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Monthly Archives: April 2014
Tell My Servant Peter
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Mark 16:1-7
[1] And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
[2] And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
[3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
[4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
[5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
[6] And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
[7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
- We begin at the early morning walk to the tomb
- 3 women were coming bringing spices
- They were coming to do the work of undertakers
- They worried about moving the stone at the tomb
- Unbelief is fertile ground for worrying
- There was no need to worry
- When they arrived it was already rolled away
- The 3 were commissioned by an angel
- They were to put away their fears: Christ was alive!
- They were to tell the disciples Christ had risen
- They were to be sure to tell Peter
- So why did Peter had to be told?
Peter needed to know that he was not forsaken – Mark (14:22-72)
- Jesus had prepared His disciples for what was ahead
- The crucifixion
- The persecution
- and His resurrection
- Peter vowed to never be offended, but broke the vow
- He needed to know that Jesus still loved him
- He needed to know that Jesus had kept this vow
- To fail does not make one a lifelong failure
- God’s love reaches out to those who have failed
- The cross and the resurrection guarantee that love
Peter needed to know that he had been forgiven
- He had followed Jesus from afar
- He had mingled with the enemies of the Lord
- He had warmed himself by the wrong fire
- He had denied the lord three times
- He didn’t want to be identified with Jesus
- Cursed and swore while denying he knew Jesus
In spite of all of this you still can be forgiven!
Peter was a broken man, without Christ his foundation was unsure
Luke 6:6-11
[6] And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
[7] And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
[8] But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
[9] Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
[10] And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
[11] And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
- His net was broken (Luke 6:6)
- His pride was broken (Luke 6:8)
- His partnership was broken (Luke 6:9-10)
- He left all to follow Jesus (Luke 6:11)
- Now he felt disqualified
- Peter needed to know he still belonged to the lord
1 Peter 1:5-8
[5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
[6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
[7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
[8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
- He called the resurrection his “Living Hope”
- He then knew that God had not given up on him
Actions and Reactions
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Actions
An action is what you or another person does that is under your control.
We can go to church and act like a Christian, although we do not become a Christian because we go to church and act like one.
When you are saved people expect your actions to begin and be different.
These are the things you do when your life is in a state of stability.
Galatians 5: 16-25
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The spirit is served to us not only as the teacher to lead our actions but as the comforter to help us better our reactions.
Reactions
A Reaction is defined as an action performed or a feeling experienced in response to a situation or event, thus revealing their true nature.
Sometimes we may not have time to think about what we are going to do or say before we react.
A reaction will most often reveal the true nature of your comforts, beliefs and pleasures.
It’s what you do when your back is against the wall.
2 Peter 1: 2-13
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, according as
3 His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
4 Thereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And besides this, using all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge,
6 and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness,
7 and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Therefore brethren, give diligence all the more to make your calling and election sure, for if ye do these things ye shall never fall.
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Therefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them and are strengthened in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance,
The Sufferings Of The Passion
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The passion of Jesus Christ stands alone as the most important event creation has ever known. The Bible tells us that long before the world began, God had planned that the crucifixion of Jesus would be the method and payment for sin – the only payment that would reconcile sinners to a holy and loving God.
There were 21 prophecies that were fulfilled related to the Passion:
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Each and every part of the suffering of Christ was for us. Every part was necessary so that we would not only be free from our sins but also to have a new place that we could dwell for eternity.
Prior to these punishments Jesus had already been betrayed and sold out for 30 pieces of silver. He was also tried and condemned for doing evil, yet He had done none. Rejected for a murderer, the final phase of the Passion was set into motion.
Isaiah 53:7 – 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.
Stripped and Whipped
John 19:1 – Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
The Romans believed that 40 lashes (Scourges) is the maximum number of lashes required to kill a person and that 39 is the default number for such punishment…prolonged punishment
Isaiah 53:5 – But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Christ being scourge was for our healing…not only for physical ailments but for the multitude of things that leave us ill from living a normal life.
The Reed, Crown of thorns and Scarlet Robe
John 19:2 – And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
John 19:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
The crown of thorns
The crown is said to be made from the branches of a Jujube tree, a deciduous tree found near Jerusalem, with thorns measuring an inch long or more. Thorns were a product of the fall of man in the days of Adam, a consequence of the entrance of sin into the world. God cursed the ground, declaring that it would forever produce thorns and thistles. (Genesis 3:18) The crown of thorns represented that part of the curse that Jesus took upon himself in his crucifixion. There truly was no part of humanity and its ruin that he did not experience.
The purple robe
The Tabernacle’s only entrance faced east and was a wide curtain colored blue on one end and red on the other end. The colors blended in the middle to make purple. Likewise, the Veil in the Temple that tore at Jesus’ crucifixion had the same color scheme: Blue for sky was the color for deity; red for the red Judean hills was the color for mankind. Being blended to purple represented the God-Man who, by his death, became the Door, our only Access to the Father. Jesus said in John 14:6, “No man cometh to the Father but by me.”
The mockery and weakness of man
As the bowed and mocked him in their outfit they had placed upon the beaten and bloodied Messiah, they send him back to Pilate as their plan for his death continued. As Pilate feels the pressure of the Romans and religious, he feigns to the weakness of holding political power and esteem and ultimately gives the release of Christ for the final moments of his life.
Carrying The Cross and being nailed upon it with theives
Carrying the cross
By carrying the cross and being weak as man, man was then called to help bear the load. This shows the foretelling of the future fellowship with the sufferings of Christ. That if we would be willing to bear our beliefs in Jesus through witness and obedience we would have the crown of life!
The nails
Isaiah 33:20
Look upon Zion; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be dispersed; the stakes thereof shall never be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be pulled away
By the nail however on which anything is hung, is signified affixing and adjoining. Jesus was forever adjoined with our sins and sufferings that through his sacrifice we could be free from the penalty and power of sin
Christ was then adjoined with the Cross, with death itself at the place of the skull. Only one thing remained to occur.
The giving up of the Ghost and the earthquake
Matthew 27: 40-42
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
As the religious defended their temple by mocking the man who said He could build it back up, little did they know that they were standing by the temple that would be no more.
Matthew 27:50-54
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were do
As Jesus gave forth his life and spirit, the forthcoming events began to demonstrate the power that was not used for revenge, noteriety or pride. The power came forth bringing the temple of old down and establishing the temple within.
And as this temple was established, we then read of when we would receive this same spirit and power:
The promise of Christ within us (Holy Ghost) and it’s fulfillment
The promise
Luke 24:44-49
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
The fulfillment of the promise, the filling of the inner temple
Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
04/20/14 – House of the Lord – Easter Sunday Service
Five Actions To Keep Your Relationships Alive
God has been dealing with me as to how we as human beings must continue to fight for those whom we hold dear. For without the efforts to keep love stirred between others the relationship begins to dwindle to a state of weakness, therefore leaving room for the enemy to intervene with the most foolish of dramatic events/rumors/jealousies/envyings/etc.
Here are five actions we must all learn to perform towards others (that’s right, towards others):
1) To sharpen mental integrity by sound counsel
Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
If you want to be a true friend to another person you must learn to share things in honesty spoken with love. God wants us to continually reveal the truth to each other, even when we find that it hurts. If you know of others that benefit from your counsel then take the time to share the things God has given you to speak. Holding the knowledge within hurts all parties; for it was given to be given and by that obedience to give it you are blessed and favored amongst many. The more of a sound spiritual counsel can be spoken the less the devil overcomes in peoples weakness. So if people around you are important, remember to speak what you know and have learned through Christ!
2) To learn how to agree and disagree
Amos 3:3 – Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Should you hope to have an honest friendship you must both be willing to accept the fact that you may never agree on specific details (doctrine, scripture, teaching, opinions, etc.). If you can learn to reason in a peaceful manner then I believe that an open and honest discussion of things helps both parties to grow in not only communicating to each other but to also learn more about how they can be a stronger brother/sister in God.
3) To be willing to sacrifice things for the benefit of another
John 15:13 – Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
If you are the kind of person that only helps others when it benefits you then you need to strongly reconsider your outlook. God does not bless us with anything just for us to keep it and reap it. God uses his children in the principle of reciprocity (what do you give for what you get). When you begin to become the kind of person that will spend more time to help others than yourself (when it calls for it) then you will begin to reap the blessings of God. Do not always expect an exact return for exact obedience. What you may do to bless someone may never be done exactly to you but this does not mean that you do not get an equal or exceeding blessing either. Sometimes God blesses your need and the want (as it falls in His will). Learn to give up time, money and resources for the greater good of others. It is of far greater benefit to sow more to others; for you will reap more as a friend to them and as an obedient vessel to Christ.
4) To encourage action in others that will bring good thinking and love
Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Sometimes words are simply not enough to help someone. You may have to show up in person to get your message across. Having someone call you and tell you that you need to get up and go run is not as significant as having them knock on your door! Texting someone and telling them that you are praying for them (while worthwhile) is not as powerful as calling and praying on the phone or praying with the individual in person. To provoke is an active action to bring forth an action. Take that action for someone else and just see how blessed that you can truly be.
5) To be compassionate to the tribulations of another
Ruth 1:17 – Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part thee and me.
At last…this is the one I feel like is most lacking in friendships. Take the time to say “I’m sorry” when someone unloads on you. Offer to pray and be an ear to hear and shoulder to cry upon. When people do not exhibit compassion towards others than they are not a very presentable place for someone to lay their trust in. As ambassadors of God we must be God-like to the capacity of helping others to openly communicate their struggles. As we listen and gain understanding of their struggle we then should exhibit equal or greater compassion. Compassion is the greatest weapon to tear down the walls of fear and doubt, yet is one of the least used weapons of God’s people. Jesus walked, breathed and obeyed out of compassion. We have salvation because Jesus paid the price. Compassion is everything for a Christian and for those whom they encounter in a struggle. Learn to use this virtue in a greater way and see how God can begin to bloom out of others the blessings that will begin to bless you.
Be Strong In The Lord
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Paul, under house arrest for 2 years, from 61-63 AD, begins to write to the churches at Colossae, personally to Philemon, Ephesus and Philippi. We know these letters by the chapter names of Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians.
This epistle is addressed to the saints at the church in Ephesus, a prosperous port city in the Roman province of Asia Minor. Ephesus boasted international trade, a thriving silversmith guild, and a theater that seated 20,000 people. Paul wrote this letter to encourage Gentile believers, and to make it clear that Jews and Gentiles have been brought together as part of one body in Christ. Paul is also concerned that his audience be made aware of the moral laws they may have been lax in following (or that they were unaware of).
Paul opens up with polite greetings and He then gives thanks for their efforts and prays for them to begin to grow in God’s wisdom and power:
Ephesians 1:15-19
[15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
[17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
[18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
He then begins to remind them of their previous condition:
Ephesians 2:1-8
[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] 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:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
He then drives home the fact that through Christ that there is no more separation between Jew and Gentile.
Ephesians 2:18-22
[18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
[22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
And by this he opens to the truth of the spirit before them by giving his instruction:
Ephesians 4:17-32
[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
[18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
[19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
[20] But ye have not so learned Christ;
[21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
[22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
[24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
[26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
[27] Neither give place to the devil.
[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
[29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
[31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Paul closes with a powerful and life-changing word:
Ephesians 6:10-12
[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;