We will now ask the question,  ” IN THE BLESSINGS OF THE NEW COVENANT WHAT DOES A HEART OF FLESH THAT  GOD PROMISED TO  GIVE TO PLACE INSIDE US US LOOK LIKE?  The answer lies in the hearts of man that needed change. A great change was needed.

WHAT IS A HEART OF FLESH?

1. A Heart Inclined Towards Righteousness

2. It is a “Truth Filled Heart
3. A heart turned from foolish madness to wisdom

            (4) It is soft and readily responds to God

THROUGH THE WHOLE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT THERE WAS ALWAYS ONE TROUBLE. MAN’S HEART WAS NOT RIGHT WITH GOD. IN THE NEW COVENANT THE EVIL IS TO BE REMEDIED. ITS CENTRAL PROMISE IS A HEART DELIGHTING IN GOD’S LAW AND CAPABLE OF KNOWING AND HOLDING FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM.

As I said … We are given a new disposition!

THE “ HAVE TO’S “ OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE HAVE BECOME THE “ I WANT TO’S” – BECAUSE GOD IS WRITING HIS LAW ON OUR HEARTS.

Jer 31 33 –  But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

God has moved upon us in Christ so powerfully that the person of Jesus and our love for him becomes a consuming passion, and the truth of God’s Word inspires us with zeal and godly EMOTIONS to serve him.

As we experience, the power and reality of the New Covenant we don’t have to ” work up” a desire to serve God. We are motivated by God’s Spirit to delight and enjoy serving Him and doing his will.

The Tender Emotions In The Born Again Sons and Daughters

In the New Covenant we experience such tender and sweet emotions. The “ world” cannot even come close to experiencing the wonderful emotions and feelings we enjoy!

YOU CANNOT LIVE APART FROM FEELINGS! IT IS NOT EVEN POSSIBLE FOR THE HUMAN MIND TO EVEN WORK APART FROM FEELINGS. VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING WE DO IN LIFE OUR AFFECTIONS INCLINE OUR WILL ,

TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. CONSISTS OF AFFECTION AND LOVE AND ZEAL FOR HIM,

Here are some scriptures that speak of beautiful and powerful emotions in a believer’s life …….

The Joy of The Lord

Num 8:10 – Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Joy unspeakable

1 Pet 1:8 – Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

The love of God

Rom 5:5 – hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

Peace

Phil 4:7 – the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

But all this is the new set of desires that God has given us in the New Covenant. WE DON’T WORK FOR IT- WE USE IT!

SOME MORE NEW COVENANT TRUTHS

(1) THE DESIRE TO DO THE WILL OF GOD IS THE GIFT OF GOD!

Righteousness is INSTINCTIVE. The GIFT OF GOD. The desire to do the will of God is not something I have to work up. It is something I can ” fall back upon” and rely on.

Psalm 40: 8 – I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

Phil 2: 13 – 

Many Christians have tried so hard and so long to try and ” work up something” , that God says. ” Guess what – WHEN YOU BECAME BELIEVER, I PUT IT RIGHT THERE!

,,,, that desire may be DEEP!

Rom 7 ……..DEEP

(1) YOU ALWAYS DESIRE TO TO ALL THE WILL OF GOD AT THE DEEPEST LEVEL OF YOUR BEING

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Rom 7: 22, 23 – I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
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The battle between the “ flesh and the spirit” is raging in this chapter. (Later Romans chapter 8 will show the power of The Holy Spirit giving victory). But notice, in Romans 7:22, the apostle says that he “ delights in the law of God according to the inward man”.

The word “ delight” in the original language of the bible is an extremely strong word!

• Note: Paul does not say on GOOD DAYS…
• Paul doe not say “WHEN I’M IN FELLOWSHIP” ..
• Paul does not say “MOST OF TIME”
• It’s a blanket statement!   ALL THE TIME!

AT THE DEEPEST LEVEL OF MY BEING … AT THE CORE OF MY SOUL ….GOD HAS PLACED WITHIN ME NOT JUST THE POWER BUT ALSO THE DISPOSITION TO PLEASE HIM.   DEEP WITHIN ME IS THE DESIRES TO DO WHATEVER THE WILL OF GOD REQUIRES IN THIS SITUATION TO HONOUR GOD

(3) THE HAVE TO NOW BCOME THE WANT TO’S BECAUSE GOD GIVES BOTH THE DESIRE AND THE POWER

( 1 John 5:3, Phil 2: 13, John 4:34)

OBEDIENCE IS INDULGING YOUR NEW NATURE, ( HAVING A FEAST)

MAN LOOKING AT CAKE – most CHRISTIANS SEE THE WILL OF GOD LIkE THAT

OUR TASTE BUDS HAVE BEEN SUPERNATURALLY INPLANTED

(4) THE SCRIPTURES CLARIFY IN MY MIND WHAT I ALREADY DESIRE TO DO IN MY REDEEMED HEART

WE READ THE SCRIPTURES AND ARE GETTING IN TOUCH WITH WHAT WE ALREADY DESIRE TO DO.

RELEASE THE REALITY

(5) YOU CAN TRUST THE REDEEMED HEART ……AND THE REDEEMED HEART OF OTHER BELIEVERS

It’s NOT …. what do I want to do – and THEN DO THE OPPOSSITE

(Psalm x: x) – DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

OUR ROLE IS TO DRAW FORTH WHAT PEOPLE FUNDAMENTALLY DO WANT TO DO THOUGH SOMETIMES IT IS BLOCKED BY SIN AND INSANITY .

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We will now ask the question,  “WHY DID GOD HAVE TO BRING US INTO THE BLESSINGS OF THE NEW COVENANT?  The answer lies in the hearts of man that needed change. A great change was needed..

WHY DID GOD HAVE TO BRING US INTO THE NEW COVENANT?

GOD HAD TO BRING US INTO THIS NEW COVENANT BECAUSE THE GREATEST PROBLEM WITH MAN 
……..IS………….. THE HEART OF MAN!

THROUGH THE WHOLE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT THERE WAS ALWAYS ONE TROUBLE. MAN’S HEART WAS NOT RIGHT WITH GOD. 
IN THE NEW COVENANT THE EVIL IS TO BE REMEDIED. ITS CENTRAL PROMISE IS A HEART DELIGHTING IN GOD’S LAW AND CAPABLE OF KNOWING AND HOLDING FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM.

What is the Heart of Man?

The ” heart” of man includes the will, longings, desires, emotions and also the conscIence. The heart is the MAINSPRING of man!

LET US LOOK AT THE HEART OF UNSAVED MAN AND WOMAN WITHOUT CHRIST

(1) The UNSAVED heart is evil (Gen 8:21)

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Gen 8: 21 – And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is EVIL from his youth;
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Ecc 9:3 – Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of EVIL; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 
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(2) The UNSAVED heart is DECEITFUL

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Jer 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 
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(3) The UNSAVED heart is FOOLISH, AND LACKS GOD’S WIDOM
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Rom 1:21 – although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their FOOLISH hearts were darkened.
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(4) THE UNSAVED MAN’S HEART IS – HARD
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Matt 19:7, 8 – They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” 8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the HARDNESS of your hearts, Permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 
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Ezek 36: 26 – I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the HEART OF STONE out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
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LET’S NOW READ ABOUT HOW GOD GAVE HS HOLY LAW TO PEOPLE WHO WHERE INCAPABLE OF KEEPING IT.

Turning to Deuteronomy chapter 5. God is giving the Law to the children of Israel through Moses.

The children of Israel seem to be ready, willing and enthusiastic to do the will of God. In verse 27, we read that they are saying to Moses …..
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Deut 5:27 – You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, AND WE WILL HEAR AND DO IT.’ 
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It was just like a ” revival meeting”!. They seemed SO WILLING AND COMMITTED to serve The Lord! But God knows that although their intentions are good . They need A NEW HEART to love and serve him.

And in verse 29, it is recorded that God says ………

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“ OH THAT THEY HAD SUCH A HEART in them that they would fear me and always keep my commandments.”
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WHAT DOES “SUCH A HEART” THAT GOD WANTED TO GIVE THEM LOOK LIKE?

(1) “Such a Heart” is A heart that can obey and love God

(2) iT’S a heart that has been operated on……. that has been ” circumsciced”
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Deut 30:6 – And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love 
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
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The apostle Paul wrote about such a ” circumcised heart” in Romans 2:28, 29 .
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Rom 2:28, 29 – For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
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(3) “ SUCH A HEART” is a heart that actually “ knows” God
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JER 24:7 – Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
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(4) it has a heart that has a respectful and reverent fear of God
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JER 32:40 – And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put MY FEAR in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.
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It is also a heart that has been changed FROM ( unfeeling). Hardness,, into a heart of “ flesh” that is 
tender, soft and yielding to God.

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Ezek 36:26 – I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
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Proceed To – Blessings of The New covenant – 3

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For hundreds of years this wonderful promise given through the prophets about the blessings of The New Covenant made to restored Israel had been forgotten.

THE NEW COVENANT OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST

THE THEME OF THE TEACHING – GOD HAS GIVEN TO US A WHOLE NEW SET OF DESIRES, A NEW HEART AND A NEW POWER TO CARRY GOD’S DESIRES OUT

The promise, given through the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel had been made SPECIFICALLY TO ISRAEL.  These promises specifically concern what God will do the Israel nation when Jesus returns to earth.
God , in that day will fill every redeemed Israeli heart with an intimate knowledge of and a fellowship with the Lord Jesus.  Every Israeli heart will one day be filled with a desire to do God’s will.

READINGS – from the Prophet Jeremiah and Ezekiel

Jer 31:31 to 34 –
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah– 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” 

Ezek 36: 26 to 34 – Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah– 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” 

This promise of the New Covenant  had been forgotten  for hundreds of  years.  Forgotten, until the night of the last supper  that Our Lord Jesus had with his disciples before he suffered. As he offered the wine to them , the Lord spoke these words to them ……..

GOD HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

When you fully realise that God has a wonderful plan for your life, things will never be the same for you anymore!   Our God has an AWESOME PLAN for his sons and daughters!  He has chosen you and placed you into Christ.

If we know Jesus as our saviour, the reality is that God actually picked us out for Himself as His own in Christ before the foundation of the world… He foreordained us.   He destined us, planned in love for us to be adopted as His own children’

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Eph 1:4 to 5 – .He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
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Eph 1:11 – we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
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( To be predestined means,,,,,, chosen……before the universe was created, God the father loved you. You and I were so important to him).

Many non -Christians struggle with their self- image! Sadly, so do some Christians. But we who know and love Christ don’t have to struggle with a low self-image. We know we have been chosen and prepared by God for a unique and great work!  We can with excitement and optimism find out who we are and what God planned that we are living for.  When we serve him. his beauty will rest upon us and be seen with spiritual eyes.

it’s truly amazing the way some people work on their Facebook or other social media profile! Some people spend hours and hours and hours on their Facebook profile taking pictures and pictures and pictures and rewriting the profile over and over again. –  because these people have a low self image and strain with all their energy to impress.

But we don’t have to have a low Self Image because God has called each one of us to be special in his Kingdom and giving us a beauty that is from him.  And so …. We can with excitement and optimism find out who we are and what God planned for us to do!

GOD’S PLAN COMES WITH TRUE RICHES

If it is His will, God MAY give us wealth and possessions. Money is not everything however!  One thing we can be sure of as we walk after God’s ways and will. He will meet our every need.

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Matt 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow.
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God will always meet our needs, However he will never “MEET OUR GREEDS” – just so that we can be selfish. However, God certainly does make some of His children rich; He allows them to have great riches and they are able to be “rich in good” works, giving money to help others.  Not every Christian has great earthly riches from God. ….

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Acts 3:6 – But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
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You may not have every material blessing you want. The  apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to the Ephesian Christians but he was rich; God has blessed you ‘with every spiritual blessing in Christ’ .

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Eph 1:.3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
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NO FAILURES IN GOD’S PLAN

We have no need to think or say, “I’m a failure.”  God chooses NO FAILURES!   We have no need to think or say,“I am no use to God; I can’t think why He bothers with me.”
We have no need to think or say,“He wouldn’t want to answer my prayers.” The Lord has endless love for us ….and if we are living with a clean conscience He WILL HEAR AD ANSWER OUR PRAYERS.

OPTIMISM IN EVERY TRIAL

We can rest because God has planned that we have a power at our disposal far greater than oor own. We have the power of God’s Holy Spirit at our disposal.   God’s plan in our lives is sent to make us a blessing in
God’s kingdom.

IN HIS PLAN GOD HEALS OUR BROKEN HEARTS

Even though at times we MAY suffer heartbreak, God WILL  restore our joy again! Sometimes life does hurt! LET’S BE HONEST … We may suffer, fierce persecution that makes us sad.  We may weep for the sins and sadness of men and women ‘ outside of Christ’. But God’s providence is sent to make us a blessing in God’s kingdom.
He heals our wounded hearts. After he has healed our hearts, God can use us to bring blessing to the wounded in a new way David says,,, (Psalm 109:22)…

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Psalm 109:22 – My heart is wounded within me’.
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God loves to use people who have been wounded and then healed because no one can minister better than a person who has had the same wound and then been healed by God. This is taught by the apostle Paul in Second Corinthians…..

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2 Corinthians 1:3 to 7 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
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This is how it works……

(1) we have trials God allows.  (2) God pours grace and comfort into us.  ( 3) we pass that comfort and encouragement t others

WE HAVE THE ANSWER TO THE WORLD’S NEEDS

We Know we have the answer to the worlds’s need. Isaiah
writes,

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Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news… who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”’
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God’s salvation is such good news that it makes even the smelly feet of the messenger seem beautiful!

GOD HAS PLANNED FOR US TO  HAVE THE PEACE OF A CLEAN CONSCIENCE

Out conscience can be free of nagging guilt.. We will see that Part of God The Father’s plan in choosing us in Christ – is that we are Redeemed, forgiven and free.  We have been redeemed through His precious blood.

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Eph 1:7 – in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
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Isaiah 52:3 – For thus saith Jehovah, Ye were sold for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
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Isaiah 52:9 – Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for Jehovah hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
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‘Redeemed’ was the word used for the buying back of a slave – a captive set free for a price.

PEACE IN THE PLAN – IN ANY STORM

We have peace in Any storm. because we know we are in GREAT plan.

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Rom 8:28 – we know that to them that love God all things work together for good; to them that are called according to his purpose.
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How wonderful to know that We have been chosen, destined and adopted in God’s mIghty plan.  We rejoice in the glorious HOPE for the future!   My christian brother and sister,  your eternal inheritance is guaranteed.

WE ARE ABOVE EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE IN GOD’S PLAN!

Power belongs to God, but he has come to live within you and to give you ‘endless energy, boundless strength!’

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Eph 1:18 to 20 – having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly [places],
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You are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (v.20).  God has placed you ‘in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments’ (vv.20–21, MSG).

READ MORE HOW – GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

OR….

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We had looked at God’s Plan and his choosing of us before the world’s foundation.  Now we look at God’s Great Provision In Christ he has made to redeem us.

We saw that in the Godhead, all things are “of” The Father. Everything is “by” the Son and then the The Holy Spirit implements these things and brings them into reality. Since all things are “OF” the Father, it was He who PLANNED the great scheme of salvation, (Eph 1: 3 to 5) !  Since all things God does are “by” the Son, it was He who came to earth and in awesome love went to the cross and accomplished that salvation. MAKING THE PROVISION for men and women to be saved according to the Father’s will..

The wonderful provision of our eternal salvation was made by Christ in His coming to earth to redeem us and is succinctly stated in Ephesians chapter one, verse seven.

Eph 1: 7 –   in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 

The Son of God Jesus, in His wonderful love and grace, at an awesome cost,  redeemed us from our sins through His blood shed on the cross of calvary,  (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

1 Pet. 1:18-19 – knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;  but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, [even the blood] of Christ: 

Redemption and forgiveness are actually two ends of one thing.  Because Jesus  has accomplished redemption for our offenses on the cross ,we receive forgiveness the very moment we believe in Christ.   Although redemption was accomplished on the cross when Christ shed His blood, it was not applied to us at that time. The application did not take place until we believed in Christ and made confession to the righteous God. At that very moment, the Spirit of God applied to us the redemption Christ had accomplished on the cross. Hence, redemption is the accomplishment, and forgiveness is the application.

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Friend, I want to tell you today that God has a plan for your life.  Provision has been made for your every need and God’s power can be released to bless your life.   Today God willing we will be looking into the Book of Ephesians which captivates us with theses three dynamic realities of God’s plan, God’s provision and God’s power.   

God The Father Made The Great Plan

Firstly ( on this webpage) we will look at some aspects of God our Father’s Plan for your life.  Matthew 28:19 speaks of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.  in The Trinity it is GOD THE FATHER WHO MADE THE GREAT PLAN OF SALVATION.

The whole of the bible is about the Triune God—the Father, the Son, and the Spirit—working together to rescue and redeem men and women who have fallen and become slaves of sin and satan. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are perfecting redeemed humanity, and step-by-step these redeemed ones are being made into the glorious likeness of God’s beloved Son, (Rom 8:29). Finally this redeemed company will together become a “bride” full of love for God’s Son, (Rev 21:9).

In the Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One God. They all co-exist together simultaneously in inapproachable EQUAL glory. However, there is a difference between the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit. This is a difference in arrangement and function.

All things are “of” The Father. Everything is “by” the Son. The Holy Spirit implements these things and brings them into reality. Since all things are “OF” the Father, it was He who PLANNED the great scheme of salvation, (Eph 1: 3 to 5) !

Later, we will see that since all things God does are “by” the Son, it was He who came to earth and in awesome love went to the cross and accomplished that salvation. MAKING THE PROVISION for men and women to be saved, ( Eph 1:7).

Finally we will see that the Holy Spirit implements and bring into reality the salvation that Jesus accomplished in the Father’s plan, (Eph 1: 13, 14).   But  it is GOD THE FATHER WHO MADE THE GREAT PLAN OF SALVATION.

The Book of Ephesians Tells God’s Plan 

God has the most amazing plan for you.

The Book of Ephesians is a wonderful book that tells us that God has a plan and a purpose for each one of our lives. He has made a plan that is awesome and wonderful that causes us more and more to bear the image of our glorious God.
If we could only grasp and find out in our minds the great CHARACTERS that God has called us to have.   If we could only grasp in  our minds the great THINGS that God has called us to do, we would stand in awe and wonder and God’s plan for each one of us.
As well as telling us about God’s purpose the Book of Ephesians tells us how God has provided for that plan and purpose to be implemented and brought into reality. So the Book of Ephesians tells us about God’s plan that is His purpose. God’s PLAN (His purpose),  is the first thing described in the book of Ephesians.

God’s Plan For Your Blessing

Firstly let’s read the first few verses in the first chapter of Ephesians that speak concerning God’s plan.

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Eph 1: 1 to 6 – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
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God Loved You Before The Earth Was Formed

From this portion of the first chapter of Ephesians we see God’s plan. God made a wonderful plan from before the foundations of the world – before there was time or space and before you and I were created. God thought about you and God thought about me and God loved you and God Loved Me.

We all had a physical birth when we came into being.
I was looking at a programme on the human body and genetics and in this program I discovered that each one of us starts life as ONE single cell.
Every one of us at the point of conception starts out as one single cell
and then by God’s grace and power, that number of cells multiply into millions and millions and millions and we become the individual that God has planned this to be.
But millions of years before that, if you belong to Jesus, your real beginning was in the mind and in the heart of God. Before the world was ever made and before the stars were ever created; before your mother and father thought about having you God loved you and planned a destiny for you.

God know the colour of your eyes and your personality. He even knew how many hairs would be on your head and exactly how many years days months and seconds you would live. You are not something that happened by chance.

If you’re reading this, let me tell you that you are very important in the heart and the mind in the plan of God and he has for you an awesome awesome destiny to fulfill.

Singing An Anthem of Joy To The Lord

We should all wake up every morning full of hope, life and expectancy. We should be full of excitement and expectation that God is going to use us every day that we live to serve him and to make a difference that will last forever in the kingdom of God!  Together we should all be singing an anthem of Joy to the Lord.

Ephesians 1:4 then, tells us that God chose us in him Christ before the foundations of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. God chose us to be holy!

What It Means To Be  Holy

What does that mean ? let’s examine the word ‘Holy‘.

To be holy means to be separated from everything common, debased, messy and defiling and to be instead, SEPARATED UNTO GOD.  God wants that we be separated from everything common and unclean and ordinary and that we be separated unto Him who his holy. 

Holiness Brings Confidence and a Positive Attitude

 If we are separated unto God we will be full of a positive attitude. God has a positive attitude because he is the God of all hope, (Rom 15:13) .

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Rom 15:13 – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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We as Christians should never allow negative thoughts to play opon our mind because God is Holy. He is a positive God with positive hopes and plans and dreams – so we should be like God. Full of hope!
if we are separated unto God and joined to God we should be full of love
the Bible says God Is Love, (1 John 4:8).

The Very nature of God is to love and if we are separated unto Him we will even love those who despises and mistreat us, because we will be like Jesus who’s on the cross Cried Out “father Forgive them For they don’t know what they are doing”, (Luke 12:34).

Now we read in verse 5 that God has adopted us to be his children to be his sons and Daughters. verse five actually tells us that God has predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ.
The word ‘predestined’ means to be marked out beforehand do a purpose or to be chosen beforehand.

From your point of view you chose Jesus when you made the decision to be a Christian and follow him – but from God’s point of view it was him who chose you even before you were born. He chose you do that you could would be saved and come to his Son for salvation.
The Bible teaches us that he chose you before the stars were in space that you would be a son or daughter of the living God and come to Christ
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Eph 1:5 –– Having predestined us to adoption as Sons by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will.
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Let’s look at the words – ‘according to the good pleasure of his will’. Let’s put them into a more Modern language. what this verses is telling us is that it THRILLED God’s heart the thought that you would be his son or daughter! God WAS so wonderfully happy before the stars were put in space to think that you would be his son or daughter. he loves you so much; God we’re so happy when he thought of you.

God’s provision

The second thing that the Book of Ephesians tells us about is God’s Provision. This is what God has done to bring  his plan and purpose into existence. He did that by sending His wonderful Son,  Jesus to redeem us.   

To continue reading more about the wonderful  provision that the Lord Jesus Christ has made for us proceed to
GOD’S GREAT PROVISION IN CHRIST.

But finally the third thing that shows is in the Book of Ephesians is his power. This is God’s power In our lives by the Holy Spirit to bring about what he has planned and purpose and provided for.

READ MORE ABOUT  HOW – GOD HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

or …….

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Greetings everybody!  Today from Philippians chapter 2 we are looking at four most beautiful words of love.  These come from the first verse of a great chapter.  Philippians 2 is one of the most wonderful chapters  in scripture.   It speaks of glorious truths that need to be approached with reverence.  

The Four Precious Things

As we approach the great truth in this passage we should take the shoes off our feet spiritually and reverence, for as we read this together we are standing truly on Holy Ground.

We will be looking at 4 beautiful words in these verses that describe the love we share in our christian fellowship.   For the benefit of readers who speak and read Tagalog, the scripture references have also been given in that language.

Here is the verse we will look at …….

=====================
Phil 2:1 – Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of  love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
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Phil 2:1 – Kaya nga kung mayroong anomang kasiglahan kay Cristo, kung
mayroong anomang kaaliwan ng pagibig, kung mayroong anomang pakikisama ng
Espiritu, kung mayroong anomang mahinahong awa at habag,
====================

The four words we will look at are ……

• CONSOLATION – (kasiyahan)
• COMFORT OF LOVE – (kaaliwan ng pagibig)
• FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT – (pakikisama ng Espiritu)
• AFFECTION OF MERCY –

This passage starts off by saying “kaya”. In Tagalog…. kaya

In the English translation of the bible this is translate “IF”. The word in the original Greek language of the Bible is better translated ‘since’.

… SINCE ( so, therefore ” kaya”)

It’s really saying that ‘Since’ we have such wonderful consolation in Christ; in Christ, in the church, by his Spirit the Lord has given us many great blessings and in Jesus Christ we are so richly blessed!

Word 1 – CONSOLATION- kasiyahan

That word ‘consolation’ (kasiyahan) in the original language of the Bible is the word “parakaleo” and it means ‘encouragement‘.

It is the same word used when Jesus said to his disciples in in the Gospels of
John – will send you another comforter that he will be with you forever even
the Spirit of Truth.
==========================
John 14:16 – And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever —
=======================
John 14:16 – At ako’y dadalangin sa Ama, at kayo’y bibigyan niya ng ibang Mangaaliw, upang siyang suma inyo magpakailan man,
====================

So that word ‘consolation’ means to cheer on, to encourage, to comfort and  strengthen. And all these wonderful blessings are ours as we share in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. So this word ‘consolation’ means to “Cheer us on.” It means to “Wave the flags”. To “Encourage us”.

God shouts to us with Joy ….” You can make it!”

Word 2 – COMFORT OF LOVE

Next we come to the second word …. ‘COMFORT OF LOVE’ – (kaaliwan ng pagibig)

In the original Greek language of the Bible, the New Testament ues the word “Paramuthion.” This means a comfort that comes very close to one. So the word means God comes very Close to us ……. tenderly ….. like a kiss to bring us sweet intimate comfort.

In the Fellowship of the Church of God ( among God’s children), the Holy Spirit not only cheers us on with a shout. The Holy Spirit also comes along very gently at times when we need and whispers gentle words of comfort and love….., VERY CLOSELY into our hearts.

And the Most beautiful and wonderful thing of all is that….

We also encourage each other.  We all need each other and God expects us to encourage each other in the faith.  God expects each one of Us to sometimes speak gentle words of Love and comfort to a brother or sister.

Sometimes we need to speak gentle words of Love and say to each other, “cheer up my brother I know what you are going through”..
Or to say, ” cheer up my sister, I know what you are going through”..

God knows what you are going through and he will bring you through into Victory!

Word 3 – FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT

Thirdly we come to the phrase…..”FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT – (pakikisama ng Espiritu”.)

The Greek word for ” fellowship” here means “a sharing in something together.”   When people go to the pub to drink AND want a drink they go to share .  The thing they go to share in is not really Fellowship! it may be good and they MAY make friends but it’s not even friendship that they are sharing in!  The thing that they are sharing is …..alcohol! …Booze.

the Bible nowhere tells us that we should never drink. The Bible does not teach but we must be teetotal. The original Jewish people have many festivals where the cheerful. moderate use of wine was used a lot.  But drunkenness is a sin. drunkenness is a sin and God hates drunkenness because it is a ” work of the flesh, (Gal 5:21).  But what I’m saying is, that they go to share in alcohol, but Praise God we share in God’s Holy Spirit.

THE LORD HAS GIVEN US A BEAUTIFUL COMMAND.
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Eph 5:18,  19 – Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,…
======================
Eph 5:18. 19 – At huwag kayong magsipaglasing ng alak na kinaroroonan ng kaguluhan, kundi kayo’y mangapuspos ng Espiritu; 19 Na kayo’y mangagusapan ng mga salmo at mga himno at mga awit na ukol sa espiritu, na nangagaawitan at nangagpupuri sa inyong mga puso sa Panginoon;
=========================

We are all bathing and all sharing in a beautiful HOLY SPIRIT “bathtub” together. We are all being cleansed and and renewed by the spirit of God. We all share in together in such beautiful things. We are all DRINKING IN together in such beautiful truth. But the MOST WONDERFUL THING OF ALL is that we are sharing together in In the beautiful son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ that we love so much.

Word 4 – AFFECTION OF MERCY

Last of all we read ” affections of mercy”

Different Bible translations may have different words for the word affection.
But again, it’s best to go back to the original Greek language of the Bible to get the accurate meaning. The word is the word ‘ splanchnon’

SPLANCHNON

I guess that might sound a very strange word but it means… “Bowels”

This word was used because the ancient Greeks believed that the bowels where the centre of emotions. Even today, im modern times we often hear somebody say –
…….. “I really feel it in my guts”.

Sometimes when we feel emotions it really feels like its coming from deep down within us! ….OUR guts!

I want to say something here …]

Feelings and emotions are very important in the spiritual life. God expects us to feel emotions, but sadly different sectors of the church have tried to “cut off” the importance of emotions in a Christians life.

We often here the saying, “We walk by Faith not by feelings”.   This is very true – up to a certain point only.  Its truth lies in the fact that because our emotions are changeable  we need to stand up on God’s truth irrespective of how we feel.  However,  our emotions are vitally necessary if we are to love the Lord.  SOMETIMES ….like David the psalmist we need to say to our selves, ” bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name”,
(Psalm 103:1) .

We need to actually consciously stir up our emotions with the truth of God’s word!  Emotions are very important in the Christian Life. We need to love God and each other with tender emotions. The truth that we receive from God’s word by Faith; this truth should hit our emotions.  And when our emotions are stirred, (and I’m talking about godly emotions) being stirred – these godly emotions will propel us, DRIVE US, CAUSE US to serve God faithfully.
The Devil knows the importance of emotions!  He tries to trap people through
their emotions.

Satan doesn’t tempt us and tell us he wants us to DO EVIL. He attacks our emotional life.   He says, ” I’m offering you this …. it will stir your emotions and make you FEEL.”  Satan tempts us and tries to make us feel that sin ( rebellion) is …. EXCITING.
That sin is fascinating that sin is a alluring!
Satan tries to tell us that serving God is boring!
But I can tell you ……. SERVING GOD IS NOT BORING!!

Satan tries to tell us that the only emotions we’re going to feel – the best emotions we will feel are in sin! But that is a total lie. A TOTAL LIE……
REAL BEAUTIFUL EMOTIONS COME FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT.  Let m say that again….
REAL BEAUTIFUL EMOTIONS COME FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The truly Christian life is full of beautiful sweet godly emotions and Passions.

People love to “FEEL”.   So that they can ” feel emotions”, many people spend hours crying in front of the TV set Over some Crazy FICTIONAL Love Story.   wasted hours….wasted hours.
Many people spend hours crying in front of the TV set Over some Crazy Love Story
or sob story …Wasting emotions on fiction. I don’t waste my time and emotions om FICTION.
I am stirred up by the reality and beauty of Jesus christ and God’s word of truth.

I’m not saying we should never watch a TV program or a play. But let’s not waste our emotions on things that will not last forever.  Let’s offer and pour our emotions into loving a wonderful, glorious, majestic,  gracious God and into the magnificent things he has accomplished for us.  It’s far better to experience all the beauty of the emotions Our Lord is able and wants to put into US.

Let’s continue with the verses up to verse 4
===============================
Phil 2: 2 to 4 – Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same
love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish
ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for
the interests of others.
======================
Phil 2: 2 to 4 – Ay lubusin ninyo ang aking katuwaan, upang kayo’y mangagkaisa ng pagiisip, mangagtaglay ng isa ring pagibig, na mangagkaisa ng akala,
at isa lamang pagiisip; 3 Na huwag ninyong gawin ang anoman sa pamamagitan ng pagkakampikampi o sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalalo, kundi sa kababaan ng pagiisip, na ipalagay ng bawa’t isa ang iba na lalong mabuti kay sa kaniyang sarili;
4 Huwag tingnan ng bawa’t isa sa inyo ang sa kaniyang sarili, kundi ang bawa’t isa naman ay sa iba’t iba.
========================

The Word says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit!”
It’s very possible to do good things for the wrong motive.  It’s easy to be conceited or have selfish ambition and to make a display!   It’s easy to be conceited or have selfish ambition!  

If Our Emotions and Motives are Wrong

If our motives are wrong … and if we truly belong to Jesus…… God will CORRECT us gently
if our motives are wrong …… God will show us gently and we will be changed as
we admit our pride and sin. But it so easy to do things to show off.

We need to be humble! But let me tell you something amazing. Jesus IS humble. Jesus our Mighty Lord and Saviour is humble.

Jesus Our Lord Is Humble

He said in Matthew chapter 11…..
=================================
Matthew 11:29 – Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
==========================

Matthew 11:29 – Pasanin ninyo ang aking pamatok, at magaral kayo sa akin; sapagka’t ako’y maamo at mapagpakumbabang puso: at masusumpungan ninyo ang kapahingahan ng inyong mga kaluluwa.
=========================
IF we are his…. If we belong to him…..we will have his spirit of humility.   JESUS ….he always stooped to serve!
In John’s gospel, chapter 13 we see that Our Lord took the towel and washed his disciples feet.
So we only need to ALLOW his attitude….. his spirit of humility to fill us….
Praise God we can have a humility that is far greater than our own ( natural)
humility.

We can have THE VERY HUMILITY OF JESUS HIMSELF
Jesus is HUMBLE – and humility is the ” very perfume of heaven”, so verse 5 carries on…… saying …
==========================.
Philippinas 2:5 – 8 – Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and
coming in the likeness of men.
============================

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Paul talks of this phrase in 1st Timothy chapter 3, verse  16.  So here I will explain the powerful truth  concerning what is meant by  the Mystery of Godliness.  

This phrase, we will see. involves the ASTOUNDING Truth that God walked this planet in the person of His Son.   The Son of God became truly human, to live a beautiful life amongst us and die to redeem us.  This phrase also contains the truth that Jesus rose again after crucifixion and entered into glory.   However, this phrase also encapsulates the tremendous destiny of the Church ( God’s people), that they too are destined to glory.  The church will rise with Christ to be glorified,  The Church one day will be gloriously perfected and shine in this world!

The Household of God

God has a loving home where He lives, moves and acts!  It is His ‘Church’ to which  we all, (if saved) belong to.  This wonderful family, this household,  His church is precious to God and is being built by Jesus.

Mathew 16: 18 – I will build my Church and the gates of hell will NOT prevail against it.

Christians of all ‘churches’, denominations, as well as those with no denomination really belong to this great household – this ONE Church.  Acts 20:28 informs us that the Church (us collectively as believers) has been purchased by God’s own blood! What a wonderful scripture – proving that Jesus Christ is truly God; it was His blood that purchased the Church.

This Church that Jesus built and also purchased, is described in verse 15 as the custodian of the truth. (The pillar and ground of truth). Let’s look at the TRUTH – The major aspects of the truth, that are held and displayed by God’s household in verse 16.

The Mystery of Godliness

This verse appears to be a fragment of an early church ‘hymn’! It is the setting of the Churches beliefs to poetry and music.

1 Tim 3:16 – And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Let’s look at what the hymn is saying.

God Was Manifested in the Flesh

Who is it then that was manifested ‘in the flesh’? This was none other than God, the eternal creator of all things. This means an astounding thing!   God, became truly human and lived among us; He was the eternal Word of God, (The Son of God).  This is the creator (the Word) spoken about in John 1: 1-2 regarding His existence and power –  prior to His birth at Bethlehem as Jesus.

John 1:1, 2 – In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 

These first two verses speak of the wonderful One who was in the VERY BEGINNING.  Before the world, space or time itself came into existence.  Verse 3 teaches that Jesus (The Word) created ALL things. Each flower, bird, every star, and every planet, angels and men all were created through him.

The Astounding Happening

Then something wonderful happened!  Let’s now look at a wonderful verse: John 1:14.

John 1:14  – And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father – full of grace and truth.

ASTOUNDING! This means that one-day something AWESOME happened! The Lord Jesus at a particular time in history, became something He was not before! He became a physical being who was truly human in every way; a human life and human nature! Before that event in history 2000 years ago he was essentially Spirit as the Word with the Father.

The Apostle John’s Testimony

Years later the apostle John casting his memory back said that they had actually seen and touched this eternal and Wonderful One.   This One who had healed the sick, lifted the fallen, loved the sinners, comforted the sad, inspired men and lived and died and rose again for humanity.  Listen to John’s  words:

1 John 1:1 – The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and (actually) touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life!

The Life that knows No language

John was trying to describe the “indescribable One” because there is no earthly language capable of describing the beauty of the life he lived among us.  Earthly languages all fail!  This life drew the loyalty of rugged fishermen; tax collectors and children.  All these were utterly drawn to him. Even prostitutes were bathing Jesus feet with tears of repentance as His gracious life drew them to sorrow over past sin,  a new sense of purity and an awareness of God’s love and grace.  As you read through the gospels, you will see that his was also a path of loneliness. Rejection at times by his own family and the most severe persecutions that came from the strict unyielding religion of his day were his lot! God (as Jesus) new human hunger, thirst, tiredness, temptation, temptation to discouragement, (dare I say it – real sexual temptation also). Every battle that we fight was his!    And praise God, every victory he won belongs to us also!

HOW human was Jesus?

According to  the scriptures the very test of whether a teacher is speaking from God actually depends upon whether or not he believes God became truly human!

1 John 4: 2,3 – By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the {spirit} of the antichrist.

So how human was Jesus as he walked amongst us? – How much did he ‘lay aside’ and leave behind when he left heaven? Here are some scriptures to read up if you wish to:

Philippians 2: 6,7 – (The son of God) made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

Luke 2:52 – And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.  This tells us that He left behind His “omniscience”.   As God,  The Son of God knew all things.    However, as Jesus of Nazareth he had to learn and grow in wisdom an understanding as we all do.

Acts 10:38 –  God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.   As God, prior to his birth at Bethlehem,  The Son of God  was ALL POWERFUL.   After being born as a man and given the human name of Jesus he was totally dependent on God the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Hebrews 2; 18  – For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.  The apostle James ( the Lord’s human brother) tells us clearly that God cannot be tempted, (James 1:13 ).   However. once the Son of God had taken humanity he knew the full force and blast of every human temptation we all endure.

Vindicated In the Spirit

This means that all through the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the time of his ascension into glory, the Holy Spirit both preserved and bore testimony and attested to Christ’s worth and righteousness.

Jesus Vindicated at His Baptism and On The “Mount of Transfiguration”

Matthew 3: 16. 16 – When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  At Jesus Baptism – The Father and the Holy Spirit both attested to Jesus ‘Sonship’ .

In the gospel of Matthew chapter 17 we read that Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.    We are told that as they watched Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun.  His clothes also became as white as light.   Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.  Peter was so awe-struck with all that was happening that he exclaimed, “ Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials^[a]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”   Then God spoke from heaven…..

Matt 17:5 – While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him”.

Jesus Was Offered Through The Eternal Spirit

As Jesus hung upon the cross bearing our sins and the curse of the whole universe, the Holy Spirit as very active.  Jesus Offering of Himself at the Cross was actually through the ‘eternal Spirit’   Hebrews 9:14–   how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?   This is a glorious truth!   Among other things, this means that although the crucifixion was a historical event in time it had an eternal consequence.   Because it was such a mighty  ETERNAL EVENT it was planned and actually took place before the earth ever existed.

 Rev 13:8 says – all those dwelling on the earth will worship him, every one whose name is not written in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.

My Christian brother and sister, your salvation is  SECURE.   When Jesus poured out His holy blood he purchased an  ETERNAL SALVATION  for you.   Not only are your past and present sins dealt with, bit also every sin you will commit in the future!

Jesus was Vindicated in The Spirit By His Glorious Resurrection

The resurrection designated and vindicated Jesus as the Son of God with power ( according to the Spirit of holiness).

Romans 1: 3-4 – His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Jesus – Becoming the ‘Life Giving Spirit’ in His Resurrection

It goes far deeper in truth than this..  Jesus, in His resurrection, even became the Life Giving Spirit, (1 Corinthians 15:45, 2 Corinthians 3:17. Bless God, He now comes to us to dwell and live in us. (Romans 8: 9-10, Ephesians 3:17).

1 Cor 15:45 – And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Even while our Lord was on this earth the ‘Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Jesus was not available to man. Let’s look at a portion from the gospel of John together!

John 7:39 – But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Now that our Lord has ascended,  He comes to us as the Life Giving Spirit. He said – “ I will come to you!”, ( John 14:18). His Spirit is now available to us to breath into our lives.   When he comes to us he brings all the victories He has accomplished for us through His incarnation (coming to earth), human life, crucifixion, resurrection and enthronement. He said before he left the earth – ‘Be of GOOD OF CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME the world. All His NOW victories are available to us in the power of His life Giving Spirit.

Seen By Angels

Angels saw the incarnation, human living and ascension of Christ. ( Luke 2: 9-14; Matt 4:11; Revelation 5:6, 11-12). They worshipped him in heaven before He came to earth; they worshipped him at Bethlehem. All angels and all creation will forever more worship Jesus.

Rev 5:11 to End – And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power.  And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Singing, loud praise, with prostration! All is falling down before the lamb! (Jesus) – What a worship service!
Let’s join with the heavenly ‘choir’ Monday evening praising the lord Jesus!

Preached Among The Nations – Believed on In The World

Here we see that Jesus is not the exclusive property of any race or nation. He was not just the Messiah who had come to raise the Jews to earthly greatness. He was and is, the saviour of ALL nations; of the whole wide world.
Let’s pray as we gather that His word may go forth to the whole earth. Let’s praise Him that His love and grace is reaching out to all men today. Freeing, healing, saving, liberating, blessing! AMEN.

Taken Up Into Glory

This refers to Christ’s ascension into glory, (Mark 16:19; Acts 1: 91-11; Philippians 2:9). According to historical sequence, Christ’s ascension went before Him being preached among the nations. However, it is listed here as the last event.  This is for a very good reason (other than poetry).

This indicates that the Church ( God’s redeemed) is taken up into glory as Our Lord was! It implies that not only Christ as the HEAD, but also the Church AS HIS BODY is the manifestation of God in the flesh. We (together as His church are a human manifestation of the life of God on this earth)!

If we as the Church will only function as the loving ‘household of God. If we as the church will only function as the supporting pillar and ground of truth – we as His Body will bear a glorious testimony to the world. And one day the whole Christ – not only the head (Jesus) but also us (the Body) will together be caught up with Him into the glory!
The story of Jesus started in heaven; it ends in heaven! William Barclay says – “ He lived as a servant, He was branded as a criminal, He was crucified on a cross – He arose with the nail prints on him still. But the end is GLORY!”

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I am concerned at the harsh “Yoke” of control that Christian church leaders exercise upon the Lord’s people.  One arena  is the call to fast  type of control.  This is manifested is in the ” calls to fasting” that are made in the churches.  

Removing Religions Harsh Yoke From The Flock

Often one solitary Guru type leader or so called Senior pastor tells God’s flock that they are called to fast. Is this degree of control biblically based?

God’s Local Leadership Is Plural

(1) Each local congregation is shepherded, guided, led and nourished by a PLURAL GROUP OF ELDERS. There is no role of ” senior pastor” mentioned anywhere in God’s Word. No leading elder to dictate or to be God’s sole spokesperson on important decisions,. The one -pastor system is not scriptural. All of the five fold ministry gifts ( including that of pastor) are trans-local. ministering to all Christ’s Body. However in the local assembly God’s will in important decisions should normally first be revealed to a WHOLE COLLECTIVE GROUP of
elders.

Titus 1: 4 to 7 – To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be ….

1 Peter 5:1 – To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s
sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: …

God’s Five-fold Ministry Will Bear RESPONSIBILITY

( 2) In general, it is God’s leaders, ( five fold ministry) that are expected to take the lead, shoulder the burden and responsibility in spiritual warfare, fasting etc.  

In Acts chapter 13 we see such a group consisting of teachers and prophets who together are ministering to the Lord with fasting. the account does NOT say that the whole church was involved in this spiritual discipline; this time of special ministry and fasting was borne by prophets and teachers ( Presumably also, The Holy Spirit spoke collectively to these brothers calling them into this time of fasting).
…
Acts 13: 1 to 4 – Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Avoiding Tempting God By Harsh Control

(3) – There are a minimal of  ” Necessary things” to be observed by the gentiles who have turned to God from idols.

Acts chapter 15 is pivotal. God has included this chapter – almost in the centre of the book of Acts. It is very important! According to Acts 15:10, to impose anything MORE than these things listed in this chapter is in effect to ” tempting God”.

Acts 15:10 – Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

The Law of Moses imposed many burdens upon God’s children under the Old Covenant, There where commands, festivals to be compulsorily kept and observances that were described in Acts 15: 10 as things ” hard to put up with”.  Dare we, as called ministers of God impose upon Gods ” lambs” another set of special fast days and religious things to replace these many Jewish laws, ordinances, restrictions and disciplines.  Christ came to set us free from all such observances under the New Covenant”?  Indeed, we as leaders can invite the ” lambs ” to join us in any of these times we feel God has called us to. But, there ought not to be any sense of compulsion or expectation that they join us. They should feel totally free.

Conclusion

In short, what I am saying is this:

Any special times of fasting, need for teaching sessions, church disciplines etc., should normally be revealed to the whole group of elders that care for the church.  The leaders and ministry gifted members should bear the responsibility. Others in the church may ( and perhaps ought to be invited to join in) – but it needs to be made absolutely clear that there is no sense of compulsion on the flock of God.  To do so is to “ tempt God“.

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