23-24. 1) You are always convinced in your mind
that your way is best and people need to listen to you. You don’t feel others have a lot they can teach you; you do not take lightly to being told you made a mistake or you are wrong in your view or opinion, or you may not be the most righteous person. You are very defensive when called out on sin. You are very slow to admit you may have learned something new: Proverbs 29:1. You are often slow to help in lesser work which you consider is not for your caliber of skill or knowledge. 2) You even hold God in contempt in hard times, feeling righteous and intelligent enough to question even the very motives and fairness of our Creator—as though God somehow missed your exceptional worthiness. Trials bring much self-pity and anger because you deserve better, and you rarely look deep within for sinful ways to change Because you are living right: Job 40:8. 3) You go beyond seeing the obvious or blatant sin of another to looking for the sins, suspecting the sins of another; questioning the heart of another person, assuming they probably aren’t where you are, based on mistakes, habits, outward appearance, looking for reasons to hold them in spiritual contempt. It is right and good to judge outright, purposeful rebellion. It is wrong to judge the heart of another person; to look down on them, condemn them, based on assumptions or mistakes—leaving churches, relationships (separate from blatant rebellion) because they are not where you are spiritually. If that is true, maybe they need you in their lives: 1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:10. One of Satan’s favorite tools is ‘Holy Division,’ destroying and separating with self-righteousness. 4) You find yourself making open and frequent remarks about everything in other people’s lives you don’t agree with, without a single thought of first showing any love, acceptance or interest in who they are as a person. Jesus showed genuine love and concern, first for the sinner, and then addressed their sins. To find that non-Christians are often intimidated or not wanting to be around you does not always portray your great holiness. Sometimes it portrays your self-righteousness over love because even the worst of sinners desired to be near Jesus. Not because He was accepting of their sins, but because He was genuinely interested in them: Matthew 9:10-13. 5) You have to be sure people know when you have done something sacrificial or good for another, or you need to feel special and central in God’s work like you can do what no one else can do for God. Social media is full humble acts of goodness. Many ‘righteous’ Christians have been offended or offended others because men didn’t make over their efforts enough: Matthew 6:1. 6) You show little or no empathy for sinful people in pain or trouble. Sometimes gloating in your heart without even thinking of their anguish or suffering; often selective in who you help based on their worthiness: Matthew 5:46-48. 7) You are quick to turn on friendships, church family, or pastor based upon a disagreement, an offense, even an assumption, often not looking at the whole of the person—their heart, their history, their beliefs—simply their one mistake or their one offense, or their one disagreement—focusing more on your injustice or perceived righteousness than forgiveness, restoration, or even the whole truth. Many even left Jesus because of this same attitude: John 6:60-67. 8) You will spend more thought and effort thinking about what might give the right appearance to others than you give to actually wanting or trying to do the right thing; letting others’ opinion or acceptance dictate your actions rather than a desire to just please God: Ephesians 6:6-7.
If you have found yourself in these descriptions, bless you for being honest before the Spirit of God. Here is the greatest, yet hidden danger in self-righteousness: Our self-righteousness most often reflects how we really see God, making us see our closeness and worthiness to Christ based upon how well we perform. Therefore, you are probably motivated in your walk with Him by constant pressure and guilt rather than unconditional love and worth and freely given mercy and grace when you fail. You are probably walking at a distance from Him all the time because you cannot accept His desire for fellowship when you have to be perfect to have an audience with Him; you live a life feeling like you never quite measure up and hold everyone else to the same standard. Here is the cure, and it is so simple, yet so sweet: Matthew 11:28-30. This is obviously not talking about the path which following Him will lead us down. It is talking about the peace and rest which our souls will feel when we join as one with Him, even in our difficult walks; even in our mistakes and failures. Why? Because He wants us to feel loved, accepted and secure in His presence and embrace. He wants closeness, intimacy, and trust in His mercy and grace to be the cornerstone of our walk with Him. He wants to come in and sup with us, not condemn us. He wants our knowledge of his love to bring us peace, even in our mistakes: 1 Corinthians 13:7-8; 1 John 4:16-19. Proper perspective will bring clarity, humbleness and worship. This will start out sSounding contradictory to what we just said, but wait for it. Have you ever been so distraught and crushed that you beat on yourself in emotional pain and anguish? Luke 18:13-14. This man was so broken in realization of who he truly was in God’s eyes that it broke and crushed him, and he went home justified. Based on God’s reaction, I’d say we need to start there. You and I are one in billions of God’s masterpieces through time. Many having more skills, education, and ability than us; many having more faith and righteousness than us; everyone having exactly what God saw fit to give to us. We are all selfish, sinful and undeserving to be with Him—a vapor here today and gone tomorrow, and yet He placed such worth and value in every human soul that to Him a chance to share His love with us, a chance to love and be loved by us was worth God hiving His own life, His Kingdom, His reputation, His everything. How can we, fallen, broken, clueless creatures—specks in His Creation, gifted only with what we’ve been given, saved by His Blood alone, having any righteousness because He bought it for us legally and He produced it in us literally—having any real, selfless love, only because His Spirit loves through us, possibly feel more righteous or worthy than another broken but loved and cherished soul? Accept the fact that we are transparent, broken, dirty souls in a righteous Kingdom, but He has made us worthy through His love alone. And then, because it was all Him, because it was such an unimaginable sacrifice, accept His gift with awe; know you can do nothing to add to it—that would be insulting. And then rest in amazement and peace, knowing He did it all to remove your fear and just know you better. Do all you can to follow His wisdom, His Word in trust and gratitude, not in legalism and pride—trusting fully that when you fail He is still right there, bever to leave you or give up on you, but wanting eagerly to restore you to fellowship again: Hebrews 13:5-6; Philippians 1:6. See those around you with that same worth; with that same mercy and grace; with that same removal of fear and condescension; know it is our Jesus’ blood-bought right alone to judge their hearts and souls. We are not in competition with God’s Children; we are not the judge of God’s children. It is simply our calling to show another broken person the way home; to show another empty person their worth in Him; to love them while they are yet sinners; while they still make mistakes; while they may not be walking as close as we do currently; while they are still ignorant and wandering. Even in their mistakes and sinfulness, we are first to show people their worth just as Jesus did with every sinful soul around Him, with every immature disciple who failed Him—even though Jesus was the only soul in the universe who could have been self-righteous: Revelation 5:1-5 [thought to be Seals of Judgment on the Deed to the Earth]. That is the One Who died just so you could feel His incredible love without fear. Now… let Him humbly show it to others through you.
I know there are a number of people in dire need of this Message today—I personally am one of them. I want to share with you all what God has shared with me. Some will hear these things and think, “Man, you guys must be depressed!” My answer to that is extreme pain and difficulties come to even the most engaged and joyful people. And the burden they bring has nothing to do with depression, but with the passion felt and the helplessness often experienced. So, either your time just hasn’t come yet [hold on tight because it is a guarantee that life will happen], or maybe you’ve allowed yourself to live a bit too carefree because this world has burdened and broken Christ’s heart (the toughest and most joyful of all), and He has called us to share in and carry that weight with Him. When you get to a place in your life for various potential reasons—where you sincerely feel you just have nothing left in you and you don’t have the will to try anymore (relationships, sickness, conflict, sins, ministry, job, family, uncontrollable events that hit like a hammer and often stay); where you feel very alone, as if no one knows quite how badly you are suffering inside (no one sees, appreciates, seemingly cares what’s happening in your life); where you feel you have lost the reason, lost the motivation to keep going anymore; where you question where God is in this moment and you can’t seem to even sense His presence or comfort, and you even wonder if you are in His will anymore; where you’ve done all you can, faithfully and nothing is working out right, nothing is getting better—when we get to this point in our minds and souls, we need consolation and hope desperately. But if that’s all we get (consolation and hope), we have been done an injustice. At this point in our fight we don’t just need comfort, we need courage, perseverance, and a reason to continue the battle or we will quit. We will surrender in the company of empathetic and well-meaning consolers and Satan will win. As we abandon our faith and sacrifice for Our Jesus.
What do you do when you don’t even want to do anymore? How do you find the “encouragement” to press on? First, you realize that you are in great company. You are not the only one who has reached this point, even though Satan will make you feel this way. The majority of the most faithful and obedient servants of God in Scriptures have made it to this point in their journeys: 1 Samuel 1:7-8, 10; 1 Kings 19:4-5; Job 7:3-4, 15-16. And what about David, Naomi, Joseph? The disciples? The list goes on endlessly. What about Jesus, the Messiah? A Man of sorrow, deep grief, filled with burdens (Isaiah 53), weighted down, almost to despair: Matthew 26:37-38. Next, get a firm grasp on the reality and importance of just where you are in these moments—it is possibly one of your most important times with God, possibly your key to mental, emotional and spiritual healing that you would have found and experienced in no other way. How is suffering the key to healing? Because it is in these times when you have no other motivation or hope in your life, that you will decide concretely, wholeheartedly to follow Jesus Christ because he has become your only hope: John 6:68-69. You draw closer to Him for no other reason in your life than because He is worthy because you love Him and because He has become your greatest hope. He becomes the One you cling to with all your might, as we were meant to do all along but were too self-sufficient: Psalms 71:14. It is here that you will learn to trust in faith like never before, that He really is in control. He can make a way out of chaos and mess if you just keep walking, sometimes letting that be all you can do; that others have tremendous value even when they are broken, hurtful, or rejecting as you learn to keep loving selflessly, without reward; that life does not have to be lived in constant comfort, provision or happiness in the moment to be rewarding and full—but often just the opposite. Real living, real purpose, real love is almost always grown, lived out and experienced in some of the toughest, heaviest times of life. It’s these moments that shape, build, and grow who we are and what we hold dear in life, what we cling to, that shape our true joy in living. Through purpose and sacrifice for those things, we learn that victory may not always be in changed circumstances, in physical blessing, or even in removal of pain, but in how deeply you learn to trust, cling to, and honor God; in how deeply you draw nearer to Him in the midst; in how you recognize what is truly important in the life you have been given: Philippians 4:11-13. It’s only in the difficult struggles and costly moments that we truly commit to what we believe in and care about with faith that can only be proven and strengthened in resolve. Don’t waste these opportunities in despair, but embrace them with one goal when you have nothing else left to cling to. Listen to Paul’s motivation when awaiting death in his last imprisonment at Rome: 2 Timothy 2:7-11. Paul says when all is lost, when you have no reason or hope left on which to cling, remember Jesus, the reason you fight, and endure all things for the sake of His children around you. This shows whether you truly love Him more than your life—when His people are more important than your discomfort.
It is difficult to even know where to begin when you are empty and emotionally broken. So, where do you even start? How do you find your way out of Satan’s attacks? 1) Remove any option of quitting. Decide that you will show Jesus Christ, your Savior who died for your soul, that you are in this for Him to any end, until He alone tells you to step away—doing it all for His sake alone, even if nothing changes. Decide to show Him with your life what you’ve claimed with your lips: Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; John 4:34. Your calling is to live the life He has planned for you right now, not the life you decided you should live or have. When pleasing Him is the only motivation you have left, you are living your faith to the fullest, and you have no idea where you will be in a month, a year—no idea what God may be planning to do if you stay. 2) Guard your mind from bitterness and resentment, concerning how you ended up in this trial. Don’t dwell on one more negative thing about your circumstances, what has been done to you, what you’ve lost, or what you can’t accomplish. Focus on truly loving, serving, and praying for those who may even be part of your pain; understanding that your life in Christ is rooted in loving even the broken and undeserving, and that your calling in Him is bigger than your pride or discomfort. Focus on the fact that if God is with you (He is), He will do amazing things you can’t imagine, or He has planned for His glory in your perseverance. Your triumph is not in winning the battle but in your faith-filled obedience in the trial: Daniel 3:17-18. 3) Remove all the distractions that are keeping you from hearing and leaning on Him more deeply. Remove negative talk and gossip. Remove everything keeping you from being with Him now. Understand that prayer and truth are the privilege and power that will carry you through. Prayer and truth keep your perspective in trials; keep your love for others tour focus on His purposes. Prayer and truth keep you clinging to all that matters—Him. Prayer and truth give you hope, worth, and perseverance in His work. Prayer and truth release Him to do amazing things you can’t imagine. Jesus went away into desolate places alone to pray often (when tired, weary, anxious, in need of power and wisdom). If He needed prayer to get through His trials, how much more do we need it? Satan will attempt to steal these things away most of all. 4) Stand ready to give all, lose all. Release your needs, release your identity, release your security, release your desire for acceptance from anyone—give it all to Him alone. Care only about what He thinks of you, care only if you are pleasing Him, obeying Him. Release yourself to His Sovereignty and purpose first. If you can’t do this in troubled times, you never truly surrendered anything in life to Him before. Decide that you are not the most important thing in this situation and refuse to defend your rights; refuse to do only what makes your life better. Let your hope and self-worth rest on these thoughts: I have my God, His love, His salvation, His future. I have one sole purpose—bigger than anything else in life—to follow His desire and see the worth of those around me. Therefore, my course, my focus is unchanged no matter where it leads. Understand that adversity and trials are literally God’s path to often strengthen us beyond our own ability. We are ripened by the Son, in our trials to become so much more than we think possible, do so much more than we would attempt. Muscles only grow with resistance. Soldiers become elite through testing and real experience (battle-hardened soldiers know how to win): James 1:2-4. Don’t waste your chance to grow into the warrior God is Calling because you want to shrink back into your comfort: Hebrews 10:35-38. Maybe one of the biggest reasons for your trials is to learn this one thing. God only works through broken and humble people: Matthew 5:3. [poor]. It means, those who realize they are not the power or the answer or the righteousness. Those that realize they make mistakes are sinful so they will not condemn others. Those that will not rely on what they are capable of doing. Those who are ready to be filled and led by something new and different because they know they can’t do it alone. That is being spiritually poor. Most of us here today are not truly broken and humble enough to let Him flow. And it often takes trials which bring us to the end of ourselves to empty us enough to be filled with something much better. What does it take for Satan and this world to make you quit, to make us miss what God was willing to do through you? Because our lives were too precious to be poured out? Listen to Jesus’ Own Words regarding our perseverance in Him: Luke 14:29, 33; Luke 9:62. Don’t let Satan win. Don’t give in to adversity that crushes, but hold to your purpose. Let these Verses be our security and inspiration: Acts 20:24; Acts 21:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 17-18.
Never give in to surrender; never stop walking at any cost. Make your single goal when you can’t focus on anything else in your distress be to hold onto Him, follow Him, until you are incredibly victorious or you have honored Him in your sacrifice to the end. Either way, you win. Let your joy in life be that He is working through you. Understand that real life and love are grown in the sacrifice of the battle, not in the rest and ease of life: 1 Corinthians 13:7-8, 13.
Question: If the Rapture doesn’t occur in our lifetime, how many in this room are going to pass away at some point? How many will stand before Christ at the Bema Judgment and be accountable for how we have lived on this earth as His Bride? Obviously every one of us. But do we live like it? In that moment, as everything is laid bare before Our King. The actions and choices of the lives we are living right now will clearly establish just how much we have genuinely loved and trusted Him verses how much we have loved this life over Him: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11. We will be rewarded, entrusted, and assigned positions of honor and authority (positions closer to Jesus) according to what we have done in devotion to Him that reflected what was sincerely important to us in this life: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. So, stop and ponder: are you building with gold, silver and costly stones, or hay and straw? What things in our lives, right now that seem so important to us that we give so much time and effort towards building and protecting, that we base so much of our very identity, pride and self-worth upon will instantly not even matter to us in the slightest? Maybe even be shameful to us in that moment because of the improperly placed significance it held? How are we spending the lives He bought with His Sacrifice? Consider the Judgment we experience on that Day will only be for us to see and understand our own hearts clearly because He already knows our hearts at this very moment: Jeremiah 17:10.
As Jesus tirelessly and passionately ministered to broken and lost people, look at His comment to His disciples: Matthew 9:36-38. Jesus, in His great love for lost and hurting people, asked the disciples to pray to the Father for more believers to join them in His Work to heal and save His desperately loved children. Many of the lost want to know Him, there is just no one willing to tell them. Do we know He is real? Do we know we are His creation? Do we know we were made in His image for fellowship as His Bride? Are we are literally saved from death and judgment by His lost life? Do we know He has a dire life and death mission for us to join in which encompasses all His love, desire and focus on this earth? Then we need to answer this question for ourselves: why do we feel so entitled and obsessed with: living our own lives the way we choose; not caring about the wandering, tortured people around us [instead, even resenting them]? Not caring about the pain and desperation that drives Our Creator every second on earth; not thinking about (much less involving ourselves) in loving, touching, helping, saving those broken around us with the few precious minutes we have left in this world? If we reviewed the life we have as it will be seen by Our God in that soon coming moment, based upon how our love for Him alone has led our decisions, goals, and accomplishments our life, and if we remove all other apparent successes and gains simply done for our own success and satisfaction, many of us—even some of the most successful and popular would only hear this simple summary of our lives: “They were born, they lived empty lives, they died…” and nothing of eternal worth, nothing of selfless giving to His Kingdom, nothing of genuine love and sacrifice would be spoken of.
To everyone here who sincerely loves and trusts Jesus as their Savior, I can only find two possible things that keep us from living completely to do His Will first in life. 1) is that we have become so successful and assumedly needed in other areas of life, and we are just too engulfed in our important or lucrative lives, and we just can’t find the time or don’t want to interrupt our successes to serve right now or 2) we genuinely feel that we are not someone He can use. We feel we are simple and ordinary, one of countless others who are just as good or better, and that God will never use me to do anything significant. He should use someone more worthy and talented, maybe less sinful and tainted. Scriptures clearly and powerfully address each of these situations if you do want to follow Our King with all your heart, and you know that you are not serving Him wholeheartedly.
There was a powerful, well known, even revered and feared man named Saul of Tarsus in 1st Century Israel. See how he described his life: Philippians 3:4-6. In his time and culture, Saul had everything: respect, education, power, righteousness, money—all brought by a very successful ministry. The only problem being that ministry actually worked against Christ. And he was too caught up in his position of importance in his own perspective of life to see the reality of Who Christ truly was in Scriptures. Before Saul could ever be used of Christ, he had to have a complete epiphany of just Who Christ was in life, of how important He was in life and a complete change of priorities: Acts 9:3-6. Saul realized that everything he considered important and successful actually hurt the work of Jesus in his life. Then, in a very concrete, literal way, Jesus showed him that he had been blind to real truth of life, and had never really had control over what he considered success: Acts 9:7-9. Saul, who later became known as Paul, went on to accomplish some of the most astounding feats recorded in Scriptures, leading many to Christ; healing many, and writing two-thirds of the New Testament. But He could do nothing in his own success and power. All of his own works, education and authority were useless to God. Before he could be used Saul had to: have a heart-felt realization of his own weakness before Christ—a realization that he had nothing of needed value to God. He had to decide that nothing he held of value before truly amounted to anything in light of God’s real treasure, which was Oneness with Him, love for others and an eternity in acceptance and peace. How did Saul change from a successful man in a broken world, to someone God would use to change that world? He set himself apart for God alone (turned from his work and fasted and prayed for three days), and then his understanding of who Jesus really is changed his entire perspective on life: 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 3:7-8, 10. Saul realized two things: 1) He had no real power or success apart from God. Just a temporary, useless distraction for a time. 2) Nothing he counted as valuable really mattered in life. When you are finally ready for Jesus to use you (like Saul), you have to grasp—in a real, true, passionate sense—being used is more important than your reputation, your money or security, your success; being used is not possible through your own power and strength. Then, like Saul, change whatever is necessary to follow Christ in His will and strength; no longer trusting your own ways, but Him alone, and just let HIim give you a worth and love for others that surpasses your desire for control or success; that brings new purpose and drive to your being. Then watch how much more God can do through you.
Gideon, a very common nobody in the Old Testament was questioning why God didn’t do something about the terrible situation Israel was facing, questioning where all the Power of God was that he had heard about in days past: Judges 6:13-14. God’s answer was “I am waiting on you. I use My people… Are you ready to do something about it?” How many people in this room right now complain about the shape our nation is in? The shape our church is in? The craziness and the sinfulness of our culture? And yet you feel it is always up to someone else to be used of God to change things? God is still waiting on us, just like Gideon, to see if we care enough, love enough, trust enough to be the ones used to make a change. But often our sincere response to this thought is just like Gideon’s: Judges 6:15. I come from nothing, I am nothing, I have nothing. How can I do anything to help others? And honestly, this is so often a sincere and real dilemma in the logic of the world, but God gives a different logic: Judges 6:16. God compared Gideon to a loaf of barley bread (the bread of the very poorest, in Gideon’s day). But in a dream to Gideon’s enemies, God showed that common loaf, as their destroyer. God made it clear that He did not need Gideon’s power or skills; that it would all be done in the power of God alone. Does this not sound exactly like the answer which God gave to Saul? When Saul thought he was the power and skill to be used? It’s not your power, but God’s. Do you realize that when Jesus was choosing a handful of men and women to change and rock the entire world throughout all history that He chose common, overlooked, unskilled, ignorant, blue-collar fisherman? He chose demon-possessed sinners (Mary Magdalene). He chose political and militant radicals (Simon the Zealot). He chose traitorous, rejected misfits (Matthew the Tax Collector). Do you fit in any if these descriptions? You’re hired! 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. The very next thing God told Gideon to do: Judges 6:25-26. Gideon was told to completely destroy the fake gods in his life; to pull down the things that were keeping him from serving God wholeheartedly, that were drawing him away from trusting only in his Savior. It was not Gideon’s weaknesses, or lack of recognition that kept him from being unusable by God, but the fact that he believed it was all up to him to accomplish work made for God and the fact that he had not set himself apart from the things that kept him from walking in God’s Will. In short, He was distracted from his God and defeated by his own inability. Does this sound like most of us today?
Let’s bring the two mindsets together 1) thinking we are so important that we miss God’s Work 2) thinking we are not even useable enough for His Work.
Why do we wear gloves? To protect our hands, right? To do jobs we can’t normally do as effectively. In the QC Lab at Toyota, I wear extremely thick, insulated gloves to protect me as I handle parts that are 400°F. And other gloves as I handle parts that can oxidize to protect the part from damage by my contamination. This is how God wants to work in us, wants to use us to touch this world. He made us in His Image, just as the glove is a perfect image of our hand. And yet, we are vulnerable, and weak on our own, and we contaminate, and damage on our own. But Christ paid the ultimate price to make us acceptable again, to make us One with Him again through His Own spilled Blood. He Promises to do something unthinkable and awesome: Luke 24:49. Jesus Said that we wear the Spirit like a garment like a glove that covers us perfectly. This is how we are used by God when we are not able or worthy on our own. We have to surrender to His will and strength, put Him on and cover ourselves completely. Then we can handle things which would be impossible otherwise because He is our protection and strength; then we can touch others without hurting or contaminating them because we are covered by His Love, not our natural selfishness.
Here is the biggest truth for us all to grasp today. We just examined how to be used of God whether we think we are too important, or too weak. Not so we could choose to serve God more if we decide we would like to go deeper, but because God commands us all to give ourselves completely to His Will—to die to self and live as Christ; to set ourselves apart for His Works prepared for us since before we knew Him—because He has already given Himself for us completely and in passion, He asks the same of His beloved. In this world we live in right now, never in our lifetime have there been fewer laborers for Christ. If you are serious about loving Him, being One with Him, trusting Him with your life as you say you have done. Now is the time to stop just talking about serving Him, to quit just singing about serving Him, and put on the gloves. Be honest with yourself about why you are not totally given to Him, whether it be that your life is too important or you don’t feel worthy. And do what Scriptures say will bring His Power into your life so that you can be used for His Kingdom. Set yourself apart from all that tempts and distracts. Admit the sins in your life, recognize the false gods you serve, and burn them with passion to please Him. Then stop looking at yourself either way. Don’t trust your own great ability, but realize you have nothing He truly needs without His love and strength working through you. And don’t be paralyzed by your own weaknesses, but realize He will carry you. He will get even more Glory through your inability. Just surrender to Him completely; let His Spirit cover you and He will carry you the rest of the way: Philippians 2:13. We have the ability to be the literal answer to Jesus’ Own Prayer for more laborers to love His people. There is nothing else more important in your life than serving Him above all else: Ephesians 2:10.
How many times have we said, or heard others say, "I am so thankful that God saved me from my sins?” I understand and obviously totally agree with that statement. But most often all we really mean by that is, "I am so thankful that I am forgiven and saved from Hell." Many of us do not realize or ever contemplate all we are being forgiven and saved from in our sin. Or what the real effects of sin would be on us right now if we had not been saved from them through His Word, Spirit and Blood. Or, what that sin truly represents to God and how it affects Him. We cannot even begin to appreciate our deliverance from sin until we see these things clearly. We cannot ever praise, worship and thank Him from the heart until we comprehend where we were and how we've hurt Him. So today, let's stop and take a hard look at these things together. For some, maybe for the first time and I promise you, it will change your view of God and of the sins we often still covet. The short answer for, "What is sin," is it’s simply knowing God, knowing His Will and choosing not to follow what we clearly understand He desires of us: James 4:17. But Scriptures are so numerous and clear about how much deeper, more meaningful and deadlier sin actually is than in this simple definition. Yet, we usually miss it, in our minds and hearts, it is not the acts of wrong doing that make sin so horrible. It is the personal rejection of God when we choose to put something above our love for Him. Have you ever considered why God carefully and repeatedly chooses to use illustrations in the Old and New Testaments which define sin as adultery? Ezekiel 16:32-34; Hosea 9:1; James 4:4-5. God gives us one of the most illustrative and painful comparisons that can possibly be made as His personal expression of His feelings towards us in our sin. Sin is a purposeful rejection and betrayal by one loved more than life. Sin is seeing the heart of one that means everything to you, wants someone else more than you. Sin is being forsaken by your most desired person in the world—some of you have experienced this rejection. All of us have known someone going through the experience of adultery and divorce. It is the most earth-shattering, life-changing, devastation one can experience (secular psychologists-worst anxiety) to be rejected because you seemingly weren't enough, to make the most important person in your life happy. This is God's picture of choice for how He feels when we sin against him. Sin, at its core, is not letting God do and be all that He desires in our life at the deepest, most intimate level, and then lusting after something else to fill that intimate need you wouldn't give to Him, choosing something else to give us happiness, purpose and passion, just like choosing another person over your spouse because they don't make you happy. Sin is knowing that Someone as creative, loving, intelligent and powerful as Jesus Christ has traded His life to be with me Is quite literally, eagerly, passionately walking with me—and I am still wanting and choosing other things with all of my heart. Sin is like having a gorgeous, smart, successful spouse who gave up everything in their entire world to be with you alone, and they are excited and passionate to be with you, letting their world revolve around you—and you choose to sleep with some loser who just wants to use you and move on behind your spouse's back. Sin is not caring how we hurt Someone like that with our actions, not caring if we are attractive to them desirous to them—while they see us fixing up to be our best in pursuit of attracting someone else. Listen to God's expression of these very thoughts about our rejection of Him: Hosea 2:13. In order to have the ultimate level of intimacy with someone you must make yourself completely vulnerable to that person. This is what makes sharing and loving so special and sacred. Our God, in His passion and humbleness for us has made Himself vulnerable to us. He has placed into our hands the ability to touch Him at the deepest level; to rouse God's emotions, fill His thoughts; to literally, and greatly affect God. And with our desire for sin, we take that unfathomable honor and use it to make Him feel rejected and despised. With that epiphany, how can we dare to say, "Why can't you just accept me as I am?" When who we are is a blatant, cheating rejection of Him, selfishly chasing what we want with no thoughts of loving, pleasing, or even accepting Him back. Of all the evils which sin brings into our lives, of all the people that are hurt by our selfishness, God is the ultimate victim of our sins; the One sinned against the deepest, the One hurt the most, and pushed the farthest away: Psalm 51:3-4.
But what we also seem to forget when we praise God for saving us from sin is where we would be without His forgiveness, wisdom and love to keep us from the terrible effects of sin. Without His Word in our hearts and His Spirit to guide and keep us, our sins would make us care more about us than anyone else in our lives right now—massively changing our relationships, greatly changing our trust, perseverance and sacrifice. How many would not even be together or would be in selfish fits of misery together otherwise, or would be living a totally destructive and addictive lifestyle? Sin taints our view of everything in life when left unchanged and unchecked (the worth of people, the blessing of things, the very joy and excitement of living). Sin causes us to see and feel differently than God about everything in life, therefore making it impossible to see God's will, making it impossible to hear Him or have fellowship because we do not truly want to share in anything important to Him. Sin makes everything that is important to God seem like it's not even worthwhile to us, just like an unsatisfied lover. Without God's plan and power working in us to keep us from sin, all of these things would have full reign in our lives. How would our lives look differently right now?
Even those of us passionately seeking God struggle with things luring us towards infidelity. Often, we don't see them, or we think they are okay just because they are not sinful in themselves. But there is a great litmus test to determine if something has become an adulterous affair in your life over God. The greatest test to determine what truly is the desire of your heart is to recognize what affects you the greatest when it is threatened or taken away. (Because that truly defines you). Are you most angry when your position or authority is threatened? Pride has become sin. Are you most upset when your intelligence is questioned or threatened? Your love of intellect has become sin. Are you most angered and turned away when your family is affected? Your family has become sin. Are you most anxious and obsessed when you are away from sex and/or pornography? Sex has become sin. Is your entire world and friend base centered around who agrees with your gender-identity? Your obsession with self has become your sin. Are you constantly obsessed with having another mate in your life when there is none? Affection from others has become sin. Are you frantic when you can't connect with others on social media, or broken when you don't get the responses you desire? Recognition of self has become sin. Are you totally incapacitated when things are not right with your spouse? Your spouse has become sin. Are you overwhelmed when there doesn't seem to be enough money to do everything you want? Money has become sin. Are you crushed beyond recovery personally when you sin, or too embarrassed for anyone to know about your sin? Self-righteousness has become sin. Are you hurt or angry when others seem to be getting praise, or you are not noticed, or they are doing as well as you taking away your praise? Jealousy and pride are your sin. Is there anything in your life that has become the sole focus of your unhappiness because you didn't get it, or you lost it? That has become your sin. These things are sin because they are desired with a passion that is greater than your passion for God. They are your heart's focus, your heartbeat, so to speak. It is adultery.
Some of you may be saying at this point, "I know my sin, but how do I beat it?" Many here probably fight certain sins and have fought them for months or years—and even in your legitimate desire to beat sin, you fail. Here is the simple, unstoppable key to breaking habitual sin: Stop focusing on beating that sin for another moment. Your focus should never be on beating that sin. Because the real problem does not stem from your desire for this sin. The real problem stems from the fact that you do not desire and chase after God more. So how do you beat it? By purposefully chasing after a deeper relationship with your beloved; by purposefully pursuing Him so passionately and developing such an intimacy with Him that you sin-proof your relationship. That you take away your desire for sin by finding such a desire for what you have in Him. Work on drawing close to Him, rather than fighting flesh; discover Him; personally, physically do things for Him by doing for others directly in unison and love for Him. Otherwise, there is absolutely no basis or motivation to really quit anything. It will become just a shallow focus on self and performance, rather than a true shift in passion and desire (when you just say no to sin, it makes you want it more). How do you stop looking at other people until your spouse is really what you want most? When you realize how blessed you are to have someone; when you see that they are the best and they’re yours. It is the greatest motivation of all to never look anywhere else because you never want to lose them. Be that real, that seeking after Jesus: Psalm 119:20; Isaiah 26:9; Psalm 42:2; Song of Songs 7:10. If God wasn't that passionate for our intimacy—if He didn't see sin as that bad, that personally rejecting—why else would He have paid such a crazy high price to forgive and save us? Why not just start over with someone better who would love Him as He desired? He is that lover who will do anything to have us back, forgive anything we've done—but only if He knows we really want Him. Being saved from our sins, forgiven and accepted, is not just about understanding that He really exists—or even about simply asking Him to forgive our sins—it’s about seeing His real passion, sacrifice and deep desire for me; knowing all that He made for me, did for me, sacrificed for me; seeing His faithfulness in not giving up on me even in my rejection of Him. And realizing He alone wants me most. He alone is worthy of my love and devotion; He alone has proven His trustworthiness. It's realizing faith in Him will never let me down or disappoint, but everything else is hollow and hurtful. It's saying I give my all in total desire to be as appealing and acceptable to Him as I can, to put Him first, make Him feel as special as He’s made me feel; to stand for Him no matter where it takes me, or what it costs, simply because He is worthy and wonderful; simply because I want it to be Him and me over all the world—and then accepting the precious Blood of my very own, intimate beloved—who did so much in desire for our relationship so that I can be with Him for all of eternity. That is having faith in God; faith in His passion and trustworthiness not just His existence. We have to see sin for what it is. Not a rule that was broken or a choice to live another way, or a rewarding pursuit of pleasure and joy. But, it is a cheap, adulterous lover trying to steal my affection from my beloved who couldn’t care less for me in the end; who uses me up and leaves me empty and alone; who steals my love from the One who really desires me and Who’s heart is truly breaking. Here is His response when we return to Him: Hosea 2:7; Hosea 3:1.
For the believer who is struggling—stop wasting time focused on the cheap cheater, and just focus on getting so close to your beloved that you don't look sin's way anymore. And if you have never given your heart and trust to Him—never accepted His gift—the gift of His very life, all to have you with Him—what are you waiting for?
We have done a number of lessons on prayer through the years, but this one will be very different because it won’t be about ‘how to pray’ but rather a restoration of our faith in prayer. A remembering of its power and purpose, when done effectively because everything that we do—everything that we are as a church, and as individuals—to God completely relies upon our desire to pray. It is that paramount in our lives. Many of us do not pray as we know that we should be praying. And when we do pray, most often, it is not in real earnestness and passion. it is not with boldness and faith. And if you get behind all the proper ‘church answers’—and often behind even our own conscious thoughts sometimes—we do not pray as we should because we do not truly believe that it makes a real difference. If we did, you couldn’t stop us from praying. A lot of Christians kind of feel that other than drawing closer to God and bending my will to fit His, do my prayers really matter? Do they actually change anything? Hasn’t God already decided what He’s going to do? Isn’t His Will going to be done no matter what? I really believe this comes from two main sources: 1) we’re going to get an honest word of truth from Jelly Roll (Need A Favor). Listen to these genuine, and too often true, lyrics:
“I only talk to God when I need a favor
And I only pray when I ain't got a prayer
So, who the *$%@! am I, To expect a Savior, oh
If I only talk to God when I need a favor?
Hard cover King James only been savin' dust on the nightstand
And I don't know what to say by the time I fold my hands…
I only talk to God when I need a favor.”
Many of us say token prayers but live our lives the way we see fit; making our own choice, doing our own thing, never genuinely seeking God’s will or work in our lives. And when we are hit with trouble that we cannot handle, or issues out of our scope of control, we finally turn to God with earnest, desperate faith. And we get angry and/or doubt Him because He does not suddenly bend to our will and command; and we assume that either He isn’t real, doesn’t care, or prayer doesn’t work. 2) The second reason we see prayer as ineffective is because (even in most churches today) when faced with some of the most terrible of circumstances, it will often be said: “Well, for whatever reason He chose, it was just God’s will.” As though everything that ever happens in life is completely out of our ability to affect God’s direction, and He has it all laid out in His perfectly desired will already; whether we pray or not, “It will be, as it will be.”
If that mentality is carried to its full extent, then answer these questions: Is it God’s perfect will that anyone be lost? 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-6: “No.” It is not God’s perfect will that any be lost—and yet, many [most] will be. Is it God’s will that people commit suicide, get divorced, pursue homosexuality, become drug users? Of course not. And yet all of these things happen by the thousands, daily. It is obvious that many things happen outside of God’s desired will regularly. The question then, becomes “why?” The answer is simple, but the effects are monumental. God created us in His image. God gave us free will to love, rule and reign in this creation, and He honors that free will, even when it hurts us all. Unfortunately, we have used that free will to close Him out of much of our lives to pursue a life without His guidance or power and He has honored our choices. Unfortunately, in rejecting or ignoring His will in our lives, we have left ourselves open to the whims of a very real and eager horde of fallen angels, working their own will in every aspect of our lives daily—usually unopposed because we have given them authority: John 14:30. Their sole desire is to hurt you, make you stumble, and destroy all of God’s desires for your life. Why do they think they have a chance at doing this? Because we have the free will to let them: Ephesians 6:10-12. This, along with the effects of a now cursed world, bring many things into our lives that are not God’s perfect will, but rather a part of His permissive or allowed will against His greatest desires in respect of our choices. If all of these things happen in our world that are not a part of God’s ‘perfect will,’ then some of the things which happen to us that we simply accept as ‘just the way it’s supposed to be,’ are not always just an unchangeable part of God’s perfect will, but things we have allowed into our lives with our own abuse of freedom? Or, because we have not given our sovereignty to Him? We think prayer is often ineffective because God will do what He wants anyway, but God is often just waiting for us to give authority of our lives back to Him, over the powers of this world, over our own authority, so that He is free to act in our lives, in His Loving food will. Why would God repeatedly tell us to pray for His intervention and protection; tell us He would move mountains on our behalf; promise to hear our cries? And yet, not be ready to change the world’s course of events on our behalf? Exodus 32:10-11, 14 God to Moses- Concerning rebellious Israelites. God, in His omniscience, perfect knowledge, gives us free will to involve ourselves in His works, and builds our requests and reactions into His greater plan—even before we ask. But it happens because we ask. He shapes history, makes His plans in union and partnership with the prayers of His Saints. God decided before the world was made that He would send Jesus. Why? Because He knew the decisions we would make. Yet, He loved us so much, He made plans based on our fall. Whatever you and I are not praying about in our lives is left open to the powers of darkness; is left open to the effects of a cursed world and a fallen creation, rather than being placed under the authority and power of our God. He is often waiting to move in our lives, but we are not inviting Him in with real expectation and faith, or because we are not wanting all of Him. We just want His assistance when needed. “I only talk to God when I need a favor.” We are either all His, or we are not. The truth of this surrender makes all of the difference in how He can move in our lives and prayer: 1 John 3:22; John 15:7-8; John 9:31.
It is my greatest desire for us—as a church—and our only hope to be what we are called to be—to invite and release God in this body so that He may be everything He wants to be, rather than what we want Him to be. So that He may do things which only He can do for His glory; so He might fill us with His presence of real unhindered love; so that we might actually have the power and presence of God in our midst; so that we might become His tool, His weapon, His hands and feet, His force on earth. Sounds radical and extreme, doesn’t it? Good! Otherwise, we are just another puppet church, not taking seriously every command Jesus gave about what it takes to follow Him. What good would a new, but dead building be to His Kingdom? Prayer is the pivotal point for this to happen where we openly, expectantly ask Him to move; where we openly give our sovereignty, trust and control to Him. This is my request, my plea to us as a church: 1) That we realize what a high cost was paid for us to have this privilege and power of prayer: John 16:22-27 (Speaking of His Death and Resurrection). Jesus was saying that because of His death on our behalf, not only did we receive His new life as He took our death, but that we received new rights—His rights—to come before the Father looking like Him, asking in His Name, asking in His authority. Why did we get this great honor and privilege? Because He has won for us and humbly given to us His righteousness and glory before the Father: John 17:4-5, 22-23; John 14:20-21; 2 Corinthians 3:18. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice alone, we have the right to call our God, Father, and to be seen and answered through His glory in us. We have to see this privilege for what it truly means; we have to stop overlooking it and taking it for granted. 2) That we be given to Him and Him alone, completely and passionately; that we stop chasing and trusting the ways of this crumbling world and be devoted to Our King who is completely devoted to us. Otherwise, how will He be able to do His good works through broken and self-serving vessels? How will we seek and see His desires when all we see is what we want in every situation? If we are receiving privilege and power through His name, doesn’t it stand to reason that we should be living and working in His love and glory? 1 John 3:22; John 14:12-14. 3) That we learn to pray in real faith and boldness, not acting as if faith was the catalyst (not faith in faith), but having real faith in the character of our God, in the love and desire that we know He has for us—in His ability and willingness to answer our prayers on Jesus’ behalf. 4) That we would understand clearly that we are standing against real, evil, brilliant, powerful spiritual entities, and the fast-changing, possessed world is proof of their power. Realize that our prayers are the only thing which can take away their authority and unleash God’s power in our lives, our church, our nation: Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1; Colossians 4:2; Philippians 4:6; Romans 12:12; Luke 18:1; 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Why do we even have to ask if He already knows? Because it’s the world He gave to us; it’s our life that is in need; and He wants us to Invite Him in to work to give Him sovereignty in it. Because He wants us to see the need and respond in real love as well; because He wants us to see that it was Him who heard, cared and acted on our behalf, in love; because some of His greatest work may be in changing you by using you in the crisis, and that is His most important goal. Know there will always be times that our sincerest desires cannot be a part of His plan (otherwise we’d live forever, never have problems, never be tested), sometimes because of circumstances we cannot see; sometimes because of others’ free will; sometimes as a direct need to grow our faith and character or show our faith to a doubting world. Our Jesus—God Himself—experienced this in His human frailties so that He could feel our struggles; so He could offer Himself completely in faith and obedience. Did Jesus’ earthly Dad live to the end? (Think Jesus wanted Him to die?) Listen to this Incredible Passage: Mark 14:34-36. When we do face these moments in our lives, where God’s answer is simply “I cannot do it this time, trust Me.” We need to do exactly what Jesus did: rise up from prayer at that moment and face whatever is to come with resolve, determination and passion for our God: Mark 14:42. (Jesus went to meet His trial with faith). But how many times is God’s perfect will missed because we will not get involved with real, faithful prayer? How many times has God’s perfect will been accomplished and people were saved, healed, comforted, provided for, and He had to use someone else because we did not pray for His will and power in our lives?
We are instructed to pray for: greater faith; His spiritual and physical gifts; opportunity and direction; brother and sisters to join us in the harvest work; His power and knowledge; His words and love when we are working; for all who touch our lives. Lose the self-conscious awareness and pride, humbly pray together in His House, at His altars, together. Show Him how badly we want and need His presence, and trust Him to bless, guide, and anoint us—and let’s watch what He can do through prayer.
For those of us who have lived in the joy and security of God’s love and salvation for many years, we can many times experience that gift, rest in His security and peace, and yet miss so, so much about all that our salvation reveals of the true heart of our Lord, and what it really cost Him for our security. For all those who do not know Christ as their King and Savior, there are so many questions about Him. Why is He so special, above all other religions? Why is He supposed to be the “Only Way?” What does it truly mean to “Be saved,” to “accept Jesus as my Savior?” Won’t everybody be saved in the end? Won’t all religions save you, as long as you are sincere? Today, we will take a Biblical look at these questions and more because not only is this the single most important topic you will ever in your life contemplate—you will learn more about Who Jesus truly is than you have ever known in your life. You will know clearly what it means to accept Him as your Savior and God, and you will see clearly how incredible His love really is and why He definitively and unmistakably is the only way. Why do we need to be saved? And from what exactly? Genesis 1:1, 26-28, 31. So, God made a perfect, beautiful, Paradise and called it “very good.” Then He created man and woman in His very image—meaning as intelligent, creative, skillful, loving, productive beings. He created them to be everything necessary to fulfill one another in perfect intimacy and design, and He gave the whole earth to them to care for and have authority over—as He dwelt with them walked with them, had perfect love and fellowship with them. But they chose to embrace the temptation to rebel against Him; chose to follow the deception of the King of fallen angels, Lucifer; chose to doubt God’s goodness and become their own gods just like our mentality today. And this seed of selfishness and evil that sprang in their souls ruined the perfect love, trust and fellowship God had with them, bringing separation from God, and death as a result. All creation under their authority was cursed with the same fate and this seed of evil has been passed and taught to every generation: Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23. Salvation, then is God’s Plan to take away our guilt of rejecting Him; to take away the sentence and punishment of the sins in our hearts and lives; to restore our perfect unity and love with Him by making our hearts and souls as loving as His once again, and to make all the cursed creation we ruined new again: Revelation 21:1-5. God knew we would fall even before He placed us here on earth and He already had plans to come to our aid: Ephesians 1:3-5. Everything that God has done through the ages, every page of His precious Book has been written and lived out in His passionate and costly quest to restore us back into intimacy, joy, and adventure with Him on a perfect earth once again. That is salvation for those who desire it.
The next logical question is: “If God loves so deeply, why did He let us fall in the first place?” He let it happen because real, intimate, passionate love requires a free will and a desire from both involved. God knew that free will would allow some to reject Him and hurt others. He knew it would bring pain and chaos for a time. But He also saw every soul that would truly embrace Him in love, even through the tainted and ruined world we created. And so, this dilemma basically gave Him three options: 1) Never create this magnificent masterpiece called mankind with whom He could spend an eternity of joy and intimacy, with whom He could share blessings and adventures beyond our wildest dreams. 2) He could destroy all the evil that has ever existed since we fell and start over from scratch, losing every soul that He knew before they were in existence. We wouldn’t know because that includes you and I who are part of that rebellious mob He loves dearly. 3) He could make a way to bring justice for the evil done and yet forgive, redeem, heal and embrace
those who saw Him for Who He truly is—which would be hard, costly and painful. But all things that are of great worth are expensive, and God saw all of the temporary pain and sacrifice as well worth the Love found in the end: Romans 8:18. And this short time of trials and testing has been ordained by Him to allow us to show Him, in return, just how much we truly want Him, how much we trust Him, how much we will endure to be with Him as well: 1 Peter 1:6-9. God allowed this—even when He knew it would be hard and costly because He was not willing that any be lost: 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4. He allowed this mess because any cost is worth having us back. Without the fall, we would never see just how far He would go to save us, never know how deep His humility, mercy and love run—because it cost Him infinitely more than it cost us. We would never have real choice given to us, and we would never have seen the horrors that pure selfishness, evil and pride could bring. But, if God went to such extreme measures to save us all, why does He not just save everyone through His Work? Why will some still be forever rejected? Let me ask you this question: How many times have you heard people say (or even said yourself): Why does God allow such terrible things? Why doesn’t God just take out those evil people? Why doesn’t God just remove the evil from the world?” And you are right, for feeling this way. But, remember we are all part of that evil right now, and He is long-suffering until any who would want Him will turn from evil and trust Him. But for those who refuse to accept love and selflessness, refuse to live for anyone but themselves, how could a just God (that we already question for allowing sin for a short season) not possibly remove those who refuse to surrender their sin even for a short time? How could that be loving, just, fair to those who do choose Him? When it would simply destroy all He makes new again? Understand that God is not willing that any be lost, and He did not create hell and damnation for any of His own: Matthew 25:41. They openly, freely, rebelliously chose to join Satan and his fallen hoard, even, over Jesus’ own dead body, placed there to save them. So, we see why Salvation is needed by all men; we see why He had to allow the fall that demanded Salvation; we see that, even though He wants all to be Saved; His justice and love for those who want Him will not allow for the evil in some hearts to be with Him.
Let’s take a look at just what it means to be ‘saved,’ what Salvation is and is not. It is easier and clearer to start with what Salvation is not: Salvation is not just about getting your sins forgiven so that you can live in Paradise when you die. Salvation is not just about living a better life or attending church so you will be worthy to be saved. Salvation is not just believing there is a God even just believing Jesus exists: James 2:19. Salvation is not about proclaiming your belief and trust in Christ and living the life you choose to live afterwards but wanting blessings. Salvation is not given because God is so nice and good that He decides to forget about what you did or bend or break His own Laws to let you into Heaven. Salvation is: realizing that you have sinned against and lived against the God Who loves you and created you for Him, that you lived against the God whose very creation you have the privilege of living in right now. It’s realizing that you have a seed of evil in you that has helped to ruin His Creation and is capable of unspeakable evil. Salvation is realizing that you cannot be allowed in His perfect Heaven when you would simply destroy it again. It’s realizing that you should be done away with, rejected. Then it is realizing He has placed such value, worth and love on you that He is willing to destroy His entire Creation and start over just to have you with Him. It’s realizing that Jesus Christ—the Eternal Go, the Masterful, Artistic Creator of all in existence, the worshiped, loved, Ruler of countless beings in Heaven, the One who holds all power, riches and authority—is so precious and humble even in all that power and authority that He would give it all away—become One of us, walk with us in our pain, be judged in place of us, hated, made a worthless criminal, be rejected by His Father God on our behalf, be unimaginably tortured for our sins and die thinking He was rejected and alone because nothing He owned as God was more important than saving you and being with you again. Salvation is realizing these things and then understanding that He deserves your everything in return. It’s seeing His preciousness, humbleness, sacrifice and then wanting to turn from everything that made Him go so far to save us. It’s trusting that what He says is good that you want never again to do the things He died to remove and forgive: Romans 12:1-2. Salvation is accepting such an amazing gift given to you, knowing there is nothing you could do to save yourself—because no amount of good works can take away the Law, take away the punishment deserved for what has already been done. And God is a just and righteous God who cannot simply put away sins that have hurt others—they must be paid for. So, He had to pay that price Himself. He did not excuse you; He did not remove the Law; He did not give a pass. He paid for everything you ever did Himself so you could be considered innocent: Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:24-25; John 3:16-17. Salvation is saying “If He gave His life for mine I will give my life for Him.” And I will live all my life trying to please Him, trusting Him enough to stay away from all He died to save me from knowing His ways are better than the world’s; willing to give up anything and everything just like He did for me, to show my love back to Him—simply because He is unbelievably worthy after giving up so much for me. It’s knowing that He alone made the way for my Salvation, but He doesn’t want someone who just needs a ticket punched. He wants someone who wants Him back just as passionately Who’s willing to give just as much in return, or the relationship is not real: Matthew 22:37-40. It is trusting that He knows we are weak and will fail sometimes, but that He is not focused on us having a perfect life, rather, in having a perfectly given heart ready to get back up, trust His forgiveness and keep trying to please Him in all I do; having complete confidence in His love for me even in my failures. It’s being unashamed of Him in a world that hates Him. It’s being ready and wanting to give Him everything in my life—health, money, possessions, reputation, relationships—if He asks it of me. Because I trust Him, because I want to make Him happy, because He has earned it with His Own Life. It is forsaking all and being completely happy, knowing that I have Him and He will care for me: Philippians 3:7-8. It is gladly giving Him my whole life just as He gave His for me. Anything less is simply using Him for your own gain.
So, why are we so adamant that Jesus is the only way? No matter how many ideas we have about the afterlife, there is only one that is true. Every other religion in the world tells how to live kindlier or how your good must outweigh your bad. But God is perfect; God is just; God is fair; God is pure. And living better or letting your good outweigh your bad, does not pay for the evil that has been done. Only the sacrifice of God can do that. And only Jesus made the payment Himself. Jesus did not take away the Law; He fulfilled its sentence for you. No one else did this. Every other religion focuses on your good deeds and good life. Only Jesus is concerned with changing your heart to righteousness. Only Jesus seeks passionately for your love and not just your good actions or abject worship. Of course, there is only one Creator, one way. It would not even be logical to assume otherwise. And no other religion known has the history of a real man that lived, died and rose again; the prophecies fulfilled; the total dedication, humbleness and love to become One with us; be our Brother, unashamed in our sins; the care and sacrifice enough to die in order to cover our sins: Acts 4:10-12.
What about those who wait their whole lives and decide to accept Jesus on their deathbed? Are they Saved? Many have asked this question, hoping to put off living for God until later. But others—because they sincerely worry about someone who accepted Christ at the end of their lives. Let’s look at two verses which give a solid, Biblical answer: Luke 23:39-43. Did this criminal ever have the chance to live a single day for Christ? No. Did he come to Jesus in his final moments on earth? Yes! But He was saved—for certain. Why? Because Salvation has nothing to do with your deeds and all to do with your sincere heart wanting Him. 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9; John 2:23-25: A sincere heart wanting Jesus in their last days will always find His mercy and Salvation because Christ is not a legalist. He does not have to follow a set pattern that we hold Him to. He simply wants your heart! and nothing is hidden from His eyes. But if we live any way we choose, betting our Salvation on a quick prayer of repentance in the end, trying to hold God’s feet to some self-believed fire, trying to save our souls, but never truly caring about Christ. He sees this clearly and He does not play games. He is not under any obligation or binding agreement. He does not want, nor does He have any obligation to anyone who simply tries to use Him for their purposes. He deserves so much more. He deserves our everything, because God Himself has given His everything in sweet, humble, dedicated passion to bring you home to Him. What else could possibly be more important than giving yourself to Him completely? Now is the time: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.
We’re going to cover a lot, so just focus on what is for you. Somehow, most Christians today have this deeply embedded, subconscious idea in our hearts that living for Christ simply means: removing what Jesus calls “Sin” from our lives, then continuing to live, do, work, go, buy, act as we have planned in life, as long as it is not overtly sinful—hoping to get blessings and favor from Him because we have proclaimed His Name and have removed the destructive things of which He disapproves. But this mindset is completely foreign to what every Scripture actually calls us to be as His disciples. Many of us are living our lives for Christ halfway at very best; removing and avoiding sins in our lives and not even trying too hard at that. But never really giving our entire lives to Him, as every page of scriptures command and instruct. We are not surrendered and belonging to Him in our lives. We are simply changing a few things about our lives, removing a few things that are considered offensive to Him. And as long as our lives do not seem overtly sinful or openly offensive to Him, we consider this as having devoted our lives to Him. In the Great Breakfast Buffet of Heaven, we are chickens, offering a few eggs here and there. But we are called to be pigs, offering bacon and sausage. All in, totally committed, costing everything. I say that jokingly, but stop and consider: is He truly “Lord of all” in your life? Romans 11:36 - 12:2; Matthew 13:44-46; Galatians 2:20.
Seriously consider if the men and women who made it into Scripture, who are supposed to show us how to be close to God, had just “curbed their sins a little bit” and decided that was what it took “to follow God with their lives.” Would Noah have dedicated 75 years to building an Ark? Would Abraham have left his “well-to-do” family in Ur to chase a Promise he didn’t understand I n a land he’d never been to? Would Moses have faced the most powerful man on earth and wander in the desert with those who questioned and rejected him? Would Daniel have risked the highest office in Babylon to instead be offered as lion food? Would Hosea have married a prostitute? And went back to her again? Would Mary and Joseph have destroyed their futures simply to be shamed and rejected all their days? Would Paul have given up a powerful, prestigious position to become hunted, tortured, imprisoned and executed? Would John choose boiling in oil only to be exiled to slave labor on the Isle of Patmos? Would Jesus Christ have offered Himself to torture and death as a Criminal? These people chose to change every facet of their lives; chose to leave their lives, leave or change occupations. They chose to leave relationships, start new relationships; chose to go against governments and society; chose to leave the life they had planned to accept a new one. Some to join in God’s Will and Mission on earth; some to avoid disobeying His Commands. All by choice, at great change, even risk of great loss: Colossians 3:2-3; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. These core statements about becoming a disciple of Jesu are not just sweet ‘theological or spiritual declarations.’ They were not just for exemplary Bible characters, and today are not just for a few, select Saints. But for every person who has surrendered to the will of Christ. Nothing has changed; we are called to this same life right now. Just because we have trouble recognizing, just because we may resist or ignore this fact does not make it less true. Living for Christ with your whole life is not just about sinning les, not just about what to let go of, but about everything you pick up, change, pursue, and decide your entire life, being given to Him in love and trust. First, remove yourself from consideration. Do not start, or interrupt one thing we consider from here with: “I deserve to have this. This is what I want in my life. This is where I’d like to go. What I would like to attain. I only have one life, one chance. Isn’t my life and happiness important? I don’t like change. I’m just fine where I am.” Let me ask you something big here Hopefully, it will be a serious wake-up call): What would have happened if any of the men of Scriptures felt their own lives were too important, too special, or worthy above others to change, interrupt or be given to God’s Will? Would we even know who they are now? Would their lives really have mattered in the scheme of things? Would their personal successes have made the impact, their lives made, when given away? Would we have God’s Word or Will? What if Jesus—God on earth—had felt His Life was too special? Would you even be sitting here with breath in your lungs? What if every grave dug for someone who died to protect your freedom, whose life was just as unique, special, promising, and full of potential, was never dug because they were too special and chose self? Would you be sitting here? God knows all of your potential [He gave it to you], and He wants you to be joyful and successful. But also know that your idea of success in this world is based upon a completely different foundation than God’s. And His successes are what truly last in the end; His are the only ones that matter. Know that we wouldn’t even have an opportunity at success if He had not placed us here, gave us what we have now, and saved us from our own destruction. Therefore, our life is not even ours to even decide what we think should be done with it because we have literally chosen to give it away to Him, just as He has done for us. Know that your life and mine are absolutely no better than all the lives given for us to be here today and know about His Salvation for us; no better than all the hurting, broken lives around us now. Know God’s way of measuring your life as successful Is based upon nothing else but your willingness to give it away to Him: Luke 14:33. We start with humility, real perspective, and sacrifice. And then we ask ourselves some easy (but revealing) questions. The key is this:
Answer these questions in honesty and decide if you are willing to change whatever they may reveal simply because God is Worthy, because He became our Servant, because we want to serve Him more than we want our own life. 1) Are you living right now, where I shouldn’t be? Are you literally dishonoring Him with my current lifestyle or habits? That means pornography, substance abuse, living with someone, having unwed sex, freeloading off someone else, holding grudges? If you know you have embraced something in your lifestyle that you have justified or put off dealing with, you are not surrendered to Him and you must start here. He is smarter; He Loves perfectly; He has reasons for everything He asks. Trust Him wholeheartedly or stop lying to yourself. 2) Are your relationships in His Will? Are you with someone Scriptures say you shouldn’t be with because they are not following Him? Because they are not Scripturally free to be with you; (divorce for wrong reason/wrong sex); because you are not Scripturally free to be with them and should be trying to reconcile to the one you left. Trust that He has a better Plan with the right person that will bring more fulfillment and less pain. Are you contemplating or actively pursuing a divorce from someone who has not Scripturally given a reason? Focus everything on honoring and healing them as His wonderful plan compels us to do in real love rather than chasing what you feel you deserve or want instead. 3) Do you put your desire to enjoy leisure activity and downtime over the importance of knowing and serving Him? Do you spend hours a week enjoying social media, hobbies, sports, games, and yet have no time or desire to spend time knowing Him in study and prayer? Or to spend time serving those in your life around you helping others at home or in His body of believers? No time to invest His world that is lost and broken because you are too occupied with self? Do you even stop and access the needs and desires of those around you? Have you taken an honest look at the conditions of the time and place in which you now live to see where you may be God’s answer, to see where you may be needed right now? Answer the call from God and decide to change what you derive pleasure from; letting your leisure activities and rewards come after you have actually given yourself in joy and concern to God and others first. 4) Is your desire to live a fun, fulfilled life with your family or spouse completely taking the place of anything you would do for God? Are you robbing your own family of the treasure of serving and instead teaching worldliness, selfishness, and pursuit of pleasure over responsibility and commitment? Teach them to humbly serve with you in the most practical and selfless ways. 5) Are you working where He would have you work? The hours He would have you work? Or are you involved in an occupation that is not honoring Him? Are you working so hard to achieve material things that you have no time for God or loved ones? Make the decision to put God first, people first, convictions first, at any financial cost or lifestyle change. 6) Have you discerned the times in which you are living the beliefs, practices, attitudes, laws in your society and weighed them against God’s principles and commandments? And chosen to follow God’s Ways everywhere they are at odds? Or have you taken the easy path going along with the culture, become part of the world around you? Weigh every aspect of the world in which you now find yourself and take fulfillment and joy in drawing a line for Christ and stepping out of the world’s ways, at any cost. Stand for God, stand for real love, stand for truth, and let the world see Christ rather than you. 7) Do you spend your financial and material blessings on building more, having more, and looking better to the world, or being a blessing to others in real need and supporting God’s work? Do you have a nice home, cars, clothes, phones, internet, gaming systems, and yet say you have nothing to give to others or church because you are just too poor? Realize the blessings you have received from Him; realize the real needs of those around you that are so much greater, and show the love and mercy you have received. Your giving is supposed to be sacrificial, supposed to cost something, supposed to mean you might do without sometimes. That is where joy is found, character is built and seeds are planted (faith). 8) Have you simply, literally asked God what would He have you do in His Kingdom and meant it? With the talents, skills, education and opportunities, He has given to you? What would He have you to prepare for, run to, involve yourself in, commit to doing which may be scary, costly, difficult, bigger than you. but is needed for your Kingdom, for your hurting people. Maybe a ministry, maybe missions, maybe teaching, maybe fostering/adopting, maybe just loving on someone near you. 9) Are you focused on genuinely, lovingly addressing every soul that touches or even passes through your life for whatever time they are present? Whether a coworker, a church member, a friend or even a cashier or mechanic? Are you focused with concern on their worth at that moment? Jesus showed the Love of the Father, showed genuine concern and met the most needs one person at a time—usually those He met along the way—because He walked in total surrender at all times. Do those around you see Jesus, or you? When Mary was greeted by the Angel Gabriel and told she had been chosen by God to carry the Messiah, she responded in love and devotion in this way: Luke 1:38. [handmaid]. In the Mosaic Law, an indentured servant working off debt or a criminal sentence to another could (after their debt was paid and they were free to leave), give themselves to the one they had been indebted to by choice for life. If they had been cared for and loved so dearly, they wanted to remain part of the household: Deuteronomy 15:16-17. Mary was saying just this. God had been so loving and kind to her that she had given herself to Him forever as His servant to do whatever He asked of her.
If we know He Loves us so much, if we know we will prosper with Him, it is time for us to forget what we have been taught about being His disciples, exchange who is on the Cross and Who is on the Throne. And offer ourselves in reality as His bond-slave for life. If you do, He will lift you up, give you His Glory and make you His treasured Bride instead.
Just after Jesus was Crucified and His disciples were left with crushed faith and hopelessness, two of those disciples were walking to a village called Emmaus when Jesus joined them in their walk. Jesus kept them from recognizing Him for a reason which we are about to see: Luke 24:13-27. Just like these disciples, so many people (even Christians) are having struggles with faith in a world that ridicules and rejects our Jesus. So many others are simply clueless to the overwhelming proof that our Jesus is absolutely the Creator and Savior of their very lives. Today—using exactly what Jesus used—let’s uncover some of the most unparalleled and indisputable facts that show us this book and our Jesus
are absolutely like none other on earth. Jesus did not have a New Testament written about Himself to use when telling the disciples of all He had done and would do. He did not need One. He had something just as complete and even more compelling—every Word of the Old Testament because it told of what would happen before it came to be. The Old Testament was written in God’s perfect plan and sovereignty, literally guiding events, history, people, and nations, to give us perfect, detailed, shadows concerning the revealing and the plans of the Christ—the Ultimate Redeemer of all men. Jesus Himself explained to the disciples at His Coming using, “Moses, the Prophets… And all of the Scriptures!” These disciples immediately ran to the other eleven and as they were explaining what happened, Jesus appeared to them all. Then after proving He was of flesh and bone, He said to the eleven disciples as well: Luke 24:44-46. Using the OT only Jesus showed how it had been written of His suffering, death, and resurrection. Let’s take a look at just a very small portion of those passages—passages Jesus surely revealed to His disciples on that evening—remembering that every passage we discuss was written long before Jesus was ever born (proven by the most secular of scholars through the Septuagint (Greek Translation) in 285BC to 246BC).
Let’s start at the very beginning, at the initial fall of man (6000yrs) written by Moses about 1400BC. We see that God is already revealing He has a plan to crush Satan and restore mankind: Genesis 3:15. Women do not have Seed, and Scriptures do not Speak this way anywhere else (only one woman). This Seed of a woman was later revealed completely in Isaiah 740yrs before Jesus ever walked the earth: Isaiah 7:14. To say that God would have a Son—much less from the Seed of a woman—was unknown, unthinkable, even blasphemous. But we see glimpses of these Truths throughout the OT: Proverbs 30:4; Psalms 2:6-12. So we see a Man of the Seed of a woman promised to come as a Savior and King—Who would be called, “The Son of God” and “God with us.” And there are close to 300 more OT Prophecies giving exact details of the exact days He would walk the earth; of catastrophic events shortly after His Coming (Temple, Dispersion); of His parents lineage; His birth, and His place of birth; His earthly ministries performed; details of His suffering, betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection [and we will discuss a few of these in just a moment]. But first, I ask you to join me in seeing something truly amazing and unique to any other writing on earth. Watch how God shaped incredible events which made no sense to those involved or even to those recording the events, which were living pictures in history that screamed the plan of God. Listen to this, seemingly insane command of God to Abraham that so many have questioned
(remember when God does something unusual, He has a plan): Genesis 22:1-8. Please grasp every detail of this incredible story, written by someone clueless of the events in Jesus’ Life. Abraham was told to take his only son and make him a sacrifice. God allowed Abraham to mourn for what he thought would be his son’s death for a three days journey. He was told to take Issac to Mount Moriah (to a mountain of God’s choice), an obscure, weird choice from where Abraham was at the time [which was in Jerusalem exactly where Jesus was offered as a Sacrifice 2000 years later]. There were two other men who walked the road to the sacrifice, just as the two criminals that walked with Jesus. Issac placed the wood for his own sacrifice on his back and walked up the hill to his own planned death. Abraham prophetically said (unknown at the time), “My son, God will provide for Himself the Lamb for a burnt offering.” This was lived out and written about 2000 years before any knowledge of Jesus: dearly loved, only son, given by his father as a sacrifice; mourned for three days; accompanied on his journey to death by two other men; to be sacrificed in the exact place of Jesus Crucifixion (2000 years later); carrying the wood of his own sacrifice up the hill to die. Genesis 22:13-14:
The very mountain that Jesus would die upon was named, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:15-18: Because Abraham was so faithful to produce this forever shadow, God said that ion his seed all nations would be blessed. [This is but one of many stories lived out by real people, all orchestrated by God in history, to cast undeniable shadows of the Christ to come. Moses raised a bronze serpent, symbolizing what killing the people with their poison, for all the poisoned people to look upon (and be healed): Jesus was raised up as the poison that was killing us, for all the people infected to look upon and be healed. Joseph was betrayed and sold out by his brothers (Genesis 37-50); he had his garments stripped from him; he was falsely accused and rejected; he was anointed of God and raised to have equal status in power to the Pharoah; he brought lifesaving bread to the whole known world. The Passover was established by God Himself to free the Israelites from slavery and death and start a new year; requiring the blood of a lamb to cover the door of every person who had faith in God to save; and death would pass them by, if the Blood was applied. Jesus, 1400 years later in history (Roman and Hebrew Torah), came into Jerusalem on the same day the lamb was to be chosen, and died on the day the lambs were being slaughtered for sacrifice as had been rehearsed unknowingly for 1400 years. The other three Spring and Summer Feasts established by God lived out for 1400 years (Unleavened Bread, representing the taking away of sins, fell on the day Jesus laid in the Grave removing sin; First Fruits representing the first of the harvest fell on the day Jesus arose as the first fruit of Salvation; Pentecost celebrates the day the Law was given to men and because of sin 3000 died that day—1400 years later on that day the Holy Spirit was given—the Law written in men’s hearts not stone—and 3000 people were saved through Christ.) The three remaining feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles) tell us of being called in from the harvest to the Temple (place where God dwells); of closing the Temple doors and making all judgments final; of dwelling in the Promised Land forever with God. If the first four historically came true to the hour and detail, can we not trust the last three will as well?
In Exodus 17:6-7 and Numbers 20:8-13, while dying in the desert from thirst, Moses was commanded to strike a rock and fresh, life-giving waters came out for all. Later he was commanded to do so a second time, but this time to only speak to the rock. Moses ruined the image by striking the rock again, but the shadow God cast was clear, the rock which was struck brought Living Waters, and He only had to be struck once. How about: How about the mysterious “Manna” which came down from Heaven that was the bread of life for all who had escaped slavery? The fourth Man in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who walked with them in their trials and intended death and saved them. How about Boaz the Kinsman redeemer who took Ruth, a nobody gentile as his bride and paid the price to return all taken from her and give her lost inheritance back? How about Jonah with the strange story of being alone in the depths in a great fish that happened to represent the death of the Ninevites he would save when he returned? How about Jonathan (David’s best friend, son of Saul) who made a blood covenant with the King (David) to save all of those in his lineage (that should have been killed) because he was one with them—just as Jesus became one of us to make a Blood Covenant with God. How about the Sacrifices on the Day of Atonement for 1400 years (Leviticus 16:21-23)—one goat to receive the sins of the man and die for him, one goat to receive our sins and carry them far away, never to be seen again? How about the very Tabernacle of God built to represent God’s Presence, and in front of the Holy of Holies where God dwelt, was the light, the bread, the incense prayers, and behind the curtain—the Ark—the Presence of God, which could only be approached if the Ark was sprinkled with blood as God is only approached with the Blood of Christ?
We could go on for some time. Do you think every one of these events, Feasts, and lives lived could possibly have so strangely occurred and been recorded after the events, only to perfectly paint such unusual, and specific future details of one Man in all history? God, in His awesome power and wisdom, didn’t just proclaim His Son’s Coming, He caused all of history to mimic, rehearse, illustrate every facet of His truth to make it unavoidable, undeniable.
Suppose you had been there on the day that Jesus looked up to Heaven and cried, “My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me?” And you immediately recognized those Words from ancient Scriptures from Psalm 22::1, 6-8, 12-18. What if you had stood in the Roman Praetorium as one yelling “Crucify Him,” and watched Him led away in chains as a criminal, silent; watched Him be beaten until His face was unrecognizable; watched Him have deep stripes cut into His body, whipped with a scourge until His flesh was in ribbons; watched Him be accused of sins against God, accused of being judged of God; watched Him die and be buried in a rich, repentant Pharisee’s tomb? What if you visited His empty grave three days later and then went to the Synagogue the next day to hear this reading?: Isaiah 53:3-10. If you had witnessed these things, knew these OT Writings—would you need a NT verse to know this was the coming Messiah? Absolutely not, because you would have seen all of your Scriptures to that date lived out before your eyes in one Man, in one moment: John 5:39, 46-47; Hebrews 10:5-7. When the disciples were overwhelmed by this now seemingly false Messiah, which they had hoped in so very much; when they were scared of the consequences of following a Savior no one else seemed to believe in or agree with—Jesus, as a hidden stranger answered their wavering faith with proof that all Scriptures had beautifully told His story; that all of Scriptures had described every event they had seen, hundreds, even thousands of years before He came, in every crazy story of real lives throughout history. In every Law given, every Feast held, every Sacrifice made, every Prophecy uttered, they saw the indisputable truth orchestrated through all time in this Book of God; this Messiah of God. If you are wise, honest, hungry—you cannot come to any other decision than to join them in their restored faith and allegiance. However long our Messiah tarries before He returns, never lose hope in His truth and in His plan. It is all spelled out to the end. Stop looking up, and start working for Him as the Disciples did after these events. The soul you may help save could be that last one He was waiting for before He returns!
It has become commonplace—almost epidemic today—to proclaim Christ as Savior while living a life which Scriptures would clearly call worldly—even blasphemous at times. It has become commonplace to feel safe and secure in our salvation and walk with God simply because we’ve said a prayer and got baptized at some point; or had an emotional moment of repentance, or a time of walking with God in our life only to slowly go back to a completely worldly walk. Some seemingly get close to God every time there is trouble in their lives only to trust self again when the burden has passed. With so, so many “Christians” living their lives in this manner today, it is absolutely imperative that we address how this looks to God.
And what the true state of a person’s salvation and heart may be in this mindset. Like it or not, believe it or not, scripturally we are drawing very near the end. Not only are lives and hearts being torn apart as many walk falsely in their faith, but many will soon be caught unprepared and lost when the trump sounds very soon. There is an age-old notion and debate as to whether a person can lose their Salvation after they have truly accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. With all of my heart—backed by overwhelming Scriptures—I believe God’s Word teaches that: God will never leave nor forsake you and that nothing will make God stop loving and wanting you. But that you and I have every freedom and potential to leave Him: Hebrews 3:12-14; Galatians 4:8-9, 11; Colossians 1:21-23; 2 Peter 3:17-18; Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:11-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Matthew 5:13. These verses literally spell out the fact that we can leave Him, but never does God give up on us or abandon us in our sins or doubts: 2 Timothy 2:13.
Yet, for the sake of the rest of this study together, let’s address the possibility that one could never lose their Salvation. 1 John 2:19: This passage clearly says many who walk away after having seemingly been a part of Christ had deceived the church and maybe even themselves, only to walk back to the world when times changed. So, whether you believe we can walk away or you believe those who walk away were never saved—this changes nothing about the end state of the departed person—they are without Christ and headed for damnation. Why do some walk away? This is not really the important question. What is the important question is: Why do many find themselves living lukewarm? Or even opposed to God? After once walking with Him? Here are two major reasons which Jesus Himself Gives: Matthew 13:20-21. 1) Is that people love and accept the thought of how Jesus offers salvation, security and blessing. But the true words, the true love, the true way of Christ do not become a part of who they are. They have no deep roots, they are still “The seed growing.” When their faith requires difficult choices or hardship, they begin to stumble away again. This describes so many who want everything about God’s blessings and security but are not willing to suffer anything taken from their lives or go against anything in the world. They are not willing to change anything God calls wrong or sinful; not willing to step away from anything they want in life to trust and live out what they have first embraced. Many today even blaming God for their hardships. Even saying things like: “I prayed that God would help me, and He didn’t!” If this is the reason you have drifted from God, please realize: God never promises to remove your burden, He promises to walk through it and give strength in it. If not receiving something from God has turned you from Him then He has answered your greatest need by showing you what was more important than Him in your life. What if this had been the mentality of Job, who lost everything while following God’ Joseph, who was sold as a slave, falsely arrested, imprisoned; Abraham, who waited decades to receive a promise he stood upon; or even Jesus, Who prayed that God would make another way to save the world. Our prayer—our desire—in true faith for our sacrificial Redeemer should be: “God, if not, let me honor You where I am!” Or maybe we’ve never truly honored Him at all.
Next reason: Matthew 13:22. 2) Many truly accept Christ with the real desire to live for Him, but they put everything in life before serving Him—family, career, acceptance, things, relationships all come first until they become unfruitful in the Kingdom until God has become Something they entertain when they have room or when they have a need. And they eventually grow so far away from Him that He is hardly a thought, much less the reason for life. When we don’t let His Seed grow in our lives—when we remain focused on ourselves and the world—eventually all the seeds planted around His Seed will grow, choke the sprout until God becomes “Simply something in the way of getting what we truly want!” And so He needs to either change or go. That is when we have decided to walk away or when it becomes apparent that we never knew Him.
It is absolutely certain that we all will have times of darkness and loss of passion in our walk. So, how do we know: when we are simply in a low point of our walk and when we are proving we have walked away from Him? It is so much simpler than we make it. God is not a legalist. It doesn’t matter if we have said a prayer of Salvation; it doesn’t matter if we truly believe He exists; it doesn’t matter how badly we may have sinned or fallen if we have truly accepted Him. You can debate words spoken and Lives lived, but none of these things matter to God. None of these things hold God to some unbreakable legal contract. God cares only about one thing—the only thing that is an absolute true, determining factor: Do you really love Him right this minute? Everything else is irrelevant and smoke to cover truth. Many would immediately say: “Yes, I love Him, case closed.” But if you really are seeking truth about yourself and not just wanting to feel good, contemplate this: If I proclaim how much I love my wife—even if I had one time in the past, said: “I do!” at the altar, and yet today I cheat on her, lie to her, abuse her, do I really love her? Why don’t we look at this obvious, literal truth in our own lives? Why don’t we simply ask this question of our own hearts? Rather than hide behind technicalities and proofs like a legal document or case to win? Because we know we can’t rely on the actual evidence, it is too compelling and convicting. We have to try and prove our case on theological arguments and hand-picked verses. How about dropping all of the debates and simply asking yourself if are you completely surrendered to Him? Do you want Him more than anything else, at any cost, right now? It’s not whether you ever really knew Him or walked away. It’s not whether you did or said the right things. It’s do you love Him right now?
Let’s test ourselves in a clear, easy way using Scripture and you will know undeniably where you are right now: Romans 8:9. Can we all agree Scriptures say if we are saved, we are indwelt with the Spirit of God? Then let’s see what the Spirit of God does in our lives: John 16:8. One of the main things the Spirit of God does in our souls is to convict us of what is sin, show us what is true righteousness, and make us understand His Judgments against sin. And so, what is the effect of that conviction from the Spirit in the heart of a true lover of God? 1 John 3:3-10; Romans 8:5-7; Matthew 7:16-20; John 14:15: All of these scriptures say we cannot choose to live in sin and be of God. Please understand a Christian can commit the worst of sins; a Christian can have a time or season of darkness away from God; but they cannot continue in that sin without overwhelming conviction, pain and guilt, knowing they are against God’s Love and Will. Just as David and Saul both were anointed of God, both committed equally horrific sins against God. But David’s heart, soul and body melted away in conviction until he repented and returned to God! Psalms 32:3-5: While Saul embraced his selfish ways until his heart became so hard and seared that he turned completely from God. God’s Seed in your heart and soul will sprout to produce fruits according to His Word and righteousness because we love who He is more than we love our sins and natural desires. God says clearly and simply: we will be known by those fruits. Yes, we may fall; we may even walk in sin for a time and He will never give up on us. But if we remain in that sin with the Spirit convicting our hearts and showing us Truth, our hearts do become hardened; our conscience does become seared, and we do not hold onto Him to the end. Some would say “We never knew Him!” Either way, it is Scripturally clear we do not have Him now. How many of us… have chosen a life of unforgiveness and bitterness towards others and refuse to give the same mercy they have received? How many are living in sexual sin and are loving it, not caring if they are out of God’s Will? How many are standing for all of the things that make God sick, angry, and broken-hearted, that He Died to erase from our world? Because these things or the people that want them are more important than offending God? How many people have chosen to embrace an alternate lifestyle, wanting to change God’s clear Word and Desire for our lives, over embracing God for Who He Claims to be, over embracing His Wisdom and Will above our own? How many get their fulfilment in substance abuse, with no true desire or fight to leave it because they want it more than God? How many proclaim Christianity, but show nothing but constant contempt and hatred rather than concern and love for all those we just mentioned? These freely growing fruits are a product of the seed that grows in our hearts. Scriptures clearly say those fruits cannot save us or condemn us, but that they do show whether we have truly trusted Him or not. Stop debating. Stop trying to accept Salvation on a legalistic claim, and judge your own heart according to the clear proof of your life. Are you walking with Him, even if you occasionally fail? Then accept His Peace! Because He is Faithful even when you fall. Are you living in sin, but terribly convicted? He is anxiously anticipating your repentance, so that He can show complete restoration and embrace Or are you living in sin and embracing it with all your heart, unapologetically? He has never left you. But He says that your fruits—your desires—prove you do not know Him right now. But, just like David, the man after His own heart, it is never too late to come back home.
Listen to God’s plea to Israel when they had done the same thing: Jeremiah 3:21-22. Worry less about how you look, less about legalities, and face the truth of where you really are right now. Then surrender to the one who died to have you back.
I had several directions that I planned to potentially go this week…Wanting some “Lifting and Faith-Increasing” sermons…After the many hard-pressing sermons we have endured lately!
As is often the case…God Spoke clearly… And I had to change course!...And this Message seemed to take on the mentality that Jude…The half-brother of Jesus… Had when penning his Epistle.
Jude 1:3
The subject of today’s Study is, not only needed and powerful!...But one of the most uplifting… In our day… That we could hear!...And is actually… Almost a Part 2… To last week’s Study!...From How much God Loves you… To… What are we going to do about it?! So… Please open your minds… Prepared your hearts… And GROW WITH ME TODAY!
e are in fast changing, God-rejecting times…And the influence of our culture is undeniably all over us all! Many people in this congregation… And following Christ everywhere…Have a real desire to live for… And draw closer to Jesus Christ! But… The problem is… We seem to keep messing up!
Often in all the “Fresh start” we try to make for Him! Only to fall right back into our worldly or lukewarm life again!
Sometimes in the sins we seem to keep returning to!
Sometimes in our relationships we treat selfishly!
Sometimes in the faith we seem to lose, every other day! The grudge we rekindle within days of letting go again!
Sometimes… In that big sin… We slip and fall into! Which will not let us ever feel things can be the same again!
And so… We surrender!
To the feeling that Jesus is constantly disappointed with us!
To the feeling we will always be one of the “Moderate Christians!” Which God will probably never use amazingly!
To the feeling that we cannot experience anymore of Jesus…Than we have now… Because we are too given to failure… Too weak!
Sometimes… Even to the feeling…“He must just be DONE with me!”
Let’s put aside our feelings… Put aside other’s condemnation & opinion…And simply look at the Truths… That Jesus reveals in His Word! Not only will it help our self-condemnation…But… It will show us the Way to overcoming our lukewarm…Even broken messes in life!
Will The REAL Disciples, Please Step Forward?!
We read the Gospels about Jesus and His disciples…And we marvel at the works the disciples achieved in their days! Healings, miracles, teaching & converting thousands! We see the difference they made in history! We see the brave ways many died in their Faith!...And it leaves us feeling “less-than”… Feeling common & longing!
But… Even when these disciples…Walked with, listened to, and watched Jesus every day…
Even though they were “Hand-Picked” by Our Savior Himself…Look at the honestly of Scriptures…And the humanity of the disciples!
The disciples were in all regards… A disappointing disaster!! Every step of the way! They didn’t listen to His clear teachings of why He was there! Because they were so focused on getting what they wanted (Rome)! They missed almost every Lesson He taught…Constantly disappointing Him with their narrow minds & lack of faith! Until Jesus was actually exasperated at times! (Matthew 17:17)
They showed that their own recognition & position in His Kingdom…Was often their focus… Even when walking with Him! (James & John)…In Jesus’ darkest hours of His Life… When He was stressed & broken…They overlooked His pain… And argued about who was greatest! They fell asleep while He begged for their support in prayer!...And they all left Him to be arrested and crucified! Peter denied knowing Him in the middle of His Suffering!...As Jesus watched and listened! No one but John, even stood by Him as He Died on the Cross! Thomas doubted Him, even after He Arose again!
Jesus’ closest, hand-picked friends…Misunderstood Him, criticized Him, denied Him, betrayed Him…And left Him to Die Alone against the world!
But… Not only did Jesus choose not give up on them… Not leave them…Not choose to use some one else… Someone more worthy & able! Jesus LOVED them to the very END!
Jesus kept His Faith… His Power… His Passion… IN THEM!...Even in all their failures and selfishness!...Because He saw their hearts… Their very souls!...And He knew:
Matthew 26:41
Jesus doesn’t give up on us in our failures! He doesn’t see you as too average or weak to be used incredibly! He isn’t repelled by your mistakes… Ready to move on to someone else! You are not overlooked… Or put on the shelf!
Get this! You are just as precious… You are as loved… You are as USABLE…As every disciple He Chose!...As Moses… In all his successes and failures!...As David… As Paul!
Because you are covered by the SAME BLOOD! You are filled with the SAME SPIRIT! You are handed the SAME OPPORTUNITY for Intimacy & Purpose! As a matter of fact… He is LONGING for you…To see that AWESOME REALITY!...And let it change your life! In a very REAL WAY!
The Change!
This honest, UGLY portrayal of all of the disciples…Gave way to their HONEST AND INTRIGUING CHANGE…As their fear of others… Fear of loss… Confusion in His Word!
All… Completely gave way to new lives!
This disastrous bunch of failures…Gave up their normal lives for good!...Came out in opposition… But love…Against all… those who threatened and hated them! They healed… Preached to… And convicted thousands! They wrote… Protected… And carried His Message everywhere!
They stayed the course… Against the world around them…Until it killed all but one of them… Horribly!
Peter, was crucified upside down under Nero!
Andrew, his brother, was crucified for days on an “X” cross…
(St. Andrew’s Cross) It is said he gave the Word for days before dying!
James, was beheaded by King Herod I!
John, the only one not murdered… Was boiled in oil, in an attempt!
But upon surviving… Died of old age on a Prison Island (Patmos)!
Phillip, was hanged in Turkey.
Bartholomew (Nathaniel), was skinned alive in India!
Matthew, was either stoned to death (Babylonian Talmud)…
Or stabbed thru, in the back, standing at the altar of a church! (Foxes)
Thomas (Didymus), was thrust through with a spear in India.
James (The Lesser), was stoned to death.
Thaddaeus, was executed with multiple arrows in Persia.
Simon the Zealot, was crucified.
What changed? What made these narrow-minded, scared, failures…Into spiritual heroes of Faith?! Are you listening? Do you really want to know? They went from a DESIRE for Jesus (Spirit is willing)…To a DEVOTION to Jesus! THAT’S IT!
They saw clearly… For the first time…Just how far God had been willing to go for them!...And humbled them… Shocked them… Overwhelmed them!...So completely at that point…That they devoted themselves to drawing nearer to Him…To serving Him…Even more passionately than…When He literally walked with them on earth!
When they had walked with Him… Though they loved Him… Though they believed in Him…
Their motivations were still set on what HE was going to DO for them! On how HE would change their world for the better! In other words… How beautifully He would fit into their plans!!...But AFTER they saw all He’d now done for them…AFTER they saw what He truly OFFERED them…Intimacy with God, like they’d never dreamed!
AFTER they saw His Heart’s Desire to bring HIS KINGDOM…NOT… Just make ours more enjoyable! AFTER they saw His real Love for everyone! Their DESIRE for Him…Turned into a PASSIONATE DEVOTION… TO HIM!!!
They no longer saw their own failures…
They didn’t matter… Only more of Him!
They no longer felt afraid or insecure…They didn’t matter… Only Him!
They no longer lived to prove themselves or be noticed as before! That didn’t matter… Only Him!
They didn’t have time to fall back into their old ways or thoughts…Because they never left Him long enough to grow cold again!
He no longer was just a part of their life…He was their reason for life… HE WAS THEIR LIFE!
Look for a moment with me… Back to the life of Daniel! If you think we have a culture that is hostile…And tempting to lure us away from our beliefs! Daniel watched his family be killed, and his country overtaken! He was carried away to a completely foreign and pagan culture…When he was only a young teenager!...And promised to be accepted… To be given great things…If he would simply adapt to their ways. Which were inviting! But when time of trials came… When his persecution began…Watch this Passage closely… And notice the key to his success!
Daniel 6:6-7
Daniel 6:10
The LAST FIVE WORDS of that Verse are the KEY!! To why Daniel persevered! (And we often DO NOT!) To why he was so close to God! To why he was usable by God in such amazing ways!
Against the WILL… And now, even the LAW… Of his land! Daniel persisted three times a day… IN PRAYING to his God! But… Those last five words…“As he had done previously!”… Say it ALL!
He was DEVOTED… Completely given to God… ALL THE TIME! Not when his relationship was in trouble! Not when he messed up and needed a way out! Not when he was sick… Or out of money!
Daniel had no trouble with temptation…Not trouble with fear or intimidation…When the time came…Because he walked with God in DEVOTION every moment!...Because he kept God as his reason and motivation every day!...Because he relied on the Strength of God… Over his own!
God wasn’t a Truth IN his life…God WAS his life!!!
It Could Be You and Me! YOU… And I… Are every bit… As forgiven… As sought after… As usable… As powerful… As Daniel!...As the Twelve disastrous wrecks Jesus used to change the world!...IF WE CAN STOP FOCUSING ON WHAT A TRAIN WRECK WE ARE…AND FOCUS ON WHAT HE IS… THROUGH US! IF EVERYTHING WE THINK ABOUT OURSELVES & OUR LIVES…CAN SIMPLY FADE… IN OUR DESIRE TO PROMOTE HIM FIRST!
Instead of hiding behind… And being traumatized by…Our victimization… Our failures… Our weaknesses…Understand just how CLEAN… And PERFECT…You’ve been made through HIS CRAZY-LOVING-SACRIFICE!...And then… The real change… The real power… The real closeness…Comes when our DESIRE… Becomes REAL DEVOTION!
Let our culture… Let our own beliefs… Let our lives…Take a backseat to SEEKING HIM AS A WAY OF EXISTING! How can you grow cold to someone you spend every day with?!! So… Decide today! That just like Daniel…And just like the disciples AFTER they saw Jesus’ Sacrifice…To make serving and walking with Him…Literally your everyday PASSION in DEVOTION!
Read with reverence and expectancy… Daily!
Pray for His healing in your mind and soul…
Pray to know what HE is doing right now!
Pray to see, forgive, and love others through Him!
Obey and Trust every Word you hear and read from Him!
Change anything that needs changing…Immediately… Without wavering or debating!
Then STAND FIRM!! With no thought given to the cost or loss! Not judging success in life by anything…But what you know is pleasing to the One Who Died for you!
Accept that your failures will be a part of the journey as you go!...And never use them as a reason to quit or go back!...But as a challenge to show how badly you want Him!
Trust His Promise to never let go…And never give up on you!
Philippians 1:6
Isaiah 49:15-16
We have to understand… That in all of the ridicule…All of the temptation… All of the twisting of God ‘s Words…We are NOT facing anything…These disciples and early Christians didn’t face!
THIS IS TRUTH! It is not that things are more unbearable for us…But that we need to choose to give ourselves totally to Him…Just as they did!
Let’s go back to the Passage we began with in closing…And compare ourselves to their world…Then receive the same Inspiration given to them!
Jude 1:3-4
Jude 1:7-9, 11
Does it not sound as if Jude understood the times we are now living?!...And here is his encouragement!!...And Calling for us in these times!
Jude 1:17-25
What were his instructions?
Build yourselves up in your faith! (Draw close daily)
Pray in God’s Spirit! (Seek His Will and Love for others)
Keep yourselves in the love of God…
Expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ! (Understand your acceptance in failure)
Have mercy on sinners… But hating everything to do with their sin! (Avoid the world with extreme passion!)
Lastly… Trust that HE WILL MAKE YOU…
STAND IN HIS PRESENCE BLAMELESS AND BOLD AND JOYFUL!
It’s not the weight of your sin…It’s His Perfect Love…The time is short… The time is now!
Look at how God is working on this Body of Believers!
Come together as His Bride TODAY… RIGHT NOW! And purpose to make this a turning point in our lives.Take away ever reason He can’t or won’t use YOU…As intimately and powerfully as anyone in Scriptures!
And truly… Literally… Daily… Make knowing Him intimately…Make doing His Will above everything else…ABSOLUTELY THE BREAD THAT GIVES YOU LIFE! COMPLETELY EMBRACE HIS ACCEPTANCE OF YOU!...AND THEN LIVE TO DRAW CLOSER TO HIM… ABOVE ANYTHING!...AND HE’LL USE THIS DISASTROUSLY SINFUL GROUP…TO CHANGE THE WORLD AS WELL!
THE DIFFERENCE IN REALLY KNOWING HIM DEEPLY…IN NOT FOLLOWING AWAY AGAIN…IN DOING AMAZING THINGS THROUGH HIM…IS THAT YOU DECIDE… IT’S ALL… OR NOTHING!
LET YOU DESIRE… BECOME YOUR COMPLETE DEVOTION!!
The majority of the sincerest, believing, devoted Christians are not truly bringing God joy and pleasure in their lives today. When we hear this, we almost feel defeated and hopeless, wondering how much more do you need to do to make Him happy? Or, you instantly go to self-condemnation in your mind, thinking, “You don’t have to tell me how much I mess up, or how bad I am. I already know, thank you very much.” But the answer is so much simpler than this, and so much more wonderful and powerful in what it says about our God, as though God Himself, were saying it to you now. Your Christian life—your choice to believe in, and follow Christ—is not about living better than you did before. It’s not about sinning less and doing more for Him. It’s not about struggling to keep His commands; it’s not even mainly about trusting that His sacrifice is all that can save you—it’s about seeing His unfathomable love for you and being so moved by His pure love and selfless pursuit of you; that you are broken by His dedication and attraction, blown away by the worth and joy He has placed in you. And in turn, accepting it so deeply that you so sincerely love Him back. Nothing on earth is more important than having His presence in your life, than wanting to be the source of His joy and pleasure, than being close with Him, no matter the cost: Mark 12:28-30. God could have done things so very differently if all He wanted from us was better conduct or complete obedience. He could easily force these things on His entire Creation, or just started over when we blew it. But having our hearts freely given to Him, becoming one with us intimately was worth everything He had to give; was worth all the pain and destruction brought to His Kingdom. His desire to win our real love for him is so precious to Him that He was willing to die just to simply give you the opportunity to love Him back. Nothing you’ve done wrong, no distance you could run from Him, will ever cause Him to stop pursuing you. Don’t let the familiarity with these passages take away the impact of what they say about God’s heart for you: Luke 15:1-10. Moses probably drew closer to God than anyone in his time; closer than most men or women draw to God in all times. Listen to just why Moses was so close to God. Moses had given up his entire life to God, lost everything he had, and spent years of hardship to lead them out of slavery and into freedom: Exodus 33:2-3. Moses’ refusal to receive any blessing without God’s Presence in his life as well changed the course of everything and God chose to stay with Moses and his people because of the passion this one man had for His Presence above all else. Because this is God’s Greatest Desire: to be wanted and sought after with the same crazy love He shows for us: Exodus 33:17-18. But Moses did not even want to stop there; he didn’t just want God with him, he wanted more of God: Exodus 33:18. Kabad. God allowed Moses to see His goodness; to see His Presence in a very special and intimate way.
So many of us are apathetic in our walk with Christ. We appreciate His kindness; we want His Salvation; we want His blessings, but we honestly show no signs of wanting a better, deeper relationship. We have no interest in actually knowing Him better or spending time with Him—we simply want His Inheritance—and it breaks His heart as surely as it would ours. We all need to see the reality, the fullness, the literal sense in which we are loved by Him: Ephesians 3:17-19. Knowing His love in reality is the key to being full of His presence. Of all the things He could have used, with which to compare our relationship to Him, what did He use from the earliest pages of Scriptures: Hosea 2:16, 19-20; Isaiah 54:5; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:31-32. If we have things in our life which have pushed us beyond our limits, taken us to despair and feelings of hopelessness, it is because He has not become that everything to us; He has not become so special to us that even in the hardest times—as long as we have Him, we’ll be okay together. This is His heart’s desire for how we would see Him—not just faith in what He can do, but faith in Him. When we doubt Him, or hold Him at fault in tough times, the Truth of Who He was to us all along simply comes out. Yada. This is the relationship God died to have with us. He died not only to save our souls, but to become one with our very souls; to walk in our lives with us, share everything we experience together, suffer through hard times as one. He wants to be the One you come home to and know everything will be alright because we have Him, and we know we will always be accepted and carried by His crazy love for us. A close spouse not only knows our ways and our reactions to many things, they know our very character and heart behind those ways because we have shared our emotions, secrets, intimacy, desires, motivations, fears. This is what God wants from us; to share everything with Him and to know Him back that intimately. This is our reason for existence and most of us are missing it. He wants you to see the reality of how you are loved: listen to how hard He has worked to show you. Have you ever made a gift for someone, or a picture, or write a song? And every detail was painstakingly taken to please them? God has done this is every facet of creation for you. Yet, He’s willing to destroy it all and start over to show His Love for you, again. He is willing to take the blame (fall) for your wrongs; to make you free to stay by His side. He was willing to lose His great name, His Kingdom, His power, His throne, His very life—to be hated, lied about, tortured, naked in front of a crowd, have His very skin ripped from His body violently—to secure your place by His side. He is willing and wanting to walk every step of your life by your side, sharing all your pains and troubles, standing by you in your failures, being your everything. He didn’t want to show you His love in His words only, so He became the living, breathing, walking Word to bring His love to life: John 1:14. All this to simply win your love and steal your heart so that He can bless you even deeper as you share life together. That’s my Jesus; that’s your Jesus.
Here is how we can be the Bride of His dreams—not simply by acting better or doing more on our own—but in letting Him be the One we want to impress; letting Him be the One we want to share with; put first above all others; worry about offending; come home to and be comforted by. He wants us to see Him in wonder and love in the thunderstorm we watch from the porch; hear Him in the crickets at dusk; feel Him in the warmth of a summer breeze or sunny day; be amazed by His incredible creatures all around us; in the joy and love we share with our precious pets. He wants us to live in His ways just to please Him; be unashamed to call Him ours in front of a mocking world; seek and search through His Word to really know Him better—not because we are supposed to. He wants us to desire Him now, with all we have—not just want His inheritance one day. The greatest thing we can ever comprehend in all our experiences and education is that we are truly loved with an overwhelming, fatal attraction from One willing to give His Life to be by our side, and give Him that same love in return.
This is accepting Christ; this is the reason for your existence. In 100years, we’ll all be gone, and someone else will have your house, your car, and your money. In 150years almost all of your great achievements—all you struggled to gain and impress others with—will not even be remembered; nor will your existence even be thought of. But the One Who made you—died for you—the One Who wants to walk by your side—will still be with you even then. Don’t’ you think He is worthy of your all right now? Let’s stop living for His inheritance and show Jesus Christ that we want none of this world unless He will go with us. Let’s stop living a “Christian Life” and begin living in Him with every breath of our lives. This is what He died for: John 17:3. the greatest gift you can give Jesus: is to really grasp just how real and unbelievable His love really is for you and begin to walk closer with Him than anyone in your life. If you are not doing that as a Christian, you are missing everything He died to have with you. Let’s all return to Him today with everything we have.
We are going to talk about something today that many people long to discuss, but as Christians—and sometimes, even non-Christians—they are very often hesitant to talk about. And that is those moments in every believers life when, for various reasons, the haunting thought suddenly grips your heart: “What if it isn’t true?” “What if everything I have ever believed is all just a mistake?” “What if I am wasting my life on a lie?” Most wrestle with these moments in silence, for fear of being shamed or looking weak and unfaithful, or even sinful to God. Guilt joins with doubt to magnify the struggle. Our first endeavor today is to see the Biblical response towards honest moments of doubt, and also to help us all see the difference between sincere doubt, for various reasons in life and a choice to disbelieve—to reject Truth—in spite of evidence, knowledge, and revelation.
John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin, born of a Miracle from God. He grew up with Jesus (literally). He was appointed by God, in His Word, and in His Will to make the Way for the coming Messiah—His very Son. He gave his entire life as a Nazarite from birth: living a poor and meager life by choice; eating a special diet and following disciplined laws from childhood; every day and moment a reminder a constant choice for God. He preached repentance and faith in God. He was literally the one to proclaim Jesus as, “The Lamb of God”, and baptized Jesus with his own hands. He stood against religious leaders (even kings) to his own detriment, his own imprisonment and death, for his beliefs. But this man, in his darkest moments of stress and loss, sent a strange and very unexpected message to Jesus from prison. Listen to Jesus’ response: Luke 7:18-20. John the Baptist had a brief moment where he considered that all he had sacrificed for and believed was false. He basically asked, “Jesus, are you who You say you are or was I misled?” Here was Jesus’ response: Did He reprimand him? Ridicule him before others? Reject him? Absolutely not. Jesus knows our frailties and weaknesses: Luke 7:21-22. Jesus gave definitive proof to John, knowing his heart was pure, knowing his doubt was human, but that he was sincerely seeking God. Jesus reiterates to John and the crowd that blessings follow to those who will overcome their doubt, that they are not simply to remain there, but seek. Then Jesus addressed the crowd, concerning John’s doubt: Luke 7:24-22. Jesus saw John for his heart, love and obedience, not his moment of weakness which came by nature. What about Jesus’ own chosen disciple, Thomas (Didymus), who walked with Jesus, saw all of His Works, heard His teachings and prophecies about His own death, yet doubted Jesus and the word of all his companions: John 20:24-29. Again, Jesus did not reject or reprimand. He simply showed Himself to Thomas and challenged him to grow in his faith: John 20:27. Not long after praising John—even in his weaknesses and doubt—Jesus made this Statement to the masses: Matthew 12:20-21. “A smoking flax” most scholars say clearly denotes someone who’s faith and hope are all but extinguished, and Jesus proclaims He will not abandon them. And Jude, Jesus’ own half-brother proclaims how to deal with “doubt” inside of the church: Jude 1:21-22. Some condemn doubt, embarrass those who dare to question. Others embrace and praise doubt, questioning everything perpetually. Biblically, it is clear that moments of doubt are natural, and will come for various reasons to the most faithful and loving disciples of Jesus. But it is also clear that doubt needs to be dealt with when it does come, or we cannot have true fellowship; we cannot please God in His love and work; we cannot proclaim Him to the world in love and confidence: Hebrews 11:6.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest reasons for these moments of doubts, and find some answers to help us along the way. One of the first and most common reasons for doubt in many is simply the lack of firm, solid facts about Our Jesus. We live in a world which stifles, hides, and twists whatever it does not want to accept. We live in a world that has now grown up with little to no real understanding of Who Jesus really is, or any of the facts surrounding His Life, Death and Resurrection. We live in a world that spins overwhelming evidence for a Creator to look like an unexplainable fairytale of evolution—a view which takes more faith, more separation from true reasoning—than the fact of Our Amazing Creator ever could require. Most young people go away to college, or watch documentaries and videos presenting evidences against asking questions about their faith; questions not addressed by most churches as they should be—and that is sad because we have the evidence solidly on our side. As a church, we try to address this abundance of proof on a regular basis here because the evidences of science, fulfilled prophecies, history, and archeology are overly abundant and powerfully foundational to build our faith upon. God does not want our faith to be blind and without root. If we just look open-mindedly, proof is everywhere we can possibly look: Romans 1:19-20. If you find yourself in doubt because of evidence for the proof of God, if you find yourself looking towards another possible explanation, I simply and sincerely ask to honestly give the same criteria of testing to your pondered ideas. Give equal doubts to your doubts, but be certain you are asking these questions: Are you truly studying and seeking for real Truth? Are you tearing into Scriptures to see their validity? Are you investigating the Truths that are questioned for yourself? Or taking another’s word blindly? Are you seeing the validity of the hundreds of fulfilled prophecies?
Giving unmistakable declaration hundreds, thousands of years before Jesus arrived? (Parents, place, birth, death, Temple, dispersion?) Are you clearly seeing the perfect unity of the Books of the Bible? Written by different people, spanning different times & places, describing the same Person and events perfectly? The unbelievable number of early manuscripts keeping its integrity, validated by those who read them firsthand? (25,000 copies) The chosen death and suffering of those who knew Him best, and had everything to lose by following Him? Are you seeing the newest wonders of irreducible complexity in purposefully created life to the simplest cell? With clear Design? The answers to this kind of doubt comes so very easily, for those sincerely willing to look for His Fingerprints. But so many will disbelieve, doubt without ever once truly exploring the evidence for themselves. Are you an informed doubter? Or an ignorant doubter?
A second, very powerful reason for many to doubt God is the presence of evil and the tragedy of our sin nature, in the world. They have had a terrible tragedy or loss in life, or they have seen the suffering and evils of the world which is so unlike anything God is supposed to be. Or they are drawn by lusts and ways contrary to God and wonder how they could feel this way if God is real? And they doubt that the Loving, All-Powerful God of the Bible could really exist. We cannot go into details about all the question of evil today because we could take a couple of sermons on this alone. But understand this: the fact that we can see these evils as evils and be hurt, offended that we can say they are not fair or just rather than see them as neutral and non-moral in nature, shows that His divine nature is within us and Creation was made with moral purpose and not chaos. It is not God’s desire to see one single moment of suffering, it affects Him much deeper than we could ever experience. Yes, He knew that suffering would come; He knew the world we would create in our rebellion with our free will to choose real love or selfish evil. He loves us so very much that He would not allow us to ever experience one thing that even our own sins brought to this world; that He would not share with us to the last dregs. Those pains, experiences, abuse, along with our fallen nature can envelope us even into natural desires against His ultimate will in our fallen and damaged state. He hates our pain so powerfully—hates our misled and broken state so passionately—that He literally Died horrifically to save us from that pain. When Job questioned God in His deepest pain, when John the Baptist questioned Jesus in his imprisonment, God did not try to explain Himself or justify His actions—His Ways are so much higher, His Love and Plans beyond us—He simply said, ‘Here is proof that I Am Who I Say I am. Trust my love and follow Me; I will walk through it with you.’ There is no suffering that He hasn’t walked through with us. That is a perfectly just God whose love is perfectly selfless. And we will soon see how He has used every evil this world brings for the greater purpose for us all. Until then, just like Jesus, these moments are our greatest chance to prove our love and trust in our faithful God in a dark world.
Another big reason many turn from Jesus is the terrible actions and the hypocrisy of those who proclaim Him. Yes, many bad things have been done in history in His Name. The Church is full of fake, mean, judgmental people. But, these have nothing to do with the True Character and Love, of the One represented in this Book, your Creator and Savior. And it is no more logical to reject Christ because of these people, than to reject life-saving surgery, because there are crooked doctors. Or to leave higher education because there are bad or ignorant teachers. Or stop using the internet because there are so many wrong and deceptive uses in the media. Or stop using electricity in your home because it has been used to kill people in the electric chair. People are damaged, broken, and often fake: 2 Corinthians 11:14-15. This has nothing to do with whether Jesus is real, loving and precious. Those broken people are the very reason He came and died—to show Love, even when not deserved or understood, even when abused for His Sacrifice. If we love Him, those people are even more reasons to follow Him with conviction, so that the world can see the truth of Who He Is; so that we can help these misled people see His real love; so that we can serve Him right before a world that does see these fake things rather than use others as an excuse to deny Him: John 13:34-35.
Lastly, the one most devastating and dangerous doubt of all. Be honest with yourself if you are in a struggle with your faith right now. This is someone who sees clearly the proof of His Presence and has His very Word in their minds and hearts, but they have someone or something in their lives which should not be there according to our God—and they absolutely refuse to let go, refuse to accept, or refuse to leave—because it is more important to them than the God Who Loved and Died for them, because they feel they are smarter or more righteous than even their Creator. Some will purposefully refute, ignore or twist what they, in their hearts, know if God, in order to justify and satisfy their own wants and desires. Or in God’s eyes, sometimes even worse, they will still try to live for Him, proclaim Him as their Truth simply for the sake of feeling secure. And yet continue to live the life they are choosing over Him any way just in case they are wrong in their beliefs. That way, they haven’t “missed out” on their life, if God is not real or thinking He’ll just look the other way. If I was not 100% sure my spouse was who I wanted to be with for my whole life, just to be sure that I wasn’t missing out on something better rather than leaving them just in case they were the one. I decided to sleep with other people, do anything I wanted as though my spouse wasn’t there rather than be faithful to my married life, but still come back to them and try to maintain a great relationship with them too, just in case. Would that relationship have any chance at all? Would it be fair to your spouse? Would you ever have the chance to cultivate and experience all of the real love that relationship could have given you? That is an exact picture of the life many proclaiming Christians live today. When this kind of doubt arises, a choice to turn from Truth because we are afraid of missing something better, because we refuse to let go of something we love or want more. It is no longer a “doubting” problem, it is a “heart condition” of choice. A choice to “forever question God” on purpose, as an escape—a justification to live their own lives without Him. And God has a heartbreaking, but clear response to this attitude: Romans 1:18-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11. These passages clearly state that we will eventually talk ourselves into believing a lie in order to comfort ourselves in our choice to reject Him. If this is the basis for your doubt, be honest with yourself and choose right now Who is worthy to give your whole life to serve. And then, just do it with all you have to give at any cost (either way), or you will live just as the unsatisfied spouse in their double-life, hurting everyone and unhappy.
This needs to be our Biblical understanding of how to handle doubts in our lives. Know that doubts will arise even in the strongest of Christians (John). Bring that doubt to Him openly, knowing that God does not frown on us, resist us, or become angry, but that He wants to comfort and prove Himself. He does not want us to remain there because it hinders our relationship, joy and purpose. There is too much at stake to simply leave doubt unaddressed. Study and know for yourself every proof that God has given to us—all around us in nature, in our hearts, in science, in history, in prophecy, in experience. Doubt your doubts. Test your competing thoughts. God’s Truth is powerful and clear. Then, when you see that He is present, He is loving—surrender truly, totally, openly. Surrender anything you do not agree with or understand, knowing He is bigger, better, more loving than anything you have to give up or turn from. He will bring a better way than anything this world offers. And then, just like John the Baptist, ask Him from a sincere heart given to Him to show Himself to you more. And I promise you, if your heart sincerely just wants Him and nothing else, He will gladly reveal Himself to you: Jeremiah 29:13-14; Proverbs 8:17; Psalms 63:1; Deuteronomy 4:29; Matthew 11:28-30.
We recently discussed:How many people suffer from moments of doubt in their faith. How many people have never even began to have faith.One of the biggest reasons in our world today…Is simply a lack of proof! Not because there is no proof.But because our world works diligently…To hide, ridicule, twist and ignore that proof!We see a society… An educational system…Which proclaims the THEORY of evolution…As an unquestionable fact… In which, it is ridiculous to argue…Because we should simply follow the science and proof!...And not mislead our youth with personal beliefs, ideology or theology!We see this same system… Proclaiming to follow science and proof: iring college professors for scientifically teaching…That sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes.Teaching that racism and genocide are wrong… But creating spaces on campuses which are off limits…To certain colors and nationalities.A system that has ruled…The teaching of Creationism in public schools unconstitutional…Because it requires schools to be religiously “neutral”! Yet indoctrinating our culture in the *“religious”* world view…With no substantial evidence… There is no God!It is clear that our society… By desire… Distorts and avoids…That which does not fit the chosen narrative! Therefore… An abundance of overwhelming facts and evidences…For the existence of God… Is left hidden or ridiculed! With no chance for rebuttal… Or free thought… Or disproof!To add to this quandary…There are so many “religious” worldviews…How can we place such faith in Jesus Christ?...Even if there is a “Higher Power!” to consider?Two facts… Need to be grasped as we study together today!ONE: No matter how many views or possibilities are believed…For how it all started… For why we came to be here today…There is a 100% certainty… ONLY ONE is true! There is only one reason we exist today!TWO: If Jesus truly IS that Way… That Truth…Then the Author and Creator of the Universe…Who WANTS us to know Him…Will not leave Himself to be undiscoverable!...But… Will leave unmistakable proofs of His Work and Existence!**We simply have to be honest enough… Open enough…To accept TRUTH when it is unavoidably given to us**! So, let’s examine some solid evidences of FACT…To show us the Pathway to a Faith… That makes any other pathway… ***“Highly Illogical!”*** …Because… ***“The Truth Is Out There!”***ONE: How Can We KNOW There Must Be A Creator?The most basic place to start is…*“How can we possibly KNOW there must be a Creator?”**“How can we KNOW that everything isn’t simply by chance? Accidental?”*We can… And HAVE… Spent literal weeks and months…Presenting this overwhelming evidence… Of God’s Design! But for the sake of time today… Let’s give a few foundational *“All or Nothing”* Evidences! That every other debate and truth MUST stem from… Or be dismissed!Modern advances in science have uncovered irrefutable facts…Which leaves the possibility of this Universe… And even simple life…As a scientific and mathematical impossibility!The known FACT that our entire Universe is expanding and dying…Proving the scientifically accepted truth that we DID have a birth!...And now, adding to this almost daily, with mind-shattering proofs…From the James Webb Telescope...Showing a mature Creation… Almost all the way back…To the supposed center of the Big Bang Model! Which should be infantile if evolution is happening! To the wonders of the ordered and precise Laws within our Universe…All finely tuned to an unimaginable degree… To sustain everything! Now known… And literally proclaimed, *“Impossible!”* By renowned, top atheist scientists and mathematicians… For the Universe to have become “Life-giving” (Roger Penrose, Atheist)Here is a very honest and revealing proclamation… (Physicist)From Dr. Robert Jastrow… Of the *“Scientific Condition”* of Evolution!Robert Jastrow, is an American astronomer and planetary physicist...Leading NASA scientist- founded NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies...First chairman of NASA's Lunar Exploration Committee...A leading author in the space program, earth science and astronomy...Whose book on the evolution of stars made the best-seller list...A Professor at Yale University...A lecturer who has spoken on CBS and NBC...Also a self-proclaimed agnostic...This is his very revealing statement…After years of following and teaching Evolution...*"This religious faith of the scientist is violated by the discovery that the world had a beginning under conditions in which the known laws of physics are not valid, and as a product of forces or circumstances we cannot discover. When that happens, the scientist has lost control. If he really examined the implications, he would be traumatized. As usual when faced with trauma, the mind reacts by ignoring the implications - in science this is known as 'refusing to speculate'… At this moment it seems as though science will never be able to raise the curtain on the mystery of creation. For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream… Now we see how the astronomical evidence leads to a biblical view of the origin of the world..."*- Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, New York and London, W. W. Norton, 1978, Retrieved on March 6, 2021 from http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Nave-html/Faithpathh/Jastrow.html*"That there are what I or anyone would call supernatural forces at work is now, I think, a scientifically proven fact."*- Robert Jastrow, "A Scientist Caught Between Two Faiths: Interview With Robert Jastrow," Christianity Today, August 6, 1982, retrieved on March 7, 2021 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert\_JastrowLook at the established FACT of Scientific Law…Which has now proven the wondrous & intricate city of a single cell of life…Could never have “evolved” by chance! The very heart & foundation of Evolution…Being disproved so extensively… That it crumbles all that comes after it!Listen to the established scientific LAW of Biogenesis! On an evolutionary “Biology Online” Study Site!*“The Law of Biogenesis states that life arises from pre-existing life, not from nonliving matter. It means that a nonliving thing would not have the capacity to engender a living thing. Only another life can do that. The complex, organized structures and processes in living organisms cannot spontaneously arise or develop through chemical reactions or physical means alone.”*- Biology Online, Law of Biogensis, Last update on October 6th, 2023, retrieved on Aug 24, 2024 from https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/law-of-biogenesisYet… This is small fact is not only overlooked… BUT built upon!With an imaginary tale… None-the-less!...And the “Smoking Gun”… “The Writing on the Wall”…Is our recently exploding discoveries within our own DNA!...DNA is a 3 BILLION-lettered program telling…Each cell of the human body how to be built and act a specific way!***… a one-square-inch chip of DNA could encode the information in over seven billion Bibles.”*** *- The New Answers Book 2, Ken Ham, Editor, May 2008, p. 22, ISBN – 13: 978-0-89051-537-2*Encoded into a literal intelligent, READABLE LANGUAGE! That we can actually communicate with in computer software! Not only containing billions of intelligent pieces of information…But requiring thousands of fully functional “MACHINES”…To write, copy, transport, correct, read and BUILD…From the information!...All present together… Or NOTHING COULD WORK!In other words… No replication of any living cell could occur…For the countless years of mutations to produce evolution…Unless all of this was present at one time already! THE FIRST TIME!! To create the replications! On top of this… Please grasp the following:- Interview (**Ben Shapiro**), Mathematcs Proves The Existence of God, Retrieved on Aug. 24, 2024 from https://youtu.be/TU1J0FNgjV0?si=DbTBedhXZ-gXYrwvRandom mutations in DNA, along with Natural Selection…Are the engine for any chance of evolution to occur! A Scientist has worked for 14 years at Cambridge University…To understand and calculate the possibility of errors in a protein…Which could create new information to allow evolution….Called, *“The Problem of Combinatorial Inflation!”*Even a short protein… One small building block… To improve… Which is 150 amino acids long…The chances were 1 over 10 to 77th power! There are only 10 to the 65th atoms in the whole Milky Way Galaxy! This random search… Is like looking for one atom…In a TRILLION Milky Way Galaxies! What if science could prove Jesus was not real…TO THAT DEGREE?!!There is not even nearly enough time…Even in the evolutionary estimate of 4 billion yrs on earth…Only 10 to the 40th organisms on the planet! It is a mathematical absurdity this could happen! For even a single protein in a cell!! A single building block!!Now… Get this!! The small bits of information… (Codons)Used to understand the building of proteins in our cells…Is in symbolic form… Like letters on a page represent a TREE!...With NO chemical connection to follow!...They are literally just understood and followed!Even more amazing… Many, many of these proteins…Not only have direct coding representing how to build them…But they have countless short-hand… Or quick-reference codes…To represent certain combinations of proteins efficiently!...Like Data Compression Programs in software!At a simple level… This is like Secret Codes given to someone… With Pre-determined and shared references books to decipher it!...So that short… Unreadable phrases…Explain intricate, long messages!This is an absolute absurdity…To imagine with the greatest of faith…That this system could arrive… Piecemeal… Evolve…With no purpose, intelligence or design!For those who have studied the analogy of “Paley’s Watch” before…It is no longer “Paley’s Watch”… But “Paley’s Supercomputer!”Just these few examples… Using solid, proven scientific FACTS today!...Show a single cell could never develop!...And could never evolve even once… IF it did! We see the overwhelming evidence for a Creator!...Evidence hidden, twisted or ignored by media and educators!...But there for the world to see… If you will look!The only faith needed in this evidence… Is faith to disbelieve the obvious!**Psalm 139:14** **(NKJV)** *I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.*Yes… But WHY Jesus? He Can’t Be The ONLY WAY! OK… That is Amazing Evidence there is a Creator of all!...But WHY does it have to be Jesus?!...There are countless OPTIONS for WHO that Creator may be!...Allah (Muslim)...Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (Hinduism)...Spirit Guides (Wicca)... The list could go on...If Jesus is Real… If He is the Truth and the Way…He can Speak for Himself! LET’S LISTEN HONESTLY!If you place your trust in any of the other…Man-made religions of the world...You MUST face the FACTS... That NONE of them...Have INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE AND TRUTH…BEHIND THE... LIKE THIS:Scriptures are Centered around One Man...A Man absolutely KNOWN in HISTORY... JESUS!More solidly established than Tiberius Caesar! The Writings about Him were Created & Preserved…In unparalleled ways...Unlike any religious or secular book in all of history!!66 Books... Written over a period of 1500 years... (2024 to 3524)!Over 3 Continents... By 40 people of different times and generations...In 3 languages...Many who did not know of each other!All writing in perfect harmony about hundreds of topics!More trustworthy than any other ancient document in it's integrity...Because where most other ancient manuscripts…Have a handful of copies to examine...Suetonius is next closest… With 200 copies!Over 25,800 ancient copies of the NT have been uncovered...In multiple languages: Greek, Latin, Syriac, Coptic, & others...All showing the Words we have today...Are what was written originally... And can be trusted!SPECIAL IN CONTENT: An entire ONE THIRD of this Book...Includes what no other book in history...Can even hint towards in comparison! Thousands of predictions and prophecies...Which lay the Book at the mercy of the world...If even ONE could be proven false! What a risk! What a Legacy!Over 270 of these prophecies... Are about Jesus' Life ALONE! Detailing when He would Come (500yrs before)...Where He would be Born... Who He would be Born to...How He would Die... (Method not even invented) What the world's reaction would be...All occurring JUST AS PROPHESIED hundreds of years before!...And confirmed again and again in HISTORY and ARCHEOLOGY!As well as the countless other prophecies...Of specific people, rulers, nations and events...Proven time and again in history and archeology as well! Many undeniably occurring in OUR generation... Before our eyes! Jesus' Life, Death, Miracles... And Resurrection...ALL Witnessed by hundreds... And Written about...Hallucinations?He Ate with them... Was touched by them! Some were His family who grew up with Him!...And the overwhelming truth is in their reactions...These people who had NOTHING to gain... Get that!!And everything to lose...Family, houses, belongings, freedom, life! They were tortured, mocked... Never living in peace or safety again! Died mocking, cruel deaths!These Events in Jesus' Life and Death...Were even attested to…By their local authorities and legal records...Spoken of in detail (miracles, death) by those who hated Him! Which is some of the most powerful proof of all!ONE MAN IN ALL OF HISTORY...WITH NO EDUCATION, NO ARMY, NO POSITION OF POWER...NEVER WRITING A BOOK...OR EVEN LEAVING HIS REGION...WHO WAS KILLED AS A COMMON CRIMINAL IN HATE...ROCKED AND CHANGED THE ENTIRE WORLD…SO IRREVERSIBLY...THAT THE DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR...IS CENTERED AROUND WHEN HE LIVED!THE BOOK WRITTEN ABOUT HIM...HAS FORETOLD & DESCRIBED EVERY EMPIRE OF THE WORLD...SINCE WRITTEN HISTORY... BEFORE THEY CAME TO BE!If there is a Creator... And THERE IS! Don't you think He would WANT to tell us about Himself?WANT to tell us why we are here? WANT to do so in a Way that is so different & unique...It proves HIS WRITINGS are like none other?...AND SO… HE DID!JESUS CHRIST... AND HIS SCRIPTURES...ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS WE HAVE...ABOUT WHY WE ARE HERE... WHAT WE NEED TO DO WHILE WE ARE HERE... AND WHERE IT IS ALL GOING!No other theology... No other religion... No twist of real science...Can stand next to anything you've just heard! So, I ask again... If NOT Jesus...To whom else... To what else... Would you turn?!What Will YOU Do With This Truth?! The Path of Evidence we have just walked…Takes us down an undeniable… And ever narrowing walk…Until it ARRIVES AT THE DOOR OF ONE MAN… JESUS CHRIST!So many people don’t know these few LIFE-CHANGING TRUTHS!...And countless more… For the ones willing to honestly look!Some don’t know… Because they’ve never been told!...Some… Because they have been sold the LIE by so many…And they’ve accepted the LIE as truth…Without question!But MANY… Because they PREFER TO DENY AND IGNORE…Anything that would change the way they are thinking & living! I’ve seen people walk out of here…With overwhelming amazement and certainty! Telling others about this incredible proof of God they heard! Only to ignore it within weeks…And dive into insanity in their lives!Jesus Spoke to His disciples about those people around Him…To whom He only taught in parables…Because Jesus Knew they would not accept His Amazing Truths! Jesus said they did not need MORE TRUTH…If they did not truly WANT what they had already heard!!**Matthew 13:14-17** **(ESV)***14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.*I’m telling you…We live in a time of scientific, historical, and archeological facts…- That many in history would love to have known…- About Creation… About proofs of Biblical records and events!We live in a time where we can look back…On thousands of years…Of perfectly fulfilled prophecy… Without question!We live in a time where we can see…Prophecy unfolding in record numbers all around us!We live in a time…- Where this Book has been proven different than all others!- Where the Existence of Our Creator is doubtless!- Where all of history as been lived out as Written… Flawlessly!Even in the dark times around us…Even in all you may feel you are giving up in your life…The knowledge that… ALL OF THIS IS REALLY TRUE! That you really are Loved this much!That there is countless more…Excitement, adventure, joy, pleasures…Than you could ever experience in a fallen world! That there really is a purpose and mission for your whole life!Becomes amazingly exciting…To those who are not just ignorant and selfish enough…To consider what they can have right this moment! To those with enough courage and love…To step away from the crowd… And embrace their Savior!**John 14:5-6** **(ESV)** *5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."***John 8:32** **(ESV)** *And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.*For some… It is time…EVIDENCE FIR FAITH… IS NOT THE EXCUSE!BUT ONE OF THE GREATEST REASONS!Evolution… And false, man-made religions…Are the broken, ridiculous excuses… Grasped by unreasonable faith!
So many people today… Are MISSING the Truth of Who God truly IS!WE ARE FORGETTING/IGNORING HOW GOD IS PLAINLY DESCRIBED… IN HIS ENTIRETY… WITHIN EVERY PAGE OF SCRIPTURE!And the Parts of God’s Character we seem to be OVERLOOKING… Are EVERY BIT as important to see Who He Truly IS…As those we seem to FOCUS ON MOST!!And everything about our lives… Our choices… Our relationship with HIM…Suffer, because of these misconceptions!So many today are worshiping a false image!! A God nothing LIKE Our True Creator and Savior! Because we consciously or subconsciously… Mold Him…Mold Him into what WE think a Perfect God would be…In OUR own needy, hurting, sometimes selfish…And totally incomplete VIEW! We miss Him… Because we are only seeing pieces…Of His Face & Character… That WE like... And we ignore, hide or reshape others… That we don’t like! Only knowing a PART of someone can be very detrimental! Even completely life-changing!...Because that part which is left unknown… Ignored…Can be the most important essence of who they are in truth!Too many have found this out…When finding a spouse…Making a friend…Or making a deal or contract. Where the unknown part of someone…Changed reality in a moment!So… No holds barred… Nothing added or taken away…Let’s take a comprehensive look at Who Scriptures Say God IS… Truly!...Trying to avoid any “spin” or opinion of our own!But based upon His Own Words!...Because knowing God for Who HE truly IS…Has more bearing on your entire life… Than any other single Truth you will ever face!The CHALLENGE for us all today is…Will we ACCEPT what we really see?...And what will we do about it?THIS… IS GOD (Tender And Loving)Our God is unfathomably Powerful and Creative! We can see this like no other generation EVER BEFORE!!The Artist and Designer of…An incomprehensively enormous and wonderous Universe! With Laws and Intricacies that we could not hold in our heads! In the midst of this wonder…He has created life… Complex, wonderous life…Above all understanding! In every imaginable form and amazement! On every inch of this wonderful world He made for US! To explore, enjoy, fear, ponder, study, love and appreciate! To the extent that we will never discover, or understand it all! It is literally a “Wonderland” of intrigue, love, & life which envelopes us!**Job 12:7-10** **(NKJV)**Now… This Being… This All-Powerful Creator of Wonder and Life…HE IS THE ONE… WHO BECAME…Common… Poor… Simple… Unknown… Unappreciated!...Gave up everything that was rightfully His to enjoy!...And totally dedicated Himself to loving and touching…The most sinful and most undeserving people who ever existed!Jesus walked 70 miles… About 24 hours total…To Heal the daughter of one unknown gentile woman near Tyre! Jesus sought out an unknown cripple at the Pool of Bethesda…To give him the gift of healing! Jesus met with the lowest of scum…And joyfully broke bread with them in love!...THIS… Is that Wondrous, Brilliant Creator of the Universe! He showed not one ounce of Ego… Entitlement… Or Self-Pleasing! Our Creator lived as One of us… Putting us all… Above Himself!...And this Love for US… This Desire to be CLOSE with us…Goes so, so much deeper than we can fathom or believe!He was willing to be overlooked, hated, mistreated, misunderstood…Tortured… Give up His Life, Reputation, and Acceptance… As King and Creator! Not just to Save our souls! But for the chance to be intimately close with us… Be ONE!...To literally indwell and walk with us!Even in our filthiness… NOW… And for eternity!No one in your life is more Trust worthy!...More faithful to you even in your betrayals and mistakes… More loyal to be there no matter what… More ready to forgive when not deserved… More willing to forget your past… Until His care for us defies logic in our limited minds!**John 3:17** **(NKJV)**He wants us to feel His rest, joy, security, closeness and protection…So passionately…That He gave up His Throne…That He destroyed His Own Creation…That He suffered the Ultimate Rejection and Pain…That He Willingly EMBRACED…All of our suffering, humiliation and Judgment!THIS… IS GOD (Hatred of Sin!)Get this about Our Jesus… Our God… Our King! BECAUSE HE LOVES US SO DEEPLY…He is ABSOLUTELY… WITHOUT EXCEPTION…COMPLETELY…INTOLERANT OF SIN!! (It is outside of His Very Nature!) LISTEN… JESUS HATES SIN AS STRONGLY… AS HE LOVES US! (WHY?!!)…Because HE fully knows and understands… Better than anyone could ever recognize…The devastating effects it has on those He Loves!...On our lives, our hearts, our emotions, our very souls!Even more than that…HE KNOWS:How it robs us of everything good and wonderful…That HE Created us to be! He knows we will NEVER truly KNOW Him deeply…We will never be ONE with Him…Or exist as the beautiful Child of God He Made us to be…AS LONG AS SIN RULES IN OUR HEARTS!!!...Because it taints everything! (Cannot look on Him & LIVE!)**Isaiah 59:2** **(NKJV)**HE… Above anyone else… Is COMPLETELY BROKEN…Over the mess… And the pain… And the unfairness of our world!! The mess we created… And are still creating right now! He has to get rid of it ALL… COMPLETELY!Because HE IS fair and just!...But that means getting rid of US as well!...Because every one of us is tainted with darkness and sin!Satan thought he had us… And God…In his devious plot to lure us into Judgment!...But these effects of sin in our lives…The terrible pain brought to us all…Are only until His Plan is finished! His Plan to save every single one that will come to Him!...And we have to work with Him in love until it is finished!WE WANT HIM TO RID US OF ALL OF THESE EVILS…THAT ARE HURTING US AND OUR WORLD… RIGHT?! We want Him to stop all of the wrongs… All of the injustices… All of the pain caused by this world… RIGHT?!...BUT… WE… WANT TO DISAGREE WITH HIM…FIGHT HIM… ACCUSE HIM OF HYPOCRISY… OF BEING UNLOVING! WHEN HE ASKS US TO RESIST THOSE EVILS IN OUR LIVES…AND IN THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND US… WITH HIM!! Even as they are robbing us of…Love, peace, selflessness and Oneness with Him!How can WE be angry with HIM…For hating what is destroying us from the inside out?!For hating what is robbing our hearts… And blinding our eyes?! He wants us to TRUST HIS HEART…Over the insanity which our fallen desires have brought into this world! It is sad… When an immature child is scared of the dark…It is much sadder… When a mature adult fears the Light!**John 3:19-20** **(NKJV)**To see Him… To really see God as Scriptures Reveal…Should leave us feeling…Totally humbled… Inadequate… Dirty… Unlovable… And Ignorant!...NOT… Entitled… Righteous… In control… Demanding… And Intelligent!!**Job 40:3-5, 42:2-3** **(NKJV); ****Isaiah 6:1, 5** **(NKJV)**The Hebrew word for “UNDONE” here is DAMAH (DAW-MAM’)…Meaning: *“Cease to exist, cut off ruined, destroyed, silenced!”*…Scriptures Say, *“No man can see God and live!”*WHY?! Because SIN cannot exist in His Presence! No man or woman… Standing in the Presence of…The Most Holy, Powerful, Wisdom Filled Being in the Universe…Will ever feel anything but unworthy and ruined!...And yet we approach God feeling…More righteous and intelligent than HIM!Grasp this Truth about Our God…As well as all the Truths of Mercy, Grace and Love!In our state of arrogance, and self-righteousness, and entitlement…God sees us in our understanding of this world…As we truly are right now: As ignorant animals!**Psalms 73:22** **(NKJV)**With NO TRUE KNOWLEDGE of even the most basic precepts…Of His creation… Of life… Or of Real Love!...And yet… In His Omniscience… Mercy… And Love…He sees us for ALL that we were Created to be as well!...Without sin… In full knowledge of Him and His Ways!...In His Image and Love… In full bloom!**1 Corinthians 13:12** **(ESV)**Then… FACE TO FACE! How? What changes? OUR SIN!...And that knowledge of Him… Of His Ways… Holiness!...Is what He strives to teach us even now!!...If we will get out of our own way!...And humbly trust HIM as Our Loving Father!To see HIM as He is… And see ourselves as we truly are:Should cause us to be broken over our condition!...Cause us to be desperate to be different from this world…At any personal cost!...Should cause us to feel hopeless to get there alone!...But totally secure that HE can WASH us clean…With HIS SACRIFICE and LOVE!LISTEN NOW… It is BECAUSE He knows the IMPACT of sin…The impact WE don’t seem to see or understand…And BECAUSE He loves infinitely deeper than we love Him…That He IS so hard and unbending on sin in our life!!...And He refuses to play with, change, or condone…What is POISONING US TO DEATH!Enemy or Friend?HERE IS THE MAJOR PART OF GOD MANY ARE MISSING!!! IF AND WHEN… WE CHOOSE TO EMBRACE SIN OVER HIM…KNOWINGLY AND WILLINGLY… OVER HIS LOVE AND TRUTH!WE BECOME THE TERRIBLE THREAT… THE ENEMY OF HIS BRIDE!! We become an enemy of all HE has Created, Lived & Died to Protect! We become a tool… A willing soldier… Of Satan!AND THE ALL-CONSUMING LOVE THAT DRIVES HIM TO SAVE US…NOW BECOMES AN EQUAL WRATH OF DEFENSE AGAINST US!**Hebrews 10:26-27** **(NKJV)**; **Romans 2:12** **(NKJV)**It is NOT that He does not love us… STILL!...It’s that WE have chosen to become a SELF-SERVING THREAT…Causing us to become so blind in our selfishness…We actually expect HIM to SERVE US IN OUR SINS!!!!...As WE embrace a world that has NOTHING to do with HIM!As WE become a PART OF THE PROBLEM…He DIED to remove!We actually expect HIM to please us… IN OUR CHOICE TO SIN…Over all He has done!...No matter the cost to His Son… And all of His Creation!THAT CHOICE ALONE…Shows we have consciously decided to resist His Kingdom!Putting our own desires above HIS WISDOM, LOVE & PLAN!...FEELING WE ARE SOMEHOW SMARTER OR MORE MORAL…THAN EVEN HIM!**Romans 1:21-22** **(NKJV)**Listen with all of your heart! God is UNBENDING in His Unending Sacrifice to save us!!!He is JUST AS UNBENDING…In His resistance and fury…Against all that hurts those He Sacrificed everything to save!!!He will not compromise… He will not make exceptions!!To OUR open choices to live against His Love and His Will!...IT IS OUR JOB… TO UNDERSTAND HIM… ACCEPT HIM… TRUST HIM…WHERE HE IS… RIGHT NOW!! (Not the other way around!) He will not be mocked… Or misrepresented…By those who TRULY KNOW His Word! …At the cost of losing those He loves so much!...When we… Above all… Are without excuse!...Knowing His great Love and Wisdom! (Moses at the rock!)HIS WILL… IS GOING TO BE COMPLETED…HIS KINGDOM IS COMING…SIN WILL BE REMOVED!WILL YOU AND I SEE THE BEAUTY…IN ALL THAT HE HAS SACRIFICED TO CREATE IN US?WILL WE DESIRE TO BECOME ONE WITH HIM…AS PASSIONATELY AS HE HAS SACRIFICED TO MAKE A WAY?...WILL WE REALIZE OUR OWN…HELPLESSNESS, IGNORANCE, AND PRIDE?WILL WE RECOGNIZE HIS REAL LOVE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS?...AND TRUST HIM WITH EVERYTHING WE DON’T UNDERSTAND?...OR… WILL YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN A PART OF THE VERY SIN…WHICH HE HAS COME TO RESIST AND REMOVE?!!...IN ORDER TO RESTORE HIS KINGDOM… OVER THIS FALLEN ONE?!LISTEN: We CAN’T see all of Him… The way we are right now! Scriptures say… Something has to change first!! Or we cannot even look upon Him! We have to become LIKE HIM FIRST!Through our desire to accept His Sacrifice…And our surrender to becoming all that He IS!**1 John 3:1-3** **(NKJV)**It is time to stop trusting and following the insanity of the world! It is time to fully forsake all that stands against Him! It is time to start acting like we really trust His Ways and His Love! It is time to start believing there is really nothing in this world for us!...AND BE A TRUE LIGHT TO A BLIND WORLD! BE TRUE SALT TO PRESERVE & HEAL THE SICK AT HEART! Not join in their sickness!!...AND BE A REAL, LOVING, UNCOMPROMISING…UNAPOLOGETIC… LOVING… PICTURE… OF JESUS CHRIST!...THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND!!LISTEN!! THIS IS…THE PASSIONATE, LOVING, SACRIFICIAL…IMMOVABLE, FIERCE,RECKLESS, DANGEROUS…FACE OF OUR ALMIGHTY GOD! TAKE HIM OR LEAVE HIM!BUT HE MUST BE ACCEPTED… IN HIS ENTIRETY!!In all of His humbleness, unending love, and long suffering for us…I pray you see that He is More Worthy than anything else in your life!**Psalms 73:25** **(NKJV)**
How much happiness and tension release do you think a soldier has as they leave everything behind to live and possibly die in uncertainty and danger? How much pleasure and peace does a firefighter have as they struggle blindly through a burning house to a motionless child? How much better does a policeman have it than someone making triple his pay while he fights in mortal combat to protect people who hate him? They do it because they know it is of the utmost importance. They do it because if they don’t, no one else probably will. They do it because they know the worth of those they are saving. And that inner joy and satisfaction is unfathomably bigger than a life of fun, successes, rewards, or even acceptance. Take in to God’s Word: Do you think you were called to a more exciting and happy life when you accepted Christ? In a world that hates Him? Matthew 16:24-25. Do you feel that you must be a bad Christian because some people wrongly accuse you of being unloving or bigoted—even when you genuinely love them and care about them? Just because you cannot agree with something they support: Luke 6:22-23, 26. Do you think it is a poor choice of lifestyles to pour yourself into God’s Work? Even if it brings hardship, loss of some pleasures, and even the rejection by some that you love? Romans 8:18-19; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 17-18; John 16:22.Think on this for a moment: The world hated Jesus so much they murdered Him. And in case you didn’t notice (France/Olympics), the whole world seems to still feel the same today. Jesus made this proclamation to His people: John 15:18-21. Why do we think that we get a pass? Why is our relationship with Christ supposed to bring only blessing, peace and happiness? When there have been over 70 million Christians killed since the Death and Resurrection of Jesus for His Name—more than half of those murdered were in the last century. An estimated 1 million just from 2001 to 2010, and about 900,000 from 2011 to 2020. How are we justified in expecting and even being angry when we don’t get rewarded as His disciples with happier, more blessed, successful, easy lives? Jesus is not trying to desperately sell you something or to make Himself popular by making your life easier and more successful. The Scriptures are not written to give success seminars. The Bible is not a self-help book or a get rich quick scheme. The Scriptures are a True Story of a terrible tragedy in betrayal, hatred and rebellion, that resulted in the War of all Wars, being fought for the very souls of every man and woman ever born, tearing the creation apart at the seams. This War is actually so dire that the biggest casualty—the greatest cost has been the actual life of the Son of God Himself. You and I are dead in the middle of this war. Not by choice, by necessity.Stop expecting the life of a true disciple to make your life more enjoyable, happy and easy. You are at war with the most powerful, hateful, cunning foe in history. A War that will be raged against us whether you sit happily and blindly in death or you go out exhausted & raging against the enemy for your King to your last breath. I for one will have much more satisfaction much deeper joy and contentment knowing I gave all for the King Who gave all for me; knowing I cared enough to join my King in His struggles. Rather than be upset because my life wasn’t happy enough in the middle of the greatest War of the Ages. I choose purpose in Christ and love for others, even to my detriment. That is real living. Philippians 1:21-22; Galatians 2:20. Stop expecting everyone to like you. Stop expecting to get no criticism or hatred just because you are trying to do right or love sincerely. John 15:19-21. If you feel a Christian should be loved by all or you are probably not being like Christ, then please listen to how Jesus himself explains that you will not be liked by everyone: John 15:19-21. If being liked, being nice is your goal you probably are not being what he called you to be. C.S. Lewis put this masterfully in his book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe describing Aslan (Jesus): “Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” If you truly live for Christ, no matter how lovingly, you will be hated and spoken poorly of by some. Because Jesus was hated for how He lived, spoke, and loved. Jesus’ Message challenged everything about our fallen and rebellious state of heart and mind, because Jesus shows us that we are fallen and lost; that we need help; that we are not okay as we are, and that is offensive to those who love self, more than Him. But if Jesus did not speak this way, did not respond this way in real love, but openly, honestly, painfully at times, why did He even come? Why did He suffer torture to save us from these things? Why did He hate these things so much that He would die to free us from them, just to leave us in their grip because He didn’t want to seem unloving? His Message is that we are not okay, but that we are loved anyway. And that He is here to make us okay if we will turn away from the lies that have hurt us and trust Him. There is no Gospel, no Good News without seeing that we are fallen first. Luke 10:16: If Christ is rejected constantly by this world today, but you never seem to be, where does that place you in His eyes, His plan? 2 Timothy 3:12-14. It is not only okay to be hated by some, it is an unwanted necessity in a world that hates Him. All who love Him will suffer persecution.If He truly is Lord of your life—if we are really living in a fallen and God-hating world, if the people He died to save and forgive truly are in need of hearing—they are lost, broken, sinful, selfish and rebellious, or they can never see why they need Him so desperately, never see the wonder in His created ways—and yet we as His disciples are so very worried that we may not experience enough acceptance, pleasure and happiness in this life (even though we know better than anyone the true war raging around us)—maybe it’s you who has missed what is truly important. Maybe you are the one that does not have enough selfless love for your God and those lost. Maybe it’s you who will not be honest—even in the face of dislike or loss, in hopes the world will see their need of a Savior, because it is not by sympathy, understanding and justifying the world’s sins that will save their soul from the sickness of sin and help them see a better way. It is the Blood of the only One Who loved them enough to die for them; the One they need to learn to trust above themselves, not make Him become one with our sickness. We have a complete misunderstanding of what Scriptures mean when they say: 2 Corinthians 5:15. He gave His whole life for you to live. If your only thought is that He would never want you to lose a bit of happiness in your life. He would never want me to miss some enjoyment. You have no idea Who He truly Is and how much He truly deserves, and what He expects of us in love and thanksgiving. There is a massive and critical difference between being happy in the moment in your circumstances, and having a deep sense of contentment, joy and fulfillment, in your life, purpose and accomplishments for your King. Do you honestly think the disciples of Jesus led a happy, carefree, pleasure-filled life? What about the literal millions who have been persecuted, hated, homeless, hungry, tortured, raped, killed? Even right this moment? Jesus made it clear that the true test of whether you love Him is how you will respond when that love costs you something, not if knowing Him make you happier and blessed just as you are: Philippians 3:7; Luke 14:25-27.How can a truly changed and devoted disciple of Jesus live completely contented, happy and friendly with this world and still feel they are loving and representing Jesus to the lost; feel they even love Jesus with a true heart? We are living in the last, darkest days of a fallen, sin-filled world destined for Judgment. How do you think it looks to God right now? Should this be the recipe for living a happier life now? Should this be a world where we have no rejection or hatred against us? So, what is the benefit and joy of accepting Christ in this world? Jesus received His truest joy in the middle of His suffering in His battle in being despised—knowing that He saved us; knowing that He pleased His Father so greatly; knowing the difference His sacrifice made, even in the midst of the pain. The joy in being a Christian in such a difficult and costly time comes by knowing all Jesus did for us (we are this loved); by giving complete surrender to Him (especially at such a high cost) knowing the gift means even more to Him’ by seeing the people who come to really know and understand His love and truth through your trials; by knowing what is just around the river bend for us all: 1 Peter 4:13. By having His real love, presence, and power in my life; by having His sustenance when I’m empty; by having His hope when I am hollow: 1 Peter 4:14. Don’t let your measure or fulfillment in life be ‘Am I happy? How many people like me? Did I upset anyone?’ Scriptures never proclaim this is our goal or calling. Jesus nor His Followers ever feel this way. These questions focus on no one but you. Even when it is tough and unrewarding for a time—just as a soldier in a warzone—you can have contentment, purpose and real joy, even in the pains of the battle. A radical willingness to endure hardships—even be disliked in return for your love given—is the only real life given to Christ. He says you will be hated for My Name Sake. I will love the world, right where it is, in its deep sin, even to my own pain and detriment to the end. But I will never step over God’s line just to join the world in acceptance of its sin. otherwise, I do not really love or really trust Christ. And I give the world nothing of value to reach for—no true light to follow—when they are finally convicted. Can I have true joy in the midst of sadness and difficulty? Can we continue to speak for Him and serve Him when we are lied about, hated and abused? Let’s see: Acts 5:40-42.
How many here today have an issue you are dealing with right now? And you are just kind of fighting and holding on until things change; things get, better; things turn out okay; until you can find answers to the questions and fears in your mind? And you are just living in a kind of holding pattern until then? A state of anxiousness, waiting for the moment you can exhale and relax? Welcome to the mindset of the vast majority of Americans today who have been trained to feel unfulfilled and incomplete so we will desire what they are selling; who have been taught to feel victimized and wronged so we will join in their fight; who have gotten so tired trying to keep everything going, keep everyone happy and make ends meet in a world that is mean, unfair, and confusing that we literally get stuck in anxiety mode. We have created a pattern of thought that is as real as a beaten down path through the woods, returning to it naturally again and again, making it a way of life. We forget how to disengage, how to be happy in a moment without guilt, no matter how many things may be going well, we always come back to why at least that one thing in life needs to be different before I can be content and happy. Two of the worst words put together in the English language are “why” and “can’t”! Why can’t they just be different? Why can’t I make more money? Why can’t I be healthy, better looking, smarter? Why can’t I have someone like that? Why can’t I have more time for me? Why can’t I still have all of my loved ones with me? Please pause a moment and take in these words. How much of your life is simply wasted away and missed; how many moments, how many wonderful days never happen while we are waiting for that perfect time? How many cherished moments with loved ones, with God will never happen because we are living for “that day” when all will be well? That day that never seems to come. One of the greatest unknown sins many of us commit daily is missing the joy of God and others in our lives because of our discontent. By far, the majority of our lives will be spent in struggle, conflict, or uncertainty over something. So, is it good to wait for those times when all is well to be contented and happy in the moment? Or maybe we need to see that we have it all wrong and learn that true joy and contentment is something we can and should have at all times. And that it is a condition of the heart and mind, not dependent upon outside factors at all.
Let’s look at how God shows us we can live in contentment in our lives because most of us are surely missing something big. Contentment does not come only when things are just as they should be. Those moments are fleeting at best, and even then, we worry about holding onto what brought them. Let’s piece together God’s Plan for contentment. 1) It starts with one thing and one thing only: Psalms 37:4; John 15:7-8; Matthew 6:32-34. When we start everything with a genuine desire just to know Him and please Him; what we want in life, what we strive for in life, what we hold dear, what is important all change immensely and we will begin to see life differently, want different things in order to be happy and content. 2) See and appreciate all that you have in your life right this minute to live passionately and joyfully for if not one thing changed today, all the things you have that deserve your full commitment and passion, all of the wonderful blessings you have received and relish them. Seize the moment; be thankful; give them your all, now. This is your time of blessings in so many ways; don’t miss them. James 1:17; Psalms 118:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19. We will never get this day of our lives back again; don’t waste such a precious gift. How precious are the people in your life right now that don’t get the honor and love we have for them because we are caught up in our worries? How desperately would you want things to be like they are today if only one thing changed by tomorrow? What do you think just one of these wasted days will be worth when we are at the end of our days? 3) True contentment has never been about having everything perfect in life. True contentment comes when we genuinely understand, and trust that all our conflict and struggle have a purpose and is being used of God. True contentment is having the faith to rejoice in the God we trust even when we cannot see the reasons clearly now. True contentment comes in not just praying for relief, but praying for strength to embrace and relish the fight as much as the finish line because we can have joy and satisfaction in fighting the battle for those we love, for the God we love and owe so much. True contentment is being able to give witness to others about our faith even and especially in tough times. We’ve been sold a cheap bill of goods. True contentment is not just in ease of life and peace, but in the satisfaction of giving my all, fighting the fight, for what I know is good and worthy. Philippians 4:11-13; Philippians 2:14-18; 2 Timothy 4:6-8. [Every one of these verses was written from prison just before his execution and every verse is about being wasted in the fight.] 4) True contentment is in finally learning t that your joy, peace and strength come in drawing close to and experiencing Him—which actually becomes even stronger in times the world would consider dis-contentment. Psalms 23:4-5. It’s knowing God is growing you into something much better in the experience of your trials and teaching you to trust Him as you never would; showing the world as never before possible that He is real, His Love is real, that your love is real. It’s knowing He wants to be closer to you in those moments than ever before as your contentment. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Psalms 94:17-19. If we cannot find contentment even in uncertainty and struggle, we never really had contentment in Him at any other time. So, maybe that trial was the best Gift He could have given us. “Faith that can be shaken in trials was never real faith to begin with.” James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. [Key: Looking to Him rather than crying about my weakness.] Philippians 3:7-11.Richard Wurmbrand was a minister in Romania who, in 1945, when the Communists seized Romania and began controlling the churches, began a powerful, secret ministry to the believers in hiding. e wasHe was arrested in 1948 and spent 8 years in prison being horribly tortured; even spending a whole 3 years in complete solitary confinement. Romanian secret police (posed as former prisoners) told his family was told he was dead. Upon release, he continued his underground mission and was arrested again, sentenced to 25 years. He was released under general amnesty in 1964 after 14 total years in prison and began his ministry again. Finally, he and his family were sold as political prisoners to Norway For $10,000! (average price was $1900). His many tortures were unspeakable from the pulpit. In all of this, listen to his own words of joy and contentment: "The Communists believe that happiness comes from material satisfaction; but alone in my cell, cold, hungry, & in rags, I danced for joy every night…Sometimes I was so filled with joy that I felt I would burst if I did not give it expression. I remembered the words of Jesus, “Blessed are you when men come to hate you, when they exclude you from their company and reproach you and cast out your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!” “I have found truly jubilant Christians only in the Bible, in the Underground Church and in prison.” “I found that joy can be acquired like a habit, in the same way as a folded sheet of paper falls naturally into the same fold.” One writer summarized Richard’s heart this way: “He chose it. (Joy) He Chose Jesus. Richard found an abundance of joy in the presence of his Savior – Jesus Christ. It was true joy. Joy that didn’t come and go. That did not cease to be available to him when he was locked into a prison cell.” This reminds us of another who did the same thing in prison: Acts 16:22-25. Because of their praise and contentment in their suffering, an earthquake opened the doors and shook off their shackles but they still chose to stay more contented to serve Christ, than in freedom. [The Philippian jailer was saved that very night.] Not one thing needs to change in anyone’s life here today in order to walk out of here content and joyful. There will always be at least one good reason to be discontented and anxious for another day. There will always be at least one good reason to be contented, joyful, and alive for another day. It is all about how much we trust Him and love Him, compared to how much we love ourselves. Don’t let Satan steal one more day of your life. Don’t waste one more precious moment you’ll never get back. Don’t miss the joy we were made to have in our God. Philippians 4:6-9. Trust that wherever you are now, Christ is there with you; Christ is working. Be contented in your work for Christ where you are now, not in your circumstances and see how God is turned loose in your faith.
We've had a couple of eye-opening, sobering messages lately—the kind that can literally shift how you live and worship. This is one more of such messages—the very last day of this world, of this entire creation as we know it—a day that I think we can accurately call "The End of the Beginning." After this day nothing will ever be remotely the same. In past weeks and months, there has been much focus on End Times Prophecy, the Rapture, and the Tribulation to Come. Today we’ll go beyond all of these events which are extremely important but all of which pale in comparison to this one day. Let's walk through a very simplified view of the coming events in the not-so-distant future of mankind. We are here living near the end of the "Church Age" where Christ established His Church after His Resurrection; the Grace Period where we've had the task and privilege of showing the world what Jesus did for us; the Grace Period where God has withheld Judgment on the world waiting for all who would turn from the world and come to know Him. The next major events on God's calendar are: the Rapture of His people; the Seven Years of Judgment on the whole earth: Tribulation; and then what Scriptures call "The Judgment Seat of Christ" or, "The Bema Seat." The exact moment of this Judgment is conjecture, but it will occur sometime during our time with Christ after the Saints are taken Home. This Judgment is for the "Redeemed" children of Christ, and it is not a Judgment of the wrongs we've committed because all of those sins have been removed from record with the priceless Blood of Our King, Jesus. It will rather be an evaluation of all of our good works to establish the motivation and passion behind everything we've done for Christ and reward us with ‘crowns’ and ‘positions’ in His New Kingdom. Then at the end of the Tribulation Period we will return with Him where He will separate the sheep and the goats remaining—gather all who have lived through the Tribulation and remove those who have turned against Him, leaving those who have suffered through the Tribulation for Him on the earth, joined by those previously Redeemed—to live on this earth for 1000-year Period: the Millennium—where Satan is bound and the Saints govern earth. This will be a time of perfect governing on earth by Jesus Christ Himself, as we who have been made new again govern with Him, and those who lived through the Tribulation will live out their lives, have children, and continue. But, Revelation 20:5 says the "rest of the dead" did not resurrect until after the 1000-years. Near the End of this 1000-year period, Satan is released again to test the population of the earth. Even in Christ's perfect, revealed presence among them, the nations—still in their fallen nature—will eventually turn on Him and rebel, attacking Jerusalem, ending in their destruction forever: Revelation 20:7-10. It is here at the end of the Millennium that God removes Satan and his horde from creation forever. All of the dead who rejected Christ from earth's entire history are raised to life again, together, at one time to face final judgment: the Great White Throne.
Let's look at this awesome, terrifying moment together, the literal end of time before eternity: Revelation 20:11. This will be a massive Judgment Hall before a breathtaking throne of brilliance. Jesus Christ is the One sitting on the Throne. Many think this to be God the Father, as Judge—because after all, didn't Jesus die to save us from Judgment? Jesus did die to save us from Judgment—that is exactly why He alone has the ultimate right to judge us—because we rejected His sacrifice and love: John 5:22-23, 27. The awesomeness, seriousness, and dread of this moment at the Great White Throne Judgment are set forth by God in the ungraspable action here. "Earth and heaven fled from His presence,
And no place was found for them." Many take this verse to say, "The inhabitance of Heaven and earth hid from His Presence,”—but that is not what it at all. The Greek Words used for Heaven and Earth here mean the literal soil of earth and the literal Heaven, not the inhabitance therein, and the Greek word used here for ‘fled’ is the same word used in Revelation 16:20. When the islands and the mountains fled (were destroyed) and were nowhere to be found again. At this Judgment Christ allows all of His Saints and Angels and all of those standing before His Throne for Judgment to see His unimaginable power and His unimaginable hatred of sin's effect on creation by burning away all of his ‘sin tainted’ creation before them: 2 Peter 3:10. The main reason it is obvious that God destroys creation here is that in the very next His next act after this Judgment takes place begins with this proclamation: Revelation 21:1. Now, let's look at those who are present for the Judgment part of the Second Resurrection: Revelation 20:12-15. All of the dead throughout all of human history will be raised at that moment to stand before Him. Since the moment of Christ's death and resurrection, all who die under Christ's Blood go straight into His presence—their sins paid for, their way Home made. But those souls destined for Judgment go to a place of torment and waiting (Hades)—not their final destination Gehenna—but awaiting the Day they are Judged and sent to Gehenna as their sentence. Why wait until the very end of time to Judge a sinner? Why not just get it over with? Because every sin, every evil influence, ripples through generations to come, exponentially affecting many until the Last Day of Time. Has Hitler affected every generation to the end? Has Hugh Hefner? In ways we cannot comprehend, each and every one of us does the same. And not until the end of days will we know the extent of damage our sins have caused as well: Revelation 20:12: These "Books" opened are the books where everything that lost person has ever done was recorded. This may have seemed far-fetched to some in the past, but not today. In a world where even our limited technology makes it is conceivably possible. Think of everything you've ever done while no one was around; every sin committed when you thought you got away with it; every thought ever in your head; every secret word spoken: Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:16; Luke 12:2-3. How would we feel about these things being revealed before loved ones? How about before God Almighty? And not just the actions, but the selfishness, lewdness, and hatred that was in our hearts exposed as well? If we, as His redeemed, are present at these moments, I can assure you this will be one of our most thankful moments. When we realize that we have had the same moments written in our books, but our books were erased and we cannot be held accountable for these things ever again: Isaiah 43:25; Colossians 2:14.
Let’s stop and get an idea of the type of people who will be there on this Day. 1) People who openly choose to reject what they know is true. Some, because they hold Christ in contempt and Judgment when they haven't gotten the life they feel they deserve; blaming God, not Satan, for the evils in life—or because they simply just don't care because they want their own life now at any cost; because they do not take the Power and Wrath of God in fear. Some even saying they can't wait to see Jesus Face-to-face so they can tell Him how they feel—even fight Him. After being taken from their prison and brought before this Great Throne and watching the entire Creation melt before Christ—do you think they feel powerful, threatening and independent now? 2) People who put off accepting Christ until they live life their way for a while, ’maybe later’. The problem is a) You may die at any moment, unexpectedly and repentance will not be an opportunity b) If that is the game you think you are playing, your repentance would never be real. You never wanted Him anyway, just Salvation for self (and He doesn't have to accept your fake, late repentance). 3) Good Ole Church people who believe in God, have said a little prayer but never truly lived a single day in deep love and allegiance, never lived a day really loving or caring for others. They just love religion, feeling secure and saved, even love judging others, but they have never had a relationship with Christ. They are still living life their own way; they've never even really craved a closer walk with Christ; they are comfortable. 4) People who feel they have lived a pretty good life and because they haven't done these terrible things others have done, God is bound to let them into His Kingdom. They aren't one of those who needs forgiveness: James 2:10. Even one little sin in life is condemning because it shows the condition of the heart which is all Jesus is concerned with. A darkened heart will continue to grow in selfishness and has no real love: Jeremiah 17:9-10. The fact that someone is more worried over how big or little their sin may be than they are worried over knowing, loving and thanking their Creator Who died for them shows their selfish heart has deceived even them. 5) That person who simply never thinks about salvation or God at all. No one can possibly go through life even if you haven't been to church a day and not see the proof of God in everything around you, not feel Him in your own conscience that screams in your sins. To not think about God is an open, purposeful choice to live your own way and be accountable to no one. It is a passive-aggressive way to reject God in your heart; an act of willful selfishness that doesn't have any love or thankfulness to God, and isn't interested in learning anything that would change that. Try and grasp the reality of this situation: You have died rejecting Christ immediately knowing Truth on the other side; have been imprisoned for many years now, knowing that you are simply awaiting the unknown day when the prison will be opened only to release you to face your Judge. And when that Day finally arrives, you are resurrected to stand before this Throne facing the Wrath of the Creator. No one there can save you—they look on in Judgment as well. And His first Act in your presence is to literally destroy and burn away all of Creation in an overwhelming, deafening display of Power, Fury and Hatred for [your] sin. You will not punch, yell at, or even speak to Him, but simply cower in uncontrollable fear. And the only one you may have thought you might possibly serve or stand with in Hell itself (Satan) was just thrown into the pit of hell before you like a rag doll to be tormented himself. And now, your entire life on earth is about to be totally revealed to this dreadful King and God. You will never see another friend or family member again; you will get your wish: you will be left alone; you will be thrown away for eternity, forsaken, rejected, gone from anyone's life or thoughts. How would you be feeling at this moment? Would you do anything, say anything, to go back and have a second chance?
Here is your second chance. Do you want to be under His Blood, Forgiven, Loved, Cared for, Adored? Or trample His Blood, the Gift of God's own Life given in Love for you? What more could He Do to show His Love and Save you? You have to Want to be Saved; want Him back. You can come to the Throne of mercy now or be taken to the Thrown of Judgment then, against all of His Will and fight to save you—literally over His Dead Body: 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 4:9-10. Now is the time for you and to reach others.
Today I want to cover a topic which is probably affecting everyone in this room. I’m not a psychiatrist or therapist, but have experienced deep depression personally. This is not an expected cure-all for clinical depression—although, never count out what God will do—but a wakeup call that there is a way out and that depression does its best work in darkness alone. And for the countless others who may hear this message who are not fighting clinical depression but a disorder: you are darkened, weakened, stopped in your tracks almost daily with a constant cloud of private misery—understand you are not alone. One in three of all Americans suffer from Anxiety and Depression Disorder. Almost 50% of young adults (18-24) suffer from Anxiety and Depression Disorder. Since the increase during the pandemic: suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for those 10 to 34/ 1 in every 4 young adults (18-24) have seriously considered taking their own life. Those that don't get to the point of suicidal contemplation still suffer from relationship problems and divorce; loneliness and isolation; a lack of any joy or purpose in life. And when you do have a moment of joy, one wrong thought instantly takes you to a private place of dread and hopelessness again. Many suffer from dependency issues bringing much strife (alcohol, drugs, porn, affairs, etc.), and many people—especially in church where we should all have it together in faith—suffer agony and hopelessness in silence, feeling worthless, defeated, and all alone, not wanting anyone else to know how badly you are suffering in embarrassment or fear of the stigma. Many people reach a point of serious private depression because they suffer from internal struggles and shame for sins committed that can never be taken back or made right; for lost relationships or loved ones which they cannot understand and feel they cannot recover from; for thoughts or impulses they feel they cannot control and cannot rest until they are cured or accepted; for anger, resentment, guilt over abuse they have been subjected to in life, changing their view of life and themselves; for unfair circumstances that we feel we don't deserve that won't go away. We so often get caught in a cycle of trying to sort these issues out in our own understanding—until we can get the answer we need, until we can be freed from the shameful impulses, until we can get the acceptance we crave—we cannot turn off the obsession; we cannot stop our minds from dwelling on this one issue no matter what else is good in our lives; until we can no longer function normally, we are hopelessly caught in a loop of despair, a thought process we always come back to; and nothing else matters in life until this one thing is resolved, tainting our view of everything else in life. Ever been there? Are you there now? I used to think that suicidal people were just being selfish until I spent a considerable amount of time in that mind frame myself and realized that it's not that you don't care about those around you, but that you truly do feel you would be making their life better if you were not present—you truly do feel there is nothing left for you to contribute. Before we even go on with this study. know that never will your absence make it better for those you love. It will only add to their anguish, guilt, emptiness and loneliness. So, even when you cannot form another coherent thought, hold to the fact that your absence will hurt everyone you love. not help them. Do not let Satan drive you to this despairing lie. Mental and emotional distress are not signs that you are weird, or different, or broken. They are very real struggles for every human being alive, and Scriptures show us that many of the greatest Saints of God used most powerfully and intimately in His Plan suffered some of the worst struggles in depression and anxiety. Listen to these powerful men of God and get past the poetic beauty of their writing; s to realize these are heart-felt pleas of overwhelming depression: Job 30:15-20 (Job); 1 Kings 19:4 (Elijah); Psalm 6:2-3, 6-7 (David); Jeremiah 20:14-18 (Jeremiah). Does this help you realize that you are not in solitude when you feel this despairing; that you are not weird, broken or different; that life is not over for you and you don't need to hide in pain—but that you are simply overwhelmed by a sinful world and have accepted a tainted view of real truth in who you are and what is truly important?
Please understand this one thing before we continue: there are very real physical and chemical reasons for depression which need to be treated with medication and counsel, just as there are very real reasons we require help and medication with our physical ailments. Do not ever be ashamed or feel it is "unscriptural" to get the help needed in this area. We all need to realize this unmistakable fact which is clearly and powerfully proven by the massive increase in depression and anxiety in our fast-declining culture. Depression that was brought on by societal changes, worldview changes and not just chemical imbalances; our mindset, worldview are anchors for hope and purpose, and they overwhelmingly alter our mental, emotional and spiritual state and ultimately set the stage for much of the depression which we experience. Depression in its most raw form is a thirst that we cannot quench until it becomes an obsession for our existence, leading to despair of all hope and chance to continue. If you are dying from extreme, literal thirst, I can tell you all day about the biological need for water in your physical body; I can explain to you all the ways which fresh water will re-hydrate you again; I can tell you the joy you will experience from that first taste of cold water after being thirsty so long—but what is the only things that will actually help you? Just getting a drink of that ice-cold water yourself. Medications, counseling can both help you to finally hold the glass, but it must be the water which ultimately cures the thirst. So, let's skip the theological debates and the self-help talks, and drink some water together.
If much of our depression, worry and hopelessness comes from an improper thought process and world view, then the answer to much of our depression comes from a true, deep renewing of our fundamental way of looking at our life: Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Philippians 4:8. If you are struggling silently with depression, grief or even suicidal thoughts what you are doing now obviously isn't working. Please listen like your life depends upon it and let today be the day you hit the "reset" button. Let these truths drown out your current way of thinking and do not be offended by these comments, but be changed: Proverbs 4:20-23. 1) Thankfulness: Much of our negativity and loss of joy comes when an overwhelming struggle changes our entire view of life until it removes the reality of all we do have in life, and we become oblivious—thankless—in our pain to all the fantastic blessings we have in our lives. If nothing ever changes, look at all you have to be thankful for to live passionately for right now. The unimaginable treasures of everyday life—created for you to take in, and enjoy—all so you will notice and experience Him; the loved ones in your life, that are your greatest blessing and mean so much to you; the countless blessings we take for granted in our freedom, abundance, and everyday life; the awesome chance and ability to incredibly affect the lives of those around you with your love and presence above all other people that we so often waste every day. In one moment, all of these things could be something wished for again. Don't waste them another day; don’t miss them in paralyzed fear and isolation because of the one thing in your life that is bad or unresolved. Take the opportunity in the midst of trials to relish in and appreciate them. And when all else is futile, realize this truth: blessings and joys have been bought for you, and you will be experiencing these things very soon. Drink in each of these things and focus on each one to the fullest, being thankful to the One Who has given them to us. 2) Conditional Worth: understand just how much of your happiness is taken away because of our own warped view of self-worth. How much of your anxiety is caused by feeling you did something that others would despise you for if they knew; by feeling you are inadequate and less than others; by having hurt someone so badly that you feel undeserving of happiness or acceptance ever again; by having impulses or thoughts that you cannot understand or control making you feel less worthy or hopeless? Firstly, put down the phone and anything else you use to constantly compare your life, your success, your righteousness to someone else—most of it is fake anyway (posted by someone else who is trying to make up for their own insecurities just like you have), and realize that who you are is based soundly upon One Person in the Universe—and He just happens to think you are awesome right where you are in all of your mess and failure—enough to die for you. You cannot look around at Creation and at the wonder of your own body and conscience, the wonders that modern astronomy and biology are uncovering and not know that Our God exists. If you are completely honest, all facades aside, you have to look deeply into your heart and also recognize that there is something very wrong with you—something you inherently know is broken: Know that you are selfish and demanding at the core; know that you have warped and hellish influences; know that you have desires, because of a sin nature that are bent, broken, and wrong; know that your natural tendencies will cause thoughts, feelings and actions which are shocking and destructive; and know that you are not alone in these inescapable emotions and impulses. Your pain, anger, apathy, lust, warped sexual views are all natural reactions in our fallen nature to the abuse, teachings and influences of a fallen world. We are unworthy because of these things, but praise Jesus. He loves us so much as we are that He alone has made a way to save us. You do not need to feel like you are unworthy or weird because of your fallen nature. You do not need to feel unlovable or different until you can change who you are right now. You do not need to perform for anyone or impress anyone to be worthy of love right now. You do not need to fix your mind. solve your issues, understand why something has happened, or fix your life before you can have a right to rest or feel joy. You simply need to surrender to His love and care just as you are right now and rest, trusting that He loves you as you are, and trusting that He will change your heart and mind; giving Him your thoughts, failures and struggles just as they are—unfinished, and unresolved. You are His, therefore your struggles are His. Trust His Word; follow His ways—however hard and against your nature it seems—with abandon; trusting Him to give you His mind and heart. Find new freedom in accepting that you are not worthy, but He wants you right where you are until He can bring you understanding and clarity. Stop looking for God in a whirlwind to change everything around you, and start looking for Him inside of your soul, knowing true release from depression, true acceptance. true happiness really is in absolute, intimate communion with Him. We were made by Him to only find contentment, healing and joy in this way. His Nature which has been crafted into our souls makes us aware of our own insignificance and dirtiness. But His love and passion for us gives us joy and acceptance of ourselves—even in faults—because He has mase us whole again.
Give that same selfless love to others who are just as undeserving. To God—in His righteousness and love—we are weird, unworthy. should be alone; but because of His Incredible compassion you don't have to impress anyone—not even Him. You simply have to give it all to Him, messed up and unresolved, and give yourself permission to be joyful and free again; trusting His love, His power and intelligence to solve what you cannot, and then surrender to His love and truth; living a new life for others above self, helping them to see where they can take their brokenness as well: Psalm 31:7-16.
Are you ready to surrender your pain and confusion totally to Him and trust?
We are living in a world 5hat screams racism at every turn, and yet many of the same people are calling for the annihilation of the entire Jewish race. We are living in a world that screams "follow the science" when we discuss vaccine mandates and evolution over creation, and yet many of the same people will socially and even legally persecute you for teaching simple, scientific human biology. We are living in a world that is beginning to openly hate Jesus Christ, laughing and smirking at His outdated ways, claiming to have wiser, more modern lives while their narcissism, hate, entitlement, and depravity bring suffering, division, depression and mental health issues galore. And mass confusion about who they are, why they are here and why anything matters in life. We are living in a world where holding true Christian values is increasingly labeled as bigoted, hateful, and even dangerous until many are afraid to even speak their beliefs openly. We are living in a world on the brink of complete moral disintegration globally, swiftly moving towards unprecedented governmental control. We are watching our world be literally torn apart at the seams while many of us on a local level leave our heads stuck in the sand and continue chasing the American Dream and our Christian blessings. In these unparalleled times within the life of our generation, and based upon the Words and Ministry of Jesus Christ Himself, I feel justified in saying I have grown weary of catering to soft, scared Christians; weary of trying to please and protect delicate believers so they can live secure and comfortable lives in their faith while the world goes to hell around them. Nowhere do the Scriptures call us to such a life, but quite honestly just the opposite. There has been no moment in our lifetimes which has called for more courage, action, and awakening than right now.
What would happen if hundreds of Americans were taken hostage by another nation, and we had the best defensive army in the world but had no offensive capabilities? What about a boxer that could defend himself powerfully, but didn't know how to throw an effective punch? Listen to these Words of Jesus as He is questioned by Pilate just before His scourging and crucifixion: John 18:33-36: that doesn't sound like defensive tactics to me. Jesus didn't Say, "My people would hunker down and protect themselves from harm until I was Crucified!" He Said, "If they were My people, they would fight you to take Me out of harms way!" Listen to these well-known but very seldom understood words which Jesus Spoke to Peter: Matthew 16:18: The word for "Hell" here is Hades. We know that Jesus took back the keys of Hades when He sacrificed Himself on the Cross (Colossians 2:15; Galatians 4:8) and He stormed the Gates of Hades taking back those souls purchased by His Blood. Pay special attention to who Jesus is speaking of in this verse—Jesus is talking about the Church: "The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church!” "Gates" are not an "offensive weapon," they are meant to keep someone from coming through. The only way that the Gates of Hell will not prevail against the church is if the Church is on the offense against it—attacking, overwhelming, bursting through, entering in, taking back those already destined to be there. That cannot happen in a "defensive war” where we sit quietly, hold onto what we have left, protect "our four and no more," and watch the world devour itself in hell on earth. We are called to bust through those very gates of hell; go where they are through the gates of their prisons and rescue these people in their helplessness—offensively, aggressively—with the keys that Jesus died to retrieve.
Let me ask you a question, with all of the seriousness I can bring: Are you simply a believer in Christ? Or are you a follower, a disciple, a warrior for the King? Jesus repeatedly told the believing crowd following Him: "Be ready to forsake all, or stop following Me now." Luke 14:25-27, 31, 33-35. The Battle is fully raging. God's children are being overwhelmed, and regardless of when Jesus comes back for His Bride, His Kingdom is in dire straits. It is our job, our sole purpose, our mission to bust into the gates of hell in where they are captive and save them through His Power. It is now or never again. He calls us to die to self or live to self but choose now. Paul knew His generation was fighting a Battle for Jesus' Kingdom, like no other time before or after for many years. And what he and his fellow disciples did in his generation would be history making world-changing: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. We—just like those in Paul's day—are in the very depths of darkness and death spiritually; like never before, all around us, everywhere. Our time to fight this onslaught has grown very short, yet most of us are still chasing an easy life, success, and pleasure as though everything were still the same as just ten years ago. You can give up your precious self-centered life to fight for His Kingdom now or that life will be taken from you by the enemy. It is time to rise up and enlist in God's Kingdom or He doesn't need you.
Do you know how to keep these trying times from causing you anxiety and grief? Know that it will cost you and embrace the battle; own it as your Calling rather than fear, hide and resist.
Jesus gave up all of His comforts and advantages to walk among people that He shouldn't even associate with. He stood toe to toe, rather than ignoring or dodging with all of the false religious bigots, and power mongers who used His Name to advance themselves. He stood unashamed and unafraid before government officials and kings who held authority to free or condemn Him. He spoke truth and love to everyone He met, no matter the cost because He cared for them enough to rescue them from their prisons rather than be liked or popular. He often went to bed last late into the night, and He arose the earliest of all. He pushed on when He was tired and hungry. He prayed when it was least convenient and there was no time. He served others when He was exhausted, hungry and emotionally crushed in His own heart. He knew God's Word inside and out and He lived it at any cost. He continued serving even without anyone's praise, without any support of others, and without reward. He never expected nor received anything for His goodness shown to others. He could have had anything He wanted materially, but He sometimes ate raw heads of grain from the fields and slept in another's house to complete His Mission because He couldn't spend His time chasing these things. He could have had popularity and following of tens of thousands but He chose rather to have rejection and the true love and friendship of a handful of sincere, loyal friends rather than popularity and power at the expense of His own soul and truth. He didn't need encouragement or approval from anyone to motivate Him in continuing in God's Ways. He was motivated by real, genuine love for those He tried to touch and heal. He was ridiculed, shut down, pushed out, attacked and belittled in public. He was physically beaten so viciously with fists, rods and whips with hooks and rocks attached to them that He became an unrecognizable heap. His face was spit upon; His hair was pulled out; He was screamed at, discredited, cursed, lied about, and canceled, but He never wavered, turned back in fear nor crumbled in self-pity. He felt racism at its fullest, saw condescension and social judgment at its worst and showed nothing but love in return. He pushed on in action and servitude, with real, genuine, sacrificial love because He had a mission to bring hope, worth and salvation to the very people who did this to Him—knowing Satan was behind it all. He went out of His way, all of the time to meet with, eat with, and show acceptance to the lowest people in His society. He died hanging next to criminal scum of society, and even in His last, agonizing, most torturous moments, showed worth and love to that scum; worried for that scum's soul because we are all that mattered to Him—even more than His own life. That's my Jesus. That's how He lived and died. Does your life matter more than His? He denied His life, His comfort, His time, His safety; endured a life of pushing forward in stress and discomfort to serve the people no one else wanted to love; openly speaking against the things opposing God and speaking honest truth into every life He encountered, with no encouragement from anyone else but His Father at every personal cost imaginable—all in love.
This kind of Man—this kind of King, this kind of God—is not looking for blessing-seeking, soft-spoken, slow-moving, uncaring, self-righteous, entitled, proud followers. He is looking for warriors who will follow after Him; warriors who care about His love, His Kingdom, His people, His truth—more than they care about their comfort, belongings, popularity, lifestyle or freedom; more than they care about their own life. Will you be one of those warriors or not? Jesus asked His followers to leave everything—asked them to forsake all—and live for Him now. Not when you finish school; not when you have raised your family; not when you have established your career or goals; not when you have retired and slowed down; not when you feel better or it is an easier time in life; not when you have lived the life you want first—but now—forsaking all! and living for Him with everything. If we cannot stand for God's Kingdom sacrificially right now, why should we get a nice new building to do nothing of value with? Why do we have such difficulty getting people to teach, serve, to speak up about Christ, to defend His ways, to invite lost people to hear His Word, even attend His Church themselves regularly—when Satan's minions are gladly, purposefully taking every classroom they can get in his honor, rioting, standing in open opposition, risking everything, taking control of every position of society they can grab in a desire to push his agenda and destroy the very souls of men, Many standing ready to go to prison and face death for their dark, deadly beliefs.
Stop questioning whether you will be able to stand for Christ when things get worse and start worrying about whether you are sacrificially standing for Him right now, knowing what is at stake; knowing what Jesus has called you to. What are you doing for the king right now? What is it costing you to live for Him right now? If you are not reaching, speaking, serving, defending—that is the ultimate form of hypocrisy and you need to Biblically question what you really believe. Why do we think we will be riding with His Army to fight for Him when He returns to earth if we won't stand up and fight for Him? Mark 8:34-38. Ask yourself in this adulterous generation: are you living primarily to save and build your own life first? Or are you losing your life for the sake of Jesus and His Truth?
It's time to leave the worries and cares of all of the mess our world is in right now and focus anew on the most amazing, impacting, life-changing Words of Jesus concerning His Love and Plan for every one of us. Please open your hearts today and let Him speak fresh hope to your very soul. We have heard this verse spoken, and displayed more than any other verse of God's Word in the Scriptures—and with good reason. Because this verse tells so much about the depth of God's Love and His eternal plan for mankind. It is practically the Bible in a nutshell all on its own. But when we read this verse, we often miss an even greater message from our unfathomable God—because—notice something important at the start of the verse: it begins with, "For,” meaning that it is attached to an ongoing conversation. This incredible declaration is a summary (an answer, a climax) to a larger, previous conversation.
Let's explore this well-known verse by first seeing the context leading up to its truth.
John 3:1-2: The secret meeting which leads to John 3:16 is between Jesus and Nicodemus. Not much is known of Nicodemus in Scriptures or history, but we know that he was a Pharisee and a "Ruler" over the Jews. He was a member of the Sanhedrin—a body of 71 men made up of the High Priest, Sadducees, and Pharisees—the religious ruling body over the Jews of Jesus' day whose authority was only overridden by the Roman government itself. They were not fond of Jesus (ultimately being responsible for His death). This fact, it would seem, may be why Nicodemus came to Jesus by night—for a "secret meeting." Nicodemus wants to know more about Jesus' intentions, and he starts by proclaiming that he knows Jesus must be God because of the wonders which Jesus has done in his sight. But Jesus quickly changes the direction of the whole conversation and brings Nicodemus face to face with a new reality. John 3:3: Jesus basically cuts to the chase, and says: "I didn't meet you here, to question my Authority; I came to give you this new truth: unless you are made completely new in your heart, you will not see My Kingdom.” In other words, it really doesn't matter what your conclusion is about whether I am Who I say I Am, but whether this realization completely changes you from the inside out. Nicodemus—like more of us than we care to realize—is sincere, but just doesn't fully get it yet. John 3:4-8: Jesus gives an explanation to Nicodemus that we all must grasp with newness again: Jesus tells Nicodemus that to truly know Him—to truly be born again in Him—is more than understanding with the mind. And that He is an incredible mystery which we can see and know the reality of in His works, but which we can’t begin to totally understand or experience simply with our mind. God wants to touch a deeper, more meaningful part of us; He wants to totally renew our very core, our innermost being in a way in which we cannot calculate or understand. He's not primarily concerned with our current circumstances or our position in life—He’s come for a greater, deeper reason: to touch us, change us at a foundational level in our very spirit. Jesus tells Him: "You won’t ever fully grasp the wonder of what I'm doing. So, you must get beyond your theological attempts to explain Me and simply embrace what I am doing for you." [If this is not how your "born again" experience has changed you, you have missed so much that He came to make new]. Nicodemus' response—again is much like ours: John 3:9. And Jesus answers this basic question in a powerful way: John 3:10-12. Jesus gives Nicodemus a strong moment of self-reflection: "You already know so much about Me, that you are the teacher of others. And yet, you cannot see how I love? How I work?" Then, Jesus Lovingly reprimands him, saying: “You've heard the Truth, you've seen the evidence. If your heart and mind will not accept the things you see and hear for yourself, how can you be ready to receive what i truly desire to show you?” So many people are caught up in having every answer about an unfathomable God before they will open up and let Him touch them because it is simply knowledge they desire, and only a moral, self-imposed change they are willing to make; not knowing that they will never know more about Him, never have real change until they surrender to the truths they do see for certain and let Him reveal more of Himself in a way we cannot see or understand. It is here to a sincere but legalistic soul, longing for real truth of "who He is" that we see Jesus giving an answer which includes our beloved verse, John 3:16. Watch now as it all comes together and let it touch you anew as it touched Nicodemus. Jesus continues now with a complete explanation of God's deepest motives and plan for us: John 3:13. Jesus validates His next Words with His credentials: “No one else but me has seen or known the truth I am telling you now!” ‘No one else has been to heaven, seen heaven, understands the Father as I do now.’ John 3:14-15. Jesus proclaims that even 1400yrs before He came, His Plan was foreshadowed. As Moses lifted up an image of the very evil that struck the Israelites and poisoned them so they could look at the horrible cause of their death and trust God alone to save them. Now, in Nicodemus' day, the Son of Man, Jesus, must be lifted up, by God for all to look on the horrors of their sins as they are punished before their own eyes and their healing is offered as well. That whoever accepts this Son of Man in such unbelievable love and sacrifice might be saved, not just legalistically through His payment of sins, but in their very spirit-- reborn in the love, trust and surrender they experience—as He gives Himself on their behalf. That real, soul-touching comprehension of His love is when the gift is truly accepted. Now is when Jesus speaks the words of John 3:16 as an explanation to why God would do such a thing. The reason it is so powerful is because it is the very raw and exposed heart of God: John 3:16:"For God..." (the very author and creator of all things; the One Who made you and all the magnificent wonders as far as we can see—the very reason you exist. Who Himself, exists beyond our scope of reality; Who holds all Power and Knowledge; Who is infinitely above us). “so loved the world..." (meaning He went to this extreme driven by the sincerity and power of His love) "the world…" (meaning the entire population of men and women—not according to how much or how badly we've sinned; not according to your status or success. He knew the condition of each of us long before He chose to pay such a high price—not to accept that unbelievable price is the only unforgivable sin to Him because it shows no thankfulness or trust in just how far He went for you) "that He gave His only begotten Son..." (Jesus has been in existence for all eternity alongside of the Father, sharing a Love that we have never paralleled: Philippians 2:5-6; John 8:58; John 17:5. God the Father "gave" His One precious Son to us, knowing the suffering and pain, knowing even He would have to turn His back on His Own Son for our sins. He would have to listen to His Own Son cry out: "Why have You forsaken me?" This is how much He loves us. This is the One you doubt. This is the act we feel was "not enough.") "That whoever..." (good people, bad people, gossips, adulterers, murderers, rapists, heroes, deserters, cheaters, Republicans, Democrats, Socialists, Communists, Muslims, Buddhists, Satanists, Nazis, prostitutes, gender confused, homosexual, bisexual, cisgender, transgender, non-binary, drug users, alcoholics, child-molesters, preachers, blue-collars, white-collars, misogynists, abortionists, thieves, politicians, IRS workers (wait, what?), policemen, criminals, Jews, Palestinians, Hamas terrorists… God hates our sin, our rejection of Him and the pain our sin causes. But He absolutely loves every single one of us enough to give the life of His Own Son to save us from the mistakes, confusion, and hate in our souls. And that includes you.) "believes in Him..." (Nicodemus already had "believed" in Jesus—Satan "believes" in Jesus. This word does not simply mean an intellectual "belief" in His existence. It means a belief in the character, heart, and nature of God; it means entrusting Him with your soul, your life, your love; it means you trust His ways, His motives, and His Commands; it is being so convinced that His Love is pure and right—that you want to be just like Him so you can please Him and draw closer to Him. It is being compelled by His Goodness and Passion for you to be closer to Him. [Is this how you know Him and love Him? Is this how you believe in Him? If not, according to Jesus, you really don't truly believe: Matthew 10:37-39; Luke 14:33. Based upon how Jesus proclaimed "believes in me"—do you truly believe in Him; trust Him emphatically?]) “should not perish..." (not because God is so evil but because His Love is so powerful and true. If someone turns away from such a costly gift of life and continues to purposefully hurt and destroy others, there is no choice left in protecting those who are loved than to destroy those who hurt. Otherwise God would be held in contempt and injustice by every creature ever wronged, and awaiting justice) "but have everlasting life."(it's not just eternal life after we pass from this earth; it is eternal life starting now. You will never experience a moment of death if you know Him. Eternal life also means finding real, deep, complete love as He meant for us to have. Eternal life means knowing Him intimately. It's having His intimate comfort now and realizing we are now immortal; we will never have another moment of unconsciousness.)
After this life-altering statement, Jesus confirms that His entire purpose for all of this Sacrifice was because it was His Desire or Intent for not one single person to be cast away or forsaken, but that everyone could be restored to Him together: John 3:17. That is what He wants for you. That is why He tarries—even in the midst of such violence, pain and sin—knowing that one more soul is worth it all. How can you not accept such love and devotion? This greatest verse of all times must have shaken Nicodemus, because when Jesus was Crucified later, he openly brought 75lbs of spices and helped bury Jesus' Body when the disciples all fled.
What about you? Will you continue to be ashamed of Him? Want your life over Him? Will you continue to believe He exists, but mot believe in His love and truth? After a while, your hesitation stops meaning: “You are just not sure, not ready…” and begins to mean: “I just don’t want His Gift… I’ll keep my life, thank you.” And you will have passed up the greatest gift ever bought for you in history “for God so loved you!”
We see about Jesus' early life...Something simply AMAZING... That we seldom contemplate! We have Studied of how Jesus EMPTIED HIMSELF...Of all of His Attributes of Deity...And walked this earth fully HUMAN!
That Incomprehensible Little Babe in a feeding trough...Was 100% a Human Baby! With no knowledge of Who He Was at that Moment...No Knowledge of Why He Came...No Knowledge of the Scriptures or the Will of God!
So... How did He Learn these Things?! These few Verses we have about His Childhood tell us clearly!
Luke 2:46-47, 52 (HCSB)
46 After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers... 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.
Mary's Song of Praise to God... For her Wonderful Gift! The Gift... Of being Chosen to be the mother of her Savior... The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)
Shows that she had a deep understanding of OT Scriptures & God! Even at her young age!
So, no doubt... Jesus was raised in a home where the Scriptures were taught...And at least some…
Of the Ancient Writings were accessible to Him!
Having a hand-written copy of the Scriptures then...Was much more rare... And much more expensive!...And we can fairly assume that Mary & Joseph...Had a good portion of the OT in their home...Through family before them!
Potentially… Only having to purchase or copy…Portions of the Scriptures to complete their Treasure! Maybe copying portions back and forth…Between family & neighbors!...OR… MAYBE THEY ALREADY HAD ALL!...But it can be strongly assumed... They would do all in their power...To make the Word accessible to Jesus...Knowing all that the Angel Gabriel had revealed to them!
Scholars estimate that a complete copy of the OT in those days...Held the worth of as much as 7% of a years wages! To put that into perspective for the average home today...That would be roughly $4000!
One can assume... That anyone who had such a Copy...Dearly treasured and USED It! Saw It as the Priceless Truth that It IS!
Our Advent Reading today... Is SO AMAZING...Because It reveals how Jesus...Had to sit with the teachers in the Temple...Ask questions...Study the Word for Himself... He had to Learn and Grow in Wisdom!!!
So... Stop a moment... And contemplate this wonderful Truth!
Jesus Guided the minds and hands who wrote these Words!
Jesus Became the Living Word!
The Word was Written ABOUT Him!
But listen now... It was also WRITTEN FOR HIM! Every Page... Every Word...For Him to one day Ponder and Contemplate...Through the Guidance of the Spirit!...As He Learned Who He Was in this Universe that HE CREATED!...As He Learned... Who He Came to BE... By His Own Word!
WOW! Adds new meaning to, "Note to Self!"
How Jesus Loved With His Whole Mind! Listen closely to this statement: Of all of the ways Jesus told us to love as He Loves...Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength! Loving with the MIND... Is of the utmost importance! WHY?! Why is Loving with the Mind so important?!
Your MIND... Set upon Truth in Christ... Or the thoughts of the world...Determines whether you will love in any of the other ways!
Your mind determines who and what is worthy of your love!
Your mind determines what showing love truly means!
Your mind determines your own worthiness to love and be loved!
Your mind determines your perspective on all of life...
Your mind controls your every emotion and reaction…
If you cannot love with your MIND... All else will be false love!
We are living in an amazing time of Information and knowledge! With more resources, more facts, more history, more philosophy... More reference material on any subject...Available within seconds...Than anyone in history had in a lifetime! But most of us know LESS about Our God...
Than almost anyone who believed in Jesus' Day!...Because we want HIM... LESS than we want the world! PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
That's why we spend hours watching pointless video clips...Hours playing games online...Hours researching countless topics of interest...BUT... CAN'T FIND TIME TO STUDY ABOUT CHRIST!
STOP SAYING it is too hard... Too complicated... Or too boring! Many of you know…Every rule, and every player in your favorite sport! Many know…Every actor and music artist, with every detail of their lives! Every detail of complicated imaginary worlds! Many know…Every intricate rule of complicated games & hobbies! Every detail of a very involved jobs or crafts!...But you have NOT been able to find the interest or ability...To be one tenth as knowledgeable in God's Words!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?!
What would you do with $100 million dollars, tax free?! Suppose you were told that you would be awarded a $100 million...In prize money! Tax Free! If you could just score above average...In a Bible Trivia Test two weeks from now! How much time would you MAKE to study?
Would it be more important than being online...Watching videos, playing sports? Would you say “No” to some of your friends’ plans? Would it be an easy choice of what to do with all of your free time?
How many other things would you say "No" to?!
WHY?!! WHAT CHANGED?
THE WORTH YOU PLACED ON LEARNING GOD'S WORD!
THE VALUE YOU SAW IN... WHAT IT WOULD DO FOR YOUR LIFE! IN HOW IT WOULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
God's Word is NOT… Too hard... Or too boring! We just don't truly believe there is any value in learning It! We just don't have any real hunger or thirst to know It...Because it holds nothing we are longing for!
Now listen close... And we will learn something profound here:
Many don't Study God's Word any more than some of you...Because in your current level of study and knowledge...And the sermons or study groups you are a part of...You feel like you know It pretty well...Much better than most know It! Well, my friend... You are completely blind and ignorant...In your perceived wisdom!
ONE: You don't just read God's Word...To get more HEAD KNOWLEDGE! But to see Him... To Experience Him! To Let Him Speak to you... Show you things new and wonderful! To devote yourself heart and spirit, To touching Him! To learning WHO HE IS... Intimately!
TWO: THIS is a PERFECT EXAMPLE... Of where many really are! It's like going to the ocean once or twice a year...Sitting by the shore and looking out over the coast...Paddling around the 100 feet of shallow water in front of you...And saying how familiar you are with the Ocean...Saying how much you love it!
When the reality is...You don't have the first clue...Of it's magnitude! It's depth... It's Width!
It's wonders contained within! It's power and fierceness! You simply love how it makes you feel!
Love the joy you get from being near it!
God's Masterpiece Of His Word!
God has Masterfully... Purposefully...Placed every Word of His Eternal Book together...Every Priceless, Intimate Thought from His Own Heart and Mind...In such a way...That you can easily meet Him at the seashore...Gaze at His Magnificence and Wonder...And enjoy Him immediately!
He has ALSO... Masterfully and Purposefully Designed It...To have deeper hidden truths about Him...Proofs of His Existence and Power! Mind-bending connections of prophecy and history...
Stories and parables to reveal secrets of His Love and Will...Amazing "Ah Ha!" moments as we discover parts of Him...Reserved for those who are hungry and passionate enough... To delve into His Word in search of Who He really IS! Depths of Him… We will be discovering for Eternity!
Great Rewards for those willing to spend time with Him...In the Spirit... Eager to know Him more!
Because He Wants us to Seek Him... Search for Him...Have the intimacy...To walk through His Mind and Heart with Him!
Listen closely to Jesus' Words here:
Matthew 13:10-13, 16 (HCSB)
10 Then the disciples came up and asked Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered them, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, BUT it has not been given to them. 12 For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 For this reason I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand... 16 “But your eyes are blessed because they do see, and your ears because they do hear!
If you are not getting anything from Scriptures…Maybe… YOU… ARE NOT READING WITH THE RIGHT HEART!
Luke 24:27 (HCSB)
27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He (Jesus) interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
So how are we to understand these Deep Secrets without Jesus...To explain them to us?!
1 Corinthians 2:10-13, 16 (NLT)
10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so WE CAN KNOW the wonderful things God has freely given us. 13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths... 16 For, “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for WE HAVE THE MIND of Christ.
The Spirit... For Whom… Jesus Died horribly...To make us Holy enough to Join with... Intimately as One! Is there to walk us through every Word...Just as Jesus opened the
prophecies...To the disciples on the road to Emmaus...Just as Jesus opened the parables...
To His disciples when He Taught the multitudes!
There are precious, intimate Truths about Our Jesus...Open to be discovered…To those who search in DESIRE of Him...But easily missed…By those who are legalistic or uninterested!
These Words... Driven by His Spirit within us...Searched diligently… With earnestness and excitement...Will shape our understanding of Who He is at a deeper level...RESERVED… For only His true beloveds!...And will shape our view...Of every other person we meet!
Giving you a new sense of value and love...For those around you... Lost and Saved!...And giving you a new sense of value and love...For yourself... IN THE FATHER'S EYES!
LISTEN TO HOW JESUS LOVED THE FATHER...WITH HIS WHOLE MIND!
John 11:41-42 (HCSB)
41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You heard Me. 42 I know that You always hear Me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so they may believe You sent Me.”
John 17:10 (HCSB)
10 Everything I have is Yours, and everything You have is Mine, and I have been glorified in them.
Jesus Loves the Father with All of His Mind...By knowing, and truly believing...He is treasured and heard by His Father…And by knowing and accepting...That everything the Father has is His...
And all that He has... Belongs to God!
DID YOU REALIZE… THAT REJECTING THESE TRUTHS…IS CHOOSING NOT TO LOVE WHO HE REALLY IS?!
John 5:30 (HCSB)
30 “I can do nothing on My own. I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Jesus Loves the Father with all of His Mind...By CHOOSING to trust the Will and Heart of the Father...And CHOOSING to shape His Life upon those Truths!
John 5:20 (HCSB)
20 For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these so that you will be amazed.
Jesus Loves the Father with His whole Mind...By accepting that He is Loved by the Father!...And by accepting that He will do great works through Him!
How did Jesus overcome every temptation of Satan? By answering every temptation with..."It is Written!!" Knowing God's Word...And Trusting God's Word…MORE than circumstances, desires, or consequences!
Jesus Loved the Father with His Whole Mind...By diligently learning everything in God's Word to US...Just as you and I would learn it! Wanting to KNOW more of Him! By ACCEPTING how deeply He is Loved by the Father...And believing it with His Mind!
By seeing the worth of everyone around Him through that Word...And CHOOSING to see them the same way! By plotting the course of His Whole Life...Based upon Who He discovered God Truly IS!
How does HE Love you and I with His Whole MIND? By Sharing His every thought and desire with us openly! Through His Word and His Spirit! Will you Love Him back the same way?...By searching for, and accepting His thoughts and desires?...By showing us our worth... And the worth of others!
Will you believe with your mind, what He Says?...Or judge others, and yourself... By the world?
Believing Him… IS LOVING HIM WITH YOUR WHOLE MIND! He Loves us with His Whole Mind…
By showing us a better way to live... A better way to love...That looks NOTHING like the world's thoughts!
Will you truly embrace HIS WAYS of LIFE AND LOVE?...Or will you trust the ways of the world?
BUT HOW DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE...YOU DON'T KNOW INTIMATELY? SOMEONE YOU DON'T CHASE AFTER?...AND SPEND TIME WITH?...IF YOU LOVE… WHO YOU THINK HE IS...
WHO YOU… WANT HIM TO BE...IT IS A FALSE LOVE...AND IT IS ACTUALLY... A CHOICE TO LOVE SELF!...A CHOICE TO PLEASE SELF!
Romans 1:25 (HCSB)
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
JESUS LEFT, "A NOTE TO SELF"...TO TEACH HIMSELF…HOW TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OF HIS MIND! HE LEFT THAT NOTE… FOR YOU AND I, AS WELL!...ARE YOU FILLING YOUR MIND...WITH KNOWLEDGE OF HIM... OVER THE WORLD... That is loving with your MIND!
ARE YOU CHOOSING TO ACCEPT HIS TRUTHS…ABOUT WHO YOU ARE? HOW YOU ARE LOVED? That is loving with your MIND!
ARE YOU LETTING HIS WORD BE THAT..."NOTE TO SELF!"?! WITH TRUE PASSION!
BECAUSE HIS WORD IS WORTH MORE...Than $100 MILLION DOLLARS!...AND CHOOSING... IN YOUR MIND...TO BELIEVE WHO YOU ARE IN HIM!TO BELIEVE WHAT HE WILL DO THROUGH YOU!
TO LIVE A LIFE... AGAINST THE WORLD... AT ANY COST... BELIEVING THAT HIS WAY IS BEST!...AND EMBRACING THAT LIFE WITH ZEST AND JOY!...ARE THE ONLY WAY TO LOVE HIM WITH YOUR WHOLE MIND!
AND WHAT... RIGHT THIS MINUTE...DO YOU KNOW YOUR MIND...IS IT OUTSIDE OF HIS WILL?
AND YET... YOU HAVE EMBRACED IT ANYWAY?
Your view of yourself?
Your view of others?
Your embrace of the world’s ways?
Your neglect of His Priceless Word… Revealing Himself?
CHOOSE TO LOVE HIM... RIGHT NOW...BY CONSCIOUSLY SAYING, "NO MORE!"
AND GIVING ALL TO HIM!
AND GIVE HIM THE SAME WORTH...IN YOUR MIND…HE HAS GIVEN TO YOU!
So often we are taught as Christians...
"Don't just follow your emotions!"
"Love is a Choice!"
"Choose to do right, no matter how you feel!"
"Worship is a frame of mind, not just feeling!"
Every one of these statements is TRUE... In proper context! But... Just like many people base...
Their entire "religious experience" on pure emotion...Others of us are just as guilty... Maybe, more guilty...Of never feeling or expressing ANY EMOTIONS...In our love and worship of God!...And THAT... Not only shows a lack of true, deep Love...But is also... A strong indicator of arrogance and pride...On our part!
We CHOOSE to do right... CHOOSE to Love others... Sometimes...Even against our own emotions...
When we KNOW that our emotions are betraying us...BECAUSE OF OUR SINFUL DESIRES OR SELFISHNESS! Making NOT the emotions... Evil or wrong... But the MOTIVATION behind them!
Because the natural ability to feel and express our emotions...As they reflect our very soul!...Are absolutely a CHARACTERISTIC of God Himself!...And are a PRICELESS PART...A WONDERFUL, INTIMATE PART...Of giving ourselves completely to a person or purpose!...It is one of our greatest... Most Powerful Gifts from God!
Listen to our KEY VERSE through this Christmas Season again:
Mark 12:29-30 (HCSB)
29 “This is the most important,” Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
The Greek word for "SOUL" here is PSUCHE (PSOO-KHAY')...Meaning: Breath, spirit... But the sentiment(al) portion only...Thus distinguished from the immortal soul... (pneuma)…But also distinguished from the pure physical sense (Zoe)…It is the seat of feelings, affections, emotions.
In the context in which it is used here..."It is basically to love someone with all of your emotions!"
Jesus' Emotions!
While celebrating the Advent Reading which we just heard together...We have all have sang the popular Christmas Song, "Away In A Manger"! Here is a portion of the lyrics:
"The cattle are lowing, The Poor Baby Wakes;
But Little Lord Jesus, No Crying He Makes!"
That makes for beautiful song lyrics...But do you really think that happened? Absolutely NOT!
Why do we come to this conclusion? Because a crying Baby is not in sin! A crying Baby is just a Human Baby...Feeling the emotions of fear, hunger, uncertainty...And communicating THOSE FEELINGS as best they can...In their ignorance and infancy!
Did the Adult Jesus Cry? YES!
DID HE Feel every other Emotion we do? YES!
Was He Raised completely normal in all other aspects of life? YES!
To say that Jesus was Truly Born FULLY HUMAN...And then to insinuate that He never Cried as a Baby...Is ridiculous... And almost detrimental to what He Came to Accomplish!...But... As HUMAN as this Scene may seem to be on the surface...The EMOTIONS that Jesus...Experienced and revealed in His entire earthly Life...Are some of the most Sacred Places...Where we see Jesus the Man... And Jesus as God... Intertwine!!!
Jesus didn't Come to LEARN Emotions as a Human...But to beautifully EXPRESS His Emotions as a Human...That have always been there! Even as God!!...But NOW... With a HUMAN FACE
ATTACHED! So that we might better see and embrace His LOVE!
The Love of God!
John 14:7-10 (HCSB)
7 “If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” 8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works.
Colossians 1:15 (HCSB)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
John 12:45 (HCSB)
45 And the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
So... Let's take a look at some of the things...That brought strong EMOTIONAL REACTIONS from Our Jesus!
ONE: So that we may get a true glimpse of His Heart! What makes Him happy, sad, furious, hurt, anxious...Is a tale-tell sign of His most inner desire!
TWO: So that we might find out how WE might please Him...And walk with Him closer...
THREE: SO that we may be unhindered... In our Worship and Praise...To share our emotions with our King and Savior as well!
An Intimate Look At Jesus!
There are some emotions that Jesus would never experience...Before He Emptied Himself of All-Power and All Knowledge!...And THAT is one of the many reasons He is so deserving of our Praise!
That HE would Humble Himself... ALLOW Himself...To experience such emotions as fear, anxiety, conflict and sorrow...To truly become ONE with those He Loves so much...To truly experience everything WITH us... As our Brother and Beloved! Jesus experienced the emotions of Grief and Sorrow...In many ways while on earth... More so than most!
Isaiah 53:3-4 (ESV)
3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
Here, Scriptures Tell us that many of His Grieves and Sorrows...Were OURS... That He Carried for us in Love! In the most obvious and heavy way...When He literally took upon His own SOUL...The pain and horrid shame... Before the Father...That came with the moment of...Understanding and feeling every broken remorse...For every murder, rape, perversion, lie, and secret, selfish act...Ever exposed in the sinner's heart before a Righteous God!
Stop and drink this fact into your heart and mind! Jesus had to BECOME that SIN and SHAME before the Father! HE... Had to experience every ounce of the horrid emotion...You and I would ever FEEL in response to our "found out" sins...As part of the PUNISHMENT REMOVED from us!...So that WE... Would NEVER have to face that Day before the Father... So that WE... Would NEVER have to experience this SHAME!
Isaiah 53:4 (ESV)
Surely he has borne OUR griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB)
He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Add to this... The shame of being stripped naked in front of all...Beaten mercilessly until you couldn't be recognized...Whipped until you were almost unable to stand...And placed before those who hated you most...Placed before those who had looked up to you most...As a submissive, broken heap!...And then not even being allowed to DIE in privacy...But exposed in those horrid, intimate moments to all!
Even besides this... Jesus experienced many deep sorrows and grieves...Simply because It hurt HIM so much...To see the results of our mistakes and sufferings! Jesus was furious and broken hearted for Mary and Martha...In their pain of loss... Hating the effects of sin on their lives! He Wept uncontrollably for the people living in Jerusalem...Just before His Crucifixion! Knowing their pain and suffering to come...For rejecting and abusing HIM! Having His Heart torn out... For them! Not even HIMSELF!
How do you think He felt on October 7th...As His people were suffering in like manner? How do you think He feels...For those in Ukraine, Iran, China, North Korea...And everywhere else the pains of evil touch His people? HOW DO YOU THINK HE FEELS ABOUT YOU AND I...WHEN WE...
EXPERIENCE THE PAINS OF EVIL IN THIS WORLD?
Jesus showed Incredible EMPATHY and COMPASSION...For everyone whom He met! He worked to Love and Touch multitudes... Until He was beyond exhausted!
Because His heart broke for their empty hearts and wandering souls! He couldn't pass up the smelliest, crustiest, most infected, vile lepers, diseased, and sexually promiscuous people...Because He Loved the precious soul...That was TRAPPED in a broken shell of sin and worthlessness!
Jesus showed extreme anger!! BUT LISTEN CLOSELY...Never towards the dirty sinners He related to and loved...Even in their vilest of sins... Even in their hatred of Him! When done in ignorance and lostness!
It was ALWAYS towards those...Who DID know about His Love and Ways...Who twisted His Love until others could not even grasp it...Who hated the sinners around them... Looked down on them...
Rather than love them to the Savior! Who rejected His Love and Ways... Even when they saw Him!
THESE were the ones Jesus was ANGRY WITH MOST!
Listen... As Jesus sat and ate with lowly sinners...To those whom He attacked in fierce anger!
Matthew 23:13-14, 27-28, 33 (HCSB)
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in. 14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses and make long prayers just for show. This is why you will receive a harsher punishment... 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity. 28 In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness... 33 “Snakes! Brood of vipers! How can you escape being condemned to hell?
Even the Fierce Emotions of His Anger…Ultimately showed the Depth of His Love!...Because His Anger was ALWAYS Directed towards...The horribly results of sin on our lives...And the people who PURPOSEFULLY...HURT OTHERS IN HIS NAME!...TAKING AWAY THEIR HOPE OF FINDING THE REAL JESUS!
Jesus felt Great Frustration... Again... Because of His Love for us! When His closest disciples and friends...Could not show faith and trust in Him...No matter what He showed them... Or did for them!
Matthew 8:24-26 (NLT)
24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm.
Mark 14:37-42 (HCSB)
37 Then He came and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you sleeping?” He asked Peter. “Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to Him. 41 Then He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up; let’s go! See—My betrayer is near.”
Jesus felt the terrible emotion of anxiousness and conflict...To the point that it alone... Almost took His Life!...As He lay in the Garden in a heap of His own Bloody Sweat!...Asking for another way out of the emotional pain He suffered!
But again... Not because of His Own life...Instead... It was because He was torn between...The Judgment of God the Father...The loss of HIS Fellowship...As Jesus suffered the pains of Hell itself for us!...And the loss of you and I...Who... Even in our sins and rejection of Him...Were Priceless in His Eyes!...Of the many more EMOTIONS we could discuss that Jesus experienced...There is ONE more of important note! JOY! EXCITEMENT!
What made Jesus EXCITED?! Because of the terribly difficult...And heavy burden placed on Jesus while on earth...There are very few Verses...Which Speak of Him Showing Joy and Excitement.
Listen to what each one of them involves!!
Hebrews 12:2 (HCSB)
... keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.
What was this JOY laid before Him...That made His pain and shame endurable?
Luke 15:3-7, 10 (HCSB)
3 So He told them this parable: 4 “What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance... 10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:20 (HCSB)
So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:32 (NLT)
We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
Isaiah 53:11 (HCSB)
11 He will see it out of His anguish, and He will be satisfied with His knowledge. My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will carry their iniquities.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Jesus Showed His Love for us...With every single emotion He expressed!
He hated what He knew made us stumble and hurt...
He showed anger and disgust towards those who made us fall!
He was grieved by things that broke our hearts!
He was exhausted through His Selfless drive to reach us...
He was filled with empathy & compassion for our hollowness & pain!
He was frustrated when we didn't love Him back!
He was full of shame to pay for our mistakes!
And every time He Showed any Joy at all...
Joy that would make Him RUN to us! Joy that would make Him throw a party! Joy that would literally make Him Hold us, Dance, and Sing!...Was when He would see us finally accept His Love...And want Him with the Passion that He Wanted us!
Jesus Loved US, Literally...With All of His SOUL!
Improper emotions... Brought by a dark and selfish heart...Should be overridden by a conscious choice! That is the only reason we are told...NOT to follow certain emotions!
We are not squelching emotions...But the dark heart BEHIND them!...But emotions brought about by the Selfless Love of Christ...they be emotions of joy, pain, anger...Or Passion, Worship and Praise...
Are good, powerful and intimate before God!...And should not be stifled!
TO TRULY LOVE HIM...IS TO LOVE WHAT HE LOVES...HATE WHAT HE HATES...BE TROUBLED BY WHAT TROUBLES HIM...AND TO BE JOYFUL AT WHAT BRINGS HIM JOY! That babe in a Manger... Came to EXPRESS all of His SOUL... OPENLY to US! So that we could know Him like never before! So that we could see and feel His Love...Expressed with all of His Soul... Through the emotions on His very Face! The Face of a Man! Love Him back... With all of your SOUL as well!
Mark 12:29-30: "HEART". Just as one might say, "That child is my whole heart!" This is how we are to see and love our God. And this is how our Jesus shows HIis love for God and for every one of us. The Advent passage we just heard—speaking of Jesus' moment of supernatural conception—shows the ultimate depth of Jesus loving God and His bride with all of his heart. There is a passage in Hebrews which is often misunderstood in the power of its context (the place and time) in which the words are expressed as having been spoken at the very moment we read about in Luke 1:35. What if I told you that just before Jesus leaves His throne, power and position—just before He sheds His divine power—to come to earth as a tiny, conceived child in Mary's womb. Scriptures actually reveal the very words He spoke to the Father: Hebrews 10:4-7. This is loving with all your heart.
Jesus did not come to earth to become humble; Jesus came to earth to show His humbleness and total devotion to the Father and us: Philippians 2:5-9. Jesus, Creator of all we know—Who is worshiped, loved, and reverenced above all; Who holds abilities and intelligence beyond comprehension; Who holds the power to destroy every atom of Creation on command; Who will one day have all of Creation stand before Him; Who is perfect love and holiness by His very nature—showed that His heart was not in any of these things. He gladly, willingly gave everything He had for no other reason than His humble love. Imagine your child or your spouse were found guilty of a terrible crime in a violent third world country, and the foreign leader said he would exchange them for you if you are willing. You give them every last dollar you have, walk away from your job, friends, and family, leave your own home for good and travel to this horrid, violent country to be locked away alone, in prison to be isolated until you die while mercilessly tortured and humiliated until dead; your whole life thrown away for something you didn't even do. Would it be safe to say that person you did all of this for was the love of your heart? What if you saw the President of the United States do this same thing for his child? Leave his Office of power, leave all of those under his authority in shock and disbelief; trade his honor and respect to be humiliated and ridiculed alone until dead. What if you saw the President of the United States do this not for his own child, but for one single, common person that didn't even know him personally [didn't even like him]. What if our Netanyahu did this for the exchange of one hostage with Hamas right now? Would you see the total disregard he had for his own life the incredible love and worth he truly placed on one soul? Now... multiply that a million times over and you get the crazy love and sacrifice of Jesus. He has loved us with His whole heart beyond comprehension; proving this to us in that very moment that He chose to leave everything and be miraculously conceived on that night. Think about this: Satan—who saw the splendor, power, adoration of Jesus Christ—was willing to hurt anyone and everyone, willing to bring chaos and destruction to all of creation, willing to bring torture and death to every living creature on earth, willing to make the worth of every soul nothing in his eyes, seeing us all as detestable, usable, and expendable—to attain all of the very power and worship that Jesus was willing to simply give away as nothing to him because of the worth He places on you. In that m, Jesus' heart was completely revealed.
Jesus "Emptied" Himself of all of His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence as a human and did all that He did on earth relying upon the Father and the Spirit to accomplish all that He did. But He was still all God in the sense that He still held the love and humility—which is the essence of who He is—when all else is stripped away, the true man is revealed for who He is.
With all of this in mind, contemplate with me for a moment some of the events in Jesus' earthly life. Jesus came with the paramount mission of saving all of mankind. He came with the mission of revealing the true Word of God. He came to silence rulers, erase sin, and make all things new. And with all of this on His shoulders—all of these tasks and responsibilities, above every creature—watch where His heart of love is as He walks. This mighty judge and ruler of the Great White Throne over countless millions, walked many miles into a land of people who despised Him to find one forgotten, lost, broken, sinful woman whom the world had thrown away (John 4) to reveal Himself, His love, her worth and share a cup of water with her. As He shared a drink of Living Water for eternity, not judging her, but touching her soul—because in all of His majestic, important plans, He still saw and loved her. In the middle of His great and powerful mission, Jesus secretly came to a man who had been crippled for 38years because of his own sins (John 5), and then after lovingly touching this man's body and life, after being touched with compassion for this one, broken nobody, He slipped away humbly and quietly. Jesus, while sitting in the house of a very prominent leader who could give Him much exposure and success (Luke 7:36-50) set His eyes and heart on one woman who had lost her way in the world, who was isolated from everyone else in the room and had no hope of love or respect ever again, who could offer Him nothing in return except more rejection and misery from others around Him. Jesus praised her, lifted her up in front of all, rather than care about reputation, power or image. Her soul, her worth to Him was His single focus, His whole heart in that moment. Jesus comes across one deaf man who could not speak (Mark 7:31-37), and takes him away privately from everyone else. There—not for popularity, or show of power—but simply out of great love for this one broken soul, Jesus touches and heals Him intimately. Jesus groaned from His heart as He healed the man, because Jesus' heart burned f or this one forgotten soul. And lastly, there in the Garden of Gethsemane, and even at the Cross of His ultimate shame and death: Luke 22:49-51. The awesome and mighty Judge of the White Throne of Whom will melt away the elements and judge all, stops to heal the ear of one Temple soldier—a nobody in his culture, an enemy—because Jesus loved even Him with all of His heart—thinking of him, his worth, his pain—as he led Him to death: Luke 23:33-34. The very men who drove iron spikes through His wrists and hung Him naked to die as they mocked Him and gambled heard Jesus beg the Father on their behalf for their forgiveness because even they were the love of His heart. This is the creator of worlds, the destroyer of worlds. This is the great and dreadful judge that none can stand in the presence of. When you finally realize this; when you finally put together the pieces in your own mind that none of this awesome, majestic power is why He is to be loved and worshiped. But that this mighty, unstoppable, fierce God could make you the love of His heart and give all to touch your soul. At the end of His last private prayer with the Father, listen to His final Words of passion: John 17:24. How can you say no to His offer to be forgiven and spend eternity with Him? How can you not give this same worth to others who are just as undeserving as you? How can you not be willing to love Him with all of your heart as well; make Him the center of why you exist in return? He is truly worthy because He loves with all of His heart: Revelation 5:11-13. This incredible heart of love was first revealed when this magnificent God forsook everything and stepped into our world on the night of His conception: Luke 1:35. Let's give Him our thanks; let's give Him our praise and worship; let's give Him love with all of our hearts in return.
This sermon will be uncomfortable, politically incorrect, socially unaccepted, and difficult for many! (But loving, and true!) It is about the explosion of the Transgender Movement in our culture... Even in our own local society!
It is about what God Says concerning the tidal wave of change...Towards sexuality, gender, and acceptance! But it will be even more focused… On what the secular world says... And what the secular world shows… Through the horrible suffering of our culture...Showing that God’s Words… Are full of Wisdom & Love!...And what God has Said about sexuality is ABSOLUTE TRUTH! Whether WE want to accept that Truth or not!
It is also ESPECIALLY ABOUT...The LOVE and HOPE in God's Truth...For all who ARE MISLED in this area! It's about seeing those who are involved in these issues...As people who are deeply desired and cherished...Because… However they got there… Many are experiencing…Real anguish, fear, doubt, and rejection!...And are NOT seeing…A true representation of Christ given to them!...But instead... Seeing hatred and condescension!
God's people are NOT the self-righteous judges of Men...Only the sins against God! We are sinners that are forgiven... Who are telling other sinners...The incredible Truth that set them free!
We cannot continue with soft, baby talk over this issue forever...Or everyone will remain babies!
Our purpose... Is to speak unapologetic, hopeful TRUTH...To those caught in the grasp of this world!...And show them that the love Christ has for them... Even where they are! Is bigger than any love or acceptance they could hope for!
Show them... This Love is so BIG... That Jesus DIED to SAVE THEM... Right where they are!
We are being overwhelmed with what some experts are labeling an epidemic... Which has dominated social media, social relations, school systems, families...And is leaving an entire generation... And our culture... In shambles!
The Transgender Movement defined is: This is a condition in which a person does not mentally or emotionally identify with the gender in which they were born.
In just a few short years... This issue has gone from almost unheard of... To unavoidable influence and effect... In all spheres of life! It is being pushed into school system curriculums...Pushed by educators who allow activists access to schools...And obsessed over…In the media & in social media platforms.
You will see even secular professionals saying…Any resistance to this rising trend...
Is immediately seen as trans-phobia, intolerance, & hatred! Even when that resistance is based upon...Science, statistical research, and fact! Even when expressed in true love and concern!
The reason for labeling anyone who may disagree...Is because proponents of the Movement say..."They are Born" this way"... And they should not be rejected for "Who they are!"
FIRST: This is a "Straw Man" Fallacy... (make argument different/exaggerated) Because the focus is NOT about rejecting people at all! But about rejecting an ideology and a method…
That is hurting THEM and OTHERS! It is about a world-view that is not based upon truth...
And is proving to be poison to many!
SECOND: This entire statement...That "All of these people are simply born Gender fluid"...
Is based upon a LIE! Just 10 years ago...1 in every 10,000 people in the U.S. identified as transgender! (1) Today 2% of all high school students identify as Trans! (1)That is an increase of 200 times over! In TEN YEARS! (1) The UK has reported a 4400% rise in ONE DECADE...
Of teenage girls seeking gender treatment! (1) What is the only thing that HAS changed?
Social media has been used almost in a cult fashion...To spread the influence and suggestion to young minds!
Counselors often face legal and professional fear...For even discussing alternate means of dealing with the issue.
Schools are being allowed to introduce young, undeveloped, unprepared minds...Into ideologies they do not even understand yet...Sometimes even trying to coerce immature minds...To questioning their contentment with their own bodies...Before they even understand sexuality!
Acceptance, praise, and recognition in social groups…Is immediately given to those who step out!
Doctors are quick to prescribe and perform...Life-changing hormones and surgeries...Before adequate counseling, alternate therapies...Or mental health screening has sometimes occurred!
Prescribing these radical, forever changes...Under these very false assumptions: (1)
That gender altering drugs and surgeries…Are a "no-lose" proposal! Even though much research shows permanent…Physical & psychological harm!
That these youth know who they are & what they want...At such a formative & unsure time in life! (Brain matures to 25yrs) That they will not change their minds as they mature! Even though statistics show...That most genuine Childhood Gender Dysphoria...Usually resolves itself in 70% of the cases! That if you don't affirm these desires, they will be suicidal!(That is Emotional Terrorism... By the way!)
All of this is occurring...Because SEX has become almost like a religion today!...And it has become completely taboo politically...To question or disagree with anything involving sexual freedom! Even to the obvious and unreasonable detriment…Of those involved!
The evidence overwhelmingly presents the fact...That this massive increase... In just ONE decade...Against all logic and scientific reason...IS THE BASIS OF A "SOCIAL CONSTRUCT!"
A subjective reality...Created thru purposeful human interaction and influence!
This is NOT just a "religious argument! The effects of this tidal wave have been enormously devastating! Women's Rights has been one of the biggest opponents of this Movement...
Because the Movement has removed everything...They have fought to achieve for decades... In one swift blow!
Robbing them of recognition, achievements, & understanding...Of the struggles in womanhood! Because... How can you honor, protect, award and celebrate…Women in their womanhood...
WHEN YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO EVEN DEFINE A WOMAN?!
Thousands of women and children are being subjected to…Emotional trauma and even potential physical harm...Because they are being forced by law...To share intimate spaces and circumstances...Forced to see… And be seen… By anatomically different people. Forced to open their groups, competitions, fraternities, restrooms, and showers... To biological males!
Where does the mental health of these people count? Where does the moral or religious beliefs of these people count? In the horribly misleading notion of showing love: Children are having curriculum and activists in their very schools...Against the will or even knowledge... Of legal guardians and parents...Leading them... To question their own acceptance & contentment...
With who they are! With the bodies they have!
In a world drenched with "Accept me as I am!" How can this be allowed?!...And the results…
Of this purposefully induced "Self Questioning"...Has no doubt, played a major role in...The epidemic of self-doubt, anxiety, and depression!...All the while... Using the Red Herring Fallacy...That a lack of social acceptance... Is the true reason...For these increased emotional disorders!
This Sexual Freedom and Gender Questioning Movement...Has been a highly contributing factors...To a generation labeled as..."The angriest, loneliest, most depressed generation in U.S. History!"
After years of this social experiment in gender-transition...Long-term Studies of… Post Gender Reassignment patients...Including the most thorough study ever conducted…
In Sweden...Which was the first country to legalize gender-reassignment hormone treatments for minors... (5)And now, after evidence such as we will see here…Has restricted this practice!
They conducted a 30yr analysis…Of Post Gender Reassignment surgery patients...Done with patients in a very supportive transgender society...It was found that within 10 to 15 years after sex-reassignment...Suicide rates rose 20 times higher...To that of comparable peers!
The Obama Administration came to the same conclusion...When doing research to decide…
Whether to provide medical coverage for this surgery: From: June 2016, Proposed Decision Memo for Gender Dysphoria And Gender Reassignment Surgery
"The study identified increased mortality and psychiatric hospitalization compared to the matched controls. The mortality was primarily due to completed suicides (19.1-fold greater than in control Swedes), but death due to neoplasm and cardiovascular disease was increased 2 to 2.5 times as well. We note, mortality from this patient population did not become apparent until after 10 years. The risk for psychiatric hospitalization was 2.8 times greater than in controls even after adjustment for prior psychiatric disease... Further, we cannot exclude therapeutic interventions as a cause of the observed excess morbidity and mortality." (2)
The Tavistock Centre... Is the U.K.'s Largest Gender Identity Development Service, providing gender-reassignment surgeries...Dr. Marcus Evans... Not long ago, resigned from his very prominent position with the... NOW CLOSING FACILITY! (Closing due to lawsuits & dissatisfaction of patients…Now harmed by the many rushed surgeries performed!)
Dr. Evans was the former Head of Nursing, & Associate Clinic Director of the Adult And Adolescent Departments, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London...One of only 15 controlling governors on staff…And who has worked in Psychiatry for over 40 years...
These statements were part of his resignation letter:
“In my 40 years of experience in psychiatry, I have learned that dismissing serious concerns about a service or approach is often driven by a defensive wish to prevent painful examination of an ‘overvalued system’... I do not believe we understand what is going on in this complex area and the need to adopt an attitude which examines things from different points of view is essential. This is difficult in the current environment as the debate and discussion required is continually being closed down or effectively described as ‘transphobic’ or in some way prejudicial.” (3)
In a paper he published in the National Library of Medicine...He made the following statements...
In his concerns over using "gender affirmation"...As the rushed… Or only acceptable approach.
"This is despite research findings which strongly suggest that most of these cases would eventually desist if left untreated. The ‘affirmative approach’ risks sending children down a path towards concrete and sometimes irreversible medical interventions for what is in very many cases a psychological problem. This approach, in my view, is driven by political ideology rather than clinical need and inhibits the clinician's curiosity and freedom to explore a child's underlying belief systems and motivations." (4)
Here is the logical, non-Biblical summary...Of why the Transgender Movement...Should NOT be pushed towards youth in any social arena...AS IT IS NOW BEING DONE! It is not proper, fair, or moral...For someone else to TEACH our under aged children...THAT THEY SHOULD QUESTION...WHETHER THEY ARE HAPPY AND CONTENT...WITH WHO THEY ARE IN LIFE!! Creating anxiety and distress...Before they are even old enough to understand!
It is not proper, fair, moral or LEGAL...To teach my child something in a public setting...
That dictates their religious beliefs are wrong! There is no substantial evidence to prove...
That this overwhelming increase…In treatments & surgeries are beneficial...
With many specialists in the field stating they are actually detrimental! Therefore... It is NOT proper...To so quickly recommend or administer these treatments...Over counseling and therapy! Sometimes even against parents consent!...And it surely cannot be called abuse...
When a parent does not want to affirm…Curriculum, drugs or procedures...Which will lead to irreversible change…To their under-aged child... Before they are able to decide on their own, as mature adults!
IF ANYTHING COULD BE CALLED ABUSIVE...IT IS CAUSING A CHILD TO QUESTION THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR OWN BODIES... (Bringing distress and anxiety) BEFORE THEY ARE MATURE ENOUGH...TO EVEN UNDERSTAND LIFE AND THEIR OWN IDENTITY!
If your child said they identified as a mermaid...You would not take them out to sea and drop them in! If they were anorexic...You would not give them liposuction & a stomach reduction!
It is obvious injustice...To allow these procedures to be conducted on a minor...Against the will of the parent! If you are struggling with this very real issue today...Please investigate & consider these facts before continuing!
Now we need to address the REAL ISSUE! If YOU are someone in this struggle right now... For whatever reason you have come to this point of conflict in your life...You are truly suffering a private hell of emotional, mental and social distress!...And the last thing you need...
Is for someone to show you more rejection and isolation!...Especially in the Name of Jesus. So... Please grasp this awesome... And REAL TRUTH...
Romans 5:8 (HCSB)
8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!
Please know that Jesus Christ Loves YOU...More than anyone else on this earth...He Created you as you are...And He Died to Save you... And all of us...From the sins we have in our lives!
HE Created you in Love and Wisdom...To be exactly who YOU ARE...You are perfect... As you are...You will never be happier, as someone else...And no improper desire or tendency...
No improper sexual act you may have performed...No confused feelings or thoughts...
SHAPE YOUR IDENTITY!HE ALONE... SHAPES YOUR IDENTITY!
Stop letting sex and gender be your focus... Your god! Don't be defined by one thing!
Every person on this planet... Suffers from things that plague them in their natural desires!
Because we are all fighting a battle with our natural tendencies…To want what is not good for us… To reject His Goodness in our fallen state!...And the Truth of His Plan and His Love!
Listen to these words from Paul...And tell me he hasn't been there!
Romans 7:19-25 (HCSB)
19 For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but it is the sin that lives in me. 21 So I discover this principle: When I want to do what is good, evil is with me. 22 For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God’s law. 23 But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.
God… Does.. NOT… Hate YOU! He Loves you so desperately... That HE DIED TO BE WITH YOU!...But the wrong, worldly desires that have been placed in your heart... THAT… He despises! Because they keep you from seeing who you were made to be! Because they keep you from being able to accept yourself...And experience love as He Made you to experience!
You are no different from any other fallen person on earth...We have all embraced this world over Him...In our own way...And are in need of His Redemption and Love! But BECAUSE you are NO different...Your sins cannot be ignored anymore than mine, or anyone's...Just because they are politically charged!
We ALL have to trust that His Ways are better...Stop and consider the wondrous way in which you were Created...And realize... That just maybe... It's your view and opinion of yourself that is in need of changing! Understand that: Outspoken, controlling and harsh people feel that...
That's just the way they are... But it doesn't make it truth.... Or best! Lustful people who like to play the field feel that...That's just the way they are...But it doesn't make it truth... Or best!
What if I said that I cannot help that I am attracted to other women besides my wife...And if I can't act on those feelings, I might commit suicide?...And BRENDA was told… “You can have a living husband or dead adulterer!” I would not be trusting God...I would be wanting what I want!
The list could go on...Don't let feelings or desires form who you are...And don't let them condemn or destroy you...Trust the One Who Cares enough for you…To forfeit His Own Life!...And have the Faith… The Hope…To reshape your worldview... In His Love!
Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Even if you are already into an alternate lifestyle...Or you have even taken steps towards gender-reassignment...Know that YOU... Are Loved by HIM! Listen closely to this Passage in Acts...It's about a Eunuch from a foreign land...Who had come to worship at Jerusalem...
Eunuchs were men who had their genitals crushed or removed...In order to stop their sexual function as a man...So they could be of service in various areas….Because of their condition...
Eunuchs were not even allowed in the Temple...
Now listen to the Story:
Acts 8:26-38 (HCSB)
26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.” 30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
This man had traveled a literal distance of 1000 miles to worship! Probably because he had heard of all of these wonderful things...About the Risen Messiah, Jesus... Who had Come!
And he could not even go into the Temple when he got there! Now... He was reading OT Prophecies from Isaiah 53...Which spell out how Jesus was horribly crushed and pierced!
For his sins! Even though the Temple wouldn't even accept him! Surely... In his long journey home...He continued reading a few short Verses more!
Isaiah 56:3-5 (HCSB)
3 ...and the eunuch should not say, “Look, I am a dried-up tree.” 4 For the LORD says this: “For the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold firmly to My covenant, 5 I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give each of them an everlasting name that will never be cut off.
Phillip was Called of God... To this desert road...For the sake of... For the LOVE of... One EUNUCH!...Because this Eunuch had shown such a desire…To know this very REAL SAVIOR!
He was accepted into the Kingdom...And baptized by Phillip himself...Right there on the road!...But it was because the Eunuch…Now wanted Jesus with all his heart...And had traveled countless miles to find Him!...And he was willing to trust Jesus now...And all of his ways!
Jesus is REAL...And He will go to any extreme to find you... Reach you! But YOU have to WANT HIM just as badly! Have to TRUST HIM with all of your heart...And just like the rest of us...Turn from worldly ways... Even when they are your desire...And TRUST that HIS PLAN truly is better!
Look around... The evidence in this real world...Is supporting His Wisdom!
Matthew 18:12-14 (12 What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the 99 on the hillside and go and search for the stray? 13 And if he finds it, I assure you: He rejoices over that sheep more than over the 99 that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.
References:
(1) https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/book-review/irreversible-damage/
(2) https://www.heritage.org/gender/commentary/sex-reassignment-doesnt-work-here-the-evidence
(3) https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/23/child-transgender-service-governor-quits-chaos
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8596151/
(5) https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230208-sweden-puts-brakes-on-treatments-for-trans-minors
Stop for a moment... And as a Christian...Take a long, serious look at where we are right this minute! Your own children are being purposefully taught…Extreme views of sin... Which are against our God... Our core beliefs...Being taught against your own will...And any resistance to that is being labeled extremism...Even terrorism!
Drag Queens are reading to our children in schools...But Christian doctrines and beliefs are excluded...Because they are against the interests and views of institutions! Crime, drugs and violence on the streets...Are literally making life in many cities unlivable...While we work to remove even more order and protection...And we produce laws which make life easier for offenders!
Minors... Not capable of making the simplest life decisions...By our own established laws...
Are being coaxed, and led...Into physically mutilating their own bodies in such a way...As to forever remove their ability to function...Sexually and biologically as a man or woman forever...
All before they have any true understanding of life...Often, completely without knowledge or even consent of the parents! Compare to an enemy who forcefully took your child…And castrated or removed their breasts in front of you! WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?!
The very Truths of Love…Which we base our life & existence upon...Are being labeled and challenged as…Racist, misogynistic & hateful! With more and more legal, & even physical opposition rising!
Churches which once stood…As beacons of Light, Hope and Direction...Have become cesspools of lies and doubts about Christ...And some of the main encouragers of sin...
Deceptively in the Name of Jesus and His Own Word! In just a few short years... EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED! We stand dumbfounded and motionless...As our entire world is being completely undone around us!
What’s so amazing is... That many Christians... Most Christians…Have the mentality of:
"Well, it's not my right to force my beliefs on others... This is a free country."…And you are absolutely right! It IS a FREE country! So we DO have the right to at least...Hold to... And speak of... Our own beliefs in life! Just as anyone else so brazenly does! We DO have the right…To teach and protect our own children...In our ways and beliefs!...And we DO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY... To love and proclaim to a lost generation... What we KNOW will be their only hope!...Regardless of ANY governmental or social opposition!
Many others hold to the view of: "Well, That's just the way God said it would be in these last days... There's really nothing we can do...So let's just go home, hunker down... And wait for the King to Return!"
I HAVE TWO BIG PROBLEMS WITH THAT!!!
ONE: Nowhere... In God's Written Word...Are we told to run away...While the world destroys itself in sin and misery!!...Nowhere are we told... To allow Satan to overtake and control our children...Our families...While we simply hide in a hole... And protect ourselves! We aren’t called to sit home and cry over Fox News…While the world dies!!
TWO: And the second, most glaring problem with that view is...We are not simply watching a battle…In another country or town...Which we can shy away from...Remain uninvolved in...
And hide in the comforts of our own home like a coward!
We have been BESIEGED in our OWN city!!! It is our own HOME that is under attack!
There IS NO running home to safety and hiding out! IT IS THE BATTLE FOR OUR VERY HOME THAT IS RAGING!!!
Just as we have been recently reading about in 1 Samuel on Wednesday nights ...
1 Samuel 11:1-3 (ESV)
1 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.” 3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.”
The enemy left only TWO options:
Surrender! And be blinded, handicapped... And enslaved!
Or DIE!...There was nowhere left to hide out...Just as the people of Jabesh-gilead!
OUR ENEMY TODAY… LEAVES US WITH ONLY TWO OPTIONS:
RESIST WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT TO THE END...
OR SIGN A TREATY OF SURRENDER WITH THE ENEMY!...AND BE OVERTAKEN! BE RAVAGED! …BE BLINDED! BE ENSLAVED!
DO… YOU… GET… THAT? THERE IS NOWHERE IN WHICH TO RETREAT! THERE IS NO TOMORROW! JOIN THE ENEMY... OR FIGHT!
Why We Fight!...And listen to this... Even IF the situation was NOT so intense and dire for US...We HAVE to FINALLY grasp the REALITY OF THIS LIFE!...You and I exist... Along with everything around us...In this very moment... Because we are part of HIS Precious & Loved Creation!...Because He Created us for a life with Him...Which is so much more than this world has robbed us of!
He... King & Creator... Has Forsaken everything... To literally Die for us in His Wild and Crazy Love! No one... I mean NO ONE...Loves you with more Passion and Sincerity!...And millions of His Beloved Creations... Are kept ignorant and broken in Satan's lies!
He Calls on you and I...To SHARE in His Love and Sacrifice...To REACH THEM!...IF ALL OF THIS REALLY IS TRUTH...If HE alone is our reason for existence...If He Chooses and Calls US…To show Him that WE share in His Love for others...If ALL OF THIS world is soon to be gone... And will never matter one iota, ever again...THEN WHAT ELSE MATTERS…FOR THE REST OF THIS LIFE? WHERE ELSE SHOULD YOU FOCUS YOUR WORK? WHY DOES ANYTHING KEEP YOU FROM HIS WORK?
Take The Test!
Similarly… In another time when the Israelites were being…Completely oppressed and controlled… By the Midianites...Again… It was NOT GOD…That was unwilling or unable to free them!...But that no one had courage to be used of God to do so!...Because God Works THROUGH His people!
Then God Called on a simple, common man... Named Gideon!...And God used Gideon to raise up a resistance...To those who had invaded and oppressed their land.
There were TWO simple test...That God used to weed out those unworthy & unwilling to fight!
I promise you... This Biblical Story is the timeless example...Of what God Needs from us today!
Listen... And truly ask yourself if YOU are qualified!
TEST #1:
Judges 7:3 (ESV)
Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.
God Said that every person who was more concerned…For their own lives and welfare...
Than fighting for His Truth and His people... Or in continuing to worship their God...And keep their family in Faith!...Should HURRY AWAY from the battle!...And TWO-THIRDS of them hurriedly left!...Think it would be any different today?...So many people will quickly... Almost defensively say..."That's not me... I'm not scared of anything... I'm ready!
But that is simply not true... Many ARE SCARED! Scared to lose one minute of their packed agendas…And their all important me-time...To even come to church regularly... Much less actually LOOK for ways...God might to willing to use them! Scared to SPEAK to anyone about what Jesus has done for them... (Newsflash… That kind of the only way they know!)
Romans 10:14 (ESV)
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Test #2: We are scared to defend the clear reasons…Of why Jesus' Ways DO represent true love & wisdom...Scared to show love and genuine interest...In those who don't hold your beliefs or righteous living! Scared to say no to living like the world...The truth is... MANY have more fear in the cost of resistance...Than they have of the encroaching oppression!...And as long as THAT is the mentality…Of the majority of Christians...There is no other way... No other hope...In turning this nation around.
Judges 7:5-7 (ESV)
5 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” 6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. 7 And the LORD said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.”
This seemingly strange and totally unrelated test...Was actually one of the most telling of all!...As it revealed... In the unconscious actions of each man...Their innermost drive and mindset!...Did they think only of their own thirst and desire...Oblivious to the dangers all around them and others? Trusting and relying on those around them for safety...As they focused on their own needs?! DID THEY TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES… TO BE EVER VIGILANTE?
AND AWARE OF THE THREATS AROUND THEM? TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES…TO BE THE PROTECTOR AND WATCHMAN…FOR EVERYONE ELSE'S SAFETY?...EVEN WHEN IT ENCROACHED…ON THEIR OWN NEEDS AND COMFORT?
Now... Test yourself... With what you know of your own heart!
Do you take it upon yourself to spiritually guard those you love?
Do you keep watch for how the enemy has crept into your lives?
Do you assure that you are attending church as a family? Growing in His Word? Following that Word?
Do you make sure to reach others in distress or sin?
Do you purposefully find out what your children are learning? Are exposed to? Have access to in this social media age?
Do you even pray about…What God would have you to doing for His Kingdom?
Do you expect others to be dedicated and vigilante?
STOP TURNING THIS WAR AGAINST SATAN INTO...
A political playing field of conservatives and liberals!
Or a mark of patriotism or national pride!
Or even a religious war of believers and nonbelievers!
IT IS NONE OF THOSE THINGS!!AND NONE OF THOSE ARENAS IS WHERE WE WILL WIN! THIS… IS HOW WE FIGHT AND WIN...IT IS THROUGH REAL, GENUINE, INTERESTED LOVE...FOR REAL, BROKEN, FALLEN, HATING, BACKWARDS PEOPLE...
INVOLVING YOUR REAL, ACTUAL LIFE... AND NOT JUST TALK, FLUFF AND THEOLOGY!
IT’S REAL SACRIFICE AND SERVING...REAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT JESUS...REAL INVITATIONS TO YOUR HOME OR OUR CHURCH!
Do you have any idea how many people...Are completely open and ready…To see the REAL PICTURE OF JESUS?...Are completely ready to know the Real Him?...Are completely ready to try a better way?...Are completely overwhelmed…With a desire to feel wanted & loved?
Mankind’s innermost need…Hasn’t changed in all this mess! THEY STILL HAVE THE GOD-CREATED NEED…FOR HIS LOVE & WORTH! BUT NO ONE WANTS TO FIGHT THE BATTLE! Because they are scared... Like in Gideon's time!...Or looking out only for themselves... Like in Gideon's time!
Get this fact: If you are contented...To live in the world's ways... Comfortably…Be lukewarm in your walk with the God Who Died for you...Come to church occasionally... As a burden...Let your children, family and friends...Be swallowed by the world...Watch people struggle all around you... Without offering Truth or Hope!
Guard your precious time and resources...Over His Kingdom Work...Live to the day you die with a BIG ZERO beside your name...For those you have helped into the Kingdom!
Stay totally oblivious and uninterested in...What your children, friends and family...Are being taught and influenced by...YOU... Have already made a Treaty...With those who are BESIEGING OUR OWN HOUSE!!! You have already been blinded in one eye! Already humiliated into submission and slavery! You just aren't willing to face it!...Because you are more content in that slavery...Than in risking the battle!
You cannot change a nation... If you can't change a family!
You cannot change a family... If you can't change yourself!
You cannot change yourself... If you cannot surrender to God's Power and Love! And believe His Truth over man's wisdom! And recognize just how much you are loved!!
You and I have to GENUINELY change our minds... As Gideon did!...And decide WE ARE THE ONE'S GOD CAN USE! Then ask God to give us the love, faith, courage…And opportunity...To compassionately reach others...To vigilantly protect & sway family & friends from the world...To live life on purpose... With a passion... For His Kingdom!
When David was a young, insignificant lad...But already anointed to be God's man!
He saw the threats from the enemy...The ridicule of the enemy...The loss his people were about to endure...And the blasphemy against his God!...And although no one saw HIM…
As the ONE... Responsible for stepping up!...No one even saw HIM…As ONE capable of making a difference!
David stood in the GAP! With furious indignation...For an enemy who would dare to hurt God's Glory!
1 Samuel 17:26 (NKJV)
26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
David showed WHY…He was confident to take on the Battle!
1 Samuel 17:45-48 (NKJV)
45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD'S, and He will give you into our hands." 48 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
David took the burden upon himself... For God's Glory! David didn't just say, "I'm available..."
He said, "Here I Come!" And David... RAN TOWARDS THE BATTLE!
I AM HOPEFUL THST JESUS COMES TOMORROW! BUT IT’S NOT OUR RIGHT TO KNOW… OR ASSUME!! What if He has Plans for this to awaken us to a last revival!?
WE ARE NO LONGER JUST FIGHTING...FOR LOST THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES!...OR FOR BIGGER CHURCHES...OR RECOGNITION IN OUR MINISTRIES!...OR FOR BIGGER BLESSINGS IN OUR COZY RECLINERS!
WE ARE FIGHTING FOR…OUR VERY FUTURE & EXISTENCE...AND OUR HOMES ARE BESIEGED! THERE IS NOWHERE LEFT TO RUN! UNLESS… WE RUN TO THE BATTLE!
Today's Study will be very different from our usual sermons, but one of absolute importance in our Christian walk, our understanding of the world in which we live, our understanding of how God is working through Israel, and how Satan is cleverly working on Israel, and the world to bring about the Times of the End. So many well-meaning Christians are completely oblivious to the truths of current event because of the ignorance and even purposeful lies being parroted around the world. So many people are uncertain of the reasons behind all of the current events in Israel and Gaza today. So many people are rapidly turning against Israel because of the current military retaliation in the Gaza Strip. So many people blame Israel for the conflict—allegedly, because of their mistreatment of Palestinians and especially their “occupation" of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank Territories. We will take a look at some of the history and see the truth of this situation today from some of the most unbiased and completely informed sources, rather than from tainted and distorted opinions which are being screamed loudly around the world in the largest, quickest anti-Semitic growth the world has known since the Holocaust.
So many people from around the world instantly and passionately held protests and repeated false claims about the supposed hospital strike in Gaza, by Israel. Even when powerful opposing evidence has emerged (Including open-source video, intelligence, missile activity, and intercepted Hamas communications during the incident) showing proof that it was an Hamas misfired rocket behind the event, showing proof that it did not even strike the hospital but the parking lot, mass condemnation and threats by Iran and other nations continued to come based upon this single, probable false allegation. Anti-Semitism has already been on a massive increase in just the past several years. But since this war began, there has been a 500% increase in documented incidents against Jews in the U.K.; 189 incidents in France; Jewish stars painted on many Jewish homes in Germany; Jews advised not to wear their yarmulkas in public; anti-Israel protests erupting in many countries (including the U.S.) with slogans justifying the Hamas massacre; strong antisemitic images and rhetoric such as: "Gas the Jews" in Sydney, Australia. "Army of Muhammed coming for the Jews" in London and Geneva; "Free Palestine" in Washington D.C.; and even American Congress Members promoting antisemitic views repeating the refuted false claims about the hospital attacks. Teens from NYU tore down the posters of missing Israelis; a Jewish deli in NY had a swastika painted on their door—if racism is such a horrid thing, how is this embraced! How can the LGBTQ society stand for an Islamic nation when they want nothing but their judgment and death? First of all, even if this had been an Israeli missile which caused the damage by accident, this would have been a single missile coming in defense, from a country which has been brutally attacked. As of right now (October 21, 2023) 4,369 rockets have been fired at Israel—more than 90% fired at populated, residential areas purposefully (hospitals, schools, homes attacked innocently). I have watched Hamas, Israeli, and American footage taken of the sickening crimes, heard the orders given to Hamas terrorist against innocent families in their homes on October 7th. Mothers had babies cut from their stomachs; families shot, stabbed, tortured, burned alive, beheaded, raped in their homes, cars and in public, and yet the world stage erupts in condemnation of Israel focusing on one single, unproven rocket strike. And what about the atrocities committed almost daily by Iran, China, North Korea, Hezbollah? Where is the outrage and condemnation? Israel is so often villainized and hated disproportionately.
Many people, Christians included, hold Israel responsible for the atrocities because they say Israel is unjustly occupying the Gaza Strip and economically and militarily oppressing the Palestinian people. This would be one reason to be angry with Israel if it were a true statement. Here is the openly accessible information of the Gaza situation: the Gaza Strip came under Israeli control during the 6 Day War in 1967 when Egypt, Syria, and Jordan all attacked Israel together in an attempt to totally annihilate the Jews. In August of 2005, the Israeli government disengaged from Gaza giving up every square inch of the Strip and uprooting all of the Israeli settlers. Palestine was freed. But just shortly after, in an election on January, 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) was voted into power. And in June of 2007, Hamas initiated a military takeover of the opposing political party with many lives lost (161 dead/700 wounded). Hamas has maintained control of Gaza since 2006 militarily; there have been no more elections allowed. Israel and Egypt have kept a partial blockade on the Gaza Strip since this time, which many call unfair and oppressive to the Palestinians. Israel wants to be free of Gaza and they simply can’t be because the Islamic Militant Group who controls them, uses their location, their resources and their people to constantly bring terror to Israel. Even with a partial blockade, Hamas used a vast portion of its people's resources and of all humanitarian aid given to them to create tunnels to smuggle weapons from outside the Strip; used even their public water pipes to build rockets, used hospitals and schools as military storage, terrorist safe-places and launch sites. The Gaza Strip could have flourished it's economy as Israel has flourished, but just as we saw in Afghanistan after the takeover, the militant Islamic government has destroyed it's economy by forcing blockades due to weapons smuggling and attacks, by ruling over its people in fear with nothing but military goals of destruction rather than concern for its own population, using them as human shields, and war propaganda instead. What possible choice does Israel have under these circumstances? Israel would like nothing more than to be done with it all, than to lose the poor publicity world-wide. But this is exactly what Hamas relies upon—using their own people's suffering to bring condemnation as they build their terror machine. You will see absolute proof of this in a moment. Palestine is not attacking Israel because they are oppressed. Palestine is oppressed because they are attacking Israel leaving no choice. Even in this war, as Israel paused and told civilians in Gaza to follow a safe route to the south to avoid casualties, Hamas has blocked its own people from the route because the people of Palestine are as unimportant to them as Israelis. And they want to use them as shields and political victimization. How do you know this is not just more propaganda on the other side?
Not "my spin" on how things may be, but how about this for unbiased, solid truth? The words of a son of a founding member of Hamas—one born and raised as a leader in the terrorist group; a "Prince" among the Islamic Militants. This man, Mosab Hassan Yousef defected from the terrorist group, Hamas and told the horrible truths behind all they were doing in Gaza that made him decide to leave family, country and religion—even though he was a giant among his people—because of their atrocities. Here are some of his statements made in June of 2018 in an interview (listen to how accurate his predictions were) long before this war brought things to light; long before Israel took center stage in world scrutiny. Listen to this ultimate source of the Hamas mindset which came from deep within the control of Gaza; listen to a former Hamas Leader tell the true reasons Gaza is miserable and oppressed; listen to a former Hamas Leader tell why Israel is truly hated by many in the Middle East; listen to a former Hamas Leader reveal what Israel's true attitude and actions involve towards surrounding, hostile nations. He opens with his intentions for speaking out: "I came to a place where I saw a higher truth and I disagreed with the majority of the Palestinian people, which came at a very high personal expense. And I choose to stay an honest witness for my own truth. I am not promoting for Israel... It's just my sense of responsibility. Towards first of all, my people. The ones who have not experienced what I experienced within Hamas leadership." Listen to HIS explanation of why the Palestinians have suffered in Gaza since Hamas has been in rule and by who's hands: "They (Palestinians) wanted to blame somebody on their misery. Which was basically the outcome of the Arab world's misleading leadership that led Palestinians from disaster to disaster. And the Palestinians...The victims of this conflict within their territories, thought that Israel was their problem... They did not see that other Arab leaderships who did not want to reconcile with Israel, and recognize Israel as an existing regime, and coexist, and live with Israel... Were responsible for the misery of the Palestinian people. They still don't see this... And I was part of this delusion, that Israel was the cause of our misery and suffering. So, we grew up buying hatred, and projecting hatred... Israel is the only true democratic model in the region…The people can say whatever they want to say. I am responsible for my words, and I speak with authority of my experience, and first-hand observation of the reality. Knowing Hamas leadership, knowing Palestinian authority leadership, and knowing that they are the enemies of the Palestinian people! Israel cares for the Palestinian people more than their own leadership cares. Actually, Palestinian leaderships want Palestinian people to die, and that's a reality! it has been like this for so many years. there is no need for them (Hamas), if people don't die. And every now and then, they start a war…by sending people to die, the world has to pay them off, you know. And this is the fuel for their endless cycle of violence." Listen to the real reasons that Palestinians do not have basic needs met: "It looks like all of the funds that come to Gaza, they're invested in building tunnels you know, and building a military wing, rather than bringing milk to the children of Gaza! For me, I see Mahmoud Abbas cutting electricity from the Gaza Strip, cutting milk, medicine... And now, the situation in Gaza Strip is at the edge of another conflict. What I see, is Mahmoud Abbas wants Hamas to attack Israel, so Israel will attack Hamas. As the outcome, children will die. So, this is the Palestinian leadership mentality. When they don't have money, when the United States cuts funds or reduces the funds from Mahmoud Abbas... He would say, 'Sacrifice a few hundred children in the Gaza Strip, so the world can outrage against Israel', you know... And Mahmoud Abbas will raise billions of dollars out of this suffering. How is he going to spend it?! I don't know... Gaza does not have electricity; they don't have medicine. People are dying, children are dying in hospitals because they don't have electricity in the hospitals, they don't have medication. So the average person, you know... Without all dimensions of the conflict, will look at Gaza children dying, and it's going to be just the exchange of blame, you know. They just want anybody to blame. Israel is going to be the party to blame!"
Listen to the truth of Israel's conduct and influence in the Middle East even apparent to a former Hamas Leader: "Even though Israel will open its hospitals, even though Israel will ask civilians to evacuate, to get out from certain areas so they can come and deal with the tunnel problems. And Hamas will force civilians to stay...Instead of blaming Israel, you need to blame the party that uses civilians as human shields. Mahmoud Abbas... He's a criminal. But of course, he knows how to get away with it. He knows how to manipulate the international public…I am not affiliated with politics. This is not a political statement...But this is a fact. This is a reality... And what we need for the region is more models of Israel. Actually, we would like for surrounding countries to learn from Israel. I believe... It's not that I believe actually, I know... It, (Israel) is the life of the region! ..Because democracy, dialog, human rights, women's rights, animal rights, and so many other ethics and values of the Israeli Constitution makes the country advanced and livable. And people from every path of life can co-exist with each other. There are Arabs, in Israel... They are citizens of Israel. They have rights, they have members..."The world talks about the Palestinian refugees...And we ask question, 'Well, how about the Jewish refugees?' You know, who left everything. Their property, their gold, their money. And they lost everything. They were replaced or relocated somewhere else. What about those people? Are they people? So, there is definitely a double standard in the way we are discussing the reality of the Middle East. This is why I don't like blaming Israel. It's the easiest thing to do. You know, with the what-so-called occupation, which is non-existent. And I say, ' non-existent' because Palestinians have the opportunity of being independent. And Israel will definitely help them. Israel has no interest of controlling the Palestinians lives. They (Israel) don't need nothing from the Palestinian people. Actually, the Palestinian people get a lot from Israel. And Israel is willing to give more and more, to help them on every level...We will live, and I will live, and witness more and more of this truth: That Israel is not the enemy of the Palestinian people... Israel is not the enemy of the Arab people…Actually Israel has the power to invade and destroy most of the Arab capitals in a matter of hours, you know, if they want to. But they are not doing it! If the picture was the opposite, if any Arab country had the power Israel has, they wouldn't hesitate of destroying the State of Israel... So, the world can go on denying this reality, and this truth. But we all will pay a price. And it's time for us to take responsibility, to choose which side... Taking the side of a successful model, that respects the human dignity, respects the human rights... And open for all types of people, for all religions, you know."
Israel was Promised to the Jews 4000 years ago through Abraham, and that Promise became a reality in 1405BC when Israel took the Land of Canaan and when they were brutally slaughtered and driven out of their Land by the Romans across the world. Beginning in 70AD. they suffered persecution all over the globe. A people without their Land, persecuted worldwide, tortured and murdered by the millions. And when they were returned in 1948, it was not by violence or conquest, but the Land was given back to them in order to basically protect them from extinction after the horrid anti-Semitic slaughter of the Holocaust ending almost 2000yrs of persecution like no other. Anyone who claims that the people of Palestine have always owned this land are historically, archeologically, and biblically ignorant or blatantly hiding the truth. The Israelites returned to a long deserted, forsaken, barren land that no country wanted or occupied anyway. It is not the land that Israel's enemies want; it is only the complete annihilation of the Jewish people. Since their return, they have been relentlessly, and without provocation attacked by surrounding enemies and have had to fight for their very existence since coming home to their own land again. This tiny stretch of land is no larger than the state of New Jersey, and yet the small population of 9.7 million Jews cannot be allowed to exist in peace. They have tried giving up part of their small piece of land in exchange for peace in the past (land for peace) and we see where that got them today (Hamas). Why should they be expected to do so again when every square mile given up is used against them. If the Palestinians, Iran, Hezbollah were to lay down their weapons today there would be peace. If Israel were to lay down its weapons today, they would not exist tomorrow.
None of this should take an informed Christian by surprise. The loss of their land for so long, the incredible return, the hatred by the nations around them, the impact of one tiny nation on the whole world's safety and security—all was perfectly foretold by many prophets thousands of years ago in exacting detail. Today, as never before, the nations look on as Israel becomes a cup of trembling to the world. Lebanon, Syria, and Hezbollah are already engaging from the North already in limited engagements. Yemen has fired advanced missiles at Israel this week intercepted by American ships. Iran is behind this entire scenario fighting a proxy war through Hamas and Hezbollah and threatening to become involved directly if Israel invades Gaza, working in the last stages to produce a nuclear weapon. The U.S. has B1 Bombers now stationed in Europe, and two U.S. Naval Carrier Groups have been positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, near Israel already engaging in missile defense actions and promising to get involved if Iran becomes involved. Russia, who has stayed somewhat neutral in the past has sided with the Palestinians and Iran and has military units in Syria. China has stated that if the U.S. helps Israel expand this war they will definitely tilt the balance in favor of the Palestinians. North Korean weapons were used by Hamas in the attack on Israel on Oct. 7th. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq have all joined in solidarity against Israel with two attacks against the U.S. occurring this week—one in Iraq, and one in Southern Syria. We know that every player in Scriptures involved in the Last War before the Tribulation is in place right now. We know that is Israel is the centerpiece for all End Time Prophecy, but we do not know for certainty this is the start of that War mentioned in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Could it be? Absolutely! Could it be a prelude, building to this war in the near future? Absolutely. Could we go for months or years before seeing this War come to fruition? Absolutely! Is it at least the grass roots of this formation! Absolutely! Many thought WWII was the start of the end. Many thought that the Six Day War of 1967 was the start of the end. But never have so many pieces and nations been in such exact placement as now; never have all other aspects of end time prophecies come together at one time such as today. It is the ultimate goal of the Islamic faith—not politics—to remove Israel from the earth and they will not stop until it is done; and to create a Global Islamic Rule under Sharia Law led by the 12th Imam, the Mahdi, who rises in a time of great turmoil, persecutes Jews and Christians, and rules the entire world for 7 years before he fights a coming "False Messiah." If this sounds familiar, it should. It is an exact description of the role in which the antichrist plays in Revelation 12:1-6, 17.
We see Scriptures coming alive in our day. The Islamic nations involved in this conflict even if deterred in this War will never accept lasting peace with Israel. They will only stop when Israel is gone—it is Satan’s plan. As we teach children to question their pronouns, these people teach 5-10yr olds how to kill and be suicide bombers. But we know the end of the story, and we've seen God's unfathomable prophecies fulfilled to this day, and we've seen His Hand on Israel since it's rebirth. Yet, right now, right here in our situation, Christians must stop listening to media, and popular opinion. We must investigate truth for ourselves, and we must stand behind God's people, Israel, even if no one else does. I hope this clarifies many of the rumors and false teachings you have been hearing about Israel lately, and I pray that many come to Christ as they see prophecy unfolding before our very eyes. And I pray that true Christians will rise up in passion as never before while there is still some time left to do His Work. Live your faith with a brand new passion, as never before because He is Coming quickly.
Have you ever thought to yourself as you read Bible stories, "If I could have lived during those days—if I could have seen that—I wouldn't have any trouble believing in God!"? Look no further: today we are going to take an extremely abbreviated trip through the history of Israel on its 75th Year Anniversary. We will see that we not only have historical proof of God's existence, but present-day proof of God's existence. Proof that is beyond accident or man's design; proof that [...]
Today we are here to explore and celebrate…The Awesome, God-Created, Powerful, Blessed, Precious…Role of Motherhood! Which according to the Plans & Purposes of Our Almighty God…And the very foundational truths of Biology...Can only be fulfilled... By a woman! Sad... That we actually have to clarify that... In a world that is supposed to be dictated to snd ruled by…Science and reason! In all reality... I do not think "Mother's Day" does the positio [...]
For about 4 weeks now... I have been preparing this Message! Even started writing it... Then tucked it aside a couple of weeks ago…And when the time came to bring it this Sunday...I was hesitant... Thinking the timing may now be wrong!...But then I realize...In God's Incredible Sovereignty and Care...THIS was exactly the week…He had been Preparing it for all along! So please give God's Words…Complete attention and reverence this morning! Because this topic absolu [...]
In the 1700's, a large percentage of Europeans feared the tomato because they thought it to be very poisonous. It was even nicknamed the "Poison Apple." Many years later it was discovered that tomatoes were not actually the culprit, but the fact that they were often being served on pewter plates of the more well-off in society. And the high acid content of the tomatoes would leach the lead content from the pewter and become deadly. So, it was not the fruit which was troublesome all along, [...]
As we discuss our topic today, there will be three potential listeners: 1) worldly, non-believing people of which I do realize have no reason to listen to why I'm right and they are wrong, based only on a God in which they don't even believe exists. Listen open-mindedly, knowing everything I say will be in genuine concern and real love and I simply want you to see the logic behind God's Words even if you do not believe what, I know, is true. 2) Progressive-minded Christians who claim that [...]
We are celebrating the Literal Greatest and Most Important Day...In the Christian Faith!The Events leading to this Day...And the Events of this Day...GIVE US EVERY REASON...To EMBRACE or DENY everything we believe! Unfortunately... We now live in an age that can...In all practicality... Be called a "Godless Generation!" With little to no knowledge of the True Teachings of Jesus! With little to no knowledge...Of the solid, indisputable, historical facts...That Jesus was even a Real Pe [...]
It is already Palm Sunday! The Sunday which launches us into my favorite time of year!With my favorite Topics of Teaching and Preaching!So this week... And Wednesday... And Sonrise... And Easter Sunday...We will explore some of the most Awesome and Challenging Stories... Of the New Testament! How many of you have ever doubted God's Existence...Or worse yet... Even His Character and Love...Because of a terrible event in your life? Because things just didn't seem to be working out...Li [...]
We are at the end of a very different four part study on End Times where we have been focusing, not so much on the chronological events of the Last Days (meaning just before the Tribulation period), but on the current and potentially upcoming events and trends in our world right now—which are clear, tell-tale signs of major prophetic incidents coming the Tribulation. Things which, by nature and prophetic declaration, have their beginning roots revealed before the Tribulation begins. [...]
We are in Part 3 of a series concerning End Times Prophecies...But this series is NOT simply about...Chronologically walking through the events of the Last Days...
As we have done in the past... And will do again in the future.
This series is intended to make us...Aware of the things happening around us everyday...Right now! To make us watchful of the things which...
WILL BE HAPPENING... At least in part... In the near future! If we are truly living in the End Days.
Because a number of Events which occur just before... Or in the beginning of... The Tribulation Period...Are so huge... So UNMISTAKABLE...That their beginnings MUST be apparent...Long before they come to fruition!
Jesus Himself... Very clearly Tells us this is the case...And for that reason... He Tells us to "WATCH"...Because when we see these things BEGIN to happen...We are to lift up our heads and look for His Coming!
Luke 21:28 (NKJV)
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.
ALWAYS remember... NONE of these things would matter...UNTIL the Key Piece of the puzzle was in place... ISRAEL!
Thus far... We have studied:
The soon to come War between Israel, Russia, Iran...
And other Middle East Nations! (Gog/Magog War)
Which MUST occur just before... Or at the very start...
Of the Tribulation!
A War which we have seen developing before our eyes today...
Described in exact detail... Over 2000yrs ago!
We have studied the intentions and preparations...
For rebuilding the Third Temple of God in Jerusalem!
Because it is in used during the Tribulation...And it is At THIS TEMPLE...That the Antichrist proclaims himself God!
TODAY...Every article of worship is ready...Priests have been trained and readied...
Even the first cornerstone of the Temple is standing by!
THIS WEEK... We will look into another area...Which is NOT just necessary... BUT FOUNDATIONAL...For the Events of the Tribulation to begin!
Some may wonder why I so regularly come back to messages...
Concerning End Times and Latter Days!
One: About 1/3 of Scriptures were Written Prophetically!
So it must be important to God, for us to understand Future Events!
Two: As we've just seen...
Jesus Spoke much about these End Times Himself
And He Tells us to "Keep Watch!"
Three: If we ARE truly living in the End Times...
Wouldn’t it NOT only be logical... But also Responsible & Proper before God…
To fully understand, appreciate, and respond accordingly?!
Signs Of The Times!
The people in the Church of Thessalonica were suffering extreme persecution...And for this reason... Many had begun to believe they had MISSED Jesus' Return! Tthat they were living in…The beginnings of the Great Tribulation!
Paul assures them that they have NOT missed Christ's Return...
With these Words!
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
STOP! Think on these Verses a moment before we continue! The Thessalonians thought... According to Paul's Earlier Letter...Jesus may already have Come... Secretly... To get His Own! That they... Had somehow missed the Coming! Paul opens to comfort them...He uses the phrase, "Our gathering together TO HIM"...Distinctly referring to a bringing together of Saints to HIM!
NOT... A Physical Return to the Earth...Which obviously had not occurred yet!
Both of these clearly illustrated FACTS...Show distinct teachings of the RAPTURE of Christ's Church... And that It Occurs... BEFORE His Second Coming!
Now... Listen to the evidences Paul gives to them...As to WHY THEY COULD NOT be LIVING in the Tribulation!
2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 (NKJV)
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
Paul said TWO THINGS had not occurred...One which must occur FIRST... The "Great Falling Away"...Or some Translations say:The "Apostasy"... Or the "Rebellion"!...And the other... Which must come immediately afterwards: IN the time of the Tribulation...The revealing of the Antichrist! Paul goes on to reveal WHY the Antichrist cannot be fully revealed...Until WE THE CHURCH... Are GONE!
2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 (NKJV)
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
"He"... The Holy Spirit... Is restraining Satan...When "He" is "Taken out of the way!"... REMOVED! THEN… The lawless one will be revealed! Meaning when the Influence of the Spirit…Is GONE from earth!
The Spirit is ALWAYS Present! But His Influence Works through US! So... When WE are "Taken out of the way!" The Antichrist will be allowed to rise!
SO... We need to GET TWO THINGS from these Passages:
ONE: JESUS DOES RAPTURE HIS CHURCH...
BEFORE THE TRIBULATION ON EARTH!
TWO: THESE TWO MASSIVE EVENTS ARE USED BY PAUL...
TO SHOW SIGNS THE BEGINNING OF THIS TRIBULATION…
MUST be occurring... MUST be taking root...BEFORE… THE MOMENT OF THE RAPTURE! So today...Let's consider what Paul said must FIRST take place...JUST BEFORE the Tribulation!
The Great Falling Away!
The Greek word used for, "Great Falling Away"...Is APOSTASIA (ap-os-tas-ee'-ah) Meaning: Turning from truth, forsaking, rebelling!
In other words, Paul is saying...That in the times JUST BEFORE Christ's Return for His Own...The entire world... Including... And Especially... The CHURCH...
Will begin to turn from the Truth of God...Rebel against His Word...And live in spiritual and moral rebellion, debauchery, and perversion!
Paul and Jude expand on the details of this "Falling Away"...Several times:
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV)
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
Jude 1:7-8 (HCSB)
7 In the same way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them committed sexual immorality and practiced perversions, just as angels did, and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 8 Nevertheless, these dreamers likewise defile their flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glorious ones.
Romans 1:24-32 (ESV) (Wrath revealed from Heaven against these things!)
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Revelation 13:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them…
Matthew 24:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
Because of the place we are at current...In our Wednesday Night Bible Study (End of Judges)...We touched on this topic a bit this week already.But let's just STOP...
And attempt to remove the influences, biases, and fears of our world around us...Long enough to see our world…Through the LENS of God's Word ONLY today!
The Previous Verses... And many more...State the following about the people of the Latter Days:
Narcissistic and arrogant... Love only themselves
Unappeasable... Cannot be pleased or made happy
Slanderous... Make vicious, false, bitter claims to defame others
No self-control... Do whatever feels good or is desired
Love pleasure more than God
Try to look godly... But denying God in personal reality
Seek churches to paint a god they want…With the sin they want
Without natural affection
Jealous, murderous, violent, anarchists
Haters and persecutors of those holding to…True beliefs in Christ and His Teachings.
Given to perversions of sexual acts and homosexuality.
Actually inventors of new sins... And proud of it!
Now STOP AGAIN... Leave out worldly influence...And look ONLY at what GOD MUST THINK of the actions...Of America and the world today...73 million abortions take place each year worldwide. (1)
1.5 billion babies have been aborted worldwide in past 50yrs (2)
3 in 10 pregnancies end in abortion worldwide - 29% (1)
42% of all yearly deaths in the world from abortion (2)
Every 2 seconds a baby is aborted (2)
Listen to these stats…Which outline the beliefs of our Church today:
Percentage of Christians in favor of Same-Sex Marriage in Church: Stats from 2023 Pew Research Center (8)
Catholic - 57%
Mainline Protestant - 57%
Orthodox Christian - 54%
In the 2022 Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research Survey...
Of beliefs held by U.S. Evangelicals in the American Church: (8)
"Jesus was a great teacher, but He wasn't God." 43% (9)
"God accepts the worship of ALL religions." 56% (9)
"The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true." 26% (9)
"Religious belief is a matter of personal opinion; it is not about objective truth." 38% (9)
"Gender Identity is a matter of choice." 37% (9)
c. Pastor and Author Randy Alcorn comments:
"The percentages demonstrate that these are no mere fringe ideas; they are already prevalent in U.S. churches and are gaining traction at an alarming rate."
d. The Ligonier & Lifeway Surveyors conclusion:
"The 2022 State of Theology survey reveals that Americans increasingly reject the divine origin and complete accuracy of the Bible... U.S. adults are also increasingly holding to unbiblical worldviews related to human sexuality. In the evangelical sphere, doctrines including the deity and exclusivity of Jesus Christ, as well as the inspiration and authority of the Bible, are increasingly being rejected... an inconsistent biblical ethic is also evident, with more evangelicals embracing a secular worldview in the areas of homosexuality and gender identity."
Christians are the most persecuted group worldwide...And near genocide levels in parts of the world! (11)
Open Doors World Watch List 2022 says this: (10)
- In the past year 360 million Christians…That’s (1 in 7) were significantly persecuted! (10) 5,600 murdered, 6,000 detained, 4,000 kidnapped! (10) 5,000 churches & organizations destroyed! (10)
Christian beliefs are met with more and more hostility...Even now here in the U.S…
In the workplaces, schools, businesses & public forums.
Adult Americans Identifying as LGBT...Has risen exponentially through the generations: (3)
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) - 2.6% (3)
Generation X (1965-1980) - 4.2% (3)
Millennials (1981-1996) - 10.5% (3)
Generation Z (1997-2003) - 20.8% (1 in 5) (3)
The LGBT percentage will be 10% overall in the near future! If Sexual Orientation cannot be taught and learned in culture... Why this exponential increase?
"Gender-Affirming" surgery and/or hormone replacement Is offered to people as young as 12yrs old in some Health Centers and Clinics! (4)
Medical Clinics offer "Puberty Blocking" Hormone Therapy for children just 10 or 11yrs old! (5)
Transgender teaching is in school classrooms as young as…K thru 3 in some areas! Even using “Introducing Teddy" Transitioning Teddy bear! (6)
The equal rights women have fought to gain for decades...Has been set back drastically... In a number of ways!...As biologically male individuals compete in women's sports...Win honors and awards women have worked to achieve...Force women to share locker rooms with biological males...Simply because they emotionally identify differently.
Have true medical and statistical data about women blurred worldwide... (12)
Our own White House even honoring a transgender...With an International Women's Day Award this month. (7)
The entire "Political Play" in the Trans-Argument...Is wrongfully represented... And based upon a lie! You say everyone is beautiful and should be accepted for who they are... But you quickly support changing everything about them to make them accept themselves.
Children are NOT MATURE enough…To vote, drink, or smoke... But they ARE MATURE ENOUGH… To decide they want to permanently mutilate their bodies...And destroy their chances to procreate or nurse children forever!
Old enough to understand what their permanent stance on sexuality will be for the rest of their lives...
ALL BEFORE they have even… Attained puberty and sexual maturity! All IN THE NAME of CARING for the child...This is selfish abuse... For political reasons! No matter your stance on Transgender!
Homosexuals, transexuals, gender-questioning people...Are all just like you and I:
People with issues...
People with problems...
People with sins...
People in need of help, acceptance... And the Love of Jesus!
But to encourage them in a way of life…Which the God who Created them says will hurt them... Is not love… Is not faith!
LISTEN… Jesus Accepted ALL SINNERS…EVEN WHEN THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS DIDN’T! BUT… WHEN THEY DID COME TO HIM…THEY… LEFT CHANGED! NOT JESUS!!
Now... If you KNOW...That Jesus Christ is Real...That Scriptures are True...
And that we were Made by God... In His Image... And for Him...Answer these questions: Based entirely upon HIM...And NOT the world view which has tainted us...Was the entire world Judged for it's rebellion against God in Noah's time?
Was Sodom and Gomorrah Judged for it's sexual perversion and selfish violence? Were the Canaanites Judged for their sexual lusts...And especially for the killing of their own children? Was even the Nation of Israel Judged for turning away from their own Messiah?
According to just these few facts…About our Nation and our World today:
Mankind... In OUR generation...Has fallen away from God as never before... Worldwide...As His Own Church...Has changed our teachings and beliefs about:
Whether His Word is True and Inerrant... Or partial myth...Whether Jesus Himself was God... Or just a good man...What parts we want to believe and accept...What parts we want to totally disregard to please self...
Christians are becoming less in number...Less tolerated in society...And more persecuted worldwide... (Some to genocide levels) Than ever before in history...
We are the most narcissistic, self-obsessed society in our Nation's History...
Living for pleasure... With no responsibility to others...With no foundation or guidance...To show us our worth, our roles, our value, our purpose...Or even our sexual identity...And we are crumbling under depression, anxiety, and suicide and violent crime as a result.
We are responsible for killing more of our own children than any Nation of any generation in history...We are teaching and encouraging our own children...To reject, and mutilate their own bodies... Question their identities... And make the world bend to their delusions... Rather than learning to love and accept themselves...We are in more wars with one another…Than at any time in history!
Every Verse which we read…About the Generation of the End Times... Matches everything we just covered from today's culture...TO THE TEE!
No one can say that it has ever been like this worldwide... In history! No one can deny that it has exponentially changed in a single generation!
2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NKJV)
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first...
Here is what Jesus Clearly Calls you and I to do...In such a rapidly declining culture against Him:
ONE: Learn God's Word from Genesis to Revelation...
Know His Truth... Know Who He Is... FOR YOURSELF!
Trust His Love, His Ways, and His Character!
TWO: Do NOT let the culture…Influence your thoughts & actions!
Hold fast to what you know is True, Right, and Loving...No matter what the cost!
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (NKJV)
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
THREE: EXPECT... Society to change even more...In their attitude and reaction towards you... Because of your Faith in the future!...And be prepared... Knowing God is in Control!
FOUR: Maintain a complete Love, Acceptance, and Passion… For the many who are simply misled and lost...In a broken, sin-soaked world...Knowing your greatest calling... Is to show them the God Who Made them... And Loves them!
FIVE: Recognize what all of these undeniable pieces of the Puzzle... Actually mean... And, "Look up, because your Redemption draws near!"
Then determine to NEVER... Back off... Back down... Give up... Or Compromise! Let the world see that God is Real and Valued enough...
In YOUR OWN LIFE... To Sacrifice anything for... And they may see a God Worth exploring!
Revelation 3:2-3 (ESV)
2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
Revelation 3:10-13 (NKJV)
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." '
“HOLD THE LINE… IN LOVE… AND STEADFASTNESS…”
More is coming!
Resources:
(1) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion
(2) https://thelifeinstitute.net/learning-centre/abortion-facts/issues/the-numbers#
(3) https://news.gallup.com/poll/389792/lgbt-identification-ticks-up.aspx
(4) https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-michigan/healthcare/gender-affirming-care/gac-under-18
(5) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gender-dysphoria/in-depth/pubertal-blockers/art-20459075
(6) https://nypost.com/2022/04/20/science-shows-transgender-education-doesnt-belong-in-schools/
(7) https://nypost.com/2023/03/09/alba-rueda-trans-woman-honored-by-white-house-on-international-womans-day/
(8) https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/views-about-same-sex-marriage/
(9) https://www.epm.org/blog/2022/Sep/30/doctrinal-crisis-evangelical-churches
(10) https://www.cato.org/commentary/christianity-worlds-most-persecuted-religion-confirms-new-report#
(11) https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48146305
(12) https://www.newsweek.com/gender-dogma-threatens-pulverize-womens-rights-opinion-1689424
We had begun a study of things we should be looking for in our lifetimes if we are indeed living in the last days, which must at least have their beginnings before—or just into the start—of the Tribulation. We should be actively, expectantly looking for these things from a solid scriptural basis with great expectation because such a large portion of the scriptures are used to explain the events to come. Because time and again, scriptures tell us: "To keep watch… for these things that will begin to happen!" Because Jesus gave one of His longest sermons in all three synoptic gospels, and John wrote an entire book telling us of the "Signs for which we are to watch," and encouraging us to actively be looking: Luke 21:28, 31, 36. In our last study, we recognized that none of these signs would matter unless the single most important key had been revealed—the return of Israel to her own land, because everything which happens in the End Times involves Israel as the center stage, and because one of the biggest reasons for this entire time of Tribulation is to bring Israel to repentance and redemption. We also looked at the coming war of Gog, from the land of Magog with all his alliance in the last days, moving against Israel near the beginning of the Tribulation in the last days—which we seem to be witnessing with incredible accuracy today involving Russia, Iran, Israel and other Middle East nations—perfectly fitted to the last detail with prophecies over 2500yrs old. Today, we will look at another event which must at least have its roots of origin before the Tribulation begins in order for the prophecies of the End Times to occur as written: the rebuilding of the Third Temple.
Why must there be a Third Temple built in Jerusalem? Because, as we will see in this study, many Old and New Testament prophecies tell of the measuring and construction of a Temple in the Tribulation Period (Revelation 11); there are sacrifices and offerings given during the Tribulation Period (Dan 9 / Rev 11); the desecration of the Temple by the "Antichrist" half-way thru the Tribulation (Dan 9 / Rev 11 / Matt 25) as he goes to the Temple to proclaim himself "god!" According to the details of these chronological events of the last seven years on earth, it is a complete impossibility these events could occur without the Temple being built—or already being in place—at the start of the Tribulation. In order to see the full credibility of Biblical prophecy concerning the Third Temple and see how the coming events fit into God's big picture, let's take a look at the history of the Temple in Jerusalem since it's beginning.
The First Temple was built by Solomon (David’s son) 1000BC, and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. The Second Temple was built by Zerubbabel (Completed in 515 BC) when the Medes and Persians defeated the Babylonians and King Cyrus of Persia gave the Jews permission to return to their land, encouraging them to rebuild the Temple: Ezra 1:1-4. One of the most astounding prophecies of Scripture is from Isaiah concerning this event over 200 years prior, when God literally foretells this even calling "Cyrus" by name: Isaiah 45:1, 3-5, 13. History shows us this is exactly what happened and King Cyrus of Persia was the King who made it happen. This Second Temple was later greatly enlarged and improved by King Herod under Roman Rule in 37 BC. This is the grand piece of architecture which was standing in Jesus' day when He preached within its walls. Although Jesus proclaimed the "Antichrist" would come in the Last Days and desecrate The Temple: Matthew 24:15-16. Jesus also predicted the current Temple of His day would be completely destroyed and that Israel would be scattered throughout the world until the Last Days: Matthew 24:1-2; Luke 21:24. Daniel not only predicted this same thing would occur in Jesus' (Messiah’s) lifetime some 500 years before Jesus was born, he also predicted Jesus would be killed at about the same time in history: Daniel 9:26—all fulfilled exactly as written in the exact timetable given. When Jesus was crucified by Pontius Pilate and 40 years after, the Romans destroyed this massive structure in AD 70, and John writing Revelation—well after this Temple was destroyed (AD 90-95)—verifies this Third Temple had to appear in the Tribulation because in his writings it is already built and in use again. God says to measure the Temple, it's articles of worship and to see the number of people who worship there. This is written in Greek in the present participle active tense, meaning an action in the present at that given time, that will continue. In order to be in use at this time of the Tribulation, this Temple construction must begin at the very beginning of the 7 year period at the latest, and perhaps a short time before. Each of the previous two Temples were prophesied to be destroyed in perfect fulfillment, and the Third Temple has been prophesied to be built in these Last Days—by OT and NT prophets, and Jesus Himself. Do we see any signs or preparations for such a Temple today?
How many people remember the 1989 film "Field of Dreams?" Where an Iowa farmer hears a mysterious voice telling him, "If you build it, he will come!" And he builds a baseball diamond on his land, where ghosts of great players come out of the crops and play. This is how many Orthodox Jews feel about the Third temple today: "If we build it, He will come!" The Director of the Temple Institute, Rabbi Chaim Richman—the central organization working towards rebuilding the Temple recently said: "The Shekinah (God's Presence) is brought about only through the Temple.…In terms of our mission as a people, we cannot in any way reach our spiritual status without the Temple.” First, realize we are the first and only generation since Jesus Christ who could ever fathom the presence of a Third Temple. Since 1987, there as been a "Temple Movement" in Israel. Since this Movement's conception, almost everything needed to rebuild the Temple has been painstakingly researched to the last detail and created or developed in Israel in anticipation of the moment they begin building. Here is a quote from the Temple Institute concerning their preparation for the Temple today: "The Temple Institute has likewise called upon Israel's finest craftsmen and artisans, and enlisted them in the historical task of recreating the sacred vessels and vestments. Every vessel produced by the Temple Institute is done in accordance with the precise instructions that were first handed down by G-d to Moshe. The vessels you are about to view are all fit and ready for use in the Holy Third Temple, may it be built speedily, and in our days!" To show just how prepared—just how close they are to beginning—see all that has been completed to this day: They have revived the Sanhedrin which is the religious ruling body over the Temple. This Sanhedrin Body now presides over the preparations of restoring the Temple... For years, the Institute has searched to locate a select group of males qualified to act as priests in the Temple (Kohanim). They must be born in Israel and able to show proof of lineage with extreme conditions of purity and no exposure to certain things in their lives thus far. Those qualified have been holding reenactments of the temple ceremonies in training preparations for service. The priestly garments have been carefully studied and reproduced, including the ephod for the High Priest, the two sardonyx stones one the shoulders of the ephod and the High Priest's breastplate with the 12 stones engraved with each tribe's name. They have painstakingly constructed all of the articles and furnishings necessary to fill the Temple and conduct sacrifices and rituals, the alter of sacrifice, the golden table of showbread, the golden menorah, the golden altar of incense, the lottery box for choosing the sacrifice and scapegoat, all of the cups, plates, shovels, pitchers, flasks, cleaning vessels, forks, incense holders, etc. to be used, the silver trumpets and shofars needed for ceremonies. The harps, lyres, and other instruments have been created according to Scriptures for use in the Temple. Just recently, the Temple Institute even began a Levitical Choir Academy in order to train qualified descendants through the Levitical songbook. The Sanhedrin have begun planting the Biblical Temple Forest to meet the agricultural needs of the Temple (5yrs.). The Temple Institute has created a project to restore the sacred red heifer used for purifying Jews before serving in the Temple (using frozen embryo implant science). According to the Mishna (Jewish Talmud), there have been nine sacred heifers used in Israel's past. The Mishna tradition reveals the 10th red heifer will be sacrificed by the Messiah Himself. We have seen much news about the recently found five flawless red heifers arriving in Israel from Texas on Sept. 15, 2022—it is yet to be seen if they will qualify. Numbers 19, and oral Jewish Law require the heifer to be: three or four years old and in perfect redness (older is ok); meaning as few as two hairs of any other color makes it invalid. Even hooves and exposed skin must be red (nose, mouth, etc.), free of any blemishes or defects (not even ear tag), never been used in physical labor or been yoked. It is not true that the Institute is in need of finding the original ashes of the first nine heifers to continue. They would like to find them, but there would be no way of verifying they are authentic or verifying they have been kept "clean." The Institute's final words on the subject are these: "But in the meantime, let the truth be known: there is nothing to stop the people of Israel from raising a new red heifer, from birth, and preparing it in the manner we have described in these pages, and raising children in purity to carry out the procedure - even without the original ashes. On the contrary: we may be in doubt as to the true nature of any discovery that is unearthed whose authenticity cannot be completely verified. But a perfect heifer, born and raised under a controlled environment, would be fit to be used for the Temple. And that is precisely what is being done today." The Institute has recaptured the science of producing biblical crimson used in the High Priest's garments, the curtain separating the Holy of Holies, and the red heifer sacrifice (Numbers 19:5-6) from the “crimson worm” (carmine), the Kermes biblicus.
There are a few things which are yet to be revealed that prevent the Temple from beginning immediately. These are the things to keep watch upon today: 1) the verification of the flawless red heifer 2) location of the Ark of the Covenant—no one seems to know where the Ark of the Covenant is today, yet it would be strange going to such elaborate work in planning the Temple if they did not have the most important piece of the puzzle—the actual place where God is supposed to dwell. The Temple Institute makes this claim about the Ark: "Unlike the other sacred vessels created by the Temple Institute for use in the third Holy Temple, the Ark of the Covenant is a replica. The original ark, created in the desert, lies hidden in a chamber beneath the Temple Mount, and will be revealed with the building of the Holy Temple." 3) the current presence of an Islamic structure known as "Dome of the Rock”—which many believe is standing on the precise location of the First and Second Temples.
This structure is not a mosque, but a Muslim shrine where tradition holds that the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven on a winged horse. Israel gained control of the Temple Mount in 1967 (6 Day) War. They still technically own and control it, but they returned authority of the Temple Mount over to the Islamic Waqf (Islamic Guardians of Muslim Holy Sites) as a gesture of peace after the War. There is new evidence suggested to prove the First and Second Temples were not located on the Dome's location, but very near. If it is found to be near, the antichrist may allow both to coexist in his "Peace Treaty." If it is indeed on the same location, the antichrist may allow the Temple to be rebuilt regardless because he wants to proclaim himself God and stand in the Temple to be worshiped. Or the Dome of the Rock will be destroyed through war or natural means. Orthodox Jews believe the Temple will not be built until the Messiah is ready to return. One of the top Ultra-Orthodox Rabbis of the Jewish Community, Chaim Kanievsky (passed recently) claims the Messiah is here and soon to be revealed. Muslims declare they will not allow the Temple anywhere on the Holy Mount until their messiah (Mahdi) commands it. Pay attention to what John wrote in the Book of Revelation concerning what the Angel told him to measure on the new Third Temple in the Last Days: Revelation 11:2. God says do not measure the Outer Courts of the Temple—because they have been given over to nonbelievers for 3 1/2 years. Does this not perfectly describe today’s exact sharing of the Temple Mount: The Dome and the Al-Asqa Mosque with the Islamics? Stop and think just for a moment—could it possibly be coincidence that an entire nation was scattered into every other nation on earth only to return 2000yrs later—in a day, to be hated by all around, to be prosperous and powerful—and one of the most massive and amazing structures of the ancient world was completely destroyed leaving no trace which the Jews were exiled into the world? With plans to rebuild that structure in our generation? The same generation seeing this nation return—on the Mount where a Gentile power happens to occupy the outer Temple Courts as prophesied 200yrs ago? As a powerful nation, located where Magog is foretold to be arms and allies with all the exact nations foretold, accidentally in the same generation—which is seeing all of these things happen after 2000yrs of nothing?
Get Ready my friends... It cannot be much longer!
The world around us is changing in major ways...And at incredible speeds!
Technology & information are exploding exponentially. Changing and shaping our world almost daily. Religious and moral views are shifting rapidly worldwide...
Bringing radical changes in our social, cultural, & legal norms.
Fears and threats of...Food and energy shortages...Global weather changes and natural disasters...And more emerging infectious diseases...Fill headlines and news reports daily.
Wars, threats of wars, and shifting nation alignments...Bring new instability in many parts of the world.
Some of the most well-meaning Christians today...Will take every piece of news... Or fake news... Which comes out...And try to distort or exaggerate it…To fit another Biblical prophecy...Or give another presumed date of Christ's Return!
Often bringing discredit to God's Word...And bringing constant fear and anxiety to believers!
The Scriptural Balance should be this:
ONE: Do not live in fear and dread...Because God is in Control... Of everything... Always! His Plan Will be Fulfilled! And we WIN in the End!
TWO: We should be careful not to read too much…Of our OWN expectations and even "imagination"... Into events around us...
THREE: But we SHOULD be looking for His Signs and Works... From a solid Scriptural Basis...
With Great Expectation! Because such a large portion of Scriptures…Are used to Explain the Events to Come...And because time and again... Scriptures tell us to:
"To keep watch for things that will begin to happen!"...And because Jesus, Himself… Thru all 3 Synoptic Gospels... And thru John… In an entire Book (Revelation)!...Tells us of the "Signs to watch for!"...And encourages us to actively be looking!
Luke 21:28, 31, 36 (NKJV)
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."... 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near... 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
We have spent many, many weeks studying about...The Events of the End Days on this earth...TODAY... We will NOT…Go through all of these things chronologically.
INSTEAD... We will take a look...At some of the more prominent Scriptural Events…Of the Last Days...And discern some of the unmistakable events…
Of OUR times...Which seem to be powerfully shaping these Prophecies...And we will focus our attention...On things we NEED TO BE LOOKING FOR... In days to come...As the world stage begins to funnel into God's Plan!
Israel IS Always Center Stage!
All of the Events to Come in the Tribulation... The Primary Reason for the Tribulation...Centers around bringing Israel to repentance & restoration...And Judging the world for turning on Our God! Therefore... NOTHING could possibly begin to take shape...Concerning "End Times" Prophecy fulfillment... UNTIL Israel was once again...The "Center Stage" for many of these Events!
The Most Necessary Piece of God's Puzzle...Which was not a reality for almost 2000yrs...A “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”… MUST… Have “Jacob!” Our generation has already been given the most unbelievable...Most astounding... Most seemingly impossible Sign of all!
The Return of the Nation of Israel to her own Land...After almost 2000 years of exile into the whole world...Almost overnight... May 14, 1948!
Isaiah 66:7-8 (NKJV)
7 "Before she was in labor, she gave birth; Before her pain came, She delivered a male child. 8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children.
To a Land that had become desolate and ruined... (Ezek 38:8) Only to spring into a Land of abundance, success & strength...In only 70 years! (Ezek 36) Only to bring the world's attention and hate... (Zech 12:2)Into focus upon them from their conception!
ALL PROPHESIED ABOUT IN EXACT DETAIL!!!All fulfilled against ANY historical and mathematical reason! We cannot go into all of the details of this Prophecy...Or the hundreds of individual Prophecies about what is to Come...So what we WILL do here...Is focus on several of the most distinct... Most critical... Most apparent Events...Which Scriptures Reveal about the BEGINNING...Of the Tribulation Period in the Last Days!
Events which SHAPE and CATAPULT us...Into this Tribulation Period! So that we might LOOK FOR... And RECOGNIZE...Unmistakable events in our world around us...Which tell us to be ready!...And which Reveal and Glorify Our King with each Fulfillment! Let's look at just a few of the Concretely Necessary Events...Surrounding the START of the Last Days of Tribulation:
A major war between Israel & Magog…With it's alliance of nations! A Treaty of Peace in the Middle East! A Third Temple rebuilt in Jerusalem! The ability to mark, track, and control the world's population...Through power over the economy!
Dictated by an "Image" of the antichrist (Brought to life)! The moral and religious state of the world...Allowing such changes... And necessitating God's Final Judgment!...And we will see that every one of these topics...Is literally a part of our daily news... RIGHT NOW!
The Coming War - RUSSIA!
Scriptures Tell us of a war which occurs just before...Or just at the start of the Tribulation! Involving a group of nations...Joining the battle for different reasons!
Ezekiel 39:1-2 (NKJV)
1 "And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; 2 and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel.
Ezekiel 38:1-9 (NKJV)
1 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you. 7 "Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. 8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you."
This land of MAGOG...
According to: Geography... Is "Far North!" (x3) According to: Biblical Ancestry...
From Gen 10:2 - Are sons of Japheth... Magog= Scythians/history! This IS Modern-Day RUSSIA!
The second mentioned nation in this alliance is Persia...Modern-Day IRAN! (1935 changed names)...And Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer and Togarmah are...Modern-Day Ethiopia, Sudan, Libya, and Turkey!"And many people are with you!" - Ezek 38:6
All of which are supposed to be "guarded" by Russia...The Hebrew word being MISHMAR (mish-mawr')...Meaning: Protector, watch, deposit, provider! EVERY SINGLE ONE of these nations today...Are receiving military aid and/or training fro Russia!
Here is the amazing thing... The situation to watch!
Ezekiel 38:4 says God will..."Put hooks in Russia's jaw…”And “FORCE their hand in the attack!"
Russia has kept good working relations with Israel for years...Even staying clear of Israel's attacks on Iran & Syria...But the RECENT events in Ukraine have brought about changes: (RUSSIA) Recent condemnation of Russia's actions...By Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid...Resulted in the closing of the Jewish Agency in Russia...Which promotes Jewish immigration to Israel! (1)
And resulted in Russia denouncing Israel's sovereignty…Over the Golan Heights at the Syrian Border...Sitting high above the Galilean Area of Israel! (Strategic) Was used in 1967, in Six Day War to attack Israel...Israel took it in that war to prevent further attacks! Russia is saying if Syria attacks Golan Heights now…They will support it!
Israeli voted in the very recent UN Resolution...Calling for Russia to leave Ukraine... Further driving a wedge. Israel is replacing Russia as a major provider…Of Natural Gas to Europe... Taking away Russia's power of economic influence. (2)
Iran is completely obsessed…With the total destruction of Israel!...And a sanction-battered, militarily depleted Russia...Is now bonding with Iran closer than ever...Receiving military supplies, monetary support, ballistic missiles... And military trainers to advise on their usage…From Iran now!
In return... Russia agreed to launch an Iranian spy satellite into orbit... And Iran could get high-end…Military technology and weapon systems from Russia...
Including Su-35 Fighters...And S-400 Advanced air defense system!
Russia already has troops, jets, tanks and bases in Syria...A Major Presence in that Region ALREADY! Which Iran is helping to preserve during the Ukraine War. Russian & Iranian troops are poised North above Israel… Together… Today!
Listen to these analysis… Of the new Russian & Iranian Ties!
- The Director of the CIA, William J. Burns...
Very recently had this to say in an interview:
“What’s beginning to emerge is at least the beginnings of a full-fledged defense partnership between Russia and Iran... (This development) poses real threats to Iran’s own neighborhood, to many of our friends & partners in Iran’s neighborhood as well.” (1)
And here is the analysis of that statement by Nadav Pollack...
Lecturer & Analyst for The Washington Institute for Near East Policy:
"The CIA director’s assessment is accurate, and the development presents a threat specifically to Israel. Russia’s sudden reliance on Iran for military aid will soon prompt a repayment of the debt, and Israeli decision makers must be attentive and prepared. To be sure, Russia will be able to reciprocate in numerous ways that can augment Iran’s military capabilities... The bottom line is this: not far into the future, Iran will receive something in return for its indispensable military generosity toward Russia, and Russia will have many ways to return the favor that could impede Israel’s security. When the day comes, Israel will have limited means to respond to this new regional reality, so it must be prepared to the greatest extent possible." (1)
(1) The Washington Institute, Deepening Russia-Iran Relationship Should Worry Israel, By Nadav Pollack, Dec 28, 2022, Retrieved on 2-25-23 from https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/deepening-russia-iran-relationship-should-worry-israel
With all of these CURRENT EVENTS influencing Russia...In it's RELATIONSHIP towards Israel & Iran...Let's read Ezekiel again!
Ezekiel 38:3-4 (NKJV)
3 and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out," (Against Israel)
All of this... Written 2500yrs ago!
The Coming War - IRAN/PERSIA!
NOW... FURTHER CONSIDER IRAN! The second mentioned nation in this allied attack against Israel...In the Last Days... Just before the Tribulation! The complete destruction of Israel...Is NOT JUST a political goal...But a deeply held, religious conviction of calling!
Listen to just a few examples of the passionate malice:
“Our view regarding the issue of Palestine is clear and obvious. We believe the solution to Palestine is in destroying the Israeli regime. Don’t say that it can’t be done; there is no ‘can’t be done’ in the world..." - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Current Supreme Leader (2yrs into position) (2)
“The occupying regime of Jerusalem must be disappeared from the page of time.” - Former Iranian President Mahmound Ahmadinejad (2)
“the Zionist regime in this region is truly a cancerous tumor, and it must be cut and shall be cut.”
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Current Supreme Leader (2yrs into position) (2)
“This sinister regime must be eliminated from the geographies of the world.”
- Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, Commander of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp) (2)
(2) The Atlantic, When Iran Says 'Death to Israel,' It Means It, By Behnam Ben Taleblu, July 15, 2022, Retrieved on 2-24-23 from https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/07/joe-biden-middle-east-israel-iran/670530/
Why… Do they have such conviction?Iranian Eschatology (End Time Theology)...Is based upon "Mahdism"... (Muslim faith- Quran & Hadiths) (3)
Which views Israel's existence as the "greatest barrier"...To the reappearance of the 12th Imam... Their savior! (3) They literally fight with abandoned religious conviction...To bring their savior to earth! (3) How hard would you fight if it meant YOU…Could cause the Return of Christ to earth?!!
(3) Middle East Institute, Iran's Revolutionary Guard and the Rising Cult of Mahdism, By Saied Golkar & Kasra Aarabi, May 3, 2022, Retrieved on 2-25-23 from https://www.mei.edu/publications/irans-revolutionary-guard-and-rising-cult-mahdism-missiles-and-militias-apocalypse
Israel's powerful military...
It's Iron Dome Defense System... And especially it's Nuclear Capabilities...Have thwarted the many attempts to overtake them...But TODAY... Happening NOW!! (Iran Enriching Uranium) Iran has a nuclear power reactor with help from Russia...It is working on a second, Russian-designed unit currently...And a third one is planned.
They are enriching uranium... (4)But were supposed to be LIMITING it...
Under the International Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. (4) After 2018 (USA withdrawal), Iran began enrichment again. (4) Under this civilian cover... Iran has produced highly enriched uranium!
(4) World-Nuclear.org, Nuclear Power in Iran, Aug 2022, Retrieved on 2-25-23 from https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/iran.aspx
This very WEEK... ABC News and others, reported that...On Thursday... Iran directly acknowledged accusations...That it has now enriched uranium to 84% purity for the first time! So high that it has NO civilian use! (5) Weapons grade uranium is 90% purity! (5)
The Director-General of the... The International Atomic Energy Agency…
Inspecting the facilities...Warns that Iran now has enough uranium…To produce "several" nuclear bombs if it chooses! (5) They are within months of building a usable weapon!!(Roughly six month as of Nov '22) https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/iran-building-nuclear-weapons
(5) ABC News, Iran acknowledges accusation it enriched uranium to 84%, By Jon Gambrell, Feb 23, 2023, Retrieved on 2-25 from https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iran-acknowledges-accusation-enriched-uranium-84-97409942
Iran already has ballistic missiles…Capable of carrying Nuclear Payloads! (6)
And currently has the technical and industrial capacity...To develop long-range, ICBM's. (6)Which could even possibly reach U.S. by 2025 at the earliest. (6)
(6) The Iran Primer, Iran's Ballistic Missile Program, By Michael Elleman, Jan 13, 2021, Retrieved on 2-25-23 from https://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/irans-ballistic-missile-program
The obvious intentions of Iran are glaring...To the world... And especially to ISRAEL! To give some idea of Iran's potential..."Religiously zealot mentality" with a nuclear weapon...
Listen to the words of Ayatollah Ali Akbar Rafsanjani...
President of Iran for 8yrs: (1989-97)
“If one day the Islamic world is reciprocally equipped with the weapons that Israel has, on that day the Arrogance’s strategy will reach a dead end, because the use of one atomic bomb in Israel leaves nothing left, but in the Islamic world, there will only be damage.”
- Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Served as president for eight years (1989–97) (2)
Lastly... To see how ALL OF THIS fits together powerfully...In the End-Times Scenario Spelled Out in Scriptures...Nuclear power... In the hands of an enemy sworn to destroy Israel...Is something that Israel absolutely cannot chance!
They have made it clear to Iran... To Russia... And to the U.S...That IF Iran reaches a point…OF imminently acquiring Nuclear capacity... They will be forced to attack! (90% in past remarks) Because they are Alone... Surrounded... Outgunned... Outnumbered... And the Country is small enough...That a missile could hit them within mere minutes!
Listen to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about this very concern... Spoken THIS WEEK!!
“How do you stop a rogue nation from acquiring nuclear weapons? You had one that’s called Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. It was stopped by military force, ours. You had a second one that is called Syria that tried to develop nuclear weapons. And it was stopped by a military action, ours... A necessary condition, and an often sufficient condition, is credible military action. The longer you wait, the harder that becomes. We’ve waited very long.” (5)
Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi, Israel Defense Force Chief of Staff...Revealed at least SIX different large-scale simulation maneuvers... Israel has condu
cted in the last 8 months.
With the single goal of taking out Iran's nuclear sites!- https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2023/jan/25/israel-iran-threat-options
Billions placed in Israel’s Budget for this attack!
Israel's hand may very soon...
Be FORCED in an attack on Iran!
Russia has repeatedly warned Israel against such an action...
Implying they might have to get involved if it happens!
Due to their deepened ties with Iran...
Due to their need for Iranian support…
Of their existing military in the region...
Due to the fact that Russian scientists are working in the facilities!
THE BIG PICTURE HERE:
Russia has been driven to…Great economic and military NEED...For which Iran seems to be the largest provider...Creating a bond and DEBT to Iran's desires...Iran's desires...Which have been overtly expressed for decades...And is engrained in their religious convictions!
The unquestionable, total annihilation of Israel!With Russia’s help! Russia has lost much economic and political power...From the natural gas export which Israel has begun to Europe...Russia has greatly downgraded…It's own political ties with Israel...Due to Israel's stance over the Ukraine War...Israel is almost irreversibly destined to attack Iran...For it's own survival...Perhaps creating the spark needed...To bring an already volatile situation to fruition!
Iranian and Russian forces...Sit poised at the Northern Border of Israel this day! Let's recap that 2500yr old Biblical Text from Ezekiel 38: A powerful nation from the uttermost North of Israel...Who arms and protects Persia (Iran) & others in the area...Will be FORCED against it's desires... Because of circumstances... To attack Israel!
Who has within ONE GENERATION...Returned from around the world...
To become a nation in a day! Attacking from the Northern Mountains of Israel...
Along the Golan Heights!
- Ezekiel 38:12 says, "To take a prey and a spoil!"
One wanted a prey (Iran)... One a spoil (Russia's hook)!
How will it end?
Ezekiel 38:15-23 (NKJV)
15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes." 17 Thus says the Lord GOD: "Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them? 18 "And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel," says the Lord GOD, "that My fury will show in My face. 19 For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: 'Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake (Due now!) in the land of Israel, 20 so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.' 21 I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains," says the Lord GOD. "Every man's sword will be against his brother. (Turn on one another) 22 And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. (Nuclear?) 23 Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD." '
God makes it clear in a number of ways...The generation to see Israel return... Would see the END!
LISTEN CLOSELY!
Joel 3:1-2 (NKJV)
1 "For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.
Psalm 90 tells us "a generation" is 70 to 80 years! Israel is 74yrs old right now! We cannot be sure of dates! We often miss things in Scripture until the time of their Fulfillment! But it is Scripturally SURE… That we are near the End...It is Scripturally SURE…That war involving these nations
Occurs...Before the Tribulation begins!
Luke 21:28 (NKJV)
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.
This message will change your life or offend you. Others don’t know what you’ve been through, but you don’t know what they’ve been through either. We are going to let the message introduce itself as we study today.
Let's start with a well known Parable of Jesus which He taught during the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus is talking about the very foundation of a man or woman—what supports everything they build their very life upon—and He says that His principles and ways are like an immovable rock that cannot be shaken, but that if we build on anything else it is like the sand and we will fall. To fully grasp what we will be discussing today, let's first answer this question: Why does sand fail as a foundation? When rain and floodwaters come, what happens to the sandy foundation? Parts of it wash away with the current and the remaining foundation is moved and shaped by the flow of the water until it's shifted, washed out, weakened state no longer holds. A sandy foundation is constantly effected by the outside forces surrounding it.
We have become a culture and society of ‘the perpetually offended people.’ It seems the majority today see and hear everything around them with the central focus of thought—the actual purpose—of determining how it might offend, hurt or disagree with what their worldview and opinion may be. And if someone has a view or an opinion contrary to them—or especially if an action or event causes them opposition—their very world comes unwound, emotions run wild, reactions are impulsive and severe, anxiety rises and self-worth is challenged—and the world must change to suit their beliefs and desires or they will be offended, threatened and unsatisfied. Why is this becoming the common reaction? Because many people are placing their own worth and importance above all around them, feeling they are special, entitled. Then letting their own ‘inflated importance’ hinge upon the supporting actions, opinions and values of those around them, rather than upon any solid foundation of truth. And so, when their ‘entitled’ desires or opinions are challenged or disagreed with so goes their self-image, stability and strength—just like the sandy foundation in a storm, being molded and effected by every current that washes over them. Their world becomes a place of constant outside influence and manipulation as the foundation shifts with every factor they encounter. As much as they would like to deny it, the world completely owns and controls them, with their happiness, their actions, their success being built upon the unstable current of others.
The problem with you and me today is this: The sad condition of many today that we have just described is the exact same mentality that drives the majority of us all, but in a much more subtle and hidden form. How many of us are driven by, controlled, and identify ourselves through the circumstances and people influencing our lives rather than by our identity and relationship with Jesus Christ—with our happiness in any given moment [our decisions in life, our self-worth, our every thought] being dictated and formed by outside factors of influence? How many of us have had these thoughts: "I just don't know if I can take it anymore? "That's it, if they don't change, I am going to!" How many stay mad? Stay stressed? Stay bitter? Constantly? Are these the thoughts and reactions focused on surrounding circumstances or God? A number of people are indivisibly one with your problems rather than Christ. Everything in your life right now centers around [your illness or injury, your money or job situation, the wrong actions of your spouse, the abuse or wrong you've suffered in the past, the unfair circumstances in your life or in loved one’s life]. Please listen and understand: I'm not downplaying our pains and sufferings; I'm not saying there aren't wrongs, injustices and abuse. The pain, and even the scars of these things is all too real. What I'm saying—what God is saying: is that we can’t allow ourselves to be identified by or be shaped and molded by the outward factors of our lives anymore. They are not our God and we are acting just like the world. We must all reach a point where we stop blaming anything or anyone else for our mindset and action or we will forever be victims to something or someone else—they will forever be our Gods. To help us get past this reaction we must understand why we react this way: abuse, uncertainty, injustice, unfairness, rejection—truly do bring real pain. 1) Because you are not getting what you desire or sometimes even need 2) Because you have been made to feel that you are not important, are unwanted or unloved. And these are legitimate needs which have been attacked. But if these things are real and legitimate needs, in which you must have to build a foundation for life—how can you possibly stand strong when so many things can affect them like floods of water to sand? By securing your feelings of self-worth and your needs and desires to something that cannot be shifted when outward circumstances do change. Your foundation is completely built upon your worldview—the lens with which you see everything around you. How you perceive things forms your place in them. If they are built upon false, changing pretense, thus goes your foundation. Here is the answer broken down into practical application: most of us have a lens that focuses on how everything affects our lives—us. Because my fleshly desire to have my own way and my very real need to feel worth and acceptance hinge on the truth in my lens. Therefore, everything in the lens is weighed by: How does it affect me? Was it fair to me? Does it make me feel more or less valued? What in the picture needs to change in order to value or please me better? That image usually leaves unresolvable issues because we will never be able to control everyone and everything affecting our lives—leaving us unfulfilled, hurt, and anxious. And we pray things like: ‘Lord change them to what I need; Lord take them out of my life; Lord make things easier for me.’ A mind renewed in Christ's Words, founded on truth and on reality sees through a lens that focuses on how everything affects our new life in Christ. Meaning we concretely know our worth. We concretely know how much we are loved. And no one's opinion or abuse can change that fact. We know the circumstances no matter how unpleasant are known by God, will be used by God, and are under His control. They are a chance to grow, and show our real love for Him when tested. We know the people involved may very well be unfair, unjust, and meaning evil against us; but we also know that our God will take that evil and use it for His glory as well. We know that our objective is not to despair in the situation, but find the way to glorify God in the midst; to love, heal and forgive the people involved—knowing they are broken as well, knowing the real enemy behind it all. These are the changes that God most cherishes in your trials. Because if He changed your bad circumstances without changing you, it would never help you grow in your strength and faith. And often would simply make matters worse by hiding your immaturity and selfishness. But if He could use them to change you—even if your circumstances didn't change—you could still have peace and healing.
Many Christians will never be used to help others because they are too busy being victims themselves. If a Rescue Swimmer is helicoptered out to the middle of the sea to save someone who is drowning, he must know how to swim himself. He must be unaffected by fear of the water or circumstances. He must care more for the person than himself. He must have someone he can attach to who is able to lift you both out of the water. Just continually treading water is not an option. When 5000 people desperately needed food, Jesus could have made a feast appear from nothing. But instead: (Mark 6:38) He asked them, "What did they have to give?" And Jesus took what little they had to offer (5 loaves/2 fish) and worked miracles. You will remain a miserable victim of your circumstances forever until you decide you will no longer be a victim to your false God and turn your focus to the real God. It is not your situation, not people around you that make you a victim. It is the giving of yourself to it; it is the connecting of your own worth to a false god. Paul lost a prosperous and very respected position, was beaten horribly, stoned and left for dead, locked in stocks and messed on himself in filth. But rather than be "victimized" by all of this unfair trauma and abuse, Paul saw what he had to give—even in his trials and was blessed and used incredibly: Philippians 1:12.
Please stop and realistically think about Joseph for a moment: sold into slavery by his own family, imprisoned for trying to do right in God's eyes (Potiphar) [major factor in our pain sometimes], abandoned by those he tried to help even in prison. Joseph lost 13 years of his life (25yrs before he could revealed himself to brothers). Rejected and abused by family and everyone around him in life, seemingly left to his misery even by God after doing good—he refused to have a "victim" mindset, and remained true to his faith; remained true to those around him; and showed forgiveness to those who hurt him. And because he found something to give to God in his trials and need (himself), knowing God was Sovereign and could use what he had to offer—God moved: Genesis 39:2; Genesis 39:21; Genesis 45:4-5, 8, 14-15; Romans 8:28.
If you are ever to get away from your anxiety and grief, to find emotional and spiritual healing, it can only come from holding one person accountable—you. There is no one else whom you can change. You will never grow closer to God; you will never be usable to help another soul until you stop blaming anyone or anything else for your own thoughts and actions. You must rely on God alone instead of the world in your pain; take responsibility for your own reactions according to your trust in God's Word and faithfulness; assume that nothing, nor anyone else will change and that it will be okay because you have God and He can make a change through you. Rather than withdrawing and shriveling up as a victim, offer what you do still have—yourself—where you are at in your circumstances and watch what God will do.
This is not just a “positive thinking” message with a “God-Spin” attached to it. It is releasing of God in your trials to do real and supernatural work. Just like the man who had spent 38 years as a lonely, abandoned, useless, filthy cripple next to the Pool of Bethesda. Jesus saw him in the multitudes; Jesus was with him even in his struggles. But his conversion from cripple to blessed required one thing: John 5:6. Listen through the Spirit: 2 Timothy 1:7-8;
John 16:33. We are so drenched in the ways and the thoughts of the world. We must leave it and let our minds grasp the reality of Who Jesus is in our lives; grasp that we are not forgotten, not forsaken; grasp that He will never leave us as victims but use us powerfully in our circumstances—and even teach us to love those who have caused it rather than bring even more suffering from it. If we will just see the world through His lens and give Him what we have left to offer—ourselves—He promises to do what we can’t in our despair. Let this incredible passage be your inspiration and battle cry: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10. Never identify yourself by your circumstances again. Never give them permission to be your god again. Stand up in faith and give what’s left—yourself. Let God use you to be the one to endure, or even change the circumstances—for His glory. No child of God need ever be the “victim” again.
We have spent the last four weeks in a Series...Dedicated to giving a Biblically solid beginning to New Christians! Because even with good intentions...We often fall short of giving new believers a proper start...In their New Life with Christ!
Today we will cover one last subject...Which seems to be the biggest issue for Christians old & new...In our CURRENT culture!...And that is... "Exactly what is the Church's role?" And, "WHY is it important that I even attend?"
We have become an increasingly "recluse" society...Able to socialize, shop, play, study and work…From our own homes! Due to this trend... Along with the lingering impact of Covid...Many people legitimately question WHY...They cannot do the same thing with their FAITH!
Some people feel very confident they can learn MORE about God... And grow as a Christian... By studying at home...And/or listening to online services...Or they just don't want the hassle of dealing with...Difficult or immature people...Or the hypocrites in the church...Or they were judged or offended once at church...
So WHY put up with the frustration and trouble...When you can learn about God comfortably and peacefully…At your own home?
On the surface... All of these points are valid...And completely understandable! But now... I ask you to stop and consider this: Is your job filled with annoying and hypocritical people? Who often offend or let you down as well? Is every place you go not filled with the same? Is your own family not guilty of the same thing? Would it not be wrong to disassociate with…AN ENTIRE RACE…Because a group from that race hurt you once?
WHY ANY DIFFERENT?!
Our entire world is FILLED...With misled, sinful, selfish, immature, broken people! The church is simply an assembly of these people...Who have come out of the world...Because they now see God's love and grace! None of us are going to become holy and righteous overnight...Simply because we are saved now!
It takes a lifetime of devotion, growth, mistakes...And HELP! So theologically and literally... WHAT SHOULD THE CHURCH BE FILLED WITH TODAY?!
A conglomeration of Christians...From every walk and level of maturity...
With every problem and struggle known to mankind...Coming in those doors...In need of knowledge, love, forgiveness, and HELP...As they attempt to grow in Christ!
Who do you think sat around Jesus…Even at the very Last Supper He Ate?Imperfect sinners who would fail Him even on that night!!...And THEY were the Foundation of the Church to come! It has ALWAYS been that way... Since day ONE!
Moses led a group…Of immature, self-absorbed, hard-headed people...Who actually contemplated killing him...When they didn't like what was happening!...
And who fell away and lacked trust in God over & over!
Paul gave his life to a group of churches that would...Reject his teachings,
question his motives, lie and cheat the church, accuse him of theft, rebel at every turn...Jesus, our Savior Himself, walked with people that...Disagreed and argued with His Message...Even when HE WAS the Creator and Messiah!
People who walked away when asked to do too much...Cared more about their own status in the Kingdom...Than His call to love others...And eventually turned on Him in times of greatest trouble!
But this fact does NOT give us an excuse...To say,"Well, as long as I love Jesus, I'm OK... I don't need those people!" Nor does it give us the excuse to…Just get our sermon online and be done with it...Nor to quit when we are hurt or done wrong...Moses gave up the most privileged life he could have lived…TO SERVE God's people...Even offering his own salvation for theirs… When they failed!!!
Exodus 32:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written."
Paul counted it his greatest duty to give up everything...In hope of growing those who often mistreated him. He was even been willing to give up his own salvation...To unite his brothers with Christ!
Romans 9:3 (NKJV)
3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,
Jesus SO LOVED those who rejected His message...And hated and deserted Him... That His last breaths and thoughts were for their salvation!
Luke 23:34 (NKJV)
34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Why… Did they act this way about God's people? Well… Let’s answer that question…By grasping one of our MOST important thoughts today!
God use to have many rules and regulations…For how to care for and keep the Tabernacle/Temple Holy! Why? That was where the Presence of God Dwelt!
After Christ Came… All of these things became unnecessary! Because the Sacrificial System was not needed… True!
More importantly… The Veil was TORN…God did NOT dwell in a BUILDING anymore!! He NOW Dwells IN HIS PEOPLE! This building is not Holy or Sacred… As in the old days! Because this building is NOT the church!
God’s people don’t ATTEND CHURCH… WE… ARE… HIS CHURCH!
So HIS PEOPLE are to be cared for and kept Holy! NOT a building! If WE don’t meet together… There is NO CHURCH! THAT MEANS… THINK ABOUT THIS…When you ignore, avoid and disrespect this church body...
You are literally hating the very Bride of Jesus Christ! The very ones HE saw worthy enough...To give His own Life to defend, protect and INDWELL!
LISTEN CLOSELY... The very group of people God the Father… Says He actually loves as much as He loves Jesus Himself!!
John 17:23 (NKJV)
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 15:9 (NKJV)
9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love...
These people… WE see as annoying and troublesome...God loves… As much as Jesus!!! And Jesus loves them as much as He is loved by the Father!!!
ONE- Can you possibly grasp that you and I…Are loved that much?!!
TWO- Jesus plainly tells us THIS is the love…WE WILL have for one another… IF we love Him that much!
John 15:12 (NKJV)
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Nothing has changed... God still has that crazy passion for them...And expects us to as well!! THIS IS WHY it is not OK to be, "Just fine without the church!"
THIS IS WHY it is not OK to, "Come when you feel like it!" THIS IS WHY it is not OK to, “Slip in & get a quick sermon!” Sing a song... And never connect or worry about anyone here...Until whenever you do come back!
If you feel you can do JUST FINE without the CHURCH...Or without any involvement…In the lives of those around you... Not only… Are you completely wrong!...But you don't know His Word...You aren't obeying His Word...And He is not filling your Spirit with His Presence...Because you obviously have no desire or concern for His people!!!
Which actually means...You are far from where…You actually THINK you may be!...And that you very possibly need the church MORE...Than those who are less knowledgeable...Or more troublesome, hypocritical people attending!
Because the attitude which YOU are actually portraying...In your displeasure and avoidance of these people...Actually shows a HEART FULL OF...
Judgment...
Unforgiveness...
And Apathy!
If you put YOUR comfort, expectations and desires...Above those broken people at that church...Doesn't that make YOUR HEART EXACTLY like theirs? Doesn't that mean you might be acting…A bit hypocritical yourself?
What The Real Church Looks Like...Here… Is WHY many people get SO LITTLE out of church...Because we have the old mentality of the world...And we are coming to church as the CONSUMERS ONLY! We take the parts of the message we want... And leave or reject what we don't...We befriend those that help US or make us feel good...And ignore those who don't...We attend when it suits us...And we stay home when it doesn't...We are happy when we are served and loved...But we rarely search out those in need of the same...There is very little humility... Very little devotion...Very little listening to others... And very little genuine caring...We feel the church should function AROUND...
My needs, my wants, my preferences...And MY… ALL-IMPORTANT opinion on every matter!
The church is NOT designed to serve YOU! It was designed to help us learn to love and serve others... Even... And especially the least deserving! To grow us into what Christ Died...To help us become! Besides Loving God Himself...
That… Is our whole purpose as new Christians!
John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
We can SAY we love Jesus all that we want...BUT... IT IS IN LOVING HIS CHURCH... HIS BELOVED...THAT WE ACTUALLY PROVE IT!
Hebrews 6:9-10 (ESV)
9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
So while trying to be a part of this Body, or any Body of Christ...If you become offended... THAT'S OK... Learn to work through it in the love of Christ! If people are needy and selfish...THAT'S OK... Show them the patience and love of Christ!
If loving/serving others takes a lot of your time/money..THAT'S OK... Let sacrifice reveal what is truly important to you! THIS IS YOUR NEW CALLING...
EVERY CHRISTIAN'S CALLING! We are called... To have times of struggle, disagreement and sacrifice...To TEST our love in reality...And to GROW more like HIM!
LISTEN... The needs of God's people...Should spur you into action... NOT drive you away!!! Because you should be worried over and care for...The hurt, broken, misled…And even sinful brothers and sisters!
Romans 15:1 (NKJV)
1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
This love is ONLY REAL when it is LIVED!!! THAT is why so many…DON’T want to be a part of a church...BECAUSE IT IS… TOO needy and broken!
And THEY don't have the time or love to help fix it!
Galatians 5:13-14 (NKJV)
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
HERE IS WHAT THE REAL FUNCTION OF CHURCH SHOULD BE...AND WHAT OUR PART SHOULD BE WITHIN IT: Church is where we go to Hear and Reflect on His Word...In a systematic, structured, applicable way! To hear what we NEED... And NOT just what we WANT to hear!
The Church is a place where we put ourselves under...The authority and direction of a shepherd... And even other brothers and sisters!
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV)
... submitting to one another in the fear of God.
So that we might be held accountable... In Love!To what we have heard and learned!...And kept on course when we stray in our weaknesses!
The Church is a…"Spiritual, Emotional and Physical Hospital"...Where WE are the Patients... And the Care-Givers! When we arrive at church... Our focus should be upon…All of our brothers and sisters around us!
Letting the Spirit Guide us to those... Who may be new, uncertain, and vulnerable. Who may be hurting... Our going through rough times? Who may have physical needs or sickness... And are afraid to ask for help! Who may need someone to counsel with them... Listen to them...Or especially PRAY WITH THEM before God!
How many of our even "long-time" attendees…Come here with that mindset?
Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY...TO LOVE AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER!
NOT IGNORE, GOSSIP ABOUT, OR CONDEMN EACH OTHER!
The Church is a place where we join in UNITY... As ONE...Celebrating our King before the world! Singing to... And Worshiping Him as a family
Encouraging one another in our excitement & awe! Church is where we JOIN…
Our talents, gifts, money, time and resources...To meet needs that can't be met as individuals! To pray and serve in power! To accomplish things bigger than ourselves!
Romans 12:4-6 (NKJV)
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:
Church is where we GROW…Our gifts, patience, love, and selflessness... BY DOING... Rather than just learning how to do!!
You can learn everything about Football online!
But you can't find your place on the team...
- You can't perfect your skills...
- You can't know the other players...
- You can't build the relationships... The comradery...
You can't ACTUALLY WIN THE GAME...UNLESS YOU GET OUT OF THE ARMCHAIR... OFF THE BENCH...AND ONTO THE TEAM... AND ONTO THE FIELD!
Church is where you join with a family…Of imperfect, sinful, selfish people like yourself...Who have found their real purpose and worth...Found forgiveness, help and Love...In their Creator and Savior...And are striving to be like Him in their fallen ways...Striving to give the love and mercy they have received...To others just as undeserving!
Striving to show others the bread they've found! In the Early church: To be SAVED… And to JOIN the church…We’re spoken of synonymous!
“And they added to the church daily…
Those who were being saved!” - Acts 2:47
When you join with the Church...You are joining a family of Ancient Warriors... Which has existed for thousands of years...Sometimes out in the open...Sometimes in the most secret of places! Sometimes in victory and joy...
Sometimes costing them everything! Giving their hearts, souls, fortunes and lives... In a VOW... Together...To protect His Word... To Preach His Word... To Serve others... And to stand expectantly together... In excitement and anticipation... As we WATCH for His Return!
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
When I was a Deputy…I had to go into very dangerous situations…With the members of my Platoon on a number of occasions...I knew these were the people that had my back…And I had theirs...Their was NO ONE ELSE... US against the ENEMY!
I can only imagine the intensity…Of that comradely with soldiers deployed together!
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
People... THIS IS THE PLACE...Where we JOIN with others…Who have chosen to follow the KING...Which the world around us is quickly turning against...THIS IS THE PLACE...Where that King has Called us together to Battle...Against the most dangerous adversary in human history...With most of the world either on his team...Or taken hostage by him...AND WE BELONG TO ONE ANOTHER IN THIS WAR!
Look around you!!!! Unity... Family... Brotherhood...These things DO NOT come by accident... They are chosen and cultivated!
John 18:36 (NKJV)
36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight...
These are the people you fight beside of... And fight for!! Those you heal and protect...If not... Then kindly make the decision to move on please!
If so... Then COMMIT!!
Then give this Brotherhood the passion, respect, love and loyalty that Christ intended!!...Because WE are all each other has…In this battle against Satan's armies...THAT… IS GOD'S PLAN FOR HIS CHURCH... I PRAY YOU SEE THIS GROUP A BIT DIFFERENTLY NOW!
HOW COULD WE POSSIBLY THINK WE CAN DO ALL OF THIS...FROM OUR LIVING ROOM... WITHOUT ANOTHER SOUL?!
"HOLD THE LINE!"… TOGETHER!
We are in the fourth and most practical part of our five-part series, which has been designed to introduce, and disciple new Christians in their walk with Jesus Christ; to bring newcomers up to speed with our series. Thus far we have studied: 1) exactly what happens when we "accept Christ" as our Savior (because it is a much bigger picture than most realize.) 2) what our new identity becomes through Jesus—the love, worth, oneness—He died to lavish on us. 3) Sin—what it really is, why it is so horrible, and how to resist it. Now we will study something that will be of tremendous help to most Christians, new and old today. We will place Scriptures into a contextual guideline to give practical, literal steps to take in establishing the new life God would have us to live on our new journey with Him because it is natural to feel intimidated and overwhelmed when making a decision that changes the entire course of your life. Truth be told, many of us "long time" Christians will benefit greatly from this study because a number of us have simply been existing, rather than growing and thriving in His salvation. So far, we have gone deep into how our hearts and souls should change after salvation. Now, we will explore very practical ways in which our thoughts, actions, and very life should follow.
First, get the proper mindset of what your new life centers upon. 1) You did not become a Christian for the sole purpose of your benefit anymore than you become a husband or wife for your benefit or joy alone. You became a Christian for the mutual benefit of becoming one with, sharing life with and serving and loving the very real person of Jesus Christ. You were saved for the single reason of sharing an awesome relationship in which you had lost the right to be a part. Everything’s for us now (Christ and you, as one). Second, you did not become a Christian just so things will work out better for you in troubles and trials—not primarily for healing, direction, relationships or gain. You became a Christian so you would be better in the midst of your troubles and trials, in your new found hope, strength, and purpose with Him. Lastly, becoming a Christian is not just about where you will go one day, but in understanding and accepting for the first time that God is real and this is His broken world—realizing this broken, misguided, selfish world and it's ways have always been a part of our own mentality and desire; realizing our world is naturally against God and everything He shows us about real love; realizing His way of love and life are far better; and realizing the world needs to see their need for Him, needs to see their own forgotten and misunderstood worth. Being a Christian is deciding based upon this awakening that my entire existence, purpose and worth have all changed. Therefore, my life needs to reflect the urgency and the excitement of these changes—not in a legalistic, forced way, but because what we now know about why we are here completely altars everything that we couldn't not change. [Example: we've been eating poison in a certain food, would you continue eating it after you found out?] Here is the step by step guide to finding our way in a new direction from day one.
Some of these steps will seem cliché to you, others will make you think. But, all are Biblical and necessary to knowing Christ intimately, and becoming what He created us to be in Him. If you are serious about truly following Jesus Christ—whether you've been a Christian for 2 days or 20 years—don’t take one single thing we will cover as an option to try if you buy into it, or something to do if you think you can make the time, or pick and choose what fits your lifestyle right now—because Jesus makes it very clear He has given everything for our love and safety. The relationship He wants with us will require no less from us: Matthew 10:38-39; 1 Peter 4:2. If you don’t agree that Jesus is that worthy because of all He has done for us, and you’re not ready to give that much in order to become what He made you to be—you do not truly want Him, you just want good things for yourself. Saying ‘yes’ to Christ is literally just like getting married. Accepting a proposal given to you is free and easy—just as God's gift of salvation is free to you because it cost Him everything to offer it. The life you choose to live because of that vow will cost you everything if you mean it; not to earn anything, but because you want to be with Him and be like Him.
There are three areas of change that a real choice for Christ will demand in our lives. 1) Is the change on the inside: Romans 12:2. Your goal is to know Him intimately and be more like him. Like any relationship that comes only by learning more about Him and spending ample time with Him. Here are the steps [no excuses, no ‘maybe one day’]: a) make studying His Word a daily thing—not trying to "read through" His Word, but reading His Word with the desire to see and know Him better. You can’t trust anyone else to help you learn about and know Him more. The world will purposefully deceive you. Many well-meaning people will mislead you. It’s is up to you alone to learn about Him. So many think they can cruise through Christian life following their heart. But our hearts are warped and selfish—we can’t see true love. b) spend time in real and meaningful prayer every single day, reflecting on what He's done for you; giving your day to Him first. Your life is His. Trust Him with your problems and needs, share your pains, worries and even sins; seek His Will in your life. How can you possibly focus your heart and your day on Him if you don't meet with Him in fellowship and direction? If you don't make your heart and mind one with Him first? If you don’t stay close and intimate? Every day that you spend outside of prayer is a day that you say, "I don't need Him in my plans." His plans for your day are far better than yours. c) walk in awareness (in His Spirit) of His presence with you and in you. See people with His heart that is in you. Understand every single person you ever meet—good, bad, ugly, beautiful, old, young, beggars and executives—has a story, a life, struggles, pains, hopes—and just like you. We all have equal love and worth in His eyes. Every person you ever meet deserves to feel that worth. Look for His leading as you live, work and play on how to react to, love and serve them.
Now, don't turn this next area—or any area—into a legalistic necessity, but a choice to show your love and trust. If you truly see everything differently about the pain and hurt which the sins of our fallen world, and even our own nature brings, then your next logical step is to remove these things from your life as soon as you become a disciple of Christ. It is absolutely imperative—and should be a joy to take account of your life immediately and change anything, at any cost, that would hurt or offend Him, or steal your heart from Him. You need to do a purge—remove with passion—all of the things you find yourself living in or doing, that are not a part of your new life in Him: 1 John 2:15. Look at your life right this moment: Am I living with someone? Am I hanging with friends who will keep me in sin? In a relationship with a nonbeliever? In a same-gender relationship? Claiming or believing I am another gender? Hating someone who has done me wrong? Withholding forgiveness, acting harshly or selfishly in attitude? Being an unloving husband or wife (even if justified)? (not giving the worth, respect and value to them above self). Working a job that is hurtful or wrong in God's eyes? Acting in an immoral way within the job I am holding? (perks, cheating, lying, suppressing others) Seeking entertainment and leisure the wrong way? (movies, music, partying, substance abuse). Using language that is offensive to some, or especially using degrading or hurtful speech? Replace these things with the actions, habits, and attitudes God has shown are His better way to love and live. Don't try to excuse, explain, justify or delay; don’t look past the sins in your life or your family. Make these changes instantly—whatever the cost to your lifestyle, pocketbook, or reputation. Trust that God will bless you for your obedience, and trust that He will draw so much closer to you. Do it all simply as a gift of your love and trust, because none of it now matters as much to you as having more of Him: Philippians 3:7-9. Do it because He is our sacrificing, humble King who gave everything He had for you first. You do not have to do it alone; you don't have the strength to do it alone. He will do it with and through you. If your actions and habits in life do not reflect the passion you claim for Him, you either don’t really believe it or you still love yourself more than Christ and your faith is a lie—even to yourself: 1 John 5:3; John 14:15-17.
Change your objective in life. Lastly, here is the one massive change that so many Christians never seem to make after their choice to trust Christ. Live your life with a totally renewed purpose and objective: Colossians 3:2; Ephesians 2:10. How do we do this? It may mean you are called to a new vocation. It may also mean—and most often means—that you work in your same vocation with a totally different and purposeful goal: to show people their worth; to reflect Jesus Christ in your relationship with them; to tell about Jesus Christ and their real purpose wherever you work. We are Jesus to the world and He needs to be everywhere. Don't simply desire to work in a "more Christian" environment after becoming a new believer. Simply ask Jesus to help you see and love those around you, right where you are. God's mission field is just as needed at your workplace as it is in the jungles of Africa. Changing your objectives in life means every person you meet is worthy of your attention, value and love. See every person you encounter as priceless. Be interested in others, care for their needs more than your own. It is your purpose in life first to touch, heal, teach and love others. So live this in your everyday life—neighbors, coworkers, relatives, in public. Stop being the victim who has an excuse to be different and unloving. Embrace God's love and ways and break the cycle. Changing objectives means devoting yourself sacrificially to loving your spouse and children, deserving or not. Stop taking them for granted. They are your gift, your responsibility from God. Win them in your show of Christ's love just as He did for you—realizing their salvation—their realization of their worth to God—is now precedent above your rights or justification. See where you can serve them every day above yourself. Changing objectives means praying for healing and help in all situations, and trusting God to provide. But, do not live in the expectation of being delivered out of every difficult situation or from every troublesome person. Do not try to measure God's love, or whether He accepts and loves you based upon the existence of your trials. Instead, devote yourself to Glorifying Christ in the situation or in that bad relationship. Pray for wisdom to learn in the trial, for whom you are to touch in the trial; for strength to show trust and joy in the trial. Live in your trials for His glory rather than in contempt and doubt of his existence/love. Realize that God has kept you here after your salvation and has died to cleanse your soul and live as one in you so you could join Him in reaching and helping others. He wants you to have confidence in the importance and power of your prayers and actions. He wants you to powerfully, expectantly intercede for those you love; trusting that He will act. He wants you to pray, give, serve and care with His heart. He wants this to be your primary desire in life. Are you serious?
There it is—spelled out for you: he guideline for what God wants from you as a new Christian. You now have a clear, defined direction in which to take. This guide is Biblical and according to Jesus—not up for debate. Not because these steps are necessary for your salvation, but because Jesus knows that if you have truly seen Him for who He is—if you truly see the death sins brings; if you truly love His character and ways—you will desire to live this life with Him. Otherwise, you still belong to the world. Will you fail? Often. Will you sin? Frequently. Because in our fallen nature, it is impossible, but we have His Spirit to help us. All we have to do is surrender our will to Him. God is not looking for your perfection in all things. He is looking for a heart that says: "This is not who I am anymore, I am yours." And they get back up and continue on the journey with Him again. How many of you have already justified why you can't follow as God desires? How many of you have already made excuses for why some of this doesn’t pertain to you? For many Christians, this is your moment of Truth. This is your deciding day. Answer this in your heart: do you believe God is real? Is what you've just heard Biblically accurate? Is the world broken? Do you trust Him and want Him or not? Then there is one thing left to do: Matthew 4:19 "Follow Me!"
Has anyone ever done an a DNA test? I recently read about a Pastor in Rockville, Maryland—Jay Speights—who took one of these tests to learn of his heritage. After learning about his DNA, he followed up on branches of his family tree to find relatives. He discovered that he actually had royal blood in his veins all along, and was the "Royal Descendant" of King Deka in the Country of Benin, of West Africa (13.7 million people). The pastor traveled to Benin to see his new found family, and was met at the airport with dancing and music. He was later enthroned, given crowns and a white robe to signify the work he had been doing as a "Holy man." He was then given a new name by his family—Videkon Deka—which means, "the child who came back." Pastor Speights said, "I thought I was going to go, hang out with the family, do some sightseeing, but this is something else."
When we come to know Jesus Christ as our God, our Lord, our King, we are given the results of our own DNA testing. We are shown our true, original ancestry, and it shows that we are now something so much greater—even than royalty in Benin, Africa. Of all of the things God wants you to realize and accept the most after you have received His unbelievable gift of Salvation is this one fact: you are His precious child now, bought with His blood; royalty—one with the King who created everything; dearly Loved more than you can understand. He has a desire to become so intimately close to you that you seem to become one in every walk of life. That is God’s greatest goal—for you to see your new worth in His eyes; for you to enjoy the love you were made to have since birth; for you to feel total acceptance and belonging in His presence: Luke 15:10; Zephaniah 3:17; Luke 15:20-24. Not one of these verses talks about God being happy because you are "acting nicer" now.
Having you home—your presence with Him is more important than your actions or your future accomplishments. This is why He gave His life; this is His excitement—that you found your place with Him—the new you. So many of us come to Him in our sins and guilt, and we believe He saved us in His mercy, but we certainly think in our hearts we are not one that He would want to be close and intimate with. Even more of us come to Him for Salvation, receive His blessing and go back home with the same feelings of guilt or shame—or worse yet—go home with the same emotional and spiritual damage of worthlessness, pain from abuse, bitterness, hopelessness, and even anger and resentment that we have had for years. And many more years after that day, some are still carrying it, not realizing what was given to us when we accepted Him as our Lord, like a caged animal that has grown so used to captivity they do not even try to leave when the cage door is opened. We do not realize the freedom we have been given, or who we have become in His eyes. Stop and consider just Who Jesus not only chose as His trusted disciples, but who He drew closest to in His life, trusted most with His deepest intimate moments and greatest personal struggles, chose to be seen with, to call His friends. The majority of them were rough, lowly, unknown fisherman. One, a wealthy self-preserving lowlife who would sell out his own people for money and prestige. One, a political or military anarchist and revolutionary; a rebel ready for violent uprising against the system. One, a woman who's life had spiraled into literal demon possession with seven evil spirits living in her when she met Him. Do these people sound like maybe they should have felt less worthy than most to be the disciples of a righteous, Holy God? Yet Jesus saw who they were in their hearts, what they were meant to be in His eyes before they were corrupted and abused by sin, and He drew closer to them than anyone on earth simply because they said, "yes" and accepted their place and their worth in His eyes. I ask you to listen closely to these events and see a powerful truth God wants you to learn about the new you in Christ. When Jesus was traveling from Judea to return to Galilee (home), He had to pass by the region of Samaria (John 4:1-42). Most Jews traveled around Samaria along the Jordan River because they refused to even walk through the land of Samaria. The Samaritans had mixed racially with the Assyrians (Gentiles) when they were conquered in 721BC. So the Jews saw them as half-breeds racially and false worshipers with their tainted religious practices. They were the lowest of scum, not even deserving to be spoken to or helped when in need. Jesus chose to walk directly through Samaria instead. This alone would have already ruffled the feathers of His disciples. But then Jesus waits for a Samaritan woman to come to the well in the hottest part of the day, when no one ventured out for water because this woman was ‘trash’ even among the Samaritans. Jesus spoke to her prophetically and told her why she was there when no one else would be: John 4:16-18. In that culture, a woman could not divorce her husband. This woman had been rejected and thrown out by five different men in her lifetime. And the man she was staying with now—probably in desperation—would not even take her to be his wife. What kind of stories of pain, anger, remorse, embarrassment and despair do you think her life held? By this time in her life, she probably had a lot of resentment for the men who hurt her and the society that judged and hated her, making her life hard, shameful and isolated. Jesus asked to have a cup of water with her; to share from her own personal, dirty, forbidden cup. A broken, dirty, Samaritan woman that no one ever wanted anything to do with. This act alone was social suicide for Jesus but probably the most overwhelming and shocking acceptance this woman had felt in all her years. Jesus wanted to intimately share with her. She was important enough to Him to step past all the stigma and judgment; He wanted to touch and connect with her. When she accepted who He was, and her worth in His eyes—it would have been so easy to go home in joy, avoid and forget about all of those who shamed and hurt her. But: John 4:28-30. She left her water jar; nothing mattered in the moment and ran into the heart of town to all of the people who shamed her—that she hated and she was desperately avoiding—to share with them the incredible Love and Truth she found in Jesus. And so many of the people she resented and avoided came to know Him, that Jesus ended up staying two days with them teaching and saving others in their land. This forgotten scum of society was the first person Jesus revealed Himself to in Ministry, and the first to go and tell others in excitement and love. How about the probable prostitute who came into a meal at a Pharisee's house where Jesus had been invited to an honorary dinner full of society's most "holy" men and prominent guests? All of whom looked down on her in disgust and avoidance. She came in order to give Jesus the honor, worship, and devotion He deserved when they would not. She could easily have been intimidated and embarrassed by who she was in their presence, or waited for another time, but she went to Him with confidence that He would accept her as she was—even in front of them— in complete abandon, worried about nothing but closeness to Him. She used her most expensive possession (ointment) and let no one stop her from intimately, openly worshiping Him at an almost scandalous level. This was Jesus' response to her love and trust in Him: Luke 7:44-48. She forgot her old identity—forgot her shame and position in society—because she knew he saw her differently. She knew He was worth any judgment this world placed on her, and Jesus told everyone there of her worth in His eyes. Many people who had been hurt, rejected or hated in Jewish society forgot their identity among the people when near Jesus (there was something about Him), and so they came in confidence of His acceptance and love: 1) The woman rejected by society with her issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48) 2) The lepers outcast from public (Luke 5:13 / Jesus touched them) 3) The children and women 4) The tax collectors (even chief / Luke 19) 5) A Roman Centurion (Luke 7:1-10 / Slave healing). All of them knew He would see them differently; all came to him in faith. And lastly: John 5:2-3, 5-9: this poor, forgotten, ignored, alone, nobody of society was noticed and loved by Jesus. And after all these years of suffering alone—of being helped by no one else—Jesus secretly, quietly comes to Him in love and asks the man a very strange question (nothing wasted): "Do you want to be healed?" Why would Jesus ask such a seemingly crazy question? Because Jesus sees our hearts, understands us so much clearer and deeper than anyone. The answer from the man was, "Yes, but no one wants to help me.
No one cares about me." The man, in real bitterness and frustration, blamed everyone around him for his pain and suffering. Did you get that? The man answered, "It's because of these uncaring people and these terrible circumstances that I am the way I am!" And the man had settled into his sickness, become contented in his place in society, contented in his victimization of what others had let happen to him. He took no accountability of his own faith or actions, and became hopeless in his own mind. In his heart, through very real and awful circumstances, he had found his new identity in his suffering, his ailment, his differences; comfort in his blame and contempt for circumstances and other people, and hid behind it—fueling his own unjust feelings of resentment, self-pity, and despair—rather than love and hope.
In every page of Scripture—in every act of Jesus on earth—we learn this: the world does judge us—sometimes rightly so, sometimes not. The world does bring horrible abuse, unfair circumstances, unjust actions, and uncaring people who let us down in the midst of it, leaving us to hurt, doubt ourselves and give up or stop caring. But, your Jesus does not see your worth with one single thing the world sees in you or about you. You are His child, of His blood, won by His very own life, whom He loves so much, whom He just wants to comfort and be near so badly that Scriptures say He will literally hold you in His arms in comfort, sing to you personally, to comfort and still your soul, dance with you in celebration that He has you home, and share His very heart, soul and emotions with you as one. The very maker of this Universe sees you beyond your feelings of worthlessness, sees beyond your fake position given by a clueless, blinded society, made up of those who don't know anything about the real you, and are judging from sinful, broken hearts themselves; sees beyond your past mistakes and couldn’t care less. He sees beyond your current struggles with sin and repeated failures; sees far beyond the crisis you are fighting right now. He sees beyond the bitterness and messed up thought process you may have embraced as part of who you are—from terrible abuse, from alcohol or drugs, from sexual indulgence or identity questions, from selfishness and indifference and pride. He sees you for who you really are in His eyes alone. He sees you for who He says that you are and His greatest joy is when you can see your worth in His eyes alone; when you can bask in His desire and acceptance of you—and just be one with Him in total contentment, needing nothing else in life to be happy. When you finally see that these things do not need to shape who you are anymore because His love and His truth and way are bigger than your abuse, pain, or mistakes; and wherever you have come from—He can reshape and rebuild your heart now—you don't have to be a product of your experiences anymore. You can't love Him as He wants to be loved; you can't appreciate His true kindness and mercy until you accept how He sees you. The most important question—the only question that remains is—“do you want to be healed?" So many people have unknowingly found identity and place in their justification as a victim, or in their role as a reject, outsider, rebel or misunderstood person, willing to live and die in spite and contempt of the world—with an excuse as to why they can be different, rather than pursuing the healing and worth which is offered. That healing and worth
brings the responsibility to love back rather than hate and blame—to re-engage in a world that has done them wrong; to love those who are undeserving in your eyes and experiences—and that seems unbearable. The truth is it is unbearable and impossible unless you do accept His love and forgiveness in your own life, and realize those who have hurt, judged, and let you down suffer from the same sin and failure you do. You must be willing to see them with the same worth—give them the same forgiveness and love you've found. Or you are just like them, giving pain for pain. Instead, we should be like the Samaritan woman at the well who dropped everything and ran to those who judged her; or like the prostitute at the dinner with self-righteous bigots who couldn't stop her self-confidence in who she was with Jesus and she worshiped in passion; or the man crippled for 38 years who finally stopped blaming everything and everyone else and simply looked to Jesus for his healing.
Your real identity—your true freedom is this: no one else can judge you for the mistakes of your past or present. No one else can be your excuse not to be healed from whatever has unjustly happened in your past or present and no one else is any less deserving of your love and forgiveness than you were of His! Let them go and choose peace over anxiety. Of all the events, wrongs, accomplishments and troubles in your life, only one things matters—He made you, He sees you as priceless—that is truly who you are. He alone is where complete joy is found—right now. Not one day in heaven, but, right now. What has changed since accepting Christ? Everything—so act like it, live like it, embrace it.
We are in the third week of a Series called, *"I Have Decided!"* Designed to firmly root a New Disciple of Jesus... A New Convert...In their Whole New World of Knowing and Serving Christ!
Probably more times than not... A new Christian…Is often left to flounder and wonder...What did I just do?...How have I changed?...Where do I go from here to please Him?
With many falling into dark, selfish twists of Doctrine today...And many others... Never learning Who Christ really is... Never learning how to draw close to Him, or trust Him...And because they are not deeply connected and rooted in Him...
They quickly go back to the world for their comfort and joy!
Jesus COMMANDED us to DISCIPLE others... Not just get DECISIONS! He Called us to teach and grow His Beloveds…In His Love and Ways!
Many here today as brand new Christians... Or after many years...Have never received that foundational direction ourselves! Much less... Feeling we know where to start in discipling another!
Thus far... Our Study has revealed:
Exactly what it really means to "Accept Christ!"
What our "NEW IDENTITY" becomes as a Beloved of Christ...
As a New Child of God's Kingdom!
Bought with His Very Own Blood... In Love!
The World's View Of Sin!
Today... We will examine one of the central themes...Which the world always identifies…As synonymous with the Christian Life!
SIN... Iniquity... Evil... Being bad...It is the Biblical Reason for our Fall as mankind... The reason Christ had to Die...The reason we think and act as we do...The reason for how we see people and ourselves! (Our worldview)
Our "Christian View" of sin... Changes how we live our lives...Separates us from many of the views, ways and goals of this world...Therefore... Often making the world feel guilty... Or judged... Or both!
Offending, and even enraging the world around us...They frequently become resentful... Of Christian around them...Remember... IF... You are living in love and care for the world...And they still hate you for your different walk...
It is NOT YOU... They hate... Not even your actions...It is the Precious God... Which your life Represents!
John 15:18-19 (NKJV)
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Jesus Knows this is the case...And that is why He Says… It is a CERTAINTY...
You WILL be persecuted… In some way…For your new way of life!
John 15:20-21 (NKJV)
20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
What IS Sin?
For something in which so much weight is placed...Many Christians... Do not even understand the TRUE MEANING of SIN!...And that may be why... Many struggle with sin more than they should...And why they don't take it more seriously than they do...Often hiding it... Rather than overcoming it!
SO... What exactly IS Sin? Why is God so Against it…That He Would Allow His Own Son to DIE... To be rid of it? Why is God so Obsessed with living a "Holy" life?! Rather than giving a big "Theological" answer...Which will confuse... More than change... Most of us...Let's take a real and practical approach!
A GROWING CHILD is the perfect example:
If a toddler takes something from the shelf at a store...
Do we prosecute them for shoplifting?
NO! Because even though it wasn't morally right...
They did nothing out of evil intent!
What about when an older child hits, pulls hair, or bites...
In an angry fit when they don't get what they want?
Is what they did morally wrong? Yes!
Was it done with hateful & selfish intent? Yes Because they want to are willing to hurt other...For their own benefit!
What about this one..
A mom and dad tell 14yr old daughter…She cannot see a movie at sleepover! But call parents of the friend later and say it’s ok! The daughter NEVER got the message of approval for the movie... But… Watched the movie secretly anyway !
Did she do anything she wasn’t approved to do? No. We’re her parents ok with what she was doing? Yes. BUT… Would she STILL be considered wrong or sinful...And in need of correction and discipline? ABSOLUTELY!
Why? Because the condition of the heart was wrong! (IT WASN'T ABOUT THE ACTION... BUT THE HEART!)
BINGO! Think about the simple act of Adam and Eve...Which was considered SIN by God...And threw all of mankind into separation from Him!
The eating of a piece of fruit from a tree!!Not bad fruit... Not magical fruit... JUST FRUIT! WHY was this such terrible sin? Because they had no need for it...All their needs, wants, and deepest desires were already theirs! They simply HAD TO HAVE WHAT WAS FORBIDDEN...WHAT WAS NOT THEIRS TO TAKE!
They wanted something... Even if it meant hurting the One Who cared for them...
They doubted and disregarded God's Love for them!!! Putting their own gain... Above having HIM!
THIS... IS THE REAL HEART OF SIN...AND WHY GOD HATES IT SO MUCH...
AND WHY IT COMPLETELY SEPARATES US FROM HIM! DOUBTING HIS LOVE… And NOT WANTING HIM!
Sin is NOT about your actions... Not about saying or doing the wrong thing!
Sin... Is the CONDITION OF THE HEART AND MIND...BEHIND those actions!!
Listen to God's Definition of SIN!
James 4:17 (NKJV)
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
John 9:41 (NKJV)
41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.
John 15:22 (NKJV)
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
Does that mean no one has sinned…If they don't know God's Word?
Absolutely NOT!
God is not playing legalistic games...He only cares about THE HEART in sinful acts...So those who don't have God's Word...STILL... Have rules of society...And especially... STILL have the conscience HE PLACED in them!
LISTEN!
Romans 2:12-16 (NKJV)
12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
THIS IS WHY... God says to disobey Him... And His Words...AFTER YOU TRULY KNOW HIM... IS SIN! Everything God Commands and Teaches us...Is a perfect way of loving one another...Is a far, far better way in reality... To live in joy! Because the selfish desires and attitudes…Of many things… That HE even MADE for our JOY...Are miserable, destructive, and imprisoning...When abused in our own selfish ways!
Even when sin is hidden and kept... ONLY IN OUR OWN MINDS! When we think no one sees it... So it isn't hurting anyone else... Or God...It is absolutely JUST AS DESTRUCTIVE!! Maybe more at times!
Because the CHOICE in our minds to sin... Makes us lose our WORTH and VALUE of others...Makes us focus on getting what we desire...Rather than loving and serving others... Changing our attitude, actions, and goals in life!
Therefore… SIN is still guiding our lives... And hurting others around us!
Even worse... Keeping our minds, our lives, and our wills... From ever being ONE with HIM!
When we CHOOSE to sin against Him...We are saying, "I care about what I want... More… Than I care about God or anyone else!"
We have placed love for self... Above everyone around us! That is against everything that Our God IS...By His Very Nature! We see FIRST HAND... Where that mentality takes us as a people today! Total depravity... And eventual destruction!
We are saying that we don't TRUST God... That we are smarter than God...That we will have what we want at any cost!
JUST LIKE that toddler or young child... Who turns on the one that cares for him... Just to get their way!
Even when we do not understand the…"Why" behind everything He Says...
If we know His Love... Know His Wisdom...We need to be OBEDIENT... IN FAITH!...BECAUSE WE WANT TO LOVE MORE PERFECTLY IN LIFE...
BECAUSE WE TRUST THAT IT WILL GUARD OUR HEARTS/EMOTIONS!BECAUSE WE WANT TO PLEASE THE ONE WHO GAVE SO MUCH!
Real Righteousness And Love!
So... If sin is not just actions...But a matter of the heart. Can SIN be... Not ONLY doing something wrong...BUT IN NOT DOING ANYTHING AT ALL?!
Absolutely!
Would it be wrong for me to see someone attacking my wife...And stand by while she was beaten or killed? Yes… Why? I didn't Do anything?! Exactly!I cared more for myself… Than someone I loved!
How about not paying taxes or rent?Didn’t do anything… But didn’t act in responsibility to others!
We become so obsessed over what we should NOT DO as Christians...Becoming a people known for the "Thou Shalt Not's!" That we judge others... And ourselves... By legalistic negatives!! Being "good little Christians" with "nice" families...Who never offend anyone!
In actuality... THAT is only a small part of having Christ's Love in your heart!
Our passionless "Thou Shalt Not's"... DO NOT WIN ONE PERSON TO CHRIST!
Please LISTEN to what Christ Judges "False Professing Christians"...
Most harshly over... When standing in Judgment before Him!
Matthew 25:44-46 (NKJV)
44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' 45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
If you look closely...This is a very clear focus in Jesus' Teachings about SIN...
What about the Parable of the wicked servant...Who DID NOTHING with the talents he was given? (Matt 25:14-30) The Priest & Levite who passed by the injured man... Doing nothing...But the Samaritan helped him? (Luke 10:25-37)
Jesus Seems far more Concerned about the SINS OF OMISSION...The times when we DID NOTHING in love, for those around us! Than many of the petty things we see... As EVERYTHING! Because… Controlling your bad actions...
While NOT seeing, caring about, or helping others in love...Show nothing but pride in our own righteousness...And ZERO change in our heart for God or others!
John 3:16 (NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He GAVE...
He didn’t JUST keep Acting Good and Being Holy…He STEPPED OUT IN CRAZY LOVE!
Jesus addressed this imbalance in the heart of the Pharisees...Who worked hard on the "Shall Not's"...But failed in the "THOU SHALL'S"... In love for others...
Saying:
Matthew 23:24 (NKJV)
Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
Strain to act holy… But accept their sin of Apathy quickly! Yet... How many "New Christians"…Walk away from the altar...After their profession of faith...
Thinking only about... And being told only about..."What they can't or shouldn't do now?" Thinking only that... "If I curb my bad behavior...I can be blessed and protected now!"
Rather than having a new burning desire to love and help others? A new desire to put self as a servant to those they have used? A desire to tell others what they are missing now?!
Some of our greatest sins... Which Grieve the Heart of God Most...Are those things we DO NOT DO... In turn... Showing our hearts of apathy!
Not hurting when others hurt...
Not telling people of their worth in Him...
Not having desiring to talk to God in prayer...
Not studying to know Him more intimately...
Not giving ourselves in servitude...
Yet proclaiming that we now live HIS Life... And not our own!
ONCE WE SEE… The fallen condition of the world thru new eyes...And the attitude of selfishness...That GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT IS OF GOD...
THAT IS OF REAL, AND PASSIONATE LOVE! WE BECOME A TARGET… To be broken/destroyed by the enemy! We become a FOREIGNER... Living in a very different world and we begin a very real struggle... For control of our hearts thru sin...Coming from every direction... Because we are now behind enemy territory... With foreign customs and ways!
These fields of battle come from:
Satan... And his unfathomable number of very real demons...
Who literally try to guide us and temp us into rebellion against God!
From a broken, misled, hurting world...
Who have been taught to seek after their own ways... In destruction!
And from even our own fallen nature within...
The natural born desire to love self over anyone else!
So the question becomes...
HOW DO WE RESIST SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES & TEMPTATION...COMING FROM SO MANY DIRECTIONS...PULLING US TO EMBRACING SIN...AND HOW DO WE INSTEAD... KEEP OUR HEARTS FOCUSED ON... ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE USED FOR LOVE AND GOOD?
It all just seems overwhelming and impossible! IT IS... IF… YOU ARE LIVING YOUR NEW LIFE...IN YOUR OWN POWER AND DESIRES! THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE... AND LIFE-CHANGING...You were never meant...To struggle with all of these individual things...Trying to sin less... And find every opportunity where you should do good!
YOU WERE CALLED TO DO ONE THING...WITH ALL YOUR HEART IN ABANDON...AND THEN... ALL OF THESE THINGS WILL FALL INTO PLACE!
THROUGH THE CHANGE... AND THE GUIDANCE... AND THE LOVE...HE BRINGS TO YOUR SOUL!
LISTEN TO THE ONE THING JESUS SAYS YOU NEED TO DO...WHICH... IF DONE IN TOTAL ABANDON... NO MATTER THE COST...WILL TAKE CARE OF…
EVERY ONE OF THESE STRUGGLES IN SIN!
Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV)
37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Romans 13:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Galatians 5:14 (NKJV)
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Sin destroyed God's Kingdom... And separated us from Him...Only because the real root of sin... Is the LOSS of LOVE for God and others!
The only way to BEAT ALL the Sin from which we have been forgiven...Through the Blood of Our Savior...Is to let HIM RESTORE THAT LOVE IN OUR HEARTS...
AND MAKE YOUR ONLY GOAL…YOUR COMPLETE FOCUS… SOLELY BE ON HIM... LOVING, KNOWING & WALKING WITH HIM!
Because you are looking for these sins to satisfy you!!...AND THEY WON’T!
FIND YOUR COMPLETION IN HIM ALONE!!
Let me ask all of you... If you had the same experience I had when you came to know Christ?!
I had many people talking to me about…"Accepting Christ as my Savior"... For a long time! But once I DID actually believe and trust Jesus as my Savior...
I DIDN'T have...Many of those same people...To lead, disciple, or teach me about what I was to do next! Or stress to me…Just how utterly life-altering this decision was to be...By drastically changing everything about...How I viewed life, thought about myself and others!
It was kind of like, "Whew! He's safe!... Now let's focus on the next one!"
The "lucky ones" sometimes get the training of..."Now go read your Bible... Start in the Book of John!"
It's not that people don't care at all!! Some just feel that once you are saved, God will show you the way...And others don't feel they have the knowledge or maturity...And still others... Just aren't able to commit to the time and effort!
It is one of our greatest callings and honor...
To grow others up in Christ! To show them how to discover more of God! To show them their worth, love AND calling... From the Father!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
The Great Commission Given to us by Jesus Christ Himself...Just before Physically Leaving this Earth... After His Resurrection...Does NOT tell us to, "Go, and make believers!" What does it say? LISTEN CLOSELY!
Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven & on earth. 19 Go therefore & make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
The Greek word for disciple here is: Matheteuo (math-ayt-yoo'-o). Meaning: To make/train in discipleship, pass, instruct, help someone progressively learn.
Jesus said it was our Commission (Get that?)…To… "Teach them to observe all things He Commanded!" Paul took this discipleship so seriously... That he considered his personal convert... TIMOTHY...To be his literal Child/Son spiritually! Taking on responsibility for him...As a parent does a new born child!
1 Timothy 1:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, 2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith:
One of the greatest dangers to new Christians...And the biggest reasons many fall away…In frustration or disbelief...Is because they are left to FLOUNDER in immaturity! Trusting wolves in sheep's clothing... In a corrupt world! Dividing Truth improperly...Embracing warped ideas and promises...
Learning self-help and prosperity... Rather than love and servitude...And then falling away again... In frustration and disappointment! When they see the folly in what they have learned and tried! Often... Never truly experiencing Christ... Or His Will!
We will spend the weeks to come... As a Church...Starting at the beginning...
And walking through the most foundational understandings...Of what it means to really know Christ...And how it is to change our lives inside and out!
Most of us... Will probably get a new, and fuller understanding ourselves...As to what our Relationship with Christ... And our new lives...Should be all about... After Salvation! All of us... Will hopefully receive a basic format...With which to use from now on...To disciple others whom Jesus may use US…To bring into His Kingdom!
Let's apply ourselves fully... To learning, living and teaching...What we are about to walk through in the weeks to come!
Salvation: The Kingdom NOW!
Let's start at DAY ONE...When any serious NEW convert will go home...And ask themselves these questions:
"What did I just do?.. “Was it the right thing?”
"What now?.. Where do I go from here?"
"OK God, where are You?"...
"Why am I not feeling different?"
Let's try to give solid, Scriptural Answers...For WHAT they just did... And exactly what it MEANS in their lives! HOW WE SEE THE BEGINNING… SHAPES EVERYTHING!!
Most of us have a very limited...And very SHALLOW understanding of Salvation!! Most believe that...In the beginning God created Heaven, hell, and earth...And that we live here on earth... As a prelude... A proving ground... For where we will go later...And God lives somewhere out there in Heaven...
And somewhere in a lost underworld... There is Hell...And as we live out our days here on earth...Our good deeds need to outweigh our bad... So we can make it to the Kingdom of God when we die...Or that we accept Christ, and His Gift of Forgiveness...Which pays our way into the Kingdom when we die...This is all fine and good...Except that it is NOT BIBLICALLY COMPLETE OR ACCURATE!
Even many Christians may be saying at this point..."But that's exactly what I DO believe!" Listen closely and you will understand… GOD'S HEART AND TRUTH!
In the beginning... God created the Heavens and the Earth... STOP! He had NOT created a "Hell" for US...Because EARTH was a perfect place... Of perfect fellowship...And Heaven was NOT Heaven because it was a Wonderful Place...
BUT... Because God was There... HE... MADE IT HEAVEN!
Earth WAS A PART of God's Kingdom in the Beginning...Because He walked HERE with US...And He called it all VERY GOOD!
When WE decided we wanted our own way over God...And followed Satan's leading into chaos & hatred in this world...Over fellowship and love with our Creator...God's Presence and His Kingdom…Were SEPARATED from Earth...
By OUR CHOICE... WE WANTED OUR OWN WAY... HE GAVE IT!
Satan took dominion... This became his kingdom...Not just physically... But spiritually, in our HEARTS... The Kingdom of God was gone... By our choice!
WE brought the true essence of "Hell" here to our world...The hatred of... And absence of God… IN OUR SOULS! THEN... The Hell which was created for Satan and his demons was expanded... To make room for those who had joined them!
Satan did this because he wanted total authority and rule over God...And since he could not defeat God...He tried to hurt God… By robbing Him…Of the love and fellowship of those God loved so dearly... He tried to use God's own Holiness against Him…By making us unworthy to remain in God's Kingdom ourselves!
God had to have Justice and Truth... Evil had to be punished...Or He would not be a God of Real Love! Would you let someone go free and unpunished...
After brutally torturing and killing your loved one?
HE COULD NOT BEAR DESTROYING ALL OF US... WHOM HE HAD ALREADY SEEN... IN TIMES YET TO COME...THAT WOULD BE LOST FROM HIM FOREVER!
LISTEN CLOSELY: JESUS DIDN'T COME TO JUDGE US AND DESTROY US...BUT TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO TAKE THE JUDGMENT AWAY!
John 3:17 (HCSB)
For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
He had to let us live out the life we had chosen over HIM...It was what WE had become... What WE had chosen! HE COULD MAKE A WAY…To save us from our separation from HIM!
A Crazy Idea... That would Cost HIM Everything...But it was the ONLY WAY...
That He could take away our sins... But not destroy the sinner! So He decided to take the weight and consequences…Of the entire world's sin onto His own Life...AND GET THIS…To Live WITH US... In the MESS and PAIN we created...Because He didn't want us to suffer through our pain alone!!
He Chose to DIE…Horrifically for all we had done wrong...AS ONE OF US... PERFECT AND SINLESS... BUT DYING ANYWAY! Setting us FREE... Giving us HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS... FOR OUR GUILT!
He DID NOT simply PARDON our sins!!They had to be PAID FOR in punishment! He took our name... And our crimes against Him...Literally, physically, emotionally and spiritually...All of the Wrath, Pain, Guilt, Shame,
Suffering...And separation from God...That should have been ours!
EXPERIENCED BY HIM... IN DEATH & SHAME ON OUR BEHALF!! And Gave us HIS NAME... In place of our own! BREAKING SATAN’S HOLD on us! NOT… To simply restore our PLACE in His Kingdom...BUT TO RESTORE HIS KINGDOM IN OUR HEARTS!!!
Luke 17:20-21 (NKJV)
20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
THE GOAL WAS NOT JUST TO BUY US A TICKET TO A BETTER PLACE...
GOD DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THE PLACE... HE COULD MAKE ANOTHER!
THE GOAL WAS TO CHANGE OUR DARK HEARTS...THAT HAD CREATED THIS HELL ON EARTH IN THE FIRST PLACE!
TO RESTORE OUR CHANCE FOR FELLOWSHIP…WITH HIM NOW...MAKE US A PART OF THE KINGDOM... NOW! TO PLACE IN US ONCE AGAIN...
THE SELFLESS LOVE AND BEAUTY HE HAD CREATED US FOR! Everyone that comes to know Christ... And invites Him into their lives...Brings a part of the Kingdom here to earth... NOW!
Colossians 1:12-14 (HCSB)
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. 14 We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.
Until the end of this Age...When Christ comes to Restore all things...And REUNITES ALL this earth… With the Kingdom of Heaven...And DWELL once again with men!
The Change Which Has Occurred!
NOW… WITH THIS TRUE PICTURE...Of what it means to Accept Christ as your New Savior and King...How should it change your life from this point? How should you SEE LIFE… And live differently? What is your purpose in Him?
Here is the BIG PICTURE of your NEW PLACE in the KINGDOM!
ONE: Jesus didn't just DIE to Forgive sins...He DIED to make you His Deserving Beloved! (Thru His Sacrifice) Because of the incredible WORTH He has in YOU! SIN was in the way...And so... He did whatever it took...To remove that sin which kept you FROM HIM!
TWO: He Took YOUR NAME to the GRAVE with HIM! The OLD YOU died in punishment WITH HIM! Because the OLD YOU could not have acceptance & LIFE! To ACCEPT His Gift... To Accept Him as your Savior and King...Means the OLD YOU... The old ways of thinking & living for yourself and this life...THAT MADE HIS KINGDOM A LITERAL HELL ON EARTH...HAVE TO DIE WITH HIM...
Romans 6:4 (HCSB)
Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life.
He Wants you to be REBORN... Risen from that dead life...WITH HIM... LITERALLY AS A DIFFERENT PERSON! With His Spirit... Giving you the heart and the mentality...Of someone who NOW lives IN the Kingdom of God!NOT… In the ways of this world which took us away from Him!
NOT because He Wants you to ACT BETTER... Or just look righteous...
Because He Wants to RESTORE you…To what you were MEANT to be!Something far from this world we know and live in now!
He Wants you to see Him... See other people... See this Life...In a completely different way now! He Wants you to learn the awesomeness of selfless, real love! Because it was your old ways of thinking...That hurt others... Turned from Him...And destroyed His Kingdom!
He Wants you to see the MESS the world is in...And TRUST that His Way of Loving is BEST...And CHOOSE His Love... His Way... Over your old life...That was so horribly... He DIED to take it away from you!
He Wants YOU to see YOU... As He Made you to be...Separate and free from every…Mistake, horrid thought, and failure... That you have ever made! It is ALL TAKEN AWAY...And you can be with Him... Clean, unashamed, and totally LOVED...Just as you are... With NOTHING to DO in order to WIN His Love!
Knowing there is NOTHING in your life...No success... No skill... No education... No accomplishment...That will make Him love you more or less than someone else...He Simply Wants your Crazy Love and Devotion...In return... For HIS Crazy Love and Devotion!
THREE: If He places that much Love and Worth on YOU...Then... In your NEW LIFE with Him...He Wants you to have that NEW WORTH AND LOVE...For EVERYONE around you as He Does! Whether they are nice and kind...Or the lowest of dirt bags!
Because in His Eyes... We are all EQUAL IN VALUE and LOVED! THAT ALONE... Will change everything about your life! If you seriously, deeply recognize this Truth! The people of this world are NOT your enemy...They are your brothers... Lost as you once were...Acting in the sin that is natural… In this world! Satan is our enemy!
FOUR: BUT GRASP THIS BIG PICTURE OF SALVATION...AND IT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD...AND EVERYTHING YOU HAVE THOUGHT...ABOUT WHY YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED AND MADE NEW!
LISTEN WITH EXTREME ATTENTION!If Satan has completely corrupted God's Kingdom...Turned us from God... And in doing so... Destined us ALL for Punishment and Destruction! If He has brought…Selfishness, hatred, lust, murder, rape, torture, racism...And changed the course of billions of ETERNAL LIVES!
WE NOW SEE THE TRUTH OF THIS WORLD...IN IT'S PAIN... AND IT'S COMING DESTRUCTION...And we realize this life is NOT just about
Acceptance, money, pleasure...Or anything else we value in this temporary and condemned world...But instead... Will soon be passing into a lost memory anyway!
MORE THAN ALL OF THIS...IF WE SEE THE WORTH AND LOVE HE HAS...
FOR EVERY LOST, REBELLIOUS SOUL LIVING HERE! WE NOW JOIN HIM IN SHARING THAT LOVE AND WORTH...Through His Power that Lives inside of the NEW US!
WHAT DO YOU THINK… OUR BIGGEST... SOLE PURPOSE MIGHT BE?
As Saved Citizens of the God's Kingdom...Walking in the middle of the wreckage and pain...Caused by It's FALL!
With the Love of God for His PEOPLE...And the Truth of what is about to happen to it all in Judgment?! As Our King Works Sacrificially and Feverishly to SAVE IT?
We were NOT just Saved to get to Heaven one day! We were NOT just Saved to receive the benefits! Prosperity, healing, comfort, blessings...These are wonderful things... But have NOTHING to do with the Greater Purpose!
Our CALLING... As Saved Children of God... Standing in the middle of a LOST and BROKEN world...Is to show them the Truth we have found...
To show them the WORTH and LOVE we now know...That God places on THEM as well!
Even if they hate us while we are doing it...As they hated HIM! Because they are deceived and broken!
Our CALLING... Is to experience our great Love & Worth in Christ...
And in THAT CONFIDENCE of who we now are... IN HIM! To CHOOSE to place ourselves underneath others...In servitude to those…Who don't appreciate or understand Truth!
It is to see how much Christ Sacrificed for our Love...And to commit ourselves to that same Sacrifice…For HIS LOVE...It is NOT... To LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE NOW...IT IS A CALLING TO JOIN THE WAR AND SACRIFICE!
It's a calling to DO your BEST WORK now! Jesus NEVER Promised an EASIER LIFE...Jesus actually Promised a Harder Life... Of Persecution... Troubles... And maybe even Death…
Matthew 10:34, 38-39 (NKJV)
34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword... 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
But He Promised more joy and rest in the MIDDLE of it...Than we could ever have in this life...
Matthew 11:29 (ESV)
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
HOW can that be?! BECAUSE WE WILL KNOW HIM... WALK WITH HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF IT...AND HAVE THE PEACE OF KNOWING...WE SERVE HIS PURPOSES OF LOVE... IN OUR GREATEST CALLING ON EARTH!
IF YOU COME TO A FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST...AND YOU JUST WANT THAT FAITH...TO BENEFIT YOU IN LIFE...BUT... NOT CHANGE YOU IN LIFE AND PURPOSE...YOU HAVE NOT COME TO A FAITH IN HIM AT ALL!
HE ALONE IS WORTHY OF OUR LOVE AND SACRIFICE!SO IF YOU MEANT IT...PICK UP YOUR SWORD... AND HOLD THE LINE!
THERE IS MUCH WORK TO BE DONE...WITH... AND FOR... OUR KING!
Galatians 2:20 (HCSB)
...and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (YOU WERE NOT SAVED FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT ALONE!)**
We have a toilet bowl at the house that started to show a little leak around the bottom of the bowl. The donut ring seal had gone bad. I pulled the bowl from the floor and changed the seal. Just a few days later, it was leaking again and now notably rocking. I pulled it out again and found it had been leaking under the toilet for many weeks before it became noticeable outwardly. Now the foundation (floor) was warped and no matter how many times the seal was changed, it was no good. Why? No seal can work if it's on a broken foundation. It had been looking nice on the outside the whole time, but the mess that was seeping through had destroyed the inside. Jesus had a similar Parable in His days—actually even more harsh and dirty than this one: Matthew 23:27-28, 33. Jesus preached to people of all social and moral classes, from filthy rich to filthy beggars on the street; from extremely religious to the scum of the city. But by far with which group do we see that He was the most forceful and angry? The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes—those with the most truth in their heads and lives. Those who outwardly lived much more righteous and productive lives. Those who morally felt just a little better than the sinners around them. Since we happen to look most like this group today, shouldn't we look very closely at exactly "why?" Jesus was so frustrated and urgent with them? The comparison just might take us as much by surprise as it did that contented and upstanding group in Jesus' day.
Jesus was so much harder on the Pharisees and other "religious" people of His day because He knew they felt safe and even righteous based upon their knowledge of Him and their better actions and lives before men; but their hearts were just as dark and self-focused as anyone else—actually worse because they did have the Truth of God to guide them. They did know that God wanted their hearts more than their obedience. And Jesus knew that they felt so smug, safe, and contented where they were at that they would sit in total denial and indifference to the Truths that were given to them. These people were in reality farther from being saved, farther from Truth than the lowest sinners around them who knew exactly where they stood. Based upon this example, we have to wonder just how many here today and in the sound of my voice may just be more lost sitting in these seats right now than the most defiant and shocking sinner outside these walls. Jesus hardly ever spoke and taught about many of the things others religious leaders spoke about, or about many of the things we even speak about today. He didn't give 5 point sermons on how to control lust, or on the emotional and physical benefits of forgiveness. He hardly ever even focused on better actions or living better, blessed lives now—He didn’t want more converts; He didn't want better behavior; He didn't want more money or volunteering. Jesus was different, radical, concerned for one thing and that one thing was not a changed lifestyle, but a changed you. He wanted a hungry, passionate follower who was in love with Him; whose heart had changed so completely that these things were simply a natural reaction to the deep desire to trust and follow Him. Stop and compare the attitudes of people following Jesus in His days on earth to us today and listen to His response, which always brought it back to nothing but their hearts. They came for healing, deliverance, blessings and freedom, and He said, "Take up your cross and die for Me. Take on more persecution and struggle on My behalf to show what you would give for Me, not what you want from Me." They wanted the Kingdom won for them, brought to them; wanted Him to change their world and He said, "Go win the kingdom with me. Change the world for me, to show your love for Me and those around you." They asked to be save us from their enemies and the trouble they brought into their lives, and He said, "Go to your enemies. Love, serve and pray for them from the heart with true compassion, or you are as selfish and hate-filled as they are and you do not see their true worth in My eyes." They wanted those disgusting sinners around them to be called out and punished. He said, "You are a disgusting sinner who's been forgiven. Go serve your brother in love, showing the grace and love you’ve been shown, and lead him on the path to forgiveness like you. They said, Lord make our lives better and easier, He said, "If you hold onto this life you will lose it. If you are more worried about a better life than having more of Me, you are not mine but the world's." They said make other people treat us justly and fairly as we deserve. He said, "If they make you walk a mile for them, walk a second one in love. If they steal your shirt, give them your coat too. Because showing them real love, undeserved worth is more important than getting your justice." They said ease our burdens so that we might have peace and joy. He said, "Find your peace and joy in Me and your burdens will be eased wherever you are in life." They said we should avoid those people that act and talk like the world to protect our righteousness and not look bad to others. He said, "You can't give them light to find their way unless you walk with them. You can't be the one to preserve their conscience and remind them of their worth if you don't touch them.”
The Pharisees and other religious people of Jesus' day went to great lengths to look and act right in front of others and yet, in their minds and hearts they lusted, hated, were unforgiving, were proud, and self-serving. Jesus made statements about the condition of their hearts towards sin that were so radical and powerful that we still simply gloss over in cliché and never take to heart the seriousness of what He said. Listen with a new ear: Matthew 5:27-30. Do you grasp the intense importance He is placing on our hearts towards sin in this passage? For most of us, obviously not because we treat our hidden sins so flippantly as long as they are not found out. Of course, Jesus is not being literal and condoning self-mutilation; but in the most graphic way possible, Jesus is telling us that our sins of the inner heart are this drastic and devastating. Think on the gravity of this passage: Jesus is saying that He would rather see you with physical disabilities—would rather see you literally suffer through life with terrible physical difficulty and hardship—than embrace that hidden sin that you are coveting and holding onto right now. Why? Because it controls your heart and steals you away from Him. It takes away your ability to seek His will. It destroys the worth and love you have for others. He would rather see you lose any body part you have than to see you slowly destroy your heart—just like the hidden leak under the toilet bowl. Do you and I see our hidden sins of the heart as that urgent and terrible? We simply measure them according to how risky they are to hide; by how much we can get away with before He punishes us; by how good we look next to the people around us—never by what they are costing us in our relationship to Him or how useless they are making us we to His Kingdom, or how much they may keep us from truly loving others like Him.
Do we truly love Him the way He asked of those following Him in His day? Or are we just like those in His day whom He preached the hardest against? Those who come to Him for the wrong reasons, those who try to use Him for their own gain, those who always want from Him rather than ever wanting to give back to the One Who has given everything for us. Are we like those who want to look and act just good enough to be accepted by the status quo; thinking it will make Him happy as well, thinking He'll just overlook their faults in understanding—not truly worried about whether our sins separate us from Him or hurt others in our lives? Are we more worried about having an easy life, having our enemies brought to justice; having the Kingdom handed over to us in a bow and being successful in the eyes of those around us than we are winning the hearts and salvation of those who are even hurting us? Sacrificing our lives for the sake of our King and those He loves and helping to grow the Kingdom that we say we are longing for? Could it be that many of us today are as completely fooled as the Pharisees and even the disciples in the beginning? Could it be that we are even farther away from God and His salvation than those who are lost and proud of it? Many of us today need to completely rethink our faith, our proclamation of love for God and our love for this world. Many of us today need to realize that we don't have any more of God than we do in our lives; that we are not hearing and experiencing Him anymore than we are because we have never truly given our hearts over to Him completely. Instead, we have given ourselves over to a form of godliness and outward goodness that is lukewarm and self-serving. We are not passionately seeking Him, studying His Word with reverence and desire to grow close, praying to be in His Will and praying to be an intercessor for others He loves. We are simply loving the world, fooling those around us and deceiving ourselves. Maybe a number of us hearing this message today are awaiting for the shock of their lives in that moment they step to the other side: Revelation 3:15-17. Does that not sound like the language and attitude that Jesus used with the Pharisees? Revelation 3:18-20. Stop counting the cost and then stepping away again. Stop hiding your sins and enjoying them. Stop loving the world more than God. Stop being ashamed of Him and dreading the weight of serving Him. Embrace loving Him at any cost; welcoming the cost, the shame, the trouble. Truly give up your own life radically because He loved you enough to completely empty and destroy His own body and soul for you. That is what Jesus preached to the people of His day, and it is exactly what He would preach to you and me right now if He were in this pulpit today. And this was often their response: John 6:66-69.
Will you go away too, or do you truly believe Jesus is the Holy One of God, worthy of your all or nothing at all? If you do believe this—act like it, live like it. Not in your own power, you can’t do it—but you must be willing, wanting before He will help you. Will you stand up and follow Him with all of your heart?
How many here have ever watched an older person unwrapping a Christmas gift…Being slow and deliberate...Making everyone go nuts waiting!
We’ve studied… Through this Christmas Season…How the Gift Jesus Brought at His Birth…Was slowly and meticulously unwrapped throughout His Life!! With every Trait of the Father He Taught and Showed…With every Human Experience He Lived… For us!
Now… How many have ever wrapped a Christmas Gift for a toddler...And after watching them struggle...With trying to opening the package for a while...You had to practically unwrap their gift for them?
Well on this Christmas Morn...We will soon see how God the Father...Helped us tear open the biggest Gift He could Give us as well!
Let's go back six months before the sweet young Virgin Mary was even visited by Gabriel... And read about an Awesome Event…That began the whole Christmas Story... With an old priest named Zacharias!
Luke 1:5-13 (NKJV)
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
Each day about 50 priests were on duty at the Temple...To care for the Temple Itself... And the Events of the day. Each day lots would be drawn among them…
To prevent favoritism or pride...And show the Decision of God for certain special duties of the day...Those who would take part in the sacrifice itself...Those who would get the honor of entering the Holy Place...
(Not the Holy of Holies!)...And place Fresh Shew Bread on the Sabbath...
Those who would daily trim the wicks of the Menorah...And add fresh olive oil...
And the one who was chosen for the highest, most honored act...Of Burning Incense on the Altar of Incense...Which sat in front of the unbelievably tall and heavy Veil...Described in the Mishnah, and the Historian Josephus, as being...A beautifully woven tapestry of blue, scarlet, purple & white threads... Approximately 60ft high x 30ft wide... And a handbreadth in thickness (4 to 10”)!Requiring 300 priests to handle it when removed!
https://cbumgardner.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/the-thickness-of-the-temple-veil/
Separating the Ark of the Covenant…Within the Holy of Holies behind! The Very Dwelling Place of God! Only entered into once a year by the High Priest!
The priest who offered this Incense...Was usually only chosen once for this monumental honor...In his whole lifetime!...After which... He was to be called, "Rich"... By the other priests.
Only Coals from the Altar of Burnt Offerings (Sacrifice) were used...And only a special Incense mixed and crushed fine...For this Purpose alone... Was allowed to be used!
This Incense was burned by the selected priest in the Holy Place...As the other priests and the people outside...Were prostrate in prayer before God! Because the Burning of the Incense…Represented the sweet aroma of the prayer of God's people...Ascending to His Throne! What ignited this Incense of Prayer? Made it ascend heavenward? The very fires of the Sacrifice offered to God on that day!
Zacharias had been chosen by lot on this special day... (In God's Sovereignty)
For his "once in a lifetime" opportunity to perform this Awesome Duty!At over 60yrs old!...And as he ignited the prayers of himself and the people...With fires from the Sacrifice!
The Angel Gabriel appeared to him HERE… And declared..."His prayers had been heard!'
What prayer? Most believe it was a prayer for a child in his old age!Maybe... But if this were the case...Would Zacharias have responded the way he did...When he was told Elizabeth WOULD have a child?
Luke 1:18-20 (NKJV)
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."
This Passage seems to strongly suggest that Zacharias had not been praying for a son... Because he seemed to have accepted his fate of being childless! But quite possibly... Zacharias, on this special day as priest...Was making a more reverent plea for the people he represented...A plea that all the people of Israel were making at this point in time...For the Messiah to come and set them free!...NOW... His prayer... And the prayer of the people...Would be filled!...And Zacharias' own son would lead the way for His Coming!
Tearing Open The Gift...
That prayer was Answered...By the One John was born to Announce to the world! With the Greatest Gift that has ever been Given! By God Himself!
And do you know what kind of Wrapping Paper God Used? Humanity... Our own Flesh and Blood! To Hold this Priceless Treasure...And do you know how much God Spent on your Gift? Everything He Had! AS GOD!
I'd say, "He Spent too much!"... Wouldn't you?!But He Wouldn't Say that...He'd Say, "You can't put a price on Love!"
Sweet young Mary... At just 13 or 14yrs old...Described this Awesome Little Gift that was Given to her...While He was just Beginning to Grow in her womb!
Listen to her maturity... Knowledge... And Anointing...As she writes what eventually became known as..."The Magnificat!"... In Greek meaning: To magnify, to glorify, exalt!
Luke 1:68-70, 76-79 (HCSB)
68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 70 just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets in ancient times... 76 And child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit us 79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
This Precious Little Gift...Remained Shrouded and Hidden in this Most Costly Wrapping...For 33yrs before It was Revealed!...But just like spoiled, selfish and immature kids at Christmas...Who carelessly tear open the Wrappings on their Gift...In great excitement...And then throw aside the Priceless Treasure inside... Dissatisfied.
God's Gift to us... Was Torn Open carelessly... Brutally...In great excitement and pleasure...And then thrown aside... In rejection!
Isaiah 53:5 (HCSB)
But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.
And to show the world the Significance of this Awesome Gift...At the Moment of Jesus' Death... The Moment the Gift was Given...God the Father Symbolically Tore Open Another Package...To Clearly Show the Meaning of what had just happened!
Matthew 27:50-51 (NKJV)
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split...
This Veil...5 1/2 stories high!!...Four to ten inches thick...With moderate estimates of weight at about 18,000lbs (9 tons)
Was violently and completely torn apart!Top... To Bottom! (Important... Showing GOD Did the Tearing!) TO EXPOSE THE HOLY OF HOLIES TO ALL OF MANKIND!
This was God Screaming to the Israelites...That the Sacrifice of Lambs and Goats would never again...Be needed to temporarily cover their sins!...And that the High Priest of Israel...Was no longer needed to stand between God and men...The sins of men were no longer covered up...THEY WERE PAID FOR IN FULL!...AND THE VERY DWELLING PLACE OF GOD HIMSELF! WAS NOW OPEN FREELY TO ALL MANKIND!
GOD WOULD NOT LONGER BE SEPARATED FROM MEN...HE WOULD NOW DWELL IN THEM! WITH THEM! And the Cost was all of our shame, sin, rejection, punishment! GOD OPENED HIMSELF COMPLETELY TO INTIMACY AND ONENESS...LIKE WE HAD NEVER HAD SINCE OUR FALL!
He Exposed and Gave Himself to us Completely! Offering His Intimate Fellowship from that day forth! He Gave US total access to His Throne Personally! He Restored all that was ever lost...To those who chose to ACCEPT His Gift!
He Handed Eternity to His Children...Peace and Abundance...A never ending Adventure...In the Presence of His Love always!
Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
There were two goats used for the Sacrifice…On the most reverenced Feast of the each year... The Feast of Atonement (Yom Kipper)...Lots were drawn between the two...And one Sacrificed (For sins)... Considered God's Favor if the goat on the right was sacrificed...One had a crimson thread tied around it's neck... And was released into the wilderness... (Taking sins away)
Another crimson thread was tied to the door of the Temple...And would turn white when the goat was released. Also... The Talmud tells us that the Western-most light of the Menorah...Always burned perpetually... Never going out with the rest of them...
Two Talmuds were created after the Jews were scattered following Jesus' death... One from Jerusalem, one from Babylon!They BOTH tell of these amazing events in history!! Watch closely!
"Forty years before the destruction of the Temple, the western light went out, the crimson thread remained crimson, and the lot for the Lord always came up in the left hand. They would close the gates of the Temple by night and get up in the morning and find them wide open"
- Jacob Neusner, The Jerusalem Talmud, p.156-157. [the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE]
"Our Rabbis taught: During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot [‘For the Lord’] did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-coloured strap become white; nor did the westernmost light shine; and the doors of the Hekal would open by themselves,"
- Babylonian Talmud - Yoma 39a - 39b, copied from website: yashanet.com on May 19, 2012, http://www.yashanet.com/library/temple/yoma39.htm
Anyone know what happened forty years before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD? Jesus Christ was crucified!!!
Written Jewish history confirms that from the time Christ was crucified...Until the temple was destroyed...The lot always fell on the unfavorable side!(God was not in favor of them anymore)
The red sash never turned white again!(Goats could never cover sin anymore)
The westernmost light of the Menorah would not burn!12,500 nights! (God no longer dwelt in the Holy of Holies!)
The gigantic doors to the Temple kept opening alone, which took 20 priests on either side to do usually! (The way to God has been made open to all!)
WOW!! Does any other "religion" have that kind of historical proof...
From sources that are against them!?
How would YOU FEEL...If you sold everything you had... And lived in poverty for months or years...To have enough for one incredible gift...
Hoping it would please the one you love...And they told you it wasn't good enough?
What about...If it cost you the life of your own child…In the quest for their gift...And they knew what had happened? Knew what you'd gone through for them?
Knew what you lost?...And STILL... Not only were unthankful for the gift...But wouldn't even take it...Because it wasn't good enough?!
THAT... IS EXACTLY WHAT WE DO TO GOD, OUR FATHER...WHEN WE TELL HIM HIS GIFT WASN'T ENOUGH! WHEN WE TELL HIM WE DON'T EVEN WANT HIS GIFT! AFTER IT COST HIM EVERYTHING HE HAD...TO PURCHASE IT FOR YOU... AS GOD! EVEN THE LIFE OF HIS OWN SON!
DON'T WASTE ANOTHER MINUTE...BEFORE YOU OPEN THE MOST COSTLY GIFT EVER BOUGHT FOR YOU!
DON'T WASTE ANOTHER MINUTE...NOT ENJOYING AND USING THE GIFT YOU RECEIVED!
FROM GOD OUR FATHER... TO YOU... MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The first thing we need to examine...As we learn about Jesus' Temptations...Is whether Jesus COULD actually even BE Tempted in Reality...With the actual Potential of choosing against God's Will! (Peccable) Or was He Tempted in symbolism only?! Incapable of Sinning! (Impeccable)
Many scholars are split on this subject...And the answer greatly affects how we view...Christ's Sufferings IN these Temptations! SO... It is well worth taking a moment to explore! I personally feel the answer is overwhelming…Based upon Scriptural Evidence we read!
Hebrews 2:17-18 (ESV)
17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in EVERY respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has SUFFERED when TEMPTED, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
This Passage says that Jesus was made to be like His brothers in...EVERY WAY!
And that He encountered SUFFERING...BECAUSE of TEMPTATIONS!
The word for temptation in Greek being peirazó (pi-rad'-zo)...Meaning: To test, tempt, scrutinize, or entice! This Passage alone seems to strongly concur with the idea...That Jesus' completely Human Nature...Gave Him the same vulnerability to Temptation as all of us! And that conflict in His Desire to NOT want the Will of God at times...Caused part of His Suffering!
We seem to get an example of this in reality...At the Garden of Gethsemane...
Where Jesus Asks the Father..."Can this Cup be avoided?"
Luke 22:41-42 (HCSB)
41 Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 42 “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.”
In His Precious Love and Obedience...Jesus Chose the Will of the Father over His Own Will...But the Conflict and Dread in Him was so intense...That He Sweat Blood from the Agony of the Decision!
So first... By Scriptural Declaration... And Example...Jesus seemed to have the Human Ability to NOT Want God's Will! That by definition... Is Temptation!
Another argument in this subject...Is that Jesus was Made Perfectly Sinless... Being the Son of God...And therefore did not even have the Capacity to Choose Against God!But we need to grasp this very Scriptural and revealing Truth...
Adam... Was also CREATED SINLESS and PURE in the Beginning...His humanity in this case... Did NOT mean he was imperfect! The seed of sin did not come until later! But because of his truly FREE WILL...He inherently had the capacity to choose good or evil...Or HOW could He have Won Redemption?
Romans 5:15, 19 (HCSB)
15 ...For if by the one man’s trespass (Adam) the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ... 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience (Jesus) the many will be made righteous.
How do you learn and show obedience...If there is not the capacity for disobedience? Jesus was BORN with a SINLESS NATURE... JUST AS ADAM! But just because He did not Carry our sinful nature...That did NOT mean He had no Free Choice & Opportunity to Sin...Just as Adam did in the beginning!
And why would Satan himself...Who knows Jesus and Scriptures better than anyone...Try so hard to make Jesus Stumble in Temptation...If he knew there was no possibility he might win Jesus over?
How could Jesus truly Relate to us in our Temptations... Relate In Every Way?
How could He truly Redeem us from sin…By remaining sinless as One of us?
If He did not Suffer the SAME Temptations... With the SAME potential outcome...As those He Came to Save?!
Hebrews 4:14-15 (ESV)
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in EVERY RESPECT has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
It is seemingly a Paradox for sure...But here is the evidence shown in Scriptures... God is NOT capable of Sinning... True…BUT… God is ALSO NOT capable of Dying on a Cross! Yet for His Time on earth as our Redeemer...
Jesus Emptied Himself Completely...Taking on the Form and Frailties of a Human in EVERY WAY! And NEVER will Our Jesus be Capable of Either of these things EVER AGAIN in all of Eternity! (Just like His Redeemed!)
Because as one man brought sin into the world through disobedience...
Being Created sinless...One Man removed sin from the world through OBEDIENCE...Being Created Sinless...BOTH... Living and being Tempted within the Same Boundaries!
Jesus had to Fight Temptation with the Human Frailty of Man...But Jesus WON against Temptation... With the Unfathomable Love of GOD!
In What Ways Was Jesus Tempted?
Though Jesus surely Experienced Temptations throughout His Entire Life...Scriptures Focus especially…Upon one particular season of Jesus' Temptations!
Matthew 4:1 (HCSB)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.
Jesus has just been publicly Baptized, Affirmed by His Father...And Filled with the Spirit of God!
Satan will so often come at a time when you have experienced a wonderful blessing or intimate time with God...In order to strip away the joy and influence of the event! New Christians... Often fight some of their toughest battles...In the beginning of their walk with God! This was the Time which Jesus was taking to Prepare Himself…For the Ministry which He was now Beginning...He Fasted for a very extended time...And He Contemplated all that only HE... Knew was awaiting the days to come!
Matthew 4:2-3 (HCSB)
2 After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry. 3 Then the tempter approached Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Dirty, Alone, Weary, Weak, Starving!)
The Apostle John loosely describes all of the potential sins of man...In three categories:
1 John 2:16 (ESV)
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Here we see Satan tempting Jesus in all three areas...After a very extended time of fasting and prayer...Jesus had an insatiable physical and mental desire for food!
It had to be a constant nagging by this time!...And Satan tempted Jesus with "Lust of the Flesh!"
The natural desire for food was not a sin! Just as food, sexual desires and other things in our lives...Are NOT at all bad of themselves... They are wonderful gifts! But Jesus was Fasting in Obedience and Trust to His Father! His Purpose for the fast was greater than His Needs at the time!
Satan was saying to Jesus: "If you are truly God... Why is the Father letting you suffer like this? You have the Power... You DESERVE better... Make your own food!
It was an attempt to make Jesus give in to a very real desire...That would remove His Focused intentions from Serving God...To Pleasing Self! And would selfishly destroy…The Good Thing God was Intending in His Life!
How many times have you and I given in to sin...To please ourselves in a moment of desire... Rather than trust and fulfill God's Better Plan?! Jesus does not debate, argue, or entertain Satan's idea...Jesus does not react according to His emotions... Or How He is Feeling about His situation!
Jesus confronts the temptation with TRUTH…Which He is Rooted upon! (Eph 6:17 Sword is Word of God!) Removing the conflict!
Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He (Jesus) answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Jesus simply and powerfully Proclaims:That to Obey God... Is far more Important and Advantageous...Than to satisfy a temporary desire! So He should Live by Following His Word... Over Desires! Satan takes Jesus' Answer... And twists it into his next Temptation!
Matthew 4:5-6 (HCSB)
5 Then the Devil took Him to the holy city, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91)
This is a Temptation in, "The Pride of the Flesh!" Satan is saying to Jesus:
"Ok, so you Trust the Word, do You? The Word Says you can throw yourself off of this pinnacle... (Approx. 450ft)And He Will Save You... If You Truly are His...So show me and everyone who doesn't believe in You... How Blessed and Protected You are of God!"
Satan wanted Jesus to Take His Ministry into His Own Hands... And into His Own Timing... And Get Glory HIS WAY! And Force or Test God's Willingness to Bless it! In Pride of Who He Was... And in Desire to Prove It!
Just as many of us try to make our own way... Even sin…And expect God to Bless us where we choose to go...Rather than Submit to where He Wants to take us in trust! Often even STEPPING OUT in sacrifice...Expecting to "Force God's Hand" in our show of "Faith!"
God Promises to Protect and Provide when we are FOLLOWING...NOT LEADING! Because Trust and Intimacy with Him...Is more important than sacrifice with selfish motives behind them!
Jesus Could Have Debated... Over-thought... Even Justified...How Satan's suggestion would be advantageous and deserved! But... Jesus immediately Goes Back to the Foundation of Truth...Avoiding the conflict and haze...And He Confronts Temptation with Nothing but the Word!
Matthew 4:7 (HCSB)
Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
Meaning these Promises are there for Blessing in Obedience...NOT for us to test God's Existence or Loyalty to us...At our whim!
Then... In a Last Attempt... Satan puts all of the cards on the table!
Matthew 4:8-9 (HCSB)
8 Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 And he said to Him, “I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.”
Here... Satan Tempts Jesus with, "The Desires of the Eyes!" Offering Jesus literally, "The World!" as His Own! Because that is exactly what Jesus Came to Win Back! But Satan was offering it without all of the...Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Hell...Jesus would literally Suffer in His Journey to Save US!
Jesus could Have the Fame, Power, Control... The Kingdom! And bypass all of the Self-Sacrifice and Pain! And simply Take what was His without Struggle! But He would also Sacrifice OUR Redemption...He would Sacrifice His Precious Relationship with the Father...He would Sacrifice the True Love and Oneness we were Created for!
The Sin was in putting what He Wanted… And even Deserved!Ahead of God… And anything it would do to others... The Sin was taking the Way which would make it Easy for Him... No matter the consequences!
The Sin was in giving His Allegiance to Satan...To Get what He Wanted!
So many of US are willing to bow to Satan and his ways...To satisfy our own Lust of the Eyes!
Breaking God's Commands, Trust and Love...For that relationship... Material possessions... Acceptance! We may not realize we are bowing to Satan to get them... But every choice we make against God's Love and Will... Is giving our allegiance to His enemy!
Jesus did not Argue about whether this was a legitimate offer! Because He Knew that in this moment... The world WAS Satan's to give! Because we had given it to him in our sins!
John 14:30-31 (ESV)
30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. (god of this world, prince)
THIS TEMPTATION WAS WHERE JESUS DREW THE LINE! And again... Using the Word as His Guide...He Tells Satan where His Love and Allegiance Stood...
Then He Commands him to be gone!
Matthew 4:10-11 (HCSB)
10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” 11 Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him.
In every Temptation...Jesus did not Consider how it made Him FEEL...He did not Consider what was best for HIM at the time...He Trusted God's Word and Way...
And DID WHAT WAS CONSIDERED RIGHT BY THAT WORD...Selflessly... Without Hesitation, Emotion or Debate...For the Sake of God and Others... Above Himself!
And the Devil was defeated! But it is clear this was NOT the ONLY TIME Satan Tempted Christ...Because Luke gives us more detail about Satan as he departs...
Luke 4:13 (HCSB)
After the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time.
Satan departs... FOR A TIME!
Jesus was the Key to Stopping the entire Plan of Redemption...It is certain that Satan placed every stumbling block conceivable... In His Path... Every step of the Way!
Jesus was Tempted everyday... Just as we are... Much more so! He Befriended... And Loved many unlovable, rejected people...In lowly positions of society!
Do you not think many women shown real love for the first time...Would not have made themselves available to Him? Look at the prostitute who cleaned His Feet with her hair alone!
What about when He was ridiculed and beaten…By the Sanhedrin Circus Court? What about when His closest friends…Showed no care or concern for Him…As He explained how He was going to Die on His lat Night?
What about when thousands flocked to Him...And He knew it was simply for their own benefit and profit? What about when He would watch…As Romans and Hebrew brothers alike...Ridicule and reject His own precious mother?
What about when His Flesh was torn from His Back & Sides…By hooks and shards of bone? What about while He Hung on the Cross Miserably Dying...
And was mocked by selfish devils around Him?
WOULD THESE HAVE BEEN TEMPTING MOMENTS…FOR YOU TO SIN?!
Then they WERE for the HUMAN Emotions of JESUS as well! But... He Chose God above Himself...He Chose Love for YOU... Above Himself...
And He did not SIN! THAT WAS THE KEY...Selfless Love... Over Selfish Pride!
The Easy Way Out!
NOW LISTEN A MOMENT…Some have argued... And you may have even felt this way yourself...That Jesus did not Taste the FULL WEIGHT of Temptation...
Because He was Never Tempted until He FAILED! But… THAT is EXACTLY WHY Jesus Suffered Greater Temptation...Than any man has ever endured!!
If two men are running a marathon...And one gives in to the pain at just 3 miles...
But the other endures the pain until the end...Which one gave into his own desire quicker...And which one suffered through more Temptation to continue?
If two men are tempted to cheat on their wives...And one man gives in quickly to his lust...But the other continues to resist temptation to the end...Which one suffered longer and harder in trials...And which one satisfied himself on the easy road!
When the crowd ridicules a Christian... Calling them soft or weak...
Because that person will not do drugs, cheat on their spouse, watch porn, show hatred, live together...Or any other temptation the crowd has given themselves over to...It is THAT ONE who stands strong in their Love for God and Others... Over self...THAT ONE who stands strong in their Faith...THAT ONE... Has endured far more pain and struggle...IN THEIR TEMPTATION...
THAT ONE has shown the MOST STRENGTH OF ALL!
Rather than giving into...Selfishness...Cowardliness... Peer pressure... Weakness! Making the mocking crowd... The soft and weak ones! Jesus Our King... Endured every Temptation you and I have felt... Exponentially intensified...
Guaranteed by Satan! He Suffered more ridicule and persecution for doing so...
Than you and I could even imagine!
He Overcame it all...By Loving God and US... More than Himself...By Having the Courage to Suffer through... Rather than take the Easy road...Trusting that God's Word is True and Good!
By not following His Emotions, Fears and Anxieties...By not debating or justifying...But simply... Knowing and Following God's Will!
How about YOU?!
Has your pride... Your reputation... Your selfishness... Your Lust…Left you weak and soft? Like the rest of the world? While duping you into thinking you are the strong one? The smart one?
He Endured these Temptations... These Sufferings for YOU...He Took your name for Himself and Walked to the Grave on your behalf!
Now... In your freedom... Bought by His Sacrifice...Is He not Worthy of your COURAGE and TRUST?! STAND ON HIS WORD UNASHAMEDLY...
EVEN IF YOU STAND ALONE!
DRAW THE LINE RIGHT NOW... AND TAKE BACK FROM SATAN...WHAT YOU LOST IN HIS TEMPTATIONS!
FOR THE GLORY AND LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST! HE... IS... WORTHY!
This may seem like a strange Message at Christmas time, but I assure you it is right on target. Have you ever forgotten a gift? As we remind our audience every year in the Nativity that little baby in the manger—that precious innocent child—came for one single reason to this earth, and the greatest gift ever given, was hidden away and forgotten for 33 years before it was finally unwrapped. That tiny, sweet child of Mary had to become the very essence and embodiment of our sins which God had to punish and destroy with His own wrath. So like we have never done before (even if you have heard me talk on this subject), we are going to completely focus on the physical suffering that sweet baby in the manger came to experience in order to live and die for our Salvation. As we look at these difficult facts more intently than we ever have in the past. Today, there will be no prophecies of how exact the account was lived or how it was proven 1000yrs before unmistakably.—just a look at what He experienced alone.
Before His arrest, when Jesus was in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane (John 17), the knowledge of all He would soon experience—not just physically, though this would have been enough—but the horridness of all of the sin, violence, hatred placed on Him as He was shamefully judged and hated by the Father for a time—was more than His heart could bear. Jesus was so full of anxiety, fear, and shear overwhelming stress that something happened to Him that is only recorded 12 or 14 times in medical history. Happening to those under unimaginable stress and agony ‘hematidrosis’ (Luke 22:44), where the small capillaries which surround the sweat glands rupture from stress, causing Jesus to literally sweat blood from pores all over His body. He was covered in His own blood long before the Cross, already experiencing a suffering that very few in history have ever felt. And even under this stress, fear and anxiety, Jesus surrenders, "Never the less, Your will be done." Luke 22:41-44.
After His arrest, Jesus was physically beaten on several occasions. He was brutally beaten by huge soldiers of war in extreme prejudice and apathy. First by the Temple Guards at His false arrest by night (Mark 14:65), spitting in His face, blindfolding Him and punching Him, and taunting to prophecy who hit Him, then repeatedly, open-handedly slapping Him while blindfolded. Isaiah says He was unrecognizable before it was all over. Between these blind beatings and those yet to come, Jesus' face became a disfigured mess. eyes swollen shut, nose busted, lips probably in ribbons, teeth probably loosened or missing. After Pilate offered to release Jesus or Barabbas, the crowd cried, "Crucify Him!" So it began for Jesus—one of the worst forms of torture and death that has ever been created by mankind perfected by the Romans—even illegal to be used on a Roman Citizen—saved for slaves, traitors and the worst of criminals. Even the most war-hardened soldiers coward at this sentence. Flavius Josephus recorded: That an entire barrack of soldiers offered surrender with a pledge that when killed, it would not be by crucifixion. This unspeakable road to death began with Jesus' scourging. Joel M. Donahoe, who has studied Roman scourging extensively made these statements: “A victim who was sentenced to a… scourging had very little to no chance of surviving even if he was still living by the end of the scourging. The blood loss and infection to come would result in the certain death of the victim. Crucifixion to follow a scourging served to expedite the victim’s death by suffocation.” It began by tying Jesus, completely naked in front of a multitude across a post or against a wall, immovable, and two Roman Legionnaires, well suited physically for the job would each have a Roman Flagrum described as a whip with 9 leather cords at each of the ends, a heavy lead shod like a fishing weight. And attached along the strands, sharp cattle or sheep bone fragments, sharp stone, glass, and metal hooks. These whips were used alternately across the shoulder, arms, back, buttocks, thighs, and calves of Jesus (face, neck sometimes) 39 lashes. The weights (besides bruising flesh themselves) were used to ensure the sharp fragments and hooks sunk deeply into the flesh, muscle and even bone. As the jagged fragments literally dug into the flesh, the whip would be jerked back, literally tearing out large strips of flesh and pulling ribbons of fatty tissue and muscle through the open wounds. One throng of one whip could produce a tear in the flesh that was about 2" long and 3/4 to an 1" deep. Medically, this one wound would require about 20 stitches. Medical research has shown that the wounds received after 39 lashes of this sort would require an estimated 2000 stitches to close. Historical writings and medical research both tell us when a scourging is finished this is the result: Shreds of muscle and fatty tissue are protruding from the open tears. The spine is often literally visible through the large connecting tears. Ribs, veins, sinews (connecting tissue) and even organs are visible. In some cases, internal organs have spilled out. A 3rd Century Historian, Eusabious of Ceasare writes of the experience: “…their bodies were frightfully lacerated. Christian martyrs in Smyrna were so torn by the scourges that their veins were laid bare, and the inner muscles, sinews, even entrails, were exposed.”
In this condition, our precious Savior was finally removed from the Scourging Post—already covered in His own bloody sweat from head to toe; face beaten unrecognizable; body now torn open the entire length with bones, veins, muscles and maybe organs visible. The loss of body fluids and blood already critical, weak, dying of thirst, suffering beyond expression of words. He was put into shackles again, brought into the public courtyard and gathered all of the available Roman Soldiers of the area. In the open public, they placed a scarlet robe on His raw back, twisted the crown of thorns [made of hard thorns 1 1/2 to 2" long], shoved it into His scalp and beat it with a reed into His skull. These thorns were hard enough to tear the flesh and scrape the bone of the skull. And they spit into His disfigured face mercilessly as they bowed in ridiculing worship to the King, and mercilessly beat Him in public. Then they tore the robe away from His wounded back again and had the cross bar (horizontal beam) of His soon-to-be cross tied across His shoulders and back. This cross bar was about 5 or 6 feet long. It weighed between 75 and 125lbs., and was made of rough, unfinished wood—very much like a railroad cross tie. Harassed, in unquenchably thirst, weak, and in unbearable pain—the rough wood scraping open tears and exposed muscles—Jesus stumbles towards His cross. And our Jesus, in His human form, is pushed beyond His limits. He falls in His near dead state...
and cannot rise again. Simon of Cyrene, carries Jesus' cross the rest of the way (Luke 23:26). Once He arrived at the place of crucifixion, He was stripped naked in front of thousands once again. Then He was thrown to the ground onto the rough crossbeam, and had 5 or 6" spikes driven through His wrists—missing the radial and ulnar arteries—but using the traverse carpal ligament to support the weight and perfectly piercing the median nerve. This alone was one of the most excruciating pains possible as the unstoppable pain would radiate as electrical shocks through the whole arm and the hands would involuntarily curl up. Next Jesus was either hoisted up with large metal forks from each side or the entire cross lifted and dropped into a foundation where His feet were crossed and extended down on an angled pedestal and another spike was driven through both feet between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones, piercing the plantar nerves, causing the same agonizing effects to the legs. He is finally crucified. His full weight hangs on the nails driven through the most sensitive nerves in His arms and legs. His diaphragm will only allow Him to breathe in air as He hangs by His arms. In order to breathe out again, He must shift all of His weight to the nail between the bones in His feet and push against the burning nerves enough to exhale briefly. Then sink back onto the nails tearing His median nerves again. Open torn flesh, muscles, even bone scraping the cross as He moves. And He must torture Himself this way every several seconds or suffocate. This is why every sentence spoken from the cross was so short and so completely precious at this time of year (Passover). There are tens of thousands in Jerusalem, hundreds of thousands more camping in the surrounding land, and Jesus is the biggest news of the century. There is no guessing how many were there to witness Him in this state. Our Jesus, God, Creator, Lover of mankind—hung naked and shamed in front of thousands. Isaiah says at that moment He was swollen, cut, torn and beaten until He did not even look human, with dried mucous and spit all over Him: Isaiah 52:13-15. As Jesus hung there in His most intimate moments before death, the pain from all His wounds were unbearable. The searing pain from His hands and feet, alternating every few seconds as He pushed to breathe, unbearable thirst increased as His blood and bodily fluids ran from His wounds. Birds, which were quick to flock to this area, would quickly torment their helpless, immovable victim, pecking at eyes, pulling at the protruding shreds of exposed muscle and fatty tissue while Jesus was still alive. Insects would bite and torment on flesh and in wounds. And even here, they continued to mock Him to His death, as Roman Soldiers laughed and gambled for His clothing, just a few feet beneath His blood-dripping, naked body. But in all of this—I do not think any of these things took His life—not asphyxiation, not a failed heart, not shock—listen closely to Jesus' own words: John 10:13-18.
Jesus' Last Words Spoken between broken, tortured breaths on the Cross were: "It Is Finished!" And finally this: Luke 23:46; Matthew 27:50. I believe that is Scriptural proof Jesus Released His own Spirit to death at that moment because when they thrust a spear through His side in the end, He had to have been dead for at least 30 or 40 minutes for the blood to separate and come out of the wound as blood and water (John 19:33-34). And believe it or not, these things were the least of His pains and terror [But that is for another lesson]. Even as all of this was actually being done to Jesus, this was His Prayer: Luke 23:33-34.
When you wonder why Jesus doesn't do something about the evil and sin in the world, look how far He went. When you get the idea that Jesus is pompous, arrogant and self-serving, wake up and look at this picture. When you think that Jesus couldn't still love you after all you've done—that you are just unforgivable—look what He paid. Look at what you are worth to Him. Look at the torture, humiliation and horror He experienced and try to tell me your sins are still greater than His love and sacrifice. Try to tell me you still need to do something more. Don't you dare insult His unfathomable love and desire for you ever again with that thought. This is what that baby in a manger truly came to accomplish. This is why our Jesus is worthy of everything in our lives. This is how far He went just to know you intimately. What are you waiting for? Could you actually still be ashamed to proclaim Him after all He suffered for you?
**Dysfunctional Families!**
Now let's look deeper into Jesus' Early Years...Because... When you put the pieces together...There is actually a bit more Written in Scriptures than we realize! The average Christian sees Baby Jesus…Born into a sweet and caring family...And growing up in the best of atmospheres...Cuddled in love... In a stable and well-functioning family...After all... He is the Son of God...And God would have made sure He was in the best of situations!
Until He leaves His home... And His family business...To begin His Calling... At 30yrs old! Well. Let's start with THIS Verse...When Jesus was returning to Minister in His home town during His Ministry!
Mark 6:3 (NKJV)
"Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?"
Jesus Had 4 brothers... And at least 2 sisters...So He grew up in a home of at least 7 children! With 4 brothers and 2 sisters...Who were not the Messiah! But NORMAL little brats!
So Jesus had all of the experiences of Childhood as us!...And "Mr. Perfect" probably got the brunt of the abuse by the others! It is most probable that Jesus' Purpose was not shared with the siblings when they were young... Nor anyone else.
Even Mary and Joseph probably did not know the extent of what Jesus' Mission would be... Or that He Came to Die... And not free the people.
But it is certain...That His siblings heard the rumors in the small town…
Saw the shameful way Mary was treated…And probably knew Jesus was only a Half-Brother…Which brought them shame to the family!
It is certain…That Jesus learned early on…Exactly what His purpose would be...And even at an early age... He dedicated Himself to God and His Learning of the Word!...As was apparent by His actions at only 12yrs old!
Luke 2:41-51 (NKJV)
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." 49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
It is also very reasonable... Based upon evidence...That Jesus had already displayed acts…Of Faith and Power in the Spirit...Which showed the Father's Anointing on Him...Because Mary came to Jesus at the wedding in Cana...Already understanding and expecting Jesus to help her supernaturally!
John 2:1-5 (NKJV)
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." 4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."
In this beautiful Passage...Not only does Mary know fully well…What Jesus is capable of doing...But she has an intimate assumption of trust... That He will fulfill her wishes... Even though He is Reluctant at first!
We can only imagine the things she might have witnessed…In her private years with Jesus on earth! Healings… Help in times of need... Help for poor...There is Scriptural proof... That as Jesus grew older... And began to answer the Calling from His Father... His already tarnished and branded reputation...For being a poor, uneducated, bastard son...Grew exponentially worse!
All of His friends, neighbors and customers...Of the extremely small, close town of Nazareth...A semi-isolated population of about 350 at that time! Everyone near and dear to Him in His earthly Life...Completely turned on Him... Condemned Him... Judged Him...And literally sought to take His Life!
Mark 6:1-6 (HCSB)
1 He went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him. 2 When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished... 3 So they were offended by Him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his household.” 5 So He was not able to do any miracles there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He was amazed at their unbelief. Now He was going around the villages in a circuit, teaching.
Luke 4:16, 20-21, 28-30 (NKJV)
16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read… 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”... 28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. 30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
We’ve read this Passage many times…Not realizing these were people who INTIMATELY KNEW JESUS! This would be like every friend you've had since childhood...And all the people of this church...Completely turning on you... Calling you a scum criminal...And even saying you deserved to die! Leaving you no one... BUT your family!
Oh... But wait... Scriptures show us that Jesus could not even turn to THEM for Comfort or Love at this point...
John 7:1-5 (HCSB)
1 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since He did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill Him. 2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 so His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.)
His own brothers not only didn't believe Him...But mocked and ridiculed Him…
Just as the rest of the community was doing!...And listen to Jesus' strange...
And seemingly harsh reaction to His family in this Passage:
Mark 3:31-35 (HCSB)
31 Then His mother and His brothers came, and standing outside, they sent word to Him and called Him. 32 A crowd was sitting around Him and told Him, “Look, Your mother, Your brothers, and Your sisters are outside asking for You.” 33 He replied to them, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who were sitting in a circle around Him, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother.”
Why did He not go out to them?Why did He cling to those sitting with Him instead?
Mark 3:20-21 (HCSB)
20 Then He went home, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat. 21 When His family heard this, they set out to restrain Him, because they said, “He’s out of His mind.”
Jesus did not go out to meet them...Because they were there to remove Him...
From being a public shame to them... In embarrassment! So even... And especially... His very Own, Intimate Family... Those He had loved dearly... Took care of as an older brother...Shared His life with to this point! Mocked Him... Rejected Him...And considered Him an embarrassment!
Has anyone here ever had a close family member turn on you?...Or degrade you terribly?...Had a parent, or sibling tell you that you were worthless?
Or a failure? Or crazy and stupid?...And you lacked support or
encouragement from anyone...Even from your own family? Leaving you completely isolated? Talk to HIM… HE’S BEEN THERE!
- The Broken Heart Of Jesus!
Do you think Jesus was unaffected by this in His Human Life? For thirty years He had Grown up with...And Grown close to these people...With the same ties and emotions that you and I have for our families...Most assuredly, even more so... Because of His Deep Love!
There are passages in an often missed Psalm...A proclaimed Messianic Psalm...Attested to by NT Writers...Quoted prophetically more times than any Psalm in Scriptures…Other than Psalm 22... As speaking about the Life and Death of Jesus…This Psalm gives intimate knowledge…Of the Pain in Jesus' Heart and Mind...As they describe His relationship with His Own family...And the community... As they BROKE HIS HEART!
Psalm 69:7-12, 19-20 (HCSB)
7 For I have endured insults because of You, and shame has covered my face. 8 I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons 9 because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. 10 I mourned and fasted, but it brought me insults. 11 I wore sackcloth as my clothing, and I was a joke to them. 12 Those who sit at the city gate talk about me, and drunkards make up songs about me... 19 You know the insults I endure— my shame and disgrace. You are aware of all my adversaries. 20 Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I waited for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters, but found no one.
In His 100% Human Emotions, Desires... And Great Love...Jesus still deeply longed for... And coveted...The support, acceptance and love...Of His closest family... And His Life-Long Friends!
He was abandoned by His community...By all of His Life-Long friends...By almost all of His family...By the many followers who at first flocked to Him...
(For their own benefit)...Until... Out of everyone in His Life...There was nothing but a handful of misfit followers...And in the end...Even THEY turned on Him...
Leaving His Heart Broken... And His Soul in Despair! Listen to that familiar Passage in Isaiah again now…And recognize the Emotional Grief of Jesus…
As it describes how He was affected by all of this...Over 700 years before He was Born...In perfect detail!
Isaiah 53:3-4, 7-8, 10-11 (NLT)
3 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care... 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!.. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people... 10 But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
God Could Have Allowed Jesus to Come to this earth FULLY MATURE…And Die for our sins…BUT HE CHOSE TO ALLOW…AN ENTIRE CHILDHOOD OF REJECTION AND PAIN! WHY?!
BECAUSE… Jesus did not JUST DIE for you and I...From the First Breath ever Drawn into His Tiny Lungs...On that first Noel...Jesus LIVED every Day of His Life... For you and I...GET THIS… With a completely HUMAN HEART...He Lived a Life of extreme emotional loneliness and isolation... From everyone He held dear...That has made many people today... With similar lives...Give up in despair and feelings of worthlessness!
He did it as part of the Punishment…That He Chose to Endure for our rebellion...But He ALSO did it...So He could WALK WITH US through the horrors of this world...That He has to SEE US ENDUE...He did it so we could...In an absolutely real way...With complete confidence...Come to Him in our struggles and pain...And be Heard by Someone Who has really been there as well!
THAT'S... MY JESUS!
PLEASE, PLEASE UNDERSTAND... THAT IS HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO HIM! THAT IS HOW FAR HE HAS GONE TO WIN YOUR LOVE...AND LET THAT EVIDENCE BRING YOU LOVE & WORSHIP!
IF THE ENTIRE WORLD SEEMS TO HAVE TURNED AGAINST YOU...IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE DRIVEN EVERYONE AWAY...DO WHAT JESUS DID...
AND DRAW CLOSE TO THE ONLY ONE WHO MATTERS... KNOWING HOW MUCH HE DESIRES TO HEAR YOU...KNOWING HOW HE WANTS TO SHARE IN YOUR LIFE!
THERE IS NEVER A TIME WHEN YOU ARE NOT LOVED…NEVER A TIME YOU ARE NOT UNDERSTOOD! YOU ARE NEVER ALONE IN YOUR STRUGGLE!
YOU WILL GET THE STRENGTH… HOPE… AND EVEN THE LOVE…NOT ONLY CONTINUE IN LIFE JOYFULLY…BUT EVEN LOVE AND CARE FOR THOSE WHO HURT YOU!
HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN THE TIME IN INTIMATE PRAYER…TO TELL JESUS THAT YOU SEE WHAT HE HAS DONE…SEE WHAT HE’S EXPERIENCED… FOR YOU? AND JUST THANK HIM… PRAISED HIM… LOVE HIM…FOR IT?
**We have been in an unplanned series, which is probably the best kind of series, growing in what it means to really turn from this world and our sins and want Christ and His Ways more than our own life rather than say a prayer for deliverance and go on with life as usual. What it means to truly die to self and stop living for the, goals, pleasures and meaning of this world as our motivation and purpose. And what it means to truly Rise again new with Christ, seeing everyone and everything differently; rejecting our old ways of sin because we know His ways of love are better; embracing a new life in Him with a new purpose, truly trusting and walking in life differently. All of this, through Him and His Power in us—not legalistically or begrudgingly.**
In what Christ taught us about what it means to live for Him and with Him in real love brings us to a place where Satan has many living in fear and agony when we should be living in peace and adventure.
We will begin today's study addressing one of the most popular and life hindering questions that Christians and potential Christians ask. And we will carry into the one thing which the majority of all Christians are missing as we attempt to walk in God's Love today.
Let's begin with this question that a number of people ponder over endlessly, seek counsel over and torment themselves with frequently. Because you have probably asked this question—some here may be living in this mindset right now—and we will all need this to help others. The dilemma in many minds right now is this: “I do know God is real, I have accepted Him in Faith, and yet I have still chosen to be angry with Him at times. I have still chosen, on purpose, to do my own thing against Him at times. I have moments when I want what I want, and I will cave in to those same sins, again that I am supposed to have given to Him. I know there was a time (for some maybe it is even now) when I knew He was there, and I purposefully still rejected Him, knowing He’s there, quenching His Spirit and choosing myself. Does He still love me? Does He still want me? Can I even be saved now? Or have I committed the ‘Unforgivable Sin’?” Many well-meaning people read Scriptures like the Ones we are about to read and feel they are forsaken; without h; unlovable. These Scriptures are so often read out of context and removed from supporting Scriptures throughout the Bible, causing so much unnecessary worry. Let's take a bit of time and break them down to see their true meaning: Hebrews 6:4-8: Paul (probably) is talking to Hebrews (Jews) who have understood and accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Some have turned away, back to their familiar and useless following of the law that they think will save them. The Passage states that if you have "known" the Way—tasted God, become a partaker of the Spirit—and then "fall away"—return to their previous ways, they cannot be renewed again to repentance. But listen to the explanation of "why?" "…Since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." They openly reject what Jesus did for them. This has nothing to do with God's willingness to forgive and everything to do with their decision to reject it. Paul is saying: "If you reject the one thing that will save you, it is impossible to be saved any other way." Not that you can’t return to that trust in Christ, but that if you reject the truth you have, there is no other Way to be made. He reiterates this fact with a short example: Hebrews 6:4-8. If the ground receives what it needs to produce harvest (rain), but instead, it takes that goodness and produces thorns, it is near to being cursed. The rain will still fall—what the ground produces with the rain is the key. Did David know God intimately? Was he used by the Spirit to win battles, write the very Scriptures we read? And yet did he fall far enough away to commit adultery? To hate another enough to have them murdered innocently? Did God forgive him and take him back? Did Peter know Jesus intimately?
Walk with Jesus? Love and accept Jesus as his Messiah? Did Peter turn away in Jesus' most desperate moments in selfishness and fear? Did Jesus take him back and use him powerfully? Did the Prodigal son reject his own father knowingly? And we know this parable is not just about the human condition because it compares the son to one who never leaves. Did he count his inheritance as nothing and waste it? Was he welcomed back the moment he repented and came home? The love and desire of God for His children never goes away; the offer for forgiveness never goes away. But if we shun that sacrificial love for us, there is nothing else which can save us. We must return and accept what He has done or it is impossible.
This second passage causes many to live in fear the same way: Matthew 12:31-32. So many people fear they have committed the "Unpardonable Sin" by ridiculing, rejecting or quenching the Spirit when they have known that it was God. First, attach this passage to what it was intended to address. The Pharisees have just seen Jesus' miracles. They have seen Him fulfill the Scriptures they teach, and yet—because they do not want to accept Him in their hearts—they are knowingly rejecting and blaspheming the Spirit which reveals truth to them. And the last passage before these words are spoken to them by Jesus: Matthew 12:30: Jesus is saying: "You have clearly seen Truth, yet you are openly rejecting the Witness of the Spirit in your hearts. You may misunderstand who I am in ignorance, but if the Spirit reveals truth and you will not accept it. If you choose to stand against me openly, it is unforgivable." In other words: if you reject the very conviction of the Spirit in you, then your heart has condemned you because I am the only way. If you stand against Me, you are not for Me. So, your heart, your decision, is beyond forgiveness—now and in eternity—because you've rejected salvation—not because forgiveness is not still available—but because you have rejected the Spirit's conviction. Forgiveness must come from yielding to the Spirit. The Sin was "Unpardonable" because of condition of the heart. Their rejection of Him just like us today. Not because of some magical, specific thing they have said or done that God Calls irreversible through some form of legalism. No one is ever beyond salvation. It is but one surrendered breath away. Even those Pharisees could have received salvation if they had repented and softened their hearts to the Spirit, but they were set in their decision. Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21; Jeremiah 33:8. And lastly—understand this once and for all—from where does conviction come? John 16:8; John 6:44. The very fact that you are worried over your salvation—that you even desire salvation—proves the Spirit is still working in your heart. The one who has rejected Him, stands against Him—has no care or desire to be near Him; no care to be saved by His sacrifice. You are secure in His offer of salvation in His calling for you to come in His desire for your love. God does not just love us, God is love in His very essence: 1 John 4:18-19.
The real question still remains: "Do you truly want Him now?" Stop obsessing over a past that can’t be changed. You are just as valued, treasured and desired as ever. Jesus will forgive your rebellion, so you must let it go as well. Don't give Satan access to the only weapon he has against you—unjustified fear and ignorance of who Christ is. The only thing that matters is do you want to be with Him now? I didn't say, "Do you want Salvation now?" Because if that is all you want—if that is all you have a fear over—you do not love and want Him. So few Christians understand just how deeply they are loved; just how treasured they are to God. If we could grasp it—if we could express it to others—people would flock to Christ for His Salvation. All of Creation around us was created for us as a wondrous, majestic, gift of Love, for us to rule over and enjoy, basked in His Love. He Created us in His image, with all His attributes to be able to show love and share in oneness with Him. How Deeply do you think the Father Loves Jesus? John 3:35; John 17:24. How faithfully do you think the Father hears Jesus when He Speaks? John 11:41-42. How close do you think the Father is to Jesus in their relationship? John 17:5; John 17:21;
John 10:30, 38; John 14:11. The Father loves Jesus passionately as Himself. The Father is literally One with Jesus in intimacy and relationship. The Father hears everything Jesus asks. The Father works with Jesus as One to heal and save us. The Father gives glory to His precious honored Son. That is exactly how much God loves you and I, and when we broke that Love when we messed up everything with our sin and selfishness. He should have stopped there and rid His creation of heartbreak and evil, but He is love incarnate. He would not abandon those He had created to be one with Him—even at the cost of His Kingdom, His crown, His soul—so He made the way for us to be redeemed to come home. But only if we wanted to share in the love He made us for, only if we chose to be with Him. Since we had lost our glory, our worth, our ability to love—He gave everything to die in our name so He could give us the glory, worth and love of His name, and make us worthy to be one with Him again. Look at all Jesus died and won for us—not just a ticket to heaven: John 17:21-23, 26; John 14:18-20. God redeemed you to make you one with Him again—right now, right here. Christ gave you His worth to the Father. Christ gave you His glory in the Father's eyes. Christ made you one in fellowship with Him and the Father. That means He desires to walk and talk with you. He desires to work in your life every moment. He is concerned with everything about you. It also means He desires that same love, devotion and fellowship in return. It is why we were created. It means that our reason for being placed on this earth has not changed—to care for this world and the people in it under Him, to restore all things back to Him, make all things new. He wants to work with you as one in that calling now. He wants us to become so close to Him, so in love with Him, so at one with Him that we share in His desire to set the world right again that we love those in this creation He has given to us. He didn’t just come to get us to the Kingdom; He came to bring the Kingdom to us now. He places great worth and importance on our prayers for those in our lives. He longs to work with us as one, answering our heartfelt prayers to help, heal, grow, and save others. That is why Jesus says that when we become one with His will, we can ask anything and it will be done: 1 John 5:14-15. His will is not just a command to learn what He wants so we can "parrot" it back to Him in prayer. It is an offer to become so close to Him in love that our heartfelt desires can be so like His that we can join with Him as He honors our desire and will to move in this creation He has given to us. Placing the same worth, importance, passion, authority into hearing and answering us that He did for Jesus Christ. Because through Christ alone, we have been given that worth, honor and love once more—even though we have done nothing to deserve it. This is how and why we die to self and rise a new creature with a new life and desire. This is how we find a new worth for people and life. This is why we don't see anything the same after Christ; everything serves a different purpose than before. Our goal and purpose is unimaginably bigger than anything we could desire on earth. We have joined the King as one in His quest to save eternal souls: to love and touch broken people; to show worth to worthless people. It is so much bigger than simply attaining salvation. Our lives are meant for so much more, right here, right now. Accepting Christ as King is supposed to be an epiphany of the souls where we are accepted and loved as one with God Himself where our prayers, work, desires—all take on the importance and authority of Christ. As we become partners with our King to care for the Creation He has given to us. So, get over whether you are worthy or not [you aren't—but He can make you worthy if you want Him]. Get over whether you have gone too far or rejected Him one too many times. Get over what you did yesterday, and decide if you want Him now. Then we all need to fully embrace just how loved we are now. Embrace that He wants to be one right now. Embrace that our entire calling has changed as we walk with Him in newness. Embrace that we have been bestowed with blessing, power and position in Him that our love, work and will are wanted and honored as we work with him in the greatest calling imaginable: Ephesians 2:8-10.
A few Wednesday's ago... With a strong notion from God...We changed from the Wednesday Night Bible Study...To bring the first part of what was to be...One of the most powerful mini-series I've ever studied personally...Bringing us back to the very roots...Of what it means to Accept... And Live for... Jesus Christ! A Study that kind of made me "Wipe the board clean"...From all that we usually think about Living for Christ...And with a fresh... Biblical... Tradition-challenging Foundat [...]
This past Wednesday we took a break from our "Walk Thru The Bible" series to cover one of the most powerful and divisive teachings of Jesus Christ as He walked the earth 2000 years ago. One that seems to be all but lost in today's Christian culture. What was this disruptive and disliked teaching of Jesus? The understanding that accepting Jesus Christ as Lord is not simply believing He exists; not simply asking Him to save your soul and then going about your life business as usual with a n [...]
Last week we began a two part series about..."The Blood of Jesus!"Thus far we have seen how the Blood of Christ...Did so much more than bring Salvation! It Also brought...Boldness instead of shame...Protection from Satan...Oneness with the Father... Became Blood-Kin to GOD! Power to fight sin and work in the Spirit! We saw that "The Blood" of Jesus... Was not just for a One Time Moment of Salvation...But It is to be...Covered Under, Lived In, Empowered By, and Accepted Thru...Every moment [...]
I have heard many an Old Baptist Preacher...Giving sermons about "The Blood of Christ!"...Usually in a fiery sermon about Salvation!...How "The Blood" is the Only Way to Heaven!...And this is all good... And all true!...But as a NEW Christian... Sermons about "The Blood"...Always seemed somewhat odd... Almost violent at times! Sometimes even leaving me a bit creeped out...As to WHY God Did Things this Way! Rarely was there a full explanation...Of exactly WHAT the Blood of Christ did...WHY [...]
If Jesus had lived in our time, He very possibly could have used this parable: Imagine you wake up from a wonderful, deep sleep to find yourself cruising along on the tracks of a railroad in a passenger train. It's full of people laughing, talking, eating in the dining cars—all going about their day without a care—enjoying their trip. You feel bewildered because you just can't seem to remember how you got on the train. You ask someone near you, "Where did this train depart fro [...]
All of the talk in Christian circles for weeks and months now has been about the many signs of Christ's soon return and how prophecies are being fulfilled all around us. Let me tell you that I agree and it is exciting to see. But as much as it honors God to recognize His Prophecies and to anticipate His soon return, there is a much greater way to honor and please Him than simply becoming infatuated with when it will happen. When we recently spent three weeks learning how Jesus Himself tau [...]
Scenario: Three friends have just been informed...Beyond the shadow of a doubt...They have one week before the world will come to an end! One replies:"Well, I'm going out having every experience possible!I’ve got drugs I haven’t tried, women, drinking, stealing... Might as well be like “The Purge”… And try it all...Nothing to lose now!" The Second replies:"Good gravy! I've got to get right with Jesus RIGHT NOW!I'm throwing everything out... I [...]
This is our third and final lesson in our Series about Prayer! We are looking specifically and intently...At Jesus' Teachings and Habits in Prayer alone! What we are learning in this Series is literally life-altering...If you will take it to heart and apply what you Hear from God's Words! Let's recap what we have learned so far...To bring us up to our place of Study today: TIME: Our God Paid the Ultimate Price to give us access to Him...And He deserves more than our scraps [...]
We have talked about: The Top Four Reasons we do not pray as we should... #4- Angry at God#3- God is displeased/Distant from God#2- Not enough time/Too busy#1- Prayer doesn't seem to work/Make a difference We discussed how Prayer... Done Biblically...Absolutely makes all of the difference in the world! In helping us literally know God more intimately...And in the fact that... According to Scriptures... AND experience: God WILL change the course of the world…On behalf of o [...]
We have spent several weeks now showing how God's ultimate desire—even above obedience, even above service or giving—is intimacy with His people. How that one thing is literally why we are here, is the reason He gave His life, is why our sins hurt Him so deeply; how our hunger to know Him and our real love for Him are more important than anything else we could possibly give. The most natural thing to study together after learning His true heart and how to hunger and thirst for [...]
For the last two weeks, we have looked at the incredible passion and real intimacy Jesus Christ wants to have with each of us, and how it is not our sins that break His heart but our lack of desire for Him in return. Our passion and thirst for everything but Him. The fact that our emotions, needs and trusts are placed in something—anything—but Him. Because He created us to be His greatest love, desire—His beloved. Like any husband, He longs to be everything to His bride [...]
We introduced the Story of Hosea and Gomer...With a "Modern Day Parable" equivalent... To drive it home. The Passage explains how God told Hosea…To marry a woman of whoredom...And show her love and acceptance... Even when NOT deserved!...And then... He told Hosea to CHOOSE loving her...Even when she was unfaithful to him...Even when she had children from another man! Even when she basically became a prostitute...Ruining her life... And finally becoming so worthless and used up [...]
We have spent much time on the subjects…Of Sin, Judgment, and End Times in recent days...And in light of the current National and World Events…Compared to Biblical Prophecy... These are appropriate and desperately needed studies!But... There is one study... That our broken and sinful world...Our lost, directionless world...Needs even more! A Study which Trumps all other studies...And tells the world what it really needs to hear...Desperately WANTS to hear...More than anythin [...]
Homosexuality, Transgenderism, gender-fluency—these subjects have become the central focus, affecting every area of social and religious life in recent days, creating a whirlwind of changes within politics, laws, social etiquette, entertainment, education and even military recruitment and training. For many Christians who cannot agree with these issues—no matter the love and acceptance of the people that are involved in them—anger, exclusion and attempts to silence opini [...]
So often in my Christian life, I have heard the statement: "If God is so loving, why doesn't He do something about all of the evil in the world? Why does He let these things happen?" And I understand the notion, the frustration—I’ve been there myself. But, if you will stop and think about it, the quandary in that attitude is that we so often turn right around under different circumstances (Biblical or current) and ask: "How could God be so ruthless and unforgiving? How could G [...]
Jehovah Rophe... The God Who Heals... Do we believe that?! This church is definitely a PRAYING CHURCH! I am so thankful for the compassion andzeal...With which we lift one another up in prayer to God! Often in serious prayer for those we do not even know!...And with complete seriousness... I have to say that for our size... It seems this congregation has been attacked...Physically, emotionally and spiritually... More than any I have ever been a part of in the past! Just ma [...]
Last week we discussed the Christian... And Non-Christian… REASONING...For why the Roe V. Wade Reversal was the only right decision...Not only morally... But legally....And this week we will not take the time to revisit these evidences. This 49 year battle... And especially the recent overturning of Roe V. Wade...Has brought about more division, anger, hatred…And even violence... Between opposing side...Than anything since the Civil Rights Movement…During the 50' [...]
On June 24, 2022—for the first time since January 22, 1973—after 49yrs, the protection over the right to choose an abortion was overturned at the federal level of law in this country and the shockwaves of this decision has sent this country into complete division and turmoil. Because of the overwhelming emotions, deep moral implications and for us the unchanging Word of our Lord and Savior, I am compelled to address this issue in full with you, my brothers and sisters in Chris [...]
Think of the worst sin you've ever committed? Got it? Now tell me this... "Did Christ Forgive you?" Yes...Was that Forgiveness Given Freely? To YOU... YES...But not to HIM! If you owed me $20,000... And I forgave you of that debt...That forgiveness is completely, FREELY received by YOU...But how much did it cost ME to forgive you? $20,000! We always hear how Christ's Forgiveness is FREE!! But NOTHING is further from the Truth! It is FREE to you because...Everything y [...]
A few weeks ago we did a wonderful study of just how personally and passionately Jesus loves us. At our picnic we studied about the deepest, strongest desires of Jesus' heart for our lives and for our relationship with Him. This study we will delve into a much less discussed topic—at least in the way and the depth in which we will see today: the "humanity" of Jesus. We know He took on human form. We know He suffered and died for us as a Human. But in our personal view of Him, and ev [...]
Last week... We saw the Deep and Passionate Love...That Our Jesus has for each and every one of us! How He Loves us through anything we do or say...How He not only Cares about us...But is Powerfully Affected…By our pains, joys, failures and sins... In an Intimate and Genuine Way! How that Great Love caused Him to give up all He Counted Valuable...To become a Servant and Savior for US... His True Love! Let me ask you something... Seriously...When we realize He has this kin [...]
How many here have seen the new Top Gun movie? As cheesy as it was, the original movie was my favorite movie—until this one came out… The message today has been on my heart for a couple of weeks now. God made it very clear this one was for me as much as for anyone here. And as I studied more and more, I realized the premise of this new Top Gun Movie was—humorously enough—the ideal opening illustration of what needs to be conveyed. "Maverick", Pete Mitchell, Is a N [...]
Last week we took an objective look at current world events...And compared them to Scriptural prophecies and descriptions of the Last Days before the Coming Tribulation! Starting with the most obvious and undeniable event of...The return of Israel to her own land... And which seems to powerfully represent…The beginning of the last generation in Scriptures! (Israel is now 74 years old!) Expanding from there... We looked at other nations today...Their locations, alliances, [...]
It is unmistakable that in the last several years our world has changed in a number of ways which we never would have predicted or believed possible beforehand. We have experienced: 1) a global pandemic which has taken millions of lives and completely altered how we live, play and work 2) shortages in our supply chains which are altering prices and creating needs in every area of life 3) division, hatred and societal unrest which has not been experienced in our lifetimes, threatening to t [...]