The Power of Praise
Psalms 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Anytime we come before the Lord we come to Him praising him.
Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!
4 Praise Him with the timbrel (drums) and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!
Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
We may not always feel like praising God. It is a sacrifice, a putting under of the flesh. Putting aside pride. Not caring what others think. Football fans will shout, praise and get all excited for their team. How much more should we be praising the God who gave us eternal life.
Psalms 22:22 I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
Psalms 34:1-3 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
Whenever we hear people praising God we, as humble servants of God, should be glad. Only the prideful resist praise. Below we see as we praise Him he will save and heal us!
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.
Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun to its going down, The Lord’s name is to be praised.
Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
God inhabits the praises of his people!
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
We should praise Him in song. We can learn and remember scripture with the songs we sing.
1 Cor. 14:15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
Psalm 33:3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
Revelation 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Be joyful in your singing of His praises! They will be rocking for Jesus in heaven!
2 Samuel 22:4 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
Psalm 8:1-2 1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
Praise will deliver you from your enemies, including depression and other attacks of the devil.
Acts 16:23-26 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
In the above verse we see that Paul and Silas were suffering some terrible circumstances yet still they began to worship and sing to God. God delivered them from their when he heard the praises come forth. We need to do the same even when we are at our lowest points.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Being "IN Christ"
On Being “In Christ.”
Galatians 3:24-29 “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Put on Christ as you would a parachute. If you jump out of a plane you are totally trusting that parachute. The NIV translation uses the word “clothe.” Cover yourself with the fullness of Christ and everything that he is.
Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its s.“ If we have PUT on Christ and are IN Christ, we will be able resist the sinful desires of our bodies.
Romans 7:24,25 “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of ?” Paul knew it was impossible to do all that is demanded of the believer without help. Religion only gives us the letter of the law. See 2 Cor. 3:6.
Hebrews 3:14 “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;” We are not imitators of Christ, but are participators in his Spirit. That means to die to self and be led totally by His Spirit in all things.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
We should not feel guilty about our past because Christ has set us free from that guilt us being forgiven by faith in his shed at the cross. We can continue to feel guilt free if we walk according to the Spirit and not practicing sin. If we do sin, we should immediately confess our sin, repent and God will forgive us according to 1 John 1:9.
Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and .” The Christian Faith is not a scheme of Salvation intellectually accepted, but a Life of power and holiness that one can enjoy if we die to self and walk after the Spirit. Example: a book marker in a book will go wherever the book goes.
Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” If He dwells in you and you in Him. How can we act out the old man (old self)?
Colossians 3:1-3 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
If we try to live by man’s ways and man’s abilities we will fail. We can only have victory by trusting in “the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ”, given by his grace and achieved by Christ at the cross. We cannot trust religion. We cannot trust our own strength and abilities. We must continually fall on our knees at the cross and yield totally to the Spirit, who dwells in us. The Spirit cannot and will not help us outside the cross.
Luke 9:23-24 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Phil. 2:13 “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Again, allow God to do the work, yield to the Holy Spirit for the ability to overcome.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
These “things” and “supplies” must always be things that are pleasing to God and give Him glory, not things that are for our selfish, fleshly wants. Our whole life is meant to give HIM glory. When we operate in that capacity then we will find true joy and peace.
Galatians 3:24-29 “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Put on Christ as you would a parachute. If you jump out of a plane you are totally trusting that parachute. The NIV translation uses the word “clothe.” Cover yourself with the fullness of Christ and everything that he is.
Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its s.“ If we have PUT on Christ and are IN Christ, we will be able resist the sinful desires of our bodies.
Romans 7:24,25 “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of ?” Paul knew it was impossible to do all that is demanded of the believer without help. Religion only gives us the letter of the law. See 2 Cor. 3:6.
Hebrews 3:14 “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;” We are not imitators of Christ, but are participators in his Spirit. That means to die to self and be led totally by His Spirit in all things.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
We should not feel guilty about our past because Christ has set us free from that guilt us being forgiven by faith in his shed at the cross. We can continue to feel guilt free if we walk according to the Spirit and not practicing sin. If we do sin, we should immediately confess our sin, repent and God will forgive us according to 1 John 1:9.
Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and .” The Christian Faith is not a scheme of Salvation intellectually accepted, but a Life of power and holiness that one can enjoy if we die to self and walk after the Spirit. Example: a book marker in a book will go wherever the book goes.
Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” If He dwells in you and you in Him. How can we act out the old man (old self)?
Colossians 3:1-3 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
If we try to live by man’s ways and man’s abilities we will fail. We can only have victory by trusting in “the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ”, given by his grace and achieved by Christ at the cross. We cannot trust religion. We cannot trust our own strength and abilities. We must continually fall on our knees at the cross and yield totally to the Spirit, who dwells in us. The Spirit cannot and will not help us outside the cross.
Luke 9:23-24 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Phil. 2:13 “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Again, allow God to do the work, yield to the Holy Spirit for the ability to overcome.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
These “things” and “supplies” must always be things that are pleasing to God and give Him glory, not things that are for our selfish, fleshly wants. Our whole life is meant to give HIM glory. When we operate in that capacity then we will find true joy and peace.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Signs of a Soundly Saved Christian
Signs (Fruits) of a Soundly saved Christian
Matthew 7:15 You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
1. Love for God. Luke 10:27, Rev. 2:1-5
2. Repentance from sin. 2 Cor. 7:10, Ps. 32:5, Prov. 28:13
3. Genuine Humility. Ps. 51:17, James 4:6,9
4. Devotion to God’s Glory. 1 Cor. 10:31, Ps. 115:1
5. A prayer life. Luke 18:1, Eph. 6:18, James 5:16
6. Selfless Love. 1 John 2:9, 3:14, 4:7
7. Separation from the World. 1 Cor. 2:12, James 4:4, 1 Jn 2:15-17
8. Spiritual Growth. Luke 8:15, John 15:1-6, Eph. 4:12-16
9. Obedient living. Matt. 7:21, 1 Peter 1:2,22, 1 John 2:3-5
10. Hunger for God’s Word. 1 Peter 2:1-3, Duet 8:3, John 1:1-5,14
11. Transformation of Life. 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:14-16, 2:20
Matthew 7:15 You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
1. Love for God. Luke 10:27, Rev. 2:1-5
2. Repentance from sin. 2 Cor. 7:10, Ps. 32:5, Prov. 28:13
3. Genuine Humility. Ps. 51:17, James 4:6,9
4. Devotion to God’s Glory. 1 Cor. 10:31, Ps. 115:1
5. A prayer life. Luke 18:1, Eph. 6:18, James 5:16
6. Selfless Love. 1 John 2:9, 3:14, 4:7
7. Separation from the World. 1 Cor. 2:12, James 4:4, 1 Jn 2:15-17
8. Spiritual Growth. Luke 8:15, John 15:1-6, Eph. 4:12-16
9. Obedient living. Matt. 7:21, 1 Peter 1:2,22, 1 John 2:3-5
10. Hunger for God’s Word. 1 Peter 2:1-3, Duet 8:3, John 1:1-5,14
11. Transformation of Life. 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:14-16, 2:20
Dealing with Guilt and Failure
Dealing with Guilt and Failure
We ALL have failings in keeping the Lord’s commandments. I fail all the time as well. That is why God sent his Son because we are unable to keep the law. Young Christians struggle even more because they are not mature in the Lord. Men that are not able to fellowship with other strong believers will have additional difficulties. God does not expect perfection from you or anybody else. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us because he knew we would need help. You are in the process of being “sanctified” and that does not come overnight. It takes years to grow in the maturity of the Lord and you will have many failings and guilt. BUT as the truth of the Word becomes strong in you, it will change you. You must believe that. You have been made righteous and a son of God “IN Christ”.
Galatians 3:24-26 “So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,”
As you can see this comes by faith! God is not concerned with our performing the law because Jesus fulfilled the law. He only wants to see faith. Faith in what Jesus did at the cross sets us free! Our “righteousness” is already completed in the work of the cross.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Again, the old is gone, your sins are not counted against you, in Christ you have the righteousness of God! Do not discount or throw away this great promise! Jesus gave his life to give you this promise!
1 Peter 1:3-4,23 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the , 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you…. 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
You have been born-again of a seed and a promise that cannot perish!
Romans 8:1-2 “There is therefore now no condemnation (guilt) to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and .”
Stop feeling guilty and realize who you are IN Christ Jesus. If you keep your thoughts on the things of the Spirit and the truth of His Word then you will not experience guilt. You have been freed from the Law and the guilt that it brings!
John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Galatians 5:1 (New Living Translation) “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
If Christ has made you free, don’t go back to Law!
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” See also Psalm 51:10
If God says we are clean then we are clean.
Psalm 103:12 (New Living Translation) “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” See also Ezekiel 11:19,20
Renew your mind with theses verses. Hid them in your heart. Do not be persuaded otherwise. Be filled with the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25 (New Living Translation) “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
I would also recommended reading Romans chapters 6,7,8 multiple times, until the work of the cross (chap. 6), the uselessness of the law (chap. 7), and the victory by the Spirit (chap. 8), burns deep in your soul.
We ALL have failings in keeping the Lord’s commandments. I fail all the time as well. That is why God sent his Son because we are unable to keep the law. Young Christians struggle even more because they are not mature in the Lord. Men that are not able to fellowship with other strong believers will have additional difficulties. God does not expect perfection from you or anybody else. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us because he knew we would need help. You are in the process of being “sanctified” and that does not come overnight. It takes years to grow in the maturity of the Lord and you will have many failings and guilt. BUT as the truth of the Word becomes strong in you, it will change you. You must believe that. You have been made righteous and a son of God “IN Christ”.
Galatians 3:24-26 “So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,”
As you can see this comes by faith! God is not concerned with our performing the law because Jesus fulfilled the law. He only wants to see faith. Faith in what Jesus did at the cross sets us free! Our “righteousness” is already completed in the work of the cross.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Again, the old is gone, your sins are not counted against you, in Christ you have the righteousness of God! Do not discount or throw away this great promise! Jesus gave his life to give you this promise!
1 Peter 1:3-4,23 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the , 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you…. 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
You have been born-again of a seed and a promise that cannot perish!
Romans 8:1-2 “There is therefore now no condemnation (guilt) to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and .”
Stop feeling guilty and realize who you are IN Christ Jesus. If you keep your thoughts on the things of the Spirit and the truth of His Word then you will not experience guilt. You have been freed from the Law and the guilt that it brings!
John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Galatians 5:1 (New Living Translation) “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
If Christ has made you free, don’t go back to Law!
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” See also Psalm 51:10
If God says we are clean then we are clean.
Psalm 103:12 (New Living Translation) “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” See also Ezekiel 11:19,20
Renew your mind with theses verses. Hid them in your heart. Do not be persuaded otherwise. Be filled with the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25 (New Living Translation) “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
I would also recommended reading Romans chapters 6,7,8 multiple times, until the work of the cross (chap. 6), the uselessness of the law (chap. 7), and the victory by the Spirit (chap. 8), burns deep in your soul.
The Importance of God's Word
The Importance of God’s Word
John 1:1,14 The Eternal Word
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus, as The Christ, was always with God the Father, Christ became God incarnate in the flesh as Jesus Christ. We know Jesus Christ because of God’s word, the Bible. Without the Word we could not know about Jesus Christ, our God. We must go to the Word, the Bible to know who God is, how he works, and His will for our lives. We can depend on no other source. The Word is the definitive authority in our lives.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
God’s Word is living and powerful. It is spirit and life. It is your source of life giving power and truth. The Word is your means of change, your engine of change.
John 8:31-32 (Amplified Bible) So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. You will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
Freedom from all sin, frustrations and failure comes from knowing and living His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
For a Christian, lack of faith is the greatest stumbling block. Little faith, little power to overcome sin. God’s word deep within our hearts is the only way to life changing faith.
The Parable of the Sower
Matt. 3-9 .3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed (the Word) fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and es away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.
James 4:4 (New Living Translation) 4 You erers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Psalm 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
John 1:1,14 The Eternal Word
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus, as The Christ, was always with God the Father, Christ became God incarnate in the flesh as Jesus Christ. We know Jesus Christ because of God’s word, the Bible. Without the Word we could not know about Jesus Christ, our God. We must go to the Word, the Bible to know who God is, how he works, and His will for our lives. We can depend on no other source. The Word is the definitive authority in our lives.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
God’s Word is living and powerful. It is spirit and life. It is your source of life giving power and truth. The Word is your means of change, your engine of change.
John 8:31-32 (Amplified Bible) So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. You will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
Freedom from all sin, frustrations and failure comes from knowing and living His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
For a Christian, lack of faith is the greatest stumbling block. Little faith, little power to overcome sin. God’s word deep within our hearts is the only way to life changing faith.
The Parable of the Sower
Matt. 3-9 .3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed (the Word) fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and es away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.
James 4:4 (New Living Translation) 4 You erers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Psalm 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Message of the Cross
I have found that most Christians are unaware of the true meaning and significance of the cross of Christ. Let’s review a few scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to teach our hearts. Warning; this message is offensive! See Galatians 5:11.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Notice that the message of the cross is “the power of God”. If it is the power source for Christians then we had better understand it. I cannot say I personally understand it fully. Truly understanding the cross and living the crucified life, I believe, will take a lifetime. So this paper is only a taste of a partial understanding.
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
This is why this paper will fall painfully short in understanding the cross. It cannot be explained with “wisdom of words.” It must be experienced as well or the cross will be meaningless and void. Salvation itself and the power to live a sanctified life will not be in one’s life unless it is experienced.
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Jesus talked about the cross even though he had not gone to the cross yet. I’m sure the Jews were puzzled by the use of the word. To them, only the worst criminals were crucified on a cross. The cross meant only and shame. That is why it was a stumbling block to them. See Gal.3:13. Much could be written about Luke 9:23. It is a hard word and an offense to the hearer. We are called to deny ourselves. Even to the point of a daily to self. We need to examine ourselves daily to see if we served self or Jesus Christ. A high calling but well worth it as Jesus went on to say in the next verse.
Luke 9:24 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Let’s forget about the benefits of the cross life for a moment. Consider this verse.
Matt. 10:38 He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
We are not even worthy of being called Christians if we don’t walk the crucified life.
The most basic meaning of the message of the cross is that we must die to self and live unto God. If we have truly died to self, how can we live any longer in sin? Any kind of sin. All self interest must die.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
The crucified life means the things of the world no longer have any interest to me. I’m to the world and it is to me.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Not only the things of the world but our fleshly desires as well.
Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Some would say this is too hard of a word. I cannot do it!! You’re right. YOU cannot. But God, through the Holy Spirit working in you, you CAN do it!
2 Corinthians 13:4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
God has given this power to live for Christ by the work of the cross. This work was finished by God Himself, Jesus Christ, by the shedding of His at the cross. Now we have peace with God. We become His children. He dwells within us by the Holy Spirit. The work of the cross, Christ crucified, opened the legal door for God to operate in our lives.
Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the of His cross.
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
I am determined to preach, and live, this message, even if it does offend, because it is the power of God for salvation first and the message for walking in holiness second. I challenge all who read this to do likewise.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Notice that the message of the cross is “the power of God”. If it is the power source for Christians then we had better understand it. I cannot say I personally understand it fully. Truly understanding the cross and living the crucified life, I believe, will take a lifetime. So this paper is only a taste of a partial understanding.
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
This is why this paper will fall painfully short in understanding the cross. It cannot be explained with “wisdom of words.” It must be experienced as well or the cross will be meaningless and void. Salvation itself and the power to live a sanctified life will not be in one’s life unless it is experienced.
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Jesus talked about the cross even though he had not gone to the cross yet. I’m sure the Jews were puzzled by the use of the word. To them, only the worst criminals were crucified on a cross. The cross meant only and shame. That is why it was a stumbling block to them. See Gal.3:13. Much could be written about Luke 9:23. It is a hard word and an offense to the hearer. We are called to deny ourselves. Even to the point of a daily to self. We need to examine ourselves daily to see if we served self or Jesus Christ. A high calling but well worth it as Jesus went on to say in the next verse.
Luke 9:24 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Let’s forget about the benefits of the cross life for a moment. Consider this verse.
Matt. 10:38 He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
We are not even worthy of being called Christians if we don’t walk the crucified life.
The most basic meaning of the message of the cross is that we must die to self and live unto God. If we have truly died to self, how can we live any longer in sin? Any kind of sin. All self interest must die.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
The crucified life means the things of the world no longer have any interest to me. I’m to the world and it is to me.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Not only the things of the world but our fleshly desires as well.
Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Some would say this is too hard of a word. I cannot do it!! You’re right. YOU cannot. But God, through the Holy Spirit working in you, you CAN do it!
2 Corinthians 13:4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
God has given this power to live for Christ by the work of the cross. This work was finished by God Himself, Jesus Christ, by the shedding of His at the cross. Now we have peace with God. We become His children. He dwells within us by the Holy Spirit. The work of the cross, Christ crucified, opened the legal door for God to operate in our lives.
Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the of His cross.
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
I am determined to preach, and live, this message, even if it does offend, because it is the power of God for salvation first and the message for walking in holiness second. I challenge all who read this to do likewise.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Blood Atonement
The Blood Atonement
If you asked most Christians today the following question, “How exactly does Jesus save us?” You would probably get a lot of different answers. Most people don’t realize that there is a specific reason why Jesus had to come to the earth in human form; go to the cross, and die the way he did.
The reason why he had to do all this is because the shedding of blood was required by God the Father for the forgiveness of sin. Most people believe if they come before God on judgment day and simply say they are sorry for their sin, then God will just forgive them and let them into heaven. But that is not God‘s way for forgiveness. God has clearly laid out in the Bible exactly how we are to come to him and the conditions for forgiveness of sins. Since he is the creator he makes the rules, not us. We cannot devise our own plan of salvation. The reason we cannot create our own salvation plan is because we think that sin is no big deal. But sin is a big deal to a Holy and righteous God. Sin is so evil and horrible in His eyes that God requires a high price for His forgiveness. He requires a huge penalty for sin. Romans 6:23 says the penalty for sin is death. Forgiveness is only for those who believe that their death penalty was paid for by the shed blood of God Himself, Jesus Christ at the cross. The entire Bible points to this fact.
In the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve sinned against God. They were separated from God. They felt guilty and naked.
Genesis 3:7,21 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 21 Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
Fig leaves were an insufficient covering. God made tunics from animal skins, he shed blood of the animals to make the skins.
In the story of Cain and Abel found in Genesis Chapter 4. Abel’s sacrifice to God was accepted because he sacrificed animals, blood was shed. Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted because it was only the fruit of the ground. Cain became angry. God told him that he would accept a proper sacrifice. But Cain thought his good work should be good enough, just the same way man thinks today, and he rejected God’s way. The end result was Cain became so angry he killed his brother Abel. God had to punish Cain.
Leviticus 17:11 God said, For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
Atonement means to take action to make things right for things done wrong.
Believers in the old testament had to sacrifice animals (shed their blood) to be atoned (forgiven for their sins).
Hebrews 9:22 (Amplified Bible)
22 …under the Law almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.
Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law at the cross. We could not. We cannot live a sinless life like he did. Since he fulfilled the requirements of the Law we no longer have to sacrifice or shed the blood of animals for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus set us free from that! Can you imagine having to go to the market and buy a bull or goat to sacrifice!
God’s wrath is upon those who are without the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The following verses will tell you that God doesn’t let everyone into heaven just because he’s a loving God. Those who die without the blood of Christ will receive a great punishment. They can escape this punishment if they receive and trust in, by faith, the blood atonement of Christ.
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Jesus laid down his life, shed his blood and died in our place so we would not have to receive judgment from God.
Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Propitiation means to escape God’s wrath. Old testament example is the Passover. In the book of Exodus chap. 11&12. Blood was spread on the door posts to escape God‘s judgment. The Egyptians first born all died. They did not have the Passover blood.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Acts 20:26-28 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
We must preach the whole counsel of God especially of the benefits of the blood shed by Jesus at the cross. By His blood we have justification, reconciliation, propitiation, redemption and forgiveness. Jesus paid the price for our souls with his blood. Now we belong to Him, not ourselves.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, you are not your own. For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Before Jesus went to the cross he taught about the importance of what he was about to do at the cross. During the “last supper” he revealed the importance of the future shedding of His blood.
Matthew 26:27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Taking communion is a remembrance of all the things Christ accomplished for us by the shedding of his blood. Once for all. A remembrance that the new covenant has been ratified. His shed blood is the only hope we have to obtain right standing with God. This is God’s way to receive forgiveness.
The Bible warns us about taking this message of the blood atonement too lightly. I cannot convince you of this intellectually, you must receive it by faith
Hebrews 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
We should fear God and his punishments if we willfully sin because of our careless disregard of His blood sacrifice.
Read also Hebrews chapters 9 and 10:1-23. Revelation 1:5, 5:9, 7:14, 12:11.
1 Peter 1:18,19. Ephesians 2:12,13.
Have you repented? Have you put your faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? Have you been purchased with His blood? Pray today for that privilege so you can have eternal life!
If you asked most Christians today the following question, “How exactly does Jesus save us?” You would probably get a lot of different answers. Most people don’t realize that there is a specific reason why Jesus had to come to the earth in human form; go to the cross, and die the way he did.
The reason why he had to do all this is because the shedding of blood was required by God the Father for the forgiveness of sin. Most people believe if they come before God on judgment day and simply say they are sorry for their sin, then God will just forgive them and let them into heaven. But that is not God‘s way for forgiveness. God has clearly laid out in the Bible exactly how we are to come to him and the conditions for forgiveness of sins. Since he is the creator he makes the rules, not us. We cannot devise our own plan of salvation. The reason we cannot create our own salvation plan is because we think that sin is no big deal. But sin is a big deal to a Holy and righteous God. Sin is so evil and horrible in His eyes that God requires a high price for His forgiveness. He requires a huge penalty for sin. Romans 6:23 says the penalty for sin is death. Forgiveness is only for those who believe that their death penalty was paid for by the shed blood of God Himself, Jesus Christ at the cross. The entire Bible points to this fact.
In the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve sinned against God. They were separated from God. They felt guilty and naked.
Genesis 3:7,21 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 21 Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
Fig leaves were an insufficient covering. God made tunics from animal skins, he shed blood of the animals to make the skins.
In the story of Cain and Abel found in Genesis Chapter 4. Abel’s sacrifice to God was accepted because he sacrificed animals, blood was shed. Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted because it was only the fruit of the ground. Cain became angry. God told him that he would accept a proper sacrifice. But Cain thought his good work should be good enough, just the same way man thinks today, and he rejected God’s way. The end result was Cain became so angry he killed his brother Abel. God had to punish Cain.
Leviticus 17:11 God said, For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
Atonement means to take action to make things right for things done wrong.
Believers in the old testament had to sacrifice animals (shed their blood) to be atoned (forgiven for their sins).
Hebrews 9:22 (Amplified Bible)
22 …under the Law almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.
Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law at the cross. We could not. We cannot live a sinless life like he did. Since he fulfilled the requirements of the Law we no longer have to sacrifice or shed the blood of animals for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus set us free from that! Can you imagine having to go to the market and buy a bull or goat to sacrifice!
God’s wrath is upon those who are without the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The following verses will tell you that God doesn’t let everyone into heaven just because he’s a loving God. Those who die without the blood of Christ will receive a great punishment. They can escape this punishment if they receive and trust in, by faith, the blood atonement of Christ.
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Jesus laid down his life, shed his blood and died in our place so we would not have to receive judgment from God.
Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Propitiation means to escape God’s wrath. Old testament example is the Passover. In the book of Exodus chap. 11&12. Blood was spread on the door posts to escape God‘s judgment. The Egyptians first born all died. They did not have the Passover blood.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Acts 20:26-28 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
We must preach the whole counsel of God especially of the benefits of the blood shed by Jesus at the cross. By His blood we have justification, reconciliation, propitiation, redemption and forgiveness. Jesus paid the price for our souls with his blood. Now we belong to Him, not ourselves.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, you are not your own. For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Before Jesus went to the cross he taught about the importance of what he was about to do at the cross. During the “last supper” he revealed the importance of the future shedding of His blood.
Matthew 26:27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Taking communion is a remembrance of all the things Christ accomplished for us by the shedding of his blood. Once for all. A remembrance that the new covenant has been ratified. His shed blood is the only hope we have to obtain right standing with God. This is God’s way to receive forgiveness.
The Bible warns us about taking this message of the blood atonement too lightly. I cannot convince you of this intellectually, you must receive it by faith
Hebrews 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
We should fear God and his punishments if we willfully sin because of our careless disregard of His blood sacrifice.
Read also Hebrews chapters 9 and 10:1-23. Revelation 1:5, 5:9, 7:14, 12:11.
1 Peter 1:18,19. Ephesians 2:12,13.
Have you repented? Have you put your faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? Have you been purchased with His blood? Pray today for that privilege so you can have eternal life!
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