Let’s understand how that God wants to lead us from Profession to Progression and from Progression to Perfection. God, help us all to go from our unbelief into a faith-filled maturity to handle what life brings.
Sermon Notes: https://www.heartofgraceministries.com/blog/after-the-fact/profession-perfection/#.VjYO0NKrTGg
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Profession – “He that saith he abideth in him”
At this stage Satan comes to destroy your thoughts and words that you lose all good things to say about God. Your testimony, encouragement and exhortation will be every now and then if ever.
People in this stage are having to fight against obsession and possession and into growing their confidence in salvation.
Progression – “Ought himself also so to walk”
At this stage Satan comes to take your time, energy and willingness so that you lose all desire to continue and obey or taking action for the glory of the kingdom of God.
People in this stage are are rebuking possible infestation and vexation and growing in their faith by their actions and profession.
Perfection – “Even as he walked”
At this stage Satan begins to attack all that is important to you: family, friends, jobs, possessions, and everything else important to us.
People in this stage are beginning to exorcise their flesh and starting to find balance in life, hope, happiness and devotion to God.
As we pass from Profession to Progression and from Progression to Perfection you can begin to identify where you are in God’s will based on the sorts of things you are enduring.
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.
I Corinthians 2:14-16
[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
This was Paul’s message to the natural person. It was the type of person that Paul was most concerned over.
A Natural person
– Has not been born again
– Cannot understand spiritual things
– Thinks the spiritual things are foolish
– Turns away from the bible with thoughts and imaginations
The destiny of the natural human being without Jesus Christ is destruction. The need that all mankind has is salvation.
Romans 3:23
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
All people are naturally lost
John 6:37
[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
All people can be saved
Once we are saved we are no longer without hope. Something amazing happens!
I Corinthians 2:11-13
[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
The Spiritual person
– Was once a natural person
– Salvation through faith in Christ has transformed them
– Was once doomed, now delivered
– Was once lost, now found
– Was once bound for hell, now bound for Heaven
– The spirit teaches the spiritual person
– The spirit discerns (understands) all things
– Sees the work of God in the world and in their personal lives
– Spiritual things are not easily understood by others
Jesus warned of these things: John 15:18-20
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
V 16 – As we become spiritual we put on the mind of Christ
I Corinthians 3:1-4
[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
[3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
[4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
The Carnal person
– Is confused
– Knows what is right but does not do it
– Knows the world is lost but clings to it
– Is like Lot lingering in Sodom
– Needs full commitment to Christ
The natural person lives for the moment. The spiritual person lays up treasures in Heaven. The carnal person tries looking in both directions. Finding the balance in your life is done successfully when the spiritual part of you leads.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17] 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.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
What makes you different? What separates you from others? What breaks the mold of the world? Some are going to go to Heaven when they die and some will not. Some will be ready for Christ’s return and some will not. To better know who you are that makes you unique in this world you have to realize the difference that lives inside of you. Jesus Christ has made the difference in all of our lives.
Philippians 1:21-23
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
[22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
[23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
We recognize that there are two different perspectives between the flesh that wants to work in this world for gain and the spirit that desires to depart this world and to be with Jesus. So we know that if we know Jesus then we are going to have a better place to go and not have to stay in this world.
II Corinthians 5:8-10
[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
We also know that when we go to appear before Christ that the things that were once our hindrances will no longer hold us. We will appear so that we may be accepted. So what makes you different?
“If we believe that Jesus died and rose again”
The key to this is faith. We must believe by faith. To believe is to trust.
Acts 16:31
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
As we believe we are saved. We believe and are then made sure by our confidence of Heaven. When people do not believe they do not possess that hope of Heaven; lost forever. To grow in God and be a witness for others you must learn to see and recognize the difference that has been made in you by God.
Matthew 18:18-20
[18] Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
[19] Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
[20] For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
There is an unimaginable power that is present to us on an individual level, yet there is a mystery to understand if we as a people will be empowered by unity. We know that we have the power to bind yet find ourselves without the ability to have a perfect love. For it is this love that causes us to do one of the hardest things a human being must do.
Forgive! To forgive others allows Gods greatest gift to be shown unto others. To forgive ourselves let us move on from our past. To be forgiven by God, however, will cast all of your sins away to be forgotten and makes us a new creature. Forgiven!
Matthew 18:21-22
[21] Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
[22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Peter with this question becomes the voice of the modern day Christian. We want power but want to still begrudge. We want to bind but will not forgive others from the hurt upon us. Ultimately without the ability to walk together we are only so effective and limited to what we will not let go.
Matthew 18:23-34
[23] Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
[25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
[26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
[28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
When we cannot move forward with a forgiving spirit for ourselves and others we will find the unity to be scarce or absent. Gifts and talents cannot produce unity; compassion and forgiveness bring unity. We then become unified as made new creatures!
Matthew 18:35
[35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
If we are to come together as a body of believers and to be true workers for the cause we must let go of the weights that easily beset us.
How well that you embrace change demonstrates how great the spirit is in your life to help you adjust.
Your environments may change…
Your support may change…
Your enemies may change…
Your circumstances that hinder you may change…
Yet the one thing that can be a constant is your faith for change.
Joseph not only adapted to the situation but evolved by faith to make the best of it. Just because he lost his coat did not mean he lost what the coat represented to him. He still wore favor by faith! It is way more than fabric, favor is worn by faith!
Genesis 37:1-4
[1] And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.
[2] These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
[3] Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
[4] And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
In the history of Joseph we begin to see something of Christ, who was first humbled and then exalted. It also shows us as Christians who through many forms of tribulation are saved. As you are saved, God gives you (through the Holy Ghost) favor (or grace and kindness). This same favor will in-turn begin to produce opportunities to receive the spiritual word that leads you to a closer walk and blessings that are to come. And as the brothers looked on with envy, so does the devil look on at you with every intention to destroy you. God gave Joseph dreams of advancement to not only show what is ahead but to let this support and comfort him under his long and grievous season of trouble.
Genesis 37:5-11
[5] And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
[6] And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
[7] For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
[8] And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
[9] And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
[10] And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
[11] And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Notice he dreamed of his favor and not his trouble. Such as we are when we go out into the world: we think of nothing but prospering and never of trouble. And while the brothers (and our enemies) made an attempt to destroy it they in-turn become the instruments of accomplishing it. Thus the Jews understood what Jesus said of the Kingdom, that he should not reign over them, they consulted to put him to death and by his crucifixion made way for the exaltation they designed to prevent.
Genesis 37:12-22
[12] And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.
[13] And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.
[14] And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
[15] And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
[16] And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
[17] And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
[18] And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
[19] And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
[20] Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
[21] And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
[22] And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
Joseph was a type of Christ: for though he was the beloved son of his father, and hated by a wicked world, yet the father sent out of his bosom to visit us in humility and love. He came from Heaven to earth to seek and save us; yet the malicious plots were laid against him. His own not only received him not, but crucified him. Thus he submitted to, as part of Gods design to redeem and save us!
Here is a devotional that talks about learning to wait and see the good seed that was sown in God’s love to bloom and be a blessing to others (and you too!)
John 3:3
[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
The new birth is necessary. Why? When we consider the substance within us that is without Christ it is totally susceptible to the temptations of the enemy. Without salvation our soul is not prepared for what is to come when this vapor of life is over.
John 8:44
[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
We had to be born again from sin and brought into a new life everlasting. We are made into a new creature through Christ, leaving the nature and failures/mistakes of the old creature behind. We no longer have to look at the past with regret and fear; for we have been forgiven and have overcome with the blood of Christ and the spirit of God!
John 1:12
[12] 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:
If there is no spiritual birth through Jesus Christ there can be no spiritual life through the Holy Ghost.
1 John 4:9
[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Life is only come through God’s manifest of the Holy Spirit! Without it our natural lifesource within our bodies will fail and will come short.
1 Peter 2:2
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
If there is no life there can be no growth.
Ephesians 4:13
[13] 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:
Without growth there can be no perfection (maturity) through our trials.
Romans 8:21
[21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
If there is no maturity there can be no liberty in the anointing of the spirit!
Romans 8:15-17
[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
With no liberty we are not able to hold the inheritance of maturity through sanctification of the spirit on a consistent basis.
In other words…same old trial ups and downs, etc.
Without using the opportunities in our lives to grow by surrendering to God in the hard times we will find defeat in repetition.
Matthew 1:20-23
[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
I praise God for the meaning of Christ, which is Emmanuel, which is God with us!
Luke 2:11
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
When we are lost we look to Jesus as our savior
Being guilty, we now through Christ sacrifice have our high priest, our all in all
Hebrews 1:3
[3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Hebrews 4:15
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
sometimes when i pray i just thank God that He hears me, God with us
Hebrews 13:6
[6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
When we are weak and are facing difficult times we can look to Christ as our help, God with us
John 14:18
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
When we are lonely, He is our greatest comforter, God with us
Christ’s mission to all of us
His mission to the devil:
1 John 3:8
[8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
His mission to the angels:
Hebrews 1:6
[6] And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
His mission to the prophets:
Matthew 5:17
[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
His mission to God:
Hebrews 10:9
[9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
His mission to the Lost:
Luke 19:10
[10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
His mission to sinners:
Matthew 9:13
[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
His mission to those that are dead in sin
John 10:10
[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
His mission to believers
John 12:46
[46] I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.