I Am My Beloved's

                                                         

When we turn our back on sin by repentance and are water baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission (forgiveness/washing away/burial) of our sins, we have entered into a covenant with God. He promises us the gift of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) We have become His bride. We forsake all others – putting away the world with its lusts and all other gods in our life - and cleaving to Jesus. (John 3:26, 29, 1John 2:15-16).

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength…" - Mark 12:30

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" - Ephesians 1:6-7

"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine..." - Song of Songs 6:3

In our covenant, we are the bride of Christ. Our relationship is as a husband and wife.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" - Ephesians 5:25

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." - Romans 7:4

The church is the mother, baptizing with water. Jesus is the Father, baptizing with His Spirit. Souls are born. (John 3:5, Galatians 4:19).

"For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church." - Ephesians 5:29-32 (John 14:20, John 15:4).

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39 

There He tarried with them and baptized

                                      

On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel to the people.

When he finished preaching, the Bible says:

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 KJV

Because it says there were “ADDED unto them,” those gathered in the upper room must have already been water baptized in the name of Jesus.

When were they baptized?

After Jesus spoke with Nicodemus about being born again of water and of the Spirit, (John 3:1-21), the first thing the Bible records is:

"After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized." - John 3:22 KJV

From this we see that Jesus baptized.

At this time John the Baptist was also baptizing, "For John was not yet cast into prison." - John 3:24 KJV

"Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him." - John 3:25-26 KJV

Here again the Bible says that Jesus baptized. John the Baptist’s disciples were complaining to John that Jesus was baptizing more people than John the Baptist was.

John responded, "He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:30 KJV

Apparently, after Jesus baptized His disciples, His disciples also began baptizing.

"When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) he left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee." - John 4:1-3 KJV

Thus, on the day of Pentecost, all the disciples of Jesus gathered in the upper room that received the Holy Ghost were already baptized in the name of Jesus. There were probably about a hundred and twenty disciples there all together. (Acts 1:15).

 

Sunday Blessing - I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord!

                                             

  

"Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

“Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

“Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

“Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

“Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.

“Praise ye the LORD." - Psalm 150:1-6 KJV

                                            Praise ye the LORD!!!!

Always Abounding in the Work of the Lord

                                                     

When we have turned to Jesus, repented of our sins, been baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins and have received the gift of His Holy Ghost, we have become part of the body of Christ.

We are called by His name Jesus and are filled with His Spirit.

While we are all part of the body of Christ, the Bible tells us that we each are a member of His body.

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. [Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.]” - Romans 12:4-5

 As we are all members of the body of Christ, we are all important. We all have our special roles in the kingdom of God. We all have a part in bringing souls to Jesus.

"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 

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

 

To Follow Jesus

                                       

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:24 KJV

How do we follow Jesus?

Jesus denied Himself.

"Saying…not my will, but thine, be done." - Luke 22:42

Jesus took up His cross and was crucified.

"And he bearing his cross went forth into a place…where they crucified him..." - John 19:17-18

Jesus was buried.

"And laid it [His body] in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone..." - Luke 23:53

Jesus was resurrected.

"He is not here, but is risen…" - Luke 24:6

Then what?

Jesus was a witness.

"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:" - Acts 1:3

Then,

"He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." - Acts 1:9

How do we follow Jesus?

We deny ourselves.

"Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts [sinful pleasures]..." - Titus 2:12

We crucify our sinful nature by repentance.

"Knowing this, that our old man [old sinful self] is crucified with him..." - Romans 6:6 (Also: Galatians 5:24, 6:14.)

We are buried by baptism in the name of Jesus.

"We are buried with him by baptism..." - Romans 6:4 (Also: Colossians 2:12).

We are resurrected by the Holy Ghost. (The glory of the Father).

"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." - Romans 6:4

Summary so far:

"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

Then what?

We are witnesses.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..." - Acts 1:8 (Also: 2 Corinthians 5:19-20)

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16

Then,

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 

God Answers Prayer

                                             

Do you know your prayers can reach around the world? Do you know they can go beyond locked prison doors, into hospital rooms, permeating dens of prostitution and human slavery, into boardrooms of corporate headquarters, throne rooms of dictators, kings, and presidents?

What prayers are we to send up?

Prayers that men and women turn to God and that He lead them to repentance; prayers for healing; prayers that human traffickers repent and set their captives free; prayers for God's mercy upon people, rather than judgment; prayers that God would make a way for His laborers to reach into these places, that they may hear the gospel, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of their sins and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost;  prayers that humanity receive the salvation that Jesus has freely given by believing and obeying the gospel, that their lives may turn from confusion and pain to blessings and goodness for themselves and those in their influence; prayers for the persecuted church, for protection and deliverance.

"Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6 KJV

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." - Mark 11:24 KJV

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. ... And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands." - Acts 12:5, 7 KJV

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." - Matthew 9:38 KJV

"When ye pray, say...Thy kingdom come." - Luke 11:2d KJV

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:18 KJV

"Pray without ceasing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV [Never stop praying].

The Gospel

 

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." - Romans 1:16 KJV

What is the gospel?

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV

To be saved by the gospel, we must not only BELIEVE the gospel; we must also OBEY the gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:2).

To obey the gospel, we must be baptized with water and with the Spirit. (John 3:5).

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel of Jesus.

"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:23-24 KJV

The people asked Peter and the rest of the disciples, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Peter then preached how 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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

The gospel, that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, is the power of salvation. If we BELIEVE the gospel and OBEY the gospel by repenting of our sins, applying the blood and Spirit of Jesus to our life by being baptized in water in Jesus name and baptized with His Spirit (speaking in tongues as His Spirit gives us the utterance). (John 3:5-8, Acts 2:2, 4, Acts 10:45-48, Acts 19:5-6).

Jesus told His disciples to preach the gospel. Those that BELIEVE the gospel and OBEY the gospel by being baptized shall be saved.

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." - Mark 16:15-16 KJV

In the world but not of the world

                                                 

We are in this sinful world, but we are not of this world. We have obeyed the gospel. We are servants of our Lord and Saviour Jesus.

How did we 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." - Acts 2:38

"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

Jesus said,

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." - John 17:16

"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." - 1 Corinthians 6:20

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7

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

Daniel was a servant of the Lord.  He was taken captive to the foreign kingdom of Babylon and made a servant of a heathen king that did not serve the Lord.  Daniel was determined to live for God no matter where he was nor what his situation.

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank..." - Daniel 1:8

In the midst of Babylon, Daniel was faithful to God, and God blessed him greatly.

Acts 2:38 The Original Plan of Salvation is Jesus

                                             

"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

"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

Church! Baptism in the name of Jesus!

                                            

  

One reason I am baptized in the name of Jesus is so that I may have remission of my sins.

According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, the meaning of “remission” as found in Acts 2:38 is: forgiveness, pardon, of sins (properly, the letting them go, as if they had not been committed… remission of their penalty

How absolutely wonderful that I can have a brand-new start on my life, TOTALLY cleansed of all my sins!

This did not come easy. Yes, it is easy for me, but God – our Heavenly Father, stepped down into humanity, manifesting Himself in flesh and blood like the rest of us humans. Not that this humbling was all He did. No. He went through betrayal by a friend, condemnation of crucifixion by the people He came to redeem, then unimaginable torture of a Roman whipping (not a Jewish whipping of 40 lashes minus one) by a metal embedded Roman scourge - the “half-way death” because of blood loss. Pilate must have assumed the people would cry to release Jesus, but instead they cried “Crucify Him!” After all, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy and paying dearly the price of our wretched sins. Jesus came to save us. Not just His people the Jews; Jesus came to save us all. He took the stripes for our healing, then hung on a cross made from a tree so that He would become cursed for us, to bring us salvation.

And now, when the name of Jesus is called upon me in water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus, my sins are washed away. Forgiven. My sins, through His name Jesus, are let go. As if they had not been committed.

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts 10:43 (Luke 24:46-47, Acts 2:38-39, John 1:10-13, Hebrews 2:14-15, Romans 6:3-4, 1Peter 2:24).

The best part of this true story is that the grave did not hold Him. Because Jesus is God in a human body, on the third day, His Spirit raised His body from the grave, alive forevermore. 

Jesus witnessed of His death, burial, and resurrection to multitudes for 40 days, speaking to them of His kingdom. (Acts 1:3, 1Corinthians 15:4-8).

After giving His disciples His great commission (recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), He commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised outpouring of His Spirit. (Acts 1:1-9).

Baptized in the name of Jesus

There were twelve men in Ephesus that had been disciples of John the Baptist. They were met by Paul the Apostle. They had heard of the baptism of the Holy Ghost from John the Baptist, but had not heard that the Holy Ghost was already being poured out. (Mark 1:7-8).

When they heard Paul preach Christ, they were RE-BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS. They then received the gift of the Holy Ghost, SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE. This is another place in the Bible where it is recorded that when people receive the Holy Ghost they speak with tongues. (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:45-46, Acts 19:6). This is also a place in the Bible where Paul is baptizing.

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

“And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized?

“And they said, Unto John's baptism.

“Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

“And all the men were about twelve." - Acts 19:1-7

 

What does the Bible say about the “world"?

 

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." - 1 John 2:15-16

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." - James 4:4

By the gospel, we turn our back on the world by repentance, we make a covenant to live for God by baptism in His name Jesus, and we overcome the world through His Spirit within us, the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38).

The devil is the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" - Ephesians 2:2

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4

"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 2:15

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." - Galatians 6:14

With the power of His name Jesus upon us, and the power of His Spirit within us, we are victorious.

"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

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:17

 

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations

                                                     

What is the gospel?

It is the Good News that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day, so that we could turn from our sinful way, bury our sinful nature by baptism in the name of Jesus, and arise to walk with Jesus with a new life, filled with His Spirit!

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

We are saved by the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – if we OBEY the gospel.

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:24

We deny ourselves by repenting of our sins. We take up our cross by crucifying our sinful nature. We follow Jesus in His burial by being water baptized in the name of Jesus. We follow His resurrection when we are filled with His Spirit and walk in a new life.

"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." - Romans 6:1-4

Peter preached the gospel on the Day of Pentecost, then how 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." - Acts 2:38-39

Love

                                                     

The Bible says God is love.

We know this is so true.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

A scribe asked Jesus,

"Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:28-31

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." - Galatians 5:14  

Jesus commanded that we love one another.

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." - John 15:12

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." - John 13:35

How could we ever love like God loves? We surely can't do it on our own.

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - Romans 5:5

The only way is by being full of the Holy Ghost.

Apostle Peter preached how we can receive the Holy Ghost.

"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

This is how we can love like God loves.

"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." - Acts 1:8

We must not only receive the gift of His Spirit, but stay full of His Spirit, walking in His Spirit daily.

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." - Galatians 5:25 

Faith

                                             

Faith

"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you." - Luke 17:5-6

Jesus told His disciples, a grain of mustard seed is the smallest of seeds, yet when it is sown, it grows and becomes greater than all herbs. (Mark 4:31-32).

When faith is sown in our heart, even if it is a tiny seed of faith, it will grow and become great faith.

We hear about Jesus. We believe. A tiny seed of faith is planted. We begin praying, thanking Jesus for another day of life. We ask Him for His help with the things of life we are going through. We see Jesus answering prayer after prayer. We see Him working miracles. We see His healing touch in our life. With each prayer answered, our faith grows.

Faith is essential to our relationship with God.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

We have faith in God. We believe the Creator of the universe stepped down into humanity, taking on the form of man, so that He could pay the price of our sins.

Through faith by believing, we are baptized in the name of Jesus, applying His blood to our life for the remission of our sins. (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38).

Because of our faith, we believe God's promise, and receive the gift of His Spirit in us, the Holy Ghost.

"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

Faith is the beginning. Faith grows. Faith takes us through trials, works miracles, and takes us places as God’s hands, feet, and mouthpiece. We live by faith. We walk by faith. We stand fast in faith. And faith keeps us to the day when we see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face.

Fruitful and Multiplying

                                              

Jesus said,

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - John 15:4-5

We abide in Jesus and He in us by His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

"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

"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

With His Spirit in us, we bear the fruit of His Spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

With His Spirit in us, we bear fruit when we share the gospel with others and they are born into the kingdom. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38).

"Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." - 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

Without Him we can do nothing.

"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." - John 15:8 KJV

Church! The Word is Sown

                                                

 

According to the Word of God, the devil appears where the Word is sown, to take the Word out of hearts.

This is why it is so important that we bring our thoughts into captivity during the preaching of the Word, so that our thoughts are not wandering away from what God is teaching us through His pastor.

God commands us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (going to church) so that God can “perfect” us by the preaching of the Word.

It is during this time that we must bring our thoughts captive so that we can be saved. It is vanity to entertain our own thoughts “daydreaming” when God brought us to church to hear His pastor. 

When the Word is “taken” from us during this time of preaching, the Bible says it is the devil’s accomplishment. We have missed the holy Words of God that were delivered to us by the pastor to save our souls.

Scripture:

"Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." - Luke 8:12

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" - 2 Corinthians 10:5

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" - 1 Peter 5:8

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." - 1 Corinthians 1:21

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." - Hebrews 13:17

"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: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" - Ephesians 4:11-15

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 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 10:23-25 

The Father Manifest in Flesh

                                                             

Part 2

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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 1:10-13

The Father, creator of the universe, walked among His people. He came manifest in flesh so He could die for our sins and save us. He is our Savior. He came in His name of salvation, JESUS (“LORD Salvation”). (Exodus 15:2, Isaiah 43:11, Luke 2:11, Titus 2:13).

"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

He taught that we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter His kingdom. He gave the keys to His kingdom to His disciple Peter. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the keys to the kingdom.

"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

On that day, His Spirit filled His people, as He promised. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:33).  

He gave us His Spirit so we could once again be one with Him. By our obedience to the gospel, we can claim His promise and receive the gift of His Spirt within us.

Jesus is our Father. His Spirit gives us the power to overcome sin, and the power to be witnesses unto the world.

"But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." - Matthew 10:19-20 KJV

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." - Ephesians 4:4-6 

Shew us the Father

                                                             

God is our Father.

"Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? - Malachi 2:10a

"But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." - Isaiah 64:8

Isaiah prophesied that our Father would come to dwell among His people.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

Our Father would bring His kingdom on earth.

"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." - Isaiah 9:7

He would come in His name of salvation – Jesus. ("LORD our salvation"). He would be born the son of David.

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. ... And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." - Luke 1:31, 33

"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." - Matthew 21:9

Jesus revealed to His disciples that He is the Father.

"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." - John 14:7

"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us." - John 14:8

"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?" - John 14:9

"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." - John 14:10

To be continued…

The Faithful

                                                   

In trials and tests – the called and chosen are faithful.

When trials and tests come our way, it is our time to prove that we really are among those God has called, chosen, and that are faithful.

When Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, commanded that everyone bow before the image of gold he made, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah refused to bow. (Daniel 3:1-30).

They answered the king,

"O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." - Daniel 3:16-18  

We have been called and chosen. When trials and tests come our way, are we willing to stand for Jesus, no matter what we must go through?

We were called when we heard the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We heard that to be saved we needed to repent of our sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins. (Acts 2:38).

We were chosen when God filled us with His Spirit. (Acts 2:4, Acts 2:39).

We are the faithful.

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." - Mark 13:13

"And they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Revelation 12:11

"These [ten kings] 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

"Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 21:13

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" - 2 Timothy 4:7 (and 8).

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James 1:12 

If Ye Had Known Me

                                                            

 

When Jesus was speaking to His disciples, He was speaking to men that believed in God. They knew God is a Spirit. They knew God as their Heavenly Father. They knew there is only one God. (John 4:24, Isaiah 64:8, Malachi 2:10, Deuteronomy 6:4).

They had seen His miracles. They had seen Him raise the dead, open blind eyes, heal the sick, cleanse the leper, multiply fish and loaves, command the wind and seas and they obeyed Him. They even saw Him walk on water.

Yet, they were still having trouble grasping that this man Jesus, that grew tired, hungry, and thirsty, was their Heavenly Father in a human body. (John 1:1, 14).

He is the Almighty God operating within a human body. The invisible God was now revealed. (Colossians 1:14-15).

"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me." - John 12:44-45

Jesus communicated that He is a man, but at the same time the Spirit of God is within Him; His body/flesh is the image of their Heavenly Father. (2Corinthians 4:4-6).

"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?" - John 14:8-9

Jesus let them know that the words He spoke was God speaking to them, for God is in Him. (2Corinthians 5:19).

He reminded them of all the works that He had done that only God can do.

"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 14:10-11 (John 8:24, 27).

Later, Jesus told His disciples,

"He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father." - John 15:23-24

 

Be Stedfast

                                                             

                                                

You may be in the midst of trials and problems, or you may be in the midst of blessings. For those in trials, keep the faith.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." - 1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV

"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

For those that are in the midst of blessings, be careful to maintain your work for the Lord. We do not know what hour Jesus will come for His church. It is not time to ‘kick back’ but rather to be about our Father’s business. There are those around us that have not yet obeyed the gospel. (Acts 2:38).

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" - 1 Peter 4:17-18 KJV

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." - Matthew 25:13 KJV

"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

“And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" - Luke 12:16-20 KJV

We must be about our Father's business. (Luke 2:49).

"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." - John 9:4 KJV

Church!

                                             

Church!

"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together." - Psalm 34:3 KJV

His Name is JESUS!

The Kingdom

                                               

         

What does the Bible say about the kingdom?

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

"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

Jesus gave Peter the Keys of the kingdom.

"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

Jesus taught His disciples to pray about the kingdom.

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:10

It is God's will that all should enter His kingdom.

"…Not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9

"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:" - Acts 1:3

His disciples asked about a physical kingdom on earth. (Acts 1:6). Jesus spoke of His spiritual kingdom.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…" - Acts 1:8

On the day of Pentecost, the kingdom of God on earth fully began.

"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

As Jesus taught,

"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 (John 3:8).

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

While the disciples of Jesus had already been born of water, they were now born also of the Spirit, entering into the kingdom.

With the keys of the kingdom given to him by Jesus, Peter preached his first message of the gospel of the kingdom. (Matthew 24:14).

"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 

The Name of Jesus

                                            

It is by the name of Jesus that we find salvation, for by His name we can have our sins remitted (forgiven) in baptism.

"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

Our sins are washed away when we are baptized in the name of Jesus.

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16 KJV

Jesus died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again the third day. (1Corinthians 15:31-4).

Baptism in the name of Jesus brings us into covenant relationship with God, through the blood that He shed, and through His name Jesus.

When we are water baptized in the name of Jesus (the name of Jesus called upon us), the blood Jesus shed for us is applied to our life and our sins are remitted (forgiven).

"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." - Hebrews 9:22 KJV

Apostle Peter preached remission of sins through the name of Jesus on the Day of Pentecost when the church first began.

"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

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward [sinful] generation." - Acts 2:40 KJV

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 KJV

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

The Word of Truth

                                                         

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:" - Hosea 4:6 KJV

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Jesus - The Image of the Invisible God

                                                         

"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me." - John 12:44-45 KJV

"If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father." - John 15:24 KJV

"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." - John 14:10 KJV

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." - John 8:24 KJV

A holy sacrifice for our sins, that only God could provide.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." - Colossians 1:20 KJV

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 KJV

"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