Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
There's a challenge to the believer on how far he or she will dare walk with the Lord in the above scripture. For many years we've acted like God was going to sprinkle us with pixie dust and make us do what He says to do. We've spent centuries trying to figure out what God's will is for our lives. Our salvation was paid for by the Blood of Jesus two thousand years ago. John 3:16 (Amplified) shows that God's will is to save mankind and everything else that was lost in the fall of man. Luke 19:10 (Amplified) tells us, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost."
In Romans 8:20-21 (Amplified) we read that, "For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration) not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of him who subjected it (yet) with the hope." Verse 21 says, "That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption (and gain an entrance) into the glorious freedom of God's children."
We find in Genesis 1:26-30 (Amplified) that man had dominion over all God's handiwork on earth. When Adam transgressed in the garden, he lost that power of dominion and delivered it into satan's hands. Luke 4:5-7 (Amplified) tells us, "Then the devil took Him [Jesus] up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the habitable world in a moment of time (in a twinkling of an eye)." Verse 6 says, "And he said unto Him, to You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, pre-eminence, dignity and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will."
Jesus displayed an authority higher than the devil when He ordered the fish to fill Peter's nets. He brought dominion and authority back over creation in Luke 5:4-6 (Amplified) which says, "Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, 'Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.'" Verse 5 goes on, "And Simon answering said unto Him, 'Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at on the ground of Your word, I will lower the net (again).'" Verse 6 & 7 says, "And when they had done this they caught a great number of fish; and as their nets were (at the point of) breaking they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and take hold with them, and they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink."
Man was God's primary subject of redemption, but He wouldn't leave anything He created behind for His enemy's (satan's) use. Now, through the redemption of mankind by Jesus, there's a place for God's children to walk above the lies of satan to mankind.
God's will for man and creation, through Jesus, is found in John 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "For God so loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His Only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life."
God's will for man and all His handiwork is salvation for whoever will believe. You might say,"What if I don't believe? Will I still be saved?" No! Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, found in Matthew 26:39 (Amplified), "And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me, nevertheless, not what I will (not what I desire), but what You will and desire.'"
If what the unsaved world believes (all roads lead to heaven or any religion is alright as long as you believe) is true, then there would never have been a need for Calvary. We could have just become righteous and justified by our own works and merits. The Word says in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) that, "For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
Because we cannot be saved any other way than by faith in Jesus and His righteousness, why would anyone try another way? Romans 1:17 (Amplified) told us that the faith that got our sins forgiven, goes into a deeper knowledge of Jesus that opens up a new measure of faith and that, by faith, we believe for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the the speaking of new tongues as described in Acts 2:4 (Amplified). All this lead to more faith as recorded in Acts 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "And His name, through faith and by faith in His name, has made this man whom you see and recognize well and strong (Yes) the faith which is through and by Him (Jesus) has given this man this perfect soundness (of body) before all of you."
In Romans 1:17 (Amplified), and many other scriptures as well, there's laid down the liberty and opportunity to walk by faith into a walk with our Father into a realm of His might which will bring glory to Him through the name of Jesus. "But, not everyone can do these things, " you might say. You're right in one sense, but wrong in another. Many have said that these things were for the early Church, or that these things were for His disciples only, or that He doesn't do these things any longer, or that we don't need these things in the 21st century. Well, all of these statements are wrong.
In Mark 16:15-20 (Amplified) we read, "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the Good News (the Gospel) to every creature (of the whole human race)." Verse 16 says, "He who believes (who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Who sets it forth) and is baptized will be saved (from the penalty of eternal death) but he who does not believe (who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him who is sets forth) will be condemned." Verse 17 & 18 say, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; In My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents, and (even) if they drink anything deadly; it will not hurt them; they shall lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well." Verse 19 goes on, "So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God." Verse 20 ends, "And they went out and preached everywhere; while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied (it). Amen (so be it)."
The journey of faith that I spoke of and quoted from Romans 1:17 will go from faith to faith. Jesus said that the signs would follow those who believed and who believed in His name. Then, the Word says that signs and miracles were done everywhere they preached the message in the power of His Name.
I find it hard to accept or even think about Jesus' Name being less powerful today than it was then. Has the Name of Jesus lost its power or have we lost faith in His Name? Afterall, all we're required to do is to believe and to lay our hands on the sick. I don't see anything hard about laying my hands on someone in His Name. Are we worried about our own reputation or are we afraid it won't work? If so, then it's not faith in Jesus' Name, but in our own name we're walking in.
Jesus simply told them to preach the Gospel and if they believe and are saved, then these signs will follow them. These weren't the Apostles or Matthew, Mark, Luke or even John. They were people (like us) who heard the Word, believed the Word and healed the sick and cast out demons and performed miracles in His Name.
Romans 1:20 (Amplified) tells us that the Lord kept working with them and confirming His message. He wasn't confirming them. He was confirming His Word and His Word is still alive and well today.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Lesson 21 FAITH
2Corinthians 3:16,18 (Amplified) tells us that, "Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." Verse 18 goes on, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
As the Church, we're called to become transfigured and transformed by the Spirit of God into the Image of the Lord. This Image of Jesus goes from His earthly walk as a Spirit-filled Man, to the power and the glory of His resurrection. John 17:21-22 (Amplified) says, "That they may all be one, (just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me." Verse 22 goes on, "I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One."
The glory and honor Jesus was given by the Father, is the same glory and honor that He has given us. The 23rd verse of John 17 (Amplified) says, "I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me."
Galatians 5:6 (Amplified) says, "For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love." We also read in John 15:9-10 (Amplified) that, "I have loved you (just) as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love (continue in His love with Me)." Verse 10 goes on, "If you keep My commandments (if you continue to obey My instructions) you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love."
John 15:24 (Amplified) tells us, "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the (very) works themselves. (If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father's name convince you)." Verse 12 says, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me,he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."
We've wondered for years, what the "greater thing" might be. Because Jesus said it, we know it's true. But, the mind staggers at the thought of doing something greater than Jesus. When we stop and think about it, we find that getting someone born again is a greater work. Jesus couldn't get anybody born again while He was on earth. It required His death on the cross and dealing with our sin and the curse . It took Jesus becoming sin for us for us to be made in right standing with the Father. Now, because of Jesus' resurrection, man can be born again. Romans 10:9-10 (Amplified) says that, "This is a greater thing than healing a natural (body), to give birth (through the Word and the power of His resurrection) to a new creation, by faith in His Lordship."
This doesn't mean we're to neglect the miracles and healings that show God's power to the world. The miracle power of Jesus (through the Church), separates Christianity from all other religions in the world today. Revealing the power of God, through the name of Jesus, shows the world that our God is a living and loving God. Only love foe the people can display this power the people. Jesus said, "If you cannot believe what I am saying, at least believe the works that I do."
No man can show forth this kind of love and power outside of Jesus and the Father Who lives in us. We're reluctant to try walking in these signs of Jesus in us because we don't want others to think we're walking in pride. Anyone who really loves Jesus, or better yet, who knows how much Jesus loves him, would ever consider this as pride. The signs and wonders the Church is supposed to walk in is the revealing of the love the Father has for mankind.
If healings and miracles weren't needed to reveal God's love to the world, then Jesus wouldn't have needed to show the Father's love to the people. The world today is in such a mess and is seeking answers from so many sources that all they're seeking in confusion. One religions says to meditate, another says good works get one to heaven, another says that reincarnation (doing it until you get it right) is the truth and another religion says to kill all those who won't convert to that religion. It's very difficult to see God in the myriad of chaos in today's world.
The faith we've been learning about in these teachings, isn't some radical kind of faith or new teaching. It's the thing God used through Jesus and the thing Jesus used through His disciples in Luke 10:1-9 (Amplified) when He taught, "Heal the sick, cast out devils, and bless and proclaim peace to every place they will receive you."
The miracle power of God's love is desperately needed todayto reveal to the world that our God
lives. We've had a form of Godliness, but denied the power for far too long. If God is God (and He is), then He still does what He has always done on behalf of His people. He is still the God of life, love, miracles and mercy.
You needn't be afraid of His power through you because it's the manifestation of His love. 1Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified) says, "But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choisest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way (one that is better by far and the highest of them all-love)."
If you read this in the light of the Holy Spirit Who wrote it, then it simply says that a better way to receive these gifts and these graces than trying to cultivate or desire and seek after them, it to learn to love. Love isn't only these gifts, but also is the Giver of these gifts. "If God is Love" like 1John 4:8 (Amplified) says, then as you read 1Corinthians 13 (the Love chapter), you see the very nature and character of God revealed through His Body, the Church.
Jesus was moved by compassion and healed the sick and cast out devils. This is the manifestation of Love, or God, in the lives of His Church. I believe that God is raising up a people who will die unto self and live unto Him to the degree that all will know He is Lord! The time to move by faith into the realm of the miraculous has come to the Church in these last days. There will be those who scoff at this, but there will also be those who will go forth in the power of Jesus' Name and set at liberty all who are bound.
Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says that, "Now faith, is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
As the Church, we're called to become transfigured and transformed by the Spirit of God into the Image of the Lord. This Image of Jesus goes from His earthly walk as a Spirit-filled Man, to the power and the glory of His resurrection. John 17:21-22 (Amplified) says, "That they may all be one, (just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me." Verse 22 goes on, "I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One."
The glory and honor Jesus was given by the Father, is the same glory and honor that He has given us. The 23rd verse of John 17 (Amplified) says, "I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me."
Galatians 5:6 (Amplified) says, "For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love." We also read in John 15:9-10 (Amplified) that, "I have loved you (just) as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love (continue in His love with Me)." Verse 10 goes on, "If you keep My commandments (if you continue to obey My instructions) you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love."
John 15:24 (Amplified) tells us, "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the (very) works themselves. (If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father's name convince you)." Verse 12 says, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me,he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."
We've wondered for years, what the "greater thing" might be. Because Jesus said it, we know it's true. But, the mind staggers at the thought of doing something greater than Jesus. When we stop and think about it, we find that getting someone born again is a greater work. Jesus couldn't get anybody born again while He was on earth. It required His death on the cross and dealing with our sin and the curse . It took Jesus becoming sin for us for us to be made in right standing with the Father. Now, because of Jesus' resurrection, man can be born again. Romans 10:9-10 (Amplified) says that, "This is a greater thing than healing a natural (body), to give birth (through the Word and the power of His resurrection) to a new creation, by faith in His Lordship."
This doesn't mean we're to neglect the miracles and healings that show God's power to the world. The miracle power of Jesus (through the Church), separates Christianity from all other religions in the world today. Revealing the power of God, through the name of Jesus, shows the world that our God is a living and loving God. Only love foe the people can display this power the people. Jesus said, "If you cannot believe what I am saying, at least believe the works that I do."
No man can show forth this kind of love and power outside of Jesus and the Father Who lives in us. We're reluctant to try walking in these signs of Jesus in us because we don't want others to think we're walking in pride. Anyone who really loves Jesus, or better yet, who knows how much Jesus loves him, would ever consider this as pride. The signs and wonders the Church is supposed to walk in is the revealing of the love the Father has for mankind.
If healings and miracles weren't needed to reveal God's love to the world, then Jesus wouldn't have needed to show the Father's love to the people. The world today is in such a mess and is seeking answers from so many sources that all they're seeking in confusion. One religions says to meditate, another says good works get one to heaven, another says that reincarnation (doing it until you get it right) is the truth and another religion says to kill all those who won't convert to that religion. It's very difficult to see God in the myriad of chaos in today's world.
The faith we've been learning about in these teachings, isn't some radical kind of faith or new teaching. It's the thing God used through Jesus and the thing Jesus used through His disciples in Luke 10:1-9 (Amplified) when He taught, "Heal the sick, cast out devils, and bless and proclaim peace to every place they will receive you."
The miracle power of God's love is desperately needed todayto reveal to the world that our God
lives. We've had a form of Godliness, but denied the power for far too long. If God is God (and He is), then He still does what He has always done on behalf of His people. He is still the God of life, love, miracles and mercy.
You needn't be afraid of His power through you because it's the manifestation of His love. 1Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified) says, "But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choisest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way (one that is better by far and the highest of them all-love)."
If you read this in the light of the Holy Spirit Who wrote it, then it simply says that a better way to receive these gifts and these graces than trying to cultivate or desire and seek after them, it to learn to love. Love isn't only these gifts, but also is the Giver of these gifts. "If God is Love" like 1John 4:8 (Amplified) says, then as you read 1Corinthians 13 (the Love chapter), you see the very nature and character of God revealed through His Body, the Church.
Jesus was moved by compassion and healed the sick and cast out devils. This is the manifestation of Love, or God, in the lives of His Church. I believe that God is raising up a people who will die unto self and live unto Him to the degree that all will know He is Lord! The time to move by faith into the realm of the miraculous has come to the Church in these last days. There will be those who scoff at this, but there will also be those who will go forth in the power of Jesus' Name and set at liberty all who are bound.
Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says that, "Now faith, is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Lesson 20 FAITH
2Corinthians 5:15-17 (Amplified) says, "And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake." Verse 16 says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value), (no) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." Verse 17 says, "Therefore if any person is (engrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether), the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
2Corinthians 13:4 (Amplified) says that, "For though He was crucified in weakness. Yet He goes on living by the power of God. And though we too are weak in Him (as He was humanly weak) yet in dealing with you (we shall show ourselves) alive and strong in (fellowship with) Him by the power of God."
These scriptures are hard to understand from where we are now in Jesus. When Jesus was crucified on the cross, He became weak (as in the flesh) with our weaknesses. When He became sin, He became sin with our sin (and weaknesses). When He became the curse, it was in our weaknesses that He became the curse (for me). Everything that Jesus did on the cross was through and for the weakness of the flesh which was sinful.
Romans 8:1-3 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit." Verse 2 says, "For God has done what the Law could not do. (Its power) being weakened by the flesh (the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit) sending His Own Son in the guise of sinful flesh, the weakness of the flesh) and as an offering for sin (God) condemned sin in the flesh (subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice)."
As sinners, we identify ourselves with Jesus as He died in our place. Mostly, we still identify Him in this same way. Once we identify ourselves with Him on the cross and receive and accept that sacrifice by faith, we died with Him in the weakness of the flesh. He identified Himself with the weakness of my flesh so that I might identify myself with the power of His resurrection and view Him not only as a man any longer,but after the Spirit Who raised Him from the dead as in 2Corinthians 5:16 (Amplified).
We've always identified ourselves with the man Jesus. Mostly, though, we've not identified ourselves with the risen Christ Jesus. He didn't stay on the cross and He didn't stay in the grave. If He had, then we'd still be in our sin and weakness. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we also have been raised together with Him. Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) says, "And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
This is what the Apostle Paul was saying in 2Corinthians 5:16 that we no longer only estimate and regard Jesus from a human viewpoint, but from a spiritual viewpoint as the resurrected Christ and the Messiah. We see Him not as just a man, but as the risen Christ. Now, as new creatures, we are supposed to live our lives after the Spirit Who raised Him from the dead on our behalf. Does this mean we're to disregard the man Himself? Of course not. But, we're to look to the cross from both sides. On one side, as sinners we look to the cross for the sacrifice of Jesus to set me free. We accept Him as our substitute and our sin bearer. From the other side of the cross (the side where He was raised and given Authority over death, hell and the grave). The side where God justified Jesus (and us) when He raised Him from the dead.
Hebrews 2:9-11 (Amplified) tells us, "But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of His having suffered death in order that by grace (unmerited favor) of God (to us sinners), He might experience death for every individual person." Verse 10 goes on, "For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting (to the divine nature) that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence in bringing many sons into glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect (should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest) through suffering." Verse 11 says, "For both He Who sanctifies (making men holy) and those who are sanctified all have One (Father). For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren."
If we read the rest of Hebrews 2, then we find that Jesus tasted death for us so that we might live through Him. We need to see the man Jesus' walk as our example of how we're to walk now in power, in the authority of His Name, in the compassion of His heart and in the fearlessness of the Holy Spirit Whose been given to us through Jesus' resurrection. As new creatures, we need to learn to identify with Him from the side of the cross that raised us in His power to glory.
After reading the Word and coming to the knowledge of what Paul was saying, we can understand Philippians 3:9-10 (Amplified) which says, "And that I may (actually) be found and known as in Him. Not having any (self achieved) righteousness that can be called My Own, based on My obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired) but possessing that (genuine righteousness) which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One) the (truly) right standing with God, which comes from God by (saving) faith." Verse 10-11 say, "(For My determined purpose is) that I may know Him (that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly) and that I may in that same way come to know the power out flowing from His resurrection (which it exerts over believers) and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed (in Spirit into His Likeness even) to His death (in the hope) that if possible I may attain to the (spiritual and moral) resurrection (that lifts me) out from among the dead (even while in the body)."
The power of Jesus' resurrection has transformed us into His Image as He is now in the Spirit of Glory. We must learn to identify ourselves with not only the Man Christ Jesus, but also with the Risen Christ Jesus. Jesus died so we might now live His life through us. We must learn to know Him as He now Is. Romans 6:4 (Amplified) says that, "We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, So that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious (power) of the Father, so we too might (habitually) and behave in the newness of life." Verse 5 goes on, "For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be (one with Him in sharing) His resurrection (by a new life lived for God)."
Hebrews 13:20-21 (Amplified) says, "Now may the God of peace (Who is the Author and Giver of peace). Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepard of the sheep, by the Blood (that sealed, ratified) the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament)." Verse 21 says, "Strengthen, (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will (while He Himself) works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah) to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages) Amen (so be it)."
2Corinthians 13:4 (Amplified) says that, "For though He was crucified in weakness. Yet He goes on living by the power of God. And though we too are weak in Him (as He was humanly weak) yet in dealing with you (we shall show ourselves) alive and strong in (fellowship with) Him by the power of God."
These scriptures are hard to understand from where we are now in Jesus. When Jesus was crucified on the cross, He became weak (as in the flesh) with our weaknesses. When He became sin, He became sin with our sin (and weaknesses). When He became the curse, it was in our weaknesses that He became the curse (for me). Everything that Jesus did on the cross was through and for the weakness of the flesh which was sinful.
Romans 8:1-3 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit." Verse 2 says, "For God has done what the Law could not do. (Its power) being weakened by the flesh (the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit) sending His Own Son in the guise of sinful flesh, the weakness of the flesh) and as an offering for sin (God) condemned sin in the flesh (subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice)."
As sinners, we identify ourselves with Jesus as He died in our place. Mostly, we still identify Him in this same way. Once we identify ourselves with Him on the cross and receive and accept that sacrifice by faith, we died with Him in the weakness of the flesh. He identified Himself with the weakness of my flesh so that I might identify myself with the power of His resurrection and view Him not only as a man any longer,but after the Spirit Who raised Him from the dead as in 2Corinthians 5:16 (Amplified).
We've always identified ourselves with the man Jesus. Mostly, though, we've not identified ourselves with the risen Christ Jesus. He didn't stay on the cross and He didn't stay in the grave. If He had, then we'd still be in our sin and weakness. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we also have been raised together with Him. Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) says, "And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
This is what the Apostle Paul was saying in 2Corinthians 5:16 that we no longer only estimate and regard Jesus from a human viewpoint, but from a spiritual viewpoint as the resurrected Christ and the Messiah. We see Him not as just a man, but as the risen Christ. Now, as new creatures, we are supposed to live our lives after the Spirit Who raised Him from the dead on our behalf. Does this mean we're to disregard the man Himself? Of course not. But, we're to look to the cross from both sides. On one side, as sinners we look to the cross for the sacrifice of Jesus to set me free. We accept Him as our substitute and our sin bearer. From the other side of the cross (the side where He was raised and given Authority over death, hell and the grave). The side where God justified Jesus (and us) when He raised Him from the dead.
Hebrews 2:9-11 (Amplified) tells us, "But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of His having suffered death in order that by grace (unmerited favor) of God (to us sinners), He might experience death for every individual person." Verse 10 goes on, "For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting (to the divine nature) that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence in bringing many sons into glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect (should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest) through suffering." Verse 11 says, "For both He Who sanctifies (making men holy) and those who are sanctified all have One (Father). For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren."
If we read the rest of Hebrews 2, then we find that Jesus tasted death for us so that we might live through Him. We need to see the man Jesus' walk as our example of how we're to walk now in power, in the authority of His Name, in the compassion of His heart and in the fearlessness of the Holy Spirit Whose been given to us through Jesus' resurrection. As new creatures, we need to learn to identify with Him from the side of the cross that raised us in His power to glory.
After reading the Word and coming to the knowledge of what Paul was saying, we can understand Philippians 3:9-10 (Amplified) which says, "And that I may (actually) be found and known as in Him. Not having any (self achieved) righteousness that can be called My Own, based on My obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired) but possessing that (genuine righteousness) which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One) the (truly) right standing with God, which comes from God by (saving) faith." Verse 10-11 say, "(For My determined purpose is) that I may know Him (that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly) and that I may in that same way come to know the power out flowing from His resurrection (which it exerts over believers) and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed (in Spirit into His Likeness even) to His death (in the hope) that if possible I may attain to the (spiritual and moral) resurrection (that lifts me) out from among the dead (even while in the body)."
The power of Jesus' resurrection has transformed us into His Image as He is now in the Spirit of Glory. We must learn to identify ourselves with not only the Man Christ Jesus, but also with the Risen Christ Jesus. Jesus died so we might now live His life through us. We must learn to know Him as He now Is. Romans 6:4 (Amplified) says that, "We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, So that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious (power) of the Father, so we too might (habitually) and behave in the newness of life." Verse 5 goes on, "For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be (one with Him in sharing) His resurrection (by a new life lived for God)."
Hebrews 13:20-21 (Amplified) says, "Now may the God of peace (Who is the Author and Giver of peace). Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepard of the sheep, by the Blood (that sealed, ratified) the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament)." Verse 21 says, "Strengthen, (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will (while He Himself) works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah) to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages) Amen (so be it)."
Monday, January 27, 2014
Lesson 19 FAITH
We read in 2Corinthians 5:15-17 (Amplified), "And He died for all, so that all those who live might no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake." Verse 16 says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value). (No) even though we did once estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) We know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." Verse 17 continues, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether): the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
In these passages from a letter to the church in Corinth, we come upon the revelation of Jesus the Church must begin to see. The Man, Jesus, Who once walked the earth has been resurrected into a new and higher position than before. We use His earthly walk, as a man, as an example of how we're to conduct our lives now that we're born again. We must also come to the revelation that when Jesus rose from the dead, He raised us (those who believe on Him as Lord) with Him to a higher place than those who walked with Him previously in the flesh.
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says that, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether): the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
We've accepted the fact that our sins have been erased and we've been born again, but we still try walking in the same way we used to do. More than just the removal of our sins was accomplished when we became born again. We were truly born again into the Image and likeness of God. In Genesis 1:26 (Amplified) God said, "Let Us (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make mankind in Our Image, after Our Likeness and let them have complete dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the aid, the (tame) beasts, and over all the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth."
1Peter 1:23-25 (Amplified) says that, "You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from One that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God." Verse 24 goes on, "For all flesh (mankind) is like grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off." Verse 25 says, "But the Word of the Lord (Divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever, and this Word is the good news which was preached to you."
When we were born again, we were raised into the setting that our Father had from the beginning, a people made in His Image and Likeness. The seed (sperm) by which we are born again is God's Own seed, His Word.
In John 1:14 (Amplified), we read, "And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us: And we (actually) saw His glory (His honor, His majesty) such glory as an only begotten Son receives from His Father, full of grace (favor, loving kindness) and truth."
This is the same Word (seed, sperm) of God that gave us new life when we were born again. 1Peter 2:9-10 (Amplified) says, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, (God's) Own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." Verse 10 says, "Once you were not a people (at all), but now you are God's people; Once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy."
We refer to ourselves as God's children, yet we're fearful to say that we are in His Image and Likeness. We say that we're born again in His likeness, but still allow fear to hold us down into the old way of being. 1Corinthians 3:1-3 (Amplified) tells us, "However, Brethren, I could not talk to you as to spiritual (men) but as to non-spiritual (men of the flesh in whom the carnal nature predominates) as to mere infants (in the new life) in Christ (unable to walk yet)." Verse 2 goes on, "I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough (to be ready for it) but even yet you are not strong enough (to be ready for it)." Verse 3 says, "For you are still (unspiritual) having the nature of the flesh (under the control of ordinary impulses). For as long as there are envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men?"
People still get upset when you refer to yourself as though you were on the same kind of level with Jesus. If God is the Father of Jesus and He is also my Father, then are we not raised to a new creature? If we were created in God's Image and Likeness, then we must be like He is.
I didn't say that you are the Messiah or that you are God. I did say that we were born of the same seed (the Word) as Jesus Himself. My earthly father had three sons. We all have his name and we all have his same characteristics and features. I am not my father, but I am like my father. The things he taught me were the things of his character. The way I talk and the way I govern my life are the very things that show my father in me. I wasn't born inferior to my father, but on the same level as he was...a man. The species of man has continued for thousands of years. It doesn't matter where they were born or what color or nationality they are, they are still the species of man. Nothing's changed since God created man. The fall of man in the garden changed the life of man into the death of the enemy. But, the life of God (the Word, the sperm) of God, has restored everything to the original plan of God.
If God is our Father, then we must be like Him. When satan became our father through Adam, didn't all mankind become like him? When we were born again by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, then we were once again like Him. His legacy for His family has never changed from Genesis 1:26 (Amplified) which says that, "Everything that was lost, has been restored, for those who believe."
We see Jesus as the "Christ," man while He was here. He's our example of how we're to walk and rule over the enemy in this body. But, we are to learn about Who He has become since He has risen from the dead. We see Jesus from this side of the cross as the sacrifice and now we see Him on the other side of the cross as the Risen Christ. We are to truly rule with and in Him from His position as the Risen Christ, the glorified Messiah, as kings and priests, before Him to carry out His will and rule of Authority.
In these passages from a letter to the church in Corinth, we come upon the revelation of Jesus the Church must begin to see. The Man, Jesus, Who once walked the earth has been resurrected into a new and higher position than before. We use His earthly walk, as a man, as an example of how we're to conduct our lives now that we're born again. We must also come to the revelation that when Jesus rose from the dead, He raised us (those who believe on Him as Lord) with Him to a higher place than those who walked with Him previously in the flesh.
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says that, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether): the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
We've accepted the fact that our sins have been erased and we've been born again, but we still try walking in the same way we used to do. More than just the removal of our sins was accomplished when we became born again. We were truly born again into the Image and likeness of God. In Genesis 1:26 (Amplified) God said, "Let Us (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make mankind in Our Image, after Our Likeness and let them have complete dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the aid, the (tame) beasts, and over all the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth."
1Peter 1:23-25 (Amplified) says that, "You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from One that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God." Verse 24 goes on, "For all flesh (mankind) is like grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off." Verse 25 says, "But the Word of the Lord (Divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever, and this Word is the good news which was preached to you."
When we were born again, we were raised into the setting that our Father had from the beginning, a people made in His Image and Likeness. The seed (sperm) by which we are born again is God's Own seed, His Word.
In John 1:14 (Amplified), we read, "And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us: And we (actually) saw His glory (His honor, His majesty) such glory as an only begotten Son receives from His Father, full of grace (favor, loving kindness) and truth."
This is the same Word (seed, sperm) of God that gave us new life when we were born again. 1Peter 2:9-10 (Amplified) says, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, (God's) Own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." Verse 10 says, "Once you were not a people (at all), but now you are God's people; Once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy."
We refer to ourselves as God's children, yet we're fearful to say that we are in His Image and Likeness. We say that we're born again in His likeness, but still allow fear to hold us down into the old way of being. 1Corinthians 3:1-3 (Amplified) tells us, "However, Brethren, I could not talk to you as to spiritual (men) but as to non-spiritual (men of the flesh in whom the carnal nature predominates) as to mere infants (in the new life) in Christ (unable to walk yet)." Verse 2 goes on, "I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough (to be ready for it) but even yet you are not strong enough (to be ready for it)." Verse 3 says, "For you are still (unspiritual) having the nature of the flesh (under the control of ordinary impulses). For as long as there are envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men?"
People still get upset when you refer to yourself as though you were on the same kind of level with Jesus. If God is the Father of Jesus and He is also my Father, then are we not raised to a new creature? If we were created in God's Image and Likeness, then we must be like He is.
I didn't say that you are the Messiah or that you are God. I did say that we were born of the same seed (the Word) as Jesus Himself. My earthly father had three sons. We all have his name and we all have his same characteristics and features. I am not my father, but I am like my father. The things he taught me were the things of his character. The way I talk and the way I govern my life are the very things that show my father in me. I wasn't born inferior to my father, but on the same level as he was...a man. The species of man has continued for thousands of years. It doesn't matter where they were born or what color or nationality they are, they are still the species of man. Nothing's changed since God created man. The fall of man in the garden changed the life of man into the death of the enemy. But, the life of God (the Word, the sperm) of God, has restored everything to the original plan of God.
If God is our Father, then we must be like Him. When satan became our father through Adam, didn't all mankind become like him? When we were born again by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, then we were once again like Him. His legacy for His family has never changed from Genesis 1:26 (Amplified) which says that, "Everything that was lost, has been restored, for those who believe."
We see Jesus as the "Christ," man while He was here. He's our example of how we're to walk and rule over the enemy in this body. But, we are to learn about Who He has become since He has risen from the dead. We see Jesus from this side of the cross as the sacrifice and now we see Him on the other side of the cross as the Risen Christ. We are to truly rule with and in Him from His position as the Risen Christ, the glorified Messiah, as kings and priests, before Him to carry out His will and rule of Authority.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Lesson 18 FAITH
Philippians 3:9-11 (Amplified) says, "That I may (actually) be found and known as in Him, not having any (self-achieved) righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Laws demands (ritualistic, upright and supposed right standing with God thus acquired) but possessing that (genuine righteousness) which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the (truly) right standing with God, which comes from God by (saving) faith." Verse 10 says, "(For my determined purpose is ) that I may know Him (that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly) and that I may come to know the power out flowing from His resurrection (which it exerts over believers) and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed (in spirit to His Likeness even) to His death (in the hope)." Verse 11 goes on, "That if possible I may attain to the (spiritual and moral) resurrection (that lifts me) out from among the dead (even while in the body)".
These few scriptures reveal to us a place in our faith that is possible to obtain. As we read the four gospels, we find that these were written by men who walked with Jesus in His earthly walk. The Apostle Paul never knew Jesus except in His resurrected state of being. This made such a difference in the way we see Jesus today. Mostly, though, we still identify with the Man Jesus. Paul identified with the risen Christ.
We find things in the gospels that were taught to those under the Law. These teachings, mixed with insight into the new covenant, were hard to separate. We, in the new covenant, also find it difficult to separate these teachings as well.
We still identify with Jesus' earthly ministry and not so much with His Lordship as the resurrected Christ. Paul desired to know Him in the power of His resurrection. Why? Because the things we saw in Jesus' earthly walk was a Spirit filled Man Who walked in obedience to the Law of Love and the voice of the Spirit of God. It was revealed to Paul the finished work and the total victory, not for Jesus, but for us.
Paul walked by says, "Which He faith in what he heard about Jesus from the finished work of the cross. Most of us have walked in what the Man Jesus had done. We see Him as our Savior, but not necessarily as the Lord of all.
When Jesus rose from the dead and was seated at God's right hand, everything was different. Not only did Jesus defeat satan at every turn, but now we also defeat satan at every turn through the power of His resurrection.
Jesus never did anything for Himself; only for us. He was never under satan's evil force until He laid down His life at the cross. He did this for us. When the Father accepted Jesus, He accepted us. And, when satan was defeated by Jesus, he was equally defeated by those who believe in Jesus. 2Peter 1:2 (Amplified) says, "May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in (the full, personal, precise and correct) knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."
This grace and peace Peter spoke about can be multiplied by our knowledge of our Lord Jesus. The more we know about His Lordship, the more grace and peace we will walk in. When we learn more about the "resurrected Jesus," we see more of His power toward those of us who are saved.
Sometime ago, I asked the people in our church, "When I say Jesus, then what do you see?" We don't see the letters J.e.s.u.s., we see a mental picture of Jesus. So, when I say Jesus, what do you see? Do you see Him carrying a lamb on His shoulders? Do you see Him at Galilee? Do you see Him in the Garden, on the cross or standing before Pilate? When I say Jesus, do you see Him in His present day ministry as Lord of all? If so, then do you see yourself seated with Him there?
We see Jesus in a very different light as Lord of all in Ephesians 1:17, 2:1-10 (Amplified). We are invited by the Holy Spirit to "have the eyes of our hearts be flooded with light to know and understand Him. Through Verses 18-19 we "Can know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe." Verse 20 says,"Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His Own right hand." Verse 21 goes on, "Far above all rule, authority, power and dominion and every name that is named, now and always." Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) says, "And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being ) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
We've spent most of our Christian walk identifying with the earthly man and not the Lord of All. We see ourselves as mere men who struggle to get by and not as walking in the finished work of Jesus. When I say Jesus, what do you see? Because where you see Him is where you will walk in Him.
We need to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to us our rightful place in the heavenly places. That's where He is now and that's where we are now. 1John 4:17 (Amplified) tells us that, "In this (union and communion with Him) love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgement (with assurance and boldness to face Him) because as He is so are we in this world."
"As He is, so are we in this world." What a powerful scripture this is to the heart of the believer. There's no way to obtain such a promise in ourselves, but we aren't in ourselves...we are In Him and He is seated at the right hand of God. He sits in a place of all authority and power. As He defeated satan, you have defeated satan, As He obtained healing from all sickness and disease, you have obtained also. As He is fearless, perfected love casts out all fear in our lives.
As we begin to see and know Him in the power of His resurrection, we will begin walking by faith in a new relationship with Him. We will be able to do the heavenly things, even in this natural body, and do spiritual things in the power of His Name that is above every name. This is the greatest challenge to our faith. Do we dare believe this far?
2Corinthians 5:15-16 (Amplified) says, "And He died for all, so that all those who live, might no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died was raised again for their sake." Verse 16 continues, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view in terms of natural standards of value (no) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." Verse 17 says, "Therefore (because of this knowing) if any person is (engrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Go on from faith to faith and from glory to glory in the knowledge of Him. Learn to know Who He is and not just Who He was. Learn, by faith, where you are seated with Him and begin to walk in this "new man" you've become. This isn't what you are going to be, but who He has already made you to be in Him. This is the faith walk God is calling His people to enter into in these last days. Is is any wonder that Jesus said that, "When the Son comes back, will He find faith in the earth?"
These few scriptures reveal to us a place in our faith that is possible to obtain. As we read the four gospels, we find that these were written by men who walked with Jesus in His earthly walk. The Apostle Paul never knew Jesus except in His resurrected state of being. This made such a difference in the way we see Jesus today. Mostly, though, we still identify with the Man Jesus. Paul identified with the risen Christ.
We find things in the gospels that were taught to those under the Law. These teachings, mixed with insight into the new covenant, were hard to separate. We, in the new covenant, also find it difficult to separate these teachings as well.
We still identify with Jesus' earthly ministry and not so much with His Lordship as the resurrected Christ. Paul desired to know Him in the power of His resurrection. Why? Because the things we saw in Jesus' earthly walk was a Spirit filled Man Who walked in obedience to the Law of Love and the voice of the Spirit of God. It was revealed to Paul the finished work and the total victory, not for Jesus, but for us.
Paul walked by says, "Which He faith in what he heard about Jesus from the finished work of the cross. Most of us have walked in what the Man Jesus had done. We see Him as our Savior, but not necessarily as the Lord of all.
When Jesus rose from the dead and was seated at God's right hand, everything was different. Not only did Jesus defeat satan at every turn, but now we also defeat satan at every turn through the power of His resurrection.
Jesus never did anything for Himself; only for us. He was never under satan's evil force until He laid down His life at the cross. He did this for us. When the Father accepted Jesus, He accepted us. And, when satan was defeated by Jesus, he was equally defeated by those who believe in Jesus. 2Peter 1:2 (Amplified) says, "May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in (the full, personal, precise and correct) knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."
This grace and peace Peter spoke about can be multiplied by our knowledge of our Lord Jesus. The more we know about His Lordship, the more grace and peace we will walk in. When we learn more about the "resurrected Jesus," we see more of His power toward those of us who are saved.
Sometime ago, I asked the people in our church, "When I say Jesus, then what do you see?" We don't see the letters J.e.s.u.s., we see a mental picture of Jesus. So, when I say Jesus, what do you see? Do you see Him carrying a lamb on His shoulders? Do you see Him at Galilee? Do you see Him in the Garden, on the cross or standing before Pilate? When I say Jesus, do you see Him in His present day ministry as Lord of all? If so, then do you see yourself seated with Him there?
We see Jesus in a very different light as Lord of all in Ephesians 1:17, 2:1-10 (Amplified). We are invited by the Holy Spirit to "have the eyes of our hearts be flooded with light to know and understand Him. Through Verses 18-19 we "Can know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe." Verse 20 says,"Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His Own right hand." Verse 21 goes on, "Far above all rule, authority, power and dominion and every name that is named, now and always." Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) says, "And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being ) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
We've spent most of our Christian walk identifying with the earthly man and not the Lord of All. We see ourselves as mere men who struggle to get by and not as walking in the finished work of Jesus. When I say Jesus, what do you see? Because where you see Him is where you will walk in Him.
We need to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to us our rightful place in the heavenly places. That's where He is now and that's where we are now. 1John 4:17 (Amplified) tells us that, "In this (union and communion with Him) love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgement (with assurance and boldness to face Him) because as He is so are we in this world."
"As He is, so are we in this world." What a powerful scripture this is to the heart of the believer. There's no way to obtain such a promise in ourselves, but we aren't in ourselves...we are In Him and He is seated at the right hand of God. He sits in a place of all authority and power. As He defeated satan, you have defeated satan, As He obtained healing from all sickness and disease, you have obtained also. As He is fearless, perfected love casts out all fear in our lives.
As we begin to see and know Him in the power of His resurrection, we will begin walking by faith in a new relationship with Him. We will be able to do the heavenly things, even in this natural body, and do spiritual things in the power of His Name that is above every name. This is the greatest challenge to our faith. Do we dare believe this far?
2Corinthians 5:15-16 (Amplified) says, "And He died for all, so that all those who live, might no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died was raised again for their sake." Verse 16 continues, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view in terms of natural standards of value (no) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)." Verse 17 says, "Therefore (because of this knowing) if any person is (engrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Go on from faith to faith and from glory to glory in the knowledge of Him. Learn to know Who He is and not just Who He was. Learn, by faith, where you are seated with Him and begin to walk in this "new man" you've become. This isn't what you are going to be, but who He has already made you to be in Him. This is the faith walk God is calling His people to enter into in these last days. Is is any wonder that Jesus said that, "When the Son comes back, will He find faith in the earth?"
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Lesson 17 FAITH
2Peter 1:2 (Amplified) says, "May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you (in the full, personal, precise and correct) knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord."
This greeting holds with it a place for the believer to walk that few have ever entered into. Peter declared that the grace and peace of God can be multiplied in the life of God's children. He (God) has already given us all of His grace and peace through Jesus at His resurrection. The multiplying of this grace and peace comes from learning more about the Lordship of Jesus. The more we know about His Lordship in our lives, the more grace and peace we can receive. It's already been given, but we have no knowledge about what it is or what it's for.
Over 700 times in the New Testament, the title of "Lord" is given to and used in reference to Jesus. He holds the Highest title and position in the entire universe. The greatest and most blessed truth of all is that Jesus has become the personal Lord of man. Most of us have known Jesus as the Man of Galilee. Some have identified with Him on the cross or risen from the tomb. Few have ever identified with Him now, as His position as Lord. We proclaim Him as the Lord of our lives, but have little knowledge about what that means to the believer. Since we can only receive Him and His Lordship by faith in the Word, it becomes more difficult to receive this truth in our lives. We largely walk with Him in the sense realm in our lives today. We can identify with the Man in the scriptures and we can see Him on the cross and we can identify with the grave. These are all things that our senses can identify with. After the resurrection, we can even receive Him as He cam back from the dead and talked with the disciples.
Once Jesus ascended to the Father and sat down at His right hand, we have no way of understanding His work and Lordship other than by faith. The work that Jesus is doing now is somewhat veiled to us because our senses can no longer identify with Him.
The more we understand what this Lordship means in our lives, the more we can walk in the fullness of grace and peace with Him and the Father. The Word reveals to us that satan is the lord of the natural man. Jesus showed He recognized this when He referred to satan as "the prince of this world. In John 14:30, we read, "For the prince of this world cometh, and he has nothing in Me." In the revelation Paul received, satan is called the god of this world. 2Corinthians 4 says that, "The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ Who is the Image of God, should not dawn upon them."
Satan and his cohorts are called the spiritual rulers of this world in Ephesians 6:12(Amplified) which says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places." The natural man walks in accordance to their rule and laws. Ephesians 2:2 says that, "Wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the Spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience."
In the beginning, satan didn't have this place of authority over the human race. Man was the original lord because God gave man the dominion and authority over the works of His creation and made him His under ruler. In Genesis 1:26-31 God says, "Let us make man in Our Image, after Our Likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thin upon the earth."
Even yet, in his fallen state, man still shows the signs of dominion by being able to turn deserts into gardens, by his knowledge in science and space exploration and by the technological exploits he uses. All of this knowledge and wisdom is the residue of the mind of Christ that was in man from the beginning. Most of the great inventions come from Christian people who would fellowship with the mind of God and seek His wisdom.
This one man (Adam), that God crowned with wisdom and glory, obeyed the voice of satan and committed high treason and became satan's subject. Satan desired to rule this world and have the position that man now held. He gained it by becoming man's ruler. He became man's ruler by imparting his very nature into man and becoming to man what God was supposed to be. Through the impartation of spiritual death and its reigh over humanity, satan ruled as lord.
All of the death, sickness, crime, heartache and calamity that has happened over all these years, has come because of a demonic lord over all of humanity. Even creation itself, is now groaning under the burden of this satanic lordship and curse, according to Romans 8:20-24. God, as creator, was not content to leave His man in this fallen state. In the very presence of Adam's transgression, He gave the promise of One Who would legally break this lordship of satan and restore man back into his original place with God in Genesis 3:15-18.
The present day ministry of Jesus Christ as Lord is of vital importance in the lives of those who want to walk free.
This greeting holds with it a place for the believer to walk that few have ever entered into. Peter declared that the grace and peace of God can be multiplied in the life of God's children. He (God) has already given us all of His grace and peace through Jesus at His resurrection. The multiplying of this grace and peace comes from learning more about the Lordship of Jesus. The more we know about His Lordship in our lives, the more grace and peace we can receive. It's already been given, but we have no knowledge about what it is or what it's for.
Over 700 times in the New Testament, the title of "Lord" is given to and used in reference to Jesus. He holds the Highest title and position in the entire universe. The greatest and most blessed truth of all is that Jesus has become the personal Lord of man. Most of us have known Jesus as the Man of Galilee. Some have identified with Him on the cross or risen from the tomb. Few have ever identified with Him now, as His position as Lord. We proclaim Him as the Lord of our lives, but have little knowledge about what that means to the believer. Since we can only receive Him and His Lordship by faith in the Word, it becomes more difficult to receive this truth in our lives. We largely walk with Him in the sense realm in our lives today. We can identify with the Man in the scriptures and we can see Him on the cross and we can identify with the grave. These are all things that our senses can identify with. After the resurrection, we can even receive Him as He cam back from the dead and talked with the disciples.
Once Jesus ascended to the Father and sat down at His right hand, we have no way of understanding His work and Lordship other than by faith. The work that Jesus is doing now is somewhat veiled to us because our senses can no longer identify with Him.
The more we understand what this Lordship means in our lives, the more we can walk in the fullness of grace and peace with Him and the Father. The Word reveals to us that satan is the lord of the natural man. Jesus showed He recognized this when He referred to satan as "the prince of this world. In John 14:30, we read, "For the prince of this world cometh, and he has nothing in Me." In the revelation Paul received, satan is called the god of this world. 2Corinthians 4 says that, "The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ Who is the Image of God, should not dawn upon them."
Satan and his cohorts are called the spiritual rulers of this world in Ephesians 6:12(Amplified) which says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places." The natural man walks in accordance to their rule and laws. Ephesians 2:2 says that, "Wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the Spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience."
In the beginning, satan didn't have this place of authority over the human race. Man was the original lord because God gave man the dominion and authority over the works of His creation and made him His under ruler. In Genesis 1:26-31 God says, "Let us make man in Our Image, after Our Likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thin upon the earth."
Even yet, in his fallen state, man still shows the signs of dominion by being able to turn deserts into gardens, by his knowledge in science and space exploration and by the technological exploits he uses. All of this knowledge and wisdom is the residue of the mind of Christ that was in man from the beginning. Most of the great inventions come from Christian people who would fellowship with the mind of God and seek His wisdom.
This one man (Adam), that God crowned with wisdom and glory, obeyed the voice of satan and committed high treason and became satan's subject. Satan desired to rule this world and have the position that man now held. He gained it by becoming man's ruler. He became man's ruler by imparting his very nature into man and becoming to man what God was supposed to be. Through the impartation of spiritual death and its reigh over humanity, satan ruled as lord.
All of the death, sickness, crime, heartache and calamity that has happened over all these years, has come because of a demonic lord over all of humanity. Even creation itself, is now groaning under the burden of this satanic lordship and curse, according to Romans 8:20-24. God, as creator, was not content to leave His man in this fallen state. In the very presence of Adam's transgression, He gave the promise of One Who would legally break this lordship of satan and restore man back into his original place with God in Genesis 3:15-18.
The present day ministry of Jesus Christ as Lord is of vital importance in the lives of those who want to walk free.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Lesson 16 FAITH
Grace will supply whatever faith will call for. God told Paul in 2Corinthians 12:9 (Amplified), "But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving kindness and mercy) is enough for you (sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully); for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in (your) weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me."
Having misunderstood this scripture for years, we missed what transpired between God and Paul. We've thought for years that God was testing and trying Paul because of his ministry. When, indeed, it was God Who gave him the ministry. Because of the revelation of the new covenant that only Paul had at that time, the enemy dispatched a spirit (a messenger of satan) to buffet and harass him wherever he tried to preach. When Paul first began teaching this message of the new birth, no one had ever heard of such a thing. The Jews believed that God's covenant was only for them and the gentiles served their own gods.
Paul was preaching about One God, for all men, with no more sacrifice, no more Temple, no more ritual. He preached that now, by Jesus, even death had been conquered. Satan had only one man to deal with at this time because only Paul had this revelation. If satan could kill Paul, or at least shut him up, then satan could still prevent the people from receiving heir freedom from him. 1Corinthians 2:7-8 (Amplified) says, "But, rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden from the human understanding and now revealed to us by God (that wisdom) which God devised and deceived before the ages for our glorification (to lift us into the glory of His presence)." Verse 8 says, "None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory."
Satan's been trying to cover up his foolish mistakes for two thousand years. He's still working to prevent people from seeing the light of the glory of the gospel. 2Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified) says, "But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden (only) to those who are spiritually dying and veiled (only) to those who are lost." Verse 4 goes on, "For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds (that they should not discern the truth), preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah) Who is the Image and Likeness of God."
Grace and truth came through Jesus. John 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For while the Law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ." This truth and grace were to deliver all mankind and stop the Law of sin and death forever in all who would believe. Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) says that, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilt of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit of Life." Verse 2 goes on, "For the Law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the Law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and of death."
Satan had his hands full trying to stop Paul from ever getting this message out. We've mistaken what God told Paul about the troubles he was enduring trying to preach this revelation. Why in the world would God show Paul this new revelation, charge him with preaching it and then do everything He could to stop Paul? What Paul was trying to do (the very same thing we try to do today) was take this mission from God and do it by his own strength. "Therefore," Paul said, "I will glory in my weaknesses. I am glad when my own abilities fail because when I finally realize I cannot do this from my own strength, then God's grace and ability is made perfect and shows up to dedliver me."
We've been short changed when hearing the gospel for quite awhile now because "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says that, "Then, if satan can still hinder the preaching of the truth and grace, how can we put faith in what we don't hear?" We have heard a portion of the gospel, but we haven't heard all the "glad tidings" for years.
Romans 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation (for deliverance from eternal death) to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Verse 17 continues, "For in the Gospel, a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from FAITH and leading to FAITH that grouses to more FAITH) As it is written, the man who through FAITH is just and upright shall live and shall live by FAITH."
According to these scriptures, there's a growing faith that comes from the understanding of what salvation really is. In Romans 1:16 (Amplified), we read that "this gospel is the power of God unto salvation." What is salvation? According to the Strong's Concordance, in the Greek text of the Word [34982-4902], the word "salvation" means "to save, i.e. to protect (lit. or fig.) heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole." [#4985] "salvation" means "the body (as a sound whole) used in a very wide application (lit. or fig.) bodily, body, slave." In [#4984] "salvation" means "corporeal or physical bodily." [#4986] "salvation" means "of a safe father, Sopatrus as Sopater." [#4990] from [#4991] "salvation" means "a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ: Savior." [#4991] "salvation" means "rescue or safety (phys. or mor.) deliver, health, salvation, save, saving." [#4992] "salvation" means same as [#4991] "as proper noun, defender or (by implication) defense: Salvation."
So you see, the word "salvation" that Paul spoke of means more than just going to heaven when we die. It means healing, wholeness, soundness, safety, strength, protection, deliverance bodily and morally. This salvation was and is the very presence of "Christ in us, our hope of glory." We have mostly thought salvation meant we were forgiven and could now go to heaven when we leave here. This is very much true. But what Paul discovered was the even here, in this present age, God is still God and His grace, favor and power could work not only when we did the job, but even work better when we couldn't do the job. And, he found out that when human effort failed, then God's strength would take over and we could walk in the very power of this salvation in the supernatural.
Paul was saying that when we're weak ( physically and naturally), God's strength isn't diminished, but enhanced. So now, I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. To reach into this salvation from faith to faith and from glory to glory like the Word says is to learn to know Him. Philippians 4:13 (Amplified) says that, "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; (I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency)."
Having misunderstood this scripture for years, we missed what transpired between God and Paul. We've thought for years that God was testing and trying Paul because of his ministry. When, indeed, it was God Who gave him the ministry. Because of the revelation of the new covenant that only Paul had at that time, the enemy dispatched a spirit (a messenger of satan) to buffet and harass him wherever he tried to preach. When Paul first began teaching this message of the new birth, no one had ever heard of such a thing. The Jews believed that God's covenant was only for them and the gentiles served their own gods.
Paul was preaching about One God, for all men, with no more sacrifice, no more Temple, no more ritual. He preached that now, by Jesus, even death had been conquered. Satan had only one man to deal with at this time because only Paul had this revelation. If satan could kill Paul, or at least shut him up, then satan could still prevent the people from receiving heir freedom from him. 1Corinthians 2:7-8 (Amplified) says, "But, rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden from the human understanding and now revealed to us by God (that wisdom) which God devised and deceived before the ages for our glorification (to lift us into the glory of His presence)." Verse 8 says, "None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory."
Satan's been trying to cover up his foolish mistakes for two thousand years. He's still working to prevent people from seeing the light of the glory of the gospel. 2Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified) says, "But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden (only) to those who are spiritually dying and veiled (only) to those who are lost." Verse 4 goes on, "For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds (that they should not discern the truth), preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah) Who is the Image and Likeness of God."
Grace and truth came through Jesus. John 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For while the Law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ." This truth and grace were to deliver all mankind and stop the Law of sin and death forever in all who would believe. Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) says that, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilt of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit of Life." Verse 2 goes on, "For the Law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the Law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and of death."
Satan had his hands full trying to stop Paul from ever getting this message out. We've mistaken what God told Paul about the troubles he was enduring trying to preach this revelation. Why in the world would God show Paul this new revelation, charge him with preaching it and then do everything He could to stop Paul? What Paul was trying to do (the very same thing we try to do today) was take this mission from God and do it by his own strength. "Therefore," Paul said, "I will glory in my weaknesses. I am glad when my own abilities fail because when I finally realize I cannot do this from my own strength, then God's grace and ability is made perfect and shows up to dedliver me."
We've been short changed when hearing the gospel for quite awhile now because "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says that, "Then, if satan can still hinder the preaching of the truth and grace, how can we put faith in what we don't hear?" We have heard a portion of the gospel, but we haven't heard all the "glad tidings" for years.
Romans 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation (for deliverance from eternal death) to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Verse 17 continues, "For in the Gospel, a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from FAITH and leading to FAITH that grouses to more FAITH) As it is written, the man who through FAITH is just and upright shall live and shall live by FAITH."
According to these scriptures, there's a growing faith that comes from the understanding of what salvation really is. In Romans 1:16 (Amplified), we read that "this gospel is the power of God unto salvation." What is salvation? According to the Strong's Concordance, in the Greek text of the Word [34982-4902], the word "salvation" means "to save, i.e. to protect (lit. or fig.) heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole." [#4985] "salvation" means "the body (as a sound whole) used in a very wide application (lit. or fig.) bodily, body, slave." In [#4984] "salvation" means "corporeal or physical bodily." [#4986] "salvation" means "of a safe father, Sopatrus as Sopater." [#4990] from [#4991] "salvation" means "a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ: Savior." [#4991] "salvation" means "rescue or safety (phys. or mor.) deliver, health, salvation, save, saving." [#4992] "salvation" means same as [#4991] "as proper noun, defender or (by implication) defense: Salvation."
So you see, the word "salvation" that Paul spoke of means more than just going to heaven when we die. It means healing, wholeness, soundness, safety, strength, protection, deliverance bodily and morally. This salvation was and is the very presence of "Christ in us, our hope of glory." We have mostly thought salvation meant we were forgiven and could now go to heaven when we leave here. This is very much true. But what Paul discovered was the even here, in this present age, God is still God and His grace, favor and power could work not only when we did the job, but even work better when we couldn't do the job. And, he found out that when human effort failed, then God's strength would take over and we could walk in the very power of this salvation in the supernatural.
Paul was saying that when we're weak ( physically and naturally), God's strength isn't diminished, but enhanced. So now, I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. To reach into this salvation from faith to faith and from glory to glory like the Word says is to learn to know Him. Philippians 4:13 (Amplified) says that, "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; (I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency)."
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Lesson 15 FAITH
Romans 3:26-27 (Amplified) says that, "To declare, as to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has (true) faith in Jesus." Verse 27 says, "Then what becomes of (our) pride and (our) boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled out entirely) on what principle? (on the principle) of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith."
Romans 1:5 (Amplified) tells us, "It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and (our) apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations."
We find in these scriptures, as well as many others, that our righteousness and justification is based on our faith in Jesus. We are told in Romans 1:5 (Amplified) that we are to "promote obedience to the faith." This is a message many in the book of Galatians had forgotten and they drifted back into works and Law. Galatians 3:3 (Amplified) asks, "Are you so foolish and so senseless and so sill? Having begun (your new life spiritually) with the (Holy) Spirit, are you now reaching perfection (by dependence) on the flesh?"
These were people Paul had led to the Lord by preaching grace and now were trying to walk back under the Law. By doing good deeds and operating in rituals and ceremonies. Galatians 3:10 (Amplified) says, "And all who depend on the Law (who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals) are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the scriptures, cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the book of the Law and to practice them." In the same book, Galatians 5:4 (Amplified), we read, "If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ; You have fallen away from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing)."
This isn't a position that any Christian would ever knowingly put himself under. Many times we find ourselves trying to merit favor by spending more time in prayer or reading the Word. We should spend time in prayer and reading the Word, but not to obtain favor with God, but to learn of His grace. When we do these things (thinking He will hear you), we have unknowingly placed ourselves into a position of works instead of grace.
Our tithes, offerings or even our call into ministry don't give us any more influence with God. Only our faith in what Jesus did will do that. God hears your prayers because of Jesus' right standing with Him and your right standing with Jesus. We have not right standing with God apart from Jesus. He is our righteousness and only faith in Him can bring us to the throne of grace. Did you notice that it's the throne of grace and not Law or good deeds?
When we become obedient to the faith, as Paul taught, we set ourselves in a position for God's blessing and favor. When we try obtaining it in any other way, we have fallen from grace and must depend on our own righteousness (which we do not have). Under the Law, there was a curse that declared we must fulfill it all or else. Under grace, we find that Jesus has redeemed us from the curse. Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) tells us that, "Christ has purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures) cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified)." Verse 14 says, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
You might say, "I don't live by the Law and it's rituals, I'm saved by grace." Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "For it is by fee grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing) (it came not through your own striving) but it is the gift of God." This is exactly what Paul was speaking about when he wrote the Galatians. They didn't necessarily go back to sacrificing animals, but they did begin depending upon some of the Law concerning foods they ate, days they observed and things they "touched not" or handled not at certain times."
As Christians today, we have our own ideas of what we observe (even if we don't call it the Law). If think that if we do bad, then God will give us bad and if we do good, then God will give us good. I don't want my walk with God to be based on my own righteousness. I want my walk with God to be based on my faith in Jesus. My righteousness (if I ever had any) can fail, but Jesus, Who is my righteousness can never fail. Even at my best, I am wrong, but Jesus is always the same.
My walk with God is based on my faith in Christ Jesus. Does this mean that it makes no difference what I do? No! But what I do doesn't change Who Jesus is. As I learn and grow in Him, the things I used to do will begin to fall away and His life will begin to overtake my life. We grow from His presence and our knowledge of His presence in us, by the Holy Spirit. 2Corinthians 5:7 (Amplified) says, "For we walk by faith (we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things with trust and fervor; Thus we walk) not by sight or appearance."
We continue walking with God based on whether we are still imperfect or not. And, we walk comparing ourselves to others in order to justify ourselves. This is still walking by Law and not extending grace unto others.
The same grace that forgave me and helped me grow into maturity will also help those who are in the same struggle. The reason we read the Word, isn't to make brownie points with God, but to learn more about Jesus. 2Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified) says, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
We read the Word to learn and to become what Jesus is. Only faith in His Word to change us, can change us. Only as we see Him revealed through the Word, can we be changed into that image. As we see Him is how we serve Him. As we see what He has done to set us free, we can begin walking in that freedom because "Whomsoever the Son sets free, is free indeed." As we grow in the knowledge of Jesus and what He has really done on our behalf, we walk in different degrees of freedom.
We have all received the same degree of grace and favor, but some of us have learned more about what we really have in Jesus than others have. The more we learn, the more liberty we have. Jesus did more than forgive our sin. He restored us back to the fullness of God's grace and blessing. This is exactly what Paul spoke about, "being transfigured into His very Own Image" in 2Corinthians 3:18. Only the Holy Spirit, by HIs Word, can do this...BY FAITH.
Romans 1:5 (Amplified) tells us, "It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and (our) apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations."
We find in these scriptures, as well as many others, that our righteousness and justification is based on our faith in Jesus. We are told in Romans 1:5 (Amplified) that we are to "promote obedience to the faith." This is a message many in the book of Galatians had forgotten and they drifted back into works and Law. Galatians 3:3 (Amplified) asks, "Are you so foolish and so senseless and so sill? Having begun (your new life spiritually) with the (Holy) Spirit, are you now reaching perfection (by dependence) on the flesh?"
These were people Paul had led to the Lord by preaching grace and now were trying to walk back under the Law. By doing good deeds and operating in rituals and ceremonies. Galatians 3:10 (Amplified) says, "And all who depend on the Law (who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals) are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the scriptures, cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the book of the Law and to practice them." In the same book, Galatians 5:4 (Amplified), we read, "If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ; You have fallen away from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing)."
This isn't a position that any Christian would ever knowingly put himself under. Many times we find ourselves trying to merit favor by spending more time in prayer or reading the Word. We should spend time in prayer and reading the Word, but not to obtain favor with God, but to learn of His grace. When we do these things (thinking He will hear you), we have unknowingly placed ourselves into a position of works instead of grace.
Our tithes, offerings or even our call into ministry don't give us any more influence with God. Only our faith in what Jesus did will do that. God hears your prayers because of Jesus' right standing with Him and your right standing with Jesus. We have not right standing with God apart from Jesus. He is our righteousness and only faith in Him can bring us to the throne of grace. Did you notice that it's the throne of grace and not Law or good deeds?
When we become obedient to the faith, as Paul taught, we set ourselves in a position for God's blessing and favor. When we try obtaining it in any other way, we have fallen from grace and must depend on our own righteousness (which we do not have). Under the Law, there was a curse that declared we must fulfill it all or else. Under grace, we find that Jesus has redeemed us from the curse. Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) tells us that, "Christ has purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures) cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified)." Verse 14 says, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
You might say, "I don't live by the Law and it's rituals, I'm saved by grace." Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "For it is by fee grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing) (it came not through your own striving) but it is the gift of God." This is exactly what Paul was speaking about when he wrote the Galatians. They didn't necessarily go back to sacrificing animals, but they did begin depending upon some of the Law concerning foods they ate, days they observed and things they "touched not" or handled not at certain times."
As Christians today, we have our own ideas of what we observe (even if we don't call it the Law). If think that if we do bad, then God will give us bad and if we do good, then God will give us good. I don't want my walk with God to be based on my own righteousness. I want my walk with God to be based on my faith in Jesus. My righteousness (if I ever had any) can fail, but Jesus, Who is my righteousness can never fail. Even at my best, I am wrong, but Jesus is always the same.
My walk with God is based on my faith in Christ Jesus. Does this mean that it makes no difference what I do? No! But what I do doesn't change Who Jesus is. As I learn and grow in Him, the things I used to do will begin to fall away and His life will begin to overtake my life. We grow from His presence and our knowledge of His presence in us, by the Holy Spirit. 2Corinthians 5:7 (Amplified) says, "For we walk by faith (we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things with trust and fervor; Thus we walk) not by sight or appearance."
We continue walking with God based on whether we are still imperfect or not. And, we walk comparing ourselves to others in order to justify ourselves. This is still walking by Law and not extending grace unto others.
The same grace that forgave me and helped me grow into maturity will also help those who are in the same struggle. The reason we read the Word, isn't to make brownie points with God, but to learn more about Jesus. 2Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified) says, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
We read the Word to learn and to become what Jesus is. Only faith in His Word to change us, can change us. Only as we see Him revealed through the Word, can we be changed into that image. As we see Him is how we serve Him. As we see what He has done to set us free, we can begin walking in that freedom because "Whomsoever the Son sets free, is free indeed." As we grow in the knowledge of Jesus and what He has really done on our behalf, we walk in different degrees of freedom.
We have all received the same degree of grace and favor, but some of us have learned more about what we really have in Jesus than others have. The more we learn, the more liberty we have. Jesus did more than forgive our sin. He restored us back to the fullness of God's grace and blessing. This is exactly what Paul spoke about, "being transfigured into His very Own Image" in 2Corinthians 3:18. Only the Holy Spirit, by HIs Word, can do this...BY FAITH.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Lesson 14 FAITH
Things of the new covenant must be received by faith. There's no way we, as Christians, can ever hope to fulfill what the Word says about us and by any other means. We see in the Word who the Father says we are and that through Jesus we are righteous, justified, sinless, healed, whole, blessed, overcomers, heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ and many other things.
In this carnal state and mind, we can't begin to accept all of the things we have become in Him. Only by faith can we hope to enter into these truths. Hebrews 11:1 says that, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. It is the evidence of things not seen." Our faith in the Word and the sacrifice of Jesus, is where all of the promise lies in waiting for us to receive.
The only evidence we have for our walk with God is our faith in His Word. None of us were present at the cross. None of us witnessed His resurrection and none of us watched Him ascend to the Father. Even those who did see Jesus on the cross, couldn't see the curse of the Law overtake His Spirit. They couldn't see Him become sin and they couldn't know that His stripes brought our healing.
Even those who were there didn't know what had happened. They had to find out by studying God's Word and praying in the Upper room. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people in Acts 2:16, Peter stood and spoke from the Word of God saying, "But (instead) this is (the beginning of) what was spoken through the prophet Joel." This had to be received only by faith in God's Word concerning this promise. In 1Corinthians 15:6 (Amplified) we see, "Then later He showed Himself to more than five hundred brethren at one time, the majority of whom are still alive, but some have fallen asleep (in death)."
These men who had seen Jesus, went about preaching what they had seen, but still only some of the would believe or put faith in what was told them. This precious gift of faith that has been given by grace, is the insight and divine reflection of Jesus Himself. The gift and the giver have become One. In Acts 20:32 (Amplified) the Apostle Paul, preparing to leave Ephesus and head to Jerusalem, made this statement to the people, "And now(brethren) I commit you to God (I deposit you in His charge entrusting you to His protection and care) And I commend you to the Words of His grace (to the commandments and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor) It is able to build you up and give you (your rightful) inheritance among all God's set apart ones (those consecrated, purified and transformer of soul)."
According to this scripture and the prayers of Paul, the Word of His grace and our faith in this Word, would build us up and give us (by faith) our rightful inheritance from God the Father. 2Corinthians 3:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Now the Lord is The Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." Verse 18 goes on, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor, and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
Few of us in the Body of Christ have dared to put our faith in this scripture to be fulfilled here in this realm. Most would say that we can be like Jesus when we get to heaven. Because this scripture must be accepted by faith (there's no other way to do it), we need to begin changing now into His Image. The time for signs and wonders to be revealed through the Church has come unto the earth. Jesus needs to be seen by the world, through His Body, the Church.
Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified) says, "(The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all of its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere." God is waiting for a people who will , by faith, begin walking in this realm of the Spirit. God has always had a remnant of people who would dare to reach out farther. He could always raise up a Moses or a Gideon or a Joshua or a Caleb who would dare believe Him. Hebrews 4:2 (Amplified) says, "For indeed we have had the glad tidings (Gospel of God) proclaimed to us just as truly as they (the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them) but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality of God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness) by those who heard it. Neither were they united in faith with the ones (Joshua and Caleb) who heard (and did believe)."
The promise of victory, liberty, land, prosperity and all the blessings of God's promise awaited His people on the other side of the Jordan River. But, their fear of the giants was stronger than their faith in their God. Only those who "see Him as He is," high and lifted up and in all power and authority ever dare believe the whole of the promise.
Faith looks beyond our flesh and shortcomings. And, faith sees that Jesus overcame all of that. The devil wants us to see ourselves, but the Word tells us to "Look unto Jesus." We need to get us off our minds and allow the Mind of Christ to function is us.
In this carnal state and mind, we can't begin to accept all of the things we have become in Him. Only by faith can we hope to enter into these truths. Hebrews 11:1 says that, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. It is the evidence of things not seen." Our faith in the Word and the sacrifice of Jesus, is where all of the promise lies in waiting for us to receive.
The only evidence we have for our walk with God is our faith in His Word. None of us were present at the cross. None of us witnessed His resurrection and none of us watched Him ascend to the Father. Even those who did see Jesus on the cross, couldn't see the curse of the Law overtake His Spirit. They couldn't see Him become sin and they couldn't know that His stripes brought our healing.
Even those who were there didn't know what had happened. They had to find out by studying God's Word and praying in the Upper room. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people in Acts 2:16, Peter stood and spoke from the Word of God saying, "But (instead) this is (the beginning of) what was spoken through the prophet Joel." This had to be received only by faith in God's Word concerning this promise. In 1Corinthians 15:6 (Amplified) we see, "Then later He showed Himself to more than five hundred brethren at one time, the majority of whom are still alive, but some have fallen asleep (in death)."
These men who had seen Jesus, went about preaching what they had seen, but still only some of the would believe or put faith in what was told them. This precious gift of faith that has been given by grace, is the insight and divine reflection of Jesus Himself. The gift and the giver have become One. In Acts 20:32 (Amplified) the Apostle Paul, preparing to leave Ephesus and head to Jerusalem, made this statement to the people, "And now(brethren) I commit you to God (I deposit you in His charge entrusting you to His protection and care) And I commend you to the Words of His grace (to the commandments and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor) It is able to build you up and give you (your rightful) inheritance among all God's set apart ones (those consecrated, purified and transformer of soul)."
According to this scripture and the prayers of Paul, the Word of His grace and our faith in this Word, would build us up and give us (by faith) our rightful inheritance from God the Father. 2Corinthians 3:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Now the Lord is The Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." Verse 18 goes on, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor, and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
Few of us in the Body of Christ have dared to put our faith in this scripture to be fulfilled here in this realm. Most would say that we can be like Jesus when we get to heaven. Because this scripture must be accepted by faith (there's no other way to do it), we need to begin changing now into His Image. The time for signs and wonders to be revealed through the Church has come unto the earth. Jesus needs to be seen by the world, through His Body, the Church.
Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified) says, "(The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all of its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere." God is waiting for a people who will , by faith, begin walking in this realm of the Spirit. God has always had a remnant of people who would dare to reach out farther. He could always raise up a Moses or a Gideon or a Joshua or a Caleb who would dare believe Him. Hebrews 4:2 (Amplified) says, "For indeed we have had the glad tidings (Gospel of God) proclaimed to us just as truly as they (the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them) but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality of God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness) by those who heard it. Neither were they united in faith with the ones (Joshua and Caleb) who heard (and did believe)."
The promise of victory, liberty, land, prosperity and all the blessings of God's promise awaited His people on the other side of the Jordan River. But, their fear of the giants was stronger than their faith in their God. Only those who "see Him as He is," high and lifted up and in all power and authority ever dare believe the whole of the promise.
Faith looks beyond our flesh and shortcomings. And, faith sees that Jesus overcame all of that. The devil wants us to see ourselves, but the Word tells us to "Look unto Jesus." We need to get us off our minds and allow the Mind of Christ to function is us.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Lesson 13 FAITH
Misplaced faith is faith in any other thing than Jesus. He is the source of our faith and the answer to what our faith can produce. With His faith, He created all that is seen and that which is not seen. John 1:1-3 (Amplified) says that, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word was God (Himself)." Verse 2 says, "He was present originally with God." Verse 3 goes on, "All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being."
In Matthew 8:6-10 (Amplified), "A centurion (a Roman) (this was not a covenant man, but a gentile and an enemy) said, Lord, my servant boy is lying at the house paralyzed and distressed with intense pain." Verse 7 ,"And Jesus said to him, I will come and restore him." Verse 8 says, "But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured." Verse 9 goes on, "For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go and he goes, and to another, come and he comes; and to my slave, do this, and he does it." Verse 10 says, "When Jesus heard him, He marveled and said to those who followed Him (who adhered steadfastly to Him, conforming to His example in living, and if need be, in dying also); I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel."
In Luke 10:1-20 (Amplified), Jesus had appointed seventy men to head out ahead of Him declaring His way. They were under orders to carry no purse or provisions of their own, but to bless and stay in the homes of those who would receive them. In Verses 8-9 Jesus tells them that, "Whenever you go into a town and they receive you and welcome you, eat what is set before you; And heal the sick in it and say to them, The Kingdom of God has come close to you." Verse 17 says, "And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!" Verse 18-19 say, "And He said to them, I saw satan falling like a lightning (flash) from heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any way harm you." Verse 20 say, "Nevertheless; do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven."
The centurion recognized that Jesus was in and under the authority to the Father. By understanding this authority, the centurion was able to put his faith in Jesus. He never said one way or the other whether he believed Jesus was the Messiah, but he understood that Jesus walked in authority. On the same token, the seventy, realizing and submitting to Jesus' authority, went out (only on the authority of His name) healing the sick, blessing the people and casting out demons.
Since we know that these things happened (because the Word says so), we understand that healing, blessing and deliverance are important parts of the gospel. The faith that these men and the centurion had in Jesus, was based in faith of the authority of His name.
Perhaps, if we had this kind of faith in Jesus' name, we would see more miracles in the world today. For some reason, we have explained away this part of His ministry in these last days. These men weren't even born again men. They didn't have the luxury of being able to read the epistles like we have. They didn't know about the new covenant or the power of Jesus' resurrection and His position at God's right hand. All they knew to do was put their faith into His authority.
What is the extent of Jesus' authority now, under this new covenant? Does Jesus' name have less authority in the life of the believer or more? Why is it that we have excluded all the works pertaining to His power when it comes to healing and deliverance today? I know that the most important thing to me, is to be born again. But, what about those who aren't born again who are sick, oppressed or even controlled or driven by unclean spirits? How many do we have who need to see and just believe in His authority and His name?
In Matthew 14:10-14 (Amplified), "He (Herod) sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and His head was brought in on a platter and given to the little maid, and she brought it to her mother." Verse 12-13 say, "And John's disciples came and took up the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there privately in a boat to a solitary place. But when the crowds heard of it; they followed Him (by land) on foot from the towns." Verse 14 says, "When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cared for their sick."
This Love of God, even when Jesus was distressed by John's death, still healed and set free those who had needs. This is the part of our faith today, that I wish to address. We have exercised our faith for being born again. We've exercised our faith for bigger churches and ministries, but have we really set our faith in His name for setting the captives free?
I don't believe all the people who are born again will walk in this power of authority of Jesus' name, but I'm believing that some will dare to step out in faith and walk in the rest of this gospel of grace. We've had men like Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, William Branon (and many more such men and women through the years) walk in this , but this part of the gospel seems to be lost by many today.
It does well to remember, that it's not you, but the Father in you Who does the works. The same Father Who was in Jesus, is the the Father Who is in you. We, too, are men and women under authority. All we have to do is believe. Surely, we can have as much faith as the seventy who weren't even born again.
In Matthew 8:6-10 (Amplified), "A centurion (a Roman) (this was not a covenant man, but a gentile and an enemy) said, Lord, my servant boy is lying at the house paralyzed and distressed with intense pain." Verse 7 ,"And Jesus said to him, I will come and restore him." Verse 8 says, "But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured." Verse 9 goes on, "For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go and he goes, and to another, come and he comes; and to my slave, do this, and he does it." Verse 10 says, "When Jesus heard him, He marveled and said to those who followed Him (who adhered steadfastly to Him, conforming to His example in living, and if need be, in dying also); I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel."
In Luke 10:1-20 (Amplified), Jesus had appointed seventy men to head out ahead of Him declaring His way. They were under orders to carry no purse or provisions of their own, but to bless and stay in the homes of those who would receive them. In Verses 8-9 Jesus tells them that, "Whenever you go into a town and they receive you and welcome you, eat what is set before you; And heal the sick in it and say to them, The Kingdom of God has come close to you." Verse 17 says, "And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!" Verse 18-19 say, "And He said to them, I saw satan falling like a lightning (flash) from heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any way harm you." Verse 20 say, "Nevertheless; do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven."
The centurion recognized that Jesus was in and under the authority to the Father. By understanding this authority, the centurion was able to put his faith in Jesus. He never said one way or the other whether he believed Jesus was the Messiah, but he understood that Jesus walked in authority. On the same token, the seventy, realizing and submitting to Jesus' authority, went out (only on the authority of His name) healing the sick, blessing the people and casting out demons.
Since we know that these things happened (because the Word says so), we understand that healing, blessing and deliverance are important parts of the gospel. The faith that these men and the centurion had in Jesus, was based in faith of the authority of His name.
Perhaps, if we had this kind of faith in Jesus' name, we would see more miracles in the world today. For some reason, we have explained away this part of His ministry in these last days. These men weren't even born again men. They didn't have the luxury of being able to read the epistles like we have. They didn't know about the new covenant or the power of Jesus' resurrection and His position at God's right hand. All they knew to do was put their faith into His authority.
What is the extent of Jesus' authority now, under this new covenant? Does Jesus' name have less authority in the life of the believer or more? Why is it that we have excluded all the works pertaining to His power when it comes to healing and deliverance today? I know that the most important thing to me, is to be born again. But, what about those who aren't born again who are sick, oppressed or even controlled or driven by unclean spirits? How many do we have who need to see and just believe in His authority and His name?
In Matthew 14:10-14 (Amplified), "He (Herod) sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and His head was brought in on a platter and given to the little maid, and she brought it to her mother." Verse 12-13 say, "And John's disciples came and took up the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there privately in a boat to a solitary place. But when the crowds heard of it; they followed Him (by land) on foot from the towns." Verse 14 says, "When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cared for their sick."
This Love of God, even when Jesus was distressed by John's death, still healed and set free those who had needs. This is the part of our faith today, that I wish to address. We have exercised our faith for being born again. We've exercised our faith for bigger churches and ministries, but have we really set our faith in His name for setting the captives free?
I don't believe all the people who are born again will walk in this power of authority of Jesus' name, but I'm believing that some will dare to step out in faith and walk in the rest of this gospel of grace. We've had men like Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, William Branon (and many more such men and women through the years) walk in this , but this part of the gospel seems to be lost by many today.
It does well to remember, that it's not you, but the Father in you Who does the works. The same Father Who was in Jesus, is the the Father Who is in you. We, too, are men and women under authority. All we have to do is believe. Surely, we can have as much faith as the seventy who weren't even born again.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Lesson 12 FAITH
Our covenant of faith is one that will bring us into a full knowledge of Jesus in His present day ministry. Only by faith can we ever hope to know Him as He is now. We read in 1John 4:17 (Amplified) that, "In this (union and communion with Him) love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment (with assurance and boldness to face Him) because as He is so are we in this world."
Only by faith can we ever hope to come to the realization of this scripture. 2Corinthians 3:16-18 (Amplified) says, "Whenever a person turns (in repentance) to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away." Verse 17 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." Verse 18 goes on, "And all of us, as with unveiled face, (because we) continue to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
This is a degree of faith that few Christians have ever sought after in our walk. For most of us, we never have been taught about becoming as He is. Romans 9:31-32 (Amplified) says, "Whereas Israel, though ever in pursuit of a law (for the security) of righteousness (right standing with God) actually did not succeed in fulfilling the Law." Verse 32 goes on, "For what reason? Because (they pursued it) not through faith, relying (instead) on the merit of their works (they did not depend on faith but on what they could do) they have stumbled over the stumbling stone."
Only by faith and not by the works of man-made creeds can we ever hope to be changed from glory to glory in His Image. How can we ever hope to be great enough in what we do to become like Him without the Spirit of the Lord to show us Who He really is? For most of us, His Image is limited to the Man we see in the gospels. We've had very limited insight into Who He is now. According to 1John 4:17 , "As He is, so are we now, in this world." If we can't see Him in faith through the Word and by the Holy Spirit, then we can never be changed (now) into that Image?
For most of our lives, we've had or been taught that it would an act of pride to ever say or try to be "as He is." And, that only pride could ever say that we're actually righteous or pure. Only faith can take us into this realm of the face of Jesus. If we're ever to step into this place with the Father, then it has to be by faith. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says that, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Any other way of approaching this transfiguration would come by the good works and merits of men.
Every Christian has hopefully read the Word and knows what the scriptures have to say who we are now. But, unless the Holy Spirit reveals the whole truth of the scriptures, they are just pretty words. In most Christian circles, it would be almost blasphemous to say that you're like Jesus as it was for Jesus to say that He was like God in His day.
In Colossians 3:1-2 (Amplified) we read, "If then you have been raised with Christ (to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead) aim at and seek the (rich, eternal treasures) that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Verse 2 goes on, "And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things) not on the things that are on the earth." This scripture doesn't mean we're to only think about going to heaven when we leave here or be limited to only what power we have in ourselves. Your new ability and authority and resources are now unlimited in Him and where He now is now at the right hand of God.
If we keep our minds on Him and where He is now, then we are unlimited in whatever we need to do. Once we put these truths in proper perspective we can understand what Jesus meant when He gave us the "power of attorney" to use His name. Mathew 28:18 (Amplified) says, "Jesus approached and breaking the silence, said to them (and unto us), All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." In Mark 16:15-18 (Amplified) we read where, "He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the gospel) to every creature (of the whole human race)." Verse 16 says, "He who believes (who adheres to and trusts in, and relies on the gospel and Him who it set forth) and is baptized will be saved (from the penalty of eternal death) but he who does not believe (who does not adhere to, and trust in, and rely on the gospel and Him who it sets forth) will be condemned." Verse 17-18 say, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents; and (even) if they drink anything deadly; it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well."
Only by faith can these things be accomplished in the life of the believer. Only by faith can we be transfigured into this new image of the resurrected Lord we serve. Only by keeping our minds set on the things above can we see Him as He is now. This is the image that we're to be changed into. We're to go from glory to glory by faith into the freedom of the Holy Spirit. The doctrines and creeds of man will never dare to step into this arena. Only having faith in what God's Word tells us will transport us into this realm.
The only way we'll ever come into this place with the Father is with the "God kind of faith." When we begin to approach this new life in Christ and to be changed into His Image by faith, the old things of the world will fall away to the new Image of Christ in you.
Only by faith can we ever hope to come to the realization of this scripture. 2Corinthians 3:16-18 (Amplified) says, "Whenever a person turns (in repentance) to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away." Verse 17 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." Verse 18 goes on, "And all of us, as with unveiled face, (because we) continue to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
This is a degree of faith that few Christians have ever sought after in our walk. For most of us, we never have been taught about becoming as He is. Romans 9:31-32 (Amplified) says, "Whereas Israel, though ever in pursuit of a law (for the security) of righteousness (right standing with God) actually did not succeed in fulfilling the Law." Verse 32 goes on, "For what reason? Because (they pursued it) not through faith, relying (instead) on the merit of their works (they did not depend on faith but on what they could do) they have stumbled over the stumbling stone."
Only by faith and not by the works of man-made creeds can we ever hope to be changed from glory to glory in His Image. How can we ever hope to be great enough in what we do to become like Him without the Spirit of the Lord to show us Who He really is? For most of us, His Image is limited to the Man we see in the gospels. We've had very limited insight into Who He is now. According to 1John 4:17 , "As He is, so are we now, in this world." If we can't see Him in faith through the Word and by the Holy Spirit, then we can never be changed (now) into that Image?
For most of our lives, we've had or been taught that it would an act of pride to ever say or try to be "as He is." And, that only pride could ever say that we're actually righteous or pure. Only faith can take us into this realm of the face of Jesus. If we're ever to step into this place with the Father, then it has to be by faith. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says that, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Any other way of approaching this transfiguration would come by the good works and merits of men.
Every Christian has hopefully read the Word and knows what the scriptures have to say who we are now. But, unless the Holy Spirit reveals the whole truth of the scriptures, they are just pretty words. In most Christian circles, it would be almost blasphemous to say that you're like Jesus as it was for Jesus to say that He was like God in His day.
In Colossians 3:1-2 (Amplified) we read, "If then you have been raised with Christ (to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead) aim at and seek the (rich, eternal treasures) that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Verse 2 goes on, "And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things) not on the things that are on the earth." This scripture doesn't mean we're to only think about going to heaven when we leave here or be limited to only what power we have in ourselves. Your new ability and authority and resources are now unlimited in Him and where He now is now at the right hand of God.
If we keep our minds on Him and where He is now, then we are unlimited in whatever we need to do. Once we put these truths in proper perspective we can understand what Jesus meant when He gave us the "power of attorney" to use His name. Mathew 28:18 (Amplified) says, "Jesus approached and breaking the silence, said to them (and unto us), All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." In Mark 16:15-18 (Amplified) we read where, "He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the gospel) to every creature (of the whole human race)." Verse 16 says, "He who believes (who adheres to and trusts in, and relies on the gospel and Him who it set forth) and is baptized will be saved (from the penalty of eternal death) but he who does not believe (who does not adhere to, and trust in, and rely on the gospel and Him who it sets forth) will be condemned." Verse 17-18 say, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents; and (even) if they drink anything deadly; it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well."
Only by faith can these things be accomplished in the life of the believer. Only by faith can we be transfigured into this new image of the resurrected Lord we serve. Only by keeping our minds set on the things above can we see Him as He is now. This is the image that we're to be changed into. We're to go from glory to glory by faith into the freedom of the Holy Spirit. The doctrines and creeds of man will never dare to step into this arena. Only having faith in what God's Word tells us will transport us into this realm.
The only way we'll ever come into this place with the Father is with the "God kind of faith." When we begin to approach this new life in Christ and to be changed into His Image by faith, the old things of the world will fall away to the new Image of Christ in you.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Lesson 11 FAITH
Most of us are well taught by God's Word that we've received forgiveness for our sins by faith. Even this took a long time in coming for many of us because we didn't fully understand what happened to us when we received Jesus. When the old thoughts and the old habits didn't instantly go away, many of us questioned our experience with Jesus. As we began to attend church and fellowship with other believers, we progressed in our faith and came to grips with the truth of the Word and finally were at peace with our salvation.
We didn't understand Romans 10:17 that told us, "Faith comes by hearing God's Word." The more we heard God's Word on forgiveness, the more we were assured we are really saved. For some, though, even now the past haunts us and makes us feel though salvation didn't do the entire job. We keep searching for ways to make ourselves feel "more saved." We think that if we read more or pray more or do other things, then we'll be more acceptable to the Father. This is misplaced faith. We should read the Word and we should pray, but Jesus is What (Who) has made us acceptable to the Father.
When someone begins teaching about healing or tongues or even about the laying on of hands, we run into the same things we did when we first were saved. Sometimes we try reaching out in our faith to receive something and it eludes us because we were never taught about it. We struggle with our faith in other realms like we did with our forgiveness when we first believed. In Romans 1:17 (Amplified) Paul said, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written, the man who through faith and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
According to this scripture, faith is a journey and a growing lifestyle. As we walk with the Father through the Word, the Holy Spirit reveals more and more truth to us concerning our salvation. Each and every thing He shows us is a new step into faith. Even when we try walking in faith in certain areas of our lives, the trials of our faith are greater than the faith itself.
In every aspect of our lives, there's a trial the enemy brings to discourage and dismay us so we'll give up before the seed has a chance to grow. Even the devil knows that it's easier to dig up an acorn than an Oak tree. If he can destroy our faith in other areas of the Word before it bears fruit, then we will get discouraged and quit.
The faith Paul spoke of in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) is the same measure of faith that got us saved. This seed of faith in God's Word brought about the miracle of the new birth in us. This faith brought us out of sin and death into life and blessing. This same faith cleansed us from sin, made us righteous in Christ and simultaneously made us children of the Most High God. It's taken many of us years to receive by faith that we really are righteous (in right standing) with God because of Jesus.
This is the growing process of our faith. Jesus said that faith is like a small mustard seed that will produce great things if it's sown in the soil of our hearts. Mark 4:31_32 (Amplified) tells us that, "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth." Verse 32 continues, "Yet after it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts our large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade."
This seed (your faith) will produce your salvation and will put out other branches (or begin to expand our knowledge of Jesus) and begin to encompass other things in our new life that Jesus did in His sacrifice for us. Paul was saying in Romans 1:17 the same thing Jesus said in Mark 4:31-32 (Amplified) that the Gospel or Good News keeps revealing by faith, other things in our covenant until it branches out to become the greatest of all the garden herbs. He said it doesn't take more faith, but simply invest the measure of faith we were given.
In Mark 4 (Amplified) (this should be required reading for every believer every day), a simple example of faith is given by the One Who is faith. If anyone should know how faith works, then it would be Jesus. If any of us have ever planted a garden, then this illustration should be simple. I prepare the soil. I plant the seed. Then, I watched, watered, and waited for the crop to come up. Initially, the seed comes up as a sprout and not the fruit. I care for it, weed it and don't allow the weeds to choke the seed like Mark 4:19 says, "Don't allow the things of the world or discouragement stop your care of this sprout."
When it first comes into our lives, it doesn't look like healing because it's just a sprout. In Mark 4:26-29 (Amplified) Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground." Verse 27-28 says, "Then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases he knows not how the earth produces (acting) by itself-first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." Verse 29 says, "But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth (the reapers) and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready."
This is a simple illustration of exactly how God's Word works on behalf of those who will receive it in their hearts. We might ask, "How does it work?" The same way a kernel of sweet corn works in your garden. You simply receive the Word in your heart, water is with prayer and then stand in your faith.
Once you planted the sweet corn, you no longer see it, but by faith you believe this one kernel of corn will produce a stalk, ear on the stalk and corn on the ears. All of this is done by faith in the seed or kernel of corn. You still don't understand how one seed can do all of that, but your faith is so simple (because you have exercised our faith in these things) that you fully expect a harvest.
There's no person in his right mind who would pick the sprout and try to eat it because it's still an unfinished harvest. We must be patient and give it time to mature. This is the wisdom of God brought to such simplicity that even a country boy (like me) can understand it. We all understand the seed principle of gardening (whether it's a backyard garden or a couple thousand acres of wheat). The principles is always the same.
No one would expect to sow one seed and have a harvest of only one seed. The reason for planting one seed is to bring increase. This seed of faith Paul spoke of in Romans 1:17 is sown, increases to more faith which increases to more faith in other areas of the covenant and promise of God in His Word. This faith is the key to everything God has promised by the SEED He sowed into the earth when He sent Jesus.
This seed of faith is enough that when sown will bring forth a harvest of healing, peace, joy and whatever the Word has said it will produce. Mark 4:27 (Amplified) says, "He knows now how it will produce." You and I still don't know how a kernel of corn does what it does, but we have faith to believe that it will.
Jesus, Who is called The Word, knows exactly how things work and what it takes to produce. He is the Wisdom of God and created all things. If He wanted to confuse us, then it wouldn't take a whole lot of time to do. When God said, "In the beginning God," I'm confused already. Jesus is the very Wisdom of God and brought this wisdom down to a level we can understand. Don't complicate it with theology and religion. Just sow this faith in His Word (like we did the seed of the Word for our forgiveness) in our hearts and it will do exactly like He said. Give it time to come into maturity and don't keep digging up the seed by unbelief to see if it's growing. If we keep digging it up, then it will never produce. Simply trust the seed to do what it was made to do.
We didn't understand Romans 10:17 that told us, "Faith comes by hearing God's Word." The more we heard God's Word on forgiveness, the more we were assured we are really saved. For some, though, even now the past haunts us and makes us feel though salvation didn't do the entire job. We keep searching for ways to make ourselves feel "more saved." We think that if we read more or pray more or do other things, then we'll be more acceptable to the Father. This is misplaced faith. We should read the Word and we should pray, but Jesus is What (Who) has made us acceptable to the Father.
When someone begins teaching about healing or tongues or even about the laying on of hands, we run into the same things we did when we first were saved. Sometimes we try reaching out in our faith to receive something and it eludes us because we were never taught about it. We struggle with our faith in other realms like we did with our forgiveness when we first believed. In Romans 1:17 (Amplified) Paul said, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written, the man who through faith and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
According to this scripture, faith is a journey and a growing lifestyle. As we walk with the Father through the Word, the Holy Spirit reveals more and more truth to us concerning our salvation. Each and every thing He shows us is a new step into faith. Even when we try walking in faith in certain areas of our lives, the trials of our faith are greater than the faith itself.
In every aspect of our lives, there's a trial the enemy brings to discourage and dismay us so we'll give up before the seed has a chance to grow. Even the devil knows that it's easier to dig up an acorn than an Oak tree. If he can destroy our faith in other areas of the Word before it bears fruit, then we will get discouraged and quit.
The faith Paul spoke of in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) is the same measure of faith that got us saved. This seed of faith in God's Word brought about the miracle of the new birth in us. This faith brought us out of sin and death into life and blessing. This same faith cleansed us from sin, made us righteous in Christ and simultaneously made us children of the Most High God. It's taken many of us years to receive by faith that we really are righteous (in right standing) with God because of Jesus.
This is the growing process of our faith. Jesus said that faith is like a small mustard seed that will produce great things if it's sown in the soil of our hearts. Mark 4:31_32 (Amplified) tells us that, "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth." Verse 32 continues, "Yet after it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts our large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade."
This seed (your faith) will produce your salvation and will put out other branches (or begin to expand our knowledge of Jesus) and begin to encompass other things in our new life that Jesus did in His sacrifice for us. Paul was saying in Romans 1:17 the same thing Jesus said in Mark 4:31-32 (Amplified) that the Gospel or Good News keeps revealing by faith, other things in our covenant until it branches out to become the greatest of all the garden herbs. He said it doesn't take more faith, but simply invest the measure of faith we were given.
In Mark 4 (Amplified) (this should be required reading for every believer every day), a simple example of faith is given by the One Who is faith. If anyone should know how faith works, then it would be Jesus. If any of us have ever planted a garden, then this illustration should be simple. I prepare the soil. I plant the seed. Then, I watched, watered, and waited for the crop to come up. Initially, the seed comes up as a sprout and not the fruit. I care for it, weed it and don't allow the weeds to choke the seed like Mark 4:19 says, "Don't allow the things of the world or discouragement stop your care of this sprout."
When it first comes into our lives, it doesn't look like healing because it's just a sprout. In Mark 4:26-29 (Amplified) Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground." Verse 27-28 says, "Then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases he knows not how the earth produces (acting) by itself-first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." Verse 29 says, "But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth (the reapers) and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready."
This is a simple illustration of exactly how God's Word works on behalf of those who will receive it in their hearts. We might ask, "How does it work?" The same way a kernel of sweet corn works in your garden. You simply receive the Word in your heart, water is with prayer and then stand in your faith.
Once you planted the sweet corn, you no longer see it, but by faith you believe this one kernel of corn will produce a stalk, ear on the stalk and corn on the ears. All of this is done by faith in the seed or kernel of corn. You still don't understand how one seed can do all of that, but your faith is so simple (because you have exercised our faith in these things) that you fully expect a harvest.
There's no person in his right mind who would pick the sprout and try to eat it because it's still an unfinished harvest. We must be patient and give it time to mature. This is the wisdom of God brought to such simplicity that even a country boy (like me) can understand it. We all understand the seed principle of gardening (whether it's a backyard garden or a couple thousand acres of wheat). The principles is always the same.
No one would expect to sow one seed and have a harvest of only one seed. The reason for planting one seed is to bring increase. This seed of faith Paul spoke of in Romans 1:17 is sown, increases to more faith which increases to more faith in other areas of the covenant and promise of God in His Word. This faith is the key to everything God has promised by the SEED He sowed into the earth when He sent Jesus.
This seed of faith is enough that when sown will bring forth a harvest of healing, peace, joy and whatever the Word has said it will produce. Mark 4:27 (Amplified) says, "He knows now how it will produce." You and I still don't know how a kernel of corn does what it does, but we have faith to believe that it will.
Jesus, Who is called The Word, knows exactly how things work and what it takes to produce. He is the Wisdom of God and created all things. If He wanted to confuse us, then it wouldn't take a whole lot of time to do. When God said, "In the beginning God," I'm confused already. Jesus is the very Wisdom of God and brought this wisdom down to a level we can understand. Don't complicate it with theology and religion. Just sow this faith in His Word (like we did the seed of the Word for our forgiveness) in our hearts and it will do exactly like He said. Give it time to come into maturity and don't keep digging up the seed by unbelief to see if it's growing. If we keep digging it up, then it will never produce. Simply trust the seed to do what it was made to do.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Lesson 10 FAITH
Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)."
The kind of faith that God requires is that which is totally dependent upon what He has declared in His Word. It isn't based (as it was for Jesus' disciples) on what they could see, feel, touch or receive by the senses. When Jesus' disciples walked with Him, it was a walk they had not by faith, but by the senses. Jesus was always confronting them about their faith. Even now, the Church wants to be led by the senses more than by faith.
We judge things of this world by our five senses more than by faith. It's still a realm we don't understand. We read the scriptures and we understand what the words mean, but we don't receive them as real. Very little has been ministered in the spirit realm. We've mostly tried walking in the realm of the soul or feelings. We mostly walk according to our emotions than our spirits.
Mostly, we walk in what was ministered in the old covenant. Because we don't teach or minister very much in the spirit realm, our spirits have suffered a lack of life in the Word. Many of our sermons have been directed at the soulish or emotional side of man and only holds power for a short while. We tried preaching fear into the people in order to prevent sin from occurring in their lives. We tried holding them in a bondage by this fear so they wouldn't return to the world. We tried about everything we knew, but most of it failed.
In the Church, we found that sin was still a problem and emotions change. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the (Holy) Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit) then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)." We've spent so much time fighting the flesh that we,ve neglected what the Word said to do. The Holy Spirit said that if we would learn to be led by Him, then we wouldn't always be fighting the flesh.
I can attend A.A. meetings all of my life and I can stay sober; but, it's always a fight. Thank God I can stay sober, but I'm still not free. I find myself always in the fight. I am still an alcoholic...I'm just not drinking. If I, by faith, will receive what the Holy Spirit reveals to me, then I can become free altogether. The harder I try to remain sober, the more my mind is centered on the drinking. Every day is a new battle.
People have become somewhat upset with what I minister because I they think I don't preach enough about sin. Most people know how to sin without teachings on it. Most of us in the Church need to be taught on righteousness and not on sin.
Faith is believing in what Jesus did for me, so that I don't spend my whole life trying to make up for it by my own efforts. 1Corinthians 11:26 (Amplified) says that, "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord's death until He comes (again)." Jesus said we're to "do this in remembrance of Me." The only way we can receive this Bread and Wine with any power in it, is by faith.
There is no healing, forgiveness, life, strength, power, peace or fellowship in a piece of bread or a cup of wine (or juice). These things only come from the faith in what they represent to God. When we do this at the communion table, what are we to bring to remembrance? As you partake of the Bread, do you remember it represents His Body and that by His stripes you are healed by faith in His sacrifice?
Is this "Table of the Lord" a place of faith or emotion? Do you do this by just feeling sorry for Jesus or by remembering, by faith, why He did it? Under the Law, when they remembered their lamb they remembered they were free.
1Corinthians 11:30 (Amplified) says, "That (careless and un worthy participation) is the reason many of you are weak and sickly and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death."
Did you ever wonder what it is we're to judge ourselves of? Some would say that we're to judge ourselves of sin. Well, if you've been living in sin, this is part of what you judge. If you are truly a new creature in Christ, then you've already been forgiven of yous sin, so it really shouldn't be something that needs judged. For goodness sake, if you have been in sin, then repent and get out of it.
I believe that because Paul said that many of us are sick and weak and have even died prematurely, that we are to judge ourselves in is that (when we bring Him to remembrance) we remember that by faith Jesus took my sin , my sickness, my righteousness and His very life into myself by faith in my Perfect Lamb.
I wonder how many of us really understand that by faith, this is the cup of healing and blessing and life. I've ministered this Cup of Covenant to many who were sick and or dying and then watched the power of the Blood and Body brings wholeness to them. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "this is the faith that pleases God." This is the rewards He spoke of we receive when we seek Him out by faith.
The kind of faith that God requires is that which is totally dependent upon what He has declared in His Word. It isn't based (as it was for Jesus' disciples) on what they could see, feel, touch or receive by the senses. When Jesus' disciples walked with Him, it was a walk they had not by faith, but by the senses. Jesus was always confronting them about their faith. Even now, the Church wants to be led by the senses more than by faith.
We judge things of this world by our five senses more than by faith. It's still a realm we don't understand. We read the scriptures and we understand what the words mean, but we don't receive them as real. Very little has been ministered in the spirit realm. We've mostly tried walking in the realm of the soul or feelings. We mostly walk according to our emotions than our spirits.
Mostly, we walk in what was ministered in the old covenant. Because we don't teach or minister very much in the spirit realm, our spirits have suffered a lack of life in the Word. Many of our sermons have been directed at the soulish or emotional side of man and only holds power for a short while. We tried preaching fear into the people in order to prevent sin from occurring in their lives. We tried holding them in a bondage by this fear so they wouldn't return to the world. We tried about everything we knew, but most of it failed.
In the Church, we found that sin was still a problem and emotions change. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the (Holy) Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit) then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)." We've spent so much time fighting the flesh that we,ve neglected what the Word said to do. The Holy Spirit said that if we would learn to be led by Him, then we wouldn't always be fighting the flesh.
I can attend A.A. meetings all of my life and I can stay sober; but, it's always a fight. Thank God I can stay sober, but I'm still not free. I find myself always in the fight. I am still an alcoholic...I'm just not drinking. If I, by faith, will receive what the Holy Spirit reveals to me, then I can become free altogether. The harder I try to remain sober, the more my mind is centered on the drinking. Every day is a new battle.
People have become somewhat upset with what I minister because I they think I don't preach enough about sin. Most people know how to sin without teachings on it. Most of us in the Church need to be taught on righteousness and not on sin.
Faith is believing in what Jesus did for me, so that I don't spend my whole life trying to make up for it by my own efforts. 1Corinthians 11:26 (Amplified) says that, "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord's death until He comes (again)." Jesus said we're to "do this in remembrance of Me." The only way we can receive this Bread and Wine with any power in it, is by faith.
There is no healing, forgiveness, life, strength, power, peace or fellowship in a piece of bread or a cup of wine (or juice). These things only come from the faith in what they represent to God. When we do this at the communion table, what are we to bring to remembrance? As you partake of the Bread, do you remember it represents His Body and that by His stripes you are healed by faith in His sacrifice?
Is this "Table of the Lord" a place of faith or emotion? Do you do this by just feeling sorry for Jesus or by remembering, by faith, why He did it? Under the Law, when they remembered their lamb they remembered they were free.
1Corinthians 11:30 (Amplified) says, "That (careless and un worthy participation) is the reason many of you are weak and sickly and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death."
Did you ever wonder what it is we're to judge ourselves of? Some would say that we're to judge ourselves of sin. Well, if you've been living in sin, this is part of what you judge. If you are truly a new creature in Christ, then you've already been forgiven of yous sin, so it really shouldn't be something that needs judged. For goodness sake, if you have been in sin, then repent and get out of it.
I believe that because Paul said that many of us are sick and weak and have even died prematurely, that we are to judge ourselves in is that (when we bring Him to remembrance) we remember that by faith Jesus took my sin , my sickness, my righteousness and His very life into myself by faith in my Perfect Lamb.
I wonder how many of us really understand that by faith, this is the cup of healing and blessing and life. I've ministered this Cup of Covenant to many who were sick and or dying and then watched the power of the Blood and Body brings wholeness to them. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "this is the faith that pleases God." This is the rewards He spoke of we receive when we seek Him out by faith.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Lesson 9 FAITH
What is this elusive thing called faith that has kept the Body of Christ separated and at odds with one another? And, why do we seem to have such difference of opinions over it? Some say we don't need to believe God for certain things now in this new covenant. Some say that such things as healing, tongues and prosperity have passed away. Some have even claimed that these things are for when we get to heaven. Then, they say, we'll be healed and made whole.
Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) says that, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, (yes) and forever (to the ages)." According to this scripture, if Jesus ever did any of these things at all, then He still does. We read from 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) about asking according to God's will and being heard and having our petitions met by faith in Him.
I don't believe that a lack of sincerity or even faith in Jesus has stopped the power of God in the Church today. I believe that it's been a matter of misplaced faith. This misplaced faith has been a sincere act on behalf of the Church in these last days. The biggest hindrance to faith is a lack of understanding about what God's will is for His children today.
No Christian who is sincere about his walk with God wants to be out of His will. We don't want to ask for things that may not be God's will for us, so we pray such prayers of total unbelief as "Lord, if it be Thy will." This is a sincere prayer because we want God's will to be done, but it's a prayer of doubt because we don't have faith it will ever happen.
We decided that if it happens, then it was God's will and if it didn't happen, then it wasn't God's will. If this is true, then there really wouldn't be any need to pray at all. Whatever He wanted to do, He was going to do anyway, so why pray in the first place? Mostly, we've been in a place of total darkness when it comes to the will of God. As long as we don't know what God's will is, we can never pray in any faith or power.
Mostly, we've been taught in one some way or another, that we can't know the will of God. But, that's not true. 2 Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified) says, "I appeal to you therefore brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship." Verse 2 goes on, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs) but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude) so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
If we really knew that what we were praying for was God's will, then we would have total faith in what we prayed. We allow our prayer life to be led more by man's teachings than in what the Word has taught. Man has taught us not to ask God for anything that wasn't His will for us to have. Do you honestly believe that God would give you something that wasn't His will for your life? Luke 11:11-13 (Amplified) says, "What Father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if hew asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?" Verse 12 says, "Or if he asks for an egg, will instead give him a scorpion?" Verse 13 says, "If you then, evil as you are, know to give good gifts (gifts that are to their advantage) to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him?"
In Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) we read, "Christ purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures), Cursed is everyone Who hangs on a tree (is crucified)." Verse 14 says, "To the end through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
This blessing was to be the Holy Spirit of God Himself, Who would now with all of His mercy, favor, might, wisdom and righteousness, live in us and bless us with every promise God ever made to Abraham through Jesus. If you will read Galatians 3:16 (Amplified), then you'll find God made this promise to Abraham through and for Jesus. Now, you and I, by faith, have become heirs together with Him. Therefore, every promise made to and for Jesus is true for those who are saved.
Once we discover the truth about who we really are in Christ, we find out that God's will in and for Him is God's will in and for you. Jesus knew what God's will was for man and therefore could walk and pray in the fullest confidence that God would hear Him and provide whatever it was that He would ask. When Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified), he simply said that if we would allow the Word of God to direct our thinking instead of the world, then we would know what God's will is for us.
If you knew it was God's will to heal; I mean you really knew it, then would it change your faith in how you pray? We have an understanding of God's will for certain areas of our lives and we walk in boldness for it. We know from John 3:16 that God's will is "that all should be saved, and none should perish." And, because we know that salvation is God's will for mankind, we pray the "sinner's prayer" with some of the vilest of humanity fully expecting God to save them. We'll pray this prayer in prison, in drug dens, and anywhere else with perfect faith in it, because we know we're praying according to God's will. 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) tells us that, "We have confidence He has heard us, and we know we have the petitions that we ask of Him."
Wouldn't it be a marvelous thing for the Church to search the scriptures for themselves concerning God's will in other areas of our covenant? Wouldn't it be an astounding thing to have as much faith in our Father when it came to praying for the sick as when we were praying for the lost?
The problem's never been one of faith. We believe our God can do anything. It's been a problem of knowing will God do it and not can He do it. You cannot release faith (true faith) without knowing that this is what the Father really wants. Faith and doubt can't mix any more than oil and water can. Romans 10:17 says that faith in God comes by hearing God's Word. Faith in anything comes by the same way.
You'll put faith in and believe in anything that you hear long enough. All of the religions of the world have preached the same religion until the people believe it. Why do you suppose that it's a criminal offense to preach Jesus ion a Muslim nation? Because, faith in God, comes by hearing God's Word.
If we preach anything else, even in our churches, then the people will begin to release their faith in what they've heard. And, it's very difficult to get them to believe the truth of the Word, even when they hear it. Many people throughout the years believed that speaking in tongues is of the devil. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing. Many believe that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased and were only for the early apostles. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing.
It's Biblical truth that's been perverted to take us from the truth instead of into the truth. It has made the Church impotent and without power. Jesus said in Mark 4:24 (Amplified), concerning the parable of the sower. He said, "'Be careful what you are hearing, the measure (of thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you-and more (besides) will be given to you who hear.'"
Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) says that, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, (yes) and forever (to the ages)." According to this scripture, if Jesus ever did any of these things at all, then He still does. We read from 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) about asking according to God's will and being heard and having our petitions met by faith in Him.
I don't believe that a lack of sincerity or even faith in Jesus has stopped the power of God in the Church today. I believe that it's been a matter of misplaced faith. This misplaced faith has been a sincere act on behalf of the Church in these last days. The biggest hindrance to faith is a lack of understanding about what God's will is for His children today.
No Christian who is sincere about his walk with God wants to be out of His will. We don't want to ask for things that may not be God's will for us, so we pray such prayers of total unbelief as "Lord, if it be Thy will." This is a sincere prayer because we want God's will to be done, but it's a prayer of doubt because we don't have faith it will ever happen.
We decided that if it happens, then it was God's will and if it didn't happen, then it wasn't God's will. If this is true, then there really wouldn't be any need to pray at all. Whatever He wanted to do, He was going to do anyway, so why pray in the first place? Mostly, we've been in a place of total darkness when it comes to the will of God. As long as we don't know what God's will is, we can never pray in any faith or power.
Mostly, we've been taught in one some way or another, that we can't know the will of God. But, that's not true. 2 Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified) says, "I appeal to you therefore brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship." Verse 2 goes on, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs) but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude) so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
If we really knew that what we were praying for was God's will, then we would have total faith in what we prayed. We allow our prayer life to be led more by man's teachings than in what the Word has taught. Man has taught us not to ask God for anything that wasn't His will for us to have. Do you honestly believe that God would give you something that wasn't His will for your life? Luke 11:11-13 (Amplified) says, "What Father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if hew asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?" Verse 12 says, "Or if he asks for an egg, will instead give him a scorpion?" Verse 13 says, "If you then, evil as you are, know to give good gifts (gifts that are to their advantage) to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him?"
In Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) we read, "Christ purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures), Cursed is everyone Who hangs on a tree (is crucified)." Verse 14 says, "To the end through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
This blessing was to be the Holy Spirit of God Himself, Who would now with all of His mercy, favor, might, wisdom and righteousness, live in us and bless us with every promise God ever made to Abraham through Jesus. If you will read Galatians 3:16 (Amplified), then you'll find God made this promise to Abraham through and for Jesus. Now, you and I, by faith, have become heirs together with Him. Therefore, every promise made to and for Jesus is true for those who are saved.
Once we discover the truth about who we really are in Christ, we find out that God's will in and for Him is God's will in and for you. Jesus knew what God's will was for man and therefore could walk and pray in the fullest confidence that God would hear Him and provide whatever it was that He would ask. When Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified), he simply said that if we would allow the Word of God to direct our thinking instead of the world, then we would know what God's will is for us.
If you knew it was God's will to heal; I mean you really knew it, then would it change your faith in how you pray? We have an understanding of God's will for certain areas of our lives and we walk in boldness for it. We know from John 3:16 that God's will is "that all should be saved, and none should perish." And, because we know that salvation is God's will for mankind, we pray the "sinner's prayer" with some of the vilest of humanity fully expecting God to save them. We'll pray this prayer in prison, in drug dens, and anywhere else with perfect faith in it, because we know we're praying according to God's will. 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) tells us that, "We have confidence He has heard us, and we know we have the petitions that we ask of Him."
Wouldn't it be a marvelous thing for the Church to search the scriptures for themselves concerning God's will in other areas of our covenant? Wouldn't it be an astounding thing to have as much faith in our Father when it came to praying for the sick as when we were praying for the lost?
The problem's never been one of faith. We believe our God can do anything. It's been a problem of knowing will God do it and not can He do it. You cannot release faith (true faith) without knowing that this is what the Father really wants. Faith and doubt can't mix any more than oil and water can. Romans 10:17 says that faith in God comes by hearing God's Word. Faith in anything comes by the same way.
You'll put faith in and believe in anything that you hear long enough. All of the religions of the world have preached the same religion until the people believe it. Why do you suppose that it's a criminal offense to preach Jesus ion a Muslim nation? Because, faith in God, comes by hearing God's Word.
If we preach anything else, even in our churches, then the people will begin to release their faith in what they've heard. And, it's very difficult to get them to believe the truth of the Word, even when they hear it. Many people throughout the years believed that speaking in tongues is of the devil. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing. Many believe that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased and were only for the early apostles. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing.
It's Biblical truth that's been perverted to take us from the truth instead of into the truth. It has made the Church impotent and without power. Jesus said in Mark 4:24 (Amplified), concerning the parable of the sower. He said, "'Be careful what you are hearing, the measure (of thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you-and more (besides) will be given to you who hear.'"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)