The Resurrection of Jesus
But God raised him up.... For David says concerning him, "I saw the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in HOPE. For You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let Your holy one see corruption.
Acts 2:24-26
The Resurrection of the Saints
Through's Christ's resurrection life dwelling in us, the Holy Spirit, we too may have the hope of eternal life in the resurrection of the body to immortal life.
Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the HOPE and resurrection of the dead!
Acts 23:6
But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a HOPE in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
Acts 24:14-15
And now I am standing trial for the HOPE of the promise made by God to our fathers; the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this HOPE, O King, I am being accused by Jews. Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead?
Acts 26:6-8 (see 13:30-33).
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in HOPE we have been saved, but HOPE that is seen is not HOPE for who HOPES for what he already sees? But if we HOPE for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Romans 8:23-25 (see 5:2-5)
If there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.... For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have HOPED in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
1 Corinthians 15:13-19
we who foreHOPED in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.... I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the HOPE of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Ephesians 1:12-18 (see Col 1:23,27)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no HOPE. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:12-16 (see 5:8-10).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..... fix your HOPE upon the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.... through him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and HOPE are in God.
1 Peter 1:3,13,21 (see 1 John 3:1-3).
"Dust you are and to dust you shall return." We are bodies of dust and our hope of life resides in the hope of the resurrection of our bodies to life.
Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be delivered. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to eternal life, but the others to disgrace and eternal contempt.
Daniel 12:1-2
Monday, March 05, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Jesus Reveals the True God
"Father... this eternal Life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You sent." - Jesus
Eternal life is to know the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent. The Apostle John wrote that Jesus came to reveal the True God to us:
Nowhere in the Scriptures do we ever find that Jesus came that we might know about a Triune Being, a three person God. We only find that Jesus reveals his God to us: the Father. The God of the Israelite man Jesus, born under the Law, was his Father alone. He knew no other God nor anyone else as God. His Father was his "only God."2 His God was not a three person God. His God was a one person being: his Father alone. Even though the one God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the main character of the Bible and is mentioned thousands of times, the Scriptures never once mention a three person God. Not once. But despite these facts, men have went after another God of their own making, a three person being, and they pretend to themselves, and deceive themselves, by eisegetically reading this humanly conceived God back into the Scriptures wherever they have convinced themselves that they can get away with it.
A three person God was not the God of Jesus or his fleshly brothers and sisters or his discples. Jesus was a Jew born of the woman Mary, the betrothed bride of Joseph, a son of David. He was a Jew of the Tribe of Judah; he was a Jew born under the Law. Before he came to the Jordan to be baptized by John and when he was young, Jesus grew in wisdom and knowledge. Being a Jew, he learned the Scriptures and he knew the Shema: "Hear O Israel, the LORD our God the LORD is one."3 For Jesus the Jew, the one Lord of the Shema, YAHWEH, was not a three person being. The one Lord of the Shema was his Father alone. He knew nothing about worshiping and serving a three person God. His God was one person not three. And when he read the Shema, "the LORD is one," he knew these words meant YAHWEH his Lord and God was one identity, one person, because he also read the words "there is no other but HE."4
Jesus reveals the True God to us. And the True God was his God, the Father alone.
Notes:
1. 1 John 5:20
2. John 5:43-44
3. Deuteronomy 6:4
4. Mark 12:29-34; Deut 4:35,39
Eternal life is to know the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent. The Apostle John wrote that Jesus came to reveal the True God to us:
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding so that we may know Him Who is True and we are in Him Who is True, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.1Jesus came to reveal the only true God to us. So what is the identity of the true God? John writes that Jesus came so that we might know his Father in Heaven.
What is the identity of the True God? The Father is the True God, Him who is True, He who has a Son Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus refers to his Father as "the only true God" at John 17:3, John clearly spells out the identity of the One True God. The True God is the Father, "Him Who is True." The True God and Eternal Life has a Son, "His Son" and His Son is Jesus Christ. The True God is the Father of Jesus and Jesus has come to give us knowledge of his God so that we might know the Father, the True God and Eternal Life.And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding so that we may know Him Who is True and we are in Him Who is True, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Nowhere in the Scriptures do we ever find that Jesus came that we might know about a Triune Being, a three person God. We only find that Jesus reveals his God to us: the Father. The God of the Israelite man Jesus, born under the Law, was his Father alone. He knew no other God nor anyone else as God. His Father was his "only God."2 His God was not a three person God. His God was a one person being: his Father alone. Even though the one God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the main character of the Bible and is mentioned thousands of times, the Scriptures never once mention a three person God. Not once. But despite these facts, men have went after another God of their own making, a three person being, and they pretend to themselves, and deceive themselves, by eisegetically reading this humanly conceived God back into the Scriptures wherever they have convinced themselves that they can get away with it.
A three person God was not the God of Jesus or his fleshly brothers and sisters or his discples. Jesus was a Jew born of the woman Mary, the betrothed bride of Joseph, a son of David. He was a Jew of the Tribe of Judah; he was a Jew born under the Law. Before he came to the Jordan to be baptized by John and when he was young, Jesus grew in wisdom and knowledge. Being a Jew, he learned the Scriptures and he knew the Shema: "Hear O Israel, the LORD our God the LORD is one."3 For Jesus the Jew, the one Lord of the Shema, YAHWEH, was not a three person being. The one Lord of the Shema was his Father alone. He knew nothing about worshiping and serving a three person God. His God was one person not three. And when he read the Shema, "the LORD is one," he knew these words meant YAHWEH his Lord and God was one identity, one person, because he also read the words "there is no other but HE."4
Jesus reveals the True God to us. And the True God was his God, the Father alone.
___________________________You turned to God from idols to serve a Living and True God and to wait for His Son from heaven. 1 Thessalonians 1:10.
Notes:
1. 1 John 5:20
2. John 5:43-44
3. Deuteronomy 6:4
4. Mark 12:29-34; Deut 4:35,39
Monday, January 30, 2012
Kingdom Reality & The Coming Age
John the Baptist, and then Jesus, came preaching the Kingdom of God/Heaven is "at hand." Kingdom reality was upon the people of Israel and about to manifest itself. When Jesus began to do miracles by the Spirit of God in which he was anointed, he explained that this was the manifestation of the Kingdom of God. But there is more to the story. In the context of this Good News, John warned the Pharisees about the coming wrath of God and said, "the axe is already at the root of the tree." With God's Kingdom comes His fiery judgment and this is why we also read that Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit and in Fire. Judgment begins with the household of God and if we are in Christ we are a part of that household. When John said "the axe is at the root of the tree" this was just another way of saying the Kingdom is "at hand" or "near." This judgment wrath was totally manifested in the person of the King of the Jewish nation suffering on the cross and this judgment upon the flesh of the King of Israel was further manifested 40 years later when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. God's judgment wrath had been manifested to the people of Israel.
Jesus was the Father's Word and contained in the Father's Word is His Will. His Word which went out from Him at the foundation of the world returns to Him having accomplished what He sent it out of Himself to accomplish (see Isaiah 55:11). When Jesus said the words, "It is finished," all of God the Father's will for this present creation was completed. Jesus himself embodied God's purpose and meaning of this creation. And Jesus risen is also the firstfruits of the new creation, the place where the new creation begins. He was the only begotten Son of the old creation. But he is not the only begotten Son of the new creation. In the new creation, he is the firstborn of many brothers, many children of God who are no longer a part of the old creation but part of the new creation if indeed they are truly in Christ. And so we experientially realize the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven right now by the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The Spirit communicates to us the glory of God and Heaven and His Son.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are experiencing Kingdom reality, the reality of Heaven, the reality of the very presence of God. We often tend to think about these things in a spatial sense. We are "down here" and the Kingdom of Heaven is "up there." We are no longer of this world but of the Kingdom. But reality is more than just a spatial thing. When we are in Christ, we experience the reality of the coming age and that age will be a total reality to this earth, and all the people of this earth, when Jesus comes again in blazing glory. For us who are in Christ right now, that future reality is not a future thing; it is a reality for us right now. To be a partaker of the Holy Spirit means we are experiencing the reality of the age to come right here, right now (see Heb 6:4). This is also the "oikoumene" mentioned at Hebrews 1:6 which Jesus entered when he rose from the dead. When we are in Christ, we have come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the community of God and all His angels, the economy of Kingdom reality that is the age to come (see Heb 2:5). From our own perspective we are not just experiencing the reality that is spatially "up there" but the reality that is "down there" at the end of this age and the beginning of the coming age. When Jesus comes again in glory, this dark world will experience Kingdom reality and it will experience the judgment wrath of God. For us who are in Christ, we experience this coming reality right now, we experience the "powers of the age to come." For that reason, judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:18). For this reason, the true disciples of Jesus will most certainly endure fiery trials right here, right now. They are baptized in the Holy Spirit and in Fire.
Jesus was the Father's Word and contained in the Father's Word is His Will. His Word which went out from Him at the foundation of the world returns to Him having accomplished what He sent it out of Himself to accomplish (see Isaiah 55:11). When Jesus said the words, "It is finished," all of God the Father's will for this present creation was completed. Jesus himself embodied God's purpose and meaning of this creation. And Jesus risen is also the firstfruits of the new creation, the place where the new creation begins. He was the only begotten Son of the old creation. But he is not the only begotten Son of the new creation. In the new creation, he is the firstborn of many brothers, many children of God who are no longer a part of the old creation but part of the new creation if indeed they are truly in Christ. And so we experientially realize the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven right now by the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The Spirit communicates to us the glory of God and Heaven and His Son.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are experiencing Kingdom reality, the reality of Heaven, the reality of the very presence of God. We often tend to think about these things in a spatial sense. We are "down here" and the Kingdom of Heaven is "up there." We are no longer of this world but of the Kingdom. But reality is more than just a spatial thing. When we are in Christ, we experience the reality of the coming age and that age will be a total reality to this earth, and all the people of this earth, when Jesus comes again in blazing glory. For us who are in Christ right now, that future reality is not a future thing; it is a reality for us right now. To be a partaker of the Holy Spirit means we are experiencing the reality of the age to come right here, right now (see Heb 6:4). This is also the "oikoumene" mentioned at Hebrews 1:6 which Jesus entered when he rose from the dead. When we are in Christ, we have come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the community of God and all His angels, the economy of Kingdom reality that is the age to come (see Heb 2:5). From our own perspective we are not just experiencing the reality that is spatially "up there" but the reality that is "down there" at the end of this age and the beginning of the coming age. When Jesus comes again in glory, this dark world will experience Kingdom reality and it will experience the judgment wrath of God. For us who are in Christ, we experience this coming reality right now, we experience the "powers of the age to come." For that reason, judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:18). For this reason, the true disciples of Jesus will most certainly endure fiery trials right here, right now. They are baptized in the Holy Spirit and in Fire.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Risen Christ is the Spirit
Revelation 3
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this....He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Romans 8
You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a Spirit of sonship by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself interecedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 3who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
1 Corinthians 15:45
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, "The first man Adam became a living soul," the last Adam life-giving Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-4:5
But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because the veil is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake.
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this....He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Romans 8
You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a Spirit of sonship by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself interecedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 3who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
1 Corinthians 15:45
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, "The first man Adam became a living soul," the last Adam life-giving Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-4:5
But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because the veil is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
How to Know Perfect Pure Truth
The Father's Word of Truth
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is True; and we are in Him who is True, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God and eternal life.
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only True God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
John 17:3
He who sent me is True, whom you do not know.
John 7:28
He who sent me is True; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world.
John 8:26
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and Truth.... For the Law was given through Moses, the grace and the Truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:14
I am the True vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
John 15:1
There is another who testifies of me, and I know that the testimony which he gives about me is true. You have sent to John, and he has testified to the Truth....You do not have the Father's Word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom He sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about me and you are unwilling to come to me so that you may have life.
John 5:32-40
Sanctify them in the Truth. Your Word is Truth.... For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in Truth.
John 17:17-19
But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the Truth.
John 16:13
When the Parakletos comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about me.
John 15:26
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the Truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the Truth.... As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is True and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
1 John 2:20-27.
The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the Truth, for the sake of the Truth which abides in us and will be with us forever
2 John 1:1-2
But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and Truth.
John 4:23-24.
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in work and Truth. We will know by this that we are of the Truth and will assure our heart before Him. in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commands and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. This is His commands, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commands abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John 3:18-24
I am the way, and the Truth, and the life.
John 14:6
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is True; and we are in Him who is True, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God and eternal life.
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only True God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
John 17:3
He who sent me is True, whom you do not know.
John 7:28
He who sent me is True; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world.
John 8:26
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and Truth.... For the Law was given through Moses, the grace and the Truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:14
I am the True vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
John 15:1
There is another who testifies of me, and I know that the testimony which he gives about me is true. You have sent to John, and he has testified to the Truth....You do not have the Father's Word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom He sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about me and you are unwilling to come to me so that you may have life.
John 5:32-40
Sanctify them in the Truth. Your Word is Truth.... For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in Truth.
John 17:17-19
But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the Truth.
John 16:13
When the Parakletos comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about me.
John 15:26
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the Truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the Truth.... As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is True and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
1 John 2:20-27.
The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the Truth, for the sake of the Truth which abides in us and will be with us forever
2 John 1:1-2
But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and Truth.
John 4:23-24.
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in work and Truth. We will know by this that we are of the Truth and will assure our heart before Him. in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commands and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. This is His commands, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commands abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John 3:18-24
I am the way, and the Truth, and the life.
John 14:6
Friday, January 13, 2012
How Jesus did Great Things
Jesus did great things by the power of the Holy Spirit of his God and Father who was at work in him.
Amazing Teaching
And they were amazed at his teaching for his word was with authority.
Luke 4:32.
When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching for he was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew 7:28-29. See Mark 1:22.
My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from myself.
John 7:16-17
I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world....When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am and I do nothing on my own but I speak these things as the Father taught me.
John 8:26-28
For I did not speak on my own but the Father Himself who sent me has given me a command as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.
John 12:49-50
He who does not love me does not keep my words and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
John 14:24.
I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
Deuteronomy 18:18. See Acts 3:22.
Mighty Works
Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through him in your midst.
Acts 2:22.
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Acts 10:38
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Matthew 12:28.
We must work the works of Him who sent me.
John 9:4; see 3:21
He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father abiding in me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.
John 14:9-11
Amazing Teaching
And they were amazed at his teaching for his word was with authority.
Luke 4:32.
When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching for he was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew 7:28-29. See Mark 1:22.
My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from myself.
John 7:16-17
I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world....When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am and I do nothing on my own but I speak these things as the Father taught me.
John 8:26-28
For I did not speak on my own but the Father Himself who sent me has given me a command as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.
John 12:49-50
He who does not love me does not keep my words and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
John 14:24.
I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
Deuteronomy 18:18. See Acts 3:22.
Mighty Works
Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through him in your midst.
Acts 2:22.
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Acts 10:38
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Matthew 12:28.
We must work the works of Him who sent me.
John 9:4; see 3:21
He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father abiding in me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.
John 14:9-11
When God made Jesus "Lord"
When God raised the man Jesus from the dead, God made him Lord, seating Jesus at His right hand.
Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:33-36
"You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him.
Hebrews 2:7-8
Having made purification of sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High, having become as much superior to the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than them.
Hebrews 1:4
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:21.
[Jesus] is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to him.
1 Peter 3:22
All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
Matthew 28:18
For this reason also, God highly exalted him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11
To sit at the right hand of God means one is exercising God's authority. The Lord of heaven and earth has a God and he is exercising the authority of his God. The Father is the God of the Lord.
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 15:6).
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 1:3).
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 11:31).
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3).
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:17).
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Col 1:3).
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:3).
For us there is one God: the Father... and one Lord: Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:6.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to him, so that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:25-28
Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:33-36
God the Father has entrusted the glorified man Jesus with everything.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Jesus Sends His Disciples into the world
Jesus sent 'into the world'
God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and had sent him into the world.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17.
God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9
Therefore when the people saw the sign which he had performed, they said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."
John 6:14.
Sent into the world at the Jordan
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me wherefore He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:18-19.
What do you say of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world?
John 10:36.
Jesus' disciples sent 'into the world'
Just as the Father had sent him, Jesus anoints his disciples with the Spirit and sends them into the world.
"Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
John 20:21-22.
Just as You sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
John 17:18.
God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and had sent him into the world.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17.
God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9
Therefore when the people saw the sign which he had performed, they said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."
John 6:14.
Sent into the world at the Jordan
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me wherefore He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:18-19.
What do you say of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world?
John 10:36.
Jesus' disciples sent 'into the world'
Just as the Father had sent him, Jesus anoints his disciples with the Spirit and sends them into the world.
"Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
John 20:21-22.
Just as You sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
John 17:18.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
God, Jesus, Disciples: ONE
"I and the Father are one."
John 10:30
Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given me, that they may be one just as we are one.... that they may all be one just as You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You sent me. The glory which You have given me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as we are one, I in them and You in me, that they may be perfected in oneness/unity, so that the world may know that You sent me, and loved them, just as You have loved me.
John 17:11,20-23
Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus explains HOW he is one with God the Father. He was one with his God and Father in function and purpose, one with the Father in the things he was doing.
For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.
John 3:34
My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.
John 4:34
My Father is working until now, and I myself am working.... the Son can do nothing of himself, unless it is something he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also likewise does gor the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that He Himself is doing and the Father will show him greater works than these, so that you will marvel....the works which the Father has given me to finish, the very works that I do testify about me, that the Father has sent me.
John 5:17-20,36
I have come in the name of my Father and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the only God?
John 5:43-44
My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, he is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
John 7:16-18.
I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world....When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am and I do nothing on my own but I speak these things as the Father taught me.
John 8:26-28
We must work the works of Him who sent me.
John 9:4
I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in the name of my Father, these testify of me... My Father, who has given [the sheep] to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.... I showed you many good works from the Father. For which of them are you stoning me?... If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe me; but if I do them, though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.
John 10:29-38
For I did not speak on my own but the Father Himself who sent me has given me a command as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.
John 12:49-50
He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father abiding in me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.
John 14:9-11
He who does not love Me does not keep my words and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
John 14:24.
I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given me to do.... They have come to know that everything You have given me is from You for the words which You gave me I have given to them.
John 17:7-8.
Jesus was led by the Spirit of his God and Father abiding in him. He only said and did what the Spirit of God led him to say and do. In this way, Jesus was one with the Father in everything he did. He was one with the Father in a functional sense and Jesus prays that this disciples will be one with he himself and the Father just as he and the Father were one.
"I and the Father are one."
John 10:30
Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given me, that they may be one just as we are one.... that they may all be one just as You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You sent me. The glory which You have given me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as we are one, I in them and You in me, that they may be perfected in oneness/unity, so that the world may know that You sent me, and loved them, just as You have loved me.
John 17:11,20-23
John 10:30
Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given me, that they may be one just as we are one.... that they may all be one just as You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You sent me. The glory which You have given me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as we are one, I in them and You in me, that they may be perfected in oneness/unity, so that the world may know that You sent me, and loved them, just as You have loved me.
John 17:11,20-23
Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus explains HOW he is one with God the Father. He was one with his God and Father in function and purpose, one with the Father in the things he was doing.
For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.
John 3:34
My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.
John 4:34
My Father is working until now, and I myself am working.... the Son can do nothing of himself, unless it is something he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also likewise does gor the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that He Himself is doing and the Father will show him greater works than these, so that you will marvel....the works which the Father has given me to finish, the very works that I do testify about me, that the Father has sent me.
John 5:17-20,36
I have come in the name of my Father and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the only God?
John 5:43-44
My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, he is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
John 7:16-18.
I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world....When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am and I do nothing on my own but I speak these things as the Father taught me.
John 8:26-28
We must work the works of Him who sent me.
John 9:4
I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in the name of my Father, these testify of me... My Father, who has given [the sheep] to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.... I showed you many good works from the Father. For which of them are you stoning me?... If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe me; but if I do them, though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.
John 10:29-38
For I did not speak on my own but the Father Himself who sent me has given me a command as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.
John 12:49-50
He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father abiding in me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.
John 14:9-11
He who does not love Me does not keep my words and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
John 14:24.
I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given me to do.... They have come to know that everything You have given me is from You for the words which You gave me I have given to them.
John 17:7-8.
Jesus was led by the Spirit of his God and Father abiding in him. He only said and did what the Spirit of God led him to say and do. In this way, Jesus was one with the Father in everything he did. He was one with the Father in a functional sense and Jesus prays that this disciples will be one with he himself and the Father just as he and the Father were one.
"I and the Father are one."
John 10:30
Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given me, that they may be one just as we are one.... that they may all be one just as You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You sent me. The glory which You have given me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as we are one, I in them and You in me, that they may be perfected in oneness/unity, so that the world may know that You sent me, and loved them, just as You have loved me.
John 17:11,20-23
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Genuine Discipleship means Suffering
Jesus denied himself to serve and he suffered for us. To follow Jesus means that we walk in his footsteps and walk as he walked. We must deny ourselves, lose our lives, die to self, die to the flesh, crucify the flesh. Because we are flesh that means we will suffer. If we give provision to the flesh, we are not truly following him and we are deceiving ourselves.
We are flesh and the flesh only knows how to sin. And so we put off the flesh, crucify the flesh and its desires, we die to self. And if we do this, the world will then also hate us and we will be persecuted and suffer in the flesh at the hands of men of the flesh. The word will hate us because it hated him first. And if indeed, we have truly died to the flesh and its desires and we have become conformed to Jesus in death in our walk with him, the world will seek to physically kill us. For that reason, we must count the cost and love not even our own lives unto death because if we do love our own lives we will end up deny Jesus and he will deny us before his Father.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
Hebrews 2:10.
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which he suffered.
Hebrews 5:8
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
1 Peter 4:1.
John 15:12 / 1 John 3:16
This is my command, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
John 12:24-26
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be also; if anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Matthew 16:24-27
If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and will render to each one according to his practices.
Matthew 10:34-39
Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law and a man's enemies will be members of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for my sake will find it.
Luke 9:59-62
And Jesus said to another, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But he said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Luke 14:26
If anyone comes to me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:33
So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not forsake all that he has.
Acts 14:22
Through many tribulations must we enter the kingdom of God
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Philippians 1:29
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for his sake.
2 Corinthians 1:3-8
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
1 Peter 4:12-17
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Philippians 3:8-11
I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Romans 8:16-17
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Romans 8:36
Just as it is written, "For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we are reckoned as sheep to be slaughtered."
1 Peter 1:20-21
But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in his footsteps.
Acts 9:16
But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine, to bear my name before the nations and kings and the sons of Israel for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."
Matthew 5:10-13
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.
2 Timothy 3:12
All who desire to live godily in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
1 John 3:13
Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.
Matthew 10:22
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
Matthew 24:9-13
Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
John 17:14
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
2 Corinthians 3:8-18
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
If the world loves you, be very concerned:
We are flesh and the flesh only knows how to sin. And so we put off the flesh, crucify the flesh and its desires, we die to self. And if we do this, the world will then also hate us and we will be persecuted and suffer in the flesh at the hands of men of the flesh. The word will hate us because it hated him first. And if indeed, we have truly died to the flesh and its desires and we have become conformed to Jesus in death in our walk with him, the world will seek to physically kill us. For that reason, we must count the cost and love not even our own lives unto death because if we do love our own lives we will end up deny Jesus and he will deny us before his Father.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
Hebrews 2:10.
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which he suffered.
Hebrews 5:8
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
1 Peter 4:1.
John 15:12 / 1 John 3:16
This is my command, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
John 12:24-26
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be also; if anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Matthew 16:24-27
If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and will render to each one according to his practices.
Matthew 10:34-39
Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law and a man's enemies will be members of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for my sake will find it.
Luke 9:59-62
And Jesus said to another, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But he said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Luke 14:26
If anyone comes to me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:33
So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not forsake all that he has.
Acts 14:22
Through many tribulations must we enter the kingdom of God
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Philippians 1:29
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for his sake.
2 Corinthians 1:3-8
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
1 Peter 4:12-17
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Philippians 3:8-11
I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Romans 8:16-17
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Romans 8:36
Just as it is written, "For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we are reckoned as sheep to be slaughtered."
1 Peter 1:20-21
But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in his footsteps.
Acts 9:16
But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine, to bear my name before the nations and kings and the sons of Israel for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."
Matthew 5:10-13
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.
2 Timothy 3:12
All who desire to live godily in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
1 John 3:13
Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.
Matthew 10:22
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
Matthew 24:9-13
Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
John 17:14
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
2 Corinthians 3:8-18
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
If the world loves you, be very concerned:
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. John 15:19.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Baptized in Holy Spirit and Fire
[Jesus] will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing
floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff
with unquenchable fire.
Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17.
Jesus is Baptized in Fire
I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!
Luke 12:49-50; see Matthew 10:34.
The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
Mark 10:39; see 14:36.
[God sent] His own Son in the likeness of the flesh of sin and concerning sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.
Romans 8:3.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
Hebrews 2:10; see 5:7-8.
Disciples Baptized in Fire
Through many tribulations must we enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 14:22
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Romans 8:16-17.
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:3-5.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-3.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-7
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:12-17.
Burnt Offerings: Sacrificial Offerings by Fire
As living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship.
Romans 12:2.
We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
Hebrews 13:10-13.
Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17.
Jesus is Baptized in Fire
I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!
Luke 12:49-50; see Matthew 10:34.
The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
Mark 10:39; see 14:36.
[God sent] His own Son in the likeness of the flesh of sin and concerning sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.
Romans 8:3.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
Hebrews 2:10; see 5:7-8.
Disciples Baptized in Fire
Through many tribulations must we enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 14:22
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Romans 8:16-17.
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:3-5.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-3.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-7
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:12-17.
Burnt Offerings: Sacrificial Offerings by Fire
As living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship.
Romans 12:2.
We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
Hebrews 13:10-13.
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Judgment by Works
God will judge the world through the man he has appointed, Jesus. He will judge
every single person by works without any partiality whatsoever. The Scriptures
are unambiguously consistent regarding Judgment day. To those who
have practiced good, eternal life. To those who have practiced evil, eternal
destruction.
Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God will bring every work into judgment, everything which is hidden, whether good or evil.
Matthew 25:31-46
But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him; and he will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and he will put the sheep on his right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on hs right, 'Come, you who are blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and give you something to drink? And when did we see you a stranger, and invite you in, or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.' Then he will also say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in; naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.' Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
See Matt 3:8-10; 7:19; John 15:1-17; Eph 2:10; James 1:22-2:24; 1 John 3:14-18.
Revelation 20:12-15
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their works. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
John 5:28-29
Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come forth; those who did good to a resurrection of life, those who practiced evil to a resurrection of judgment.
Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will render to each one according to what he has done.
Revelation 22:12
Behold, I am coming quickly, and my recompense is with me, to render to every man according to his work.
Hebrews 10:30
For we know Him who said, "Vengeneance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people."
2 Corinthians 5:10-11
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive according to what he did in the body whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.
1 Peter 1:14-17
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy for I am holy." If you call upon as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay sojourning.
Romans 2:6-16
[God] will render to each one according to his works. To those who patienty do good seeking for glory, honor, and immortality, eternal life but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God..... in the Day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.
Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God will bring every work into judgment, everything which is hidden, whether good or evil.
Matthew 25:31-46
But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him; and he will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and he will put the sheep on his right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on hs right, 'Come, you who are blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and give you something to drink? And when did we see you a stranger, and invite you in, or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.' Then he will also say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in; naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.' Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
See Matt 3:8-10; 7:19; John 15:1-17; Eph 2:10; James 1:22-2:24; 1 John 3:14-18.
Revelation 20:12-15
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their works. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
John 5:28-29
Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come forth; those who did good to a resurrection of life, those who practiced evil to a resurrection of judgment.
Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will render to each one according to what he has done.
Revelation 22:12
Behold, I am coming quickly, and my recompense is with me, to render to every man according to his work.
Hebrews 10:30
For we know Him who said, "Vengeneance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people."
2 Corinthians 5:10-11
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive according to what he did in the body whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.
1 Peter 1:14-17
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy for I am holy." If you call upon as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay sojourning.
Romans 2:6-16
[God] will render to each one according to his works. To those who patienty do good seeking for glory, honor, and immortality, eternal life but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God..... in the Day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Few will be saved
And someone said to Jesus, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And
he said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many,
I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. "Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand
outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will
answer and say to you, `I do not know where you are from.' Then you
will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our
streets'; and he will say, `I tell you, I do not know where you are
from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.' "In that place there will
be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and
all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out.
Luke 13:23-28.
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. The gate is narrow and the way is difficult which leads to life and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14.
The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, "Tell those who have been invited, 'Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.'" But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.' Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."
Matthew 22:1-14 (cf. Rev 19:8).
Brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure.
2 Peter 1:10.
Luke 13:23-28.
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. The gate is narrow and the way is difficult which leads to life and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14.
The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, "Tell those who have been invited, 'Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.'" But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.' Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."
Matthew 22:1-14 (cf. Rev 19:8).
Brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure.
2 Peter 1:10.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
We Must Bear Fruit
Having our sins washed away as a gift of grace from God is not all that God expects of us. Having our sins forgiven simply brings us from the side of the negative up to zero so that we can start walking a new life of righteousness on the positive side of zero. We are deluded if we think we can have our sins forgiven and then sit on the fenceline between doing the fruits of sin and doing the fruits of righteousness. And even if we could, we would not be fruit bearers and those who do not bear fruit are cut off and thrown into the fire.
We were created new creations in Christ when we are born again into his resurrection life and God has raised us up into this new life for a purpose: to bear the fruits of righteousness. If we do not bear the fruit of righteousness, we will be thrown into the fire.
Good Fruit of Righteousness
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.
Walk as children of Light for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth evidencing what is pleasing to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:9-10.
He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23.
When the Spirit is poured into our hearts, the love of God is poured into our hearts. And this love is the power of God. In this love, the works of righteousness and bearing fruit to God is something we earnestly desire to do. We earnestly desire to love as God loved us and bearing fruit to God does not feel like the drudgery of performing tasks but the joy of loving God and mankind.
Failure to Produce Fruit
This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
John 15:13.
Whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in work and truth. 1 John 3:17-18.
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
James 2:14-17.
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only deluding yourselves.
James 1:22.
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Matthew 3:7-10.
So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 7:17-19.
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, good. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "
Luke 13:5-9.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:1-6.
For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and being cursed is at hand, and it ends up being burned.
Hebrews 6:7-8.
We were created new creations in Christ when we are born again into his resurrection life and God has raised us up into this new life for a purpose: to bear the fruits of righteousness. If we do not bear the fruit of righteousness, we will be thrown into the fire.
Good Fruit of Righteousness
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.
Walk as children of Light for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth evidencing what is pleasing to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:9-10.
He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23.
When the Spirit is poured into our hearts, the love of God is poured into our hearts. And this love is the power of God. In this love, the works of righteousness and bearing fruit to God is something we earnestly desire to do. We earnestly desire to love as God loved us and bearing fruit to God does not feel like the drudgery of performing tasks but the joy of loving God and mankind.
Failure to Produce Fruit
This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
John 15:13.
Whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in work and truth. 1 John 3:17-18.
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
James 2:14-17.
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only deluding yourselves.
James 1:22.
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Matthew 3:7-10.
So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 7:17-19.
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, good. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "
Luke 13:5-9.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:1-6.
For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and being cursed is at hand, and it ends up being burned.
Hebrews 6:7-8.
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