1-30-2021    The Wedding Feast

       The sheep & the Lion (of Judah)                The saints & the Lamb of God

Jesus had been talking to the people in parables about the kingdom of God.  Then He explains about the marriage feast and those invited, those who came and those who were not invited.

Matthew 22:1-14

Again, Jesus spoke to them in parables and said:

The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who made a marriage for his son.

He sent his servants out to call those who were invited to the wedding, but they would not come.

So he sent forth other servants to those invited saying that he had already prepared a dinner of oxen, fatlings, please come.

But they made light of it and went their own ways, one to his farm, another to his business.

Those who were left took and spitefully beat the servants, even killing them.

Think about this for a minute.  The ruler of the land invited all those who were “somebody”, the important people of his kingdom, those whom he thought were his friends, to a wedding feast for his son.  Many said “So what?”  They couldn’t waste their time on an event the king had planned!  Others made excuses as to why they couldn’t attend.  And yet others beat up or even killed those servants who brought the invitation (get out of my face!). Where’s the respect for this king?

Consider that ‘these’ servants were the prophets of the Old Testament, the prophets of God.  That elite group of people (being invited) was Israel.  These were a people who were supposed to be familiar with Moses, Abraham, the Law and even God, Himself.  Yet they rejected the invitation!  These were people who professed to know and live by God’s laws.  These were people, who in their own eyes, enjoyed good standing in the community (Matt. 6:1-5).  The king had the authority over the land and the people ignored him.

And when the king heard about this, he was angry so he sent out his armies and destroyed those who murdered (his servants), and destroyed their city.

How did the king react?  Does the flood (Gen. 6:1-19), Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 10:1-15), Israel falling into captivity (1 Chron. 9:1) ring any bells?  Even at the foot of the mount while Moses was talking with God, the people, tired of waiting, made the golden calf and were worshipping a false God, instead of He who brought them out of captivity (Egypt).  Their actions showed either a total lack of understanding or just plain contempt for the One who watched over them.  God was ready to destroy them on the spot.  Yet Moses interceded and those who made the decision to follow the one true and living God were spared.  Those who continued to refuse God were destroyed.  Those hearts didn’t or wouldn’t yield to the Creator of all things.

Then he said to his servants that the wedding was ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

Go into the highways and ask whoever you find to come to the marriage.

Those originally invited were dealt with and the king sent his servants out to find anyone they could and invite them to the wedding.  Anyone who would accept his graciousness.

So the servants went into the highways and as many as they found gathered them together, both good and bad and the wedding was furnished with guests.

Note that now, the invitation was extended to any who would come, no matter who they were or what they had done.  No distinction was made between the new guests.  And take note that they were not necessarily Israelites!  But there was a condition. 

And when the king came in to see his guests, he saw a man who was not wearing a wedding garment. 

The king asked the man why he had come not wearing a wedding garment.  He (the man) was speechless.

Then the king told his servants to bind the man hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

One man decided to come without wearing a wedding garment.  When invited to an important event, usually, we make ourselves presentable.  We put on our best outfit or at least a decent, clean outfit.  And for us (to whom it may apply) might even shave and splash on a little ‘Brute’ (or something).  But, this man, had heard about the feast and couldn’t bother to clean himself up a bit.  He was not really ready for the occasion.  He had not properly prepared himself.  If you will, he may have even ‘snuck’ in a side or back door.  He was quickly shown the exit.  Perhaps this man felt that as long as he showed up it would be OK?

When we prepare for the wedding - our entrance into eternity – we prepare by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.  As the people in this kingdom should have – we show respect for the One who has authority over us by presenting ourselves the best that we can.  We show lack of respect when we don’t properly present ourselves.  If we were invited to the White House, we would clean ourselves up and put on our best clothes before going, yes?  King Ahasuerus’ servants cleaned up Esther and dressed her in the finest clothes when it came her time to go and meet the king (Esth. 2:12-17),   The Holy Ghost prepares us to be the best that we can be so we can meet our King.  Once we have received Jesus, we abide in His love and confess any sins we may fall into afterwards in order to be ready.  Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me.”

For many are called, but few are chosen.

God plays no favorites on whom He invites into heaven, but there is a condition. 

Consider today’s church.  Should Jesus Christ come today, how many of us would really be ready to go?  Remember the bridesmaids - five were always ready, five were not.  Five went into the marriage feast, five were locked out (Matt. 25:1-12).  Their lamps had ‘gone out’, they were no longer living for the coming of the bridegroom.

Israel couldn’t wait a few days for Moses to come back down from the mount before they turned away from God.  Scripture tells us that, in the end times, there will be a falling away (in the church, 2 Thess. 2:1-3) from God.  Look around.  Aside from the cults which have arisen, in the established church, how many leaders have gotten involved with and stay in acts that Father says we should stay clear of (adultery, fornication, lying, cheating, etc.)?  Things that would deny our entrance into eternity as they show our true heart (Matt. 6:21).  These leaders have forgotten the first half of the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:1-17), love God with all our being and justified their involvement with the second half (thou shalt not …), giving excuses.   They may say ‘this church is mine’ (not God’s) or ‘I didn’t really do that …. or it was a minor sin’.

Too much of the church is leaning towards the ‘world’s’ values and moving away from God’s.  They are living too much like the scribes and Pharisees of two thousand years ago.  They seek their own gain and their ‘religion’ has become merely a formality (Matt. 23:1-39).

Do we seek the comforts of the world while professing to serve our Lord and Savior (I’m not talking about God’s blessings here)?  It won’t work.  It can’t work.  No one can serve God and mammon at the same time (Matt. 6:24).

John heard a voice like a great multitude, like many waters, like great thunderings saying “Alleluia, for the Lord God, omnipotent, reigns.  Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him for the marriage of the lamb is come and His wife has made herself ready.  And it was granted to her that she should be displayed in fine linen, clean and white for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints”.  And He said to me “write blessed are they which are called to the marriage feast of the lamb!”  And He said “God has truly said this.” (Rev. 19:6-9)

There is an alternative eternal existence for those who reject our Lord and Savior.  Read Revelations chapter twenty for some insight.  Satan, the false prophet and the anti-Christ, along with all those who have rejected God will experience the lake of fire and brimstone forever.

God is love and He desires that no one should perish (2 Peter 3:9).  His offer is always open to us.  There is no greater gift of friendship than for one to give his life for another.  Father came in the form of Jesus and went to the cross for our sake.

So are we ready for the wedding?  For whom should we be preparing ourselves?  For what are we preparing ourselves?

Amen

 

1-16-2021 In Whose Image Are We?

                            Jesus or myself                                                            Jesus or Satan

Gen. 1:26                     Let us make man in our image …

Here, Father says “let’s make man in our image.”  You ask ‘our’? image?  Father is what ‘we’ refer to as the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Ghost – a plurality in a single being.   

Being human, we naturally think oh, a head, body, arms, legs, etc.  Growing up, that’s what I always envisioned, but as you read this entry, you may conclude (I pray) that the image of God goes a lot deeper.  (Start thinking body, soul & spirit)

John 14:8-9                  If you’ve seen Me, you have seen the Father …

Philip tells Jesus that, at least he would be satisfied if He (Jesus) showed them the Father but Jesus turned it around saying “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.”  Again, don’t just take this at the surface level – head, body, etc.

John 3:9-12                  … If you haven’t believed the earthly things I’ve said …

Jesus also told his those, with whom He shared the gospel, that if they couldn’t believe the things He expressed in earthly terms, how could they possibly comprehend heavenly things?  People had a hard time accepting things He did right in front of them.  How would they be able accept things they couldn’t see?

John 17:20-23              … for all who believe on Me through Your Word that they would be one in me as I in you …

I’ve mentioned the Godhead (let’s make man in Our image) so God is a plurality yet Jesus extends that out to include us – to bring believers into His body.  Jesus and the Father are inseparable (by our understanding) and He wants us to be one with Him (Jesus) as He is with the Father.  One, in unity, that when people look at us, they see Jesus/Father (God) beaming out from our lives as the Holy Ghost abides within us.  Jesus prays this prayer to the Father for you and me and all who would accept Him.

1 Corinth. 11:7            for man … is the image and glory of God (read the whole passage vs 1-12)

Paul tells us that man is made in the image and glory of God.  Now bear in mind, I want to go deeper than surface level.  Of course, this passage speaks of covering, God over man, man over woman though man come from the woman (birth) yet all are under God

Gen. 9:6                       … for in the image God, He made man

And Father Himself confirms this speaking with Noah about not shedding blood, for God made man in His (God’s) own image.  A deliberate act by God almighty – saying He made us in HIS image – to be like Him!

 

 

So, in whose image are we

John 8:42-45                … If God were your Father, you would love Me, but you are of your father, the devil …           

Jesus addresses the Jews who justify themselves as being Abraham’s seed (descendants, John 8:33, 8:39).  For us, that would equate with “I’m in the church, I’m saved, I’m OK!”  Right?  But in this case we wouldn’t truly ‘be living’ for Him (Jesus).  Jesus’ response was if you were the seed of Abraham, you would do his works and Abraham did the works of the Lord.  You are of your father, the devil and it’s his (the devil’s) works the people did and Satan is the father of lies.

But

John 3:16                     For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life

God came into this world in the form of Jesus so that we could have eternal fellowship with Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Jesus lived as we do for over thirty years, then He gave Himself for us on the cross.  No greater love has a man than to give his life for his friend (John 15:13).  Jesus calls us His friends (John 15:14).

Romans 10:9               That if you confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

To get the assurance of our salvation, we have to do two things: confess Jesus as our Lord and truly believe, in our hearts, that Father did not allow Jesus to stay in the grave. Through this we gain entrance into that eternal fellowship with God.  However, making Him our Lord means  …

John 14:15                   If you love Me, keep My commandments

Simply said?  Keeping the commandments Jesus passed on to us is how we show our love for God.  Those commandments are to love God and our neighbor (Matt. 22:36-40, Mark 12:30-31).  A single commandment with two parts (direction) of love.  Father and our neighb or.  A further simple explanation of love are the “Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:1-17)

Gal. 2:20                      I am crucified with Christ … Christ lives in me …

We need to remember that we are crucified with Christ.  He bought us with His blood on Calvary’s cross.  Because He loved us that much, we owe Him that much – to live for Him.  We are not our own but bought through His shed blood.  We are His so we love Jesus.  Because we love Jesus, we live for Him and we live for Him by serving those around us so they might see His Glory and love abiding in and reaching out from us.

1 John 4:7-21               … love is of God … God is love … our commandment – if we love God, love our brother also (again).

As we truly love God, we find ourselves loving those around us, especially others who are in Christ Jesus.  John puts it simply in his letter that if we don’t love others, we are lying to ourselves (at the least).  When we ignore or even hate others, where is love?  Father’s love should be noticeable in our lives.

Psalm 86:15                But you, O Lord, are compassionate, gracious, longsuffering, merciful in truth.

Praise God for these qualities as expressed through Jesus.  If these qualities were not in our living God, I wouldn’t have been able to write this and you wouldn’t be reading it today.  Should you not understand?  Go and research the meaning of these words of this verse for a deeper understanding.

1 John 2:1-3                    … you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ …

Just after John tells us how God’s love should be alive in our heart, he gives us a caution and hope.  Don’t sin, but if you do Jesus is our advocate.  We aren’t perfect.  We’re human.  We will mess up along the way.  An advocate steps in and represents another.  Jesus stepped in for us at the cross so we would not be denied eternity and He steps in when we stumble or fall and helps us to get back up on our feet.  Paul tells us to run the race as if we expect to win (1 Corinth. 9:24).  Though we continually fight flesh against spirit (Rom.7:14-25), when we persevere, God is with us and we do win!  Don’t worry about being first to cross the line.  Jesus already did that (at the cross, the grave and the ascension).  But we always do our best so that we, too, can cross that finish line.   Should we ‘mess up’ confess what we have done (speak aloud to Father), repent, renounce, then forget it and press on.  When this is done, God forgets it and so should we (Isa. 38:17).  This is our receiving God’s forgiveness.  (I’m not talking ‘lip service’ but all this is done from our heart)

1 Corinth. 13:13          for now, faith, hope and love abide but the greatest of these is love

Paul cites three things that are very important to God – faith, hope and love.  Faith is believing God, hope is looking forward to receiving what God says and will do and His love ties it all together.  God’s love for us and our love for our heavenly Father help us to become one with Him.

Matt. 22:37-40            Love God, love our neighbor for upon this hangs the law & the prophets

Jesus tells us that love is the top key to being with God.  Everything the Law and the prophets say and did come out of God’s love for us.  Read the bible and prove me wrong (if you can - lol)

So does God deserve our devotion and our love?  For salvation?  The things He has done, is doing and will continue to do for us?  We are quick to receive His love, shouldn’t we return it?  Continually giving Him praise and glorifying Him.    

Do we live in God’s love, allowing that love to abide in us and flow through us to those around us.?

So, in whose image are we?   

Amen

 

1-2-2021          Why Walk With the Lord?

                                      When we look into the mirror, what do we see?

Back on 12-5-2020 we talked about standing with our Lord.  “Why” was supposed to be the following entry but Father went with the ‘gifts’ instead.  So now the question is ‘why’?  Not ‘why the gifts’ but why ‘walk with the Lord’.

John 13:42-50

42        Nonetheless, many among the chief priests believed on Him (Jesus) but didn’t confess Him fearing that they might be put out of the synagogue.

 43       They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

44        Then Jesus cried “He who believes on Me doesn’t believe on Me, but Him that sent me.

45        And he who sees Me sees Him that sent Me.

46        I came a light into the world that he who believes on Me should not abide in darkness.

47        If any man hears My words and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him for I didn’t come to judge but to save the world.

48        He who rejects Me and doesn’t receive My word has one that judges Him.  The Word I have spoken is what will judge him on that last day.

49        For I have not spoken of myself but of the Father which sent Me.  He gave Me a commandment as to what I should say and what I should speak.

50        And I know His commandment is life everlasting.  Therefore whatever I speak, I speak what the Father has said to Me.

“Whatever the Father said, I say unto you.”  Jesus says that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments and that the commandments He speaks are the Father’s commandments. 

So, what commandments did Jesus give the people?  Love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul, this is the first commandment (Matt. 22:27-28).   Mark adds ‘strength’ to this list (Mark 12:30).   And Jesus went on to tell us that the second is like it which is love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39).  But, Jesus didn’t stop there, He also told His followers why love is the top commandment – for the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments (Mat. 22:40).  Everything the prophets said and did was an expression of God’s love toward us.  God is love, the prophets did as God commanded so what the prophets said and did was out of love.

The prophets brought direction to Israel through the words of God’s love for them.  And, if you go back and look at the law (Exod. 20:1-17), it speaks of how to live in God’s love.  The first four commandments give God (our Father) praise, glory and honor.  Our parents stand in God’s stead (place) in our lives (here in this world) so the fifth commandment tells us to honor our parents.  The last five commandments teach us how to interrelate with our neighbors, those people we encounter.  In short, they teach us what ‘not’ to do or how to ‘love our neighbor’. 

Because God is love (1 John 4:7), ergo, His commandment, then, IS to LOVE. 

We are made in the image of God, God is love, therefore we should be the image of God and reflect that love through our lives.

But I asked “Why walk with the Lord?”

Let’s look at our passage.

Jesus says that many of the priests believed on Him, but didn’t confess Him for fear of being kicked out of the church.  Evidence of their presence was Nicodemus (John 3:1-2, John 7:50-51).  Today’s second verse says that these Jews loved man’s praises more than God.  Jesus also tells the disciples that if we deny Him before men, He will deny us before the Father (Matt. 10:33).  After the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea (John 119:38) along with Nicodemus show up after the crucifixion to claim and  body of and to bury Jesus (John 19:39-42).  We know that Joseph was silent about His faith, this passage tells us so.  Yet, he still believed.  The point here, for us, when challenged, don’t deny our relationship with Jesus.  But don’t forget Peter, who did deny our Lord three times (Luke 22:54-62).  When the cock crowed, Peter went out and wept.  As Peter, we too can be forgiven.  We can be forgiven any sin save blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:31).  And what is blasphemy?  Showing contempt or lack of reverence towards God, claiming His acts for ourselves or attributing them to something else other than Creator of all things and believe it in our heart.  Need I remind you to go back and read Genesis chapter one.  God said it and it came into being!  There is nothing before or over Him.  And there is nothing after God except Him and those who are His.  But, don’t forget Peter.

Jesus declares that when we see Him and believe Him, we have seen and believed God the Father.  (If we think back) Jesus declared His oneness with the Father, therefore validating who He is and what He says and does (John 1:1).

Jesus came to bring the light of God’s love to us and shares that love with us so we don’t have to live in the darkness of this world anymore but abide in His eternal light.  The more we understand God’s love for us, the more we understand why things are like they are.  It isn’t because of God’s love for us that it seems things, not so good, befall us but rather it is our refusal to receive and abide in His love!  Think about it!  Everything God does for us is for our own good, but like a good parent who reprimands his child, not everything is pleasant.  What Father brings our way is to help us to be a better person.  Now, understand that our lack of faith can open doors for the enemy to attack us but God can use any situation to strengthen us, our faith.  Consider Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:22-24).

In His ministry, Jesus didn’t condemn people, the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42), nor the woman caught in adultery [John 8:1-11).  Jesus didn’t berate these women but told them to go and sin no more.  Neither does He condemn us for the time is coming when the books will be opened for judgment (Rev. 20:12-15).  He says His Words will judge.  Who is the Word? [Jesus]  without the precious blood of Jesus, we shall be found guilty (Rev. 29:1-15).

In this passage, Jesus attests that what He has been speaking are not words which He dreamed up, but what the Father has given Him to speak.  He knows the words bring life everlasting (remember John 1:1 & John 3:16 – Jesus IS the Word of God).

Jesus tells us several things that we should never forget.  “I am the truth, the way and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me (John 14:6).  Life is in the blood (Lev. 17:11-14).  I shed my blood for you (Luke 22:20).  And, furthermore, I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).  

Our eternal security is totally wrapped up in Jesus.  But I’ve always been a good person!!  People will do a lot of good things in the name of Jesus but would have never taken the time to get to know Him.  Jesus’ response will be “… I never knew you, depart from Me … (Matt. 7:21-22)”

Now, understand, all this is predicated on that I accept God as creator of all things that are and Jesus is the Word of God, the Messiah.  We also know that Jesus is called Emmanuel ‘God is with us’ (Matt. 1:23), therefore He is God, the Father, come into this world, Himself.  I understand the “big bang” and reincarnation and if you choose to believe that’s how things are, that’s your business.  Go ahead and reject God if you will.  But then I ask what do you truly hope for after this life’?

Jesus prays the Father that we be with Him and to be one with Him as He is in the Father (John 17:23-26).

For any other reason to walk with Jesus, all we have to do is reflect on the many blessings Father has bestowed upon us, our family and our friends (Luke 11:28).  Yes, people who reject God do have good things happen to them.  God’s principles work (Isa. 55:11) and He does give gifts without repentance (Rom 12:29-32).  But, He does so because He is always trying to get our attention – for our sake.

The Book of Revelation tells us that he who has accused us before God is cast down and they (all believers) overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their (our) testimony … (Rev. 12:10-11).  So who is the ‘he’?  Our enemy, Satan, Lucifer. 

In case you missed it, all this is about entering into eternal fellowship with our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Just a few things to “chew on” while you ponder -

Why should we walk with Jesus? 

Do we recognize and share what God has done for us?  Where are our testimonies? 

Amen

 

12-19-2020         Oh, Blessed Night

Mark and John don’t spend much time talking about the birth of Jesus but focus on the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Both declare John (the Baptist) as the one who is paving the way for the Messiah.  John baptizes with water for the remission for those who have confessed and repented their sins but the one who comes after him is mightier.

Matthew adds the time when the magi came upon the scene bringing their gifts to the young child, apparently still living in Bethlehem, after which Joseph takes his family go to Egypt until Herod’s death (Mat. 2:1-23).  Interesting to note the Greek word used to designate Jesus, the ‘young child’, is paidion which translates infant, half-grown child, child or even an immature Christian (hmmmm, I wonder how many Christians today are still paidions?). Also note that the magi had been following the star for about two years.  This is indicated when Herod saw that he was mocked and ordered all children under two years of age to be slaughtered (Matt. 2:7-16).  Then Matthew chapter three introduces John the Baptist then spends the next twenty-five chapters on the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Okay, but we’re not focusing on events before His birth, the ministry of Jesus or His death and resurrection right now other than to mention them.  We’re not going into the ‘natural’ lineage of Jesus other than that Matthew goes through the generations beginning with Abraham and ending with Jesus (Matt. 1:2-16).  Luke begins with Jesus going back to Adam, whom he calls the son of God (Luke 3:23-38).  We are going to talk about His birth into this physical world and how we can relate to it.

Luke gives a little more detail surrounding the birth of Jesus than the other gospel writers.  After all Luke was a physician and most likely accustomed to detail.  Luke declares that he has a clear understanding of these things, as he’s writing to Theophilus, so that he (Theo) will know the ‘true deal’ (Luke 1:1-4).  We don’t read anything about Luke (per se) in the gospels but the book of Acts is addressed to the same Theophilus as the gospel of Luke.  (hint, hint)

Luke 2:1-20

We are starting with Joseph taking his very pregnant wife, Mary, to Bethlehem, for he was a descendant of David and Caesar decreed all return to the city of their fathers for taxation.  Bethlehem is the city of David (Luke 2:4).  So it was there Mary gave birth to her first born son, in a manger.

Let’s look at some of the Greek words used here.  (GR phatne – 5336, a food trough or stall) and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes (GR sparganoo – 4683, strips of torn cloth)(vs 1-7).  Our Lord wasn’t born into this world in a warm hospital, a fancy hotel room or even back home where friends or family could help but a place for animals and in a trough for animal feed.  Jesus did not enter our world with a lot of ‘fanfare’!  Could one get a more humble beginning? 

The shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) 

But our focus is on what related to the shepherds’ experience. 

There some shepherds were watching over their flocks by night.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord came upon them.  (Now I don’t know if he came to them on the ground our hovered over them in the air), nonetheless, the glory of the Lord shone around him and the shepherds.  Imagine how you might feel if a ‘man’ suddenly appeared and a great and glorious light surrounded you.  Yep, they shivered in their boots!  They were greatly afraid. 

The angel had a message “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which is meant for all people.  For this day, in the city of David, a Savior is born who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign to you that you shall find him wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”

Now,, the Greek word for Christ is Christo (5547 – Messiah, Christ) which derives from chrio (GR 5548 – which is to anoint, as to rub with oil).  So this babe is anointed to be Savior.  So who has anointed this babe?  Jesus spoke to the people from the book of Isaiah “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach to gospel to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, restore sight to the blind, to set at liberty, those who are bruised and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord”  He closed the book, looked at the people land then said “This day, this scripture is fulfilled in your ears (Luke 4:18-21”.  Jesus, Himself, declared that the Father has anointed Him.  (go back and read Gen. 1:1 & John 1:1 – in the beginning God …, in the beginning was the Word …

Back to the shepherds.  As soon as the angel finished speaking, the heavens were filled with a heavenly host (countless number) praising God saying “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will towards men.”  Now, these guys were in the air!  Filling the sky!  Can you imagine how awesome this must have been? 

Watching ‘Touched by an angel’, at the end of the show, the angels (usually Monica or Tess) always reveal themselves as such at which time a bright light shines down upon the angel from up above, often draping the angel down around the shoulders (or more).  If you have seen the show, imagine the sky full of angels surrounded by a light a hundred times brighter. 

(probably) As soon as they had composed themselves, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Joseph, Mary and the babe and upon seeing this, they couldn’t wait to go tell other people about it.  The people, whom the shepherds told, wondered about what the shepherds had told them and May kept these things and pondered about them in her heart.  Now, here, I’m not clear whether the shepherds came back to where Mary and Joseph were or if they, then, returned to their fields, but irregardless they returned glorifying and praising God. 

The shepherds saw our Savior lying in a manger and recognized and glorified God.  How did we feel when we first let Jesus into our hearts?  Even now, do we glorify our heavenly Father for the things He does for us?

Paul encountered twelve men on the road to Ephesus.  Realizing that they had only been baptized in John’s baptism (water), Paul then baptized them in the name of Jesus, laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost. These guys couldn’t wait to go tell others about their experience (Acts 19:1-8). 

Is there truly a perspective in this for us today?

A Messiah had been prophesied for Israel for centuries before the birth of Jesus so when they were told the Messiah was come, those who believed got excited.  Unfortunately, we know that like the scribes and Pharisees and even those in Nazareth, don’t all receive Jesus (Matt. 13:57-58 & 15:8-9).  Not everybody gets excited.

The shepherds did get excited about the birth of Jesus.  The apostles & disciples got excited when the Holy Ghost came upon them (Acts 2:1-20). 

How excited do we get when Father does something for us?  Big or little, where are our testimonies to God’s goodness?

Are we feeling the presence of our Lord in our own lives?

Are we seeing a tendency for great joy here?

I’ve mentioned this in the past but when I write the blog, I can feel the Lord’s Spirit rising up within me.  I don’t normally recognize this condition until I go to get up from my chair, then I’m all weak-kneed and I feel like the apostles from the upper room.  If anyone saw me, they would probably say the same thing about me as they did back then, “Is he drunk?”  Now, I’m not unique.  Just focused on what my Lord is doing at the time.  Even though I would like to, I can’t be like that all the time.  I would be no good to anyone – not even myself.  My brain is working fine but my legs & body are liked cooked spaghetti.  (is there an older fart around to help me stand up?)

My computer is down in the basement and everything else is upstairs.  I have to laugh at myself when I try to get back upstairs after working on the blog.  I literally have to crawl back up the stairs on all fours!  I feeeeel goooood, but I laugh because I think of what someone else might think if they saw me. 

Did I mention that when we experience the Lord, we should experience great peace and  joy?  I speak for myself, nothing else really matters until I’ve come down from this state of euphoria.  There is consolation, hope, no fear, I like to just sit back and bask in that feeling.  What’d I say?  I feeeeeel goooood!

So how does the birth of Jesus impact us today?  See for yourself.  Experience it for yourself!

Amen

 

 

11-22-2020         Standing in Christ Jesus

 

  

        Standing with Jesus                         He is my everything

John 16:25-28

I’ve spoken these things to you in proverbs, but the time will come when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs but I will show you plainly about the Father.

In that day you shall ask in My name and I’m not going to tell you that I will pray the Father on your behalf

But the Father, Himself, loves you because you have loved Me and believed that I came from God.

I came from the Father, coming into this world, and again, I leave the world to go (back) to the Father.

Let’s take a look at what this passage is saying.

Here Jesus says that even His disciples didn’t fully understand what He was telling the people.  At another time He gave them a reason why.  Those who do not truly seek Him might gain an imagery of salvation without their sins being forgiven.  “Lord, didn’t we do all these wonderful things in Your name?”  Jesus’ response “I never knew You.” (Matt. 7:21-23)  In other words, there would be no true commitment because their hearts would not truly be changed, yet He was helping the disciples understanding (Mark 4:11-12) for they already knew Him.

He wanted their understanding to be solid and true.  He wanted their relationship to be firm.

He also told them that when the Holy Ghost is come upon them, He would lead them (and us) into all truth (John 16:13).

Look at the words of our Lord.  He says the time would come when He would no longer pray on our behalf.  Say what!  Jesus did say that whatsoever we do, ask in His name and He will do it so the Father would be glorified (John 14”13).  Just as Father spoke the Word in the beginning, the Holy Ghost performed it (Gen. 1:1-3).  When Jesus died on the cross, the veil to the Hholiest of holies was torn from top to bottom giving us direct access to the throne of God (Matt. 27:50-51).  Jesus doesn’t have to intercede because we have become one with Him, making us one with the Father (through Him).

So how does Jesus accomplish this? 

As we give our hearts to Jesus we, then, start a journey of learning to walk closer with Him.  To help us in that journey, He gives us the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Ghost. 

While Jesus still walked with His disciples He told them the authority He had given them when He sent them out (Mark 6:7-13, Luke 10:1-17), and confirmed it when He breathed upon them (after the resurrection) and said “Receive the Holy Ghost” (John 20:21-23).  Yet, it wasn’t until the upper room before the disciples actually received power (Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:1-4) to fulfill what Jesus had told them.  Jesus physically walked with His disciples and He was their (our) power and He gave them authority – over sickness, disease and devils and He gives us that same authority and power through the active Holy Ghost in our lives. 

So Jesus clarifies His relationship with the Father.  As we keep His commandments, He will give us another Comforter (the HG) who is with us forever because He dwells in us (John 14:13-21).  In our heart!

We won’t have to worry about what we say for the Holy Ghost will guide our speech (Luke 12:11-12).  As we allow the Holy Spirit of God to lead us, we know that we are God’s sons (and daughters – Rom.8:14) and we know that the Holy Ghost helps our infirmities and our prayers for He searches our hearts and minds (Rom. 8:26-27).

Jesus said He will give us another comforter (John 14:16).  We know that the Comforter is the Holy Ghost.  So who is the first Comforter?  Jesus! And we know that Jesus is in the Father and that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and Son (John 15:26).  In the beginning was the Word, and was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1) and was made flesh whom we see as the only begotten of the Father (John 1:14).  When God created all things, we know He spoke the Word and His Spirit moved upon the face of the waters (Gen. 1:1-2).  There is unity in Father, Son and Holy Ghost and we call that unity the “Godhead” (Col. 2:8-10).

The Gospel of John is focused on the love of Christ and in it, Jesus declares He wants the same unity with us which He shares with the Father (John 17:15-26).    

So how do we attain this unity?

We are redeemed and justified through the blood of Jesus (Rom. 3:25-26) for we have believed and received Him into our heart (Rom. 10:9-10).

We are drawn to Jesus because He shed His blood for us (Eph. 2:12-13) and the Spirit of God beckons.

And, as we read the scriptures, we realize that our sins are not taken away without the blood of Jesus (Heb. 9:16-22).

So, as we walk in the Light of Jesus, we are cleansed from all sin through His blood (1 John 1:7).

Peter calls those who have received Jesus, the blood of Christ, the “elect” of God (1 Peter 1:2).  We are special through our ‘salvation’!

Included with our ‘salvation’ whatever we say or do should be done with thanksgiving and in the name of Jesus (Col. 3:17) and Jesus will do it (John 14:13). 

Therefore, being covered in the blood of Jesus we may enter the holiest place (Hebrews 10:19-20) where, before, only the high priest could enter in (Heb. 9:6-7).       Go back and read it.  Before, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and even then only after a cleansing ritual and then to offer atonement for the people’s sin (Heb. 9:7).

Jesus reminds us that whosever does the will of the Father is His brother (Matt. 16:50).

We express our love for Him by keeping His commandments (John 14:15).

We are bought with a price (1 Corinth. 6:20), therefore, we live for Him (1 Corinth. 10:31).

God is Love, therefore His will is to love (1 John 4:7-13).  Love God above all else, then channel that love to those around us (Mark 12:28-31).  We are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27, 1 Corinth. 11:7) and God is love.

Standing with the Lord?  Receiving the blood of Jesus into our hearts and allowing the Holy Ghost to operate within us, thus living in His love AND then listening to His direction, is how we stand in Jesus Christ, being an example of His love to those around us.

We are obedient to His Word as we seek to abide in Him as He gives us the strength to stand and say and do that which is right.

Amen

 

11-21-2020         True Forgiveness

 

Watched ‘Touched by an Angel’ episode 6 of the eighth season titled “Famous Lasts Words”.  The story of a man on death row for killing his step-father.  He discovers the truth about the relationship with his mother and his abusive step-father.  He finds forgiveness for himself, gives forgiveness to his mother and then asks forgiveness from his step-father’s mother. 

When we truly repent, God can truly forgive all things we may have done wrong, especially those which we are confessing.  Now remember, this is a TV show so all the words may not be said exactly to our liking, but the Spirit is evident.

I thought about Father’s true forgiveness for a while, then I thought about my own experience (TY HG).

My wife to be and I were counselling for marriage in the pastor’s office.  Now the pastor had some funny ideas about marriage – he felt that if Jesus wasn’t there, the marriage would be most difficult at best.  So, of course, he challenged both my wife and I.  My wife said yes and I said that I had grown up in this church (though under a previous pastor).  I said that I also attended an occasional Sunday evening and the Wednesday night youth study.  The pastor looked at me and said “That’s not what I asked you.  I asked you if you have ever received Jesus into your heart.”  I looked back at the pastor thinking that he was a little crazy.  I thought that what I said was sufficient to secure my spot in eternity.  As I was looking at him, the Holy Ghost jumped into my heart and convicted me that my honest answer was ’no’.  So, being a good Southern Baptist preacher, he asked me if I wanted to make sure.  I said yes and prayed to let Jesus in.  Now, the pastor told me afterwards that had I refused we would have to find someone else to perform the ceremony.  He would not perform the ceremony knowing that Christ was not present.  My wife gave her life to Jesus about three years later. 

I was baptized in water a couple of months later with others who had given their life to Jesus and I want to say this:  when I was baptized in water, all I got was wet.  Hold on.  Hold on!  Let me finish.  The afternoon I let Jesus into my heart (in the pastor’s office) is when I felt something.  After I had prayed, asking forgiveness and avowing Jesus as Lord, I could feel like a huge weight being lifted up off of my body.  Literally, I felt a ton lighter – instantaneously!  I could actually feel the weight of my sin lifting off of my body!   

John (the Baptist) told the people he baptized them with water of repentance for the remission of sin but one was coming after him who would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matt. 3:11, Mark 1:4, Acts 2:1-4).

While we are here, let’s take a look at four words: water, baptize, fire remission.  Matthew uses the word ‘baptize’ in conjunction with both water (of repentance) and fire with the end result as remission of sin.

Baptize              (907)  baptizo  baptize, make fully wet or wash.  From bapto (911) to cover wholly with a fluid, moisten or stain part of a person’s body, dip

Being raised Southern Baptist, I was taught that being baptized meant being fully immersed in water as example of burying the old self and rising up out of the water a new creature in Jesus Christ.  Understanding that it represents the cleansing of my spirit, I have always preferred this way, but note, that the Greek definition also includes (maybe) only a portion of one’s body might get wet.  I used to always ask myself if a man were laying on the battlefield and lay near death and he receives Jesus, how would one get him to a pond to dunk him?  Most GIs carry a canteen with them (or they used to).  I’m not suggesting to dump the whole canteen on the man, but perhaps some of the water on – say the forehead – would seem to suffice.(?)  It wouldn’t be ‘total’ immersion, but it would be getting a part of the body totally wet.

I also note that John says that water baptism represents our repentance, which, of course, leads to our salvation.  We have to repent in order to be saved!  What does Peter tell us in the book of Acts?  “Repent and everyone be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).  Now, I’m not going to discuss the difference between “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost” and “In Jesus’ name” (Matt. 28:19).  You have the references here, check it out for yourself.  However, repentance is required for salvation.

Yet, our water baptism is an outward expression of our inner repentance of our sins.  In short, our water baptism is saying “I’m serious about what I have expressed with my lips.  I’ve received Jesus into my heart and I’m not embarrassed to let the world know it.

( https://www.openbible.info/topics/water_baptism  various scriptures = why water baptism)

Water (5204) hudor or hudatos (5202, 5205).  The base is 5205 (huetos) which is rain, like in a shower.  Note also 4095 (pino) which is water –hudor/hudatos is water.

Water has a cleansing or refreshing aspect but the same word designates something to drink.  Nonetheless, it is wet.

Fire                  (4442) pur fiery, fire     Our word pure associates the Latin word purus which means unmixed with anything else.  Note the similarity for pur, purus and pure.  Ergo fire purifies us - by burning off the chaffe.

In Matthew chapter three, John says the one coming after him will baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire.  In Acts chapter two we see the Holy Ghost descending upon the disciples in the upper room as tongues of fire.  An angel touched Isaiah’s lips with a live coal from the altar purging his iniquity and sin (isa. 6:6-7).  So fire is indicative of our cleansing or, if you will, purification. 

A test of one's abilities to perform well under pressure, as in Finishing a huge list of chores in time for the wedding is really a trial by fire. The twelve labors of Hercules are brought to mind which were used to purify him for killing his wife and children.  This expression also alludes to the medieval practice of determining a person's guilt or innocence by having them undergo an ordeal, such as walking barefoot through a fire (dictionary.com).  As I said, fire is symbolic of our purification.

Remission       (359)  analusis means departure.  It is derived from analuo (360) & luo (3089) which is break up, put off, dissolve.

So remission of our sins basically means a departure of our sins.  They are broken up, dissolved, cast away.  Isaiah tells us that God delivered his soul from hell and put is sins behind His back (Isa. 38:17).  We should do as Father when we truly confess our sins, that is, put them behind our back.  Forget them.  Should the enemy try bring them back up declare that we’ve confessed and repented them thereby receiving God’s forgiveness.  So remission means they’re gone.  Father won’t bring them back up and neither should we.  And when the devil tries to bring them back up, we need to stand our ground telling Satan to get behind us (Matt. 16:23).  Satan is a liar and is the father of lies and deception (Rev. 12:9, John 8:44).  If he can keep us in guilt, thereby preventing our spiritual growth, that ole devil will do so.

Now, we didn’t talk about acknowledging confessing and repenting our sin.  That’s a given.  We can’t receive true forgiveness without doing these things, but we did talk about what happens after we’ve done these things. 

A quick refresher:  first we have to admit we have sinned, confess that sin before God then renounce that sin and our part in it.  No, we don’t have to get re-baptized should we sin (once we’re saved), but anointing with oil won’t hurt anything. 

What we did talk about is that our forgiveness means a cleansing with water (oil) and a Spiritual fire.  Our remission means speaking against our part in the sin and determining not to do it again.  When the enemy attacks, we stand our ground (in our forgiveness) rebuking our foe for what he is. 

Father gives us victory through Jesus Christ, our Lord (1 Corinth. 15:57) because He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6). 

When Isaiah said God puts our sin behind His back, that means, for Him, it’s over and done with.  We start afresh with a clean slate.

Forgiveness means being cleansed and setting what has been done behind us and not looking back.  We do it for others.  We do it for ourselves because God has done it for us.

So what is true forgiveness?  You tell me!

Amen