The following sermon, based on Luke 6:1-11, helps to explain why the Christian Sabbath was changed to the first day of the week. It all relates to the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord of the Sabbath;
And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
Luke 6:5
In Christ Alone
In this last part of Surviving and Thriving in Enemy Territory, we will look more closely at the lives of the children of God in comparison to the children of the world. Meditation and memorization of His promises are part of our strategy against Satan and his forces ~ our means of surviving and thriving in this world.
The following verses and passages of Scripture must be studied as part of the soldier’s manual if we are to survive in this world. This is a loaded post, more than I usually do with references, but needful as one to be saved for further study.
We must be armed to the teeth and transformed by the renewing of our minds with His Word ~ able to speak to the circumstances that come in our lives, else we will be taken captive and overcome. These references should give us encouragement and defense against our enemy at every turn and be able to lead others to safety in our Lord Jesus Christ.
In His Word, God makes a difference in the righteous and the ungodly. There is safety, strength, gladness and rejoicing and fruitfulness in His kingdom. Added links are in parentheses.
“Discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Malachi 3:18
We see the destruction in Noah’s day as a condemnation of the world.
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Hebrews 11:7
In Psalm 98:2 “The Lord made known his righteousness in the sight of the heathen.”
In Psalm 7:9 the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but the just are established:”
“the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.” Psalm 37:17; (Psalm 75:10)
“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
1 Peter 3:12
“The wicked are overthrown, the righteous shall stand. Proverbs 12:7 (Psalm 129:4;Isaiah 11:4)
Isaiah 26:10 teaches us that even if favor is shown to the wicked, he will not learn righteousness. He will still deal unjustly and not behold the majesty of the Lord.
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
Proverbs 21:26 “He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
“The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom.” Psalm 37:30; (Psalm 7:11;Psalm 11:5; Proverbs 15:6; Proverbs 28:1)
There is Safety in the Lord
“My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.” Psalm 71:24 (Zephaniah 2:3; Psalm 55:22)
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17
He is our strength
“But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.” Psalm 37:39
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 (Isaiah 45:24)
The upright shall dwell in His presence Psalm 140:13 with gladness and rejoicing
“The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.” Psalm 118:15
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Proverbs 29:2 (Psalm 32:11;Psalm 64:10;Psalm 33:1)
The Righteous bear Fruit
“The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.” Proverbs 12:12 Isaiah 61:3
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 (Isaiah 3:10)
“Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)” 2 Corinthians 9:10
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:11
In the process of the Israelite’s deliverance, Moses speaks of the Egyptians having no light, “but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings” (Exodus 10:23).
“Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:” Psalm 112:4
“Light and gladness for the upright in heart.” Psalm 97:11
“The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.” Proverbs 13:9
“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matthew 13:43
Jesus spoke of “His light to those who would believe in the light and be the children of light.“ John 12:36
The apostle Paul defines God’s people as children of light
“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
“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day;: we are not of the night nor of darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5
Paul spoke of believers being “unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14
“They seek me daily, and delight to know my ways: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.”Isaiah 58:2
“The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness;” Jeremiah 4:2“
“His word is true from the beginning: and endureth for ever.”Psalm 119:160
“He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”Psalm 96:13
We see in the following verses how truth and righteousness are a combination for those who belong to Him,“and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.” Zechariah 8:8
“He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous:” Proverbs 2:7
“The uprightly speak the truth.”Psalm 15:2
“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” Proverbs 15:2
“He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.” Proverbs 12:17
He speaks encouragement to His people who are reproached of men.
“Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.: Isaiah 51:7
“Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.” Psalm 31:18
“(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)” Ephesians 5:9
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” Ephesians 6:14
“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:15
(Psalm 40:10; Psalm 85:11; Psalm 119:142; Proverbs 3:32; Proverbs 10:32; Proverbs 12:5; Proverbs 13:5; Isaiah 26:2; Isaiah 26:9; Isaiah 28:17)
“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.” Proverbs 21:21
“The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.” Proverbs 10:11
“The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.” Psalm 119:144
“The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.” Psalm 37:32 and gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous.”Psalm 94:21
“The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.” Proverbs 10:16
“The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.” Proverbs 10:21
“in the day of wrath righteousness delivereth from death.’Proverbs 11:4
Proverbs 10:2 “in the way of righteousness is life: and no death.” (Proverbs 12:28)
“As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.” Proverbs 11:19
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:46
“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rp,ams 5:21
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:13
(Psalm 37:29; Psalm 119:144; Proverbs 10:3; Proverbs 10:25; Proverbs 16:8; Proverbs 10:28; saiah 51:6)
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isaiah 32:17
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;
but righteousness, and peace,
and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Romans 14:17
“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:18
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165
“And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land;” Judges 6:9
“For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Psalm 54:3
“In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.” Isaiah 54:14
“The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment Psalm 103:6 and a refuge for the oppressed,” Psalm 9:9
There is a connection between Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus being oppressed and afflicted for us and the fulfillment of His power in healing all that were oppressed of the devil.
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38
(Deuteronomy 26:7; Isaiah 49:26)
We close this chapter with the most profound teaching of God’s Word for His people. The Christian life is more than just physical. It is a supernatural life given by the power of His Holy Spirit. The righteousness of Christ is ours by His Spirit drawing us to Him and His living in us.
The Spirit of Christ within us is our only true defense and our means of thriving. His Spirit teaches us His Word and arms us with divine power to destroy strongholds, casting down imaginations and whatever exalts itself against the knowledge of Him and brings our thoughts captive to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“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.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:5-6
Paul teaches more about the power of the Holy Spirit in the believer than any other New Testament writer. Read and study Romans 8:1-16. If you are not already familiar with this passage, spend time with this one and Galatians 5. Below are verses from these chapters.
“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:4
“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10
“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” Galatians 5:5
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:16-17
Paul gives a list of the desires of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:22-24
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“For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” Isaiah 61:11
“I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” Isaiah 45:23
Gracious Father in heaven, I am speechless. Your Word is precious and powerful. By it, you created all things and by the Word of your power, you maintain. You birth your own children by it, fill us with the life that is in it and you speak it through us for our defense and joy. We are not worthy but we praise you for your written word and more than this, for your Living Word ~ our Lord Jesus Christ. In His name, we thank you and desire your continued Spirit leading us onward. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Fran
Image: Google
To get to the depth of this twenty-first chapter (one more remaining) has been a tedious task. Even as I came to this, it seemed as facing one of those brick walls we run into close to the end of a project. There is something we can’t get over, around, under, or through, on our own.
I have described this overwhelming sense in other posts as finding more than I know how to handle. It is what I imagine winning the lottery would be like, only this is a spiritual windfall every time the Lord brings me to a new chapter in my life or to finishing a book.
Proving truth by our experience seems the easiest to write but much of the time, it is His working in us what we have not yet known. It is to find the joy of His presence, as He continues to teach and prepare us for eternity with Him. The Christian life is lived in the presence and power of the Lord God Almighty who brings us to imagine what is beyond where we are.
It is a life of growth that takes us from striving to surviving and finally, thriving in the middle of the common adversities that assail all human beings. As Christians, we face the controversies that exist between believers and unbelievers as well as among God’s people.
If we have been through the first twenty chapters of this book, we know that Christianity is not a two-bit religion or one by which we hitch our wagon to a star and hope it will carry us to heaven. It is not like any other religion but one that most people seem to be happy without.
Since the beginning, when God created a man and woman, there has been an antithesis ~ Satan and his angels gathering those who are captive to him to battle against God and His plan for His creation.
The Christian life is not an easy endeavor. The more we claim the promise of eternal life in Him, the more we are ridiculed and persecuted.
As the apostle Paul expressed the life of Jesus’ disciples, “We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,” Luke 9:23
Although I have not come to the point of thriving as I desire, Jerry and I have survived ~ experiencing joy and praise through much hardship. The vision is put before us when we study the life of Christ our Lord and the apostles who were chosen to continue His ministry of proclaiming the kingdom of God.
It is a victory of faith to overcome as He rules in every area of our lives, whether personal or relational. We need His presence and power to overcome that which makes us captive to this world.
He bought us and brought us from being an enemy, to serve Him as a soldier of the cross. He gives us every weapon in His arsenal to overcome the enemies that strive against Him and His kingdom here on earth (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
To get beyond striving to surviving in this world, we begin by knowing who and where we are. In John’s first letter, he describes the difference in God’s people and the world that “lies in wickedness.”
“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1 John 5:19
“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” NKJV
“We know that we are from God, and the whole worldlies in the power of the evil one.” ESV
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” NIV
In this one verse, we see the opposing forces that have made up the antithesis since the world began.
KJV and NKJV agree that “we are of God.”
ESV states “we are from God.”
NIV says “we are children of God.”
These teach us that as disciples of Christ we belong to God, which makes us different from the world.
In the next part of this sentence, John describes those who are not children of God. Every translation describes the territory of unbelievers as “the whole world.”
KJV says “the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
NKJV says “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
ESV says, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
NIV says, “the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
2 Corinthians 4:4 describes the evil one as “the god of this world.”
Ephesians 2:2 describes him as “the prince of the power of the air.”
“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 1 John 3:10
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1:1-2, 6
“And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” Exodus 9:27
Satan’s Territory
During wartimes, we hear of servicemen taken captive as prisoners of war. Everyone since Adam and Eve, are born slaves into Satan’s territory. As the god of this world, he rules with power over the whole world.
A mere Christianity is not enough to survive the spiritual battles that come just by living here. A little faith will not stand against the onslaught of the enemy. Those who do not know Christ are destined to a final eternity with Satan and his angels.
Only Jesus Christ can save us from the enemy ~ the spirit of this world and his oppression.
“Who gave himself for our sins,
that he might deliver us from this present evil world,
according to the will of God and our Father:”
Galatians 1:4
Christ’s disciples are born again spiritually to belong to Him ~ predestined to eternity with Him. It is Jesus Christ who delivers us from the power of the evil one.
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5
“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
Titus 2:12 speaks of how God’s children are to live in this present world;
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24
The Power of the Holy Spirit
The Lord promises His people the power of His Holy Spirit ~ the same power that was with Him on earth. The same Holy Spirit by which Jesus was conceived of the virgin Mary is the same Spirit by which Christ is born in us ~ the same power to overcome sin and make us holy. The same presence with Jesus as He endured the suffering and death of the cross is the same presence of the Spirit of Christ within us ~ to live sacrificially for Him (Romans 12:1-2)..
It is the same power that raised Him from the dead and made Him to sit in heavenly places to rule at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:19-21; Ephesians 2:5).
It is the same power given to those in persecution: “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Hebrews 11:33
We are chosen and born into the kingdom of God, and called for battle against the god of this world. The purpose as children of God is not to take over the world. The Father’s plan is for a new heaven and a new earth. We are to be light, holding forth the word of life to those that are in our paths. We are to provide the good news of Christ so that all who will believe the gospel of Christ will be joined to His family.
We are His Church, living in the wilderness provided for our first parents when they had to leave the Garden of Eden. Their rejection of God’s laws for His creation was the reason for their ejection. Every generation since the beginning has had to live and work under the control of the evil one.
We live in the middle of the battle between God and Satan, between good and evil ~ a constant threat to Satan and his kingdom.
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.” 1 Peter 3:14
Yet, if we suffer for Christ, we endure, growing closer to Him, knowing more of the joy and fullness of His Spirit ~ thriving as He brings forth His fruit in us.
“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree:
he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”
Psalm 92:12
“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall;
but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”
Proverbs 11:28
The Holy Spirit is the inspiration for the writing of God’s Word and the presence and power in His Word for our defense against the evil one. The power of the Holy Spirit in us uses the sword of the Spirit ~ His Holy Word ~ to bring us from striving to surviving and victoriously thriving in Satan’s hostile territory. We do well to meditate on these to know ourselves and our enemy.
In a second part, we will post this storehouse of His Word concerning the difference in God’s people and the world. We will see from these verses who are the righteous and ungodly; those of light and those of darkness, those of truth and deceit, those of life and death, of peace and oppression, of the Spirit and flesh.
Dear Father in heaven, you continue to teach us and lead us onward in the power of the cross. Let your Spirit and Your Word do their work in the hearts and lives of your children throughout this world. Bring those who are striving to the reality of surviving ~ and those who are surviving to thriving so that the world may know that we are your children. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran
I am excited to finally start this page and include lectures/studies that I have been blessed to view. Each of these series has been an aid in helping me to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will post this as a page on our sidebar for future reference and will add others as we are able.
May the Lord bless you as you take in these truths.
The first two are by R.C. Sproul and accessible from this site. The third is available for purchase. I highly recommend these three to any earnest Christian who wants to know the truth and grow in faith and in relationship with the Lord.
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R.C. Sproul (1939 – 2017)
These two video series can be viewed lecture by lecture at your convenience.
THE HOLINESS OF GOD
filmed in 1986 is a classic in any Christian’s study of the character of God.
5-minute clip as an introduction ~ Holy, Holy, Holy.
1 ~ The Importance of Holiness
2 ~ The Trauma of Holiness
3 ~ Holiness and Justice
4 ~ The Insanity of Luther
5 ~ The Meaning of Holiness
6 ~ The Holiness of Christ
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THE ESSENCE OF REFORMED THEOLOGY
Before I watched this series, I had read the book No Place for Truth by David Wells. Sproul makes reference to this book in the video below. This is a very profound series on Theology ~ “the knowledge of the true God.”
1. INTRODUCTION
2. CATHOLIC, EVANGELICAL, AND REFORMED
3. SCRIPTURE ALONE
4. FAITH ALONE (PART 1
5. FAITH ALONE (PART 2)
6. COVENANT
7. TOTAL DEPRAVITY (PART 1)
8. TOTAL DEPRAVITY (PART 2)
9. UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION
10. LIMITED ATONEMENT
11. IRRESISTIBLE GRACE
12. PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
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THE TRUTH PROJECT is a lecture/study by Del Tackett ~ a series on the purpose of Jesus coming ~”to bear witness of the truth.” It is available for purchase and is usually viewed by churches to enable their members to know the meaning of the Christian Worldview. Watch the trailer and listen for the last statement on truth.
A Focus on the Family production ~ The Truth Project can be purchased here.
You can sign up for a free sample of the first session of the home study here.
Blessings in your viewing. Fran
This question should be asked every day. If we have trouble understanding what matters every day, we may want to start with what matters on the first day of the week. What matters to Jesus, the Lord that we follow? What mattered to His first disciples?
“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.” Matthew 28:1
“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.” Mark 16:1-2
“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.” Luke 24:1
“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.” John 20:1
“[Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.” Mark 16:9
Thinking Jesus was still dead, Mary Magdalene and others came to the tomb on the first Lord’s Day to anoint Him with the spices they had prepared.
Now that He is risen and sits as our High Priest at the Father’s right hand ~ our Prophet, Priest, and King ~ it matters what we bring Him on this day.
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“So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”John 20:9
It matters to Jesus that we plan the Lord’s Day with Him.
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“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.” Acts 20:7
It matters that we gather with other believers to receive His Word and the Lord’s Supper ~ the meal He planned for us before His crucifixion. (Hebrews 10:25)
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“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
It matters that we bring our tithes and offerings into the storehouse for the ministry of His kingdom here on earth. (Malachi 3:10)
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“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,
and I heard behind me a loud voice
like the sound of a trumpet,”
Revelation 1:10
Though John was exiled to the isle of Patmos because of his testimony of Jesus, he was with the Lord.
It matters that we are in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day to hear His voice and experience personal fellowship with Him.
Our Lord Jesus Christ desires fellowship with us every day, but especially today. He came to us, died to take upon Himself our sin, to reconcile us and open the doors of heaven for us to be with Him and the Father.
Can we see Him waiting on this appointed day for us? Does it matter that we must be about the Father’s business on the Lord’s Day? Do we long for this day every week? Do we enjoy fellowship with HIm above everything else?
When we know what matters to the Lord on His Day, we will understand what matters every day of the week. Continual communion with our Lord is the means of Life to those who love, obey, and follow Him.
Dear Father, it is by your grace that you have sent your Holy Spirit to us for new life in Christ. For your glory and His, work in us daily in preparation for each Lord’s Day. Separate us to yourself in Him and enable us to hear His voice and live in worship and praise every day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran
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We begin in Genesis 4:13 as it relates to punishment. Interestingly and profoundly, God’s Word makes reference to the bearing of our sins, its punishment, and its remedy. As we have highlighted these, let us look personally and take them to heart.
H5375 nâsâʼ, naw-saw’; to lift; in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, bring (forth), burn, carry
“And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.” Genesis 4:13
“And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.” Exodus 28:29
Leviticus 10:17 speaks of Aaron eating the sin offering to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord.
“And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.” Leviticus 16:22
And the Levites shall even bear their iniquity. Ezekiel 44:10
Moses was not able to bear all the people alone. Numbers 11:14
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“Even he shall build the temple of the Lord;
and he shall bear the glory,
and shall sit and rule upon his throne;
and he shall be a priest upon his throne:”
Zechariah 6:13
That Christ shall bear the glory. Glory is a burden, but not too heavy for him to bear who upholds all things. The cross was his glory, and he bore that; so was the crown an exceeding weight of glory, and he bears that. The government is upon his shoulders, and in it he bears the glory, Isa. 9:6. They shall hang upon him all the glory of his Father’s house, Isa. 22:24. It becomes him, and he is par negotio-well able to bear it. The glory of the priesthood and royalty had been divided between the house of Aaron and that of David; but now he alone shall bear all the glory of both. That which he shall bear, which he shall undertake, shall be indeed the glory of Israel; and they must wait for that, and, in prospect of it, must be content in the want of that external glory which they formerly had. He shall bear such a glory as shall make the glory of this latter house greater than that of the former. He shall lift up the glory (so it may be read); the glory of Israel had been thrown down and depressed, but he shall raise it out of the dust. Matthew Henry
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H3205 yâlad, yaw-lad’; a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; bring forth (children, young),
The following are references to the everlasting covenant established with Abraham; revealed and fulfilled in Jesus.
“And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” Genesis 17:19
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (See reference below John 18:37)
H5445 çâbal, saw-bal’; to bear, bear a load, drag oneself along to carry(literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome
The same word is used for labor and burden.
In the center of these references is the well-known prophecy from Isaiah of the Son, Immanuel, who would bear the iniquities of His people.
“He shall see of the travail of his soul,
and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge
shall my righteous servant justify many;
for he shall bear their iniquities.”
Isaiah 53:11
H6030 ʻânâh, aw-naw’; to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout the same word is used for answer and answered
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:16
H5201 nâṭar, naw-tar’; a primitive root; to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger):—bear grudge, keep(-er), reserve.
Leviticus 19:18 commands us not to bear any grudge but to love thy neighbour as thyself.
H4910 mâshal, maw-shal’; to rule:—(have, make to have) dominion, governor, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power.
Proverbs 12:24 relates to the diligent who shall bear rule.
New Testament
G3140 martyreō mar-too-reh’-o to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration
“The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” John 1:7
“There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.” John 5:32
“To this end was I born, and for this cause
came I into the world,
that I should bear witness unto the truth.
Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
John 18:37
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” 1 John 5:7-8
G5342 pherō fe’-rō; to bear i.e. bring forth, produce; endure
“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.”
John 15:4
“Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” Hebrews 13:13
G941 bastazōbä-stä’-zō perhaps remotely derived from the base of G939 (through the idea of removal); to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.) The same word is used for bare, bearing and borne
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross,
and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27
Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross for all His own, and there’s a cross for me.
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” John 16:12
the strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, Romans 15:1
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Paul said, “… for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”Galatians 6:17
G2592 karpophoréō, kar-pof-or-eh’-o; from G2593; to be fertile (literally or figuratively):—be (bear, bring forth) fruit(-ful).
“seed in good ground beareth fruit.” Matthew 13:23
G3114 makrothyméō ,mak-roth-oo-meh’-o; from the same as G3116; to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient
“And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?” Luke 18:7
G4828 symmartyréō, soom-mar-too-reh’-o; from G4862 and G3140; to testify jointly, i.e. corroborate by (concurrent) evidence:—
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of God:”
Romans 8:16
G5297 hypophérō, hoop-of-er’-o; from G5259 and G5342; to bear from underneath, i.e. (figuratively) to undergo hardship:—endure
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
G4722 stégō, steg’-o; from G4721; to roof over, i.e. (figuratively) to cover with silence (endure patiently)
“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
G5409 phoréō, for-eh’-o; from G5411; to have a burden, i.e. (by analogy) to wear as clothing or a constant accompaniment:—bear, wear,
“And as we have borne the image of the earthy,
we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1 Corinthians 15:49
G4064 periphérō, per-ee-fer’-o; from G4012 and G5342; to convey around, i.e. transport hither and thither: (carry) about
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4;10
G399 anaphérō, an-af-er’-o; from G303 and G5342; to take up (literally or figuratively):—bear, bring (carry, lead) up, offer (up).
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;
and unto them that look for him
shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation.”
Hebrews 9:28
From the beginning, God brings us through His Word to see man’s need for a Savior. We are led to His promises and His provision for redemption, forgiveness, and restoration through Jesus, Lord and Savior to those whose sins He has borne on the cross.
Gracious Father of heaven, earth, and all life ~ we praise you for planning for our salvation before the world began, showing us our need and how you have reconciled us to yourself by putting all our sins upon Jesus. How true that only He, the spotless Lamb, could bear our sins, and only He is able to bear the glory. No wonder the disciples could not bear all when He was here. Thank you for eternity when we will be able to receive all you have planned for us. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Fran
Beyond a Mere Christianity ~ Chapter 20
R & R, an abbreviation for “rest and relaxation,” is the end to which most spend their lives. For those devoted to Christ – desiring the most from our relationship with Him in this life and for eternity – R & R means more than time out from our normal labors. Our calling and our work for His kingdom here on earth require a complete and indisputable loyalty to Him.
We know what rest and relaxation look like. Everyone works for it and welcomes it whenever possible. It requires a total giving of ourselves to nothing but ourselves.
But there is a rest beyond this world – beyond a mere Christianity – promised to the followers of Christ even before this life is finished. We are in preparation for that eternal rest while engaged in the work of the kingdom, here.
rivet (Merriam-Webster) A rivet is a fastener that holds something closed or down, and something riveting keeps you glued to your seat and grabs your attention; having the power to fix the attention; engrossing, fascinating.
To be riveted (Cambridge English Dictionary) To not be able to stop looking at something because it is so interesting or frightening.
“For the love of Christ compels us …. that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:15-17
A radical Christianity is a life no one understands except those who know Christ as Lord and Master of all life – physical and spiritual. It is a calling by the power of the Holy Spirit for us to leave our nets and other collections to follow Him. It is the Spirit of Jesus Christ that captures our attention even as He embraces our hearts, our minds, and our beings. I use the plural pronoun because I am not the only one He has chosen to leave all for Him.
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” 2 Corinthians 1:22 (See also Ephesians 1:13)
To engage in the profundity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is more than we are able to imagine. It is a spiritual, divine, and supernatural way of life. This means that He, by His Spirit, has turned my life from self – total denial to the world – to undenied sacrifice to Him.
“The words of the wise are as goads,
and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies,
which are given from one shepherd.”
Ecclesiastes 12:11
To be radical for Christ we must first be riveted to Him – not just riveted on Him.
“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37
When Jesus said,“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lk. 9:23), He was using His conditional statement that begins with the word “if” – relating a difference in the ordinary and the profound – in the common and uncommon.
Even as in John 8:31-32, He was presenting the difference of a mere existence and the radical life seen in Him and His disciples. In my early Christian life, I used to pray that the Lord would “love me to death” so that He might “love me to life.” He has been doing this for over twenty years – drawing me closer and closer to Him.
Dr. Charley Chase wrote these words knowing the content of John 6, one of the three longest chapters in the New Testament. Reading, studying, meditation and memorization of the undiluted truth of Jesus’ teachings will either turn us away or draw us to Him forever. Those who stay riveted to Him – not just to His teaching – will be new creatures, radically following and living the true life of a Christian, not for this world, but for the next (Galatians 6:14-15).
During the three years of His earthly ministry, many followed Him for the food and the healing. But they could not stomach His preaching and teaching and were no longer interested in Him.
When these left, Jesus asked the twelve. “Do you also want to go away?
“But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:67-69
Eleven of the twelve remained and after His resurrection and ascension, continued His teachings and preaching of the gospel that we have today. We still have it, and like those few, we are few today who believe by the power of His Spirit and are riveted to Him, living a radical life in the face of adversity. Those who follow Christ live in light of the eternal life promised to those who are truly His disciples.
The religious leaders spoke of the apostles as ”These that have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).
How did they do this? It was not of their own knowledge, authority or power.
“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44
“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:32
“Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You who have escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save.” Isaiah 45:20
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.Jesus sent Paul in ministry to the Gentiles “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18
The same light given to Paul accompanied him wherever he went.
“So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Psalm 63:2
“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Psalm 119:37
“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“To the end he may stablish your hearts
unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father,
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”
1 Thessalonians 3:13
Dear Father in heaven, your greatness is unsearchable. You have made the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ more powerful that we will ever know. By your Spirit you call us, you draw us by your grace, you turn us so that we may look, gaze and wonder at your Son. You have lifted Him through death and resurrection to sit at your right hand, to rule and govern a people for yourself, to call in each generation those who will give all to live for you. As we live in obedience of the living faith you have given us, display in us the same diligence and fervency of our Lord that sets us apart from this world that it may be turned upside down. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran
Image: Google
Should any day be different from another? Do we need technology to keep us posted and aware of the day, who we are and why we are here?
If we read God’s Word ~ how He began with creation and set a pattern for days ~ we have a means of understanding life for us as He meant it to be.
We see the purpose of separation when we read of His separation of light and darkness and night and day. Every night we die to the world in sleep. We are raised to a new life each morning.
After His creation of the earth and its inhabitants, He made a difference in the week. Months pass into years, years into decades, decades into centuries, etc.
We plan weeks and months for different activities ~ vacations, education, etc. As creatures, we, like our Creator, create so that our lives are not monotonous, boring, and mundane. We try to make ourselves happy, prosperous, free for whatever we want, and on track with society according to what is available in the physical world.
If our years and decades seem to lose their significance, we need to go back to the system God created for us ~ specifically the days of the week.
Separation of night and day was necessary for simple survival. Whether we believe in God or not, we all agree on three things: Everybody sleeps. Everybody eats. And at some point, everybody dies (until Jesus’ second return).
When the Lord our God created the heavens and the earth and rested the seventh day, He did not need to rest but He, as our heavenly Father, rested and set a precedent for those who belong to Him. HE planned the time and activity He knew we needed.
Before the Fall, man needed a seventh day for rest, but even more so, since the Fall, when we were separated from Him.
So, what difference does a seventh day make? Why did God provide this day before the Fall? The key is separation.
God created everything we would need ~ before He created man.He created the Sabbath (seventh day) as a separate day for a separate people. He separated the nation of Israel for Himself in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we understand that He has separated a people for Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. In Christ, we are a separate people who are called to rest and worship on His Day with Him.
This separation is for now and eternity. Jesus told of the time when His people ~ His sheep ~ will be separated from the goats. Throughout God’s Word, He makes a difference in the righteous and the wicked, in that which is holy and the unholy, in the clean and the unclean, in light and darkness, etc. The ungodly will not stand in the judgment with the righteous (Psalm 1:5).
The active observance of the Lord’s Day is what our pastor describes as “intelligent separation from turbulence” ~ the idea of God’s people coming out of the world and its chaos for one day a week. He used this phrase in his sermon last Lord’s Day evening as he has been preaching through the book of Exodus (Exodus 31:12-18).
Rest on the Lord’s Day, including His worship, is like dying to the world and waking the next morning refreshed and alive to face the turbulence with added wisdom, vigor, and grace.
Please listen to this special message on the subject of the fourth commandment as it applies to us as followers of Christ. Why We Need to Keep Sabbath Today.
“And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy,
and have separated you from the peoples,
that you should be Mine.”
Leviticus 20:26 NKJV
The KJV uses the word “severed” in this reference, indicating a total cutting off from those who are not His people. We are His, holy in Christ.
Dear heavenly Father, you are separate from your creation but as you planned to share your kingdom with us through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, teach us through your Word the difference Jesus makes in our lives. By your Holy Spirit separate us on this holy day in honor of our Lord who was cut off in order to separate us for yourself. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran
Image: Google
Heidi is our author this week for Words of Life. Visit and get to know her at
Wings of the Dawn
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In the hallway of my parent’s home in Germany is a plaque with a poem that I have translated from German into English.
This is my house, yet still not mine.
My heir will own it for a while.
And soon the third comes to reside,
Then – when he’s done – gets dragged outside.
The fourth and fifth, too, don’t stay long.
Tell, to whom does it belong?
When I look around, I see many things I confidently call my own. But are they really mine? How long will they be in my possession? To whom do these things truly belong?
As we search the Word of God for the word belong, we find it cannot be translated into a single word since it is commonly used as a verb phrase and is tightly connected to an owner. Therefore, it is better to consider who owns what. There are 8478 references in the Bible to the word his ~ not counting the words hers, theirs or ours. The idea of possession connects everything.
The Word of God says that He is the Possessor of all things.
Possessor H7069 The One who possesses, created, acquired, obtained, and redeemed. Everyone and everything belong to God
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: Genesis 14:19
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We will focus on the word belong as we find it mostly in the Old Testament. Bible Gateway and Blue Letter Bible reference what belonged to certain men in the Old Testament.
Genesis 40:8 Do not interpretations belong to God?
Numbers 1:50 Numbers 7:9 and Numbers 8:24 speak of the things that belong to the service of the sanctuary of the tabernacle.
There is a profound meaning to this verse. There are secret things that belong to the Lord our God and there are those things that belong to us as His children. We cannot lose these. They are given to us as our inheritance, forever. We might think of this family relationship in connection to Jesus’ words in Luke 13:32 of the Father’s desire to give us the kingdom.
“the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.” Psalm 47:9
“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this;
that power belongeth unto God.”
Psalm 61:11
Psalm 94:1 vengeance belongs to God.
“O Lord, righteousness belongs unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces… because they have trespassed against thee.” Daniel 9:7
“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;” Daniel 9:9
“Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people.” Psalm 3:8
“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41 “And you are Christ‘s; and Christ is God’s. 1 Corinthians 3:23
“But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14
Before I knew Jesus as Lord and Master, someone asked me, “Who is your authority?”
I understood the question to mean, “To whom do you belong? Whose are you?”
Not everyone submits to the truth of God’s ownership. Some continue through life thinking they live on their own. Others commit all they are to Him when convicted of their need for His authority and ownership in their lives.
Of His gracious love and kindness, God our Father has given us many gifts — material possessions, talents, relationships, and time to enjoy these within the souls He has given.
None of these belong to us — they are given for us to steward for only a short time. And then, in His time — we shall claim all the promises of our inheritance in Christ.
As joint-heirs with Him, we shall know what it truly means to belong to Him and enjoy the never-ending pleasures of His presence and kingdom.
Lord, Maker of the universe and Possessor of all things, help us to see that nothing truly belongs to us but that You have graciously given us many gifts to manage for Your glory. Help us to know with assurance, that we belong to You. Thank you for Jesus ~ that by grace through faith in Him we belong to You, now and forever. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Heidi
Image: Heidi
God's Grace ~ God's Glory! 