I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

We have quit some of our old habits that were not pleasing to God. We are feeling good, feeling victory over conquering those things that were bringing us down.

There are also habits of places we “hang out” at. Usually, these places are centered around the old habits we quit. People go to these places to enjoy these habits. They want to be around people that are also enjoying these habits.

But they’re not going to enjoy being around us, and we’re not going to enjoy being around them. The place we’re going back to is a place of the bad habits we’ve quit.

No matter how great we feel about the victories we’ve won, the pressure is on to make us return to our “old self” again.

To be a success and to keep the victories we’ve won, we need to move on and find some new places to go to that are “bad habit free.”

We want to stay on God’s path. We don’t want our feet taking us to places where we can fall back into the bad habits we’ve conquered.

"Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." - Proverbs 4:27 KJV

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." - Romans 8:37 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 KJV

Here is a good Bible study! There is only one God, and Jesus is His name!

 

Repentance - Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? GOD FORBID

 

"Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

What did Paul say about CONTINUING in sin after we first come to God and repent?

Paul said, “GOD FORBID.”

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? GOD FORBID. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in NEWNESS of life.

Did Paul say here that it was alright to sin? NO. He said that “HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN.”

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN." - Romans 6:1-6 KJV

Christ died on the cross ONE time, NOT daily.

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts [have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there]." - Galatians 5:24 KJV

We put on the Lord Jesus Christ by repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus, and the infilling of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and MAKE NOT PROVISION FOR THE FLESH, to fulfil the lusts thereof." - Romans 13:14 KJV

"But now being made FREE FROM SIN, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." - Romans 6:22 KJV

When Paul said, “I die daily,” he was not saying he repented of sins daily; he was saying he RISKED HIS LIFE ON A DAILY BASIS. Read the verse in context: 1 Corinthians 15:30-31, 34. See also: Acts 14:19, 2 Corinthians 11:23-26, Romans 6:1-23.

(All CAPS are my emphasis).

Church!

 

Why I should go to church

1. I should go to church to hear the gospel. (1Corinthians 15:1-4).

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:13-16

2. I should go to church to obey the gospel.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:38-40

3. I should go to church to praise, worship, and give thanks to the One true God, His name is Jesus.

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." - John 4:24

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. ... Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." - Psalm 100:1-2, 4

4. I should go to church to grow in knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:11-12 (1 Peter 2:2-3, 2 Peter 3:18).

5. I should go to church to learn how I put on the whole armour of God.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [tricks] of the devil." - Ephesians 6:11 

Part 3 The Kingdom - But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse

We see in our day what the Bible says, "But evil men and seducers [imposters] shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." - 2 Timothy 3:13 KJV

 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous [lovers of money], boasters, proud, blasphemers [scoffing at God], disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection [unloving], trucebreakers [unforgiving], false accusers [will slander others], incontinent [no self-control], fierce [cruel], despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady [reckless], highminded [puffed up with pride], lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;" - 2 Timothy 3:1-4 KJV

 What is the answer to this?

 God’s solution for this evil world is for His kingdom to come and for His will to be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (Matthew 6:10).

 The Bible says that the Lord has not returned yet because it is not His will that any perish. It is His will that all will return to Him by repentance.

 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise [that Jesus is coming again], as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering [patient] to us-ward, not willing that any should perish [be destroyed], but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

 It is God’s desire that the evil people of this world come into His kingdom. It is by repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost that evil people will become washed, sanctified, and justified. (John 3:5, Acts 22:16, Romans 15:16, Acts 2:38).

 "Know ye not that the unrighteous [those that do wrong] shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived [don’t fool yourselves]: neither fornicators [those who indulge in sexual sin], nor idolaters [worship idols], nor adulterers, nor effeminate [male prostitutes], nor abusers of themselves with mankind [or practice homosexuality], nor thieves, nor covetous [greedy people], nor drunkards, nor revilers [abusive], nor extortioners [cheat people], [none of these] shall inherit the kingdom of God.

 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified [made holy], but ye are justified [made right with God] in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV (Acts 2:38).

 To be continued…

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable

 

God called us.

We heard the gospel, we believed the gospel, we obeyed the gospel. (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:14-16, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:15-16).

We are born again – born of water when we were water baptized in the name of Jesus, born of the Spirit when we were Spirit baptized, filled with the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives us the utterance. (John 3:3, 5, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4, John 3:8).

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1 John 5:4 KJV (1 John 2:15-17).

We repented of our sins; we were baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38).

God chose us when He filled us with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. (John 15:1).

He gives us victory over sin and death.

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV

We are faithful.

Those that are with Jesus are called, chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14).

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9 KJV

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." - Revelation 2:7 KJV

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." - Revelation 21:7 KJV

"And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." - Revelation 22:1 KJV

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." - Revelation 22:17 KJV

Part 2 The Kingdom

When Adam sinned in the garden, the communion he had with God was broken. (Isaiah 59:2).

"And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" - Genesis 3:8-9 KJV

God loved us from the beginning of time. It has been His desire to restore the communion He originally had with man. (2 Peter 3:9 – ‘repent’ to ‘return’ to God, Isaiah 59:16, Isaiah 53).

Because of His love, God robed Himself in flesh and paid the price of shedding His blood for our sin. (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22).  

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them...." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done [the Law], but according to his mercy he saved us [by His death, burial, and resurrection], by the washing of regeneration [water baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins], and renewing of the Holy Ghost [Holy Ghost baptism];" - Titus 3:4-5 KJV

Because God Himself stepped into humanity to pay the price of our sins, our sins are able to be taken away, for only God is holy. When we repent of our sins and are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, we are able to receive God's Spirit in us. Communion is then restored as at the beginning. (Acts 20:28, Acts 2:38).

This is how we can now enter the kingdom of God – because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus we can now have our sins remitted by water baptism in the name of Jesus and we can now be filled with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38). By our new birth, the kingdom of God is within us. (Luke 17:20-21, Romans 14:17).

Because of His love for the world, Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, 2Peter 3:9).

To be continued…

To all you fathers out there

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 KJV

What Part Do We Have in the Kingdom of God?

God has called us. (Matthew 22:14). We have answered. (Revelation 17:14). We have turned from the pleasures of sin and committed ourselves to a life of pleasing God. (Hebrews 11:25 Colossians 1:10, 1John 3:22).

We have repented and had all our sins washed away by baptism in the name of Jesus. (Acts 22:16). God has mercifully filled us with His Holy Ghost so we can walk in His Spirit. (Titus 3:5, Galatians 5:16, 22-25).

At creation, the first commandment God gave to Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiply. (Genesis 1:27-28).

When we are in Christ (Acts 2:38), we are a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17 NKJV, Eph.4:24). The first command God gave to us as the newborn church is to be fruitful and multiply. (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 1:8, John 20:21-23).

The church is fruitful and multiplies by the gospel. (Acts 2:38-39, Mark 16:20, 1Corinthians 4:15, Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14, Acts 6:7, Acts 8:12, Acts 9:31, Acts 11:23-24).

We are laborers together with Jesus. (1Corinthians 3:9). When we are in Christ, we have obeyed the gospel, taking His yoke upon us. (Ephesians 3:6, Matthew 11:28-30, 1Peter 4:17).

Yoked together with Jesus by the gospel, we labor together with Him in the field of souls in the world (Matthew 13:37-38, 1Peter 1:23) bringing them the gospel of salvation. (Ephesians 1:13-14).

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 KJV

Every child of God has a testimony. (Acts 22:18, Revelation 6:9, Revelation 12:10-11, Revelation 19:10).

Every child of God can be a witness of Jesus. (Acts 1:8).

Every child of God can pray for souls to be saved. (Galatians 4:19, Ephesians 6:18-20).

Trust in the Lord

We can trust in Jesus. When we continually acknowledge Him, praying about everything in our day-to-day life, He will direct our paths.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

In every situation we need to remember to pray. We can trust in Jesus. We need to remember not to worry because He is directing our paths. We need to remember to give thanks as we pray, recalling all the times Jesus answered our prayers and rescued us out of situations. We can find peace in Jesus thinking on how good God is and how much He loves us.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

When we are in situations or trials, going through things, we remember, 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 KJV

ALL things…for good…according to His PURPOSE. This gives us peace. And this is why we can

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

What does the Bible say about God’s kingdom?

 

In the beginning of His ministry, Jesus began to preach of His kingdom.

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 4:17 KJV

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom..." - Matthew 4:23 KJV

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to pray that His kingdom would come.

"Thy kingdom come...For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." - Matthew 6:10, 13 KJV [“and” (kai) also means “even”]

His kingdom is to be our priority.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God…" - Matthew 6:33 KJV

Jesus began preaching the gospel of the kingdom…

"And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." - Mark 1:15 KJV

Jesus answered the Pharisees, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:20-21 KJV

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." - Romans 14:17 KJV

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 KJV

"For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." - 1 Corinthians 4:20 KJV

When His disciples asked Him if He at that time would restore again the kingdom to Israel, He told them, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..." - Acts 1:8 KJV

Jesus told Peter,

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:19 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter declared the keys of the kingdom when he preached the gospel.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

What do I need to do to be saved?

If we truly love Jesus, we are going to want to do what pleases Him.

Jesus suffered and died on a cross for us to be saved. He was buried, and on the third day rose to life again. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). This is the Gospel. The first step is to believe the Gospel.

Jesus is our Heavenly Father manifest in flesh. He is the Creator of the universe that became the Savior of the world. He was born of a virgin, holy and without sin. Because of this, He was able to pay the price of death for our sins. (1 Timothy 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Matthew 1:23, John 4:42, John 8:19,24/Exodus 3:14).

If we love Jesus, we will repent of our sins, and turn to Him with all of our heart and soul. Repentance is being sorrowful for and asking Jesus to forgive us for the bad things we have done in our life. Repentance is a commitment to change and to put Jesus first.

Being baptized by immersion in water with the name of Jesus called upon us is a lifelong covenant and commitment. In baptism, we are given the name of Jesus. All our sins are washed away by the blood He shed for us. We have turned our back on sin, and have chosen Jesus. Like a marriage, we become part of the Bride of Christ. With our commitment, Jesus promises to give us the gift of His Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:25-27 “the word”=the gospel).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ... we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." - Acts 2:4, 11 KJV

When we have been baptized in water in the name of Jesus and filled with His Spirit, we have been born again. We have entered into the Kingdom of God. (John 3:5, Romans 8:9, Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:16). We have a clean slate and the power of God within us to live a holy life. This is how we are saved. To stay saved, we remain faithful to Jesus.

"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." - Revelation 17:14 KJV

Revelation

 

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes…"

 

The Eyes

We are impacted by the things we see. Images and scenes can become ingrained in our minds, even from childhood, lasting a lifetime.

Some of the things we see are a part of our daily life experience - home life, school, work, and social interaction.

Yet some of the things we see that impact us are from what we call "entertainment." Some images, often with dramatic music, instill fear. Some are disturbing images; others are violent images.

Other images are sexual and lustful. Others are of immoral, abominable acts. Seeing such images can begin a programming process to cause moral values to decay. Images can gradually make the unacceptable to become acceptable "in our eyes" and in our minds.

As a child of God, we need to be led by His Spirit as to what we look at. We are the temple of God. We must be careful what we see. We must guard our eyes so that we do not let evil enter into our minds and heart. We must not allow the world to program us with its immoral values. And, we must protect the eyes of our children.

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes…" - Psalm 101:3 KJV

Church! How can we be like Jesus?

 How can we be like Jesus?

Jesus is God. (1Timothy 3:16, Philippians 2:5-6). He is our Heavenly Father that took on the form of man and dwelt among His creation on earth. (John 1:1,10-11,14). His name “Jesus” is above all other names. (Philippians 2:9-11). He is all powerful. (2Chronicles 20:6). He is holy. (1Peter 1:16).

To be like Jesus, we need His name and His Spirit. (James 2:7, Acts 2:38, Rom. 8:9). We need to be holy, as He is holy. (1Peter 1:15, Hebrews 12:14).

When we are born again, we receive the name of Jesus in water baptism. We receive His Spirit when we receive the Holy Ghost. (John 3:3,5, Acts 2:38). With the Holy Ghost in us, we have the power of God to live a holy life and to be a witness. (Acts 1:8).

To be like Jesus, we must not only be born a son of God (John 1:12-13), but we must grow up and become perfected, as Jesus is perfect. (Galatians 4:5-6). To do this, we must assemble ourselves together so that we can hear the preaching of the word. (Colossians 1:27-28). The word “perfected” and “perfect” in the Bible often refers to maturity.

Jesus gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to perfect us so we can measure up and become like Jesus. He does not want us to be immature children tossed about by false doctrines. Rather, He wants us to grow in every way more like Him. (Ephesians 4:11-15).

Mature saints are skillful in the word and by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. They teach others. They have grown from milk to strong meat. (Hebrews 5:12-14).

It is by going to church that we can be equipped to become like Jesus. We hear the preaching of the word; we can be baptized in the name of Jesus and receive the Holy Ghost. By hearing the word of God our faith is increased. (Romans 10:17). It is essential to assemble together so we can play an active part in the kingdom of God, prepared and helping to prepare others for Jesus’ soon coming.

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV 

"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

 

There is one God. He is the Everlasting Father. He is a Spirit.

He robed Himself in flesh, born of a woman, to become a substitute for our sins. He came to dwell among His creation in His name of salvation, JESUS.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 KJV

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 KJV

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;" - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

“Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." - John 14:8-11 KJV

Jesus came to pay the price for our sins so we could be filled with His Spirit.

He told His disciples,

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:18 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus kept His promise.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 KJV

Peter preached that day how Jesus came to save us. He then preached HOW we are saved.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV 

Sons of God

When we have turned to Jesus with our whole heart, soul, and mind, have turned away from a sinful lifestyle, have been water baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance, then we have been born again and have become sons of God. (Acts 2:4).

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:12-13 KJV

While Jesus was BORN the Son of God, we BECOME a son of God when we believe on His name and are BORN AGAIN.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ... Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:3, 5 KJV

We are born of water when we are baptized in water in the name of Jesus. We are born of the Spirit when we are baptized with the Holy Ghost (the Spirit).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." - Romans 8:14 KJV

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" - Philippians 2:14-15 KJV (Ephesians 5:8, John 17:16, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4, Romans 8:19).

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." - 1 John 3:2 KJV

Jesus Commands His Disciples

 

God's Representative in this World

 

When we are born again of water and of the Spirit, we take on the image of God. He has chosen us to be His representative in this world. We repent of our sinful ways. Our sins are buried/washed away/remitted by water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus. We take on the name of Jesus by water baptism, and are filled with His Spirit by receiving the gift of His Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, 2Corinthians 5:19-21).

"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." - 1 Corinthians 15:49

There are some things we are to put off, and some things we are to put on in order for us to bear the image of our Creator. We no longer have our old lifestyle. By our new birth, we have a new life in Jesus. Our affection should be set on Him, and on those things above, and no longer on the things of the world. (Colossians 3:1-17).

We must put off sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, for a greedy person worships the things of this world. We must get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. We must quit lying to each other, for we have repented and put to death our old sinful nature, the “old man” and all its wicked deeds, and put on a new self, the “new man,” with the Spirit of Jesus changing us into His Godly image.

As Gods holy people we must put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, making allowance for each other’s faults, and forgiving anyone that offends us, just as God has forgiven us. Above all we must put on the love of God, which brings true unity among the body of Christ. The peace and reconciliation we have found between us and God must rule our heart and actions towards others. For it is by His mercy that we are now in the body of Christ, whose mercy we should be deeply thankful for, and by our mercy and forgiveness of others that we will stay in the body of Christ.

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 3:18

Part 2 - There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus - Romans 8:1, Acts 2:38

 When Christ died, He died once to break the power of sin. When He rose from the grave, He is alive forevermore. So we also should consider ourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God, now and forever.

"For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." - Romans 6:10-12

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." - Romans 13:14

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." - Romans 8:1

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." - Romans 8:13-14

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ... If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." - Galatians 5:16, 25

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." - Romans 6:22

New Life in Jesus

 When we have obeyed the gospel, Jesus has given us a fresh start to live a new life. All our sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus when we were baptized in the name of Jesus. He has given us the power to live above sin when He filled us with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38).

It is time to use the power of His Spirit, the authority of His name, and the new start He has given us to live a changed life. He has given us His Spirit, so we should walk in His Spirit and not give in to temptations.

Jesus took up His cross and died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. This is the gospel.

 We take up our cross and become dead to sin by repentance, are buried with Jesus by water baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission (forgiveness) of our sins, and are raised from the dead by the infilling of His Holy Ghost, “the glory of the Father,” to walk a new life in His Spirit. This is how we obey the gospel.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin." - Romans 6:1-7

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27

 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh [sinful nature] with the affections and lusts [passions and desires of the sinful nature]." - Galatians 5:24

To be continued…

Pentecost – Part 5 The Wind and the Spirit

 Jesus compared being born of the Spirit to the wind.

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." - John 3:8 KJV

We cannot see the wind, but we hear the sound of the wind. We cannot see God’s Spirit, but we hear the sound when a person is filled with His Spirit.

The sound we hear is speaking in tongues as His Spirit gives them utterance.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." - Acts 2:1-2 KJV

Just as Jesus compared the sound of being born of the Spirit to the wind, on the Day of Pentecost when the Spirit was first poured out, the Bibles describes the sound as of a rushing mighty wind!

Notice that there was NOT a rushing mighty wind: the Bible says there came a SOUND FROM HEAVEN AS of a rushing mighty wind.

The sound from heaven was the hundred and twenty disciples speaking in tongues.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 KJV

Just as Jesus said, like the wind, there is a sound when a person receives the Spirit.

“So is EVERY ONE that is born of the Spirit.”

After Jesus poured His Spirit out on His disciples, Peter preached the gospel.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:38-42 KJV

Pentecost - Part 4 And they were all amazed and marvelled

 

Because all those that had gathered, hearing the disciples speaking in tongues, were devout Jews, Peter most likely preached to them in Hebrew. (Acts 21:40, Acts 22:2). While the Jews that had gathered heard the disciples speak in the languages of the countries they dwelt in “the wonderful works of God,” it was Peter that preached the gospel to them.

By having Jews from around the world present when God poured His Spirit out, there was confirmation that it was God speaking through the disciples.

"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" - Acts 2:6-8 KJV

If these witnesses had not been present, the miraculous outpouring of God’s Spirit would have been dismissed as a group of drunks full of new wine.

"And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 

“Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." - Acts 2:12-13 KJV

"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

“For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:" - Acts 2:14-18 KJV

From this point on, speaking in tongues is the sign that a person has been filled with the Holy Ghost.

To be continued…

Part 3 - What is Pentecost?

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." - Acts 2:1-2, 4-5 KJV

Why were there devout Jews from every nation in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost?

In the Law, God commanded all Jewish males to present themselves with an offering at the temple in Jerusalem three times a year.

"Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:" - Deuteronomy 16:16 KJV

We know the feast of weeks as Pentecost. The Jews call it Shavuot, which means weeks. It is called weeks because it is celebrated seven weeks after Passover (the feast of unleavened bread). The word “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word for fifty. After the completion of the seven weeks, on the fiftieth day, Pentecost was to begin.

When the hundred and twenty disciples of Jesus (Acts 1:15) were filled with the Holy Ghost and began speaking in tongues, the devout Jews from every nation that were in Jerusalem heard them.

"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? ...  we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." - Acts 2:6-8, 11 KJV

"And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice…" - Acts 2:12-14 KJV

To be continued…

Pentecost - Part 2

Jesus chose, in His infinite wisdom, to begin His New Covenant on the Day of Pentecost.

The Day of Pentecost in the book of Acts was a fulfillment of what took place at Mount Sinai on the first Pentecost.

At Sinai, God’s Law was written on tables of stone. (Exodus 24:12). 

On Pentecost, God wrote His law on hearts when He filled them with His Spirit. (Jeremiah 31:33).

At Sinai, the Jewish people accepted God's covenant (“we will do”) and became His wife. (Exodus 19:7-8, Jeremiah 31:32).

On Pentecost, those that were baptized accepted God's covenant and became His wife. (2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:23-32, John 3:29, Romans 7:4).

At Sinai, the Jewish people became a peculiar treasure [special possession] from among all peoples, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:5-6).

On Pentecost, New Covenant Believers became a peculiar people [“special possession”], a chosen generation [“a chosen people”], a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. (1 Peter 2:9).

On the Day of Pentecost, the new Believers were all Jews. God had spoken to them through the Prophet Jeremiah that by entering His New Covenant they would continue to be His people. (Jeremiah 31:33).

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." - Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV

Pentecost - Part 1

 On Sunday, June 5, 2022, the church will be celebrating Pentecost Sunday. 

Pentecost Sunday is when God began pouring out His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

Jesus spoke to His disciples before He ascended up into heaven.

"And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." - Acts 1:4-5 KJV

Joel prophesied of the promise of the Father.

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh…" - Joel 2:28 KJV

Before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, He explained to His disciples that His Spirit would dwell in them.

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" - John 15:26 KJV

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:17-18 KJV

After His death, burial, and resurrection, before Jesus ascended up into heaven, He again spoke to His disciples about His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." - Acts 1:8-9 KJV

"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

"And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." - Acts 1:12-14 KJV

To be continued…