Whose Servant?

Rom 6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Grace does not mean that we can ignore God's word, or change it to something of our own imagination. I think some serve their own selves replacing God's truth with self glory, writing books about things in the Bible that are not true. They make of themselves a false teacher, ignoring the written word of God. Also we should be careful to not follow a movement that is way out there. The church of God is not a spiritual side show. I respect the teachers who teach from the Bible without changing it's meaning. We must steer a straight and true course through perilous times. It is the Holy Spirit in the church that restrains the evil of the world. He is the Spirit of truth, not fables of men. I think that many churches are being led by man's thoughts instead of God's thoughts. This should not be. If the Bible is just a boring book to you, you need to ask God for an infilling of His Spirit.

The best teaching

John 7:14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach.

15 The Jewish leaders were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't studied everything we've studied?" they asked.

16 So Jesus told them, "I'm not teaching my own ideas, but those of God who sent me.

17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

18 Those who present their own ideas are looking for praise for themselves, but those who seek to honor the one who sent them are good and genuine.

19 None of you obeys the law of Moses! In fact, you are trying to kill me."

20 The crowd replied, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?" (NLT)

It was at the feast of Tabernacles that Jesus came alone and taught openly at the temple. The religious leaders were plotting to kill him because they were jealous of the power of God in him. He knew more than they did without all the studies that they had gone through in their schools of the traditions of the Rabbi's. Here is an important message from Jesus. He did not speak from his own thoughts but he spoke from the Father, God in heaven. His words came from the source of truth and they were holy words.

Hear this now, all who would be teachers Jesus said that those who teach their own ideas are seeking honor for themselves. They are seeking self glory. It is important for a teacher of God's word that he speak accurately the word of God. Some have gone to Bible schools while others have gone to theological schools where man's thoughts were taught and God's word was not believed. Some call these the cemetery schools, because they teach the dead words of man instead of the word of God. We are to speak from God through the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Teach the word of God through the Holy Spirit who shows you the word of God. First you must study to put the word of God in your mind so that the Spirit can use it. Be careful that you not make God's word to say your own thoughts and not the true interpretation of God's word. It is not spiritual to make up your own words and to ignore the Bible.

John the Baptist said it first.

John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Then he spoke of Jesus.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
Jonh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

On the pulpit of a preacher was written a note: "We would see Jesus."(John 21:12) We hunger and thirst for God's word. There is a famine in the land for the hearing of God's word. Some will reject the word of God and the messenger even accusing that the witness is demon possessed. Often the enemies of God will tell you to speak your own words, do not play their game. They know that if you speak your own words that they can easily destroy you. Speak God's word, then they are fighting against God and the truth. Some people still want to hear from God, speak the word of God that these may be uplifted and encouraged from the voice of truth.

Who do you follow?

Luke 6:39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: "What good is it for one blind person to lead another? The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also.

Luke 6:40 A student is not greater than the teacher. But the student who works hard will become like the teacher.(NLT)

It is important who you follow; follow Jesus. It is the time of year that leads to Easter. many leave Jesus on the cross. Are you on that cross with him? You must die to self before you can be raised to new life with him. Faith in Christ, a new spirit, a new heart allows us to be raised with Jesus. We are dead to the old man with the sins and now we live by the power of God. We follow Jesus and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do his will.

The unsaved are blind. They say that Jesus was an unfortunate victim; He was not able to free himself. Well friend, if you think that way, then you are the victim of false teaching. His death on the cross was the reason that the son of God came in a human body.The blood of a perfect man was required to be the substitute death for our sins. Believe in him and be saved. Be spiritually crucified with him and by the Spirit be raised with him to be with him forever. This is the good news of Easter day. Christ Jesus was raised on Resurrection Sunday. I believe in Him and will follow him to everlasting life.

Luk 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
Luk 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
Luk 24:3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
Luk 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
Luk 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Luk 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luk 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
Luk 24:8 And they remembered his words,
Luk 24:9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.  

I want to learn from and be like Jesus.