John's Thoughts

Dispensers of Grace

2011-11-22T16:07:00.000-08:00

The term “dispensation of grace” is often used to describe the period of time known as the New Covenant. The time period between Moses and the death of Jesus Christ was called the dispensation of law. One of Webster’s definitions for dispensation is simply “something being dispensed or distributed”. Under the Old Covenant, justice was dispensed according to the law but under the New Covenant justice is to be dispensed according to grace and truth. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) KJV

Some of us in America have grown used to the idea that a grace period is owed to us. In many cases it is required by law that creditors allow a certain number of days for their debtors to be late on payments. Since the law has stepped in and mandated such regulations in our natural world we can carry that line of thinking over into our relationship with God. We thank God that He has allowed us a period of time in which to come and acknowledge our debt of sin but it was never required of Him. The very essence of God’s grace is that it is a gift. It is not owed by Him and it is not deserved by us. A gift can only truly qualify as a gift if it is freely given, not by obligation or debt.

Old Covenant righteousness depended upon human ability and an obligation to keep the commandments, but New Covenant righteousness results from receiving divine strength (grace) as a gift. Only those who are free from debt can give away the gift of grace. If all accounts have not been settled between us and God what I may think is a gift to Him is actually only a payment on my debt. The same is true with our relationships with our fellow man. If I have not forgiven a brother and try to offer a gift to either him or God it is not truly a gift. If I owe my brother ten thousand dollars and give him one hundred dollars I can not call it a gift until the debt is paid. Using an example of financial indebtedness gets the point across but that does not mean if someone owes us money we should automatically release them from their obligation. The critical issue is to never carry a debt of sin or an offense lest we not be forgiven our own sin debts.

Jesus said in Matthew 5 that if we bring our gift to the altar and have an unsettled issue with a brother, we are to go first to our brother and make things right, then we can come and offer our gift to God. This shows us that we can not truly be right with God or “debt free” in God’s eyes if we are indebted to a brother. Many times unresolved issues are the result of us wanting our offender to suffer some sort of punishment. That is a legal trap that will cut us off from grace because the standard of justice we want for others is the one we will come under. If we are the offended one and are not willing to release our offender from his debt we fall into the same indebtedness. We must see offences as a perfect opportunity to dispense grace.

As New Covenant believers we are dispensers or distributors of grace. Freely we have received and freely we impart it to others. Just as we must be debt free to give away a gift we also must be innocent to suffer for Christ’s sake. All who have had their sins forgiven have been declared innocent of all charges. Our enemy the devil is a legalist and is always looking for ways to trip us up. One of his favorites is to get us to hold our offenders responsible to repay their sin debt. In doing so he knows we will become guilty again. If we remain in that condition unwilling to release our offender, our enemy is empowered to harass and condemn us by the law. We must maintain our own innocence by not requiring our offenders to pay their debt to us. Innocence is equal to being debt free. In the same way, only those who have been justified can dispense justice.

Most of us equate justice with the punishment of those who do evil. Old Covenant justice was eye for eye and tooth for tooth, the adulterer was stoned, and the thief had to pay back double. But in this age God has ordained civil authorities for the punishment of evil doers. (See Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2) He has given His people, (the church) the ministry of reconciliation. (See 2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Civil authorities are given to struggle against flesh and blood but we as the church battle in the spirit realm. The weapons of our warfare are not natural but mighty through God for pulling down spiritual strongholds. (See 2 Corinthians 10:4)

The Apostle Paul was given the message of grace and the charge to steward it. He was as it were the administrator or executor of Christ’s estate and given responsibility for distributing the inheritance of the saints. Paul was given a glimpse into God’s vast treasure house which he describes in Ephesians 3 as the unsearchable riches of Christ. Paul’s revelation ignited a passion within him that all would know the riches of their inheritance in Christ. He was faithful to declare the message, to correct those who were led astray from the truth and to dispense justice on the enemies of righteousness. (See Acts 13)

In Hebrews 9:14-17 Jesus Christ is referred to as the mediator of the New Covenant. Prior to His death, His will or testament had no effect, but upon His death His will became enforceable. Everything that had been left to His descendants became available to them. Paul grasped this revelation and saw that he was to be the executor of Christ’s will and to see that all understood the inheritance that was left to them. The word mediator could also be translated reconciler. God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto Himself. (See 2 Corinthians 5:19) In the previous verse Paul says that God has reconciled us unto Himself by Jesus Christ and has given unto us the ministry of reconciliation. So if we connect the dots we see that we are not only to be recipients of this great grace but dispensers of it as well. Like Paul we want every one to know the great inheritance they have coming to them. We want to execute justice upon our enemies who have hindered our receiving it. We want all who have never heard to hear the good news.

Join The Ruling Class

2011-10-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Most of us in Christian circles have heard it said that we are in training for reigning and schooling for ruling. As we become Christ’s disciple He enrolls us in His ruling class. Some that are invited to join are already part of society’s ruling class and may see it as unnecessary or even foolish to join. In Mark chapter ten we read of a rich ruler who was invited to join but when he considered the cost of tuition he went away very sad. Though he had much wealth the price to enter in was more than he wanted pay. Ironically, according to Jesus, the more wealth a person has the more difficult it is for them to pay the tuition. The poor gladly receive the message to enter the ruling class of God’s Kingdom, though the price is the same for all they have much less to leave behind. The rich man’s ruling power was derived from his wealth. To become powerless and weak in order to become mighty and strong made no sense to him.

To become a ruler in the Kingdom of God we must humble ourselves and become a servant. We must make the shift from ruling with power alone to the authority that comes through humble service. When Peter and John passed by the lame man begging for money at the entrance to the temple they responded to him saying “silver and gold we do not have but that which we have we will give you, in the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.” (my paraphrase). Having no silver or gold made it more obvious to help him in a different way. He was not just empowered to eat another meal but they empowered him to become productive and self sufficient.

Many government programs are intended to empower people and help them out of their situation, but instead cause the recipient to become more dependant rather than independent. Those in need can easily look to those with money as their source but we need always point them to God. It is much easier to convince hurting people that God is their source through a miraculous healing because they know it could not have come from man.

Power is more than money. Anything that propels us ahead of the crowd so to speak is power. Our God given gifts and talents enable some to exceed the average person in many areas. It may be music, sports, or the ability to speak and teach, all these are good gifts that empower us. The temptation for the highly gifted person is to bypass humility and service and forge ahead in the power of their gift. The danger of doing so is a lack of authority.

To obtain the badge of authority for ruling in the Kingdom we must relinquish ownership of that which we have and become a servant or manager of our master’s wealth. If we learn to be a faithful and wise steward, in due season we will be promoted to a position of authority. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 illustrates this very point. Three servants were each given charge over a portion of their master’s wealth. The first was given five talents, the second was given two and the third was given one. They were to be managers of their master’s wealth while he was away. When the master returned he asked each one what they did with the wealth entrusted to them. The first two servants both had doubled its value but the third servant just kept it in a safe place and returned the exact amount that he was given. This story is an example of three disciples who entered Jesus ruling class. The first two passed the final test and were promoted from managers to rulers over a portion of His Kingdom. The fact that they were faithful in managing the valuables of another proved they could be trusted to be co-owners with the master. The third servant who did not take interest in or add value to the wealth entrusted to him was proven to be unfaithful or untrustworthy. It appears that he paid the price to enter the training class but did not trust that his master would reward his efforts. He assumed the master would take advantage and pocket all the profits.

The reward for being faithful with that which belongs to another is to be given ownership. We are to go full circle in His ruling class. We give up ownership of all we have to enter, and if we are found faithful to value what our Master values we will be given ownership of what He has entrusted to us. The faithful servants were not only given ownership and authority over the wealth but were given cities to rule over.

As joint heirs with Christ we are promised cities and nations as an inheritance but first we must learn the ways of His Kingdom. Some of God’s people have fashioned the use of their gifts and callings after the design of earthly kingdoms. They launch out in the power of their talents and wealth without attending the ruling class and passing the final test. Jesus clearly said to become great in God’s Kingdom one must be the servant of all. The badge of authority is humility and service. Though we may be promoted to co-owner and ruler, we will always need our badge. It is what distinguishes God’s Kingdom from the others.

God’s Kingdom has both authority and power. For example a police officer has a powerful weapon strapped to his side but his authority to use it is given by those over him. He has been trained to understand the heart of authority is to protect, not to lord it over others or use it for personal advantage. In a similar way God’s people have various talents, gifts and even wealth to be used to advance the Kingdom but to do so with authority they must also be under a higher authority. In Matthew chapter 8, the centurion who came to Jesus seeking healing for his servant recognized Him as a man of great authority. He understood that Jesus could only have authority to do the things He did by being under a greater authority.

As a side note: In recent years we have witnessed a decline in honor and respect for people in positions of authority. I suspect it is closely linked to an increasing rejection of God and His word as the supreme authority in our land. Even those who are in positions of authority lack respect for others in authority. Whenever we reject or fail to honor the one who is over us, that rejection filters all the way down the line, from our president to the park ranger and so on. All authority is given of God and without Him over us all that is left is power, and power that is not under authority becomes self seeking and oppressive. This all sounds rather gloomy but it is the church’s greatest hour to restore and rebuild the ruins and desolate places in our land.

Kingdom people are wealthy in many ways. They are gifted, talented and have every resource available in Christ. There is no reason to hold tightly to our earthly stuff and skip the ruling class because once we have passed the tests we are given access to unlimited resources. We need not operate in mere power when we can have His supreme authority.

Soul Prosperity

2011-08-11T09:02:00.000-07:00

3rd John the second verse says, “My loving desire for you is that you will be prosperous and healthy just as your soul is prosperous.” (My own paraphrase)

The apostle John expresses God’s desire for His people to be healthy not only in body but in their soul. In fact he implies that physical health is linked to and even dependant upon a healthy soul. Since the soul is made up of our mind, our will and our emotions it might be good to do a quick health check up in this area.

The mind is where we develop habits and thinking patterns which can be both healthy and unhealthy. What we think about God, ourselves and others determines the level of health in that area of our soul. For example if I believe that God is not concerned with the details of my life or think I do not deserve anything from Him I will receive according to my expectations. If I assume my troubles are meant by God to teach me a lesson then I will likely have lots of troubles. Negative thought patterns are like a withdrawal or a deduction from the prosperity of our soul. A life dominated by negative thoughts is not healthy and will eventually bankrupt the soul. A positive believing attitude will guard the deposits that have been made and add value and health to our soul.

I can not afford to think or believe anything about God or my self that does not agree with His word and will for me. While His desires and thoughts toward me are always to prosper me and instill hope for the future, I must not allow negative thought patterns to drain away the things God is pouring into my soul. While much of the world is in the grip of uncertainty and fear of what the future holds, our God continues to say fear not for I have overcome the world.

Our will is another area of the soul in which we often battle. Isaiah 1:19 says “If ye are willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land.” (KJV) If our will doesn’t yield to the will of God we do not partake of the prosperity of the land. Though this was spoken by Isaiah to the people of Israel concerning the natural fruit of the land we can apply it to our spiritual promised land that flows with the goodness of God.

In 2 Kings 7 we read the account of Samaria being cut off by enemies not allowing commerce to flow thus the people are nearing starvation and even about to eat their own children. The prophet Elisha speaks the word of the Lord saying, “by this time tomorrow a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel in the gate of Samaria.” The King’s right hand man responded to the word of the Lord with doubt and unbelief so Elisha told him he would see it with his eyes but would not taste of it. The next day when food was available in the street the King's right hand man was trampled to death in the stampede of hungry people.

This man was convinced that God was not good and even blamed Him for the starvation of people. His negative attitude and unbelief prevented him from receiving from God when the abundance came. In a similar way our negative attitudes and unbelief will prevent us from partaking of the abundance of God’s Kingdom. We must believe that God is good and not the author of starvation or famine. Though our enemy may have had some success in keeping us from the abundant life, the word of the Lord in these last days has been spoken through His Son. Whose report will we believe? Our will must yield to His will to experience the great health and prosperity He has in store.

The final part of the soul we want to look at is our emotions. Healthy emotions are another key to maintaining a prosperous soul. Just as our mind and will were given by God our emotions are wonderfully designed to experience the many facets of relationships. Unhealthy emotions are usually the result of a shaky foundation. The believer who bases his righteousness, peace or joy on his ability to keep certain religious requirements is building upon the faulty foundation of human effort. The unshakable Kingdom of God is not experienced through rules and regulations but through righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is an undeserved gift from God.

Unhealthy emotions are generally revealed through instability. One who is easily overcome by fear or allows feelings and circumstances to determine their demeanor is not prosperous in that area of the soul. The peace that comes with an unshakable Kingdom stabilizes our emotions. Healthy emotions are a product of being rooted and grounded in God’s Kingdom of love. Feelings and emotions can lie and mislead us. We can not allow our emotions to trump the word of God. I may feel abandoned and worthless but that doesn’t change God’s will and desire for me. If I give more credence to my feelings than to the truth of God I have just allowed the thief to plunder my soul.

Things that are factual truth yet do not agree with God’s plan for us must be treated as such. Not all truth is equal. Truth in this temporary life may conflict with the eternal truth of God. We must focus on what we are becoming rather than the old creation that has passed away. Though I may not feel righteous or see the prosperity with my eyes I can not allow the outward appearance of things to over rule the working of God’s word in me. The things we often see or feel can be contrary to Father’s plan but we are a work in progress and must keep our eyes on the one we are being conformed to.

God always places priority on the eternal knowing that the things which are seen quickly pass away while those things which are unseen last forever. The health and prosperity of our eternal soul can set the stage for our physical health and financial prosperity. Now that we have discovered the areas that prevent soul prosperity we can plug the leaks so to speak and develop a greater integrity to handle the abundance of His Kingdom.

THE GOLD STANDARD

2011-05-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

At one time in America our paper money was backed by a fixed value in gold and silver and could be exchanged for precious metal coins or bullion at any time. But as we are all aware those days are long gone. We have watched the price of gold go higher and higher over the past several years, but in reality gold is not becoming more valuable, our paper money is loosing its value at a high rate. Many people in an attempt to preserve their wealth are trading their dollars by the millions for gold and silver. We hear of people being robbed on the street having their gold necklace literally ripped from their neck. Others have fallen prey to the fraudulent practices of some who offer cash for gold.

Even the value in precious metals such as copper has unleashed a wave of thefts. One report was men disguised as maintenance workers ripped off miles of copper wiring used to power the street lights along a section of freeway. Catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles parked in a metro park and ride. The thieves get a few dollars for the platinum found inside while the car owner is left with a whopping bill to have it replaced.

The main point I want to make is, just as we no longer have a gold standard that anchors the value of our currency in America, many and maybe even most people have lost site of all value standards. Our rush to get rich and be among the wealthy has caused us to loose track of the true value and meaning of life. I realize this is not true with all people but I would have to guess it has reached a majority. Just as the American dollar is loosing value and respect around the world we have lost value and respect for many of our guiding principals. It used to be that we would treat our neighbor as we would want to be treated. The golden rule used to have some meaning but any more it’s he who has the gold rules.

The golden rule was a kind of gold standard that we could also call the God standard. It was His idea in the first place but there again we have traded the fixed value of good relationships for the temporary value of stuff. The God standard is very simple and straight forward, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. These two standards are inseparable. One is dependant upon the other. I can not love God if I do not love my neighbor who is made in the image of God. I can not love my neighbor the way God intended unless I love Him first. Love comes from God and if we think we can love without Him we are fooling ourselves.

It is also evident in America that we have repeatedly distanced ourselves as a nation from the God who is the very source of love. We have removed prayer and anything that acknowledges God from our schools and other public places. It is an indication of what we truly value in this country. We chase after fortune, fame and pleasure as a thing of great value but usually in the process we leave a trail of discarded relationships in our path. The true golden standard for this life is too often kicked to the curb in search of something that passes away and disappears like steam from a boiling pot.

I think we all would like to see our money become stable and have a long term predictable value again. It can only happen by returning to the gold standard of old. In the same way it would be wonderful to think people in our society would highly value relationships so not to violate others in the process of gaining temporary wealth. True value is only found in relationships. We can only understand the value God places on relationships by looking at what He did on the cross. He gave His only begotten Son in exchange for us. He paid a debt that we had no ability to pay and has set us on equal standing with His only Son Jesus. We were not purchased with corruptible things such as silver or gold but by the precious blood of Christ.

Mankind was designed and made to worship. Worship is ascribing value to someone or something. We can get really excited as we dream of what money will enable us to do but it is God that enables us to reach true fulfillment in this life. We will love and worship the thing we most highly value. God designed us to worship Him above all else but as we know other things such as wealth take His place. Money and our pursuit of it becomes most highly valued because we think we can not live without it. I myself have wrongly confessed that without money I can do nothing. That seemed to be true to me because I did not have a proper view of God or my relationship with Him. I observed everyone obtaining their life’s dreams as a result of gaining money. Most of it was borrowed but what difference did that make they were doing well. I got my eyes off God and onto money as the source of my happiness. I have to admit that gaining money at one time in my life was more important than gaining a good relationship with God and my neighbor.

God is by no means against us having wealth, in fact He enables those who are in covenant relationship with Him to gain wealth and take a spoil from their enemies. As Christians, our enemies are not other people but the spiritual forces of darkness who rule over earth’s wickedness. The most valuable spoil we can take in battle is the souls of men who are taken captive by the devil. It is time for Christians to realize what is truly valuable it is what Christ paid such a high price for. We all need to return to God’s gold standard placing the highest value on relationships which last forever. Our value system should lead us to fill our nets with the souls of men and women and spend all the gold and silver we can get our hands on to facilitate the process.

God is Pro Choice

2011-05-06T16:41:00.000-07:00

It is our ability to choose that sets us apart from the rest of God’s creation. In fact Jesus was so emphatic about maintaining our freedom of choice that He purchased us from the slave market. We might think God’s intention was to bind us with rules and laws but not so. Our forefather Adam forfeited human freedom by selling us into slavery to sin and the devil but Jesus paid to set us free. His purchase was very unique. Even though we are legally owned by Him, He never removed our choice to acknowledge His transaction. He wants us to remain free even if that means choosing another master. Though He wants to be our only master it requires that we serve Him willingly. He will not share us with another master but always maintains our freedom of choice. Unlike other slave owners He will not round us all up, strap us to a boxcar and ship us off to His plantation. He desires all who serve Him to do so by their own choice through a heart of love.

One would think if He paid such a price to make us His own that He would demand our allegiance. But our choice is highly valuable to Him because it is the only factor that separates those who love their master from those who serve out of fear and obligation. God’s love for us does not involve debt or obligation. True love can not be obligated or demanded, it must be freely given. Jesus freely gave His life and now He wants us to freely give ours to Him.

Having said all that, we must understand it is our choice that will determine who we serve and where we will spend eternity. Some suggest God sends people to hell but that is not true. The only way we end up in hell is if we choose to reject God and heaven. Our escape from the slave master of sin and hell is to acknowledge that Jesus Christ so loved us that He took our place in punishment and death that we might go free. All we have to do is accept what He has already accomplished and confess Him as our Master and Savior.

Some may think they are too far gone and could never walk with God. Others say they have tried serving Jesus and it didn’t work out. The good news is Jesus Christ has more grace toward us than we do toward our self. When we fail we often give up trying but Jesus calls us lovingly to His side to empower us to walk in freedom. Life can be like a rut that we have walked in for many years. We may find our self slipping back into that old rut again and again but our loving master is so kind and patient that He is always ready to help the fallen to rise up and go again. Walking with Jesus is a life long love encounter with God. I can not imagine Him giving up on us after paying such an enormous price with His blood.

God has put before us the option to either choose life or death, blessing or cursing. He admonishes us to “choose life that both we and our children might live.” (See Deuteronomy 30:19)

Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly.”
Choose Him today!!

2011-05-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

Cast Out the Bondwoman and Her Son

Is bondage an issue in the church today?

Are some Christians spiritually like the descendants of Hagar?

If so, how do we recognize it and deal with it?

Paul writing to the Galatians explains how the two sons of Abraham are typical products of two different covenants. Ishmael was born of the slave woman Hagar while Isaac was born of Sarah the free woman. The Old Covenant law, like Hagar, carried a gene so to speak that reproduced bondage and slavery. Sarah as a type of the New Covenant on the other hand was born free. Therefore her offspring carried a spiritual DNA that would reproduce freedom. Those born of Hagar were of the flesh and the earth while the descendants of Abraham through Sarah were the result of a promise from above. (See Galatians 4: 25-26)

Abraham and Sarah resorted to earthly human reasoning to produce a child through the slave woman Hagar. Human reasoning will always conflict with the ways of God. Therefore the descendants of Hagar and Ishmael will reproduce the same conflict against the wisdom and promises of God. The son that God promised Abraham through Sarah required that He make a way where there was no way. She was not only barren but advanced in years well past the age of child bearing. Isaac was called the son of promise because it was not humanly possible for Sarah to give birth.

Paul is amazed that the Galatians would choose slavery in place of freedom in Christ. Paul reminded them slaves do not receive an inheritance. He repeats the words of Sarah recorded in Genesis 21:10 “Cast out this bondwoman and her son for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” The Galatians had fallen from grace and had gone back to using the law as their standard for righteousness. In doing so they unwittingly forfeited their inheritance as free children of God through Christ. Interjecting legal requirements into the New Covenant is like expecting human reasoning to fulfill God’s promise, or like trusting in human effort to solve a God sized problem.

When New Covenant believers receive Christ and are born again of the Spirit of God they exchange their former identity as slaves to sin for that of God’s own Son. We become sons of God, joint heirs with Christ and partakers of the divine nature. The Galatians had a problem that still exists today. They turned back from trusting in the work of Christ alone and began to integrate some of their former religious requirements. In effect they tried to pour new wine into old wineskins and burst them. They sewed as it were, new cloth into a worn out garment which made matters worse. The Galatians were trying to mix religious works of old with the finished work of Christ. They were in effect saying Christ had not completed or satisfied God’s requirements for righteousness and his work on the cross was inadequate. Paul was trying his best to wake them up to what they had cut themselves off from. They, like Abraham resorted to human effort and reasoning to bring about a promise only God Himself could fulfill.

So the question I would like to examine is how do we apply these things to our lives in this modern twenty first century? Are Paul’s words here even relevant to us today? Is it possible some believers are living like slaves? Who is the bondwoman and her son today, and how would we cast them out? In the following paragraphs I would like to shed some light on these questions.

Hagar is a type of the Old Covenant law which was given to Moses on Mt Sinai. The law was intended for those who had a slave mentality and nature. Slaves had no land therefore had to work for those who did. As a result they had nothing to pass on to their children except a slave’s heritage.

Paul tells the Corinthian church in chapter 1 that he had begotten them through the Gospel. The Gospel, or the New Covenant is like a mother, and Paul speaks on behalf of Christ. So God is our Father and the Gospel or New Covenant is the mother of all who believe. Sarah is a type of the New Covenant mother which speaks of freedom from legal requirements. The Galatians were being confused by those promoting the Jewish religion and the law as a requirement for salvation and righteousness. Paul explained; if righteousness were the result of observing laws then Christ died in vain. (See Gal. 2:21)

In today’s church world, though we are begotten through the Gospel and are of the free woman, there are many who promote a gospel mixed with the law. We who have been exposed to this mixture of law and grace could be like Ishmael with a slave mentality and void of the understanding of who we really are and the inheritance we have. Imagine if Isaac had been raised by Hagar and led to believe he was her son. He most likely would have developed a slavery mentality without any concept of his true identity. He could have wasted much of his life working as if to earn something that he already had coming to him by birthright.

Imagine a believer today who is born again through the gospel then is raised or trained up under those who instill the rules and regulations of the law as the approved method of being acceptable to enter God’s presence. Many believers have received mixed messages informing them of who they truly are and the great inheritance they have in Christ, but find hurdles placed before them in the form of religious duties. They are tripped up in their attempt to press into their inheritance. Possibly the most common hindrance for believers is their own mentality. We need to retrain our thoughts and recognize the patterns we learned as former slaves to sin. On top of that we have an enemy who comes as an angel of light promoting religious practices that are intended to keep us bound. He doesn’t want us to know our true identity lest we also discover his in the process.

In my own experience I think the latter was most prevalent. I had a slavery mentality like the Israelites coming out of Egypt, and I had a hard time receiving the truth that I was no longer a slave. I had developed a comfort zone based in a slavery mentality and I naturally gravitated to those who nurtured that mentality in me. Looking back from where I am now I see that I can not blame anyone as if they were purposely trying to keep me from all God had, it was just a matter of sowing and reaping. Those who went on before me were doing the best they knew based on what they received.

The signs of a slavery mentality are many but I want to mention just a few. A slave is an outsider, not part of the family so they feel like they do not belong. They want to be included so they strive for acceptance. They are used to doing what they are told and they make few decisions on their own. They may have guilt because of their condition and position. They feel underprivileged and taken advantage of by others. They often develop a perception which causes them to misinterpret the intentions of their leaders. A slave often lives with a sense of shame which makes him susceptible to being motivated by guilt, but yielding to that motivation gives only temporary relief. Slaves have no family connection with their master but are committed to performing required duties.

I would say that casting out the bond woman and her son is compared to ridding ourselves of a slavery mentality and no longer receiving from those who nurture or reproduce that mentality. Flee from anyone who habitually uses guilt or shame as motivation to do something for Christ. A true Shepard will put their own life on the line to protect their sheep from the bondage of slavery. The hireling will sell his sheep into slavery to further propagate their dependence on Him. He is most interested in job security as opposed to true shepherds who will lead his flock into maturity and dependence upon God. Good shepherds will work themselves out of a job and empower others to take his place.

Those who promote rule keeping above relationship are reproducing a slave mentality. Relationship leads to inheritance. We receive from our Father because we are related to Him by birth not just because we work hard to earn it. Isaac had and inheritance unlike Ishmael though they both had the same father. Ishmael was not the son of promise but Isaac was. The promise was given to Abraham and Sarah not to the woman in bondage. We become partakers in the inheritance with Christ as the promised seed of Abraham. There is nothing we can do to earn it or deserve it, it is entirely a gift based on the goodness of God. We receive through believing the promise of God. By faith we enter into His family and become heir of all that He has.

The key or hinging point is what we believe and how we think. Our actions, attitudes, and speech are indicators of what we believe. Do we believe we are of the free woman or do our attitudes and actions reveal us to be more like slaves without an inheritance? Jesus spoke a parable that reveals how He tests His servants and makes a distinction between slaves from owners. In the book of Matthew, He spoke of three servants and their responses to being entrusted with a portion of their master’s wealth. To one servant he gave ten talents, to the second he gave five, and to the third he gave one talent. The amounts varied according to their abilities. The master told them to do business or make investments until he returned. The first two servants went right to work and increased the wealth, but the third hid his in a safe place. When their master returned he asked each to give a report of their stewardship. The first and second both reported they had doubled the money but the third just returned the exact amount that was given him. He explained that he feared loosing it through a bad investment and was also suspicious of his master’s motives. The third servant displayed a slave mentality. He thought His master would take advantage of his efforts without reward, so as it turned out he received exactly what he expected. The master took the one talent from that slave minded servant and gave it to the one with the ten.

Jesus said; “Those who have, shall be given more, and those who have not, even that which they have will be taken away.” The other two servants did what they believed their master would have done and treated the wealth as if it were their own. As a result they actually realized ownership and were promoted. They received their inheritance and were trusted to rule over cities. The one with the slave mentality proved himself to be unworthy of promotion and even lost that which he had.

The first two servants mentioned obviously knew their master well enough to believe he was good. They trusted him to do what was right. The third did not truly know and trust his master. He totally misread his motive and as a result lost out on the inheritance. The test was not for the master to know who to promote but for the servants to understand the basis of receiving an inheritance. Though it appears to be based on performance and works I believe it was to expose true motives. Owners will outwork slaves any day of the week. Slaves don’t see the advantage of doing anything they do not have to do because it will not seemingly benefit them. Servants that think like owners do not measure their service according to legal requirements. Their ownership mentality caused them to treat another’s wealth as if it was their own. Jesus said those who are faithful with that which belongs to another will be given their own. Jesus intends to make owners out of slaves but we must believe those are His true intentions. He is not like many earthly masters but wants to share His Kingdom with His servants. God is our Father and wants His sons and daughters to share the wealth of the family inheritance

Unfaithful servants are also called unprofitable. If a servant does only that which is required of him he is unprofitable. In other words if a servant restricts what he will do for his master to the legal agreement or the law, he is revealed to be a slave not a son with an inheritance. The third servant in the parable restricted what he would do to the legal binding agreement between slave and master. Slaves agreed to work off a debt to their master by committing to a certain amount of work each day. If the master comes up with something extra not in their agreement he doesn’t have to do it. In this case the servant totally misread his master’s intentions. He expected to be taken advantage of not rewarded. His lack of truly knowing his master is the real issue here.

This parable reveals there are some who serve God but see him through the eyes of a slave in bondage. They think He is just like all the other masters and only bought them from the slave market to see how much work he can get out of them. They totally miss that His true intentions are to turn slaves into owners, orphans into sons, and joint heirs with His Son Jesus.

Some have a difficult time with the idea of work in the context of the New Covenant. For sure it is based upon the finished work of Christ and not dependant upon anything we can do to earn our position in the family. We receive everything from God by faith and not by works, but faith without works is dead. To understand the difference between the works of the law and the works of faith we need only look at the motivation. From the outer appearance both types of servants may appear identical. The one who works by the law is attempting to fulfill an obligation and gain his master’s approval through his work. He is mindful of duty and requirements. His goal line is to meet his obligation. But the one who works by faith is doing so to express his gratitude and love for his Master. His focus is not on the finish line or on meeting a certain obligation. The one under the law strives for approval by meeting his obligations while the other is joyfully expressing gratitude because he is already accepted.

The goal of faith is not meeting obligations. As we enter into Christ we join in His work, and co-labor with Him. He has already met all the requirements and obligations of the law. His very nature surpasses obligations. Anyone who is dutifully striving to meet obligations is not yoked to Christ because striving for approval is contrary to His very nature. So duty or requirements are a beginning point for us who have received the divine nature and are yoked with Him. The New Covenant has its beginning where the legal requirement ended. A fulfilled law becomes the foundation for inheritance and ownership. Love is the fulfilling of the law so love is the foundational motivation for the servants of Christ.

Hagar and her son Ishmael were born slaves and unable to inherit the promises of God to Abrahams seed through Sarah. We were also born as slaves and unable to inherit those same promises. But thanks be to God who made a way through His Son Jesus Christ that whoever believes and receives Him as Lord and Savior will be adopted into His family and included in the inheritance.

Again, it all boils down to what we believe. We may know and even confess that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ but if we think and act like slaves we will not realize those blessings in this life. We can not afford to be satisfied with an Old Covenant relationship with God. We are no longer slaves but free. Though we all believe that and can confess it, if our every day attitudes, speech and actions are slave-like we will not realize our full inheritance and purpose in this life.

Understanding Jesus

2011-03-25T23:00:00.000-07:00

Jesus spoke to the multitudes using parables, but explained things in detail to His closest followers. In Mark 4:13 after He had spoken the parable of the sower, He asked them, “Do you not know this parable? How then will you know all parables?” The comment I want to focus on is Jesus’ indication that a proper interpretation of the parable of the sower somehow would open the understanding to the rest of His teachings.

I set out to find some hidden message in that parable looking for the key that unlocked the rest of the parables. After much digging I realized it really was not hidden at all, it was the most obvious lesson in the parable. Having good soil in the heart is necessary to properly receive and understand His words. But just knowing the importance of having good soil does not unlocked anything. It is actually having the good soil that makes the difference. Until I get rid of the thistles and thorns, remove the rocks and plow up the ground that has been trodden down by the treadmill of life, I will not be able to bring the seed of His word to fruitfulness in my life. Hearing and agreeing with His word and even receiving it with joy is not enough. It must reproduce Christ in me because He being formed in me is my hope of glory. The seed of God’s word is intended to produce fruit not just to be consumed by itching ears. I can not be a good hearer only, I must become a fruitful doer of the word.

I understand that most of our hearts have some good soil along with all the other conditions mentioned. That indicates parts of our hearts may be overtaken with other things than the purposes of God. Thorns and thistles refer to the cares of life choking out the growth that should come from receiving the word. The seed that falls by the wayside refers to a trodden down path where the seed is stolen away by the wicked one due to lack of understanding. Stony ground does not produce fruit because of persecution or offence that arises because of the word. We should not be satisfied to have 25% good soil but recognize these conditions and deal with them.

So the bottom line is, the true understanding of Jesus’ teaching requires a change of heart condition. In Mark 8:17-18 Jesus Asked His disciples why they did not understand what He was talking about. He asked if their ears were dull of hearing and if their hearts were still hardened. It was evident that they could not understand Him because of a heart condition. Understanding God and His word depends more upon the condition of the heart than having good disciplines or habits. So when Jesus said knowing the meaning of the parable of the sower is a prerequisite to knowing all parables, that means we must not only be able to explain it but to actually experience it in our own life. Just knowing about something is much different than actually experiencing it personally.

Let us take a quick look at these four soil conditions mentioned and do a self exam. What actually would cause soil to be compacted like a frequently used pathway? It could refer to a hardness of heart caused by the deceitfulness of sin. (See Hebrews 3:13) Sin is very deceitful because it presents itself as the solution to human desire but in reality is a counterfeit. Our heart can become increasingly hardened if we refuse to turn from sin after we have been convinced of the truth.

Ground that has been overtaken with weeds and other unproductive growth may actually be good soil but filled with the wrong crop. Unattended soil is like a garden that has not been cared for. Seeds that are carried about by the wind are allowed to take root and grow in it. Proverbs 4:23 says “Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life”. Imagine our heart to be like a plot of ground that was given to us by God to steward or care for. Like the garden that was entrusted to Adam and Eve we are to prevent ungodly seeds from drifting in and taking root.

Jesus said we are not defiled by what goes into our mouth but by what comes out of it. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So what comes from our mouth reveals what is growing in our hearts.

Ground that is rocky describes a heart that is offended by opposition or ridicule. Sometimes we can carry an offence due to former wounds and hurts. It becomes a huge stone in our heart that prevents the seed of God’s word from taking root. The Pharisees and religious people of Jesus day were repeatedly offended and stumbled at the words of Jesus. They were likely offended because they were the religious authority of that day yet Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. They used a religious facade to hide their true heart condition but it (the facade) only increased the blindness that prevented them from seeing, hearing and understanding the truth of Jesus.

Good soil in the heart is maintained by forgiving others their trespasses and guarding against further offence. It is remaining humble and transparent not allowing the seeds that blow in the wind to take root and not be tossed to and fro in our belief structure by the changing winds of man’s doctrines. Good soil is not overgrown with thorns and thistles, the cares of this natural life. It is reserved for the seed of God’s word. It will produce and increase in Kingdom proportions.

The Spirit and the Word

2011-03-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

John 6:63
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. NKJV

In John 6, Jesus had gathered quite a large following, but many only followed because He miraculously fed them by multiplying the loaves and fishes. He told them not to labor for food that perishes but for the food that endures to everlasting life. Then Jesus spoke of His body as bread and His blood as drink. He was speaking of a spiritual food that the flesh would not profit from but was for their eternal souls.

John 6:53-55
53 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. NKJV

Jesus is the living word. The Word was made flesh and dwelled among us and we beheld His glory. He is the bread that came down from heaven. He is spiritual food for our souls. Man is different than every other living creature in that we need not only a steady supply of oxygen to live but God-breathed words for our soul. We need not only the vital signs of natural life but the very breath and heartbeat of God within our breast.

Matt 4:4
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" NKJV

Physical life is sustained by natural food from the earth but the spiritual life of mankind must be sustained by the words that proceed out of the mouth of God, or God-breathed words.

1 Corinthians 15:45
45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. NKJV

God created everything by the word of His mouth. He spoke into being all things, both visible and invisible. There is just one exception to that pattern and that is His creation of man. He formed man from earth’s soil, breathed life into his nostrils and he became a living soul. See Gen. 2:7

It stands to reason that, if the breath of God was needed to give life to man in the beginning, we surely need God’s breath to continue in us.

2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV

The context of these verses, in 2 Timothy, speaks of the manner in which men wrote the scripture through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is not automatic that every time scripture is quoted that it will give life to the hearer. Even the devil quotes scripture for the purpose of mocking, condemning or misleading someone. The letter of the law alone is dead but the Spirit gives life to God’s word.

Evangelism involves speaking God-breathed words that give life to the hearer. Just as the breath of God gave man life at creation, His breath is required in the process of becoming a new creation. Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, explained the process of being born again.

John 3:7-8
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." NKJV

Just as the wind comes and goes at its own will, and we hear the sound of it, so is the process of being born again of the Spirit. The God-breathed word comes, at His will, to give life to those who hear the sound and agree with it. Then those who are born again will be led by the Spirit in the same way, going here, or there, speaking God-breathed words to others.

It was Adam’s choice to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil that brought spiritual death through separation from God. Adam and Eve were banished from the garden so they would not eat of the tree of life and live forever in their sin. Sin has now been punished and its power destroyed by Jesus on the cross. The way has been opened for us to come to the tree of life again. We can come to Jesus and partake of Him: He is the bread of life and the living water that we need.

Though we were not given the choice to be born into this world, God does give us the choice to be born again of the Spirit. We can now choose to forsake sin, eat from the tree of life and live forever in God’s eternal Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God

2010-09-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

The Kingdom of God is described in the following verse not only by what it is, but by what it is not. Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. NKJV

The context of Roman 14 is that some were eating foods that were formerly unclean but have been made pure through the work of Christ. Some believers were weak in the faith and had not yet come to that understanding. Paul’s instructions were not to offend the weak or unlearned brother over an issue that is of no eternal consequence. Old Covenant believers were defiled by many things such as touching a leper or eating the flesh of unclean animals. But New Covenant believers have power to sanctify and cleanse food, (see 1Timothy 4) and, touch and cleanse the leper as ministers of Christ. (See Matt. 10:8) Jesus said, in Matthew 15:11, that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man but what comes out of it. Some had found fault with Jesus and His disciples for eating with unwashed hands. Jesus wanted them to understand that men were defiled by the attitudes of their hearts, and what proceeded from their mouths, rather than by what went into the mouth.

The truth must always be spoken or conveyed in love. Love would rather go without than cause a weaker brother to be offended over food. The Kingdom of God is manifested through a heart of love toward God and our fellow man, not a list of rules we keep. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The Scribes and the Pharisees did not manifest the Kingdom; in fact, Jesus rebuked them, saying: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” (See Matt. 23:13) The scribes and Pharisees were very appearance oriented. They liked to sit in places of prominence, to greet people in the market place and be called Rabbi (Teacher). Their garments had wide hems, or borders, with scripture text written on them, so that they would appear as God’s authorities. They used the commandments of God and the Law of Moses for an opportunity to lord it over the people. Jesus said that these Pharisees did not enter the Kingdom and even prevented others who desired to enter. The Kingdom is not a show of power and authority directly over flesh and blood but over the spiritual forces of darkness, which will indirectly affect human behavior. The spiritual leaders of that day had fallen under the influence of darkness while supposing that they were leading people into the light. Jesus called them blind leaders of the blind.

The Kingdom is Righteousness

Jesus told His followers that, unless their righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees, they would not enter the Kingdom of God. (See Matthew 5:20) The righteousness of the Pharisees was only external and of human effort, not compatible with a Kingdom that ruled from within the heart. Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the religious Pharisees many times yet they repented not, but rather sought to destroy Him. True righteousness draws opposition from those whose righteousness is of human effort. From the beginning, we find that Cain became angry and killed his brother Abel because God was not pleased with his offering. Cain offered fruit from cursed ground that required toil and the sweat of the brow to produce. His offering was typical of human effort or self righteousness which is to God as filthy rags. Abel’s offering was typical of the sacrifice of Christ, the innocent blood of the lamb. The same spirit that drove Cain to kill his brother also drove the religious people of Jesus’ day to destroy Him. The same spirit is alive and at work today, stirring up opposition against the righteous.

In this present age, His Kingdom is revealed by power over demon spirits that hold people in bondage. Jesus said: “If I cast out devils by the finger of God it is because the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” (See Luke 11:20) We read in Luke 17:20: Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation ; 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." NKJV

Kingdom righteousness is a matter of the heart. It is firstly a position of right standing with God; secondly, it produces good works and obedience to God’s laws from the heart. True righteousness is not flaunted before men as if it were a merit badge or a rank of authority over our fellow man. True righteousness would rather go hungry than to offend a weaker brother with food or drink.

Kingdom Righteousness is also by faith. The Pharisees counted themselves righteous by their ability to avoid the physical acts of sin--- that is known as righteousness by the works of the law. Righteousness by faith is not attained by anything we could do or any sin we could avoid, but by believing on and trusting in the cleansing work of Christ on the cross. When we believe His word and receive His gift of righteousness then we are declared righteous before all heaven and earth. The spiritual powers of darkness know that we are righteous because we have been translated from under their dark power into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. (See Colossians 1:13) The Pharisees remained under the influence of darkness because they trusted in human effort and wisdom to do God’s will. If that be possible then Jesus Christ died in vain.

The Kingdom is Peace

Jesus is the prince of peace and He is King. Paul says in Colossians 3:15a “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts”.

The peace of the Kingdom is not of this world and cannot be measured by earthly standards. The world is only at peace when there is no conflict. The world I see is experiencing constant conflict in varying degrees. Most of us are not ducking bullets or experiencing a literal war, but some are. The streets of many American cities have become a war zone. A more common conflict may be with a coworker or a family member over trivial issues. Some may wonder how we could ever experience peace in the midst of all that is going on.

The peace of God’s Kingdom is also something that is hidden in the heart. It is not quenched or snuffed out by what goes on in the natural world. When Jesus was sleeping in the boat during the storm, his disciples frantically woke Him up because they thought He didn’t care if they all drowned. Jesus spoke peace to the wind, and the waves became still because peace was his weapon. While his disciples were overcome with fear Jesus remained at rest.

In Acts 27, Paul was aboard a ship as a prisoner. When they were overtaken by a storm at sea, he was able to take control of a frantic situation because he was walking in Kingdom peace. He did not rebuke the wind like Jesus, but a supernatural ability to speak with authority caused frantic men to obey him. That is amazing; usually, in that kind of situation, it is every man for himself. We must remember that Paul was a prisoner on board that ship and had no earthly authority over anyone there, but Kingdom authority will attract our attention especially if we are on the brink of disaster. It is undeniable that Paul’s peace and composure was a product of God’s Kingdom.

Some said of Jesus: “this man speaks with authority and not as the scribes” (See Matt. 7:29). The scribes were able to teach the scripture but their words lacked the ability to move men to obedience. In 1 Corinthians 4:20, Paul says that the Kingdom of God is not just words but power. Paul received the obedience of men aboard a ship in which he had no natural authority because he was operating in the authority of God’s peace.

The Kingdom is Joy

Joy is a result of righteousness and peace. When we receive His righteousness by faith, we also experience peace, knowing we are no longer at odds with God our creator. From God’s perspective, the work of Christ for our salvation was completed from the very foundation of the earth (See Hebrews 4), but we are still an enemy of God in our own mind (See Colossians 1:21) until we receive and appropriate His gift of righteousness and enter His Kingdom. We have Joy because our sins have been washed away, never to be remembered again, knowing that God is for us not against us.

The scripture also says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Our enemy has no weapon that can match peace or joy so his strategy is to cause us to lose them or to respond in fear. We must walk in faith to walk in Kingdom peace and joy, so fear is our enemy’s only effective weapon. Fear attempts to shock us into its control. It is the shock factor that can cause us to respond without peace or joy. Fear never forewarns us of its arrival. The purpose of the shock treatment is to get us to use our natural reasoning and carnal weapons, rather than the mind of Christ and the whole armor of God. But the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, or natural, but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of, or making extinct, enemy strongholds. (See 2 Corinthians 10:4)

Joy and peace are produced by the Spirit. When we walk in harmony with the Spirit of God we will sow to the Spirit and will reap life of the Spirit. Like peace, joy is not dependant upon having the right conditions in the natural. Usually pressure situations cause whatever is on the inside of us to come out. If we were thrown in jail for doing good, it might cause anger or revenge to rise up within us, but when Paul and Silas were thrown in prison they began to rejoice and sing songs of praise to God. (See Acts 16:25) Their joy activated the hidden power of God’s Kingdom. The earth shook and all the prison doors were opened. I often wondered why all the prisoners’ shackles fell off and not just those on Paul and Silas. Apparently none of them escaped, including Paul and Silas. The whole incident appears to have happened to bring salvation to the jailor and his household. Joy and praise release the power of God’s Kingdom to set prisoners free. The jailor was not bound by physical chains but he was set free from the bondage of sin.

I am reminded of a chorus we used to sing. “Joy is the flag that is flown from the castle of my heart when the King is in residence there”. Shackles falling off prisoners and cell doors opening are signs, in the natural, that King Jesus is present to set captives free.

Honoring God With The Tithe

2010-04-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

Gen 14:1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations, 2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). NKJ

Genesis 14 records how several kings banded their armies together to go against nearby cities including Sodom and Gomorrah. It so happened that Abraham’s nephew Lot and his family lived in Sodom and were taken captive along with all the people of the city, their food and supplies. One resident of Sodom managed to escape and brought the news to Abraham. When he heard of it he rounded up 318 of his trained servants to go hunt them down.

Gen 14:8 And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar — four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains. 11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. 12 They also took Lot, Abram's brother's son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram. 14 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
NKJV

They recovered everything that was stolen, Lot, all his possessions and all the people from the city. While they were returning home, Melchizedek, King of Salem, met them with bread and wine and pronounced God’s blessing upon Abraham saying, “The God of heaven and earth has delivered the enemy into your hand.” Abraham gave a tenth part of the spoil as a tithe to Melchizedek being the priest of “The Most High God.”

Just then the king of Sodom showed up and told Abraham to keep all the supplies he had recovered for himself, just let the people return home. But Abraham refused to keep even one fragment of the spoils lest the king of Sodom would claim to have made Abraham rich. Abraham knew that it was God that had given them victory in battle and that his wealth and power were from God. He gave a tithe to Melchizedek the priest in honor of God. Abraham would not take even a sandal strap from the spoils of Sodom because he wanted to protect the reputation of being made rich and powerful by God alone. He would not allow an opportunity for anyone else to claim that they had made Abraham rich.

We also must never forget that it is God who gives us the power to get wealth as a confirmation of His covenant with us. We give tithes of all our increase into His storehouse in honor of Him, and as a result we will be blessed along with Abraham. Deuteronomy 8:18 says God confirms the covenant that was made with our forefathers (Abraham) by giving us the ability to obtain wealth. When God gives us victory over our enemies and we recover what has been stolen from us it will be because we have honored God as our source of power not our own wisdom or might. We must also be careful not to take spoil for ourselves that would leave even a shadow of doubt as to who made us rich.

Abraham was in covenant with his nephew as part of his family. A covenant meant that if one of the two parties was ever in trouble the other would do all in his power to fight for and recover all that was lost. Of course this covenant included God as one of the partners and that is where the supernatural power factored in.

Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek to recognize and honor God as covenant partner. He had the confidence to go after armies likely numbering in the thousands with only three hundred and eighteen men because he trusted in God who was the initiator of the covenant. The king of Sodom’s offer to keep all the spoil would have been appealing to someone who did not know the source of all the things we need for this life.

On the flip side of the coin, the book of Daniel records the story of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who would not honor God as the source of might, wisdom and the power to gain wealth. Nebuchadnezzar thought everything revolved around him. He had a golden statue of himself made and set up. He ordered all to fall down and worship before the statue every time they herd the sound of the musical instruments. If anyone refused to bow down and worship the image of Nebuchadnezzar they would be thrown into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

God gave Nebuchadnezzar opportunity to repent of his evil ways. The three Hebrew children, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the image or worship any other god than the God who made all things and put breath within them. As a result they were taken, bound and thrown into the furnace. The God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego delivered them from death and not even the smell of smoke was upon them. Only the ropes that bond them were burned off. Nebuchadnezzar was so impressed with the way their God delivered them from death that he made a decree stating that anyone who says anything amiss concerning the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would be cut in pieces and their houses be made a dung hill.

Though Nebuchadnezzar was greatly impressed with their God he evidently was not willing himself to bow down and make Him his God. He continued on in pride and arrogance believing all the wealth and provision of his kingdom was a result of his own wisdom and might. He saw himself as the provider of all things as if the people of his kingdom were eating out of his hand. He failed to give glory to the God of heaven and earth, so God gave Nebuchadnezzar a dream.

Daniel’s interpretation of the dream was that Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would be taken from him and that his mentality would be reduced to that of a beast in the field. He would grow hair like eagle feathers and claws like a bird and would live off grass and vegetation. Seven years would pass before his reason and mentality would be restored. As Daniel completed the interpretation he gave the king some advice saying that if he would break free from his sinful way and begin to show mercy to the poor perhaps God would lengthen his days and continue to prosper his kingdom.

One year after Daniel interpreted his dream, Nebuchadnezzar was in his royal palace. He said to himself; “Is not this great kingdom of Babylon built by my own power and for the honor of my majesty?” No sooner than these words were out of his mouth a voice came from heaven declaring that the kingdom had departed from him. He was driven from among men and went into the fields to eat grass like an ox and his ability to reason was taken from him until seven years passed.

Nebuchadnezzar had to learn the hard way that his ability to reason, to be creative and prosperous is a gift from God. He learned the hard way not to steel the glory from his creator. In contrast to Abraham, Nebuchadnezzar could not honor and give glory to God. So God removed from him the very mentality and reason that made him different from all other creatures. The image and likeness of God was temporarily removed. God reduced him to the level of a cow grazing in the fields.

It would behoove us all to learn this lesson without having to go through a similar experience. Abraham gave a tenth part of all his increase to Melchizedek in honor of God. He knew without a doubt it was God given supernatural ability allowing 318 men to defeat armies. He knew also that it was by the power of God that they were able to recover all the spoil stolen from the city of Sodom. Abraham was very careful not to touch the glory while Nebuchadnezzar could not keep his hands off it.

In Roman 1, Paul describes people who failed to recognize and honor God with thankfulness.

Rom 1:21 for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools; 23 and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. NRSV

Those that Paul described, appear to have followed a similar path as Nebuchadnezzar. Their mentality diminished to the point that they lost sight of the one in whose image they were made. They exchanged the image of the immortal, eternal God for the mortal, corruptible image of self made man, or the beasts of the field.

We often overlook our natural talents and abilities as a gift of grace from God. He has given us our abilities, talents and the power to gain wealth. He has given us a mentality far greater than all other creatures and He has breathed life into us. Without Him we can do nothing. Tithing is honoring God for what He has given into our hands. It is recognizing and acknowledging the covenant we have with Him. Abraham gave tithes of all the spoils recovered in the battle yet in the end he kept nothing for himself. He knew the tithe was more about honoring God for the power to gain or recover wealth than for the wealth itself.

I believe the recovery of family and goods stolen by the enemy will result as we follow the example of Abraham in honoring God. As we remain in covenant with God as did Abraham our small bands of faithful warriors will be empowered to defeat armies of thousands. Though our battle today is not against flesh and blood the principal is the same. We rely on the promise of God to supernaturally cut off our enemies according to our covenant with Him. Giving God the tithe is our acknowledgement of covenant. We are partners with Him, and through that covenant relationship we are supernaturally empowered to defeat our enemies. If we fail to acknowledge God as covenant partner and take the glory for ourselves He has no responsibility to show Himself strong on our behalf.

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Lord, Increase our Faith

2010-04-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

In Luke 17 Jesus taught His followers that they must forgive an offending brother seven times in one day if necessary. It is unlikely that anyone would offend seven times in a day, and Jesus was surely not limiting it to seven. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks the Lord how often he should forgive, until seven times? Jesus’ reply was not until seven times but seventy times seven. In other words we are to forgive without limit. This teaching obviously prompted the disciples to ask for an increase in faith. Operating in faith requires that we remove the limits from our thinking and actions.

Jesus’ reply to their request for an increase in faith was; “If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” KJV

Jesus continues talking about a servant working in a field. It could appear as if He had gone on to another subject, but if you look closely, His comments were instructions for them to increase their faith. Many suppose Jesus was saying they needed nothing more than a speck of faith to command a tree to be uprooted and cast into the sea, but if that were so why did He rebuke His disciples for having so little faith on other occasions?

Jesus is introducing Kingdom thinking. A mustard seed is the smallest of seeds yet when planted, becomes a tree large enough for birds to take refuge in. (See Mark 4:31) A seed is not very impressive, and by itself is limited, but if it falls into the ground and dies, it sprouts up and becomes a tree that produces much. (becomes profitable) Those who are great in God’s Kingdom must become humble servants of all. God’s Kingdom on earth began as a seed that fell into the ground. Jesus was that seed. He humbled Himself, set aside His equality with God and became a servant even unto death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and has given Him a name above all other names.

The servant that came in from the field for lunch should not expect his master to prepare food, but just the opposite. He should serve his master and not expect a special reward for doing his duty. Jesus went on to tell His own followers that they should not expect to be rewarded for doing their duty. Their request for an increase in faith is compared to asking for a greater level of authority in His Kingdom. Jesus was showing them that increase occurs by our decrease. In order to be rewarded with a greater level of authority their service must exceed duty.

Here again Jesus is adjusting their thinking. Peter thought in limited terms when he asked how many times he was required to forgive. Until we break free from a duty or obligation mentality we remain limited in our thinking and lacking in faith. The very nature of faith is having no limits. God’s Kingdom does not come with observation. In other words it begins small, it is obscure or out of sight like a mustard seed when it is planted. Though it is an ever increasing Kingdom it cannot be measured or limited. Therefore those who operate in the authority of His Kingdom must be humble, obscure and small. Entrance into God’s Kingdom is through a very narrow passage like the eye of a needle, we must shrink to fit, but once inside all limits are gone.

The disciples understood their need for more faith to forgive without limits and Jesus instructed them in how to receive it. It is not a matter of Him just giving us more than we have now, but we increase our faith by taking the seed we have and planting it through humble service. A servant must exceed the requirements of duty and obligation in order to enter the realm of faith. Faith cannot operate within the limits of obligation.

This teaching ended on an interesting note. In Luke 17:10 Jesus said; So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things that were commanded you, say,
We are unprofitable servants: We have done that which was our duty to do. KJV

Something that is unprofitable costs more to own and maintain than it produces, at best the master breaks even on his investment. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 provides a good comparison between faithfulness and being unprofitable. The master was testing his servants to determine there faithfulness. We often think of faithfulness as being steady or never missing a beat, but in this parable it goes much deeper than that. The servants that were called faithful took interest in and added value to their master’s wealth as a project they were not required to do. I do not see any specific instructions given in how to look after the talents they received. The interpretation of that was evidently left up to them.

I am sure the master already knew his servants well, which explains why he only gave the third, one talent. The third servant saw his master in a different light than the others. While the first two were honored to be trusted with the wealth, the third had a suspicious attitude. He saw it as an added responsibility, not part of their original agreement and it exceeded his obligation. In his mind the master was just expecting more with no added benefit. Since his master gave no specific instructions, he decided to do nothing but hide the talent in a safe place. He totally misread his master. His true intent was to allow his servants to keep that which had been entrusted to them, but prejudice eliminated the reward. Since he was not faithful with his master’s possessions and did not treat them as if they were his own, they did not become his own. (See Luke 16:12) Because the two faithful servants took interest in and increased their master’s wealth, he in turn promoted them to a greater place of authority as rulers over cities.

If we want an increase in faith or to receive a promotion in God’s Kingdom, we must trust our Master and believe that He is good, that His intentions are for us to prosper and receive a place of honor. We must not have a slavery mentality that will only do what is required lest we forfeit our inheritance. We must become vulnerable and step outside the limitations of duty to which we are so accustom. We must trust that our master God will never expect anything of us that He will not also give us the grace to perform.

God's Love for Creation

2010-02-10T13:35:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more amazing than God’s love for His creation, especially for those who are created in His image and likeness. In the beginning God created man from the dust of the earth. He used matter that had no will or ability to refuse His designing hands. But, in these last days, God is making a new creation, not from the dust of the earth but from abused, confused and rejected material. He is using broken and twisted humanity, with all their faults, and is forming them into something beautiful: much more beautiful than His original creation.

God formed Adam from the dust of the ground in one day, but it is now a life long process for those who yield to his handiwork. He works according to our ability to surrender to His hands. God doesn’t want mindless robots that have no choice, but people that will love from a willing heart. He never takes away our choices but will guide us in the right way, and warns of the consequences of wrong choices.

God’s love is best defined by examining His greatest act of love which, I believe, is what He did for us on the cross. John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” God freely gave His Son and Jesus freely gave His life. He did not have to die for the sins of humanity but He chose to because of His love. No one took Jesus’ life but He freely gave it up for us. (See John 10 17-18) And, in John 15:13 it says: “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for His friends.” While we were in the midst of our sin, Christ died for the ungodly. By this we see that love is expressed by giving freely from the heart.

Love can not be demanded of another. Many people think that when God says “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” that He is demanding our love, but love that is demanded is not true love: it must be freely given. God’s commands are creative and carry the power, or grace, to change the condition of those who receive them willingly. God delights in asking us to do the impossible but, along with that request, He gives us divine ability. Not one of us could love God because we did not have the capacity to do so. But, because His spoken words have creative power, they have the ability to turn God haters into lovers; all we have to do is believe and receive them with a willing heart. Our will must come into agreement with what He has spoken. We can not let what we think or feel overrule the words of God. His words have the ability to change what we think and feel, if we will just agree with and respond to them.

In the beginning, the earth was in darkness and chaos, but when God said “let there be light”, the light appeared. The elements of earth had no will or ability to refuse God’s command, therefore change occurred suddenly. But, when He speaks to the stubborn will of humanity, change only occurs if there is agreement and a yielding heart.

God is preparing His people for eternity with Him in heaven. He is also preparing a city wherein dwells righteousness. In that city there is no darkness, evil or anything deceptive. All things are openly transparent before Him. (See Revelation chapter 21) Only those who have allowed God to make them over anew, and have become a new creation in Christ, will be prepared to live in the city of God.

God never stops loving people no matter what they do. Judas betrayed and sold Christ into the hands of His enemies, yet Jesus greeted him as friend. I am sure it was in hopes that even at that last moment Judas would change his mind. It is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance, but obviously not all respond to that goodness. God still loves every one that rejects and blames Him for all their problems. He is so patiently waiting for us to realize we have had a wrong view of who He really is and His intentions for us.

In Hebrews 12:6-8, we read that God loves and chastises every son that He receives. Those who respond to His correction are acknowledging Him as their Father but those who refuse correction are rejecting Him and are showing themselves to be illegitimate sons. Not every one who claims God as Father is actually a son of God. In John 8:39-44, we see Jesus speaking to some who claimed both Abraham and God as their Father, but Jesus said: “If you were Abraham’s children, you would act like Abraham, but you go about looking for an opportunity to kill me.” That proved that they were of their father, the devil, because he was a murderer from the beginning. They were illegitimate sons because they would not recognize and respond to the voice of the heavenly Father or His Son Jesus Christ. At any time they could have turned to God in repentance and acknowledged Him as a good Father but they would not.

In Matthew 3:19, Jesus said that God is able to raise up children unto Abraham from stones. Men’s hearts can become more hardened than stones because of their stubborn will. Those who Jesus was speaking to had hearts that were totally unresponsive to His words. A stone would more likely be transformed into God loving children, like Abraham, than they.

The difference between God’s children and the children of the world is that God’s kids respond to his correction. God’s kids make many mistakes, and often commit horrible acts, but God doesn’t reject them. He is always waiting for them to come back to Him and receive His love and correction. The children of the world continue to reject the love and correction of God and blame Him for the evil consequences of sin. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

We were all children of this world before we received Christ as savior. From that time on, we are being formed and shaped into the image and likeness of Christ. We must allow God to make us into a new creation. It requires only that we yield to His will every day. It is a life long process but has great rewards in this life, plus eternal life in heaven.

Is the Gospel a Message of Balance? part l

2009-12-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

In our society the idea of keeping proper balance and doing all things in moderation has gained great acceptance. Tolerance is another buzz word we hear a lot, but does the Gospel promote moderation or balance? There are good reasons for moderation and without balance, some things could disintegrate, but the gospel of the Kingdom is a message of extremes. Balance speaks of finding the center point between two extremes, but Jesus said He would rather we were cold or hot, not lukewarm. Where do we find the balance between peace and unrest? Where is the balance between joy and depression or love and hatred? Jesus said we can not serve two masters; we must love the one and hate the other. He did not leave room for moderation in relationships. We are to love one another as He loves us. The Gospel I read speaks of an extreme love, indescribable joy and a peace that surpasses our own understanding.

Avoiding the extremes of the Gospel message takes us back to the old wineskin and results in the new wine being lost.

Do not put new wine into old wineskins

Jesus said new wine could not be poured into old wineskins lest they burst and the wine is lost. Some of us have experienced the inebriation of the Spirit of God and say that we have been drinking the new wine. On the day of Pentecost, those who were filled with the Spirit were described as being drunk with new wine. They became bold and spoke with great conviction. Three thousand were saved as Peter stood up and declared the message. Stephen later spoke with a power that stirred up such opposition from religious spirits that he was stoned to death. He was sold out to the Gospel message and did not value his natural life above the truth. As an old wineskin, Peter denied knowing the Lord in the face of opposition, but as a new creation filled with the Spirit he was bold as a lion.

The new wine is lost by trying to integrate the old with the new. The fear of punishment and death was the major ingredient that kept sin in check under the Old Covenant. Stephen was not under the influence of fear but the new wine. In him, we see an illustration of the new wineskin holding up under great pressure. In fact, the whole church at that time flourished under pressure.

I believe Jesus’ reference to putting new wine into old wineskins was to illustrate the result of integrating the two covenants. The Galatian church had poured their new wine into the old wineskin of the law. They strayed from being continually filled with the Spirit of God and resorted to trusting the frailty of human effort in order to attain righteousness. They were convinced of the necessity to incorporate circumcision and keeping the law with the gospel of Christ. Paul reminded the Galatians that they had not received the Spirit’s power through performing legal requirements but by hearing and receiving the gift of God through faith. He also explained how mixing the old with the new results in loss of identity and inheritance.

The union of Abraham and Hagar produced Ishmael. Hagar is a type of the law, a slave in bondage. The promise of God was that Sarah, the free woman, would give birth to a son. Sarah and Abraham were a type of believing faith and now all who believe, as Abraham did, are heirs of the same promise. We can not mix faith with the law and expect it to contain an inheritance. Ishmael was put out of the house because he was a mockery to the son of promise through faith. Being a product of man’s efforts, and not God’s promise, excluded him as heir.

None of us would readily admit that we had gone back to the law or circumcision as the Galatians did, but we have fallen back in other ways. The law operated on the principle of balance. Even today we see a balanced scale used as a cymbal of legal justice. The believers of old were not born again but walked as natural men. The law system was designed for the natural man but the things of the Spirit of God are foolishness and cannot be received by the natural mind. Justice by faith and grace is for born again, Spirit filled believers who walk by faith in their new identity. Our inheritance is only realized through our identity with Christ. Too many have forfeited the inheritance intended for this temporary life, putting it off to the future life in heaven.

We believers should not assume that living in the New Covenant era guarantees that we will automatically experience all its benefits. If we try to mix the old with the new or, as Jesus put it, try to put new wine into old wineskins, the new will be lost because the old can not contain it. The Old Covenant promoted balance but the new embraces the extreme. The old law system was satisfied by requiring the guilty to pay in proportion to his offence, an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth. The New Covenant calls for the innocent to pay the debt of the guilty. The old is illustrated by placing the offender’s debt on one side of the scale and justice is only served when the required payment balanced the scale. The new is illustrated by the extreme, by making a more than enough payment, going the second mile or giving your shirt as well as your coat. Christ’s payment for our sin was more than enough for all sin for all time.

Jesus’ teaching was misunderstood and rejected by many who thought He wanted to do away with or destroy the law. Matt 5:17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. NKJV

Jesus was not setting aside the commandments but an out dated legal system. It was time to introduce Justice by faith and to open the way for the gentiles to come to God.

Continued in part 2

Is the Gospel a Message of Balance? part II

2009-12-08T20:32:00.000-08:00

Jesus introduced extreme righteousness

Matt 5:20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. NKJV

Old Covenant righteousness was attained by a “just enough” payment: one that was just enough to balance the scale of justice. Jesus’ new system of justice would produce an extreme righteousness through a “more than enough” payment.

Matt 5:27 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. NKJV

The old law system could only be applied to the outward acts of sin. Sin could remain hidden in the heart as long as it was not acted upon. It would be easy to assume that lustful desire was not sin until it became a physical act, but God sees the heart: Jesus wants us to deal with the hidden root of sin. Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, it must go deeper than what appears on the surface.

Matt 5:38 You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. NKJV

I am sure that many who heard Jesus were scratching their heads. It does not make sense to let someone off the hook. If the offender does not pay it could be interpreted as rewarding evil. The context of Jesus’ teaching is: we turn the other cheek and extend unmerited favor and grace, rather than seeking vengeance through the law. Jesus wants us to become living sacrifices, illustrating His suffering for the wrongs that were done against Him. We only overcome, or defeat, evil by returning good. What we sow we will reap. If we want mercy and grace then we must give it away.

Matt 5:40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. NKJV

Jesus illustrated a new method of settling debts. The old required them to give their coats to achieve justice, but the new says give your shirts as well. Paying more than required qualifies as extreme; it is the innocent one giving more than is required to achieve justice by faith. The just shall live by faith and not the law. Jesus began by saying that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.

The cross is an extreme measure

The innocent Christ paid the debt of the guilty but included more than required by law. He did not just forgive us and leave us with a zero balance, like the law system did, but He added grace and divine favor that we could access in our time of need, like a savings account. The key to the bank, so to speak, is the cross. Our natural mind will tell us we have no ability to pay another’s debt or to give them unmerited favor. But if we look beyond our own ability and see what Jesus provided, we see that our account contains mercy, favor and grace for us and, an abundance to extend to others.

Jesus said in Luke 6:38 “Forgive and you shall be forgiven, give and it shall be given unto you again, pressed down, shaken together and running over they shall give to you. The measure you use, will determine the measure used in return to you” (my paraphrase)

The best the law system could do was to provide forgiveness to those who offered innocent sacrifices. They went away debt free but with a zero balance in their account. Since no one has the ability to earn forgiveness or mercy, they were left vulnerable to further debt. Their very next sin weighed on them until the next annual sacrifice. The saints of old never acquired a plus balance in their righteousness account.

Taking up our cross is doing what Jesus did. We must not leave our offender with a zero balance but add a gift of grace to our forgiveness. We must use the extreme measure of faith. If we press down, shake together, heap up to overflowing our measure, we have surpassed the law as an act of faith. Faith never comes short of the law but always exceeds it. Love is the fulfilling of the law and faith must be motivated by love, not a requirement. Faith is freedom to do as love directs yet love never violates God’s commandments. On the other hand, we cannot use the law to require love otherwise it is no longer love. Just as freedom and bondage can not go hand in hand faith and the law can not mix.

The gospel was good news to Old Covenant saints.

The saints of old already had the promise of eternal life if they obeyed the law and offered their innocent lamb once a year. The good news of the Gospel, to them, was not a promise of heaven some day, but trusting that sacrifice of Christ would clear not only their debt but remove their guilt, shame and condemnation once and for all. And, if they did sin again, they would not have to wait to offer their annual sacrifice. Christ is the once and for all time sacrifice. Under the new system of justice it is no longer necessary for a priest to mediate before God, all can boldly enter His presence by the blood of Christ through faith.

Only the sacrifice of Christ has the power to cleanse the conscience from our past. The payment Christ made for sin qualifies as extreme: it was more than enough to pay our debt. It was so weighty a payment that it bottomed out the scale of justice in our favor. There is now no need to renew the payment for sin. In fact, His payment forever put the law system out of commission for those who trust in His sacrifice.

So where is the problem? I believe the problem is in our lack of understanding of the cross of Christ and our new identity in Him. We too often identify ourselves by our temporary life. We allow the limitations of our humanity to overrule faith. We are a new creation in Christ; the old has passed away and the new has come. We are now a new wineskin and able to contain the new, but if we identify with the old, limited, balanced life of moderation, the new will spill out and be lost. The old must be left at the cross and our new identity is found in the risen Christ.

Continued in part 3

Is The Gospel a Message of Balance? part lll

2009-12-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

Some teaching I had received concerning our position in Christ seemed to be contradictory. One emphasized being seated in heavenly places with Christ while others stress the necessity to embrace the cross daily. In my confusion one day, I asked the Lord where I was to be. Was I to embrace the cross or be seated with Him in the heavens? I was rather surprised at the answer I received. Those of different persuasions on the subject spoke as if one was right and the other was wrong, but the Lord said both are right. My eternal spirit man is seated with Christ in heavenly places while my temporary flesh man must embrace the cross. We leave our old identity as slaves to sin at the cross and accept our new identity as a child of God.

Jesus said we must take up our cross daily and follow Him to become His disciple. Why did He not say we must take our heavenly seat to become His disciple? I believe the one must come before the other. Jesus was our example. He went to the cross trusting His Father to raise Him up. It was because He willingly gave up His own life that He was raised up by promise. In the same way we receive a heavenly seat as a result of willingly embracing the cross. The way up is down. It is our job to go down and His job to raise us up.

Let us take a closer look at the cross to determine if we are doing our part. First, and maybe the most important thing to remember, is that the suffering of Christ was not for His own debt of sin, but for others. He was totally innocent of all charges. He also suffered just because He was righteous. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us. Jesus willingly went to the cross. No man took His life: He freely gave it up for the sins of many. He could have called ten thousand angels to fight His enemies but He chose another way. His payment for sin on the cross exceeded that of the Old Covenant sacrificial system. It was an extreme payment containing more than enough to cover all sin for all time.

Jesus said we must take up our cross, daily, and follow Him in order to become His disciples. He gives us a choice and a daily one at that. Our cross also has to be defined by our willingness to bear it. It has to be something we can choose and not be put on us as a legal requirement. The cross is total submission of love to love. If we place a requirement on love, then love is lost and spilled like the new wine in old wineskins. Love has to be given freely from the heart. The cross was and is the greatest expression of unconditional love. It was undeserved favor toward the unlovely.

The cross we bear has to be our choice and it has to include a more than enough payment, an undeserved payment. When Jesus said turn the other cheek or go the second mile, He was describing the cross. If a court of law required my coat so that justice would be served, I would have no choice but to give. But if I follow Jesus’ directions I would, by choice, add to the payment something I did not owe, an undeserved bonus, if you will. If I only give what is required then I am operating in the realm of law. If I want to escape the realm of law, with its guilt, condemnation and shame, I have to embrace the cross, adding to the legal requirement an undeserved portion. Paul says in Galatians 3:11 No man is justified by the law in the sight of God; it is evident: for the just shall live by faith. KJV

In order to escape the law’s domain we enter into faith by exceeding the law’s requirements. One major strategy of our enemy is to keep God’s people living under the influence of the law using a counterfeit cross. Religion says we gain favor with God through works and suffering. A religious cross leads to self punishment, false humility and striving to please God by our own efforts. The devil’s domain is in the law and our escape is through the cross.

For much of my Christian experience I suffered much guilt, condemnation and shame and struggled to understand why. I believed with out a doubt that Jesus died for my sins on the cross and I trusted in His finished work. I believed nothing I could do would add to what He had completed. But I had problems I could not resolve. One day, the light went on for me concerning the cross. I realized I was not experiencing the full benefit of the cross; I had been deceived by religion. I thought I had taken up my cross and had been following Jesus, as one of His disciples, but, in reality, I had unwittingly avoided embracing it. My problems were the result of walking in legal territory where the devil is empowered to harass and condemn God’s people over past failures. Even though I would pray, and claim the power of the blood of Christ, it had a very short term effect.

I realized that I had not been enjoying the full benefits of the cross because I had avoided it. I had chosen rather to be satisfied with legal requirements. I had not blessed those who had cursed me. I had failed to do good to those who had wronged me. I did not give to those who did not deserve it. I forgave others their debt of sin toward me but I did not add the undeserved portion spoken of by Jesus. I came to realize taking up the cross was not just mental agreement but action.

I had not lost my salvation but my experience more resembled that of the Old Covenant saints than what is described in the new. I was not experiencing the wonderful presence of God because of guilt and shame. I had a hard time believing God was pleased because of my own feelings. I had poured the new wine into the old wineskin and it was spilled.

The same religious spirits that hoodwinked the Galatian church are still alive and active today. They promote mixing the requirements of the old law system in with the new to cause the new to be of no effect. Even though the cross brought an end to the requirements of the law, religion tries to sell the church a counterfeit cross and a powerless gospel. Even though Jesus dealt a death blow to the devil, the only way we can walk in that victory is through embracing the cross. Jesus provided a way for us to escape enemy dominated territory. We must find our identity in Christ. He has proclaimed us innocent and has given us authority over all the power of the enemy.

No one is justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ. The just shall live by faith. The cross walk is a faith walk. The only way I can stay in the faith is to surpass the law. Faith always exceeds the requirements of the law. I can only walk in the authority of my new identity through faith. Mixing the law with faith always produces an Ishmael. Ishmael could not receive the inheritance of God’s promise to Abraham’s descendants because he was not born of the free woman. Hagar was a type of the law and brought forth children in bondage to the requirements of slavery. Those who are free have a choice. They suffer or give unmerited favor to the undeserving as a mater of choice. Those in bondage to the law are not working by choice but by requirement.

Whenever we choose to act like slaves and focus only on what is required, we choose to take on that identity. If I want to walk and live under the blessing of my new Father I have to choose to act like Him. He is the one who is generous and gives unmerited favor to sinners. I must refuse to walk in my old identity lest I fall again to bondage of slavery and the law. God never takes away our choice, but He always says “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21)
From my own, past experience and from what I observe in the body of Christ, I conclude that many are living at the level of Old Covenant believers. We struggle to keep our joy. We fight off memories of past failures and abuses against us. We have trouble maintaining intimacy with God and even think He is against us at times. These are symptoms of trying to walk out a balanced and moderate gospel having removed the extreme from the cross. The Gospel calls for us to move to the extreme, to the cutting edge, always pressing into new territory. The Gospel of Christ calls for us to be hot or cold, not lukewarm. The fruit of the Spirit in our lives should be extreme, like the fruit of the promise land. The gospel I read promises indescribable joy, a peace that surpasses our understanding, and a rest that is not disturbed by storms. Though the cross involves suffering it causes rejoicing not gloom and depression.

I see a generation of young people today who are looking for the extreme. Extreme sports are more popular than ever. I always cringe when I see the dangerous stunts performed by some and shake my head wondering why they would live on the edge like that. I do not believe that the church, as it is today, will reach an extreme generation with a balanced and moderate gospel message. They are hungry for the extreme and are ripe for the true gospel message.

The Greatest Gift of All

2009-11-28T20:06:00.000-08:00

During this Christmas season we center our focus on giving gifts to family and friends in celebration of the greatest gift ever given. It is a time to reflect upon the gift that God has given to all the world.

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is His gift to a lost and dying world. Jesus is the light of the world. He is the way to the Father. He is the truth and the life. He has given us His Son and eternal life is in His Son. (See 1 John 5)

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NIV

Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. NKJV

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV

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

The gift of God’s Son is not just to provide a way to heaven when we die but is intended to give us life now. Jesus said in John 10:10 b. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJV

This life is found in Christ. 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. NKJV

We are a new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV

This wonderful gift from God includes becoming a new creation. We are all descendants of the first man Adam and destined to die but His gift gives us access our new destiny in Christ, which is life for evermore.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. NKJV

We enter God’s eternal family and are given a new identity.

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. NKJV

We have a new father and receive position in His family. Our old identity is passed away and the new has come. We count our old man of sin as dead with Christ on His cross and now identify ourselves with the risen Christ who is seated in heavenly places. Paul says “I am crucified with Christ never the less I live, but it is not I but Christ that lives in me.” Paul found new life in his identity with Christ. He no longer wanted to identify with his former life with all its accomplishments, but counted life’s gains but loss that he might attain Christ. Paul also said he no longer wanted to be mindful of any man according the flesh. That is, he did not determine any one’s value or usefulness to God based on their ancestral line, their education or their position in life. In fact, those with no resume at all might even have an advantage because they have less to count as loss.

2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV

Many could not acknowledge Christ as the Son of God because they knew Him according to the flesh. That is, they knew Joseph as His father, they knew that His sisters and brothers were all born and raised in their neighborhood. Paul says that even though some had known Christ according to the flesh they know Him in that way no longer. His flesh and blood body did not reveal who He really was. Peter’s revelation of Jesus as the Christ came from the Father in heaven. Peter was no longer confused over who Jesus’ Father really was.

Looking at flesh and blood can obscure the identity of Christ. Even though Christ is no longer walking the earth in His earthly body He is walking about in all who have received Him. Just as many were uncertain of His identity in that day, so today many can allow the flesh and blood He walks in to obscure His identity. Even believers can struggle with their identity. Now our identity is found in Him. We are no longer identified with our past. Our earthly heritage does not determine our value or position in Christ.

Many could not receive the gift of God because of the package it came in. Though the gift was heavenly and eternal, the wrapping, so to speak, was temporary and made from this earth. Let us not make the same mistake many have made and reject the gift because of the wrapping. Jesus’ followers have been commissioned to announce the good news. Unto us a child is born and unto us a Son is given. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. And whosoever believes that He is the Christ and trusts in Him shall be saved.

Lord, I pray that the gift of your Son will be revealed to all the world through your people in this season. Not because of good marketing and packaging but because the glory of the Lord shines through us. I pray that your people will no longer be confused about their own identity, that they would no longer see themselves in their former state, but be revealed as the sons and daughters of the living God. Amen

Where's the Fruit ?

2009-11-13T15:39:00.000-08:00

In scripture we see that God, like a farmer investing much time and effort into orchards and vineyards, expects to receive a return on His investment. Jesus used principles from the law of sowing and reaping to teach about the Kingdom of God. He has sown His word into the earth and it will bring forth fruit in due season.

The parable of the sower shows that fruitfulness is dependant upon the condition of people’s hearts.

The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:4-8 And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: 5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" NKJV

When Jesus was alone with His disciples He explained the meaning of the parable.

Luke 8:9-10 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?"
10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.' NKJV

Parable Explained

Luke 8:11-15 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. NKJV

Does it seem odd to you that God would shroud the meaning of parables in mystery? Why would God seemingly make it more difficult to understand His teaching? After much thought on this, I concluded that His word contains priceless treasures more precious than silver or gold and treasure is not found laying around on the surface, but requires effort to uncover it. It is God’s way of preserving the value for those who will seek to find it.

Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. NKJV

Matt 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. NKJV

God conceals priceless things to reward those who will search diligently for them. How badly do we want to discover God’s hidden treasures? Some of those who heard Jesus teaching in parables called Him a senseless babbler. They saw no value to be gained by listening to Him or in giving heed to what He said.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

Matthew 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. NKJV

God’s Kingdom is for seekers and treasure hunters. This merchant was not only searching for treasure but was willing to sell all else to own it when he found it. How many of us discover treasure but are not willing to do what it takes to buy it? Entering the Kingdom of God requires a total commitment. The rich young ruler wanted to enter but was unable to make the required sacrifice. Jesus told him that he must sell all that he possessed and give to the poor so he would have treasure in heaven. His understanding of what is truly valuable was not in line with God’s eternal view.

Ears to Hear

Speaking to the multitudes, Jesus ended the parable with: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Having ears to hear does not mean we have immediate understanding, but something about what is said strikes a cord within that causes us to dig for more. Even understanding, in itself, is great treasure. God invites us to seek for wisdom and understanding. (See Proverbs 16:16)

The first stage of fruitfulness is having good soil. The seed of the word must become rooted deep enough to prevent the devil from taking it away. Good heart conditions do not write off Jesus’ teaching as mere babble. They do not easily become offended or turn away because of trials or temptations. They do not allow the cares of this life and temporary riches to choke out new growth, but the seed takes root and produces much fruit.

Let us go now to Galatians and apply the principles from the parables.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. NKJV

The seed of God’s word reproduces God-likeness in us. God is love and love is of God. The joy of the Lord is our spiritual strength. God gives us peace that surpasses our understanding. God is like a farmer patiently waiting for the precious fruit if the earth. God is kind beyond our comprehension. He, by His very nature, is good. His faithfulness is steadfast and He is unwavering. His gentleness or meekness is not weakness but is having the power to crush those who oppose Him but patiently calling men to repentance. That leads us to the last on the list, self control. God does not react to anything but acts purposefully in what He does. In human terms we could think of self control as avoiding bad habits but God has none. He does not let anything or anyone control Him. In reality God does not want to control us like robots either: He wants us to become so one with Him that we think and act alike. Self control for us is having the mind of Christ and desiring to do what He is doing.

Jesus is the Vine

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. NIV

So, becoming fruitful requires entering into Christ, receiving the word of God into our hearts and keeping it. We can ask whatever we desire when we are of one heart and mind with Him. I see a parallel between the two illustrations used in the foregoing scriptures. Those with a hearing ear are more likely to press in, to stay close to Jesus, to seek for hidden treasure and will do whatever it takes to own it. They also will remain in Christ and keep, or hold on to, His word. They are the branch that remains connected to the vine that bears much fruit.

Apart from Him we can do nothing. Although we can bear no fruit on our own, it does require initiative on our part to do the hearing, the pressing in, the seeking and the abiding in Him. Most of us need a lot of help to develop better soil conditions in our hearts but if we recognize our need, and yield to God, He will help us remove the rocks and thorns and break up the compacted areas of our heart. God is a patient farmer who is at work in us so that we will bear much fruit.

Why do we want to be fruitful: to be better people? John 15:8 says that our fruitfulness brings glory to God and we are revealed as Christ’s disciples. It is not the grapes on the vine, or the apples on the branch, that receive the praise and glory, but the farmer who cares for them. We may attract some attention but everyone will know it could not have been of our own doing. The fruit we are talking about is not natural, but supernatural.
We will only produce it through a supernatural union with Christ, the vine.

Matt 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. NKJV

It is easy to do good for those who are good to us and it is easy to love those who are lovable, but it is the fruit that reveals us as the children of God, to love our enemies. When we do good to those who do evil to us, we are acting like the one who died for us.

Colossians 1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—NIV

The fruit of the Spirit in our lives is a re-presentation of Christ to the world. I believe this is what is meant by Romans 12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. NKJV

The world wants to view something that matches what they have heard concerning Christ. If we preach John 3:16, how God so loves the world, who are by the way alienated enemies in their own minds, how will they see a demonstration of His love for them if we are not bearing the supernatural fruit of love toward them? Because of Christ’s death, He has made it possible for the most wicked person to come before God without being accused. Those who caught the adulterous woman in the very act were accusing her and ready to stone her, but Jesus turned the tide of accusation away so that she could go and sin no more. I think it is hard for the world to see that same Jesus today. We too often focus on the evil that they are doing and try to protect ourselves from them, rather than being a living demonstration of Christ’s sacrifice for them.

Jesus paid the price in full and there is nothing we can add to it, but we are to be a demonstration of His undeserved favor and love. Jesus offered life to us when we deserved death. He offered forgiveness when we deserved condemnation. He continues to bless both the good and evil with the natural blessings of the earth just because He is good. He wants us to be like Him, yet He knows we could never be, without receiving the engrafted word that will produce much fruit.

So let us have ears to hear and eyes that see the value of searching for concealed truth. Let us be able to make the necessary sacrifice to lay claim to the treasure when we find it. If we remain intimately connected to Jesus the vine, and His word remains in us, then we will produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, patience, faith, meekness and self control. As an added bonus, we will be able to dispel the accusations of the law.

Anointed and Sent

2009-08-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me
to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." NKJV

Jesus was not only anointed to preach but sent out to heal, proclaim, liberate, and recover that which was lost. Jesus went about doing good and healing all.

Acts 10:38 “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” NKJV

Now God is with us to do the same.

Matt 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." NKJV

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." NKJV

Acts 1:8 describes a pattern of going or being sent out. As we begin to proclaim the good news close to home, our influence will increase and reach even to all the earth.

As Jesus gained influence, people searched for Him and large crowds followed after Him.
The demand upon Him was so great that, at times, Jesus had to find a place of solitude to rest and commune with His Father.

Jesus speaks with authority and the people are astonished.

Matthew 7:28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. NKJV

The people were used to listening to the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees who, evidently, didn’t leave much of an impression. Jesus was and is the living word of God who was made flesh and dwelled among them. Jesus was not just speaking the word of God, He was living it. If our lives are not doing the words that we preach, one cancels out the other. Like two witnesses in a courtroom who have conflicting testimonies, one will cancel out the other. Jesus lived perfectly in sync with His speech, therefore the people both saw and heard two witnesses that agreed and they were convinced of the truth.

Those who have authority are also under authority. Jesus only said what He heard His Father saying. He did nothing of His own accord but was in agreement with His Father.

John 12:49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. NKJV

Matthew 8:5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." 7 And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! NKJV

The centurion understood authority and immediately recognized the authority of Jesus. The great faith Jesus recognized in the centurion was also a type of authority: the ability to speak a word or command that causes the things that are not seen to appear. (See Hebrews 11:3) The centurion could speak and those under his authority would complete his words. God spoke and the worlds were framed. I believe that people who are not in submission to the authority structures established by God will have a hard time receiving from Him. The centurion had authority because he was submitted to higher authorities. He understood the chain of command, that his authority was from a higher source. He saw that Jesus had authority to speak and command sickness to go.

Jesus said that the centurion’s faith was greater than He had seen in all Israel. Again, I believe that was because the Jews were more apt to question Jesus’ authority than they were to submit to it. The religious people, especially, saw themselves as God’s authority and Jesus as an imposter. When the centurion spoke, his soldiers obeyed. When God spoke, the elements of all creation fell into place, but when He spoke to Israel, they would not hear Him. Faith hears and responds to the word of God and leads to authority.

Being anointed is only half of the picture: the other half is being sent. Jesus was sent with the authority of His Father. We have received an anointing and have also been sent to do the works that He did. In John 12:44, Jesus said that if we believe on Him, we believe on the one who sent Him. The two are one and cannot be separated.

John 14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. NKJV

There is no denying it: those who believe on Jesus also believe on the Father and have been anointed, and sent, to do the same works He did; and even greater works shall we do.

Anointed to Preach

2009-08-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me
to preach good tidings to the poor; NKJV

Someone once asked me how I determined if there was an anointing on any given message or preacher. That is a very good question and not easy to answer. I have never heard specific teaching that would help answer that question but I gave it my best shot. In very simple terms I replied: “It has a certain ring to it. If a bell is hanging free without contacting another object it will resound and its vibrations will penetrate deep into the ear of the hearer. If touching another object, it will have a dead or dull sounding thud that can not pierce the heart.” The anointing is compared to an ointment or an oil that, when rubbed on, can penetrate and soften the skin. The anointing can penetrate the hearts of the hearers but, depending on the listeners’ response, it can either cause repentance, a willingness to change, or it can stir up defensiveness and anger. Some are irritated by the sound of a bell and others receive pleasure from its rich tones.

Those who are anointed of God have received power and authority to preach and share the good news of the gospel. When the Spirit of God was poured out upon the believers at Pentecost, they received power to witness. They were anointed to speak with convincing words that penetrated hearts. When Peter spoke, three thousand responded with repentance, but when Stephen spoke under that same anointing, he was turned on and stoned to death. Jesus encountered various responses to His words. The common folks heard Him gladly, yet others wanted to kill Him and were eventually successful. Jesus said that we could expect to be treated in the same way He was. Some will love the message and others will respond with hate and murder.

Though Jesus was the Christ, the anointed one of God, His own disciples did not always grasp His words; they sometimes struggled to understand what He taught. We can not always assume that an anointing will get through to the hearer. Many liked His message and the way He provided material blessings, such as feeding the multitudes with loaves and fishes. After their bellies were filled they wanted Him to be their king, but He knew that they were only interested in the temporary things of this life. He wanted them to seek after the eternal bread from heaven that would sustain eternal life.

In John 16, Jesus told his followers that He was about to go away but that the Holy Spirit would come to be with them. When the Spirit comes, He will convince and convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. It is the conviction of the Holy Spirit that causes men’s hearts to either soften or rebel. Just as they were anointed with power, so we are today, through receiving of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the anointed one and all who follow Him receive their anointing from being in relationship with Him. He is the head of the body and, as our High Priest, the anointing is poured upon Him. It then runs down over the body to the borders of His garment. As His followers we receive the anointing from our union with Him and as part of His body.

Ps 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. NKJV

Every believer that is in fellowship with Christ receives an anointing, but there seems to be another level, or dimension, to the corporate anointing. Psalm 133:3 speaks of a commanded blessing that accompanies those who are dwelling together in unity. There is power in agreement. We must always ask according to His will but when believers join together in agreement, the results are greater. Matthew 18:19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. NKJV

God has set each member in the body as He sees fit and each member has a part to play. I believe there are different dimensions of the anointing depending on the gift we are given to edify the rest of the body. In Romans 12, Paul does not use the term anointing in reference to body ministry but he speaks of the measure of faith and grace that has been given. Grace is favor, a divine enabling to do the works of God.

Romans 12:3-8For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. NKJV

The context of this portion of scripture in Romans is speaking of us as individuals. We each have a unique gift for ministering to others. Though all can prophesy, teach and give offerings, there are some individuals who have a special anointing of power and grace that enables them to excel in their gift beyond the ordinary. Paul says that we should prophesy in proportion to the grace given. Some have been given a greater measure of faith and a greater grace than others to use their gifts. That does not mean that one is more important than another. It just means that we do not all have the same function or position in the body.

So, we all have an anointing from God, but there is an anointing upon the position or function we are given in the body. If someone is out of their position, or trying to minister in ways they were not given grace for, they would be lacking the anointing for the job. In a similar way, if someone is timid about their position and allows another to crowd into it, so to speak, there could be a lack of anointing on that position. Jesus is the head and we are His body and members in particular. We do not choose our own positions or anointing. We receive that which flows from the head.

There is an anointing upon leadership positions that are chosen or appointed by men, as well. As a church body, we vote in a new pastor to lead the congregation. In most cases, man has only recognized what God has already ordained, but God honors the choice of men and there is a mantle, or an anointing of grace, given to do the job. This is true of other positions in the church as well. Though in the natural leaders need to be trained and prepared for any given position, without the grace or anointing of God upon them they will not be as affective in their position.

So, in conclusion, let us remain together in unity so that God will command the blessing. Let us stay in proper relationship with Christ as the head and others in the body, so that we will be positioned to receive that which is poured upon the head as it flows down to the body. And let us use our powerful, anointed gifts to minister life to others.

Jesus The Christ

2009-07-08T10:33:00.000-07:00

Honoring or dishonoring the anointing and the “Anointed One.”

Luke 4:16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"
23 He said to them, "You will surely say this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.'" 24 Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; 26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian."
28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. 30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. NKJV

The people that heard Jesus read the scripture concerning Himself as the Christ or The Anointed One, went from awe and amazement, to disbelief and denial, to rage and attempted murder all in a matter of a few minutes. When they heard his gracious words they were amazed and they bore witness with Him, but as soon as their natural reasoning kicked in they could only see Joseph’s son standing there. They allowed the flesh and blood of Jesus to over rule what they sensed in their hearts a few moments earlier.

One day Jesus asked His disciples, Matt 16:15 "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. NKJV

A revelation of the Christ will not come through looking at flesh and blood but by hearing the heart of the Father. Those who heard Jesus speaking in the temple that day were hearing from heaven, but as soon as their antennas were tuned back to earth they lost sight of the Christ. When Jesus saw their minds turning away in disbelief He said that a prophet is not honored or accepted in his own country. Wherever there is familiarity it is hard to see beyond the flesh and blood. One of the most amazing parts of the gospel accounts is how these people went from being in awe at His words, to attempted murder in a matter of a few moments. Israel had a history of rejecting the prophets of God and Jesus knew He would be treated the same way. Even though they were in awe at Him for a moment they followed in the footsteps of their forefathers.

There were many widows in the land of Israel during the time of Elijah when there was no rain for three and a half years, and great famine was in the land; but Elijah was sent to none of them. Instead he was sent to a widow in Zarephath. There were also many lepers in the land of Israel during the days of Elisha and none of them were cleansed except Naaman the Syrian. Jesus emphasized the affect of Israel’s lack of honor toward those anointed and sent by God. They had to go outside of Israel to find someone who would receive their ministry.

On another occasion recorded in Matthew 13, Jesus was unable to do mighty works in His own country because they were too familiar with Him and His family. Again they allowed the flesh and blood of Jesus to disqualify Him as the anointed one. Jesus comes to us today in the flesh and blood of those He has called and chosen to carry on His ministry. Let’s not do as they did and dishonor the anointing by not receiving the package it comes to us in.

The anointing can cause offence. Jesus said in Matthew 11:6
“And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." NKJV
John being in prison, sent a messenger to Jesus to ask if He was the “One” they had been waiting for or if they should continue looking for another. Jesus did not answer yes or no, but He pointed to the miraculous works of the anointing. He closes His statement with

“And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

Many were offended at Him and His words. They could not get past His humanity to see God at work.

The anointing also destroys the yoke of bondage. Jesus came to set the captive free. Bondage comes in many forms; sin, sickness, disease and infirmities, and even religious bondages are broken by the anointing. Probably the greatest opposition Jesus encountered came from the religious people. They hated Him because He set people free from their control and released people from their power.

Is it possible we could be suffering some of the same affects in the church today as Israel did because of a lack of recognizing and honoring the anointing? Are we looking at the flesh and blood that Jesus the Christ chooses to show up in? Have we grown up and become familiar with a Jesus who did no miracles in our midst?

I remember back in the early 1950’s there were several well known evangelists with powerful healing ministries. At that time I had not yet given my life to Christ but I remember overhearing Christians explaining away the miraculous claims of healings reported in their meetings. One report of a person who was healed then later lost it, proved to them that the healing was never real to begin with. Though there has been much growth and maturity in the church since then, we still constantly hear reports about all the miracles that take place in Africa and other far away places, yet not in America? It could be compared to Jesus’ home town, where He was only able to heal a few sick folks because of the prevailing unbelief and lack of honor for the anointing.

Matt 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'" NKJV

Overcoming Addiction

2009-06-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

An addiction is a compulsive, physical need for a habit forming substance. An addict is one who is given to, devoted to, or obsessed with something habitually.

Though we are all born sinners and unable to meet God’s standard of righteousness, we are not usually born addicted to something like drugs or alcohol. These addictions come as a result of our searching for something to fill the void that sin leaves in the human heart. Addictions come in all shapes, sizes and colors. We can be addicted to anything that we choose to give ourselves to, even to good, God given things like food, drink or our possessions. It is our desire for instant gratification that makes us vulnerable to addictive things.

Addiction is a form of idolatry. Anything that we allow to have power over us or to take the place of God in our lives is an idol. Worship is surrender, to give controlling power to God or to other gods. We may not realize it but, hidden behind physical idols or objects of worship, is a spiritual being of the enemy. Since the fall of Satan, his goal has been to cause those who were designed to worship God, to instead worship him. Satan knows the weakness of human flesh and uses addictive substances to gain power and control over us.

Though we are alive in this world, true abundant life is only found in God. Jesus said in John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJV

Our enemy’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy what God has made and called good. Satan cunningly appeals to our emptiness with things that look good and promise to satisfy but are perverted and poisoned with sin and death. Our flesh is not eternal. It is made from the dust of the earth. Our flesh has nothing to lose by giving in to its own cravings because it is destined to return to the dust. Our spirit and soul are eternal and can not afford to allow our flesh to lead us into destruction.

If the good news of the gospel is that Jesus has destroyed the power of the enemy, why is it that our enemy still has such power over us? The answer lies in the death to our flesh. Jesus has provided a way for us to put off the old man of flesh and put on the new man which is fashioned after Christ. The problem is, it does not happen automatically: it is a lifelong walk. We must daily take up our cross and follow after Jesus to become His disciples. Our flesh man will not take this lying down, but will put on whatever disguise necessary to stay alive. From my own experience, the most common disguise is religion. He will try real hard to be good so as to not be put off or hung on the cross.

I am convinced that all sinners are addicts. Many addictions are easier to hide and are even accepted as a normal way of life. The solution to all addictions is the same: we must become like Christ. We must be partakers of the divine nature.

2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. NKJV

Overcoming addiction is achieved in knowing Him and receiving the divine power of His nature. As a result, we will escape the corruption of this world that finds its way into our lives through our fleshly desires.

Though our own flesh can seem to be our worst enemy, our battle is spiritual. 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,. NKJV

Addictions are strongholds in the fleshly mind that can only be pulled down by the power of God. There can be an instantaneous deliverance from the power of addictions, but if our thinking is not changed by the renewing of the mind, we will not overcome for the long haul. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Worship is surrender to the greater one. We become like the one we worship, either God or dumb idols of addiction.

Overcoming Performance

2009-06-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

When I think of the word performance, my mind goes immediately to show business or some sort of stage production. It has the implication of acting out a role or script that was designed and written by someone other than the actor. It has to do with taking on a different identity or becoming someone else in order to fulfill the part in the script. It also implies that the actor is performing for the benefit or pleasure of others and not necessarily for himself.

Life, in general, can be like a big stage performance. We can get caught up in it and find our lives being directed by the latest trends and fashions. We want to be accepted and liked by others, so we allow the world to form and shape us into its mold. As Christians we are not to be conformed to the world, or to respond to its director, but we should be listening to the direction of the Holy Spirit.

It boils down to an identity issue. I think a lack of knowing who we are and what our purpose in life is lends to the ability of the world to direct the desires and passions of God’s people. The world’s definition of success can so affect us and cause to spend much of our lives trying to become someone we were never designed by God to be. I have a personal story that can help, to a degree, explain what I mean.

In 1971, I started my own contracting business as a plumber. I worked for several small home builders installing the plumbing in the homes they built. I had two or three friends who also began businesses around that time. Over a period of years, I would occasionally run across these friends and we would sort of talk shop and compare notes on the various pitfalls and rewards of being in business. One friend, in particular, had a fast growing business and became well known, with a good reputation. Every time I would hear his success stories, I would compare my own situation to his and wonder why I was coming up so far short of what he was able to do.

In the 1980’s there were a few Christian books written on the subject of success, which I read. I came away with even deeper feelings of defeat because I could not measure up to what others were defining as success. Comparing a business to a tree was one application to define success. A tree began as a sprout, and then a twig then soon begins to branch out with many limbs putting down deep roots. A tree is determined to be healthy if it continues to grow larger and cover more area. This type of analogy was used to define what a successful church, or a business, would look like. Basically, if it was not growing then it was dying out or, in other words, unsuccessful.

I determined by that definition that I was unsuccessful in business. At one point I tried growing the business but it became unmanageable for me. Through all these toils and snares, I one day realized I had bought into and was following the script of the world’s director. I was trying to fit a mold I was not destined for. I am not suggesting that my friend with the large, successful business was out of line, but I just realized that not everyone is equipped with the skills and talents to run a large business. I wanted to be considered successful but, by the world’s standard, I was not. I even bought into the idea that God saw me as unsuccessful.

It was not until about twenty five years later, when I felt directed by the Lord to close down my business to become available full time for His business, that I got the true picture. I had to notify the builders that I had worked for, some for nearly the whole twenty five years, that I was getting out of the business. In all the years I no idea what a success I had been. One after another they began to express their appreciation for the work I had done, saying that I was the most faithful subcontractor they had. I always did what I promised to do and when they needed it. They expressed their concern about finding someone as reliable to replace me.

It was also at that time when I sensed the Lord commending me. It was as if my good record and reputation was taken into consideration in His decision to call me into His service full time. He let me know that, in His eyes, I was very successful. The Lord does not measure success in the same way that man does. Size and the amount of territory one covers is quantity, but He measures by quality and integrity. We are only responsible to the degree we are gifted. Just as in the parable of the talents, the only one who was not rewarded was the servant who did nothing at all with the talent he was given. The other two servants were given talents in varying degrees and were both faithful with what they were trusted with. It was not the size of their accomplishments that earned reward; it was their faithfulness to use what they were given.

I had struggled for years to fit into a mold designed by the world. I was caught up in performance, trying to act a part that was not designed for me. I even strived to be pleasing to God because I allowed the world to define success. I tried to put on the identity of a successful business man, but it was not made for me. I realized later that all I needed was to be identified as a child of God. I was in performance mode, acting out the scenes designed by this world, but when I got on the right page with God, I realized my life was for an audience of One.

Ultimately God has written the script for each one of us. We must take off the identity of this world and put on our new identity in His Kingdom. This is accomplished without striving: it only requires surrender to His purpose and plan for our lives. We can only play the part He has designed us for; any other will leave us frustrated.

Knowing the truth sets us free. I was a slave to performance until I understood how God viewed my life. He saw me as a success based on my surrender to Him, not by how much I could do for Him.

Overcoming Religion

2009-06-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

Often times when testifying to unbelievers about my salvation experience, they would say, “It sounds like you got religion.” I used to agree with that statement because, to me, that meant my salvation brought me into the Christian religion. But in more recent times I prefer to disassociate myself with that term because religion, to most people, means adhering to a set of rules in order to become acceptable to God. Most unbelievers do not see Christians as God’s family dwelling together in unity but in disagreement over how best to interpret all those rules. It is better to avoid the term religion and focus on being in a family relationship with God instead.

The many religions of the world center their focus on doing something in order to be accepted or to gain eternal rewards. Christianity was never intended to become a religion in that sense of the word. The central theme of the bible is about God’s plan to restore broken relationships, not broken rules. God gave us the commandments as laws to protect relationships, not to be the building blocks of a relationship. Relationships are formed through spending time with someone. God desires a family, having lots of sons and daughters. The idea that we must do something to be accepted by God is actually from a slave mentality. Religion is tailor made, and well suited, for those who have a slavery mentality. Because we were all born slaves to sin and the devil, it is easy to be deceived when he returns in a religious guise.

When I became a Christian many years ago, I got involved in church, along with other believers. I didn’t give a second thought as to whether or not I was being exposed to religious practices designed to neutralize my effectiveness in the world. When we do things religiously we often loose track of why we do them. We continue just because we have always done it that way. Someone once said that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. That is a fitting definition of religion as well. Religion lacks the personal relationship with God. It depends completely on what is written in scripture. Without that relationship, it is like reading someone else’s mail: it would be hard to understand and likely mean very little to us.

In order to overcome religion we must see it for what it is. We must be able to determine to what degree we are affected by it. Jesus often offended the religious people of His day because He exposed their hypocrisy. Religious spirits are at work among us: John calls them antichrists (See 1 John 2). Religious spirits not only oppose Christ but come to take the place of Christ, the anointed one. Religion lacks a true anointing. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke of slavery, so obviously these antichrist spirits want to come in with a counterfeit anointing, to neutralize or displace the true anointing. How do we spot a false anointing? Jesus read the following scripture passage concerning Himself and those who are called to the same ministry.

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
NKJV

In another place it is written, concerning Jesus. John the Baptist was in prison and about to loose his head. He was likely wondering if his mission of preparing the way for the Lord was accomplished.

Matt 11:2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"

4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." NKJV

The anointing destroys the yoke of bondage. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the dead are raised. These are signs of the anointing at work. If these signs are not following us and we tend to be offended by them, we are likely under the influence of a religious spirit. Religion hates the “Anointed One” because He breaks its power over people. Religion uses the neediness of people to control them, while the true anointing comes with the answer to those needs. Religion poses as the solution to every need but it is only an empty lifeless disguise.

Religion is of the world, but greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Jesus said in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
NKJV

Slavery to Debt

2009-06-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. NKJV

1 Tim 6:9-10 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. NKJV

Those who set their sights on riches and material things position themselves for a fall. The enemy always takes advantage of our desires and lays a trap for us. If we love money more than we love God, it will always lead us astray.

The enemy is so deceitful that he will even use what appears good to snare us. I believe that the spirit of mammon will work together with a religious spirit to draw Christians into debt for a good cause so that God’s people will be in bondage. God’s people forfeit their inheritance through disobedience and enter, instead, into bondage.

Deut. 15:4 for the Lord will greatly bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance — 5 only if you carefully obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today. 6 For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you. NKJV

It is our destiny to rule over cities and nations but, instead, we have fallen into bondage through financial debt and the love of money. God’s people should be in control of the money as lenders and not borrowers.

Deut. 28:9 "The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. 10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. 11 And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. NKJV

God’s people are not to be slaves to any one, but servants of God only. Jesus said that a man can not serve two masters. He will either despise one and be true to the other, or he will be true to the one and despise the other. If God’s people are servants to the lenders, then are we trying to serve two masters? Jesus said this in the context of wealth. Slavery to wealth is not reserved for those who are in debt. The rich man that wanted to enter into God’s Kingdom was confronted with his love for riches. He was given a choice to either serve his wealth or God. He sadly chose wealth as his master. It was not financial debt that trapped him in slavery, but his love for riches. It is a good thing to love your master; it just better be the right one. The rich man’s love for wealth became a snare that prevented him from serving God.

It is natural for us to become so used to our environment that we can not tell if something is missing or broken. Financial indebtedness is so common place in America that it has become almost as natural as breathing. Our dependency has shifted from God to money. If we were half as dependent upon getting a hold of God as we are about getting more money, we would be much better off.

According to the scriptures in Deuteronomy, there is a definite connection between our obedience to God’s commands and our influence in this world. We have become impotent and ineffective in this world due to being lured into slavery. A slave has no inheritance in God’s plan. The strategy of the enemy is to keep those who would otherwise have authority and dominion over him, in bondage and in slavery. Slavery comes in many forms other than wealth, but because riches, in themselves, are not evil like some other addicting vices, it is more deceitful and adaptable to religion.

Modern Day Slavery

2009-05-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

John 8:34-36

34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. NIV

All who are born into this earth are born as slaves to sin for all have sinned. (See Romans 3:23) One of sin’s greatest deceptions is that sometimes it appears righteous.

There was a man who came to Jesus asking; "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 19'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 18: 16-22 NKJV

The rich man was totally focused on doing good things. He wanted Jesus to tell him which good deed was the magic bullet that would assure him of a place in God’s eternal kingdom. He was likely hoping Jesus would point to some good thing that he had done, or tell him what he could do, to enter into life. When Jesus began to run through the list of commandments I can imagine his hopes rising, yet there seemed to be a nagging lack of assurance. Then Jesus put his finger right on the very problem. "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

The rich man searched for fulfillment in wealth and possessions, yet his apparent emptiness caused him to come to Jesus. The Lord gave him the cure for lack of fulfillment but he chose to hold on and trust in earthly things. He could not trust in the promise of God above the things of this visible world. It proved that wealth was his master. Wealth is not evil in it self but it can become our slave master. Religion, in the same way, can be perverted to be nothing more than a cover for sin.

Sin will try to hide under a cover of good deeds. Jesus taught that sin begins in the heart and He used murder and adultery as examples. Matt 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. NKJV

In effect, Jesus was saying that the sin of anger is just as deadly as the act of murder. We rationalize it away because we did not commit the act, but who can argue with God? He is the only one who can truly define sin.

Again Jesus speaks of adultery; Matthew 5:27-29 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. NKJV

Recognizing Slavery

When Jesus spoke of the Son making them free, some in His audience were offended at His words. He was basically calling them slaves that needed to be set free.

John 8:33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" NKJV

Not all who are actual descendants of Abraham are free from slavery: only those who trust and believe God’s promises, as did Abraham. Abraham believed that God would raise up a deliverer, the Messiah, to remove the sins of the people. There were some that claimed Abraham as their father but did not act at all like him. They were of their father, the devil, looking for opportunity to kill Jesus, the very deliverer that Abraham believed would come.

Slavery cloaks itself in a religious robe of good works but on the inside there is hatred, anger and a murdering spirit. These religious people were slaves to sin while claiming to be servants of God.

The only escape from slavery is to have a new father. We must be born again into the family of God. We become sons and daughters who remain in the Father’s house forever. Through the new birth we obtain a new inheritance. We inherit a righteous nature in place of the old sinful one. Freedom from slavery to sin comes by obeying our new master. We are no longer slaves to sin but servants of righteousness.

Don't Tempt Me

2009-05-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

Matt 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. NKJV

We could say it as follows: “Lead us away and help us avoid tempting circumstances and deliver us from the evil one.” God does not tempt us with sin but He will allow our faith to be tested.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. NKJV

When Jesus was praying in the garden just prior to His arrest, He returned twice to where His disciples were.

Matt 26:40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." NKJV

Watching can help keep us aware of the snares of the enemy.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. NKJV

Our enemy knows our weaknesses and waits for opportunity to tempt us in the area of that weakness. Trusting in our own will power and human strength makes us prey to the roaring lion. Faith is trusting in the strength and will of God even if it seems contrary to human reasoning.

God does not tempt us with sin but He will allow our faith to be tested.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. NKJV

We endure temptation through faith believing that, even though our flesh might fail and fall into sin, faith will cause us to endure knowing that God’s grace is greater than our sin. The process of enduring temptation may include some failures but, as long as we do not forsake our faith and trust in God, He will cause us to be triumphant. This process is to test or prove our faith. Faith is not defined by sinless perfection but by trusting in God to complete the work He has begun in us. As long as we confess and forsake our sin, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus surely knew the weakness of Peter’s flesh and thus warned him to watch and pray lest he would fall into temptation. Our prayer time is much more than words or requests. It is a time when we are sober and vigilant, watching out for the enemy’s traps. Peter may have been a bit too confident in his own ability to stand beside Jesus even unto death. Jesus maintained mastery over His flesh, surrendering to the will of His father in the garden, but Peter and the others were sleeping.

It appears that Satan, having observed Peter’s extreme self confidence, then asked for the right to test him, or sift him as wheat, in order to prove if he would actually stand by Jesus unto death. Any time we make such a bold statement in self confidence we may be inviting a challenge of the enemy to try to prove us wrong.

Luke 22:31And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." 33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." 34 Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

By the time Peter wrote his first epistle he had gone through a lot of enduring and humbling and is well able to give us advice that will strengthen us.

1 Peter 5:5-11 Submit to God, Resist the Devil

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble."

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJV

If pride led to Peter’s fall and denial of Christ, then God was likely resisting him instead of imparting grace to him. Therefore prayer is a good way to be clothed with a humility that resists or repels the devil. James says “resist the devil steadfast in the faith.” We all suffer temptation in this world but only through faith will we endure testing and overcome. God will establish, strengthen and perfect us through our suffering. He will build us on the firm foundation of Christ and He will get all the glory forever and ever Amen.

Forgive us as we Forgive

2009-04-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. NKJV

By these verses, we see that our own forgiveness is based upon our forgiveness of others.

Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." NKJV

To “judge not” means: do not pass judgment or sentence anyone to punishment. It is perfectly ok to make a judgment, to determine if something is right or wrong to avoid getting involved with evil, but we are not to pass judgment. If we sentence someone by wanting them to pay or be punished for their own debt of sin, we sentence ourselves to the same punishment; in doing so we disregard and make ineffective the payment that has already been made by Jesus on the cross.

Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. KJV

The measure of law is on a lower level than that of grace. The Galatians fell from grace by trusting in their own efforts to do things by the law. They had not gone back to sacrificing animals for their sins, but they forfeited the full power of Christ’s sacrifice by reverting back to requiring circumcision for salvation, which was only an outward, prophetic sign of what was accomplished by Christ. They, in effect, traded in their newly acquired measure of grace and faith for the inferiority of the law.

There is a legal measure and there is the measure of mercy and grace, through faith. The pressed down, shaken together and running over measure is mercy and grace which surpasses the law. Jesus’ death on the cross was a pressed down, shaken together and running over payment. It far surpassed the payment of the blood of animals prescribed by the law. The payment that Jesus made for our sin debt included everything the law provided and much, much more.

Legal forgiveness cancels the debt but comes short of grace. Our debt is canceled by a legal payment but it affords us nothing extra: as it were, money in the bank. Those under the old covenant (law), who offered animals as a sacrifice for their sin, were forgiven but had nothing in the bank for future debt. They had to return every year to offer another animal to renew their forgiveness. The payment of Christ on the cross includes grace, an abundant supply, added to our account, available to pay off debt the moment we need it. We do not have to wait another year as if Jesus needed to die again for our sin.

This grace account is available to us through the cross. Our use of the grace, filled overflowing measure, ensures that it will be used toward us. If we prefer to use the legal measure toward others, it will be the standard of measurement used toward us. Those under the Old Covenant (law) did not have their consciences cleared of offences nor could they enter the intimate presence of God. That was only experienced, once a year, by the high priest as he entered with the blood of innocent animals. The people were forgiven of sin but the enmity, or animosity, between the offended parties was not cleared from their consciousness. The old sacrificial system of the law allowed the devil to take advantage of its legalities and continued to accuse and bring guilt and condemnation upon the people.

Though we do not offer animals as a temporary sacrifice for sin, it is possible to reduce the effectiveness of Christ’s once and for all time sacrifice, to that of the old law. We determine which will be used toward us by the one we want others to have. If we forgive others, that is good, but the law system did that. If we go beyond forgiving their debt, by blessing them and praying that God will have mercy and give them a repentant heart, we will also receive what we ask for others. Jesus said:

Matt 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. NKJV

In these verses, Jesus describes the use of the overflowing measure of grace. The old way was to only return good for good but now under grace we are to return good for evil. This could be misinterpreted as rewarding evil with good, but it is the power to overcome evil, not to reward it. Returning blessing for cursing and good for evil is God’s wisdom. Man would call it foolishness but what does the scripture say?

1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. NKJV

What appears foolish and weak to men is mighty to destroy the works of the devil.

Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. NKJV

The law was ineffective at destroying the power of sin. The only way sin could be destroyed was to destroy the sinner. The use of grace and faith, as our measuring standard, overcomes evil with good. The power of evil is destroyed for the one who uses the overflowing measure. Our enemy, the devil, is only powerful over us if we remain in legal territory. Our use of the legal measure keeps us in his territory but we move to higher ground, and have advantage over him, if we use the overflowing measure of faith.

In Jesus’ model prayer He says “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” We are delivered from the evil one as we not only receive His undeserved mercy and grace, but as we extend it to others. It probably takes more faith on our part to bless and to do good to those who have wronged us than it does to receive it from God for ourselves. It is more blessed to give than to receive. When we extend undeserved mercy, grace and blessing to others we are, at the same time, adding to our own account.

So when Jesus prays “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,” it is much like when He says “forgive and you shall be forgiven. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:37 NKJV

This scripture has often been used when speaking about giving an offering, but the context is speaking of forgiveness. Forgive and you shall be forgiven, then, by adding giving to our forgiving, it becomes a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Forgiveness without the added giving is a legal measure. Though forgiveness was a gift undeserved it was still a benefit of offering the sacrifices of the law. By adding a gift of undeserved blessing and favor to our forgiveness we press beyond the legal territory where Satan traffics.

Paul speaks often in his epistles concerning our natural inclination to gravitate toward the law. The flesh man wants desperately work off his debt. He has a hard time accepting a free, undeserved gift from God and he has an even tougher time extending such a gift to other undeserving souls.

As New Covenant believers, we can think we have this grace all figured out, but it stands to reason that, if the Galatians, and others, needed a course correction so soon after this grace was first revealed, we should not think we are beyond falling back under the law as they did.

Our Daily Bread

2009-04-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

The prayer that Jesus modeled shows us how important it is to integrate the eternal realm with the temporary: walking here in time and space, yet living as though we are already in eternity. Heaven invades earth as the two agree as one. Jesus, God’s Son, is the heavenly pattern for the children of this earth. The kingdom of heaven is the pattern for order and rules of authority on earth. Lack, and worry about provision, is a foreign concept in heaven. We, here on earth, must look beyond our limited abilities and resources into the endless resources of heaven.

Matt 6:9-13
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. NKJV

To summarize: we are to address God as “Our Father.” We come to Him as His children. We are His family, not outsiders attempting to gain His favor.

His name is hallowed, holy and highly honored. His name is our family name and our authority is in that name.

We are to pray that His kingdom will come and that His heavenly purposes would become the practice of this earth.

We focus our attention now on receiving daily bread both for this natural life and our spiritual life. Jesus taught us that we are not to be anxious or worried about where our provision will come from.

Matt 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. NKJV

If God supplies food for the birds of the air, and grass for the cattle of the fields, will He not also provide for those who are made in His own image?
Seeking first the kingdom of God is looking to heaven as the source rather than to man or even the earth. God uses the natural process of our sowing and reaping to provide food, but we tend to see this earth as our source, rather than the One who made it.

Ps 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters. NKJV

When we seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first, we will come into agreement with His total ownership and His care for creation. We are able to leave the responsibility of provision with Him. We work to harvest a crop but we can rely on God to provide all the necessary ingredients.

Ps 37:25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread. NKJV

There were many who began to follow Jesus and seek after Him, but they were not submitting to God’s kingdom authority over their lives: they just liked the free food. They experienced the miracle of Jesus multiplying the loves and fishes and assumed it would be an every day occurrence.

John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." NKJV

Here Jesus sets the priority. He says to labor for, or seek after, the food that endures to everlasting life. Though we do labor to receive food for our natural life, it is obvious that eternal life has to be the priority. This natural life will come to an end and, if we have not sought after the food that comes from knowing Him, we will not have life.

1 John 5:10 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. NKJV

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. NKJV

The same power that multiplied the natural bread and fish will be at work in everyone who eats of this heavenly bread. They will never again hunger for the things they previously used to fulfill the soul. It is obvious that Jesus did not mean one taste would keep us full the rest of our lives but that we would never hunger again for that which does not satisfy.

Give us this day our daily bread, refers to both the natural and the spiritual. We need fresh bread every day. We can not live on yesterday’s experience. Life with God is a continual, relational experience, not a fast food on the run type of thing. Too often we get our priorities reversed. We seek diligently for this life’s provision and occasionally hit the holy “drive through” for a quick bite of heavenly bread. A lifestyle like that leaves us very unhealthy, spiritually speaking, and open to afflictions in our soul. We need the bread of heaven, daily, to remain spiritually healthy.

There is a keen balance in living our temporary, natural lives as eternal creatures. It boils down to maintaining proper alignment. We are a spiritual being with an eternal soul living in a natural body. Though we want every part whole and completely healthy we must not allow the desires and appetites of our body to rule over our soul. Our spirit, in submission to God’s Spirit, takes charge over our soul and body, keeping them in alignment with God’s heavenly kingdom. Our eternal soul is satisfied with the eternal bread of heaven. Our body feels left out because it is earthly and does not hunger for the heavenly bread, but we must discipline it.

1 Cor 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. NKJV

Paul is using the illustration of those who are disciplined athletes training for a race. Their body has to be in top physical condition to win. Our race for the heavenly prize is more likely lost by allowing the appetites of our natural bodies to make us spiritually unfit to run. We can get so busy, even preaching the Gospel, that the appetite of our flesh gains priority over our spirit man.

So let us maintain a healthy spiritual diet and discipline our bodies so that we are not disqualified from this race for the eternal prize.

He Is Risen

2009-04-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

Mark 16:1-8

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away — for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples — and Peter — that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." 8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. NKJV

These three women went to the tomb of Jesus early in the morning of the third day fully expecting to find his dead body. They carried spices with which they were planning to anoint Him. They pondered how they would get into the tomb because they knew the stone covering it was very large and heavy.

It appears that the enemies of Christ remembered His words concerning the resurrection better than His own followers.

Matthew 27: 62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.' 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." NKJV

The chief priests and the Pharisees thought some of Jesus disciples would carry out a deceptive plan to make it look like He had risen from the dead, but his followers were not even thinking of the possibilities of His resurrection, let alone faking it. They were so overcome with the sadness of His death that they seemingly forgot everything He said on the subject.

Jesus even told them where He would meet with them after His resurrection.

Matt 26:32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee. NKJV

This was confirmed by the angel messenger at the tomb.

Mark 16:7 But go, tell His disciples — and Peter — that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you. NKJV

Matthew records three separate occasions that Jesus spoke of His death and resurrection.

Jesus speaks of His death and resurrection
Matt 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." NKJV

Jesus Again Predicts His Death and Resurrection
Matthew 17:22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful. NKJV

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection
Matthew 20:17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again." NKJV

Jesus probably spoke to His disciples concerning this subject more than three times but we know that He did at least these three times. The Apostle Paul makes an interesting statement in 2 Corinthians 13:1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established." NKJV

Jesus taught that every truth shall be established or confirmed by two or three witnesses. We most often think this has to refer only to separate people as witnesses of the same incident, but Paul uses this truth in reference to his third visit to the Corinthian Church. He may have been saying that, after hearing the same message of truth three times, it should be established in their hearts.

Since Jesus spoke to His followers in detail about the truth of His death and resurrection three times, or even more, they should have had the same level of expectation as those who opposed Christ. They could have posted a watch at the tomb to wait for something to happen but they were seemingly convinced it was all over.

Jesus appeared to two of His followers on the day of His resurrection.

Luke 24:13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. 17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?" 18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?" 19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see."

25 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. NKJV

Cleopas revealed his lack of understanding of how the Christ would redeem Israel. He concluded that Christ’s death was somehow a failure rather than the first phase of a two part victory. The prevailing expectation among Jesus’ followers was that He would defeat those who opposed Him through physical force or power. They lacked perception into the spiritual realm where His real enemies reside. Through His death and resurrection, He defeated all spiritual powers and made it possible for mankind to remove themselves from their influence by entering into the freedom of God’s Kingdom.

How are we doing today? Do we still struggle or wrestle with flesh and blood in an attempt to realize the promised victory of His resurrection. Due to a lack of perception into the spiritual realm we often launch an attack against what we see with our natural eyes rather than the spiritual forces that are manipulating things behind the scenes.

2 Corinthians 13:3 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. NKJV

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. NKJV

Because of His resurrection we have hope of our own resurrection from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. NKJV

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.NKJV

The Coming Kingdom

2009-03-16T17:06:00.000-07:00

The Coming Kingdom and Heaven on Earth

Matt 6:9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. NKJV

This chapter began with the emphasis on the wrong way to give charitable donations and to offer prayers to God. Then Jesus says: “In this manner, therefore pray: Our Father in heaven Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The hypocrites came before God in such a way that they were trying to attract attention to themselves and to their charitable giving. They were not focused on the audience of one, but the many and, as a result, they had received a vanishing reward.
The prayers and giving of the hypocrites revealed that they had no intimate relationship with God. What they did was an attempt to earn respect or reward through much show and effort. They were coming to God as strangers and not His children. Jesus, as our elder brother says: “therefore, when you pray, come to God as His children, recognizing Him as Father and honoring Him as our Father.

Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. On earth we have man’s kingdoms and we have man’s will being done which, in most cases, is directly opposed to that of God’s. God has revealed His kingdom and His will to the church for the purpose of releasing it into the earth. We as the church must enter His kingdom and come into agreement with His will so that heaven’s influence can affect this earthly realm. Man’s will and man’s kingdom always points to man as the solution to his own deficit. Jesus directs man’s eyes to God’s will and His kingdom as the answer. In verse 33 of Matthew 6 Jesus says;

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. NKJV

Though man thinks his own will and kingdom will solve the world’s problems, Jesus points us, as His church, to the real solution. God’s will and kingdom coming into power and authority over this earth is the only lasting solution. His kingdom comes to earth in two stages. The first comes as an option to man. He can receive or reject God’s will and rule over his life but the second will not be optional. Those who have refused to submit to the will and kingdom of God during this period of grace, and continue to exalt man’s kingdom, will be forced to bow the knee.

Phil 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. NKJV

Even though all will eventually bow to Jesus as Lord and King, only those who willing surrender to Him will enter His Kingdom and reign with Him. Jesus will actually remove all other rulers from power when He comes to establish His Kingdom in the natural realm.

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" NKJV

In teaching His followers how to pray, Jesus was emphasizing our position in the family and making us aware of our royal heritage. Our entrance and function in His Kingdom is as kings and priests. As priests we have access to God to know His heart and will. As kings we have power to decree His Kingdom come and will be done on earth as in heaven.

Revelation 1:5 To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJV

Revelation 5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth." NKJV

In this age of grace, God’s Kingdom is not manifested through a show of natural might or religious activity but it is hidden in the hearts of believers.

Luke 17:20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." NKJV

Speaking to Pilate: John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." NKJV

So the bottom line is that we function in His Kingdom through the Spirit of God. The things of the eternal Spirit are invisible to man. All that we do must be by the power of faith and love, not an outward display of religious activities, human influence or military power. So let’s not pray as if we are strangers or orphans who do not know their father or his will, but pray as children who are made to be kings and priests to our God in His Kingdom. Let us come into agreement with heaven and decree that heaven be manifest on earth. What ever is not allowed in heaven, we disallow on earth and what ever is welcomed in heaven, let it be at home on earth.

Hallowed Be Your Name

2009-03-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

Matt 6:9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
NKJV

There is a similar account of this prayer in Luke 11

11:1-2 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

2 So He said to them, "When you pray, say:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
NKJV

Jesus was responding to a request from one of His disciples. It appears that the disciple saw his need to learn how to pray when he overheard Jesus’ prayer. In Matthew 6, Jesus first told them how not to pray like the hypocrites, who made a big show of practicing their religion. Those who are interested in making a scene of their religious exercises have their reward already but getting alone in a secrete place to pray to the Father brings real lasting rewards.

The religious hypocrites do not think like children of God but like slaves. They expect to be heard based on how much time and effort they give to prayer and even, fasting. But we come to God as our Father, not as slaves or hired workers, but as His children. We have His name and are included in His will. When we ask anything according to His will, He hears us and we know we have the petition we ask of Him. (See 1 John 5)

When we pray “Our Father in heaven,” we are speaking as one of His own; we are acknowledging Him as Father of the greatest family that is both in heaven and on earth. His name is Hallowed, esteemed as Holy, and is to be celebrated and honored among all people. As His children we come boldly before the throne of grace knowing we are included in the inheritance given to His Son.

We have not received the spirit of bondage that promotes religious works but we are sons.

Rom 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, NKJV

We are His children by faith. Through faith we inherit the promises of God. Faith asks with confidence not doubting or wavering.

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; NKJV

I can imagine the disciples overhearing Jesus pray with great confidence and boldness. As the Son of God, His prayers always got results. Jesus knew, beyond a doubt, that His prayers were always heard.

John 11:41 And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." NKJV

Jesus evidently wanted to build confidence in those who heard Him pray; confidence that the Father always hears the prayers of His children. Lazarus was sick, near death and his family called upon Jesus to come and heal him. How many of us would have the confidence in knowing the Father’s will to the point that we would wait until he died before going there to pray. We know it is not God’s perfect will that sickness would take a life yet, in this case, there was a greater purpose and plan. Jesus had the confidence in His ability to hear and know the plan of the Father, so He waited until Lazarus had been dead for four days.

No wonder the disciples asked Jesus for a lesson in prayer. Prayer is not just one way communication, but it is also hearing the answer and getting direction. I believe Jesus emphasized addressing God as our Father in heaven so that we would come to Him as His children, to celebrate and make known His Father name. We come with boldness and confidence as part of the family that is in heaven and on earth, as opposed to those who approach God as orphans or slaves, expecting to be heard based on the performance of their religious duties.

Get Down to Stand

2009-03-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

Don’t Babble

Matt 6:5-9 "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

7 "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
(Holy Bible, New Living Translation)

Our prayers are not a religious exercise to gain favor with God. They are not to be repetitious babbling, as if God will answer because of many words, but our prayers should be personal, private communion with God. Those who think they will be heard because of their eloquence or communication skills have missed the point. We only have access to God through His Son Jesus. As long as we know how to connect with Him it doesn’t much matter how great our language skills are; our communication is more heart to heart than verbal.

John 16:23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. NKJV

Find a solemn place to pray where only God hears. Pray boldly to the Father in Jesus name and He will reward you openly. Our prayers should be evidenced by the answers received rather than the words spoken. Humility seeks a place of solitude away from the busyness and the eyes of men. Jesus often got alone with His Father to pray and commune with God. He knew His effectiveness in ministry was dependant upon hearing from heaven.

John 8:28 Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. NKJV

The hypocrites thought they were in good standing with God based on doing all their various religious exercises but they had it all backwards. They were exalting themselves based on good works instead of allowing God to raise them up from a place of humility.

Luke 14:11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." NKJV

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. NKJV

Getting down, to stand, is all about humility. Our battle is not against flesh and blood and our enemy is not our neighbor. Our authority in the spiritual realm indirectly affects our natural circumstances. We really do not know how or what to pray in many cases, so we desperately need to enter regularly into our place of solitude, to connect with the Spirit of God, so that we might stand up against our unseen enemies in the spirit realm.

They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. (See Isaiah 41) In our place of prayer and solitude we wait upon the Lord. It is easy to become so busy ministering to the needs of people that we loose our strength in God. Too much time spent ministering to people, and not enough time spent with our Father, can kill the power. Sometimes God purposely delays giving attention to a need for good reasons. Jesus was not operating on the people’s schedule but on God’s. He was called late to the tomb of Lazarus but it was in God’s time. He purposely did not respond immediately to the woman from Canaan in Matthew 15:23 but she was not left out.

We have to be careful not to allow the urgent needs of people to usurp or disconnect us from our power supply. Humility is the understanding that, without Him, we can do nothing. Waiting on God can make us late in the eyes of people but on time in the eyes of God. He could instantly meet every need on earth without straining His power but He uses the needs of people to draw them to Himself. We generally focus on the immediate need but He is focusing on the greater need in the heart. As we wait on Him in prayer and communion we gain more understanding about His timing and purposes for delay. If we wait, He will not be late.

Passion Fuel III

2009-02-25T08:45:00.000-08:00

A Revelation of God’s Destiny for you

God spoke to Abram and called him out that he might enter into his destiny.

Gen 12:1 Now the Lord had said to Abram:

"Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father's house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
NKJV

Abram’s destiny was revealed to him that day and the scripture says that he departed, just as the Lord had spoken to him. Abram’s promises were totally dependant upon the word of the Lord. The very things God was asking him to leave behind ( country, family and inheritance) were also the things he was promised to receive. Sometimes God has to remove us from where we are so that we might become what he wants us to be.

God’s promise to Abram was the revelation of his future. But if we look closely we see that all those who are in Christ are the descendants of Abraham and are included in this promise.

Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. NKJV

We are promised a country and a family. We are to be a blessing to families and to nations. We are promised an eternal inheritance.

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God NKJV

Though Abraham had promises that pertained to his present temporary life, he also knew it included an eternal heavenly city whose designer and builder was God.

We enter into the promises given to Abraham by entering into Christ. We also inherit promises that God spoke concerning the seed of the woman in Genesis 3.

Gen 3:14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:

"Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel." NKJV

We are also included in God’s promise that the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head. Jesus confirms this in Luke 10:19.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. NKJV

God has revealed in His word that we have an awesome inheritance and it is not only speaking of heaven. We are part of this great family now and we are a blessing to the nations, here and now. We are destined to tread upon the serpent’s head now in this life; figuratively speaking Satan is under our feet.

God has called us to come out from the world and to follow Christ into our destiny. We must leave our former worldly life and seek that heavenly country whose designer and maker is God.

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV

John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. NKJV

James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. NKJV

There is always an extreme application to scriptures that can be promoted by a spirit of religion. Paul clarifies this in 1 Corinthians 5. He says; “Though I told you earlier not to keep company with sexually immoral people, I did not mean you should not try to befriend those outside the church for the purpose of winning them to Christ. It stands to reason if we were to never have contact with sinners, we would have to totally leave this world.” My own paraphrase

1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. NKJV

Paul is drawing a distinction between people in the church who confess Christ, yet live an unrepentant life of immorality, and those who are serious about holiness. We should endeavor to get close to those who are lost, without entering into their sin, so that we can give them the good news of the gospel.

So, like Abraham was called to leave the familiar behind to discover what God had in store, we are called out of this world’s system and influence to become representatives of another kingdom. This is our destiny. Having a revelation of our destiny should fuel our passion.

Passion Fuel II

2009-02-17T10:56:00.000-08:00

A Revelation of the Father’s Love

The scripture is filled with stories that depict the Father’s love for His children, but I would like to use the story of the lost son in Luke 15, and the definition of love found in 1 Corinthians 13 to explore the different qualities of love in this story.

The Parable of the Lost Son

Luke 15: 11-32 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."'

20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'

28 "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'

31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'" NKJV

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. NKJV

It would appear that both sons mentioned in this story were given their inheritance but only one of them acted any differently as a result. Though he did the wrong things, and spent his wealth on wild living, the father had great patience and long suffering towards him. We all would hope that our children would not make the same mistakes that we did but would take our advice and avoid a lot of heartache. It is evident that the father in this story did not chase after his son, to point out every wrong use of his new freedom, but was very patient to allow him to make mistakes and to learn from them. From my own experience as a son and a father, I can view this from both sides of the issue. It seems we learn more from our mistakes because of the reminders we experience in the ensuing suffering and heartache that results from bad choices.

Love is kind. The father in this story exhibited great kindness toward both of his sons. He was not harsh, to correct or scold, but was very open to listen. On the other hand, the older son complained about the party being thrown and suggested it should have been for himself because he had stayed around home and out of trouble. The elder son did not display the same love that their father did.

The father did not appear to be envious or covetous concerning the waste or loss of material wealth. I know it would have been very difficult for me to sit quietly by and watch my son waste an inheritance that was gained by much diligence and hard work. Sometimes eternal lessons need to be learned at the expense of temporal wealth.

We can see two opposing reactions: that of the father and that of the elder son. Though the father did not act arrogantly or proud, the elder brother did. He began to compare his good behavior with his brother’s lack thereof and began to question his father as to why he had never been given a party to commemorate his stellar performance. He was missing the point. Their father wanted to celebrate the return of his son back into the fellowship of the family; it was not about performance but about love.

We also see that the father was not rude toward his returning son and did not look at the situation to see what he could gain selfishly from it. It is somewhat common for a father to humiliate a son who is caught in a jamb and to take advantage of his dilemma. The hog farmer appeared to have taken advantage of the young man, giving him work but only rewarding him by what he could manage to eat from the pig trough. The father did not even mention his sin, or lack of wisdom, but welcomed him with open arms.

Love is not provoked or made to react in an uncontrolled manner. The father did not show a sign of anger, or even disappointment, toward his son. I am sure there were times any father would feel anger and disappointment, but love will temper those responses so that they not form a barrier to the return of his son.

Love does not think up evil schemes. The father had not been dwelling on the evil his son had been involved in, but trusted in the good that was instilled in him as a boy growing up. The father trusted the seeds that had been sown in his life to sprout up and produce good fruit. He was careful to reclaim the ground of the young man’s heart before the evil seeds that had been sown in him could produce a larger crop. A negative or harsh reaction could have been like a violent wind that spreads or reinforces the evil seeds that were present.

Love does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth. The father was glad to see his son return home. Even before his son’s plea of repentance, he had his arms stretched out to receive him. The son was coming clean and being transparent and truthful. He did not try to make any excuses for his sin but completely threw himself upon his father’s mercy.

Love bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. The father waited a long time, continuing to believe, never giving up hope, but kept his eyes upon the horizon, so to speak, for any sign of his son’s return.

Love never fails. The father in this story walked in love and that love did not fail to reproduce after its own kind. Love never fails, so we must also walk in love and allow love to be defined in and through our lives.

Our passion is fueled by love and love will cause us to have the same heart of the father. The passions of the world are overshadowed by the passion of God’s Love. Like fighting fire with fire, we must be consumed with the fire of God so that the passions of this temporary life will have no place to burn in us.

Passion Fuel I

2009-02-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

Revelation of the Cross and the Grave

If we can get a revelation of the cross and the grave, and know what it means for us today, it will add fuel to our passion. As was mentioned previously, Jesus’ Passion was displayed mostly in His suffering and death on the cross. Many of us tend to think of passion as an enthusiasm that propels us to accomplish a task or reach a goal. It is more than that. It is a strong desire that must be fulfilled, even in the face of suffering and death. Jesus’ strong desire was for His bride and to redeem the human race from their slavery to sin. His passion was to replace sin with righteousness.

Rom 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) NKJV

Though sin is described as an act of disobedience or rebellion, it is also a condition or the state of lost humanity. In the same way, righteousness is often thought of as doing right, but it is also a condition, a position, a righteous standing. When the first man Adam entered into sin, all who were born of Adam were born into a condition or a position of sin. When the second Adam (Jesus) came into the earth, He brought in righteousness. Now, all who are born of God are declared righteous, not because of an act they performed, but by receiving the gift of His righteousness by faith.

Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, which included an abundance of grace. The payment He made for us on the cross surpassed our sin debt; it included an added deposit into our righteousness account, so to speak. His payment on the cross far exceeded the payment of the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant. They were a prophetic picture of what was to come in Christ’s sacrifice. Every year these sacrifices had to be renewed because they contained no extra deposit of grace for future needs. Those who offered those sacrifices were not freed from sin’s power, neither were their consciences cleared of guilt and shame. The enmity, or animosity, that existed between God and man was not destroyed. They could not enter His holy presence: that was reserved for the high priest and only once a year.

But now we are declared righteous through the blood of Christ. We can enter into His presence any time through that blood. We have been set free from the power of sin; our consciences are freed from guilt and shame. The payment of the cross contained, as it were, an overpayment that is available to us to draw upon in time of need. Just imagine someone who was so deeply in debt financially, with no possible way out, yet someone stepped in to pay their debt. That would be wonderful: words could not describe it. But, realistically, if that person is left without a positive balance in his account, it would be next to impossible for him to stay out of debt. He would have to borrow some operating capital, or something to live on, until he could produce income greater than his needs.
Using finances as an illustration: imagine a sinner having his sin debt paid in full, but without an extra deposit to his favor. If he has been given no power over sin, how will he remain free? The grace that is added to us by the payment of the cross is the good news of the Gospel of Christ. Grace is not only being set free from past debt, but it is also the power to remain free. We can spend grace like money to remain free of debt, but we must spent it wisely and not on our own lusts, or we will revert back to slavery and debt.

Grace is in the Cross
We can not exhaust God’s supply of grace but we can loose access to it. This is why an understanding of the cross is important. When Jesus said that we are to deny ourselves, take up the cross daily and follow Him, He was connecting us to His grace. We maintain our access to His grace through the cross. Grace is in the overpayment of the cross. The payment of old was a “just enough” payment. The animal sacrifices of the law were just enough to forgive sin, and save a soul, but not enough to overcome the power of sin, shame and guilt or to declare one righteous.

The grace of the cross was not intended for us to spend solely on ourselves. When we sin, His grace is there for us to be quickly restored, but it is also intended that we spend it on others. Many believers are walking in the realm of law instead of grace. Just because we live in the dispensation of grace does not mean we automatically enjoy the privileges of grace. Again we must stay connected to grace by the cross. The cross was a payment that exceeded the payment of the law. The law included forgiveness, with no added blessing or favor. If I forgive someone who wronged me, but do not extend favor and blessing to them, I avoid the cross and remain on legal terms. Their debt is canceled but there is still shame and guilt in my consciousness. Extending the grace of the cross is to bless those who curse you and to do good to those who misuse you and falsely accuse you. To give a gift beyond forgiveness to those who wrong you, is extending the cross.

This will be a test of our passion to see if it compares to that of Jesus. It is one thing to release someone from their debt but another to give them an additional blessing of favor, a gift they do not deserve. Another element of the cross is that it destroyed the enmity, or animosity, that existed between man and God. We who were enemies of God were brought back into right relationship with Him through the blood of the cross. When we go beyond releasing someone from a debt, by extending unmerited favor to them, we add to our account as well. We receive what we give away and with the same measure. Will we use the just enough measure (law) or the more than enough, running over measure, (grace)?

Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." NKJV

Jesus extended grace to us through His cross. It was an overpayment in that it went beyond the payment of animal blood required by the law. It contained an abundance added to our righteousness account. We are justified by faith as we believe the word and act on it.

I have a personal testimony that may help illustrate this point. Many years ago I experienced several unfair business practices concerning some vehicles I had purchased. After being burned a few times, I decided not to ever trust car dealers again and to only buy from private parties. In my mind, I was protecting myself from being further taken advantage of. It was not a matter of new or used: I had had a bad experience with the new truck I bought as well. I was only trying to save myself more grief. Little did I realize at that time that I had made a vow based on my experience with a few and had included them all. I did not understand the implications of making a judgment against all auto dealers. I took, as it were, a legal stance against them and sentenced them all to life without the possibility of my business. I knew as a Christian that I had to forgive them but that did not mean I had to trust them.

Many years later the Lord helped me to see what I had done. Sentencing them to life did not really affect them, but it did me. Though I had forgiven and released them from any wrong, I had not extended the grace of the cross to them. I was the one who was suffering from my own judgment. I sentenced myself to a life of having to fix and repair old cars. Thankfully that sentence was shortened by many years as I came to understand what I had done. My desire to protect myself was, in effect, saving my own life rather than taking up the cross.

Jesus said in Mark 8:34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save. it NKJV

I had always applied this scripture to those who would not surrender their lives to Christ. Since I had given my life to Christ many years prior, I did not conceive of this verse having any application to my business dealings. We are to apply the cross to every area of our lives. It is not just a two thousand year old happening; the cross is a daily event for us. I had not seen the connection at all, but God showed me that I was saving my life and not applying the cross. Though I had forgiven or released them from a debt to me, I had not gone beyond that to pray for them or bless them in any way. In other words, I had not extended the grace of the cross to them. I was using, as it were, the old law system to get justice for myself. The new justice system requires me to lose my life, giving more than forgiveness to someone who did not deserve anything.

I came to the realization that the judgment and sentence I had handed down to them was also my sentence. I had reverted to the legal method of dealing with injustice rather than the cross. I had used the legal measure rather than the overflowing measure of New Covenant grace. The measure I used toward others became the one I was measured by. In effect, I had fallen from grace and had gone back to the inferiority of the law system. Those who used the law as their standard of justice were not freed from the power of sin nor were the guilt and shame removed from their consciousness. Enmity also continued to separate relationships. I found that these truths applied not only in my relationship with God, but with my relationships horizontally as well.

Because of my judgment of car dealers, I could not set foot on a car lot, or talk to a salesman, for fear of stirring up old memories or anger. I did not realize that I was experiencing what the bible refers to as the enmity that existed between two parties who have been at odds with one another. I also found that my conscience was not cleared of the offence of feeling abused by them. God showed me that my life experience was due to my legal stance of self protection. I needed to take up my cross and apply it to this situation. God said to me one day “I want you to go buy a vehicle from those who wronged you.” I understood that in doing so I would be returning good for evil and blessing those who did not deserve it. As I obeyed the Lord in this, something broke loose within me. I was freed from all the guilt and offence, even the animosity that existed for years was gone. I was free to talk to car salesmen and even buy without prejudice or fear of being taken advantage of. This whole thing was more for my freedom than anything else.

I was reconnected to God’s grace supply as a result of dropping the legal measure I had used toward them; instead I used a heaped up and overflowing faith measure to bless them. The term “fallen from grace” has often been used in reference to a Christian who has grievously sinned. Paul used it speaking to the Galatians who had been convinced they needed to keep the Law of Moses and include circumcision as a requirement for salvation. Paul reminded them of the weakness and inferiority of the law in comparison to the new way of grace through faith. We can not be justified or remain guilt free through the law, only through faith. We are only justified by faith in the work of the cross and that is demonstrated through the overflowing measure of grace.

The suffering of Christ, mentally, emotionally and physically, for our debt, was more than any of us could bear. He then added to that enough favor for us to live freely the rest of eternity? It is easy to misinterpret the intentions of God in this. He is not providing a way for us to live irresponsibly but to empower us to increase in grace as seed sown. Here again we see the cross depicted. Grace abounds toward us as we extend it to others: we reap what we sow.

John 12:23 But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. NKJV

The cross leads to the grave. Jesus was sown as seed that fell into the ground, producing much grain. He loved not His own life but gave it up that He might reproduce and bring many sons into glory. Jesus faced the suffering of the cross to purchase saving grace for us. He took on our enemy, the grave, and won the victory. If we take up our cross, we will also lay down our lives as seed that reproduces after its kind.

2 Tim 2:11This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. NKJV

Our destiny is to rule and reign with Him forever. Our passion will be fueled by a determination to take up the cross daily and extend its benefits to those who do not deserve it. Extending a more than enough blessing of favor and grace to others will insure that we maintain our own connection to grace. As we love not our own temporary life but put eternal values first, we will be fruitful and multiply as seed overcoming the grave.

Passion Killers III

2009-02-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

Unresolved Hurts and Disappointments

All Christians, at one time or another, will face the reality of hurts and disappointments. Our response to them is really the key issue. They can either make us bitter or better. In the church, many hurts are the result of being offended with another member of the body of Christ. I know, from my own experience, that unresolved hurts and disappointments are like an unhealed wound, very sensitive to the touch. Just as a physical wound can be hurt by bumping into it, so an emotional wound can be reopened by normal interaction with other people. If we are hurt by another’s words, it is likely because we still have an open wound from a previous incident. Only forgiveness brings closure to these types of hurts.

It is recorded in scripture that Jesus, Himself, offended many people. The great physician came to heal the broken hearted and to bind up their wounds. Just as a doctor can discover painful areas in our body during an examination, so Jesus wants to reveal painful areas in our lives for the purpose of healing them. It is possible to misinterpret what is going on when these things come to the surface.

Jesus’ disciples were seemingly embarrassed that the Pharisees were offended at His words.

Matt 11:6 ”And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

Matt 15:12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" NKJV

The Pharisees thought they were exposing a fault in Jesus because He and His followers were eating corn while in the field. They believed a man was defiled if he ate without first washing his hands. Jesus made it clear that a man was defiled by the words that proceeded out of his mouth, not by the food that went in to it. By this response Jesus not only corrected the belief of the Pharisees but exposed their evil intentions to discredit Him. Jesus used their accusation to reveal their own ignorance and, in the process, caused them great embarrassment. Had their question come from someone who was teachable, and with honest intentions, I am sure Jesus’ response would not have offended them.

Jesus’ own followers were offended at Him on more than one occasion.

Mark 14:27 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:

'I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.'

Mark 14:29 Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be."

30 Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." NKJV

Peter was sure that he would never be offended, or stumble, concerning his association with the Lord. It is easier said than done; we only know our own hearts when the test comes. When God tests us it is not for His benefit but for ours. Peter witnessed Jesus’ might and power over sickness and disease”: even the wind and the waves obeyed His voice. Suddenly, it appeared, He had lost it all. Their champion had cast out devils and even raised the dead; now He was allowing simple men to order Him around and spit in His face. Previously Jesus had confounded them with His words and amazed them with His wisdom.

John 7:44-46 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why have you not brought Him?" 46 The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man!" NKJV

These officers were sent out to gather evidence of wrong doing and to arrest Jesus and bring Him in. They were so overwhelmed by the authority of His words that they felt they dare not try anything against Him. On other occasions some asked Him questions hoping to catch Him off guard or to cause Him to contradict Himself, but they were not successful. In fact, they were afraid to ask any more questions lest they look even more foolish.

When the time appointed of the Father had come, Jesus changed His mode of operation, so to speak. Suddenly it was as if Jesus’ closest followers had wakened from a dream. He was no longer the powerful, wise King they had known. Peter was ready to chop heads in defense of Jesus when they came to arrest Him, but now things had taken a strange turn. The powerful lion of the tribe of Judah had become a weak and helpless lamb. Peter and the others that had walked close to Jesus were now backing away, not wanting to be associated with Him.

Peter was put on the spot and questioned concerning his association with Jesus: he denied ever knowing Him. His denial, in a sense, may have been truth. This was not the same Jesus he had been with for over three years. Peter had no problem identifying with the powerful Jesus but when He became like a lamb, that did not open His mouth to save His own hide, Peter may have felt ashamed of Him. How many of us would rather be associated with a popular and powerful minister than one who had been taken prisoner and put on death row for preaching the gospel? It is very likely that Peter did not want to be associated with Jesus in His time of weakness because he did not understand the battle plan of the Lord. God can use what appears to be defeat to win a great victory.

The apostle Paul was beset with weakness that the power of God might rest on his ministry.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. NKJV

As we minister, as representatives of Christ, it appears there is a healthy tension between the ministry of The Lion and the ministry of The Lamb. So that men do not follow after the power of God more than the God of power, it is necessary that Christ’s ministers suffer various distresses and weaknesses, at times. It is also a safeguard against pride for those who minister the power of God.

Peter’s hurts and disappointments did not go unresolved. Even though he thought it was all over, and decided to go back to fishing, he was probably tormented in his mind. I can imagine Jesus’ words ringing continually in his ears: “before the cock crows twice you shall have denied Me three times.” Peter then saying to himself: “I am a failure and Jesus knew it all the time; what good was it to follow Him around all those years just to end up like this?”

God knows our weakness but will continue to pursue us to get us back on road to fulfilling our call and destiny. Peter had been passionate about walking with Jesus but that flame had been strangely snuffed out by hurt and disappointment. After the resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and John while they were out fishing. (See John 21) Jesus pursues Peter with the intention of restoring his confidence in who he was called to be. Though Peter had denied knowing Jesus, he had learned a valuable lesson.
We must also learn from our failures, disappointments and hurts and not allow them to take us off the mission field. No matter what we have done to fail the Lord, or what others have done to disappoint us, we dare not allow those things to send us back to where we were before we met the Lord or heard His call to come and follow. Like Peter or Paul, we can expect conflict and hardship to be part of our Christian walk.

The passion of the Lord Jesus was demonstrated primarily when He suffered and died on the cross for our sins. Saul’s great passion was a misdirected zeal for God but when he encountered Jesus on the Damascus road, he was dramatically changed. Even his name was changed to Paul and, thereafter, God showed him the things that he would suffer for the sake of Christ. I used to think he was getting paid back for all the pain he had caused, but I realized, later, that Jesus was allowing Paul to share in His sufferings at the hands of sinners. Without experiencing these sufferings, Paul would not have truly known the heart of God.

Knowing Jesus, and having the ability to identify fully with Him, requires that we be partakers in His sufferings. If ever anyone suffered rejection, it was Jesus. He was the stone that the builders rejected. He came to His own people but they rejected Him as an imposter. If ever there was a case for disappointment and hurt it was Jesus. But to those who received Him, He gave the power to become the children of God.

2 Tim 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself. NKJV

We must not allow hurts or disappointments to kill our passion. On the other hand, we must understand that the passion of the Lord can be painful and can include hurts and disappointments. We must discern if we are suffering for our faith and walk with Christ or if it is for our own faults, including unhealed wounds.

1 Peter 2:20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: NKJV

There is no reward in suffering from unhealed wounds or unresolved disappointments; we have been called and appointed to suffer for the righteous cause of Christ. Walking in His steps will lead us there, but our reward will be great in heaven.

Matt 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NKJV

Passion Killers II

2009-01-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

Passivity / Complacency

Passivity is like being in neutral, not responding to outside force, remaining inactive when acted upon. A passive person has the “whatever will be, will be” attitude, believing they have no significant part in shaping their future or destiny. Complacency is being self satisfied, lacking desire. Both of these conditions will thrive best in a faithless atmosphere. Unbelief is most likely the root cause of passivity. The very nature of faith is change, growth, and movement, just like a fire.

Passion is strong desire, love, fervor, and anger. It is like an unsatisfied fire that will not stop until it has consumed everything. Passivity or complacency would act like a flame retardant, preventing its spread, like throwing cold water on another’s excitement.

In the book of Acts, it was the fire of the Spirit of God that erupted among Jesus’ disciples, which effectively led to multitudes being added to the Kingdom. The spread of the gospel could be compared to the spreading of a forest fire driven by the wind. The early church burned with the passion of the Spirit of God and it grew in numbers daily. Many rose up against the spread of the gospel but it seemed as though the more they tried to swat out the flames, the more it spread.

Passivity can be seen as a safe choice. If we are not sure what to do we choose to do nothing. We can stay out of trouble and preserve a favorable reputation by remaining neutral. There are some countries that choose to stay out of world conflicts and remain neutral, while others will not sit idly by, or look the other way, while injustice occurs. Over the years, the choice to be active and stand up in defense of other nations has proven to be very unpopular. In other words, passivity has become a preferred stance because it doesn’t cost in loss of lives, money, or reputations.

The same can be true for individual believers, as well as the church as a body. World opinion should not be a factor in what we do as Spirit filled, Spirit led believers. The fire of passion for the cause of Christ never has been a popular thing because it is not passive. It will not stay idle while injustice runs rampant across the world. On the other hand, what we do passionately must be led and fueled by the Holy Spirit.

God is love and love is passionate. He is also a jealous God that will not sit quietly by.

2 Corinthians 11:1-3 I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. NLT

These are very strong and difficult words expressed by Paul. It was God’s passion through jealousy over His bride. Just as Eve had entertained the cunning ways of the serpent, the Corinthian church was entertaining a different spirit, a different gospel and another Jesus. Paul was feeling the jealousy of God over His bride, not because the fake gospel and another Jesus showed up in church, but because His bride was enamored with the imposter. The one who had been espoused to be married to Christ appeared to be openly considering other offers.

There is a Godly jealously and there is a jealously that has been perverted by the world. I have heard stories of husbands who were so insecure in their relationship with their wives that they were always checking up on them and suspicious of any interaction they had with other men. They were constantly questioning the motives of their wives and, in doing so, actually caused great division rather than unity in their marriages. This type of jealousy has even driven men to commit murder.

Anger is another godly passion that has too often gone awry. The scripture says “be angry but do not sin.” Like jealousy, uncontrolled anger can lead to murder. These various passions must be under the control of the Holy Spirit. We do not want to be like Saul of Tarsus, who being very zealous in the Jewish religion of his day, found himself fighting against the God he thought he was working for.

Love is another strong desire that the world has warped the true meaning of. Love is a passion, like a flame that burns within, but if we are steeped in the world’s understanding of love, we see it as a means for getting certain temporary human desires met. The true love from God causes us to focus on giving and looking after the needs of others first, especially our own family. As Christians we know what is of God and what is of the world, but it is not always easy to do things God’s way. The world promotes instant gratification; the church can easily be drawn into the same trap.

My past experience with passions has caused me to take a very cautious approach to life. Without realizing it, I chose passivity as a way to control the passions in my life. For many years I used the passion of anger in the place of a bold authority. As a boy growing, I observed two methods of expressing authority. One was a commanding voice that struck fear into the hearer and the other was violent anger that did the same. Either one got immediate action and the desired results. Though neither of these methods created a pleasant atmosphere, they were my only frame of reference. Since I did not have the booming voice of authority and since anger came to me so naturally, I resorted to anger.

The bible says to be angry but without sin. The trick for me was to know where the sin lie was. Anger seemed to be what worked for me. I got the desired results but they came at the expense of good healthy relationships. Though there is a boldness of God’s authority that can be expressed through righteous anger, I was only familiar with the unrighteous kind. As a Christian, learning how to express anger in a godly fashion has been difficult. The same can be said about love. In the world I learned passionate love in the grip of sin’s lustful desires. As a Christian, I have to learn love by the Holy Spirit and believe that He will lead me and guide me into all truth.

Coming out of passivity means that I must face all these difficult challenges head on. As a Christian I can not stay in a comfort zone of passivity or allow old mind sets to dictate my future. I must allow God to set fire to my life and allow those godly passions, that the world has perverted, to come alive again. I must trust that His fire will purify and cleanse me where the world’s passion flame has defiled and polluted me. I must trust that His voice of authority will be heard in me and that His righteous anger will rise up in me, when need be. I must allow His jealousy for His bride to flow through me, as it did through Paul, that I would not hesitate to communicate the true heart of God for His church in every situation. I must not be intimidated by worldly passions that would try to bring fear to keep me from expressing God’s love for people. I must trust Him to lead me and guide me into all truth.

Passion Killers I

2009-01-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

American Idols

Gen 1:25-28 And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." NKJV

God created man in His own image and likeness, then gave him dominion over all the earth and every other living thing He had created. Before sin entered, idolatry was not an issue. It would have been total ignorance and forfeiture of authority to bow down and worship the things they had been given dominion over. But, because of the depravity of sin, man has even worshiped the very dust he was formed from. God found it necessary to give man the commandments engraved in stone as a warning against forgetting God and the purpose for which He created man.

Ex 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image — any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me. NKJV

Man was created with worship as part of his DNA. Because of sin, man lost sight of God, resulting in his need for a visible god. Man worships the visible creation in place of the one who created it. Rom 1:20-25 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. NKJV

Instead of giving glory and honor to the invisible God who made all visible things, man, under the guise of wisdom, foolishly bowed to worship the things he was given dominion over. Our worship ascribes worth to the thing or person that we worship. We declare the object of our worship to be of much greater worth and power than we are. If we worship an idol, we are giving it power over us and esteeming it to be greater in value than we are.

If we consider the value of the sacrifice Christ paid for our salvation, we have to conclude there is no created thing more valuable than human life and our relationship with our creator. It would be a real slap in God’s face to give ourselves in submission to idols, esteeming them of greater value than what He paid for us. God is the only one that is greater and deserves our worship. Even though we are to honor and respect other created beings, be it man or angel, we are never to worship them or value them more than the one who created us all.

We become like the one we trust in. Ps 135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. 16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 17 They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them. NKJV

America’s idols are not likely graven images of silver, gold, wood, or stone but are more likely images printed on the pages of magazines or projected on a screen. Considering the amount of time Americans spend in front of a computer, or television, just to be entertained, we have to admit it fits the definition of idolatry. Of course, anything can become an idol: an automobile, a home, a person or anything we believe we could not live without. If our life is dependant upon anything more than God, we have made it an idol.

Idolatry kills passion for God. He is our source of passion fuel. Our passion flame is to be fueled by the oil of the Holy Spirit. Like a lamp that burns bright, we must have oil in our lamps to be ready for the coming of the bridegroom. The world offers us all sorts of passion fuels but we were not designed to burn with worldly passion.

A few years ago I was given a picture showing a believer like a fireplace, with a glass door over the opening. When we have the fire of God in us, the glass stays perfectly clear and the inner parts of the fireplace remain bright and clean, as new. The glass represents our vision and the inner parts represent our inner most being. As long as the flame continued to feed on the fuel of the Holy Spirit, we were made even more pure and had greater vision and understanding of truth. Then I saw a fire being fueled by the things of this world, the things the flesh lusts for. The fire began to smoke and soot began to build up on all parts of the fireplace. The believer’s vision was reduced to zero and their inner parts were defiled with the soot and ash from the burning garbage.

Like a fireplace we, as believers, are built to burn. Our lives are designed to run on holy passion fuel. If we do not get it from the right source, it spells disaster. The world’s passion fuel is supplied through covetousness which is equal to idolatry.
Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. NKJV

God says to cut off the fuel hose of the world and connect up to His Spirit.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; NKJV

Idolatry has a snowball effect. It robs us of vision and revelation, causing us to think we need more of the same, which only leads to greater blindness. Spiritual blindness causes God’s people to cast off restraints and enter deeper into sin and idolatry. It becomes a vicious cycle that only the intervention of God can break. God’s word equips us with an idol detection system, establishing Godly restraints to protect us from the enemy’s snare.

Psalms 106:35 But they mingled with the Gentile and learned their works;
36 They served their idols, which became a snare to them.
37 They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons,
38 And shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters NKJV

Doesn’t this sound familiar? Is America into idolatry or what? We desperately need the intervention of God.

They, in verse 35, refers to God’s people learning the ways of the unbeliever and entering into the same idolatry, becoming ensnared by it. It even led them into the unthinkable: sacrificing their own children to demonic idols.

All this is preventable; we need to be ablaze with a passionate love for God. We are the light of the world, but if our light be hidden because of idolatry how will the world ever see?

Matt 6:22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness?
NKJV

The lust of the eyes leads to covetousness, which is idolatry. The covetous eye is made dark and the lamp is put out.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. NKJV

The devil himself has transformed into an angel of light, but he is of the kingdom of darkness and has no true light. If a believer is into idolatry, yet claims to have the light, the source of his light is from the kingdom of darkness and is doubly dark.

The World is Watching

2009-01-12T11:58:00.000-08:00

What influence do we have?

As Christians, we are the representatives of Christ to our world. Our mission is to lead lost people into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Some have focused on God’s laws and want to begin by confronting lost people with their failures. That kind of approach tends to make Christians look more like holy policemen rather than a search and rescue team. Confronting first will most likely drive lost people further away, not bring them closer. There is a time to confront people with their sin but, in most cases, they will not receive our correction until they sense our care and protection.

Jesus came to fulfill the law, not necessarily to enforce it. Love is the fulfilling of the law. The New Covenant uses new methods to deal with the sin problem. Rather than using the fear of punishment or death as a primary strategy, we use faith: seeing the things that are not as though they were. Rather than focusing on and speaking to the problem, we focus on the solution. Eradicating sin from our lives will only occur when we become like Christ; that takes place as we behold Him.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. NKJV

We are changed as we look upon the one who never changes. We are the canvas that the Spirit of God paints the image of Christ upon. As we position ourselves before Him, His image is reflected upon us by His glory.

James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. NKJV

There could be two implications for those who look into the word, then go their way without putting it to practice. Not only is it possible to overlook needed change in our lives, but also to miss being transformed by looking upon the glorious image of Christ. We can easily forget what manner of men we are intended to be as well.

If the world is having trouble seeing Jesus, it may be that our reflector is aimed in the wrong direction. Some years ago I sensed the Lord’s gentle rebuke concerning my use of the mirror of His word. I was holding it as if it were a rear view mirror, checking out my neighbor’s faults while overlooking my own; like trying to remove the speck from his eye while having a log in my own eye. I was like the one who looked into the mirror of the word and went my way without seeing my own condition. I was self deceived, thinking I was already presentable. Little did I realize, I was not seeing Jesus as the true standard of righteousness; I was comparing myself to my neighbor. Seeing his faults made me look good in my own eyes. I measured my own righteousness by the failures of men, rather than the glory of Christ.

Faith sees what we are becoming, primarily, yet does not deny our present condition. Faith must have action or it is dead. Faith that works is acting like the one we are becoming rather than the person we are leaving behind. Looking into the mirror of the word reveals our faults, but not for the purpose reinforcing defeat. It is to show us our need for a savior. We must not dwell on our faults, but look upon the glory of the perfect Son of God and see our selves in Him. Keeping our gaze on Him reinforces who we truly are by faith. Faith continues to believe and focuses on Christ, trusting in God to form us into His image.

Having a confident identity in Christ will greatly influence others to receive Him. The world is watching and looking for someone to follow. They will follow someone who can convince them they can produce what they promise.

The Glory of Love

2009-01-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

The English word “glory”, in the Old Testament, is translated from the Hebrew word “kabod”, literally meaning: “weight” and figuratively meaning: splendor, glory, and honor.

There appears to be at least two dimensions to the meaning of glory. Splendor, or majesty, refers to a visible appearance, like the breathtaking experience of the queen of Sheba.

1 Kings 10:4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. NKJV

Matt 6:28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” NKJV

The weighty dimension of glory speaks more of dominion and authority. Some may remember hearing the phrase “throw your weight around” in reference to exercising your authority. A king had dominion and authority over all who were in his sphere of influence. So the glory of Solomon’s kingdom included both the splendor of appearance and the authority of his dominion. Solomon’s glory also commanded tribute: people who wanted to enter his presence, sought his attention bearing gifts.

1 Kings 4:21 So Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. NKJV

Love is both a covering of splendor and a weight of authority.

Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love. NKJV

His glorious banner declares victory over the enemy and has inscribed on it the name of our King, which is Love, for God is Love. This banner of love rallies the host of heaven to our protection and bears the name of our heavenly country. Those who live and walk under this banner have the protection of God’s angels and are empowered to walk in patience and kindness. Love turns away from envy and selfishness; it avoids pride and arrogance, but embraces courtesy and good manners. Love does not insist on having things its own way and is not easily provoked to anger. Love has the authority to say no to evil, even to evil thoughts. It keeps no record of wrongs, so does not even mention them again. Love and truth hang out together like best of friends. Love does not accuse but is quick to defend; it believes the best about others and is not suspicious. Love never gives up on people but affirms their future in God. Love remains loyal to the end and does not fail, for God is Love.

Sin is a lie, a violation of relationship. It falls short of God’s glory leaving the sinner uncovered and unprotected. The glory of love is a covering over God’s people as well as a banner of truth. Love has a weighty authority that is without boundary, love has no end.

The world is looking for love. It usually searches through all the wrong places and finds no lasting fulfillment. The church of Jesus Christ is to be known by her love for one another. The greatest influence we can have in this world is to love our brother and sister, as well as the lost.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." NKJV

What is Salvation

2008-12-09T09:36:00.000-08:00

The first thing that likely comes to the mind of most Christians is: salvation is about eternal life, making heaven our home, rather than going to a place of torment called hell, where we would be eternally separated from God.

That is the end result, but the path that leads to eternal life includes many opportunities to exercise our faith. God’s plan of salvation includes many trials and tests that will make us ready to spend eternity with Him.

Salvation can be viewed as both a finished work of Christ and an ongoing process that we walk out during our entire lives here on this earth. The two are interconnected, in that, we must respond to what Jesus Christ completed through His death on the cross before we will benefit from it. God is not willing that any should perish or be banished from His presence. (See John 3:16 & 2 Peter 3:9). God’s part in our salvation has been completed long ago; now His church must spread the message and those who hear must respond to be saved. Though God is not willing that any should perish, He will not override the individual will of man. Salvation is available to whoever is willing to believe and receive. (See Acts 16:31 & Revelation 22:17)

Salvation is truly a work of God: there is nothing we can do to earn or deserve it, yet we must respond in obedience to His will. In this age of grace, our salvation is a matter of entering into Christ, as partakers of the New Covenant. We must respond to His warning of judgment and promise of blessing. God made a covenant with Noah and he responded in obedience, built an ark and became a preacher of righteousness, warning the people of the judgment that was to come. Entering into the ark was a type of entering into salvation in Christ.

Because of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants, Lot and his family were declared righteous and escaped the judgment that came upon the wicked city of Sodom.

2 Peter 2:4-7 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked NKJV

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment. NKJV

Salvation, for the Israelite slaves in Egypt, was also a matter of responding with obedience. They were saved from the judgment that God released upon the first born of the land, including their livestock. Israel was instructed to killed a lamb and put its blood above and on the sides of the doorway to each of their houses. They were to stay in their houses, eating roast lamb. When the Lord saw the blood, He passed over their homes and did not smite them with the plague that came on all Egypt. Salvation, for them, was remaining in their houses under the covering of the blood, partaking of roast lamb. As they prepared to head out of Egypt, the scripture says that there was not one feeble person among them: their bodies were also healed.

Our salvation, today, parallels their experience of coming out of Egypt. We must remain in Christ, trusting His blood to cleanse us and keep us from the judgment that will come on the wicked. Our salvation includes saving the soul, deliverance from slavery to sin, judgment on our enemies, and the healing of our bodies.

As God led Moses and the children of Israel out of Egypt, they came upon the Red Sea and noticed that Pharaoh had sent his armies in pursuit of them. They had no apparent way of escape so they began to cry out in fear and complained to Moses. God was not taken by surprise, as if He had to quickly come up with a plan, but He led them that way to show His might on their behalf.

Ex 14:13-14 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." NKJV

God told Moses to stretch forth his rod over the sea and the waters parted before them. After the Israelites had passed through the sea on dry ground, the armies of Pharaoh continued, following them into the parted water. Then the Lord commanded Moses to, again, stretch forth his rod and the water returned to normal, covering over every last one of them. (See Exodus 14) In this we see that salvation includes deliverance from our enemies and all those who desire to enslave God’s people. He has buried our sins in the deepest sea. (See Micah 7:19)

Ex 14:30-31 So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses. NKJV

The people then responded to their salvation with joy and singing. Exodus 15 records the song of Moses and the song of Miriam.

Water baptism is an important element in our salvation. The children of Israel were, in a sense, baptized in the sea and left behind those who had kept them in slavery. Baptism for us is, figuratively, burying, or we could say drowning, the part of us that yields to the slavery of sin. Without that experience, our flesh is more likely to be hounded by the appeal of sin. Water baptism is typical of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. If we truly want to be raised with Him, and walk in the newness of life, we must first be buried with Him. Though water baptism does not literally save us, doing so is an important response to His command. It is a testimony and a declaration to all, including our enemies.
Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. NKJV

Our salvation in Christ is to be experienced now in this life and forever.

Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' NKJV

Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV

Salvation is a continuing work and requires that we remain yielded to the leadership of Christ. Our salvation is best preserved through joy and a thankful heart.

Rom 1:21-22
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.NKJV

Heb 3:14-15 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:" Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." NKJV

This rebellion spoken of refers to the unbelief and continual complaining against God and Moses concerning the conditions they had to face in the wilderness. They so quickly forgot about their mighty deliverance from slavery in Egypt and continually focused on their present conditions, disregarding all the promises of God. After watching Pharaoh’s army drown in the sea, they began to sing for joy, but no sooner than they ran into another challenge, they began to moan and complain. God was leading them to a land that flowed with milk and honey, to a place where they would have rest from slavery and all their enemies. Because of their complaints and unbelief, God became angry with that generation.

Heb 3:7-11 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. 10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.' 11 So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'" NKJV

These scriptures apply to us today in a spiritual sense. Our promised land of rest and peace is in Christ and His Kingdom. Everything God has promised us is realized in His Son. We are partakers of His Spirit and we are joint-heirs with Him. (See Romans 8)

1 John 5:10-12 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. NKJV

We are admonished in the scripture, not to loose heart and complain when we come into challenging circumstances but to remain thankful for what God has brought us through: to stand fast and see the salvation of the Lord.

What is Sin

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To understand what sin is, let us go back to Genesis 3, where sin first entered the earth. The serpent, who was called the devil, through deception and lies, introduced sin into the world. Adam and his wife, Eve, were given charge over all earthly creation but lost that position of authority by yielding to the enticing words of the serpent. Their disobedience to the command of God, coupled with their obedience to the serpent, opened the door to sin and death. Man became a servant, or slave, to sin and the devil because he obeyed him. We are servants to the one we obey. The devil and his hordes are now called the prince of this world, the prince and power of the air, and the powers of darkness because Adam surrendered his authority by obeying the devil.

Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. NKJV.

Sin is a lie and the devil is the father of lies. (see John 8:44) Sin is deceitful in that it promises fulfillment but leaves us empty and broken. The lie suggests that we were not created whole, but lacking. Sin claims to be the solution and able to complete what is lacking in us. Ironically, sin is the cause of lack and has left man searching for something to fill that gap ever since. Like most addictive substances, sin provides momentary relief and pleasure but, in turn, creates a greater emptiness within, and requires an even larger dose to fill the gap.

Sin also promises to be a shortcut route to the things God has already given us or has set in motion to be in our future. In the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus saying:
Matt 4:8-9 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." NKJV

Jesus’ destiny was, and still is, to be ruler over all the nations but He had to first go to the cross. He had to defeat the devil, and remove him from his position as the prince of this world, or mankind would be forever a servant to the devil.

God made man in His own image and likeness, yet the serpent suggested that God only forbid Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of knowledge because its fruit contained power to make them like God. Sin promised to make them something they already were. The serpent suggested they were defective or deficient and that God was holding back a god-likeness from them, as if they would become a threat to His position as “The Almighty.” The devil’s recruiting method was to project his belief about God into Eve’s consciousness, in hopes she would agree. Lucifer had recruited many of the angels in heaven to rise up in rebellion against God, for which they were cast down to the earth. (see Isaiah 14:12-15, 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6). It appears that, after they were cast out, he continued his practice and recruited mankind to join in the great rebellion.

Sin destroys the innocence that allows intimacy. Adam and Eve were clothed in God’s glory prior to sin entering in, but shame caused them to take cover and hide. Eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil made them suspicious of God. Their new found knowledge left them feeling naked and vulnerable. They no longer trusted the motives of their creator. Their innocence was gone. The knowledge they found in the fruit made them god-like in a perverted sense. They became the judge of what was good or evil and what was best for them, something they had not previously had to consider.

Innocence allows for complete trust. We will not expose ourselves to, or become transparent with, someone we do not trust. Fear of rejection or punishment will cause us to remain hidden. We have been declared innocent through the blood of Christ, yet, today, the devil will look for every excuse to condemn us, or to remind us of past failures, in hopes that we will agree with him and go back into hiding from God.

>Rom 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) NKJV

Adam’s transgression gave way to the rule and reign of sin over this world, but the gift of righteousness reigns in greater power over sin in this life, through Jesus Christ. We that have entered into Christ have been given a greater authority: that sin is no longer our master.

Sin has been defined as missing the mark. In terms of hitting a target, if our arrow misses, it would be considered sin. It is more likely that our arrow doesn’t just miss the bull’s eye, it falls way short of the target. People who could care less about obeying God don’t even shoot an arrow, but none the less have fallen short of His glory. Anyone who strives for righteousness through human effort may shoot their arrow in the right direction, but lack the power needed to reach the target. Sin always causes us to lack; it never brings strength or fulfillment.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; KJV

No one has enough power required to reach that glorious target without the empowering grace of God. Adam and Eve were clothed in the glory before sin entered. It is now God’s plan that we be clothed with the glory that is revealed in Christ. Those who have entered into Christ are clothed with Him. In Him we are declared innocent and righteous. Now we can have intimate fellowship with the Father as Adam did in the Garden.

The good news is that sin has been defeated. The plans and strategy of our enemy have been exposed and we no longer need to be hoodwinked by the devil. It is evident that, at least for now, until the devil is cast into the bottomless pit, he still rules over all who have not entered into Christ. Our victory over sin and the devil is a matter of maintaining our position and standing in Christ. The devil still rules over those who obey him. Though we have made a choice to follow Christ, the serpent is still at work to deceive and convince us that God is not all we need, that He is holding back something good that only sin can fulfill.
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. NKJV

Self righteousness is sin. Probably the most deceptive form of sin is self righteous religion. It appears to be in submission and obedience to God, but only outwardly. The devil uses religion as a disguise to appear good and righteous. If he can not drag us back into gross, outward sin he offers an appearance of holiness, while appealing to our fleshly desires for power, position or wealth, just to name a few. He does not like loosing his servants to God’s Kingdom so he will pose as a servant of God himself to try to hoodwink God’s people, to lure them away from the faith. He appears as an angel of light and as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He offers God’s people counterfeit religious practices to sidetrack and shipwreck them if possible.

The antichrist is called the man of sin, a man that will come onto the world’s scene in the last days, but his spirit is alive and active even now. (see 1 John 2:18) He is not only the counterfeit messiah that will come, but he is now operating in the church world through false teachers, and false converts, claiming to be children of God. According to the book of Jude, the angels who have fallen are at work to promote and integrate evil practices and ungodly lusts into the true worship of God’s people. They follow the example of Cain, who killed his own brother because he was righteous. They greedily follow the way of Balaam, the prophet, using their gifts for financial gain. They boldly show up to feast at the table God has spread for His children. Sin has robbed them of life. They are like clouds with no water, a mirage in the desert. Thirsty souls race to them for a drink, yet are left even more dry and thirsty.

The book of Jude describes those who are recruited into false religion, even those who are found mixed among the true. Many have taken cover behind a religious garment of good works in an attempt to cover their own sin. They follow the example of Cain, who trusted in the fruit of his own toil and sweat as a payment for sin. As a result, they are alienated from the intimate presence of God and their end is destruction. We are not of those who abandon the faith to follow after vanity: we continue in the faith that is empowered by grace and God’s love.

Principles of Prayer

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1. Talk with God about everything

Phil 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; NKJV

2. Ask in Jesus name.

John 15:16
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. NKJV

John 16:23-24
23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. NKJV

3. Believe and praise God

Mark 11:23-24
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart , but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray believe that you receive them, and you will have them. NKJV

Phil 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; NKJV

4. Be Persistent

1 Thess. 5:17-18
17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. NKJV

Rom 12:10-12
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; NKJV

5. Pray alone and with others

Matt 6:6-7
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. NKJV

Mark 6:46
46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. NKJV

Luke 9:18
And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" NKJV

John 6:15
Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. NKJV

Matt 18:19-20
19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." NKJV

Acts 12:12
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. NKJV

6. Let the Spirit Help You

Rom 8:26
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. NKJV

Jude 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, NKJV

Luke 18:1-8, The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'"

6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" NKJV

This parable spoken by Jesus was intended to give a contrasting view between God, who is perfectly just, and a judge, who was unjust. If an unjust judge, who did not fear God or regard man, was convinced to avenge the persistent widow by her continual requests, how much more will God avenge or answer the requests of His own children who cry out to Him continually? God will not put them off but will act speedily to answer their requests.

This story ends with a good question to be considered. “When the Son of Man comes, will He find that persistent kind of faith on the earth?” Some have suggested that it is a lack of faith to keep asking for something over and over, because God has heard already so we should just wait for the answer. Repeating the request over and over implies we do not believe God has heard or that our faith is somehow deficient.

In this parable, Jesus is saying that faith will not quit until the answer comes. It is not that God is reluctant to act on our behalf but often He tests our tenacity to see just how serious we are. Are we asking something just because we know we should or is it because we want it really badly? God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Whatever is achieved through much diligence will also be cared for with the same diligence.

The unjust judge became wearied by the widow’s continual asking, but God does not: we are more likely to get tired of hearing our own prayers repeated than God ever would. God responds more to faith than to the need. Faith is expressed by a continual persistence to get the desired answer. When the blind man heard that Jesus was passing near where he was begging, he cried out with a loud voice to attract His attention. Some standing near by told him to be quiet but he cried out all the louder, with persistence, because he wanted Jesus to restore his sight. Jesus may have passed him by if he had not cried out: not because He did not care or know about his condition, but because Jesus was searching for someone with faith that He could respond to.

Another example is the woman from Canaan, in Matthew 15:22-28, who came to Jesus asking for healing for her daughter. He ignored her request at first and then His disciples told Him to send her away. He informed her that he was sent only to the household of Israel and that healing was the children’s bread, not to be given to dogs. She persisted, willing to receive the crumbs that fell from the master’s table. Jesus then responded to her faith. She was not intimidated by those who wanted her to go away nor was she put off by Jesus’ slow response. The insinuation that she was a dog did not offend or cause her to hesitate, but her persistence got the answer that she needed.

Luke 18:1
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. NKJV

THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD II

2008-11-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

The Spirit of God speaks the word of God through His people.

Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. NKJV

The infilling of the Holy Spirit empowered them to speak the word of God with boldness. The chief priests and the elders had threatened Peter and John and commanded them to no longer speak in the name of Jesus, but when they returned to their companions they gathered together and prayed that they all would receive boldness to speak the word of God. They refused to be intimidated by man but obeyed God.

1 Corinthians 12:3
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. NKJV

The Spirit of God and the word of God agree as one. Anyone who is speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit could not curse the name of Jesus or speak against Him. It requires a revelation of the Spirit for one to confess and declare Jesus as Lord and Christ. Peter received a revelation and declared Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. He did not come to that revelation through human reasoning or from observing Jesus in the natural realm, but through the Father, by the Spirit.

Eph 5:18-19
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit , 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. NKJV

Men who are filled with wine lose control of their speech, usually to foolishness and vulgarity, but being filled with the Holy Spirit leads to inspirational songs, hymns and spiritual songs. On the day of Pentecost, all who had been filled with the Spirit began to speak in different languages under the influence of the Spirit. Some bystanders accused them of being drunk on new wine. They had lost control of their speech, not to cursing, but to blessing and proclaiming the mighty works of God.

Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV

Whenever God speaks, whether through the lips of humanity or from the pages of scripture, His words are like a sharp, two-edged sword, having the ability to cut through and expose the contents of the heart. When Peter preached in Acts 2:36-37:

36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" NKJV

And again when Stephen was preaching in Acts 7:54:

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. NKJV

Even though, in both situations, the people were cut to the heart by the word that was preached, one group became repentant and the other flared up in vicious anger. The word discerned and exposed the thoughts and intents of their hearts and brought them to a place of decision.

This is evangelism in the book of Acts. They went everywhere preaching the word with signs and wonders following them. They were led of the Spirit of God and spoke under the unction of the Spirit. We need both the Word and the Spirit at work with us to be affective evangelists.

In combination with the power of the word, spiritual gifts are given to minister to both unbelievers and believers alike. In 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10 we find a list of the gifts that are a supernatural manifestation of the Spirit through the believer; the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, and the working of miracles and so on. Through these gifts God reveals Himself to those in need. Powerful gifts can add a real “wow” factor to the ministry but the potential for spiritual pride to enter also increases.

Another work of the Spirit is to produce fruit in the lives of every believer. In Galatians 5: 22-23, we find them listed as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. These are qualities in a believer’s life that are foundational for the operation of the supernatural gifts. Though we may have great faith to move mountains, work miracles, prophesy or speak in other tongues, if we lack the fruit of love we are only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

We cannot put off evangelism until we master all these areas or we will never get started.
The Christian life is a growing process. Eating healthily (the word of God), coupled with plenty of exercise (sharing our faith), causes strong growth in our personal lives and, in turn, adding souls to the Kingdom.

The Spirit and The Word

2008-10-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

John 6:63
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. NKJV

In John 6, Jesus had gathered quite a large following, but many only followed because He miraculously fed them by multiplying the loaves and fishes. He told them not to labor for food that perishes but for the food that endures to everlasting life. Then Jesus spoke of His body as bread and His blood as drink. He was speaking of a spiritual food that the flesh would not profit from but was for their eternal souls.

John 6:53-55
53 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. NKJV

Jesus is the living word. The Word was made flesh and dwelled among us and we beheld His glory. He is the bread that came down from heaven. He is spiritual food for our souls. Man is different than every other living creature in that we need not only a steady supply of oxygen to live but God-breathed words for our soul.

Matt 4:4
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" NKJV

Physical life is sustained by natural food from the earth but the spiritual life of mankind must be sustained by the words that proceed out of the mouth of God, or God-breathed words.

1 Corinthians 15:45
45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
NKJV

God created everything by the word of His mouth. He spoke into being all things, both visible and invisible. There is just one exception to that pattern and that is His creation of man. He formed man from earth’s soil, breathed life into his nostrils and he became a living soul. See Gen. 2:7

It stands to reason that, if the breath of God was needed to give life to man in the beginning, we surely need God’s breath to continue in us.

2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV

The context of these verses, in 2 Timothy, speaks of the manner in which men wrote the scripture through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is not automatic that every time scripture is quoted that it will give life to the hearer. Even the devil quotes scripture for the purpose of mocking, condemning or misleading someone. The letter of the law alone is dead but the Spirit gives life to God’s word.

Evangelism involves speaking God-breathed words that give life to the hearer. Just as the breath of God gave man life at creation, His breath is required in the process of becoming a new creation. Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, explained the process of being born again.

John 3:7-8
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." NKJV

Just as the wind comes and goes at its own will, and we hear the sound of it, so is the process of being born again of the Spirit. The God-breathed word comes, at His will, to give life to those who hear the sound and agree with it. Then those who are born again will be led by the Spirit in the same way, going here, or there, speaking God-breathed words to others.

It was Adam’s choice to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil that brought spiritual death through separation from God. Adam and Eve were banished from the garden so they would not eat of the tree of life and live forever in their sin. Sin has now been punished and its power destroyed by Jesus on the cross. The way has been opened for us to come to the tree of life again. We can come to Jesus and partake of Him: He is the bread of life and the living water that we need.

Though we were not given the choice to be born into this world, God does give us the choice to be born again of the Spirit. We can now choose to forsake sin, eat from the tree of life and live forever in God’s eternal Kingdom.

Dynamic Love Based Evangelism

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Dynamic Love Based Evangelism

Love in our commitment:

When we accept the great commission as our assignment, we are committing our lives to the task. God so loved that He committed His Son to the task of redeeming lost humanity with His own blood. Our love for the lost will also keep us committed to our assignment.

We must not to allow love to be replaced by a religious, performance based obligation. Love can only be fruitful and increase through relationship. The dynamic of a love relationship empowers us with enthusiasm to do the task. Religion binds us to a commitment of works and performance that only reproduces its own kind, leaving us drained rather than energized.

In the parable of the “Lost Son”-- Luke 15, it appears that the older son did not have a close relationship with his father. He may have been more comfortable hanging out with the hired hands and identified more with work, or performance, as a way to gain his father’s approval.

He was totally unaware that a party had been prepared and, was so out of touch with his father’s heart, that he was angry while everyone else in the house was glad that his younger brother had returned home. The elder brother was upset that more was being wasted on the one who had already wasted his inheritance. He questioned his father’s judgment in throwing this celebration by comparing his good performance to his brother’s bad choices. He suggested that he should have been the one deserving a party. His performance mindset led him to judge his younger brother as unworthy to be accepted without shame. Their father did not judge by performance, but by a love relationship.

The returning son was so humiliated by his pitiful condition that he only wanted to be as one of his father’s hired hands. He felt unworthy to be even considered as part of the family again. He, too, was judging according to performance, but his father would not even respond to such words and fully received him as his son. Though the elder son had not wandered off into gross sin, like the younger, it appears that he never lived and walked in the mentality of an owner, but of a hired servant.

Love based evangelism must begin with getting in tune with our Father’s heart so that we do not find our selves in conflict with His rejoicing over the lost coming back home. We must get free from the performance mentality that judges everyone by what they have done, rather than by what they can become. That type of judging is possibly the greatest hindrance to the prodigal’s return to the Father’s house.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:8-10 NKJV

According to one commentary, these coins were worth about fifteen cents each, thus all ten were worth about a dollar and a half. If these coins were worth so little, what was all the fuss about? Would any of us make a big deal and even invite friends over to party if we found fifteen cents? I think maybe the point is that God does not determine value in the same way we do. Though God has more children than can be numbered, He is not willing that even one should be forgotten or lost.

This parable can be applied to our commitment to evangelism. First it says “What woman would not light a lamp?” If something is lost, the more light we can shed on the subject, the more likely we will find it. The light also attracts those lost in darkness.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16 NKJV

We must be transparent, allowing the light within us to shine. The basket can represent self consciousness. If we are concerned about our appearance, or what someone will think of us, we will cover our light.

Next, the parable says: “What woman would not sweep the house?” If we are transparent, that means we have nothing to hide, not even under a rug. Our personal house must be clean. If we have not dealt with our own junk, we can not effectively help another.

Finally it says, “What woman would not search carefully until she finds?” Once the light is burning bright and the junk is swept out, we can search carefully. The scripture indicates that first we are to seek after God, to seek His kingdom and righteousness, then the things we need will come our way. God also rewards those who diligently seek Him. The same is true concerning seeking after a lost soul. In order to value the lost soul as He does we need His heart and mind. Seeing from God’s perspective enables us to understand the value that is hidden from the natural eye and enables us to join in on the celebration over the lost being found.

I believe we will find that a true, love based commitment to God will naturally include a commitment to evangelism. Just as we can be fruitful and multiply offspring through committed love relationships in marriage, God’s family will increase in number through committed love relationships with Christ.

Prompted by Love

2008-10-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"

37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Matt. 22:35-39 NKJV

Whatever we do for God must be by faith and faith must be motivated by love. Our love for God, our love for self, and our love for other people are highest on God’s priority list. Without these things being in order, evangelism will lack proper motivation.

We can read the scripture and understand our commission to win and disciple the lost to Christ, possibly without ever considering our heart motives. We may do it because it is our job, or because we have a special emphasis on evangelism at church. These things are good, but what if our heart just is not in it; what should we do? First of all, know that not one of us does it perfectly, so if we wait until we are good at it, it will not happen. Good results will not happen without some trial and error. Practice makes perfect but having good motivation helps produce good fruit.

The effectiveness of our evangelism will be determined by our ability to love others; yet, our love for others is in proportion to our love for self. Both are dependent upon our love for God, which brings us right back to the first and greatest commandment, spoken by Jesus. If we find that we lack love’s motivation for evangelism, it may be linked to a lack of love for self.

One of the most difficult hurtles I have had to face was to understand that God’s love for me is not affected by what I do, whether good or bad. Many of us equate approval with being loved; His displeasure means we are not loved. I think it boils down to our inability to separate what we do from who we are. God may hate what we do, at times, but He still loves and values the potential in us. If God’s love for us was subject to our ability to obey, then He would no longer be in control of His love: we would, and we know that is a false idea. When we sense rejection, it is an attempt of the enemy to cut us off from the very thing we need to bring about change and maturity in our lives, and that is the love of God.

I have found that the enemy will often use one of two extremes to get us off track. If he can not keep us crying over spilled milk so to speak, then he will try convincing us to except our failings as normal and to make excuse to impose upon the grace of God. Living in either extreme will keep us from walking in the God’s love and having the ability to love others properly.

If I am not convinced that God’s love for me is unaffected by my disobedience, then I will not be convinced that God loves those who walk in continual disobedience. Similarly the believer who takes disobedience lightly, and imposes upon God’s grace, will have difficulty bringing the conviction necessary to the sinner. If we are not sensitive enough to the Holy Spirit to sense God’s displeasure over our own sin, we will not sense that same convicting Spirit working with us to turn others from their sin. We must learn to separate the person from their sin. God always loves people, yet always hates the sin that holds them.

Keeping the first and greatest commandment will be evidenced by our love for God overpowering our choice to sin, and our love for people being unaffected by their choice to sin. God’s love is so great that it will not be offended, or turned away, by the sinful condition of the lost; but is also too great to leave them in sin.

Our love for God must be our first motivation. Having self love will result in loving others. I think Paul’s statement in Rom 1:14-15 is a good example.
14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. NKJV

I believe the indebtedness Paul sensed was because God had entrusted him with a message that they badly needed. It was not as though Paul needed to return them a favor, but God’s favor was upon him to preach the gospel to them. In a similar way, many who are wealthy give much of their time and assets toward helping the poor and underprivileged of this world, not as though trying to pay a debt, but that which they have been entrusted with, obligates them.

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh. Rom. 9:1-3 NKJV

Paul’s great sorrow and grief was because many of his own countrymen had rejected Christ. His desire for their salvation was so great that he was willing, if possible, to be cursed from Christ in their place so that they would take their God intended place in His Kingdom. Paul’s motivation went beyond his own love for Israel and took on the same love of Christ. Jesus had already suffered being cursed and rejected by His Father for the salvation of lost humanity. Paul could add nothing to the price that Jesus paid, but he was so in fellowship with Christ that he was sensing that same willingness to suffer loss for another’s gain. Paul was willing to take on their debt so that they could go free.

The bottom line is: do not strive to do evangelism, strive to know God. Evangelism that is prompted by love will be the fruit of that love relationship.

The bottom line is: do not strive to do evangelism, strive to know God. Evangelism that is prompted by love will be the fruit of that love relationship.

Eph. 3:17-19 NKJV
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Deconstructing Evangelism Part 4: The Effects of Love

2008-10-01T07:34:00.001-07:00

We could compare our view of God to seeing through the windshield of our car.

Our outlook on life, in general, is determined by our view of others. What we believe about God and others forms the lens through which we see them. All of us have been alienated from both God and our neighbors through believing the serpent’s lie, and that affects our understanding of love. Though we are ever learning, and in this life will never totally understand love or God Himself, we can grow in the knowledge of Him.

We could compare our view of God to seeing through the windshield of our car. As we drive through different road conditions our vision, at times, is greatly distorted. Dirt and grime, glaring lights on a rainy night, or a clear bright day, can change the way we view the road. In the same way, our daily lives throw different things at our windshield and can distort our view of God and His love. We must not allow life’s circumstances to affect what we believe and know about God’s love.

Those who are lost are looking at God through distorted lenses, yet God’s love, flowing through us, has the power to correct that distortion. In 1 Corinthians 13:4, the very first word defining love is patience. Too often we lack patience in showing love. We can be too quick to determine others are too difficult and will never open up to the gospel. It might well be that patience was first listed because it is most needed. God is amazingly patient, even with those who confess Jesus as Lord that wander from the path of life from time to time. He is not willing that any should perish and is patiently waiting for all to turn to Him.

The world’s love is impatient, self seeking and often controlling, yet it lacks no takers. Many will misinterpret God’s intention in showing love. Multitudes followed Jesus because He miraculously fed them. They wanted to make Him King because it looked like He would provide all their needs with no effort on their part. They were still looking through distorted lenses at the love of God. Jesus had to set them straight by confronting their selfishness. Though God is very concerned about life’s daily needs, He is much more concerned about our eternal wellbeing.

As a church doing evangelism, reaching out to the lost must be done in love, with patience, kindness and gentleness; with righteousness that never gives up. A church that is demonstrating the love of God will naturally attract people to His goodness. The work of discipleship begins by converting liabilities into assets.

"The work of discipleship begins by converting liabilities into assets."

We all came to Christ as slaves to sin and in debt. Though our debt had already been paid over two thousand years ago and our position made sure, in our immaturity, we need a lot of convincing to reassure our new position of freedom in Christ.

Our attitude is greatly affected by understanding our identity. Knowing who we are in Christ gives us confidence and boldness. Some carry their slave/debtor mentality over into their new life in Christ and it manifests through fear and uncertainty. We need our minds renewed that we might understand our place in the family and the will of our Father.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father." Rom 8:15 NKJV

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

These verses reveal that a spirit of fear endeavors to keep us in bondage and displaced from our true position in God’s family. Timothy must have been dealing with fear in his own life and Paul was encouraging him to remember the faith he inherited and to stir up the gifts that were given him. Then he speaks of three things that God has given us.

Fear is not from God, it is from the slave/debtor mentality that keeps us in bondage, a motivational tool used by the world and sin’s slave master the devil. If we are to be fruitful, multiply and expand the Kingdom of God, we must be free from fear and the mentality it imposes upon us.

God has given us the spirit of power. Power is a mark of those who know their standing and position in God’s family. It is not mixed with fear or uncertainty, but is bold in declaring the good news of the gospel. The lost are looking for something reliable to stand on. We have to convince them that Jesus is the solid rock. It will require God’s power, through a voice of certainty, to persuade the lost to climb onto the rock.

God has given us the spirit of love. Perfect or mature love displaces fear in our lives. We must be filled with, and under the control of, God’s love. Love is not manipulative or threatening. All who are coming out of slavery to sin are familiar with fear’s motivational tactics, but we are bringing children into the freedom of Christ, not into another slave farm. It can be tempting to use those tactics because they will work, to a degree, in increasing numbers, but that is not building on the rock. It only reproduces more fear and insecurity. Faith must work through love, sowing seeds of freedom to reap a harvest of those who are free.

God has given us the spirit of a sound mind. A sound mind is a disciplined mind: one that is under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Fear and insecurity go hand in hand with double mindedness and a lack of knowing our position in Christ. Those who are tossed to and fro by the changing winds of doctrine are immature and lacking in love. A sound mind is a product of those who are building upon the rock.

The success or failure of the church will depend on the attitude or spirit in which we proclaim our message. God’s method of reproduction is through loving relationships that are committed and submitted to one another. Any work that is not built upon the rock will not stand when the flood waters rise and when the shaking comes. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken to leave only that which is built upon the rock.

1 Corinthians 13:8 tells us that prophesy shall fail, tongues will cease and even knowledge will vanish away but that which will never cease to be relevant, become obsolete, or ever fail, is love.

Deconstructing Evangelism Part 3: God’s Plan, Pattern, and Power for Evangelism

2008-09-24T11:28:00.000-07:00

God’s Plan, Pattern, and Power for Evangelism

God’s Plan—Redemption: Knowing the end from the beginning, God already had a plan of redemption even before mankind fell into the slavery of sin. God knew it would require a payment of innocent blood that no one of earthly origin would have the ability to pay. God, Himself, provided an innocent lamb to pay, with His own blood, the price of redemption.

This plan was first typified in Genesis 3:21 when God made coats, or clothing, from the skins of animals, for Adam and his wife. The animals paid a price, with innocent blood, to provide a covering for the shame of nakedness caused by sin. The blood of animals did not have the power to cleanse the conscience and totally rid them from shame, but it did provide a covering. This was the first stage of God’s redemption plan.

Again, in Genesis 4, we see God revealing His plan of redemption through the offering of Abel. Though both Cain and Abel each brought an offering to the Lord, Cain’s offering was not accepted by God. We have to conclude that God wanted an offering that portrayed innocent blood shed as payment for sin. Cain’s offering of vegetation from the fruit of his garden instead typified man covering his sin through hard work. The ground had been cursed, and would not produce without sweat and toil, so the fruit of the ground as an offering stated that man could fix the sin problem through human reasoning and work. Like his parents before him, Cain was using vegetation (fig leaves) in an attempt to cover the shame of sin. On the other hand, Abel’s offering resembled what God had already done in dealing with the sin problem. An animal shed innocent blood and provided an acceptable covering in the eyes of God.

Without the shedding of innocent blood there is no redemption for sin. We know the Old Testament is filled with various demonstrations of this truth but it was all pointing to Jesus Christ, The Lamb of God. He shed His innocent blood on the cross so that we all could have our sins forgiven. The blood of animals lacked the power that is contained in the blood of Christ. His blood does not just provide a covering for sin and shame but it washes it away and clears the conscience. So, this is God’s plan of redemption revealed to us today.

His pattern—Pursuit: God is pursuing lost mankind. When man became separated from God in Genesis 3, we see how God showed up for their daily walk in the garden, but Adam and Eve were hiding themselves among the vegetation. Though they had sinned, God still wanted to meet with them. Their fear and shame caused them to run and hide. They were separated from God, not by His decision, but because of their own.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

"My people have been lost sheep .Their shepherds have led them astray; they have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place. Jeremiah 50:6 NKJV

The scripture is clear that we have all gone astray and have even been led astray by some whom we have trusted as shepherds, but Jesus is, none the less, in pursuit.

But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matt 15:24 NKJV

Jesus was sent by His Father to find the lost sheep and to make disciples who will in turn pursue and make disciples of others. He commanded His followers, “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give”. Matt. 10 6&8 NKJV

Another element of God’s pattern is the use of an intercessor, or an advocate, to bridge the gap between God and man. This required a unique individual who could stand in, or span, the gap between heaven’s holiness and this world’s sin. Jesus, the Christ, being son of man as well as Son of God, is able to bridge the gap between heaven and earth, God and man. He is the one who paid the price of innocent blood and then stands in as our advocate before the Father. See 1 John 2:1. Now those who are His representatives in the earth have entered into this ministry as well. We can act on behalf of Christ as an intercessor and advocate between lost humanity and the Father, in Jesus’ name, through the priestly ministry that has been given to us.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood , a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Rev. 1: 5&6 NKJV

We see that pursuit requires more than searching for the lost, it has to include the intercessor- advocate to be able to span the gap between God and the lost sinner. Not that we have paid in any way for sin but that we come, in that same spirit, in pursuit of restored relationships, not as an officer of the law. To do this we need the third and final part of this message, the power.

Power for Evangelism. Jesus gave His followers authority to go into all the world and preach the gospel through what we refer to as the great commission, but later the power of the Spirit was given to replace Jesus’ physical presence. See John 14 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8 NKJV

The Spirit’s power can manifest in preaching a powerful message that convinces and convicts the sinner, or a display of signs, wonders and miracles of healings, causing the lost to turn to Christ. But there is a phase of God’s power that breaks down barriers and bridges the gap so that the sinner can experience God’s goodness that will, in turn, lead him to repentance. The message of Christ, dying on a cross two thousand years ago, must be both preached and displayed today. When Jesus said that we shall be witnesses to Him, He was not referring only to verbal testimony but that we would take up our cross daily, living its message as well. This involves laying down our lives like seed that falls into the ground to multiply in fruitfulness. In Old Testament times innocent animal sacrifices demonstrated the death of the Christ who was to come, but in our day, we as believers are to present our bodies, living sacrifices as our reasonable form of worship, as a current demonstration of His past sacrifice. The mighty power of reproduction is released through seed falling into the ground and is a prophetic picture of believers giving their lives sacrificially to reach the lost. The Spirit empowers us to speak and to prophetically portray the sacrifice of Christ. We are empowered by the spirit of prophecy to give testimony of Jesus. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. See Rev 19:10

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodl . For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom. 5:6-8 NKJV

Too often I hear about believers who do not practice what they preach. Though none of us are perfect, many are preaching a single dimension gospel, lacking the visual display that matches the verbal message. God has called His church, as His representatives in the earth, to demonstrate His love for those who are still lost in sin by giving up their own will and plans to pursue the lost sheep, beginning at home then reaching out into all the world.

Deconstructing Evangelism Part 2:

2008-09-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

AUTHORIZATION FOR EVANGELISM
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Matt 28: 18-20 NKJV

This portion of scripture is called the “Great Commission.” Though Jesus was speaking to His eleven chosen disciples (see verse 16), this command is for every disciple who follows after Him. Those who go in His name will have His authority.

Empowered by the Spirit

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Acts 1:8 NKJV

Jesus’ disciples asked Him: “Will you restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?” He replied, telling them that it was not for them to know the times or seasons the Father has put in His own authority, but that they would receive power after the Holy Spirit had come upon them.

It could appear that Jesus did not really answer their question, or that he said no, but I believe He did answer them directly. They were thinking in terms of an earthly kingdom that would overthrow the Romans, but Jesus had a strategy that dealt first with spiritual powers ruling in high places that in turn would affect earthly rule. Jesus’ Kingdom authority must be applied to the spiritual powers of darkness to release the hearts and minds of men and women that they might receive and enter His kingdom. Earthly kingdoms subdue the earth through natural might and the power of the flesh, but Jesus’ Kingdom is expanded on earth as spiritual powers flee and the hearts and minds of men and women surrender to Him as King. It was time for His Kingdom to be established, but not through the flesh of Israel.

While Jesus’ disciples were expecting a great show of power against the Romans, He was sending them out to establish His Kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ Kingdom headquarters are not on this earth, but His Kingdom will come and His will, will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. The power of the Holy Spirit was given to restore God’s Kingdom rule, through His church. 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. Zech 4:6 b NKJV

His Command to Go

15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:15-16 NKJV

There should be no question that Jesus has commanded His disciples to go into all the world and to preach the gospel. He has empowered us by His Holy Spirit so that we do not go in our own strength or wisdom, but in His.

This great commissioning parallels somewhat the charge that was given to Adam, and his wife Eve, in the beginning. They were given authority over the earth, dominion over all living creatures and they were commanded to be fruitful, to multiply and to subdue the earth. They were placed in the garden where everything was in harmony and agreement, but, beyond its borders, the land yet needed to be conquered or brought into subjection.

We are not told in scripture how much subduing of the earth Adam and Eve actually accomplished before they fell prey to the serpent. It most likely was directly connected to their fruitfulness and multiplication. It is also possible they were comfortable and satisfied with the territory that they had and were not actively extending the garden boundaries, resulting in the serpent extending his territory where they were commanded to go.

In a similar way, Jesus has given us power over all the power of the enemy, yet the serpent seems to continue to take and hold territory that is meant for God’s people. Today we expand God’s Kingdom garden by preparing the soil in prayer and sowing the gospel, as kingdom seed, into the hearts of men and women through preaching. We must press beyond the boundaries of our existing gardens and subdue the earth. I am not talking about real estate here, directly, but the hearts and souls of those who are under the power of the enemy. The serpent is still in the deceiving business and only has power through lies and fear. If he can get us to agree with him and not believe what God has said he can prevent individuals from entering God’s garden kingdom.

So let us be about our Father’s business and continue to expand the boundaries of His Kingdom here on earth. Let us not be distracted by our desires to be released from the oppression of earthly rulers but let us keep our eye on the real enemy. For our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of darkness.

Deconstructing Evangelism Part 1:

2008-09-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

DEFINING EVANGELISM

Evangelism is the presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ or, preaching the good news of the gospel. The English word evangelist includes the word angel, which means messenger: one carrying, delivering and proclaiming a message. An evangelist is a messenger, a bearer of glad tidings. But evangelism can not truly be fulfilled just by preaching or declaring the gospel message; it must bear fruit that will remain.

2 Tim 4:1-5

Preach the Word

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

NKJV

Paul’s charge to Timothy did not stop with the word “Preach”; it included being ready, in and out of season. Being ready to convince, rebuke and exhort, with great patience and teaching. Paul knew that thoroughly instilling sound doctrine in new converts would help prevent them from turning aside to teachers who take the easy road, with ear tickling fables.

Paul wanted Timothy to fulfill the ministry of evangelism, to which he was called. Like a father, Paul wanted to reproduce himself as much as possible in Timothy. Paul warned of wolves that would come.

Acts 20:29-31

29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

NKJV

Evangelism must include the following four ingredients to be totally fulfilled.

Colossians 1:28

28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

NKJV

1. Preaching: proclaiming the message of the gospel and inviting the hearer to salvation.

2. Warning: those who receive Christ must be warned of wolves that will come to devour the sheep, and false teaching that is designed to tickle the ear and appeal to our fleshly egos, to lead us astray.

3. Teaching: sound doctrine that will establish the disciple on the firm rock, Christ Jesus.

4. Presenting: bringing the disciple into perfection or maturity in Christ, as the fulfillment of the ministry.

Without these four ingredients, evangelism is incomplete, the ministry is unfulfilled and the fruit will not likely remain and be ready to present to our Lord at His appearing. In 2 Timothy 4:1, it sounds like Paul is warning Timothy that he will stand before Christ and give an account of his stewardship of the ministry that was entrusted to him and how much fruit remained to present to the Lord. Again Paul says to Timothy “Do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of thy ministry.” (KJV)

John 15:16 a

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain,

NKJV

Fruit is the full proof of ministry. Bearing fruit includes making disciples and reproducing ourselves in others who will, in turn, go and make disciples of others. Our fruit bearing will then continue long after we are gone. Though we are not all called to the ministry of an evangelist, we are all called to make disciples and reproduce ourselves in others by what ever means God has gifted us to do so.

This is by no means a complete commentary on defining evangelism but I hope I have at least stirred up a fresh interest and a new desire to fulfill the ministry God has called you to.

Relationships in Marriage

2008-07-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Eph 5:22-33

Marriage — Christ and the Church

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

NKJV

Wives willingly submit and yield to your husband just as you would to the Lord, knowing that God has given him the lead position. Christian marriage is to be a mirror image of Christ as the head of the church, His bride. The church is now His body and is one with Him; likewise, the Lord sets the husband as head, or leader, in the marriage union. He ought to love his wife even as his own body. Husbands demonstrate their God given leadership skills best by loving their wives in the same way that Christ loves His church. Christ went directly to the front lines to take on sin and to destroy every enemy that would cause separation and alienation in relationships. He poured out the life blood of His own flesh that He might purchase for Himself a bride that would become His body, made up of many members. He sought her out and has washed and cleansed her, by the water of the word, that she might be a glorious and holy bride, without one wrinkle or blemish.

John 15:3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. NKJV

When a man leaves his parents’ home, and is joined to his wife, the two become one flesh and the husband is established as head. Their covenant union is recognized by God and a new authority structure is put in place. Though children ought always respect and honor their parents, once married, they are no longer under the authority of their parents’ house. When we as believers abandon self rule and submit to the leadership of Christ, as His bride, we are brought into a new authority structure. Our union with Him allows us to be partakers of His authority and to come under the covering of God’s household. Though this is a great mystery, and easily overlooked, a husband’s sacrificial love for his wife, as for himself, positions him for power and authority with God. Wives that understand this truth will have a greater respect for their husbands.

A believing wife whose husband does not obey the word has a unique situation. Though her husband has not submitted to the authority of God, she is directed to submit to his leadership in faith. In doing so, she trusts God to work in and through her husband to bring about the will of God.

1 Peter 3:1-4

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

NKJV

Wives should not focus on winning their husbands through what appeals to their natural senses alone, but allow the beauty of Christ to shine from the inside, through a gentle and quiet spirit: a beauty that increases and doesn’t fade away with time. The respectful conduct of believing wives, living the word before their husbands, will be more effective in winning them to the Lord than preaching or quoting scriptures to them.

Col 3:18-19

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

NKJV

A wife’s submission to her husband should always be kept in the context of submitting as unto the Lord. God would never expect anyone to submit to activity that is condemned in scripture. A husband that truly loves his wife would never use manipulation, or demand obedience; loving submission is always voluntary. Because many of us have been under abusive authority, and do not understand loving submission, we can naturally be suspicious of anyone who exercises authority. But, we must learn to discern what is of God and yield, as unto the Lord. Husbands must be patient and not become bitter against their wives, but allow time for them to trust their godly leadership.

Guarding and Maintaining Relationships

2008-06-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

Eph 5:1-7

5:1 Walk in Love

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

NKJV

Relationships hold the greatest value to God and are highest on Satan’s list to target for destruction. In 2 Corinthians 2:10 -11, we see that uncertainties about our forgiveness toward offending brothers can leave a door open for the devil to take advantage and abort the process of restoration.

If we are to be imitators of God, as a child would imitate his father, we must follow the example of God’s son, Jesus Christ. He freely gave himself as an offering, a sacrifice with a sweet smelling aroma. Fornication, uncleanness and covetousness had no part in His life and should not even be considered among those who are His saints. Filthiness, foolish talk and coarse jesting found no place in His vocabulary: it was filled with goodness, thankfulness and encouragement. Let’s not be deceived; not all who claim an inheritance as children of God will receive the kingdom, but only those who are like Him. All those who follow after promiscuous, filthy, and covetous men, who are in fact idolaters, will partake of the reward of the wicked. They will not inherit the kingdom of God; His wrath will come upon them. So, let us flee from all these things lest we be partakers with them.

The bottom line is that God loves the aroma of a sacrifice that is given up to save, restore or protect relationships. But acts of sexual immorality, uncleanness and idolatry, coupled with foolish speech and degrading comments toward others, are destructive to the very relationships that He paid so great a price to redeem. Those who practice these things are offering up relationships as sacrifices, enjoying the aroma of the destructive flame, while sending up a stench into the nostrils of God.

Eph 5:8-14

8 Walk in Light

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

"Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light."

NKJV

Now that you have stepped out of the darkness and into the light of the Lord, walk in His light. Only in the light will you bear the fruit of the Spirit, goodness, righteousness and truth and be able to discern what is acceptable to the Lord. Walking in the light will remove those who hide in darkness from your fellowship; in fact, it will expose them for who they really are. You will, not only want to avoid their company, but the shameful things they do in secret will not enter into your conversation. The light not only exposes the acts of sin, but evil thoughts and words as well.

We are no longer children of the darkness; we are now of the light. It is time to wake up and arise from the dark grave and come into the light of Christ.

Our relationship with God, and His children, must be in the light. There can be no mixing with darkness because the two have no fellowship, or communion, one with another. (See 2 Corinthians 6: 14-15) Fruitfulness requires light. Darkness only provides a hiding place for evil’s destructive work.

Eph 5:15-21

15 Walk in Wisdom

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

NKJV

Be careful how you walk; spend your valuable time wisely, not allowing evil to claim even one minute. The unwise spend their time foolishly and will not understand what the will of the Lord is. You that are wise know that too much wine will lead to a wasted life of drunkenness and debauchery, under the control of alcohol. Let us rather become regular partakers of the Holy Spirit, filled until we overflow with songs and hymns, even spiritual songs that result in an inner melody from our hearts to the Lord. Overflowing with thankfulness to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, results in a holy fear of God and a willingness to submit to one another in love.

We need the infilling of the Holy Spirit, regularly, to walk with wisdom and light. Darkness has the ability to present itself as light by using half truth. We need the Holy Spirit’s guidance into all truth. Remembering that relationships are of utmost value to God, and are Satan’s number one target, makes us aware that he will use what appeals to human flesh in order to lead us astray into darkness. Those who indulge in too much wine are easily led to defile relationships through foolish talk, sexual immorality and covetousness. All the sins listed in the previous verses can more easily manifest in the lives of those who practice drunkenness. The bottom line again is: avoid anything that threatens holy relationships and be willing to sacrifice temporary, earthly pleasures, protecting that which has eternal value.

THE LORD’S SUPPER

2008-06-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Conduct at the Lord's Supper

Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Institution of the Lord's Supper

(Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23)

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

1 Corinthians 11:27-34

Examine Yourself

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

NKJV

The apostle Paul found it necessary to correct the Corinthian church concerning their observance of the Lord’s Supper. Paul heard that there were divisions and factions among them. They managed to segregate God’s family, according to their differences in the natural, disregarding the unity of the Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, those who were baptized in the Spirit became one in heart and mind, counting nothing they possessed as their own, but had all things in common. Just a few years later, the Corinthian church showed no signs of being in one accord, in one place, but had become self centered.

What they called the Lord’s Supper no longer resembled what Jesus demonstrated and instituted. This was to be a covenant meal, demonstrating the willingness of all participants to lay down their lives for their brothers and sisters. Covenant with God, basically, is an agreement that places everything that each one has at the disposal of the other and is available to defend them against the enemy. God of course has no lack or need of anything, but asks for our participation anyway. When Lot and his family were captured in the attack on the city of Sodom, Abraham used all at his disposal to go after and retrieve everything that was stolen. Lot was not just Abraham’s nephew, but was part of a family covenant with God. Abraham had faith in God’s promise to be involved, with all at His disposal, to defend his family; thereby he was able to defeat armies with only a couple hundred men. They not only brought back Lot and his household, but all the people of the city with their goods. Abraham boldly acted, counting on God’s agreement to be involved in the recovery of Lot and his family, as part of the covenant.

Jesus demonstrated by His broken body and shed blood that He put His all in harm’s way, even to death, to capture and save all that had been stolen by His enemy, Satan. It was the most selfless act ever demonstrated on this earth: one that He now wants us to show forth or portray regularly until He returns. Eating of His body (bread), and drinking of His blood (wine), demonstrates our willingness to become one with Him in heart and mind: valuing what He values, placing all we have, even our very lives, on the line just as He did, that others might have abundant life.

Every time we eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord, we proclaim, and prophetically display, the Lord’s selfless act of death, in remembrance of Him, until He comes again. Therefore, if we partake in an unworthy manner, we are guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. The word unworthy refers to the actions, not the person; it does not refer to the value or worth of a soul, but the unequal manner in which His death is portrayed. The most selfless act on earth can not be demonstrated through selfishness and division.

The actions of the Corinthians were contrary to those of Christ: they resembled more the mockery of those who put Him to death. Many of the Corinthians were weak and sick, some had even gone to an early grave, because they did not discern or understand the implication of their actions. Jesus’ body received judgment and was condemned in our place: the innocent in stead of the guilty. All selfishness and sin was placed on Jesus, it was judged and condemned on the cross. But, if we are walking in selfishness (sin) and partake of His body in a covenant meal, we will eat and drink of the judgment and condemnation that was placed on Him. Instead of receiving the blessings that belong to the family of God, we partake of the judgment for sin that was placed on Jesus body.

The church is now considered the body of Christ and we are all members of that body. If we consider others as unimportant, or selfishly ignore them, it is a sign that we are not discerning the body of Christ. In the following chapter, I Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of the body having many parts that God has placed in order, as it has pleased Him. He says that we cannot say we have no need of the other parts; just as the hand cannot do without the eye, neither can we function properly without all the members in their place.

God’s judgment is not for the purpose of condemning us with the world but to correct us and get us back on track. We must learn to judge our own actions to determine if we are considering the body of Christ as one, in the unity of the Spirit.