2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
How can this be? I know I am not so good, I have darkness in my heart, I have lived a life not pleasing to God and I am filled with shame. How can I receive forgiveness of all these things. What is this new creature? What kind of new creature is this?The answers are found in Jesus. You must be born again.
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
He came by night, fearing what others might say. We cannot receive from Jesus if the world's opionion is more important to you, then that of Jesus. Jesus is a divider, He is the Son of God come in a human, to separate a people unto God. He came to reconcile us, to bring us back into fellowship with our God in heaven, Our Father in heaven. He came to divide those who would receive new eternal life in him, from those who mock him and wish him dead. We must choose to come to Jesus.
Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Nicodemus called Jesus, Rabbi, teacher, who came from God, because no man could do al the miracles, except God be with him. What were these miracles?
Luke 6:18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
Luke 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
He cleaned up the hearts, souls and bodies of all who came to him.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Now Jesus is talking about God's kingdom, the kingdom of heaven. We cannot come to God in our flesh bodies, for God is Spirit; we need a spiritual body. We must be born again inside of us and receive a Spiritual presence of God within us. We must be born again of the Spirit of God. We are flesh, dirty, unworthy of God, but he wants to make us clean by coming within us and making us a new creation with a new heart that sees the things of God.
John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Nicodemus was thinking of a new body of flesh; how can this be?
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
A new born baby comes forth from the womb, first the water sack that surrounds the baby in the mother's womb breaks and water comes. This is the sign of a natural birth. The spiritaul birth has spiritual water coming forth, the living water of God.
John 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
God brings new life to a man or a woman through faith in Jesus Christ, the Spiritual Son of God, come in a flesh body.
A spiritual man or woman may enter the spiritual kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
We see flesh people with our eyes. Spirit is not seen, but it's presence and power is made known to those who can see spiritual things; this requires faith.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
The Greek word for wind: pneuma, is the same word used for spirit. We do not see the wind, but we see the power of it, in a tree or in the sail of a sailing ship. The Spirit of God came to us gives us new life and new power to serve God. Power to overcome our old life and to become all new, after the mind and way of Jesus Christ.
John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
You are a teacher of the law and the prophets and they speak of the Spirit of God, and you do not understand?
The prophet's Joel and Isaiah spoke of the spirit of the LORD
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joel 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Isa 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
John 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
We speak of what we know, which reveals our knowledge or lack of understanding. We testify that we have seen, if we can see in the spirit, we can testify of spiritual things.
Ezek 12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
Rebellion chooses not to see the things of God, it requires faith to hear from God.
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
The first thing that catches my eye in this statement is how can a man be in two places at once?
Speaking to Nicodemus in Jerusalem and in heaven? Impossible with man, but true with God. God is not limited ; He is everywhere at once. He is spirit and creator of all. He is known to us in three personalities: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. No man has asended to heaven before Jesus came down from heaven.
1 Cor 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1 Cor 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1 Cor 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
The rebellious people of Israel, being led out of Egypt were bitten by serpents. Moses fashioned a brass serpent, a fiery serpent and held it up on a pole. All who looked upon the serpent were healed.
Num 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
Jesus would be lifted up on a cross. His shed blood was our healing. He was perfect and without sin and was sent to be our substitute sacrifice. He was the atonement, the perfect sacrifice for our sins. We receive forgiveness by looking to Jesus and believing that he did this for us. We receive His grace through our faith in Him.
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This is the gospel, the good news of our salvation. If you are a "whosoever that believes in Jesus", you shall not perish in your sins, but have everlasting life. He is our Savior from our sins and He gives us eternal life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus became a human, so that he could show us the character of God and become our sacrifice for sins; the way to God is through faith in Jesus. Without him, our sins remain and we remain separated from God the Father.
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Sin condemns us to eternal separation from God; even to hell. Believing in Jesus and confessing him as ord and savior removes us from the condemnation of the LORD, because of sins. If we could save ourselves and be good enough to go to heaven, then Jesus would not have been sent to us.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Evil people can be forgiven if they repent and turn to Jesus. Many would rather continue in darkness. Our part is to tell them of the new life through Christ Jesus. You must be born again of the Spirit.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Doctrine
Doctrine
Deu 32:1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
Deu 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Deu 32:3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Doctrine: araph, to drop down, to drip, to trickle; the word of God dropping down to us.
Prov 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Prov 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Isa 29:22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
Isa 29:23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
Isa 29:24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Isa 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Our Christian doctrine is the word and counsel of the LORD.
Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Doctrine: shĕmuw`ah, report, news, tidings
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Doctrine: didachē, teaching, that which is taught
Jesus taught with authority the doctrines of God, for he heard from God and spoke His word. A teacher of God's word speaks with the authority of the word of God through the Spirit of God. Jesus in the form of a man, was himself God, yet he spoke as he heard from the Father. He is our example; we speak what we hear from the LORD and not our own doctrine; the teachings from God, not the teachings of man. False doctrines are the teachings from a false spirit.
John 7:14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
John 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
Jer 10:6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
Jer 10:7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
Jer 10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines...
One trick of some false teachers is to claim that we must listen to the words of Jesus in the Gospels, but that we do not have to obey the teaching of the apostles in the later books.
Apostles Doctrine
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
1 Cor 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1 Cor 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
Preach the Gospel
Gospel: to proclaim glad tidings, to instruct concerning the things that pertain to Christian salvation
Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
The doctrines are the word of God spoken through the prophets, through Jesus and the apostles. It is the doctrine of God, not a false doctrine. It is what we teach of the truth of God. The message may also be taught in parables, as Jesus taught, so long as the teaching is clear and from God, not man. Mans teachings are not the doctrines of God. The message should be from the Holy Spirit from the word of God in the Bible. If not from the doctrines of the Bible we should beware of the teachings.The gospel message is the way of salvation, Paul spoke the gospel to all the nations. This is the doctrine of Jesus and the way of salvation through his shed blood and resurrection from the grave. We speak the living word of a living Savior.
Deu 32:1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
Deu 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Deu 32:3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Doctrine: araph, to drop down, to drip, to trickle; the word of God dropping down to us.
Prov 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Prov 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Isa 29:22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
Isa 29:23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
Isa 29:24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Isa 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Our Christian doctrine is the word and counsel of the LORD.
Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Doctrine: shĕmuw`ah, report, news, tidings
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Doctrine: didachē, teaching, that which is taught
Jesus taught with authority the doctrines of God, for he heard from God and spoke His word. A teacher of God's word speaks with the authority of the word of God through the Spirit of God. Jesus in the form of a man, was himself God, yet he spoke as he heard from the Father. He is our example; we speak what we hear from the LORD and not our own doctrine; the teachings from God, not the teachings of man. False doctrines are the teachings from a false spirit.
John 7:14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
John 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
Jer 10:6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
Jer 10:7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
Jer 10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines...
One trick of some false teachers is to claim that we must listen to the words of Jesus in the Gospels, but that we do not have to obey the teaching of the apostles in the later books.
Apostles Doctrine
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
1 Cor 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1 Cor 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
Preach the Gospel
Gospel: to proclaim glad tidings, to instruct concerning the things that pertain to Christian salvation
Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
The doctrines are the word of God spoken through the prophets, through Jesus and the apostles. It is the doctrine of God, not a false doctrine. It is what we teach of the truth of God. The message may also be taught in parables, as Jesus taught, so long as the teaching is clear and from God, not man. Mans teachings are not the doctrines of God. The message should be from the Holy Spirit from the word of God in the Bible. If not from the doctrines of the Bible we should beware of the teachings.The gospel message is the way of salvation, Paul spoke the gospel to all the nations. This is the doctrine of Jesus and the way of salvation through his shed blood and resurrection from the grave. We speak the living word of a living Savior.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Our Conversation
In modern usage, the word conversation, refers to our talking to one another. Webster's dictionary describes conversation as an oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas. In the King James Bible, conversation is more about our behavior or conduct.
Psa 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
conversation; derek, a way, a path, our manner of life, our character. In this verse it is talking of an upright character.
Psa 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.
In this Psalm the manner of life being aright, will bring God's salvation. Salvation is through faith in the promises of God. The promised Messiah Jesus brought to us our salvation. If we are saved we will show forth good fruit from a heart of praise.
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
2 Cor 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
Conversation; anastrephō, to turn one's self about, (repentant behavior), to conduct one's self, behave one's self, live
They behaved themselves, having a good conscience, in simplicity and godly sincerity by the grace of God. We are not to bring the image of God down as his ambassadors, by foolish behavior in the world and towards those of faith. Paul's troubles accomplished something in his life. He was dependent on God's grace, not with fleshly wisdom. Too many fight a personal battle of self love or self hate. Our battle is with the flesh. It will destroy you or lead you down a crooked path, unless you completely trust in God and his grace.
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Gal 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Conversation; anastrophē, manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;
Our behavior changed by the grace of God who has made us alive in Him, forgiving our sins. We have a new Spirit; no longer have we the spirit of disobedience wherein we followed the way of the world. It isn't religion or words, but a living Spirit. The presence of God with us and the promise that we are the son's of God. Should we not be speakers of truth?
Let me say now, that we need to speak clearly and we need to behave in such a way that we are not misunderstood. Correct communication is needed; we need to speak and to hear in the right way. Often we are hurt by another's words that were not meant to be offensive. Repeat the thoughts back to the person, to see if you are understanding correctly, before sharing with other's what you think was said. Often we are tired in our speaking and our hearing, so show grace when you can.
Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Phil 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
We stand together with others in unity, through faith in Jesus because in unity is great strength. We are of one mind, the mind of Christ, working together for the faith of the gospel. It is the gospel that brought us to faith, we guard this word and share it with others.
LORD help us to be one heart and in unity with our Lord Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. God's Spirit is one, so we should be one. If not, then perhaps we are not of God's Spirit?
1 Cor 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Be content, be at peace, you don't have to have wealth to be happy. The most important things are free, health, friends, God's creation, so much to discover. The most important things are of God, honoring him and serving him. Christmas has always been a time of shopping and giving, this has become more about coveting things for many, and less about the birth of Jesus. This is the opposite of what we are to do. We are to covet more of God and his Spiritual gifts, then we are of things to buy.
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Your way of life will show others your true character. Peace making, not strife; meekness and not pride and hypocrisy. Be the true children of God and let others see that we are; this is our sanctification.
1 Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1 Pet 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 Pet 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Knowledge and wisdom from God will show us what he requires as holy son's and daughter's of God. If we are to be like Jesus, we are to be holy in all manner of conversation.
1 Pet 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Pet 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1 Pet 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1 Pet 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1 Pet 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Oh to bring glory to God, this is our desire. We should show honesty in all that we do and obey the laws of the nation. It is a great shame to Lord it over others and to put them in bondage under yourself as a spiritual leader. Christ came as a servant, so we are to serve. To minister, means to serve.
1 Pet 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Pet 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
A meek and quiet spirit says more than nagging and strife; your behavior will draw others to Jesus or keep them away.
1 Pet 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1 Pet 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
It does upset you when others treat you badly, and speak against you; especially if they are your brothers. They did this to Jesus too, so endure as a good soldier of the LORD.
Phil 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Phil 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Our way of life is with heaven in mind. Soon Jesus will return through the heavens for his church. Then we will be free of our fleshly bodies and the distractions and cares of this life.
LORD keep our conversation acceptable in your sight. May we hear and understand each other correctly and not destroy another's reputation because of misunderstanding. May we show a life of holiness and good works to bring honor and glory to our you LORD. Your way is a way of holiness and service. Keep us true and forgive us our sins and receive us into heaven, in Jesus' name, amen
Psa 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
conversation; derek, a way, a path, our manner of life, our character. In this verse it is talking of an upright character.
Psa 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.
In this Psalm the manner of life being aright, will bring God's salvation. Salvation is through faith in the promises of God. The promised Messiah Jesus brought to us our salvation. If we are saved we will show forth good fruit from a heart of praise.
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
2 Cor 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
Conversation; anastrephō, to turn one's self about, (repentant behavior), to conduct one's self, behave one's self, live
They behaved themselves, having a good conscience, in simplicity and godly sincerity by the grace of God. We are not to bring the image of God down as his ambassadors, by foolish behavior in the world and towards those of faith. Paul's troubles accomplished something in his life. He was dependent on God's grace, not with fleshly wisdom. Too many fight a personal battle of self love or self hate. Our battle is with the flesh. It will destroy you or lead you down a crooked path, unless you completely trust in God and his grace.
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Gal 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Conversation; anastrophē, manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;
Our behavior changed by the grace of God who has made us alive in Him, forgiving our sins. We have a new Spirit; no longer have we the spirit of disobedience wherein we followed the way of the world. It isn't religion or words, but a living Spirit. The presence of God with us and the promise that we are the son's of God. Should we not be speakers of truth?
Let me say now, that we need to speak clearly and we need to behave in such a way that we are not misunderstood. Correct communication is needed; we need to speak and to hear in the right way. Often we are hurt by another's words that were not meant to be offensive. Repeat the thoughts back to the person, to see if you are understanding correctly, before sharing with other's what you think was said. Often we are tired in our speaking and our hearing, so show grace when you can.
Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Phil 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
We stand together with others in unity, through faith in Jesus because in unity is great strength. We are of one mind, the mind of Christ, working together for the faith of the gospel. It is the gospel that brought us to faith, we guard this word and share it with others.
LORD help us to be one heart and in unity with our Lord Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. God's Spirit is one, so we should be one. If not, then perhaps we are not of God's Spirit?
1 Cor 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Be content, be at peace, you don't have to have wealth to be happy. The most important things are free, health, friends, God's creation, so much to discover. The most important things are of God, honoring him and serving him. Christmas has always been a time of shopping and giving, this has become more about coveting things for many, and less about the birth of Jesus. This is the opposite of what we are to do. We are to covet more of God and his Spiritual gifts, then we are of things to buy.
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Your way of life will show others your true character. Peace making, not strife; meekness and not pride and hypocrisy. Be the true children of God and let others see that we are; this is our sanctification.
1 Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1 Pet 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 Pet 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Knowledge and wisdom from God will show us what he requires as holy son's and daughter's of God. If we are to be like Jesus, we are to be holy in all manner of conversation.
1 Pet 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Pet 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1 Pet 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1 Pet 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1 Pet 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Oh to bring glory to God, this is our desire. We should show honesty in all that we do and obey the laws of the nation. It is a great shame to Lord it over others and to put them in bondage under yourself as a spiritual leader. Christ came as a servant, so we are to serve. To minister, means to serve.
1 Pet 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Pet 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
A meek and quiet spirit says more than nagging and strife; your behavior will draw others to Jesus or keep them away.
1 Pet 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1 Pet 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
It does upset you when others treat you badly, and speak against you; especially if they are your brothers. They did this to Jesus too, so endure as a good soldier of the LORD.
Phil 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Phil 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Our way of life is with heaven in mind. Soon Jesus will return through the heavens for his church. Then we will be free of our fleshly bodies and the distractions and cares of this life.
LORD keep our conversation acceptable in your sight. May we hear and understand each other correctly and not destroy another's reputation because of misunderstanding. May we show a life of holiness and good works to bring honor and glory to our you LORD. Your way is a way of holiness and service. Keep us true and forgive us our sins and receive us into heaven, in Jesus' name, amen
Monday, December 8, 2008
Preach the word
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Paul, speaking by the Holy Spirit of God, commands to us who are in Christ Jesus, that we are to be ready to share the gospel at any time. To reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
To reprove; elegchō, to convict to bring to the light, to expose; to find fault with, to correct with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted. Being told the correct way, warning someone of error and the results of such actions.
Prov 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Convict of sin and show the right way
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Rebuke; epitimaō, to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely; to admonish or charge sharply. To admonish with the authority of God's word. Rebuke is a more urgent correction, first reprove and then rebuke if the reprove is not heeded.
Be careful when you rebuke another
Lev 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
1 Tim 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
People are sometimes quick to rebuke over perceived differences in doctrine. The Bible should be opened to prove a point, before rebuking, arguing and debating; for these things produce strife and do not convince of sin.
Psa 38:1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
The Lord rebukes satan for us
Zec 3:1 And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
Zec 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Zec 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Zec 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Jude 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Exhort; parakaleō, to call to one's side, call for, summon; to admonish, to beg, entreat, beseech. To receive consolation, be comforted, to encourage, strengthen, to instruct, to teach. We are to take one aside to show them the correct way in all longsuffering and doctrine. All that we do in ministry should be through the leading of the Holy Spirit and the word of God.
Peter exhorted the Jews and many were converted
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Paul exhorted the Thessalonians
1 Th 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
1 Th 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1 Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1 Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
Exhorting to pray
1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Afflictions; pathēma, externally, a suffering, misfortune, calamity, evil; also the afflictions which Christians must undergo in behalf of the same cause which Christ patiently endured; internally, an enduring, undergoing, suffering.
Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
afflictions of the gospel
2 Tim 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Persecutions
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Do the work of an evangelist; a bringer of the gospel; a preacher of salvation in Christ Jesus.
Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
The seven deacons included evangelists: Philip and Stephan
Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Stephan, an evangelist was martyred
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Acts 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
An illustration
A certain man is on the way to destruction; his soul is away from God and he is in danger of falling into a great sin. We reprove him showing in the Bible his error and showing him the results of his actions. We rebuke him if he does not respond, perhaps with urgency to receive and follow Jesus; warning him of an eternity in hell. We exhort, we show that we care about him, coming alongside with open Bible and illustrations to encourage him to go in the right way. We do the work of an evangelist, preaching the good news of Jesus, our redeemer. Teaching is part of the process to convince through God's word that he can repent and be saved from sin and death. If he repents, a soul is saved from wrath.
LORD, help us to be your instruments to save and not to destroy others. Our inactivity may cause another to continue in sin and be destroyed by the devil. Awaken us to our duty and responsibility to be ready at any time to preach the word, with loving care, as you would, with your heart of love towards them. Give us the heart of an evangelist and help us to train them, making disciples of Jesus Christ. In Jesus I pray, amen.
Paul, speaking by the Holy Spirit of God, commands to us who are in Christ Jesus, that we are to be ready to share the gospel at any time. To reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
To reprove; elegchō, to convict to bring to the light, to expose; to find fault with, to correct with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted. Being told the correct way, warning someone of error and the results of such actions.
Prov 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Convict of sin and show the right way
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Rebuke; epitimaō, to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely; to admonish or charge sharply. To admonish with the authority of God's word. Rebuke is a more urgent correction, first reprove and then rebuke if the reprove is not heeded.
Be careful when you rebuke another
Lev 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
1 Tim 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
People are sometimes quick to rebuke over perceived differences in doctrine. The Bible should be opened to prove a point, before rebuking, arguing and debating; for these things produce strife and do not convince of sin.
Psa 38:1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
The Lord rebukes satan for us
Zec 3:1 And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
Zec 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Zec 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Zec 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Jude 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Exhort; parakaleō, to call to one's side, call for, summon; to admonish, to beg, entreat, beseech. To receive consolation, be comforted, to encourage, strengthen, to instruct, to teach. We are to take one aside to show them the correct way in all longsuffering and doctrine. All that we do in ministry should be through the leading of the Holy Spirit and the word of God.
Peter exhorted the Jews and many were converted
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Paul exhorted the Thessalonians
1 Th 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
1 Th 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1 Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1 Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
Exhorting to pray
1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Afflictions; pathēma, externally, a suffering, misfortune, calamity, evil; also the afflictions which Christians must undergo in behalf of the same cause which Christ patiently endured; internally, an enduring, undergoing, suffering.
Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
afflictions of the gospel
2 Tim 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Persecutions
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Do the work of an evangelist; a bringer of the gospel; a preacher of salvation in Christ Jesus.
Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
The seven deacons included evangelists: Philip and Stephan
Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Stephan, an evangelist was martyred
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Acts 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
An illustration
A certain man is on the way to destruction; his soul is away from God and he is in danger of falling into a great sin. We reprove him showing in the Bible his error and showing him the results of his actions. We rebuke him if he does not respond, perhaps with urgency to receive and follow Jesus; warning him of an eternity in hell. We exhort, we show that we care about him, coming alongside with open Bible and illustrations to encourage him to go in the right way. We do the work of an evangelist, preaching the good news of Jesus, our redeemer. Teaching is part of the process to convince through God's word that he can repent and be saved from sin and death. If he repents, a soul is saved from wrath.
LORD, help us to be your instruments to save and not to destroy others. Our inactivity may cause another to continue in sin and be destroyed by the devil. Awaken us to our duty and responsibility to be ready at any time to preach the word, with loving care, as you would, with your heart of love towards them. Give us the heart of an evangelist and help us to train them, making disciples of Jesus Christ. In Jesus I pray, amen.
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Love Chapter
Sounding Brass
1 Cor 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
Covet earnestly (expect) the best gifts. But there is even a better way then walking in the Spirit gifts which bring joy and fulfillment, it is the way of love. This is not physical love, or lust that causes another to suffer. This love gives no pain. It is God's love The King James Bible calls it Charity, I will substitute the word love, as used in other translations.
1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Referring to the gift of tongues, If we speak in earthly and heavenly angel talk, and have not love, we are an irritating sound. Sometimes gifts can be exercised arrogant pride. Speak in love, for we will be judged by the intent of the heart. Love or charity used here is the Greek word agape; affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love. This is the greatest love. This is God's love given to us to love others with.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
If we belong to Jesus we wll not be under God's wrath, but our motives will be judged. Our words will be judged as the fruit of the heart, for rewards.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
An angry unforgiving heart will show in our speech.
1 Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
Talking again about the Spiritual gifts even if they are used in mighty ways, without love you are nothing. God's love is the most beautiful and powerful and gentle force of all creation. Its is the nature of God. If we perform gifts of the Spirit without love, beware. God's Spirit is love, no love may be an indication of unforgivness or anger, or even a bad spirit. In the last days there will be many false ones posing as Christians who are not of God's Spirit and who are not motivated by love. Love cuts through defenses to the soul. All need love, admit it or not.
Love In Action
1 Cor 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Stern words; many think that good works will earn their way into heaven. No, heaven is reached through faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved unto good works given to us from the LORD. Now the word of God says that all works done without love are worthless. Are you working hard to gain God's favor, that's good, but without love you are wearing yourself out. We are to share love in all that we do. We are to love our Father in heaven and our neighbor as ourself.
The description of love; note that love is an action word.
1 Cor 13:4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
To suffer being wronged,
1 Pet 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1 Pet 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
Love is kind, does not behave rudely; too often, kindness and holiness are missing in the Christian life. These are essential to reflect the image of Christ to others.
Love does not envy; envy is the least productive and most damaging of all such sins . Envy can destroy the object of it's love.
Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
1 Cor 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Love does not seek its own, but is willing to reach out to others, even the "unlovable"
Love thinks no evil; literally, this means that "love does not store up the memory of any wrong it has received"; I suppose we could fill ourselves so full of hurts, that there would be no room left for Gods love and light. Let Jesus have them all, be free in him.
1 Cor 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Love does not rejoice in iniquity; bad things, but rejoices in the truth; truth brings Jesus to heal a troubled heart. Love wants the best for others, building them up, not tearing them down.
1 Cor 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Love bears, believes, hopes, endures all things; it keeps going, willing to suffer hurt and wrong for it's cause: to glorify the LORD..
The first time I read this love chapter I was so excited. I was saved at the age of 19. I remember the Sunday School teacher of the teens asking someone to bring verses for the next week. I was not at all familiar with the Bible. The next Sunday with great excitement I brought in these Love verses from 1 Corinthians 13. I knew I had found a great treasure. I had discovered them for my first time. The response of the teacher? " Oh we are all familiar with these verses". What was joy for me faded to embarrassment. Friends, never consider these verses as familiar or routine. They are of the greatest thing God has for us in our service to Him; His love, and our love to others will bring others to Jesus. His love brought Jesus to the cross in our place. Our love reaches out to others in need. Always our reason for ministry is the love of God. I say it again, these are verses of great wealth to us. Learn them well.
Love never fails
1 Cor 13:8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
The gifts of the Spirit are appropriate for the present time, but they are not permanent; they are imperfect gifts for an imperfect time.
1 Cor 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Cor 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Some teach that the gifts, especially tongues ceased when that which was perfect; the Bible was come. These people think that the gifts of tongues, miracles, prophecy, healing's and some of the other gifts ceased with the passing of the twelve apostles.
What do I believe? I believe in the truth of the Bible. I also believe that all the gifts are still exercised by faith. I believe we are in the end times and that in the end times the Holy Spirit will do great works through the Spiritual gifts. I believe that the coming of Jesus and our glory with him will be that which is perfect. Now we are in fleshly bodies who rely on the Holy Spirit. When we are in heavenly bodies we will know as we are known of Him, for we shall see him as He is.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 Cor 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1 Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
There is the answer in context. We see through a glass, a looking glass dimly, now we know in part.
2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Wait you say? What about the Bible? It is truth, isn't it all we need? Yes it is all we need now, but it doesn't tell us everything. It tells us the way to God, through Jesus Christ. There are questions it does not answer about our life in heaven. How did God make so many planets? What's on those planets? Spiritual questions; were my parents both saved? Questions will be answered when we are with him. When that which is perfect is come. One thing we know, love never fails. It is eternal, We are eternally loved by God. I rest in the hand of my God who loves me.
1 Cor 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
What is your Christian life focused on? What do you really want more of? It should all come back to faith, hope, and love. If it doesn't, we need to receive God's sense of priorities, and put our focus where it belongs.
1 Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Pet 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Love is the greatest character trait in a child of God.
1 Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
Love is greater than a mountain or a miracle. Love is the heart of God.
1 Cor 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
Covet earnestly (expect) the best gifts. But there is even a better way then walking in the Spirit gifts which bring joy and fulfillment, it is the way of love. This is not physical love, or lust that causes another to suffer. This love gives no pain. It is God's love The King James Bible calls it Charity, I will substitute the word love, as used in other translations.
1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Referring to the gift of tongues, If we speak in earthly and heavenly angel talk, and have not love, we are an irritating sound. Sometimes gifts can be exercised arrogant pride. Speak in love, for we will be judged by the intent of the heart. Love or charity used here is the Greek word agape; affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love. This is the greatest love. This is God's love given to us to love others with.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
If we belong to Jesus we wll not be under God's wrath, but our motives will be judged. Our words will be judged as the fruit of the heart, for rewards.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
An angry unforgiving heart will show in our speech.
1 Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
Talking again about the Spiritual gifts even if they are used in mighty ways, without love you are nothing. God's love is the most beautiful and powerful and gentle force of all creation. Its is the nature of God. If we perform gifts of the Spirit without love, beware. God's Spirit is love, no love may be an indication of unforgivness or anger, or even a bad spirit. In the last days there will be many false ones posing as Christians who are not of God's Spirit and who are not motivated by love. Love cuts through defenses to the soul. All need love, admit it or not.
Love In Action
1 Cor 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Stern words; many think that good works will earn their way into heaven. No, heaven is reached through faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved unto good works given to us from the LORD. Now the word of God says that all works done without love are worthless. Are you working hard to gain God's favor, that's good, but without love you are wearing yourself out. We are to share love in all that we do. We are to love our Father in heaven and our neighbor as ourself.
The description of love; note that love is an action word.
1 Cor 13:4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
To suffer being wronged,
1 Pet 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1 Pet 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
Love is kind, does not behave rudely; too often, kindness and holiness are missing in the Christian life. These are essential to reflect the image of Christ to others.
Love does not envy; envy is the least productive and most damaging of all such sins . Envy can destroy the object of it's love.
Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
1 Cor 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Love does not seek its own, but is willing to reach out to others, even the "unlovable"
Love thinks no evil; literally, this means that "love does not store up the memory of any wrong it has received"; I suppose we could fill ourselves so full of hurts, that there would be no room left for Gods love and light. Let Jesus have them all, be free in him.
1 Cor 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Love does not rejoice in iniquity; bad things, but rejoices in the truth; truth brings Jesus to heal a troubled heart. Love wants the best for others, building them up, not tearing them down.
1 Cor 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Love bears, believes, hopes, endures all things; it keeps going, willing to suffer hurt and wrong for it's cause: to glorify the LORD..
The first time I read this love chapter I was so excited. I was saved at the age of 19. I remember the Sunday School teacher of the teens asking someone to bring verses for the next week. I was not at all familiar with the Bible. The next Sunday with great excitement I brought in these Love verses from 1 Corinthians 13. I knew I had found a great treasure. I had discovered them for my first time. The response of the teacher? " Oh we are all familiar with these verses". What was joy for me faded to embarrassment. Friends, never consider these verses as familiar or routine. They are of the greatest thing God has for us in our service to Him; His love, and our love to others will bring others to Jesus. His love brought Jesus to the cross in our place. Our love reaches out to others in need. Always our reason for ministry is the love of God. I say it again, these are verses of great wealth to us. Learn them well.
Love never fails
1 Cor 13:8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
The gifts of the Spirit are appropriate for the present time, but they are not permanent; they are imperfect gifts for an imperfect time.
1 Cor 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Cor 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Some teach that the gifts, especially tongues ceased when that which was perfect; the Bible was come. These people think that the gifts of tongues, miracles, prophecy, healing's and some of the other gifts ceased with the passing of the twelve apostles.
What do I believe? I believe in the truth of the Bible. I also believe that all the gifts are still exercised by faith. I believe we are in the end times and that in the end times the Holy Spirit will do great works through the Spiritual gifts. I believe that the coming of Jesus and our glory with him will be that which is perfect. Now we are in fleshly bodies who rely on the Holy Spirit. When we are in heavenly bodies we will know as we are known of Him, for we shall see him as He is.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 Cor 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1 Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
There is the answer in context. We see through a glass, a looking glass dimly, now we know in part.
2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Wait you say? What about the Bible? It is truth, isn't it all we need? Yes it is all we need now, but it doesn't tell us everything. It tells us the way to God, through Jesus Christ. There are questions it does not answer about our life in heaven. How did God make so many planets? What's on those planets? Spiritual questions; were my parents both saved? Questions will be answered when we are with him. When that which is perfect is come. One thing we know, love never fails. It is eternal, We are eternally loved by God. I rest in the hand of my God who loves me.
1 Cor 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
What is your Christian life focused on? What do you really want more of? It should all come back to faith, hope, and love. If it doesn't, we need to receive God's sense of priorities, and put our focus where it belongs.
1 Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Pet 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Love is the greatest character trait in a child of God.
1 Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
Love is greater than a mountain or a miracle. Love is the heart of God.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Who is My Brother?
The first murder was because of the envy of a brother who would not obey God.
Gen 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Abel was righteous because he obeyed the commands of God by faith. Cain was the son of disobedience, the son after the sinful flesh nature from his fallen parents. The son of faith and the promises of God will find a natural enemy in the son's of unrighteous flesh and rebellion. Looking forward we see two sons: Ishmael, born of the flesh and Isaac born of the promise of God. The flesh man wars against the child of promise.
Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Gal 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
In Christ, no matter who our parents were, we are the children of promise, the children of Almighty God. As a son or daughter of God we have brothers and sisters of the family of God to care for. Jesus defined to us who our family and brothers are.
Mat 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Righteous Abraham
Gen 11:31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
Gen 11:32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Saving righteous Lot
Gen 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
Actually Lot was his nephew, but was regarded as a spiritual brother.
Gen 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
Gen 14:16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
Two Kings
The king of Sodom, is the king of unrighteousness, a type of the devil.
Gen 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
Melchizadek was a righteous king, referred to as a king and high priest, the type of Christ, with no known beginning or end.
Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Bread and wine, symbols of the New Covenant in Jesus.
Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Abraham paid tithes to Melchizadek who was greater than Abraham. A higher priest then the priests of Levi and the law. He blessed Abraham; the higher in spiritual authority blesses the lesser. Melchizadek is a type of Christ who is the giver of salvation through faith, not the works of the law.
Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Heb 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
The king of Sodom will give things for souls
Gen 14:21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
Gen 14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
Gen 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Gen 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
Abram wisely refuses anything from the type of the devil. All good that he receives comes from the promises of Almighty God, he would not personally receive from the King of Sodom.
Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Almighty God is Abram's shield, protector and great reward.
Gen 15:2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Gen 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
Gen 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
Abram was old and had considered Eliazer his steward as his son. Our efforts must wait until God has his way. Your son would come from your union with Sarai, though impossible naturally; God is the God that makes all things possible. An heir would be born of a hundred year old father.
Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
In the vision God shows Abraham the covenant he has made with him. You will have a spiritual seed as the stars; great in number. All spiritual descendants by faith in Jesus, the seed of Abraham, will be as the stars in number
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
By works of the law, no man is justified. We are justified by faith. A faithful man will do what God requires of him. James points to obedient work with faith.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness. Who is your brother? Those of faith in Christ Jesus are your family. We obey God as we live our lives through faith in His Son. Cain was disobedient and rebellious. Brothers and sisters of faith are obedient to the will of God. We are to love God and one another, for we are saved by grace unto good works. We are to love and support one another as children of the Most High God.
Gen 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Abel was righteous because he obeyed the commands of God by faith. Cain was the son of disobedience, the son after the sinful flesh nature from his fallen parents. The son of faith and the promises of God will find a natural enemy in the son's of unrighteous flesh and rebellion. Looking forward we see two sons: Ishmael, born of the flesh and Isaac born of the promise of God. The flesh man wars against the child of promise.
Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Gal 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
In Christ, no matter who our parents were, we are the children of promise, the children of Almighty God. As a son or daughter of God we have brothers and sisters of the family of God to care for. Jesus defined to us who our family and brothers are.
Mat 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Righteous Abraham
Gen 11:31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
Gen 11:32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Saving righteous Lot
Gen 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
Actually Lot was his nephew, but was regarded as a spiritual brother.
Gen 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
Gen 14:16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
Two Kings
The king of Sodom, is the king of unrighteousness, a type of the devil.
Gen 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
Melchizadek was a righteous king, referred to as a king and high priest, the type of Christ, with no known beginning or end.
Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Bread and wine, symbols of the New Covenant in Jesus.
Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Abraham paid tithes to Melchizadek who was greater than Abraham. A higher priest then the priests of Levi and the law. He blessed Abraham; the higher in spiritual authority blesses the lesser. Melchizadek is a type of Christ who is the giver of salvation through faith, not the works of the law.
Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Heb 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
The king of Sodom will give things for souls
Gen 14:21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
Gen 14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
Gen 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Gen 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
Abram wisely refuses anything from the type of the devil. All good that he receives comes from the promises of Almighty God, he would not personally receive from the King of Sodom.
Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Almighty God is Abram's shield, protector and great reward.
Gen 15:2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Gen 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
Gen 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
Abram was old and had considered Eliazer his steward as his son. Our efforts must wait until God has his way. Your son would come from your union with Sarai, though impossible naturally; God is the God that makes all things possible. An heir would be born of a hundred year old father.
Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
In the vision God shows Abraham the covenant he has made with him. You will have a spiritual seed as the stars; great in number. All spiritual descendants by faith in Jesus, the seed of Abraham, will be as the stars in number
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
By works of the law, no man is justified. We are justified by faith. A faithful man will do what God requires of him. James points to obedient work with faith.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness. Who is your brother? Those of faith in Christ Jesus are your family. We obey God as we live our lives through faith in His Son. Cain was disobedient and rebellious. Brothers and sisters of faith are obedient to the will of God. We are to love God and one another, for we are saved by grace unto good works. We are to love and support one another as children of the Most High God.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Rejected
Many consider rejection worse than death. God has not rejected you, so do not let the fear of rejection break your relationship with Him. People may reject you, but it doesn't matter if you know that God receives you and loves you. If God loves us, we can love others through him. People do not always follow God; they often are influenced by others, their own temptations of the world and the devil. Rejection begins with rejecting God and His guidance over you. Our LORD is king, His Son Jesus was sent to bring us back to closeness with the Father and the Son. Keep them always as your strength and your resting place. God is the source of all that is good. Rejection is the result of rejecting God.
Israel rejected the LORD as king
1 Sam 8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
1 Sam 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
1 Sam 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
1 Sam 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
Israel was a theocracy; The LORD was their ruler, the scriptures they obeyed and the laws they tried to keep; but they wanted a king, like all the other nations around them. Samuel the prophet was as a leader for he spoke what he heard from God. Woe to a people who choose a ruler who does not seek to hear from God.
1 Sam 10:19 And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us...
King Saul was rejected by God, his anointing was removed
1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
King David was chosen, when he sinned against God he prayed that he not remove the anointing of His presence from him.
Psa 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Jesus, the Son of God was rejected
Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus died for our sins, that by not rejecting him, but by receiving him, the Father will divide unto us all that the Son has. We become joint heirs with Jesus, eternal sons and daughters of almighty God, because you have not rejected His Son.
The stone that was rejected
Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
The Messiah of Israel is calling other nations to himself; this is the time of grace, it is our time to receive Him. This time is coming to an end, so receive Jesus now; do not reject him.
Luke 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luke 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Luke 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
Luke 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
All who reject Jesus will be rejected; all who receive him shall be saved.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Rejecting the needs of others, shows our heart; helping others is as receiving Jesus.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
We are known by our fruit. If you have received Jesus and are chosen by Him, you belong to God. The fruit of a child of God is good works; we do not reject those in need, for we are then rejecting Jesus. This is a serious thought. It all goes back to His great commands.
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Keeping the two commandments
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
We belong to Jesus because we received Him and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. We are not rejected but are the chosen of God; find comfort in this.
Israel rejected the LORD as king
1 Sam 8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
1 Sam 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
1 Sam 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
1 Sam 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
Israel was a theocracy; The LORD was their ruler, the scriptures they obeyed and the laws they tried to keep; but they wanted a king, like all the other nations around them. Samuel the prophet was as a leader for he spoke what he heard from God. Woe to a people who choose a ruler who does not seek to hear from God.
1 Sam 10:19 And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us...
King Saul was rejected by God, his anointing was removed
1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
King David was chosen, when he sinned against God he prayed that he not remove the anointing of His presence from him.
Psa 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Jesus, the Son of God was rejected
Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus died for our sins, that by not rejecting him, but by receiving him, the Father will divide unto us all that the Son has. We become joint heirs with Jesus, eternal sons and daughters of almighty God, because you have not rejected His Son.
The stone that was rejected
Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
The Messiah of Israel is calling other nations to himself; this is the time of grace, it is our time to receive Him. This time is coming to an end, so receive Jesus now; do not reject him.
Luke 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luke 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Luke 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
Luke 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
All who reject Jesus will be rejected; all who receive him shall be saved.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Rejecting the needs of others, shows our heart; helping others is as receiving Jesus.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
We are known by our fruit. If you have received Jesus and are chosen by Him, you belong to God. The fruit of a child of God is good works; we do not reject those in need, for we are then rejecting Jesus. This is a serious thought. It all goes back to His great commands.
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Keeping the two commandments
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
We belong to Jesus because we received Him and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. We are not rejected but are the chosen of God; find comfort in this.
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